Brian was stuck in the hospital. He hated hospitals. He especially hated being in the hospital for something that could have been avoided if he were more careful. Brian looked down at his leg and over at his bandaged shoulder. He had taken a shot in the leg that had shattered the femur, and a shot thorough his shoulder; the bullet ripping clean through; just under his collar bone. Mark and Steve had carried him to safety.
Brian ground his teeth in frustration. He wanted to be doing something, anything. He looked over at the sleeping form of his twin. Mark, he knew, was taking this really hard. Not only was he injured, but they were both dealing with David's death. They had only let him out of the hospital long enough to attend David's service.
Brian winced, any twitch of his body causing pain. Brian didn't call for more medication when his morphine wore off. He wanted to feel anything but the pain of loss, even the pain from his wounds. He knew that this pain would fade; but not the pain from David's death. He had looked up to David as another brother, as a leader, and a friend, both of them had.
Brian's vision blurred as he thought of David, his commander. The pranks that they had pulled, the council that he had given, and the laughter that they had shared. The psychologist had come to see him here in the hospital, but he had not felt like talking. The pain was still to fresh. The psychologist had left the room, shaking her head and making notes on a pad.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Steve Deals With It
The pain of losing a friend, commander and a brother in arms was almost to much for Steve. It had been a rough few weeks; first David's death in the bunkers. Brian was still in the hospital, though he was able to attend the funeral. Joe had run off somewhere for a week and now would hardly talk to anyone; and Mark was as bad off as the rest of them.
Steve tried everything that he could think of to block out the pain of reality; exercising to the point of exhaustion, meditation, even hitting the bottle pretty hard. All he wound up with was a hangover, frustration, and sore muscles.
The psychologist had wanted to talk to all of them, but Steve was not really in a cathartic mood.
Coming back to his quarters one evening, Steve found an official set of orders.
ATTN: First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood
SUB: Disband
You are hereby notified that the team lead by the late Major David Cole is to be disbanded and reassigned to different teams.
Office of General Command.
Steve could hardly believe what he was seeing. Jumping up from his bunk, Steve ran down the hall to Commander Hayes office and knocked on the door, not waiting for permission to enter.
"Commander."
Hayes turned in his chair to face Steve.
"Lieutenant," Hayes said, looking at the agitated man in front of him.
"What is this? Are you really splitting up the team?" Steve demanded, his voice bordering on belligerent.
When Hayes raised an eyebrow at his tone, Steve amended with a moderated, "Sir."
"Yes, lieutenant, I am splitting up the team. The cohesion of the group has fallen apart since the death of Major Cole."
"But sir, will all due respect, we are almost a family. Please, give me the chance to keep us together." Steve felt like he was pleading. Not that he minded, he would do anything to keep the group together.
Hayes considered the man in front of him. He knew all about Steve, and what he had been doing the last few weeks. He also had the Psychologists report on the mental state of the team. She had recommended the disbandment of the team; stating that they would do better if they were separated. But Hayes was a shrewd man; he could see what this would mean for the group.
"Alright Lieutenant," Hayes said nodding, "I'll give you one month to pull your team back together. If in that time, you are not all functioning as a unit again, then I will disband the team."
"Thank you Sir," Steve said, saluting his commander. He walked out of the room. He knew that he could never be to the team what David was, but he would give it his best to keep them together.
Steve tried everything that he could think of to block out the pain of reality; exercising to the point of exhaustion, meditation, even hitting the bottle pretty hard. All he wound up with was a hangover, frustration, and sore muscles.
The psychologist had wanted to talk to all of them, but Steve was not really in a cathartic mood.
Coming back to his quarters one evening, Steve found an official set of orders.
ATTN: First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood
SUB: Disband
You are hereby notified that the team lead by the late Major David Cole is to be disbanded and reassigned to different teams.
Office of General Command.
Steve could hardly believe what he was seeing. Jumping up from his bunk, Steve ran down the hall to Commander Hayes office and knocked on the door, not waiting for permission to enter.
"Commander."
Hayes turned in his chair to face Steve.
"Lieutenant," Hayes said, looking at the agitated man in front of him.
"What is this? Are you really splitting up the team?" Steve demanded, his voice bordering on belligerent.
When Hayes raised an eyebrow at his tone, Steve amended with a moderated, "Sir."
"Yes, lieutenant, I am splitting up the team. The cohesion of the group has fallen apart since the death of Major Cole."
"But sir, will all due respect, we are almost a family. Please, give me the chance to keep us together." Steve felt like he was pleading. Not that he minded, he would do anything to keep the group together.
Hayes considered the man in front of him. He knew all about Steve, and what he had been doing the last few weeks. He also had the Psychologists report on the mental state of the team. She had recommended the disbandment of the team; stating that they would do better if they were separated. But Hayes was a shrewd man; he could see what this would mean for the group.
"Alright Lieutenant," Hayes said nodding, "I'll give you one month to pull your team back together. If in that time, you are not all functioning as a unit again, then I will disband the team."
"Thank you Sir," Steve said, saluting his commander. He walked out of the room. He knew that he could never be to the team what David was, but he would give it his best to keep them together.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
After The First
Commander Hayes walked back and forth in his office. Glancing at the clock on the wall, it read eleven forty-five. Commander Hayes office was in perfect military order; the only hint of anything personal was a photograph on his desk. It showed Hayes with a pretty woman. The figures in the photo were sitting on the grass, the trees overhead turning bright colors, Hayes and the woman were smiling at each other.
Hayes forced himself to stop pacing and sit at his desk, trying to get some paperwork done. He was not worried about David, at least not to much, but it was David's first solo mission. He looked at the clock again, only five minutes had passed.
Hayes thought back to his first mission. Surveillance, and execution of the objective. Of course it had been different back then. Weapons had not been as advanced, nor had the surveillance.
Hayes looked up at the solid knock on his office door.
"Come," Hayes called.
The door opened and David stepped in the room, snapping off a salute. Hayes looked his man up and down, noting the blank look in David's eyes. Hayes motioned for David to take a seat.
He reached into his desk and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. "It looks like you could use this," Hayes said, pouring out a glass for David.
David grasped the glass tightly and knocked back the shot, wincing as it went down.
Hayes remained silent, waiting for David to speak.
Eventually David asked, "Does it get easier?"
Hayes considered his answer before speaking, "No, but eventually you learn to block it out.
Hayes forced himself to stop pacing and sit at his desk, trying to get some paperwork done. He was not worried about David, at least not to much, but it was David's first solo mission. He looked at the clock again, only five minutes had passed.
Hayes thought back to his first mission. Surveillance, and execution of the objective. Of course it had been different back then. Weapons had not been as advanced, nor had the surveillance.
Hayes looked up at the solid knock on his office door.
"Come," Hayes called.
The door opened and David stepped in the room, snapping off a salute. Hayes looked his man up and down, noting the blank look in David's eyes. Hayes motioned for David to take a seat.
He reached into his desk and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. "It looks like you could use this," Hayes said, pouring out a glass for David.
David grasped the glass tightly and knocked back the shot, wincing as it went down.
Hayes remained silent, waiting for David to speak.
Eventually David asked, "Does it get easier?"
Hayes considered his answer before speaking, "No, but eventually you learn to block it out.
New Day
The world turned. Years flowing into each other; the seasons flickering past -winter, spring, summer, fall- in the blink of an eye.
Garain had not paid attention to the world in a long time, not in many ages, for there were none now alive that remembered her. Pale and insubstantial, Garain ghosted in the world. Unable to leave the world, she was the Goddess of Nature. The peoples of the world now attributed nature to science; and when they stopped believing in her, she became a shade of her former self. Still her work continued, rain and sun alike came by her will, but she paid scant attention to it.
Garain floated far above the world. Watching as one day turned into another.
Garain had not paid attention to the world in a long time, not in many ages, for there were none now alive that remembered her. Pale and insubstantial, Garain ghosted in the world. Unable to leave the world, she was the Goddess of Nature. The peoples of the world now attributed nature to science; and when they stopped believing in her, she became a shade of her former self. Still her work continued, rain and sun alike came by her will, but she paid scant attention to it.
Garain floated far above the world. Watching as one day turned into another.
Vigil
The room was silent except for the quiet beeping of medical machines. The clock on the wall read past midnight. Joseph leaned back in the chair beside the bed, rubbing his eyes. They felt gritty from lack of sleep; he was sure they didn't look any better than they felt. Yawning, Joe shifted in the narrow hospital chair, his clothes felt stiff from several days of wear. He was sure that they could get up and walk away on their own.
Joe shook his head briskly and stood up. If he didn't get moving he would fall asleep. That was something he would not risk. Joe looked at the hospital bed. Tubes and hoses wound around the body like a cocoon; a constant, rhythmic hissing assuring Joe that his brother was still breathing.
Joe approached the side of the bed and gently squeezed the hand lying on the sheets.
"Come on Alec, wake up..."
Joe turned at a rustling behind him. A nurse coming to check on Alec's vitals. She smiled, "haven't you had any sleep?"
"No. He might wake up," Joe said, moving out of her way.
A smile ghosted over her face, but it was just to hide the truth. She knew that Alec would not make it, but it was not her place to quash hope. Any hope. His vitals were low, his brain activity nearly nonexistent. It wold not be long. Only the machines were keeping him alive now.
"Have you been talking to him? Sometimes it helps," Jen offered. She finished checking his tubes and fluids.
"Yes," Joe said sadly. He looked up at the nurse, "Jen, is there any hope? Please tell me." Tears stood in his eyes, "is he even still here? Please, tell me the truth."
Jen bit her lip, her breath catching in her throat at the emotion she could see and hear. She hesitated to say anything. Seeing the pleading in Joe's eyes, she opened her mouth; but nothing came out. The carefully rehearsed cheerfulness, the constant stream of hope that she was always required and willing to give was stopped up in her throat.
Jen swallowed, "No. He's not here anymore.
Joe squeezed his eyes shut, nodding once.
Jen was not sure what to do to comfort the young man. She took half a step towards him and hesitated.
Joe turned and wrapped his long arms around Jen, tears falling from his eyes, his body shaking with silent sobs.
Jen patted him on the back, muttering nonsense words, trying comfort the grieving boy. She brushed his hair back from his face, his breathing slowly normalizing.
"Thank you, Jen, Thank you for telling me the truth. I would like to say goodbye to Alec," Joe finally said.
Jen nodded and backed out the door, her last view of the young man was him leaning over his brother, kissing him goodbye.
"Goodbye, Alec, my brother," Joe whispered, a single tear falling.
Joe shook his head briskly and stood up. If he didn't get moving he would fall asleep. That was something he would not risk. Joe looked at the hospital bed. Tubes and hoses wound around the body like a cocoon; a constant, rhythmic hissing assuring Joe that his brother was still breathing.
Joe approached the side of the bed and gently squeezed the hand lying on the sheets.
"Come on Alec, wake up..."
Joe turned at a rustling behind him. A nurse coming to check on Alec's vitals. She smiled, "haven't you had any sleep?"
"No. He might wake up," Joe said, moving out of her way.
A smile ghosted over her face, but it was just to hide the truth. She knew that Alec would not make it, but it was not her place to quash hope. Any hope. His vitals were low, his brain activity nearly nonexistent. It wold not be long. Only the machines were keeping him alive now.
"Have you been talking to him? Sometimes it helps," Jen offered. She finished checking his tubes and fluids.
"Yes," Joe said sadly. He looked up at the nurse, "Jen, is there any hope? Please tell me." Tears stood in his eyes, "is he even still here? Please, tell me the truth."
Jen bit her lip, her breath catching in her throat at the emotion she could see and hear. She hesitated to say anything. Seeing the pleading in Joe's eyes, she opened her mouth; but nothing came out. The carefully rehearsed cheerfulness, the constant stream of hope that she was always required and willing to give was stopped up in her throat.
Jen swallowed, "No. He's not here anymore.
Joe squeezed his eyes shut, nodding once.
Jen was not sure what to do to comfort the young man. She took half a step towards him and hesitated.
Joe turned and wrapped his long arms around Jen, tears falling from his eyes, his body shaking with silent sobs.
Jen patted him on the back, muttering nonsense words, trying comfort the grieving boy. She brushed his hair back from his face, his breathing slowly normalizing.
"Thank you, Jen, Thank you for telling me the truth. I would like to say goodbye to Alec," Joe finally said.
Jen nodded and backed out the door, her last view of the young man was him leaning over his brother, kissing him goodbye.
"Goodbye, Alec, my brother," Joe whispered, a single tear falling.
Evening Run
Rain misted out of the dark sky. The cool dampness of the night air keeping his body from overheating. Trees grew wild along the path.
Steve breathed evenly as he ran though the night. He placed his fingers against his throat and looked at his watch as he took his pulse. 160. It was almost midnight.
He preferred to run at night; it was quiet and there was no one around. The rhythm of his pounding feet hypnotic as the miles rolled past. Body moving in perfect harmony.
Steve slowed to a stop near his home, breathing the heavily moist air. He braced himself against a tree, stretching his legs. Steve drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Come new day..."
Steve breathed evenly as he ran though the night. He placed his fingers against his throat and looked at his watch as he took his pulse. 160. It was almost midnight.
He preferred to run at night; it was quiet and there was no one around. The rhythm of his pounding feet hypnotic as the miles rolled past. Body moving in perfect harmony.
Steve slowed to a stop near his home, breathing the heavily moist air. He braced himself against a tree, stretching his legs. Steve drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Come new day..."
Caught
"Shh, you'll wake them up," Mark hissed in the dark.
"You will if you don't shut up." Brian countered.
The twins crept through the darkened corridor of the military base. Barrack doors were on either side of the hall. The dim red emergency lights were enough to light the way. They were out of bed way past curfew. It was almost midnight.
"Why did I let you talk me into this Brian?" Mark asked as he stumbled in the dark.
"I didn't talk you into anything. I know you wanted to also. You just needed a push in the right direction," Brian whispered loftily.
"If we get caught I'm blaming you." Mark warned as they drew near their destination.
"Fine, fine, whatever. All my fault. Forced you at gunpoint." Brian rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Here it is," Brian said, edging open a door. Stainless steel reflected back the ambient light from the hall. It glistened off of sharp edges and glass and chrome.
Brian pulled open a door and retrieved their stash, sinking to the floor beside his brother.
"Do you have it?" Brian asked
"Of course," Mark said, pulling out two bits of metal.
The two officers froze as the lights were flicked on, nearly blinding them as the light bounced from all directions. In the doorway stood Major Cole. Brian tried to hide their contraband behind them, but at a look from Major Cole, they knew that he knew.
"Well, I see we have a bit of a dilemma," David said as he moved towards them. "Do I ignore what you are doing or do I call you on it."
"You see Major, it was like this..." Brian started. David held up a hand to silence him.
David held out his hand for the metal object in Brian's hand. Reluctantly Brian handed it over. David considered the metal for a few seconds before handing it back.
"Dig in." David said. "And I'll be back with a spoon too. Did you know that Chocolate is my favorite ice cream?"
"You will if you don't shut up." Brian countered.
The twins crept through the darkened corridor of the military base. Barrack doors were on either side of the hall. The dim red emergency lights were enough to light the way. They were out of bed way past curfew. It was almost midnight.
"Why did I let you talk me into this Brian?" Mark asked as he stumbled in the dark.
"I didn't talk you into anything. I know you wanted to also. You just needed a push in the right direction," Brian whispered loftily.
"If we get caught I'm blaming you." Mark warned as they drew near their destination.
"Fine, fine, whatever. All my fault. Forced you at gunpoint." Brian rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Here it is," Brian said, edging open a door. Stainless steel reflected back the ambient light from the hall. It glistened off of sharp edges and glass and chrome.
Brian pulled open a door and retrieved their stash, sinking to the floor beside his brother.
"Do you have it?" Brian asked
"Of course," Mark said, pulling out two bits of metal.
The two officers froze as the lights were flicked on, nearly blinding them as the light bounced from all directions. In the doorway stood Major Cole. Brian tried to hide their contraband behind them, but at a look from Major Cole, they knew that he knew.
"Well, I see we have a bit of a dilemma," David said as he moved towards them. "Do I ignore what you are doing or do I call you on it."
"You see Major, it was like this..." Brian started. David held up a hand to silence him.
David held out his hand for the metal object in Brian's hand. Reluctantly Brian handed it over. David considered the metal for a few seconds before handing it back.
"Dig in." David said. "And I'll be back with a spoon too. Did you know that Chocolate is my favorite ice cream?"
Progression
David tried to ignore the incessant tapping on his window, squeezing his eyes closed and rolling towards the wall. Cracking one bleary eye, David squinted at his digital clock on the table next to his bed. The red numbers told him it was five after midnight. Rubbing his eyes David stumbled across the floor to the window, pulling up the blinds and opening the window wide. He could barely make out the person below his room; there was no moon to brighten the night. The scent of freesia and lilac drifted up on a puff of breeze. Arianna.
"Ari, what are you doing?" David's words were still slightly slurred from sleep.
"Come down. I want to show you something," Arianna said, whispering in the dark.
"Ari, it's midnight," David said.
"I know that. Just come down," Arianna said; laughter in her barely audible voice.
"Alright, let me get dressed," David said, pulling his head back in the window.
"No David, now," Arianna said, "just put on your shoes."
"Okay," David's voice drifted through the window.
David opened his closet and pulled out a pair of old shoes and slipped his feet into them. Being careful not to wake his Uncle and Aunt, he eased open his door and crept down the hall to the stairs. David was sure to skip the seventh stair from the top.
Arianna was waiting by her car when David stepped out of the front door.
"Alright Ari, what is it that you want to show me?" David asked, shivering slightly in the breeze.
"It's not here, come on, I'll show you," Arianna said as she opened her door and slid behind he wheel.
David shrugged and slid into the car beside her. "Where are we going?" David asked.
"It's a surprise." Arianna said, smiling in the dim glow of the dashboard.
"Do I get a hint or should I close my eyes," David teased, now fully awake.
"No hint," Arianna said, "and no don't close your eyes, you'll fall asleep again."
They drove in silence for a while, passing out of the city limits and into the country. The blackness grew deeper as the left the city behind. After another twenty minutes Arianna pulled off the main road and onto a narrow dirt path. The car bounced and rattled over the rough road. Eventually Arianna pulled the car over and cut the engine.
David followed Arianna out of the car and through thick, tall grass. Arianna carried a flashlight, it's beam illuminating a short distance ahead. After a short walk David found himself standing beside a telescope. Confused he looked at Arianna.
"Tonight is the night that we are able to see Halley's comet the clearest." Arianna motioned to the telescope. She also pointed to the sky above them. David could see a bright comet crossing the sky.
Grinning, he stepped up to the telescope and looked through the eye piece. The comet came into focus, large and beautiful.
"Wow."
Arianna came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad you like it."
"Like it. It's amazing. I can't believe I've never looked at one before." David turned and smiled at Arianna. "Thank you."
"Your welcome David," Arianna said, leaning over and kissing him."
After Arianna had watched the comet, David pulled her over to the grass and lay down with her, watching the stars and the progression of the comet.
"Ari, what are you doing?" David's words were still slightly slurred from sleep.
"Come down. I want to show you something," Arianna said, whispering in the dark.
"Ari, it's midnight," David said.
"I know that. Just come down," Arianna said; laughter in her barely audible voice.
"Alright, let me get dressed," David said, pulling his head back in the window.
"No David, now," Arianna said, "just put on your shoes."
"Okay," David's voice drifted through the window.
David opened his closet and pulled out a pair of old shoes and slipped his feet into them. Being careful not to wake his Uncle and Aunt, he eased open his door and crept down the hall to the stairs. David was sure to skip the seventh stair from the top.
Arianna was waiting by her car when David stepped out of the front door.
"Alright Ari, what is it that you want to show me?" David asked, shivering slightly in the breeze.
"It's not here, come on, I'll show you," Arianna said as she opened her door and slid behind he wheel.
David shrugged and slid into the car beside her. "Where are we going?" David asked.
"It's a surprise." Arianna said, smiling in the dim glow of the dashboard.
"Do I get a hint or should I close my eyes," David teased, now fully awake.
"No hint," Arianna said, "and no don't close your eyes, you'll fall asleep again."
They drove in silence for a while, passing out of the city limits and into the country. The blackness grew deeper as the left the city behind. After another twenty minutes Arianna pulled off the main road and onto a narrow dirt path. The car bounced and rattled over the rough road. Eventually Arianna pulled the car over and cut the engine.
David followed Arianna out of the car and through thick, tall grass. Arianna carried a flashlight, it's beam illuminating a short distance ahead. After a short walk David found himself standing beside a telescope. Confused he looked at Arianna.
"Tonight is the night that we are able to see Halley's comet the clearest." Arianna motioned to the telescope. She also pointed to the sky above them. David could see a bright comet crossing the sky.
Grinning, he stepped up to the telescope and looked through the eye piece. The comet came into focus, large and beautiful.
"Wow."
Arianna came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm glad you like it."
"Like it. It's amazing. I can't believe I've never looked at one before." David turned and smiled at Arianna. "Thank you."
"Your welcome David," Arianna said, leaning over and kissing him."
After Arianna had watched the comet, David pulled her over to the grass and lay down with her, watching the stars and the progression of the comet.
Stake-Out
"I'm bored."
"To bad. The major says to stay, we stay."
"He's been gone over an hour."
"Shut up Joe."
"Bite me."
"Knock it off you two."
"How much longer do you think he'll be?"
"As long as he needs to be."
Sigh, "I'm hungry."
"Check your pack for a power bar."
"How about a game?"
"How about not."
"Hey Brian, I spy with my little eye something that begins with D."
"Dust. Achoo!"
"Bless you."
"Hurry up David."
"To bad. The major says to stay, we stay."
"He's been gone over an hour."
"Shut up Joe."
"Bite me."
"Knock it off you two."
"How much longer do you think he'll be?"
"As long as he needs to be."
Sigh, "I'm hungry."
"Check your pack for a power bar."
"How about a game?"
"How about not."
"Hey Brian, I spy with my little eye something that begins with D."
"Dust. Achoo!"
"Bless you."
"Hurry up David."
Chemistry or Chemistry... You Decide
"Do you have the history assignment done David?"
"Yes."
"Can I take a peek?"
"No, do your own work."
"Please..."
"Nope."
"But..."
"No, Ari."
"I hate History."
"I know."
"Sigh. Is there anything I can do to get you to change your mind?"
"I'm sure I could think of a few things, but you still have to do your own work."
"I'm tired of homework. School is almost over; isn't it an inalienable right to slack off at the end of the year."
"Not if you want good grades."
"I'm hungry. Let's take a break."
"Ari..."
"Yes?"
"Finish your history and I'll make us some food."
"Okay! I want Indian food."
"Okay."
~~~
"Hey, that smells good."
"Thanks. Ari, didn't I tell you to leave my work alone."
"Aw, come on."
"No work no play."
"Fine."
~~~
"Food is ready."
"Good. I'm done, no thanks to you, and I'm starving."
"Dig in."
"This is great! What should we tackle next?"
"How about Chemistry."
"My thoughts exactly."
"Yes."
"Can I take a peek?"
"No, do your own work."
"Please..."
"Nope."
"But..."
"No, Ari."
"I hate History."
"I know."
"Sigh. Is there anything I can do to get you to change your mind?"
"I'm sure I could think of a few things, but you still have to do your own work."
"I'm tired of homework. School is almost over; isn't it an inalienable right to slack off at the end of the year."
"Not if you want good grades."
"I'm hungry. Let's take a break."
"Ari..."
"Yes?"
"Finish your history and I'll make us some food."
"Okay! I want Indian food."
"Okay."
~~~
"Hey, that smells good."
"Thanks. Ari, didn't I tell you to leave my work alone."
"Aw, come on."
"No work no play."
"Fine."
~~~
"Food is ready."
"Good. I'm done, no thanks to you, and I'm starving."
"Dig in."
"This is great! What should we tackle next?"
"How about Chemistry."
"My thoughts exactly."
Poetry Brian?
"Brian, is this yours?"
"What?"
"What is this?"
"What is what?"
"This!"
"Oh that. That's nothing."
"When to the cessation of sweet thought..."
"Alright Mark, hand it over."
"Poetry? That's never come up before."
"Look just because you're uncultured doesn't mean that I am."
"Give it here."
"No."
"I warned you."
"Hey! Let go of my leg."
"Not until you give it to me."
"Ow! Aright, take your book."
"Thank you."
"What?"
"What is this?"
"What is what?"
"This!"
"Oh that. That's nothing."
"When to the cessation of sweet thought..."
"Alright Mark, hand it over."
"Poetry? That's never come up before."
"Look just because you're uncultured doesn't mean that I am."
"Give it here."
"No."
"I warned you."
"Hey! Let go of my leg."
"Not until you give it to me."
"Ow! Aright, take your book."
"Thank you."
Dark Waltz / Sway
"We are the lucky ones, we shine like a thousand suns, when all of the color runs together. I'll keep you company, in one glorious harmony. Waltzing with destiny forever."
"When marimba rhythms start to play, dance with me, make me sway. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, sway me more."
"Dance me into the night, underneath the moon shining so bright, turning me into the light. Time dances whirling past, I gaze through the looking glass; and feel just beyond my grasp is heaven."
"Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me. Stay with me, sway with me."
"Sacred geometry, where movement is poetry; visions of you and me forever."
"Other dancers may be on the floor, dear, but my eyes will see only you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway I go weak."
"Dance me into the night, underneath the moon shining so bright. Let the dark waltz begin. Oh let me wheel - let me spin, let it take me again. Turning me into the light."
"I can hear the sounds of violins, long before it begins. Make me thrill as only you know how; sway me smooth, sway me now. You know how, sway me smooth, sway me now."
"When marimba rhythms start to play, dance with me, make me sway. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, sway me more."
"Dance me into the night, underneath the moon shining so bright, turning me into the light. Time dances whirling past, I gaze through the looking glass; and feel just beyond my grasp is heaven."
"Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me. Stay with me, sway with me."
"Sacred geometry, where movement is poetry; visions of you and me forever."
"Other dancers may be on the floor, dear, but my eyes will see only you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway I go weak."
"Dance me into the night, underneath the moon shining so bright. Let the dark waltz begin. Oh let me wheel - let me spin, let it take me again. Turning me into the light."
"I can hear the sounds of violins, long before it begins. Make me thrill as only you know how; sway me smooth, sway me now. You know how, sway me smooth, sway me now."
Annabelle Lee/ I'm Going to the West
"It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, that a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee."
"In this fair land, I'll stay no more; here labor is in vain. I'll seek the mountains far away, and leave the fertile plain."
"But we loved with a love that was more than love-- I and my Annabel Lee."
"You say you will not go with me, you turn your eyes away. You say you will not follow me, no matter what I say. I am going to the West."
"But our love it was stronger by far than the love of those who were older than we-- Of many far wiser than we-- And neither the angels in heaven above,
nor the demons down under the sea, can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee."
"I will journey to the place that was shaped by heaven's hand, and I will build for me a bower where angels' footprints mark the land. Where castle rocks in towers high
kneel to valleys wild and green. All my thoughts are turned to you, my waking hope, my sleeping dream."
"And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride, in her sepulcher there by the sea, in her tomb by the sounding sea."
"Wind, my blanket. Earth, my bed, my canopy a tree. Willows by the river's edge will whisper me to sleep."
"In this fair land, I'll stay no more; here labor is in vain. I'll seek the mountains far away, and leave the fertile plain."
"But we loved with a love that was more than love-- I and my Annabel Lee."
"You say you will not go with me, you turn your eyes away. You say you will not follow me, no matter what I say. I am going to the West."
"But our love it was stronger by far than the love of those who were older than we-- Of many far wiser than we-- And neither the angels in heaven above,
nor the demons down under the sea, can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee."
"I will journey to the place that was shaped by heaven's hand, and I will build for me a bower where angels' footprints mark the land. Where castle rocks in towers high
kneel to valleys wild and green. All my thoughts are turned to you, my waking hope, my sleeping dream."
"And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride, in her sepulcher there by the sea, in her tomb by the sounding sea."
"Wind, my blanket. Earth, my bed, my canopy a tree. Willows by the river's edge will whisper me to sleep."
Wanderlust/ Where are We Going From Here?
"Beyond the East the sunrise, beyond the West the sea."
"On a long road, miles to go, it's winding and cold and its covered with snow."
"It works in me like madness, dear, to bid me say good-by."
"But I ask you what we all want to know; where are we going from here?"
"I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are, but man can have the sun for friend, and for his guide a star"
"We lose our way, trying to find, searching to find our way home."
"And there's no end of voyaging when once the voice is heard; for the river calls and the road calls, and oh, the call of a bird."
"Trying to find our way home."
"And come I may, but go I must, and if men ask you why, you may put the blame on the stars and the sun and the white road and the sky!"
"As the day dies, with tears in our eyes, there's too few hellos and too many goodbyes."
"Yonder the long horizon lies, and there by night and day The old ships draw to home again, the young ships sail away."
"But who do you ask, when no one really knows where we are going from here."
"On a long road, miles to go, it's winding and cold and its covered with snow."
"It works in me like madness, dear, to bid me say good-by."
"But I ask you what we all want to know; where are we going from here?"
"I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are, but man can have the sun for friend, and for his guide a star"
"We lose our way, trying to find, searching to find our way home."
"And there's no end of voyaging when once the voice is heard; for the river calls and the road calls, and oh, the call of a bird."
"Trying to find our way home."
"And come I may, but go I must, and if men ask you why, you may put the blame on the stars and the sun and the white road and the sky!"
"As the day dies, with tears in our eyes, there's too few hellos and too many goodbyes."
"Yonder the long horizon lies, and there by night and day The old ships draw to home again, the young ships sail away."
"But who do you ask, when no one really knows where we are going from here."
Swelter
It was sweltering outside, absolutely unbearable. The desert flowed on in every direction as far as they could see without any break. David and men lounged under the shade of the lean-to clad in loose trousers and long sleeved shirts. They had been assigned to keep an eye on a particular group of people. They had placed their surveillance and had retreated to a safe distance. Joe was on look out, the others were taking quietly or playing cards. Mark and Brian arguing over the relative value of different hands.
It was a quiet day in the desert.
It was a quiet day in the desert.
Fool
David realized his mistake to late. If he was lucky he would be able to get his men out alive. He had been a fool to think it was going to be easier than they had told him it would be, and now they might all die because of him.
"FALL BACK!" David shouted. "Regroup and rendezvous. Steve go with Joe, Mark and Brian you're with me. Move!" The five man team broke in two, shooting off in separate directions. David wound through the underbrush, keeping low and leading the two Second Lieutenants through the jungle. He knew that Steve would keep Joe safe.
Their mission had been a dangerous one to begin with, and now it was worse, they had been compromised and had not achieved their objective. David kept up a zigzagging path through the jungle , making sure that Mark and Brian were with him.
David and his men finally broke through the brush and ducked into a blind, waiting for Steve and Joe. The twins sat down heavily, trying to catch their breath. David paced back and forth in the small space, his face a thundercloud.
Ten minutes passes, twenty, and then thirty. David had just decided to go and look for his men when they came stumbling into the blind, Steve leaning heavily on Joe.
Joe eased Steve to the ground. There was a tourniquet at Steve's knee and another lower on his calf that was soaked in blood.
David crouched next to Steve and unwrapped the bandage. "Shot?"
"Yeah, they pegged me as we were hopping over a log." Steve winced as David started to clean the wound. "It's a damn good thing that they can't shoot," Steve joked. He sucked in a sharp breath as David pulled the slug from the wound.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant. This is my fault." David said, wrapping his man's leg again.
"Just get me back to base and we'll call it square."
"FALL BACK!" David shouted. "Regroup and rendezvous. Steve go with Joe, Mark and Brian you're with me. Move!" The five man team broke in two, shooting off in separate directions. David wound through the underbrush, keeping low and leading the two Second Lieutenants through the jungle. He knew that Steve would keep Joe safe.
Their mission had been a dangerous one to begin with, and now it was worse, they had been compromised and had not achieved their objective. David kept up a zigzagging path through the jungle , making sure that Mark and Brian were with him.
David and his men finally broke through the brush and ducked into a blind, waiting for Steve and Joe. The twins sat down heavily, trying to catch their breath. David paced back and forth in the small space, his face a thundercloud.
Ten minutes passes, twenty, and then thirty. David had just decided to go and look for his men when they came stumbling into the blind, Steve leaning heavily on Joe.
Joe eased Steve to the ground. There was a tourniquet at Steve's knee and another lower on his calf that was soaked in blood.
David crouched next to Steve and unwrapped the bandage. "Shot?"
"Yeah, they pegged me as we were hopping over a log." Steve winced as David started to clean the wound. "It's a damn good thing that they can't shoot," Steve joked. He sucked in a sharp breath as David pulled the slug from the wound.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant. This is my fault." David said, wrapping his man's leg again.
"Just get me back to base and we'll call it square."
Flawless
The plan was flawless. David had gone over it with a fine toothed comb. He couldn't think of anything that he had left out. Now all he had to do was wait. For him that was always the hard part, waiting. David glanced at his watch. Why does time always seem to creep when you are waiting for something. David sighed, wishing time would go faster.
David checked over the items again, making sure that he had everything, running through a mental checklist. David pictured just how it would play out.
Looking at his watch again David was surprised to find he only had a few minutes to go. Standing up he got ready, flicking a small flame to life, and listening for approaching footsteps.
As soon as he could hear steps David applied the flame to the wick, bringing it to life.
The door opened and the light flicked on.
David looked up and smiled, "Happy Anniversary Arianna."
David checked over the items again, making sure that he had everything, running through a mental checklist. David pictured just how it would play out.
Looking at his watch again David was surprised to find he only had a few minutes to go. Standing up he got ready, flicking a small flame to life, and listening for approaching footsteps.
As soon as he could hear steps David applied the flame to the wick, bringing it to life.
The door opened and the light flicked on.
David looked up and smiled, "Happy Anniversary Arianna."
Horizon
"You can't go." Sarah stated.
"Why not? There is nothing to keep me here." Seth replied, his words bitter.
"I don't want you to go, that's why." Sarah replied, looking at him hopefully. Seth said that he was leaving. Sarah knew that he hardly ever changed his mind once it was made up.
"Don't you get it? I don't care anymore. Not about you, not about this place, nothing. There is absolutely nothing to keep me here in this place. The sooner I leave the better for everyone. Mostly the best for me." Seth carefully cleaned the lenses of his sunglasses and placed them on his nose. His motorcycle was propped on its kickstand beside him, waiting to take him away.
"Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind?" Sarah asked, resigned to the fact that he was leaving.
"No. Nothing. Goodbye Sarah, I did enjoy knowing you. If we ever cross paths again, it will bring me pleasure." Seth mounted his bike and kicked it to life, it's throaty roar silencing further conversation.
Sarah watched Seth ride away.
"Bring me that Horizon," Seth said as he rode away from his life.
"Why not? There is nothing to keep me here." Seth replied, his words bitter.
"I don't want you to go, that's why." Sarah replied, looking at him hopefully. Seth said that he was leaving. Sarah knew that he hardly ever changed his mind once it was made up.
"Don't you get it? I don't care anymore. Not about you, not about this place, nothing. There is absolutely nothing to keep me here in this place. The sooner I leave the better for everyone. Mostly the best for me." Seth carefully cleaned the lenses of his sunglasses and placed them on his nose. His motorcycle was propped on its kickstand beside him, waiting to take him away.
"Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind?" Sarah asked, resigned to the fact that he was leaving.
"No. Nothing. Goodbye Sarah, I did enjoy knowing you. If we ever cross paths again, it will bring me pleasure." Seth mounted his bike and kicked it to life, it's throaty roar silencing further conversation.
Sarah watched Seth ride away.
"Bring me that Horizon," Seth said as he rode away from his life.
Thingmabob
"You know, if you can't fix it with a hammer; you have an electrical problem." Brian piped up from beside the machine where his brother was working.
"Hand me that doohickey will you?" Mark asked, reaching out from under the machine.
"Which dojigger are you taking about?" Brian responded, sitting in the chair and looking at all the various tools.
"The doodad that is curved at the point," Mark replied, rolling his eyes even though his brother couldn't see it.
"Don't roll your eyes at me," Brian said, "There are six doodads with curved ends. Which one do you want?"
"Just hand me any widget, just make sure it's not to big," Mark said.
Brian handed Mark a tool that vaguely resembled a curved vice grip. "Here." Brian watched Mark struggle with it for a moment, "are you done yet?"
"Nope, we're missing a thingamabob." Mark said, crawling out from under the machine.
"What kind of thingamabob?"
"A switch type button thingamabob that will reset the unit." Mark made a vague motion with his hands to describe the piece.
"One like this?" Brian held up a bit of machinery.
"That's it!" Mark whisked the bit from his brother and crawled under the machine again. A few seconds later the machine gave a heave and rumbled to life.
"Hand me that doohickey will you?" Mark asked, reaching out from under the machine.
"Which dojigger are you taking about?" Brian responded, sitting in the chair and looking at all the various tools.
"The doodad that is curved at the point," Mark replied, rolling his eyes even though his brother couldn't see it.
"Don't roll your eyes at me," Brian said, "There are six doodads with curved ends. Which one do you want?"
"Just hand me any widget, just make sure it's not to big," Mark said.
Brian handed Mark a tool that vaguely resembled a curved vice grip. "Here." Brian watched Mark struggle with it for a moment, "are you done yet?"
"Nope, we're missing a thingamabob." Mark said, crawling out from under the machine.
"What kind of thingamabob?"
"A switch type button thingamabob that will reset the unit." Mark made a vague motion with his hands to describe the piece.
"One like this?" Brian held up a bit of machinery.
"That's it!" Mark whisked the bit from his brother and crawled under the machine again. A few seconds later the machine gave a heave and rumbled to life.
Welt
A welt was forming quickly where David had just taken a blow from a bokken, his arm had gone numb from the blow; but sensation returned rapidly, his arm protesting the abuse.
David had almost lost his grip on the practice sword, his palms slick with the sweat of exertion.
"You're getting better Dave," James said. He was rubbing at his shoulder as well.
"It reminds me of a dance," David said, taking his place again.
"Yes, the dance of death."
James whirled the bokken over his head and attacked again.
David blocked, flowing through the forms that were becoming second nature to him.
David had almost lost his grip on the practice sword, his palms slick with the sweat of exertion.
"You're getting better Dave," James said. He was rubbing at his shoulder as well.
"It reminds me of a dance," David said, taking his place again.
"Yes, the dance of death."
James whirled the bokken over his head and attacked again.
David blocked, flowing through the forms that were becoming second nature to him.
Moonshine
David sat on the dirty floor, knees pulled to his chest, arms resting on his knees. A bottle of clear liquid hung from one limp hand; the bottle bore the XX of an ancient bottle of liquor. David knocked back another mouthful of the homemade gin and shuddered, sucking in a sharp breath and exhaling; the liquor burning as it went down. The sun filtered dimly through a window thick with accumulated dust and grime. The air was almost as dusty as the window. Old wooden crates were stacked high in the abandoned warehouse, many of them full of the old moonshine that he was now drinking, bottle by bottle. More than a dozen bottles were strewn empty around him.
He had been hiding out here for a few days, not ready to face the world again, a face haunting his mind and soul. David neither knew nor cared anymore what day it was; it was hard to focus through the haze of alcohol, he didn't know if it had been two or three days. His gun was loaded on the ground beside him.
David pulled himself out of his stupor enough to recognize footsteps echoing through the warehouse and the soft whisper of voices.
"I'm pretty sure he's here," one voice said.
"Are you sure? It doesn't look like anyone had been in here for years." a second voice said.
"The dust near the door was disturbed." the first voice responded.
David picked up his gun. Even through the alcoholic haze his hand was steady, his aim sure; his other hand sill held a bottle of gin.
Through blurry eyes David saw two figures come around one of the stacks of boxes.
"Boss?" Steve whispered, shocked at the state he found his commander in. He exchanged a look with Joe.
David lowered his gun, "Hey Steve, how you doing?" He slurred. "Is that Joe with you? Hey Joe, where are the others?"
Steve waved Joe to take a perimeter. He approached David slowly and sat beside him, shaking his head when David offered him the bottle. Steve watched as David swallowed more poison, he reached over and gently took the bottle from David's hand.
David thought about protesting, but decided that it wasn't worth the trouble. He leaned his head back against the crate behind him, closing his eyes. He saw again the cooling body on the ground before him.
Steve watched his commanders body go limp as he passed out from the booze. He let out a breath and shook his head. He had never seen his boss like this. He didn't know what had driven his commander here, or what had happened, he just knew he had to get him back to the base.
"Joe!" Steve called to his subordinate, "let's go. Grab his knees." Steve grabbed David under the arms as Joe took his legs.
They carried him out of the warehouse and placed him in the back of the waiting van, Mark and Brian in the front. Mark stepped on the gas as the back doors closed.
He had been hiding out here for a few days, not ready to face the world again, a face haunting his mind and soul. David neither knew nor cared anymore what day it was; it was hard to focus through the haze of alcohol, he didn't know if it had been two or three days. His gun was loaded on the ground beside him.
David pulled himself out of his stupor enough to recognize footsteps echoing through the warehouse and the soft whisper of voices.
"I'm pretty sure he's here," one voice said.
"Are you sure? It doesn't look like anyone had been in here for years." a second voice said.
"The dust near the door was disturbed." the first voice responded.
David picked up his gun. Even through the alcoholic haze his hand was steady, his aim sure; his other hand sill held a bottle of gin.
Through blurry eyes David saw two figures come around one of the stacks of boxes.
"Boss?" Steve whispered, shocked at the state he found his commander in. He exchanged a look with Joe.
David lowered his gun, "Hey Steve, how you doing?" He slurred. "Is that Joe with you? Hey Joe, where are the others?"
Steve waved Joe to take a perimeter. He approached David slowly and sat beside him, shaking his head when David offered him the bottle. Steve watched as David swallowed more poison, he reached over and gently took the bottle from David's hand.
David thought about protesting, but decided that it wasn't worth the trouble. He leaned his head back against the crate behind him, closing his eyes. He saw again the cooling body on the ground before him.
Steve watched his commanders body go limp as he passed out from the booze. He let out a breath and shook his head. He had never seen his boss like this. He didn't know what had driven his commander here, or what had happened, he just knew he had to get him back to the base.
"Joe!" Steve called to his subordinate, "let's go. Grab his knees." Steve grabbed David under the arms as Joe took his legs.
They carried him out of the warehouse and placed him in the back of the waiting van, Mark and Brian in the front. Mark stepped on the gas as the back doors closed.
Abby Rocks
Angst
"No, Michael, never again will I say those words."
AU
"I said get on the ground!"
"Agent Shuto, You're under arrest."
Crackfic
"Get a tattoo, are you crazy? I would never do that."
Crossover
"Garcia, this is Abby, she will be helping you now."
Dark
"You will never find evidence to link it to me.
Fluff
"You can borrow Bert."
"The farting Hippo?"
"Yeah, he's cuddly."
Humor
"Major Mass-Spec is on the fritz."
"It's a machine."
"Yup."
Hurt/Comfort
"I won't let anyone hurt you Abs."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
Romance
"You still have my toothbrush?"
"Yes."
"Creepy but sweet, McGee."
UST
"No matter what I say, he won't come back. Ever."
"No, Michael, never again will I say those words."
AU
"I said get on the ground!"
"Agent Shuto, You're under arrest."
Crackfic
"Get a tattoo, are you crazy? I would never do that."
Crossover
"Garcia, this is Abby, she will be helping you now."
Dark
"You will never find evidence to link it to me.
Fluff
"You can borrow Bert."
"The farting Hippo?"
"Yeah, he's cuddly."
Humor
"Major Mass-Spec is on the fritz."
"It's a machine."
"Yup."
Hurt/Comfort
"I won't let anyone hurt you Abs."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
Romance
"You still have my toothbrush?"
"Yes."
"Creepy but sweet, McGee."
UST
"No matter what I say, he won't come back. Ever."
Fiona Glenanne - Ex-IRA
Angst
He would never see her as more than a weapon.
AU
"You're going to blow them up? What's the matter with you?"
Crackfic
"Wait, wait, let me get this straight. She's a he?!?"
Crossover
"She's a psychopathic killer."
"No, she's former IRA."
"Same difference."
Dark
"They decided you were expendable. Sorry Michael. I loved you."
Fluff
"You got us a dog?"
"And an apartment."
"Love you too."
Humor
"You know it would just be easier to have sex."
Hurt/Comfort
"I thought you were dead. I thought I was alone.
Romance
"A Kate sniper rifle for me? I'm touched you remembered."
UST
"I need you alive Michael. I hope you know that."
He would never see her as more than a weapon.
AU
"You're going to blow them up? What's the matter with you?"
Crackfic
"Wait, wait, let me get this straight. She's a he?!?"
Crossover
"She's a psychopathic killer."
"No, she's former IRA."
"Same difference."
Dark
"They decided you were expendable. Sorry Michael. I loved you."
Fluff
"You got us a dog?"
"And an apartment."
"Love you too."
Humor
"You know it would just be easier to have sex."
Hurt/Comfort
"I thought you were dead. I thought I was alone.
Romance
"A Kate sniper rifle for me? I'm touched you remembered."
UST
"I need you alive Michael. I hope you know that."
Ziva
Angst
"I killed him." I killed my own brother." "Sorry Arie."
AU
"I'm giving a garden party." "The main course is Ham."
Crackfic
"Abbie took me to get my first tattoo."
"A rainbow?"
Crossover
"Can you pilot a Guymelefs?"
"Does a bird have wings?"
Dark
"The musad said kill, and so I do.""I'm sorry."
Fluff
"You have a cat?"
"Yeah. I call her, Miss cuddles."
Humor
"I hope to create a linear waterfowl equation."
"Ducks, Ziva."
Hurt/Comfort
"I'm sorry Tony, this is just the way it is."
Romance
"I know he's dying, that doesn't change how I feel."
UST
"Remember the undercover op?" "I wish it had been real."
"I killed him." I killed my own brother." "Sorry Arie."
AU
"I'm giving a garden party." "The main course is Ham."
Crackfic
"Abbie took me to get my first tattoo."
"A rainbow?"
Crossover
"Can you pilot a Guymelefs?"
"Does a bird have wings?"
Dark
"The musad said kill, and so I do.""I'm sorry."
Fluff
"You have a cat?"
"Yeah. I call her, Miss cuddles."
Humor
"I hope to create a linear waterfowl equation."
"Ducks, Ziva."
Hurt/Comfort
"I'm sorry Tony, this is just the way it is."
Romance
"I know he's dying, that doesn't change how I feel."
UST
"Remember the undercover op?" "I wish it had been real."
Samantha Carter Shakes it Up
Angst
"Sir, don't die on me. I love you. Don't leave."
AU
"Thank you Felger, you just saved my life. Marry Me."
Crackfic
"Why are you so dirty Carter?
"New mud wrestling place..."
Crossover
"If you don't move it now Spencer, I'll shoot you." (Sam is military, and it's Spencer from CM)
Dark
"She asked to be a Goa'uld."
"I don't believe you."
Fluff
"You got me a ZAT'NI'KATEL?"
"I know you love them."
Humor
"I told you they would end up together. Pay up."
Hurt/Comfort
"I told you why."
"That doesn't mean it stops hurting."
Romance
"I love you sir, I always have.
"I know Carter."
UST
"It will only ever be in my dreams, won't it."
"Sir, don't die on me. I love you. Don't leave."
AU
"Thank you Felger, you just saved my life. Marry Me."
Crackfic
"Why are you so dirty Carter?
"New mud wrestling place..."
Crossover
"If you don't move it now Spencer, I'll shoot you." (Sam is military, and it's Spencer from CM)
Dark
"She asked to be a Goa'uld."
"I don't believe you."
Fluff
"You got me a ZAT'NI'KATEL?"
"I know you love them."
Humor
"I told you they would end up together. Pay up."
Hurt/Comfort
"I told you why."
"That doesn't mean it stops hurting."
Romance
"I love you sir, I always have.
"I know Carter."
UST
"It will only ever be in my dreams, won't it."
Into the Wild
The air itself seemed green. Vines hung heavy from the towering moss covered trees and water dripped steadily down from the canopy overhead. Rich loamy soil was black underfoot; a multitude of plant life springing up from the ground. Brightly colored lizards and frogs slithered along the ground. The air was alive with the calls of exotic birds.
Kevin pushed his way through thick vegetation, clearing a narrow path with his machete. Sweat poured down his face in the thick heat of the afternoon. His clothes were damp from a passing rain storm that only added to his discomfort.
Kevin paused his efforts to mop his face. Twigs snapped nearby and Kevin dropped to the ground, seeking shelter behind a large fern. Peeking out between fronds, Kevin saw black fur passing by. A large panther was dragging the carcass of a small deer like animal. Kevin watched the panther scale a tree, wedging its prey between some branches.
Once he was sure that the predator was occupied with its meal Kevin rose from his place and quietly slunk away.
Kevin pushed his way through thick vegetation, clearing a narrow path with his machete. Sweat poured down his face in the thick heat of the afternoon. His clothes were damp from a passing rain storm that only added to his discomfort.
Kevin paused his efforts to mop his face. Twigs snapped nearby and Kevin dropped to the ground, seeking shelter behind a large fern. Peeking out between fronds, Kevin saw black fur passing by. A large panther was dragging the carcass of a small deer like animal. Kevin watched the panther scale a tree, wedging its prey between some branches.
Once he was sure that the predator was occupied with its meal Kevin rose from his place and quietly slunk away.
Another Memory
Rain misted out the the gray sky, soaking into the green countryside. Narrow roads followed stone walls that partitioned tracts of land. Cows and sheep chewed quietly in the fields, paying no attention to the passing world. The scent of wild onions drifted on the breeze, mixing with the tangible breath of life from the growing plants. The air was crisp and clear.
Kyle stood, leaning against a low stone wall beneath a tree, watching the blossoms of flowers bend gently in the wind. His brown hair was matted to his head; a curious smile gracing his mouth. His wiry body was encased in a old leather jacket and blue jeans, the rain making rivulets down the leather. His sturdy boots were encrusted with mud. A small pack rested on the ground next to him, filled with dried fruit and jerky, a small map covered in dots, a small bound journal and a sketchbook. He had just left a small town behind him, his destination, another small town. He didn't stay long in any one area. There was another dot added to his map as he left the town. He didn't mind sleeping out of doors.
The rain let up and Kyle looked up at they sky. The sun seemed as if it would make an appearance, and so he decided to continue to the next town. Shouldering his pack, Kyle stepped out from under the tree and hummed a tune as he walked down the country road. Another town, another memory.
Kyle stood, leaning against a low stone wall beneath a tree, watching the blossoms of flowers bend gently in the wind. His brown hair was matted to his head; a curious smile gracing his mouth. His wiry body was encased in a old leather jacket and blue jeans, the rain making rivulets down the leather. His sturdy boots were encrusted with mud. A small pack rested on the ground next to him, filled with dried fruit and jerky, a small map covered in dots, a small bound journal and a sketchbook. He had just left a small town behind him, his destination, another small town. He didn't stay long in any one area. There was another dot added to his map as he left the town. He didn't mind sleeping out of doors.
The rain let up and Kyle looked up at they sky. The sun seemed as if it would make an appearance, and so he decided to continue to the next town. Shouldering his pack, Kyle stepped out from under the tree and hummed a tune as he walked down the country road. Another town, another memory.
A New Path
Samantha stepped out of her hotel into the bright Mediterranean light. The light here felt more palpable her than at home, as if she could reach out and touch it. The air was warm, but not hot yet, it was still morning.
Sam placed her feet carefully on the uneven cobblestones, walking down the old village street, her camera out to capture the essence of her travels. Old men and women sit at small cafes that have been there for hundreds of years. The peacefulness of the town broken by the chatter of people on cell phones and the buzzing of scooters. Tradition meeting modern convenience.
Sam looked up at the sun, shading her eyes, as the bells from a church down the road tolled the hour. Sam crossed the street and entered the market. Merchants calling out their wares in a language that Sam barely understood. The air was heavy with ripe scents. Piquant spices, heady smelling cheeses, sweet tomatoes and fresh herbs. Money changed hands as Sam bought a small loaf of fresh bread and walked on.
A flock of pidgins took flight as Sam approached the canals. The water flowed by at a leisurely pace, as if matching the speed of life. Painters had set up their easels near the crossroads of the canals, some painting while others were displaying their wares.
Sam approached a line of boats moored in the canal, considering each in turn as she waled by, many of the boatmen calling to her. Sam finally stopped near the end when she heard a soft, gentle voice call out to her in accented English. "Scusi Signorina, you would like a ride? It is a beautiful day for one."
Sam looked up at the young man. He had black hair and a deep olive complexion. His smile showed even white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. Curiously, he had bright blue eyes instead of the black eyes of his countrymen. He leaned against his pole that would propel his craft through the canal.
"Hi," Sam said stepping towards the small boat. The young man stepped forward and offered her his hand to climb aboard. Sam grasped his warm calloused hand and stepped easily into the boat. She was steered to a cushioned seat in the middle of the boat; and the man took his place at the front.
"Where would you like to go Signorina?" The man asked as he steered the boat away from the dock.
"I wish to see something beautiful. Where would you go?" Sam asked.
His dimples returned as he flashed a smile. "I know the best spot Signorina." He pushed off in a new direction towards a quiet canal, lined with hanging gardens and ancient churches.
Sam placed her feet carefully on the uneven cobblestones, walking down the old village street, her camera out to capture the essence of her travels. Old men and women sit at small cafes that have been there for hundreds of years. The peacefulness of the town broken by the chatter of people on cell phones and the buzzing of scooters. Tradition meeting modern convenience.
Sam looked up at the sun, shading her eyes, as the bells from a church down the road tolled the hour. Sam crossed the street and entered the market. Merchants calling out their wares in a language that Sam barely understood. The air was heavy with ripe scents. Piquant spices, heady smelling cheeses, sweet tomatoes and fresh herbs. Money changed hands as Sam bought a small loaf of fresh bread and walked on.
A flock of pidgins took flight as Sam approached the canals. The water flowed by at a leisurely pace, as if matching the speed of life. Painters had set up their easels near the crossroads of the canals, some painting while others were displaying their wares.
Sam approached a line of boats moored in the canal, considering each in turn as she waled by, many of the boatmen calling to her. Sam finally stopped near the end when she heard a soft, gentle voice call out to her in accented English. "Scusi Signorina, you would like a ride? It is a beautiful day for one."
Sam looked up at the young man. He had black hair and a deep olive complexion. His smile showed even white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. Curiously, he had bright blue eyes instead of the black eyes of his countrymen. He leaned against his pole that would propel his craft through the canal.
"Hi," Sam said stepping towards the small boat. The young man stepped forward and offered her his hand to climb aboard. Sam grasped his warm calloused hand and stepped easily into the boat. She was steered to a cushioned seat in the middle of the boat; and the man took his place at the front.
"Where would you like to go Signorina?" The man asked as he steered the boat away from the dock.
"I wish to see something beautiful. Where would you go?" Sam asked.
His dimples returned as he flashed a smile. "I know the best spot Signorina." He pushed off in a new direction towards a quiet canal, lined with hanging gardens and ancient churches.
Sight in Blindness
Garain circled the world, skipping across oceans and fast fields of grain. She skidded to a halt on a small island in the East, music catching her ear. Smiling, Garain headed towards the music, following a twisting dirt path through thick stands of trees. The trees were tall and thin; having few leaves on them. There were flowers growing everywhere and she could hear a waterfall in the near distance. At last she found a young human man playing a pipe made out of reeds. He was situated in a small wooded area near the waterfall. There was a heavy and heady aroma drifting on the wind.
On silent feet Garain ghosted into the clearing and seated herself of the verdant grass. She listened with wonder at the music that this human man made. It was a slow and gentle song, sweet and poignant. Garain drew the music into her body as if it were air, savoring it.
"Who's there?" the man asked, stopping his music. He looked around with clouded eyes. His voice was almost as sweet as the music had been. The man listened to the world around him.
The man took up his pipe again after a few moments and began to play again. Garain hummed a counterpoint, twining her voice with that of the pipe. The man continued to play, listening to the voice that was like none he had ever heard. At the end of the song he removed the pipe from his lips.
"I see," the man said. "Would it please you to hear more Great One?"
Garain smiled. She would come here again.
On silent feet Garain ghosted into the clearing and seated herself of the verdant grass. She listened with wonder at the music that this human man made. It was a slow and gentle song, sweet and poignant. Garain drew the music into her body as if it were air, savoring it.
"Who's there?" the man asked, stopping his music. He looked around with clouded eyes. His voice was almost as sweet as the music had been. The man listened to the world around him.
The man took up his pipe again after a few moments and began to play again. Garain hummed a counterpoint, twining her voice with that of the pipe. The man continued to play, listening to the voice that was like none he had ever heard. At the end of the song he removed the pipe from his lips.
"I see," the man said. "Would it please you to hear more Great One?"
Garain smiled. She would come here again.
Car Trouble
David's car flew down the highway, the pitch blackness outside making the night a monotonous one. He had gone on auto-pilot hours ago, his only aim was to put miles behind him. He was at mile marker 318 but didn't know or care what state he was in. The only clues to his whereabouts was the heavy scent of pine in the air, the trees were deeper patches of blackness against the night.
The sun was just making a showing on the horizon when David came out of his half trance, noticing his gas light was flashing. David's camero started to stutter and heave. Growling in frustration David pulled off the narrow mountain pass and turned off his car. Fishing his cell phone out of his jacket pocket he glanced at the screen and snapped it closed when it said there was no service. Looking around all David could see were the towering trees above him and a patch of sky high above. The rough asphalt road curved away in either direction, the paint faded and worn. He could hear birds in the trees and the air was pure, like the air in his memories.
David leaned against his car and took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. He hoped that another car would come along, but he didn't hope very hard, he had not passed many people on this old highway; most people preferred to take the interstate.
Shrugging, David started to walk down the highway, hands in the pockets of his jacket, not so much in a hurry anymore. At the moment he was hard pressed to care if he ever got to where he was going. Drawing another deep breath he started to whistle as he walked down the road.
The sun was just making a showing on the horizon when David came out of his half trance, noticing his gas light was flashing. David's camero started to stutter and heave. Growling in frustration David pulled off the narrow mountain pass and turned off his car. Fishing his cell phone out of his jacket pocket he glanced at the screen and snapped it closed when it said there was no service. Looking around all David could see were the towering trees above him and a patch of sky high above. The rough asphalt road curved away in either direction, the paint faded and worn. He could hear birds in the trees and the air was pure, like the air in his memories.
David leaned against his car and took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. He hoped that another car would come along, but he didn't hope very hard, he had not passed many people on this old highway; most people preferred to take the interstate.
Shrugging, David started to walk down the highway, hands in the pockets of his jacket, not so much in a hurry anymore. At the moment he was hard pressed to care if he ever got to where he was going. Drawing another deep breath he started to whistle as he walked down the road.
D&D Humor
I am looking for you. I don't know where I should start looking. I don't know who you are or what you look like. I don't know what you believe in or your station in life. I just know that I am looking for you. If you find my note leave a response in the hollow of the oak.
-K
I suppose looking anywhere would be a good start. After all, you will never find anything if you don't look for it. I am me. The quintessential self that represents who I am. They say that beauty, such as it is, is in the eye of the Beholder, where as the rest of the party is in the stomach of the Beholder.
-P
I am being serious.
-K
Then you shouldn't ask such ambiguous questions or rather fish for information in that manner. Who knows what you will get as a response.
-p
-K
I suppose looking anywhere would be a good start. After all, you will never find anything if you don't look for it. I am me. The quintessential self that represents who I am. They say that beauty, such as it is, is in the eye of the Beholder, where as the rest of the party is in the stomach of the Beholder.
-P
I am being serious.
-K
Then you shouldn't ask such ambiguous questions or rather fish for information in that manner. Who knows what you will get as a response.
-p
Keeping Hope
I wish that I could hold you near. I wish that I could see your smiling eyes. I've been wandering blind; hoping to find you, someday. Hearing your voice on the wind, and seeing your kind and gentle smile keeps me moving forward though I am weary and the load is great.
-Jason
Keeping hope, though hope is dim, and wishing to return again is all that I ask for this night. I want to be by your side, and hope that my prayer is heard. I wish I could come home to you again. Keep a candle burning for me to guide me back to you.
-Susan
Love me still though I am gone, and keep my memory clear and strong. Help me to believe I can return, someday to be with you again. Give me strength to carry on even though the road is long. I will find my way back to you.
-Jason
-Jason
Keeping hope, though hope is dim, and wishing to return again is all that I ask for this night. I want to be by your side, and hope that my prayer is heard. I wish I could come home to you again. Keep a candle burning for me to guide me back to you.
-Susan
Love me still though I am gone, and keep my memory clear and strong. Help me to believe I can return, someday to be with you again. Give me strength to carry on even though the road is long. I will find my way back to you.
-Jason
Letting Go
I would have given anything for you to see me, to see how much I wanted to be with you. I would have done anything to make you stay. I would have made every day full of wonder I would have held you closely each night. I have had to learn the hard way that you can't make someone love you. All the love in the world is useless if it is not returned. I know it doesn't make a difference now, but I love you.
-Sam
I'm sorry I had to hurt you Sam. I hope in time you will understand. It's not that I didn't or don't love you, we just can't be together. I know it is difficult to see, but in my own way I did love you. Please don't try to find me. I have to learn to let go. I hope that you don't hurt for to long.
-Kelly
-Sam
I'm sorry I had to hurt you Sam. I hope in time you will understand. It's not that I didn't or don't love you, we just can't be together. I know it is difficult to see, but in my own way I did love you. Please don't try to find me. I have to learn to let go. I hope that you don't hurt for to long.
-Kelly
Told You I Could
What happened? Didn't I tell you not to do it? So what did she say?
-Matt
Wouldn't you like to know. :) I told you that I would do it. You never believe that I will. Someday I'm going to really shock you.
-Ben
It would be a shock to me if you got her to agree to it.
-Matt
Oh ye of little faith.
-Ben
Well, I'll believe it when I see it.
-Matt
Seeing isn't believing.
-Ben
What is with the quotes? What did she say? Did she agree to it?
-Matt
If you don't want to believe me then fine, but you might want to open your front door.
-Ben
Yeah right. All right. But I still don't believe you.
-Matt
...
-Ben
Holy Shit...
-Matt
I told you I could get her to dress up as a bunny for Easter.
-Ben
-Matt
Wouldn't you like to know. :) I told you that I would do it. You never believe that I will. Someday I'm going to really shock you.
-Ben
It would be a shock to me if you got her to agree to it.
-Matt
Oh ye of little faith.
-Ben
Well, I'll believe it when I see it.
-Matt
Seeing isn't believing.
-Ben
What is with the quotes? What did she say? Did she agree to it?
-Matt
If you don't want to believe me then fine, but you might want to open your front door.
-Ben
Yeah right. All right. But I still don't believe you.
-Matt
...
-Ben
Holy Shit...
-Matt
I told you I could get her to dress up as a bunny for Easter.
-Ben
Race to the Ground
Gone for a run
-Carly
Had to go to class, there is food in the fridge.
-Beth
Sorry to miss you again. The food was delicious, thank you.
-C
You know, it's strange we are room mates and never see each other.
-B
I know, we don't even have the same sleeping schedule. Do you need me to pick up anything at the store while I am there?
-C
Nope, I'm good. But if any chocolate jumps in your cart don't fight it off, I'll pay you back.
-B
Want to hang out on Saturday? I know you don't have anything going on.
-C
Sure, what do you have in mind?
-B
How about skydiving?
-C
Perfect! I'll race you to the ground!
-B
-Carly
Had to go to class, there is food in the fridge.
-Beth
Sorry to miss you again. The food was delicious, thank you.
-C
You know, it's strange we are room mates and never see each other.
-B
I know, we don't even have the same sleeping schedule. Do you need me to pick up anything at the store while I am there?
-C
Nope, I'm good. But if any chocolate jumps in your cart don't fight it off, I'll pay you back.
-B
Want to hang out on Saturday? I know you don't have anything going on.
-C
Sure, what do you have in mind?
-B
How about skydiving?
-C
Perfect! I'll race you to the ground!
-B
A Quiet Moment to Self
David lay underneath his car, a classic black Camero. It was a bright spring morning, the sun was high and the breeze was fresh off of the river that ran nearby, it was the perfect day to be puttering with his car. David thought fondly back on his father, the car had belonged to him. A radio lay near the car playing a classic rock station.
David scooted out from under the car after having finished his work, his shirt was greasy and stained black in places. He leaned over and picked up a red cloth and wiped his hands on it. Dropping the hood into place, he reached in the window and turned the ignition, the car roared to life and settled into a seductive rumble. A smile spread across David's handsome features and he slid into the drivers seat.
Shifting the car into gear, David followed the old dirt road along the river.
David scooted out from under the car after having finished his work, his shirt was greasy and stained black in places. He leaned over and picked up a red cloth and wiped his hands on it. Dropping the hood into place, he reached in the window and turned the ignition, the car roared to life and settled into a seductive rumble. A smile spread across David's handsome features and he slid into the drivers seat.
Shifting the car into gear, David followed the old dirt road along the river.
Felt Heavy
David squeezed the trigger, the gun spitting silently in the night, smoke rising almost lazily from the barrel. The figure at the far end of the block jerked and crumpled to the ground.
David lowered his gun slowly to his side; he did not hurry away from the scene, he did not skulk or even walk fast. David approached the cooling body on the pavement and looked down at the once vibrant face of the woman. He told himself that it didn't matter, that she was a traitor, that he was just doing his job. He wondered however, why the gun felt so heavy at his side.
David lowered his gun slowly to his side; he did not hurry away from the scene, he did not skulk or even walk fast. David approached the cooling body on the pavement and looked down at the once vibrant face of the woman. He told himself that it didn't matter, that she was a traitor, that he was just doing his job. He wondered however, why the gun felt so heavy at his side.
Helping Hand
It had to have been near 12 hundred when David paused on his way to his quarters. He was near the large multi-purpose room that served all functions when he heard sounds coming from the dim room. Poking his head in he saw Joe. David leaned against the door frame for a few minutes watching the young man. It looked like he was practicing on the fighting moves that they had worked on this afternoon.
"Joe, what are you doing?" David asked, shouldering his way away from the door.
Joe spun around and snapped off a sharp salute. "Practicing sir."
"At ease Joe," David said, entering the room fully. Joe relaxed a little, wiping sweat from his brow.
"It usually helps if you have another person to practice with."
"Everyone else is busy sir."
"Your form could use some work Joe."
"Yes sir." Joe looked down a little.
"I am not busy, so let's see what we can do about your form."
"Yes Sir!" Joe said enthusiastically.
David guided Joe through the motions of the attacks, gentle in his corrections and advice.
"Joe, what are you doing?" David asked, shouldering his way away from the door.
Joe spun around and snapped off a sharp salute. "Practicing sir."
"At ease Joe," David said, entering the room fully. Joe relaxed a little, wiping sweat from his brow.
"It usually helps if you have another person to practice with."
"Everyone else is busy sir."
"Your form could use some work Joe."
"Yes sir." Joe looked down a little.
"I am not busy, so let's see what we can do about your form."
"Yes Sir!" Joe said enthusiastically.
David guided Joe through the motions of the attacks, gentle in his corrections and advice.
Pranks
Mark and Brian were huddled in the far corner of their barrack room, just out of sight of the door.
"Shh, you'll wake up Joe." Mark said, elbowing his twin in the side.
Brian stifled his snickers as best he could. his eyes darting back to the bucket of water that was perched precariously on top of the door. Mark had thought that this prank was a little to unsophisticated for them, but Brian had insisted. "It's a classic," he said as he filled the bucket. They knew that Steve would be back soon.
"Shh," Mark said again as they heard the faint footfalls in the corridor. They heard the creak of the door being opened and the clatter and splash as the bucket hit the ground. The yell of surprise however did not sound like Steve.
Brian peeked around he bed and saw a very wet Commander Cole.
David was brushing his wet hair out of his eyes and looking around the room, his gaze finally fell on Brian and Mark.
"Uh oh," Mark said.
"Uh oh is right," David said, advancing on the two soldiers.
"Shh, you'll wake up Joe." Mark said, elbowing his twin in the side.
Brian stifled his snickers as best he could. his eyes darting back to the bucket of water that was perched precariously on top of the door. Mark had thought that this prank was a little to unsophisticated for them, but Brian had insisted. "It's a classic," he said as he filled the bucket. They knew that Steve would be back soon.
"Shh," Mark said again as they heard the faint footfalls in the corridor. They heard the creak of the door being opened and the clatter and splash as the bucket hit the ground. The yell of surprise however did not sound like Steve.
Brian peeked around he bed and saw a very wet Commander Cole.
David was brushing his wet hair out of his eyes and looking around the room, his gaze finally fell on Brian and Mark.
"Uh oh," Mark said.
"Uh oh is right," David said, advancing on the two soldiers.
Training
David was flat on his back again, his opponent disarming him with amazing speed. All around him were other pairs sparring in the large room that was practically the hub of his world now. It was here that he learned how to fight, how to shoot, how to disarm and build bombs. It was here that his path to revenge was taking shape.
"On your feet Dave," James said from above him.
David arched his back and flipped onto his feet, falling into a fighters stance.
"You moved to soon again," James said, demonstrating the move again. "It is all about knowing how and when to strike. Speed is not so important at this point, it will come in time with the muscle memory. Now, try it again."
James was one of David's frequent sparring partners, and the closest person he had to a friend. James had taken care to show David the ropes, helped in his training.
David flowed through the movements again, waiting until he thought the time was right to strike. David suddenly jerked his arm forward, grazing James across the jaw. David grinned, but suddenly found himself on the floor again.
"Never lose focus."
"On your feet Dave," James said from above him.
David arched his back and flipped onto his feet, falling into a fighters stance.
"You moved to soon again," James said, demonstrating the move again. "It is all about knowing how and when to strike. Speed is not so important at this point, it will come in time with the muscle memory. Now, try it again."
James was one of David's frequent sparring partners, and the closest person he had to a friend. James had taken care to show David the ropes, helped in his training.
David flowed through the movements again, waiting until he thought the time was right to strike. David suddenly jerked his arm forward, grazing James across the jaw. David grinned, but suddenly found himself on the floor again.
"Never lose focus."
Another Beginning
David jerked awake at the klaxon call of 0500. Bleary eyed he stumbled out of bed and grabbed for his uniform pants. He growled in frustration when he realized, a few futile moments later, that he was trying to pull them on over his shoes. Hopping around he tried to get them off again when he over corrected and fell over. The cement floor of the barracks was ice cold against his bare back.
"Here," a voice said from above. David squinted, trying to make out the figure above him, the halogen lights above making it difficult. David focused and grabbed a hand that was offered to him, he was quickly hoisted to his feet.
A smiling face greeted him when he was able to pry his eyes open all the way. Bright green eyes set in a friendly face, the man's blond hair buzzed close to his head.
"The first week is the hardest." The man said laughing. "Well actually the second and third weeks are the toughest, but at that point you're either committed or you're not."
David smiled wryly, "Where else would I go?"
The man grinned broadly, "Me too. Hey I'm James," he held out his hand again, this time in greeting.
"I'm David." David said, accepting the hand again.
"Better hurry up, the commanders will be in in a few minutes to inspect us." James stood up and stepped a few feet away to his own cot and made the bed. He pulled a quarter out of his pocket and bounced it off the bed after he was done.
The inspection was mercifully brief, though David did have a strike against him for not having his cot made up proper. He vowed to have it right the next day.
"Come on," James said, throwing an arm around David's shoulder, "let's go get some food."
"Here," a voice said from above. David squinted, trying to make out the figure above him, the halogen lights above making it difficult. David focused and grabbed a hand that was offered to him, he was quickly hoisted to his feet.
A smiling face greeted him when he was able to pry his eyes open all the way. Bright green eyes set in a friendly face, the man's blond hair buzzed close to his head.
"The first week is the hardest." The man said laughing. "Well actually the second and third weeks are the toughest, but at that point you're either committed or you're not."
David smiled wryly, "Where else would I go?"
The man grinned broadly, "Me too. Hey I'm James," he held out his hand again, this time in greeting.
"I'm David." David said, accepting the hand again.
"Better hurry up, the commanders will be in in a few minutes to inspect us." James stood up and stepped a few feet away to his own cot and made the bed. He pulled a quarter out of his pocket and bounced it off the bed after he was done.
The inspection was mercifully brief, though David did have a strike against him for not having his cot made up proper. He vowed to have it right the next day.
"Come on," James said, throwing an arm around David's shoulder, "let's go get some food."
Gift From a Friend
Silky smooth and cool to the touch, it lay on the table, full of promise. A heady aroma floated up from the soft and supple leather. Finely stitched and even finer grain spoke of elegance and a touch of anachronism. Gilt edges are slightly worn with time and use. The paper is thick and off-white; covered with a close and careful hand at times and loose hurried scrawl at others, capturing words. Words that flowed, occasionally, from the delicate quill pen that lay near the inkwell on the table, other times from a serviceable and worn fountain pen. Words expressing a soul, a life and a passion. Words that are hidden from the world, tucked carefully away on the shelf, waiting for an addition.
Spring Joys
Brightly stitched cloth flutters up into the sky, born aloft by a warm breeze out of the south. The fresh scents of spring lay heavy in the air that sends up a kite. Blues and greens swirl across the nylon fabric, it looks like waves in they sky. String is played out bit by bit, keeping just enough tension to keep it in the air. As it rises slowly in the golden light of they day it takes less effort to keep it in the air, and more to keep it connected to the ground, and the hand that controls it.
New Skin
It is strange how such a little drop of goo can cause such pain at the same time that it begins the healing process. Strange how a small point of pain spreads with application to cause widespread throbbing, intense pain. What a strange invention, a single swipe provides you with protection and essentially a new skin to protect your wounds as your own skin heals and regrows. And I suppose it is an improvement, at least we are not using superglue anymore to close a cut in a pinch. The included antiseptic is also an improvement, sanitation is a big thing these days. I wish they would add a numbing agent to it as well.
Chain of Civilization
O necessary chain of civilization I spurn you!
Small you are; and growing smaller year by year. I shall have no leash to tie me to the world. When I walk about, I wish and want no interruptions. And I thumb my nose at you; you who would connect me to work. Ha Ha, you can not reach me. I have no need of you, with your bright lights, buzzes and rings, alarms, cameras, and now internet and music. I refuse to be cowed into admitting you to my presence until I deem it to be a necessity. So leave me be, I heed not your siren call.
Small you are; and growing smaller year by year. I shall have no leash to tie me to the world. When I walk about, I wish and want no interruptions. And I thumb my nose at you; you who would connect me to work. Ha Ha, you can not reach me. I have no need of you, with your bright lights, buzzes and rings, alarms, cameras, and now internet and music. I refuse to be cowed into admitting you to my presence until I deem it to be a necessity. So leave me be, I heed not your siren call.
A Meeting in the Mists
Mist and smoke shifted between Heran and the malevolent presence in the dark before him. All that Heran could see were the eyes that burned with an inner light, the presence in the dark was immense, he could at least sense that.
Heran strained his eyes to make out who he was talking to. "Why do you seek a fool?"
The rasping, growling voice came to him again, "to do my bidding in the mortal world."
"And what will I get out of this?" Heran sounded braver than he felt at the moment. He could hear the shifting of hot gravel under the presence, it grated against his ears and made him shudder involuntarily.
"You will get to live, and I will give you what you have been seeking." The promise coming from this 'person' sounded more like a threat.
'I should have never come here.' The Elders warned me about coming, they told me that if I should get what I desire, it may not be what I expected. That in seeking the Cliffs of Fate, it would seal upon me the Fate that was handed to me. But I had disregarded their advice, thinking that I knew better, that I could master fate.
Heran wanted to leave, but he felt the bindings that he had not noticed before. The bindings that had wound around his mind, ensnaring him, rooting him to the spot. He could not leave now even if he wanted to.
"What would you have me do?" Heran sounded resigned.
"All in good time, fool."
"At least show me who you are."
A low chuckle rumbled out of the mists, and the ground shuddered as the figure took a step closer. "Look upon your new master."
Heran wanted to run screaming but he was still held in place by the powerful figure before him. Black leathery skin clung to bulging muscles and steam curled from it's snout. Wickedly sharp claws were only surpassed by the gleaming rows of teeth. Vast wings were curled around his body and his tail swished from side to side.
The black Dragon of legends.
Heran strained his eyes to make out who he was talking to. "Why do you seek a fool?"
The rasping, growling voice came to him again, "to do my bidding in the mortal world."
"And what will I get out of this?" Heran sounded braver than he felt at the moment. He could hear the shifting of hot gravel under the presence, it grated against his ears and made him shudder involuntarily.
"You will get to live, and I will give you what you have been seeking." The promise coming from this 'person' sounded more like a threat.
'I should have never come here.' The Elders warned me about coming, they told me that if I should get what I desire, it may not be what I expected. That in seeking the Cliffs of Fate, it would seal upon me the Fate that was handed to me. But I had disregarded their advice, thinking that I knew better, that I could master fate.
Heran wanted to leave, but he felt the bindings that he had not noticed before. The bindings that had wound around his mind, ensnaring him, rooting him to the spot. He could not leave now even if he wanted to.
"What would you have me do?" Heran sounded resigned.
"All in good time, fool."
"At least show me who you are."
A low chuckle rumbled out of the mists, and the ground shuddered as the figure took a step closer. "Look upon your new master."
Heran wanted to run screaming but he was still held in place by the powerful figure before him. Black leathery skin clung to bulging muscles and steam curled from it's snout. Wickedly sharp claws were only surpassed by the gleaming rows of teeth. Vast wings were curled around his body and his tail swished from side to side.
The black Dragon of legends.
Interrupted Thoughts
The set was over with. Alastrina knew that he would not be singing again tonight. I wonder why he is so familiar. Why I can't get his out of my mind.
Alastrina flagged down a passing waiter and asked for a refill on her drink. She was not sure why she stayed; every night after she had heard him sing it was like all the other performers were flat, lifeless, almost 2D in their lack of depth. She ruminated on her problem as she stared into her drink, the ice sending out nearly invisible currents in the amber liquid. She had tried asking around to find out who he was, but no one seemed to be able to tell her. He didn't get paid for singing so the manager never needed to know his name, and as far as she was able to determine from everyone else he just seemed to vanish after he was done with his set.
"Excuse me, may I sit with you?" A deep voice said, breaking into her revery.
Startled, Alastrina looked up from her drink, a quick glance around let her know that the club was packed, and that her booth was one of the last spots that could be occupied. She looked the man over once. He was in blue jeans that hung perfectly on his hips, a black long sleeve shirt with the cuffs pushed up his forearm. He had black eyes under dark eyebrows. His hair was equally as black short on the sides and slightly longer on the top. His sculpted lips were quirked in a small smile that Alastrina found familiar, but couldn't place.
She nodded once and the man slid into the other side of the booth.
"My name is Patrick."
Alastrina flagged down a passing waiter and asked for a refill on her drink. She was not sure why she stayed; every night after she had heard him sing it was like all the other performers were flat, lifeless, almost 2D in their lack of depth. She ruminated on her problem as she stared into her drink, the ice sending out nearly invisible currents in the amber liquid. She had tried asking around to find out who he was, but no one seemed to be able to tell her. He didn't get paid for singing so the manager never needed to know his name, and as far as she was able to determine from everyone else he just seemed to vanish after he was done with his set.
"Excuse me, may I sit with you?" A deep voice said, breaking into her revery.
Startled, Alastrina looked up from her drink, a quick glance around let her know that the club was packed, and that her booth was one of the last spots that could be occupied. She looked the man over once. He was in blue jeans that hung perfectly on his hips, a black long sleeve shirt with the cuffs pushed up his forearm. He had black eyes under dark eyebrows. His hair was equally as black short on the sides and slightly longer on the top. His sculpted lips were quirked in a small smile that Alastrina found familiar, but couldn't place.
She nodded once and the man slid into the other side of the booth.
"My name is Patrick."
A Kind Deed
He couldn't believe that she was dying, and there was nothing that he could do about it. He looked on her sallow face, the light reflecting off of her bare scalp. The treatments had really taken it out of her. He knew she didn't have much time left.
Her breathing had become that much labored even over the last few hours he didn't think that she would last the night.
Sara's eyes fluttered open one last time and she smiled up at him. "I love you Kyle."
~~~~~~~~~
Sara snuck out of the hospital, the drugs that they had given her had worn off and she had come too in the morgue. She didn't know or care what body they would put in the casket, if they put in any body at all. Sara ran her hand over her scalp and muttered darkly, it would take a while for it to grow to a respectable length.
~~~~~~
Sara found it impossible to not go to the funeral, to say goodbye to a life. 'How cliche' she thought as the rain began to come down in the middle of the service. She was wearing a wig and standing in the back, no one would notice another body under all the umbrellas that were being opened.
Sara caught sight of Kyle, he was kneeling beside the grave after the others had trickled away, crying. She was sorry to hurt him again, even though he didn't know that the original hurt had come from her, she had hurt him again and she felt a stab of regret.
As she turned to go she realized that she had lied.
And when I go, he will never know that I never loved him.
Her breathing had become that much labored even over the last few hours he didn't think that she would last the night.
Sara's eyes fluttered open one last time and she smiled up at him. "I love you Kyle."
~~~~~~~~~
Sara snuck out of the hospital, the drugs that they had given her had worn off and she had come too in the morgue. She didn't know or care what body they would put in the casket, if they put in any body at all. Sara ran her hand over her scalp and muttered darkly, it would take a while for it to grow to a respectable length.
~~~~~~
Sara found it impossible to not go to the funeral, to say goodbye to a life. 'How cliche' she thought as the rain began to come down in the middle of the service. She was wearing a wig and standing in the back, no one would notice another body under all the umbrellas that were being opened.
Sara caught sight of Kyle, he was kneeling beside the grave after the others had trickled away, crying. She was sorry to hurt him again, even though he didn't know that the original hurt had come from her, she had hurt him again and she felt a stab of regret.
As she turned to go she realized that she had lied.
And when I go, he will never know that I never loved him.
Yet Another Beginning
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.
They drove in silence, picking up speed as the hit the highway, leaving the city behind, leaving behind his revenge.
"So where are we going?" DAvid asked eventually.
"A training facility." The man didn't take his eyes off the road.
"Where is it?"
"Far away."
"Can you at least tell me your name?"
The man glanced at David briefly, "Hayes, commander Hayes."
"Who do you work for?" David sounded tired, more and more as if he didn't care.
"Officially, we work with the Marines."
David shrugged, the brief spark of life that was in his eyes was dimming again, he huddled back in his seat, withdrawing into himself. After a while he dozed off, the stress of the day getting the better of him.
Hayes looked over at his passanger. "Some wounds go to deep, but eventually they do scar over," he said to the silence.
~~~~~~
David found himself being shaken awake. He sat up abruptly and rubbed his eyes, he stepped out of the car into the painfully bright, dry desert morning. The wind whistled over the barren landscape, and all David could see was scrub brush and cacti aside from a small bunker like hut.
"Come this way David," Hayes lead him towards the bunker and out of the daylight. "This will be your home for the next year or so if you decide to stay." Hayes said as he swiped a security badge and an elevator opened. "Remember you can always leave before you sigh up with us officially."
"I have no where to go, no one to go to." David said at last as the elevator opened onto an empty hallway.
"Yes, but what we do is not for everyone."
"I will have my revenge eventually?"
"Yes you will, but when that point comes, you may decide not to exact your revenge. You may find that you have changed and that you no longer need revenge."
"I doubt it."
They drove in silence, picking up speed as the hit the highway, leaving the city behind, leaving behind his revenge.
"So where are we going?" DAvid asked eventually.
"A training facility." The man didn't take his eyes off the road.
"Where is it?"
"Far away."
"Can you at least tell me your name?"
The man glanced at David briefly, "Hayes, commander Hayes."
"Who do you work for?" David sounded tired, more and more as if he didn't care.
"Officially, we work with the Marines."
David shrugged, the brief spark of life that was in his eyes was dimming again, he huddled back in his seat, withdrawing into himself. After a while he dozed off, the stress of the day getting the better of him.
Hayes looked over at his passanger. "Some wounds go to deep, but eventually they do scar over," he said to the silence.
~~~~~~
David found himself being shaken awake. He sat up abruptly and rubbed his eyes, he stepped out of the car into the painfully bright, dry desert morning. The wind whistled over the barren landscape, and all David could see was scrub brush and cacti aside from a small bunker like hut.
"Come this way David," Hayes lead him towards the bunker and out of the daylight. "This will be your home for the next year or so if you decide to stay." Hayes said as he swiped a security badge and an elevator opened. "Remember you can always leave before you sigh up with us officially."
"I have no where to go, no one to go to." David said at last as the elevator opened onto an empty hallway.
"Yes, but what we do is not for everyone."
"I will have my revenge eventually?"
"Yes you will, but when that point comes, you may decide not to exact your revenge. You may find that you have changed and that you no longer need revenge."
"I doubt it."
First Sighting
"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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryan tied off his line with the others to the chains. Ryan was just a midshipman, only one step above a cabin boy, but he wore his new uniform proudly. He had high hopes to have a commission before to much longer and he went about his work with a spring in his step.
"Mr. Raines!" The bosun hollered.
"Yes Sir?" Ryan hurried over to where the great bull necked man stood, adapting is gait to the particular roll of the ocean.
"You have watch in the nest." The bosun said as Ryan approached him. "Get up there and keep an eye out."
"Yes Sir!" Ryan saluted smartly and hurried over to the shrouds. Grasping the bottom most rope, Ryan began to pull himself up the precarious ladder to the nest, the pitch and roll of the ship becoming more pronounced the higher he climbed. The wind's fingers plucked at his hat and tossed his necktie into his face. He passed the men working on the yardarms, adjusting the tension of the sails for maximum speed, the men called friendly greetings to him as he passed.
Ryan climbed over the railing to the crows nest and took up the glass. There was no land behind them anymore, and none ahead that he could see. The wind raked through his sandy blond hair, his keen green eyes scanning the horizon. Below him he could hear the chanting of the line and he hummed along as he sat his post.
Ryan was scanning the sea when he caught on the edge of the horizon a ship. Bringing the glass to his eye he focused it on the ship. He cold see a field of black, white, and red on the flag or the other ship and his heart leapt.
"Bosun!" he hollered from the top of the mast, "Pirates to the port side!"
Ryan scuttled down the rigging as quickly as he could and took up arms to defend the ship as the Captain called, "Men to the ready!"
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ryan tied off his line with the others to the chains. Ryan was just a midshipman, only one step above a cabin boy, but he wore his new uniform proudly. He had high hopes to have a commission before to much longer and he went about his work with a spring in his step.
"Mr. Raines!" The bosun hollered.
"Yes Sir?" Ryan hurried over to where the great bull necked man stood, adapting is gait to the particular roll of the ocean.
"You have watch in the nest." The bosun said as Ryan approached him. "Get up there and keep an eye out."
"Yes Sir!" Ryan saluted smartly and hurried over to the shrouds. Grasping the bottom most rope, Ryan began to pull himself up the precarious ladder to the nest, the pitch and roll of the ship becoming more pronounced the higher he climbed. The wind's fingers plucked at his hat and tossed his necktie into his face. He passed the men working on the yardarms, adjusting the tension of the sails for maximum speed, the men called friendly greetings to him as he passed.
Ryan climbed over the railing to the crows nest and took up the glass. There was no land behind them anymore, and none ahead that he could see. The wind raked through his sandy blond hair, his keen green eyes scanning the horizon. Below him he could hear the chanting of the line and he hummed along as he sat his post.
Ryan was scanning the sea when he caught on the edge of the horizon a ship. Bringing the glass to his eye he focused it on the ship. He cold see a field of black, white, and red on the flag or the other ship and his heart leapt.
"Bosun!" he hollered from the top of the mast, "Pirates to the port side!"
Ryan scuttled down the rigging as quickly as he could and took up arms to defend the ship as the Captain called, "Men to the ready!"
The End
"Major! Come on, we have to go!" Steven laid down suppression fire, trying to give his commander a chance to fall back.
"I said get them out!" David squeezed off a few rounds, making each bullet count. Brian was down but alive.
"But David..."
"I said NOW!"
Steve hesitated a fraction of a second more and then ran to the others, helping Mark to carry Brian out of the engagement zone.
David gritted his teeth in pain as one bullet ripped through his shoulder, and another took him in the thigh. He knew that he would not be getting out. David limped backwards, firing off rounds behind him, setting blocks of C-4 as he went.
David felt fire in his lower back and them nothing, he collapsed in the corridor, holding the detonator in his hand. His vision was getting fuzzy, his breathing labored as his life flowed out of the hole in his back.
He blinked, trying to clear his field of vision, his grip tightening on the mechanism that would complete his mission. David heard pounding feet coming and readied himself.
Arianna, I'm coming. he pushed the switch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was at a loss for what to do. David was dead, Brian was in critical condition and Joe was presently AWOL. David would know what to do.
Steve sat down on his commander and friends bunk, and heard a crackle of paper. He reached under the covers and pulled out a sheet of paper, it was covered in Davids careful script.
'Steve, I'm sorry to leave you like that, but I knew it would happen eventually. Don't worry, you will know what you need to do...'
"I said get them out!" David squeezed off a few rounds, making each bullet count. Brian was down but alive.
"But David..."
"I said NOW!"
Steve hesitated a fraction of a second more and then ran to the others, helping Mark to carry Brian out of the engagement zone.
David gritted his teeth in pain as one bullet ripped through his shoulder, and another took him in the thigh. He knew that he would not be getting out. David limped backwards, firing off rounds behind him, setting blocks of C-4 as he went.
David felt fire in his lower back and them nothing, he collapsed in the corridor, holding the detonator in his hand. His vision was getting fuzzy, his breathing labored as his life flowed out of the hole in his back.
He blinked, trying to clear his field of vision, his grip tightening on the mechanism that would complete his mission. David heard pounding feet coming and readied himself.
Arianna, I'm coming. he pushed the switch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve was at a loss for what to do. David was dead, Brian was in critical condition and Joe was presently AWOL. David would know what to do.
Steve sat down on his commander and friends bunk, and heard a crackle of paper. He reached under the covers and pulled out a sheet of paper, it was covered in Davids careful script.
'Steve, I'm sorry to leave you like that, but I knew it would happen eventually. Don't worry, you will know what you need to do...'
Promotion
It had been seven years since Arianna's death.
David strode through the compound beside his commander. It was one of many bases that he had become intimately acquainted with since the night that he had gone seeking revenge. Seven years of training and missions.
"What is the job Sir?" David directed the question to the man beside him.
"No job son, this time it's different." Commander Hayes mouth twitched in a brief smile.
"Then what Sir?"
"You will see."
Hayes lead David down a side passage towards the barracks, stopping beside a door.
"Captain, you have acquitted yourself remarkably well these last seven years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to your men as their commander."
David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My men?"
"Yes." Hayes opened the door to the barracks and barked, "Attention!"
Four young men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to attention, saluting smartly.
David looked them over. They all looked very young. David briefly wondered if he had ever looked that young to his Commander. "At ease men."
The men fell into perfect parade rest, their eyes trained on the man before them.
Hayes pointed them each out in turn, "First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood, Second Lieutenants Brian and Mark Allard, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick." Each of the men saluted again as they were named off.
"Men," Hayes continued, "This is your new Commander Major David Cole."
David's head whipped around to look at his commander. Hayes threw him a wink and then faced the men again. "Major Cole will see to your specialized training."
Hayes turned to David, "Carry on Major."
David snapped off a sharp salute and watched his commander walk out the door. He turned to look at his men. "Lets get to know each other. Let's start with you." He nodded to Steven.
David strode through the compound beside his commander. It was one of many bases that he had become intimately acquainted with since the night that he had gone seeking revenge. Seven years of training and missions.
"What is the job Sir?" David directed the question to the man beside him.
"No job son, this time it's different." Commander Hayes mouth twitched in a brief smile.
"Then what Sir?"
"You will see."
Hayes lead David down a side passage towards the barracks, stopping beside a door.
"Captain, you have acquitted yourself remarkably well these last seven years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to your men as their commander."
David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My men?"
"Yes." Hayes opened the door to the barracks and barked, "Attention!"
Four young men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to attention, saluting smartly.
David looked them over. They all looked very young. David briefly wondered if he had ever looked that young to his Commander. "At ease men."
The men fell into perfect parade rest, their eyes trained on the man before them.
Hayes pointed them each out in turn, "First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood, Second Lieutenants Brian and Mark Allard, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick." Each of the men saluted again as they were named off.
"Men," Hayes continued, "This is your new Commander Major David Cole."
David's head whipped around to look at his commander. Hayes threw him a wink and then faced the men again. "Major Cole will see to your specialized training."
Hayes turned to David, "Carry on Major."
David snapped off a sharp salute and watched his commander walk out the door. He turned to look at his men. "Lets get to know each other. Let's start with you." He nodded to Steven.
The End of Innocence
"Come on Ari, this is the fifth time I've left you a message. Did you forget your phone again? Call me back." There was a smile evident in the message.
David hung up the phone, still smiling. Arianna could be so scatterbrained sometimes.
They were both Seniors this year, they were planning to go to collage together. They had both gotten in to Columbia University. David was saving up so that he could ask her to marry him.
At ten o'clock David was starting to get worried about her. He scooped up his keys, quickly making up his mind to go look for her. David drove her familiar routes to and from her job and the school, scanning the area for her car. He spotted her car near the alley near their favorite coffee shop.
David walked towards the shop, but stopped when he heard a noise coming from the alley. David poked his head in the opening and stopped cold. Arianna was lying on the ground a short way from the mouth of the alley, breathing heavily.
David rushed to her side. There was a wide gash in her side. He dropped to the ground next to her and placed his hand over the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. "Ari, Ari! Wake up!"
Arianna opened her eyes briefly and a ghost of a smile played on her lips. "David..."
"Shh, don't talk, I'll get you to the hospital." He stood up with her in his arms.
"Ari, who did this to you? Ari, please wake up."
Arianna stirred a little, trying to form coherent words through the haze of pain. "Grant.... Brenna."
David drew in a breath sharply in shock.
"I Love you... David." Arianna sighed and closed her eyes for the last time.
David hung up the phone, still smiling. Arianna could be so scatterbrained sometimes.
They were both Seniors this year, they were planning to go to collage together. They had both gotten in to Columbia University. David was saving up so that he could ask her to marry him.
At ten o'clock David was starting to get worried about her. He scooped up his keys, quickly making up his mind to go look for her. David drove her familiar routes to and from her job and the school, scanning the area for her car. He spotted her car near the alley near their favorite coffee shop.
David walked towards the shop, but stopped when he heard a noise coming from the alley. David poked his head in the opening and stopped cold. Arianna was lying on the ground a short way from the mouth of the alley, breathing heavily.
David rushed to her side. There was a wide gash in her side. He dropped to the ground next to her and placed his hand over the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood. "Ari, Ari! Wake up!"
Arianna opened her eyes briefly and a ghost of a smile played on her lips. "David..."
"Shh, don't talk, I'll get you to the hospital." He stood up with her in his arms.
"Ari, who did this to you? Ari, please wake up."
Arianna stirred a little, trying to form coherent words through the haze of pain. "Grant.... Brenna."
David drew in a breath sharply in shock.
"I Love you... David." Arianna sighed and closed her eyes for the last time.
Meeting Of Fate
At 16 David was well liked. Not quite popular, he was to aloof to have that classification. He was kind, but kept mostly to himself. He had landed at last in Seattle with his Uncle and Aunt after his fathers death a few years before in a plane crash. He had bounced from family to family, school to school until he arrived where he was.
A handsome boy, with a tragic past was all the girls needed to know to make them sigh over him. His intelligent cobalt eyes and black hair were the topic of many conversations.
Tall and slender David was a runner, his physique was well defined. He liked the physical exertion and the solitude that came with the sport. The school coaches were constantly trying to recruit him to one team or another.
David sat in the back of all his classes, his ever present sketchbook on his desk. He sat bent over it, his hair falling into his eyes, ignoring the girls that always chose to sit next to him. He never volunteered in classes. It was a waste of time. These people were not going to teach him anything new. Anything that he wanted to know he looked up in the library or on the internet.
David was walking out of his History class when he rammed right into someone that was coming in the room, knocking them down. He automatically reached down to help the person up. A cool hand grasped his firmly and stood up with his help.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." the girl said.
"No it's my fault." David smiled at her.
"My name's Arianna. What's yours?"
"David."
"Nice to meet you David."
""Nice to meet you too Arianna." David said. She had a pretty name
A handsome boy, with a tragic past was all the girls needed to know to make them sigh over him. His intelligent cobalt eyes and black hair were the topic of many conversations.
Tall and slender David was a runner, his physique was well defined. He liked the physical exertion and the solitude that came with the sport. The school coaches were constantly trying to recruit him to one team or another.
David sat in the back of all his classes, his ever present sketchbook on his desk. He sat bent over it, his hair falling into his eyes, ignoring the girls that always chose to sit next to him. He never volunteered in classes. It was a waste of time. These people were not going to teach him anything new. Anything that he wanted to know he looked up in the library or on the internet.
David was walking out of his History class when he rammed right into someone that was coming in the room, knocking them down. He automatically reached down to help the person up. A cool hand grasped his firmly and stood up with his help.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." the girl said.
"No it's my fault." David smiled at her.
"My name's Arianna. What's yours?"
"David."
"Nice to meet you David."
""Nice to meet you too Arianna." David said. She had a pretty name
Going Away
David was six the day that his father took him aside and explained to him that it was time for his mother to go away. James had watched the ever diminishing brain scans over the last few years, and hope hand diminished with it.
"But dad, you said she was only sleeping and that she would wake up. He had just been reading a volume of Tennyson to his mother.
"I know son, I always hoped that she would, but she's not. And it is time for her to go to heaven." James embraced his son.
David looked at his father quizzically. "What is heaven dad?"
James swallowed hard, "Heaven is where you go when you die. People become Angels."
David's brow furrowed. "So mom will be an Angel?" He had heard about Angels. They were some type of ghost, but better. David pictured wings and a halo on his mother.
"Yes she will."
"Will she come to see me?"
"I don't know son."
"But if mom is an Angel then she will be doing good right? She will be awake even though she is dead?"
"I think so." James embraced his son.
David looked at his mother's face, "I think mommy would be happy as an Angel."
"But dad, you said she was only sleeping and that she would wake up. He had just been reading a volume of Tennyson to his mother.
"I know son, I always hoped that she would, but she's not. And it is time for her to go to heaven." James embraced his son.
David looked at his father quizzically. "What is heaven dad?"
James swallowed hard, "Heaven is where you go when you die. People become Angels."
David's brow furrowed. "So mom will be an Angel?" He had heard about Angels. They were some type of ghost, but better. David pictured wings and a halo on his mother.
"Yes she will."
"Will she come to see me?"
"I don't know son."
"But if mom is an Angel then she will be doing good right? She will be awake even though she is dead?"
"I think so." James embraced his son.
David looked at his mother's face, "I think mommy would be happy as an Angel."
Here But Not Here
David smiled up at his father; proudly showing off the kite that he had made. His little hands were sticky with glue, and there was paper everywhere. String was tangled up on the floor next to him.
"It's beautiful David, lets go show your mother." His father picked up his young son, only four years old and carried him with his prize in to see his mother.
A heart monitor beeped quietly in the background, a hiss of air from the compressors accompanied it. The room was large, light and airy. David scrambled up into the bed next to his mother. "Do you think that she will wake up today Daddy? It would be a good day for it. The first day of spring."
David had never seen his mother awake, but his fathers assurances that she was only asleep, and that one day she would wake up was enough to make him happy, and to hope that it would be today.
"Perhaps it will be today, perhaps tomorrow. C'mon son, lets go put that kite up into the sky."
"Okay! I'll be back later mom." David kissed her cheek and patted her hand and ran out the door with his father following.
James looked back on his comatose wife. "Please wake up soon," he whispered and went to join his son.
"It's beautiful David, lets go show your mother." His father picked up his young son, only four years old and carried him with his prize in to see his mother.
A heart monitor beeped quietly in the background, a hiss of air from the compressors accompanied it. The room was large, light and airy. David scrambled up into the bed next to his mother. "Do you think that she will wake up today Daddy? It would be a good day for it. The first day of spring."
David had never seen his mother awake, but his fathers assurances that she was only asleep, and that one day she would wake up was enough to make him happy, and to hope that it would be today.
"Perhaps it will be today, perhaps tomorrow. C'mon son, lets go put that kite up into the sky."
"Okay! I'll be back later mom." David kissed her cheek and patted her hand and ran out the door with his father following.
James looked back on his comatose wife. "Please wake up soon," he whispered and went to join his son.
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