tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41018386135256344232024-02-07T05:55:44.877+00:00Flame Phoenix's BlogspotFlame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-26595209011789620542013-01-04T17:55:00.000+00:002013-01-04T17:55:04.233+00:00Origin Chapter two: Black Heart<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter Two: Black Heart<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flair burst through the
black wooden door they had come to in a deserted corridor that seemed to be on
the westerly wing of the huge mansion that they both had magically teleported
to just a few minutes before hand, without knocking. He disappeared into the
darkness within the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben couldn’t understand how this was all
happening; one minute he’d been in a tree, minding his own business, and the
next, a man who could throw balls of energy was lying on the floor bleeding
heavily from the chest, then again he was magically transported through a
bracelet of blue light and now he was walking behind his best friend into a
room, knowing nothing of what was in there. His mind was whirling around in
circles, of thoughts of magic. How this all could be possible? How he could be
in a mansion with his best friend, who could do magic…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please…
no… master, wake up.” Ben was pulled from his reverie by Flair yet again, as he
was on the ground beside a single wooden bed shaking the man who had been
bleeding in the park on the shoulder, crying and telling him to wake up. Ben
entered the room and looked around. He was slightly surprised with what he saw;
it was a small room swallowed up by the darkness. In the centre of the room the
small wooden bed he had seen through the open doorway. Three lava lamps hung
from the wall and illuminated some of the room. Two feet away there was a metal
stand that held a load of operational tools like scalpels and knives and on the
end of the tray, in a small metal dish, a heart. A black heart still pounding,
slowly, rhythmically…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben
gagged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
is dead,” said a soft but shrill voice from the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flair
spun around on his knees and cried, “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
is dead,” the voice said again, a white bony skeletal hand with black nails
slipped from the blackness and pointed at the unmoving man covered in blood,
“until I put his heart in that is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flair
paled, his white skin reflecting the orange, green and pink glow of the lava
lamps. “What did you do to him, Lily?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
took his heart out.” She said simply then added, “I did think that was a <i>bit</i> obvious, but<i> obviously</i> not. I’ll put it back in when it is ready. But until
then, you should leave.” The hand, still lying in the air, unmoving, shot
forward along with a tall, slim figure. The pale white figure with caved in
cheek bones, green cat-like eyes with grey strips around the irises and plump
purple lips stood there, her left hand in a black lace sleeve, the other not.
She wore a long red and black dress with the same colour ruffles lining the
bottom. White silky hair cascaded around
her shoulders, moved freely with each moment the woman made. She was beautiful,
in a ghostly way. Her hand clasped onto a shiny metal scalpel and Lily Lunning
raised both, before bringing them back down slowly. She slipped the tip of the
scalpel into the black heart and began to cut slowly and precisely, black blood
rising from the irregular object and dribbling down the side of it, the walls
pounding outwards. Lily’s hand did not waver, however, and when there was a
long slit in it, she stood back and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now,
that is a beauty.” She said softly, her voice full of pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben
stood there, horrified. His face had gone pale and his hands had become
clenched. He gagged again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Flair
stood up. He place his hand on the man’s bloodied shoulder and whispered
something Ben didn’t quite catch. He turned to Lily and opened his mouth. “Make
him better, won’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
shall try my very best. Now leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben
gagged a third time and before he could throw up, with a big gulp, he said,
“Excuse me? But where are the bathrooms?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lily
turned her head to him and smiled weakly, “Three corridors down, second door to
the left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben
muttered a quick ‘thanks’ and dashed through the door and turned left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s
so young,” Lily said absently, smiling a smile that beamed with pride, her
white small teeth showing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
young too.” Flair said defensively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lily
turned on her heels and stared at him. “That may be the truth, but you’ve had
time to grow up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
know, but...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…But?
What do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothing;
never mind, I should go check up on Ben. Thanks again, Lily.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Awkwardly,
Flair walked from the room and turned left in pursuit of his best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ben emerged from the
bathroom stall and went to wash his hands. He looked into the large mirror that
hung from the wall and saw his pale face. His mouth tasted of the recent vomit
that had passed through it. He finished washing his hands when a hazy blue light
appeared behind him. Ben stared for a moment, until a man walked out from the haze
as it disappeared. Ben jumped, startled by the appearance of the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Blood ran slowly from a gash on his cheek, which Ben
noticed was pale white and hard. He had tight dark red hair and emerald green
eyes and was wearing a torn silver suit. He went to walk from the bathroom
until he noticed Ben by the sink. “Who are you?” He asked his voice cold, eyes
driving into Ben like sharp daggers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben took a step backwards, and his back hit the sink. He
held in a yelp “Ben. My name is Ben… sir.” He added the ‘sir’ because he was
unsure what to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You’re
mortal, aren’t you? You don’t have magic!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben shook his head, suddenly terrified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “God, my brother will let anyone in here, nowadays!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Y-your brother is… Flair?” stammered Ben.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man laughed and stepped forwards his hands out in front
of him, eyes suddenly alight. “No. Oh god, no. My brother is the man that owns
this Mansion. My brother is Samuel Griffith. And you’re a mortal; you’re not
supposed to be here!” The man’s voice rose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…Phoenix? Flame
Phoenix, is that… you?” Flair appeared at the doorway, and he sounded confused.
“You’re back? But I thought- never mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man, Phoenix, spun and looked Flair up and down. “Look
who it is,” he sneered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Why are you back? <i>What</i>
<i>happened to you?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “That is none of your business.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> And without another word, Flame Phoenix walked towards the
bathroom door and passed by Flair, turned left and headed down the long
hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben looked to Flair and asked, “Who was he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “That was Flame Phoenix.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “But who <i>is</i> he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “He’s Flame Phoenix. Now let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Go where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flair turned and left down the same hallway Phoenix did,
and Ben had no choice but to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Author's note: It's bad, I know. It'll get better. Maybe.</i></span></div>
Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-31342421512041943662013-01-04T17:38:00.000+00:002013-01-04T21:31:52.164+00:00My writing is terrible.<h2>
My writing is terrible.</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
IT JUST IS.</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Who agrees?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
YOU DO? Yes, I am not INSANE!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mwhahahahahaha.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>ADRA EVEN ADMITTED IT.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>REAL LIFE PROOF.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>THANK YOU, ADRA.</i></b></span></div>
Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-78852767759629872172012-12-09T15:14:00.000+00:002012-12-09T15:14:54.563+00:00Unravelling!No, this isn't a story.<br />
<br />
It's a review.<br />
<br />
About a book, a book called Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris.<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBhQSEBIUExQUFBQWFxcYFxgVFRsYFBoYHBUXFxgXGBcXGygeGBwjHRQYIC8gJScpLywuFyA1NTAxNSY3LykBCQoKDgwOGg8PFykkHyApKSk1MCkpKSwsKSksKSksKSkpKSwsLCwpLCkpLCwpKSkpLykpLCwpKSksKSwpKSwsKf/AABEIAIwAjAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAcAAABBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwQFBgEHCAL/xAA5EAACAQIEAwYDBwQBBQAAAAABAhEAAwQSITEFBkETIjJRYXGRobEHFBUjgcHRM0JS8OEkNILC8f/EABkBAAMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwQBBf/EACkRAAICAQQABAYDAAAAAAAAAAABAhEhAxIxQSIjcYETMmGhwdEEQpH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AN40UUUAYNcXQ9y+UXMWZyAJO5bSu0TXN32XcAS7i2uMQ2QkwN5zHpSTltVnYq3Ruv7P+DjDYCza3IEsTuWO5qyaVHWrgVd9KdriU8x8ajpaieCk4NMVKjyrAHpWZ8qTuT0qkpVkRKxXKPSmmNxSIpzMq/rr/wDa83LpiN5qqc34gpbLQJH+UkD9OtZ5/wAisJFoaV8mcBzHYF51h3uKMgiYKToe8dSesVZMK4KsxA72wG+umvr/ABWruG4xjelXdnElRbt5VA0GU7H5VsvgjDLDatpqTJLRJrkW3KhpJbbQrj+JJZOHtmQbzi2hAnXKza/oppa3xRDiWw8HOtsXDp3cpYqNfORUTznaYfc7yozrh8QLjhBL5MjoSFGpgsDA6Ujy/eOI4hexKo62uwt2lNxChZg7OSqsAYAIE1pTadC7E4bvX/bLQo7x9h9WpWkl8R9h9WpWqmcKKKKACiiigDDVydy/zS2CxTspDB4D6RGuw9q6xNcY23ZbzEd0XC6z0gmG+Rj9aWSUlTOptZRv/hXN4xGHLIw0B1/8RAj1Na95o4ldudmyYm4GJbMkwq66QV8/I+U1aPsf4C921iO0jIpVEYDxwpJJ9dR8qZ8wcnXrd52VZSGmB0rDtUJGnduRH8scZxCXLYfEOIiZZjIO3X+a3Rwvi6sI7QMfI+L/AHrXPnC+G3bzyuUwYBbNr7QRpXhedrtq6dGUzsJK6SIM66+nwp9rbuLF3LhnRn4ijEjvKw8xv6g7Uz4thRdRw3l/pqi8g8zPiWjUgDUHpWxLlju1lm5N0y8VFZRrHC4ZsPdZtWGu5MamNv3rYvLjhlkCROh3quYzhmtxmfs0VcxJWf7hsOtT3ALSglgwdbmqFBoqAkhT67eulaNJXTE1HVo9c44+9ZGGNjVzeC5Ts4yMSp+G9R/LPHvvPErxBdVGHQG2xPcuByGBXYH161I833kRcNcdbrlL6FFt5czOQygHN01+VLcAuWL9y5iLaMl3+ldVhlcEEGHXzHn1BrRnfyMnFaPy9PPv2TS+I+w+rUrSS+M+w+rUrVzCFFFFABRRRQBg1xrgeHvfxQt21JZnIA31LEf77V2Ua0L9i/LaNevYm6UAW4wSWg6BsxHl4hr6HrSydI6lZuPlfgVvCYW1Zt7Kup6sxGrEjzNOsdgBcRhsSCJgdRHWsW8Uiqq28pAAChTpA0EfClVxq5sp0aJipvY8MZKSyjUvEeTsTaZmQSc0K05fXbY6U/4b9nz3tby5WLAtEZSAPTczWx8SgbfzmizeArNVSpvBa7V0NOG8t2bI7qAHqQKd4mANdveKxexwHmarvEcYHuIrZoLAFQGze8RXJzisRR2MJPMmesbZuW1F20iXIBnMYEdPERGms0twi8qXgneHaLmVEg20B0kFWIMkE7daifuAeENvKzEpctvcHdSJz2zoSembUbipBMMbN7Cmy6LZKZW/udgstGYaEDaQatCNISTtjjmzDO6YUWwzFcVZJgTABMsfQVjkrD3EGJF9WF83ma45EW3kAI1vplygCNwQZpzxXjvZ4PtbcM7wlpfO4xyqNdYkyfQGm/JWPuZLmGxDZr+HIVm/zRhmS5+o091NVVbh7l8J4x9yxL4j7D6tStJJ4j7D6tStVMoUUUUAFFFFAGDXHuDxl23iStu4yd5iI2mZGn6V2Ea5CxhVcUrbAPJ09Z/b50kuBoln5e5p4nbvstlg5LSQy6E9dd+tbc5bxWMxDW3xCJbABzRMzsI6Qf2qi8l8wYIXUJlWiCdDrM6z7b1uTCYxCgKEFY0I/wCKxvLzg05isZErtyND0phdxRzQNzT/ABlwGflFVvikkkyRp0msuo84ZfSVrI1xfHJcL3idZK7n2+Fe8XaW7aCIl5sQbKnMWCjMpzdm5JOVgSCRr0FQd+6WZ1VVhsoM9APKr3w3gaNbtuwhx3symJJMkmOpqmhnCOa2MkTwtWa9abuMFtrbv3blyL2af6cAkAyIiNZialeCcE7NGARrQe6Wy58xWDAy6QqkAd0bTS5wKhrloqpV2zgKsQepLeelTFpYEdBEfCt8MqjFJ9le5pwthrmFGIRmtm4UAmLYdhClxoddQPf1pvw3hOFs8RK4e2yXFszdKH8shm7iuCSS3dJHpNTXMHCRicNctHQsO6f8XGqMPYgGo7k7h11LLXL/AP3F5s9z0MZVX2AG3rTNeIspeVz9K9SfXxH2H1alab2LYVmgRME+8tTiqGUKKKKACiiigDBrjjmG4Teb319da7HNcccw6XG9ST86V8nUSeE5RuaFLiNI2mCDuKtvCMHxTCn8si4NMyC5Pvp10qjcIxeIYDIZO1XHl67i1uZTnVTvlMT7kb1m1b7NcNvRszg/HnZPzUZH8nIn5aU9xF9TuPOY3qv2LlyJPSm2N4lkdVLd5gWAgnTqdB0rzdtvBqTpEhhSougEEzt5n010qw2uYFtstp37OSwSViSrQJ8gTVU4WrXGPhLqMwGYhWAGY94QdqlEt9rcsm4lk5xbuYeLhYF0Aturk/1DlMjyjea1aOn2R1p9F4wVwFSx0JMGRGo0pxY95ikrqnymZkV77QiIBMwPbSt0cYMTIjnpyvDsSVJBCaEGCO8Oo2pTlbCZLJ/LuWpM5bl3tG2GuaTA9KOcLiDBX+1Vmt5RmCnKxGYbHpTrg/ChYQqrXGBMzccudgIBbppXa8dldyWjX1/Q8Xxn2H1alaSXxn2H1alaoZwooooAKKKKAPJrjfmPiBuXXDASGiY6Duge1dkmuK+L3c15yP8AI/WudnR5y/xrsCZ89/l+1bI4R9odkAZgDWoFSntjhzHXQD11+VS1NKMuSkNRx4N5YfnCzd8BE7xpRjsM/ZrfVUTvKoZVBuHM2U5Y0MSO6dDqNN61dwTC3gV+7q7ODMjb3I2+NbT5X5bxF4hriBLkkl1BVCIkBkGjENrm+tZPhKLwalqOSyWzlfAWbVpu0VV7usjTLJQnyUEnUDzqRtcuLYez2FtCouOzFzLKGWPyz+g+FPPwcGyiElSo3U7MVIJ13HeOh9KfW80CSJ6xtv6+la4xpGSUrZmyk6676T0paKTB160PI1GvpMVRCMhuc8G9zAYhLal3ZRCjcnMDAmnvCse11JNm5aIMZbsAkQNRlJ0qN5+uRw7FQYIUbb+JanrZ7o/Suf2Kt+UvV/gF8R9h9WpWkl8R9h9WpWnIhRRRQAUUUUAYNcUXrZL3IH9zfU12sa0x9m32aW7yG9iV7rElEIhiJPeOu3lU5yrgeKvk0xgOFszRHxrcHIv2Z9oue7qCNvP+a2vw7lDCWI7LD2ljrlBb4nWpHFMtu27TkVVJJA2ABJMem9ccZS5OqSXBG8K5WsWFCogA9qlkQDQCPaqth8Zimwtxy18Q4NphYt9u6ZFmbXhAzE66GBStvjF+7hLb247QrYZ+zhmAdFZyqNpInQGdKZJR4OeKWCyEVhKgsXi7n3e1et3jugbMijPNxUIIjuHUjTrTfjPGboyG29tIt3rjbOG7O5bQLJAhSLhkjUGNaOWdcWkWdhWQvWq5wzjjNjb1p2YLmZLa9mOzORVY/meIvDGQdKsgpiYz4vgEv2Llu4CUYd4AwTBncbbUw5QKthLdxM4FwZoe4bhHSMze1S97wkeYP0qG5Rwj2sDh7dwZbipDKTqDJ6ia4/mKp+W1fa/JMr4j7D6tStJJ4j7D6tStMSCiiigAooooAwRTfBYMIigeQ/4pxWLew9hS0m7O2ZNMeIYhgoC2+0DBpB28OgOh0O360+NYimOFes8PU/k/dQLWYk99o0CwROpmSIB6fBzeZWtG32DZVCwp7qwIAAya6eQ8qcX+DKzlizCSDAgAwpXXTUEMflRY4MqBgGfWJMjNoImQNZmfeuMZNDNrpCdn927ikZV6d1tNx5gGksava9mbmFDwMwkmV0QkHTzJkHfJtUhd4IrZMz3DlJM5t5jf4V4s8BVTIZwdB02HSI03P7VwZtDBSVutdGD/ADCBLhtTIExpuOvXSrGKRwOEFq2qAkgdTH7aUtNMTKnz+b3/AEf3d8l04gBSfD/TfRvMHao/lLiz3+K4k3LZtXFw1tLiHo4czlP9ymQQfWpvmnFoHwyC216+XL2UDZBKiGd26KA3zFOuDYe4Xa5fs2rd3KEDW7hfMm+pKg6H361KvEbFNLRpx659yTtjvt7D6tS1JL4j7D6tStVMYUUUUAFFFFAGK8A90ewr2aimx7Zdht6/zSt0BIC9Jj0mmlq/cHiBklwNB59zy6TUff4gwJgDRGbruP19adDiTbwuwPX+a5FjNCpu3p0UnvLIIAGWO8Rrrr9KxYuXpGYGJPQbQI6ec/Dc9c/iDeS/A/zR+It5L8D/ADTiilo3cyAwVjvHYzDdAI/xrwLl7WV69I2lo/8AWTWPxFvJfgf5o/EW8l+f80AZZ70jQRm9PD8P986VsM5YhxpAOwgHT/mkG4g3kvz/AJo/EW8l+f8ANcAj+YuG3hfsYrDqLj2g6NbJy57bxOVjoGBUETvUdwng965j/vT27uHtgNNt75cu7ACezViiKomI6mrF+IN5L8D/ADR+IN5D5/zXNpVarSr2Hq+I+w+rUrTLBYgszTGgXb3antMSCiiigD//2Q==" width="320" /><img height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbjwnvlbP4h_M8ZvjmBoxpmo8kn4EEIhAf3r9ZNTA7E7-p9W2_" width="213" /><br />
<br />
<i>Ireland/UK Paperback American Cover</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This book is AMAZING. I mean just read it. It's brilliantly written and Elizabeth's characters are amazing. I actually can't wait for the sequel; Unbreakable. It's going to be amazing.<br />
<br />
OMGICAN'TWAIT.<br />
<br />
Get this book for Christmas. You won't be sorry.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
<br />Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-1773449879210927452012-12-06T19:57:00.001+00:002012-12-06T19:57:55.610+00:00In other news...Well, I failed nanowrimo once again.With only a measly 3,000 words, which has to be my lowest...<br />
<br />
EVER.<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, it's not like I was going to do well.<br />
<br />
Pffft.<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, In Other Other news, I started a short story.<br />
<br />
That lead to other ideas.<br />
<br />
<br />That is leading to something.<br />
<br />
I don't actually know. I had a vision though, just as the class bell rang, signalling lunch, of a very pale woman emerging from a lake her eyes deep red and her black hair flying every, soaking wet and her mumbling, "You're going to pay."<br />
<br />
Yeah, it was much more spectacular in my head. Trust me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then, I also started a new project. About warlocks. Yay me.<br />
<br />
<br />
It's failing already.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm so special, ohgodhelpme.<br />
<br />
In Other Other Other news, I do think that me and my dear Lynxia Lost shall be starting a story together with totally bad-ass, new characters.<br />
<br />
<br />
I do remember me being supposed to ask Mist and Nix for permission.. but i forgot. I don't even know why I had too. I just did.<br />
<br />
God, this is longer than I thought it'd be.<br />
<br />
<br />
In Other,Other,Other,Other news, The Origin might be written a bit faster now as I know the plot more.<br />
(Inmyheadofcourse, I <i>can't</i> plot.)<br />
<br />
And finally, City of Lost Souls. Page 395, I think? Magnus, Simon, Isabelle and Alec. Gay spider. Free Wheeling Bisexual. Try reading that during an English class and not laugh. I did it.<br />
<br />
<i>But.</i><br />
<i>It.</i><br />
<i>Was.</i><br />
<i>Difficult.</i><br />
<br />Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-13955880361573127822012-11-05T17:06:00.001+00:002012-11-05T17:06:22.206+00:00I AM NOW OFFICIALLY DOING NANO. :DYES. YES I AM.Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-31475119394864567212012-10-11T21:01:00.002+01:002012-10-11T21:01:26.261+01:00The Silence: Prologue It's short..... I know D: My heart wasn't in it...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was all different.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It
had been ever since the silence took over. They were watching, watching
everywhere. They had spies; animals, crows that flew overhead and perched on
trees, watching you; rats that lay in the shadows, staring at you with red,
beady eyes; fish that swam the lakes, monitoring you and reporting to the
silence. No one knew much about them, except that people have gone missing from
time to time, never to be seen again. The town’s people of Panithisim suspected
the Silence for such things- but no one dared to challenge them. For they knew
it held certain death. Patrols walked the streets, making sure everyone stuck
to the nightfall curfew. They watched everyone closely and made sure the people
were not breaking Silence law. They also searched every person leaving and
entering the town; they had checks at the gates and most people were not allowed
leave Panithisim for the guards suspected dealings and such outside the city.
Watchtowers surrounded the city district high above the grey forest that
surrounded of Panithisim which the guards hid in anticipation of those who may
venture there, as the grey forest was out of bounds. Guards wore shiny black
boots and large grey and white coats with big brass buttons. They crunched through
the ice and snow in the winter season as the earth remained frozen deep into
spring, and it was the winter months now, late into November. The high
watchtower standing ten-thousand feet, high above the grey forest was built of
stone, deserted, all the water dried up. No one ventures past the grey forest,
as it is out of bounds. The Silence will punish those who dare to break the
law. Rusted iron ladders clung to the walls, years out of use… What the Silences
didn’t know was- It would become the Rebel Base.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-2313190444206938162012-10-11T20:12:00.000+01:002012-10-11T20:13:31.264+01:00Origin Cover~ Courtesy of Gepard Valk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWKNfT4NTFvBC6lSZzjPaPTffO9_jpOF7KhGDKPQ2yC3KEa0JOa_NQaK1UY0RAt8w5-83hc1eJX4B37cRQrZif8-x0aPxPiFQ5kcX_IYhWjXeAKTP0IrM96ATzWkL4RN_vVD-prFNF9Ta/s1600/TheOrigin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWKNfT4NTFvBC6lSZzjPaPTffO9_jpOF7KhGDKPQ2yC3KEa0JOa_NQaK1UY0RAt8w5-83hc1eJX4B37cRQrZif8-x0aPxPiFQ5kcX_IYhWjXeAKTP0IrM96ATzWkL4RN_vVD-prFNF9Ta/s320/TheOrigin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's actually called The Destiny Stones now, I had this title when it was made...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tell meh what you think :P</div>
<br />Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-29112265917193963282012-10-08T22:33:00.001+01:002012-10-11T21:26:05.147+01:00The Origin- Chapter One rewritten- Magic<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Author's note: </i>This has changed drastically. For the better, I think. I dunno, though. So tell me what you think, eh? And be brutally honest, I know my writing's shit. Tell me if I can improve in any way possible, basically just HELP IF YOU CAN. Thanks. :)</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Chapter One: Magic</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The rain poured against the window of the detention hall sadly, sending a
vibe of despair and boredom floating throughout the room. The room was bright,
but the walls were dreary and painted dark brown. Ben Gunn sighed sadly, his
breath hit the window making it fog up. He looked out the window which was
pointless, as he couldn't see anything in the dark evening, and the heavy rain
didn’t help. He could distantly see a reflection of himself in the window now.
His dark brownish-blonde hair sat on his head calmly, moving with him as he
moved, his hazel brown eyes gleaming under the light of the florescent light
rods hanging from the roof. He placed his soft high-cheek boned face on his
hand, resting his elbow on the table. The clock on the wall, high over the
teacher's desk ticked every second, reminding Ben of what people outside of
school were doing at that very moment. He turned back staring out the window,
and the teacher roared at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Turn around Ben", Ms Neuroman's voice was strong, fierce and
strict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ben swung around in his seat and replied quickly, "Sorry miss."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A girl named Melissa sniggered from across the room, sitting on her own,
legs up on the chair beside her, texting under the table. Ben glared at her.
She was the most anti-social person he knew; a Goth and a Sadist. She liked to
cause other</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s pain and she enjoyed watching them suffer. They
were the only too in detention, him being in for messing in class- Melissa for
slamming an ex-boyfriends head into the trophy case in the front hall. The
Gothic guy had to get twelve stitches in the top of his head. She was dressed
in the school’s black jumper and a grey skirt rolled up at the waist, black
lipstick lined her plump lips and her nails were heavily coated with black nail
polish. He sighed as Melissa gave him the finger while blowing a bubble out of
the pink chewing gum in her mouth. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ben slumped just in time to see Ms Neuroman glaring at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But her face softened as she smiled at him and went back to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The clock ticked again, the stupid thing. Ben glanced at it, and saw it
was five minutes to four. Five more minutes and he was gone, the summer
holidays would then be ahead of him and he had to say: the thought made him
smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The bell rang and Ben shoved back his chair loudly, it nearly fell over
but he caught it before it hit the ground and he nearly ran from the detention
hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The black wooden door to the detention hall creaked loudly as Ben opened
it. Ms Neuroman looked at him as he was about to leave,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">she had dark black hair that looked so much like the
colour of granite that it glimmered so brightly and he reckoned she must have
been about thirty years old. She walked over to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ben sighed and stopped in his stride, one foot
inside the room, the other out. He spun on his heels and looked at the woman
warily. "Ben," She said, smiling slightly. "Come here for a
minute, would you?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He nodded and stomped loudly towards her lagging almost, not too quickly,
not too slowly. Melissa was delaying leaving by pretending that she was packing
her bag, of <i>course</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">she was; she wanted to know what had gained Ben an extra few minutes with
the demonic Ms Neuroman. Ben knew her bag didn’t need packing. There probably
wasn’t anything in it, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What do
you want?</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> he asked, almost certain he knew what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> He was wrong.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ben,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She said to him, </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">m going to miss you during the summer.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She made an attempt to place her hand on his
shoulder, but he shrugged it off. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I really am, and I just wanted you to know that.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ben looked at her, trying to decide whether she was
joking or being sarcastic, but neither of the traits lined her face. He nodded
funnily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And I
want you to know, if you ever need it, I</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ll be there to talk about it in the next year.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> She smiled kindly, but it didn</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">t quite work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ben</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s eyes
widened. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">OK</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">…</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Melissa giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Both of
you can go now,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ms Neuroman said, smiling, her arms thrusting into
the air, </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">its summer!</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Out in the hall, Ben turned to Melissa and glared. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What the hell did you tell her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Mellissa laughed and replied, </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oh nothing really, just that you were having trouble
at home.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> He walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Flair was the same age as Ben- thirteen- but he
looked way older. He was tall and broad -already a good build for his age-
strong and older looking compared to other teenage boys their age, his jet
black, smooth hair made most envious and he was wearing the boy’s school
uniform which consisted of a black jumper and grey trousers with black shoes.
The look on Flair’s face was priceless as Ben walked into the locker block.
“Hell!” he said, “what took you so long?” He exclaimed even louder now as Ben
approached, “I was out an hour ago!” </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Flair Sage could never go five seconds without being told off, </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">well, on the occasion,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ten</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">seconds. But that was rare. It was a surprise Flair wasn’t on detention
every week, but then again, the teachers did like him way too much. But he had
been put on this evening, as they would be on summer holidays and seemingly ‘he
just had to be punished’. That was only Miss Revelin speaking so</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">… </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We are going through the park?</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> He put on an English accent, but it failed as his thick, heavy Irish one
broke through. It</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">was</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a terrible English accent anyway; even if it <i>had</i></span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">been a success it would’ve sounded rubbish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ben nodded in agreement and spun around on his heels just in time to see
Ms Neuroman walk out the front door, looking delirious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Let</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s go.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> He said quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They left through the front doors of William Brook High. There were three
fields of grass surrounding the school and a tarmac pathway leading up along
the closet field to the black school gates, surrounded by a fairly new brick
wall, which then lead to a long road. If you followed the road for about five
minutes and crossed through an estate, you would get to the park quicker. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The rain had stopped and it had given way to a weak
sun just brightening up the grey sky and wet green grass glistened as far off
in the distance, a rainbow suddenly appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ben and Flair stopped at the small black gate which
led to the huge park and Ben hopped over it gracefully and landed in a standing
position, throwing his arms up like a gymnast just out of a routine, while
Flair on the other hand, just opened the gate and walked right through. Ben
rolled his eyes playfully and soon it became too much and the giant, very old
oak tree in the middle of the park beckoned them towards it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The sun broke away higher in the sky, warm beams of
sunshine flying high across the sky. Birds flew into the trees and began to
chirp songs of happiness and joy and a few metres away from the tree, Ben and
Flair tossed their bags off their bags and threw themselves onto the oak tree
with thick branches all the way up, and each began to climb. They reached the
top and looked around the park, and seeing nothing interesting, so they both
lay back onto a branch each, hands resting behind their heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Pop!</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The noise sounded as if it had come from beneath the branches of the
tress, where Flair and Ben were concealed by a thick layer of green leaves. A man
in a dark billowing cloak and what looked like it had veins of dark shadows
running through it appeared, walking briskly across the park. Under his cloak,
he wore a tight uniform that was black and printed on his chest was a gold
pentagram in a circle; his face was concealed by a thick woollen hood. He
stopped somewhat near the middle of the vast green area of wet grass and looked
around, waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">From nowhere, a second man appeared, walking briskly taking long strides.
He wore a blue flannel shirt and a pair of faded jeans, tiredness lined his
young face, dark shadows cast under his silver eyes and his light silver hair
swayed gently in a small breeze that had picked up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Under the light of the sun it was undeniable that this man looked weird. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Ben scrambled up to the end of the branch, crawling
swiftly and carefully. He wasn</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">t really
scared of heights, so it was no problem really. “Whoa,” he muttered totally in
awe. He looked down upon the man with silver hair, he looked</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cool.</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Flair crawled towards the end of the thick branch
and stopped. Almost as soon as he saw the man, his shoulders straightened and
his jaw hardened, his black hair framing his face in maturity. He cursed under
his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Have you
got it, Rook?</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> asked the man with the silver hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Yes,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The man in the black cloak replied, sticking his
hand into the side of his cloak to retrieve a brown file. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Here.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The man silver eyes sparkled, and with a soft sigh,
he went to take the file. However, before he did, it burst into flames. The man
with silver eyes gaped, his jaw dropped and he just stared, his eyes gleamed
cold silver and they widened as the burnt file drifted to the ground, now
glowing ember ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> A third man appeared; clad deeply in black much the
same as the first man. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> He crossed the distance to the small meeting, and
without warning, he grabbed the first man</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s -Rook</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s- neck and snapped it savagely, just like it was a
twig. Rook</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">’</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s life was ended almost immediately and
aggressively, and his remains were simply tossed aside like garbage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The new man grinned savagely. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Shadow organisation do not receive cowardice or
betrayal well, ShadowRook. And they certainly do not pity it; they simply mercy
it.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "HP PSG"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">”</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Without warning the corpse rose from the ground and
shot sideways. It landed with a hard thud beside the tree, bent and broken and
impossibly twisted out of place. It combusted into flames and the smell of
burning meat drafted up to the tree where Flair and Ben were concealed in the
thick branches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> A blue barrier of light shot upwards from the
ground and formed a protective wall between the two men and the man in black
raised his right hand where oily black shadows began to spill from his fingers
and he splayed his hands outwards and the shadows shattered the wall of light.
The man with silver hair disappeared, a ball of blue light engulfing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The man in black spun around, a blue ball of light sped towards him and
before he had time to react or defend himself, it collided with his chest. He
flew backwards and landed against the tree with a sharp, heavy crack.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> The
man with silver hair began to walk away but stopped again when he heard a dry
laughter from behind. He turned again and stared coldly at the man lying
against the tree, looking as if was enjoying himself lying amongst the ashes of
the dead ShadowRook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “Lighten
up, old man.” He spat the words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “Zuke
where did I ever go wrong, I loved you; and this is how you re-pay me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “Do
not be a fool,” Zuke said beginning to get up, “you never loved me. That much
was always clear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hurt
rose in the man with silver hair’s eyes and he took a step forward, but then
stopped. “You’re a fool to think that, Zuke. But then- you always were a fool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“SHUT
UP!” Zuke screamed, up on his feet, his right arm thrown into the air. The
other man’s left shoulder was pushed backwards, then the other one. Zuke
grabbed his left shoulder, which was dislocated from the impact of the fall,
and clicked it back into place with a grunt. “You never did love me,” he
continued coldly. “…I hate you!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Shadows
whipped upwards and shot forwards, blocked by a barrier of blue light, then
another wave of oily slick shadows shot forward, which again, were blocked by a
blue barrier of light. This continued
for a couple of minutes when, Zuke held his palm out flat and a ball of
swirling black shadows formed. He grinned demonically, evil gleaming high in
eyes dark, red eyes, veins showing in his neck and-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The shadow
ball was released, soaring through the space of the two men and before the man
with silver hair could react to defend himself, he was on the ground, blood
soaking his blue flannel shirt, a black hole in his chest right above the
heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
wave of shadows crashed down upon ShadowZuke and he disappeared, grinning
savagely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flair,
still in the tree concealed by leaves, paled. He dived forward suddenly and
sharply, startling Ben who jumped and nearly fell from the tree. Flair forward
rolled on the ground and used the momentum to propel himself into a run towards
dying man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben
stared in fear as Flair crashed to his knees beside the man, rasping for
breath, unconscious. He went into total shock mode, and didn’t hear anything
for a minute, then, he was brought back to earth when Flair shouted:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Ben!”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben looked
down at him and jumped to the ground quickly, and hastily ran to his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Out
of breath from both fear and shock, he asked, “What the <i>hell</i> was that?” He threw his arms into the air indicating the
madness that had just happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flair
turned to him slowly and quietly, he said, “Calm down, Ben.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “<i>What the fucking hell was that, Flair?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flair
ignored him and turned back to the man on the ground, barely breathing now, and
placed his hands on the man’s chest. Red sparks flew from his hands began to
slide over the man’s body and then, he disappeared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben
stared at Flair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flair
stared back, his jaw hard, eyes cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Ben,
come with me. Please come with me now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ben
shook his head, took a step backwards and went to run. Flair grabbed his arm and
sparks began to form a bracelet of cool light over his skin, drew into a huge
orb around them both and sucked inwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> They disappeared-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> -and
reappeared in a huge front circular room of a pristine mansion. A huge chandelier
hung from the huge domed ceiling and all bulbs were lit with shining yellow
light. Gold wallpaper with diamond designs hung on the walls, and two huge
staircases with marble steps and gold banisters led up to a big oak double
door. Other doors led out of the circle to other hallways and rooms. Directly
under the chandelier in a big circle were the golden letters: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">EA<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;">A woman in a tracksuit
came running past with short blonde hair to her shoulders. She had piercing blue
eyes that gleamed under the light of the chandelier and she stopped when Flair
called to her, urgency in his voice:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;"> “Nikki, do you know where Lily is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;"> The woman-Nikki- stopped. She threw her arms to her side
and sighed dramatically, “That freak? Ugh- in her room probably.” Without
another word, she ran away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Andalus;"> Flair ignored her- he just headed for the stairs and left
Ben to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-46583167499813447242012-08-22T20:15:00.002+01:002012-12-07T21:49:17.093+00:00Chasing the Sun, Chapter 2,3,4.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2:
</span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Death to a cult…</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher
Rye finished off the last vampire, causing it to explode into ashes and sparks.
The remains of the Vampire landed in a large grey mound on the ground. The
whole construction site was covered in the remains of a cult of Vampires, all
in mounds across the large site, full of construction machinery. A whole cult
had come and decided to attack him. Fletcher hadn’t realised there would be a
whole cult hiding in the building site, though. He would have called back up if
he had. But still, he managed to slay most; the more stupid ones got taken out
by the sun. Fletcher discarded the half rotted stake he was holding in his left
hand, (It was rotted from the Vamp venom), as he walked out of the warehouse he
was in. It seemed the warehouse had been where all the Vampires had been
hidden. The sun came around to the large
black paned sun light windows high in the warehouse’s roof and blared down
through silver chains; hanging slumped across the rotted wooden beams, where
pigeons roosted far, far above. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher let the beams of warm
sunlight hit his face, red lips curling into a sharp smile. It wasn’t a bad
day’s work, really. Not for a slayer of his level of training, anyway.
Fletcher’s auburn hair shun in the glorious rays of sunshine. He tore off his
black leather Slayer suit, leaving him in a pair of knee long cream shorts.
God, he was roasting. His torso was bare, showing off hard abs forming a six
pack and light blonde chest hair. He reached his car just outside the chain
link fence, past big cylinder concrete beams, stacked on top of each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Opening the boot, Fletcher checked
his supply of weapons. Not very many, he had to admit, but he was sure his
partner Alicia had loads left. He pulled out a white cotton t-shirt and slipped
it on before he closed the boot and sat into the driver seat. The engine roared
to life and pressed down on the accelerator, twisting the steering wheel
around, doing a U-turn. He pressed down harder and soon he was well over the
speed limit, speeding off down the road past shops, a park and a round-a-bout,
kicking up dust in his trail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher
came to a stop at traffic lights and he tapped the wheel impatiently. A small,
old lady started walking across the zebra crossing, supported by a walker,
nothing out of the ordinary. An open black umbrella was hooked onto the walker,
sending the crooked old woman into shade and shadows. A moth-eaten, faded pink
hat with a long dead sunflower hanging out the top, drooping downwards, sat on
her head. Small circular rimmed glasses hung on the bridge of her long rounded
nose. She twisted her head slightly,
gave a little wave, and smiled. Then, her jawbone slid back, her mouth opened,
revealing sharp, yellow razor-like teeth. Her wrinkly face disappeared, sinking
back into her forehead. Her mouth enlarged growing several inches too wide,
opening dangerously. Grey dull eyes turned to youthful emerald green. Her
crooked back retracted and the woman straightened, standing tall. She tossed
the walker to the side but still held the black umbrella up, protecting herself
from the harmful U.V rays. He dress dropped to reveal a matching orange and
grey Adidas tracksuit with a hood. With a ferocious roar she attacked. She
pulled up the hood and jumped fifteen feet in the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The now young woman landed heavily down on the
bonnet of the car, causing it to buckle. The headlights smashed into thousands
of tiny pieces. Smoke rose from the crumpled remains of the engine. Her hand
flew through the windscreen causing it to spider web. Her scarred, strong hands
clutched around Fletcher Rye’s neck and she thrust him forwards, sending him
smashing through the windscreen. He landed a few metres from the now ruined
Range Rover jeep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletch hit his head against the curb and blood
trickled down his brow. He reached to
check the damage but the woman was on him, again. She landed crouched over him,
punching the sense out of his head. He went dizzy and the woman multiplied by
ten in his vision. He saw stars and couldn’t see her straight. The woman
continued punching him and she smashed his nose with such force he was sure it
couldn’t be fixed properly. While the
woman punched him once more on the chin, Fletch mustered all of his energy and
shoved it into one kick which sent the female Vampire flying off him and
smashing into a shop front window of a hardware store. Fletcher scrambled up,
half crawling, half running and got back to the ruined silver Range Rover. He
grabbed a large piece of broken glass with a very sharp edge. His hand was cut
on the glass the minute he picked up and soon it became slippery with the warm
metallic smelling blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletch staggered backwards, holding his head.
The female Vampire jumped up onto her feet and snarled. She ran forward and leaped up, landed on his
shoulder and whacked her fist against Fletcher’s head. He screamed out in agony
and stumbled backwards, tripping on his own feet. He collapsed to the ground,
sending the Vampire flying off him. She landed on the ground, her head smashing
open on the tarmac ground, the black umbrella falling from her reach. Her hood
fell, leaving her head exposed to the dangerous, burning sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The female vampire’s head knitted itself back
together and it was as if it never had been cracked open. Soon, without the
protection of the umbrella she so desperately clung to, her hair started to
singe slowly starting to smoke. She swiftly pulled up her hood and scrambled
across the dark tarmac road to grab her umbrella. The vampire threw it over her
head and sighed with relief. Then, her face turned to a snarl and she bounded
towards Fletch, running on her tough, long muscular legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She jumped and went to dive upon Fletcher, but
with a swift movement, he grabbed her neck and tried to slice her stomach,
whipping the broken glass across her stomach. The female vampire’s diaphragm
retracted and she arched her back, bringing out to an impossible length, her
stomach following it inwards. The broken glass narrowly missed her stomach,
just grazing her tracksuit. She smiled sharply as her body took its form again.
Her mouth shot open, so wide, the smell of metallic stale blood on her breath.
She snapped her head forward and was just about to dig her sharp, sharp teeth
in his neck when she exploded into dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletch fell backwards from the momentum of her
exploding. He collapsed back onto the ground, smallest of puncture marks on his
neck. He felt it, and was quite sure there was no venom injected. He rolled
over and stood up, looking around. The vampire wasn’t struck from the sun, he
knew that. “Then what had struck it?” He thought aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I did,” Said a woman from behind him, picking
up an arrow from the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher turned to see a woman with dark black
fuzzy hair, placing an arrow back in a sheath strapped to her back. She slipped
a silver iron bow up over her left shoulder, tucking it tight against the
sheath of arrows. She wore red leather, much like his slayer suit. Only the
black was substituted for scarlet, blood red. “Well, thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re welcome.” She said stiffly, turning
away and beginning to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Wait!” Fletcher called, walking after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman turned, her hair blowing in the soft
summer breeze. “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher walked up to her and looked at her
closely. “You saved me, why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She shrugged. “I seemed to be just walking by.
Actually, that’s a lie. I followed you from the construction site.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You were there?” Fletcher asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yeah, I was fighting. Helped you take down a
whole cult, I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher didn’t believe that. Of course she
wasn’t there. He would have seen her; especially if she was firing arrows with
a… bow. “You’re using a bow? Not very traditional…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She laughed. “Crossbows are for wimps without
accuracy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher turned and began to walk towards the
ruined silver Range Rover. He heard the
small, graceful footsteps of the woman with a thick curly black mane behind
him. When he reached the car, he rounded to the back and opened the boot.
Fletcher reached in and pulled out a small hidden compartment in the side of
the polystyrene boot. The small rattle of small vials filled the humid, silent
air. He picked one up and opened it, splashing some onto his blood covered
fingertip and was about to rub it into the small punctured hole in his neck
when the woman’s hand grabbed his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What?” Fletcher asked, quite annoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Do you really want to burn yourself to death
with holy water? Use salt water, you idiot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“And where do you suggest I find that, eh?
Look around. There isn’t a sea around here for miles.” Fletcher retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Lucky for you, I have some.” The strange
woman handed him a vial of water from which she pulled from her dark scarlet
suit. “Saved your life twice now and I still haven’t caught your name.” She
smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher snatched the vial and quickly poured
the salt water over the small wound. It stung like hell, but he didn’t care. Discarding the vial, he turned on the woman.
“You lied to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“What?” She asked genuine confusion in her
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You lied. You weren’t at the site. If you
were, I would have seen you. Your indistinguishable hair would have been a
giveaway.” He laughed, “And I didn’t catch yours, either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Well,” She began. “I was at the site, but no,
I didn’t fight. However, I had been going to the site beforehand to see if I
could slay a few Vamps though, but on arrival all I found were mounds of ash.
Then I saw you, sweet cheeks. I saw you leaving the site, so I followed you.
Then, when you ran into trouble, I shot down that Vampire who could shift. I
thought they were just rumours, though, Vampires who could shift. I guess not,
I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Then answer this, why are you putting up a
nice girl act?” Fletcher asked the woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Why would you ask that?” She replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher laughed. “Because I don’t really
think you’re a very nice girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Well, you might very well be correct,” She
smiled, paused, and then continued. “It’s because I want to partner with you.
You’re not very good, I must admit, but you do have <i>potential.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“That’s where you are wrong, I <i>have</i> experience. I’m actually a high
standing Slayer, to be honest. So, please forgive me when I say it: but no.” He
snarled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Feel free to cry me a river.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I’m not even sure you <i>are</i> a Slayer.” Fletcher remarked, getting extremely annoyed, which
he was only too happy to show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman pulled up her sleeve and her mouth
curled into a vicious smile. On her arm, just below the elbow, tattooed in
black ink, was the number 492; her Slayer identification code. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Slayer identification codes were tattooed on
all Slayers when they earned their title of Slayer and completed their
training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“See. I am a Slayer. Do you have an identification
code?” She accused Fletcher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher grunted and pulled up his sleeve
revealing a number in the same ink; 129. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Oh, so you <i>are </i>a Slayer!” The woman continued excitedly, “One-Two-Nine, huh?
Now all I need is your name.” She smiled slyly, once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher sighed, stepped backwards and slammed
the boot down. He turned, stuck his thumbs the pockets of his blood stained
shorts, resting the palms of his hands on his belt. Fletcher leaned against the
bumper of the smashed up silver car. “I don’t think you’ll get that anytime
soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You’re”- The woman began but was cut off by
Fletcher’s phone ringing. “Who’s that?” She whispered quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher dug the phone from his pocket and
checked the screen. “It’s my partner. Now, excuse me, but I need to take this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The woman sighed and as Fletcher opened the
phone and answered, she turned and walked away. She turned left, and walked
down the alleyway beside the smashed shop front of the hardware store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Hey.” Fletcher said into the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Fletcher, what’s going on?” Alicia spoke
urgently into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Ah, there’s nothing much going on to be
honest.” He replied, and then continued quickly. “But, could you maybe come and
collect me at the hardware store in town, just before the traffic lights?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher could swear he heard the exasperated
sigh on the other end of the phone. He grinned, knowing he was annoying Alicia
greatly, but it ended up short lived as the ever so dramatic voice of Alicia
Bond took up again. “Why?” She asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher glanced back at the crushed, ruined
silver jeep. “Um, well… My jeep like, kind of broke down.” Well, it was sort of
the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“OK, whatever, I’m not going to ask!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You just did...” Fletcher laughed as Alicia
hung up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher turned, pushing off the car and
clicked the boot of the car open. He reached in and took a can of Coca-Cola
from a plastic bag containing nothing else. It was warm, but he didn’t care.
Popping the can open he chugged it back into him, gulping hard. After he was
finished, he placed the can on the ground and stamped on it, crushing it to a
single disc. He picked it up and walked back around to the front of the car and
tossed it through the smashed windscreen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher turned again and walked away from the
site of the fight, hands clutched at his sides. Suddenly, something popped into
his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<i>I
helped you take down a whole cult, I did.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well, whatever it was, it was death to a cult…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 144.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3:
I will rule…</span><span style="font-family: Bodoni MT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Faith
Le Bane walked across the dockyard on the edge of town, heading down the many
aisles of cargo crates and huge storage containers. The sun, just about setting
was sinking down below the horizon, sending a splendid yellow and orange glow
against the sea beyond the docks. She came to a stop, fixed her long fuzzy
black hair, pulling it back off her face depositing it behind her ears. Faith
slipped a long knife into the back of her scarlet red belt around her scarlet
red slayer suit. She wasn’t as hot as she was hours ago when she had saved the
Slayer known as Fletcher Rye. She wondered why she hadn’t let him be killed at
the hands of the female vampire. She
didn’t know why she did it, she could’ve had. She should’ve had. But she
didn’t. The reason: probably because she wasn’t <i>told </i>to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Faith halted, looking up at a huge
blue and grey metal cargo holder stacked upon two others, a blue and grey one,
and a red and grey one. On the side of the cargo containers, a rusted ladder
was screwed so someone could climb up to them. Faith grabbed onto either side
and began to climb. Coming close to the top, she stopped, and took a breath.
She reached back to make sure the knife wasn’t going to fall out of her belt,
she needed it. When she came closer to the top cargo container, the blue
one, Faith let her legs slip and began
to swing, tossing her legs across towards the door of the blue cargo container.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faith kicked the latch holding the
door in place, and it snapped open sharply with a loud <i>thwack. </i>Faith twisted her body sideways, letting her legs fall in
the doorway of the cargo container. She pulled herself in, rolled over and
stood up. She immediately coughed. Dust swirled around in the air, lots and
lots of it, leaving the air barely breathable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The cargo container
contained a small grey metal bed with a white sheet and duvet, covered in dirt
and dust, and a pillow without a pillowcase, in the same state as the sheet and
duvet. In the room, it was a tiny room
about twelve foot wide, twelve foot in length; there was a small desk and one
chair. A lamp sat on the grey metal desk badly in need of a dusting, a loose
cord hanging from its side. It was off, so the only light was coming from the
open door swinging now in a light breeze that had taken up in the few minutes
she’d entered the container, shining in dimly through the swirling dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She could see the wall was covered in a light layer of mould
and damp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A man coughed loudly from the corner
of the container, stepping out of the dark, dank shadows. He looked out through
the door at the slowly setting sun. He looked at Faith and raised an eyebrow.
“Please shut the door, Faith.” The man’s voice was deep and rough. He had a raggedly cut grey beard and long
black hair. His pale skin was hard and so white it nearly <i>glowed</i> in the darkness of the dusty container. The man made Faith
terribly uncomfortable. He was a monster, he was dangerous. He would kill…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith walked over to the cargo
container’s door and pulled it back in hastily, hurrying quickly. After she had
made sure the door was fastened it properly, she strode back to the man in
three simple steps. “You do know the sun is nearly down, master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Nearly, but I am not taking any
chances, Faith.” She replied calmly. His was voice really rough; it was like he
had a sore throat and in badly need of an ice cool drink. “How are you, though?
Did you succeed in your mission?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith coughed. She felt like she was
in big trouble, which she probably was. She wanted to get away, to thrust open
the door, to jump and run. She wanted to take out the knife, attack the man…
Kill him. “No master. I didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man across from her chuckled
hoarsely. “And may I ask why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “One of your Vamps attacked, she
nearly killed him. I would have had him, but that infernal idiot who could
shift, what was her name? Delia? She attacked, shifted and then, when she was
about to bite into Fletcher I killed her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man let out a frustrated sigh.
“You killed her? You killed her! How dare you kill one of my most valuable
soldiers! She was the best spy I had! You will pay, Faith!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man lost his composure and
raised his hand to bring it down hard upon Faith. She whipped he hands behind
her to grab the knife very discreetly, slowly to make sure the man wouldn’t see
her. But, then the man stopped, so she continued her act of ‘she was scared’
and flinched. The man’s hand dropped and he stood tall again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Was there no other alternative but
her death?” he asked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith shook her head quickly, “No,
master. Otherwise Fletcher Rye would have been dead and I”- she stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “What?” The man asked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Nothing,” She lied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man didn’t believe her, but let
it slide because he saw no serious threat in a slip of words. He turned around
and sat down. The lamp beside flickered
on beside him and he squinted because it was so bright compared to the pitch
black darkness that had filled the room seconds ago. “Are you ready for your
next mission?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I am, master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You will need to gather my army
together. The summer solstice is approaching rapidly. You will also need to
stop the Slayers from completing the mission they are about to uptake. This is
important. Please do not fail me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “When have I ever failed you,
master?” asked Faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think you loyalty is slipping, Faith. Assure me it isn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is not, master Antoine. It is not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That is all, then. Now you can leave. Complete your missions
and you shall be rewarded.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faith turned to leave but was called back by the man Antoine.
“Remember to alert my generals. Also, please contact Dredge. He is in desperate
need of getting out and about. Do contact him and please <i>behave</i>. I know you haven’t had a history of liking him. Now, you
can leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faith did so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After she left, Antoine Haven started writing on paper he
took from under his desk while he murmured to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I will
rule…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> ***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Faith walked
across the dockyard again, walking away this time. She left through big thick
iron gates, turning to close them catching a glance of the ships docking in for
the night. She slammed the iron gate angrily, hating what she had to do. Work
with Dredge? <i>He is in need of getting out
and about</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She hated Dredge, and he hated her. How were they to work
together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Sighing angrily, nostrils flaring,
Faith walked back to the black Mercedes Benz she had travelled in earlier to
get to the dockyard. She threw open the back left door and climbed in. Faith
sat on the black leather seats tapping her foot against the ground impatiently.
“Ugh!” She cried frustrated, punching the back of the driver’s seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Hey!” cried a woman named Cressida
Hare from the driver’s seat. She spun around glaring at Faith. She had a
chauffeur cap on, just beneath it a blonde fringe hung down over her forehead.
Her sapphire blue eyes were underlined in blackness from a mixture of a lack of
sleep and from where her nose was broken. Her nose, normally long and pointed was
squashed back into her face. A vampire broke her nose a few weeks back, and
Cressida refused to go see a doctor. Faith had pressed her, but to no avail,
Cress didn’t give in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Sorry Cress.” Faith apologised genuinely. She sighed again and rested her head against
the window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida’s brow furrowed. “What’s
wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Nothing, now can you drive!” Faith
snapped suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You’ve got something bugging you.
What is it?” Cressida pressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Nothing, now drive!” Faith snapped
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida turned around and twisted
the key in the ignition. She lifted her chin and adjusted the mirror above the
dashboard attached to the window. She glanced back at Faith in the mirror.
“Don’t snap at me just because I want to know what has you upset, sweetie. Is
Antoine Haven bothering you?” Cressida’s voice was calm and reassuring,
peaceful and comforting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith shifted around to look at
Cressida in the mirror. “Antoine Haven <i>always</i>
bothers me; ever since my mother sold me to him when I was child. Of course he
bloody bothers me!” She slipped the knife out of her belt and went to slash her
hand with it, but was stopped when Cressida slammed hard on the brakes. Faith
shot forward, the knife flying forward too, past the gap between the driver’s
seat and passenger side. It landed on the passenger’s seat. “What the hell Cressida!” Faith screamed in
pain as the seatbelt cut into her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida turned. “Do <i>not</i> do that to yourself. What is wrong?”
She demanded an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith sighed. “He’s pairing me with
Dredge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Dredge? But you hate each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “That’s exactly why I’m angry!”
Faith shouted loudly and punched the back of Cressida’s chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida started the car again,
rolling slowly away, further and further away from the dockyard, picking up
speed. “I’ve a feeling that’s not exactly all that’s the matter. Is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “No. He wants me to… He wants me to
gather his Vampire army. It’s waiting. I just need to call them. And, and I
have to stop Fletcher Rye from chasing the sun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida Hare sighed. She picked up
speed again until she was well over the speed limit, but kept her silence.
Finally she asked, “Where to, sweetie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith looked up; wet tear stains
trailing down her cheeks. “I suppose to Dredge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida turned to her. “Are you
sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith nodded. “It’s now or never, I
suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Cressida looked at Faith; bound
against her will, unable to defy those holding her down, miserable, sad… alone.
She had Cressida at least. It wasn’t much, but at least it was something. “Why
can’t you just ignore the order?” She said, already knowing the answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “It’s because Antoine Haven owns me.
If I defy him, I’ll be dead. You know why I can’t ignore the order! It’s a
death sentence. And he would overpower me in a fight, if I were to try kill
him, so don’t suggest that Cressida. Please, just drive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Okay then, to Dredge we go.” She
grimaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 108.0pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> 4:
Let the chase begin… </span><span style="font-family: Bodoni MT, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Cathedral loomed in the slowly
setting sun, the sky turning a dark purple, then to a midnight purple, then to
a complete blank black. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Alicia
and Fletcher walked through the huge ornate oak doors of the Cathedral that had
been restored three years ago when Alicia and Fletcher had made their base of
operations when they became Slayers at the early age of seventeen. Now, at
twenty they are probably one of the most experienced Slayers in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
gigantic stone building was built over a hundred years ago, and loomed so high
in the sky the pair of Slayers looked like ants in comparison. The two of them
made their way down the red carpet aisle, past the many pews where people would
have prayed when the Cathedral was up in running many years beforehand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> They reached the top of the church,
stopping just before the marble steps that led to the greyed marble altar
above. The Cathedral was dim, no light coming in except from the abstract stain
glass windows set high up the walls. The roof arched into a dome, with thick
wooden beams in renewed perfect conditions supporting it from crumbling down
upon the place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher
knelt down in front of the marble railings surrounding the steps leading up to
the altar and pulled the third railing. It came away and the steps started
shifting backwards into each other until they were in a straight line under the
altar above revealing cold stone steps leading down to Alicia and Fletcher’s
base of operations. They felt the immediate draft of cold flying up from the
icy cold depths below the Cathedral, wavering around the nearest places to the
air. The place was impossible to heat as all the warm air rose upwards. The
actual Cathedral was warmer than down below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher
started walking down the cold stones steps to the base deep below. He looked
from left to right at the old time torches hung in black grates, screwed to the
walls were, as per usual, unlit. “Trust the help not to help.” Fletcher
muttered. Their third team mate, Errol Pooch- who couldn’t slay to save his
life- stayed around to work around the place to do jobs; of course, he didn’t…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Errol Pooch sat perched in front of
the LED computer screen playing his forty-seventh game of Pac-man that day,
with a long gone cold cup of coffee sitting beside him on the cold metal desk
the computer was on. Losing the game, Errol threw his hands up in frustration.
He then picked up his cold coffee and drank from one of the very few un-chipped
mugs in the base. When gulped enough of it in him, he coughed and spluttered
and spat the coffee out. “Ugh, this is cold!” He said out-loud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
kicked off the ground and the leather office chair propelled backwards over to
the small kitchen area within the small enough base deep below the big
Cathedral high above. He spun around and opened the small silver microwave
pressed tight against the wall, the wires going down into the counter. The
microwave swung back closed so he opened it again and stuck the mug in and
closed it again, turning the timer to thirty seconds. He looked at his reflection
in the microwave’s shiny black door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Through
his grimy moon spectacles he could see the dark underline of his eyes half
yellow because of him playing on the computer too much. Emerald green eyes were
dulled because of the grime on his glasses. Long brown hair lay around his ears,
which he brushed back behind his ears. His normally clean shaven face was
un-shaven. He took out a clean linen handkerchief and started to clean his
glasses in his aged hands with chewed up fingernails. “God, I should get cleaned
up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
microwave pinged and Errol opened the microwave, placing down his glasses. He
took a sip from the cup and coughed. He slid over to the closet near the sink
and picked out the bag if sugar and scooped up two teaspoons of it and
sprinkled it in the coffee. He took another sip and spat it into the sink. He
poured the rest of it in too; it tasted horrible and washed it all down with
the tap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
slid back over to the computer and clicked ‘Play again’. The yellow Pac-man
went and ate the blue, pink, orange and red alien things. He started clicking
the keyboard when Alicia and Fletcher entered the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol,
distracted by Pac-man didn’t hear them coming in. Fletcher raised his index
finger to his lips indicating to be quiet. On his tip-toes he hopped over to
where Errol was sitting and put his two hands on Errol’s shoulder suddenly. He
bent over and breathed on Errol’s neck and whispered, “Um, you’ll be tasty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
jumped, scared out of his wits. Fletcher laughed loudly and sat down on another
office chair beside the one Errol was sitting on. “Ha, dude you were so
scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Alicia
came up closer, laughing lightly. “Oh, Errol… You are a mad laugh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
crossed his arms. “You had me scared to death!” His voice was dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher
chuckled again, “What age are you, twenty one? Seriously, like c’mon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “So?
I thought you were a Vampire…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher
laughed again and turned on the computer he was sitting at. He continued to log
in and go into his email, while saying. “Errol, no offence, but you stink. Like
hell. What have you been doing all last week?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
gulped before replying, “Um, playing Pac-man and drinking coffee pretty much
sums it up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Alicia butted into the conversation,
speaking elegantly. “Go take a shower and shave. Seriously though, you look
like a tramp.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Thanks.”
Errol said sarcastically getting up to go for a shower in the one of the three
big bathrooms down the base off into the wall.
He began to walk down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Very
welcome,” Alicia smiled after him and collapsed into the chair Errol had been
in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher
was logged into his email now, and sorting through them all. He came to a stop
on one with the subject box saying: <b>Urgent.
</b>He clicked it open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear Fletcher Rye,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> You and your party of
Slayers are needed. Vampires are increasing in numbers, and you and Alicia are
high standing and experienced. You are needed to chase the sun, to stop the
ever growing population from waging war against us Slayers. Therefore I have
included a link and a file for you to download with names of other Slayers who
would be willing to assist you. It is a quest, if you chose to accept it. I am
sure you know of the myth of those who believe the world can be travelled in
twenty-four hours of sunlight? I’m sure you will be happy to help.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
Grand Slayer: Waverick Mars.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Underneath the email there was a link
to that included names of Slayers as said within the email from Waverick Mars.
Fletcher clicked on it and put his hand up to his mouth. He scrolled down the list with seven of names
he didn’t recognise; they weren’t anyone he knew. The list was made up of these
names:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kilia Smith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Devaris Hulp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Janice Backlow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lee Olivers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark Terrace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Robert Gorath <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fred Lyinp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Wow,”
he said murmured sarcastically, “that’s a lot of people there, Mars.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “What’s
that?” Alicia asked, getting up and bending down behind him, reading the
text. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “It’s
from our dear old friend Waverick. Y’know, he wants us to do something crazy
for him as per usual.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “What
would it be this time? Who are those people?” Alicia stopped reading the text,
just skipping to the names not bothering with the actual body of the email. She
crossed to the kitchen area and plugged in the kettle and pressed the switch to
turn it on. She clicked the switch on the actual kettle to make it boil. She turned to look at Fletcher and leaned
against the counter top. “So, what is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Waverick
Mars wants us to ‘help fight the increasing population of Vampires by chasing
the sun’ whatever that means.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Haven’t
you ever heard about chasing the sun?” Alicia asked sounding surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Fletcher
stood, shaking his head. “Nope, should I have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
base underground the Cathedral was mostly high-tech and modern. Weapons lay in
glass cabinets around the walls, there were twelve computer screens lining a
whole counter on one side. Directly opposite the computers was the kitchen area
which held a fridge against the wall, a microwave, a dishwasher and a
dryer/washing machine. Beside the
kitchen area was a hall which lead down to the bathrooms (there were three),
past that there were the bedrooms and at the end of the hall, past a thick
voice controlled metal door lay the weapons room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol
Pooch entered the hall from one of the bathroom doors and made his way up the
hallway, his hair dripping wet onto a towel draped around his neck on his
shoulders. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a faded black ACDC t-shirt. “Hey
guys.” He said, passing the kitchen area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Hey
Er,” Alicia said then continued her story. “In theory the world can be travelled
if in twenty-four hours of sunlight, if the chaser followed the sun so noon
would fall exactly when the sun was overhead each time. It’s a myth, or a
theory, shall I say that I never believed. Seemingly, if it were done, the
chasers would be immune to Vampire attacks. Only one person has done it, but he
died later on. I think his name was Antoine Haven, or something. I can’t
remember.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Are
you talking about attempting it?” Errol asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Well
Mars, our old friend, wants us too.” Fletcher sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “You
aren’t going to, are you?” Errol Pooch seemed sceptical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “It
depends.” Alicia said, raising an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “I think we should.” Fletcher
looked at Alicia as if to say ‘you decide’. She shrugged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “It’d
be fun.” Alicia admitted with a smile. “It would be very fun. Plus, I’ve always
wanted to travel the world. And now I could get the chance to slay while doing
it; it’s a dream come through.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Then
let’s do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “But
first, you have to tell me what happened in town. Why the hell was your car all
banged up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “It’s
a long story.” Fletcher replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Do you see me going anywhere
anytime soon?” She asked rhetorically, “Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Fine,” Fletcher gave in with a sigh. “But you
aren’t going to like it.” Fletch continued when Alicia shrugged her shoulders
dismissively, “I was driving home from the construction site, right? Well, I
stopped at the traffic lights and an old lady-as it appeared- came hobbling
across the road, okay? And then she shifted into a young woman and attacked me.
I was having a hard time fighting the Vamp, though but luckily there was
another Slayer, in a red suit, with long curly black fuzzy hair. She killed it
and saved me. So, that’s what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Alicia
went pale, she froze. “Oh,” was all she managed and even that was a strangled
whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “What’s
wrong, A?” Fletcher said surprised and shocked at his partner’s reaction. “A?
What? A?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “It’s…
It’s just if I ever lost you, I don’t know what I would do. You mean everything
to me; you’re like a brother, Fletch, a brother.” That was a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Surprised
by this new revelation, Fletch got up and crossed to Alicia, put his arms
around her and hugged her tight. “It’s OK,” He comforted her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Errol,
distracted once again by Pac-man on his computer, oblivious to Alicia and
Fletcher looked up. “What’s up?” He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Nothing’s
wrong Pooch, nothing.” Fletcher said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> ***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Errol, remember: wash, keep up with
the chores and contact us if anything goes wrong, OK?” Alicia warned Errol for
about the fifth time that hour. It was morning and the sun was just breaking
the grey horizon sending rays of yellow streaking through the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Yes,
I got it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Are
you sure you don’t want to come?” Alicia asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Positive.”
Errol replied firmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Alicia
hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. “Be good.” She whispered in his ear and
it tickled. He laughed quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“We’re
good to go.” Fletcher said returning from packing up the new car he had taken
from the garage around the back, in which there were hundreds of cars. It was
the exact same car as his old one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“OK,”
Alicia replied. “Bye Er.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Bye
Pooch.” Fletch said, already walking away with a wave over his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Bye!”
Pooch called and began to walk back into the cathedral his desire to play more
Pac-Man overcoming him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher’s
car was parked around the back of the Cathedral. Fletcher and Alicia walked
towards it, opened the door and both of them hopped in. Fletcher turned the key in the ignition and the
engine roared to life. Fletcher turned to Alicia and asked, “You OK?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Of
course I am.” She replied, a smile playing on her lips, and then asked. “Are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletcher
just grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Alicia
put her feet up on the dashboard and leaned forward to look up at the slowly
rising sun. It was beautiful, the sunrise. Alicia loved it and most mornings
Alicia had scaled up the many, many steps to the top of the steeple up in the
clouds on top of the huge Cathedral just to watch. She smiled hugely, happily.
“You ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yup.”
Fletcher replied and pulled off, around the Cathedral and through the gates to
the main road. He turned left, then clicked on the Sat-Nav that sat on the
dashboard of his new car and typed in the coordinates to the ferry place to go
to India. He picked up speed and soon they were soaring through roads, cross
sections and back roads as they were no cars on the road this early. “Alicia?
Check the files. Just to make sure we’re to go to India first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She
nodded after she checked the files. “Yeah, we’re to go to India first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fletch
sped up and hit the radio. The song ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ came on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Let the chase begin…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They
speed away onto the motorway, singing sweet home Alabama all summer long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-72599799265013795852012-07-07T13:57:00.001+01:002012-12-07T21:48:59.881+00:00Chasing the Sun. 1: Love the Leather...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">They walked out onto the street from the shop, the five of
them, all men. Bunched closely together, they crossed the street to the other
side. They had marble like white skin, veins almost showing through their hard
pale skin. They resembled each other greatly, almost identical. Clad in black,
hands clenched nervously at their sides, beads of cold sweat sliding down their
foreheads past thin blonde eyebrows, and onto the bridge of their pointed noses
where it dropped off onto the hard concrete ground below. Dark eyelashes curled
up to perfection, icy cold blue eyes resting on high cheekbones. Short blonde
thick curls bounced as they strode across the black tarmac to where five S.U.V jeeps
with tinted windows were parked, doors swinging open as they approached. As
they got in, the engines purred to a start and one by one, the cars pulled
forward, speeding away down the road, sun blaring down and soon, the S.U.Vs
left town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Sitting in her dark red Ferrari
convertible with the sleek black hood up, Alicia Bond lowered her binoculars,
an unsettling smile curling to plump purple lips. She took out a small mobile
and hit speed dial ‘1’. After several rings the receiver picked up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Fletch, how
long before you can meet me on the road out of town?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Well, I’m kinda <i>busy</i>.” Fletcher Rye shouted back in reply. A sharp shrill shrieking
noise boomed in the background as Alicia heard a thump. A ‘<i>pop!’ </i>noise as it were, muffled by the phone line, entered the
background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Well, <i>hurry up,</i>” She yelled into the small
mobile phone. “You shouldn’t have been that long!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Yeah, OK.”
He said flatly. There was another ‘<i>pop!’ </i>Alicia
was about to yell into the phone again, but the line went dead and a dull
buzzing noise took over the phone line.
Fletcher had hung up. She threw the phone onto the dashboard of the
Ferrari convertible in frustration and turned the key in the engine. The engine roared into life an Alicia’s
twisted smile appeared on her lips again. Slamming down hard on the accelerator
she sent the car speeding forward, heading out of town in pursuit of the men in
the S.U.Vs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> ***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Getting out of the S.U.Vs the men in black leather pants with
matching coats smiled with their pale red lips. Their short blonde curls were
wet with sweat, their skin almost reflecting the sun. They hurried across the
sandy yellow courtyard, feet crunching on the ground as they went. Just below
the wrists, just where the jackets ended, you could just see their blue veins
from under their nearly translucent skin. Exiting the courtyard they entered
the decorated walkway surrounding it. Pillars lined the outside holding up the
roof. Wild vines curled upwards, growing past the pillars onto the roof. Inside
the walkway they were sheltered and cool. They turned the corner the square
walkway and soon came to glass double doors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> Entering,
they immediately felt the cool chill of the Air conditioned room. It was pitch
dark, not much need for light. The windows had been blacked out beforehand in
preparation. Even so, they still were heavily draped purple curtains over the
window in case of any stray shafts of stray light that may be lucky enough to
sneak in through the blacked out windows. They crossed the dark cool room to where two
three setter leather couches sat. Two of the men collapsed straight away
whereas one other went to the toilet situated in a closet off the side of the
room. The other two crossed to the fridge, opening it and pulling out a six
pack of beer. Taking the plastic off them, they threw one each to the men
sitting. They all took large loud gulps. The man who had gone to toilet came
back and also took a can. He drank it deeply, finished it, and took the last
one and drank that in one go, too. He crumpled both in his hand and tossed them
onto the purple carpet already littered with dirt and other rubbish. He crossed
to the fridge and looked in, “Hey Ralf, any other beer left?” He called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> Ralf, the one who had originally went to the
fridge called back switching on the TV, “No, you drank them yesterday you
buffoon!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Well… Why didn’t you pick up some in town? Do
I have to go back tonight?” Darris said, returning to the other couch where one
other was sitting. He collapsed and hit James, the person beside him, and
received a glare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Ralf laughed, “I am not your slave
now, am I?” he retorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“But aren’t we going hunting
tonight?” Daniel chimed. He was sitting between Ralf and Navel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, I forgot about that. I’ll get
more then.” Darris said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">He received bored eye rolls from around the dark room. Navel,
the one who had turned on the TV, switched over to a football game. Two teams
chased each other around a pitch trying to obtain the ball long enough the
score. Daniel muttered something that sounded like ‘attention seeker’ and soon
lost himself in the game on the bright shining LED television. Five minutes later, Navel muted the sound on
the TV. “Do you hear that?” He asked, listening intently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Alicia pulled up into the sandy courtyard, her convertible
rolling smoothly in the square. It came to a stop in line with the tinted
windowed S.U.Vs. She looked around the courtyard and opened her door with a
click. Getting out, Alicia pulled the lever that opened the boot of the
convertible. She rounded the car and unzipped a muddy green colour duffle bag.
She immediately started to rummage through it, picking up various pointed
wooden sticks, arrows and vials filled with holy liquid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> She slipped a vial into her breast pocket,
picked up three cone shaped stakes with dangerously thin points and stuck them
into her belt. She unzipped her cashmere sweater to show the top of a leather
suit with various pockets, her breast one indented with the shape of the vial.
She pulled down her light chord trousers. She picked up another stake and
turned towards the glass double doors that lead to a dark, dark, room. Smiling
again, Alicia took a step forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Entering the room, five beautiful heads
turn and registered her. Alicia had the
element of surprise of course. She
crossed the carpeted floor, her eyes adjusting to the ridiculous darkness
within the room. She flicked back her black silky hair adjusting a small black
Bluetooth earpiece. Her hands slipped down to her belt casually, making sure
her stakes were hidden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“Hello.” She said casually. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> “Hello,” Ralf said slipping off the couch
standing and asked, “Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“That’s not important,” Alicia
replied. “Wow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“What?” Ralf asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“You must be the best dressed of your
kind I’ve seen so far. Shame, really. Love the leather…” Alicia sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean, ‘your kind’?”
Darris asked standing up, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“I mean nothing by it.” Alicia said
elusively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Darris and Ralf gave each other a
quick, concerning glance. They stiffened, shoulders flying backwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">“Who are you, and what do you want?”
Ralf asked. “And what do you know about us?” He added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Alicia’s unsettling smile curled upwards on her
lips again. Pulling a deadly looking wooden stake she said plainly, “Vampires,
prepare to die.”</span>Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-39538717462325168602012-06-17T13:41:00.000+01:002012-12-07T21:48:49.810+00:00Nightslayer: Part one<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shadows curled and danced around the small cell bars,
weaving in and out of the metallic strips, like a fast flowing river. Flame
Phoenix smiled to himself quietly. He had seen this once before, but didn’t
know where. The other three captives stood by the walls, standing still and
quiet, not having the energy to speak. ‘God, zombies were exhausting,’ he
thought to himself, realising his own him exhaustion. Star Inkbright looked
across at him, staring slightly at his smiling. Lynxia Lost looked at him too
aroused by Star’s slight movement of her head. Last in the line, standing a
little way across from the others, was Ivy Animosity. She cocked her head at
him. Flame instantly knew Ivy was trying to read his mind. He smiled at her and
waved. He had weaved a mental barrier in his mind earlier, disallowing her to
read it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s hiding
something,” Ivy muttered pointing towards him. Flame was amazed they hadn’t
noticed the shadows. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flame raised his
hands in defence, “No I’m not.” He received a glare from Ivy. “Honestly.” He
said defensively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shadows sparked now, growing thicker and darker, going
from thin graceful tendrils to thick waterfall like strokes. Flame glanced at
the moss covered stone walls. It was ugly, really, it was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
Lynxia moved towards him,
stepping across the small stone cell in three large steps. “You’d better be
telling the truth, Flame Phoenix!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
Flame nodded repulsively, looking at her funny. He opened his mouth to
speak, but Ivy cut in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“He’s not; he has created a mind
barrier. I saw that part by the way; you aren’t very good at keeping the
information within the barrier.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“You solely live to annoy me, don’t you?”
Flame said rhetorically.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“You and everyone else, well, those I don’t
like that is,”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“Who’d that be?” Flame questioned,
“Enlighten me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“That’d be you.” Ivy answered, grinning
slightly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
Star sighed and flicked both
Phoenix and Ivy on the ear. They spun
annoyed. Ink laughed weakly and smiled. “Seriously, as exhausted as I am, I’m
getting even more exhausted by looking at you two arguing. What’s the plan for
getting out of here? “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
Flame shrugged, and then looked at Ivy, who shook her head. He reason
why there were trapped was because they had gate crashed a private party,
looking to arrest the owner. Unfortunately, they themselves were caught in a
predicament. The owner, a man named Ivan Curiosity was a highly trained
necromancer had been expecting them. He had raised an army of the dead-zombies-
who had filled the hall in swift groups. They had had no chance. They fought
hard, but failed to overcome the army. Now they were exhausted and magic less,
held in a cell under the mansion of Ivan Curiosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
Star peered at Flame and scowled. “You are
hiding something. What is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“Nothing,” Flame said again
unconvincingly<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
“Yes you are!” Ivy and Star chorused,
looking at each other then and shuddered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Potty Crock.”
Flame avoided them once more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> “</span>Now, do not call crock
mad. That isn't very nice, Flame. You should know better.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Phoenix laughed shakily. “Fine then,” he pointed to the cell door,
“Notice anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">All three of them looked slowly and confusedly and shook their heads,
looking confused, “There’s nothing there but metal…” Lynxia spoke quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Star asked then, “Are you ok Flame?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Flame nodded, looking confused. There were shadows there. He knew it. Ivy
then walked over to him and looked at Flame curiously. Then touched his
forehead, “Are you sure you’re ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Flame slapped her hand away,
and then looked at the cell bars again. The shadows sparked off now in small
black shards, disappearing before they hit the floor. The shadows kept curling,
until finally they broke apart like a sea being parted and a man stepped through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> The man was tall and he wore
shadows that resembled the ones on the bars. The man had a hood pulled down over his face
and you couldn’t see anything except a grey, cracked mask made of bone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">He stepped across and spoke to Flame through the mind barrier, sending a
message that chilled the great Phoenix to the bone. Flame didn’t know where he’d
seen the shadows before, but he instantly knew just when the man spoke to him.
It was the man who had haunted his dreams when he was younger; the man who had sole
fully ruined his life for numerous years. “Phoenix.” Was all he said, and then disappeared?
Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> The cell bars fell. They just
collapsed, falling in on themselves. The latter of people gasped then, without
thinking they ran from the small cell. First, Lynxia vaulted through the
doorway, closely followed by Star. Ivy stopped and looked at Flame. “You
coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.25pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"> Flame nodded, then reluctantly
got up and followed.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-24563300937235522952012-06-13T16:09:00.003+01:002012-12-07T21:48:32.592+00:00The Destiny Heirs: Chapter 3<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter three:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna sat on a hard stone boulder outside Dublin city,
looking out upon the country side. She was eating a loaf of bread she had taken
from a shop. The country side was beautiful. Different types of flowers grew,
all bright all cheerful. The birds chirped cheerily, singing a merry song. She
was in awe. The blue stone lay on her
lap as she ate. Livanna wondered why Arax had given it to her. She wondered
what the voice was. She had so many questions that she herself could not
answer. She finished off the loaf of
bread and sighed. The chain dangled off her lap, swinging slightly. Livanna
picked it up and put her head through the chain, letting it fall onto her
chest. She glanced at the sword in her
belt and picked up a satchel bag she stole in town and opened it. It was empty,
as if now but she thought best to hide the sword in it. So, she did. Livanna
jammed the sword to the bottom. She tied the bag shut with a piece of string.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna then looked
back on the city and saw a huge black shiny carriage leaving the gates. There
were six white horses pulling it. Livanna recognised it immediately as the
carriage that stopped the men in black suits following her. She stood up and
gasped at it, staring straight at it, then stupidly walked onto the middle if
the road. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The driver of
the carriage, a man named Phoenix, rode on despite the blonde teenage girl in
his way. He snapped the reigns and the horses gained speed, galloping, in
perfectly synced strides. Phoenix wore a
silver suit, a matching top hat and a white frilly blouse. A cane lay beside
him in the carriage and a monocle sat perfectly around his left eye. He smiled mischievously, snapping the reigns
more and more, making the horses go faster. Livanna was about six feet away
from the carriage. She had second
thoughts about standing in the middle of the road, but stayed there. The horses
had just about reached her, when Phoenix pulled the reigns and they stopped.
Livanna could feel the horse’s warm breath on her face. Their nostrils flared
when they let breathed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phoenix looked at
her curiously. “You’re brave girl, you’re very brave.” He remarked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only then, when the horses were fully up close, Livanna
recognised their beauty. The horses were
pure white and had thick gold manes. They were majestic, standing tall, about
four feet high from the ground. She raised her hand to touch the horse nearest
her, but the horse batted her hand away. Livanna looked at the man in the cart
and asked, “Why do you think that?” Livanna spoke curiously. She looked around
and saw nothing but fields and flowers. She sighed and looked back to the
so-called Phoenix.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phoenix smiled and
nearly chuckled. “Anybody that does know me, well, they would think twice
before standing in front of a carriage driven, by… me. Everyone knows I’m on
the verge of mental insanity. But, I’m not. You’re very brave.” Phoenix nodded
and smiled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna thought
very differently, but smiled in agreement. Another carriage left the city of
Dublin, a big oak coloured one and headed down the road Phoenix’s had. It was travelling slowly, being carried by
only two small black horses, not strong enough to go any faster, trotting at
their own painfully slow pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phoenix looked back
and smiled, looked at the horses on his carriage and then towards Livanna
again. “It’s going to rain soon.” He said as a matter of fact. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna peered at
him strangely, seriously wondering if the man in front of her was alright in
the head. He was a strange being and she had to give him that. She liked
strange. It was different. Livanna liked that. Then, true to the Phoenix’s
word, the sky darkened and it rained. First small droplets spilled hopelessly
in a light drizzle and soon it gave away to thundering rain. Livanna yelped and
looked at Phoenix.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you want to take
shelter in the carriage? I’ll take you to the next town. You probably want to
get away, don’t you?” Phoenix’s voice was muffled by the thundering rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you know
it would rain?” Livanna shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m friends with mother nature! Now, get in!”
Phoenix demanded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna walked to the
carriage door and opened it, looking in. The interior looked expensive and
extremely comfortable. There were red leather seats with gold rivets holding
them in place. Red curtains covered the back and side windows. Livanna climbed
up and got in, seating down. She opened the curtains and looked out the window.
She saw the carriage with the small horses approaching ever closer,
slowly. Then something caught her eye.
Something moved just underneath the window on a small ledge. She leaned against
the glass and saw a scrawny boy, lying on the ledge wrapped in a woolly
blanket, getting wet. She smiled softly.
Livanna called out to Phoenix.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, do you know
there’s a boy asleep on the back of the carriage?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phoenix dropped down
hanging upside down, smiling happily. The reigns of the carriage were tied
around his legs. He laughed and said, “Yeah, of course I do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna looked at
him. “Do you want me to wake him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” he replied
simply.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why?” Livanna asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s because I have
plans for him, plans for him and you.” Phoenix muttered, swinging back up onto
the seat and whipping the reigns. The horses pulled forward and began into a
hard, fast gallop kicking up dirt as they went. The horses soon were well away
from Dublin city, smashing through the heavy, dark rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-86532011359538353052012-06-07T12:34:00.001+01:002012-12-07T21:48:21.033+00:00The Destiny Heirs: Chapter 2<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The scrawny sixteen year old boy was thrown into the damp,
smelly alleyway by his master. He tried to turn and run, but was grabbed by his
raggy, dirty shirt and was plunged deeply- head first- into the murky waters of
the drain. Jonah Sanfrics was his name. He took in a mouthful of water, his
lungs cringing. Then his master- a horrible old man named Drailic Flecks,
pulled him up and laughed cruelly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ye scrawny little
orphan ye Thinkin’ ye can do wha's ye likes", he said angrily "You's
took meh grandmother' ornamental plate to sell for yerself". He punched
Jonah hard and repeatedly, winding him just above the waist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jonah cried out
in agony, doubling over, falling back into the water. He spluttered and kicked
out, trying to hit Drailic away, but failed. Drailic grabbed Jonah by his thick
black hair and pulled him up at arm’s length. A knife pressed into Jonah’s neck
and he winced, then head-butted out backwards. Drailic pushed him against the
wall and punched him in the stomach. The force of the blow made Jonah double
over. His emerald green eyes shed tears that rolled down his face, leaving
streaks of white skin under a heavy mask of dirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jonah pleaded,
“Please sir, <i>please,</i> I didn’t take
it. I didn’t…” Drailic spat in his mouth, pulled him up and threw him against
the alley way floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drailic was a
heavy drunk, he always had been. He
smelled of whiskey and rum, and couldn’t walk or talk properly. He took the
knife from his pocket and got ready to fling it at Jonah. He didn’t though.
Drailic fell over, slipping on the grimy muck that lay on the alley floor. He
made a squelch when he collided with it and rolled about, like a headless
chicken, yelling out in agony. The dagger flew down into a drain, sinking to
the bottom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was Jonah’s
chance to do something. Without thinking, he took action. He plunged for the
dagger Drailic had dropped in the drain. He landed roughly beside the murky
waters. Jonah reached for the dagger that was lying still on the drain floor.
He reached further, putting his shoulder in the water, and then taking a risk,
Jonah lowered his face into the grimy water. Jonah couldn’t swim, like most his
age, he hadn’t learned how to. He had
just grasped the blade end of the dagger when a hard rough hard grabbed his
ankle. Jonah grunted, twisted and kicked, trying to get Drailic to loosen, or
maybe even drop his grip. Jonah faltered
and grabbed the dagger, barely grasping it by the tip of the blade. He threw it
up and clasped it by the hilt, and in one swift movement thrust it through the waters
murky surface. Jonah twisted a tiny inch and reached down,
slashing Drailics closed fist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drailic
screamed intensely, out of mere pain. His grip faltered, but he didn’t let go.
Jonah kicked again, and again, his upper body still in the drain water. He
struggled furiously to get up, kicking out, wasting his precious energy. Jonahs
foot collided with Drailic’s face making his neck snap back. Jonah pulled his
head from the water and rolled over in muck and filth. He got up and peered at
Drailic angrily. He raised the dagger and flung it at his master’s heart. It
struck home with an unhealthy <i>twack! </i>Drailic
slumped to a still. He didn’t move. He was<i>
dead.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jonah gasped. He
had just killed; he nearly collapsed to the floor in disgust and shock, but
also fears. He had killed. Blood ran down the alley, pouring into drains. It
hit his shoes and he nearly got sick. He had killed. Jonah hadn’t meant to kill
him, it was just, the heat of the moment. He thought no more and quickly bent
down, picking up the dagger. He searched Drailic’s pockets, finding a gold
pocket watch. The pocket watch was gold,
encrusted with shining white diamonds. There was a small chain coming out of
the top of it and he linked it around his neck, tucking it in to his raggy
shirt. He quickly took off Drailics white coat and put it on himself, tying it
up. He looked at it. Fortunately, there was no blood. Jonah looked around cautiously. He couldn’t
leave the body there. He tried to heave it, but it was too heavy. He suddenly
wished he had some strength. His thoughts strayed to the silk factory Drailic
owned, and all the kids he had had enslaved, then he stopped. The body was too
heavy so with a disappointed sigh, he dropped it. Jonah looked at the opening
of the alleyway. He ran quickly towards the exit, hoping he could get away, to
forget about all that had happened in the past few minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joanh
reached the cobbled street of Dublin, and looked around, seeing horses and
carriages and rich, fancy people wearing bright and colourful clothes. It was a
sunny morning, and his eyes hurt from the change of the darkness within the
alleyway. He went to cross the road and a carriage flew past, nearly killing
him. Jonah jumped back, startled. He landed on the footpath in a puddle. He got
up and dusted himself off, soaking wet and mucky. Jonah sighed then saw another
carriage, a huge black shiny one with six white majestic horses pulling it. He
made a run at it and jumped onto the back of it, landing heavily on a small
ledge at the back of the huge carriage. He turned and looked to see if the
driver had noticed anything, but he couldn’t see that much. All he could see
was a silver top hat. Jonah sat back making himself comfortable on the small
ledge. It was just about big enough to hold him. He rustled back into what
seemed like a fur blanket. He didn’t care what it was, but it was warm. That’s
what mattered. He settled back and soon fell asleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-62407136859041544572012-06-07T12:32:00.001+01:002012-12-07T21:48:07.244+00:00The Destiny Heirs: Chapter 1.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter one:</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There the stone was, sitting perfectly on its bed, the
purple velvet cushion. It was sapphire
blue, beautiful and looked very precious. Livanna Recren sighed. She wasn’t
even going to try and steal it. Arax Filate was the proud owner of ‘Jem’s magical
objects and repair shop.’ Arax was a man of caution and took pride in his
lifetime business. Livanna was a thief.
A magical one, only she didn’t know that part. Livanna didn’t know about her
magic, she had run away from home at the age of seven. In order to survive, she
had become a thief. She was known
throughout the world as the best and only as the best. But, ‘Jem’s’ was way too
heavily guarded to even attempt a job on. She entered anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arax
jumped up from behind the solid oak counter and smiled cheerily, “How may I be
of service?” He spoke with an ancient kind of ancient air to him. His features scared Livanna. His face was
burned and he had three scars running parallel to each other, straight down his
face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna fixed her dark, scarlet red hat
with a feather protruding out of the top of it.
She wore a plain white blouse with lacy, brown leather pants. She
brushed herself down as if dusting herself off. She smiled back and asked, “How much is that
stone on the window?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He answered.
“Livanna Recren?” She was busted, “You can have it!” Arax reached across the
counter and grabbed the stone from the window, hastily, as if he was in danger
and had to hurry. He looked at her and thrust it into hands before she could
react.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna was stunned.
She couldn’t move, she was frozen with fear. Thieves were usually hanged when
caught. The part she didn’t understand was why he was <i>just</i> giving it to her. Livanna
finally decided to run. So with a messy roundabout turn, she made a break for
the shop door. A rough hand grabbed hers.
Livanna spun to see Arax’s un- delightful features glaring at her
coldly. He asked her to go into the back of the shop with him. Livanna
protested and tried to run again, resulting in a failure. She couldn’t break his grip and fell, her hat
falling off. Luckily, there was no one
in the shop. Arax half pulled, half dragged her into the back of the shop-
making the coloured beads hanging from the doorway dangle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna was
dumbfounded by the man’s strength, and tried once more, resulting in the same,
to pull away. Arax shook his head and muttered something. “What?” Livanna
shouted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arax shook his
head once more. “Livanna Recren, Daughter of Elise Evelyn and Darveckle Claw?” Livanna
gasped with surprise and nodded and opened her mouth to reply. Arax cut
in. ‘<i>How
did he know this?’ </i> The sentence ran
through Livanna’s mind repeatedly. “You
look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Arax chuckled, “Sit.” He said beckoning to a
chair. Livanna slumped into the ornate wooden chair Arax had told her too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know you ran
away when you were younger, Livanna,” Arax continued, “And you probably don’t
know this, but, I was a friend of you parents.” The front door to the shop
opened, causing the wind chimes hanging from the ceiling to chime softly and melodically.
It was beautiful. Livanna made to speak,
but Arax cut in again. “Hold that thought.” He walked back into the front door
of the shop. Livanna looked around. The back room was full of not only
magnificently crafted swords and daggers and other weapons, but also of ancient
looking artefacts and objects like vases and chairs. She got up and walked to a
small katana sword, in a black sheath with a gold dragon coiled around the
handle. It hung on the wall by two gold hooks. She grasped it in one hand and
held it up, examining it closely. It was magnificent, really. Then there was a
loud bang from the front of the shop. It was like something big had fallen. Livanna
yelped and hung the sword back on its hooks carefully, trying not to make it
look out of its place. She quickly sat back down on the ornate chair and
listened, not making a sound. The stone inside her pocket glowed, and then
burned her. Livanna pulled it out and saw it shining, luminously blue. There
was a thin silver chain dangling from a hole in the top of the stone, which
Livanna threw around her neck. The stone stopped glowing. She wondered why it <i>was glowing</i> in the first place. It was a mystery to her. Livanna sat still listening to a conversation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is it?” A
loud, strange voice bellowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know,
it was sold this morning, a man in a suit bought it.” Arax sounded frail
compared to the stranger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you are
lying,” the stranger remarked, “I think you are. Now, tell me where the stone
is!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna
gasped and held the stone Arax had given her tightly, holding into her chest.
The argument outside continued, but she wasn’t listening anymore. She was too
busy trying not to make noise. Livanna could feel her heart pounding, beat
after beat; it was like it was trying to get out of her chest. She took deep
breaths and then the shop door slammed. Arax ran into the back room, looking
ever so slightly older and concerned. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So,” Livanna
said trying to get a conversation started, and maybe some answers, answered,
“How did you know my parents?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arax waved the
question away and he became more serious. It all showed in his tone, he was
anxious. “They’re coming, all of them, I need to leave. And so do you, get out
of here. Run, and take the stone with you. Grab a weapon, and remember. Trust
no one. They’re coming….” He repeated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livanna made to
ask him who, but Arax ran through the doorway with the beads hanging from it
and dashed madly to the door. Livanna
shrugged and got up. She walked out to the front room. It contained vials of
every shape and size and vases and other items. There were weapons hanging on
the wall, all looked heavy. She kept
looking around until she got to the centre of the shop. It was a disaster. Livanna took the banging
noise as the wardrobe that was smashed on the ground in smithereens. She
gasped. A blinding white light soared
from within Livanna’s head and she nearly fell over. Then she suddenly
remembered something. ‘<b><i>Run’</i></b><i>. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> </i>The word was clear in her mind,
and it surged inside her, she wanted to run, but didn’t. The voice was strong and dubious. It
certainly wasn’t hers. It spoke again.<b>’ <i>Run, get out, and run. ‘Go, quickly. Remember,
trust no one. Get a weapon, you’ll need it.</i></b>’ Livanna rushed back into
the store room and grabbed the sword with the dragon handle. She stuck it
through her belt and returned to the front of the shop. She looked for her hat
which had fallen off her. She saw it lying, folded in half beside the counter.
She frowned and went and picked it up, straightened it out, put it on and fixed
herself. Livanna ran and vaulted over
the smashed wardrobe and opening the shop door, and dashed through it quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-70143935204307541662012-06-07T12:08:00.001+01:002012-12-07T21:47:49.549+00:00Part 2 of my new story which might have a name now! But im not sure..<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span>I
whink bou bwoke my boogh.” Ryder said from the floor, in pain. He spat out
blood and a tooth and said again, “Actually, you broke two teeth, knocked one
out and I’m bleeding. Thanks.” He looked up and saw the olive skinned boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, Nico.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey Alex, how’s it
going?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not great, “Alex
admitted, “Definitely could be better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jasmina Rocaine looked at the olive skinned boy named Nico. “Who
are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nico smiled showing big white teeth. “I’m Nico Wild, and this has
been Nico and Alex kicking your butt.” He spun the metal staff and smacked
it down hard on the giants head. The giant had been running towards him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The giant slumped, unconscious his head
bleeding in several places. Nico smiled happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smaller man was
making a dash for Alex who was in the procedure of getting up. Alex looked up, and
then jumped backwards landing on his hands. He snapped both his legs around the
small man’s neck and twisted his body, pulling the man onto the ground. Alex
stamped down on the mans nose hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
turned to Nico and the two of them walked over to where Jasmina was trying to
get the fire door open, without success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have just been
beaten by two teenagers, Jasmina. How do you feel?” Nico laughed at the woman’s
failed attempts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex shrugged and
smirked, “We’re going to leave now, ok? You never saw us…” He waved his hand in
front of Jasminas face and she fell too, unconscious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What did you do?” Nico asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Erased her memory, Why?” he answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dude, you used magic?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex flicked Nico’s ear and walked on, climbing the stairs up
to the ballroom door. “Yeah, I had to erase her memory. I can’t have the agency
know I was here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nico followed him, out onto the corridor of the large
vessel. “Why is that, exactly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex turned and spoke disappointment clear in his voice. “I
got discharged this morning. For disobeying orders, but it’s no biggie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s why you’re locater chip isn’t showing. Did they take
it out, or did you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well, if they took it out, would I be standing here talking
to you? No, I’d be dead. You know how they fell about discharged agents running
free. They’d have killed me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nico walked past him
and sighed. “You’re an idiot, a complete and utter idiot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex laughed lightly “I’ve been called worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nico opened his mouth to respond but closed it as they both
heard sirens. He reopened it to say, “Your use of magic alerted every agent in
this state you-“ They were in America, in Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex put up his hand. Voices swept over them from downstairs,
a woman’s voice and two men’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on Corbier!
Jerome! Quickly, before more cops get here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alex rushed over to the banisters and shone the light down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three people who were in the ballroom were
trying to rush out the door, three abreast failing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex couldn’t help but laugh and when Nico
joined him, he laughed too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Come on you blubbering idiots!” Jasmina roared pushing out
in front, walking- slipping and nearly falling- down the walkway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latter followed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alex turned to Nico.
“We can’t go that way; there will be too many agents. And plus, they’ll know
us. We need to get out of the country. Like, now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nico sighed and
replied, “We can’t use magic, and they’ll be able to trace us! And where would we
go anyway? It’s not like we can just go to absolutely anywhere…” He trailed
off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“London.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What?” Nico said, utterly surprised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s go to London. C’mon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can’t! That’s the city with the highest
population of magical beings! We’ll sure be traced.” Nico hardly took a breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look, ok? I’ve a
friend there that can take your chip out. Fake your death. Then I can get
properly sorted. I kinda took my chip out on the run with, like... a stone.” He
pulled up his sleeve to reveal a massive cut wrapped with a make do bandage
made out of a torn up t-shirt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like I’ve said
before, and will say many more times. You’re an idiot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whatever,” Alex
said playfully and grabbed his hand, teleporting to London. They landed in a
tattoo parlour where a man was getting a tattoo from a woman who looked
nineteen. He was getting a skull with flames going through the eyes on his
back. He was whining like a baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman looked
up. “Hey…” She seemed unsurprised that two fourteen year olds just teleported
into her tattoo parlour. “I’ll be with you in a sec, Al. Go through to the
waiting room, will you?” And Alex and Nico did just that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-75608323825977325412012-06-07T11:21:00.000+01:002012-12-07T21:47:07.244+00:00Part 1 of a new story which hasn't a name yet!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rain pelted down as the young man who seemed to be in
his twenties walked across the old boat yard. He was dressed in a dark black
trench coat which seemed to reflect the water from his body. He edged ever
closer to the rusted grey metal ship, picking up speed. His body language was
calm as he hurried as the beaten, grimy yard. A black hood hung over his face, covering
it from anyone seeing it. On top of the hood a hat of the same colour lay
hanging sideways. The man finally got to the ugly vessel and hopping up onto
the boarding plank he hurried up to a rusted metal door. The rain had gotten
heavier since he had entered the yard and he was damn glad of the coat he had
on, keeping him dry. By now, it seemed a small river had appeared ankle deep.
The man grabbed onto the door and pulled but it wouldn't budge. One side looked
melted and it was jammed onto the side of the boat blocking entrance. He pulled
again, deciding it was fruitless when it didn’t budge. He stepped back and
snapping his leg up, he kicked the door. It moved slightly, half an inch
inwards. He repeated the motion and the door collapsed backwards, falling
straight towards him. The man had to backflip and crouching on his knees, slid
down the boarding plank narrowly missing the doors wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did things like this everyday though,
narrowly avoiding death. It was his job, after all. The man slowly creeped back
up the metal plank and cautiously as it creaked loudly and hopped in through
the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spinning
around slowly the man took out a flash light and switched it on. It beamed forward
showing the entrance room to once a mighty vessel. He walked over to nearest
wall and admired the beauty of once a magnificent sailing ship. There was a
huge gold chandelier hanging from the ceiling, held up by a long massive chain.
It once held numerous lights but now only light holders. The remainder of the
bulbs lay across the ground in a sheet of broken glass. The light from the
torch bounced off the broken glass and reflected onto the ceiling. Shadows
bounced only making the man jump and be only more cautious of his
surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took another step and
was more aware of the silent crunch of the glass from underneath his feet. He
shone the torch towards the wall, showing what used to be gold wall paper, intricately
designed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remnants of it now were
just torn and cut. Blood lay on the walls which just added to the creepiness level.
The man stalked slowly to where he saw a staircase and latching his hands on
both the banisters, placing the torch in his mouth he slowly climbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the perfect viewpoint in the bridge of the large grey
vessel, Jasmina Rocaine saw the young man enter the deserted ship. He had
crossed the yard thinking he was undetected. Jasmina laughed a cold laugh and
turned from the window picking up her phone. “Agent Jerome, Corbier. He’s
coming.” She hung up and crossed to the desk table where she had most of her
work. Jasmina had set up a base on the ship and had never been bothered for t
east fifteen years. Of course, she was just waiting for this day. She circled
around the desk, picking up her cardigan from the swivel desk chair and draped
it over her shoulders. She looked at herself in the computer screen and smiled,
her dark red lips curling into an unsettling feature. Her high heels set her up
three inches taller and she fixed her hair. Her grey dress with big black
buttons was made from cotton. She had matching shoes. She turned and walked out
of the room, her shoulders held back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The young man entered the vessels room, a huge ballroom
centred exactly in the middle of the ship. He looked around to the bar, then to
the floor and finally across to where a woman in a grey cotton dress sat, legs
crossed. “I’ve been expecting you.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hooded man laughed deeply. “No
you haven’t.” His voice sounded mechanical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman got up
and crossed the room until she got to the bar. She looked back and smiled. “Would
you like a drink?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man held his
hands up in reply. “Fair enough,” Jasmina said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was unsettled
by her. He was scared almost. He looked up again as she continued talking. “See,
I’ve never been interrupted in all my years here. Either, you are a very good
spy or just a simple fool who thought it would be fun to come exploring.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, the man laughed. “You have me well studied, don’t you?”
She nodded, smiling. “But not that well studied.” He turned to walk back out
and walked into a massive brute of a man. He was at least seven foot tall and
had long wild hair. He looked as if he were some giant. Beside the brute there
stood a smaller man, around six foot who had a gun. His short hair was close
shaved to his head and he had a goatee. They both smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hooded man
laughed again. “Nice.” His next movement was a blur. He snapped his hand up,
grabbing the gun and pulled hard on it, releasing the safety trigger then
pulled down again and the gun shot: hitting the massive giant in the leg. The
hooded man punched the smaller man hard then spun, snapping his leg up to kick
the now crouched giant. His foot connected with his face and the giant fell,
cracking the floorboards. The hooded man pulled a knife and threw it at the
woman across the ballroom. It flew into the wood just above her head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wavered back and forth, until finally
coming to a still. The woman smiled at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tut-tut. Now, that’s
a bit mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No you’re mean, trying
to out number me. Well guess again, Jasmina.” Jasmina gasped, and then smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Look behind you.” The hooded man spun and halfway, just
after seeing that the giant was back up, he was hit hard in the head with the
gun. “As I said, I’ve been expecting you Mr Ryder.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The hood fell as the man did- or boy- as the hood fell, it revealed
that person hidden was not a man but a boy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had thick blond hair and blue eyes, just
placed on top of high cheekbones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
small white box fell from where the hood was- a voice modulator. The woman
smirked, just as a tall olive skinned boy entered the room, holding a metal
staff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Flame Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03939746688913990798noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-10132538874507540722012-06-05T12:35:00.000+01:002012-12-07T21:46:50.997+00:00My Skulduggery Short Story Entry!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valkyrie groaned,
and sat up. "I told you it was a trap," she said.<br />
"No, you said it <i>looked</i> like it was a trap," Skulduggery
corrected. "That's completely different."<br />
He helped her up as a door opened behind them and Sadistica Tortura walked
through, an unsettling smile on her lips.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skulduggery stiffened and cocked his head
sideways, fixing his hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He casually
reached for his revolver, subtly slipping his left hand into his jacket.
Sadistica saw him and shook her head. “Please, don’t. Let’s not make this
harder than it has to be,” She spoke, well pronounced. Sadistica Tortura was
wearing the attire of a tight pinstripe dress that came down to her knees,
which surprisingly, didn’t make it hard for her to walk. Her black hair and icy
blue eyes made her look as if she were scolding someone. “It is nice to see you
again, detective.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skulduggery sighed, one of his more
dramatic ones. “I would say the same but, really it isn’t. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trouble follows at your heels. What do you
want?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Valkyrie subdued a giggle and looked at
Skulduggery. “Who is this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skulduggery looked at the walls, which
were now covered in what looked like metal bars, in fact<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> metal bars.
“It was a cunning trick Sadistica. Not your usual style, simplicity made it
hard to be obvious, yet, still cunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Making the room into a cell that restricts magic. I give you due.”
Skulduggery turned to Val, “She’s Sadistica Tortura. She was on Melevolants
side in the war. She is a dangerous foe, cunning, smart and a brilliant
actress. I spent years chasing her, yet somehow she always got away. And now, she
has us trapped.” Skulduggery stood up tall and smiled, hands behind his back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sadistica
laughed, “Oh, you make me feel so… What’s the word?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Powerful?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skulduggery smirked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman smiled and continued, “That’s
it, powerful. But you obviously do not know why I have trapped you. Do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skulduggery shifted uncomfortably. “Would it
have anything to do with… a dog by any chance?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadistica ignored him and continued her rant,
“I know your secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have proof, that
what happened on O’Connell Street the other day were entirely both your faults
and I want you to do something.” She smiled and repeated, “I know your secret.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valkyrie gasped
and couldn’t speak. Skulduggery just stared unmoving down to the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How’d you find
out?” Val muttered calmly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who cares?” Skulduggery said. “Sadistica
Tortura, I’m afraid you are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finally</i>
under arrest.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadistica laughed, “You are in no position
to make an arrest, remember,<i> I’m in control</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Skulduggery’s turn to laugh. “Let
me give you your first lesson in detecting: never leave a man with his hands
behind his back, as it will always turn out worse for you.” He revealed his
phone and laughed. “Cleavers,” he called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A group of five Cleavers entered the room and grabbed Sadistica and they
dragged her out uneasily, as she kept kicking and screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-10207156353253767152011-11-06T20:32:00.001+00:002012-12-07T21:51:01.115+00:00An ApprenticeFlame stared at the letter from the sanctury. Literally stared. There was no point of course the decision was final. He was about to get an apprentice dectective, one with the ability to read the future and he did'nt partically like it. Her name was Zorabose. <br />
<br />
She had dark black wavy hair, a button nose and thin lips. she was slender and fit looking. He had only just got the letter, only, as in it just came through the letterbox of his apartment in Dublin. She was to be dropped off at six. He looked at his watch. The time of course was five to six. Typical......<br />
<br />
His flat was a mess, he needed a shower and had to drive into town to get something. <em>'Of course there would be no time for that now' </em>he thought as the doorbell rang. "God help me" he muttered annoyed,<br />
<br />
Flame was never one for keeping his anger in check. <em>Never. </em>He opened the door to find a small petite girl with black wavy hair. It was six on he dot. He opened the door wider and beckoned her in from the dreary corridor. She looked up at him curiously, staring at his red hair.<br />
<br />
"What?", he snapped.<br />
<br />
She giggled. "Hi, I'm..."<br />
<br />
" Zorabose Reckfiend", he cut her off " Apprentice detective, assigned to me by that stupid detective mentor project from the sanctuary, you can see the future. Anything else?"<br />
<br />
"Not really.." she answered disheartened.<br />
<br />
"Good", Flame sighed.<br />
<br />
"You don't want me here do you?, I can come back later if you would like?"<br />
"No, its fine, I'm just a bit short tempered."<br />
<br />
"Okey, Dokey", Zorabose said cheerily. She pushed past Flame and went into the living room. He followed her. Zorabose had already made herself at home, her black hard dirty boots on the coffee table, the TV remote in her hand currently watching Spongebob Squarepants. Flame walked over to the sofa across from her. He sat down.<br />
<br />
"You certainly know how to make yourself at home", he muttered.<br />
<br />
Zorabose looked up. "Wha?!?", she yelped startled "Didn't see you." She went back to watching TV.<br />
<br />
Flame looked at her. She was exactly like him when he was younger. Independent, willing and stubborn.<br />
<br />
"How old are you?", he asked out of the blue.<br />
<br />
"I am twelve", she muttered engrossed in Spongebob.<br />
<br />
"And", Flame continued, now he had her attention "Do you know who's idea it was to create this programme?"<br />
<br />
"Spongebob? yeah umm..", She looked thoughtful.<br />
<br />
"No", Flame interrupted, " The apprentice programme."<br />
<br />
"Yeah" Zorabose said surprised.<br />
"Who?"<br />
"Didn't you read the letter?"<br />
"No."<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"Just tell me" Flame snapped.<br />
<br />
"Ok, the Elders did. They thought it would be good. I mean after all Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain did it, why not others?"<br />
<br />
Flame got up and walked to the kitchen area where he had left the letter. He picked up and scanned it.<br />
<br />
<i>We have made this decision based on how well Detective Skulduggery Pleasant has got on with his apprentice Detective Valkyrie Cain</i><i>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Flame dropped the letter. "Damn!" he muttered, " I hate those two."<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To be continued.. </i><br />
<br />Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101838613525634423.post-56032752043274783702011-10-11T12:56:00.000+01:002012-12-07T21:52:05.226+00:00Arca Monvere p1 The necromancer wanted<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #999999; color: #fffce8; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23px;">The necromancer crunched across the snow to his car. He opened it with the button on his keys. His name was Acra Monvere, and he was a rogue necromancer who didn't bother with beliefs and that sort of mumbo- jumbo. His object that he stored his power in was a skull shaped brooch which he always wears just in case.<br />
<br />
He gave up on magic a couple of years ago. He got fed up of being bossed about, so he left. He switched on the engine and pulled out of his drive. He turned on the radio. He had wandered without a care in the world for a couple of years. He only settled down weeks ago.<br />
<br />
The radio blared and boomed all the way around town. Acra started singing the current song. He was very bad at it. Singing was never his thing. He got to the motorway and pulled out. He didn't know where he was going, but he'd know as soon as he got there. The news came on.<br />
<br />
<br />
"In the headlines today a woman has been murdered on the m50 by a mysterious man wearing black...."<br />
<br />
The car stopped. People beeped behind him. In the front a man walked of nowhere, coming straight at Acra's car. He knew instantly who it was. It was the high necromancer Baden Maugham. He hated rogues. He hated anyone who went against the beliefs.<br />
<br />
<br />
The door flew off its hinges. Acra tried to raise shadows, but his brooch was pulled off.<br />
<br />
"Hello," said Maugham cheerfully.<br />
<br />
Acra gulped. "Hi," he replied.<br />
<br />
And then Maugham was on the ground dead.<br />
<br />
Acra just managed.<br />
<br />
"What the hell?..."</span>Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplayinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14768308250017988884noreply@blogger.com5