tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72261116212961369662024-02-20T04:38:01.704-08:00Amaryllis's TalesShort stories by Amaryllis.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-29668531039307505112016-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:002016-07-04T00:00:02.633-07:00A Girl From Hell, Chapter 4<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack woke up the next morning to more sunlight than he really wanted.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Go ‘way,” he said, waving an arm at the person that had just thrown his curtains open. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wake up!” a voice hissed in his ear. Jack squealed and jumped out from under the covers. “That’s better,” Haley said, looking Jack up and down in his PJs.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You stayed? In my house?!” Jack asked. Haley shrugged.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where else was I supposed to go? Back to Hell? I don’t think so.” Jack relaxed out of his tense ‘don’t hurt me’ stance.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where did you sleep, by the way?” he asked. Haley pointed at the devon in the corner of his room. “But- but-”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Relax. You don’t snore in your sleep,” Haley said. “Now hurry up and get dressed. We’re going to karate.” Jack dodged the pile of clothes the demon girl threw at him. “You’re going to have to defend yourself somehow. Heck, I have to defend myself somehow. I have no idea how to defend against freaking super heroes, though.” Haley stomped off into Jack’s bathroom. Jack picked up his clothing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you always this cheery in the morning?” he hollered at the now closed bathroom door.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-25db12d0-3252-5692-cbab-66c31aea0392" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">XXxxxXX</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack and Haley walked into a cool, white room. It was sparsely decorated, but what it was decorated with was either Yuan or Tang Dynasty Chinese art. A middle-aged Chinese man walked up to the two of them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah! Welcome to our dojo! What can I help you with? Would you like to sign up for a class?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Actually,” Haley said, “We were hoping to get some private tutoring?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am so sorry, but we do not do private tutoring. You will have to sign up for one of our classes.” Haley’s eyes narrowed. Jack rolled his. He rustled around in his pocket, pulled out three hundred-dollar bills. The Chinese man before them watched the money intently. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But,” the man continued, “I think we can make an exception in this case.” Jack handed the man the money. “Please, wait here while I get you your gi’s.” The man walked off, a slight bounce in his step. Jack looked at Haley and wiggled his eyebrows.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s why I’m the genius and you’re the demon,” he said. Haley stuck her tongue out at him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I’m gonna demon-whup your butt, Genius.” Jack started mocking her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Meh, neh, nyeh. I’m gonna whup ya.” He waved his hands in mock dismay. Then he turned square on to her. “Bring it, Sister. I got what it takes.” Haley realised that it was slightly intimidating to be looked down on by someone a few inches taller than you. She would never admit it, though. Not even in a truth or dare game. The Chinese man hurried back out, holding two gi’s.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah,” he said. “A brother and sister squabble?” Haley shook her head.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s just some guy that picked me up.” The Chinese man raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several minutes later, the sweet, kindly Chinese man had warped into an evil, harsh, and cruel karate master.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No!” he barked. “Hold your hands like so! Yes! Now, bend your knees more. More! More than that! Does it hurt in your legs? GOOD!” Haley threw a glare at Jack, which he returned.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your freaking brilliant idea, Haley,” he hissed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No talking in the dojo!” the teacher smack Jack’s head. Haley snickered. “No laughing!” He also smacked Haley’s head. In about half an hour, their teacher had them facing each other, teaching them their first kata.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is a choreographed combat that will teach you the basics of the Uechi Ryu karate style! After you have memorized this one, we will work on the kata that will teach you the basics of Kung-fu! Then, after your lunch break, I will expect you to perform each kata flawlessly!” Haley and Jack glared daggers at each other.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night, Haley lay draped along the back of the couch in Jack’s lair. Jack was sprawled face down on the couch cushions below her. He moaned into the cushions.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My legs hurt,” he said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My everything hurts,” Haley said. She tugged on a tuft of Jack’s hair. “You didn’t think it would be easy, did you?” Jack moaned into the cushions as a response. Haley sighed dramatically.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Only a few more months, then we can probably take the monks on.” Jack moaned again.</span></div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-23503129506766119132016-06-27T00:00:00.000-07:002016-06-27T00:00:14.409-07:00A Girl From Hell, Chapter 3<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing new! See the first chapter for the disclaimer.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-7f2d58d8-3251-6474-6c1d-1546366eb183" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">XXxxxXX</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The girl stomped around Jack’s lair, glaring at the ground. Jack sat on a stool, welding together the pieces of his robots that remained. The girl stopped in front of a damaged robot head.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can I kick this?” She asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure. Whatever.” Jack waved his hand absently at her. The girl drew her foot back and kicked the head against the wall, which it bounced off of, then landed on the couch. Jack flipped his welding mask up to look at the head. It had a large dent in it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was steel,” he said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And my foot kind of hurts,” the girl said. She plunked down right where she was standing, folded her legs, and rested her chin of her fist. “I totally had them.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, well, that’s not what I saw. Face it.” Jack looked down at her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine. I was losing,” she said. She picked idly at the new rip in her pants that framed a large, but shallow cut. Jack stood up from his stool, walked over to her, then sat down.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So. What’s your name?” he asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What does it matter?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You thought it mattered earlier.” The girl sighed, then picked a little more intensely at the tear in her pants.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Haley. It’s a stupid, girly name. I know. So go ahead and get your laughs out.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think it’s a cute name.” Haley looked up at Jack, who grinned. She stuck her tongue out at him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I’m not cute.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you suuuuure?” Jack wiggled his eyebrows. She glared at him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m a demon, remember?” Jack stood up and stuck out his lower lip.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine!” he said. “Don’t accept my compliment.” He walked back over to his stool, then started welding the robot, again. Haley looked up at boy’s back.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jack?” she said. He stopped welding and raised his head.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah?” he said without turning around.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you.” Jack waved a hand dismissively.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No problem.”</span></div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-19679664676258714742016-06-20T00:00:00.000-07:002016-06-20T00:00:06.178-07:00A Girl From Hell, Chapter 2<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello, again! Nothing big to report. See the disclaimer in the first chapter.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy reading!</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-43609999-3250-2c81-17ea-a22e095bea4b" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">XXxxxXX</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Omi hopped off of Dojo with the other Xiaolin Monks.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Quickly, my friends. We must find this Wu before-” Omi started.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Howdy ho, Xiaolin Loser!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jack Spicer! Prepare for a humiliating defeat!” Omi said as he pointed up to Jack Spicer. Jack flew down, then landed in front of the monks, all of whom took on a fighting stance.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What brings your sorry butt out here, Spicer?” Raimundo asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, just some shopping, chores, and-” Jack paused for effect, “World Domination!” He then proceeded to laugh maniacally. “Jack Bots, attack!” The robots whirred into action, flying at the Xiaolin Monks. The demon girl walked up next to Jack, arms folded, and watched the robots with mild interest. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You built those?” she asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did. Evil, aren’t they?” Jack said, then he gave her a toothy grin. The girl looked past him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And fragile.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?!” Jack whirled around to face the monks. A robot head dropped out of the sky, bounced a few times, then eventually rolled in front of Jack’s feet.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Surrender now, or suffer a most severe butt kicking, Jack Spicer!” Omi shouted. Jack mimick him in a funny voice, wiggling his hands.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Meh meh meh meh. Not a chance, Xiaolin Losers! Demon girl, attack!” She looked at him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have a name, you know,” she said. Jack looked at her. “Fine. I’ll tell you later.” She walked forward to the monks, who braced themselves. “And now for my ultimate attack! BRAAAAGGHHHH!” She yelled. “Hey, wait. What’s that?” She pointed behind the monks. Omi looked back.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You don’t honestly think we’d fall for-” Raimundo started.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What? Where?” Omi asked. The girl kicked him out of the formation, making Kimiko drop on her head. Raimundo lunged forward, aiming for the girl’s face. She quickly stepped to the side, grabbed his elbow, and guided him into the dirt. Clay stomped on the ground.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Seismic Kick! Earth!” he yelled. The girl stumbled, then jumped away from the rocks as the slammed around where she used to be. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Holy sweet baby of marmalade!” she yelled. She spun around to face Jack. “THEY HAVE SUPER POWERS?!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oooh, yeah… Kinda forgot to mention- Behind you!” Jack said. The girl dove off to the side as a blast of water and ice flew past her. Her eyes got wide as she watched the icles firmly implant themselves into the dirt. She stood up and glared at the monks as they slowly approached her. The girl sunk into a horse stance.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you can break physics, so can I!” She stomped on the ground, then spat off to the side. “Bring it!” Kimiko flipped towards her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Judolette Flip! Fire!” The girl dodged to the side.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Typhoon Boom! Wind!” Raimundo yelled, slamming his hands together in front of himself. The girl was blown up and off her feet. She landed several yards away, then slid a few more. She kicked her legs up to flip herself off of the ground, then landed nimbly on her feet.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Face, gingers. You’re out numbered. And out classed! Just surrender and we’ll let you leave with your skin in tact,” Raimundo said. The girl stood perfectly still, watching the monks with narrowed eyes. Jack took a step back.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A-ah- Maybe we better leave, Demon,” he said. Seemingly unaware of what Jack said, the girl said to Raimundo:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did you just give me a challenge?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If the challenge is not to get your butt kicked, then, yeah! I did!” The two of them glared at each other. Then, the girl ran at him, completely silent. Raimundo ran at her, yelling at the top of his lungs. At the last minute, just before the two collided, the girl ducked down and punched her fist forward, holding it there as Raimundo’s stomach made contact. His eyes got big and he coughed. The girl stood up quickly, grabbing his wrist, then twisting his arm behind his back, police-style. Clay ran forward. He threw a kick at the girl, who jerked Raimundo up as a human shield. Clay froze.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, my- I’m sorry, partner,” he said. The girl threw a snap kick that landed on his jaw, sending him reeling back. Raimundo struggled, then ripped out of the girl’s grasp. Kimiko charged forward and did a flip kick at the girl’s mid-section. Her foot connected, making the girl ‘oof,’ then fly backwards and collide with Jack, sending the two red-heads rolling down the hill, teapot over kettle. The monks started laughing uproariously, pointing at the two as they untangled from each other. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The girl stood up the fastest, then blew steam out her nose as her face turn crimson, anger burning in her eyes. She took a step forward, but was then pulled backwards as Jack wrapped his arms around her stomach, then flew up and away. She wiggled for a minute, glaring down at the monks who slowly shrunk to the size of ants, still laughing as if their posteriors would pop off.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let me go! I can handle it!” she said, but she slowly stopped struggling.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You sure gave them a run for their money. I’ll give you that much,” Jack said. “But that loser Raimundo is right. We’re out-classed.” The girl sighed, then twisted around to hold on to Jack’s shoulders.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was stupid,” she said. </span></div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-43528602034646777032016-06-13T00:00:00.000-07:002016-06-13T00:00:19.999-07:00A Girl From Hell, Chapter 1<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello and welcome to my first fanfic in about 4 years! I just recently rewatched all of Xiaolin Showdown and so am a bit obsessed with it, right now. I’m working on a far larger and grander XS fic, but, for now, I’ll put this little one out. Hopefully, some of you will enjoy it. And I won’t beg for your reviews, but I will ask after them.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-694583bc-324e-4e8d-f3ba-e9dac645c377" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, on to legal nonsense. Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown or any of it’s characters. I do own my personal characters and whatever Shen Gong Wu I happen to make up.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy reading!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">XXxxxXX</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack cackled in front of his ingenious device. He stood before a large metal platform with a humming, blue orb dancing on top of it. The orb sparked and fluttered as arcs of electricity skittered across its surface. Jack paused dramatically from his cackling.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Behold!” he said, taking a dramatic pose to present the orb to his audience of Jack Bots. “You see before you a portal into another dimension! And not just any dimension, but Hell itself!” He cackled evilly again. The Jack Bots dutifully applauded. “The Xiaolin Losers will never see this coming,” Jack said as he pulled a lever. The lighting in the room dimmed significantly while the orb glowed more intensely. The orb drifted upwards. At the bottom of it, a droplet began to form. Slowly, it dripped off and made a wet ‘splat’ sound as it flattened out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Rise, my new minion! Rise, my demon from Hell!” Jack said. The droplet slowly resolved itself into the face-down figure of a person. It pushed itself to its knees, then stood up. As the figure stood, the blue of the orb slid off, revealing a girl of about 14 years with hot-rod red hair. Jack and the Bots looked at her and blinked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey…” Jack said. “You’re not from Hell.” The girl looked at him.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wanna bet?” she said, then stomped over to him. “What’s the big idea of jerking me out of my daily life? I was in the middle of- of things!” She threw her arms up. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sorry that the journey may not have been very pleasant,” Jack said, “But I have an evil plan that requires a demon.” The red-headed demon eye-balled him, then grabbed him by his lapels. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This had better be good,” she hissed. Jack gulped.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, it involves World Domination!” The girl let him go.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine.” Just then, Jack Spicer’s Shen Gong Wu tracker sounded off.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“On to stage one of the plan!” Jack said.</span></div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-63916685702526491882016-06-08T16:13:00.000-07:002016-06-08T16:13:02.942-07:0000 Cheapskate - Tabby Kills People Script<b id="docs-internal-guid-378c0a65-3247-36bf-f79b-6ebc9901c3bc" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TABBY KILLS PEOPLE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cheapskate”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Written by</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Amaryllis Graybill</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<hr />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TITLE SEQUENCE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FADE IN: </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TITLE CARD</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CUE SHORTENED INTRO MUSIC</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHOW TITLE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby Kills People</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EPISODE TITLE AND CREDITS</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cheapskate</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Written by</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amaryllis Graybill</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 396pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FADE OUT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">END TITLE SEQUENCE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ACT ONE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FADE IN:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EXT. OUTSIDE A CAFE - NIGHT</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CLOSE UP OF TABBY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby drums her fingers on the table, looking sympathetic, but happy.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CLOSE UP OF MALE VICTIM</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Male victim looks as if he’s given up and has accepted what’s to come.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHOW HALF OF SCENE WITH ONLY TABBY</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TABBY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 135pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, don’t get me wrong, you seem like a really </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 135pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nice guy, but I have my needs.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PAN TO SHOW RIGHT HALF OF SCENE TO SHOW MALE VICTIM AND TABBY</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man is tied down to a chair. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MALE VICTIM</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Needs that happen to involve my spleen. That </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">aliens will use for experiments.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, it sounds weird when you put it like </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Male Victim</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look, I don’t know why you’re doing this-</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the aliens.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Male Victim</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right. The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">aliens</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Tell you what, I’ll pay you </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not to kill me.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 207pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah? How much?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Male Victim</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(looks panicked and suddenly flustered)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uh, $1000?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby stares blankly at Male Victim. She then hefts a sap and clubs Male Victim in the side of the head with it. Male Victim’s eye opposite to the blow flies out of his head, followed by several teeth and spit. Where the sap struck the side of his head, Male Victim now has blood coming out. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Male Victim’s lifeless body in the chair falls to the side with the impact, then begins bleeding everywhere. The remaining eye can be seen to be visible bulged out of his head and Male Victim’s tongue hangs out the side of his mouth. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CLOSE UP OF MALE VICTIM’S UPPER TORSO</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We watch as a large pool of blood begins to form around Male Victim’s head.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHOW FULL SCENE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby sighs, stands up, and walks over to Male Victim’s corpse. She crouches down and flicks out a knife, then cuts open Male Victim’s chest. Blood spurts and gurgles out of Male Victim’s chest. Tabby reaches inside of the incision, digs around inside for a bit, sticking her tongue out in concentration. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She makes a triumphant sound and pulls out what we assume to be a spleen. She pushes the spleen into a strange, alien looking container, which she then sticks into an apron pocket. She stands up, wipes her bloodied hands on her apron ineffectively, then walks off screen left.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INT. ANIMAL FARM NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pain Panda and Tabby sit at a table, each sipping on some sort of fancy drink. Some generic club techno music can be heard.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PAIN PANDA</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t believe he only offered you $1000!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know, right?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(rolls eyes)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pain Panda</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Girl, in this economy, that won’t even buy you a </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">decent pair of shoes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(flaps hand pompously)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 171pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tabby</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(puts head on folded arms)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(lifts drink in a toast-like gesture)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preachin’ to the choir, Pain Panda. Preachin’ </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 99pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the choir...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 360pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FADE OUT</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">END ACT ONE</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ROLL CREDITS</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE END</span></div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-26810429973538872612014-09-06T16:21:00.001-07:002014-09-06T16:21:05.905-07:00Panda and Castle Sketch<div class="blocktext">
<h1>
<br /></h1>
<pre> Panda and Castle Sketch
A Brief Sketch by Amaryllis Graybill
Created in May, 2010
Characters: Big Panda
Little Panda
Chubby Panda
Buff Panda
Panda w/ Hat
Ninja
Scene: Several pandas are collected together, wandering
around in a bedroom. The furniture in the room is all
much larger than the pandas, even Big Panda. The pandas
seem bored. Suddenly, Little Panda notices something.
Little Panda: Squeak!
All the other pandas look around. Little Panda is
indicating a box overflowing with candy. The other
Pandas start getting excited. They all start bouncing
over to the box.
Ninja: Hey!
A set of hands come out from above.
Ninja: That's my candy!
Large feet appear as the hands from above scoop the
box of candy away.
Ninja: If you want any candy, you'll have to buy some
from me. This candy is for my school fundraiser. Any
of you have a dollar for a candy bar?
The pandas look put upon. Chubby Panda fiddles with paws.
Ninja: No? OK. You won't get any, then, I'm afraid.
The large feet disappear off the screen. Chubby Panda
mocks ninja. He waves his paws and acts huffy. Stomps
around in a circle, brandishing an imaginary box.
Panda with Hat pokes Chubby Panda, then shakes his
finger. All pandas' heads droop.
Buff Panda: Chuff, chuff, chuff.
Rubs at eyes with paw. Little panda walks over and
pats Buff Panda on shoulder.
Little Panda: Chitter, chitter, squeak.
Buff Panda nods head. Tissue descends from above. Big
Panda wiggles tissue. Buff Panda sniffs at tissue,
then nibbles at a corner.
Little Panda: Squeak?! Chitterchitterchitterchitter-
Buff Panda: Squeak?
Buff Panda continues to nibble at tissue. Other pandas
begin to sniffle. Little Panda's ears wiggle. Little
Panda scrambles up to Big Panda's ear.
Little Panda: Squeak squeak squeak...
Big Panda: Squeak.
Big Panda wanders out of camera view. Loud metal scraping
noises eminate from out of view. Eventually, a metal desk
is pushed on to the scene, followed by Big Panda. Little
Panda scrambles on to the desk.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Other pandas turn to look. Little Panda brandishes a laser
pointer that seems to have come out of no where. Little
Panda places paws and pointer behind his back and begins
to pace back and forth across the desk. Intro theme from
'The Great Escape' movie starts playing.
Little Panda: Squeak. Squeak, squeak squeak squeak.
SQUEAK-squee.
Little Panda whips out pointer on emphasised words. Little
Panda stands silent for a moment, watching all the eyes of
the other pandas wtching the pointer. Little Panda whips
pointer behind back again. All pandas' eyes follow the
pointer behind Little Panda's back. The pandas continue
to stare at the area of chest that the pointer is behind.
Little Panda: Hrm-hrm.
All the pandas look up. Little Panda pulls out a sheet
of paper and begins to write on it furiously. Big Panda
leans over slightly to see what Little Panda is writing.
Little Panda leans back and lifts up the sheet of paper.
Buff Panda: Ooohh......
Panda with Hat: Aahhh...
Chubby Panda: Tookee too kee.
Big Panda looms over Chubby Panda.
Chubby Panda: Hrm-hrm. Oo-oh....
The sheet of paper that Little Panda is holding up
depicts a crudely drawn stickman-ninja, a rectangle
of paper with a dollar sign scratched into it, and a
box with 'Kaaandi' written on to it.
Little Panda: Squeak!
All Pandas: Squeak!
Camera cuts to pandas standing around the base of a
lawn mower. A large pair of feet appear.
Ninja: I think you're a little small for that.
Buff Panda: Hrrrrm! Hrrrrm!!
Ninja: Um, I don't think even you can move that.
Chubby Panda: Whrwhrwhrwhr WH-yR.
Chubby Panda mocks ninja with waving hands. Panda
with Hat elbows Chubby Panda.
Panda with Hat: Yerp.
Chubby Panda: Mmmm...
Big Panda leans over and starts nibbling at the grass.
Ninja: Haaaa... I don't think you can mow the grass by
eating it all. That's a lot of grass.
Pandas gather into a little circle and start chittering
to each other.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Little Panda points out of view. Pandas follow finger.
They all start getting excited. All the pandas race off
screen, then come back on carrying a watering can.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Little Panda looks up at Ninja. A crack of thunder is
heard. It starts raining. Little Panda looks down. Other
pandas hang head. They all shuffle off screen after the
Ninja, leaving the watering can in view. Camera cuts to
next view.
All the pandas are collected together at the base of a
stairwell. They are milling around looking bored and
confused.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Little Panda points up the stairwell. All the pandas
look at Little Panda, then follow his paw to where
it is pointing.
Chubby Panda: Squeak!
Panda w/ Hat: Squeak!
Buff Panda: Squeak!
Big Panda: Squeak!
Camera pans up the stairwell to the top to pause infront
of a castle. The castle is sparkling and shimmering with
a backdrop of clouds behind it.
Camera blinks back down to the pandas. The pandas shiver
slightly.
Big Panda: Squeak?
Other Pandas: Squeak.
Camera fades to black. Hazy scene appears where all the
pandas are rolling around in gold and jewels.Camera
cross-fades back to pandas. Little panda pops up on
the head of Big Panda.
Little Panda: SQUEAK!
All the pandas's ears twitch slightly, they shuffle
around and look at each other. Little Panda scoots
over to Big Panda's ear.
Little Panda: Squeak squeak squeak...
Big Panda nods head.
Big Panda: SQUARJ.
Pandas stand to attention, then charge up the stairwell.
Little Panda continues to ride on back of Big Panda as
Big Panda chases other pandas up the stairs. Pandas reach
top of stairs and stop. Camera pans over panda faces,
then blinks to castle. Blinks back to pandas.
Chubby Panda: Squeak?
Buff Panda: Squeak.
Panda w/ Hat: Squeak?
Buff Panda shrugs. Camera blinks to castle, then zooms out.
Castle is as big as Little Panda and the castle is infront
of a cloud patterned pillow. Big Panda shuffles behind a
cloud patterned pillow. Buff Panda shuffles to one edge of
the pillow. Little panda stands infront of castle. Panda w/
Hat pokes around from side of pillow. Chubby Panda pops up
on top of pillow.
Chubby Panda: Squah-squeak!
Chubby Panda stands on hind legs and wiggles precariously
on pillow.
Little Panda: Squeak! Chitterchitterchitterchitterchitter-
Little Panda shakes fist at Chubby Panda. Big Panda lifts
Chubby Panda off of pillow, then shakes paw at Chubby Panda.
Pillow falls forward on Little Panda.
Little Panda: Squark!
Buff panda lifts corner of pillow.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Pandas all start giggling. After a few seconds they stop.
Little Panda crawls out from underneath pillow. Buff Panda
tugs on egde of pillow, slightly pulling off the pillow case.
Big Panda sets Chubby Panda on top of pillow. Buff Panda pulls
on edge of pillowcase, pulling it off, and setting Chubby
Panda off balance.
Chubby Panda: Squark!
Chubby Panda regains balance.
Chubby Panda: Chitterchitterchitterchitterchitter-
Buff Panda pulls on pillowcase again, setting Chubby Panda
off balance again. Chuby Panda teeters, then falls off the
pillow.
Little Panda: Cheep!
All pandas look at Little Panda.
Little Panda: Squeak squeak squeak squeak.
Buff Pandatugs off pillowcase the rest of the way.
Chubby Panda sits up and scrambles out of view. Big Panda
picks up two corners of the pillowcase.
Panda with Hat: Squeeee-squeak squeakkoo! Squeeee-squeak
squeakkoo! Squeeee-squeak squeakkoo!
Chubby Panda enters back in view with blue sign. The sign
has a drawing of a car with little animals inside of it.
Above the drawing is written: Rides! 5¢ Soon, various animals
start appearing. They walk up to Little Panda, give him a
nickel,or in the case of the seals, a handful of pennies,
and then proceed to be tugged around by Big Panda.
Animals: Whee!
Soon, it appears to have been a long day. No more animals
are showing up for a ride, and Big Panda is panting heavily.
Little Panda: Squeak!
Little panda walks around and pats all of the pandas
on the back.
Squeak, he says to each of them. A large pair of shoes
walk into the frame.
Ninja: Wow, you guys look tired. What have you been
up to?
Little Panda: Squeak sque-
Chubby Panda: SQUEAK squea-
Buff Panda: chitterchitterchitterchitter
Big Panda: SQUARK.
There is a deep silence for a few seconds.
Ninja: I see. Well, um, how would you guys like a
candy bar?
All the pandas' eyes brighten up. They all dive for
the pile of coins, then push it over to Ninja.
Ninja: Oh, hey! You managed to earn some money after all.
I was just going to give you candy bars, but this is
great! I really appreciate this.
Two large hands reach down and scoop the cooins from
the midst of the triumphantly posing pandas. The hands
disappear off screen for a moment, then reappear with
several candy bars. Each panda bounces up and chooses
a candy bar from Ninja's hand. The pandas look around
at Chubby Panda as he starts noisily eating his candy
bar.
Little Panda: Squeak.
Chubby Panda: Squeak? Chuff, chuff, ch-
Big Panda: SQUEAK.
Chubby Panda walks up to Ninja's feet.
Chubby Panda: Squeak.
Chubby Panda looks apologetic. A large hand reaches
down and pat Chubby Panda on the head.
Ninja: It's OK. I never took offense at you mocking.
Chubby Panda perks up, then toddles back over to the
unfinished candy bar. Soon, all the pandas are happily
munching away and chittering at each other.
Roll Credits
Break Credits
Several fat pandas are lying on the ground. None of
them are moving, and occasionally, a moan can be
heard from them.
Continue Credits
The End
</pre>
</div>
Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-18253552697102471382014-09-06T16:18:00.001-07:002014-09-06T16:18:07.861-07:00Not Quite Zombies, Last DraftLots of people question themselves. You know, with meaningless questions like, "Why am I here?" "Where am I going?" and so on. Well, by now, I think most of those people are dead. Well, not quite dead. I'm not sure how to describe it. You can be walking along, then see this perfectly ordinary looking person walking along. Nicely dressed, well groomed, and all, then suddenly, they turn to look at you, and you know that they aren't really a person. How do you know? Well, I know. How you know is up to you.<br />
<br />
The first time I met something like that was a few years ago, back when I was six. My mother and father decided that it was a beautiful day outside, and that we should go to the park. When we got there, the weather was great. I got to run around on the grass, chase after small birds, and then run away from large dogs. There was an old swing set just off the side of the grass, the red paint mostly worn and rusted off. One of the swings hung on one chain, the other chain lying on the ground, the link at the end of the chain bent grossly out of proportion. I would have gone and played on the swings that remained except for the fact that there was a fence in the way, dividing the public park from the private school grounds. So, I just ran around in the grass. My parents were sitting on the edge of the grass watching me, both were smiling. I glanced over my shoulder once to call out to my parents, but they had started to talk to each other. I saw a dark look pass over my father's face as the conversation seemed to intensify. My mother's usually present smile slid away to a distanced look. I stopped running for a second to watch them.<br />
<br />
"...another person...left his car keys...nothing in the house to suggest..." I could just barely hear my father's voice float across the grass.<br />
<br />
"kids...what about them?...suspected by police for..." my mother said. I raised my eyes slightly from my parents to look at the sidewalk behind them. There was a man standing there, looking at me.<br />
<br />
"I'll get you, kid." I glanced down at my parents. My father wasn't looking at me. I looked behind me, but there wasn't anyone there. I looked back over to the man. I smiled at him and waved. I noticed my parents look away from each other. The smiled and waved to me. I shook my head and pointed past them. My father raised his eyebrows and turned around to see the man who had been on the sidewalk. My father stood up quickly and offered his hand to the man as he came up to my parents. The man looked at the offered hand, grabbed it, then wrenched it around. I jerked as I heard a loud crack. The shirt over my father's shoulder started to turn a deep red. I saw my mother scream, but I only heard my father's yell as his arm was released. He fell to the ground, his arm lying near him at a funny angle. My mother scrambled up and started to move towards me, but the man kicked her. She fell over. She looked up to me and parted her lips, opened her teeth, then closed them. I turned away from the man and my mother and ran.<br />
<br />
I had only ever watched my father ride on his motorcycle, but I thought at the time that I knew enough to ride one myself. I ran into the parking lot on the other side of the park. I looked over my shoulder once to see the man following me. He was walking, almost calmly, towards me. After that, I didn't bother to look back. I came into the parking lot, looking around frantically. I finally sighted a motorcycle, ran up to it, then tried to climb on. I eventually pulled myself onto the seat, but then found myself looking at an empty ignition. I grasped the handles and started to rock my weight forwards and backwards, trying to get the motorcycle to move.<br />
<br />
I guess it was lucky that the parking lot was at the top of a hill, because the motor cycle started rolling off the pavement and onto the dirt of the hill. It gained speed as it rolled down, starting out slow and wobbly, but became less so as it got further down the hill. I realized that I couldn't the direction of the motorcycle when I started tugging on the handlebar to get it to avoid a tree. Either I wasn't strong enough to turn it, or the steering was locked. To this day, I don't really know. But, somehow, I narrowly evaded a collision with the tree. After the tree, the ground began to level out and the motorcycle's speed began to drop.<br />
<br />
When I judged it slow enough, I jumped off of the motorcycle. The motorcycle fell over as I started to jump, so I lost my footing and landed head first on the dirt. When I sat up, I could barely see. When I reached up to touch my face, to try to clear my eyes. I felt a warm, sticky liquid on my face. My face started to burn, like if I had stood close to a fire for too long. I wiped my face the best that I could, the burning intensifying with each wipe. I stood up shakily, and started walking.<br />
<br />
I don't know where I was walking to, but I can remember that I was mostly walking away. I tripped several times, skinning my knees and elbows. By the time it was dark, I was covered in blood and I was crying silently.<br />
<br />
"Hey, kid. Where are you going?" I looked up to see several dark shapes surrounding me. As I let my eyes adjust, I could make out that the shapes were men. Their clothing was loose and torn, hanging from them almost like ivy hangs from a tree. I don't know who these people are, I thought. They may be trying to kill me like mom and dad. I stood staring up at the man who had spoken to me, not knowing what to say, so just staying silent.<br />
<br />
"Hey, kid. The man asked you a question. You better talk. I turned slowly to look at the other man who had spoken.<br />
<br />
"I found you again, kid." I stiffened. That voice! I looked around at the people surrounding me. They seemed to be laughing to themselves, as if they were laughing at me. Can't these people here him?<br />
<br />
"Hey, kid! You paying attention to us?"<br />
<br />
"Don't you hear him?" I asked softly, my voice trembling. "He killed mom and dad. Can't you hear him?" Two of the men looked at each other. One of them smirked. He turned to face me, bringing his hand out as he did so. I was sent sprawling on the ground.<br />
<br />
"What voice, kid? We was the only ones talking to you, and I ain't never seen your mummy or poppy. Now, you be a good girl, or we'll just have to hurt you a whole lot." I looked up to the man who had hit me. I saw a dark shadow emerge from behind him. I watched as the form slowly resolved itself into the form of a woman. She brought up her hands from her sides, lifted them slowly. Then, almost lovingly, she wrapped her hands around the man's neck and squeezed. The other men surrounding me got wide-eyed as they watched their companion begin to turn blue, watched as he struggled in vain against the woman's grip. One of the men let out a yell. He pulled up his shirt and reached for a hand-gun hiding under his shirt. He pulled it out, fiddled with it a little, then placed his finger on the trigger. A hand reached out of the darkness and grabbed the man's wrist, then twisted it up and around. I watched as the gun fell. The two men who remained, stood dumb-founded as they watched their companion's arm being torn off. I looked at their eyes, and it almost looked as if something emerged from inside of them, peered out from their eyes. They turned and looked down at me.<br />
<br />
"I have you now, kid," the taller of the men said.<br />
<br />
"I will kill you," the other man said, in the same voice. I lunged for the gun that the man had dropped, picked it up, pointed it towards the taller man, and pulled the trigger. The gun fired, a loud, ringing bang echoed around me. I watched as the gun was propelled backwards into my forehead. The hot metal burned into my forehead. I pulled the gun away from my head as quickly as I could. The man I had shot at, slowly collapsed from the knees and pitched forward. I turned the gun towards the other man as he lunged at me, he leaned down, extending his hands ahead of him. I pointed the gun as close to his head as I could and pulled the trigger again, this time holding my arms stiff. The man jerked back slightly, but continued to fall forward, falling onto me. I pushed at his limp body, trying to move it off of me. The body moved a little. Just enough for me to be able to wriggle out from underneath it. I stood up, staggered slightly, then ran away from the two dying men and their killers. As I ran, I began to see a light ahead of me. The light flickered and wavered, like its bearer it was dancing.<br />
<br />
"Help!" I screamed. "Help me!" The light flicked towards me, then began dancing up and down in a sickening manner, growing steadily larger and larger. I moved my legs up and down, willing the muscles to move faster. Soon, I was in the circle of light, I stumbled forward, trying to stop, then tripped and slid forward. I felt a hand grab my upper arm, pull me up to where I was standing, then pull me off the ground. I felt the hand let go. I gasped. Then, there was an arm wrapped around my middle. I felt movement as the person carrying me began to run. My arms and legs bounced up and down, occasionally smacking into the legs of whoever was carrying me.<br />
<br />
Finally, the bouncing stopped. I heard heavy breathing above me. I tried to turn my head up, but only succeeded in turning my head slightly to the side. I felt the person's body twist, heard the sound of strained metal, a click, and the sound of creaking. I was lifted to a vertical position, thrust forward, then dropped onto a padded seat.<br />
<br />
"Buckle," I heard a deep, crackling voice say. I reached up past my right shoulder, felt a rough and stiff fabric, grabbed it, pulled the belt across my body, felt the metal click into place. The door slammed shut, I heard a jingling, then the car began to rumble. Blinding light shot out infront of us, falling onto a woman's form. The woman tilted her head back slightly, opened her mouth wide enough for her tongue to shoot out and loll against the side of her face. The person beside me straightened his leg.<br />
<br />
"Mom!" I screamed. The car pulled forward, ran into the woman.<br />
<br />
"It's not your mom." The voice to the side of me said. "Did you see her eyes?" I nodded, rubbing my fists against my eyes. "Then you know." The voice paused. "My name's Jim. What's yours?"<br />
<br />
"Talissa," I muttered, quietly. The man laughed.<br />
<br />
"What kind of a name is that? Are you ethnic or foreign or something?" I turned the corners of my mouth down.<br />
<br />
"No," I pouted. "Mom liked Clarrissa. Dad liked Talia. They made a compr-compr-"<br />
<br />
"Compromise?" The man Jim burst out into laughter. I nodded. What did this man know about names?<br />
<br />
"What sort of a name is Jim?" Jim stopped laughing. "It's awefully simple and plain."<br />
<br />
"Mommy and daddy tell you that, did they?" I lowered my head.<br />
<br />
"Told." I sniffed. Jim stopped talking. I listened to the quiet rumbling of the car.<br />
<br />
"I, uh, heard gun shots." Jim turned his head to look at me, then turned it back to the road.I rubbed my forehead.<br />
<br />
"I killed the men." I muttered. "They were talking the same."<br />
<br />
"You mean they had the same mannerisms?"<br />
<br />
"No, they talked the same." I lifted my head, then tilted my head down slightly. "I have you now, kid." I said in a deep voice. "I will kill you."<br />
<br />
"Do you know what they are?" Jim glanced towards me again. I shook my head from side to side. "Zombies. Just like in all the old movies. Wandering around, moaning, trying to eat your flesh. Yup. We're living in a movie now."<br />
<br />
"Zombies don't talk. They did."<br />
<br />
"You said they were men."<br />
<br />
"Their eyes weren't their eyes." Silence consumed the car again.<br />
<br />
"I'll let you stay at my house, if you'd like," Jim said. "I can get some antiseptic for you." I nodded. The car continued to rumble. After what seemed like a long time, Jim finally stopped the car infront of a small, single story house. "Here's my digs," Jim said. I opened my car door and clambered out. "Lived here alone since the girlfriend left." Jim stuffed his hands into his pockets and strode towards his house. Once he arrived at the door, he pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. He turned slightly, then turned all the way around to look back at me. "You coming, Tali?" I dipped my head down, lifted it again, then jogged forward.<br />
<br />
Jim was very nice. He filled a bath tub for me, tested it to make sure it wasn't too hot. As he filled the tub, he talked.<br />
<br />
"Always wanted to have kids, you know? Girlfriend and I were planning on adopting after the marriage. Found this nice little house. Has a nice lawn out back." He glanced back at me. I nodded. He turned back to the tub. "She had to leave, though, you know? Business or something. Next I hear from her, she's in a hospital. Some jerk ran her over." Jim lifted his free hand to his face. He wiped at his eyes. "We just wanted a quiet life with a couple kids." He took a deep breath, then looked at me. "What happened to make you so torn up, kiddo?" He stretched out a hand and wiped carefully at my face. He looked at his hand. "Lots of blood and dirt. Did you fall off something?" Jim said to himself. He stood and looked down at me. "The tub is filled now. Just holler if you need anything. I'll bring you some of my sister's old clothes."<br />
<br />
He turned around and walked out the bathroom, shutting the door behind himself. I walked over to the tub and dipped my hand in. Then I started to undress. The warm water stung as I climbed in. I breathed in sharply. I reached out to get a bar of soap, then started gently rubbing myself.<br />
<br />
After about an hour, I heard a gentle tapping at the bathroom door.<br />
<br />
"I have some clean clothes for you, Talissa. Can I come in?" I voiced a soft yes and the door opened. Jim set a pile of clothes on the counter, then bent over in order to gather up my dirty clothes. "My little sister just out grew these. My parents sent them over because Teri and I were planning on adopting soon. I hope you don't mind pink." He looked at me thoughtfully for a second, then left the bathroom again. I climbed out of the bathtub and picked up a nearby towel. I dobbed at my skin assiduous. After I had dryed myself, I smeared antiseptic cream all over my cuts. I picked up a roll of gauze bandages and started wrapping my forehead. Soon, I had bandaged and clothed myself completely. I left the bathroom and climbed down the set of stairs that started at the front door.<br />
<br />
The next morning found Jim teaching me how to hold the gun I had gotten from the man the night before.<br />
<br />
"Wrap your fingers around like this, see? Now, take your other hand and- no not like that. Get that thumb off of there. Good. OK. Now, wrap your other hand around. Yeah, just like that. Now bend your arms so you hold it like this. Yeah. Now, put your finger on the trigger. OK. Now take it off. Here." Jim took the gun away. He ran his thumbs up and down the gun, then pushed on a switch twice. "That's the safety. With it on, it won't fire. But when it's off," he pushed the switch again, revealing a bit of red, "then you can fire with it. This is a...9mm hand gun. Hmm. What was that guy up to? Anyways," Jim clicked the safety back on. "Enough for now. I'll teach you more later."<br />
<br />
It's been about seven months since then. The first few times I shot the gun after Jim's intruction, I nearly whacked myself in the head, again. But, I learned, I got better. Right now, I'm running towards Jim's house.<br />
<br />
"Jim!" I yelled. "More are coming!" I looked up to the house. It's still a distance away. I hope he can hear me. I watched a shadow grow in one of the windows of the house. The window slid open, then Jim poked his head out. I glanced behind me to see the people were still following me at a walking pace.<br />
<br />
"I'll get you, yet," I heard the all-too-familiar voice say. I breathed out sharply through my nose. I stopped on one foot, pirouetted around, pulled out my hand gun from my hip holster. I set my foot down firmly, took aim at one of the walking people's heads and fired. Fired. Fired, until all were lying limp on the ground. I looked at the dead bodies, thought for a minute, then turned around and walked away. More have been coming everyday. Why am I such a threat? I'm seven. My thoughts followed these lines as I approached the house. I looked up towards the saound of panting.<br />
<br />
"You OK, kid?" Jim said, slowing his run to a jog, then to a fast walk.<br />
<br />
"Yup, yup, yup." I said cheerfully. Jim narrowed his eyes at me.<br />
<br />
"This isn't a game, Tali."<br />
<br />
"Sure it is. They come after me, I shoot them!"<br />
<br />
"Tali-" I watched as Jim's mouth closed slowly. To the corner of his mouth, I saw a drop of red. I looked up slightly, saw another drop of red, and just above that, a stream of red. My eyes followed the stream of red up to the side of his head. Jim's eyes never closed as his knees collapsed, pitching him forward. I watched him fall, slowly, his eyes calling to me the whole way, "Why?" Then, I looked up into the blank face of an old man. Behind his vacant eyes, I could see someone watching me. The old man lifted a large rock over Jim's head, then let go. I turned away and started running before it landed. I didn't want to see it. Sudden laughter fill my head. Cackling madly. Laughing over the death of my surrogate father.<br />
<br />
"Shut up!" I yelled. "You have no right to laugh over his death. Only he can." I shook my head violently, causing myself to stumble and fall. "You have no right," I whispered. I rolled over on to my stomach, facing the old man as he stumbled forward. I pulled out my hand gun, rested my elbows on the ground, took aim, and fired. Over the old man fell. I watched as the blood flew out in almost a perfect arc from the bullet hole.<br />
<br />
"Beautiful."<br />
<br />
I never stayed anywhere for very long after that. It was hard to find food that wasn't rotting. It seemed like the presence had taken over nearly everybody. Whenever I had a chance to take a good look into those people's eyes, I did. Each time, I noticed something more about them. The eyes were the person's own, but their's wasn't the only set watching. Behind their eyes, it almost looked like their was a purple smoke. Ebbing and flowing around the second set of eyes.<br />
<br />
The more I watch the people stumbling around, the more I suspected that they weren't zombies, not as modern legend has portrayed them, at least. Today, I've decided to look in one of the abandoned libraries. It was a little hard to break the glass of the door, at first, but as the cracks grew through the door, it became easier. The door soon gave, revealing a glittering patch of carpet that crunched as you walked across it. As I walked along the aisles of books, I drug my hand along the shelves. When I looked at my hand, it was still pale, catching a flicker from the dying light outside.<br />
<br />
I walked up and down the aisles of books until I came across a book titled Vodou Shaman. I picked it up, glanced through the pages briefly, then set it back down. I turned to the other side of the aisle, picked out another book, flipped through it briefly, then set it down. I glanced up along the book shelf. There were a few screws holding it against the wall. Not quite enough. I turned away, walking quickly down the aisle. I glanced from side to side occasionally, then focused my attention back to my front. Eventually, I came to the end of the aisle. I looked at the bookshelves infront of myself. I walked forward, pulling a chair away from a desk as I walked. When I had approached the shelf, I whipped the chair infront of myself, set it next to the side of it, then clambered on. I stood up and stretched my hands across the top. Then I stopped. I followed te length of my arm with my eyes, stopping near my elbow, then looking out to the wall. No screws or bolts.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-64359458115167744502014-09-06T16:16:00.002-07:002014-09-06T16:16:38.263-07:00Frijoles (Working Title)Prose Draft#1, 2nd<br />
Cold, hard eyes surveyed the crowd in the church. Cold hard eyes surrounded by a soft face, passionate, caring, concerned. As the priest gave his sermon, his eyes caught the uncomfortable shifting of several members of the congregation. He placed a mental note in his mind of each of the faces. After the sermon, he approached a man.<br />
"Hello, there, Dave! How are you, my friend?"<br />
"Oh, hello, Nathan," Dave said, rolling his shoulders back. "Mmm, can't complain, I guess." Nathan nodded.<br />
"I understand." Nathan paused to watch a young woman walk by with a baby in her arms. "Good sermon today, wasn't it?" Nathan flicked his eyes towards Dave, then quickly away.<br />
"Oh, I dunno. I've heard better. I don't like how he always harps on sin. You know?" Dave lowered his eyebrows and shrugged, then looked to Nathan.<br />
"Yes. I noticed that, too. Always, 'Heaven is a perfect place, only to be gained by those who dedicate their entirety to God, the Almighty.'" Nathan turned his head to look disparagingly at Dave. Dave nodded.<br />
"Yeah. Always, 'Do, this,' and 'do that.' No looseness. Can't relax."<br />
"Yes. God doesn't want us to become stressed from serving Him. He wants us to enjoy life. Relax. Take breathers occasionally. Wouldn't you agree?" Dave stuck his hands in his pockets and stretched a leg out.<br />
"Yeah. That's exactly it. I mean, God does want us to enjoy life. Why be so strict?" Nathan put his hands in his pockets, nodding gently.<br />
"Yes." Nathan stared off into space for a minute. "You know what? I get together with some people occasionally. We just relax. But, oh gosh, you're so busy, Dave. You probably shouldn't."<br />
"What? Relax?" Dave tilted his head back. "I could get into that."<br />
"Oh, we do some questionable things, though. Our priest wouldn't like it much. I mean, you need to focus on your job and family."<br />
"Yeah. The family," Dave said. Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Getting to be a little too much. Wife is always on the verge of hysterics. It would be good to get some R and R. What exactly is this get-together that you do?"<br />
"Oh, gosh Dave, I don't know. Relaxing is a little over-rated. You really shouldn't. Your wife wouldn't approve." Dave laughed.<br />
"What could possibly be so bad that my wife would hate it?"<br />
#<br />
"Hey, Dave! Glad you could come!" Nathan smiled at Dave and reached out his hand. Dave grinned and grasped it, giving it a hard shake.<br />
"Me, too, Nathan. Me, too." Dave relaxed his facial muscles. "So, where can I get some of this relaxation?"<br />
"Soon enough, Dave. First, come meet some of the others." Nathan placed his hand on Dave's shoulder and guided him out of the hallway of the front doorway. They walked past a set of stairs leading into a brightly lit hallway lined with doors, past a closet door, then finally into a living room. There were several men and women sitting on a couch and several recliner chairs that Nathan had placed in his living room.<br />
"Hello, everyone! This is Dave. He's going to be joining us tonight for our 'questionable' activity." Everyone in the room chuckled. Nathan smiled, led Dave to an unoccupied chair. Nathan walked over to a wooden chair and sat down. "So, how is everybody?" A soft hubbub began to fill the room as everyone began describing their day. Most started off describing their work, others talking about how their children were doing in school. Nathan listened and nodded, a slight smile lighting his lips. Soon, jokes began to fill the air as men compared bosses and women shared hairdresser stories. Nathan stood up and walked out of the room. Within a few minutes, he walked back into the room carrying a platter with several glasses filled with warm, greenish water. He walked to each person, allowed them to take a glass, then carried the platter back into the room from which he brought it. When he returned, everyone in the room was laughing loudly, giggling, yelling in excitement.<br />
"And that pastor!" Dave's voiced floated above the rest. "Always, 'do this,' 'do that!' Man! It wears on me! I mean, I am a good person. I don't need people to tell me what to do. My kids are great, my wife's great. It's those other people that need a talking to."<br />
"Quite right," Nathan said. "Most people aren't as good of people as you all are. You're some of the best people I've met, in that respect. Always doing the right thing."<br />
"Yeah," a woman piped up. "I mean, that pastor should be talking to, what's his name. Tall man, kinda fat. He's always eating too much. Pastor needs to tell him to stop eating so much. He needs to be told. I'm surprised his wife isn't controlling what he's eating." Nathan smiled a sad smile.<br />
"Yes. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could help people make the right decisions? Guide them down the right path?" Nathan sighed. "But, people are so close-minded to such things."<br />
"Well, why couldn't we tell them what to do?" one of the men said.<br />
"Ah, you see, my friend, people don't like being told what to do. They feel like they're being pushed around," Nathan said.<br />
"But it's for their own good. I'd be for an idea if it was for my own good."<br />
"Yes, but you are an intelligent individual. Most people aren't such. They wouldn't see it that way."<br />
"We should make them see it that way. For their own good, you know," Dave said.<br />
"Yes. Wouldn't that be nice?" Nathan chuckled lightly.<br />
#<br />
"So, what did you think of our little gathering, Dave? I hope we weren't to rambunctious for you," Nathan said pleasantly.<br />
"Nah. Not at all. Very good enviroment. Relaxing. Easy to talk to people." Dave paused, looking somewhat hopefully at Nathan. "Would it be possible if, well, i dunno."<br />
"What, good friend? Say what's on your mind. It won't offend me."<br />
"Well, I was wondering if I ould come again. You know, next week or something."<br />
"Ah. Well, you lead a very busy life, Dave. Are you so sure? Your family might miss you-" Dave's shoulders stiffened.<br />
"Pfah," Dave said. "They can live without me occasionally. It's not like the world will end of something. C'mon. When will you get together again?" Nathan smiled.<br />
#<br />
Dave stepped out of his car and walked over to his front door. He rustled around in his pocket for a minute, pulled something out of his pocket. He fiddled with thie door knob on his door for a minute, then opened the door. A squeal of, "Daddy!" filled the air. A small girl bounced over from a nearby door and over to Dave.<br />
"Hey, honey!" Dave reached down and scooped the small girl up into his arms. "What's up?" The little girl looked at Dave, then looked at the ceiling. Dave chuckled. "I walked right into that one, didn't I?" The little girl nodded.<br />
"Dave?" A thin, worried looking woman wandered into the walkway.<br />
"Hello, Martha. How was your day?" The woman threw up her hands, then let them fall limply to her sides.<br />
"Been worse, I guess," Martha said. "How was the business meeting?" Dave smiled upon recollection.<br />
"Good. It was good. Boss wasn't angry this time." Martha bobbed her head.<br />
"Would you like some dinner?" Martha said as she walked back the way she had come. Dave set down his daughter and followed his wife.<br />
"That would be good. What did you guys have?" Martha muttered to herself.<br />
"Talissa wouldn't eat anything. I think she's sick," she said out loud. "Read somewhere that all healthy children eat lots of food all the time. Isn't normal to be 'not hungry.'" Dave nodded and took a seat at the table next to the kitchen. "Growing girl. Needs lots of protein. She's so thin, though."<br />
"She's fine, Martha, dear. She's just going through a phase." Martha muttered something about an awefully long phase.<br />
#<br />
"And then, this guy! He just walks up to me and says, 'What I do is my own business. Don't go preaching to me, man.'" Once again, several men and women had met up at Nathan's house. Voices filled the air, chittering about what a stupid man that man was. He should listen to the smarter one.<br />
"You see, my friend? Such close-mindedness fills our time," Nathan said. "He should have listened to you. I think you had a good point. In fact, do you have the gentleman's phone number? Perhaps you could call him right now and discuss it?" The man shook his head, muttering about just what he thought this 'gentleman' really was. "Come, now. Let's not be like that. Approach the man with reason." Nathan leaned forward in his seat. He looked directly in the eyes of the man who had been speaking. "You should call that gentleman. In fact, if you know where he lives, we might just pay him a visit. We could teach him about open-mindedness." Nathan smiled softly, watching the man nod slowly.<br />
"Yeah, yeah. We should go see him. He's my next-door neighbor. Hey, why don't we go see him now?"<br />
"Why don't we?" Nathan said. He stood up and was soon followed by everyone in the room but Dave.<br />
"Should we go talk to that guy now?" Dave said, shifted in his seat. "I mean, you sound ticked. Maybe you should let things sit a while. You know, cool off?" The man glared down at Dave.<br />
"'Cool, off?' My head is clear and focused now. I'm going to go give that guy a piece of my mind. If you don't want to participate, fine. Be my guest." Dave nodded.<br />
"I should go home, then," Dave said. "I'll see you all later."<br />
#<br />
That night, Dave woke up to the sound of sirens. He sat up. Martha moaned beside him.<br />
"Go to sleep, Dave. They're not coming for us." Dave lowhttps://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inboxered his eyebrows, thought for a minute, then rolled back over and went to sleep.<br />
#<br />
The next morning, Dave listened to a radio report of a near-by shooting. A group of people had come to the door of this man, the news reported informed, yelled at the man when he came out, then one man by the name of Barry Roedin shot him. Neighbors reported surprise and grief at the murder. Barry had never seemed like the type of man to use a gun, they said. Always so calm and soft spoken as long as he had lived in that neighborhood. They just couldn't believe it. Now he was in jail, serving time. Dave reached over and turned off the radio.<br />
"Death, murder, dispair," Martha muttered. "Doesn't anything good happen in life?"<br />
"Nope!" Talissa, Dave's little daughter chimed. Martha threw her a dirty look.<br />
"Talissa, timeout." Martha barked. "Go." Talissa hung her head and moped over to a corner.<br />
"Martha. She was joking. C'mon. Don't be so harsh on the kid." Dave turned to Talissa. "Go on, honey. Go ahead and play with your dollies." Talissa popped her head up and bounced out of the corner. Martha rolled her eyes and turned to a bowl she was mixing.<br />
"Your softness will come back to haunt you, Dave." Dave nodded and picked up a nearby magazine.<br />
#<br />
"I don't know, Nathan. That shooting last night. That wasn't good. What are you going to tell the police?" Dave said to Nathan later that afternoon.<br />
"We told them we were having a friendly argument when Barry pulled out a gun and shot the man," Nathan said, raising his palms upward. "We did try to stop him, but he just wouldn't listen to reason." Dave lowered his eyebrows.<br />
"You know perfectly well that Barry was under the influence of that drug you put into the water. He wasn't in proper control of his emotions." Dave pursed his lips. "If fact, it almost seemed like-seemed like..."<br />
"Seemed like what? Dave," Nathan said, his voice hardening. "Do say what's on your mind."<br />
"Well, you were the one who suggested we go and talk to that man."<br />
"No, Dave. Barry had made up his mind to go and see the man before I said anything. I was simply repeating what he had said." Nathan stared hard at Dave. "I thought it would be a good discussion with that man. A learning experience for him. How was I to know Barry had a gun?"<br />
"I just don't think that it was right to talk to Barry like that when we were, well, high."<br />
"What are you going to do, Dave? Will you tell the police that Barry was high? They'll want to know how you knew. And what will you tell them then? That you were high, too? And that's how you knew the symptoms?" Dave looked downwards. "Well, Dave?"<br />
"I'm not going to come to your get-togethers anymore, Nathan. I'm sorry. It just doesn't feel right."<br />
"You'll be sorry you chose that, Dave. You'll miss the relaxation." Dave gritted his teeth.<br />
"I'll manage."<br />
#<br />
Talissa woke up to screaming. She rolled over, hugged her teddy bear close.<br />
"Mommy?" she whispered. A louder scream eminated through the house. Talissa whimpered and slid out from under her covers. She stood shivering for a second, straightened her covers, then slid under her bed. She heard footsteps pounding down the hall way to her door, saw a light flick on, then watched as her bedroom door was flung open. She watched feet walk around her bed, then walk back again.<br />
"Nothing in here," a masculine voice muttered. "Great. I'll tell Nathan." Talissa watched as the feet turned back towards the door and walked out. She listened as several house doors slammed, a car door slammed, and then an engine started. She listen for several long minutes as gravel crunched, a car acelerated away, and silence consumed the house. Talissa gripped her teddy bear tightly, then climbed out from under her bed.<br />
"Mommy?" she called softly. "Daddy?" Silence. Talissa walked to her parents bedroom door. At the opening of her parents' door, Talissa saw a puddle. Talissa turned around and ran away. She ran to her neighbor's house. When she reached up to knock on the door, the handle turned, the door opened, and a man stepped outside of the door. He looked down.<br />
"Talissa?"<br />
"I need to call 911," Talissa said. The man nodded.<br />
"My telephone is on the stand next to the door. I'll go check on your mom and dad." Talissa nodded and hurried into the man's house. She picked up the phone. Talissa listened to the phone ring, then was greeted by a cool female voice.<br />
"I think my mommy and daddy are dead. Can I have some police officers come and check?"<br />
#<br />
Talissa sat on her patio and watched as several emergency response people carried two stretchers out of her house. Her neighbor was talking to a police officer. She had just finished answering a few questions herself.<br />
"Well, sweetie, we know who killed your parents." Talissa turned around to face a police officer behind her. "He was very sloppy. Left a lot of identifying finger prints. We'll get him in jail. And," the police officer knelt down to Talissa's level. "Just between you and me, but I think we can get this guy a death sentence for what he did to your parents." The officer grinned. "Sweet revenge, right, sweetie?" Talissa nodded. She smiled slightly, then turned away. "We can keep you at the station until some of your family comes to pick you up. We have a TV and a bed in a nice and quiet room you can use. Would you like that?" Talissa nodded. She sniffled. The police officer rubbed her shoulders. Talissa turned to the police officer with tears in her eyes. She leaned forward into the police officer's chest, sobbing quietly. He hugged her, patting her softly. "There, there," he said.<br />
#<br />
Eventually, Talissa's aunt came to pick her up.<br />
"Ah, there you are, dear. Come on. Let's get out of here." Talissa's aunt stretched out her hand. Talissa looked up from her teddy bear to the hand. She traced her eyes along the length of the arm, then up to the face. It was a hard face, wrinkles cluttering the once smooth lines, clambering over each other, vying for space. Talissa shook her head. Her aunt raised her eyebrows.<br />
"Darling! Yo can't stay here." Her aunt narrowed her eyes. She leaned forward and put her hand next to her mouth. "The cops are watching us right now!" Talissa frowned, turning the corners of her mouth down.<br />
"No," Talissa said. Her aunt groaned and grabbed Talissa's arm.<br />
"Come on, you little brat," she hissed. "Time to go." The aunt ignored Talissa's screams and hollers as she hoisted the small child under her arm.<br />
"Let me go, you wicked witch! I'll make them melt you!" The aunt rolled her eyes.<br />
"Yeah, yeah. Just be glad I'm taking you home." She marched out of the room, out the door, and over to her car, Talissa screaming the whole way, struggling vainly against the rough hold that her aunt had around her middle. When the aunt opened the car door, Talissa increased her struggling and began yelling at passers-by.<br />
"Help! Help! Rape! I'm being raped!" A man walked by, eying the child with the look one gives to a moldy loaf of bread found under one's old shower cap.<br />
"She doesn't know what rape is," the aunt explained. The man nodded and hurried off. "You little monster. The whole town is looking at us now. So," the aunt reached across the child to buckle her in, got kicked for her trouble. "I will now-" the aunt reached for the glove compartment door, opened it, grabbed a sock out of it, then stuffed it into the child's mouth. Talissas sat in stark shock, her eyebrow twitching slightly as she considered this new turn things had taken. "Shut you up," she finished. "Now stay quiet." Talissa's aunt walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door, climbed in, then drove away.<br />
# - See more at: http://ninjaobsessed.com/writings/fri.shtml#sthash.kZ2APmIw.dpufAmaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-77363908328499951882014-09-06T16:15:00.001-07:002014-09-06T16:15:33.943-07:00SignsI rush with frenzied steps aroun'.<br />
<br />
"Toh ee ray wah dokoh days ka,"<br />
<br />
I ask everyone in the crowded town,<br />
<br />
"Kono hito tah chi wa baka."<br />
<br />
There are many people that I can see,<br />
<br />
But all say, "Wah kari mah sen."<br />
<br />
I must say that this is to me<br />
<br />
Is really, terribly bothersome.<br />
<br />
I am American, it's true.<br />
<br />
I'm sure my accent gives me away.<br />
<br />
But I may fail to see this through,<br />
<br />
If no one will help me today.<br />
<br />
And now, to you, I give this lesson to learn,<br />
<br />
Learn foreign signs so this day you won't earn<br />
<br />
- See more at: http://ninjaobsessed.com/writings/amaportsig.shtml#sthash.seZjpNPl.dpufAmaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-22044109927356914112014-09-06T16:14:00.002-07:002014-09-06T16:14:45.462-07:00What Would You Do With a Porcupine?This had not been a very good idea, Bob reflected. Taking up a dare, in the first place, had been a bad idea. Now, Bob felt trapped. Since he really was trapped, in a small, smelly, burning shed, it didn't help his self-confidence. He stood amidst the flames, the heat growing more intense with each passing second. "I wonder what got me here in the first place?" Bob wondered aloud. He thought back briefly to where this had all started. "C'mon, Bob! I dare you!" "Yeah! We all dare you!" "Heck, I'll even double dare you!" "I double dog dare you." "Oooohh!!" True. It had been hard to pass up at the time, but thinking back upon it, a double dog dare didn't seem as bad now. "I'd even take a porcupine over this!" Bob yelled. Suddenly, a little wiggly nose popped out from beneath a crate. The nose was soon followed by a little spiny head. The head was soon followed by a little spiny body, followed by a little spiny tail. Bob stood staring at the porcupine for a minute. If he had been a cartoon character, his jaw would probably be bouncing along the floor, across the shattered splinters of boxes, over the flames, and out the door, probably to be trampled over by his 'friends.' "I said 'over this'!" Bob screamed. "What the" "am I gonna do with a" "porcupine?!" Bob felt something lightly bounce off of his head. "A beach ball." Bob glared down at the shiny, multi-colored atrocity. "Some one is having a good laugh, right now. I can practically here them." Then, Bob froze. He looked at the porcupine, with all its sharp, pointy bits. Then, he looked at the beach ball, with its thin surface. Bob unfroze, grabbed the porcupine, juggling it slightly, then kicked up the beach ball. The porcupine and the beach ball connected. Out side of the flaming shed, Bob's 'friends' were laughing uproariously. Several had fallen to the ground in a failed attempt to breathe. They listened as a string of expletives rose from the shed, leading them to a greater bout of laughing. And then, a large "Pop" emanated from the shed. Sudden silence consumed the group. "Uh, what was that?" one said. No sooner had he finished talking than they all saw the top of the shed burst off, releasing a Bob, a disgruntled porcupine, and a deflated beach ball. Bob watched their faces as he soared away. "Now, what? Huh? Yeah, dawg!" he yelled. "I'm gonna go to Arabia! Yeah! That's right! Ar-" Bob would have continued yelling trash talk, but he now found himself impeded by a downward trend in velocity that happened to take him into a tree. # Several hours later, Bob found himself in a hospital bed. He tried to move, but couldn't. He opened his eyes slowly. He saw several thick casts rising out of a larger cast that seemed to connect to his neck. A puzzling thought. "I didn't know you could do cast transplants," he said to himself. "Those aren't transplants, son. Those're your old limbs with a new skin." Bob turned to face a man in a white coat. "Hey, quack." Bob said. "No, no. Moo. I follow the way of the cow. Nurse Brody here," the man in the white coat indicated a lady to his side, "follows the way of the duck. You must have mixed us up." Bob sat and blinked. Granted, he couldn't do much else. A long silence began to progress. The man in the white coat raised his eyebrows. "You believed me, didn't you?" Bob broke out into laughter. "Wow, thank goodness! I thought you were ser-" "That's the first time anyone has ever believed me! Finally! Nurse! Set this young man up with a dental hygenist." "Yes, Doctor." "Hey, wait! Dental-" The door closed as the doctor and the nurse left. "Bloody doctors and dentists, anyways." "Bob," an eery voice quavered. "Bob." Bob turned his head slightly to see a giant pomegranate floating in front of himself. The pomegranate floated around so that Bob could relax. "I have come to bring you glad tidings of great joy." Bob tried to raise his eyebrows. "Today is the day you will be set free. Free, Bob, freeeeee!" Bob sat and stared. "If you mean free of the casts, forget it." The pomegranate deflated and sunk onto the covers of Bob's bed. "Aw, man! Come on!" the pomegranate pouted. "Everyone always wants to be free! What's so different about you." "Well, I-" "Yes, yes. I suppose it is." Bob looked at the pomegranate. He closed his eyes, then opened them again. Again, he saw the pomegranate. He screamed. Bob woke up. A doctor was hovering over him with a deadly looking needle. "Oops," the doctor attempted to hide the needle behind his back. "Hehheh." The doctor stood hunched over for a minute, looking sheepish. Then he straightened up. He cleared his throat. "Good to see that you're awake, young man! You gave us quite a fright with that scream of yours." "Yeah. I'm glad that it was all a dream, though." The doctor's eyebrows knit themselves together. "Dream, young man?" The pomegranate floated up shyly from under the bed. "P-p-pom-poma-" "I believe the word you are searching for is dental hygienist, young man." "The word I'm searching for will get censored! What the heck is a pomegranate doing in a hospital?" The doctor's eyebrows knit even deeper into each other. "Nevermind." The doctor brightened. And that's when the pomegranate began to bleed. It was a slow bleed at first, then it got steadily heavier and heavier, until it was no longer a room, but a great red sea. Bob stood up. He looked down at his arms and legs, saw his arms and legs. "Ahoy, me Bamboo! What be ye're problem?" Bob looked up slowly. What he saw before him was at first a pair of fuzzy black feet, then fuzzy black knees, then a white belly, with white paws, black muzzle, and wiggly black ears. "I'm Captain Blackfeet. What be ye're problem? Calculus, perchance?" The panda looked hopeful. "Uh-no. My problem is I'm seeing a talking panda." Blackfeet raised his eyebrows, then let out a rumbling laugh. "C'mere, me little bamboo. I'll show ye a talking panda." Blackfeet put his large black paws over Bob's shoulders and led him along the length of the ship until they were at the mast. "This is the Talking Panda, me Bamboo! The here ship! Ain't she a beauty?" Bob's eyebrows floated up until they seemed to no longer be attached to his face, but to float above his head. I am dreaming, Bob thought. Soon this will all be over. He looked at the panda. The panda looked at him. "Will ye, perchance, be me First Mate?" Blackfeet looked hopeful. It's a dream. I will wake up soon. "Sure, Blackfeet! I'll be your first mate!" Bob said. "Now, which side is port?" Blackfeet laughed out loud, he laughed so hard that his fuzzy belly began to shake. Finally, he stopped laughing. "This, me Bamboo, is port." The panda said, indicating with his paws. "And this-" the panda went on to describe the finer points of the ship, going on and on until Bob thought his head would explode. After many hours, Blackfeet stopped talking. "Wow," Bob said. "So, when do we loot people?" Blackfeet smiled. - See more at: http://ninjaobsessed.com/writings/amaportpor.shtml#sthash.mwX0RDrs.dpufAmaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-4968178834168219962014-09-06T16:13:00.003-07:002014-09-06T16:13:45.242-07:00Dramatic Characterization - The Lost by Julia BrittonIn the play, 'The Lost,' Britton uses strong and verbose dialogue to portray all the characters. Isherwood is portrayed as a sad and stoic type as he describes his travels up to the point of the boat trip. Wystan is portrayed as a grumpy and down-to-earth sort of person, since he prefers the relative warmth of the cabin to the cold and melodramatic outside. Because Wystan goes into the cabin inspite of his companion's pleading, it becomes obvious to us that Wystan does not respect Isherwood. He may enjoy Isherwood's company, but he does not put him in high enough standing to give him a respectful answer, even if he won't come out.<br />
<br />
Isherwood's uncle, Henry, seems to be a comedic, fun-loving type, not taking much of anything too seriously. He portrays his fun loving nature in the way that he insists on Isherwood sending him detailed accounts of his adventures, to the slightest detail. The uncle appears to be trying to live vicariously through Isherwood, now that he himself has been grounded in Germany. From his varied use of minor swear words, Britton emphasizes his comedic character, calling a lover a 'bugger,' showing that he doesn't even take his relationships with a great deal of seriousness.<br />
<br />
The uncle shows his affection for his nephew, Isherwood, in how easily he is convinced in to giving Isherwood an allowance from his eventual inheritance. Uncle Henry laughs with his nephew, day-dreaming with him about what sorts of wild adventures he will have while he travels.<br />
<br />
Uncle Henry's character can also be seen in what type of lovers he chooses. He seems to be gregarious from his choice of a strong, large man whom he paid not to wash for a month.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-21741845731663755322014-09-06T16:12:00.003-07:002014-09-06T16:12:24.335-07:00Analysing the Poem I Miss YouThe poem 'I Miss You' makes very good use of alliterative verse. It has the steady rhythem of ta-TUM TUM-ta ta-TUM in the first four lines. It then switches to a similar rhythm in the last four lines: TUM-ta-TUM-ta-TUM-ta. The regular stressing of the words forms a very even and pleasing rhythm. This rhythm, I think, is a commonly used rhythm for much rhythmically formed, short, simple poetry. This same rhythm can be found in the jump rope rhyme, 'Cinderella,' although the rhythms are switched as to which comes first. The first and third lines follow an irregular meteric pattern. They start out will an iambic set, to a trochaic set, back to a iambic set again. The second and fourth lines follow a straight trochaic pattern. Then, the last four lines follow just the iambic pattern, making the poem sound finished. The poem then has lines that are all about the same length to keep with the rhythms in them. The rhythm sounds almost musical. If composed to a song, the poem could follow 3/4 or 4/4 time. I find myself tapping two extra beats at the end of each line. There are virtually the same amount of syllables in each of the lines. Each of the lines ranges from six to eight syllables in length. This regular pattern makes the poem easier to follow. Every second line rhymes, forming a nice cadence for me, the reader. The odd numbered lines, however, do not rhyme, but they have a common meter and syllable count which keeps the poem feeling connected. Sometimes, I read poetry that has no common cadence, meter, or rhyme. It leaves me feeling distanced from what the author was trying to say. I feel lost and at a disconnect. The first and third lines of the verse start off sounding cheerful, with the first and third lines ending in up-beats. The second and fourth lines end on a down-beat, adding a mournful sound. The poem ends in a peppy way with every second syllable being an up-beat.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-7993048310733173722014-09-06T16:11:00.003-07:002014-09-06T16:11:15.655-07:00Analysing the Poem Found ItIn the poem 'Found It,' I have decided to see if the author applies the rules set forth by Minot in what constitutes a poem. The poem has a very emphasized poetic line. I feel that this is what sets the poem up. It seems to give me, the reader, a guide for how to interpret the poem. An example of this poetic line in the poem is the grouping of syllables. The first and second line of every stanza vary from two to three syllables. Each stanza also contains three lines. It holds a bit of the 'good' that I find to be evident in good poetry because it does have a regularity of line and pacing. This poem uses a lot of imagery to convey its point and implied message. The narrator uses a lot of visuals as she guides us to the Pond of Riddles. The imagery she uses feel disconnected from reality, however. The ivy and poison oak are a commonly used image of secret forests and glades. The way that she uses images are cliched and redundant of other good poems and crummy poems. The Pond of Riddles image that she uses at the end of hers poem find me baffled as to the significance of said Pond. ÒWhy did you lead us here? This isn't the answer to my happiness. It's a pond of RIDDLES. Not answers.Ó So, not only do I not see any significance to the climax of the poem, I don't see how it links up to the beginning. This leads to the density of the poem. The varied mentions of mysterious flora may, to some, be conducive to implied meanings. But when you truly look at the poem, all it is is a poem by an author hoping to stumble upon some sort of unforseen meaning. The set up and application of the poem demonstrates all the insight and intelligence of an elementary-schooler linking together interesting sounding phrases in a little rhyme that he finds quite clever. I find the poem entertaining and thoughtful to the extent that I find myself remembering my elementary school days and that the poem makes me think of criticisms to apply to it. Inspite of the comments in my previous paragraph, the poem does have a few redeeming qualities. The poem had a consistent rhythm and flow. The rhythm it followed was a 'one-two, one-two, one-two-three-four.Ó Very even and predictable, which helps make the poem more entertaining, in my mind. The poem follows a form and rhythm that makes it easy to remember. All ready, I have found that I have memorized most of the poem. Overall, I think that the author of 'Found It' was following the rules that Minot laid out strictly and literally. The poem had a well-defined poetic line and steady rhythm, lots of images with common implied meanings. The only thing that I didn't find in the poem was the use of sounds of words. - See more at: http://ninjaobsessed.com/writings/amaportap3.shtml#sthash.jJD4hsdW.dpufAmaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-25068415870977526082014-09-06T16:10:00.002-07:002014-09-06T16:10:15.551-07:00Analysing Ken Follet's The Pillars of the EarthIn the novel The Pillars of Earth, the author uses dialogue in several ways. One of the first examples of this is the dialogue of the author, himself, as he gives a description of a town. The dialogue here doesn't demonstrate a specific character through the voice. Instead, he uses the description of the town to convey it's character: from the small, bratty boys, to the old women who scare even the young men.<br />
<br />
Another example of dialogue comes from a hanging. The man being hung conveys an unique character by doing the unexpected. The author voices the thoughts of the towns folks by saying that, at hangings, those that are being hung usually curse out those who are hanging them or they pray to God for mercy. The man individualizes himself by singing to his love. The song he sings is a sad one, about how a hunter goes out and catches a lark, and how the lark can't escape. Through this song, we discover that the man has no unreal hopes or expectations; he understands fully what is to come. But, in spite of his situation, he attempts to comfort his love through a song.<br />
<br />
Another instance where the author indicates a character through dialogue is when the man's love curses those that tried and ultimately ended up hanging him. She does not inflict a curse on them that will effect them physically, but one that will effect them emotionally. She curses them that their children will meet the same fate as her love. She seems to know that the death of a loved one is more harmful and damaging than the death of one's self.<br />
<br />
Another instance of dialogue indicates the main character to be a man is clear-thinking and driven by his dreams and aspirations. The author indicates this through the character's internal dialogue, how he is always going on about becoming the master builder of a cathedral. He talks to his wife about it, and although she is upset by their constant moving around for his aspiration.<br />
<br />
Another indication of this character through dialogue is when he is confronted by an angry lord after the lord nearly runs over his little daughter. He is so driven by his rage that he demands immediate payment for himself and his workers. This dialogue indicates that this man is strong, but at his strongest when he is confronted by that which would bring nothing but fear and supplication from others.<br />
<br />
- See more at: http://ninjaobsessed.com/writings/amaportap2.shtml#sthash.TlD2OZzY.dpufAmaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-62122867363663261422014-09-06T16:09:00.001-07:002014-09-06T16:09:14.724-07:00Analyzing Edgar Allan Poe's Tell-tale HeartIn the story The Tell-Take Heart, a very clear and defined viewpoint is used through-out the story. The story is from the vantage point of the narrator, who happens to be the main character of the story. So, I figure that The Tell-Tale Heart is most likely in the first person. The story demonstrates a limited viewpoint in many cases, one of which is when he chuckles, however quietly, but aloud. He awakens the old man of whom he is taking care and watch of. The old man awakens and shifts in his bed. But, the narrator stays in his same place, waiting patiently for the old man to fall back asleep.<br />
<br />
When the narrator tries to put his thumb on the metal catch to open the dark lantern, his thumb slips and makes a loud noise on the catch. While the narrator probably presumed the old man to be asleep again, he was surprised to note that the man sat up straight in bed and called out, "Who's there?"<br />
<br />
The narrator also tells us of his internal feeling and thoughts but nothing of the other characters other than interpreted feelings, like when he heard the old man's low groan. He said that he knew that groan well, it was one of fear. He explained that he knew the meaning of this groan because he himself had groaned in the same manner and tone in the many nights that he had watched the old man.<br />
<br />
Another point where the narrator interprets what is being thought and said through his own perception is at the very end of the story when he is talking with some police officers. He begins to grow frantic, and, thinking that the police officers suspect him of the murder, figures they must be noticing that he is so agitated. He knows what he has done, so, from guilt, he expects that the police officers know what he has done, but are merely torturing him for his reaction. Acting so calm and so composed when they must know that he is wracked with torment and agony of self-conscience.<br />
<br />
I love the author Edgar Allen Poe, and I think that his story The Tell-Tale Heart is a very good example of a limited first person view point.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-43525420466618266372014-09-06T16:05:00.002-07:002014-09-06T16:05:32.384-07:00Sam, version 2It was early in the morning when Marcus got ready to leave for school. Marcus was a sophomore in high school with brown hair and blue eyes. He had just enough time to write in his journal before his mom finished cooking breakfast.<br />
<br />
Sept. 1 Today is my first day of school as a sophomore. I wonder if I′ll have any friends this year. Being a freshman sucked. Everyone picked on me. I′ve got to go now, Mom finished breakfast.<br />
<br />
At the dining table, Marcus sucked down his pancakes at a rate that surprised his father.<br />
<br />
″Slow down, Marc, it′s only the first day of school.″ He chuckled. ″There′s no rush to leave yet.″ Marcus got up, and then took his plate to the sink.<br />
<br />
″′Bye, Mom and Dad,″ Marcus said just before he rushed out the door.<br />
<br />
Marcus stared, glassy-eyed, at the teacher. He had to keep himself awake until the end of class. The bell rang. He shoved his stuff into his backpack, then ran to the front of the room.<br />
<br />
″Thank you for the lesson, sir,″ Marcus said to the teacher.<br />
<br />
″Anytime, Timothy,″ the teacher replied.<br />
<br />
″Marcus.″<br />
<br />
″Right.″<br />
<br />
Marcus walked out of the classroom, then into the hall. He opened his locker and pulled out a stick of gum he had been saving. He put the gum in his mouth, then walked out of the school. He crossed over a quiet street that was near his home to a sidewalk with a retaining wall on one side. Suddenly, a boy stepped out of the wall in front of Marcus. Marcus′s eyes lit up.<br />
<br />
″Wow! How′d you do that?″ he asked. ″I wish I could do that.″<br />
<br />
″I just do it. My name is Sam, what′s yours?″ the boy, Sam, replied.<br />
<br />
″Marcus. Could you teach me how to walk through walls?″ Marcus asked.<br />
<br />
″No,″ Sam replied. Marcus looked sad. ″But I could teach you how to fly.″<br />
<br />
″Alright! When do we start?″ Marcus said, as he approached his house′s driveway.<br />
<br />
″Tomorrow, see you then!″ Sam walked away.<br />
<br />
Marcus rushed into his house. ″Hi, Mom. I′m home!″ he said.<br />
<br />
″I made a friend today. His name is Sam.″<br />
<br />
″That′s nice, dear,″ his mom said from the kitchen. ″Help me with the dishes will you?″ Marcus dropped his backpack, then joined his mom in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Sept. 2 Yesterday, I made a new friend! His name is Sam. He can walk through walls. He′s going to teach me how to fly! I can hardly wait Ôtil after school. I can′t wait until I can fly off buildings! That will be so cool!<br />
<br />
Marcus was walking along the wall where he met Sam. And again, Sam walked out of the wall in the same place as before.<br />
<br />
″Ready to start, then?″ he asked.<br />
<br />
″Am I ever!″ Marcus replied.<br />
<br />
″Okay, let′s start low, then we′ll work our way up. Now think a happy thought.″ Marcus got a dreamy look on his face. ″Concentrate on that thought. Now, let go of gravity...″ Sam continued tutoring Marcus like this for quite some time, until ″Okay, that′s enough for one day,″ Sam said.<br />
<br />
″Can you come home with me?″ Marcus asked, ″I want you to meet my mom.″<br />
<br />
″Okay... but she may not see me.″<br />
<br />
″I can see you just fine. Come on!″ Marcus dragged Sam into his front yard. ″Stay here, I′ll get my mom,″ Marcus said. Marcus stepped inside his house.<br />
<br />
″Hi, mom. I′m home! Sam′s here, too. Would you like to meet him?″<br />
<br />
″Marcus, I want you to clean your room right this instant! You should have cleaned it yesterday!″ his mom yelled.<br />
<br />
″But, Sam!″ Marcus started.<br />
<br />
″He can wait. Now clean your room! Now!″ Marcus skittered up the stairs like a frightened chipmunk. Marcus′s mom stepped outside.<br />
<br />
″I′m sorry, Sam, but Marcus has to clean his room...?″ Marcus′s mom said. She looked around. ″Sam?″<br />
<br />
Marcus′s bedroom door opened to reveal his mom. She looked rather worried.<br />
<br />
″Sam wasn′t outside,″ she said. Marcus looked out the window.<br />
<br />
″I guess he left,″ he said. ″Did I tell you he can walk through walls?″ His mom looked partially relieved, but still somewhat worried.<br />
<br />
″Marc, you′re too old to have imaginary friends anymore,″ she said.<br />
<br />
″But...″<br />
<br />
″Clean your room, now! It′s a mess!″<br />
<br />
″He′s not imaginary,″ Marcus mumbled as his mom shut his door. ″He′s just impatient. That′s all.″ He flung a T-shirt into his hamper.<br />
<br />
″I′m not impatient,″ Sam said as he walked through Marcus′s closed door. ″Let′s get this room cleaned. Then we can work on your homework.″ Marcus grimaced.<br />
<br />
″You′re worse than a parent,″ he said.<br />
<br />
Sept. 9 Sam and I have been working on flying for about a week now. I think I can almost fly. I′ve been getting lighter each session. We are going to try to fly off a building today. I can′t wait! Sam says I should be able to do it. Sam is my only friend so far. Sam′s going to my school today.<br />
<br />
″Bye, Mom and Dad!″ Marcus called to his parents as he went out the door. As he stepped outside he saw Sam waiting for him. Marcus grinned. ″Alright, then,″ he said. He and Sam walked on the sidewalk to school. He went past the retaining wall and came to the door of the school.<br />
<br />
″Are you sure your teachers won′t mind me?″ Sam asked Marcus.<br />
<br />
″Positive,″ Marcus said. ″The other kids do it all the time, and the teachers don′t even comment. I′ll ask if it makes you feel better.″<br />
<br />
″Okay...″ Sam said, not entirely convinced it would be all right. The walked into a classroom.<br />
<br />
″Sir? Would it be alright if my friend participated in my classes today?″ Marcus asked his teacher.<br />
<br />
″Hmm? Sure,″ the teacher said. Marcus grinned.<br />
<br />
″See?″ Marcus said. He smirked. ″The teachers don′t worry about much here,″ Marcus said as he walked to his seat. As he walked by the other peoples seats, the students in them gave Marcus confused looks. Sam eyed them all wearily.<br />
<br />
″They can′t see me, Marcus,″ he whispered. Marcus raised an eyebrow at Sam. ″Sure they can, they just don′t recognize you. Stop worrying, Okay?″ Sam looked tired as Marcus finished this statement. Marcus and Sam took a seat.<br />
<br />
Marcus looked down. And down. And down.<br />
<br />
″Your sure I′m ready?″ Marcus asked rather uncertainly.<br />
<br />
″Of course I′m sure you′re ready!″ Sam said. ″I′ve been working with you for a week now. You′ve got to be ready. If you can′t, then I′m a very incapable teacher. But I′m not, so you will fly.″<br />
<br />
″Why did I even doubt you?″ Marcus said. ″I trust you, Sam. I feel ready, it was just a fleeting doubt. Okay then. I′m ready!″<br />
<br />
″Find your happy thought. On the count of three: one, two, three!″ Marcus and Sam jumped...<br />
<br />
Marcus′s mom looked around. She could have sworn she heard Marcus. Then she looked up. What was Marcus doing up there?...! He jumped off! She dropped the groceries she was holding and ran to where she saw Marcus jump. She heard a sickening thud.<br />
<br />
″Marcus, no!″ she screamed as she saw him lying on the ground in a heap. She ran to his side and collapsed next to his body. She tenderly lifted his head and cradled it in her arms. Tears were flowing down her face. Marcus groaned.<br />
<br />
″Mom?″ Marcus said feebly.<br />
<br />
″Marcus, honey, it′s me,″ his mom said. ″Oh, honey, I thought you were dead!″ she said as she drew Marcus into a hug. ″What am I thinking? You need to go to a hospital!″ she said. She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket and dialed 911. Ringing, then an answer. ″My son just jumped off a building,″ she said hurriedly. ″I need an ambulance.″<br />
<br />
″Where are you, ma′am?″ the person on the phone said.<br />
<br />
″82nd street, twenty feet from the intersection. Near the gas station.″ ″Thank you ma′am. An ambulance will be there shortly.″<br />
<br />
Sam walked through the door to where Marcus was in the emergency room, in traction.<br />
<br />
″You were wrong,″ Marcus groaned. ″I couldn′t fly.″<br />
<br />
″You just need more work, that′s all,″ Sam said. ″You were close, almost there! I just know it!″<br />
<br />
″No more buildings,″ Marcus said through gasps of pain. ″Not yet, at least.″<br />
<br />
″Yeah. I′m really sorry, Marcus. I was so sure that you could that I didn′t notice the danger signs, one of which being you doubting that you can. When you can really fly, you know it. You become so sure that you can do it, that you′re practically flying before you jump. I′m sorry, Marcus, I should have called it off.″ Sam dropped his head. ″I should be in there, not you.″ Marcus groaned.<br />
<br />
″It′s okay, Sam. Just don′t let me jump next time if you have even the slightest doubt, if even for one millisecond you wonder if I can actually do it.″<br />
<br />
″Right,″ Sam said, brightening up a little. ″Well, I′ll go now. Bye!″ Sam walked out the door. Marcus′s mom and dad entered the room.<br />
<br />
″How are you feeling, son?″ his dad said.<br />
<br />
″Not great, but okay...″<br />
<br />
Dec. 25 Christmas is here! I finally got out of the hospital. That doctor was sure my ribs were still broken, even though the X-ray showed them all healed up. Well, I′m back, and happy to be here! Look out, world, here I come!<br />
<br />
″Wow, Mom! A sweater! Thanks! Go on, Mom, open your present!″ Marcus said on Christmas morning. His mom was staring at the present from Marcus in her lap.<br />
<br />
″I can′t help but think that you could be dead now, Marc. Thank goodness you′re still here,″ his mom said as she wiped a tear from her eye.<br />
<br />
″Oh, come on, Mom, none of that please. Just open your present.″<br />
<br />
″Okay, dear... Oh! It′s a family photo!″ His mom drew him into a tight hug.<br />
<br />
″Would be all right if I hung out with Sam after breakfast?″ Marcus asked. His parents looked at each other. ″What?″<br />
<br />
″Marc, we would like to spend today together as family, please?″ his father pleaded.<br />
<br />
″But... but... Okay,″ Marcus said. His parents sighed with relief. ″I figured we could go out for breakfast,″ his mom said. ″Maybe Denny′s, or something.″<br />
<br />
″Sounds great, honey, let′s do it,″ his dad replied.<br />
<br />
Jan. 7 Well, school′s back in session now. My flying lessons will also continue with Sam. I can′t wait until I can really fly! That will be soooo cool!<br />
<br />
″Now, concentrate on that thought. Good! Good!″ Sam said. Marcus couldn′t feel the ground any more with his feet. ″Come back down now!″ Sam′s voice seemed distant and quiet. He felt the sudden jolt go through his feet that meant he was back on ground. ″That was great! I definitely think you′re ready now.″ Sam grinned at Marcus.<br />
<br />
″I know I′m ready,″ Marcus replied. ″Let′s go to that building, again.″ Marcus grabbed Sam′s hand and concentrated really hard. He flew Sam and himself to the top of that familiar building.<br />
<br />
″One, two, three! Good luck!″ Sam shouted as Marcus fell away from him. That ground was getting a bit too close for comfort, when he felt a sudden jolt run through his body as he flew upward. He saw Sam′s face go past his, but for some reason, he was still looking down. Marcus saw the shining points of the buildings as they went past him. He saw the beautiful sunset. Why do I keep going up? he wondered. He felt another jolt run through his body.<br />
<br />
He looked down to see a medic with a defibrillator over his body.<br />
<br />
Marcus opened his eyes. He saw his parents faces swimming into focus over his own. ″Mom? Dad?″ he tried to say, but all that came out was: ″Mu... de...″<br />
<br />
″Shhh, honey. Don′t talk.″ his mom said. Several minutes later when Marcus had recovered, his dad said: ″Marc, what possessed you to jump off that building? Again?!″<br />
<br />
″Sam said I could fly. I believed him.″ Marcus said. His parents looked at each other with sadness in their eyes.<br />
<br />
″Marcus, Sam isn′t real. He never was. He never will be,″ his mother said. ″He is real! He′s my only friend.″ Marcus yelled. ″The only one I′ve ever had,″ Marcus whispered. ″I did fly, mom, dad. I saw the sunset, I saw the tops of buildings. I know I flew. I felt it. No matter what you tell me, I know I flew!″<br />
<br />
Marcus sat in a padded white room in a straight jacket. He was rocking back and forth. Marcus stopped rocking and looked up to the door. Sam was standing in front of it.<br />
<br />
″Long time, no see,″ Marcus said through gritted teeth. ″They say you′re not real. I don′t believe them. I see you for my self: you are real.″ ″Yeah, about that. You′re not crazy,″ Sam said.<br />
<br />
″Huh?″ said Marcus.<br />
<br />
″I′m only allowed to show myself to one person. I thought I could teach you how to fly. I was wrong. I′ll leave you now. I′ve already caused you enough pain as it is. Good-bye, friend.″ Sam turned around and walked out the door.<br />
<br />
″Good-bye... and thanks for being my friend.″ Marcus said quietly.<br />
<br />
Feb. 14 I finally got out of the insane asylum just in time for Valentine′s Day at school. I miss Sam. I kind of wish he would come back.<br />
<br />
Marcus was sitting at a lunch table alone, quickly eating his lunch so he could get to a class room and wait for class to start again.<br />
<br />
″Well, I like him, even if he was at a mental clinic,″ a girl was saying to another girl. The first girl had dirty blonde hair and grey-blue eyes. She marched over to Marcus′s table and sat on the other side from him.<br />
<br />
″Hello,″ she said. ″My name is Samantha, but you can call me Sam.″ She smiled at him. Marcus grinned then looked up at Samantha, or Sam.<br />
<br />
' ″I used to have a friend named Sam,″ he said to her. He paused. ″Do you like drawing? I can draw a pretty good dog.″Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-57935531671048349342013-05-30T05:00:00.000-07:002013-05-30T05:00:12.281-07:00Sally Hartfordshire and Blake DensleyA brief author's note: These two characters are going to be in a story (hopefully). I really suck at writing good characters because I don't always care about them. So, I'm going to try to make myself care about them. This is merely a personal exercise posted for your viewing pleasure (or displeasure, depending on how bad it is).<br />
<br />
XXxxxXX<br />
<br />
Sally shrugged, then stared off into the distance.<br />
"What is there to talk about?" she asked. "My parents are dead. I mean, I heard it happen. I would know." Blake watched Sally, his face strained with sympathy. But he stayed quiet. "I mean, I didn't see it. But, you know," Sally sniffed, "Small children have very active imaginations. I was six." She turned her head and stared into the Sun, hoping it's warmth would dry her eyes before the tears gave her away.<br />
"My dad used to play hide and seek with me. If I hid anywhere but the closet, he would find me. And when I heard the pounding and the screaming and- and the crackling, I just knew that no one would find me in the closet." Sally rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes. "I mean, there's nothing to talk about, Blake. They're gone. I'm over it." Blake shook his head.<br />
<br />
XXxxxXX<br />
<br />
Blake tossed his laser pistol up and down experimentally, mentally noting the weight. He tucked it quickly into his holster. He put his hands casually on his hips.<br />
"Greetings, Fair Citizen!" he said as he turned to face a mirror. He beamed at himself. "Oh, no thanks necessary, Ma'am." He took a sweeping bow. "Just doin' my job." He stood up straight, then relaxed slightly, putting one hand on his holstered pistol. "Step away from her, Buddy. No sudden- ha HA!" he whipped out his pistol, made a few 'pew pew pew' sounds, then twirled his pistol around his finger.<br />
"That is a ridiculously dangerous stunt, you know." Blake bent over to pick up the pistol that had magically fallen to the floor. He looked up at Sally.<br />
"Uh, how long have you been there?" Blake asked.<br />
"Long enough to know that you think that pistol's a toy." The corners of Blake's mouth turned down.<br />
"Hey, c'mon!"<br />
"You should take things more seriously."<br />
"And you should enjoy being a kid a bit more!" Sally gave Blake a look that teen-aged girls everywhere reserved for simple boys. Blake grinned. He dove into a shoulder roll, popped up on the far side of a box from Sally.<br />
"Pew, pew, pew!" he said, holding his hand like a mock-pistol. Sally smiled inspite of herself. She dodged side-ways, and drew her hand up her side as if she were drawing a gun.<br />
"I reckon," she hissed, "This box stack ain't big enough fer the two o' us."<br />
"Perhaps we could come to a diplomatic agreement?"<br />
"Ain't no agreement that's satisfied me, yet. Take that, ya varmint!" And, with that, Sally leapt to the other side of the boxes, 'pistol' pointed where she calculated Blake to be, then commenced with shouting, "Pew, pew, pew, ping! FWOOOOSH." Blake looked down quizzically from the top of the box stack.<br />
"Fwoosh?"<br />
"I accidentally hit a gas canister. Blew the whole place sky high. We both died."<br />
"Do we always have to have a tragic ending?"<br />
"Well, it was an agreement of sorts."<br />
"I never agreed to become human shrapnel!"<br />
"TEEEEAM JUUUUUSTICE!" Sally and Blake stopped arguing and began to scramble to the far side of the room.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-77880464893858964792013-05-27T21:37:00.000-07:002013-05-27T21:37:02.125-07:00How "Beowulf" Describes the Ideal WarriorThis essay is about "Beowulf" as translated by Seamus Heaney. The poem takes place sometime between the middle of the seventh century and the end of the tenth century. "Beowulf" is, in short, an adventure poem about a warrior who goes to help a king of another country. Why does he do it? Not just to help a person in need, but for the fame, riches and honor it would bring his name. I believe that "Beowulf" was a presentation of how a noble of that time should act. Or, more specifically, how the epitome of a warrior of the time would behave. I think that, while the story is entertaining and fun to read, it is also like stories written by Greeks such as Homer: a story meant to teach.<br />
An idealogy of the time was that of a lord adopting a warrior as a son if the warrior proved himself to be worthy of being a good and valuable son. The lord who had adopted the warrior would be expected to provide support to the warrior in the form of land to give the warrior an income to support his family. This was especially useful for a young warrior just getting started in life. It gave the young warrior the basic income he needed to support the household he would gain when he got older. It also gave them a better opportunity to grow as a warrior. The adopted son was then expected to serve the lord like his own father by supporting the lord in wars and defense in exchange for the support that the lord provided. When Beowulf defeated Grendel, he proved himself valuable to Hrothgar, who said: "So now, Beowulf, I adopt you in my heart as a dear son..." (pg 63)<br />
In the time period that "Beowulf" is set in, the lords were expected to give land to vassals for military services performed. When Beowulf defeats Grendel, Hrothgar rewards Beowulf: "So now, Beowulf, I adopt you in my heart as a dear son. Nourish and maintain this new connection, you noblest of men; there'll be nothing you'll want for, no worldly goods that won't be yours." (pg 63) From what Hrothgar says, it seems that this is commonplace for him to reward others for services rendered to him: "I have often honored smaller achievements, recognized warriors not nearly as worthy, lavished rewards on the less deserving."(pg 63) Wealth was one of the things that warriors of this time period sought. Another thing was fame and reknown for one's name, which Hrothgar promises Beowulf will have: "But you have made yourself immortal by your glorious action." (pg 63)<br />
Why was Beowulf's achievement so great and heroic to Hrothgar? In this time period, there weren't any police that you could call to take care of problems like Grendel. In the story, Beowulf knows that "if Grendel wins, it will be a gruesome day...Fate goes as ever fate must." (pg 31) If Beowulf were not to fight Grendel, or if he were to loose to Grendel, he knows that "he (Grendel) will glut himself on the Geats in the war hall, swoop without fear on that flower of manhood as on others before." (pg 31) But why fight, why be heroic if there are such terrible consequences for you and your people? Either Beowulf would fight Grendel, or no one else would because of the consequences of the failure. The warriors all had a family or a wife to to think about, and whether they would be able to go home to them. Without the men, the women and children of the society were not fully capable of taking care of themselves. Beowulf was confident that he would defeat Grendel, so confident that he "[renounced] sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board." So Beowulf put his life on the proverbial line for the safety and well-being of not only his men, but for his men's families.<br />
Another theme to the poem was how the women of the time were to behave. Since a woman was under the jurisdiction and protection of her husband, the woman was expected to respect her husband. To respect her husband, a woman would adopt her husbands ideals as her own. And since honor was such a strong driving force for the warriors, a woman would want to act honorably for her husband. An honorable woman, such as "Wealhtheow...Hrothgar's queen, observ[ed] the courtesies...adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian,"(pg 41-42) "The queen spoke: 'Enjoy this drink, my most generous lord;'" (pg 83)"Urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them." (pg 42) Wealhtheow, when she came to Beowulf, welcomed him with hope: "Until it was Beowulf's turn to take it from her [Wealhtheow's] hand. With measured words (What she said had to be exact, maybe even practiced, to be sure she stayed honorable.) she welcomed the Geat and thanked God for granting her wish that a deliverer she could believe in would arrive to ease their afflictions." (pg 42) Then, to prove again beyond his boasting that he is what he claims, "He accepted the cup, a daunting man, dangerous in action and eager for it always." (pg 42)<br />
As a warrior, the convictions that you held were important to who you were and what motivated you. Warriors valued the art of war above practically everything else. You could even say that warrior fought for the sheer joy of fighting. Fighting was also a good way for a warrior to prove his worth to his adopted father, his lord. A warrior could prove to the lords that he was worth supporting by providing the military strength to his lord's army. Beowulf proved his worth to Hrothgar by causing "the monster's whole body" to be "in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst. Beowulf was granted the glory of winning; Grendel was driven under the fen banks, fatally hurt, to his desolate lair." (pg 55) Later in the poem, when Beowulf becomes king, Wiglaf proved himself to his king, Beowulf, as "he waded the dangerous reek and went under arms to his lord" (pg 179) Wiglaf promised his king, "I shall stand by you."(pg 179) Wiglaf then made good his word when "the noble son of Weohstan saw the king in danger at his side and displayed his inborn bravery and strength. He left the head alone, but his fighting hand was burned when he came to his kinsman's aid. He lunged at the enemy lower down so that his decorated sword sank into its belly and the flames grew weaker."(pg 183) Because of this blow, Beowulf "gathered his strength and drew a stabbing knife he carried on his belt, sharpened for battle. He stuck it deep into the dragon's flank. Beowulf dealt it a deadly wound." (pg 183) And from this fatal wound "they had killed the enemy, courage quelled his life; that pair of kinsmen, partners in nobility, had destroyed this foe." (pg 183) Wiglaf acted as "every man should act, be at hand when needed."<br />
Wiglaf acted honorably and encouraged his king with the words: "'Go on, dear Beowulf, do everything you said you would when you were still young and vowed you would never let you name and fame be dimmed while you lived. Your deeds are famous, so stay resolute, my lord, defend your life now with the whole of your strength.'"(pg 179) Wiglaf reminded Beowulf of his honor, then Wiglaf stated on his honor to the king, in the moment of Beowulf's weakness: "I shall stand by you."(pg 179)<br />
Another part of being an honorable warrior was by respecting God. The poem showed the importance of proper Christian behavior by contrasting it to when Hrothgar's people turned to pagan gods instead of the Christian God. Hrothgar's people, "at pagan shrines...vowed offerings to idols, swore oaths that the killer of souls might come to their aid and save the people. That was their way, their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts, they remembered [heck]. The Almighty Judge of good deeds and bad, the Lord God, Head of Heavens and High King of the World was unknown to them." (pg 15) Because of this heathenish hope, "cursed is he who in time of trouble has thrust his soul in the fire's embrace [with his heathenish hope], forfeiting help; he has no where to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father's embrace." (pg 15) Hrothgar was aware of this forthcoming curse, so, to waylay this curse, he "'first and foremost, let the the Almighty Father be thanked for this sight (Grendel's detached arm).'" He then continues to explain his plight, and why he withstood it: "'I suffered a long harrowing by Grendel...Not long since, it seemed I would never be granted the slightest solace or relief from any of my burdens...But the Heavenly Shepherd can work His wonders and miracles always and everywhere.'" (pg 63)<br />
It would seem that, from the poem "Beowulf", an honorable warrior, the epitome of a warrior respects the lord he serves under. And since the lord also had a responsibility to the warriors that served under him, he must also respect his warriors. The system of feudalism, with the lords over their warriors would encourage both the lords and warriors under them to be honorable. To help him retain his honor, the values that a warrior held to be important could encourage him in his times of trouble. But, if during his hard times, his values were to fail him, a warrior could still rely on God. But if a warrior were to forget God, even his values couldn't save him. The poem "Beowulf" showed by the example of Hrothgar's people what could curse even the best warrior if they didn't remember God. An honorable warrior, as presented in "Beowulf", remembers God. And since honor is very important for warriors, and since the wives of warriors believe what their husbands believe, women observed the required courtesies for all occasions to be honorable. In conclusion, the epitome of a warrior would always pursue honor and encourage others to also pursue it, as they did with their wives.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-63360097200707062752010-04-02T14:03:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:14:43.116-07:00Zombie Story (Pound signs mean blank spaces for editors)Lots of people question themselves. You know, with meaningless questions like, "Why am I here?" "Where am I going?" and so on. Well, by now, I think most of those people are dead. Well, not quite dead. I'm not sure how to describe it. You can be walking along, then see this perfectly ordinary looking person walking along. Nicely dressed, well groomed, and all, then suddenly, they turn to look at you, and you know that they aren't really a person. How do you know? Well, I know. How you know is up to you.<br /> The first time I met something like that was a few years ago, back when I was six. My mother and father decided that it was a beautiful day outside, and that we should go to the park. When we got there, the weather was great. I got to run around on the grass, chase after small birds, and then run away from large dogs. There was an old swing set just off the side of the grass, the red paint mostly worn and rusted off. One of the swings hung on one chain, the other chain lying on the ground, the link at the end of the chain bent grossly out of proportion. I would have gone and played on the swings that remained except for the fact that there was a fence in the way, dividing the public park from the private school grounds. So, I just ran around in the grass. My parents were sitting on the edge of the grass watching me, both were smiling. I glanced over my shoulder once to call out to my parents, but they had started to talk to each other. I saw a dark look pass over my father's face as the conversation seemed to intensify. My mother's usually present smile slid away to a distanced look. I stopped running for a second to watch them.<br /> "...another person...left his car keys...nothing in the house to suggest..." I could just barely hear my father's voice float across the grass.<br /> "kids...what about them?...suspected by police for..." my mother said. I raised my eyes slightly from my parents to look at the sidewalk behind them. There was a man standing there, looking at me.<br /> "I'll get you, kid." I glanced down at my parents. My father wasn't looking at me. I looked behind me, but there wasn't anyone there. I looked back over to the man. I smiled at him and waved. I noticed my parents look away from each other. The smiled and waved to me. I shook my head and pointed past them. My father raised his eyebrows and turned around to see the man who had been on the sidewalk. My father stood up quickly and offered his hand to the man as he came up to my parents. The man looked at the offered hand, grabbed it, then wrenched it around. I jerked as I heard a loud crack. The shirt over my father's shoulder started to turn a deep red. I saw my mother scream, but I only heard my father's yell as his arm was released. He fell to the ground, his arm lying near him at a funny angle. My mother scrambled up and started to move towards me, but the man kicked her. She fell over. She looked up to me and parted her lips, opened her teeth, then closed them. I turned away from the man and my mother and ran.<br /> I had only ever watched my father ride on his motorcycle, but I thought at the time that I knew enough to ride one myself. I ran into the parking lot on the other side of the park. I looked over my shoulder once to see the man following me. He was walking, almost calmly, towards me. After that, I didn't bother to look back. I came into the parking lot, looking around frantically. I finally sighted a motorcycle, ran up to it, then tried to climb on. I eventually pulled myself onto the seat, but then found myself looking at an empty ignition. I grasped the handles and started to rock my weight forwards and backwards, trying to get the motorcycle to move.<br /> I guess it was lucky that the parking lot was at the top of a hill, because the motor cycle started rolling off the pavement and onto the dirt of the hill. It gained speed as it rolled down, starting out slow and wobbly, but became less so as it got further down the hill. I realized that I couldn't the direction of the motorcycle when I started tugging on the handlebar to get it to avoid a tree. Either I wasn't strong enough to turn it, or the steering was locked. To this day, I don't really know. But, somehow, I narrowly evaded a collision with the tree. After the tree, the ground began to level out and the motorcycle's speed began to drop.<br /> When I judged it slow enough, I jumped off of the motorcycle. The motorcycle fell over as I started to jump, so I lost my footing and landed head first on the dirt. When I sat up, I could barely see. When I reached up to touch my face, to try to clear my eyes. I felt a warm, sticky liquid on my face. My face started to burn, like if I had stood close to a fire for too long. I wiped my face the best that I could, the burning intensifying with each wipe. I stood up shakily, and started walking.<br /> I don't know where I was walking to, but I can remember that I was mostly walking away. I tripped several times, skinning my knees and elbows. By the time it was dark, I was covered in blood and I was crying silently.<br /> "Hey, kid. Where are you going?" I looked up to see several dark shapes surrounding me. As I let my eyes adjust, I could make out that the shapes were men. Their clothing was loose and torn, hanging from them almost like ivy hangs from a tree. I don't know who these people are, I thought. They may be trying to kill me like mom and dad. I stood staring up at the man who had spoken to me, not knowing what to say, so just staying silent.<br /> "Hey, kid. The man asked you a question. You better talk. I turned slowly to look at the other man who had spoken.<br /> "I found you again, kid." I stiffened. That voice! I looked around at the people surrounding me. They seemed to be laughing to themselves, as if they were laughing at me. Can't these people here him?<br /> "Hey, kid! You paying attention to us?"<br /> "Don't you hear him?" I asked softly, my voice trembling. "He killed mom and dad. Can't you hear him?" Two of the men looked at each other. One of them smirked. He turned to face me, bringing his hand out as he did so. I was sent sprawling on the ground.<br /> "What voice, kid? We was the only ones talking to you, and I ain't never seen your mummy or poppy. Now, you be a good girl, or we'll just have to hurt you a whole lot." I looked up to the man who had hit me. I saw a dark shadow emerge from behind him. I watched as the form slowly resolved itself into the form of a woman. She brought up her hands from her sides, lifted them slowly. Then, almost lovingly, she wrapped her hands around the man's neck and squeezed. The other men surrounding me got wide-eyed as they watched their companion begin to turn blue, watched as he struggled in vain against the woman's grip. One of the men let out a yell. He pulled up his shirt and reached for a hand-gun hiding under his shirt. He pulled it out, fiddled with it a little, then placed his finger on the trigger. A hand reached out of the darkness and grabbed the man's wrist, then twisted it up and around. I watched as the gun fell. The two men who remained, stood dumb-founded as they watched their companion's arm being torn off. I looked at their eyes, and it almost looked as if something emerged from inside of them, peered out from their eyes. They turned and looked down at me.<br /> "I have you now, kid," the taller of the men said.<br /> "I will kill you," the other man said, in the same voice. I lunged for the gun that the man had dropped, picked it up, pointed it towards the taller man, and pulled the trigger. The gun fired, a loud, ringing bang echoed around me. I watched as the gun was propelled backwards into my forehead. The hot metal burned into my forehead. I pulled the gun away from my head as quickly as I could. The man I had shot at, slowly collapsed from the knees and pitched forward. I turned the gun towards the other man as he lunged at me, he leaned down, extending his hands ahead of him. I pointed the gun as close to his head as I could and pulled the trigger again, this time holding my arms stiff. The man jerked back slightly, but continued to fall forward, falling onto me. I pushed at his limp body, trying to move it off of me. The body moved a little. Just enough for me to be able to wriggle out from underneath it. I stood up, staggered slightly, then ran away from the two dying men and their killers. As I ran, I began to see a light ahead of me. The light flickered and wavered, like its bearer it was dancing.<br /> "Help!" I screamed. "Help me!" The light flicked towards me, then began dancing up and down in a sickening manner, growing steadily larger and larger. I moved my legs up and down, willing the muscles to move faster. Soon, I was in the circle of light, I stumbled forward, trying to stop, then tripped and slid forward. I felt a hand grab my upper arm, pull me up to where I was standing, then pull me off the ground. I felt the hand let go. I gasped. Then, there was an arm wrapped around my middle. I felt movement as the person carrying me began to run. My arms and legs bounced up and down, occasionally smacking into the legs of whoever was carrying me.<br /> Finally, the bouncing stopped. I heard heavy breathing above me. I tried to turn my head up, but only succeeded in turning my head slightly to the side. I felt the person's body twist, heard the sound of strained metal, a click, and the sound of creaking. I was lifted to a vertical position, thrust forward, then dropped onto a padded seat.<br /> "Buckle," I heard a deep, crackling voice say. I reached up past my right shoulder, felt a rough and stiff fabric, grabbed it, pulled the belt across my body, felt the metal click into place. The door slammed shut, I heard a jingling, then the car began to rumble. Blinding light shot out infront of us, falling onto a woman's form. The woman tilted her head back slightly, opened her mouth wide enough for her tongue to shoot out and loll against the side of her face. The person beside me straightened his leg.<br /> "Mom!" I screamed. The car pulled forward, ran into the woman.<br /> "It's not your mom." The voice to the side of me said. "Did you see her eyes?" I nodded, rubbing my fists against my eyes. "Then you know." The voice paused. "My name's Jim. What's yours?"<br /> "Talissa," I muttered, quietly. The man laughed.<br /> "What kind of a name is that? Are you ethnic or foreign or something?" I turned the corners of my mouth down.<br /> "No," I pouted. "Mom liked Clarrissa. Dad liked Talia. They made a compr-compr-"<br /> "Compromise?" The man Jim burst out into laughter. I nodded. What did this man know about names?<br /> "What sort of a name is Jim?" Jim stopped laughing. "It's awefully simple and plain."<br /> "Mommy and daddy tell you that, did they?" I lowered my head.<br /> "Told." I sniffed. Jim stopped talking. I listened to the quiet rumbling of the car.<br /> "I, uh, heard gun shots." Jim turned his head to look at me, then turned it back to the road.I rubbed my forehead.<br /> "I killed the men." I muttered. "They were talking the same."<br /> "You mean they had the same mannerisms?"<br /> "No, they talked the same." I lifted my head, then tilted my head down slightly. "I have you now, kid." I said in a deep voice. "I will kill you."<br /> "Do you know what they are?" Jim glanced towards me again. I shook my head from side to side. "Zombies. Just like in all the old movies. Wandering around, moaning, trying to eat your flesh. Yup. We're living in a movie now."<br /> "Zombies don't talk. They did."<br /> "You said they were men."<br /> "Their eyes weren't their eyes." Silence consumed the car again.<br /> "I'll let you stay at my house, if you'd like," Jim said. "I can get some antiseptic for you." I nodded. The car continued to rumble. After what seemed like a long time, Jim finally stopped the car infront of a small, single story house. "Here's my digs," Jim said. I opened my car door and clambered out. "Lived here alone since the girlfriend left." Jim stuffed his hands into his pockets and strode towards his house. Once he arrived at the door, he pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. He turned slightly, then turned all the way around to look back at me. "You coming, Tali?" I dipped my head down, lifted it again, then jogged forward.<br />#<br /> Jim was very nice. He filled a bath tub for me, tested it to make sure it wasn't too hot. As he filled the tub, he talked.<br /> "Always wanted to have kids, you know? Girlfriend and I were planning on adopting after the marriage. Found this nice little house. Has a nice lawn out back." He glanced back at me. I nodded. He turned back to the tub. "She had to leave, though, you know? Business or something. Next I hear from her, she's in a hospital. Some jerk ran her over." Jim lifted his free hand to his face. He wiped at his eyes. "We just wanted a quiet life with a couple kids." He took a deep breath, then looked at me. "What happened to make you so torn up, kiddo?" He stretched out a hand and wiped carefully at my face. He looked at his hand. "Lots of blood and dirt. Did you fall off something?" Jim said to himself. He stood and looked down at me. "The tub is filled now. Just holler if you need anything. I'll bring you some of my sister's old clothes."<br /> He turned around and walked out the bathroom, shutting the door behind himself. I walked over to the tub and dipped my hand in. Then I started to undress. The warm water stung as I climbed in. I breathed in sharply. I reached out to get a bar of soap, then started gently rubbing myself.<br /> After about an hour, I heard a gentle tapping at the bathroom door.<br /> "I have some clean clothes for you, Talissa. Can I come in?" I voiced a soft yes and the door opened. Jim set a pile of clothes on the counter, then bent over in order to gather up my dirty clothes. "My little sister just out grew these. My parents sent them over because Teri and I were planning on adopting soon. I hope you don't mind pink." He looked at me thoughtfully for a second, then left the bathroom again. I climbed out of the bathtub and picked up a nearby towel. I dobbed at my skin assiduous. After I had dryed myself, I smeared antiseptic cream all over my cuts. I picked up a roll of gauze bandages and started wrapping my forehead. Soon, I had bandaged and clothed myself completely. I left the bathroom and climbed down the set of stairs that started at the front door.<br />#<br /> The next morning found Jim teaching me how to hold the gun I had gotten from the man the night before.<br /> "Wrap your fingers around like this, see? Now, take your other hand and- no not like that. Get that thumb off of there. Good. OK. Now, wrap your other hand around. Yeah, just like that. Now bend your arms so you hold it like this. Yeah. Now, put your finger on the trigger. OK. Now take it off. Here." Jim took the gun away. He ran his thumbs up and down the gun, then pushed on a switch twice. "That's the safety. With it on, it won't fire. But when it's off," he pushed the switch again, revealing a bit of red, "then you can fire with it. This is a...9mm hand gun. Hmm. What was that guy up to? Anyways," Jim clicked the safety back on. "Enough for now. I'll teach you more later."Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-77105440235178318832009-12-10T10:06:00.001-08:002009-12-10T10:06:55.498-08:00A Story Based on the Naruto TV ShowShe sat quietly next to a grave. Staring. But at nothing in particular. Long red hair, toseled and messy. Bright green eyes, red and bloodshot. Slouched posture, bowed shoulders. But, inspite of all this, she had an air of confidence about her, like her life was suddenly congealing into some definite meaning. Like all those nights of staying up late reading, studying, like all those days of heartache and pain, like all those times she was shunned, would have a purpose now. A purpose she had been waiting for for years. A purpose she knew to be hers at the academy, when she heard the name "Haku."<br /> The girl straightened and stood up, her pose stong and defiant now. She pulled a kunai out of her pouch, then, with the slightest hint of hesitation, drew it across her up-turned palm. She pulled the knife back and let the blood drip on to the ground infront of her. Let the blood drip onto the dirt where two rogue ninja were buried, where the only mark of it being a grave site was the large sword planted into the ground. The one site she had been searching for, preparing herself for. The blood dripped. The girl brought her hands in towards her chest, then began making rapid handsigns. Tiger, dog, ox. She did them all resolutely. Then, she dropped to the ground, slamming her hands into the dirt of the grave.<br /> A blue light began to emanate from the girl's form. Began to engulf her, then plunged through her arms into the ground beneath her hands. A single bead of sweat ran down the girl's face. From her hairline, to her cheek bone, to her lips, to her chin, then to the dirt. Another followed in the same pattern. Then another, plotting it's own path, landed to the side of the other drops. Slowly, the blue light dimmed from the girl's arms until it dissipated entirely, leaving the trembling arms as the girl struggled to hold herself up.<br /> She sat back, her arms limp at her sides, her head lolling towards her shoulders. Suddenly, she brought her arms up. The dirt flew away to reveal the form of a young and beautiful boy. The glowing, blue form. The girl dropped her arms and fell forward into the grave where the boy lay. His eyes flew open, the blue disappearing with his closed eyes. He caught her.<br />***<br /> "Niju!" The harsh voice of the teacher called. A small girl jerked her head up, her short, red hair bouncing comically as she did so.<br /> "Hai!" She called. Niju turned around to face her parents.<br /> "Do well, Niju!" her father said. "Make us proud!"<br /> "We love you. Write often," her mother whispered. Both parents drew her into a tight hug, then quickly let go. Niju beamed, bent over to grab her duffel bag, then huried towards the teacher. The teacher let a soft smile drift onto his face.<br /> "You'll miss them, won't you, Niju?" he asked the little girl. She nodded.<br /> "Bye, mommy! Bye, daddy!" she called, waving frantically. Her parents waved back, then turned around and walked away.<br /> "Sensei?" The little girl looked up towards the teacher.<br /> "Yes?"<br /> "What's your name?"<br /> "Iruka. You can call me Iruka-sensei, if you'd like."<br /> "Iruka-sensei." She said it distinctly, without the slightest hint of a lisp. Iruka was going to like this girl.<br />***<br /> Niju spent most of her time living in the library. Between classes, between meals, sometimes even during meals if she thought no one would hector her. It was lunchtime currently, so Niju was in the library, elbow deep in books.<br /> "'Theory of Handsigns'?" Niju looked up into the face of her teacher.<br /> "Hai, Iruka-sensei. I've read most of the books on chakura, now," Niju replied. Iruka raised his eyebrows. Niju's eyebrows compressed her forehead into a frown. "Would you believe, that's the same look the librarian gave me?" Iruka lowered his eyebrows, then grinned. He reached down and ruffled Niju's hair.<br /> "You should eat lunch," he said.<br />***<br /> A vein pulsed in Iruka's forehead. He stared down a student who was, quite unfortunately, ignoring him. The young student was doodling on a piece of paper while whispering a conversation with another nearby student.<br /> "Yamashi-kun!" Iruka barked. The boy jerked up.<br /> "Hai, sensei?" Yamashi, the student, looked as innocent as he could as Iruka stared him down. Yamashi shrunk back. Shoulders rolled in, head bent forward slightly.<br /> "Would you care to tell the class what I was just talking about?" Yamashi's shoulders rolled forward even more. "Perhaps you could answer a question? How many chakura points does the human body have?" The class giggled as Yamashi muttered quietly to himself. Iruka angled himself so that he was facing the whole of the class. "Anybody?" The people in the first row abruptly stopped talking. The rows behind quickly followed suit. The class fell silent. One lone hand rose tenatively.<br /> "It depends on whether the person is fully grown or not, sensei." Heads slowly turned around to face the small girl with her hand raised. Niju drooped her head as she watched heads turn towards her. She quickly popped her chin up, again, then lowered her hand, rest it next to her pencil and heavily written on paper. Everyone quickly turned back to the front of the class.<br /> "A good point, Niju. Thank you. If the rest of you had been paying attention..." Iruka fell into his standard lecturing mode. One hand held behind his back, leaned back at a slight angle as his mouth took over the whole of his consciousness. Niju picked up her pencil, once again.<br />***Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-16310525954626722782009-12-04T08:55:00.000-08:002009-12-08T20:12:22.542-08:00The Small BoyIt was a particularly normal sort of day. The type of day you expect to take a nice long walk on, then have a picnic afterwards. Sammy was a particulary normal sort of girl who read fantasies avidly and daydreamed of wonderful romances where she would be rescued by a handsome prince. Presently, Sally had set about to looking through her mother's library. After she had been searching for quite some time, she happened to come upon one set of books that caught her interest.<br /> "'The Chronicles of Narnia,'" she read. Curiously, she flipped over one of the books and began to read the description. By the time she had finished reading it, she was convinced that she must read this set of books or forever regret not doing so. She picked out the first of the set and set out to her lawn to read.<br />#<br /> One month later, Sammy had finished reading 'The Chronicles of Narnia.'<br /> "Oh, mother!" she said, "Why haven't I been to Narnia?"<br /> "It's nothing more than a fantasy book, Sam. Don't take it to heart. Besides, you need to help me with the dishes."<br /> That night Sammy dreamed. She woke up to find herself in a field full of heather, swaying softly in the breeze. She sat up, partially alarmed, but soon very delighted.<br /> "Oh!" She clapped her hands together with joy. "I must be in Narnia! What a wonderful occurrence! Aslan must be around, somewhere." She looked to and fro to sight the lion, but could not find him. "I suppose I must find him with the help of some of the fellow Narnias," she said. So she set about to walking towards the edge of the field. Sammy walked for what seemed to be hours. "Where-" she panted, "are you, Aslan?" She looked around, but the field of heather did not seem to be any smaller in either direction.<br /> "Come," a small voice said. "Follow me." Sammy turned around to see a boy of about seven standing behind her.<br /> "Follow you? But you're just a boy!" Sammy said. "What is your name?"<br /> "My name is Aslan. Come, follow me."<br /> "You're not Aslan!" Sammy laughed. "You're just a boy! Aslan is a big, great lion! He can smite his enemies down with one paw!" Sammy turned away and continued walking, humming pleasantly, in the field of heather. The next morning, she awoke to the sound of her alarm clock. She couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.<br />#<br /> Thomas was a studious young man. He didn't like to go out much, but he liked to understand everything perfectly. He was the sort to read the dictionary just so as he could understand the encyclopedia. One day, when the weather was rather dreadful and grey, he decided to go looking for some new books in his father's study. His father had recently recommended a series to him called 'The Chronicles of Narnia.' Not being one to want to disappoint his father, he searched out the books and began to read them. It took all day, but Thomas read the series.<br /> "Father," Thomas said at dinner, "Why is there a lion in the books?"<br /> "Ah, hmm, well. I'm sure it has something to do with finding your inner strength, son. Best to do some research on the subject after dinner." Thomas nodded to his father and began to think to himself. He helped his sister put away the dishes, then sat down at his computer to look up the lion. But no sooner had he gotten the computer on, then his mother hollered at him to go to sleep. So Thomas obliged his mother. That night, Thomas dreamed. He found himself in a large dark forest full of trees. He looked around. He could not seem to recognize what type of trees he was surrounded by. When ever he looked closely at one, it would seem to grow fuzzy upon inspection.<br /> "Come," a small voice said. "Follow me." Thomas looked around to face a small boy.<br /> "Who are you? You seem familiar."<br /> "I'm Aslan. Come, follow me."<br /> "You are not...just Aslan, though. Let me find out who you are before I follow you." So Thomas woke up, and set about to researching Aslan.<br />#<br /> Cloe was a small girl of about six years old. She always loved to look at flowers and kittens and pretty jewelery. But she not only liked to look at pretty things, she also liked to look for pretty things, and find out more about them. Her parents never missed an opportunity to use Cloe's curiosity to teach her. They had begun to read to her a set of their favorite books, called 'The Chronicles of Narnia.' Cloe would always sit and listen attentively to her parents as they read. As they were reading one night, Cloe was a little sleepier than usual, ans soon faded off as her parents's reassuring voices flowed over her. She awoke in the middle of a desert, hungry and thirsty. Cloe started to walk, but quickly stopped for the harsh pain that began in her head.<br /> "Oooh," she said quietly.<br /> "Come," a voice like unto Cloe's own said. "Follow me." Cloe looked up to the voice. A boy a little older than her stood with his hand outstretched towards her.<br /> "Why does my head hurt?" she asked. "It feels like the time I fell on my head on the playground." The boy looked pained. <br /> "Will you follow me?" Cloe stood up.<br /> "Yes." Cloe took the boy's hand. Her head stopped hurting. While Cloe walked with the boy, her parents shook Cloe's sleeping body.<br /> "Cloe? Cloe, baby, wake up!" They sat her up carefully only to watch her slump down again.<br />#<br /> Kevin stood at the entrance to a church building. He looked up at the stained glass windows that adorned the church's every side. He had dreamed that a small boy had led him out of the middle of a burning building. Since his dream, he had read every book he could think of to help him figure out his dream. He had read a series by C.S. Lewis, he had read the Bible, he had read the Curran, he had read almost any religious book he could lay hands on. Now, finally, at the end of his search, he new who the small boy was.<br />#<br /> Sammy woke up abrubtly. She looked around, hoping to fins the source of what had awoken her. In the corner of her eye she thought she saw a small boy. She looked, but saw nothing but her bed room. She heard a faint whisper say: "Come, follow me." She looked up to her window and saw a small boy standing outside. He beckoned. Sammy shook her head.<br /> "You're not Aslan," she said. She stepped out side of her room to find her lost shoe. The last thing she saw was her mother charging her with a bloody knife while her father lay on the ground.<br />#<br /> Thomas looked out his window to see a small boy looking in at him. The boy beckoned.<br /> "Just a second! I almost know who you are." Thomas began to turn back to his computer. The boy beckoned more frantically. Thomas took one last longing look at his computer monitor, then began to climb out his window to the boy.<br /> "Thomas!" A loud voice yelled. "We know you're in there! Come out, now!" Thomas recognized the voice of his next door neighbor. He also remembered that his neighbor had been convicted of attempted murder and locked in prison a month ago. He scrambled out his window faster. His bed room door began to open. Thomas lept out the window and ran.<br />#<br /> Cloe woke up in a hospital bed surrounded by her parents and several nurses.<br /> "Baby! You just survived a stroke!" Her parents looked at her lovingly.<br /> "The boy showed me where to go," Cloe said. "He saved me." Her parents looked slightly confused.<br />#<br /> Kevin looked away from the glorious stained glass windows to a small, rickety set up of the nativity scene. Even He started out somewhere, Kevin thought. He started out as a small boy, probably no bigger than my little guys.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-4861939182053616522009-12-04T08:34:00.000-08:002009-12-04T08:37:08.198-08:00An Explication of "The Tyger" by William BlakeFrom the very beginning of the poem "The Tyger" by William Blake, its first lines instill a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. I, as a reader, sense that the Tyger has more to it than its physical description. Could William Blake be using his rhetoric to be telling us about the human spirit? William Blake himself seems to be questioning the Tyger, as I am: "What are you, Tyger?" The fifth and sixth lines ask what could have put the fire in the eyes of the Tyger. The fifth line answers round-aboutly by questioning what "deeps and skies" put the fire in the Tyger's eyes. The poem goes on asking what kind of person made the Tyger. The poem gives an elusive answer to those that are looking by asking about characteristics of specific tools. Another elusive answer to a question the poem poses to the Tyger lies in the question itself: "In what furnace was thy brain?" A furnace is something used to heat or melt metal; something to remove impurities. <br /> Although the poem is filled with questions about the Tyger, the questions are formed in such a way to seem to say that the Tyger has come to its present state through its experiences. The "deeps and skies" described can be thought of as low points and high points in life, as a "deep" is something low, and "skies" are always above. William Blake asks the Tyger: What did you experience to get like this? He doesn't specify whether "this" is good or bad, but just asks out of seemingly general curiosity.<br /> So where did the "fire" come from to light the Tyger's eyes? When I see a "fire" in someone's eyes, I tend to see a strong will-power and determination. How many times have you heard of someone having a fire in their eyes when they get excited and motivated about doing something? And where did the Tyger get this burning from? The "deeps and skies," the poem answers.<br /> The poems asks questions about he tools that were used in creating the Tyger. Because of the tools that the poem asks about, you can get a general sense of what type of person created the Tyger. From the furnace that contained the Tyger's brain, to the hammer that the poem asks about. A black smith works metal into the shapes that he wants, whether it be a sword, a shield, or, in this case, a Tyger. A black smith can usually get metal that was hard and brittle to become soft and pliable his hands. No matter what the previous shape of the metal, the blacksmith can always get the metal to become what he intends it to be. <br /> If one considers this in the terms presented here, then the blacksmith has formed the Tyger to best deal with the "deeps and skies," or the experiences. "On what wings/ Dare he aspire?" On the wings given him by the blacksmith. Birds have wings to fly. Usually they fly to get somewhere or to get over or away from something: to fly over "deeps and skies." The wings of the Tyger can be used to overcome, quite literally, the experiences. To join the skies, or to fly over the deeps. <br /> The poem "The Tyger" may, at first, appear to merely be about the physique of the Tyger, but, as I have evaluated it, I have found that the Tyger can represent so much more. If the Tyger goes through the "deeps and skies," or experiences, has been created just so, and has been given wings to overcome, the Tyger is truly a gifted one. Many similarities can be drawn from everyday life that relate to this poem. I know that I have come across many "deeps and skies" in my life, and that I had the ability to overcome and learn from each of them. I have found, upon analysis, that the Tyger is a metaphor for people. People with their gifts and strengths, made just so so that they "can on wings aspire."Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-64415483463204520142009-01-05T11:48:00.000-08:002009-01-05T12:18:03.041-08:00Under the Vines-Chapter 1What secret is best, but one that is shared with another?<br />#<br />Terra walked along the dirt avenue that crossed just in front of the sheriff's office. She was a queer looking girl for the time. She wore the trousers for the men of the time and had her hair golden brown hair in a simple shoulder-length cut. She paused in front of the door of the office, then opened the door and walked inside. Terra blinked after she shut the door, letting her eyes grow accustom to the sparse lightning. A man behind a desk glanced up and greeted Terra with a smile.<br /> "Hello, Miss!" he said. "Can I help you?"<br /> "Oh, yes please, if you wouldn't mind, sir," Terra answered brightly. "You see, I'm a traveller, new to this town and all, and I was hoping-?" Terra paused.<br /> "You were hoping for some guidance and some tips on where to stay and eat, yes?" the man responded. Terra nodded and smiled. "Well, the inn in town, the only one I might add, is the best place to stay. The horseshoe cafe has some mighty good food, presuming you don't mind spending a little extra. Otherwise, the inn and the Drooling Dog sells decent food.<br /> "I'm the sheriff, so if anyone gives you trouble around here, you just sally over here and let me know."<br /> "Thank you very much, Sheriff. Good bye, then!" Terra turned and began to open the door. Her hand was briskly knocked aside from the door as a woman flung open the door marched through. Terra rubbed her nose, which had been bruised when the door was flung into it.<br /> "Mr. Sheriff!" the woman exclaimed. "I would like to have you know-" Terra quickly slipped out the door and closed it quietly.<br /> "I hope the rest of the town isn't as impolite as her," Terra muttered. She looked up from her nose and glanced around. Her eyes rested on a building just across the street. "And there's the inn!" she said.<br /> Terra took a step off the boardwalk onto the dirt road, then quickly jumped back on as a horse-drawn cart went speeding by. Terra slouched and stared blankly forward for a moment, then straightened, looked both ways, and finally crossed the street to the inn. When Terra had stepped back onto the boardwalk, she glanced back at the Sheriff's office. The impolite woman had exited the building and was flouncing away haughtily. Terra smiled slightly, then returned to her task at hand.<br />#<br /> The inside of the inn had a warm, comfortable atmosphere; the sort of atmosphere you might expect from the house of grandparents. Terra stood quietly, drinking in the smells of warm food and rich drinks.<br /> "Hallo, Miss!" an man that looked aged, but not old, called to her from behind the bar. "What can I do for you?"<br /> "Hello, sir," Terra replied, "I was wondering if I could trouble you for a room?"<br /> "A room, eh? No trouble at all, no trouble at all. We've got a good one just up stairs. Let's go take a look, shall we?" The man pulled down a ring of keys, then began to hobble toward, then up the stairs with Terra not far behind. "Any bags I should be havin' me boys grab, Miss?" the man asked as they walked up the stairs.<br /> "No, sir. All I have with me is what I have in my pocket, sir."<br /> "Fine, fine. A very logical-minded woman, you are, I can see."<br /> "Thank you, sir."<br /> "Ah, here we are now!" The man stopped in front of a door. He quickly stuck a key into the old lock, then popped open the door. "Here you are, Miss! The best room in the house, I should think! Seeing as this is the best room, the rates for it will be on the side of a little extra..." Terra looked suspiciously over the rather ratty and dingy looking room: the bed sprawling in the corner looked to be the type alive with small, parasitic animals, the floor appeared to have been forgotten about all together, and the rug in front of the bed looked to be the remains of a late, domesticated pet.<br /> "Sir, if this is your best room, then I'd hate to see your average one," Terra said. The man looked affronted.<br /> "Are you saying that we don't take good care of our guests?" The man gasped. Terra broke.<br /> "Well, maybe I am, sir, but that would presume that you take care of them at all to begin with!" Terra stomped out of the room fuming, then stomped down the stairs for good measure. <br /> "Is something wrong, Miss?" Terra looked up from her stomping toward the voice behind the bar. The owner of the voice was a kind looking young man who appeared to be the son of the aged looking man, not because of looks, but because when the man reached the bottom of the stairs. he exclaimed, "Son! Talk some sense into this young lady!" The young man looked surprised. "I offered her our best room, and she begins to tell me how poorly I treat my guests!" The young man looked carefully at Terra, smiled, then looked back at his father.<br /> "Our best room? But father! Our best room is down here!" the young man feigned innocence at what his father said. The aged-looking man looked startled.<br /> "No, no, Kevin! Our best room."<br /> "Oh, that 'best room.'" The young man, apparently Kevin, winked at Terra.<br /> "Yes, yes. That best room-" the aged-looking man began.<br /> "I thought we saved that room for rich idiots," Kevin exclaimed. The aged-looking man stared in disbelief at his son, then ran his hand along his face.<br /> "Well, since Kevin seems so inclined, I guess you can have the other best room." The aged looking man sighed, and hobbled out of the room. Terra turned to Kevin and said,<br /> "Thank you." Kevin smiled at her.<br /> "No problem. My dad's always trying to sucker people. Now, let me show you the room." This room was much cleaner: the bed had fresh linen and the floor had been swept recently.<br /> "Much nicer. I think I'll take it."<br />#<br /> Terra was taking a walk around the town, which took her to the front of the Sheriff's office. She paused in front of the door to think for a moment, then opened the door and entered the office. She looked around the inside of the office and saw that the Sheriff was not there. She decided to lean against the wall to wait for him. Not long after, the sheriff entered with another man.<br /> "So let me get this straight," the sheriff said, "You will pay me if every time someone comes in to complain about one of your boys giving them trouble, I just ignore them?"<br /> "Yes, Mr. Sheriff," the other man, who looked like a very rich man, said.<br /> "If your price is high enough, Mr. Black, I think we can do business." The other man smiled, then started to speak, but was interrupted by Terra.<br /> "Sheriff!" she exclaimed. "You filthy, rotten, slimy liar!" Terra promptly turned on her heal and started to march out of the building. Terra heard a loud clicking noise.<br /> "I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Miss Terra," the Sheriff said. Terra turned around slowly to find a gun pointed at her face. Terra narrowed her eyes.<br /> "How did you-" Terra began.<br /> "Know your name?" the sheriff finished for her. "Well, it would appear that you have a file on how you tend to interfere in matters what don't concern you, such as this one here. It would seem that there are many people who wants you dead or alive for a hefty reward." Terra reached into her pocket. The sheriff started to pull back his trigger.<br /> Suddenly, time seemed to slow down. But Terra continued to move at a normal speed as her foot flew up to knock the gun out of the sheriff's hand. Terra spun around as she heard a long, drawn out click. She grabbed Mr. Black's wrist and slammed it against the door frame. Mr. Black dropped the gun with a yell. Terra shoved her palm into Mr. Black's nose. The sheriff grabbed Terra from behind, then yelled at Mr. Black to hit her. Terra slid her feet out from under herself and made the Sheriff hold her whole weight. The sheriff staggered and let go of Terra. Terra took the opportunity to fling the door open and start running.<br /> Terra ran into the inn. She paused to throw a quick look at Kevin when he gave out a cry.<br /> "Hey! What're you doing, running in here like that?" he ejaculated.<br /> "I'll be in my room," Terra said quickly as she darted into said room. A few seconds later, the sheriff and Mr. Black ran huffing into the inn.<br /> "Hey! Just what do you people think this place is? A race track?" Kevin yelled.<br /> "Kevin, my boy!" the sheriff said, "Where did that girl in trousers go?" Kevin's eyes narrowed.<br /> "Why?" Kevin asked.<br /> "She's a wanted criminal."<br /> "Oh, really?"<br /> "Yes." Kevin and the sheriff stood glaring at each other for a minute, then,<br /> "She's in our best room."<br /> "Thank you, boy." The sheriff and Mr. Black ran up the stairs. Kevin grinned after them, then walked over to Terra's room. He opened the door just in time to see Terra leap out the window. Kevin raised his eyebrows. He looked up towards the sound of the sheriff and Mr. Black yelling in anger.<br /> "Kevin, you-" the sheriff spit out a few swear words. Kevin stepped outside of the room just as the sheriff and Mr. Black got off the stairs.<br /> "I told you the best room." Kevin shrugged. The sheriff sputtered:<br /> "Everyone knows what you call your 'best room.'"<br /> "Yes? So how can I differentiate for you what my father calls the best room from what the real best room is?" The sheriff snarled something and stalked into the other best room.<br />#<br /> Several hours later, Terra reentered the inn at a normal pace.<br /> "Hello, Mr. Kevin!" she said brightly to Kevin. He grinned up at her.<br /> "Gave the sheriff and Mr. Black the slip, eh?" Kevin asked. Terra nodded. Kevin's features knotted into confusion. "Who are you? Whys the sheriff chasing you around?"<br /> "I'm Terra, and apparently I interfere." Terra walked into her room and shut the door. Kevin frowned slightly.<br /> Inside of her room, Terra began to empty her trousers' pockets. What she set on her table were what looked like a small, rounded triangular face mask, a wide black band with a short red cylinder in the center, and a heavy, but small, rectangular box. After looking at the three items for a minute, she lifted up the black box and began speaking into it.<br /> "I found another one. He's s rotten as the others I've found."<br /> "Yes, but what of the common folk?" a tinny voice in the box asked.<br /> "A man working with the sheriff was offering compensation for feigned ignorance on the part of the sheriff. The local temporary habitation renter is dirty, too. His son seems all right, though. Oh, yes. There was a woman who wasn't very polite, either."<br /> "One out of five isn't good. The other colonial habitations weren't doing well, either, were they, Terra?"<br /> "No, they were as bad as this place is turning out to be. Maybe, we could just take the good people out?"<br /> "You know why we can't do that, Terra. They will be tainted as well, and we can't afford to have our civilization tainted by them, can we?"<br /> "No."<br /> "Then continue your research." There was a faint clicking sound. Terra ducked. A shot was fired and the bullet hit the window at the level at which Terra had been standing. Terra sat up quickly to grab her things. Another clicking sound. Terra pressed the red cylinder on the wide black band. Time slowed down. Terra opened the door a crack, then swung it hard. It ricocheted off something behind it. A man hollered a slow yell. Terra ran out from the room. Someone behind her grabbed her arm and jerked her to a stand-still. She spun around to see the aged-looking man grinning triumphantly. Terra brought the black box into contact with the man's nose. The aged-looking man reeled back with a drawn out howl.<br /> Time sped up.<br /> The man who had been shooting at Terra through the door lunged forward at her with his fist cocked. Terra crouched down and rolled forward. The man who had been attempting to punch Terra hollered as he stumbled and tripped over her.<br /> Terra popped up, saw the man she had just tripped aim a gun at her feet. She jumped forward and landed on the man's hand just as he fired his gun. The man howled and clutched at his now broken wrist and hand. A third man popped up from behind the bar with a shot gun and took aim at Terra. The aged-looking man lunged into Terra and knocked her off her feet.<br /> "Well, now, Missy," he said, "It looks like it time to pay you back for my broken-" The black box met with the man's eye. He yelled and straightened up, then fell over backwards.<br /> Terra got up quickly, and upon seeing the man with the shot gun begin aiming at her again, leaped forward and up onto the bar. She stepped on the rifle, then kicked the man in the face with her other foot. The man stumbled backwards into the shelves of beer and wine behind him. He groped around on the shelves, then grabbed a bottle and threw it at Terra. Terra tried to move, but the bottle slammed right into the middle of her chest, knocking her backwards off of the bar. The bottle bounced off of her chest and landed on the floor to shatter just as Terra landed on the floor.<br /> Terra closed her eyes and stood up as quickly as she could. She opened her eyes and grabbed the shotgun. She aimed at the man behind the bar and fired a shot into the middle of his head. Terra spun around and fired another shot into the chest of the man whose hand and wrist she had broken. Terra turned the gun on the aged-looking man, but he was rolling on the ground yelling about his eye.<br /> "Where can I go to learn to fight like that?" Terra spun around to aim the shot gun at Kevin. Kevin looked at the gun, then grinned up at her. "You know, that thing can only be fired twice. Besides, I don't want to kill you." Terra dropped the shot gun, and stepped slightly to the side of Kevin.<br /> "Hey, you're all cut up! Let me get some bandages," Kevin suddenly said. He turned around and went into the back room, out of which he had apparently come. Terra sighed heavily, stumbled over to a wall, then leaned heavily against it. Kevin returned out of the back room with various antiseptics and a bundle of bandages in his arms. He walked over towards her.<br /> "You'll probably want to sit down," he said. Terra slid down the wall and upon sitting down, stretched her legs out in front of her. "Losing a fight to a teen-aged girl; what a humiliation." Kevin grinned at her, then began applying some of the antiseptic to her cuts. Terra jerked up and grabbed Kevin's wrist. She moved his hand away, then began picking at a piece of glass sticking out of one of her cuts.<br /> "Antiseptic won't do any good if there's still something foreign in the wound," Terra murmured. Kevin looked at her for a long moment, then began pulling glass out of her cuts.<br />#<br /> The next morning, Terra woke up aching. She glanced down at her bandaged arms and legs. She sighed, then stood up and began putting her clothes on.<br /> "I'll need to go to the train-station, today," Terra muttered. Soon, she had opened the door of her room. She walked past the bar quietly, hoping not to disturb Kevin from his sleep. When she reached the front door of the inn, she was startled to hear a loud yawn. She twisted around to see Kevin finishing a rather large yawn.<br /> "Probably going to get some more customers today," he said sleepily. "Train is coming in." Kevin yawned again, then stumbled into the back again. Terra smiled slightly. He'd known exactly what had been on her mind. She turned back to the door and stepped outside. She glanced around quickly, then hurried towards the station. It was still fairly dark outside, so the sheriff would hopefully still be asleep. In a short time, Terra had reached the train station. She found a bench and resolved to sit patiently on it until the train showed up. Terra sat motionless for three hours while the sun rose and while the train drew steadily closer to the train station at which she waited. Soon, Terra could make out the sounds of a steam engine and a whistle. The train pulled up to the station and slowly came to a stop. Terra stiffened. She slowly turned her head and saw the sheriff looking at her. He tipped his head politely, then turned to look at the train.<br /> "What are you planning, Sheriff?" Terra muttered. Soon, people were filing off the train to their various destinations. Through the gaps in the people milling around, Terra caught glances of a tall man in a trench coat walking up to the sheriff, conversing with him briefly, then turning to look at Terra. He would have looked handsome, had it not been for the twisted grin he had on his face. He reached into his trench coat.<br /> Terra didn't even wait to see what the man was pulling out of his coat before she stood up and started to move away. She pushed at the throngs of people, trying desperately to get away from the man with the twisted grin. She glanced briefly back to see the man gaining on her with a gun in his hand. She looked forward again and tried to push past a couple of ladies in fancy, fluffy dresses. As she shoved, one of them turned to look at her.<br /> "Boy!" the lady screeched. "Take my bag-" she thrust her bag into Terra's arms, "-and come with me! I need to find a cab." Terra dropped the bag and poked the lady. Terra then side stepped the baffled and angry woman and slipped between a couple more people. Some one grabbed Terra's arm. She gasped and turned to look the twisted grin man in the face.<br /> "Now, Miss Terra," he said, "My name is Mr. James. I have been called to kill you. But I like a bit of sport, so I'll give you until you're off the station. Off you go, then." Mr. James tipped his hat to Terra, then let go of her. And stood straight, waiting for Terra. She stared a him in fear, then turned away and started to shove her way through the crowd. She glanced back occasionally and saw Mr. James following a ways behind with the same grin fixed in place on his face.<br /> Finally, Terra reached the edge of the stations boardwalk. She jumped down, then dropped to her knees and began to crawl under the station. She wove her through the supports with out looking back, already knowing that Mr. James had also gotten off the station and was currently looking for her.<br /> "Ah, there you are, my dear!" Mr. James said. Terra kept crawling. "Now, don't think that just because you are under the train station, that what I said still applies!" Terra heard a click. She scrambled behind one of the supports. She heard the gun fire, then watched as the lead from the bullet bounced along the dirt next to her. "Only a warning shot, my dear! I believe I'll come in to get you now!" Terra sat up from her crawling position and stood in a half crouch. Then she began a crouched run, weaving in and out of the supports. Bits of lead continued to bounce around her as Mr. James continued to fire shot after shot at her. Mr. James' firing was apparently noticed by the people above them, as some women began screaming. Sounds of frantic running then followed.<br /> Terra finally popped out from under the boardwalk. She scrambled onto the wood, and ran into the ticket room. She flung open the window and jumped out just before Mr. James stood up from under the boardwalk. He stepped onto the boardwalk, then glanced around. He walked past the various doors and rooms of the station, but didn't find Terra. Mr. James tipped his hat to the now empty station.<br /> "Ladies and gentlemen!" he exclaimed to the open air, "For now, she has out smarted me! So I will go find some lodgings and plan for our next meeting."<br />#<br /> Terra ran up to the back of the inn. She glanced around at the wall in front of her and upon sighting the window into her room, jogged up to it, pried open, and scrambled through. She glanced around her room, then walked up to the door.<br /> "Hey!" Terra went into a spinning kick aimed at about where she expected a head to be. She saw Kevin standing behind her and tried to stop her kick. Kevin jerked his hand up and caught Terra's foot before it hit his face. "You're back. I was wondering when you'd be." Kevin pulled her foot along his side, then released it, forcing Terra to stumble forward into him. He wrapped his arm around her middle and tilted her head up to look at him.<br /> "How are your cuts doing?" he whispered softly. Terra brought her hands up to Kevin's chest, then shoved hard against him. He released her and stumbled back. Terra stumbled back a few steps, then straightened.<br /> "I came to tell you that I won't be needing this room any more." Kevin's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Then his looked softened into a smile.<br /> "Your face is red." Terra tilted her head away from Kevin, then proceeded to climb out the window. "Father's eye is done for." Terra paused. "He's still running the inn, though. Some man just showed up and got a room practically for free by showing Father his contract to kill you." Terra lowered her head slightly.<br /> "Thank you," she said, then climbed out the window. Kevin watched her receding figure as she walked to the edge of the town. The door behind him creaked. Kevin turned around to see Mr. James grinning gleefully in the door way.<br /> "Well, now," Mr. James said. "This makes things much easier! I'll simply follow her now." Mr. James walked up to the window. But was stopped by Kevin, who had stepped in his way. Mr. James looked at Kevin for a long second. "Very well," he said. "I'll use the proper door." He turned on his heel and walked out the door.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-42493110805839982752008-08-11T18:06:00.000-07:002008-08-11T18:07:42.565-07:00An Outtake From My DayI had been working on making some Teriyaki chicken, with an open bottle and a closed bottle of Teriyaki sauce. I had finished the opened bottle and set it on the counter(I thought) and began opened the previously unopened bottle. When I turned back to the counter, the bottle I had finished was missing. All that was left was a solitary cap. I began looking furiously around where I had been standing when I set the finished bottle down, for I feared someone finding the bottle and saying the equivalent of "What the...?! What is this bottle doing here? Good grief, it's all moldy!" and then, being blamed. After looking throroughly on the counters and in the trash can, I became convinced that the imps had stolen the bottle for some devious purpose. After I began pouring more Teriyaki sauce on the chicken that remained, my friend(who was making a salad at the time) looked into the trash can and said, "Hey! I see a nutrition facts label!" Sure enough, when I had moved the trash around so that I could see the rest of the label, it was the missing Teriyaki bottle I had left "on the counter." I still think the imps did it. Not long after, I began looking for the cap to the "missing bottle." When I informed my friend of this, she looked meaningfully in the trash can. I smacked her.Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226111621296136966.post-11527618553382885482008-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:002008-08-09T09:01:59.252-07:00Nina the Hero, Pt. 3"Ninny, how many times have I told you not to bring your hands up that fast," Shazimner said from a pile of hay in Nina's family's barn.<br /> "Yeah, yeah. And how many times have I told you not to call me Ninny?" Nina retorted as she pulled Shazimner out of the hay.<br /> "Nina!" Nina's father called. "Where are you?"<br /> "Practicing my swordsman ship in the barn," she hollered back. Her father stepped into the barn.<br /> "Nina," he said, "Don't you have anything better to do with your time?"<br /> "Like chittering about the pretty dress in the store and how much you want it?" Shazimner suggested.<br /> "And anyone better to spend your time with?" Her father sighed. "Nina, I got you a dress for the fair this friday, if you're interested."<br />Nina dropped Shazimner and ran forward to hug her father.<br /> "Oh, sure. Don't worry about the sword," Shazimner mumbled.<br /> "Really, father?" Nina asked. He nodded. "Oh, thank you!"Amaryllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580022180424270872noreply@blogger.com0