tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46465168524545669572024-03-13T21:16:40.950-07:00Sparky Underground.Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-69899250492984058462012-09-08T20:08:00.001-07:002012-09-08T20:08:05.809-07:00Explanations.So, You are probably going to wonder what this is...<br />
<br />
I've been planning this for a while. basically, this blog has almost every piece of my writing.<br />
<br />
If you want to read an abandoned story, you can read it, there's a short comment on what I think of each story, you can ask for the ending of old stories in the comment section (or what I planned of the endings) and-if you really want to- pester me to restart stories.<br />
<br />
Have fun, kids!Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-22773663395753839152012-09-08T20:00:00.008-07:002012-09-08T20:00:57.360-07:00Hayley.
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Hayley looked over her shoulder,
clutching a cloaking sphere. She was running through the back streets of Sydney
away from the Chifley Tower. She dodged trashcans, jumped dumpsters and
sidestepped pedestrians. She sprinted into an empty alley and hid in the
shadows. She saw the Cleavers walk into the alley. There were three of them. It
was only thanks to her sheer speed that she was here and not in shackles. She
knew this alley like the back of her hand. She silently stepped up onto the
loose brick in the wall behind her. With out a sound, she stood on the dumpster
next to her. She ran off and jumped, and ran up the wall whistling all the
while. When she reached the top of the building she looked down and laughed at
the Cleavers. Hayley twisted the cloaking sphere on. As the bubble encased her
she sang with joy. Without a care in the world she flipped across the top of
Sydney. She was headed for Lavender Bay. She jumped off a building rolled just
as the cloaking sphere clicked off. She walked casually across the Harbour
Bridge. She stopped halfway across and looked over the edge. She checked the
area around her. There was no one there. She grabbed the railing and vaulted
over the edge. She gripped the underside of the bridge with her left hand and
pulled on the harness she had installed with her right. She clicked the harness
on and slid towards North Sydney. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She dropped off the bottom of the
Harbour Bridge and got a ferry to Lavender Bay. She hopped off the ferry and
strolled down the beach. She then ran up one of the rock ledges and lay down
and waited for her employer to arrive. Soon enough she saw shadows gather and
Conner Sickle stepped out. Connor Sickle had black hair, black skin and
absolutely no muscle whatsoever. He was tall and skinny. However the item he
channelled his magic into made him quite scary. A sickle. Unfortunately the
effect created by the sickle died as soon as he spoke with that nasal voice of
his.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Do you have it?’ He asked, in
earnest. Hayley took the cloaking sphere out of her leather jacket and held it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘My payment?’ She said lazily. He
reached into his pocket and waved it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Got it. Now give me that.’ He
said. Haley shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Doesn’t work like that, buster.
Give me the cash.’ Conner frowned and gave her the money. She counted it and
smiled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘It’s been nice doing business with
you sir.’ She said bowing. She twisted the cloaking sphere and flipped into the
tree behind her. She grinned. She may have done some bad stuff, but she didn’t
work with necromancers. She dropped back to the ground and threw a rock in the
trees. She then ran in the other direction laughing. What a sucker. She was
heading back to the Sanctuary for a ‘special meeting’. Of course, she would be
giving them their toy back. For a price. She stopped next to her motorbike, a
Suzuki Hayabusa. She swung her leg over the seat. She had gotten her licence
long before any of her friends, because she chose a bike over a car. She revved
and drove away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Twenty minutes later Hayley parked in
the very bottom floor of the Chifley Tower. This place gave her the creeps. It
made you feel like all of Sydney could be flattened and you would never know.
She walked to the staircase and pressed one of the bricks. A second set of
stairs opened. She walked down them and saw Skulduggery Pleasant waiting. She
pulled out her Mark 23 in a flash and had it trained on Skulduggery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Hello Hayley. How long has it
been?’ Skulduggery said cheerfully. Hayley scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Seven months. How <i>have</i> you been?’ She clicked the safety
off. Skulduggery waved his hand and the gun flew out of Hayley’s grip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Fine now that there isn’t a gun
pointed at me. And you?’ Skulduggery said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Great. I’m on the list if you were
wondering.’ Skulduggery stepped out of her way. She picked up her gun and hurried
past Skulduggery. She sat in the lobby, wondering why he had come back to
Australia. Hopefully not to settle old scores. She shuddered. Eventually Hayley
got called into the Hall of the Elders.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Elder Opine,
Elder Utter and Grand Mage Astute have arrived. Please wait inside.’ The
Administrator said in her hideously nasal voice. Hayley smiled and walked in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Welcome Hayley.
I believe you have something that belongs to us.’ Astute said. Astute had
cropped grey hair and only smiled when Hayley was around. Hayley was the only
person who fooled with him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Sorry Burritt, I
need to pay the rent don’t I?’ She said sweetly. Utter shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Skirmish, you
know the rules. You must address us by our titles.’ Utter scolded. Utter was
short and blonde. And unpleasant, from Hayley’s point of view.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Fine. Sorry
Grand Mage Burritt Astute, I need to pay the rent don’t I?’ She glared at
Utter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Better <i>Elder Arianna Utter</i>?’ She spat out.
Arianna did not like Hayley. Hayley did not like Arianna. Hayley reckoned that
Arianna focused on the fact that Hayley stole from the Sanctuary on a regular
basis rather than the fact that Hayley always stole the thing back and returned
it to the Sanctuary within a week. Hayley was a freelance, and that’s all Utter
ever saw. But she wasn’t <i>just</i> a freelance.
She was well-behaved one. Hayley thought Arianna was smart, but not clever. She
missed the big things and went on first impressions. Hayley remembered how they
had met. Hayley had been running out of the Sanctuary and had run into her. In
retrospect it was not her best intro.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Here it is, I
used it twice, but it should still be fine.’ Hayley said, tossing the cloaking
sphere at Opine. He caught it, fumbled and eventually got it still.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘This is a very
important piece of equipment Skirmish. Do not throw it around willy-nilly.’
Opine snarled. Gosh, he didn’t like her either. Maybe it was because she
insisted on calling him Elder Jerry. She also knew that he couldn’t catch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I wasn’t
throwing it willy-nilly. I threw it <i>at</i>
you. That’s hardly willy-nilly.’ She grinned. Burritt smiled as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Thank you for
returning it so quickly. I take it you didn’t need to steal it back.’ Burritt
said. Hayley nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I don’t work for
necromancers. I got the money and came back.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘So you stiffed
him?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Basically. Why
are we having this meeting anyway? Normally I just return it.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
Burritt frowned.
That was an astoundingly bad sign.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘You want me to
do <i>what</i>?’ Hayley cried. Utter and
Opine were smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘We want you to
steal from the necromancer temple, and bring the item here.’ Astute said.
Hayley shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘That’s not what
I’m worried about. You want me to become a Sanctuary <i>theft</i> agent?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
They all nodded.
She paced. She stopped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Sanctuary
approved <i>everything</i>? No offence, but
where’s the fun?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What about the
stealing bit? That’s the fun for you. So please steal this item.’ Burritt said.
Hayley sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Who am I
stealing from?’ She asked. Opine checked a file.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Connor Sickle.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Oh no.’ Hayley
groaned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Why?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I just stiffed
him. If he sees me, I’m dead.’ Burritt grimaced, Utter smiled and Opine winced.
They explained what Hayley was supposed to do, and she wasn’t going to do a
thing of it. Burritt knew this, but Utter and Opine were none the wiser. Hayley
thanked them and walked out of the Sanctuary meeting Skulduggery again. This
time his gun was out first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Please don’t
point that at me. I’m not in the greatest of moods right now.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What’s wrong?’
He asked, putting the gun away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘They want me to
work for the Sanctuary. I’m doing a job for them now.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Why is that a bad
thing? I work for the Sanctuary, it’s fun, I get to punch people and they don’t
get to punch me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘But I just stole
from this guy. If he sees me, I’m finished.’ She grumbled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Want me to help?
I’m supposed to be on vacation, but this sounds like fun. Who are you stealing
from?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Connor Sickle.
Necromancer. I just took cash from him without giving him the item he payed
for. Bad news all round.’ She looked at him. He nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Well, what are
we waiting for?’ As he walked towards the exit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
Hayley thought as
she drove towards the cemetery. The plan was that she would infiltrate the
temple, find the item and leave. Simple right? Wrong. The problem was what they
wanted to be stolen. They wanted Connor’s <i>sickle</i>.
That would undoubtedly make him angry. What’s the point in being Connor Sickle
without a Sickle? She revved down the street with Skulduggery’s Bentley next to
her. Occasionally he wound down the window and they chatted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘So you know
where the cemetery is?’ Skulduggery asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Yeah, I’ve been
there.’ She swerved into a driveway and Skulduggery followed, hot on her tail.
She slowed down and drove to what looked like a very old public toilet. She
parked , got off and beckoned for Skulduggery to hurry up. He opened the
Bentley door and snapped a twig on the ground as he stepped out. Hayley scowled
back and put a finger to her lips. He nodded and floated over. Hayley’s eyes
widened. That was new. She then pulled the cloaking sphere out of her jacket
and twisted it on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Since when could
you <i>fly</i>?’ She asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘When did you get
that?’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘The Cloaking
Sphere?’ She grinned, ‘I was meant to be returning it to the Sanctuary when I
was assigned to this job. I’d already returned it, but I took it again.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Very well.
Where’s the cemetery?’ He asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Look around.’
She replied. Skulduggery looked around and saw gravestones in the undergrowth.
The walked through the cemetery being perfectly quiet even though the Cloaking
Sphere was protecting them. Hayley walked up to the crypt at the edge of the
graveyard. She then took a key out of her pocket.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What’s that?’
Skulduggery asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘A key.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I can see that.
It appears to be a key to the crypt. How did you get it?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I stole it.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘From?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Connor Sickle. I
saw him earlier today. I thought a key to the Necromancer Temple would be
useful.’ She mumbled as she unlocked the door. There was a necromancer standing
in front of the door. Hayley froze. Skulduggery tapped her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Cloaking
Sphere.’ He said pointing at the ball.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘How long do we
have?’ She asked. He looked at the Sphere and held up two gloved fingers. Not
sure whether it was minutes or seconds she quickly hide against the wall. She
saw that she was correct to hide as Skulduggery floated above the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Who’s there?
This door didn’t open by itself. Show yourselves!’ The necromancer shouted,
walking outside and looking around. Skulduggery landed inside the Temple
without a sound. Hayley walked into the room on the ceiling. She walked above
him into the main hall. She hopped onto the ground next to Skulduggery and they
nodded to each other, pulled their handguns out and walked against opposite
walls. Skulduggery peeked around the corner and nodded to Hayley. She padded
across the hall and plastered herself to the new wall. Skulduggery walked into
the corridor and walked into a room. He beckoned her in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
They walked back
out of the room wearing black robes. They walked around looking carefully at
each of the necromancers that they passed until Hayley elbowed Skulduggery and
turned around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Are you sure
that’s him?’ He whispered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Positive.’ They
walked behind him and followed him into a room. He turned around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What are you
doing in here?’ He asked irritably. Hayley took her hood off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘You?! What are you
doing here?’ He asked, his face turning red. Skulduggery took his hood off.
Hayley held out the Cloaking Sphere. Connor grabbed for it. Hayley took it
back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Trade.’ She
said. Sickle looked at both of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What are we
trading?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘This is the
problem. You aren’t going to trade. We already know that, so it’s a matter of
skipping to the bit where we hit you.’ Skulduggery said. Connor paled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What do you want
to trade?’ He whimpered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘The Cloaking
Sphere, for your sickle.’ Hayley said. Connor looked at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What? Why do you
want my <i>sickle</i>?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I don’t want it.
But I need to take it.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Fine. Take it.’
Connor said, shoving the sickle forward. Hayley and Skulduggery stepped back
instinctively.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What’s wrong?
You asked for it, I’m going to give it to you.’ He said. They stared at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Why are you
giving to us without a fight?’ Hayley asked warily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Because I <i>need </i>the Cloaking Sphere.’ Hayley looked
at the Cloaking Sphere and punched Connor’s nose as hard as she could. He
stumbled back, blood streaming from his nose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What was that
for?!’ He exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Because I need
the Cloaking Sphere.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘<i>Then why did you offer it to me?!</i>’ He
exclaimed. Hayley shrugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I dunno. It
seemed like a good idea at the time.’ Hayley said. Connor scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Well, my nose
hurts. Please don’t hit me again. You can take my sickle and the Cloaking
Sphere if I can have my money back.’ He mumbled. Hayley grinned and took the
sickle out of his hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Lets go.’ She
said to Skulduggery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘This went
nicely. Good-bye Mr Sickle. I hope to never meet you again.’ Skulduggery said
cheerily. They walked out the room into a group of rather angry looking
necromancers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Oh.’ Hayley
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Ah.’ Skulduggery
murmured.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘We’ll just be
leaving now.’ Hayley smiled. The necromancers laughed. She sighed and jumped, snaking
both of her legs out and kicking to of the necromancers. Skulduggery snapped
his palms outwards and the necromancers were thrown backwards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘As I said, we’ll
just be leaving now.’ Hayley said again. She turned and sprinted towards the
exit Skulduggery at her side. They ran out into the darkness. Hayley flipped
onto her bike and revved it. She watched Skulduggery dive into the Bentley and
turn it on. As they drove away Hayley frowned. That had been far easier than
anticipated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘You got it?’
Opine said, clearly annoyed about something. Hayley ignored him and handed the
sickle to Burritt. Burritt smiled and beckoned Hayley closer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
She leaned in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Yes Burritt?’
She asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Hayley, I need
you to leave.’ He said. She frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Why?’ She
whispered. He flicked his eyes at the ceiling and she nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Yes Grand Mage.
I’ll get right onto it.’ She said loudly. She turned and walked out, grabbing
Skulduggery on the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘We are going
up.’ She said to him firmly. Skulduggery cocked his head, but didn’t argue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
The walked outside
the Chifley Tower and Hayley got out the Cloaking Sphere again. That thing was
really handy. She twisted it and watched the bubble expand around Skulduggery
and herself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Ready?’ She
asked him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What exactly are
we doing anyway?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Burritt told me
to meet him on the roof.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘This roof?’ He
said pointing up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘What other
roof?’ She laughed and started running up the side of the Chifley Tower.
Skulduggery whistled and flew up after her. Skulduggery landed as Hayley
reached the top. There was a silhouette on the rooftop. Hayley nodded to
Skulduggery and pulled out her gun. Skulduggery did the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Who is it?’ The
silhouette called.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Skulduggery
Pleasant and Hayley Skirmish. Who are you?’ Skulduggery called.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Yes it is.’
Hayley replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Names are not
the concern of dead people Miss Skirmish.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘I’m not dead.’
Hayley scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Yes you are.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Nope, I’m still
kicking.’ She said sensing a trap. She ducked and flipped backwards. There was
someone waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Damn. She
jumped. Where’d you go you little b-‘ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Now that isn’t
very nice language is it?’ She smiled. <i>This
</i>was the fun bit. She jumped in front of him again, turning in mid-air so
that she landed acing him. She then grabbed his head and brought her knee up to
meet his chin. He yelled and stumbled backwards. Hayley quickly darted behind
him and kept him from falling off the building. She then whacked the back of
his head with the butt of the gun. She smiled as his head hit the ground with a
satisfying <i>crack.</i> She looked up and
saw Skulduggery throwing flame at his two assailants. Wait… <i>Two</i>? Hayley attempted to flip but
someone grabbed her ankle and brought her back down to the floor. She tried to
raise her arms to protect her head but only succeeded in hitting her elbows
against the ground and her head against it harder. She saw stars and felt her
self being held upside down. She opened her eyes and felt sick. She looked down
at the ground and quickly figured out that she was being held over the edge of
the building. This was bad. She gripped the mans wrist with her feet, twisted
and heard the mans wrist crack. He yelped and dropped her. She swore and felt
another hand around her ankle. She looked up and saw a gloved hand pulling her
up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Thanks.’ Hayley
breathed. Skulduggery pulled her onto the roof, and grabbed his gun off the
ground. Hayley did the same and they both shoot at each of the men. They fell
to the ground and stayed there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘That’s the last
off them. Time to go.’ Skulduggery called.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Then what are we
waiting for?’ Skulduggery grabbed her waist and they flew away from the Chifley
Tower.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
Hayley leaned
against the railing on the Harbour Bridge and thought. Why had Burritt sent her
up there? They were friends weren’t they? She didn’t know anymore. Skulduggery
appeared next to her with a boy who had stupid hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
‘Are you coming
Hayley?’ Skulduggery asked. She looked over her shoulder and nodded. They
teleported and immediately got showered in rain. Hayley sighed. Ireland. This
was certainly going to be interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 277.6pt;">
<br /></div>
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So, that was the story I wrote to go with the character competition at the end of last year. Um, I look at it and...</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ugh. The plot... Wasn't <i>too </i>terrible, I suppose. But it wasn't good. Like, highly improbable occurrences. </div>
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And anyway, Derek wrote Hayley much better than I did.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Completed.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-52616060983921429722012-09-08T20:00:00.007-07:002012-09-08T20:00:51.690-07:00Echo.
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Scarlet walked out of school, her two ‘friends’ complaining
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‘Scarlet, what do you think?’ One of them asked. Scarlet
turned, glaring. The two girls cowered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I think that you wouldn’t be complaining as much if you had
been paying attention in Maths instead of drooling at Travis.’ She scowled and
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‘Scarlet, you can’t treat us like that. You lucky to even,
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‘Lucky? Lucky? How could anyone possibly think of me as
lucky when I have two morons following me everywhere? Your constant chatter is
turning my brain to mush. Goodbye Charlotte. Goodbye Jessica.’ And with that
Scarlet walked home by herself, feeling like she should’ve done that three
weeks ago when the two idiots had started to follow her like lost puppies. Scarlet
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* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two boys peeked around the corner. They were looking at an
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‘Dude, it can’t be true.’ The first said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Shush! Travis, if
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laughed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘It is! I swear, it is.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Prove it.’ Travis smirked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Okay. Look at the entrance. If it <i>wasn’t</i> the entrance, why are there people guarding it? And why are
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‘Ace, it could be a prison.’ Travis said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Travis! You know that isn’t a prison. You <i>took</i> me to the prison.’ Ace groaned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘True. But I still don’t believe you.’ Travis said. Ace
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‘C’mon, if we stay any longer we’ll get caught.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Fine.’ Travis grinned. They headed back to Ace’s house. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Travis I am sure that was the place.’ Ace insisted, walking
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‘Why? Ace, really, why?’ Travis asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Because it makes sense. The doors would be small or
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* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlet ignored the boy, concentrating on her homework. The
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After twenty minutes Scarlet sighed, put her work down and scowled at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Are you here to stalk me, or tell me something? Because I
don’t like people breathing down my neck while I work.’ She said, impatiently.
The boy said nothing. Scarlet glared at him, something that generally made
people cower. The boy stared back at her. Scarlet frowned slightly and glowered
again. She inspected him. He had short black hair. His eyes were dark and his
skin was pale.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Scarlet Grant, you have an assignment.’ He said. His voice
was deep and menacing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I do. I have a Maths assignment and a Science assignment
and a History assignment- I could go on all day. But I am sure that isn’t what
you mean.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You are correct. Here.’ He handed her a folder. ‘You have
one week to decide whether you will comply or not. If you do agree, I shall be
seeing you again. If not, it was nice meeting you.’ He got up and walked away.
Scarlet watched him walk away, very confused. She shook her head and finished
her homework. Then she checked to see if anyone was around. No one was. She
picked up the folder and looked at the outside. It was cream and made of
cardboard. It looked very, very professional. Scarlet opened it up and started
reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ace followed the girl, silently. Eventually she walked into
an empty alley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello again Ace Collins.’ She said, not turning. Ace had
been approached by the same girl and few days previously. She had long,
straight black hair, dark eyes and pale skin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I showed Travis. He didn’t believe me. And I want to know your
name.’ Ace replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘My name isn’t important. I told you that boy didn’t trust
you. Are you ready?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Your name <i>is</i>
important. Show me the folder.’ He said, narrowing his eyes.<span lang="EN-US"> The girl turned
around and handed him the folder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'My name is not important. You have one week to
decide whether you will comply or not. If you do agree, I shall be seeing you
again. If not, it was nice meeting you.' And with that she turned and left. Ace
watched her go, then left for a nearby park. He sat down near a pond and looked
at the folder. It was cream and cardboard. It looked extremely official. Ace opened
it and started reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scarlet finished reading the folder and looked at the bottom
of the last page. There was a dotted line where she would sign if she agreed. She
checked her watch. She needed to go home. She got up, thinking about what they
were asking her to do. It was ludicrous. Scarlet was only fifteen after all.
She got home and walked straight to her mini library. She dropped her stuff on
the floor and placed the folder on her desk. She then scanned her bookshelf,
looking for her book on law. Scarlet picked out the book and flicked to the
table of contents. Chapter Twelve- Laws. She checked up the list. Accepting the
assignment would result in her breaking several laws. But she wanted to know
more. She looked at the folder. It had said something in it about working with
a partner. Who? She didn’t want the black-haired boy. He was creepy. And the
first person Scarlet had met that didn’t react to her glare. People could meet
it, and then shy away. But never stare back. It worried Scarlet greatly that
anyone <i>could</i> do that. She looked
across at her desk again. This was exactly what she had been wishing for. But
now it was waiting for her she wasn’t so sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ace walked back to the doors as he was reading. The girl had
said that the doors were The Entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘The entrance to what?’ He had asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘The Entrance to The Vacuum.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What, you mean <i>The</i>
Vacuum?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes.’ She answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘The Vacuum to, y’know. The other side?’ Ace asked,
nervously. The girl nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes. And, I’m afraid, if you can’t say the place’s name,
you can’t get the job.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Fine.’ Ace tensed. ‘The <i>Echo
Side.</i>’ The girl smiled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And you’ll have to stop flinching.’ And with that the girl
had walked away. Ace shuddered. The Echo World. That place was mysterious and
terrifying. There was the world that Ace knew and loved and the Echo World. The
Vacuum was the space in-between. In the side Ace was standing in, people could
be mean, bad and disgraceful. But on the Echo side there was a version of Ace.
A version of Ace who was pure evil. The was a version of Travis who was pure
evil. The Echo land was called that because it was like and echo of society.
Like something that’s been broken and out back together, but not quite right.
Something had to change. The people, activities the places were all the same on
both sides, but on the Echo side, it was lined with hate, spite and evil. Ace
finished reading and looked at the doors again.
It was going to be dangerous. And life-threatening. Ace was in. He ran
home and signed the paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning Scarlet woke up and got ready for school.
She eyed the folder and put it in her backpack. She trotted to school, feeling
good about getting to sit with her real friends again. She got to school and
walked to her locker. She put her bags away and looked for her friend Sara.
Finally, after ten minutes of looking, Scarlet found Sara. Sara saw Scarlet and
scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sara! How are you?’ Scarlet asked. Sara kept scowling.
Scarlet frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sara, I swear, I don’t know why I was talking to those
morons. I’m sorry about what I did, and I want to make it up to you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why should I trust you? You deserted me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because yesterday I told Charlotte and Jessica that they
had about as many brain cells as a plank of wood.’ Scarlet smiled. Sara smiled
as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Welcome back buddy. Lets get to class.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At lunch Ace was walking to the library when he saw a girl
holding the same folder that he had gotten yesterday. He watched for a moment, and
then kept walking. It had to be a coincidence. He scampered to the library, and
started to do the homework he was meant to be doing yesterday. After a few
minutes he saw the girl with the folder walk in. She was in some of his
classes, but he couldn’t remember her name. She had ash brown hair, and
turquoise eyes. Her skin was pale, and had a couple freckles. She sat down at a
desk at the other end of the library and opened up the folder. Ace watched her
get out a pen and read the folder. It could be her homework. She could be doing
homework, in a cream cardboard folder. She could be finishing off an
assignment, which was encased in a folder. It could be hundreds of things. But
he was still curious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scarlet was sitting in the school library, reading the
folder again. She wanted to sign, but was <i>way</i>
to nervous. As she got closer to the end, the hand she was holding the pen in
was shaking slightly. She got to the end and stared at the dotted line where
she was supposed to sign her name. Scarlet wished that the line would fade
under her gaze. She blinked, snapping her out of it and glanced up. In the
short look, she realised that a boy was staring at her. She closed the folder
and put the pen in her pocket. She wasn’t signing while someone was watching.
No way. She got up, and moved to a place where she could get a proper look at
the boy without being conspicuous. She looked at him then pretended to get a
book out. Scarlet thought his name was Ace, but couldn’t be sure. It might’ve
been Alec or something. All she knew was that he hung out with Travis. Which
means she didn’t like him. His hair was shaggy in length and sandy in colour.
His eyes were emerald green. His skin was slightly tanned. He made eye contact
with her and she scowled at him. When he had made a suitably disconcerted face,
she walked out of the library. She met Sara on the way back to her locker, and
they chatted till it was time for class. Scarlet finished talking with Sara and
smiled. Sara provided a level of intelligence to the conversation that
Charlotte and Jessica would never be able to compete with. Scarlet walked to
the park after school at sat at the same bench she had yesterday and began
working on that day’s homework. About half an hour later the boy from school
sat at the other side of the bench. Scarlet was getting annoyed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ace followed the girl out of school, to the park. He stood
by a tree as she started her homework, and eventually went to sit near her. She
looked up at him. She then realised who he was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Dude, what the hell? You were watching me in the library
today, and you followed me here. What’s your problem?’ She asked, clearly
angry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Look, my name’s Ace, and I saw you with a folder at lunch.’
He stammered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Mine’s Scarlet. That folder is private.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes, I know it is, but I have one just like it.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So? You can get those folders anywhere.’ She said, doing
her homework again. Ace leaned forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes, I know, but I didn’t get it. Someone gave it to me.’
When Ace said that Scarlet looked up again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Black hair, pale skin, dark eyes?’ She asked. Ace nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Did you sign it?’ Scarlet asked quietly. Ace nodded again.
Scarlet grinned and got out her folder. She signed it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So, what now?’ She asked. Ace was about to say that he had
no idea when the black-haired girl arrived with someone who looked like his
brother. They stood looking at Ace and Scarlet. Then the boy spoke up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ace Collins, Scarlet Grant. You have both decided to comply
with the contract. Here is the equipment you will need.’ He said, placing two
black backpacks on the bench. Then the girl continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Your instructions are in the bags. You are each others
partners if you hadn’t figured it out yet.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, we figured that out.’ Scarlet said. The
black-haired pair smiled, which was a bit creepy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'We won't be seeing you again.' They said in unison.
They walked away for the last time, leaving Ace and Scarlet by themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next day, Saturday, Ace and Scarlet met outside
the Entrance. They were dressed in black and they had weaponry strapped to them
in case of an emergency. Scarlet was pale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Are you sure we can pull this off Ace?' She asked.
Ace shrugged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I don't think they would be the kind of people to
have an error of judgment.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'True. So, when do we go in?' Scarlet was referring to
a small set of doors to the left of the Entrance. Ace shrugged again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'The note said wait for the signal.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'But what signal? Ace, this could be a disaster.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Again, I doubt they would've picked us if we weren't
the right people for the job.' right after Ace said this, every guard sprinted
off to the right, where an alarm was going off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I bet that's the signal. Let's go.' Ace said, his
eyes lighting up. The pair sprinted across the court, stopping outside the
smaller set of doors. Ace tried the doorknob. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Shit. It's locked, what do we do?' he said, kicking
the door. Scarlet sighed and got out the lock picking kit in her backpack. Ace
frowned as she did so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I didn't get one of them. How come you got one of
them?' He asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Because,' She said through her teeth as she picked
the lock, 'They must've known that I can do this sort of thing.' She grinned
and opened the door. 'Just one of my many talents.' She said smiling. They
walked into a dark, grey hallway. They didn't say a word as they walked through
the passage. Eventually they came a door. Ace checked the map of the indoor
complex and nodded. Scarlet opened the door and the pair walked into the next
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Whoa.’ Ace said, as he pulled Scarlet into the
shadows with him. They had walked into a room full of guards. They were walking
around the room like clockwork. It was a miracle that Ace and Scarlet hadn’t
been spotted. At the center of the room, there was a column of wiring leading
to the roof. It was thicker than a redwood tree trunk. Scarlet scanned the
room, and pointed at a door at the other end of the room. Ace consulted the
map.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘That’s the one. How in the hell are we supposed to
get there?’ He whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well, using your brain is a start. We got equipment
for a reason.’ Scarlet said, digging through her backpack. Ace grinned and did
the same. They pulled out what would be useful, and looked at what they had.
Not much. Ace gripped a box of matches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Do you have anything flammable?’ He asked under his
breath. Scarlet nodded and opened her backpack again. ‘How much stuff does she
have?’ Ace thought. Scarlet pulled out a notebook. She then got out a pencil
and wrote: ‘I always keep an empty one on hand.’ She handed him the note book
and whispered,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What are you going to do?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Burn it.’ He slid along the wall until he was under a
sprinkler. He then lit a match and set the notebook on fire. He then motioned
for Scarlet to pack everything up and head to the other side of the door that
they had come in by. She did so, and Ace met her about ten feet from the door
that they had entered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘When the fire alarm goes off, I assume that they will
exit that way. When they do, we move to the target. Okay?’ Ace said. Scarlet
nodded and shoved her backpack underneath a row of pipes sticking out of the
wall. She then did the same with Ace’s backpack and then wedged herself in as
well. She beckoned for Ace to do the same. Ace jammed himself in, at the very
edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘This is uncomfortable, to say the very least.’ He
grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Would you rather get caught or be uncomfortable for a
few seconds?’ Scarlet hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fair enough.’ He murmured. A couple of seconds later
the alarm went off and the guards left the room. Ace poked his head out and saw
that there was no one left. He got out and stretched. He then helped Scarlet
pull out the bags and together they ran across the room. Scarlet got out her
lock-picking kit again. Ace sighed; knowing that time was of the essence and
kicked the door of its hinges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No one’s going to hear it over the alarm.’ He said,
smiling. Scarlet scowled and pushed him through the door. Ace stumbled through
and scowled back at Scarlet. He then faltered and checked the map. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We have to walk up these stairs, and go into the room
above.’ He headed up the stairs, followed by Scarlet. They walked up the stairs
and headed into the next room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Danielle looked over her shoulder as the door opened.
She had ignored the fire alarm when it had gone off ten minutes previously. To
her surprise, there were two teenagers standing in the doorway. They looked
just about as shocked as she felt. She faced her keyboard again and finished
what she was doing. She then turned around and faced the kids again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Who the hell are you?’ She asked. The two kids looked
at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I don’t think we should tell you that.’ Said the girl.
Danielle snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My name is Danielle Clark. Now, who are you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No offence Danielle, but knowing your name doesn’t
really alter the situation that much.’ Said the boy. Danielle smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Okay, so I’m not about to find anything out about
you. Can I ask why you’re here?’ The pair looked at each other and shook theirs
heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fine. What happens next? You obviously didn’t come
here for fun.’ Danielle narrowed her eyes. ‘Who sent you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We don’t know. We don’t know who sent us. They never
told us.’ Said the girl..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hmm. What did they look like?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Black hair. Dark eyes. Pale skin. Scary.’ Said the
boy. Danielle sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Of course it’s them. Look, I need to know your names.
<i>Just</i> your first names.’ The two kids
had been walking towards Danielle as the conversation progressed and they were
right in front of her now. The boy opened his mouth to answer, then shot his
fist at her chin. Danielle’s head rocked back and her vision clouded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You little shits.’ She said as she passed out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ace grinned as Danielle fell to the floor. He shook
his hand and blew on his knuckles. Scarlet rolled her eyes and knocked him
over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So this is it.’ Scarlet said as Ace got back up
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, I guess. What do you think will happen
afterwards?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Lots of running. <i>Lots</i>
of running.’ Scarlet said. Ace got out a pair of scissors and Scarlet sat down
at the keyboard. She typed a message onto the screen, as she’d been told. ‘I
believe that we’ve won this battle Danielle.’ Scarlet looked down at Danielle.
She was fast asleep. Scarlet then proceeded to delete every single document on
the computer. Ace went up to the mass of wiring with the scissors. He cut the
six nearest wires and then something sparked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Time to go!’ He yelled. Scarlet got up and ran for
the door. Ace was already on his way down the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Wait up!’ She shrieked. Ace stopped briefly then
started running again. They ran out and sprinted across the court. They were
running back to Ace’s place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘This way!’ He yelled, speeding into a side street. He
jumped a fence and skidded to a stop when he heard the crash of Scarlet hitting
the fence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ow…’ She groaned. Ace looked at her disbelievingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Have you never jumped a fence before?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No. That hurt. I didn’t see the fence cause I was
looking over my shoulder and I turned and jumped and hit the fence. Help me
over.’ She scowled. Ace grabbed her wrist and pulled her over the fence. Ace
was having a hard time not laughing at Scarlet. She growled at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Okay, Scarlet, we need to jump over three fences to
get to my place. Can you handle it?’ He said, smirking. Scarlet scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. In fact, <i>race
you!</i>’ She started running in the middle of her sentence and was laughing at
the end. She raced towards the fence, jumped, put her hand on the top of the
fence and vaulted over. Ace followed, thinking he could catch up easily.
Scarlet <i>was</i> a nerd after all. He
sprinted and landed next to her after the third fence. She had stopped and was
looking at a café across the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’m hungry.’ She said. Ace was red and panting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You want to have lunch?’ He spluttered. ‘With <i>me</i>?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sure. I have money in my backpack.’ She smiled and
pulled Ace across the to the café. They sat down at a table up the back. The
waiter came and gave them menus. They sat and ate together, chatting. They
discussed school and teachers for about an hour. Scarlet paid the bill and they
walked back out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ace, I think the waiter thought we were on a date.’
Scarlet said quietly. They looked at each other and laughed awkwardly. Ace
rubbed the back of his head and grimaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah… Stupid idea huh?’ He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, stupid.’ Scarlet trailed off. There was a
moment of silence and then Scarlet shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I need to go, I’m meeting Sara in the park later and
I need to get changed.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, I need to- where in the park?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘By the really big tree. Why?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’m meeting Travis near the lake later, that’s all.’
He said. As Ace said Travis, Scarlet recoiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What’s wrong?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I was right. You <i>are</i>
one of Travis’s pawns.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What!? No I’m n-‘ Ace began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No, Ace. Just, no.’ Scarlet stormed away. Ace watched
her go and sighed. The waiter walked up beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What happened? You looked so happy together.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We aren’t dating. I don’t even think we’re friends.’
Ace trudged home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Scarlet kicked a rock. She knew it. She knew that he
was one of Travis’s pals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘God damn moron.’ She muttered. She hated Travis. A couple of years back,
Travis had been an even bigger bully than he was at the moment. He had been the
classic ‘wedgie, swirly and slam people into their lockers’ bully. But one day,
two years, four months and eleven days ago to be exact, Travis thought it would
be fun to add something to his repertoire. His test subject? That strange and
dorky new girl; Scarlet Grant. Scarlet had been walking through a hall, holding
all of her books, trying to figure out which classroom to go to when Travis had
come up to her, offering to help. Unaware that he was a complete dick, Scarlet
had smiled and thanked him, piling half of her books into his open arms.
Scarlet had no idea how Travis managed it, but he had obtained Scarlet’s pencil
case in the process. He somehow flicked a pen out of the case, and quickly
scribbled: ‘Mr. Blandy is a shit.’ Onto her Math book. She had Math next. He <i>knew</i> that she had Math next, and that Mr.
Blandy was her teacher. He also knew that Mr. Blandy was the meanest teacher in
the entire school. Travis earned Scarlet three weeks detention and a counseling
session. Even when she told the people around her that she had no idea where
the message had come from. It was only when she had learnt Travis’s handwriting
did she realize the truth. She had been so angry, but the event had taken place
too long before, and making a fuss would’ve made her look bad. She arrived home
and got ready to meet Sara.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ace met up with Travis at the park, his mind still
whirring for the morning’s events. He had gone over Scarlet’s exit inside his
head a hundred times. He didn’t understand what he had said or done to annoy
her. Ace sat down near the lake and put his head in his hands. Travis crept up
behind Ace and grabbed his shoulders, shoving him forwards then back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Got ya!’ He yelled. Ace got up and whirled at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Not cool Travis! Don’t do that.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Chill man, I wasn’t gonna let you drown.’ Travis
laughed. Ace scowled and punched Travis’s shoulder. Travis punched back. The
two started fighting and rolled around on the grass. When they had finished
they got up and brushed themselves off. Ace looked around and spied Scarlet
sitting in one of the lower branches of the tree. She was sitting next to a
girl, who he a assumed was Sara, and was smiling, but Ace could tell from her
eyes that Scarlet was sad. Sara said something and Scarlet laughed, and then
pushed Sara out of the tree. Ace was about to say something when Travis tackled
him from behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>Hey</i>!’ Sara
yelled as she fell out of the tree. Scarlet giggled. Sara clambered up the tree
and stood on the branch. Scarlet stood up, and the two of them grappled on the
branch. The branch sagged and the girls lost balance and fell off together,
shrieking. They got up laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It’s your fault. You were the one who brought it up!’
Scarlet smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah but’s that’s only- what’s wrong?’ Sara asked.
Scarlet was staring into space. Sara followed her eyes and saw Travis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Oh. C’mon, lets get out of here.’ Sara said, pulling
Scarlet away. Scarlet glanced at Sara, pulling her arm back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It isn’t Travis.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Then who? The boy there with Travis? What’s his
name?’ Sara trailed off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ace.’ Scarlet said. Scarlet turned and walked away.
Sara ran after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Scarlet, what’s up? Why don’t you like Ace? You’ve
never even spoken!’ Sara said. Scarlet stopped suddenly, turned around and
sprinted towards the boys. Sara watched her fly past and scratched her head.
What was Scarlet doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ace wrestled Travis off and got up, only to be tackled
into the lake by Scarlet. Ace screamed and splashed into the water. He pushed
away from Scarlet, and kicked his legs, shooting towards the surface. His head
emerged and he gasped for air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What the hell just happened?’ Travis yelled. Ace’s
eyes were burning. He saw Sara run up and yell something. He didn’t hear. Ace
twisted in the water and scanned the water for Scarlet. She hadn’t surfaced
yet. He dived again, and saw Scarlet thrashing under the water. She had managed
to get her ankle wrapped in a fleet of seaweed. She was panicking and making it
worse. Ace tried to remove the seaweed, but Scarlet was kicking to hard. He
came back up for air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>Where’s Scarlet!?</i>’
Sara yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Help me!’ Ace yelled back. He beckoned for Travis and
Sara to help him and dived back under. He attempted to remove the seaweed
again, but Scarlet was thrashing more than ever. He then saw Travis dive in,
followed by Sara. Sara grabbed Scarlet’s legs and held them together. Travis
pinned Scarlet’s arms to her body. Ace swam downwards and untied the plant from
Scarlet’s ankle. Sara and Travis let go and the four of them surfaced. They
crawled out of the water, dripping. Travis, Sara and Ace stared at Scarlet, who
was pale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I think that worked out worse for me than anyone
else.’ Was all she said. Sara broke the silence. ‘Why did you do that?’ She
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I don’t know.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Scarlet, why did you tackle me?’ Ace asked. Scarlet
blushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Because I was angry with you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Was?’ Ace inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. Was. I <i>was</i>
angry with you. I am no longer angry with you. I’m sorry. I don’t think I have
a grudge against Travis anymore either, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy his
company.’ She said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You had a grudge against me?’ Travis asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah. If you pretend that you don’t know what I’m
talking about, I will have a grudge against you again, so tread carefully.’
Scarlet said, eyebrows furrowed. Travis thought for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Oh… You’re <i>Scarlet</i>…’
He said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know how it would turn out and, I didn’t want it
to end up quite so severely for you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You aren’t used to apologies are you?’ Sara said.
Travis scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No. But I do feel bad about what happened to Scarlet.
Again, I’m sorry.’ Ace got up. Scarlet also got up. Sara and Travis looked at
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You going anywhere?’ Sara asked. Ace and Scarlet
looked at each other and nodded. They walked away, leaving Travis and Sara very
confused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ace and Scarlet walked away from Sara and Travis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘They’re going to be suspicious Ace.’ Scarlet
whispered. Ace nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I know that, but we can’t let them know.’ He said.
They turned a corner and waited. After about thirty seconds a man with black
hair, dark eyes and pale skin walked up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You did a good job this morning. You will be giving
new assignments when they come. But if you wish to continue, you need to train.
Scarlet Grant, you will start either Judo or Karate. Ace Collins, you will
begin learning how to speak either Portuguese or Russian. Do you have any
questions?’ He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. If we <i>do</i>
keep doing this, we want to know whom we’re working for. I assume it’s a family
thing, considering the similar features.’ Scarlet said, her eyes boring into
his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. We are The Recollection. Anything else?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘The Recollection? Okay. We kind of meant names but
that will do, I guess.’ Ace said, avoiding the man’s gaze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Excellent.’ He walked away. Ace and Scarlet shared a
look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘The Recollection?’ Ace said. Scarlet shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’ll see if I can find anything when I get home. And,
I’m really sorry I tackled you.’ She paused, ‘Into the lake.’ She finished. Ace
smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I forgive you. It’d be nice to know what I did wrong
though.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I don’t know. That’s what worries me. I shouldn’t be
tackling people for no reason. So, what language are you picking?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Russian. You? I mean, which form of martial arts?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Judo. I wonder what we did today.’ Scarlet replied.
They chatted for a bit until they had to go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Danielle smiled. Sure, the boy had knocked her out,
but these two were promising. They had done as they were instructed and had
made their way through the complex without getting caught, and didn’t give away
any important information. Ace and Scarlet. They are going to be busy in the
next few months. Danielle eased back into her chair and watched people scurry
about below her. Everything was according to plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Two Months Later<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Scarlet spoke into her headset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hurry up Ace, I can only keep the doors closed for
twenty more seconds.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’m working on it.’ He said back, stuck in a broken
lift, trying to fix it. Scarlet was sitting in the surveillance room of a
skyscraper, using three keyboards at once. They were on holidays and in the
time that they weren’t spending on an assignment, they were having combat
training or learning a new technique of some sort. They had been to classes for
computer technology, engineering, acting and slight of hand. Ace held two wires
together and the lift jumped upwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It’s working. On my way up.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Great. Get out on floor sixteen, I’ll be waiting for
you.’ Scarlet said. She quickly disabled all the cameras and got up. She opened
the door quietly and peeked out. There was no one around. She stepped out and
closed the door behind her. She made her way to the lift and waited. The lift
doors opened and Ace stepped out. The pair took off their headsets and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘And we can talk freely again. How did it go
downstairs?’ Scarlet said, rolling her neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Pretty good. How was getting into the room?’ He
asked, heading towards the stairs. Scarlet shrugged and followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Boring. No one saw me.’ They walked down the
stairs and took the emergency exit out of the building. They hailed a taxi and
rode back to their town. Ace jumped out of the taxi when they arrived, and
opened the door for Scarlet. She stepped out, smiling. It was the middle of the
afternoon and Ace and Scarlet still had a few hours to relax. Ace closed the
taxi door. The driver wound the window down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Good work Ace, Scarlet.’ The river said. Ace and
Scarlet faced him and saw that he was obviously a member of The Recollection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Thanks? Do we have a new assignment already?’
Ace said. The driver shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No. The leader wants to show you something.
That’s exciting. She only ever talks to the people she thinks are worth it.’
The driver handed Scarlet a note.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Go there. If you don’t turn up, it’s quite
likely that she’ll get you killed. So I’d go.’ The driver smiled and drove
away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Scarlet and Ace met up at the address half an
hour early. They looked at the building. It was a cottage, and it looked like
someone lived there. They sat on the curb on the street across from the house
and talked. Scarlet checked her watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Time. Lets go.’ She said, getting up. Ace
groaned and got up. They walked across the street together. Ace knocked on the
door. There was silence from behind. Scarlet felt nervous. She knocked on the
door. Still no response. Ace and Scarlet looked at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Maybe she didn’t hear?’ Ace said. Scarlet
nodded. She didn’t trust her voice right then. Ace looked at her, noticed that
she was nervous and held her hand. Scarlet blushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’ll try again.’ Ace said, filling the silence.
He rapped his knuckles against the door again. Finally, they heard movement
come from inside the house. The door opened and an old woman stepped out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well come in! I don’t have all day!’ She said.
The woman had grey hair and pale skin with deep wrinkles. Her eyes were grey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Pardon me asking, but what’s your name’? Scarlet
asked, taking her hand back from Ace’s grip. The old woman smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Don’t you remember me?’ She said. The two kids
squinted at her and shook their heads. She smiled again and pulled her hair
off. She peeled away her skin and smiled. She now looked between twenty-five
and twenty-eight years old. She now had medium copper colour hair and tanned
skin. Her eyes remained grey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘How ‘bout now?’ She said. Ace’s eyes widened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I remember you! You’re, you’re…’ He snapped his
fingers trying to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Danielle!’ Scarlet cried. ‘Danielle Clark! You
were there on our first assignment! <i>You’re
</i>in charge of The Recollection?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. I am. I’ve been watching you since the
very beginning. You’re a good team.’ Danielle said. ‘By the way Ace, you are an
<i>incredible </i>puncher.’ Ace turned red
and then paled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Uh, I-I-I’m s-sorry.’ He stammered. Danielle
laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It’s okay, you did the right thing in the
situation.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So, why did you want us?’ Scarlet asked.
Danielle smiled again and led them to the back of her house. I looked ordinary
in Ace’s eyes and Scarlet thought that the ornaments were pretty, but neither
of them really saw the point in meeting here. Danielle was still smiling when
she turned around and leaned on the wall next to her. Ace opened his mouth but
Danielle put her finger to his lips. She then thumped the wall next to her. The
wall opened to a staircase leading down. Danielle started walking down the
stairs. Ace moved to step down but Scarlet grabbed his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Can we trust her?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I don’t see why not.’ Ace said. Scarlet crossed
her arms, frustrated and reluctantly walked down the flight of stairs after
Ace. They followed Danielle through a doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘If you get vertigo, I don’t recommend looking
down.’ Danielle said. This, of course, caused Ace and Scarlet to look down
simultaneously. Ace wretched and Scarlet leaned on the wall next to her. They
were standing in a corridor made completely of glass. There was a twenty-foot
drop between the glass floor and the concrete floor below it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Echo. I think this should be counted as my first proper story. I wanted this to be published, but I don't think I'll ever get any further. The plot was good initially, but there isn't enough complexity. There other problem is that I don't know the characters well enough. They have very basic personalities, and they bore me, to be honest. There were only two real twists in the plot. I had the beginning and the end in my head, and the end, but no in between.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Not to be continued.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-38169949948608694652012-09-08T20:00:00.006-07:002012-09-08T20:00:45.704-07:00Original Sparky Fanfiction.
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Sparky Braginski looked up. She was hanging from the ceiling
by magic- binding cuffs and it was a long way down. She saw her captor walk
into the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. She was unfortunately hanging in the
middle of the ceiling, so that if she did manage to escape the cuffs, she would
land on some very unfriendly concrete. She was up so high she couldn’t see her
captors face, but she could hear him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘How are you up there Sparky?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You took my sword.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So I did. I am not going to give it back, and as you are
not in a position to negotiate with your words <i>or </i>your fists, I recommend you answer the question. So how are
you?’ Sparky gritted her teeth, knowing that the man was right.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘If you must know, my wrists hurt I’m losing circulation in
my hands and feet, and I’m wondering how Fletcher Renn managed to talk me into
going to that party.’ She answered, irritably. She looked down at the man,
trying to see his face but she was to high up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Party? I read your files and you hate parties.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I do hate parties, loud music, too many people and
obnoxious people at that.’ Sparky blew at some hair that kept falling on her
face.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Look, I get the whole, “kidnap me” routine, but why have
you chained me <i>here</i>?’ She asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Simple,’ He replied, ‘the last time someone kidnapped you,
you saw their face. This time, no one’s here.’ He sneered. Sparky hated it when
people sneered at her. It meant they thought they were better than her, and in
this case, smarter than her. But she wasn’t going to let that title slip away
without a fight. She watched the man leave the room. Why did she go to that
damned party? If she ever managed to escape she was going to, to, well she
would do something to Fletcher. As she hung there, Sparky looked around the
room again and saw the organ. If she could just get near it. She looked up at
how the cuffs were attached to the ceiling, and saw that, if she could rock her
body, the cuffs would slide her towards the organ, much like a flying fox at a
playground. Sparky swung towards the organ with all her might. Unfortunately it
was more oiled than she expected, and Sparky speed towards the organ. She hit
it and bounced off. Wincing in pain she swung at it again. This time she
managed to grip the top of one of the pipes with her foot. As she steady
herself she grinned, almost two hours, she’d been hanging up there, waiting for
someone to come in to check if she was still there. Now that they thought that
they knew where Sparky was she could make her escape. In those two hours of
waiting, it hadn’t taken her long to realise that the shackles were <i>way</i> to big for her, and that with little
effort she could slip her hands out. She dropped carefully onto the organ and
shimmed down far to slowly for her liking. As she dropped to the floor she felt
magic returning, and it was a welcome feeling. She tested her magic, yes;
electricity could still stream from her fingers. She crouched and decided that
before she left she needed to make sure that no one was guarding the doors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She sat down thinking that maybe those piano lessons had
done something for her in later life and slammed her hands on every key of the
organ within reach. She heard a shout from behind the main doors and darted
into the nearest room. She then crept out into the foyer and was about to leave
when she remembered her sword.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Damn it all.’ She mumbled. She turned, looked up and nearly
walked into a man that was guarding a door. She braced herself for when he saw
her and sounded an alarm. But he wasn’t moving. Gazing at the back of his head
she backed away and was about to walk away when he turned and saw her. A year
ago he would’ve yelled and she would’ve jumped. But not now. She looked
straight into his eyes and said <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You cannot see me. I am not here. Turn around.’ The man
strained and turned. Sparky walked towards the main exit looking for any rooms
that her sword might be in. Sparky sighed knowing she wouldn’t be able to leave
her sword behind and walked back into the foyer. As she was walking she heard
something whimpering, she followed where it was coming from. It was coming from one of the bars and as she
peered over the edge and a man was sitting there with his eyes glued shut,
practically wetting himself with fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Please don’t kill me.’ He sobbed. Sparky sighed. Why did
everyone think she was going to kill them? She was a thirteen-year-old girl for
god’s sake. She hit people, she had disabled one person and broken a couple
bones, but she didn’t <i>kill</i> anyone.
She vaulted over the bar and landed in front of the man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m not going to kill you.’ She said trying to make her
voice soothing. The man opened his eyes and they widened in shock. His mouth
opened wide to yell but Sparky clapped her hand over his mouth. When his facial
expression was a little calmer Sparky put a finger to her lips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Are you okay?’ He nodded. ‘Are you sure?’ He nodded. ‘If I
take my hand off you face are you going to call for help?’ He shook his head
madly. She looked dead into his eyes. ‘Are you lying to me?’ The man tore her
hand away from his mouth and frantically whispered, ‘Why would I lie? I just as
confused as you are!’ He clamped his own hands over his mouth and shut up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay one, that was astoundingly stupid and two, I know <i>exactly</i> what’s going on.’ She snapped.
‘Who are you anyway?’ She asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who am I? I own this establishment. And I a-‘ Sparky
shushed him. He looked offended but he stayed quiet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Look, there isn’t much time. I have three questions. Do you
know why these men took me here?’ He shook his head. ‘Do you know who they
are?’ He shook his head again. ‘Last question, Do you know where they are in
here?’ At this he nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I know where they are, yes, but I’m not going back there.’
He shivered at the thought. Sparky felt bad about what she was about to do, but
she didn’t have a choice. She looked deep into the man’s eyes. She saw fear.
She was about to change that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sir, you need to get up. Now.’ He stood up, this poor
mortal didn’t stand a chance. ‘You are going to lead me to where they are.’ He
only faltered for a split second and then started walking. She followed him
into a secret room. He turned around snapping out of the trance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘How did we get here?’ He asked. Sparky was about to answer
when he bolted. She shrugged turned and entered he room. It was empty, but her
sword and her phone were lying on the table. She picked up the sword first and
inspected it. Her sword was a <span lang="EN-US">Makhaira, too long to be a knife and too
short to be a sword. Good for all kinds of things. Stabbing, slicing and
lopping. Sparky herself hardly ever used the thing, but she loved it, kept it
close and she knew how to use it. The one time she had used the sword it was
against a fully-grown man who had been using his sword for almost 150 years.
She had been using her sword for two years. She beat him. When people marveled
at her for her fancy footwork with her Makhaira she merely shrugged, not
wanting to be a show-off. She picked up her phone and saw that Fletcher had
called her fifteen times. She called him and told him where she was. Suddenly a
hand gripped her shoulder. She whirled thinking that it was one of the thugs
but when she turned there was no one there. That cocky voice came from behind
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why so jumpy? You called me, I came. That’s normally
how it works. That’s how it worked with Val anyway.’ She looked at him, fuming.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Just take me somewhere else so I can yell at you
without getting attacked.’ Fletcher complied taking her too a park near her old
school that was completely empty. Then she exploded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fletcher Renn you are in <i>so </i>much trouble right now.’ She yelled. ‘I have been so tolerant of
you. Listening to your incredibly interesting stories almost made it worth it.
Until today, that is. Someone kidnapped me. <i>Kidnapped</i>,
Fletcher, they kidnapped me. Th-‘<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Fletcher cut across her. ‘You’ve been kidnapped twice
before, and you never freaked out this much.’ She slapped him, hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Be thankful I didn’t shock you as well porcupine. The
last two times, I escaped easily because my captors were morons. This time I
was hanging from the freaking ceiling of the Concert Hall! In magic-binding
cuffs! If the person who had cuffed me was more observant I would still be
there!’ She cried. Fletcher smiled, not taken Sparky seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘She’ll came down in a sec.’ He thought. Sparky saw
him smiling. She opened her mouth to scream in frustration, closed her mouth
without making a sound, looked at Fletcher long and hard and ran away. Fletcher
watched blur away, marveling how fast she could run with a little, magic
running through her blood-streams. He saw stop behind a tree, lean against it
and curl into a ball, rocking back and forth lightly. He decided it would be
safer to his health if he walked up, giving Sparky a couple minutes to calm
down. As he walked up he noted the complete silence. Sparky sat there,
wondering why no one could tell when she was being sincere. Was it because she
was young? No, it couldn’t be, her school friends didn’t take her seriously.
Because she was short? Possibly… Fletcher was almost with Sparky. He could see
her brown hair, and pale skin. He grinned, thinking about how happy he’d made
her. He was about to ask how she was but faltered. He could hear something. He
looked around, but the only person other than him was Sparky. But that couldn’t
be right, because he was hearing sobbing. Then it hit him. Sparky was <i>crying.</i> She didn’t cry, she <i>never</i> cried. He’d seen her break an arm
and she didn’t cry. She didn’t cry when she found out that her pet lizard had
been eating by bush turkeys. Sparky didn’t cry. He had no idea how to respond,
but he had to do something. He crouched in front of her, and lifted her chin.
Her face was red and wet from her crying, but her eyes were completely
different. Her eyes weren’t sad or scared. They were angry. She was practically
in a rage. Fletcher thought it would be best to think very carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sparky? Are you okay?’ He asked, tentatively. Sparky
looked up at him. She then scowled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Do you think I’m okay? Really? Does it actually need
to be asked? Are you actually that stupid?’ Fletcher was taken aback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I just meant-‘<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fletcher I don’t care what you meant. Just go away.’
Fletcher tried to say something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>Piss off
Fletcher</i>!’ She screamed. She stood up. Now she was in a rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>Fletcher Renn!
This is all your fault! Now GO AWAY!</i>’ Fletcher hesitated. Then disappeared.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky sat there thinking for a couple minutes, then
got up and stretched. She now really regretted treating Fletcher like that, but
what could she do? She called him. He picked up on the third ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fletcher, I’m sorry, okay? I’ve just been really
stressed and-‘ She started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It’s okay, you needed to vent. That’s cool. At least
you said sorry.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Can you- I mean, if it’s cool, could you take me
home?’ She asked, awkwardly. He appeared in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Course.’ He motioned to his back and, with a laugh,
Sparky jumped on his back. He teleported. Sparky opened her eyes and shrieked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘This isn’t my house!’ She said coldly. Fletcher was
standing on top of the Harbour Bridge. She got off and scowled. Then she pushed
him of for the hell of it, knowing he would teleport back up. He screamed
briefly on the way down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hey! Don’t do that! If I wasn’t me I’d be dead!’ He
said, laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘But I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t you. No one else is
annoying enough to make me want to push them of the Harbour Bridge.’ Sparky
giggled. Fletcher took her home. Everything was as it should be. She walked
upstairs and went to sleep. In the morning she woke up and tried to stretch.
She then opened her eyes. She was blindfolded. She tried to scream, but had a
piece of cloth in her mouth. She attempted to fry the cloth over her eyes and
mouth, but the electricity wasn’t coming out of her hands. So instead she made
the electricity rise out of skin directly onto the cloth. This was a tactic
that she had recently discovered. The magic-binding whatever that was on her
would keep her magic from leaving her body, but electricity had <i>science.</i> The electricity on her skin
jumped to the cloth, burning it. She could see again. She craned her head
taking in everything she could. Which wasn’t much. She noticed that this time
they hadn’t taken her Makhaira, which was nice for a change. She also noticed
the man asleep on a stool by the door, supposedly guarding her. Always a weak
link in these kidnapping attempts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hey! Dude, wake up.’ She called. The man shook,
opened his eyes and looked at her. Sparky took her chance, staring into his
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Release me.’ She ordered. He looked like he was hung
over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Release me now.’ She repeated. He stood up and untied
her. She was about to walk out the door when she stopped. This was <i>way</i> to easy. She looked back at the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Walk out the door.’ She said. He looked scared for a
fleeting second and then opened the door. Sparky was hiding behind the door
when he fell. She peeked around the corner and saw that the man had been shot.
This situation had started beyond her control and was now sliding much further
away. She thought about calling Fletcher but decided against it. They had
probably set something up to prevent him from helping her. But then again…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Twenty minutes later Sparky was standing in the rain
outside the entrance to the Roarhaven Sanctuary. Fletcher hadn’t lied about it
always raining in Ireland and she had believed him. She liked the rain, it was
her favourite weather, but standing in it wasn’t to fun, there was no cover and
it wasn’t pretty when she was wet. Fletcher popped his head back out the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You can come in now.’ He said. She trudged in
immediately regretting it and she shocked herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Crap!’ Fletcher looked at her funny, and then
realizing what had happened asked a man with a scarred head to dry her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why would I need to dry her?’ He asked. Fletcher
explained, also adding in that Sparky developed an embarrassing stutter when
this happened. The man nodded and Sparky felt the water lifting off of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Thank you. My name is Sparky Braginski. Has Fletcher
told you about my, uh, predicament?’ The man shook her hand warmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hello, my name is Ghastly Bespoke, apparently you
need to call me Elder Bespoke but you can call me Ghastly. Yes I am aware and
I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, would you like to stay in the
Sanctuary?’ Sparky nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I would also like to comment on the fact that you are
the first person I’ve ever met that hasn’t stared at my scars. How old are
you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Thirteen. I thought that you must’ve lived through
enough people staring at you, so I skipped that bit.’ She said, timidly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Would you like a new set of clothes?’ He asked.
Sparky looked at her own clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes. But can I have what I’m wearing? I love this
outfit, it took me forever to get it right.’ She queried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sure you can, I’ll just make them out of a protective
fabric, how about that?’ Ghastly suggested. Sparky nodded, noticing something
in Ghastly’s voice that struck her as strange. He was pronouncing everything
very clearly for an Irishman. As he walked away, Sparky analyzed his comments
in her head. Then she realized. He was pronouncing everything as clearly as
possible to make sure she understood everything he said. She was now thoroughly
irritated. She may have been small, and looked young for her age, but here was <i>another</i> person who didn’t think of her
as an equal. She looked at Fletcher and asked him what they would do next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well, I think you should meet some of my friends.
Val, Skuldu-‘ He began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Val? As in Valkyrie Cain? The one that works with
Skulduggery Pleasant? I get to meet <i>them</i>?
Awesome.’ She was excited now. As Fletcher guided her through the Sanctuary
they both got some pretty strange looks. She thought it was probably Fletcher’s
hair, but then thought that maybe the ancient Greek sword hanging from a
thirteen-year-olds waist was grabbing their attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fletcher, where are we going?’ She asked, getting
dizzy from all the twist’s and turns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘To the medical bay.’ He replied, casually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘The medi- why exactly are we going there?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Because they always end up there somehow. You look
lost.’ He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes I am. If you know where the sick bay is, can’t we
just teleport there?’ She pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Actually, I was waiting for you to ask me that, I
have no idea where we are.’ Fletcher put his hand on her shoulder and they
appeared outside what looked like the medical clinic from hell. The chairs were
rusted and there were blood splatters on the walls. She turned, and nearly
crashed into a skeleton. She looked up, and gasped. She had almost walked into
the Skeleton Detective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sorry. I saw you teleport in with Fletcher. Who are
you?’ he asked, his voice calm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My name is Sparky Braginski. I’m from Australia.’ She
said, dumbfounded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Really? You don’t sound particularly Australian. You
sound half Russian half Irish.’ He commented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’ve been around. I love Russia, but this is the
first time I’ve been to Ireland.’ She explained. Skulduggery cocked his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Say something else. Why are you here?’ He asked.
Sparky looked confused but elaborated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well, in the last month I’ve been kidnapped four
times by the same person. I don’t know why they want me, but I figured it
probably wasn’t safe for me to stay in Australia.’ Sparky thought he was
looking right at her, but couldn’t tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You also sound a bit Welsh. Or is it English?’ He
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Actually, it’s both. I noticed as soon as I met her.’
Fletcher added. Skulduggery looked at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Welcome back. How was Australia?’ He asked Fletcher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hot. Sweaty. Humid. They <i>love </i>cricket. What else do you need to know?’ Fletcher replied.
Skulduggery laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Valkyrie will be out in a moment if you were
wondering.’ He said. The moment had just become exceedingly awkward. Sadly,
that moment of awkwardness was about to be topped. Valkyrie Cain walked out of
the operating room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Skulduggery, do we seriously need Nye t-‘ Valkyrie
saw Fletcher and turned bright red. Fletcher also turned red. Sparky, on the
other hand, went white as a sheet. Skulduggery surveyed the situation
chuckling. The three kids looked at him. Valkyrie growled, Fletcher scowled and
Sparky started laughing uncontrollably. Then Fletcher and Valkyrie scowled at
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well this is funny.’ Chuckled Skulduggery. He grabbed
Sparky’s shoulder and guided her out of the Sanctuary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘W-where are you taking me?’ While they were walking
Sparky noted that she wasn’t getting wet, and Skulduggery wasn’t either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Have you ever
read anything by Gordon Edgley?’ He asked. Sparky nodded. She had read all of
his stuff. ‘And The Darkness Rained Upon Them’, ‘The Vanishing Light’, ‘The
Coward Colonel Fleece’, ‘Brain Muncher’ and ‘Into Thin Air’. There were so many
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Good. I’m
taking you to his house.’ Skulduggery said. Sparky looked at him, puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I thought he
was dead!’ She exclaimed. Skulduggery stopped walking next to a swanky car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What kind of
car is that?’ She asked. Skulduggery looked at her, stepping into the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Get in. It’s
1945 Bentley R-Type Continental.’ He responded. Sparky slid in, thinking how
impulsive Skulduggery was. The car ride was pleasant, but Sparky couldn’t help
but wonder what Fletcher and Valkyrie were doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Skulduggery had
introduced Sparky to the Echo Gordon and she had marveled over his
entertainment skills. When they arrived at the Sanctuary, Fletcher greeted them
with a black eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hello guys. How
are you?’ He moaned. Sparky saw Ghastly walking behind him. She shoved Fletcher
aside, ignoring his pitiful groaning and ran after Ghastly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ghast-!’ She
hesitated. ‘Elder Bespoke, I need to talk to you!’ She called. This time she
got lots of strange looks, but ignored them completely. Ghastly saw her and
walked briskly into a room. Sparky followed. She walked in carefully, and saw
Ghastly presenting her with a box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Here are your
new clothes.’ He said, still pronouncing everything perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Okay, thanks,
but really? Must you talk like that?’ She exclaimed. Ghastly stared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Talk like
what?’ He asked. Sparky sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You pronounce
everything so precisely when you talk to me, yet when you speak to others, you
talk briskly. You have underestimated my intelligence and me. That annoys me.
What made you think I was to be treated differently? Huh?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You are the
youngest person to visit the Sanctuary since Valkyrie first came when she was
twelve. I’m startled to see such a young girl with a sword hanging from her
waist. How did you get that anyway?’ He replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My Makhaira? It
was recommended to me by a friend, Lyra Blue.’ She answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ghastly, I don’t want to make my first impression
that I complain a lot, but I cannot stand it when people treat me like that. I
may be thirteen, but I’m ready to handle whatever Australia can throw at me.
Now, I wish to change into my new clothes.’ Ghastly stepped back and then
nodded. </span><span lang="EN-US">She got changed and walked back out of the room, and immediately got
lost. She asked a passing sorcerer which way she should go.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Excuse me, but
how do I get to the exit?' She asked a woman with short hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Who are you, and
why should I waste my time leading you somewhere? Ask Tipstaff.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My name is Sparky
Braginski, I don’t know who Tipstaff is and this place needs a map.’ She
responded, strongly. The woman shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My name is
Philomena Random. I’ll guide you to the exit.’ As they walked together
Philomena explained her job at the sanctuary and how her magic aided her.
Sparky was eager to talk to someone on this subject and was happy to know that
her minor levels of manipulation over others were a career choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next morning
Fletcher took Sparky back to the Sanctuary, in a meeting room of some sort. To
her surprise Skulduggery and Valkyrie were there, along with Ghastly and a man
named Erskine Ravel. Skulduggery started the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I have been
thinking about what we should do. I have decided that the best way to solve the
problem is to find the center of the problem. Which means that you, Sparky, are
going back to Australia.’ Skulduggery concluded. Sparky stared at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>What!?</i>’ She screeched. ‘You want me to
go <i>back</i>?’ Sparky wasn’t the only one
looking at him funny. Fletcher sat there with his mouth hanging open and even
Valkyrie was staring at Skulduggery like he was a madman. Sparky guessed that
Fletcher had filled her in. Ghastly stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sparky mentioned
that she could’ve been shot. I would like to point out that because she is now
wearing Bespoke Tailor’s clothing, she will be safe. She could get
carpet-bombed whatever part of her body clothing covered would be unharmed.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘That’s no
consolation! The good mages can tell protective clothing from the normal
stuff!’ Valkyrie exclaimed. Sparky looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I would know.’
Valkyrie stared right on back. ‘I’ve been shot. Or, at least, I remember it.’
Valkyrie broke eye contact. In the small moment connection, Sparky had almost
sensed a hostility coming from Valkyrie. Sparky was worried. She didn’t like
having enemies, especially ones she had never spoken to before. Ravel spoke up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So, basically we
are sending a thirteen-year-old back to a country where someone wants to kill
her? Isn’t that just a little daft?’ He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘She can take care
of herself.’ Mumbled Ghastly. Sparky sat up a little straighter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Do you have
reasoning behind that? Or is it just because of the flashy sword hanging from
her waist?’ He said, annoyed. Sparky sank down in her chair again, and turned
bright red. Ghastly and Fletcher stood up at the same time and roared, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Don’t
underestimate her!’ They then looked at each other and sat back down again.
Ravel switched his gaze between both of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Are you sure?’ He
asked. Fletcher and Ghastly shared a look and then nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘But of course you
aren’t sending me alone, right?’ Sparky said before they got to out of hand.
They all looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Of course we’re
not sending you by yourself. Fletcher, Val and Skulduggery are going with you.’
Ghastly answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So when do we leave?’ Valkyrie asked. Fletcher put
his hand on Valkyrie’s shoulder. They disappeared. Fletcher reappeared, touched
Skulduggery’s hat and teleported away again. When he returned he grabbed
Sparky’s hand and they appeared underneath to Harbour Bridge, next to Valkyrie
and Skulduggery.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So what’s the game plan?’ Fletcher asked. Valkyrie
and Skulduggery laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Game plan? Since when have we had a <i>game plan</i>?’ Valkyrie cackled, wiping a
tear away. Sparky looked aghast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So, I’m going to be bait. And your going to swoop in
and save the day, right?’ She said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes, that’s usually how it works.’ Skulduggery
replied. Sparky fell to her knees and cried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘These guys had better be as good as the sound!’ She
called to the sky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">The next morning Sparky woke up and looked around
quickly. Yes, she had been kidnapped. Again. She was getting sick of waking up
somewhere different than when she went to sleep. Except this time they’d gone a
bit overboard. She was not shackled, blindfolded or muzzled. No, she was surrounded
by forty or so of sleeping hit men. She was fully aware that they were
instructed to attack her when she woke up. But she must’ve been drugged,
because they were all sound asleep. Without making a sound she slid of the
table she had been lying on, and punched the ground as hard as she could. The
chairs that the men were sitting on overturned. They woke up and decided to go
tag team. One of them came at her, and without a flinch Sparky swiftly pulled
her Makhaira out with her right hand and cut the man’s Achilles tendon. He fell
with a shriek, immediately replaced by two more. She electrocuted one and cut
the finger off another. The one she electrocuted jittered and fell. The other
grabbed his fallen finger and while he was distracted, Sparky she let her
electricity crackle around her hands. She then punched the man directly under
the chin, making him fly backwards. The men were doubling their efforts. Four
of them dived at her and she just managed to blur out of the way, catching one
of the men in the side with her Makhaira. She then sent a twin stream of
electricity into two idle men’s eyes. She turned, was almost hit by someone’s
punch to the side of her head, but managed to duck out of the way just in time.
She splayed her hands and a weak shockwave ebbed out and confused her
assailants. She grabbed her mobile phone
and called the others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Help me, I’m being attacked!’ She grunted. A man came
up behind her and battered the phone out of her hand. She whirled, but not in
time to avoid the punch to her ribs. She faltered, clutching the side of her
chest. She then feinted down and swiped high with her sword. She cut the man’s
ear off. Dropping the façade of being hurt she saw Fletcher, Valkyrie and
Skulduggery fighting. Fletcher was disappearing and reappearing with a
different weapon every time. Skulduggery was shooting beams of fire at the
enemy and Valkyrie was sending waves of shadows around the room. Soon enough,
the men were but a bloody pile on the floor. Some were dead and some were not,
but Sparky knew she hadn’t killed anyone. They stalked along looking for the
leader of this operation. The entered a room that had only one thing of
interest. An old man, looking to be about sixty, tall, thin with greying ginger
hair. He wore a stainless white suit and held a cane of the deepest black. He
was grinning evilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So you finally discover my hideout. I was watching
you fight my men by the way, I must not underestimate our dear Sparky again.’
The man said. ‘If you were wondering my name is Iniquitous Subjugate.’ He said
it all with a very bored voice. Fletcher watched as Sparky’s eyes got madder
and madder. Any second now she was going to blow a fuse, and it was <i>not </i>going to be pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why do you want me? Why have you kidnapped me so many
times?’ Sparky asked. He smiled and shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I am evil. I stop potential young magic civilians
thwarting my plans. Unfortunately I didn’t get to you soon enough. You have
escaped my grasp four times, and I am worried about your determination. I
simply wanted to kill you off so that you couldn’t save Australia every time I
tried to destroy it. I have not succeeded, and I assume you’re going to throw
me in jail. That’s probably wise.’ He held out his wrists and Valkyrie stepped
towards him with shackles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Wait.’ Sparky ordered. ‘Do you really believe I think
it’s going to be as easy as that? He’s not real.’ Skulduggery looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So you noticed to? Sparky is correct, the Iniquitous
Subjugate standing before us is a hologram.’ Skulduggery said. Fletcher and
Valkyrie gaped. Fletcher teleported beside Subjugate and waved his hand through
the hologram’s head. Fletcher looked at the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hey! The video is being sent from somewhere I’ve been
before, lets go!’ Fletcher grabbed Skulduggery, Valkyrie and Sparky and teleported
them to a room full of cameras and computers. The real Iniquitous was standing
there in disbelief that they’d found him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘But, how? So you didn’t fall for my traps. Oh well.
Time to fight.’ Subjugate lifted his cane, the camouflage lifting and showing
that the cane was, in fact, a Katana. He swiped at Sparky, his prime objective.
She skipped back and pulled out her Makhaira with her left hand. He cackled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why with your left? I saw you fighting with your
right before.’ He giggled with glee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Now who said I was right handed?’ Sparky replied
coolly, swiping for his head, ducking and stabbing at his feet. They dueled for
ten minutes or so, with Skulduggery, Valkyrie and Fletcher keeping Iniquitous’
henchmen at bay. And finally Sparky’s sword found purchase. She stabbed through
his thigh, making him fall of his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fletcher! Get Skulduggery and Valkyrie out of the
room!’ She yelled. Fletcher, not stopping to ask why, teleported them away.
Sparky planted her feet firmly on the ground and clapped as hard as she could.
Subjugate flew backwards and hit the wall, making it crack. All of the henchmen
flew into the glass walls on the other side of room and crashed straight
through. Sparky herself, gripped her phone tightly and flew backwards. She
curled herself up into a ball in midair and felt her shins connect with a table
ledge. She pulled her phone out and called Fletcher, not having enough strength
to say anything. For the first time she thought that maybe she had just broken
both of her legs. She lay there and saw Fletcher appear. She vaguely remembered
Fletcher picking her up and teleporting her back to the medical clinic from
hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky Braginski sat up. She was reading a Gordon
Edgley book, Brain Muncher, again. She had been in the medical bay for two
days, and was set to go home in an hour. Valkyrie, Fletcher and Ghastly had
visited her. Fletcher walked in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Are you ready to go?’ He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I thought I was leaving in another hour.’ She moaned
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, well I wanted to give you a treat.’ He smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’ll pass.’ Sparky said, lazily. Fletcher disappeared
and suddenly Sparky was sitting on a patch of grass underneath the Harbour
Bridge. Of course Fletcher had taken her anyway. She sighed. Fletcher was about
to say something when he started choking. She thumped his back and he calmed
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What’s wrong?’ She asked, startled. He coughed again
and then choked out two words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Tanith. Low.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">Oh, this, it's just... Awful. It's sacrilege. Hideous. I hate it. I can't believe I was proud of this. It's...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
*puts head in hands*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
Kill it... Kill it dead...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
Please forgive me for creating this monster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
Completed.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-7637068605986886752012-09-08T20:00:00.005-07:002012-09-08T20:00:40.543-07:00Caleb.
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Caleb<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Prologue<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Wait up!’ Caleb called. Fenrir turned around and looked blankly at
Caleb and replied,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘You are no longer our prince, Caleb. We will not do anything to help you
in your trial for redemption.’ And at that Fenrir turned and kept going. The
rest of the pack followed, but they were merely coming to prevent Caleb from
escaping. At the rate the pack was moving he had to sprint to keep up. He caught
up with Fenrir and begged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Please, I did nothing wrong Fenrir.’ Fenrir scowled at him, ‘And anyway
you’re simply punishing me out of spite.’ The second Caleb finished that
sentence he wished he could’ve kept his big mouth shut. He doubted he was ever
going to see the light of day again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Don’t worry boy. There’s no backing out now.’ Caleb looked ahead and
his mouth gaped open. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Through the tree line an amazing place resided. Like a huge crater in
the ground lush green grass, a crystal clear pool of water and a waterfall. In
the middle of the clearing there was a girl. Caleb saw the girl and realised
what his punishment was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘No, no! No-no-no-no-noooo!’ Caleb cried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Yes, yes, yes, my boy.’ Fenrir taunted, ‘Kill the girl and you’re off
the hook.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb opened his mouth, tried to think of a comeback and sighed. Caleb’s
entire body sagged. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb watched as against his will the entire group surrounded the girl
so that she couldn’t escape. He held his head high a walked out to the centre
of the group till he was almost on top of her. He looked around and saw Fenrir
egging him on. Caleb looked once again at the girl and got a brilliant idea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
The girl looked up at Caleb knowing what came next. She blinked, and
when she opened her eyes she could’ve sworn that he winked at her. Caleb reared
up for the strike and instead of killing the girl; he used the girls’ chest as
a spring and sprinted over the pack and into the water. One of Caleb’s many
talents was the ability to swim. Unfortunately the current was to strong Caleb
got pulled down and suddenly he was falling, falling, falling…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Chapter
One</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Sylas kicked a rock as he walked around the corner into an alley. His
hands were in his pockets and his eyes were down. He glanced up and saw the
body. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Huh? Hey! Guy! Get up!’ The body didn’t move. Sylas got closer. The
person was alive because they were breathing, but his eyes were closed. Sylas
looked around. There was no one there but him. He bent over and checked the boy
for any injuries. The boy had a nasty scar on his left shoulder but didn’t seem
to have any broken bones or open wounds. Sylas had an idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Sylas retraced his steps back to where he had found the boy. He turned a
corner and to his relief the boy was still there. Sylas emptied the bucket of
water onto the boy’s head. The body shook.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Augh. What, who w-?’ The boy woke and looked around, dazed and
confused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Hey man, what’s your name?’ Sylas asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What? Uh Caleb. I think.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘You think? Are you telling me that you don’t know your own name?’ Sylas
teased.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I don’t know! Who are <i>you</i>?’
Caleb asked accusingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Sylas. Why are you here?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I don’t know.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What do you mean you don’t know?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What I mean by “I don’t know” is that <i>I Don’t Know Sylas</i>. That makes perfect sense to me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Caleb, what I meant is <i>why </i>don’t
you know?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I d-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Find a new catchphrase Caleb. That one is beginning to bother me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Fine then. I can’t remember.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘This conversation is going nowhere.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I’ll second that.’ Caleb chuckled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘You had better <i>not</i> be pulling
my leg.’ Sylas glared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Okay Caleb, it’s time you came with me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Sylas took Caleb to the nearby homeless shelter. During the walk Caleb
had a good look at Sylas. Sylas had bright red hair and emerald green eyes. His
eyes were set close together giving him a sly face. His nose had a dusting of
freckles and his mouth was set in a permanent smirk. Caleb was reminded
strongly of something but he couldn’t remember what. Sylas was fairly tall and
average in size, but just a little bit thin. He was slightly tanned. Caleb
thought that Sylas looked about sixteen years old. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Sylas also got a good look at Caleb. Caleb had high cheekbones, which
accented that fact that he was virtually malnourished. He had unkempt, shaggy,
grey hair. Sylas would have to get Caleb to a hairdresser. Caleb had pale skin
and pale blue eyes. Sylas guessed he was fifteen or sixteen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Hi Sylas! Who’ve you got there?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Joey-Caleb. Caleb-Joey.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Hiya Caleb, how are you?’ Joey greeted Caleb enthusiastically.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Hi Joey, I’m good. Sylas, do you think we could get some food? Caleb
could hear his stomach eating itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Yup. How about this, I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping and Joey
can get some food for all of us.’ Sylas motioned for Joey to go get food. Joey
nodded and jogged into another room. Sylas showed Caleb around. Sylas told him
that they would be sleeping in the same room together with Joey. They had just
gotten to the room when Joey arrived. They sat and ate together. Sylas and Joey
tried to make Caleb remember something of his past and failed. That night they
were lying in their beds and right as Caleb drifted off to sleep he remembered
something. Unfortunately for Caleb that thought sailed away while he was
asleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Chapter
Two<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb and Sylas were walking together. Caleb had been at the homeless
shelter for a couple weeks. Sylas had said that he wanted to tell Caleb
something privately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I think we’ve gone far enough Sylas.’ Caleb said looking back the way
they had come. When Caleb looked back at Sylas he saw something glinting in Sylas’
hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What have you got there?’ Caleb asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘It’s, it’s a whistle. Look Caleb I need to tell you something.’ Sylas
took a deep breath in, ‘Okay, Caleb I think I know who you are.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What? How is that possible? <i>I </i>don’t
even know who I am.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Caleb, I think I’ve met you before and I didn’t recognise you because-
well, you’ve changed a lot.’ Sylas looked up suddenly. He squinted as if he was
trying to look at something in the distance. Caleb looked over his shoulder but
couldn’t see anything. But he could smell something. Blood. Sylas flicked his
gaze back at Caleb. He shoved the whistle into Caleb’s hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘If you ever need me use this. I have to go.’ Sylas turned and before
Caleb could stop him, he had disappeared. The last thing Caleb had seen was a
tear falling from Sylas’ eye. Caleb looked around tentatively. He could hear a
brawl. Caleb turned to run but the brawl exploded into the clearing he was
standing in. The smells and sounds were overwhelming him. His head was
pounding, but before he could react a knife was jammed into his left shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb took a step back, clutching his shoulder. He looked at his hands,
glistening with his own blood. All of his strength drained away and he felt his
knees buckle. His vision clouded but before he had a chance to pass out
something flashed and the man who had stabbed him was lying on the ground, with
an arrow through his chest. A figure blurred in front of him and his shoulder
stopped hurting. His surroundings became sharper and he looked at his saviour.
She was an angel. She had a bow strapped to her back and daggers in her belt.
Her wings were of the darkest black- As if no light ever touched them. Her eyes
were grey. She had short black hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Are you okay?’ she asked, voice as soft as silk, but as hard as diamond
at the same time. All Caleb could manage was to nod. She smiled and began to
start talking again but was cut short by a sword driving through her back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Oh.’ was all she had time to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb looked at her dying body and the person who caused the damage. He
felt a rage surge around his body. He felt hot. His skin was burning- but he
felt no pain. He let his anger run freely to his limbs. His hands felt like
they were on fire. He looked at his hands and realised that they <i>were</i> on fire. He stared in disbelief as
the man who had attacked the angel ran away. Caleb thrust his fists at someone
trying to touch the girl and flames flew at him keeping him away. Caleb drove
away the brawl and removed the sword from the girl’s chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I didn’t even learn her name…’ he sobbed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘My name’s Rika.’ She replied calmly. Caleb jumped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What? How did you, how di-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I’m an angel. I can heal things. Your shoulder for instance.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘But angels have <i>white </i>wings.’
He pointed out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Yes. Yes they do. But I’m not your average, run of the mill angel. I’m
a demon angel. Speaking of strange subspecies- what are you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Human? Or am I correct in thinking that most humans can’t create fire
in their hands?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘That’s just it. I never seen <i>anything</i>
like you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Caleb inquired. Before Rika could reply
someone crept up behind Caleb and knocked him out. The last thing he
comprehended as he passed out was Rika’s wings flaring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
Caleb opened his eyes to an unfamiliar environment. He appeared to be in a cave. To his left was
the cave opening that showed a view of a forest that was unnervingly familiar.
The trees were a deep green, practically black. The sky was a depressing grey
and the grass- what he could see of it- was long and moist. To his right was a
doorway that he assumed led to a labyrinth of rooms. He was lying in a bed that
was comfortable and low to the ground. Other than the bed the room was empty.
He looked right as he heard Rika ask him how he was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Fine, thanks. Where are we?’ he inquired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘My house. Do you recognise that forest?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I’ve seen it before, but I have no idea where.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘You used to live in that forest,’ Caleb looked at her confused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I monitor this forest. You were important, so I paid attention to you.
You got up to some very interesting stuff by the way.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Who am I exactly?’ Caleb asked nervously.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘You, Caleb, are prince of the wolves.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I’m <i>what</i>?!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘The prince of the wolves. You know this. It’s somewhere in your
subconscious. Now that I have told you, you should be able to remember.’ Rika
got up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Getting your memories back is going to be strange, I made you some
repressing tea to reduce the pain.’ She walked out of the room and came back
with a mug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Be warned, this tea tastes <i>awful.</i>’
Caleb sipped at the tea and gagged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Jeez, you weren’t kidding!’ he spluttered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Chapter
Three<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
The next morning while Caleb was having breakfast he remembered the
whistle. He excused himself, stood at the mouth of the cave and blew as hard as
he could. He heard a high-pitched note whine out of the whistle. Rika said she
hadn’t heard anything at all, so she left to get something from another room.
In a few seconds Caleb saw a streak of red tear up the mountainside. The red
stopped behind a bush and Sylas stepped out from behind the bush. He brushed
himself off and walked up the rest of the mountain, as if nothing was wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Hi Caleb! Glad you’re okay. As I said before I left, I know who you
are.’ Sylas said cheerfully. Caleb punched Sylas’ stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘What the hell man? You left me for dead in a <i>brawl!</i> As it happens <i>I </i>know
who I am now, so that piece of information is useless!’ Caleb yelled. ‘The only
thing I don’t know is who <i>you </i>are Sylas.
I blew on the whistle and a red streak appeared. Who the bloody hell are you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘I’m Sylas. I can turn into a fox and I’m your cousin.’ Before Caleb
could say anything Sylas continued, ‘and you can turn into a wolf. Which
explains our unusually strong senses of hearing, seeing and smelling.’ Rika came
into the room and dropped what she was holding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Sylas?’ Rika looked at them both outraged. Sylas mumbled something
about leaving soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Sylas? What are you doing her?
Leave. Leave <i>now.</i>’ She bellowed.
Sylas hesitated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
‘Sylas. Get. Out. Of. My. House.’ Rika was fuming. Caleb intervened
before all hell broke loose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
‘Whoa! Calm down Rika! He’s with me!’ Caleb
stood in front of Sylas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
A timer went off in another room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
‘What was that?’ Sylas asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
‘That was the timer for Caleb’s memories
returning.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
Um... I don't really know about this one. It was my first story, and I guess I'm proud of it- No, I'm <i>happy</i> with it. Or the beginning. Or the characters. Or the <i>idea</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
It won't be continued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 253.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-21364736194008175812012-09-08T20:00:00.003-07:002012-09-08T20:00:22.087-07:00Blogland People Fanfiction
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Sparky looked
through the window for the fiftieth time that hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Where <i>are</i> they?’ She muttered. Right as she
said this as a blue orb appeared in the middle of the room. Sparky turned and
smiled, launching herself at Ivy Animosity, who had teleported in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ivy! How are you?’
Sparky said. Ivy stepped backwards and laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Great, has anyone
else arrived yet?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No.’ Sparky
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the window for half an hour.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Because I assumed that
someone would arrive early. But I may have-‘ Sparky was interrupted by a knock
at the door. Her face light up and she ran to the door. Sparky opened the door
and grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Flame!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hi Sparks. How are
you?’ Flame Phoenix said, stepping inside. Sparky was about to answer when
Flame leaned forward and kissed her. Sparky smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Please don’t tell
me I came here to see you two kissing.’ Ivy groaned. Flame scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hello Ivy. How
have you been?’ He said frostily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Just fine thanks.’
Ivy said, smiling sweetly. Flame stepped towards Ivy and Sparky held him back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Play nice.’ They
scowled at her. ‘Both of you.’ There was another knock at the door. Sparky
opened the door again. Eve Azure smiled, showing off her pointed teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Have I missed
anything?’ She asked. Sparky shook her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘We need to wait
until everyone arrives. In the mean time, make yourself at home.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I’ll do that.’ Eve
said, still smiling. Eve wandered into the kitchen and Sparky returned to her
living room, where Ivy was sitting on the couch inspecting her nails and Flame
was sitting on the armchair opposite, staring at the fire. Sparky sat on
Flame’s lap and kissed him quickly, and then faced Ivy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Have you done
anything interesting lately?’ Sparky asked. Ivy shook her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Nothing at all?’ Once
again Ivy shook her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘<i>No, nothing has happened at all. Except that
guy who tried to kill me yesterday.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That guy who
what?’ Sparky said. Ivy was about to respond when there was a crash from
upstairs. Ivy smiled. Sparky scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What did you do?’
Sparky asked, getting up. Still Ivy smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘There’s someone
upstairs.’ Sparky scowled and sprinted up the stairs. She walked in and saw
Hayley Skirmish picking bits of lamp up off the floor. She looked up and saw
Ivy standing behind Sparky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Would you stop
thinking inside my head! You ruined my entrance!’ Hayley scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ivy, help Hayley
pick up the glass. Don’t kill each other while I’m gone.’ There was a knock at
the door. Sparky groaned and sprinted down the stairs. Flame was leaning
against a doorway and opened his mouth to say something when Sparky opened the
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Áine Douleurs!
It’s been a while.’ Sparky exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What took you so
long? I waited for like five seconds before you opened the door!’ Áine said,
laughing. Áine stopped laughing abruptly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What’s <i>that</i> doing here?’ She said, pointing at
Hayley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Watch it Áine.’
Hayley said, her tone menacing. The pair scowled at each other for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Guys, you are here
for a reason.’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What is the reason
Sparky? You never told us.’ Hayley said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Wait until everyone’s
arrived. There’s only two people left.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Who?’ Áine asked. A
figure stood in the open front doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I believe that I
am one of those people. Hello Sparky, Áine, Hayley, Ivy, Flame, Eve and
Lynxia.’ She said. Eve poked her head into the front hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘How did she know I
was here? And Lynxia hasn’t even arrived yet!’ Eve said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Guys, I would like
to introduce you to my good friend, Echo Blood.’ Sparky said. Echo stepped
forward and smiled. She had white hair with black streaks. A bundle of shadows
grouped together and Lynxia Lost stepped into the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Damn, she’s good.’
Lynxia smiled. ‘What have I missed?’ She asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Nothing. Sparky
wouldn’t say a word till everyone got here.’ Áine said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Then why don’t we
get started? Into the living room!’ Sparky said, gesturing into the living
room. They looked at her quizzically and sat down around the room. Sparky stood
in the centre of the room and looked at each of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Introduction time!
Raise your hand if you don’t recognise everyone here.’ Everyone raised their
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That’s a brilliant
start. Okay, Áine, introduce yourself.’ Sparky said. Áine scowled. She thought
for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘My name is Áine Douleurs.
I am an Elemental, I specialise in water manipulation and I’m annoyed at Sparky
for making me go first.’ She scowled. Sparky nodded towards Echo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hi! I’m Echo Blood
and my senses are enhanced. I’m a world renowned tracker and I’m glad to met
you!’ Sparky nodded to Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hi! I’m Eve Azure,
I like sharpening my teeth, I think this ‘introduce yourself’ thing is random,
I can morph into your worst fear, but only the person I direct it at can see
it!’ Sparky giggled at Eve’s hyperness and glanced at Flame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I’m Flame Phoenix,
an Elemental who’s magic power leans towards fire and I am glad to see some old
friends in this room. Mainly Sparky.’ He smiled. Sparky grinned back. ‘God,
this sounds like an Alcoholic’s Anonymous meeting. Hayley, you’re up.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hayley Skirmish.
Adept. Thief. Defies gravity regularly by running up walls and flipping.’
Hayley said, raising her eyebrow at Sparky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ivy.’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I’m Ivy Animosity.
I kill people. Normally when I tell people my name I kill them. I do pretty
much whatever the hell I feel like.’ Ivy’s indigo eyes glittered. Sparky nodded
towards Lynxia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘My name is Lynxia
Lost, I break bones and I’m a necromancer. I use a bow and arrow. If you get in
my way you’ll end up kissing my quiver.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Well, now that
we’ve finished that, why are we here?’ Áine asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ivy, please say
what you told me a few minutes ago.’ Sparky thought what she wanted Ivy to say
very clearly inside her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘A guy tried to
kill me the other day.’ She said, scowling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Flame, has that
happened to you?’ Sparky asked. Flame nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Me too.’ Hayley
said, growling slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘And none of you
managed to kill said man?’ Sparky asked. The three of them shook their heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Lynxia, you too?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘And you are all
bothered by this?’ They nodded. ‘I thought as much. Echo is here to find the
man. Áine is here because if Ivy didn’t manage to kill this guy, then we’ll
need back up. The man that tried to kill me three days ago is black, has long,
black, oily hair, black eyes which makes me think he’s a vampire and doesn’t
have a left ear. Does that match your descriptions?’ They all nodded. ‘Do you
want to kill this guy?’ More nodding. ‘And his boss?’ There was a chorus of
‘Yeahs!’ in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Then it’s settled.
Let’s get this bad boy.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">They decided that
everyone was too tired to even think about the problem that day, so Sparky got
out all of her extra beds and everyone sorted themselves out. Sparky moved into
the kitchen and groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Do you guys mind
if we get pizza?’ She yelled. No one minded so Sparky got everyone a pizza and
half an hour later they sat in a circle talking. Eve picked a bit of chicken
off her pizza and blanched at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘This chicken is
already dead.’ She said, frowning. Áine looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Of course it’s
dead. It’s chicken.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I like eating live
chicken.’ Eve said. Áine leaned towards Sparky and whispered ‘Does she really eat
live chickens?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘To the best of my
knowledge, yes. Eat your pizza.’ Sparky took a bit of her pizza that had every
kind of meat on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘So how did he try
to kill you guys?’ Echo asked quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘He handed me a
briefcase and said “Please take care of this for five minutes! It’s important!”
to me. I peeked in and saw it was a bomb. I threw it into the sky right as it
blew up. I was lucky to survive. I saw him running away. I ran after that,
because I looked like a terrorist.’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘He came up to me
and because I didn’t know him, I read his thoughts. He was thinking about
making sure I gripped his right hand because that was where the poison was. So
I punched him in the face. When his head didn’t come off I was mildly surprised
and he tried to hit me with the palm of his right hand. He wouldn’t stop, so I
left.’ Ivy said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Did any of you get
attacked in the last twenty four hours?’ Echo asked. Flame nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Where?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘My apartment. Ivy
knows where that is. It happened about twelve hours ago.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Great! We can go
there first thing tomorrow.’ Echo said, smiling. Sparky checked her watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I have a feeling
that it’s going to be a long day tomorrow, I say we should turn in.’ She said.
They all agreed and went to bed. Ivy and Hayley were in the front hall in case
they were ambushed, Eve, Lynxia and Áine were in the living room and Flame and
Echo were on the floor of Sparky’s bedroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The next morning at
2:15 Echo woke Sparky up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I can hear
helicopters.’ Echo said quietly. Sparky looked at her groggily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I can hear
helicopters and I can smell gunpowder. We need to go.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Okay. Flame, get
up.’ Sparky said, rolling out of her bed. She pulled up Flame who groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No, it’s too
early.’ He said. He opened his eyes and smiled at Sparky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Not the worst thing
to see first thing in the morning.’ He said, waking up slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Thanks Flame, but
we do need to get moving, help Echo and me wake up the others.’ Sparky smiled.
The three of them went downstairs and woke the others up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No! I will not
open my eyes and stand up!’ Áine growled. Sparky rolled her eyes and shocked
Áine lightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ow! That hurt!’
Áine yelled. Echo covered her ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘<i>Shhh!</i>’ Sparky said, covering Áine’s
mouth. Eventually everyone was awake and up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Where to?’ Ivy
asked holding out here arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘My apartment.’
Flame said, grabbing on to Ivy’s arm. Everyone else gripped her arm and Ivy
teleported. They appeared in Flame’s apartment. Áine, Echo and Eve reeled back,
dizzy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Whoa! That’s so
weird!’ Eve said. The three of them regained they’re balance as Flame checked
around his apartment. When he was sure that it wasn’t bugged, he picked up his
mail and started to go through it. He chucked three letters in the bin and
walked up to Sparky. He tossed the remaining letters onto his couch and kissed
Sparky. Ivy tapped Flame on the shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What!?’ He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘None of us want to
watch you kiss, remember?’ Ivy said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘She’s got a point.
Echo, can you get anything?’ Sparky said. Echo was looking around the room,
inspecting everything. She bent over and looking carefully at the carpet. She
straightened and looked at the group. She smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Got him.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Everyone was
preparing for the trip. They had to drive because if they teleported Echo would
lose the scent. Flame pulled a jacket over his machete, which was in its’
sheath, strapped to his back. Echo was loading her Glock, and making sure that
the silencer was on properly. Eve was sharpening her teeth and nails. Hayley
was inspecting her Mark 23 and Lynxia was fiddling with her quiver. Áine was
pulling her switchblade out of the strap around her ankle, opening it, stabbing
at thin air, shutting it and flicking it back into the strap. Sparky pulled out
her Makhaira and inspected it closely. Echo walked up to Hayley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Could you use a
silencer on your gun?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why?’ Hayley said,
raising her eyebrow. Echo pointed at her ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ah. Sure, but I
don’t own a si-‘<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Here, I have one.’
Echo held up a silencer and handed it to Hayley. When everyone was ready they
piled into the minivan that they had hired and drove away. Flame was at the
wheel and Echo was in the front passenger seat. She was looking forward
intently, and giving Flame directions. The rest of them were in the back, making
various facial expressions. Hayley was scowling because there hadn’t been
enough room and was sitting on the ceiling. She was facing Sparky, and scowling
at her very hard. Sparky was scowling back, not letting Hayley have another
facial expression battle win. Eve was grinning at Áine, who was smiling in a
slightly creeped-out fashion back at her. Ivy was frowning at everything, but
that was nothing out of the ordinary. Lynxia was talking to Ivy quietly, trying
to get her to smile. Finally Lynxia said something that caused a small
explosion of laughter come from Ivy. Hayley raised an upside-down eyebrow at
both of them, which subdued Lynxia, but only sent Ivy into further fits of
laughter. Soon enough, Sparky was struggling not to laugh and Hayley was having
a hard time maintaining her scowl. Eve was cackling for the fun of it, and Áine
was looking frantically from one side to the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What did I <i>miss!?</i>’ She yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Would you all be
quiet! We’re almost there!’ Flame shouted. Everyone quieted down after that.
They drove for three more minutes and stopped outside an old run-down
warehouse. They stepped out of the minivan and stretched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘We should partner
up.’ Hayley said, twisting her back. They looked around and shuffled into
pairs. Áine was with Echo, Flame with Ivy, Eve with Shadow and Sparky with
Hayley. They split up. Sparky hopped onto Hayley’s back and she ran up the wall
of the warehouse. She landed on the roof.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Off.’ Hayley said.
Sparky jumped off and smiled at Hayley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Lets have a look
around, shall we?’ Sparky said cheerfully. Hayley smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I guess so.’ They
walked around, Sparky holding her Makhaira, Hayley holding her Mark23. They
walked across the roof of the warehouse silently. Sparky looked around as she
was walking. There was no movement anywhere. She looked forward again and
stopped. Hayley was standing stock-still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Listen.’ She breathed.
Sparky listened and stepped forward tentatively. She shrieked as her foot went
through the glass she had stepped on. Sparky brought her arms up and she fell
through the roof. She turned in mid-air and landed on her back, barely keeping
her head from smashing into the concrete floor of the warehouse. Her Makhaira
clattered to the ground next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Sparky!’ Hayley
yelled. ‘Are you okay?’ Sparky groaned. She opened her eyes and saw Hayley
looking down at her through the glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What do <i>you</i> think?’ Sparky shouted back. She
stood up, picked up her sword and looked around. There were shafts of light
entering the warehouse at regular intervals. Other than that, there was no
source of light in the building. Sparky walked with her hands out in front of her,
trying to see. She hit a wall and ran her fingers along it until she hit an
electrical box. She opened it and charged up the box. The lights flickered on
and Sparky took another look at the inside of the warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Echo stood with her
hands on her hips. Áine was watching her, doing her best not to make a sound.
Áine shifted slightly on her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Shh. I need
silence.’ Echo said. Áine rolled her eyes and waited. Echo started walking
towards the forest that was behind the warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Are you sure that’s
the right direction?’ Áine asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Positive.’ They
walked briskly. The entered the forest and Echo stopped suddenly. They were
quite a far way into the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What is it?’ Áine
hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Can’t you hear
that?’ Echo asked, looking back towards the warehouse. Áine gave Echo a look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No. My ears aren’t
super good, remember?’ She said. Áine listened anyway. Echo sprinted back they
way they had come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Where are you
going!?’ Áine shouted. Echo didn’t even look back. Áine groaned and ran after
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I heard,’ Echo
said between breathes, ‘Sparky scream.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why am I not
surprised?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Flame and Ivy
walked into the warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘How did I get
paired with you?’ Ivy asked. Flame scowled. Ivy scowled back. They made faces
at each other for a few seconds and eventually tried to look for a light
switch. Not finding one, they walked forwards into the warehouse, seeing by the
fire in Flame’s hand. They walked along, looking around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘This is so
boring.’ Ivy said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Looking for clues is a necessity if you are a detective. Which
I am.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Well I’m an assassin. I kill things. This qualifies as
boring.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yeah, I know…’ Flame said reluctantly. They walked around,
looking for anything other than wall, floor or ceiling. Ivy was pulling out her
knife so that she could see how far she could drive it into the ground when
they heard a scream and a crash. They ran in the direction of the sound but the
lights flickered on before they got there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 207.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Eve and Lynxia walked around the warehouse. Nothing interesting
was happening, so Lynxia turned to Eve and flinched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Don’t <i>do </i>that!’ She
growled. Eve laughed and returned to her normal appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Do you have any live chickens?’ Eve asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Sure?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yes.’ Lynxia said. Her phone beeped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">It was a text from Ivy. Lynxia grabbed Eve’s wrist and they
shadow-walked into the warehouse. They stepped out of the bundle of shadows to
see Sparky, Flame and Ivy standing together. Out of nowhere Hayley landed on
the ground softly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Sparky, are you okay?’ Flame asked. Sparky rolled her eyes and
nodded. There was a bang from the other end of the warehouse. Everyone sprinted
over to meet Áine and Echo making a whole in the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Is everyone okay?’ Echo asked, checking Sparky especially.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘For Pete’s sake yes!’ Sparky cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I’ve found them by the way.’ Echo said, stepping back out of
the warehouse. They followed her. She walked into the forest and slowed down.
Echo looked back at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Just in here.’ She whispered. They edged forward into an empty
clearing. Echo stood straight and turned around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I was sure this was the place.’ She stuck her nose in the air
a sniffed. ‘It is here. Where are they?’ There was a flash as nine vampires
landed on the ground, grabbing each of them. The ninth stood in front of them
all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why hello there. I have been trying to kill you people for
quite a while. But, now that I have all of you, I can return to the boss. I
hope the ride isn’t to bad.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Who are you?’ Sparky asked, fighting against the vampire who
was holding her in place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No one of consequence. Silence them.’ The lead vampire said.
Each of the other vampires knocked out the sorcerers. Sparky’s knees buckled as
she blacked out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Sparky woke up. She attempted to wipe the hair of her face, but
her hands were locked in magic binding cuffs. She flicked her hair back as best
she could and looked around. A hand grabbed her from behind and held her up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Have a nice sleep Sparky?’ It was the same vampire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Who the hell <i>are</i>
you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Name?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Fine, my name is Angst.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Angst?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yes Sparky, my name is Angst.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That’s a bit depressing, isn’t it? But, all things considered,
you are a vampire.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Is there anything wrong with that, child?’ Angst asked,
smiling. Sparky spat in his face. He punched her in the gut, making her fold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Behave yourself. Or you’ll get much worse.’ Angst said. Sparky
scowled. He shrugged and carried Sparky into the next room. Ivy, Flame and
Hayley were hanging from the far wall, connected to the wall by magic binding
cuffs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘<i>Sparky, I can break
these, should I?’</i> Ivy’s voice appeared in Sparky head. Sparky shook her
head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Time to meet the boss.’ Angst said. A woman walked into the
room. Everyone except Angst turned their heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hello. I am Eliza Scorn.’ She said. Her red hair was hanging
over her shoulders. Sparky glanced at Flame. He was gazing at Scorn with his
mouth hanging open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Excuse me Angst, could I please slap Flame?’ Sparky said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why of course you can’t!’ Angst chuckled. Sparky frowned and
nodded at Ivy, who ripped her cuffs apart, turned invisible and removed
Sparky’s cuffs. Ivy then reappeared and punched Angst in the gut, making him
fly to the other end of the room. Sparky slapped Flame, who immediately snapped
out of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Oi!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Flame, I always say that you’re allowed to stare at other
girls. But you <i>aren’t </i>allowed to
drool.’ She said, unlocking his cuffs. Ivy had already ripped Hayley’s off.
They turned to face Eliza, but she was already gone. In her place were Angst
and five other vampires.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Ivy, now would be a great time to do that killing people
thing.’ Sparky said, backing up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘With pleasure.’ Ivy said, grinning. She stepped forward and
the vampires literally laughed at her. She kept grinning as a ball of blue
energy formed and flew into the chest of one of the vampires, throwing him off
his feet. The ball of energy slammed him into the ground. It then flew up and
hit another vampire in the back of the head. All this occurred within seven
seconds, not giving enough time for the vampires to dodge. Angst roared and
tried to tackle Ivy, but she teleported to the side. Angst landed on the ground
in front of Hayley. Hayley shot him in the leg. Angst howled with pain and
rolled over. He was now under Sparky, who put her boot on his head. She made
electricity flow through her foot and into his skull. He howled and gripped his
head. Sparky pulled her foot back and looked at Ivy again. Ivy had just swept a
vampire off his feet with a low kick, followed by a punch to the head. The
vampire’s head rocked backwards as he crumpled to the floor. Ivy turned and
smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That was fun!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 207.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Eve, Echo, Lynxia and Áine were sitting in the cell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘This feels so weird.’ Echo said. The others looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘It feels weird for all of us.’ Lynxia said, looking at her
bracelet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yes, but it literally <i>feels</i>
weird. I’m having trouble adjusting, it feels like everything is being
dampened.’ Echo said, rubbing her fingers against the ground. Eve was
inspecting the bars of the cage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I hate this.’ Áine said. Echo, Lynxia and Áine grumbled for a
while until Eve screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I can’t take this!’ She yelled. She gripped one of the bars of
the cell with her teeth and ripped it off. There was a moment of silence. Then
Áine spoke up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Well don’t just stand there, do it again!’ Eve nodded and did
it again. Thirty seconds later the four of them were walking around the
complex, looking for a way out. They turned a corner and everyone but Echo
crashed into Eliza Scorn. Eliza stepped backwards, to avoid falling over.
Lynxia got up and glared at Scorn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hello Eliza. Have you had work done?’ She said frostily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘No Lynxia. Have you developed a sharp tongue while I wasn’t
paying attention?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Probably.’ Lynxia shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I must admit how unhappy I am to see you again. Very.’ Eliza
said, staring daggers at Lynxia. Eve and Áine sat on the ground, watching the
silent fight happening. Echo backed into the wall as Sparky, Flame, Ivy and
Hayley sprinted around the corner. Áine and Eve tripped them up and Eliza and
Lynxia were brought to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Sometimes, magic is very handy.’ Echo said, helping her
friends up. They were all standing, including Scorn, when Echo’s eyes widened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Run!’ She yelled. Everyone ran from the spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What’s the matter Echo?’ Hayley asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Vampires. I can smell vampires and it’s night time. No, not
that way!’ They doubled back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What was down that way?’ Lynxia called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Zombies.’ Echo stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What is it now?’ Sparky cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Well Eliza, you seem to have this place guarded quite nicely.
Guys, should we fight the Hollow Men, the fully-fledged vampires or the
zombies?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I don’t think I’ll fight any of them. I’m going.’ Eliza said,
opening a hidden doorway and backing through it. ‘I hope you had fun being
alive.’ She smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘This is just fantastic, isn’t it?’ Áine said, banging on the
wall that Scorn had just left through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Hollow Men.’ Hayley said. Sparky had been standing very still
thinking until Hayley said that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘None of them.’ Sparky mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What?’ Eve asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘None of them. We don’t have any weapons to fight them with.’
Sparky said. Everyone paused. They then searched for their various weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘The lack of weaponry may complicate things slightly.’ Flame
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I have a weapon.’ Lynxia said, pointing at her bracelet.
Shadows coiled around her wrist. Sparky nodded and turned to Echo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Can you tell where the weapons are?’ Sparky asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That is a good question! Of course I can!’ Echo smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Which way is the safest to go?’ Ivy asked. Echo thought for a
moment and started walking back the way they had come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘The zombies are slow and the vampires have gone to a different
part of the building. I think the weapons are near the holding cells.’ They
walked back and Echo stopped outside a door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘In there, I’m sure of it.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Great, but how do we-‘ Hayley began. Ivy kicked the door down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘That should do it.’ Eve grinned. Ivy walked in and looked
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘This looks right.’ She said. The others entered the room and
grinned. Echo reached for her Glock. Hayley gripped her Mark23 and trained it
on a spot of the wall. Flame slid his Machete back into its strap. Áine grabbed
her switchblade, opened it, shut it and smiled. Lynxia put her quiver over her
shoulder and gripped her bow. Sparky picked up her Makhaira and walked back out
the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I think it’s time we go slaughter something, don’t you think?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Sparky, you know that I don’t like killing things.’ Echo said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Yeah, I know. But Ivy does, and Hayley and Flame and Lynxia
and Eve and Áine and I do.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Do I have to participate?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Of course not.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Okay then!’ Echo smiled. The eight of them walked around until
Echo stopped them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘There are Hollow Men up ahead. I’m staying here.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Fine, just don’t run off, or get kidnapped or anything.’
Hayley said, scowling. The seven fighters turned the corner. There was a flash
and all of the Hollow Men disintegrated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Uh…’ Eve said. ‘What happened?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I don’t know…’ Sparky said, putting her Makhaira away. A net
landed on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘What the hell!?’ Flame yelled. A canister landed on the ground
in front of them, with gas coming out. They thrashed until the sleeping gas
knocked them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 207.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Echo watched them walk around the corner and heard the sound of
dust hitting the ground. She was about to warn them when she heard someone
standing right behind her. Echo turned to see Angst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Uh, hello!’ Echo said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘Why hello there Echo. I heard you don’t like fighting.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘You heard right.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘So, if you don’t like fighting, how would you react if I did
this?’ Angst asked. Echo looked at him quizzically, then in a flash, Angst’s
hand was around her throat, squeezing. Echo’s vision began to cloud as she
reached into her jacket, pulled out her Glock and shot Angst in the leg. He
released her a growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">‘I’ve been shot in the same spot twice today! Not cool!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Gosh... This won't ever be finished, I know that much. It has no ending, I made it up as I went along...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Ew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Not to be continued.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-77007622314193339582012-09-08T20:00:00.002-07:002012-09-08T20:00:17.311-07:00Crucify.
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<br />
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<i>I have been around the world in a matter of seconds. I have learnt
things that mortals can only dream about. I have seen things that would make
any average human’s eyes melt. I have fought armies of monsters and emerged
unscathed. I have done all this and more.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am Sparky Braginski.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>And this is my story.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Move!’ My voice rings out through the hall. Ivy Animosity
turns and faces me, time slowing down around us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m not leaving without you.’ She says. I grab her
shoulders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You have to go! You’ll get killed!’ I say. She scoffs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m Ivy Animosity, no one kills me.’ She grins and time
snaps back into place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky, Ivy, get out of here!’ Lynxia Lost is pushing Ivy
and me out of the hall. The echoes of battle surround us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘If one of us leaves, we all go!’ Scarlett Thundersong
yells, standing near us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Scarlett’s right. We can’t all stay, which means we need to
go.’ Hayley Skirmish says firmly. Everyone’s here, and they’re all looking at
me. And fighting. Everyone’s fighting as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We can’t fight now, some of us are wounded.’ I say, begging
inside my own head that my voice doesn’t fail me. It doesn’t. They all nod, and
begin to retreat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe I should explain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One morning, I woke up after an unusually fitful nights
sleep. Well, I say morning, but that might make you think that the sun had
risen. Which, incidentally, it hadn’t. I checked the time, because that’s what
I generally tend to do when I wake up before the sun. Which is always. But,
anyway, the clock said 1:17. In the morning. That made me groan, because I
doubt any teenage girl wants to wake up at that time. I sat up and stretched. I
twisted my back and smiled when I heard my spine cracking. It’s an interesting
sound, you should try listening to it sometime. Anyway, I finished doing that
and swung my legs off my bed. Or, I would have, if I hadn’t kicked someone. I
blinked as the person cursed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who’s there?’ I asked the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And who are you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I don’t know.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You don’t know?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I don’t know.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You don’t know who you are?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Not a clue.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘This is a practical joke?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Nope. I have no idea who I am. You know though.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’ve never seen you before in my life.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I know. My life only started a few minutes ago.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What’s that supposed to mean!?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘It means what I said. I only came into existence a couple
of minutes ago.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You sound like a smart person.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I am if you say I am!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because you invented me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Not following.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What do you think I look like?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I dunno. Grey eyes? Blondish-brownish hair?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Turn on the light.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay…’ I stood up and turned on the light to my bedroom. I
faced the voice and saw sixteen-year-old girl looking back at me. Her hair was
brownish-blond, her eyes were grey, and she looked just like I thought she
would. I faltered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes?’ She asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m going to call a friend.’ I said. I walked down my
stairs and got out my phone. I dialled the number of my friend, Vulpin Rogue.
Except I call her Alfred. Anyway, I listened to the phone ringing her, but it
moved onto her voicemail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hi! This is Vulpin! Either it’s a bad time, or you’re
calling me too freaking early! Piss off!’ Her voice came out of the phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s bloody typical.’ I dialled the number of Ivy
Animosity, and as it was ringing, a blue orb of energy appeared in front of me
and Ivy stepped out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You called?’ She asked, grinning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m still calling! Could you give me a hand?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sure thing. What am I helping with, exactly?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Uh… She doesn’t have a name, so I’m not really sure.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And that means?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Come with me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I led Ivy up the stairs into my room. The girl was still
there, and she was looking at one of my notebooks. I scowled and pulled it out
of her hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Don’t touch my stuff.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay.’ She said. I scowled and faced Ivy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘She is my problem.’ I said. Ivy clicked her tongue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘She doesn’t have a name?’ Ivy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Nope.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘How, exactly, does that work?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No idea.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Should we name her?’ Ivy said. The girl cleared her throat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Only Sparky can name me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why?’ Ivy said slowly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Because Sparky made me. I came into existence because of
her.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Well, I can’t name you unless I know about you. So, as a
base, are you bad?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Bad?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Bad guy. Bad person. Evil.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Oh. Yes.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘How do you know?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘You just said so.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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This didn't get far at all. Obviously. It was going to be the one with everyone in it, does anyone remember that? The whole idea was just too daunting for me. Too complicated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to be continued.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-52084026552345871772012-09-08T20:00:00.001-07:002012-09-08T20:02:07.000-07:00Hayley, Vulpin, Sparky.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever wondered what it was like to see your two best friends
held at gunpoint? Don’t. It isn’t a pleasant experience. Especially when you
have to decide which one gets saved and which one dies. Trust me, it’s not fun.
I would know, seeing as that’s the position I’m in currently. Is there enough
time for me to start from the beginning? No. But I’ll try as best I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all started this morning, when Vulpin Rouge, Hayley
Skirmish and myself were watching scary movies. Well, we’d been watching them
from last night, but that’s beside the point. We were watching and it was fun,
and then my stomach rumbled really, <i>really
</i>loudly. So, I got up to get snack. Vulpin was hungry too, so she got up as
well. And because we were at Hayley’s house, she needed to guide us to the
kitchen. We were laughing about something that had just happened in the movie
when we heard tires screech on the street outside the house. Well, being mages
and adventurous and all of those other things, the three of us went to check it
out. We walked outside and saw blood <i>everywhere.</i>
Now, when I say everywhere, I mean <i>EVERYWHERE.</i>
The street, the trees, the walls. It was like someone had come and painted it
all. The only spot that wasn’t drenched in the red gunk was a line of tire
marks. We stood in silence, a bit shocked by it. Vulpin was the first to speak.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Holy shit.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Uh…’ I say. Hayley walked back into her house. She then
came back out and looked at us, hands on her hips.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Are you guys coming, or not?’ She then walked back in,
murmuring something about us needing to get used to this kind of thing. I
followed her and Vulpin followed me. I pulled my jacket on and searched for my
Makhaira. I found it and slid it into my belt. Hayley was making sure that she
had bullets and Vulpin was throwing her daggers around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Cut that out.’ Hayley said, not even needing to look at
Vulpin. Vulpin scowled and tucked her daggers into their slots at her ankles.
Hayley walked out of the room. Vulpin and I looked at each other, not knowing
where she went.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Are you going to stay there?’ Hayley’s voice called. Vulpin
and I both jumped and ran after Hayley. She was standing next to a door,
waiting for us. She opened it and ushered us in. I recognised the silhouette of
Hayley’s Suzuki Hayabusa in the darkness. Hayley flicked a switch on the wall
and the room was flooded in light. The small corner of the garage that was
filled by the motorcycle was in the shadow of a black 2007 Jaguar XK. Vulpin’s
jaw had dropped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Hayley, since when did you have a <i>car!</i>?’ I asked, dumbfounded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Since always. I just never needed to take you anywhere
together. Get in.’ she said, unlocking the car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Shotgun!’ I shouted. I then ran around to the passenger
side of the car and dived in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Hey!’ Vulpin scowled. Hayley laughed and got into the
drivers seat. Vulpin hopped into the backseat begrudgingly. She then folded her
arms and scowled determinedly. Hayley rolled her eyes and drove out of the
garage, following the tracks in the blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">At this point I would like to take a moment to tell
anyone who may read this, <i>do not ever </i>let
Hayley Skirmish drive you anywhere. <i>Especially</i>
in a convertible. Just <i>don’t</i>. I
thought it was scary riding on the bike with her driving, but I was wrong.
Never, ever let that happen. So, as you can probably tell, my knuckles were
gripping the side of the car so tightly they had turned white. Hayley was
swerving left and right, following the tracks on the ground. My stomach was
performing backflips every time we turned a corner, and my sigh was that of
relief when we ran out of tire marks to follow. Hayley's was one of annoyance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">'I don't feel to good...' Vulpin mumbled from the
back. I got up slowly and helped her out, and shot Hayley a glare when she
flipped out of the car, laughing. Her face then settled back into its regular
scowl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">'There's gotta be more signs.' she said looking
through the bushes on the side of the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Alfred, are you okay?' I asked. Vulpin nodded weakly.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Just remind me to put on a seatbelt next time.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Aha! Guys, come check this out!' Hayley called.
Vulpin and I crossed the road to where Hayley was and looked. There were some
footprints. Because it was dark we couldn't see which way we were going.
Vulpine was about to turn back when I made electricity crackle around my right
fist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">'I know it isn't the best light, but it'll have to
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Um... This was, okay. I started it, and it was a spur of the moment thing and... I wrote, and I forced myself to write and it just stopped. I don't think it was that good, anyway.
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
Not to be continued.Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-44529688481148066942012-09-08T19:59:00.011-07:002012-09-08T20:02:50.991-07:00No Name, actually...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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Sophie was an unknown within her peer group. She had
attended her high school for three years, but still no one knew who she was.
Sure, she had friends and enemies, but no one could tell what she was good at
it. She was bright, but in the second class for every subject. She was athletic
and fit, but never got into the highest teams or races. She liked to read and
draw and write, but never really showed anyone anything. Sophie- to her
classmates- was boring. So on Monday when Sophie got up and got dressed and had
breakfast, nothing special happened. When she went to school, she arrived
without much difficulty. She never missed her bus, she never forgot an umbrella
and she never left her lunch behind. Sophie’s mind was like clockwork. There
was never a minute spare. In fact, the only thing that made her break out of
her monotonous, repetitious personality was when people started to talk about reptiles.
When the topic was reptiles she would get animated and enthusiastic, and no one
had made the mistake of calling a frog a reptile after Sophie’s ‘outburst’. It
had not been pretty, and since then people had tried to stay away from her.
Because of that, she remained an unknown entity. Most students didn’t know her
name. She was normally referred to as Lizard or Snake or simply Scales. She
liked being called Scales the best, and her small group of friends would call
her that. Of her five friends, one was a cars expert, another a fish expert, a
third knew everything about plants, the fourth never said anything because she
was always reading feverishly and the last one was fluent in eight languages.
They were all freaks, but Sophie didn’t think that any of them other than her
had come to terms with that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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‘Scales, what time is it?’ Poppy- the plant fanatic- asked.
Sophie looked at her watch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Ten past.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ten past what?’ Chloe- the language nut- asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘One.’ Sophie answered. Nicole, or Gills, stood up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Time to go then.’ She said. Sophie, Nicole, Poppy and Dana-
the cars expert- all stood up as well. Helen- the avid reader- did not stand
up. The other five sighed and ripped the book out of her hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Hey! It was just getting good!’ Helen shouted. Dana rolled
her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘You say that every day Hel.’ She grumbled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I do not!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Yes you do.’ Poppy and Chloe said in unison. Nicole laughed
and helped Helen up. The six girls walked to their lockers and got their
textbooks out for the next class. Sophie groaned audibly when she saw that she
had Geography next. She hated Geography. Not to mention the horror of the new
seating plan. In between Graham and Fiona. Graham was an idiot, and said the
most moronic things. He never payed attention, and he was that kid that asks a
question two minutes before class is finished. Fiona was a visually based
trademark blonde. She insisted on wearing makeup to school even though they
weren't allowed to, and everyday she was sent to the office to get rid of it.
The only good thing about the new arrangement was that Sophie had been put
across the table from Kadar. Sophie adored Kadar. Not that anyone knew. Sophie
kept to herself and even though she constantly told herself that she would
always tell the truth, she knew that if somebody asked her if she liked anyone,
she would lie and say no. Sophie piled her books into her arms and walked to
Geography. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sophie arrived before her teacher and leaned against the
wall. Her teacher may have been the worst part of Geography. Mr Chalk. Mr Chalk
was not only a Geography teacher, but was also the school principal. Which made
him dull and terrifying. It wasn't fair. Mr Chalk arrived and ushered the class
in. Sophie sat down at her seat and waited for Mr Chalk to hand out the sheets
for that lesson. A pair of sheets floated down in front of Kadar. Sophie
grabbed one and chuckled quietly as Kadar rolled his eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have absolutely what this story was. Not a clue. I have no idea what I was going to do with this. I don't recall any character personalities, plot points, ideas. I honestly completely forgot about this story. Which implies...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Not to be continued.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-56666204659538278712012-09-08T19:59:00.010-07:002012-09-08T19:59:50.910-07:00Bogland People L4D Cross-Fic.
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Vulpin and Sparky could barely contain their excitement.
Even with Hayley slapping them upside the head every time one of them grinned,
which was once every ten seconds or so, they couldn’t stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘This is serious you two.’ Hayley growled.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘We know.’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Then stop smiling.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I can’t.’ Vulpin said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘People have died.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘We know that as well.’ Vulpin said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Then stop smiling!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I can’t!’ Sparky exclaimed. Hayley stopped pacing in front
of the two and placed her hands on her hips.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Why are you so excited then?’ Hayley asked. Vulpin and
Sparky both stop up and gasped. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Because! This isn’t just a zombie apocalypse, it’s a Left 4
Dead zombie apocalypse!’ Vulpin cried. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Left 4 Dead?’ Hayley said. Sparky nodded. ‘The video game?’
Hayley asked. Vulpin nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Let us go kill zombies!’ Sparky begged. ‘And possibly
become special Infected.’ She added, under her breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I completely agree with Sparky.’ Vulpin said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, this didn't get far. I had a few... Ideas, but they're gone. No point anymore. I don't like the idea.</div>
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Not to be continued.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-58649793956291829122012-09-08T19:59:00.009-07:002012-09-08T19:59:47.228-07:00Jailed Sparky.
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky was lying on her mattress. Her left arm and leg was
dangling over the side, resting on the dusty concrete ground. She was looking
at the ceiling, and had been for the past few months. She sat up suddenly,
wincing. She had no idea how many months it had been. A fair few, she wagered.
Eight? Nine? She lay back down again, into her previous position. She let her
mind wander once more. But now she was focused on something. Months and months
of not doing anything, not eating, not moving. Even in her current condition,
she should be doing something. She’d been to prisons before, never in a cell
for doing something, but she had been to them before. Sparky stood and began
pacing. But then again, those were human prisons. Mortal prisons. Prisons where
you could earn your way out. Not this kind of prison. Not the Gaol. She wasn’t
meant to be there. Her friends should’ve broken her out ages ago. Sparky’s
vision blurred suddenly and she backed into the wall. Now she could remember
why her mind had been wandering so freely. Her friends had this huge plan.
She’d stuck her neck out for them, taken the blame, accepted the responsibility
and landed herself in jail. She knew it was going to happen, it was all part of
the plan. But now, Sparky was unsure of whether the plan was only made to get
her in prison.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why did I remember?’ she whispered, a lone tear rolling off
her nose. She banged her fist against the wall and hollered. She willed
electricity to spark at her fingers, but she knew it was fruitless. She lay
back down in the mattress, staring at the wall this time. Her cell door swung
open slowly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Huh…?’ she breathed, lifting her head. She stood up and
cautiously made her way to the door. She stepped out, hidden by the shadow of
the doorway. It was obviously night-time, because the lights weren’t on. She
felt a rush as her magic tingled through her veins. She felt electricity form
in the centre of her palm, but she didn’t let it be seen by those who may be
nearby. A voice echoed through the passage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky?’ it was Zathract Mist’s voice, Sparky was sure of
it. She didn’t say anything. Another voice, a different one, said something
this time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Are you there?’ that was Nixion Strange. A third voice
called out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Did we pick the right cell?’ Lynxia Lost. Without a doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who’s there?’ Lavender Hope. Were they finally breaking
Sparky out? To Sparky’s surprise, instead of remorse or joy, she felt rage. It
was rising through her body, but she forced it away. <i>‘Don’t waste it all at once.’</i> She thought sourly. Once again, electricity
pooled into her palms, but this time her hands curled into fists and
electricity surged around her hands. She opened her mouth and forced herself to
keep her voice from trembling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What took you so long?’ Sparky asked into the darkness. The
was a moment where you could only hear the electricity snapping at the air. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There was an urgent-‘ Zathract started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘An urgent <i>what, </i>Zathract?’
Sparky said bitterly. She heard an intake of breath somewhere along the hall.
‘Forget, I’m out of here.’ Sparky finished. She splayed her hands and a
shockwave rippled outwards. Nothing physical happened, but Sparky knew that
everyone in the room would be momentarily confused. In that moment she blurred
out of the hallway.<span lang="EN-US"> She skidded to a stop and hide under a desk. Lynxia,
Zathract, Lavender and Nixion all clattered out of the Gaol. Sparky inched
backwards and her foot hit something. She looked backwards and smiled. She knew
what this door lead to. She snuck in and flicked on the lights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Whoa...' Sparky had just entered the Sanctuary's
armoury. Weapons of every sort rested upon these shelves. Guns, swords, knives,
daggers, explosives- The works. She practically danced through the shelves and
searched for her own weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Ah, you beauty.' she whispered, grabbing the handle
of her Makhaira and sliding it into its spot in her belt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'That's better.' she exhaled. She crept back out, just
in time to see the four others clatter around the corner, guided by a flame in
Zathract's hand. Sparky knew that they would try to find her, but she didn't
want to bother herself with such trivial activities. She walked along casually,
making her way to the exit. She walked up the stone steps and out into the
open. She felt cool, crisp, fresh air against her skin. She took a step
forward. She heard a noise behind her. Without a sound, Sparky stepped into the
shadows and saw Lynxia walk out, muttering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I don't see the point in standing out here. If Sparky
has already left, she would be long gone by now. I hope she hasn't left.'
Lynxia went on like this and Sparky watched her intently, debating over what
she should do next. Sparky reached out slowly and tapped Lynxia's shoulder.
Lynxia turned and gasped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky, I-'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Night night, sweetheart.' Sparky said sweetly,
driving her fist into Lynxia's temple. Lynxia collapsed and Sparky caught her
before she hit the ground. Sparky rested Lynxia on the ground gently, then ran
to the other side of the street. From her vantage point Sparky could hide and
watch. After a few minutes Zathract came out, saw Lynxia and swore. He growled,
picked Lynxia up and walked back into the building. Five minutes later the four
came out, Lynxia still out cold. Sparky smiled sadistically at the thought that
her own hand had caused that. Lavender paused for a moment and turned into a
bat. Sparky watched her carefully. Lavender emitted a few screeches and flew
around. She landed next to the streetlamp in front of Sparky and returned to
her human form. She was looking dead at Sparky. Her eyes were filled with
sorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky, don't make yourself our enemy. You know what
happens to our enemies. Don't make us do that to you.' Lavender said solemnly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Lav! What are you doing?' Nixion shouted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Your team wants you Lavender.' Sparky said cooly.
Lavender shook her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Our team.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Your team Lavender. Go to your team. It'll be an
honour rivaling you.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'It was a mistake! Sparky, it was a mistake, and it's
in the past!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Lav!' Nixion shouted again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky's here!' Lavender called. Nixion started to
run over straight away. Sparky stepped forward, brandishing her sword. Lavender
jumped backwards in shock. Sparky ignored her and swung the blade at the
streetlamp. Just before Nixion landed on her, Sparky rammed her fist into the
wiring of the pole. All of the lights turned off. There was a chorus of
cursing, mostly Nixion, and Sparky ran from the street. She knew where she was
headed. Roarhaven was a long way from anything, but it did have roads, and
roads meant cars. Her hands were cloaked in electricity as she blurred to the
only carpark in Roarhaven. And being old friends with Hayley Skirmish, Sparky
knew how to Hotwire a car. She dived into a car and drove out of the carpark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky sped down the empty roads repeating the same
street address over and over in her head. Sparky had chosen a red convertible
for the hell of it. She rested her right elbow on the side of the door, gripped
the steering wheel with her left hand and yelled with joy over her freedom.
After a few minutes Sparky got bored of driving in silence. She pulled over and
went through the glovebox of the car. Jackpot, an iPod and a cord that
connected the iPod to the dashboard of the car. She scrolled through the songs
and stopped on 'Life Is A Highway'. She cranked the volume up and raced down
the road once more. When she entered Dublin, Sparky slowed considerably and
turned the music off all together. She parked in an alley and waited, watching
the windows of a second story apartment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Tensley Dust wrung his hands as he rounded the corner.
The detective didn't like to be interrupted while he was working. He
knocked on the detective's door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'It's open.' a voice from inside the office said.
Tensley walked in, very nervous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Um, sir, you need to know, a Mage has escaped from
the Gaol.' Tensley stammered. The detective arched an eyebrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Who?' he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Uh, Sparky Braginski sir.' Tensley was shocked. The
detective wasn't angry. He looked pained. 'Is everything okay, sir?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I need to go home. Now.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sir?' Tensley repeated as Detective Phoenix pulled
his coat on and left the room. He drove home as fast as possible and entered
his apartment briskly. He pulled his coat off again and threw it over the back
of a chair. He took three steps forward, then stopped abruptly as a carving
knife hit the wall in front of him. He turned slowly and faced Sparky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'You work there. You work at the Sanctuary. You said
you loved me. Why didn't you get me out?' Sparky asked. Flame opened his mouth.
'Nine months Phoenix! Nine months I was trapped in that hellhole! Nine months
for you to get me out!' another knife landed in the wall on the other side of
Flame. 'Nine months of missing you, wasted.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky...'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I don't want to hear it, Phoenix.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'But-'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I don't want to hear your excuses.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Then why did you come here?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'To get your attention. To let the others know how I'm
doing. Because, y'know, they seemed to stop caring for three seasons.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky, I'm sorry.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sorry is just a word. You don't mean it. If you meant
it, it never would have happened.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Just-'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Just nothing.' Sparky said. She threw two more
knives. One landed just above Flame's head, and the other hit the light switch.
The lights through the building fizzled out and died. Flame snapped his fingers
and illuminated the room with a ball of fire. Sparky wasn't there anymore.
Flame whipped around, trying to find her. He hated trying to see by firelight,
it casted creepy shadows everywhere. Sparky crept up behind him and tapped his
shoulder. He turned and looked into her eyes. There were savage and angry, but
behind that he could see hurt. She was filled with hurt, and instead of her
normal reaction to hurt- forgiveness- she had chosen rage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sparky?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yes Phoenix?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'We can talk this out. It'll be easy. We just sit down
on the sofa over there and talk. It'll make everything better.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Phoenix, you know what I say about talking.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I do know what you say about talking.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Then I'm sure that you know that I have a better
plan.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'And what is that?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'This.' Sparky stepped forward and kissed Flame. She
felt his warms arms wrap around her cold body. 'Home.' she thought. She stopped
kissing him and buried her head into his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I can't forgive you, Phoenix.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Oh?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sorry.' Sparky stepped back, gripped his hair and
brought Flame's head down onto her knee. She caught him and rested him on his
sofa. She bent over and kissed his forehead. She then looked around, pulled two
knives out of the wall and walked out of the building. Her next stop- England. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She walked over to the car and as she was jumping in,
a blue orb of energy appeared and Ivy Animosity stepped out. Sparky stopped and
watched Ivy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Hey. I got an angry phone call from Lynxia this
morning saying that you needed to die or something.' Ivy said casually. Sparky
leant against the car and nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'That would sound about right.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Something about you punching her really hard?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yup.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Are you playing my side now?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Killing people? Fraid not. Just punishing my friends.'
Sparky made quotation marks in the air when she said "friends." Ivy
arched an eyebrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Do I count?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yes.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Do I get punished?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Not yet. Y'see, I'll have to think of some very
clever way to take you down, because having a fist-fight with you in an alley
is a really stupid idea.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'It is.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'But I assume you aren't going to let me just drive
away now.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Nope.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'What are you going to do?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Haven't thought of it yet. I wouldn't recommend
running though.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I wasn't planning on it.' Sparky yawned and stretched,
eyes glued to Ivy. Ivy watched Sparky in the same fashion, her mind whirring
away. Ivy shrugged and stepped toward Sparky, intending to simply pick her up
and throw her into the bonnet of the car. The problem was, Sparky had already
moved. Ivy could read Sparky's mind and teleport, but Sparky could
theoretically move at the speed of light. Or close to that. So Ivy turned to
face Sparky, who was on the other side of the alley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Are you going to keep moving out of my way like that?’ Ivy
asked. Sparky nodded. ‘It’s very annoying.’ Ivy said. Sparky nodded again. ‘Do
you have anything else to say?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Fine then. I’m bored, so, I’m going to go and tell the
others that you ‘got away’. Bye.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Later.’ Sparky watched a blue orb of energy encase Ivy,
then fade away. She shrugged and got into the car, heading for England.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When Sparky had set off for England, she hadn't really
thought about where exactly she was going. She knew people in Ireland, but she
was also meant to be in a cell for the next few decades, so she couldn't really
be there. Her escaping would probably alert other people. Who knows, the
Skeleton Detective could even be put on the case. They had met once. Sparky
knew that if the Skeleton Detective was put in charge, everything would be
sorted out fine. Well, she wouldn't be in a cell. But what she intended to do
now would certainly place her back in prison, possibly for her entire life. She
knew her plans in the long term, but in the short term no bright ideas were
popping into her head. She did know that she would have to ditch this excellent
car. She did know that two hired assassins, a very talented detective and
possibly some others were on her tail. In retrospect Sparky had to admit that
maybe running would've been the best idea, but where's the fun in that? So as
Sparky got out of the car, she had no idea what she was doing. Well, actually,
she knew that she was walking through a busy place, but she wasn't sure where,
and she knew who she was looking for, it was just a matter of finding them. <i>'Damned teleporters...</i>’ she thought. She
couldn't rely on people like that. She saw a coin on the ground. She picked it
up and flipped it. It landed tails. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I'm looking for Robin Snowscar then. This'll be fun.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky walked through the bustling streets, ignoring
the odd looks she got. She had a sword, get over it. A small child crashed into
her and in a flash she was gripping the poor boy's arm. There was a sparkle of
danger in her eyes as she looked down on the boy, when she saw that his eyes
were filled with pain. Her hand snapped open suddenly and the boy tore away. She
watched him run, then started walking again, keeping her head low. She saw a
park nearby and walked into it. She walked over to a fountain and sat down. She
needed to think things out. She needed to stay out of the spotlight. She needed
to-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sparky!?’ Sparky looked up. Star Inkbright ran up to
her. ‘It’s you!’ Star hugged Sparky and it was all Sparky could do to not shock
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘How have you been?’ Star asked, letting go. Sparky
narrowed her eyes. Star frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sparky, are you okay?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Oh. Can I help?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘How?’ Star asked. Sparky smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why don’t you take me to your house, and we get
something to eat. I’m starving.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sure!’ Star led Sparky to her house. It was nice and
cozy and comfortable. Sparky sat down in an armchair and waited for Star. Star
came in, gave Sparky a sandwich and sat across from her. Sparky ate her
sandwich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Better?’ Star asked when Sparky had finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yes, much.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Anything else I can do?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yup.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘And that is…?’ Star asked, laughing. Sparky jumped
forward and knocked Star out of her seat. Sparky gripped her head and shocked
her. Star screamed. Sparky stopped and lifted her head, then smashed it into
the wall. Star slid down the wall, unconscious. Sparky sat her back on the
chair then walked into her kitchen. She got some food, picked up a backpack on
the floor, emptied it and put the food inside it. She took a lighter from the
kitchen counter and grabbed yet another knife. She then swung the backpack over
her shoulder and walked out of the house. The next thing Sparky needed was
sleep. Sparky looked around and walked in the direction that she thought would
lead her away from the city. After about three blocks of walking she stopped.
She then looked at the car next to her. The door was open, it was empty and the
keys were in the ignition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well that’s convenient.’ She said, sitting in the
drivers seat. She put the backpack on the seat next to her, shut the door and
drove off. She had picked the right direction and was soon driving through the
English countryside. She turned down a dirt path and followed it until the car
ran out of gas. Maybe it would’ve been smart for her to check if it needed
fuel. She shrugged, slung her bag over her shoulder and started walking towards
and cluster of trees a little while away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Flame, Ivy and Lynxia met up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We are going to catch her, and stick her in jail
again.’ Lynxia growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky hung the hammock in the tree and lay down. This would
be her first proper sleep since her escape. She was safe here. She shut her
eyes and drifted off to sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Do you have any idea of what you’re doing?’ Ivy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’, a professional, don’t doubt me.’ Flame replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Too late.’ Ivy smirked. Flame whirled on her, preparing to
yell. Lynxia stepped between them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Focus.’ She said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But it’s a valid question! Look at us, we’re in the middle
of nowhere! The only thing for mils is that cluster of trees!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Exactly.’ Flame said, starting to walk to the trees. Lynxia
shrugged and followed him. Ivy followed after them, scowling. Flame walked into
a clearing at the centre of the trees. He stopped and looked around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s funny…’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What, that you suck?’ Ivy teased.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, I mean there’s no more trail.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So you suck.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, there’s no more trail.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So you suck.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Stop saying that Ivy.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why? It’s just the truth.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky’s eyes fluttered open.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy Animosity, I’d like to see you track someone for once!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’d like to see me do that as well. I wouldn’t get lost.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Shut up, both of you!’ a voice shouted. Sparky rubbed her eyes
and peeked out of the hammock. Lynxia, Flame and Ivy were fighting below her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Explain why there’s no more trail then!’ Flame hollered.
Sparky cleared her throat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I think I can explain that.’ She called. The trio looked up
at her. Sparky swung her legs over the edge of the hammock and jumped down. She
slid a knife out of her belt, leaned against the tree she had just been sitting
in and pressed the ends of the knife with her fingers. Lynxia lunged at her.
Sparky ducked underneath the shadows that were barrelling at her and slashed
forward with her knife. Lynxia doubled back. Sparky nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s right. You just stay at that distance and keep your
hands off your weapons.’ Sparky instructed. A blue orb of energy knocked Sparky
off her feet. She snarled and rolled backwards when she hit the ground. She
knelt and tackled Lynxia, batting her quiver out of her arms. She then slammed
her fist into the ground, sending the other two girls away from Sparky. Before
either of them had landed on the ground Sparky was running away, cursing her
constant bad luck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘She got away. Again.’ Lynxia snarled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Really? I didn’t notice.’ Ivy replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Got her.’ Flame said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What?’ Ivy and Lynxia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I got some pictures of her. Just, they aren’t very good,
but they’ll do. She doesn’t look too good though.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Lemme see.’ Lynxia said. Flame was right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are actually a few more paragraphs of this, but they aren't connected. I liked it, but I got bored with it quickly. I wrote myself into a proverbial corner and couldn't be bothered to fix it.</div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
Not to be continued.Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-9052119036716552672012-09-08T19:59:00.008-07:002012-09-08T19:59:42.891-07:00Nekos?
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Jenny checked her e-mails. Two from friends, three junks and
one job. She deleted the junk e-mails and opened the job. She was after Gecko.
She’d seen pictures of him around. There was a huge bounty on his head. She
shrugged and put her belt on. She checked through it. It had a grappling hook
gun, daggers, pistol, string and some other things. People didn’t understand
the significance of the string. String was far more useful than most people
thought. Jenny checked the places Gecko had been seen the most. Subways, pubs,
the regular places. Jenny took a moment to wonder why they were always in the
same areas, and then walked out of her house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I recall this one, I had ideas for it, but it was very straightforward. A few ideas were a little complicated, but not really.</div>
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Possible continuation.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-47655871922263507432012-09-08T19:59:00.007-07:002012-09-08T19:59:39.017-07:00L4D.
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Walking through the withered remains of society, my
gun hand is steady. My flashlight hand, however, is quivering violently. I
pause, listening to my surroundings. I can hear sobbing. Witch. Almost
panicked, I switch the light off. The sobbing continues. Good. I look towards
the sound and see a crouched shape. I stop breathing and back up quietly. I
back out of the alley and into the main street, two blocks away I hear an
explosion and see light cast by fire. Right now, it is not of my concern.
Still, I am hypnotised by it. That is, until a car flies into the air. Tank. I
turn and run away from the wailing car alarms. My heart is racing. I
concentrate on it’s rushed thumping. Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I skid to a stop, throwing pebbles over the
asphalt. I’m panting. I bend over to catch my breath when I hear a low
growling. Shit. It’s a Hunter. I point my gun towards the growling. The Hunter
pounces and I shoot at the bloodied blue hood. I’ve missed, because the Hunter
crashes into me, (in the process I drop my gun) pins me and gets ready to rip
me to shreds. I raise my arms by instinct and squeeze my eyes shut. The ground
is vibrating softly. I’m not dead yet. I dare to open my eyes a crack just as
the Tank smashes its fist into the Hunter, sending it flying through a second
story window on the other side of the street. The Tank is raising its fists.
Will being crushed be more or less painful than being ripped to shreds? The
fist is coming down as something wraps itself around me and yanks me out from
under the Tank. God! Now what!? A Smoker is standing on a nearby balcony. I
feel my arms get pressed against my body. Stuck. I yell and kick, but the
situation is just getting worse and worse. Wait. I hear gunshots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Hey!’ a gruff voice shouts. I turn my head as I
lift off the ground. The man who yelled is wearing a biker vest. He shoots the
Smoker in the head and runs up to me. I hit the ground and he grabs my wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Run and gun!’ He yells, hands me an Assault rifle
and pulls another one off of his back. ‘Now!’ he grabs my wrist again and pulls
me away from the Tank. I stumble to my feet and turn, so I’m facing the Tank
and sprinting backwards. I shoot at it. An old man backs out of an alley and
throws a pipe bomb. Two people, a black man and a girl run out of the alley.
The girl sees the Tank, lights a Molotov and throws it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Fire in the hole!’ she shouts. The Molotov
explodes on the Tanks face, making it roar. The biker grabs my shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Forget the gun, just run!’ The five of us sprint
towards a set of ladders with balconies on the side of a building. The black
man reaches it first and has his foot on the second rung when a shrill scream
fills the air. The girl shrieks as a Hunter lands on her. The black man is
shooting at the Hunter from the first balcony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘You two, up!’ the old man orders. I hesitate. The
biker grabs my wrist again and launches me into the ladder. I scramble up the
ladder without a second thought. I duck behind the black man and leap into the
next ladder, which I practically fly up. I sprint to the third one, climb up
and help the others onto the roof. The girl is limping slightly but otherwise
seems okay. The black man opens a door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘And just in here-‘ He closes the door quickly and
leans his back against it. ‘Lets <i>not </i>go
down there.’ The biker rolls his eyes. The old man pulls a cigarette butt out
of his mouth, throws it on the ground, steps on it, pulls out a new cigarette
and lights it. He then sits down and looks at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Who are you?’ he grunts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Me?’ I say. I haven’t said anything for so long
that my voice sounds hoarse and unfamiliar. He nods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Stephanie.’ I croak. I clear my throat. ‘Call me
Steph.’ Much better. I sound normal now. He nods again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Bill. I hope you’re used to staring death in the
face every five minutes, because that’s life as we know it now.’ He says. Whoa,
downer much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I’m Louis.’ the black man says, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Zoey.’ the girl says. She sits down and starts
bandaging herself. The biker holds his hand out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘The name’s Francis.’ I reach out and he shakes my
hand vigorously. ‘So, Steph, how’s your day been?’ he asks. I think for a
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Well, in the last twenty minutes I’ve nearly
stepped on a Witch, been pounced on by a Hunter, crushed by a Tank and
swallowed by a Smoker. How <i>has </i>my day
been? Oh, now I remember. It sucked.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Better get used to it, kid.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I am used to it. Did I thank you for saving my
life back there?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘No.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Good. Maybe I can surprise you sometime.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Glad to see someone else here has a sense of
humour.’ We laugh and Louis strolls up to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘You guys seen to be having a good time. Care to
share the joke?’ he says cheerfully. I look him up and down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Is he always this… Chipper after a near death
situation?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘That’s a shame.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘You think so too?’ we laugh again and Louis tried
to join in until Francis and I collectively scowl at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I’ll just leave you guys to it then.’ He says, his
hands raised in defence. Zoey stands up with a bandage wrapped around her left
calf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘So, Steph, how have you managed to survive so long
on your own?’ she asks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘With great difficulty.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘That’s how everything occurs nowadays.’ Bill
murmurs. Zoey yawns. Bill looks up at the moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Time to turn in. Louis, you seem spry, take the
first watch. Francis second and I’ll do last.’ Bill says. Zoey smiles and lies
down. I do the same. For a few seconds I think that trying to fall asleep is
futile but then my eyelids droop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My eyes open. Day. Morning. I hear a groan and sit
up. Zoey is clutching her stomach. Phew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘How long is it since we last ate?’ she groans.
Louis laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I can’t remember!’ He chuckles. Bill nods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Okay kids, time to go shopping. Steph, this is
your test. If you can’t keep up, you’re going to be left behind.’ He says
decisively. I gulp quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘And by shopping,’ Francis says, cocking his rifle,
‘He means looting.’ I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘This is going to be fun.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Francis, Bill, Louis and Zoey all lean over the
edge of the roof. I join them. Bill is pointing at a building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘That’s the place. We go down, get food, and come
right back.’ He says. I load a shotgun and grin across the roof at Francis. I
glance at Zoey getting ready and she tosses me a med-kit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Thanks.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Yeah, lets just hope you won’t need it.’ she says
in return. I open the kit and look at what’s inside. Damn, I could’ve used one
of these… A few minutes later I’m sliding down the ladder. I hit the ground and
face the street. Three Infected are running at me. I shoot the first two and
Louis picks off the third. I grunt in appreciation. He shrugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘We’ve got to stick together in a zombie’s world,
right?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘They’re vampires.’ Francis mutters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Zombies.’ Zoey, Bill and Louis say simultaneously.
Francis keeps grumbling as we cross the road. The automatic doors to the mall
won’t open, but that isn’t much of a problem seeing as they’re shattered
already. We each step through the glass carefully and walk into the mall. I
look around and see a distinct pattern in the architecture. The floor is
marble, and it’s splattered with blood. The pillars are marble covered in
plaster (you can tell from the holes in the plaster) and they’re splattered in
blood. Shop windows are cracked, broken and are splattered with blood. We walk
through the mall in silence, except for the obvious shooting of Infected. We
walk into the super market and Bill stops us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Check use by dates on everything, get batteries
and matches.’ He says. I nod and immediately walk to the meat section, paying
attentive attention to levels of mould on everything. I see some lamb cutlets,
steaks and sausages. I pick up packets of things and start walking to the
matches. I pick up seven boxes of matches and shove them into my pockets. I
turn around and see a Boomer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Boomer!’ I shout. I hear someone running up behind
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Don’t shoot until you have to.’ Zoey’s voice
whispers in my ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I know.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Does it know we’re here?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Not yet.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Then why don’t we leave before it pukes on us?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Great idea.’ We slide out of the aisle. We relax
and keep looking for food. We hear Bill’s voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Cut the horseshit, Francis and get your ass down
here.’ We hear Francis swear and I shrug. I look back down the aisle at the
Boomer, and see Francis stumble backwards into it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Oh God…’ I mutter. The Boomer explodes, covering
Francis and Bill in bile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Ah, shit!’ Francis shouts. ‘My vest!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Get you’re head outta your ass, Francis, we got
bigger problems!’ Bill scowls. ‘If you hadn’t been foolin’ around, this
wouldn’t have happened!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Don’t blame me! If you hadn’t startled me, I
wouldn’t have tripped!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Are they like that all the time?’ I ask Zoey
quietly. She sighs and nods. Oh. That sucks. I walk to the entrance of the
super market and watch for Infected. I see one. Bam. Another. Hole in its head.
A third. I aim, but someone else gets there first. Louis is pointing a rifle at
the space where the zombie was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘A team can always use more members. Try not to
die.’ He says, reloading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘I wasn’t planning on it.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Good.’ He holds the gun up again. ‘Look out, here
they come.’ The horde runs up and Louis, Zoey and I open fire on them.
Eventually I run out of bullets, and the Infected are getting closer. In a
flash I’ve pulled out two Magnum Pistols, and am firing again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Reloadin’!’ I
hear Francis’ voice shout. I look over at him and shoot a zombie that’s about
to get him. He looks up with the loaded gun and sees the Infected fall in front
of him. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I turn away
and keep shooting. God, they just don't stop! Zoey pulls put a pipe bomb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Take cover!' she shouts, tossing it. As
she runs into a nearby store, each of us rush to do the same; with me ending up
in an abandoned pawn shop.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> I hear the explosion come from outside and I peek
through the window. An Infected crashes through the window, and gets up slowly
behind me. I hold the guns up at it, and pull the triggers of both. Nothing
happens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Ah...Shit...' I throw the two pistols
at it and sprint through the shelves of the pawn shop, trying to find something
to whack it with. A nightstick catches my eye. Brilliant. I pick it up and
swing it around. The Infected crashes into the aisle behind me. I whirl and
crack the baton against its head. It groans, stumbles to the side and I bring
the Nightstick down on its forehead. The Infected collapses. I growl and turn.
I walk out of the store and run to the others. They've started shooting again.
I pick up my shotgun again and reload it quickly. I start shooting as well. The
Nightstick is hanging from my belt when an Infected grabs it and pulls me backwards
into it. It bites into my left shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Agh!' I shout. I flip the gun over the
back of my shoulder and shoot it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Cover me!' I yell. I kneel and wrap a
bandage around my shoulder. I stand up and start shooting again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Eventually the Infected disperse and we
pick up our bags of food. Louis comes over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Are you okay? You look torn up pretty
bad.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'I'm fine.' I grunt. I then glance at my
left shoulder and see the bloodied bandage. I conceal a wince and sling the bag
over my shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Lets just back onto a roof and eat this
food.' I say. We jog to the street and climb up the ladders. I sit down and
empty my bag. The others do the same. All together we have bread, meat, a few
fruit, some clean water, eight boxes of matches and about fifty different sized
batteries. Bill bends over to get a fire going. I look at my shoulder again and
peel the blood-soaked bandage off. The hole in my arm is about half an inch
deep, and two inches wide. It's still bleeding. Zoey comes over and arches her
eyebrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Not much of a complainer, are you?' she
asks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Never really saw the point, to be
honest.' I say with gritted teeth. If you ever get a hole in yourself, try and
make it somewhere you can reach easily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Do you want some help?' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'No, I think I'll just struggle a little
while longer.' I scowl. She rolls her eyes and starts bandaging my shoulder
tightly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Thanks.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'No need.' she finishes wrapping the
bandage and knots the end. 'You ever been bitten before?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'A few times. Figure I'm immune or
something.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Well you would've turned by now if you
weren't.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Good point.' I look over at Bill. 'He
doesn't like me very much.' I say, nodding towards him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'He doesn't like anyone very much.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Then why'd he stick with you?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'No idea. But he refuses to leave us
behind now.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'We wouldn't last five minutes without
Bill.' Louis adds, chiming in.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Francis snorts. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Its true.' Zoey says. I sniff and smell cooking meat.
My stomach rumbles. Well, I think it's my stomach. It could've been Zoey's. I
stand up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'My stomach is calling.' I say, then sit down by the
fire. Francis sits on my left, Louis on my right. Bill has set up a spit of
some sort. I'm not quite sure how he did it, because there's a platter above
the fire, which is turning as he rotates a handle. How did he do that? Well, it
works. I think I'll ask him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Bill, how did you rig this up?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'You learn a lot of things at war, kid.' he says. War?
That would explain his uniform. After a few minutes the food is ready, and each
of us has a lamb cutlet to eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'What happens now? Do we stay here until we get eaten
or do we have somewhere to escape to?' I ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'We're heading for the airfield. They have planes
taking survivors away, but there aren't many left. So, we are in a hurry.' Bill
grunts. I've finished my meat and have started gnawing on the bone. Bad habit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'So... We're blitzing through the city to fly away?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Is there a problem with that?' Bill says. I stop
slouching and shake my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Good. Speaking of which, we need to get going.
Everyone ready?' Bill asks. Everyone nods and stands up. I pick up an Assault
rifle and a Combat shotgun. I weigh the pros and cons of both inside my head,
and put the Assault rifle down. It just isn't my style. I slide a Magnum pistol
into a loop of my jeans, so it's resting on my right hip. I see another and
slip into the opposite loop, against my left hip. I put spare ammunition into
my pockets, something that I neglected to do last time. I look at the
Nightstick that I had acquired. Where do I keep it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'Put the handle through the loop on the back of your
pants.' Louis says. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">'...Thanks.' I say, doing what he suggested. And now,
I feel fully equipped. I see another Combat shotgun on the ground. I pick it
up. I hold one in each hand and rest the butts against my waist. Now I feel
fully equipped. We walk through the streets in silence. The Infected are less
excitable during they day, so we can walk wherever, just so long as we don’t
make too much noise. Ugh… I hate walking. The Infected probably hate it more
though. I wonder what it’d be like to be an Infected. Sometimes you see them
doing the strangest things. The other day I was looking for bullets. I walked
into a room and saw an Infected. It was under a table, reaching out for
something. I bent over to see what it was reaching for. I can’t be sure, but it
looked like an ear. But it was moving. Where was I? Oh yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Man oh man, how I hate walking.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Me too.’ Francis bleats. Zoey, who is in front of us,
looks back and scowls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Don’t get Francis started on hating things, Steph,
it’s the best for everyone.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Hey!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Shut up Francis.’ Bill says gruffly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Hey, quiet!’ Louis says. I scowl at him. He frowns
back. ‘No, listen, I can hear crying.’ The five of us stop and look around
carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘This way.’ I say, walking towards the sobbing. The
four don’t move. I look back at them impatiently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Come on, we don’t have all day, do we?’ I say. Bill
grunts and nods Francis, Louis and Zoey forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘She’s right, ain’t got time to slow down. Safe rooms
are always in the direction of Witch’s.’ Bill strides in front of me. I follow
him and Louis, Zoey and Francis follow me. We follow the sound into a building.
I pocket a pipe bomb and we head up the stairs into a hallway. Bill signals for
me to stop and I relay the message back. The five of us stop as the Witch
wanders from one room into another. Bill moves across the hall briskly. The
Witch wanders back again. I hurry forward and Zoey, Francis and Louis repeat
the procedure. We walk across a plank from one building to another and pause in
the first room to reload.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">‘Was she moving?’ Louis asks. Zoey nods. ‘They aren’t meant
to move.’ Zoey shrugs. We head down the stairs of this building and walk back
out onto the street. A safe house sign is spray painted onto a nearby wall with
an arrow pointing ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Ah, this one. I have plans for this story. It is going places. Lots of places. The characters are complex, they come and go, I've planned things... Ahahaha...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">*evil grin*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Didot; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">On Hiatus. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-57731714287567851242012-09-08T19:59:00.005-07:002012-09-08T19:59:25.669-07:00Cross-Fanfiction.
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Sparky groaned and rubbed her head. What happened? She
looked around and saw a landscape she found unnervingly familiar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘W-where-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You know where you are, don’t play around.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You know that too. I don’t know why you know, but it would
be for the same reason I know who you are Sparky.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Stand up Sparks.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why does my head hurt?’ Sparky mumbled as she stood and
looked at the people with her. There were two girls, who seemed to have been
conversing for some time. One looked to be about sixteen, had light brown hair
and was wearing grey school uniform with red trim. The other was about
twenty-one, had dyed dark red hair and was wearing torn jeans, a red shirt and
sunglasses. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘It’ll pass.’ The schoolgirl said. ‘I’m Phoebe, by the way.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You didn’t need to tell her that.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sure I did. You handled it better than I did Steph.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You could still figure out my name.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yeah, after twenty minutes! I was cutting to the chase.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Don’t talk back to me Phoeb.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, oh, don’t even get me started on the complications of
that!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Um, are you guys going to explain what’s going on?’ Sparky
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because Steph won’t, I will.’ Phoebe replied, smiling. ‘It
seems that the three of us are from different universes, but we share our
personality.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Then why did you offer to explain and Steph didn’t?’ Sparky
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because, the three different universes have exposed us to
different circumstances and people, which has altered our personalities
differently. Does that make sense?’ Phoebe explained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes. It does. Can I still use my magic here?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You should do, mine does.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, you’re magic?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yup.’ As she said this Phoebe pulled a wand out of her
pocket and flicked it. A small plume of fire emerged from the tip of her wand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Wicked!’ Sparky grinned. ‘Though, I think we have different
magic.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That would make sense. What can you do?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You want a demonstration?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Alrighty.’ Sparky held her hand up and electricity charged
around her hand. ‘Is that adequate?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Awesome.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes, yes, this is all fantastic. We need to concentrate.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘On what Steph?’ Phoebe asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Food. Water. Shelter.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, okay. Phoebe, why don’t you get water? Steph, you
could maybe find food?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh yeah? What will <i>you
</i>do short stuff?’ Steph growled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Build a shelter.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You can’t do that on your own Sparks.’ Phoebe said. Sparky
nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I know.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But-‘ Steph started. She was cut off by a small flash. A
girl sat up and looked around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Typical. Just great…’ she stood, brushed herself off and
looked at Sparky, Steph and Phoebe. There was a few moments of silence and the
newcomer nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So I’m helping Sparky make shelter, is that right?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You’re very perceptive.’ Steph said. ‘I’ll go find food.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think... I think the fourth girl was... Um... I don't think I named her, but she was from Percy Jackson! After a long while of consulting my friends they- god knows why- decided I would be a daughter of Athena. Again, god knows why.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to be continued.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-19474149123440586032012-09-08T19:59:00.004-07:002012-09-08T19:59:22.485-07:00Zombies story.
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two bullets bored themselves into the zombie’s chest. Hayley
Skirmish grinned as it fell to the ground. She frowned when it stood up again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky! Hurry up!’ She yelled. Sparky Braginski was
standing behind her, flicking frantically through her copy of the ‘Necronomicon’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Shoot them.’ Sparky replied, head down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Not working Einstein! They just get back up again!’ Hayley
said, backing away from the large group of zombies. Sparky looked up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Got it!’ She said, and then read something from the book.
Nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I don’t think that achieved anything.’ Hayley said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Actually it did.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And what’s that then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘It means that these aren’t necromantic zombies. Which means
that this isn’t going to help us.’ Sparky explained, chucking the book into the
pile of zombies. She then pulled a notebook out of her backpack and started
flicking through that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We haven’t got enough time for this Sparky! Remember,
zombies?’ Hayley exclaimed. Sparky looked up and said ‘Don’t touch them. Don’t
touch their blood especially. That’d be bad.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why?’ Hayley asked, backing up further, eventually lining
up with Sparky.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because they’re rage-virus zombies. Highly communicable.’
Sparky looked at Hayley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Which means that, besides your gun, you aren’t much help
here.’ Sparky continued. Hayley rolled her eyes and looked behind them. They
were in central London, and the only people around were zombies. They were
backing into the side of a building, and there wasn’t very much space left for
them to, well, not be eaten. Sparky looked up and signalled for Hayley to jump.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ready.’ Hayley said. Sparky kneeled and slammed her fist
into the ground. Hayley flipped into the air, avoiding the shockwave that blasted
out from under Sparky’s fist. The zombies flew backwards and Hayley grabbed
Sparky around her waist. She turned and ran up the wall. Sparky kept looking in
the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What’s the plan?’ Hayley asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Plan? Well I’m not sure how you kill these things, whether
they can be cured and, most importantly, <i>why
the hell they are managing to climb after us.</i>’ Sparky said back. Hayley
jumped onto the top of the building and looked down at the zombies climbing
after them, a little fast for Hayley’s liking. She pulled out her Mark 23 and
shot three rounds into the head of the nearest zombie. It fell and brought a
bunch of other zombies down with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, shooting them in the head seems to work, but the rest
of my bullets are with my bike. So we need to get back down there and get it
back. And then we could find someone and get help.’ Hayley said. Sparky looked
at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Uh, Hayley? Small problem with that.’ She said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes?’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Everyone’s dead.’ Sparky scowled. Hayley thought for a
moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We could find a military base or something.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We’re in Britain. We don’t know where that is, and there’s
no one to ask.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well <i>you</i> think of
something! You’re the smart one!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, I have thought of something, but we need to get back
to your bike.’ Sparky said. Hayley arched her eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I parked it three blocks that way.’ Hayley said, pointing.
Sparky leaped onto Hayley’s back and Hayley ran from rooftop to rooftop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She stopped and Sparky hopped off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Don’t you need my help to get down?’ Hayley asked. Sparky
smiled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There’s such thing as a staircase Hayley.’ She said,
pointing at a door labelled ‘In Case Of Emergency’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s a good idea.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What I’m here for.’ Sparky said, ramming her shoulder into
the door. The door opened to pitch black. Sparky squinted at the roof and
tapped the light. It flickered on and the two made their descent. They reached
street level and exited the building. Sparky ran to the bike that was parked
two metres away. She reached into Hayley’s bag, pulled out some bullets, tossed
them at Hayley and kept digging. As Hayley reloaded her gun she checked to see
if there were any zombies near by. She shot three in the head and came back to
Sparky, who was holding her mobile phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No signal? What do you mean no signal?’ She yelled. Sparky
shook it a bit and the held it up. The screen got one bar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes!’ she was about to dial a number when Hayley pulled it
out of her reach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who are you calling?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Help! We need help, so I’m calling someone.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But who can get here? We need someone who can kill things.’
Hayley scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yeah. That’s what she does. Now let me call her.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But how can she get here!?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Just give me the phone!’ Sparky cried. Hayley shrugged and
gave her back the phone. Sparky dialled and held the phone up to her ear.
Hayley heard half a conversation that finished with Sparky saying:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So you’ll come? Great! See you soon.’ Sparky hung up.
Hayley scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘When I say help I mean real, phs-‘ Hayley was interrupted
by a girl appearing in the middle of the street. She had pale skin, dark hair
and indigo eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello Sparky, you mentioned some sort of zombie invasion.’
She said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Great to see you again Ivy. How have you been?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good. Who’s your friend?’ Ivy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m Hayley. You can teleport? That’s pretty cool. But I
don’t know how that really helps us kill zombies.’ Hayley said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>Well, I can also do
most other things if you must know.</i>’ Hayley jumped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Did she just, how did she-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy is telepathic. And most other things.’ Sparky said,
smiling. Hayley glared at Ivy. ‘Don’t make a habit out of that please.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No promises. Sparky, are we fighting rage-virus zombies?
Because I can see some of them running up that street.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes we are.’ Sparky replied, making electricity crackle
around her fists. Hayley reloaded her gun and aimed. Ivy rolled her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Please. We need long range things to kill these guys. So
lets go get guns.’ Ivy grabbed Hayley’s wrist and nearly grabbed Sparky’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky, I can’t teleport you until you let me hold your arm
or something.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why can’t you do that now?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m not immune to electricity.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ah.’ Sparky relaxed. Ivy grabbed Sparky’s wrist and the
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They appeared in the centre of Stonehenge, which was
splattered with blood. Hayley moved to touch it, but Sparky gripped her wrist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Remember what I said about not touching the blood? That’s
important. I’m going to see if I have anything else on the zombies.’ Sparky sat
on a rock and pulled her notebook out again, she was about to open it when she
looked at Hayley again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And, uh, it might be a good idea for you to put shoes on,
but you don’t have to.’ She finished. Hayley scowled and looked at Ivy. Ivy was
doing something on her phone. She put it to her ear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hi. I’m not coming tonight. No, I can’t. Is being out of
the country a good enough excuse? No? Why not? I know that but-‘ Ivy groaned.
‘I’m helping a friend, okay?’ Ivy said. There was a muffled yell on the other
side that sounded like ‘<i>You</i> have a <i>friend?</i>’ Ivy frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m thirteen, yes, I have a friend. They aren’t from
Washington. Australia. I’m in London. Look, Anomaly, can’t I just not come? I
didn’t want to go anyway. Of course I didn’t want to go. You actually thought I
wanted to go? Okay. I can stay? Thanks. What? Yes, I’m killing things. Ugh.
Bye.’ Ivy hung up and scowled at Hayley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘You do know that it’s
rude to eavesdrop, right?’<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes I do. Who were you just talking to?’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Anomaly Despair. We had plans for tonight, but I’d much
rather do this. My full name is Ivy Animosity by the way.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hayley Skirmish. I take it you’re from Washington State.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, you actually know the difference? That’s a first.’ Ivy
said, nearly smiling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There isn’t a cure, weaponry to the head kills them and
unarmed humans rarely survive encounters with rage-virus zombies.’ Sparky said,
head down, but standing. ‘The zombie virus transfers through the blood and the
zombies have the ability to vomit blood. Which explains the stains.’ She said,
pointing at the rocks. ‘The good news is that we aren’t human, and we are
armed, so our chances of survival are better than average. I think the biggest
problem is that all of Britain has been infected, and there isn’t a cure. Which
means, that we need to kill all the zombies before they figure out how to
swim.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There isn’t going to be an easy way out of this, is there?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I doubt it, but it’s worth looking for.’ Sparky said,
looking up. Hayley’s eyebrows furrowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy, can you take us to Downing Street?’ Hayley asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why would we want to go there?’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because that’s where the Prime Minister of England lives. I
think. You’re supposed to be the one who knows this stuff.’ Hayley smiled and
messed up Sparky’s hair. She growled back. Ivy stepped forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Uh… I can’t take you there.’ She said, blushing slightly.
Sparky looked at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why…?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because I’ve been there before…’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You <i>killed</i> the
Prime Minister?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No! I killed an <i>associate</i>
of the Prime Minster. But the Prime Minister may or may not have seen my face
in the process.’ Ivy said sheepishly. Hayley stared at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You’re <i>how </i>old?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Thirteen.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And you managed to get in there, stab a g-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Actually I ripped their head off.’ Ivy said, smiling at the
memory. Hayley gawked. She then faced Sparky and whispered ‘Are you sure she’s
safe to be around?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yeah I’m sure. Okay, she may be a <i>little</i> bit screwy in the head, but other than that she’s fine.’
Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>A little screwy in
the head!?</i>’ Hayley whispered angrily. Ivy snorted. Hayley turned to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What’s so funny?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, just what you were thinking a second ago. Trust me, if
you tried that, you’d be a cripple before you could say you were sorry.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy can read minds as well.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes, thank you Sparky, I got that.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy, can’t you change your appearance?’ Sparky asked,
trying to steer Hayley away from violent thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘A little. I can make my eyes less… indigo.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s a good start.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So are we going there?’ Hayley asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes, we’re going to Downing street.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, if we are, can we stop at my bike first?’ Hayley
asked. Sparky shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There were zombies everywhere when we left. It’s too
risky.’ Hayley frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But it’s me bike! We can’t just leave my bike!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I can go get it after.’ Ivy said. Hayley grimaced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Mmm… Okay. But don’t think I’m happy about it.’ She said.
Ivy smiled. Hayley tackled her. Sparky watched them roll around in the grass.
She sighed- this wasn’t working at all. Sparky saw Ivy grip Hayley’s hair.
Sparky’s eyes widened and she dived at Ivy, shocking her at the same time.
Sparky got up, helped Hayley onto her feet and faced Ivy, who was lying on the
ground. Sparky stood over her and tapped her foot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why did you do that!?’ Ivy yelled. Sparky scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We do not pull our friends heads off.’ Sparky said. Ivy
frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘How could you tell?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You gripped Hayley’s hair. <i>We do not rip our friends heads off.</i>’ Sparky scolded. Ivy crossed
her arms and sulked. Sparky put her head in her hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘There is no time for this Ivy! The zombies learn how to
swim and then they attack all of Europe. Which is bad!’ Sparky said. Ivy
eventually settled into her normal scowl and held out her arm. Hayley and
Sparky grabbed on and they appeared outside a black brick building, inside the gates.
It was raining and Sparky flinched. Hayley turned and looked at the street and
tapped Ivy’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Look.’ Hayley said, pointing behind Ivy and Sparky. They
turned around and stepped backwards instinctively. There was an enormous crowd
of zombies reaching through the bars. There was a clatter behind them and the
door opened. A man leaned out of the door and stared at the three wet girls.
One was short, had green eyes and long, straight brown hair. Another had pale
skin, dark hair and brown eyes. The third was taller than the other two, and
also looked slightly older. She had light brown hair with blonde streaks. Her
eyes were blue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘How did you get on this side of the gates?’ The man yelled
over the patter of rain and the moaning of zombies. He shivered and beckoned
them inside. Two of the girls stepped out of the rain, but the third remained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky! Why aren’t you coming?’ Asked the pale one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m wet. Keep me dry and I’ll come.’ Sparky said. The pale
girl sighed and lifted her hands. The rain stopped hitting Sparky, and the
water evaporated off her. Sparky smiled and walked out of the rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hi! I’m Sparky Braginski.’ She said, shacking his hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘My name is Clyde Smith. And you are?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy Animosity.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hayley Skirmish.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What are you girls doing here? And how are you alive?’
Clyde asked. Ivy looked at Sparky, who nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hayley and I came here from Australia to fight the zombies.
That’s what we do. When we realised that the zombie problem was a national
thing, I called Ivy.’ Sparky explained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And how did Ivy get here?’ He asked. The three of them
shared a look. Hayley and Ivy shook their heads.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Not important.’ Sparky said. Clyde shrugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why are you here?’ He asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We need to talk to the Prime Minister. And any experts you
have.’ Hayley said. Clyde frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I can’t let three random kids see the Prime Minister.’
Clyde said, laughing. Hayley scowled and Ivy’s eyes turned indigo again. Sparky
grabbed Ivy by her shoulders as Ivy lunged at Clyde.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy! Let me handle this.’ Sparky said, slightly panicked.
Ivy was growling at Clyde and Clyde had retreated into the wall behind him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘How did her eyes change colour?’ He cried. Hayley picked up
Ivy and held Ivy over her shoulder in a fireman’s lift. Ivy kicked and grunted,
but Hayley wouldn’t let go. Sparky glared at Clyde.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We aren’t ‘three random kids’. And if you call us any form
of child again, I <i>will</i> let Ivy kill
you. Now, take us to the Prime Minister.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But I can’t just-‘ Clyde saw the three girls scowling at
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You <i>will</i> take us
to the Prime Minister <i>now.</i>’ Sparky
said. She was manipulating Clyde, but he didn’t know that. Clyde swallowed and nodded.
He led them up a set of ornate stairs down a hallway and into a room where
twelve people were talking angrily. They stopped when the girls walked in. The
man at the head of the table started laughing. The others started as well.
Ivy’s eyes were brown again, but she was having trouble keeping them that way.
Hayley arched an eyebrow at the room in front of her. Slowly, one by one, each
of the people stopped laughing. She stepped forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who’s in charge here?’ Hayley asked. The man sitting at the
end of the table stood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I am. Why are these k-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Dude. Finish that sentence, and you won’t be in charge. In
fact, you aren’t.’ Hayley said, scowling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What do you mean? I’m the Prime Minister, you don’t have
the right to say that to me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Don’t I? What can you do in this situation? Let’s think…’
There was a moment of silence. ‘I know! <i>Nothing.</i>
What can we do? How about, a visual demonstration!’ Hayley smirked. She walked
up the wall and sat on the ceiling. Hayley nodded to Sparky and Ivy. Sparky
grinned and made electricity crackle around her fists. Ivy’s eyes returned to
their normal colour, then she disappeared completely. A few papers flew about
the room and her voice came from thin air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s what we can do.’ She reappeared on Sparky’s back.
Sparky laughed. The people in the room looked thoroughly spooked. Hayley
flipped off the roof onto the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Now, what do you know about the zombies?’ She asked. The
Prime Minister nodded to the two men closest to him on the left hand side of
the table. They turned bright red and shuffled some papers. One of them stood
and cleared his throat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We know that the epidemic is a zombie invasion and that there
is no cure to this form of zombie.’ He sat down again. Hayley flipped off the
table, landed lightly next to Sparky.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And what do we know?’ Hayley said. Sparky reeled off a
dozen facts about rage-virus zombies. Ivy hopped off Sparky’s back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So, who do <i>you </i>think
should be in charge Clyde?’ Hayley said. Clyde stammered for a moment, then
composed himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You should Hayley. Obviously.’ A woman scowled at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We should support and follow the elected leader of the
country.’ She said. Clyde looked at her, then Sparky, Hayley and Ivy and back
at the woman.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So, what you just said is “We should follow the person who
knows nothing about what’s happening” right? Cause that’s what it sounded
like.’ The woman scowled and sat down. Clyde smiled back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I say, we take a vote. All for following the Prime
Minister?’ Three hands went into the air. ‘And for Hayley Skirmish, Sparky
Braginski and Ivy Animosity?’ The rest of the hands went up. ‘Then it’s
settled. What should we do first?’ Clyde said. Ivy looked at Hayley, who looked
at Sparky. Sparky sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What we do, is either kill or catch one zombie, so I can do
tests on it.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one. I ran out of ideas. I strongly recall Clyde originally being called Derek, but I thought that'd be a bit stupid. This was okay, I liked it, but again, I got bored with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to be continued.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-66429246123145658332012-09-08T19:59:00.003-07:002012-09-08T20:03:52.181-07:00Fight Or Flight.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sam lifted her head and focused. <i>The world isn't here. It's just me-</i> her hands lifted and balled
into half fists. <i>And the target.</i> Her
right hand blurred forwards into the punching bag. She pulled it back and threw
her left hand into it. She kept alternating hands, progressively getting faster
and harder. <i>1, 2, 1, 2.</i> She
subconsciously changed the combination of the blows. Left, left, right, left,
right, right. She performed uppercuts and hooks, her hands going where they
needed to. Beads of sweat formed across her forehead and dripped down her face.
Her teeth were gritted in concentration. She visualized the punching bag as a
fighter. She ducked and swiped, maneuvered and struck. A hand rested on her
shoulder. She stopped moving immediately and her mind allowed the distractions
to flow into it again. She turned and saw Graham smiling. It was a small, thin
smile. But it was still a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yes, sir?' Sam asked, masking her pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Come with me.' Graham turned and walked out of the
training room, through the spotless corridors of the facility and into an
unused locker room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'How long have you been training here?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'A little under a year, sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'In what areas of combat?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Boxing, sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'And how long have you been boxing for?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Since I was twelve, sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘So, you mean to tell me, that you have been boxing for six
years, and you have perfect form.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘If I have perfect form, then that would seem to be the case,
sir.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Have you fought anyone?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, sir.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘In six years? Not a single fight?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, sir.’ Sam was quietly wishing this conversation would
end. Graham may have been her trainer, but she hated having to call anyone sir.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why is that?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m not competitive, sir.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m putting you in a practice fight with Logan.’ Graham
finished. Without giving Sam a chance to object, he was out of the room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘But- Wait, wait! I don’t want to fight!’ She shouted. He
was gone, and he wasn’t coming back. And, of course, she had to show, or risk
losing all the cred she had gruelled over earning. She sighed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Logan!? I have to fight <i>Logan?’</i>
Sam leaned against the wall behind her. Not only was Logan taller than her,
stronger than her and faster than her, but he was also the most experienced
boxer in the facility. And ripped. She trudged back into the training room and
resumed beating the punching bag. She was just settling into the rhythm when a
shadow fell across her punching bag. She repressed a growl and faced the owner
of the shadow. He had dull green eyes, tanned skin and short, brown, curly
hair. His hands were wrapped in bandages, and he had removed his shirt due to
overheating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey Logan.’ Sam mumbled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Today, right after lunch. I’m looking forward to it.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay, thanks Logan.’ Sam kept her head tilted slightly
down, a few strands of her own black hair falling across her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘See you then Sam.’ Logan turned and walked away. Sam faced
the punching bag yet again and pulled her hair out, talking to herself softly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay, okay, Logan. Weaknesses. He dislocated his left
shoulder last month. Which means he would favour his right side.’ She thought
deeply as she tied her hair back into a loose ponytail. ‘Strengths. Tall, fast,
experienced, strong…’ Sam trailed off and focused on trying to destroy her
target. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At lunch Sam got her food and sat down. Someone sat next to
her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey Sam, what’s up?’ the person asked. Sam jerked her head
up to see her friend, Tara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, nothing, I just have my first fight in… twenty
minutes.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Holy cow, really!?’ Tara exclaimed. Sam rolled her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes. I’m fighting Logan.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh…’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You’re filling me with hope Tara.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, good luck!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Thanks. I’m going to need it.’ Sam groaned. She finished
her lunch and stood. She walked briskly to the ring. The ring was in a room
that could only be accessed from training room. She walked around the ring a
few times, analysing it. She slipped her sleek black boxing gloves on and
swiped at the air, ducking and weaving. Sam had watched Logan competing, so she
had a basic knowledge of his typical pattern, but she also knew he had a record
of switching styles abruptly. The door opened and Logan walked in. Sam stopped
and nodded to acknowledge that Logan had arrived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Is anyone watching?’ Sam asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Only Graham, I think. Unless you invited anyone.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Nope.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Then it’s just the three of us. Nervous?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Would it be a bad this to answer yes?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You would think so, but not necessarily.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What does that mean?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Well, being nervous is bad, but I’ve seen you working.
You’re so focused. If you can get your mind there, you could take me down in an
instant.’ He paused to pull his gloves on. ‘So, what I’m going to try and do,
is prevent you from getting into that zone.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh. Goodie.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good luck.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Thanks.’ Sam finished. Graham walked in and nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Get on with it.’ He grunted. Sam and Logan touched knuckles
and climbed into the ring. Sam stood in the corner of the ring, swapping her
weight from one foot to the other. Graham rang the bell and Logan and Sam
walked to the centre of the ring. They raised their fists. Sam’s breath
quickened. <i>Concentrate.</i> Logan was
about to make a move when the door to the ring blasted open. It flew across
room and splintered against the opposite wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What the hell?’ Graham roared, facing the door. Sam watched
as a figure stepped into the room. He was wearing a dark grey overcoat, a
scarf, gloves and bowler hat of the same colour and polished black shoes. The
hat cast a shadow over his eyes, and the scarf came right up to his nose. He
also had a shiny, black cane. Graham snarled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘This is a private meeting. Leave.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll even pay for the door being fixed.
I just wanted to watch young Samantha here fight.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sam, are you okay with that?’ Logan asked, ignoring
Graham’s reddening face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh sure, why not.’ Sam said sarcastically. The intruder
nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good. I’ll stay.’ He said. Sam shrugged. <i>Hell, this’ll be great.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Let’s go.’ Sam grunted. Logan and Sam raised their arms
once more. Sam blocked out all sounds but the ones Logan and herself were
making. She ignored the smells and the room. It was just her and Logan. She saw
him tense the muscles of his right arm slightly. She ducked just as he swung
his fist towards her. She came up and landed a blow to his left shoulder. He
hissed in pain. <i>It worked! </i>The pair
of them punched and dodged. Graham and the man in the overcoat watched. Graham
was smiling. Still the tiny, thin, little smile, but a smile nonetheless. Sam
could tell Logan was starting to tire. She waited for Logan to strike again. He
moved to punch her jaw, she ducked down and returned his swipe with a boxing
glove to the cheekbone. He staggered onto the ropes. He leaned against the rope
and laughed. He pulled his gloves off and faced Sam.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I gotta say, you’re very good at this.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Thanks.’ Sam said, pulling her own gloves off. They shook
and hands jumped out of the ring. Graham walked out after congratulating Sam
and glaring at the hatted man one last time. Logan lingered for a second,
shrugged and left. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Samantha, you’re a very talented young person.’ Said the
man in grey. Sam turned and gave the man her most fearsome scowl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I swear, if you call me Samantha one more time… Call me
Sam. For gods sake, call me Sam.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay then. Sam, you’re a very talented young person. My
name is Henry Wright.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You mean my boxing?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, I mean you’re talented. Literally. Listen.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Listen to what?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Just be quiet, and listen.’ Henry said. Sam folded her arms
and listened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>Can you hear me?’</i>
Henry’s voice said. Sam jumped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You didn’t move your lips. How did you do that?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I didn’t. You did. All I did was think. Keep listening.’
Henry said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>Sam, can you still
hear me?’ </i>Henry’s voice asked. Sam nodded. ‘<i>Okay, now it’s your turn. Say something in your head. Try and make it
appear in mine.’<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>‘Um… Okay… Does this
work?’</i> Sam thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Congratulations Sam, you’re coming with me.’ Henry said.
Sam’s eyes widened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And we’ll need to be getting that Logan as well.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘<i>What?</i>’ she
hissed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Follow me.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m sorry, if you expect me to be ordered around by a
complete stranger, I think you’ll find you’re mistaken.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I won’t be a complete stranger for long. And either you
come, or you come.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Or I don’t.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I recommend you find Logan and meet me at the front of the
complex.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘And if I don’t?’ Sam asked. Henry twirled the bottom of his
cane and there was a crack of thunder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Do not test me. Find Logan. Front of the building. Twenty
minutes.’ Henry walked out of the room. Sam snarled. She walked into the
training room, looking for Logan. She saw him on the far end of the room. She
moved over to him, grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of the training area.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, I don't actually like this one that much. I have the concept, but no actually-y'know- plot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Possible continuation.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-56025817558855660652012-09-08T19:59:00.002-07:002012-09-08T19:59:13.805-07:00Ghastlith.
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Ghastly opened the door to his shop. There was still glass
on the ground from the previous night. It felt like years had passed since
then. He righted a chair that had been overturned in the battle and put his
coat over the back of it. He bent over and picked up all the shattered glass.
He put all the furniture back where it belonged and looked around. If you
ignored the scorch marks and the broken glass roof, his shop looked just like
it normally did. But, paying customers were <i>not</i>
going to ignore those things. They would concentrate on them as they walked and
they would move right past Ghastly’s shop. He looked out of his shop and
sighed. Ghastly turned and walked into his back room. He made sure that nothing
had been stolen from his shop during the outbreak. When he was satisfied that
nothing had been taken, he walked into his kitchen. He opened his fridge and
pulled out two steaks. Ghastly pulled out some trays and placed the steaks on
there. He slid the tray into the oven and leaned back against the table. He
thought about what had happened over the last few days. He couldn’t remember
much, which was a bad sign. He looked at the two steaks and thought about the
person who was supposed to eat the second steak. Tanith Low. He shook his head
and pushed the coming thoughts away. He prepared the dish and served the two
plates onto a table in the next room. He snapped his fingers and lit the three
candles that were on the table. He then poured two glasses of red wine and sat
down. He picked up his knife and fork, and cut a bit of meat off. He ate it and
looked up. The chair in front of him was empty. His face slackened, but he
refused to give in. He concentrated and after a few minutes Tanith Low was
sitting in front of him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Ghastly, is there something wrong?’ Her voice rang through his
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<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, nothing’s wrong. Do like the steak?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I love it. We were interrupted last time we spoke.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘We were, weren’t we? What interrupted us?’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Oh, something small and insignificant like saving the
world.’ Tanith laughed. Ghastly laughed as well. The pair of them talked,
smiled, laughed and blushed their way through dinner. Ghastly looked at his
plate, which was empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Well, I for one am full.’ Ghastly said, smiling. ‘Did you
like it?’ He looked at Tanith’s plate. It had all the food on it, cold. He looked
at her wine glass. It was full. He looked at the chair. Tanith was still
sitting there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Ghastly, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!’
She said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Tanith…’He said, sadly. Tanith frowned at him, then looked
at her hands. Ghastly looked up at her again and she was fading.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Don’t remember me like that Ghastly. Remember me from
tonight. Please.’ she said. Ghastly tried to grab her hands, but they weren’t
there anymore. He looked at her face. Tanith was on the verge of tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Don’t remember me like that Ghastly! Don’t!’<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Tanith…’ He breathed. Tanith faded away. Ghastly sat there,
looking at the empty chair. He put his head in his hands. He blinked and looked
at his hands. They were wet. He put his head back in his hands and sobbed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ghastly opened the door to his shop, glass still
littering the ground from the previous night. It felt like years had passed
since then. He righted a chair that had been overturned and put his coat over
the back of it, before bending over and picking up the shattered glass. He put
all the furniture back where it belonged and looked around the store. If you
ignored the scorch marks and the broken glass roof, his shop looked just as it
normally did. But, paying customers were not going to ignore those things. They
would concentrate on them and fixate as they walked and they would move right
on past Ghastly’s shop. He looked out of his window and sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ghastly turned and walked into his back room. He made
sure that nothing had been stolen from his shop during the outbreak, and when
he was satisfied that nothing had been taken, he walked to his kitchen. He
opened his fridge and pulled out two steaks, preparing them on a tray for
cooking. He slid the tray into the oven and leaned back against the table in
thought. He thought about what had happened over the past few days. He couldn’t
remember much, which was obviously a bad sign. He looked longingly at the
steaks and thought about the person who was supposed to eat the second. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Tanith Low. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He shook his head and pushed the onslaught of thoughts
away. He prepared the dishes and served the two plates onto a table in the next
room. He snapped his fingers and lit the candles that were on the table. He
poured two glasses of red wine and sat down, not hesitating to pick up his knife
and fork, and cut a bit of meat off. He ate it and looked up. The chair in
front of him was empty, unoccupied. His face slackened, but he refused to give
in. He concentrated and after a few minutes Tanith Low was sitting in front of
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ghastly, is there something wrong?’ Her voice rang
through his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No, nothing’s wrong. Do like the steak?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I love it. We were interrupted last time we spoke.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We were, weren’t we? What interrupted us?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Oh, something small and insignificant like saving the
world.’ Tanith laughed. Ghastly laughed as well. The pair of them talked,
smiled, laughed and blushed their way through dinner. Ghastly looked at his
plate, which was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well, I for one am full.’ Ghastly said, smiling. ‘Did
you like it?’ He looked at Tanith’s plate. It had all the food on it, cold. He
looked at her wine glass. It was full. He looked at the chair. Tanith was still
sitting there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ghastly, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a
ghost!’ She said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Tanith…’He said, sadly. Tanith frowned at him, then
looked at her hands. Ghastly looked up at her again and she was fading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Don’t remember me like that Ghastly. Remember me from
tonight. Please.’ she said. Ghastly tried to grab her hands, but they weren’t
there anymore. He looked at her face. Tanith was on the verge of tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Don’t remember me like that Ghastly! Don’t!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Tanith…’ He breathed. Tanith faded away. Ghastly sat
there, looking at the empty chair. He put his head in his hands. He blinked and
opened his eyes momentarily to inspect his wet digits. He hung his head once
again and sobbed.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is my single favourite thing I've written ever. I love it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Completed.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-81879379679281478032012-09-08T19:59:00.001-07:002012-09-08T19:59:09.402-07:00Vulpin.
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<br />
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Vulpin Rogue was sitting in the tree, and she had been for
almost an hour. She also didn’t plan on moving, as long as those three-dozen
Hollow Men were still below her. She was scowling, partially because this
wasn’t her kind of thing. This was the kind of thing Sparky or Hayley would
take in their stride. Or even one of Sparky’s friends. But not her, she wasn’t
cut out for this. Naturally, she was unarmed and, as per usual, her complete
lack of control over her magic was <i>not </i>making
her life any easier. She concentrated on her magic again and snarled, gripping
the branch of the tree tighter. Unlike most other people, she, as a novice user
of magic, had to be panicked to use her magic, rather than calm. She was
perfectly calm, it’s not like the Hollow Men could get her. Her stomach
lurched, and her whole face lit up, and then the feeling died down and she
almost roared with frustration. <br />
‘<i>Okay, okay… I need to be panicked to use
my magic, but I’m not. If I jump down there, I’ll certainly be panicked, but
there’s no guarantee that my magic will save me, because it doesn’t even work </i>that
<i>reliably…</i>” She grabbed the trunk of
the tree as tightly as she could and stood up slowly. Her pulse raced as the
ground stretched away from her. She hated heights. They made her feel sick. She
figured, if she jumped onto one of them, she could go down fighting if her
magic didn’t kick in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘Here goes.’ She mumbled. She jumped and her boots connected
with a Hollow Man’s back, and as they did, its papery skin tore and the putrid
gas that inflated it billowed into her face. She stumbled back and tried to
stop her eyes from watering. A fist like cement slammed into her head, and her
world became stars. She lashed out, not even scraping a thing. She cursed and
opened her eyes as another fist swung into her gut. She lifted a few
centimetres off the ground and got sent back. She hit the ground and rolled. A
Hollow Man stomped on her leg and she cried out. She curled into a foetal
position and moaned. Her magic hadn’t worked, the odds were against her and,
most importantly, she was going to die. She tried again the use her magic, and
her gut lurched and her Gist emerged, growling and ready to wreck havoc. The
Gist danced around, laughing with pleasure at being let out. Vulpin got to her
feet and spared a moment to watch it tear around. She then gritted her teeth
and drew the creature back. It screamed with anguish, unwilling to return to
its host. Vulpin fought to get it back, but got the job down. She allowed
herself a small smile as she compared her Gist to Dark Jak and sighed. Now.
Back to her jog.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah, this piece was completely for fun. I'd been trying to figure out a way to reveal Alfred's magic, so I just wrote this.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Completed.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-72567624756368496962012-09-08T19:59:00.000-07:002012-09-08T19:59:00.727-07:00Yet another Sparky fanfiction.
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was dark. Something was coming. Coming for her, she could
feel it. She was running blindly, running into branches, through puddles and
over rocks. She could hear it behind her, pounding along. She looked back
through instinct, even though she couldn’t see. The path narrowed and branches
snagged at her body, her legs and her hair. She lifted her arms to protect her
face and somehow got her foot lodged in a tree root. She sprawled into the
dirt, rolled onto her back and scrambled back into a tree. The thing lumbered
up to her and raised its fists. She could taste its rank scent on her tongue.
She cowered below it as the monster brought its fists down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky Braginski woke up screaming for the fourth night in a
row. It was the sixth time that fortnight and the thirty-second time since she
had moved into the apartment, two months earlier. She was drenched in sweat,
yet her skin was cold and clammy. She had kicked her sheets off during her
fitful sleep. She stood and made her way to her bedroom window, rubbing her
eyes with one hand and opening the curtains with the other. She leaned on the
windowsill and looked out. She was in the third from top floor of a building
outside the Milsons Point train station. She had a spectacular view, and it had
helped her calm down after a nightmare on more than one occasion. She could see
The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House behind it. She watched the cars
drive up and down the bridge, and boats sail under it. The moon was a waning
crescent, and cast a small beam of reflected light across the harbour. She
shivered and walked into her little kitchen. She checked the time as she opened
the fridge. It was 11:43pm when she reached into her fridge and pulled out her
water bottle. She took a sip, shut the fridge and brought the water bottle with
her when she sat on the couch. Her gaze drifted around the room. Her apartment
wasn’t furnished, but she was proud of it. Her job at the Australian Sanctuary
paid her rent, and at the age of twenty-two her job was quite respectable at
the aforementioned work place. She was one of the nameless agents who were
generally used to protect, siege and research. It would lead to bigger and
better things eventually, she knew. Her mind flashed to back when she was
fourteen. She remembered her old friend, Nixion Strange, saying that she would
make a good Elder or Grand Mage. She laughed, even if Sparky was material for
that job, she knew that it could a few hundred years before she got the job.
Providing she lived that long. She sipped at her water again, and glanced at
her phone. She looked back and saw her address book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky looked through her contacts, recognising names of
people she hadn’t seen in years. She could picture faces and hear voice to
match each person. It was people like Lynxia Lost, or Ivy Animosity. All of the
contacts were up to date, unless someone had moved in the last six days. Her
eyes flew over the contact of Flame Phoenix, and she shut the book. She stared
at the cover. Could she call one of them? Maybe they’d help her with the
reoccurring nightmare issue. But, then again, she had left unannounced seven
years ago. Not leaving the smallest scrap for them to track her with, would
they still be as warm as they had been? Would they give her the helping hand
she needed when she asked for it, looking over the fact that they, together,
had probably lived through hundreds of hardships without her help?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She checked over a phone number for the third time and
dialled. She waited until a familiar voice came through the device.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello, this is Luciana. I’m probably at work, and I’ll get back
to you when I can. Leave a message after the tone.’ There was a beep. Sparky
hesitated. This was risky. She breathed out slowly and started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey, Lu, it’s… It’s Sparky.’ She paused, ‘I-I’m not sure
what to say now, I’m not even sure if you remember me. If you’re there, could
you call back? I-I mean, if you have a moment to spare, or- or something.’ She
stopped again, gathering her thoughts, ‘I… I hope you’ve been well.’ Sparky
hung up and sat on the sofa once again. She waited for the phone to ring again,
and as she waited, she slipped off to sleep again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luciana walked into her room and pressed the flashing button
on her phone that indicated she had a voicemail waiting for her. She sat and began
to pull one of her boots off when the message started. She had it all the way
off when Sparky’s voice spoke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey, Lu,’ the message churned out. Luciana dropped the
boot. ‘<i>No.</i>’ she thought. The message
continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘It’s… It’s Sparky.’ Luciana pulled her second boot off and
prepared to throw it at the phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I-I’m not sure what to say now. I’m not even sure if you
remember me.’ Luciana blinked and the boot slid out of her hand. She blinked
again and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. She sat, frozen and listened to
Sparky’s message. The message finished and Luciana stood. She picked up the
phone and held her thumb above the delete button.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky was in the dark again. She was always in the
never-ending dark. No one was chasing her, but everything was deathly quiet.
She attempted to step forward and her foot hit a wall. She stumbled back in
surprise and found herself pressed against another wall. She held her arms out
and pressed her hands against two more walls. She was trapped, she was trapped
and she didn’t like it. A voice appeared in her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You tried to get help. Don’t do that again. You’re a part
of our plans, Braginski, and you need to follow them. Why you tried to get help
from there is a mystery, and it isn’t of my concern to pursue it. Just don’t do
that again. Someone might get hurt.’ A shrill ringing filled the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky woke with a start to the sound of her phone ringing.
She grabbed for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello?’ she said, hoping it was who she thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello Sparky.’ There was a silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Lu?’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Don’t call me that. Yes, this is Luciana. What do you
want?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I… Wait. Should I apologise? Should I explain myself?
Should I tell you where I am? What do you want me to do?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I want you to tell me why you chose to call <i>now.</i>’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I chose now because I need help.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Did you ever think we might’ve needed your help? Did you
take into consideration how we would’ve felt after you vanished off the face of
the earth? Sparky, we came to the conclusion that you’d <i>died.</i> Did you even think about us till now?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I did think you may have needed my help. I’ve been dizzy
with guilt on more than a few occasions because of these things. And I did
think about you. Every day. How could I forget? How could I do that?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You managed to leave pretty easily.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Leaving was easy. Thinking was like trying to move sand
with a sieve. I never stoped thinking about how you’d be, how you were, how you
are, what you might be doing.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay then. Where are you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sydney.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What have you been doing?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I finished school. I have a job at the Sanctuary.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What do you need help with?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Um, it’ll probably sound like I’m over reacting, but I’ve
been having these reoccurring nightmares. And, just now, someone spoke to me
while I was asleep. Told me I was part of some plan. And I couldn’t mess things
up by asking for help.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You’re paranoid. Thanks for wasting my time.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Wait! Wait! They’re all the same! Every dream except for
that last one! And they’re all connected! It’s pitch black every time. I’m
always running. The terrain changes. Sometimes it’s a desert, a forest, a
jungle. Please hear me out!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good bye, Sparky.’ Luciana hung up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky put the phone down and scowled. What more had
she expected? She checked the time and found it to be 8:00am. It was also
Sunday, her day off. She picked up an apple and bit into it, her brow furrowed
in concentration. She walked back into the living room, picked up her address
book, her mobile phone and her keys, and left the apartment. She took the lift
to the garage and walked to her car. An electric car, naturally. She buckled in
and drove out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sparky pulled up outside of the building. She flicked
through the book and nodded. She looked back at the run-down structure and
shrugged. She stepped out of the car and walked around the house, inspecting
it. From a distance, the house looked very uninteresting. Vines on the walls,
broken windows, even a nice touch of graffiti. In all truth, it looked pretty
much the same close up, to the untrained eye. But Sparky’s eye was most
certainly trained. This was her job. She counted cameras, sensors and alarms.
She walked back to the front lawn and looked at the house, clicking her tongue.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Childs play.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zathract Mist walked up his footpath and sensed that
something was wrong, almost immediately. He opened the door to his house, his
house that was shabby on the outside, and immaculate on the inside. He saw the
person sitting on his staircase, held up his hand to stop them from moving or
saying anything. He placed his case on the ground, took his gloves out of his
pockets and pulled them on. He walked a few feet through a small adjacent
corridor and slipped his coat off. He hung it over the back of a chair and then
faced the intruder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘How did you get into my house without setting any alarms
off?’ he asked. Sparky shrugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Best friends with the most skilled thief in Australia. You
pick up a thing or two.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Fair enough.’ Zathract said, leaning against the chair,
‘How have you been?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good. You?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Alright.’ He replied. They looked at each other for a long
time. Sparky broke the silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You never were one for conversation, were you Zathy?’ she
said. He chuckled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘No, I suppose not. I assume I should ask you. Why are you
here?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m here because I need help.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why find me? Why not someone else?’ he queried. Sparky
laughed softly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I never lost you, Zath. I tried someone else. They refused
me. I figured visiting someone’s house would be more successful.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Do you work at the Sanctuary?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Yes.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why haven’t I seen you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Because, unlike you, I have a very low and unimportant job
on the totem pole.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I still should’ve seen you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I’m good at going around unnoticed. That’s mostly what my
job relies on.’ She said. There was another long silence. Zathract straightened
and folded his arms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘What do you need help with?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zathract’s reaction to Sparky’s incredulous story was
unexpected, at the very least. When she had finished, he had remained silent
for a while, obviously in deep thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You know,’ he said eventually, ‘If you didn’t seem so
convinced, I wouldn’t believe you. I do believe you, as well. I’m not sure how
I can help though.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘He did tell me not to go looking for help. I think this
alone will cause some damage to his plans.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey, this is your dilemma. What do you propose we do next?’
he asked. Sparky sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I think it’s time to round up the old gang.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zathract was called off to work and said that Sparky could
stay at his house, seeing as it was larger than hers. She had thanked him and
pulled out her phone. She knew who she had to call first, but she couldn’t say
she wasn’t scared. She held the phone to her ear and waited for them to pick
up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Ivy here.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hey Ivy, long time, no see, eh?’ Sparky said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You seem to be mistaken. One, I don’t have friends, and you
seem to be addressing me as one. Two, people shouldn’t have my phone number and
come up as ‘Blocked’. It doesn’t work like that. So, who are you and why have
you called me?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘It’s a lot easier to have someone’s phone number if you
were given it. This is Sparky. I’m blocked because I can’t afford to have
people calling me at random.’ She answered. There was a crackling, and the line
cut out as a blue orb of energy appeared in Zathract’s living room. The orb
retracted and Ivy Animosity delivered a punch into Sparky’s jaw so hard that it
sent her into the wall. Sparky rubbed her chin and lifted her eyebrows briefly.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Good to see you too…’ She muttered. Ivy scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Give me one good reason not to pull your head off your
shoulders.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘If you did that I’d die.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Who said I didn’t want you dead?’ Ivy asked, folding her
arms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Psh, Ivy, if you wanted me dead, I’d be dead by now.’
Sparky said. Ivy relaxed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Hello Sparky.’ Ivy said, smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sparky was getting a little sick of calling people, but she
figured she could get a laugh out of it somehow. So as she dialled the number
of Lynxia Lost, she thought about what she was going to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Lynxia Lost. I’m in a little bit of a hurry, so say what
you need to and let me concentrate.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Where are you?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Liffey Bridge,’ there was an explosion behind her, ‘Who is
this?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘The Liffey Bridge?’ Sparky said, nodding at Ivy. Ivy
vanished. There was a cry through the phone, and Sparky disconnected the call
as Ivy reappeared with a very disgruntled Lynxia.<span style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'What the-' her eyes narrowed, 'Sparky?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'Yes?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'... You died.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'Nope.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'Then you're in a lot of trouble.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #171717; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">'Ya.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Where am I?’ she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Zathract’s house.’ Sparky answered. Her eyes widened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘In <i>Sydney!?</i>’ she
nearly shouts. ‘I need to be on the Liffey Bridge, doing my job, now!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Lynx I-‘<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I don’t care! I was in the middle of a <i>very </i>important job, for a <i>very
</i>important client!’ she held out her arm, ‘Ivy, take me back.’ Ivy looked at
Sparky and Sparky nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Okay, but, maybe when you’ve finished, if you could call?’
Sparky asked. Lynxia scowled at her, but nodded. Ivy grabbed her and they
teleported away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two appeared on the roof of a building adjacent to the
Bridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I thought it’d be easier from up here.’ Ivy said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘That’s an unusually nice thing for you to do.’ Lynxia
replied, loading her bow and trying to see her target among the chaos that was
erupting below them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Sparky needs help. The faster you do this, the faster she
doesn’t need help anymore.’ Ivy explained. Lynxia lifted her bow and shoot an
arrow into the mess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Got him. I’ll be right back.’ She shadow walked down to the
body of the man she just took out, picked him up and shadow walked back. She
dropped him on the ground unceremoniously and pulled her arrow out of his
carcass. She then looked at Ivy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘You should go back. I still need to be payed.’ Lynxia said.
Ivy nodded and vanished. Lynxia crouched and touched the dead mans chest,
causing it to cave in for good measure. She then shadow-walked to the Irish
Church of the Faceless. She appeared in
the centre of the main chamber and Prave stormed up to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I just cleaned the floors, heathen! Don’t let him bleed
everywhere!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Where’s Eliza?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘I don’t know! Move him!’ Prave screeched. Lynxia stood and
towered over him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Fine.’ She picked up the body and walked into Eliza’s
little throne room. She dumped it on the floor and looked around. Eliza wasn’t
there. She shrugged and draped herself across the throne. After a few minutes
Eliza Scorn walked in and scowled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Why are you…’ she trailed off when she saw the body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Oh. Good job.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Do I get paid?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Of course. Get out of my seat.’ Eliza said. Lynxia stood
and walked up to her. Eliza handed her a folder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Your money and your next job are in there. You haven’t
failed me yet, be sure not to now.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Understood.’ Lynxia said, opening the folder. She took the
money out, counted it and smiled. She then looked at the picture of her target
and paled. Eliza saw and frowned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Is there a problem?’ Eliza asked, sternly. Lynxia shook her
head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Not at all.’ She said, sliding the image of Sparky
Braginski back into the folder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
* * *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Ivy had returned from taking Lynxia back to Ireland,
Sparky had already been on the phone to Lavender Hope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You want me to come to Sydney.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ja.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How am I meant to get there?”<br />
“By the Ivy Animosity teleportation travel system. Where are you?” Sparky said.
Lavender laughed and told her the address right as Ivy appeared. Sparky relayed
Lavender’s location to Ivy, who vanished again. She reappeared with Lavender,
who immediately launched a hug at Sparky. Sparky laughed and hugged her back,
glad that someone was finally happy to hear from her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uh, yes, this. I like it. I like my ideas, I like the twist I put in, I like it a lot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Hiatus. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646516852454566957.post-9982107328847142282012-09-08T19:58:00.002-07:002012-09-08T19:58:56.265-07:00Harry Potter Fanfiction.
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Petrificus Totalus!’ Eden Fletcher shouts, thrusting
her wand forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Protego!’ I yell, bring my wand up sharply, conjuring
a shield. ‘Stupify!’ I continue, stepping forward, through the shield, to
assist the spell. Eden flies back and hits the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Congratulations Phoebe Carter. You have won.’
Professor Snape's amplified voice rumbles around the hall. I twirl my wand
between my fingers and blow on the tip. I bow and walk across the platform. I
bend over and hold my hand out to Eden who grips it. I pull her up and we hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You beat me. That's the first time you've beat me.’
she says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I've been practicing.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Please vacate the platform.’ Snape says. I shrug and
hop off the platform. Thalia Whitlock and Elizabeth West walk onto the
platform. Oh, this is going to be fantastic. Thalia, Liz and I went to the same
muggle primary school together. We got our letters from Hogwarts at the same
time. We went to Diagon Alley together. We rode the Hogwarts Express together.
We did everything together until the Sorting Ceremony. I was among the first to
be called up. I remember feeling so happy when I was sorted into Gryffindor.
Ever happier when Liz was too. Right after Liz, Thalia was called up. Liz and I
were watching intently when Thalia walked up the steps and sat on the stool.
The Sorting Hat was placed on her head and stayed there for an age before
finally shouting ‘<i>Slytherin!</i>’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What?’ I had whispered, nearly thrown off my feet
with shock. ‘That can’t be right. She can’t be in Slytherin, because that would
mean she isn’t with us!’ That was a long time ago. Just six years, in fact.
But, that was really how Liz and I got to know the Slytherin students. After
Liz and I had been ushered up the dozens of staircases to the Gryffindor common
room, we instantly decided to learn the Colour Change Charm. We spent hour
after hour trying to learn it. And then one day we put our skill to the test
and tried it. We turned the hems of our robes green and met up with Thalia outside
the Great Hall. She then led us down to the dungeons and snuck us into the
Slytherin common room. It was scary at first, but over time it became a bit
more comfortable, and it was all great until a few days before the end of first
year, when a whole bunch of first year Slytherins came up to us and accused us
of being in Gryffindor. Well, we couldn’t really say no, so we told them that
yes, we were in Gryffindor. One of them stepped forward and said that under
normal circumstances we would be ripped to shreds, but they were impressed by
our trickery. But, back to now. Liz and Thalia, dueling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Incendio!’ Thalia casts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Aguamenti!’
Liz repels. The battle continues like this until both Liz and Thalia yell at
the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">‘Expelliarmus!’
Liz shouts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">‘Reducto!’
Thalia yells. Thalia’s wand then flies out of her hand as Liz is thrown off her
feet. They always tie. Every single time they duel, they tie. It’s hilarious.</span><span lang="EN-US"> They
both trudge off the platform and walk next to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They then look at each other and start laughing. A hand
rests on my shoulder. I turn and smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Hello Phoebe, how are you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Just fantastic, Nathan.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘That's good.’ Learning the colour change charm was
initially meant to get us into the Slytherin common room so we could hang out
with Thalia, but it had other perks. For example, Crabbe and Goyle never beat
us up. We always know who is going to get teased when and, even though we would
never tell any Slytherins including Thalia, we can tell them to take a
different route. It also gave me the opportunity to meet Nathan, which I would
never describe as a bad thing. Especially when the Gryffindors realized that I
was dating a Slytherin. That day was fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Are you two quite finished?’ Liz asks. Nathan scowls
at her and Thalia steps between them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It is the middle of class. Whatever you want to do,
it can wait.’ she points out. I nod and step away from Nathan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I have a free next.’ I say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘So do I.’ Nathan smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Me too.’ Liz murmurs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ditto!’ Thalia exclaims. Well, that settles that.
Study session in the Slytherin common room. One of these days Liz and I are
going to be studying in the Gryffindor common room and people will start
wondering why we're never there. Cross that bridge when we come to it. Draco
Malfoy and Harry Potter walk onto the platform, glowering at each other. My
index fingers immediately press against my temples. Not again. These two have
been at each other’s throats since first year. I am getting kind of worried
about both of them though. Draco has been looking sickly recently and Harry is
being more angst filled as of late. </span><span lang="EN-US">They start dueling and sparks of colour explode
from each of their wands. Draco looks fierce, but his eyes are sunken back into
his head. As he deflects each spell Harry casts, his wand is being held looser
and looser in Draco 's hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Expelliarmus!’ Harry yells. Draco's wand flies out of
his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Congratulations Harry Potter. You have won.’ Snape's
voice drones. Hate is curled around each syllable. Harry scowls then
winces, and walks off the platform. He’s touching his lightening bolt scar.
Again. Things are too repetitive with him. I must admit, I’m scared of
Voldemort, but the scar thing just bugs me. He’s always moaning about it
hurting. Draco walks off the platform, his feet nearly dragging along. Nearly.
Thalia steps forward to help him, but Liz grabs her arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘He doesn’t like you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘He has to!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘He doesn’t though.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Shut up.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You know it’s true.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Now you’re just being mean!’ The pair bicker about
this all the time, it’s so funny. Seeing as we could only duel once this
lesson, those who aren’t dueling are either watching or chatting, but Liz and I
need to move away from the body of Slytherins or we’ll be noticed by Snape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘C’mon Liz, stop tormenting Thalia. We need to go back
to our house.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘But tormenting her is fun!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fun that can be had later. Come on.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Fine.’ Liz grumbles. I drag her along to where
Gryffindor house is standing. Nothing particularly exciting happens until class
finishes, so Liz and I walk down to the dungeons and change our robe colours.
Thalia walks up, talking to Nathan, Draco and Eden. Draco walks in front and
opens the dungeon. You can practically see Thalia’s pupils turning to little
love hearts. Liz goes and pats her on the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Sorry about before mate.’ Liz says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘It’s okay.’ Thalia replies. I join Eden and Nathan’s
conversation. Nathan wraps his arm around me as the five of us walk into the
Slytherin common room. We sit down on a small collection of couches and make
ourselves comfortable. We share Eden, Nathan and Thalia’s copies of <i>Confronting The Faceless</i> between us. I
think Draco’s fallen asleep. Eden is lying across an armchair, Liz has her legs
on a table and Thalia has her legs on top of Liz’s. Nathan is sitting with one
leg on the couch and one off, and I’m on his lap. Each of us has a chapter, and
what we do is read it, and if we come across an important piece of information,
we ask a question where it’s an answer. After a few minutes Draco stirs. He
stands and walks across to where we are. He scowls in my direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Nathan, I cannot believe you would date a mudblood.’
He mutters. I look up at him and arch an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Really? You’re still on this Draco?’ I say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I could get you expelled for being here.’ He growls.
I laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘If you were going to do that, you would’ve done it by
now.’ I chuckle. He maintains his scowl for a few seconds and then walks away.
I look at Nathan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘You don’t mind dating a muggle-born, do you?’ I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Not when it’s you.’ He smiles back. I squeeze his
hand and </span><span lang="EN-US">we study for the rest of the period and then I check
my timetable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Jeez, where did the day go?' I mutter. I stand and
yawn, blinking as I do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Hey, it's Friday, right?' I ask Liz. She nods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Do we have any activities now?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Not that I can think of. Want to go flying?' she
asks. My eyes widen and I pull her up, sending Thalia to the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Oi!' Thalia yells and I drag Liz out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'What was that, bubs?' she asks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'We gotta run, Liz, it's the Quidditch tryouts!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We sprint up to the Quidditch pitch, me madly trying
to not trip on my robes whilst hyperventilating, and Liz hissing at me to calm
down. I grab my broom and my bat out of the equipment shed and Liz and I storm
into the Quidditch pitch, obviously meaning business. I swing the bat
absentmindedly while I inspect my broom. It's a Comet 290 and it serves me
well. I'm really excited about this years Quidditch because the Weasley twins
are finally gone, and I may actually get on the team, rather than wind up as
reserve. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Liz is beside me, holding her bat and her broom, when
Potter storms up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'What do you two want?' he snaps. I shift my weight
back in preparation for him to make another comment like that, so I can tackle
him. Liz notices my slight movement and speaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'We play. Beaters. You obviously never bothered to
check up on the reserve teams, like Wood did.' this comment makes Potter angry,
I can tell. His gaze slowly drifts over our shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Hey! You lot! Out!' he shouts. I look over my
shoulder, and sure enough, Nathan, Eden and Thalia are there. Thalia mock
pouts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'We only want to watch the show. Why would we want to
be on the Gryffindor team? It's a real shame that Phoeb's and Liz's talents are
being wasted on your shabby team.' the three laugh and Potter scowls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Aw, c'mon, we only want to watch. Chill.' Nathan
calls. You can almost see Potter's temple throbbing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Fine. Watch. I don't care.' he switches his attention
back to me and Liz. I blow a kiss to Nathan and then look back at Potter. He
frowns at us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I really didn't know you played..' he mutters, just
loud enough for us to hear. I feel the colour rush to my cheeks, and it's all I
can do to stand in the one spot. He shrugs it off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Okay, here's the deal. Katie, Ron, Ginny and I will
fly up, and the Bludgers will be released. You need to protect Katie and Ginny,
and aim for me and Ron. Alright?' he says. We both nod. 'Excellent. Onto your
brooms.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We mount our brooms and fly up. The Bludgers scream
into the air, and Liz and I are off. I see a Bludger head for Katie and send it
blurring towards Potter. He's gonna pay. He's gonna pay for not knowing me.
He's going down. He dodges, right at the last second. Next time. Liz and I fly
around and keep Katie and Ginny safe. After about ten minutes, I manage to land
a Bludger into Potter. It catches him in the chest, and he descends slowly and
dismounts carefully, winded. I silently cheer at his pain and see him approach
Thalia. I get distracted by this, and duck right before a Bludger hits me in
the back of the head. That really would've hurt... I shake my head and see one
of the enchanted balls speed towards Katie. I grip my broom and lean into it,
flying like a torpedo to intercept it on its crash course. I get between Katie
and the ball with a split second to spare and slam my bat into it with a
deafening crack. Ron, the unlucky guy, turns his head at possibly the very
worst moment and the ball hits him squarely on his forehead. Potter yells up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Thats enough! Out of the sky!' I touch down just
after Liz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Results will be up by Wednesday.' Potter moans. I nod
curtly and walk over to Thalia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'What was Scarface talking to you for?' I ask softly.
She winces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'You won't like it.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I don't care, just tell me.' I say. Nathan eases
behind me and holds his arms around my waist. I'm not sure if that's an
affectionate or a restricting gesture. Thalia sighs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I asked why he made you angry and he said he did it
cause you play better when you're angry.' Well, I now know the gesture was
restricting. I jerk, trying to escape from Nathan's grip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">'I will kill
that boy.</span></i><span lang="EN-US">' I spit. Nathan holds me tightly and coos in my ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Calm down. He was only trying to see you at your full
potential.' I stop jerking for a moment. Eden smiles, taking the opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I still have a packet of M&M's, you know.' she
says. I stop a look at her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'M&M's?' I say, my tone completely mild. She nods.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Can I eat them?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yes.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Now?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Yup.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Oh. Yay. I'm suddenly craving M&M's... Can we go
eat them now?' the others laugh and we all head back up to the castle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We’re all sitting under a tree, eating M&M’s, when
Dan, Liz’s younger brother, walks past, carrying far too many books for a
fourth year. Liz scowls and stands, ready to follow him when Josie Kift comes
up to him and takes half of the books out of his arms. Oh. That’s <i>bad. </i>They walk across the grounds, down
to Hagrid’s hut. Liz ghosts them down the hill, waiting for Josie to be
distracted. One of her friends comes up and talks to Josie, and Liz takes the
moment to grab Dan by his ear, cover his mouth with her free hand and drag him
up the hill. After a few feet you can see her sigh and flip Dan over so she can
carry him up the hill on her shoulder. She reaches us and dumps him on the
ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What are you doing with <i>her?</i>’ Liz snarls. Dan rolls over and looks up at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I was talking to her. Is there a problem with that?
Or am I not allowed to talk to people now?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Oh, you’re allowed to talk to people, but not her.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Why not?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Because she’s a flat out bitch, that’s why.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘She’s in Hufflepuff!’ Dan huffs, standing up. He’s
half a head shorter than Liz, and his voice has just started to break. He looks
a little pathetic against her, but there’s no denying that they’re siblings.
Same light brown hair, same startlingly blue eyes. Liz scoffs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘That doesn’t mean she’s nice.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Yeah, it kinda does.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No, being in Hufflepuff means she’s loyal. Not nice.
Stay away from her.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No.’ Dan says, taking a cautionary step back. Nathan,
Eden, Thalia and I had been watching intently, but at this comment jaws are
dropped, and there is a distinct sharp intake of breath from Thalia. Liz’s
scowl looks like it could crack glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘<i>What?’</i> she
says, her voice even. Dan takes another step back- I don’t think he’s even
aware of it- and swallows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I s-said no.’ he stammers. Liz is looming over him,
but she folds her arms and straightens her back, and looks down at him, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My sweet little brother, this is for your own good.
Tell me, do you like Josie more than you fear me when I’m angry? Because, you
know, I’ve never really been angry at you. Not really.’ She closes the distant
between them and ruffles his already messy hair. She starts to tie his school
tie. ‘I’ve kept you safe. But you have seen me be properly angry.’ She grips
his tie and lifts him up to her eye level. ‘Tell me, am I scary when I’m <i>really </i>angry?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Y-yes.’ He says, pulling at his tie to keep his air
from being cut off. She puts him down delicately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Then you’d better stay away from Josie, hadn’t you?’
she says sweetly. Dan nods. She laughs and pulls him into a hug. She whispers
something in his ear, and I know it has to be along the lines of something like
‘I only want to keep you out of trouble.’ She lets go of him and sits back down
with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Phoebe, if you finished the M&M’s during that,
god help you…’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As it got darker, we trooped up to the Great Hall and
sat at our respective house tables. Liz and I sit next to each other and I hear
a small commotion behind us at the Ravenclaw table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Belle! What have you done!?' a girl's voice shrieks.
There's a crash muffled by the monotonous chatter of the hall. I twist and
look, and see two identical twins, snarling at each other. They're even wearing
them same clothes, which really isn't fair. The only difference in their
appearance is that the one closest to me is slightly taller, and she has her
hair in two low pigtails that come down in front of her shoulders. Her sister
has her hair in pigtails that stick out either side of her head. Liz follows my
gaze and sees the scene. She then frowns as though watching is causing her
physical pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Something wrong?' I ask. She nods, pouting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Looking at them hurts my head.' she moans. I laugh
and return my attention to the siblings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Belle! Don't ignore me!' the taller one yells. She's
obviously pounded her fist onto the table. The other one, Belle, is chewing her
dinner as though nothing is wrong. What an odd pair. Belle finishes chewing and
places her cutlery on her plate carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Daisy, you're making a scene. Sit down.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'No!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Daisy-'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Belle! This is serious! Take me seriously! Take <i>something</i> seriously! Just this once!'
Daisy shouted. Belle twisted in her seat and scowled up at her sister. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Fire away.' there was a moment of pure silence
between them and the people around them. Daisy gathered her thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Give it back.’ She croaked. Belle smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Already have. Check you robe pocket.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘My…’ Daisy reached into her robe and emitted a sound
of perfect balance between a squeal of joy and a grunt of rage. She pulled her
wand out and slammed it onto the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Never again.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Alright.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘No, Belle. Never. Again.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Alright.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Stop saying that.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Okay.’ Belle smirks. Daisy growls in exasperation and
sits again. I look back at my food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well. That was odd.’ Liz remarks. I grunt in
agreement and we finish our food. We then walk up to the Gryffindor tower
together and get ready for bed. I’m just about to start reading my book when I
hear her sit up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘What is it?’ I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Tomorrow’s Saturday.’ She says, simply. I hear her
lie down again. I try to focus on my book, but eventually I give in and rest my
head on my pillow. Saturday. Weekend. Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I wake up and check the window next to my bed. It’s
still dark out. Excellent. I get up and get dressed. I head down to the common
room and sit by the fire for a few minutes, and then I head down to the Great
Hall quietly. I check the house point’s jars on my way, in passing as usual,
when I see a flicker of someone’s shadow exit the school. I frown. Who would be
going out this early? <i>I’m </i>not even
that mad. I follow quietly, trying to identify the figure. I follow him into
the huge green expanse of the school grounds. Well, I think he’s a he. It’s
still just a little too dark to tell. Whoever they are, they’re holding
something. He sneaks behind a tree- Well, I say he sneaks, but he doesn’t think
anyone is following him, so he’s walking normally, but still- and sits. He
whispers something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Lumos.’ A small bead of light emits from the tip of
his wand. He set his wand on the ground and starts to scribble something into
the notebook he was carrying. Peculiar. His spot is genius. I honestly wouldn’t
know he was there if I hadn’t seen him sit. There’s a small cluster of trees in
front of him. I double back and enter the cluster, trying to avoid losing where
he’s sitting in the dark. I weave through the trees and end up almost directly
in front of him, behind a tree. He keeps writing, and all that happens for a
few minutes is him scribbling and me listening to the sound of his quill
scratch against the parchment. Eventually he stops and sighs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I know you’re there.’ He says. I’m sure it’s a he
now. His voice is deep. I step out and see him properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Ah, Phoebe Carter. A pleasure, I’m sure.’ He says. I
stand, stunned for a split second, and then I frown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘How do you know my name?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We’ve been going to school together for six years.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘…No, I don’t remember you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘I’m very forgettable. I’m still not sure if that is a
curse, or a gift.’ He’s started writing again. ‘With any luck, you’ll remember
me-‘ he says, not lifting his head, ‘or forget me.’ I sits cross-legged in
front of him. His hair is long and black, and his skin is deathly pale. His
eyes are green, and I’m sure if he had bothered to maintain eye contact with me
for more than a second, they’d pierce into my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Who are you, then?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Jeremy Soft.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'What year?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Sixth.' he replies. There's no emotion. I let that
piece of information tick over in my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Not possible.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Why is that?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'Because, I must've had classes with you.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'You have.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'... But-'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">'I'm a very forgettable person, Phoebe. And I suggest
you do just that,' he looks up from his writing, finally, 'Because there is
nothing hidden behind my eyes. Or my non-existent smile, for that matter.' he
returns his attention to his work. That's it. Conversation over. I walk back up
to the castle. There's more to that boy, I know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">All needed-</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">IN PROGRESS!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sparkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13683600705096123709noreply@blogger.com1