I stand on the edge of the abyss; staring off into the blackness of the night and the darkness of my own soul. I can not see the future and the past is lost in the mists of time.
Shadows and dreams swirl around me; morphing and twisting, first beautiful then horrifying, tantalizing and repellent. I raise my hand to touch the future and there is nothing there, nothing to feel. I look in vain for anything to latch onto, anything to save me.
One wrong step and I fall to the enticing darkness; yet a shift the the right brings bliss; a dance along the razor edge of life. Is the price to high to pay for such darkness, or can I attain that promised joy?
(Random I know. This is just what flowed from my mind to the keyboard)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Start At The Beginning
He was pink and wrinkled as most new born are. Frail and tiny with a healthy set of lungs which he gave vent to in full volume, but it was a beautiful cry, not the mewling whine of many others. After a moment he calmed down.
He was placed his mother's weak arms his eyes wide, a sharp, intelligent gaze. Dark cobalt eyes seemed to absorb everything around him. Tiny fingers grasped at the air, and his mouth worked on nothing.
"...So handsome..."
The doctors were not sure if she would make it. They had brought her in from a car wreck, two others had died.
A nurse approached with a clipboard and started asking questions. "The name?"
The woman's dark hair was in her eyes, matted to her head with the effort of bringing her son into the world. "David." She smiled gently and held her son close.
"You will do great things David, You will be a great man."
He was placed his mother's weak arms his eyes wide, a sharp, intelligent gaze. Dark cobalt eyes seemed to absorb everything around him. Tiny fingers grasped at the air, and his mouth worked on nothing.
"...So handsome..."
The doctors were not sure if she would make it. They had brought her in from a car wreck, two others had died.
A nurse approached with a clipboard and started asking questions. "The name?"
The woman's dark hair was in her eyes, matted to her head with the effort of bringing her son into the world. "David." She smiled gently and held her son close.
"You will do great things David, You will be a great man."
Why Do You Do It
David was not sure what to make of the man behind the wheel of his car. He had stopped him, told him to follow where he lead, and he would have his revenge and make the world better.
He was not sure if he should fear this man. That he could kill David without a thought he knew without a doubt, some instinct told him this. But the same instinct told him that he would not kill him, that he had plans for him. After a long silence, the street lights flashing on the slick windshield, David finally asked, "What would you ask of me? What would you have me do?"
The man spared a glance at the teenager in the passenger seat, not speaking at first. He looked so young, so innocent, excpt for his eyes. His eyes were blank, no inner light was there anymore.
"I would have you become one of us. I ask that you follow my lead to whatever end."
"Who is us?" David sounded only mildly curious, as if asking were a reflex rather than a true desire to know.
"In time you will know. I am asking you to give up your old life, all your connections, all your past. I am asking you to become what we need you to be."
"And what is that?" The same resigned voice asked.
"Mercenary, thief, commander, anything that we need."
David shrugged. "I have nothing left, no reason to stay. I guess I might as well go with you." David looked at the man, the first glimmer of life sparking in his deadpan face. "Did you give up who you were? Why do you do it? If I do well what happens?"
The man smiled, "all information in its time. As you see yourself, I once saw myself; as you see me now, you will be seen."
David settled back on the seat, thinking over what he had been told. He would become like this man. Strong, capable, someone people could look up to.
He was not sure if he should fear this man. That he could kill David without a thought he knew without a doubt, some instinct told him this. But the same instinct told him that he would not kill him, that he had plans for him. After a long silence, the street lights flashing on the slick windshield, David finally asked, "What would you ask of me? What would you have me do?"
The man spared a glance at the teenager in the passenger seat, not speaking at first. He looked so young, so innocent, excpt for his eyes. His eyes were blank, no inner light was there anymore.
"I would have you become one of us. I ask that you follow my lead to whatever end."
"Who is us?" David sounded only mildly curious, as if asking were a reflex rather than a true desire to know.
"In time you will know. I am asking you to give up your old life, all your connections, all your past. I am asking you to become what we need you to be."
"And what is that?" The same resigned voice asked.
"Mercenary, thief, commander, anything that we need."
David shrugged. "I have nothing left, no reason to stay. I guess I might as well go with you." David looked at the man, the first glimmer of life sparking in his deadpan face. "Did you give up who you were? Why do you do it? If I do well what happens?"
The man smiled, "all information in its time. As you see yourself, I once saw myself; as you see me now, you will be seen."
David settled back on the seat, thinking over what he had been told. He would become like this man. Strong, capable, someone people could look up to.
The Beginning
In the gathering darkness David loaded his gun, readying it for action. He was tired of letting the injustice in the world exist. Tired of the innocent falling to the evil. A face flashed in his mind, the greatest injustice of all.
David stepped out of his car into the rain. They would pay for what they had done.
"Wait son." A voice said out of the night.
David spun around, trying to see who the voice belonged to, bringing his gun up.
"Who are you?" David yelled.
"A man who will show you a different path. A path that will make a difference in the world." The shadow of the man was wrapped in a long coat and a wide brimmed hat pulled low.
"I don't need a path! I don't need to save the world! I need vengeance!" Tears rolled down his face, David was incensed, his prey was going to get away. He was young, his hand shaking on the gun.
"You will get that too, but it would be a sad waste for you to die tonight, as I know that you would. Do you think that his men will let you live? You think that you will even get close to him? You will die, and then who will avenge her, or you for that matter?" The man remained calm.
"I have nothing. Nothing left. They took everything from me. At this point I don't even care if I live or die."
The man smiled, "Beware of him who has nothing to lose." The man took a step towards the teenager. "Come with me David."
David dropped the gun to his side. "Who are you?" he sounded resigned, lifeless.
"I will be your Captain." The man took the gun from David and lead him to the car.
David stepped out of his car into the rain. They would pay for what they had done.
"Wait son." A voice said out of the night.
David spun around, trying to see who the voice belonged to, bringing his gun up.
"Who are you?" David yelled.
"A man who will show you a different path. A path that will make a difference in the world." The shadow of the man was wrapped in a long coat and a wide brimmed hat pulled low.
"I don't need a path! I don't need to save the world! I need vengeance!" Tears rolled down his face, David was incensed, his prey was going to get away. He was young, his hand shaking on the gun.
"You will get that too, but it would be a sad waste for you to die tonight, as I know that you would. Do you think that his men will let you live? You think that you will even get close to him? You will die, and then who will avenge her, or you for that matter?" The man remained calm.
"I have nothing. Nothing left. They took everything from me. At this point I don't even care if I live or die."
The man smiled, "Beware of him who has nothing to lose." The man took a step towards the teenager. "Come with me David."
David dropped the gun to his side. "Who are you?" he sounded resigned, lifeless.
"I will be your Captain." The man took the gun from David and lead him to the car.
Wolves
"I don't know if I can do this." Steve looked a little sick.
David looked up at the younger man from his place in his bunk. "They showed you torture methods today didn't they." David knew that expression. He had worn a similar one when he had been recruited.
Steve swallowed back a little bile and nodded.
David sat up and patted the bed next to him, inviting the new recruit to sit with him. "Tell me Steve, why did you sign up for this? Why did you decide on this course for your life? There were many other paths you could have chosen."
Steve looked down at his calloused hands that were in his lap, flexing them. "I guess I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to know that I was doing something to keep my family safe." Steve twitched his shaggy hair out of his face. His commander had not required him to cut it yet. "I just don't know how I can do this."
David searched for the words that would help his friend. "It becomes easier over time. You just get used to it. After all, he who goes with wolves learns to howl."
David looked up at the younger man from his place in his bunk. "They showed you torture methods today didn't they." David knew that expression. He had worn a similar one when he had been recruited.
Steve swallowed back a little bile and nodded.
David sat up and patted the bed next to him, inviting the new recruit to sit with him. "Tell me Steve, why did you sign up for this? Why did you decide on this course for your life? There were many other paths you could have chosen."
Steve looked down at his calloused hands that were in his lap, flexing them. "I guess I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to know that I was doing something to keep my family safe." Steve twitched his shaggy hair out of his face. His commander had not required him to cut it yet. "I just don't know how I can do this."
David searched for the words that would help his friend. "It becomes easier over time. You just get used to it. After all, he who goes with wolves learns to howl."
How Many Times
David snapped off a shot before there was even time to think. The projectile flew true, striking the man in the chest, throwing him backwards.
"Again." David said.
Joe rolled to his feet. "Come on boss. Don't you think you have it down. I mean I have never known anybody that can do what you do. Who taught you after all? My father first taught me, but he never would have thought I would come this far. How many more times are you going to shoot me?"
"As many times as it takes."
"To do what."
To feel it."
"Why."
"Instinct is stronger than upbringing."
"Again." David said.
Joe rolled to his feet. "Come on boss. Don't you think you have it down. I mean I have never known anybody that can do what you do. Who taught you after all? My father first taught me, but he never would have thought I would come this far. How many more times are you going to shoot me?"
"As many times as it takes."
"To do what."
To feel it."
"Why."
"Instinct is stronger than upbringing."
Never Did
"I love you."
"You do?"
"Yes."
~~~~~~
"You lied to him."
She nodded, "better a lie which heals than a truth which wounds." She shook her head. "A kind deed for all the pain I have caused is not so much to give. I caused his pain. He needs to heal. This will help him, and when I go, he will never know that I never love him."
"You do?"
"Yes."
~~~~~~
"You lied to him."
She nodded, "better a lie which heals than a truth which wounds." She shook her head. "A kind deed for all the pain I have caused is not so much to give. I caused his pain. He needs to heal. This will help him, and when I go, he will never know that I never love him."
What The Heart Has Seen
Alastrina knew his voice. She knew it as if it were her own. The only problem was that she could not remember where she knew it from. It was only a vauge thought in her mind that she should be remembering who he was. Every night she came to the club, and every night she listened to him sing. And every night he slipped away before she could get a glimpse of him.
It had been three weeks now. Three frustrating weeks of trying to remember something that she didn't even know she was supposed to know. Every night it seemed, when she listened to him sing, there was a niggling little thought in the back of her mind, begging to be remembered. Alastrina grasped at it, but it was like trying to hold mist, insubstantial and fleeting.
Alastrina sat in her usual spot now, closer to the stage than when she had started coming to the club, but still not close enough to see him, only his smile, and his bright eyes.
The lights dimmed and the curtain moved aside. Alastrina sat up straight as he began a beautiful song.
Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes
A scene flashed in her mind. A stormy day in February, standing in the rain. Then it was gone.
"The eye never forgets what the heart has seen." She muttered to herself. She didn't bother to try to get a better look at him this time. "I just wish I could remember."
It had been three weeks now. Three frustrating weeks of trying to remember something that she didn't even know she was supposed to know. Every night it seemed, when she listened to him sing, there was a niggling little thought in the back of her mind, begging to be remembered. Alastrina grasped at it, but it was like trying to hold mist, insubstantial and fleeting.
Alastrina sat in her usual spot now, closer to the stage than when she had started coming to the club, but still not close enough to see him, only his smile, and his bright eyes.
The lights dimmed and the curtain moved aside. Alastrina sat up straight as he began a beautiful song.
Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes
A scene flashed in her mind. A stormy day in February, standing in the rain. Then it was gone.
"The eye never forgets what the heart has seen." She muttered to herself. She didn't bother to try to get a better look at him this time. "I just wish I could remember."
Third Limited: The Twins
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as we laid out our plans.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. Mark wanted to elbow him, he knew that Joe was just putting it on, and that he was not really that way.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. Mark and Brian had to try not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve said. Brain and Mark were pleased with their assignment. Each thinking the same things, their thought patterns so close that there was no hesitation in their actions.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, he sounded resigned, but Brian knew better. He loved practicing his deceptions.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolled their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" Mark and Brian slipped away from the table and out into the night. Their target was a party store. They quickly found everything that they needed, stowing it in a black duffel bag, and heading home.
Brian and Mark looked extremely pleased as they walked into the living room of the safehouse. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." Steve said. He was still busy with the cake.
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed, usually Mark, while others were placed very carefully, Brian's work. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!" The twins chorused
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles. David and Steve were talking quietly when Brian and Mark were surprised.
"Stealth Attack!" Joe yelled and hosed down the Brian and Mark with the slightly sticky stuff. The twins quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. Mark wanted to elbow him, he knew that Joe was just putting it on, and that he was not really that way.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. Mark and Brian had to try not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve said. Brain and Mark were pleased with their assignment. Each thinking the same things, their thought patterns so close that there was no hesitation in their actions.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, he sounded resigned, but Brian knew better. He loved practicing his deceptions.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolled their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" Mark and Brian slipped away from the table and out into the night. Their target was a party store. They quickly found everything that they needed, stowing it in a black duffel bag, and heading home.
Brian and Mark looked extremely pleased as they walked into the living room of the safehouse. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." Steve said. He was still busy with the cake.
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed, usually Mark, while others were placed very carefully, Brian's work. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!" The twins chorused
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles. David and Steve were talking quietly when Brian and Mark were surprised.
"Stealth Attack!" Joe yelled and hosed down the Brian and Mark with the slightly sticky stuff. The twins quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
FIrst Person: Joe
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered me as we laid out our plans to surprise David. This was going to be fun. I don't think that David even knows that we know it is his birthday.
"Why me?" I asked petulantly, I had certain rolls to fulfill. They expected me to complain about it, and I would not disappoint them.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring me down. I smiled internally, but I pouted for good measure. The other two were trying not to laugh.
Steve gave the twins their assignment, motioning to the schematic that was stretched out on the table. One that we had memorized in the first few minutes.
The twins were smiling at each other. They would be getting the party supplies.
(574)
"What will you be doing?" I asked.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" I snapped off a sharp salute and left the table. I walked down the hall and took my position as the twins left the safe house. I ran through various excuses and scenarios in my mind, different ways to distract David if we needed more time.
It seemed like it was no more than ten minutes before the twins were back, though I knew it had been at least an hour. We did not know when David would be back, but we would be ready.
I could hear the twins reporting to Steve and the ensuing ruckus of the preparations.
A short while later I could hear David's car coming. It was not hard to miss it. I clicked the walkie-talkie in my pocket to give them some warning.
David walked in the door. He seemed a little surprise to see me in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He sounded almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." I said.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!" I yelled, slapping him on the back.
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
I watched David swallow back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
I slipped past our leader and palmed a can of silly string. I could hear David and Steve talking behind me.
"Stealth Attack!" I yelled and hosed down the twins with the slightly sticky stuff. They quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
"Why me?" I asked petulantly, I had certain rolls to fulfill. They expected me to complain about it, and I would not disappoint them.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring me down. I smiled internally, but I pouted for good measure. The other two were trying not to laugh.
Steve gave the twins their assignment, motioning to the schematic that was stretched out on the table. One that we had memorized in the first few minutes.
The twins were smiling at each other. They would be getting the party supplies.
(574)
"What will you be doing?" I asked.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" I snapped off a sharp salute and left the table. I walked down the hall and took my position as the twins left the safe house. I ran through various excuses and scenarios in my mind, different ways to distract David if we needed more time.
It seemed like it was no more than ten minutes before the twins were back, though I knew it had been at least an hour. We did not know when David would be back, but we would be ready.
I could hear the twins reporting to Steve and the ensuing ruckus of the preparations.
A short while later I could hear David's car coming. It was not hard to miss it. I clicked the walkie-talkie in my pocket to give them some warning.
David walked in the door. He seemed a little surprise to see me in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He sounded almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." I said.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!" I yelled, slapping him on the back.
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
I watched David swallow back emotion. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
I slipped past our leader and palmed a can of silly string. I could hear David and Steve talking behind me.
"Stealth Attack!" I yelled and hosed down the twins with the slightly sticky stuff. They quickly grabbed cans of their own, and the party was under way.
Third Person Limited: David
David stared out the rain streaked windshield of his old Camero, lost in thought. He was another year older today. Not that anyone would know it.
He was parked near a cemetery, nobody was around. He was almost tempted to just go to sleep here, just to avoid thinking about what his life had lead him to. He was not usually so morose. This was his life, it was what he was, and who he was, but at times he grew tired of it. He grew tired at times of the lies, of the deaths, of starting again and again, of everything. Then he would remember why he was doing this. A face would float into his minds eye. A sweet little girl, just a child, cold and lifeless in his arms.
He knew that Steve would look after the others, he was dependable. David almost cracked a smile at the thought of Steve looking after the twins and young Joe, almost.
Sighing, David turned the ignition and the car roared to life. David liked the sound of his car, it was throaty and deep, a reassuring rumble. He pulled away from the curb, leaving the dead behind him, like he so often did. "At least none of these were by my hand." He thought as he drove a winding path back to the safe house.
Pulling up the the house, all was dark. David assumed that his men were asleep as they should be. He climbed out of his car and walked up the short path to the door and unlocked it. He was almost startled to see Joe standing in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He was almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!, Happy Birthday!, Happy Birthday!" His men shouted at him.
David's felt his eyes widen in surprise. He didn't know how they knew. He was almost speechless. David blinked, suppressing any visible emotion.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve." David said to his second
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
He was parked near a cemetery, nobody was around. He was almost tempted to just go to sleep here, just to avoid thinking about what his life had lead him to. He was not usually so morose. This was his life, it was what he was, and who he was, but at times he grew tired of it. He grew tired at times of the lies, of the deaths, of starting again and again, of everything. Then he would remember why he was doing this. A face would float into his minds eye. A sweet little girl, just a child, cold and lifeless in his arms.
He knew that Steve would look after the others, he was dependable. David almost cracked a smile at the thought of Steve looking after the twins and young Joe, almost.
Sighing, David turned the ignition and the car roared to life. David liked the sound of his car, it was throaty and deep, a reassuring rumble. He pulled away from the curb, leaving the dead behind him, like he so often did. "At least none of these were by my hand." He thought as he drove a winding path back to the safe house.
Pulling up the the house, all was dark. David assumed that his men were asleep as they should be. He climbed out of his car and walked up the short path to the door and unlocked it. He was almost startled to see Joe standing in the hallway.
"What is going on Joe? Why are you not in your bunk?" David asked. He was almost to tired to care why.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!, Happy Birthday!, Happy Birthday!" His men shouted at him.
David's felt his eyes widen in surprise. He didn't know how they knew. He was almost speechless. David blinked, suppressing any visible emotion.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve." David said to his second
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Second Person: Steve
"You take point Joe," you order as we laid out our plans, you look pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and you had to fight back your frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to," you replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, You rolled your eyes at his antics. But you know that Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe was sullen and the twins were not helping, you want to head slap them, but you know it wouldn't do any good. You turn to look at the others.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." you said made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table.
You can almost see the thoughts darting through their minds.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." You rolled up the plans as you spoke. "Alright men," you continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
You sit back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men, you mused.
You thought back to your beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
You shook your head, standing up. You are glad that you had a domestic motheras you move to fulfill your roll in the op. Grabbing the blank cake you set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with you. You were just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
You look up and see them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
You only pay passing attention to what Brian and Mark are doing. You can hear them tousling in the background. After they are finished you reach over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness. You can hear Joe faintly in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it. You flinched slightly at the tone in your commanders voice as he drew near.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" You yelled.
"Happy Birthday!" the rest of the team chorused.
You watch as David's eyes widened in surprise and see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. You can see what it means to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." you said from beside your commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and you had to fight back your frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to," you replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, You rolled your eyes at his antics. But you know that Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe was sullen and the twins were not helping, you want to head slap them, but you know it wouldn't do any good. You turn to look at the others.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." you said made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table.
You can almost see the thoughts darting through their minds.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." You rolled up the plans as you spoke. "Alright men," you continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
You sit back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men, you mused.
You thought back to your beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
You shook your head, standing up. You are glad that you had a domestic motheras you move to fulfill your roll in the op. Grabbing the blank cake you set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with you. You were just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
You look up and see them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
You only pay passing attention to what Brian and Mark are doing. You can hear them tousling in the background. After they are finished you reach over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness. You can hear Joe faintly in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it. You flinched slightly at the tone in your commanders voice as he drew near.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" You yelled.
"Happy Birthday!" the rest of the team chorused.
You watch as David's eyes widened in surprise and see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. You can see what it means to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." you said from beside your commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
First Person: Steve
"You take point Joe," I ordered as we laid out our plans, I looked pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue. Joe was a good man, he would do as he was told, even if he didn't like it.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. I knew it would come, and so I suppressed a growl of frustration. I looked up at Joe again. "Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." I stared Joe down. I knew that Joe could get whiny; I was almost sure at times that he felt it was a duty to act like a child. I know Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
I looked away from Joe who still looked sullen. My gaze fell on the other two members of the team. Mark and Brian were trying not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and fought back an urge to head slap them. I knew it wouldn't do any good; it would only relieve a little irritation.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." I motioned to the schematic making sure that they understood. It was important that every op go off without a hitch; and to do that I knew it was essential that everyone knew their parts.
I could almost see the thoughts darting through Mark and Brian's minds. I could definitely see the sparkle of merriment and mischief in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked me; he finally sounded resigned to his position in the op.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." I rolled up the plans as I spoke, I knew that they would have committed it to memory by now, it was what they train to do. "Alright men," I said looking at my watch, "we have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
I sat back and watched as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. I mused. I have never worked with better.
I thought back to how I got started, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back. It was a brutal life, but one that made a difference in the world. I was proud of who I was, and of what I had become.
My musing did not last long, I had work to do. I shook my head and stood up.
I am glad that I had a domestic mother, I thought to myself. I grabbed the blank cake from the counter and set to work. I stopped occasionally as the others radioed in SIT-REP. I took special care with the Camero, making sure that I matched the color and the tiny imperfections in the body of the car. It would not just be A Camero, it would be David's Camero. I was just putting the candles on the cake after finishing the car when Brian and mark returned.
I looked up from the counter where I was working and saw them carrying in a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." I said. I didn't bother to pay attention to what they were doing. I knew that I could count on them to do it right, even if it took them a while. I could hear them tousling in the background. I nodded when the others reported that their preparation were complete. I reached over and flicked off the lights, throwing the room into darkness. I could faintly hear Joe in the hallway, his voice muffled by the door.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" I shouted.
"Happy Birthday!" The twins and Joe chorused
I watched as David's eyes widened in surprise. I knew that anyone who knew him less than his team would not see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. The deeper breaths; the blink that meant that he was touched. I could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." I said from beside my commander.
I watched David lean in and draw in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
I smiled. Behind us, Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. I knew it would come, and so I suppressed a growl of frustration. I looked up at Joe again. "Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." I stared Joe down. I knew that Joe could get whiny; I was almost sure at times that he felt it was a duty to act like a child. I know Joe is a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
I looked away from Joe who still looked sullen. My gaze fell on the other two members of the team. Mark and Brian were trying not to laugh. I rolled my eyes and fought back an urge to head slap them. I knew it wouldn't do any good; it would only relieve a little irritation.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." I motioned to the schematic making sure that they understood. It was important that every op go off without a hitch; and to do that I knew it was essential that everyone knew their parts.
I could almost see the thoughts darting through Mark and Brian's minds. I could definitely see the sparkle of merriment and mischief in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked me; he finally sounded resigned to his position in the op.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." I rolled up the plans as I spoke, I knew that they would have committed it to memory by now, it was what they train to do. "Alright men," I said looking at my watch, "we have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
I sat back and watched as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. I mused. I have never worked with better.
I thought back to how I got started, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back. It was a brutal life, but one that made a difference in the world. I was proud of who I was, and of what I had become.
My musing did not last long, I had work to do. I shook my head and stood up.
I am glad that I had a domestic mother, I thought to myself. I grabbed the blank cake from the counter and set to work. I stopped occasionally as the others radioed in SIT-REP. I took special care with the Camero, making sure that I matched the color and the tiny imperfections in the body of the car. It would not just be A Camero, it would be David's Camero. I was just putting the candles on the cake after finishing the car when Brian and mark returned.
I looked up from the counter where I was working and saw them carrying in a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do." I said. I didn't bother to pay attention to what they were doing. I knew that I could count on them to do it right, even if it took them a while. I could hear them tousling in the background. I nodded when the others reported that their preparation were complete. I reached over and flicked off the lights, throwing the room into darkness. I could faintly hear Joe in the hallway, his voice muffled by the door.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!" I shouted.
"Happy Birthday!" The twins and Joe chorused
I watched as David's eyes widened in surprise. I knew that anyone who knew him less than his team would not see the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. The deeper breaths; the blink that meant that he was touched. I could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." I said from beside my commander.
I watched David lean in and draw in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
I smiled. Behind us, Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Third Person Limited: Steve
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as they laid out their plans, HE looked pointedly at Joe, almost daring him to argue.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and Steve suppressed a growl of frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, Steve was sure he almost felt it was a duty to act like a child at times. But he knew that Joe was a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh. Steve wanted to head slap them, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He turned to look at the twins.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
Steve could almost see the thoughts darting through their minds. He could definitely see the sparkle of merriment in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
Steve sat back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. he mused to himself. He had never worked with better.
Steve thought back to his beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
Steve shook his head and stood up. He was so glad that he had a domestic mother, one that taught him many things. Grabbing the blank cake he set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with him. He was just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
Steve looked up and saw them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Steve only paid passing attention to what Brian and Mark were doing. He could hear them tousling in the background. Steve reached over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness, and grinned in anticipation. They could hear Joe in the hallway; Steve could hear him faintly.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
Steve watched as David's eyes widened in surprise and saw the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. He could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly. He dared, and Steve suppressed a growl of frustration.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man. Joe could get whiny. Being the youngest on the team, Steve was sure he almost felt it was a duty to act like a child at times. But he knew that Joe was a good man, a great soldier, and an even better friend.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh. Steve wanted to head slap them, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. He turned to look at the twins.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
Steve could almost see the thoughts darting through their minds. He could definitely see the sparkle of merriment in their eyes.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
Steve sat back as the others darted off to accomplish their tasks. Good men. he mused to himself. He had never worked with better.
Steve thought back to his beginnings, the training, the long hours, the forced trust that springs up between men who watch your back.
Steve shook his head and stood up. He was so glad that he had a domestic mother, one that taught him many things. Grabbing the blank cake he set to decorating it as the others periodically checked in with him. He was just putting the candles on the cake after decorating it with a picture of the Camero when Brian and mark returned.
Steve looked up and saw them carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Steve only paid passing attention to what Brian and Mark were doing. He could hear them tousling in the background. Steve reached over and flicked off the light, throwing the room into darkness, and grinned in anticipation. They could hear Joe in the hallway; Steve could hear him faintly.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
Steve watched as David's eyes widened in surprise and saw the slight emotion in his otherwise still face. He could see what it meant to him.
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles." Steve said from beside his commander.
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
Third person omniscient distant
"You take point Joe," Steve ordered as they laid out their plans
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
The twins grinned at each other, each thinking the same thing.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" The three other men slipped away from the table, each intent on his task.
~~~~~~~~~~
Brian and Mark returned an hour later, carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed. Others were placed very carefully. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. It had been a long time since anyone had acknowledged his birthday. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
"Why me?" Joe asked petulantly.
"Because you are the best at spinning a line of bull. Plus, I told you to." Steve replied, staring down the younger man.
Joe still looked sullen. The other two were trying not to laugh.
"Brian and Mark, you two are responsible for acquisition and deployment." Steve made motions to the schematic that was stretched out on the table, pointing out spots of particular interest.
The twins grinned at each other, each thinking the same thing.
"What will you be doing?" Joe asked, resigned to his position.
"I will be running the op from here. Someone needs to make sure it goes smoothly." Steve rolled up the plans as he spoke. "Alright men," Steve continued in an official voice, Mark and Brian rolling their eyes behind him. "We have a go. Meet back here at 17:30. Full deployment by 19:00."
"Yes sir!" The three other men slipped away from the table, each intent on his task.
~~~~~~~~~~
Brian and Mark returned an hour later, carrying a black duffel bag between them that bulged with items. They looked extremely pleased. "We've got it!" Mark said. "Yeah, everything," Brian added.
"Excellent. You know what to do."
Mark and Brian grinned and moved about the room, placing items everywhere. Some were tossed with little regard to where they landed. Others were placed very carefully. They were finished in a short time.
Steve and the twins turned out the light just before the deadline. They could hear Joe in the hallway.
"They told me to tell you that they were going out to the club. They were just going to leave a note, but Steve put me on disciplinary, so I had to stay." Joe's voice had a pout to it.
"I don't care, you should have stopped them. Do you have any idea how much this could jeopardize..." David opened the door and flicked on the light switch.
"Surprise!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday!"
David stared in surprise at the sight before him. The room was strung with streamers and balloons. There was a large cake in the middle of the table that had a picture of his Camero in black icing. Twenty-seven candles glowed along the perimeter of the cake.
David swallowed back emotion. It had been a long time since anyone had acknowledged his birthday. "Thank you guys."
"Well boss, make a wish and blow out the candles."
David leaned in, drawing in a breath. He paused for a moment and then blew out all the candles.
"Thank you Steve."
"Your welcome boss. What did you wish for?"
"You know I can't tell you that." David said with a smile.
Behind them Joe, Mark, and Brian were busy hosing each other down with silly string.
What Did you Do?
David stared in shock at what he saw. He was not sure if sleep deprivation was causing him to hallucinate, or what he was seeing was real. He closed and slowly opened his eyes again, the sight did not change.
"What did you do?" David advanced on his men, the three of them backing away from their leader.
Joe, Brian and Mark backed up until they were against the wall.
David was tired, he was sore, he had been pushed about as far as he could go. And now, he was angry.
Joe was edging away from his angry commander, but froze when David barked "Attention!" They all jerked to a halt and felt themselves snap to attention, years of training betraying their desire to run from the ire of their commander.
"I asked you a question." David's voice was deadly quiet.
David sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Joe broke into a rambling story.
Steve, who was standing to the side rolled his eyes at Joe's story.
"And that's what happened." Joe finally seemed to take a breath, the others nodding.
"Just fix it." David said in exasperation. He turned to Steve, his second in command and walked away with him, conversing quietly.
"Yes sir." they chorused meekly and moved away from their commander, gathering tools.
David turned to look at the damage. The drivers side mirror had been sheered off of the car body.
Brian shot a look at Mark. "What if...?"
"Shut it. What he doesn't know won't kill us."
"You and your stupid ideas Joe." Mark growled at him.
"Hey, I kept him from killing us, and if we play it smart, he'll never know what really happened." Joe shot back.
The others grumbled as they set to repairing their leaders car.
"What did you do?" David advanced on his men, the three of them backing away from their leader.
Joe, Brian and Mark backed up until they were against the wall.
David was tired, he was sore, he had been pushed about as far as he could go. And now, he was angry.
Joe was edging away from his angry commander, but froze when David barked "Attention!" They all jerked to a halt and felt themselves snap to attention, years of training betraying their desire to run from the ire of their commander.
"I asked you a question." David's voice was deadly quiet.
David sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as Joe broke into a rambling story.
Steve, who was standing to the side rolled his eyes at Joe's story.
"And that's what happened." Joe finally seemed to take a breath, the others nodding.
"Just fix it." David said in exasperation. He turned to Steve, his second in command and walked away with him, conversing quietly.
"Yes sir." they chorused meekly and moved away from their commander, gathering tools.
David turned to look at the damage. The drivers side mirror had been sheered off of the car body.
Brian shot a look at Mark. "What if...?"
"Shut it. What he doesn't know won't kill us."
"You and your stupid ideas Joe." Mark growled at him.
"Hey, I kept him from killing us, and if we play it smart, he'll never know what really happened." Joe shot back.
The others grumbled as they set to repairing their leaders car.
Another Left Behind
The four young men waited. They had been there for a while, marking time until the fifth arrived and they could be on their way.
Joe, Steve, and Mark were getting impatient for David to get there. They tossed a baseball back and forth, acting like the young men that they were, but anxious to be gone.
Steve checked his watch again for the tenth time. "He's never late, at least I have never known him to be late. Do you guys think something happened to him?"
"Naw," Mark piped up, deftly catching the ball that Brian had careened at his head. "He's probably just stuck in traffic or something. Nothing to be worried about."
"Yeah," Brian said taking his turn with the ball, "I mean, have you ever known a time that David couldn't handle himself?"
"I suppose not, but it's still strange that he's not here yet," Steve said, glancing at his watch again.
"Oh, you worry to much. Someone would think you were his mother." Joe reached over and punched Steve on the shoulder.
Steve sighed and pulled down his shirt sleeve to cover his watch, trying not to think about the minutes passing by. Steve kept an eye out for David as the others game of catch turned into at throwing contest that devolved into a wrestling match.
Steve perked up at the sound of a roaring engine heading their way.
David pulled up to the curb in his black Camero that he drove and opened the door. Killing the engine he stepped out and faced his crew.
"Where ya been man?" Joe called from the pile of bodies on the ground.
"You okay boss?" Steve asked quietly?
Rain had begun to fall, and David did not bother to take off his sunglasses even though the sun was starting to go down.
David looked down at his men on the ground until they pulled themselves to their feet, dusting off their clothes. He looked over at Steve. "I'm fine." His voice was flat, nothing to hint at any type of emotion at all. "Get in." He ordered them.
The three men piled into the back, still shoving each other playfully.
Steve slid into the passenger and David climbed behind the wheel.
"Boss..."
"I said I'm fine." His tone was harsh. The three in the back quieted down suddenly.
David started the car with a roar and accelerated away from the curb, rounding corners and blowing through stop signs until they reached the highway.
Joe, Mark and Brian began talking quietly. David looked in the rear view mirror at the city he was leaving behind. "I'm fine he whispered to himself."
But he knew it was a lie.
Joe, Steve, and Mark were getting impatient for David to get there. They tossed a baseball back and forth, acting like the young men that they were, but anxious to be gone.
Steve checked his watch again for the tenth time. "He's never late, at least I have never known him to be late. Do you guys think something happened to him?"
"Naw," Mark piped up, deftly catching the ball that Brian had careened at his head. "He's probably just stuck in traffic or something. Nothing to be worried about."
"Yeah," Brian said taking his turn with the ball, "I mean, have you ever known a time that David couldn't handle himself?"
"I suppose not, but it's still strange that he's not here yet," Steve said, glancing at his watch again.
"Oh, you worry to much. Someone would think you were his mother." Joe reached over and punched Steve on the shoulder.
Steve sighed and pulled down his shirt sleeve to cover his watch, trying not to think about the minutes passing by. Steve kept an eye out for David as the others game of catch turned into at throwing contest that devolved into a wrestling match.
Steve perked up at the sound of a roaring engine heading their way.
David pulled up to the curb in his black Camero that he drove and opened the door. Killing the engine he stepped out and faced his crew.
"Where ya been man?" Joe called from the pile of bodies on the ground.
"You okay boss?" Steve asked quietly?
Rain had begun to fall, and David did not bother to take off his sunglasses even though the sun was starting to go down.
David looked down at his men on the ground until they pulled themselves to their feet, dusting off their clothes. He looked over at Steve. "I'm fine." His voice was flat, nothing to hint at any type of emotion at all. "Get in." He ordered them.
The three men piled into the back, still shoving each other playfully.
Steve slid into the passenger and David climbed behind the wheel.
"Boss..."
"I said I'm fine." His tone was harsh. The three in the back quieted down suddenly.
David started the car with a roar and accelerated away from the curb, rounding corners and blowing through stop signs until they reached the highway.
Joe, Mark and Brian began talking quietly. David looked in the rear view mirror at the city he was leaving behind. "I'm fine he whispered to himself."
But he knew it was a lie.
Hurt
Elizabeth swallowed all the words she wanted to say to Damien, all the avowals of love and unending passion. She knew she had to say the words that would drive him away, that would keep him safe.
Damien looked at her with his emotions evident in his face.
And even though she knew it would make them both miserable, she said the words.
"I don't love you Damien, I never did."
Elizabeth watched as something died in his eyes. Damien nodded and turned away from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth watched him go, knowing that it was best for the both of them. She watched him until he turned the corner and walked out of her life forever.
She allowed only a single tear to run down her face. Elizabeth wiped away the tear and turned to her equipment.
Damien looked at her with his emotions evident in his face.
And even though she knew it would make them both miserable, she said the words.
"I don't love you Damien, I never did."
Elizabeth watched as something died in his eyes. Damien nodded and turned away from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth watched him go, knowing that it was best for the both of them. She watched him until he turned the corner and walked out of her life forever.
She allowed only a single tear to run down her face. Elizabeth wiped away the tear and turned to her equipment.
Small White Lie
"So what do you think?" Sara turned in a circle next to her friend, showing off the dress she was wearing.
Heather stifled a small smile, "do you like it?"
Sara smiled, "yes I do." The dress was a frilly, frothy type of concoction. Pink and white. It was almost as if she had stepped out of Victorian England. Heather was surprised that the design had lasted so long.
"Then I think it looks great."
Heather stifled a small smile, "do you like it?"
Sara smiled, "yes I do." The dress was a frilly, frothy type of concoction. Pink and white. It was almost as if she had stepped out of Victorian England. Heather was surprised that the design had lasted so long.
"Then I think it looks great."
Bright Lights
Bright lights burst overhead. Red, white, and every other color you could imagine. The heat is fading with the setting sun. Rock music blares in the background, and families and friends mill about the large grassy fields. There is an abundance of food and laughter flows as freely as soda and beer. Snap lights glow in the gathering darkness, children running wild in the night. A yearly celebration of freedom.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Where Have You Been
"Where have you been?!"
"I was out with a friend."
"A friend?"
"Yes."
"So what did you do?"
"We went to a movie."
"Which one?"
"Australia. What is going on? Why are you so worried about where I have been."
"Haven't you heard the news?"
"Apparently not. What happened?"
"The Rebel leader in Kazakhstan has been assassinated."
"Really? When did that happen?"
"Just now. They said that the assassin might have been injured."
"Well that would make them easier to find I suppose."
The woman walked into her room wincing just slightly. She shrugged out of her long coat and looked at the white bandage on her arm. Oh, she knew alright. And the world was better off without him.
"I was out with a friend."
"A friend?"
"Yes."
"So what did you do?"
"We went to a movie."
"Which one?"
"Australia. What is going on? Why are you so worried about where I have been."
"Haven't you heard the news?"
"Apparently not. What happened?"
"The Rebel leader in Kazakhstan has been assassinated."
"Really? When did that happen?"
"Just now. They said that the assassin might have been injured."
"Well that would make them easier to find I suppose."
The woman walked into her room wincing just slightly. She shrugged out of her long coat and looked at the white bandage on her arm. Oh, she knew alright. And the world was better off without him.
What Better Place to Die than Death Valley
Heat and sunlight beat down mercilessly out of the cloudless sky. It can be felt as a throbbing against dry, ashy, feverish skin. No trace of moisture is held in the air as hot as an oven. It is a wonder anything survives here at all. A few scraggly brown bushes, and the ever present cactus. How could anything get that big out here, here in the middle of nothing, nothing. Breathing is a torment, the dry air parching the throat. If you could, you would stop breathing to find a bit of relief. Feet have become long numb to the searing heat of the sand, callouses forming, it is hard to walk in a straight line in the best of circumstances in this desert, but being dehydrated makes it almost impossible. The shade of a large cactus is a welcome reprieve from the tortuous sun and heat. It doesn't even matter that the spikes are a good inch and a half long. Doesn't matter. Mirages promise water and deliver hell in return, shimmering oh so invitingly just out of reach.
Safe Harbor?
Wind, cold and biting, howls across the open expanse of the beach. Sand turned into a stinging wall. Wave upon wave march into the shallows, crashing and sending up a drenching spray. Gulls cry cheerlessly overhead and the sun plays hide and don't seek in the gray clouds. Lighting strikes the waves.
Light flashes and disappears, repeating again and again, as old as time. It flows from the rocky, barren jut of land that dares to protrude into the icy dark waters. Fog mists across the land, obscuring everything, save for the light. A low bellow, more of a moan really comes from the mists, warning of dangers; of the rocks and the shallows. It warns and guides ships, if any there are that are foolish enough to try to make port on a day like this, safely into the harbor.
Light flashes and disappears, repeating again and again, as old as time. It flows from the rocky, barren jut of land that dares to protrude into the icy dark waters. Fog mists across the land, obscuring everything, save for the light. A low bellow, more of a moan really comes from the mists, warning of dangers; of the rocks and the shallows. It warns and guides ships, if any there are that are foolish enough to try to make port on a day like this, safely into the harbor.
Summer Fun
Voices echo off of the damp red sandstone. Some in German, some in Italian, and others that are unidentifiable. The almost inaudible click of cameras are a steady background hum. The scrape of sneakers on the rough stone is a counterpoint. Fingers seek holds in the rock, muscles working in unison to pull yourself up the precarious cliff-face. Hands scrabble for purchase as climbers scuttle up the rock face and underneath the ridge that is Double Arch. Rain sheets out of the sky, mottling and then staining the exposed rock. The rough shelves remain dry, water cascading past. You could reach out and touch it. Peering over the edge, it is a wonder that you were able to get up here in the first place. From the bottom it seems impossibly high, and from the top, even more so. The rock is scarred from nature and people. Danny loves jenny, or so it says. And now to get down again. Sliding down, you swear you are going to wear a hole in the butt of your pants. It was worth it for the perfect shot, the shot that you only could have gotten from inside Double Arch.
******
The narrow canyon holds an even narrower path, twisting and turning. Revealing and then hiding breathtaking vista's. Our goal is Pine Tree Arch. Should have brought a walking stick.
********
Getting to Delicate Arch is no picnic. Slick rock itself seems a daunting task. It is three quarters of a mile to get to slick rock, up and down paths, that teem with hikers, both coming and going. and then you are faced with slick rock. A vast expanse of exposed red rock, steep and treacherous when wet. Carin lead the way. After slick rock you are faced with another though part of the trail, over and around you follow only the Carin. At last you come around a turn, and there it is, Delicate Arch, standing as a lone sentinel for the valley below.
******
The narrow canyon holds an even narrower path, twisting and turning. Revealing and then hiding breathtaking vista's. Our goal is Pine Tree Arch. Should have brought a walking stick.
********
Getting to Delicate Arch is no picnic. Slick rock itself seems a daunting task. It is three quarters of a mile to get to slick rock, up and down paths, that teem with hikers, both coming and going. and then you are faced with slick rock. A vast expanse of exposed red rock, steep and treacherous when wet. Carin lead the way. After slick rock you are faced with another though part of the trail, over and around you follow only the Carin. At last you come around a turn, and there it is, Delicate Arch, standing as a lone sentinel for the valley below.
Possible Adventure Awaits
Quartz columns rose tall, topped by a dome that glowed in the early morning sunlight. A granite bench sat in the precise center of the dome, looking up one could see a circle that one could imagine watching the stars through. Ancient trees bordered the clearing that is filled with lush grass and spring wild flowers. The sky is an impossible blue, mirrored by a small pond next to the stately structure. A path flows from the small sanctuary along the curve of the pond and into the woods. Roses grow in profusion along the pond, butterflies playing tag in the bushes. Wind whispers through the trees, promises of adventure carried on the breeze, beckoning you to follow to what ever end it held.
A soft tread is heard and a lithe figure moves into sight. Tall and beautiful, he is fluid even in in stillness. Bright green eyes watch out of an intelligent looking face. Black hair hangs long, tied back. His clothing would allow him to fade back into the trees. Is this the promised adventure?
A soft tread is heard and a lithe figure moves into sight. Tall and beautiful, he is fluid even in in stillness. Bright green eyes watch out of an intelligent looking face. Black hair hangs long, tied back. His clothing would allow him to fade back into the trees. Is this the promised adventure?
My Sometimes Personal Hell
Steam billows out of pots. Something that looks like a cauldron sits in a corner, squat and fat; issuing forth thin streams of steam, only this one is gleaming silver instead of crusted black with age. Peering inside one can see bones of some as yet unidentified amount of chicken, along with bits of vegetables. The air itself shimmers as heat rolls off of the long flat-top. Almost every burner is occupied with pots or pans. Some reducing sauces, some holding mixtures of fluid and solid, waiting to be turned into soup. The floor is mottled concrete, white and yellow embedded in it's surface; which is all littered with a few peels here and there, a stray mushroom or a puddle of water. People walk back and forth, not exactly hurrying, but not slacking either. Calls echo through the room, warning of hot pots or the passage of a person. Delicious scents poor out of the various pots and out of the ovens. The hum of the coolers, the din of the hoods, and the swish, slam and rumble, slosh of the dishwasher are the accompaniment to this cacophony of sounds. Not to mention the splash of a person trying to prevent another flood, much like a sailor bails a leaky boat, it is a constant chore to keep the kitchen afloat, and water free. Hot fat sizzles in a pan, and hisses, flames leaping as food is added. The oven door opens and closes in an irregular pattern, usually with another bang. The clack of a wooden spoon as it hits the floor is followed by a low curse of frustration. Greetings are called out as residents pass by, gossip and news being exchanged. The swinging door bangs against the frame it sits in. A quiet hiss and click is heard as vegetables are cut, followed by the slightly sinister sound of metal on metal as a knife is sharpened. There is a sharp clatter as an empty pan is dropped. The food piles up in the back room as it is delivered throughout the day. Music plays in the background. And at the end of the night all is silence and darkness.
Tell Me What You Know
"So, tell me what you know."
"The suspect in question did in fact have the gun. The GSR came back positive."
"Are you sure about that?"
"I also know that on the night in question the victim met with the suspect. They met at the local bar. The Mas-Spec confirmed that there was a cocktail of burbon and vodka in his system."
"And?"
"And I also know that he didn't do it."
"You know this for certain."
"Yes."
"The suspect in question did in fact have the gun. The GSR came back positive."
"Are you sure about that?"
"I also know that on the night in question the victim met with the suspect. They met at the local bar. The Mas-Spec confirmed that there was a cocktail of burbon and vodka in his system."
"And?"
"And I also know that he didn't do it."
"You know this for certain."
"Yes."
Where Angels Fear to Tread
Pass from life into beyond
out into the brightest dawn
Hear to walk amongst the dead
it is not where the angels fear to tread
out into the brightest dawn
Hear to walk amongst the dead
it is not where the angels fear to tread
Don't Antagonize The Dragons
Don't antagonize the Dragons
"I told you not to do that."
"Yeah but you didn't tell me what would happen." The voice was whining
"Well what did you expect? That nothing would happen?" Sarcasm layered thickly in this voice. "Use your head. Fire burns, yes? And you are mostly made of stuff that will burn, yes? So it stands to reason that your hair would burn right?"
"I suppose so."
"I can't believe you went and poked the dragon. Haven't you ever heard the phrase, 'don't antagonize the dragons?' Though I must say, you certainly look ridiculous."
"Oh shut up."
"I told you not to do that."
"Yeah but you didn't tell me what would happen." The voice was whining
"Well what did you expect? That nothing would happen?" Sarcasm layered thickly in this voice. "Use your head. Fire burns, yes? And you are mostly made of stuff that will burn, yes? So it stands to reason that your hair would burn right?"
"I suppose so."
"I can't believe you went and poked the dragon. Haven't you ever heard the phrase, 'don't antagonize the dragons?' Though I must say, you certainly look ridiculous."
"Oh shut up."
A Fighters Hands
Dark hair was pulled back in a tight bun, a black beanie crammed down to her eyebrows. Black eyes were obscure under the camouflage paint, they saw everything and analyzed it in a second. There was no insignia on her uniform, this was not sanctioned, it never happened. Her gestures were sharp and pointed, conveying a direct meaning. Cover flank, flow around to the rendezvous, I'll take point. Move out! They moved silently through the compound, each knowing their jobs and accomplishing objectives with deadly skill. Such was the life of the special forces.
She had very graceful hands, they moved like pale silk ribbons in a gentle breeze, forming her thoughts and emotions.
She had very graceful hands, they moved like pale silk ribbons in a gentle breeze, forming her thoughts and emotions.
Silent As The Grave
Nobody really noticed that David was different. He seemed just like everyone else, quieter certainly, but normal.
Jessica had never heard David's voice. Though from his facial expressions and the intensity in his gaze, she knew his voice would be perfect when he finally got around to speaking to her. Everyone knew what he meant and what he wanted, just by his focus.
"Hi David." Jessica had finally screwed up the courage to talk to him. She did in fact have a legitimate reason for being at his desk, she needed to give him the plans for the new building that was going up down town.
David looked up from his work, his steady hand pausing in the middle of a schematic. He offered a smile to the pretty girl next to his desk. His dark blue eyes looked her up and down, and he raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"How have you been?" she was hoping to keep the conversation going for a bit.
David shrugged, his expression clearly meant to convey that it was okay, but nothing special. He raised an eyebrow in question at her.
"I've been okay." Jessica, already nervous, decided to make a retreat. "Well, I'll talk to you later."
David smiled and nodded, his focus returning to his work. A smile now hovering around his silent mouth.
Jessica had never heard David's voice. Though from his facial expressions and the intensity in his gaze, she knew his voice would be perfect when he finally got around to speaking to her. Everyone knew what he meant and what he wanted, just by his focus.
"Hi David." Jessica had finally screwed up the courage to talk to him. She did in fact have a legitimate reason for being at his desk, she needed to give him the plans for the new building that was going up down town.
David looked up from his work, his steady hand pausing in the middle of a schematic. He offered a smile to the pretty girl next to his desk. His dark blue eyes looked her up and down, and he raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"How have you been?" she was hoping to keep the conversation going for a bit.
David shrugged, his expression clearly meant to convey that it was okay, but nothing special. He raised an eyebrow in question at her.
"I've been okay." Jessica, already nervous, decided to make a retreat. "Well, I'll talk to you later."
David smiled and nodded, his focus returning to his work. A smile now hovering around his silent mouth.
Stars Within My Hands
Always out of reach they seem,
I reached and reached again.
Insubstantial, and naught but dreams,
they wax and then they wain.
Soul, free to fly,
at last I understand.
And then I found
I held stars within my hand.
I reached and reached again.
Insubstantial, and naught but dreams,
they wax and then they wain.
Soul, free to fly,
at last I understand.
And then I found
I held stars within my hand.
Sailing Away
"Hoist all sails!" The bosun called as the ship crept out of the safety of the harbor. The men on board were quick to obey the orders. They chanted in unison as they worked the sails, the call and the rhythm setting the pace. There was a chant for leaving the harbor and for coming in. There were many for short hauls, for halyarding , and for the capstan.
Men scuttled up the netting and out onto the yardarms, loosing the sails that would catch the wind. The men below hauled on the lines to put them in place.
The breeze was freshening and the day promising. The perfect day to be off on the sea; to wherever the wind and currents took them. The old men and the young men alike raised their voices in the chant to raise the sails. The broad squares of white cloth boomed as the wind caught them, filling and rapidly baring the ship away into the horizon.
Ryan pulled with the others, raising his clear tenor voice with the others. They were leaving and their song echoed over the sea.
In the Black Ball line I served my time
To me way-aye-aye, hurray-ah
And that's the line where you can shine
Hurrah for the Black Ball Line
Men scuttled up the netting and out onto the yardarms, loosing the sails that would catch the wind. The men below hauled on the lines to put them in place.
The breeze was freshening and the day promising. The perfect day to be off on the sea; to wherever the wind and currents took them. The old men and the young men alike raised their voices in the chant to raise the sails. The broad squares of white cloth boomed as the wind caught them, filling and rapidly baring the ship away into the horizon.
Ryan pulled with the others, raising his clear tenor voice with the others. They were leaving and their song echoed over the sea.
In the Black Ball line I served my time
To me way-aye-aye, hurray-ah
And that's the line where you can shine
Hurrah for the Black Ball Line
Beautiful Soul
He had a beautiful soul. She could tell that by his eyes. A gentle youth.
She had watched him for a while, the way he interacted with others. His consideration for others, his intelligence and the small acts of kindness.
And the way that he ran, just for the pleasure of the physical exertion; she could watch him for hours.
He was young, but she was patient.
She Would Remember
Shane ducked behind the black curtains on the stage. His heart pounding. She had been sitting closer to the stage tonight. He did not know if she had seen him; he was hoping to spark her memories before he revealed himself. The best way he could think of was to sing. His green eyes reflected what little light was backstage. Gathering his things he walked out the back stage door.
Yes, Alastrina would remember. He would make sure of that. He had seen her perk up when she heard him sing. She would remember in time. And they would be happy again as they once were.
Yes, Alastrina would remember. He would make sure of that. He had seen her perk up when she heard him sing. She would remember in time. And they would be happy again as they once were.
Sketching
Kim studied the contours before her. She had never tried her hand at sketching, but David was a willing model. His bare back was towards her, his muscled rippling down the length of his body. He stood in a doorway, his arms raised and resting against the frame. His hair was tousled and his jeans hung just perfectly on his slender hips.
"Are you finished?" David was not impatient, but he wanted to see how it had turned out. His skin itched just slightly as she could feel her eyes on his bare back.
"Nope."
Kim was in fact finished, but she was not quite ready for him to put his shirt back on yet.
Old Man
"Go to the Old Man. Find him and you will find me." These words were whispered hurriedly, and urgently into her ear before he ran.
"Wait!" She called after him. "What old man? Who? How do I find him?"
"Find him!" The words were faint, and the figure was rapidly disappearing.
'How am I to find him when I don't know which old man to look for. There are millions of old men in the world.'
*****
Anna had been lithe and beautiful when her search had started. At times she had wanted to give up. She had looked up every old man that she could think that Thomas knew. She had not found him. Now she was pale, a shadow of her former self. Still she continued to search.
****
Anna was old, it was hard for her to continue; she hardly remembered now why she should, why it mattered. The only thing that kept her going was the fact that she had not found the old man. She didn't think the old man existed anymore, but her love's command that she find the old man still rang in her mind.
Anna lowered her aching body beside a great tree, leaning against the rough bark. It was harsh against her paper thin skin.
"Anna, you made it." The voice seemed to come from the tree itself, ancient and woody.
"Thomas." Anna sighed, closing here eyes for the last time.
Thomas stepped from within the confines of the tree, and looked at his love, Tenderly he reached out and grasped her cooling hand. Pulling gently he drew her young soul towards him.
Leaving her body behind he bore her towards a new life; with him at her side. Forever.
"Wait!" She called after him. "What old man? Who? How do I find him?"
"Find him!" The words were faint, and the figure was rapidly disappearing.
'How am I to find him when I don't know which old man to look for. There are millions of old men in the world.'
*****
Anna had been lithe and beautiful when her search had started. At times she had wanted to give up. She had looked up every old man that she could think that Thomas knew. She had not found him. Now she was pale, a shadow of her former self. Still she continued to search.
****
Anna was old, it was hard for her to continue; she hardly remembered now why she should, why it mattered. The only thing that kept her going was the fact that she had not found the old man. She didn't think the old man existed anymore, but her love's command that she find the old man still rang in her mind.
Anna lowered her aching body beside a great tree, leaning against the rough bark. It was harsh against her paper thin skin.
"Anna, you made it." The voice seemed to come from the tree itself, ancient and woody.
"Thomas." Anna sighed, closing here eyes for the last time.
Thomas stepped from within the confines of the tree, and looked at his love, Tenderly he reached out and grasped her cooling hand. Pulling gently he drew her young soul towards him.
Leaving her body behind he bore her towards a new life; with him at her side. Forever.
Glimpse of a Life.
Jared gently picked up the black rose that had been left on his table, each petal absolutely perfect. He drew his finger along the silky soft contours of the flower, remembering. There was no note, none was needed. The rose said it all. She would not be coming back. He had lost her forever.
Gravel
The gravel crunched quietly under his feet, this would make for an interesting time of it. After all, stealth was to be desired when you were an assassin. He shifted his weight and the pebbles ground under his foot. He was pretty sure that he had not been heard; but it was imperative to be sure.
Wishes in the Night
Percy looked with longing on the woman that he loved, the woman that he adored, the woman that he would die for. She sat beside him on the long drives that he liked to take at night, the darkness enfolding them. He wanted to reach out and hold her, to caress her and to whisper in her ear how much he loved her. He knew that he should not, that she could still be a traitor. After all, she had sent the Marquise family to the guillotine.
He allowed himself the slightest pleasure as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear that had escaped from her perfectly coiffed hair. He could live a while on that one touch alone.
He allowed himself the slightest pleasure as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear that had escaped from her perfectly coiffed hair. He could live a while on that one touch alone.
Death of a Foe
Edmond would not let Fernande get away from him this time. Last time he had not the skill to stop his enemy, but now he was powerful, he could not be stopped this time. He would not let him get away. Suicide would be to quick and to easy. He had expertly orchestrated his opponents downfall, it could not be stopped, not for Heaven or for Hell. And either way, Edmond would have his revenge.
****
Fernande looked up at the man standing in the doorway, heard how he had cause all his current misery, and felt it, sharply, as the bullet found his breast. Dimming eyes showed him his old rival, the one that Mercedes had chosen over him, he who had ended his life. And he could not fault him for it.
****
Fernande looked up at the man standing in the doorway, heard how he had cause all his current misery, and felt it, sharply, as the bullet found his breast. Dimming eyes showed him his old rival, the one that Mercedes had chosen over him, he who had ended his life. And he could not fault him for it.
Ronon off his Game
Ronon growled in frustration as John landed several blows in rapid succession. It was just nonsense, stupid Earth nonsense about bad luck, he did not believe in such things, but the evidence seemed to contradictory. It was not possible that an innocent act could cause any of this to happen. And yet John had scored three of the last five sparring matches.
Not only that, but McKay was actually making sense to him, that in itself was a bad sign. He also had not hit a single target dead center the whole day. Ronon had even gone as far as to see Dr. Keller, to see if she could determine some sort of illness that could cause him to become suddenly uncoordinated.
Ronon found himself back in the infirmary with a broken nose. Teyla had opened the one door in Atlantis that swung rather than slid, and had nailed him in the face.
Later when Teyla came to see him she did not see him in his room until a slight sound gave him away. Bending over Teyla looked under his bed and saw him curled up in the fetal position.
He swore to himself that he would kill the next black cat that he saw.
Not only that, but McKay was actually making sense to him, that in itself was a bad sign. He also had not hit a single target dead center the whole day. Ronon had even gone as far as to see Dr. Keller, to see if she could determine some sort of illness that could cause him to become suddenly uncoordinated.
Ronon found himself back in the infirmary with a broken nose. Teyla had opened the one door in Atlantis that swung rather than slid, and had nailed him in the face.
Later when Teyla came to see him she did not see him in his room until a slight sound gave him away. Bending over Teyla looked under his bed and saw him curled up in the fetal position.
He swore to himself that he would kill the next black cat that he saw.
First Sight
Lirael drew on the hated garment, the blue that meant that she still didn't have the sight like her sisters, and rolled her eyes at her Aunts hurrying her along to the ceremony. Yet another of the sisters had gained the sight. Every Watch saw new sisters joining their ranks. Lirael wished that she could go and hide, so she would not have to be humiliated again.
She marched with the others, bored and wishing to be anywhere else, she didn't even pay attention when the Watch started to call the names of the new visionaries, and one by one they came to the front to receive their robes and circlets. Lirael was startled out of her self misery when the entire body of women turned in her direction. Lirael felt her aunt nudge her sharply, and motioned her to walk forward.
Confused, Lirael stood and walked towards the front of the assembly. The Voice of the Watch, waited for her. Her steps faltered as she realized what this meant. The two powerful seers draped her slim form in the white robe of a seer and placed the moonstone circlet on her brow. Two tears slipped down her face as she Saw for the first time.
She marched with the others, bored and wishing to be anywhere else, she didn't even pay attention when the Watch started to call the names of the new visionaries, and one by one they came to the front to receive their robes and circlets. Lirael was startled out of her self misery when the entire body of women turned in her direction. Lirael felt her aunt nudge her sharply, and motioned her to walk forward.
Confused, Lirael stood and walked towards the front of the assembly. The Voice of the Watch, waited for her. Her steps faltered as she realized what this meant. The two powerful seers draped her slim form in the white robe of a seer and placed the moonstone circlet on her brow. Two tears slipped down her face as she Saw for the first time.
Trust and Betrayal
I should have trusted him, should have known he would never betray me, and here I have betrayed him. I thought that he didn't mean what he said. I didn't trust myself. I didn't think that he could love me, I didn't know that he did. And now I have hurt him worse than he could ever have hurt me.
He looked at me with such pleading in his eyes, a desire for me to understand, but I would not. I could not, and now it is to late.
And now, I could never get back what I never had.
He looked at me with such pleading in his eyes, a desire for me to understand, but I would not. I could not, and now it is to late.
And now, I could never get back what I never had.
Circles
Follow in the circles I dance, round and round we go.
No beginning and no end, we circle for eternity.
Spin about and once again follow in my rounds.
No beginning and no end, we circle for eternity.
Spin about and once again follow in my rounds.
Breaking The Rules
He watched her standing in the fury of the storm, wild and untameable. His eyes darted back and forth, making sure that there was no one else around. Walking with stealth he stole closer to his target, closer to victory.
She twitched her blond hair out of her eyes, still facing into the storm, letting the rain mingle with her tears. She jerked to full alert when she heard the sound of a footstep behind her. Quick as lightning she turned on the person behind her; years of military training coursing through her body. She shifted into a fighters crouch.
The military man backed up a step, raising his hands to show he meant no harm, a warm smile flashed across his craggy and weather worn face. He inched closer.
The woman straightened up; snapping off a sharp salute to the man in front of her, though her eyes were hard, mocking and empty. She swallowed painfully, sadness flashed in her face when she remembered all that she wanted, and all that regulations said that she could not have.
The superior officer returned the gesture and then, dropping all pretenses, he closed the gap and pulled her into his arms, whispering vows never to let her go.
She twitched her blond hair out of her eyes, still facing into the storm, letting the rain mingle with her tears. She jerked to full alert when she heard the sound of a footstep behind her. Quick as lightning she turned on the person behind her; years of military training coursing through her body. She shifted into a fighters crouch.
The military man backed up a step, raising his hands to show he meant no harm, a warm smile flashed across his craggy and weather worn face. He inched closer.
The woman straightened up; snapping off a sharp salute to the man in front of her, though her eyes were hard, mocking and empty. She swallowed painfully, sadness flashed in her face when she remembered all that she wanted, and all that regulations said that she could not have.
The superior officer returned the gesture and then, dropping all pretenses, he closed the gap and pulled her into his arms, whispering vows never to let her go.
Writers Tennis Part 14
(Nagi)
Kenneth was pacing a circle behind the camera. His expression was tense - brows furrowed, eyes dark, and he and Eddie were deep in conversation. Angela averted her gaze politely - she had no desire to read their lips and see any more than she had to see. So she paused by the table where the blue screen crew was set up.
Oddly enough, the blue screen crew for this film was a group of nervous, young Japanese men who spoke little English but ignored their translator more often than was helpful. Angela had once done deep cover with a group of otaku who were hacking government computers and selling data to the highest bidder, so her Japanese was good. At first the techs looked nervous, but once Angela settled back into the rhythm of the foreign language, they opened up. She played ignorant about the blue-screen process, as this was technically her alias’s first big visual effects film, and the men scrambled to explain it to her.
Before things could really get interesting, however, Eddie called things to order.
“All right, let’s get this baby blocked and then shot. Angela, Kenneth, start over here!”
Angela moved to stand opposite Kenneth on one corner of the set. The lights overhead had been filtered to give a nighttime effect. Angela resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the thought of a kiss in the middle of the night and followed Eddie across the set. The blocking was simple and, Angela thought, artful. She and Kenneth were supposed to exchange blows and arc down diagonally across the open room, and once the fight came to a head - with Angela pinned up against a wall, and she could never imagine a boy like Kenneth actually being able to pin her - the kissing would begin. The closer they got to the wall, the more pale Kenneth became.
“You clear with that?” Eddie asked.
Angela nodded and headed back to her corner of the set. Kenneth settled in opposite her, and then it came, that fateful cry,
“Action!”
Angela leapt at Kenneth and started into the fight choreography, careful to pull her hits. They followed the blocking across the set, and then it came, the fateful pin. Angela saw terror flash across Kenneth’s face, but he leaned in to kiss her.
And then someone yelled, “John Henricks, get on the ground! This is the FBI!”
Kenneth was pacing a circle behind the camera. His expression was tense - brows furrowed, eyes dark, and he and Eddie were deep in conversation. Angela averted her gaze politely - she had no desire to read their lips and see any more than she had to see. So she paused by the table where the blue screen crew was set up.
Oddly enough, the blue screen crew for this film was a group of nervous, young Japanese men who spoke little English but ignored their translator more often than was helpful. Angela had once done deep cover with a group of otaku who were hacking government computers and selling data to the highest bidder, so her Japanese was good. At first the techs looked nervous, but once Angela settled back into the rhythm of the foreign language, they opened up. She played ignorant about the blue-screen process, as this was technically her alias’s first big visual effects film, and the men scrambled to explain it to her.
Before things could really get interesting, however, Eddie called things to order.
“All right, let’s get this baby blocked and then shot. Angela, Kenneth, start over here!”
Angela moved to stand opposite Kenneth on one corner of the set. The lights overhead had been filtered to give a nighttime effect. Angela resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the thought of a kiss in the middle of the night and followed Eddie across the set. The blocking was simple and, Angela thought, artful. She and Kenneth were supposed to exchange blows and arc down diagonally across the open room, and once the fight came to a head - with Angela pinned up against a wall, and she could never imagine a boy like Kenneth actually being able to pin her - the kissing would begin. The closer they got to the wall, the more pale Kenneth became.
“You clear with that?” Eddie asked.
Angela nodded and headed back to her corner of the set. Kenneth settled in opposite her, and then it came, that fateful cry,
“Action!”
Angela leapt at Kenneth and started into the fight choreography, careful to pull her hits. They followed the blocking across the set, and then it came, the fateful pin. Angela saw terror flash across Kenneth’s face, but he leaned in to kiss her.
And then someone yelled, “John Henricks, get on the ground! This is the FBI!”
Writers Tennis Part 13
"Right there." Kenneth pointed out the part in the script which called for a kiss. Not only a kiss, but a passionate kiss.
Angela swallowed. It was getting more and more difficult to keep her thoughts focused when it came to Kenneth. Angela briefly read over the part and smiled, putting on a show. "Well, I hope it won't be to bad for you to have to do this."
Standing she stretched; it was time to get back to work again. "After you." Angela held the door open for Kenneth and followed him back onto the set.
"Action!" Eddie yelled when everyone was in place. Angela went through the motions of the scene but was concentrating more on how she would get information out of Johnny without him realizing it and without him getting to jumpy.
Johnny was a skittish type of person, she could tell that by looking at him. He was not the type to lead, he was a follower, doing what he was told, and not asking why. He had probably been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had gotten mixed up with the wrong people.
The next day dawned bright and clear; Angela was unreasonably nervous about the scene today. Arriving on set she went through the motions of make-up and costume, some sort of artfully ripped clothing, and finally props. Johnny was hooking her up to some gizzmo or other. She took the moment to see if she could get any information out of him.
"Hey Johnny, did you hear the news this morning? Apparently there has been another kidnapping." She flipped her hair out of her face, putting on a dumb blond routine. "They are saying that it is a home-grown terrorist cell, but of course who would believe that. What do you think?" She looked at him briefly; his hands were shaking and a bead of sweat ran down his neck. Definitely nervous. "I mean where would you keep people here in America if you wanted to hid them?"
Johnny mumbled something unintelligible, his hand slipping as he hooked up something.
"Personally," Angela continued, "I would hide them in the desert, or perhaps the mountains." She watched Johnny's face carefully. He blanched ever so slightly when she mentioned the mountains. She went on, "Now, East or West coast would be tough, The West is less populated so that would make more sense. Perhaps the Sierra-Nevada's." Here his hand trembled so violently that he dropped what ever he was working on. Angela decided not to push him further. "Oh well, who would believe any of that anyways, I certainly don't." Johnny finished what he was doing and Angela smiled at him, "Thanks Johnny, you're great." Angela patted him on the back and walked away towards the set. She would have to find a way to get Thomas the information he needed.
Angela placed a brief call on her way to the set, relaying the important intelligence that she had gathered.
Angela swallowed. It was getting more and more difficult to keep her thoughts focused when it came to Kenneth. Angela briefly read over the part and smiled, putting on a show. "Well, I hope it won't be to bad for you to have to do this."
Standing she stretched; it was time to get back to work again. "After you." Angela held the door open for Kenneth and followed him back onto the set.
"Action!" Eddie yelled when everyone was in place. Angela went through the motions of the scene but was concentrating more on how she would get information out of Johnny without him realizing it and without him getting to jumpy.
Johnny was a skittish type of person, she could tell that by looking at him. He was not the type to lead, he was a follower, doing what he was told, and not asking why. He had probably been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had gotten mixed up with the wrong people.
The next day dawned bright and clear; Angela was unreasonably nervous about the scene today. Arriving on set she went through the motions of make-up and costume, some sort of artfully ripped clothing, and finally props. Johnny was hooking her up to some gizzmo or other. She took the moment to see if she could get any information out of him.
"Hey Johnny, did you hear the news this morning? Apparently there has been another kidnapping." She flipped her hair out of her face, putting on a dumb blond routine. "They are saying that it is a home-grown terrorist cell, but of course who would believe that. What do you think?" She looked at him briefly; his hands were shaking and a bead of sweat ran down his neck. Definitely nervous. "I mean where would you keep people here in America if you wanted to hid them?"
Johnny mumbled something unintelligible, his hand slipping as he hooked up something.
"Personally," Angela continued, "I would hide them in the desert, or perhaps the mountains." She watched Johnny's face carefully. He blanched ever so slightly when she mentioned the mountains. She went on, "Now, East or West coast would be tough, The West is less populated so that would make more sense. Perhaps the Sierra-Nevada's." Here his hand trembled so violently that he dropped what ever he was working on. Angela decided not to push him further. "Oh well, who would believe any of that anyways, I certainly don't." Johnny finished what he was doing and Angela smiled at him, "Thanks Johnny, you're great." Angela patted him on the back and walked away towards the set. She would have to find a way to get Thomas the information he needed.
Angela placed a brief call on her way to the set, relaying the important intelligence that she had gathered.
Writers Tennis Part 12
(Nagi)
Angela sank down on the small sofa. After Kenneth hovered in the doorway for a few moments, Angela gestured to one of the smaller chairs opposite her.
“You can sit, you know.”
“Are you sure? I mean, Eddie’s been grumbling about us being behind schedule anyway,” Kenneth said, but he closed the trailer door and sat down anyway.
“I’m sure.” Angela reached up to massage her temples. Global war and domestic terrorism were the last things she needed on her plate. She wasn’t sure if this day could get any worse, but she wasn’t holding off on her bets yet.
“So...did you get tomorrow’s call sheet?” Kenneth asked.
Angela opened her eyes. “Pardon? Tomorrow’s call sheet? No. I’ll get it tomorrow.” She laughed, keeping her tone light, and let her hand drop to her side to check that she still had Thomas’s sidearm. She had to find a way to arm up, and she had to do it alone. “What makes you ask?”
“Well, I’ve got my AD to keep a day ahead on the schedule for me,” Kenneth said, and he dropped his gaze down and to the right. So this wasn’t a lie, this was...more of that inscrutable guilt.
“That’s nice of your AD,” Angela said. She sat back and studied him more closely this time, for an entirely different reason. In their three weeks on the set she’d become utterly familiar with his every gesture, smile, expression, but this was the first time she noticed how very frail he was. Thin. He’d been a model before he’d been an actor, or so the government dossier said, and those dossiers were rarely wrong. If things went south with Johnny - and she had to get a handle on him in the next twelve hours - the Kenneth would be a risk. She couldn’t protect him and herself, and she couldn’t trust him to protect himself, could she? Still, the boy was unerringly beautiful. She thrust that thought aside and focused on his current mood once more. “You nervous about tomorrow? What’s tomorrow?”
“My, er, first screen kiss,” he said.
Angela felt her world tilt on its axis. Hers, too. But she couldn’t let him know that.
“Oh. Just - go with it. It won’t be that big a deal.”
Kenneth lifted his gaze. “It’s with you.”
Angela blinked. “What?” Then she scooped up her copy of the screenplay. “Where?”
Angela sank down on the small sofa. After Kenneth hovered in the doorway for a few moments, Angela gestured to one of the smaller chairs opposite her.
“You can sit, you know.”
“Are you sure? I mean, Eddie’s been grumbling about us being behind schedule anyway,” Kenneth said, but he closed the trailer door and sat down anyway.
“I’m sure.” Angela reached up to massage her temples. Global war and domestic terrorism were the last things she needed on her plate. She wasn’t sure if this day could get any worse, but she wasn’t holding off on her bets yet.
“So...did you get tomorrow’s call sheet?” Kenneth asked.
Angela opened her eyes. “Pardon? Tomorrow’s call sheet? No. I’ll get it tomorrow.” She laughed, keeping her tone light, and let her hand drop to her side to check that she still had Thomas’s sidearm. She had to find a way to arm up, and she had to do it alone. “What makes you ask?”
“Well, I’ve got my AD to keep a day ahead on the schedule for me,” Kenneth said, and he dropped his gaze down and to the right. So this wasn’t a lie, this was...more of that inscrutable guilt.
“That’s nice of your AD,” Angela said. She sat back and studied him more closely this time, for an entirely different reason. In their three weeks on the set she’d become utterly familiar with his every gesture, smile, expression, but this was the first time she noticed how very frail he was. Thin. He’d been a model before he’d been an actor, or so the government dossier said, and those dossiers were rarely wrong. If things went south with Johnny - and she had to get a handle on him in the next twelve hours - the Kenneth would be a risk. She couldn’t protect him and herself, and she couldn’t trust him to protect himself, could she? Still, the boy was unerringly beautiful. She thrust that thought aside and focused on his current mood once more. “You nervous about tomorrow? What’s tomorrow?”
“My, er, first screen kiss,” he said.
Angela felt her world tilt on its axis. Hers, too. But she couldn’t let him know that.
“Oh. Just - go with it. It won’t be that big a deal.”
Kenneth lifted his gaze. “It’s with you.”
Angela blinked. “What?” Then she scooped up her copy of the screenplay. “Where?”
Writers Tennis Part 11
Everyone was clamoring for information.
"What was that about?"
"Are you alright?"
"Are you free now?"
One voice stood out from the others, Kenneth's voice. "Angela, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it was just a misunderstanding. Apparently they were looking for another actress that went by the name of Angela Carslile. I guess she's into some pretty serious stuff. I explained that it was not me, and they let me go."
Everyone milled around, still astonished by what had happened. Angela discreetly looked around and spotted Johnny walking back to the props area. She would keep an eye on him.
Kenneth was still hovering nearby, waiting to make sure that she was fine. Angela looked over at his beautiful profile and smiled, "Really Kenneth, I'm fine. I will however, be changing my screen name. Do you have any suggestions? I don't want to be confused for this other Angela in the future, especially if it is going to involve the FBI or other police force."
"I will have to put some thought into that Angela. The name must be as beautiful as you are." Kenneth blushed as the words came out, feeling sure that she think them corny. "Can I walk you back to your trailer?" Kenneth offered his arm to her and was thrilled when she took it.
"Thank you Kenneth," Angela said simply, slipping her arm into his. together they strolled back towards the trailers. She was trying not to develope feelings for him. It would be unprofessional, and unethical.
"What was that about?"
"Are you alright?"
"Are you free now?"
One voice stood out from the others, Kenneth's voice. "Angela, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it was just a misunderstanding. Apparently they were looking for another actress that went by the name of Angela Carslile. I guess she's into some pretty serious stuff. I explained that it was not me, and they let me go."
Everyone milled around, still astonished by what had happened. Angela discreetly looked around and spotted Johnny walking back to the props area. She would keep an eye on him.
Kenneth was still hovering nearby, waiting to make sure that she was fine. Angela looked over at his beautiful profile and smiled, "Really Kenneth, I'm fine. I will however, be changing my screen name. Do you have any suggestions? I don't want to be confused for this other Angela in the future, especially if it is going to involve the FBI or other police force."
"I will have to put some thought into that Angela. The name must be as beautiful as you are." Kenneth blushed as the words came out, feeling sure that she think them corny. "Can I walk you back to your trailer?" Kenneth offered his arm to her and was thrilled when she took it.
"Thank you Kenneth," Angela said simply, slipping her arm into his. together they strolled back towards the trailers. She was trying not to develope feelings for him. It would be unprofessional, and unethical.
Toast
She bit into her toast pondering over what had happened; the secrets, the lies, what she had been forced to do. she didn't like what she had done, but it had been necessary for all concerned that she kill him without delay. she could not fathom him being let loose again to wreak havoc.
Writers Tennis Part 10
(Nagi)
“You’d better make this fast,” Angela said. She glanced over her shoulder to where some of the other agents were holding off Eddie and some of the ADs. It was the betrayed look on Kenneth’s face that stung unexpectedly.
But Angela had to keep her head in the game.
Thomas nodded his understanding. “Don’t worry - we have a couple of federal prosecutors on hand to counteract anything the studio lawyers try to pull.” He thrust something into her hands - small, a microchip; she’d have to look at it later in her trailer. “Another victim went missing today; that’s ten American hostages in total. If we don’t figure out where they’re being kept in the next seventy-two hours, we risk sparking outright global war.”
“Why isn’t the NSA or CIA handling this?”
“Because this cell is homegrown,” Thomas said. “Your mark is part of a sleeper cell, possibly an Omega, so he hasn’t been in this alone.”
“How do you know?”
“The last victim went missing while he was on set.”
“That explains why the timing on his squibs has been off. He’s been antsy.”
“By the time he gets his synchronization on those back in line, it may be too late,” Thomas said. “Do you have your firearm?”
“No, but I could steal one from props in a pinch.”
Thomas shook his head. “Collateral damage is more than the Bureau is willing to risk.” He unbuckled his shoulder holster - he always carried two pieces on him, shoulder and ankle - and handed it to her. “Keep an eye out and see if you can corner him. We need information, and we need it fast.”
Angela nodded. “All right. What do I tell the others when I get back on set?”
“Tell them that the Angela Carlisle we were looking for was a washed-up actress and recommend to your agent that you pick a new screen name.” Thomas smiled tightly and opened the car door.
Angela slid out and made a big show of tossing her head and smoothing her clothes, indignant. Then she headed back onto set. Immediately, she was surrounded by producers, Eddie, and a cadre of worried make-up girls. Oddly enough, the one who seemed most concerned was Johnny, still clutching the triggers for his mis-timed squibs.
“You’d better make this fast,” Angela said. She glanced over her shoulder to where some of the other agents were holding off Eddie and some of the ADs. It was the betrayed look on Kenneth’s face that stung unexpectedly.
But Angela had to keep her head in the game.
Thomas nodded his understanding. “Don’t worry - we have a couple of federal prosecutors on hand to counteract anything the studio lawyers try to pull.” He thrust something into her hands - small, a microchip; she’d have to look at it later in her trailer. “Another victim went missing today; that’s ten American hostages in total. If we don’t figure out where they’re being kept in the next seventy-two hours, we risk sparking outright global war.”
“Why isn’t the NSA or CIA handling this?”
“Because this cell is homegrown,” Thomas said. “Your mark is part of a sleeper cell, possibly an Omega, so he hasn’t been in this alone.”
“How do you know?”
“The last victim went missing while he was on set.”
“That explains why the timing on his squibs has been off. He’s been antsy.”
“By the time he gets his synchronization on those back in line, it may be too late,” Thomas said. “Do you have your firearm?”
“No, but I could steal one from props in a pinch.”
Thomas shook his head. “Collateral damage is more than the Bureau is willing to risk.” He unbuckled his shoulder holster - he always carried two pieces on him, shoulder and ankle - and handed it to her. “Keep an eye out and see if you can corner him. We need information, and we need it fast.”
Angela nodded. “All right. What do I tell the others when I get back on set?”
“Tell them that the Angela Carlisle we were looking for was a washed-up actress and recommend to your agent that you pick a new screen name.” Thomas smiled tightly and opened the car door.
Angela slid out and made a big show of tossing her head and smoothing her clothes, indignant. Then she headed back onto set. Immediately, she was surrounded by producers, Eddie, and a cadre of worried make-up girls. Oddly enough, the one who seemed most concerned was Johnny, still clutching the triggers for his mis-timed squibs.
Writers Tennis Part 9
Angela went for her gun in a knee-jerk reaction. When she realized that it was not there she felt exposed and vulnerable.
Everyone on the set looked up in shock, stopping where they were.
Agents came swarming out of nowhere, pointing their firearms at everyone, almost daring someone to move. One agent, Tharen, walked out from behind the others. "Angela Carlisle?"
Angela raised her hand slowly, making no sudden moves. She knew that they would shoot to kill if provoked.
Agent Tharen walked towards Angela. "Angela Carlisle, you are under arrest." He withdrew a set of steel cuffs from behind his back and placed them on Angela's wrists behind her.
"May I ask what this is about?" Angela looked like she was in shock.
"We will discuss that on the way." Tharen said. He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her forward.
Everyone on the set stared after them in complete shock, not knowing what was going on. They watched the agents place Angela in the back of black car with tinted windows, Agent Tharen sliding in after her.
"Sorry about that Anggie." Thomas reached over and un-handcuffed her. "I hate to pull you out of your cover like that, but we need you."
"Angela rubbed her wrist for a second. "What about my mark?"
"Don't worry, we have it covered for a short while, and then you will be back. There should be no problem in explaining the situation; especially for you. No problems with your cover."
Angela nodded to her superior. "What is going on? Why do you need me?" She was in full agent mode now.
Everyone on the set looked up in shock, stopping where they were.
Agents came swarming out of nowhere, pointing their firearms at everyone, almost daring someone to move. One agent, Tharen, walked out from behind the others. "Angela Carlisle?"
Angela raised her hand slowly, making no sudden moves. She knew that they would shoot to kill if provoked.
Agent Tharen walked towards Angela. "Angela Carlisle, you are under arrest." He withdrew a set of steel cuffs from behind his back and placed them on Angela's wrists behind her.
"May I ask what this is about?" Angela looked like she was in shock.
"We will discuss that on the way." Tharen said. He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her forward.
Everyone on the set stared after them in complete shock, not knowing what was going on. They watched the agents place Angela in the back of black car with tinted windows, Agent Tharen sliding in after her.
"Sorry about that Anggie." Thomas reached over and un-handcuffed her. "I hate to pull you out of your cover like that, but we need you."
"Angela rubbed her wrist for a second. "What about my mark?"
"Don't worry, we have it covered for a short while, and then you will be back. There should be no problem in explaining the situation; especially for you. No problems with your cover."
Angela nodded to her superior. "What is going on? Why do you need me?" She was in full agent mode now.
Belong
Where do I belong? Where do I fit in, in this world? Where is there acceptance and friendship.
Shane shook his head, clearing his thoughts away. Now was the time to smile, now was the time to be like the other lemmings. Now was the time to not be himself. Now was the time to lie.
Shane shook his head, clearing his thoughts away. Now was the time to smile, now was the time to be like the other lemmings. Now was the time to not be himself. Now was the time to lie.
Writers Tennis Part 8
(Nagi)
Kenneth broke her concentration. He must have seen her agitation, and Angela took a deep breath, hoping her next words would be quiet, calm, level. Jennifer had been her best friend, and she’d made the right choice that day, the only choice - but that didn’t mean Angela hadn’t felt hurt.
Betrayed.
“Hello,” Kenneth said, turning to Jennifer. He was smiling brightly, his Hollywood starlet smile, acting as though Jennifer hadn’t shouldered him aside the way bullies had done to him at school for years and years. He extended a hand, the gesture utterly cordial and sincere. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Kenneth Arlington, Angela’s co-star. What brings you to the set?”
It was gratifying to see Jennifer, the ever-cool Agent Halladay, looking flustered when those bright green eyes were gazing at her. Jennifer shook his hand politely; Angela had the feeling that the gesture wasn’t nearly as confident as Jennifer usually made it.
“I’m an old friend of Angie’s,” Jennifer said, and Angela did her best not to flinch. Only Jennifer had ever called her that, and after leaving the Bureau Angela had done her best to discourage anyone else from ever calling her that.
Kenneth’s smile brightened. “It’s good to meet you. If you like, one of the ADs can give you a tour of the set. Unfortunately, Eddie’s called us back to start shooting.” He reached past Jennifer, smooth as any other Hollywood lothario, and hooked an arm around Angela’s waist, tugged her out of the trailer.
The other two agents, Bartlett and Gallow, looked suspicious, but Angela just cast them her sunny starlet smile and followed Kenneth onto the set.
“Thanks,” she said, as soon as they were out of earshot of the agents.
Again with that sweet, crooked smile. “Think nothing of it. Couldn’t leave you hanging there, could I? Would’ve been cruel. Besides, you looked uncomfortable, and we need you alert for the next scene.”
Johnny, the lead effects manager, came over to help the costume girls fix a new set of squibs beneath Angela’s shirt. Once the fussing was done, Angela scooped up her prop gun and took her position along the south side of the wall.
Eddie yelled, “Action!”
Someone yelled, “Freeze! FBI!”
Kenneth broke her concentration. He must have seen her agitation, and Angela took a deep breath, hoping her next words would be quiet, calm, level. Jennifer had been her best friend, and she’d made the right choice that day, the only choice - but that didn’t mean Angela hadn’t felt hurt.
Betrayed.
“Hello,” Kenneth said, turning to Jennifer. He was smiling brightly, his Hollywood starlet smile, acting as though Jennifer hadn’t shouldered him aside the way bullies had done to him at school for years and years. He extended a hand, the gesture utterly cordial and sincere. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Kenneth Arlington, Angela’s co-star. What brings you to the set?”
It was gratifying to see Jennifer, the ever-cool Agent Halladay, looking flustered when those bright green eyes were gazing at her. Jennifer shook his hand politely; Angela had the feeling that the gesture wasn’t nearly as confident as Jennifer usually made it.
“I’m an old friend of Angie’s,” Jennifer said, and Angela did her best not to flinch. Only Jennifer had ever called her that, and after leaving the Bureau Angela had done her best to discourage anyone else from ever calling her that.
Kenneth’s smile brightened. “It’s good to meet you. If you like, one of the ADs can give you a tour of the set. Unfortunately, Eddie’s called us back to start shooting.” He reached past Jennifer, smooth as any other Hollywood lothario, and hooked an arm around Angela’s waist, tugged her out of the trailer.
The other two agents, Bartlett and Gallow, looked suspicious, but Angela just cast them her sunny starlet smile and followed Kenneth onto the set.
“Thanks,” she said, as soon as they were out of earshot of the agents.
Again with that sweet, crooked smile. “Think nothing of it. Couldn’t leave you hanging there, could I? Would’ve been cruel. Besides, you looked uncomfortable, and we need you alert for the next scene.”
Johnny, the lead effects manager, came over to help the costume girls fix a new set of squibs beneath Angela’s shirt. Once the fussing was done, Angela scooped up her prop gun and took her position along the south side of the wall.
Eddie yelled, “Action!”
Someone yelled, “Freeze! FBI!”
Writers Tennis Part 7
"Truth be told, Angie, we need you." Jennifer said, glancing back over her shoulder at the other agents. Agents Gallow, and Bartlett shifted a little uncomfortably. "Can we talk Angie?" Jennifer asked as she turned back towards her friend. "Please."
Angela's eyes had gone wide when Jennifer told her that they needed her for a case. Only the love for her friend made her stop at all to listen. "Yeah," Angela jerked her head towards her dressing room, "We can talk in there." Turning back to Kenneth, Angela offered a small smile, saying, "Perhaps another time Kenneth."
Angela didn't look at the others, walking rapidly towards her trailer. Opening the door, Angela gestured Jennifer inside. "Please wait outside, Bartlett, Gallow." Angela said, motioning them to stop at the door. She was more at ease with her old friend. "So what do you want Jen?"
A short while later Angela had the whole story. "I can not believe what you are asking me to do." Angela was dumbfounded. "You know what happened to me! You know why I left!" Her voice was rising now. "I can't. There is no way that I could do that."
"Angela, there is no other way." Jennifer stated firmly, taking her friends hand. "I know this will be hard for you, but we need you. I need you to be there with me. Help me now, my friend."
Angela took a deep breath, pushing back thoughts and memories, trying to focus just on her friends need.
Angela's eyes had gone wide when Jennifer told her that they needed her for a case. Only the love for her friend made her stop at all to listen. "Yeah," Angela jerked her head towards her dressing room, "We can talk in there." Turning back to Kenneth, Angela offered a small smile, saying, "Perhaps another time Kenneth."
Angela didn't look at the others, walking rapidly towards her trailer. Opening the door, Angela gestured Jennifer inside. "Please wait outside, Bartlett, Gallow." Angela said, motioning them to stop at the door. She was more at ease with her old friend. "So what do you want Jen?"
A short while later Angela had the whole story. "I can not believe what you are asking me to do." Angela was dumbfounded. "You know what happened to me! You know why I left!" Her voice was rising now. "I can't. There is no way that I could do that."
"Angela, there is no other way." Jennifer stated firmly, taking her friends hand. "I know this will be hard for you, but we need you. I need you to be there with me. Help me now, my friend."
Angela took a deep breath, pushing back thoughts and memories, trying to focus just on her friends need.
Writers Tennis Part 6
Kenneth shifted his weight from foot to foot. Angela’s mind spun with textbook information that had been gathering dust in her memory. Some of what she’d learned was still good for acting school, and some of it was better lost to the annals of time.
In short, however, he was nervous. His posture, though nervous, was still faintly relaxed, his shoulders back, so he wasn’t feeling - guilty. Good. No awkward propositions, then.
“Say, Angela, me and some of the other lads - some of the stuntmen, actually, were thinking of going out for a pint - er, drink after shooting ends for the day. Would you like to come along? Play some darts?” He lifted his head, and Angela saw the smile that no paparazzo had ever caught. If girls loved him for the fake Hollywood grin he offered whenever he was in front of a crowd, they’d follow him to the ends of the earth for the sweet smile he was offering her now.
She swallowed hard and tried to think up an excuse. Her mind spun with memories - more memories of hanging out in a bar after work, grinning into her mug while Agent Holladay took down a group of strangers at a game of darts. Of course, Agent Holladay was so beautiful that the men didn’t care how soundly they’d been beaten - a beautiful woman was talking to them, after all.
“Kenneth, as much as I’d love to, I have to --”
“Angela Cuaron?”
Angela went still at the familiar voice. One hand twitched for her sidearm - but it wasn’t there. Kenneth jumped and spun around.
Agent Jennifer Holladay looked just as good now as she had five years ago when she’d only been the team liaison. Now she walked more confidently. Angela noticed the slight emphasis on her right side when she approached and knew she was carrying a government-issue sidearm.
Had it been anyone else, Angela would have run - or struck out in anger, but then whoever had sent Holladay knew that.
Holladay pushed past Kenneth and pulled Angela into a hug. “It’s been so long! How you been, girl?”
Angela looked over Holladay’s shoulder and saw that several other innocuous agents had ordered security to stay back.
“I’ve been good.” Angela resisted the urge to hug her one-time friend and stepped back. “What brings you to the set?”
In short, however, he was nervous. His posture, though nervous, was still faintly relaxed, his shoulders back, so he wasn’t feeling - guilty. Good. No awkward propositions, then.
“Say, Angela, me and some of the other lads - some of the stuntmen, actually, were thinking of going out for a pint - er, drink after shooting ends for the day. Would you like to come along? Play some darts?” He lifted his head, and Angela saw the smile that no paparazzo had ever caught. If girls loved him for the fake Hollywood grin he offered whenever he was in front of a crowd, they’d follow him to the ends of the earth for the sweet smile he was offering her now.
She swallowed hard and tried to think up an excuse. Her mind spun with memories - more memories of hanging out in a bar after work, grinning into her mug while Agent Holladay took down a group of strangers at a game of darts. Of course, Agent Holladay was so beautiful that the men didn’t care how soundly they’d been beaten - a beautiful woman was talking to them, after all.
“Kenneth, as much as I’d love to, I have to --”
“Angela Cuaron?”
Angela went still at the familiar voice. One hand twitched for her sidearm - but it wasn’t there. Kenneth jumped and spun around.
Agent Jennifer Holladay looked just as good now as she had five years ago when she’d only been the team liaison. Now she walked more confidently. Angela noticed the slight emphasis on her right side when she approached and knew she was carrying a government-issue sidearm.
Had it been anyone else, Angela would have run - or struck out in anger, but then whoever had sent Holladay knew that.
Holladay pushed past Kenneth and pulled Angela into a hug. “It’s been so long! How you been, girl?”
Angela looked over Holladay’s shoulder and saw that several other innocuous agents had ordered security to stay back.
“I’ve been good.” Angela resisted the urge to hug her one-time friend and stepped back. “What brings you to the set?”
Writers Tennis Part 5
Brendan looked up at Angela with gratitude. "Thanks, you make it seem so easy. How do you know this stuff?" His lilting British accent was adorable.
Angela shrugged, "oh, I pick it up here and there." She was not up to relating her past to anyone, she didn't even want to think about it at the moment. Angela looked up as Brendan handed her back her prop gun; and taking it, she thought about replacing it with a real gun, just so that it would feel right.
Walking back towards the set, Angela was trying to remember why she had said yes when asked if she would play this roll. For her, it was starting to hit a little to close to home for comfort. The only benefit she could think of, was that she could call a halt to the action when she needed to.
Eddie was back behind his camera again and everyone was in place. "Action," Eddie called, and the scene was run from the top one more time. Angela performed it flawlessly.
Heading back to wardrobe and her dressing room, she tried to put the days work behind her, to shake off the memories. She heard steps behind her, and smiled, she could already identify Brendan's pattern of walking. "Yes, Brendan?" She asked before he even opened his mouth.
Angela shrugged, "oh, I pick it up here and there." She was not up to relating her past to anyone, she didn't even want to think about it at the moment. Angela looked up as Brendan handed her back her prop gun; and taking it, she thought about replacing it with a real gun, just so that it would feel right.
Walking back towards the set, Angela was trying to remember why she had said yes when asked if she would play this roll. For her, it was starting to hit a little to close to home for comfort. The only benefit she could think of, was that she could call a halt to the action when she needed to.
Eddie was back behind his camera again and everyone was in place. "Action," Eddie called, and the scene was run from the top one more time. Angela performed it flawlessly.
Heading back to wardrobe and her dressing room, she tried to put the days work behind her, to shake off the memories. She heard steps behind her, and smiled, she could already identify Brendan's pattern of walking. "Yes, Brendan?" She asked before he even opened his mouth.
Writers Tennis Part 4
(Nagi)
Angela sipped from a mug of coffee one of the bustling personal assistants had brought over from catering. If she closed her eyes, she could see them - bodies strewn across the floor, life spilling out of them while the suspect got away. She supposed it was some sort of pathetic irony of life that she’d left the Bureau one of the top commended agents and ended up as...an actress. A fast-rising Hollywood starlet, or so her agent liked to gleefully tell her over the phone after he’d read through the press reviews for the day. Angela looked down at the prop gun they’d given her - it was too light, too plastic to be real - and decided that the next time she took on a project it would be a romantic comedy. She was a good actress, she knew that, but then that was what came of being an undercover agent.
Nervous footsteps interrupted her musings, and she looked up. Her co-star, a lovely-faced British tween star whose handlers thought they could break him out of a stereotype by putting a gun in his hands, hovered in front of her, looking nervous.
“I’m not sure why I’m doing this,” he confessed. His voice was lighter, sweeter when he dropped his American accent. Angela would have killed to get a boy like him to look at her back when he was in high school. “It’s just - I don’t even like guns, and I’m always afraid I look like a fool when I’m holding one.”
This Angela was comfortable with. She straightened up and offered her mock-Desert Eagle. “I’m sure the principles of actual shooting will help with pretending to shoot,” she said.
Kenneth eyed the gun warily. “They tried to teach me how to shoot, before filming began. And they made me go to the gym and do all sorts of other horrible things to look - look right for the part. I used to play at Stratford. I don’t know what I’m doing here.”
Angela smiled gently and told herself that he was just like a nervous trainee instead of an international heartthrob. “It’s pretty simple,” she said. He took the gun. Angela moved to stand behind him. “Keep both hands on it, and remember, squeeze, don’t pull. Keep both eyes open, too. It’s pretty simple - sight, steady, and follow through.”
“If you say so...” He fired.
Angela sipped from a mug of coffee one of the bustling personal assistants had brought over from catering. If she closed her eyes, she could see them - bodies strewn across the floor, life spilling out of them while the suspect got away. She supposed it was some sort of pathetic irony of life that she’d left the Bureau one of the top commended agents and ended up as...an actress. A fast-rising Hollywood starlet, or so her agent liked to gleefully tell her over the phone after he’d read through the press reviews for the day. Angela looked down at the prop gun they’d given her - it was too light, too plastic to be real - and decided that the next time she took on a project it would be a romantic comedy. She was a good actress, she knew that, but then that was what came of being an undercover agent.
Nervous footsteps interrupted her musings, and she looked up. Her co-star, a lovely-faced British tween star whose handlers thought they could break him out of a stereotype by putting a gun in his hands, hovered in front of her, looking nervous.
“I’m not sure why I’m doing this,” he confessed. His voice was lighter, sweeter when he dropped his American accent. Angela would have killed to get a boy like him to look at her back when he was in high school. “It’s just - I don’t even like guns, and I’m always afraid I look like a fool when I’m holding one.”
This Angela was comfortable with. She straightened up and offered her mock-Desert Eagle. “I’m sure the principles of actual shooting will help with pretending to shoot,” she said.
Kenneth eyed the gun warily. “They tried to teach me how to shoot, before filming began. And they made me go to the gym and do all sorts of other horrible things to look - look right for the part. I used to play at Stratford. I don’t know what I’m doing here.”
Angela smiled gently and told herself that he was just like a nervous trainee instead of an international heartthrob. “It’s pretty simple,” she said. He took the gun. Angela moved to stand behind him. “Keep both hands on it, and remember, squeeze, don’t pull. Keep both eyes open, too. It’s pretty simple - sight, steady, and follow through.”
“If you say so...” He fired.
Writers Tennis Part 3
"Yes, from the top, and Johnny, do it right this time." The director called, ducking back behind the camera again.
Angela had changed shirts and had placed herself behind the wall again, squibs in place under her costume. Closing her eyes, Angela tried to get back into character. She focused on anything terrifying that she could think of.
Images flashed in her minds' eye; and her breathing spiked, her heart racing. Blood, flashes of light and dark, pain and terror. Everyone thought that she was a fantastic actress; calling any emotion forward as needed.
Swallowing hard, her eyes snapped open when the director called 'Action!' She played the scene again, and this time, the squibs went off on cue.
Angela stood up again, "I need a minute Eddie," She called to the director.
"Alright, fifteen everyone!" Angela passed Eddie on her way to the break area. "Thanks." Angela tried to collect herself, tried to push the thoughts from her mind.
No one knew the memories, the images, were real.
Angela had changed shirts and had placed herself behind the wall again, squibs in place under her costume. Closing her eyes, Angela tried to get back into character. She focused on anything terrifying that she could think of.
Images flashed in her minds' eye; and her breathing spiked, her heart racing. Blood, flashes of light and dark, pain and terror. Everyone thought that she was a fantastic actress; calling any emotion forward as needed.
Swallowing hard, her eyes snapped open when the director called 'Action!' She played the scene again, and this time, the squibs went off on cue.
Angela stood up again, "I need a minute Eddie," She called to the director.
"Alright, fifteen everyone!" Angela passed Eddie on her way to the break area. "Thanks." Angela tried to collect herself, tried to push the thoughts from her mind.
No one knew the memories, the images, were real.
Writers Tennis Part 2
(Written by Nagi)
Almost certain wasn't good enough, not when her opponent was a former army sniper. A bullet whizzed through the air just beside her head and she cursed, threw herself back down behind the wall. She closed her eyes and listened as another bullet sang just over the wall. She forced herself to take a few deep, calming breaths, and continued to listen. If she could hear them before they heard her, she had at least one advantage. The shooting had given him away. If he had any brains on him - and he must have, to have made it this far without the Marshals catching up to him - then he would have moved as soon as he'd fired his last shot. Only a fool would stay in place.
She counted to ten and wished she had a Mac-10 or an AK-47 or something that fired faster than her handgun. Then she threw herself across the gap toward the next wall, firing off shots. She heard a bullet sing mid-air, saw a red stain blossom on her shirt - and then someone yelled,
"Cut! Johnny, where's your head today? The squibs weren't supposed to go off until she hit the ground on the other side!"
Angela opened her eyes and dragged herself onto her feet. Instantly, three costume girls swarmed her, dusting her off and fixing her hair. She resisted the urge to bat them aside. "We gonna take this scene from the top?"
Almost certain wasn't good enough, not when her opponent was a former army sniper. A bullet whizzed through the air just beside her head and she cursed, threw herself back down behind the wall. She closed her eyes and listened as another bullet sang just over the wall. She forced herself to take a few deep, calming breaths, and continued to listen. If she could hear them before they heard her, she had at least one advantage. The shooting had given him away. If he had any brains on him - and he must have, to have made it this far without the Marshals catching up to him - then he would have moved as soon as he'd fired his last shot. Only a fool would stay in place.
She counted to ten and wished she had a Mac-10 or an AK-47 or something that fired faster than her handgun. Then she threw herself across the gap toward the next wall, firing off shots. She heard a bullet sing mid-air, saw a red stain blossom on her shirt - and then someone yelled,
"Cut! Johnny, where's your head today? The squibs weren't supposed to go off until she hit the ground on the other side!"
Angela opened her eyes and dragged herself onto her feet. Instantly, three costume girls swarmed her, dusting her off and fixing her hair. She resisted the urge to bat them aside. "We gonna take this scene from the top?"
Writers Tennis Part 1
She tucked her body behind a low wall, ready to either run or fight. Her heart pounding in her chest, she tried to still her breathing, it would be a dead give away to her location. Slowly she levered herself away from the wall, crouching low, she began to slink away. Keeping low to the ground, her grip slightly unsteady on her Desert Eagle. Glancing around, she was certain that she was in the clear.
Want
"What is it you want? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy?" Her tone was sarcastic.
"All of the above, I am a fool, and I'll take what I can get."
"All of the above, I am a fool, and I'll take what I can get."
Villanelle
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Lift me up upon the wind.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Sing me sweet and dance me fair, into my endless bowery.
Refuse me not, saying, I have sinned.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Set my life to dancing, under star and tree.
Spin me into the wild crosswind;
release my soul from lock and key.
Whisper promise, and court me coyly;
you, whom with my minds' entwined.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Let roses sing and I'll bring my dowry;
and let you wander through my mind.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Bid thoughts and dreams, to blend and spring, from every passing fancy.
If thou would be so kind.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Lift me up upon the wind.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Sing me sweet and dance me fair, into my endless bowery.
Refuse me not, saying, I have sinned.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Set my life to dancing, under star and tree.
Spin me into the wild crosswind;
release my soul from lock and key.
Whisper promise, and court me coyly;
you, whom with my minds' entwined.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Let roses sing and I'll bring my dowry;
and let you wander through my mind.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Bid thoughts and dreams, to blend and spring, from every passing fancy.
If thou would be so kind.
Spirits of nature, set me free.
Release my soul from lock and key.
Muse
"I am waiting for the muse to move me."
"You know, I could grow old and die, waiting for you to finish this, or at least make a start.".
His eyes brightened, "Thanks Tony, that was it!"
"What was?"
Paint quickly flowed onto the canvas. "voila!"
"Oh, ha ha, Mark, very funny."
"I thought it was." Turning the painting to the light one could see a man that had been killed with a paintbrush.
"You know, I could grow old and die, waiting for you to finish this, or at least make a start.".
His eyes brightened, "Thanks Tony, that was it!"
"What was?"
Paint quickly flowed onto the canvas. "voila!"
"Oh, ha ha, Mark, very funny."
"I thought it was." Turning the painting to the light one could see a man that had been killed with a paintbrush.
Triolet
When you said you loved me,
I know now, that you lied!
My heart was given just to thee;
when you said you loved me.
Those words they set my spirit free;
now suffer the wrath of wounded pride.
When you said you loved me,
I know now, that you lied.
I know now, that you lied!
My heart was given just to thee;
when you said you loved me.
Those words they set my spirit free;
now suffer the wrath of wounded pride.
When you said you loved me,
I know now, that you lied.
Rondeau
Surrender life to death's embrace.
Sigh a last breath and go with grace.
Sing a last song, smile a last smile,
tell a final tale, and walk your final mile
Step through to that final, last someplace.
There, things move at a slower pace.
Treading feet, they leave no trace.
Find peace at last; thou willing exile.
Surrender life to death's embrace.
Do not to me your steps retrace,
go on and forward, find your place.
Think not on past and let regrets compile.
Go onward my friend, and walk your last mile.
Repose there under your snowy lace;
surrender life to death's embrace.
Sigh a last breath and go with grace.
Sing a last song, smile a last smile,
tell a final tale, and walk your final mile
Step through to that final, last someplace.
There, things move at a slower pace.
Treading feet, they leave no trace.
Find peace at last; thou willing exile.
Surrender life to death's embrace.
Do not to me your steps retrace,
go on and forward, find your place.
Think not on past and let regrets compile.
Go onward my friend, and walk your last mile.
Repose there under your snowy lace;
surrender life to death's embrace.
Tanka
To death I go down,
And you have abandoned me.
The autumn of life,
of my life, in twain with thee.
Cold and barren now seems to be.
And you have abandoned me.
The autumn of life,
of my life, in twain with thee.
Cold and barren now seems to be.
Hover
The butterfly hovered over the drowsing girl on the ground; and made as if to land. Gently brushing her cheek it alighted on her soft warm skin and walked across her flesh.
The girl giggled and the butterfly took off.
"Hey momma, I just got a butterfly kiss."
The girl giggled and the butterfly took off.
"Hey momma, I just got a butterfly kiss."
Cinquain
Spin around in spring times rush.
Dance upon the sunlit fields.
Revel in the seasons first bursting blush.
Live for spring, winter it has healed.
Until unto winter, spring again yields.
Dance upon the sunlit fields.
Revel in the seasons first bursting blush.
Live for spring, winter it has healed.
Until unto winter, spring again yields.
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