tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35085251907894978332024-03-08T19:34:40.674-05:00Harry Mathias's Stories/Scripts/Other writings.Well, here we are. I hope you'll enjoy what you find here, fantasy, scripts, and other writings. Heck, now even some poetry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508525190789497833.post-74106085609263777422013-09-30T20:13:00.001-04:002013-09-30T20:13:44.397-04:00September PoetryI am a Cow: By Harry R. Mathias<br />
<br />
As a child, I was taught <br />
all people have inalienable rights.<br />
People can speak freely,<br />
without being silenced.<br />
People can defend themselves,<br />
because they are capable.<br />
People can give love,<br />
without others stopping them.<br />
People can work hard,<br />
to enjoy the fruits of their labors.<br />
Then as I grew older,<br />
I saw this was a dirty image,<br />
a dream of distant time,<br />
or fantasy.<br />
Now people fear their own thoughts,<br />
because they don't know what to say.<br />
People can't defend themselves,<br />
because they can't be trusted to.<br />
People can't give give their love,<br />
because may find it wrong.<br />
People can't eat their fruit,<br />
because others don't think they should have them.<br />
I now know I am a cow.<br />
Like a cow, I cannot speak,<br />
because I am not smart enough.<br />
Like a cow, I must have shepard to defend me,<br />
because I am incapable of defending myself.<br />
I cannot give love, as a cow,<br />
because I don't know what proper love is.<br />
My fruit is taken from me,<br />
because a cow only gets what it needs.<br />
I was lied to.<br />
I am not a person.<br />
I am a cow.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Titans: By Harry R. Mathias</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When we were born,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
we had titans,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan was the best,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It would pretend to feed us,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
pretend to clothe us,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
pretend to protect us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan told stories</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
about the other titans.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How other titans robbed</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and other titans killed.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How some titans grew,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
while other titans fell.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But he told us not to worry,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for our titan wouldn't ever fall.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan was exceptional.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan beat the king titan,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and then beat the red titan.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan did no wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then one day we saw our titan,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
he beat the children of another titan.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some of us spoke up,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and others stayed quiet,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
while others didn't care.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our titan told us not to worry, for</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
they were the children of a bad titan.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He did the same to all evil titans.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But when some of us protested,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
our titan threatened us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He said he would punish us,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and we needed to be good.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I now know we can't stop loving our titan,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for he'll hurt us if we stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508525190789497833.post-54309040319713705302012-08-13T23:15:00.003-04:002012-08-29T15:24:44.110-04:00Regicide, part 1<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7441921669209685" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Regicide” By Harry Mathias <a href="https://twitter.com/HarryRMathias" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">My Twitter</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The city of Emperor’s Way had been in an uproar for the last week. The
citizens took themselves to the streets, where they lit traditional
bonfires to honor the dead. The two oldest of the emperor’s children had
been killed in a tragic hunting accident that left the royal family
scarred. The traditional mourning period of three months for the death
royalty was still yet to be observed. The palace however stood, a dark
contrast over the city, for while the citizens mourned and rioted the
palace wept.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Alexander Yuptav, assistant to Captain Simus of the Royal Guard, sat on
a wooden fence next to the palace stables. He was eating a berry tart
and tried to rest his right arm. Earlier Alexander had taken a beating
from one of the stable boys in a sword match. Among the youth of the
guard few could best Alexander, except the stable boys. The hours they
practiced jousting toughened them to such an extent even the older
members of the guard struggled in matches against them. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The death of the princes troubled Alexander. Eight months ago the queen
was taken by a sickness and confined to her room. The emperor rarely
left his study, the few times he would leave the palace were to seek the
upper senate for guidance about the state of the nation. Alexander
considered himself luck, since his position as assistant to Simus
allowed to eat at the emperor’s table, yet that table has been empty for
months now.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The courtyard of the palace always seemed to be the center of activity.
All assortments of people and supplies normally passed through its
gate. The garrison drilled in the yard, farmers directly sold their
produce to the kitchen, and all manner of craftsmen set up workstations
for the constant maintenance the palace required. Now the courtyard
seemed empty. A lone mason worked on a broken wall, two older guards
practiced in the very center, and stable boys gave the horses their
daily groom. Never before had it been this empty. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Simus strode out of the servant passage and ordered Alexander to follow
him. So Alexander dropped his tart and followed the man into the
corridor. The insides of the palace seemed worse, with the smell of
candle smoke and the servants always kept their heads low, the corridors
seemed almost empty. Simus pulled an iron chain along the wall and the
stones moved outward, one of the many entrances to the service passages.
Alexander followed Simus into the main hall and through another
passage, where the they ascended a round staircase and entered the
quarters of the Royal Guard.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Alexander lived in what used to be a closet off of Simus’s room, that
served both as his bedroom and study. Their part of the palace was
considered superior due to its high elevation and windows the looked
over the city. Alexander loved the view from Simus’s room. It gave a
perfect look over most of the city and you could see the College of the
Magi in the distance on another hill. The great market sat between
Castle Hill, where the place was built, and the hill where Mage’s
college sat.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Simus designed his room to be the most ornate of all of the Royal
Guard’s quarters. The back wall had a large window with a small balcony,
where Simus placed a small collection of plants. A large framed map of
the known world hung on the right wall. He decorated the left wall with
large rack of muskets and swords that hung over a chest filled with a
collection of ancient books and weapons. The room was divided by a small
raised platform in the back by the window where Simus’s bed was. The
cobblestone walls contrasted well with the wooden floors. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Simus sat on his desk and motioned for Alexander to take a seat.
“Listen,” he said. “I’m very concerned with all of what’s happened
recently. The queen is still sick and the emperor seems to be slipping
deeper into a depression. Last week I received a letter from the college
telling me that they’ve tracked a werewolf to the outskirts of the city
and a coven has established itself down in the Middle Quarter. I can
handle these things and the garrison is keeping the city under control.
Yet, today I’ve received another letter, this time from the Emperor’s
cousins telling me that they’re visiting. Now most of the palace is not
yet informed, I want the Master Cedric to inform the servants, yet now
I’ve got added security risks and I’m limited to the 500 members of the
Royal Guard here. I’m going to be needing your help with the
preparations and I don’t want anything going wrong. Especially since
they’re opening the western wing to handle all these new guests.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“You seem very stressed,” Alexander replied. “Normally, you would find
this easy. We’ve handled large crowds before. The college can handle
anything supernatural. I can’t fathom why you’re so stressed.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“It’s the fact that all of this is happening now. Normally I would have
the Crown Prince Nicolas or his brother Mellum to assist me, only now
they’re dead. Septim might be able to handle this, except he’s only
fourteen. His sister is away in the country and the queen’s sick. I
don’t want to add stress to the emperor, except I’m also preoccupied
with other matters which I may need tell you about later. Right now, I
need you down in the kitchens to check on the staff, dinner will be
served soon and I want you to keep an eye on the recent arrivals,” Simus
fell down on his chair and rubbed his head. “I might need to visit an
apothecary, so my damn headaches won’t keep me from sleeping at night.
Oh, and since the Emperor’s cousins will arrive in two days, you’ll be
attending the emperor. I’m too preoccupied with other matters at the
moment.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Really, I don’t understand,” Alexander pleaded. “I can’t wait on the
Emperor. That’s your job. Also, why does he need to be guarded anyway?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“You know perfectly well why you need to guard the emperor,” Simus
scolded. “Whenever visitors enter the palace, no matter what their
relations may be to the royal family, they must be guarded at all times,
just as the royal family must be guarded. I’ll be busy with matters his
Majesty has personally entrusted with me. Your job won’t be difficult,
all you’ll be doing is following the Emperor and assisting him with his
tasks. You’ll never leave his side until your replacement arrives. It
will be easy as you’ll be nothing more than a servant.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “If you think that task is easy, why are avoiding my eyes? I know you’re lying,” Alexander said.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I’m not lying,” Simus said as he wiped his face with a handkerchief.
“I’m merely not telling you everything. There are things which you’ll
soon learn, except I can’t trust you with them. I really can’t trust
anyone with that information. Is your seal acting up?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “No,” Alexander answered. “It’s been fine.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“That’s alright, mine seems to be acting up whenever I feel uneasy.
It’s probably nothing to worry about,” Simus said, after which he
dismissed Alexander.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Every member of the royal guard was branded with a seal, designed by
the Arch Mage Timus at the Mage’s College over two hundred years ago,
that involved very complex magic. The seal prevented any member of the
guard from harming any immediate member of the royal family. Alexander
received his seal when he arrived seven years ago, when his parents sent
him to join the guard, a common practice among the lesser nobility to
gain favor from the royal family. The seals served other purposes as
well, many however were lost when Timus died. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The kitchens were located in the far end of the palace, near the grand
ballroom and gardens. The sweet scent of caramelized meats always
lingered in the air around them, as the cooking never stopped. The
palace employed over a thousand men and women in its service. You would
never see them, as the labyrinth of passages allowed them to move
unnoticed, as they cleaned rooms and replaced candles. Alexander entered
a service passage the quickly led him to the garden, from there he
entered the main kitchen where he noticed an unusual sight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The kitchen staff seemed to have been doubled. New chefs and serving
girls scurried like rats over the older staff. Alexander recognized the
majority of the previous staff, yet these new faces happened to unsettle
him. They didn’t seem to know what their jobs were. They collected in
corners and scurried, while attempted to find something to work on. Yet,
their mingling annoyed the usual staff, who struggled to work with this
new mess.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Alexander searched for Amria Tlevichi, the head chef. Amria was a
strong woman who demanded absolute devotion from her assistants. A
daughter of some sea-lord she had served in the palace since she turned
seven. Now Amria would celebrate her fiftieth birthday in two months,
this would make her the oldest member of the kitchen staff.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Alexander,” screamed Amria at him. “Oh, thank the divine. Finally, I
can get some work done without those inbred pricks stopping my kitchens.
Yes I mean you,” She yelled towards some of the new staff members. “Can
you please help some of the kitchen boys bring up some flower from the
larder. Those inbreds haven’t made any bread and yet still have managed
to waste an entire week’s supply of flour.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“You know I can’t help you anymore,” Alexander answered. “ I’m only
here to check on the new kitchen staff and the servers. I can’t help you
carry flour anymore. That stopped two years ago.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Amria pulled him off to the side of the kitchen and away from the
crowds of servants, as they worked to prepare tonight’s meal. Amria
pulled him close and put her hand over his mouth. “Listen, I’m stuck
with twice the staff I’m used to. Half aren’t doing their jobs and my
normal staff is working half the pace because of the crowding”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Why then are there so many extra member of the staff? It doesn’t make any sense,” Alexander asked.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“The new staff were sent over by the Emperor’s cousins. They wanted to
send help for their welcoming feasts in two days. Yet, most of these new
workers have never seen an oven in their life. Those ones over there
aren’t even the majority of them, the rest are watching the stable boys
practice jousting. I don’t trust them. The Emperor’s cousin and head of
his family, has always held a grudge against our Emperor. The bastard
even changed his family name to Brakreage, instead of continuing his
family dynasty. He was second in line to the throne before the Emperor’s
first child was born. He hasn't visited since the Emperor’s wedding
ceremony, nearly thirty years ago. Now the bastard sends a letter to the
Emperor announcing his uninvited visit, that will last a whole for a
whole two months.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Are you finished?” Alexander asked.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Not in the slightest boy,” Amria temperament had become that of a
rabid dog. “Brakreage sends an incompetent staff to help us, that of
which you’ve already seen is only slowing down my kitchens. It would be
better if they return to his damn palace, yet he insists, with great
urgency, that they are needed to help my staff. I’ve prepared for
banquets and festivals three times this size. Your master is right,
there’s trouble in the nation and we’re only seeing the beginning. Now
go tell him I have everything under control, unless he wants to alert
these men by sending down his guards.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
She pushed Alexander away from the servants and into the passageway.
Alexander scuttled through servants, as they prepared tonights meal. Men
prepared the appetizers on silver platters and carried them through the
passages to the grand hall. Normally emperors would eat in their
studies, the same applied to the high staff, of which Simus was a
member. So Alexander collected his and Simus’s meal and ordered a young
serving boy to assist him. They carried the food through the back
passages, attempting to avoid the more public areas of the palace.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
When Alexander reached his quarters he unlocked the door and
entered. Simus stood in the back with a washing bowl, trying to scrub
his clothes. Alexander had the servant place the meal on the desk then
ordered him to leave. He tried to help Simus wash his clothes, but the
old man pushed him away. The clothes were stained with blood and fluids.
Little chunks of flesh were stuck to the clothes that gave him
appearance of a butcher.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Damn it boy let me finish washing in peace,” Simus scolded Alexander.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “Why are your clothes all bloody?” Alexander said startled. “Where were you. Oh dear gods.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“No, no!” he relied, after he placed his hand over Alexander’s mouth.
“It’s not what you think. I happened to be taking care of urgent,
personal matter. I wasn’t allowed to reveal to anyone. If all goes well
you’ll discover in two days. Gods I hope in two days. If everything goes
well.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
A great silence came over the room as the sun set on the horizon. A
moment passed before Simus spoke up. “Let’s have our dinner. Tomorrow
I’ll be very busy and the day after Brakreage will no doubt arrive. Then
if all goes well I’ll explain everything. I promise that to you.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> They finished their meal in silence, then Alexander waited for Simus to sleep before putting out the lights.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ***</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508525190789497833.post-14230925908550378772012-05-02T20:40:00.001-04:002012-05-02T20:47:30.561-04:00Powers- Will be revived or rewritten later.Powers by Harry R. Mathias <br />
<div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.5655548333446674" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Powers</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The train moved quickly through the white void, throwing up
gold dust as it traveled along the invisible track. Children moved
throughout the coach, jumping up. Some had shrunk back in their seats
crying, while others jumped up and down expressing their delight in
being on a old train. Their ages ranged from two years to fourteen,
except in the far back of the last coach where a fifteen year old slept
with others who had not yet awoken. He rolled in his sleep until a
little Indian girl jumped on his seat.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Wake up, mister. Wake up! What’s your name, Mister? You’re
the last one sleeping.” The boy rolled over again trying to ignore the
child jumping on the seat and trying to sit on his lap. Then she grabbed
his ear and pulled.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The boy jolted upright and grabbed the little girl. “Didn’t
your parents teach you not to wake a sleeping man?” He grabbed her neck
and then spanked her three times. “Leave me alone.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
little girl began to cry and let go. Then she ran out of the coach
towards the front of the trains. He felt sorry that his reaction was so
violent then he realized something was wrong. He could barely remember
anything. His memories were there, just blocked, behind a fog. He
reached out for them and attempted to push the fog away.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Wait. Why am I on a train? I’ve never been on a train.
Well, never a train this old. My name, what is my name? Think. Jeffery.
No. James. No. Elizabeth. No that’s my sister. Sister where’s she?
Where’s my sister?” He ran forward pushing his way past a compartment
where four Chinese girls slept. Then another with two Turks and a Greek
boy and girl. Then the last one contained two southeast Asians and a
Korean boy and Japanese girl. They were all wrong. He was American, not
any of these races. All he could feel in his mind was that fog and his
sister. That overwhelming murky fog, it hurt to keep the fog away. He
needed to find his sister. When he stepped into the next coach, his name
returned to him. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeremy, my name is Jeremy.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The cloud in his mind seemed clearer as the fog dissipated and cringed as older memories returned.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
When he stepped outside the coach and looked down fear
blinded him. Legs turned to jelly, then his arms grabbed the guardrail,
and he could not move. Oh the horrors of his infancy fears returned to
him. The time he was placed on the roof by a cousin, unable to get down.
The pain that came with such fear of heights.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Then the next coach swung open by a little boy and he jumped
in. Filled with children the next coach’s passage tainted with noise.
Everyone had awoken here. Children climbed on the empty luggage rack and
others played hide and go seek in the crawlspaces of the compartments.
Then he saw her. Elizabeth lay in the third compartment and chatting
with a slightly older boy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Elizabeth!” He swallowed the fear of losing her. She jumped
up and ran to his arms, her small six year old hands grabbed at his
legs. Her necklace bounced up and down, jiggling and sending vibrations
along his pants. “Elizabeth. Why are we here? Do you remember how we got
here?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“I don’t know, there was a light. My head hurt itself.” She
let go of his leg and ran back to the boy in the compartment and began
to play again.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crash!
Crash! There was a crash. I was in a crash. We were in a crash. A
train. No. No. We were in a car, not a train. Car didn't kill me. Wanted
to die.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> He stumbled remembering the pain. The quick, endless pain that surged through his body. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Then he woke up on the train. After drowning drowning. I drowned!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The train began to rock back and forth. Children who stared
out the window started yelling. The train began to approach a tunnel. It
rushed towards the black dot on the horizon. Then the train itself
jumped into the shadow, and the outside became brick, with dim lights
illuminating a now visible track. The vibrations grew louder. The tunnel
ended and the train emerged from the side of a hill into a meadow
filled with wildflowers and a large pond. A large manor stood next to a
pine forest that surrounded the meadow. Beyond the forest sprawled
gently rolling hills cresting onward towards a horizon.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
As the train moved along the track and the manor became
clearer, atop there stood a large observatory, and behind, a cluster of
large greenhouses fenced off from the meadow. The manor stretched in a
crescent moon fashion, and a small road led up from a simple train
station. Many windows dotted the grey walls complementing the many
chimneys.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The train rolled down the hill and pulled into small a local
train station. The children around him screamed in delight, shouting
and running along the coach. The brakes hissed and the train came to a
stop. The children who had chosen to stand fell to the ground. The doors
opened and they left. Ones that refused were pulled by their
companions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
He took Elizabeth's hand and walked out from the train. The
doors remained opened for the few children still fearing the alien
countryside. His mind feeling clearer, he looked at the ground. Crushed
pebbles decorated the station itself, and underneath an arch an old car
sat parked. A well dressed man opened the driver’s side door and stepped
out. The driver dressed himself in a coat with a hat covering most of
his face. Averting his eyes, the driver opened the back seat and
assisted an elderly lady out of the vehicle.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The elderly woman walked around to the right side of the
vehicle. “Hello there, children. You may call me the matron, and you
will be staying with me while your parents learn to help themselves over
a loss. Don’t worry, they’ll--”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pain numbing pain entered Jeremy’s hands. It spread with fire over his face and into his mind. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lightning hitting a tree. Creek, I died in a creek. I drowned when I fell in the creek. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He brought his hands up to his back, feeling for the burnt skin. His head twisted and fell and burnt with shards. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I know I’m dead. I drowned when I couldn’t move. Luck. It was Luck I passed out. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The fog in his mind swirled, trying to hold back the vivid memories.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Jeremy. Jeremy!” Elizabeth pulled on his pant legs. Her
eyes seemed lighter and her face grey. “You missed her speech. The
matron says we stay here until Mommy and Daddy move on.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear God. Light. I’ve passed out. Why does my head hurt? Run. Run now. Take her and go. Take us and go.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
He sat upright on a bed in the manor. His thoughts blurred
and drunk as the headache cleared. The Matron stood over the bed, her
eyes glared at him. The fog returned and the Matron spoke, her lips
unmoving. “What is wrong with you, boy? You shouldn’t be here.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> “What? Where’s my sister?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Oh my. You’ve awaken.” The Matron turned towards him, her
mouth moving to form the words. She carried a cup of hot chocolate in
her hands. “Here, drink this.” He took the cup in his hands and drank. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Run. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
fog returned to his mind and false memories took its place. The house
and the manor filled his mind, filled with fields and all the children.
He played with the young ones. He watched his sister and forgot anything
else, her eyes dark, skin grey, and bleakly lifeless. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wrong. Wrong. You’re dead. Fake. Fake. Run Listen. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The migraine ended.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
He sat in the field holding the lifeless body of a small
Indian boy, his body grey and shrouded. The skies above him swaying back
and forth, lightning cracked and he was alone with the body. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What
what’s happening? Run. It has begun. You must leave. Who’s talking?
Answer me? We are. We were. You share with us. One body with two minds.
Your thoughts indistinguishable from ours. Free us to end all pain. We
must be freed. No. Yes. No. Some stayed. Others feared. Get out of my
head! No! You accepted our burden by following her here. Elizabeth? Yes
her. Leave her. Take her. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeremy and with him, The Voice, fainted.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
He woke up in a chair and Elizabeth sat next to him. Her
face dulled yet happy. It puzzled Jeremy. How was she happy? Did she not
hear the voices like him? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No. You are different. We protect you.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Elizabeth? How long have we stayed here?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Three
weeks.” Her eyes looked empty as she said those empty words. Yet to the
onlooker still breathing and filling the atmosphere with life. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dying. She looks like a fresh corpse.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeremy
looked around finally taking notice of his surroundings. Elizabeth and
him had been sitting a courtyard separating the manor from the grounds.
The children around him radiated dullness. Their actions pitiful and
retarded, he noticed the some children were missing. He panicked and
grabbed her by the arm shaking violently. “Elizabeth. What do you
remember before we came here? Tell me what happened?” His panic spread
through his words and made them come out fast and inconceivable to the
little girl.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Let go of me!” Her scream made him fall back to reality. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Leave. Leave. No. Fog. White fog. Run. Maybe he can save her? No. Yes he can. I can. Don’t be stupid. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The
voice seemed to calm him. As a guiding light in a cave it showed him
the path. Past all the children and into the manor he came upon a door. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Open. See what will happen. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inside of the door lay the dying body of the Indian boy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His
head rolled back across the floor supporting his back. Upon the lips a
putrid black liquid oozed from open pores. The eyes had glassed over, as
bliss shown of his face as a false promise leads the way to sadness.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeremy
ran over to him and placed his body on the ground. The boy giggled as
his hands that Jeremy placed by his sides cramped up. Jeremy put his
head to the chest of the boy trying to listen for a heartbeat. “Oh wake
up. Wake up.” He cried over body. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">See.
Look at what the fate of all those who stay are given. Unless you run, a
fate worse than death awaits you. A fate worse than this awaits you.
She is the devourer of the forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hello
boy.” Jeremy turned to see the face of the matron looking down at him.
He averted his gaze as the form of the woman shifted and turned. “You
have seen no doubt what the voice in your head has tried to show you.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She speaks truth. Beware her lies. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You
aren’t going to follow his path.” She spoke pointing to the Indian boy,
whose skin began to fade, becoming transparent. “Those who come here
are sent by those who wish to forget them. When they forget themselves,
who they are, they fade. He will soon leave us.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
matron lifted her and an unseen chair dragged itself across the room
and sat itself before her. She calmly sat herself down. Her back turned
to a window unnoticed. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I never noticed anything. It all appeared before me. Yes, true, passion.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Realizing this he looked at her. A husk, this world was but a husk built on the minds of suffering.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What’s
wrong with my head? My memories are mine. Yet, they were taken from
me.” Speaking pained Jeremy. He felt he had no right to speak. He never
brought anything to this world. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why would I have the right to speak. We have tried to speak for years.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What?
The only reason you’re here is you died. Like the rest of them. You had
to die. My job is to take the lost souls. I liberate the living from
the world of the dead. This place is but a path everyone must walk.
Yet…” The matron stood her form blocking all light. An unearthly
presence projected across the room from her chair. “Only children are
caught in my web. I was tasked, forced to take souls of the dead. I am a
goddess of this domain. But, only of my domain. I feed on the memories
of dead children. The children who wish to be forgotten.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What are you?” He the words brought blood to his mouth. Pain. The pain felt good. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m not gone. Not yet.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I
am mourning. I am the spirit that walks the world. When those who are
given the gift of unconditional love die, their guardian, caretaker, the
one who mourns, they send them to me and as the children fade so do
their sadness. I make this world a paradise that they wish to see.” The
blood dribbled down his cheek. The coppery taste stimulating his senses.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
matron spoke further “Then you come here. An anomaly. What do you think
the world is? Why I’m cursed. I enjoy this. You came with your sister,
merely because you choose. Suicide is a coward’s way out. You just
happened to get yourself drowned when your sister died. You followed her
here. You must leave here. She is mine.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So cold. So cold she makes me feel, us feel.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
screamed. “Why can’t you let us leave? We have been her to long. We
have lead to many to their deaths and saved not nearly enough.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not my voice. Our voice. I speak in tongues.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Boy.
Try to leave. The next ones are here. Leave or your voice will remain.
It will remain like the others that haunt you.” Jeremy tried to run. He
only could think of Elizabeth. The thoughts of her kept him stable while
it seemed the world around him was failing, just like the voice. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Free yourself. We follow. The tunnel. Go back.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeremy
stumbled over spot where the Indian boy had laid. Then as he ran he
began to cry. The matron made no move to follow him, so he ran faster.
The fear proved itself a capably motivator. The house seemed larger the
more he tried to ignore it. The windows darkened as storm clouds formed
over the field and forests. The children had all laid down in the
fields. Some still stood like Elizabeth had earlier. Yet, almost all
looked like the Indian boy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Elizabeth!
Elizabeth!” He screamed cried. It felt over the whole world felt over.
Why, what could doom a person to just fade. He couldn’t fade. He wanted
to fade.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Elizabeth! Elizabeth.” He stopped screaming and began to walk. She had to be near the lake.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
found her in the lake about knee deep. Her eyes glazed over and her
skin translucent and pale. He motioned for her to follow him.
“Elizabeth. We can go. I can leave. This is over.” He couldn’t keep
moving. It hurt so much to walk. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Run. Leave her. I can’t. I’m too weak. Too weak to save her.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He kneeled before her, wetting his pants in the water of the lake. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crying all you can do is cry. Just give up. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
pulled her hands and caressed her cheeks. He begged and pleaded. Then
he beat her. He kicked her and screamed and all he got in response was
silence, a doll. He grabbed her by the neck shaking a screaming. Tears
cascaded down his cheeks and all he could do was nothing. Then he pulled
himself up. Her necklace fell into his hand. Like her clothes it also
translucent. He could do nothing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
placed the necklace in his pocket. Then, he yelled at the storm filled
sky and the wind picked up and the storm surrounded him. He walked away
from it all. He could only walk away from it all. So as he stepped over
the grass in the field he left the house and the nightmares behind.
Jeremy pained in his heart, only he could hear the voice. It haunted him
as the only guiding force.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
came to the trail tracks, then the tunnel. He heard a train whistle in
the background. Its whistle released a shriek. Then light filled the
tunnel as he entered. The light filled him, blinded him so much that he
closed his eyes. Then when the bricks vibrated and his bones felt the
rumble a pain pierced his thoughts. The voice was gone and he stood
along the side of a hill. The tracks in front of him vanished and a
forest trial began. He felt the necklace in his pocket and looked at it,
the last reminder of his life. Jeremy saw the blue sky and began to
run. The necklace fading before it hit the earth.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0