tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33279159019202135672024-03-14T17:12:48.908+01:00The call to write knows where I liveThe Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-47022530608574512452018-11-01T17:35:00.003+01:002018-11-01T17:35:46.147+01:00Long summer nightsWhen I was a kid, I always enjoyed time with my family. I had three sisters and two brothers, and all six of us, along with mom and dad, would go camping in the woods every year. Dad would play guitar as we gathered round the fire. I remember the flame crackling in the night as we sang songs together. Mom was always a great singer, with Samantha, our eldest sister, sharing that gift with her. The middle siblings, Simon, Ashleigh and Tom, were always the more disruptive, but they always told the best ghost stories. Even though Jodie and I, the youngest two, were quite spooked by them most of the time, we still have nothing but fond memories left after that.<br />
<br />
And fond memories are all we have. Gathered around our old fireplace at home, the six of us met once again for the first time in years. They’d all changed so much. Or maybe I was just remembering them differently. No one said anything. So many years had passed, and yet nobody had anything to say.<br />
<br />
The only person who did talk to me was Jodie. We’d always been the closest. All of the others were quite a bit older than us, while she and I were just two years apart. She told me all about dad’s sudden illness, and she was the one to greet me home when I came over. Jodie was the only one who stayed behind.<br />
<br />
My first night there, we sat in our PJs in the kitchen in the dead of night sipping hot cocoa. Neither of us could sleep. There was a vague sense of dread hanging in the house. She felt it too. She didn’t know why, but her theory involved a fleshgait.<br />
<br />
“A what?” I asked.<br />
<br />
“It’s a Native American thing, I think,” she explained. “Some sort of spirit that takes the form of an animal, perfectly mimicking them. They can even look and feel human. That’s how they get you – they make you lower your guard and then they eat you up, taking over your soul and body. That way they have more material for shapeshifting later on.”<br />
<br />
“Well, dad is still alive in one piece. Physically, at least.”<br />
<br />
“Exactly. But he’s not there in the head anymore.”<br />
<br />
“I don’t see the connection.”<br />
<br />
“Well, about the time he started to get sick, dad started collecting butterflies. Come on, I’ll show you.”<br />
<br />
I followed her, still not sure how all this shapeshifter business related to dad’s condition and butterflies. She pointed to a display on the wall near the staircase. Sure enough, it was filled with some seriously beautiful insect, however haphazardly they were pinned to the canvass. In the very center of this chaotic piece was a majestic, large, sky-blue specimen I’d never seen before. Mesmerized, I couldn’t help but lean in closer and notice that the pattern on its wings resembled the outline of a human skull.<br />
<br />
“This your fleshgait?” I snickered.<br />
<br />
“Get this,” she said, her youthful face scarily serious. “I saw dad the day he caught the butterfly. He was crying as he held it in his hands. He said the butterfly promised him his dream would come true.”<br />
<br />
“So he was probably already losing it.”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, probably. But consider this. You’re here, and the others are coming too. What do you think dad’s biggest dream was for the past couple of years?”<br />
<br />
“So you’re saying dad got his dream to come true for low price of his soul and sanity? That he made a deal with a fleshgait? Jodie,” I sighed, “mom’s right. You should get off the internet sometimes.”<br />
<br />
When I did finally get to see my siblings and we all sat silently in the living room in the dim light of the fireplace, I couldn’t help but feel empty inside. I was sure we all had a valid reason to abandon dad. I can’t remember the exact cause – I’d always assumed it was all about the affair that dad had back in the day. Still, mom had forgiven him and they were still living together, so there must have been more to it than that. At some point, it all spiraled out of control, new reasons popped up, and we all went our separate ways. Until it started to look like we would be losing our dad for good pretty soon.<br />
<br />
As we all made our way back to our bedrooms, I stopped near the butterfly display. My gaze fixed on the blue butterfly. Thinking back on what Jodie told me, a sudden thought got ahold of me. Dad’s last conscious wish was a failure. We were all back together, and yet we were all apart. There was no going back to what we had before.<br />
<br />
I’d give everything I had to get all of that back.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*</div>
<br />
On that night, I had trouble falling asleep. How empty my old room was certainly didn’t help matters. The butterfly was on my mind so much that when I did eventually fall asleep, it seemed like it was everything there was. If only it had stayed that way.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, I was standing in a field, the wind howling around me, dead leaves and sticks crackling and crumbling as they flew past me. In the distance I saw a figure. It was moving towards me, but it didn’t appear to be walking. It was more of a fluid glide, with no leg movement discernable underneath its billowing azure cloak. Yet, even though the movements were so smooth, I could hear the sound of bones cracking more and more clearly as it got closer.<br />
<br />
It was close enough that I could look inside its hood. It was a woman, with skin as smooth as silk Yet I couldn’t see her face, as the blue butterfly from dad’s display was covering her it. Unlike that butterfly, this one was very much alive, its wings slightly swaying as the figure approached me.<br />
<br />
Transfixed, I stood there, unable to look away. The butterfly shifted both its wings to the left side of her face, causing my cheeks to flare up. I was stunned with the beauty in front of me, her vivid blue eyes, her plump lips and perfect nose only reminded me how long it had been since I last got intimate with anyone. As if responding to my base desires, her lips curved into a mysterious smile as she reached her hand behind my neck and locked lips with me.<br />
<br />
For a moment, I let myself go. The sensation was positively orgasmic. The bliss felt like it would last forever, but it was short-lived. At first I thought it was the heat from the kiss, but I soon realized something was very wrong with my gums. I could feel a distinct pull, then a puncture, and then a fiercer pull. I started to scream, but it came out muffled and silenced as her teeth dug deeper into my flesh. The warm, thick blood running down my chin made me feel sick, and yet I remained painfully lucid. Her blue eye drilled into mine as the woman smiled.<br />
<br />
The sensation of sandpaper going down my throat is what finally pulled me out of that nightmare. Clutching my chest and heaving, my torso lifting and dropping rapidly, I sat on the bed. The taste of blood was still lingering in my mouth. But the figure was gone. I was safe. And yet something was off.<br />
<br />
The sunlight seeping into the room didn’t feel like it belonged to a sunrise. A mix of orange and pink, it was definitely sunset. How long had I slept? That’s when I spotted it. In the corner of my eye, something flickered in the sunlight. My heart sank. The blue butterfly circled the room twice and flew out the door, down the hallway. My legs felt like they were moving on their own, carrying me down the butterfly’s path. The front door flew open, a cool wind hitting my cheeks. I froze as I noticed where exactly the butterfly was heading.<br />
<br />
Outside the front door was a thick forest. The smell of evergreens hit my nose like a truck, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia that almost masked the confusion and uneasiness that the sudden change in landscape brought with it.<br />
<br />
It was far from the eeriest thing to happen, however. Samantha brushed past me, fully clothed with backpack in tow, happily skipping along into the woods. Tim, Ashleigh and Simon all followed suit, giggling. Mom was right behind them, carrying a basket filled with her special sandwiches. Jodie sprang by and waved at me to come along. Then I felt a familiar grasp on my shoulder. I took a look behind me, and there he was. Dad. Beaming and standing on his own two legs, and looking at me with lucidity I’d never thought I’d see again, he said: “Come on, son. Let’s go camping.”<br />
<br />
And so we went camping.<br />
<br />
The eight of us gathered round the fire, as we always have, with the flames crackling happily in the night. With dad on the guitar, we were singing all our usual songs, laughing, talking, cherishing every moment together, acting like no time had passed since that was what it really felt like. Mom and Samantha sang their sweet duet, while Tim, Ashleigh and Simon were at their most playful, sharing funny anecdote after funny anecdote.<br />
<br />
We took a small break from all the fun and games as Ashleigh had to use the bathroom. The singing and laughing soon resumed. I watched my marshmallow shrivel and burn slightly, but was suddenly startled with a loud rustle and a muffled scream from the woods.<br />
<br />
“What was that?”<br />
<br />
“Probably just the wind, honey,” said mom. “Don’t worry about it. We’re all here, let’s just enjoy this.”<br />
<br />
She was right. We were finally all here. Everything was back to normal. It felt as if anything was possible. We could get back the time we’d lost away from each other. We’d be together forever now. All seven of us. Just like it always had been.<br />
<br />
After a few solid portions of marshmallows and a couple beers, I went to take a leak, along with Simon. We talked for a second. The conversation we had made me remember I hadn’t seen his kid yet. I told him that I’d definitely come over whenever I had some more time and we could catch up. It would be like old times again.<br />
<br />
Dad called me over. It was time for our camping game that we always played. Dad, Tim and I would always team up against mom and the girls and we’d always come close to beating them, but they always turned things around at the last second. On the way, I almost tripped over something. I hesitated for a second. It felt like it was the size and general shape of a pretty thick branch, but was somehow a bit softer and squishier. In the end, deciding it was unimportant, I ignored it. It was finally time for us to beat the girls.<br />
<br />
Nobody knew what time it was. Nobody cared. The night still felt young, even though the darkness surrounding us appeared to grow thicker the more we hung around. Samantha leaned in to add wood to the fire.<br />
<br />
“You know, as the only boy, you could at least take care of this.”<br />
<br />
“But you’re the oldest.”<br />
<br />
“Knock it off, you two,” said dad. He put his guitar down and started roasting some marshmallows of his own. “Look at all those stars.” Mom and Jodie both followed his lead and looked up. I followed too, but not until my gaze lingered for a bit on the empty space on mom’s right. I must be getting tired.<br />
<br />
Now that I live in the city, I can barely see the stars at night. With so much light on the ground, it’s pretty much impossible to see what’s up above. So even though we know they’re there, we can’t see them. Thinking about it like that always made me a bit sad.<br />
<br />
“I’m hungry,” I said, slightly too quietly, dad’s guitar drowning out my voice.<br />
<br />
“Hm?” said Jodie.<br />
<br />
“I said, I’m hungry.”<br />
<br />
“Well, all we have is marshmallows.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t we have sandwiches?”<br />
<br />
“What, did you make any?”<br />
<br />
“No, I didn’t. But didn’t,” I hesitated. What was I going to say.<br />
<br />
Jodie handed me the marshmallow she’d been roasting. “Here. It’s not much, but it’s all I have. I’m not hungry anyway.”<br />
<br />
Unceremoniously, I devoured the marshmallow, causing Jodie to chuckle. “Don’t ever change.”<br />
I smiled back at her. Jodie’s smile had always been infectious. Wide, sincere, you couldn’t help but smile back in exactly the same way. Whenever I was feeling down, she was always there to cheer me up.<br />
<br />
I blinked. I blinked again. She was gone. She was sitting right next to me just a second ago. And now she was gone. I stood up, a chill climbing up my spine, all the way to the nape of my neck.<br />
<br />
She was gone. I was standing in complete silence with nothing but the crackling of the dying flame breaking it up.<br />
<br />
Dad was still there. Barely visible, he looked red in the dying flame’s light. He was smiling, though I could see his cheeks glistening wet from his tears. His fingers were still strumming the guitar strings but no sound came. I could only stand and watch, but I felt that, on some level, this is how he wanted it. He mouthed something to me. I asked him to speak up but no sound came. He just mouthed it again. ‘Thank you.’<br />
<br />
The flame died, the final echoes of my dad gone with it. All that was left were a couple flickering lights up above, and the blinding darkness of the forest. Then I heard a crack. For a split second, I thought it was the flame again, somehow, but that wasn’t it. I heard it again. And then I realized where I knew the sound from. The taste of blood returned.<br />
<br />
The stars disappeared one by one, leaving behind a number that could be counted on one hand. I could almost feel the woman’s eerie glide, her billowing cloak brushing against my legs. I shut my eyes tight and clenched my teeth, praying to God that He’d let me wake up one more time. I regretted my wish. I just wanted to live.<br />
<br />
<i>You promised me everything in return.</i> Her voice pierced my mind. It came from somewhere inside me. There was no escape. I tried to open my eyes but there was no difference. All the stars were gone. All I could see was the butterfly peering from underneath her hood. It quivered and moved to the right side of her face. I gazed into the abyss and felt my stomach turn. I could feel my throat bleed from the effort to scream. But there was no sound. I was suspended in an unseeing, unhearing world. I was gone.<br />
<br />
<i>And take everything I shall.</i>The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-8089249195395793472017-02-23T09:16:00.000+01:002017-02-23T09:18:28.728+01:00Sweaty palms<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Booking a table at </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Le Petit Chat</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> required nothing short of a miracle. Clients would line up for months or even years just to get a chance to dine at one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. It took making a lot of calls and pulling a couple of strings, not to mention an unreasonable amount of money, but I finally managed to secure a spot.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The perfect spot for tonight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">It was a warm summer evening, with a gentle breeze coming through the large open arches, the only thing separating the restaurant interior from the terrace. The black sky, dotted with thousands of teeny tiny stars would normally soothe my soul, especially when accompanied by that soulful melody that a high-class pianist was weaving on the majestic, ebony instrument. But not this time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">My hands were shaking like jello. Palms dripping with sweat - so hard that it was starting to get on the cuffs of my shirt - I took out a small box out of my pocket. The ring inside shimmered in the candlelight. It cost me an arm and a leg, but I knew it was worth it. She deserved the very best, after all. I prayed to God she'd say yes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I hid the ring back in my pocket, scratching the back of my hand as I pulled it out. Everything felt itchy whenever I got nervous. She was getting late and I was already starting to feel a bit light-headed, not knowing if I'd feel better if she finally did appear, or if she canceled.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">But then she came. Her gorgeous, wavy brown hair brushed to the side, her neck was completely exposed. Her dress, as red as the bouquets of roses adorning every corner of the restaurant, had just the right amount of cleavage and hugged her curvy figure nicely. She spotted me, her smile showing on her baby blue eyes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Sally looked stunning. But no matter how she looked, she took my breath away every time I saw her.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I stood up as she came closer and clumsily pulled out her chair from under the table. After wiping my palm on my pants, I took her hand in mine and gave it a gentle kiss. She giggled.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"How kind of you," she said as she sat opposite me. The waiter handed us the menu. I couldn't focus on the contents, however. I couldn't even focus on Sally's smile as she scanned the menu. My heart was racing and my hands were itching more and more. "What are you having?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Oh, uh," I said, scratching my hand again. "I'm not sure yet." I put down the menu and smiled at her. "You look lovely, Sally."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">We chatted away and finally made our choices for the dinner. For a while, I forgot all about the itching, though my leg was jumping up and down like crazy from all the anticipation. I wasn't sure if the moment I chose for the proposal was right, but I knew I had to go for it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The plan was to order just as the desserts were going to arrive. I thought about arranging things with the staff ahead of time, so that the ring could be inside the cake, but in the end, I was too worried she'd accidentally swallow it. I guess I'm not much of a risk-taker.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Once we'd placed our orders, Sally went to the bathroom. Even though I was still light-headed, the smile did not disappear from my face. I was having the time of my life. I was in such a good mood that I started looking around the other tables. My eyes met with those of an older lady somewhere to my right.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">And then something weird happened. She took a look at my hands and her face twisted in disgust, and then she quickly turned her gaze away in the other direction. I imagined that my hands were pretty red from all the scratching, but that reaction still felt a bit unfair. Still, I thought nothing could ruin my mood.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Boy, how wrong I was.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I turned to face the terrace again. My hand went to my other hand and started scratching again. And then it felt like two things happened at once. For one, my hand felt different. As if I was scratching something softer, and... </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">fuzzier</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. But I didn't even consider the worst case scenario until I noticed how pale the sky had become. Rising from below the terrace was a large, silver disc of light.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I f**king forgot it was a full moon today!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Over the past few months, I had spent so much time preparing everything for tonight that I completely forgot to check my timetable like I usually do. Up until this point, I always made sure I'd be unavailable whenever there was a full moon, so Sally wouldn't have to watch me grow 5 pounds of hair, but I guess I was just too preoccupied with getting </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">any</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> date booked that making sure it didn't coincide with a full moon didn't occur to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I instantly felt all the blood drain from my face. People started to whisper around me, I could hear it. I could </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">feel </i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">it. But then my heart sank completely as I saw Sally leave the bathroom. I picked up the menu and covered my face with it, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she noticed.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Jerry?" she asked as she sat down, a smile slowly fading from her face. "Are you okay? You look really pale. And, um, this may sound weird but, did you always have sideburns?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I'm fine," I said in a whisper. During my transformation, my voice became a tad more guttural than usual, to the point that cats got really scared of me. So I wanted to avoid drawing attention to it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">It was too late. My shirt was tensing up from all the fur piling on inside and my body increasing in size in general. I tried to avert Sally's concerned gaze, but I knew that if I didn't do anything, I'd end up only hurting her.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Uh," I grunted. I could see her flinch at the sound I made. "I'll be right back."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">With that, I got up, holding up the menu to hide the side of my face that she could see. Still, that couldn't cover up my furry hands or the incredibly long claws that my nails turned into, but it was something.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Before I knew it, I was sprinting out the building. I heard a couple of screams and shocked grunts as I passed some people, trampling some of them in the process. My shirt was ripped to shreds, and my pants were pretty close to giving way as well. This was the first time in a long while that I forgot to put on my stretchy pants on a full moon.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Safe from the view of most onlookers, I squatted at a nearby park. Huddled between a bunch of bushes, I looked up at the moon and wondered where I went wrong. I put my paws in my pockets to make sure the ring was still in place.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Sure enough, it was gone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I didn't know where I'd dropped it. Was it still back at the restaurant or did my pocket rip somewhere on the street? Still, it's not like any of that mattered anymore. I sat there, hugging my oversized, furry knees, and uttered the smallest howl I could. I heard the squirrels scurry away in fear anyway.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Jerry?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I jumped up, startled nearly to death. My heart was thumping like wild, and I hated how loud it got when I was in wolf form.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Sally?" I whispered. I could see her outline clearly, though her face was still too far away for me to make out. She was slowly walking closer towards me. "What are you doing here? Stay away."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"And leave you like this? Not a chance." She came up even closer. I could see her eyes now. She didn't look scared. Just a little shaken. "What happened to you?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"It's... How do I put this," I said. "I've always been like this."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"We've been together for a year," she said. I could hear her voice tense up, "and you didn't think you should tell me?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Well," I said with a shrug, a smile creeping on my huge, toothy muzzle, "I did say I was a dog person."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">She slapped me with her purse. The blow was softened by the coat of fur, but I still felt it. Somewhere inside, I knew I was a bad dog.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"How was I supposed to tell you?" I could hear my voice break a bit as I tried to maintain a whisper. "Look at me!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">She stayed silent for a good few minutes, as if she was seriously considering what she would have said had I told her. Then she put a hand on my cheek.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I understand," she said. "It must be tough. But I thought you knew me better than that, Jerry. I love you, you know that?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">A surge of electricity made my heart beat three times in one instant. Every time I heard those words, I knew everything would turn out okay in the end.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I know," I said.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Besides," she said, her lips twisting into a half-smile. "I don't mind a bit of hair on a man. And there is something alluring about you like this."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"You've got to be kidding."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">She laughed. But soon enough, she stopped. Her face became stern.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I understand why you didn't tell me, Jerry," she said, her voice cool and piercing. "But I want you to promise me one thing. And this is very important."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Yes?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Don't ever lie to me again."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">As she said it, she put something in my hand. Something small and vaguely cubical. When I realized what it was, my heart sank, though I was still glad the ring wasn't lost.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Now, don't get me wrong," she said, the hint of a smile coming back to her face. "This isn't a </span><i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">no</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. But today's development is... a big one. And you've been lying to me all this time. You'll first need to win back some of that lost trust."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I will," I said, no more whispering. "I wanted to tell you about this anyway, but I really wasn't ready. But now I have no reason to hide anything anymore."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I believe in you," she said, her fingers intertwining with mine. "Don't disappoint me."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">By the end of the night, I felt a great deal lighter. As if someone had shaved off all the fur from my body. Seeing her wake up next to me the other day filled me with a newfound sense of hope and, for the first time in forever, I felt okay with myself.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Three months later, I tried again, this time making sure the time was right. She said yes.</span>The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-83198174415433545862016-03-13T12:14:00.001+01:002016-03-13T12:14:08.754+01:00Color<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You're drifting on a lime green
current, your heart filled with glee. The pastel pink splashes
assault your taste buds, your saliva dripping on the floor from
delight. A golden ray of light touches your nostrils, forcing itself
down your body. Your breath becomes faster and less even. You think
you might be dying, but if this is dying, then oh boy, do you wish
you could die every day now. The heat grows more intense as the
cobalt blues and indigos splash over your body, sending a chill down
your spine, spraying your body with salty drops. Oh fuck yes, you
heave.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You feel the erratic thumps inside your
body, your pulse of life. Tears fill your eyes as you see a shrowd of
amarant fall down to expose a mass of color, shaped like people. I
don't want this, you cry.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You turn around and and see nothing. A
black abyss of emptiness. You are blind, your view is empty and
broken. A chill suffocates you, sucking you dry. But it's okay, you
say to yourself, and you turn back around. You click and feel the
warmth come back to you. The pastel tsunami engulfs you once more.</div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-55059733500844077342016-02-21T15:41:00.002+01:002016-02-21T15:41:15.258+01:00Spark<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A single spark can start a fire so big
it consumes everything on its way. It can be small, incidental,
seemingly irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. But then
something catches fire. A piece of cloth, a dry leaf, a piece of
wood. And then it begins. A flame is born – hot, crackling, and
hungry, ever expanding, ever wanting more. Until the rain comes. I
stood there, lost in his eyes that held the universe within, praying.
I was unsure if I was praying for a rain to start, or to end.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I met him on a Valentine's Day. I had
recently ended a very, very draining relationship, and was happy to
just go out with my friends and celebrate on our own. Jenny said
there was this new French cafe that had the best desserts she ever
tried, so we all settled we'd meet there. I still had some time, so I
didn't hurry as I walked there. My sneakers splashed in puddles along
the way, though the sky's immaculate blueness did not suggest it had
rained. We were having a particularly warm and lovely February. I
smiled as I passed couples both young and elderly. Holding hands,
embraced on benches, testing the boundaries of what was acceptable at
a park this big. On any other occassion, being single on Valentine's
and seeing all this would have driven me insane. But this time, I
felt I could breathe freely for the first time in forever. I inhaled
the cool air, the gentle scent of wet grass intoxicating me, further
lifting my mood. It was going to be a good day, I thought.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I soon approached the cafe, but none of
the other girls were there yet. I decided to take a seat. I didn't
realize how chilly it was outside until I was hit by what felt like a
heat wave when I entered. I sat down at a tiny white table with what
looked like a bouquet of plastic hearts in the middle, and took my
coat off. I ordered some water and started fiddling with my phone. I
was 15 minutes early. The air I exhaled from my lips ruffled my bangs
gently as I looked around the cafe.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And then my heart skipped a beat.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He was quite handsome, but not the kind
that just makes your knees weak. In fact, he was pretty average, but
something about him just took my breath away. It was bizarre – I
couldn't even see his face clearly from behind that newspaper. All I
saw was neatly trimmed, brown hair, a solid jaw line, and glasses.
Before I noticed, I had stood up and was already halfway between my
table and his. He finally raised his eyes when I sat opposite him. We
locked eyes for a good couple of minutes, but it felt like two hours
at least. I was lost in that deep blue, that evening sky, and that
familiarity. He did look familiar. And the way his eyebrows went up
and his eyes widened when I approached him gave me a slight feeling
of deja vu.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Do I know you from
somewhere?” I asked.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He coughed a bit harder
than what would seem natural, folded his newspaper and stood up,
grabbing his coat.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I have to go, sorry,”
he muttered and bolted out.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I tried to get his
attention but he was gone before I could say a word. I didn't know
what to do. Part of my just wanted to run right after him, but the
other half asked: <i>Why?</i> <i>You
don't know him. For all you know, he's another sociopath</i>.
I was just about to go back to my seat, but I noticed that there was
something on his chair. He left his umbrella. That was my chance!</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I ran
out and almost tripped on the stone steps. I ran to the left –
that's where I though I saw him go. My feet tapped on the conrete
sidewalk, echoing in a narrow alley for a minute before I reached
another, much smaller park. I wasn't really certain what I was doing.
It was crazy. I thought being single for Valentine's may have
actually started to catch up to me. It was pathetic, really, getting
so worked up about someone I did not know.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Or did
I?</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He was
sitting on a bench, heaving. He did not want me to follow him, that
was for sure. But I wanted to follow him. When I handed him the
umbrella, he lifted those eyes at me and bolted upwards again.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Thank
you,” he muttered again, trying to avert eye contact after that. He
grabbed the umbrella and tried to take it, but I wouldn't let go.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Am
I that scary?” I said with a smile.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“N-no,
no! Not at all. I just... I really have to go.”</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
sit on another bench? What's wrong with this one?”</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He
took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes again. I felt an
electric current run somewhere in my body. I knew that feeling as
well. His eyes came closer and closer to mine. We both closed our
eyes as our lips came closer and locked. I knew those lips, that
warmth, this sensation.
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But it
didn't make sense.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tears
came rolling down my eyes. I saw the cafe as we met there for the
first time, and he bought me an eclair. I saw that it rained later
that day. I saw the night sky as we lay there dreaming of days to
come so many times. I saw our wedding, I saw our children. I saw the
death of one of them.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And
then I saw the headlights.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And I
saw that day in the cafe again. And I saw him avoid me so many times.
But I saw him always come back. His tender lips, his warm embrace,
those countless sleepless nights we shared. Thousands of them.
Millions. Then all those pills, and all that blood in the bathtub,
and all the nooses, and all the guns. It hurt. I wanted to let go. I
didn't want to feel this pain. Not again.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But I
didn't want to let go. As his lips let go of mine, I did all I could
to make them stay. I watched the night sky distance itself, it's
surface reflective like water, wet with grief.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Forget
me,” he whispered.</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He
turned on his heel. And walked away, drops of rain darkening his
coat. The lingering warmth left behind him growing ever fainter.
Soon, there wasn't even a shadow left to latch on to. All that was
left was the rain. My spark was drowned before it reached anything.</div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-35283622794025984212016-02-13T16:11:00.000+01:002016-02-13T16:11:16.388+01:00Finding Franco<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">It was like an
impulse. I just grabbed the phone and dialed her number, as if that
was the most logical reaction to the situation. I lost count of the
tones, which is when I realized this may not have been a good idea. I
had lost track of time before I found the box, so now it could have
been any hour of the night. It could still have been 11 pm on Sunday,
or 4 am on Monday, God knows. I always lost track of time when I went
digging through old things, but I rarely called anybody at those
times, really. And I’m sure they’re thankful for that, even if
they don’t know it, since I’ve been doing it at increasingly
weirder hours since the divorce, and now I was jetlagged to boot. So
it might as well have been 12 pm or 6:30, I really could not care
less. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I listened to the
even tones coming from the phone’s speaker as my gaze followed the
eyes of the kit-cat clock on the kitchen wall. Why did I come into
the kitchen again? I often wandered around the house with my mind
blank whenever I needed to concentrate on some mental task, so that
shouldn’t be too surprising for me. The kitchen wasn’t also that
weird a room to be. I mean, my place is tiny, and the kitchen was
probably the least cluttered at the moment. A peek beyond the archway
revealed piles of unwashed laundry just pouring out of the bathroom
and bedroom. I really should have done some of the cleaning back in
Paris. That seemed to have happened so long ago, though. In Paris, I
was surrounded by the coolest bunch of people and every night was a
party. And now here I was, alone, standing in an empty apartment,
phone in one hand, weird gift-wrapped package in the other.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Someone finally
picked up.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hello?” came a
raspy whisper.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hi, Cath,” I
said.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">It’s three in
the morning.” I could tell she recognized my voice just by the
subtle shift in tone. Even when she whispered, Cath’s voice had the
distinct ability of making every bone inside me swirl around in
panic. I missed this, I think? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Really? Well,
that’s good to know.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I heard the sheets
rustle on the other end. She was up. Sitting up, at least. “What is
it?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, right. I’ve
been digging through some old things in the closet.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">In the middle of
the night…” she said slowly, enunciating every word.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yes,” I
continued, my voice picking up the pace. “I couldn’t sleep either
way so I just decided to look through stuff, to see if maybe…” I
stopped for a second. For some reason the following words were hard
to say. “Maybe you forgot something.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Aaaand,” I
tried to sound jovial again. “I found a package I don’t
recognize. So I’m pretty sure it’s yours, because who else could
it belong to?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">For a second I heard
nothing. I was worried she’d fallen asleep again. But then I heard
rustling noises and I could almost see her stand up and stretch, and
then rub her face with those clubby hands. She sighed and her tired
voice came back to ask me: “What’s it look like?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, I dunno. It’s
kind of ordinary looking, I guess? It’s got some kind of a cat
theme going on. There’s a blue and black ribbon. Oh, and there’s
a card! It says: </span><span lang="en-US"><i>To Franco. You brought
this on yourself.</i></span><span lang="en-US">”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Who the hell is
Franco?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You tell me. It’s
your package!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I told you, it’s
not.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, anyway,
whoever he is, he sure brought this on himself, I guess.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And you woke me
up just for this?” Her voice shook every piece of my body again.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah, sorry. I
wasn’t sure what time it was.” I really wasn’t. I mean, I just
spent a good couple minutes staring at a clock, but I couldn’t tell
you what time it was. There are times where I just look at something
– intently, even, fully concentrated – and don’t see it. Cath
used to say I just don’t want to see it, but why would I not want
to see it? I mean, it’s just the time.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, maybe you
should ask Iris, then?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, Iris is
working in Paris now,” I said.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I know. But that
has nothing to do with anything. She still might have left it there,
right?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Maybe you’re
right. I’ll give her a call then.” I was just about to hang up,
but another question came to mind. “How are the kids, by the way?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">They’re asleep,
and very disappointed their dad was on a trip to Paris last weekend
instead of spending time with them.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah, sorry about
that.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Anyway, if I
don’t go back to sleep now, no one will be up on time to wake them
up and take to school in the morning. So if you value the education
of your children at all, you won’t mind if I hang up, will you?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, sure. Tell
them I said hi! Bye!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">The call ended and I
was standing in the silence of the night yet again. I felt as if the
kit-cat clock ticked in synch with my heart. Why cats, I wonder. Who
thought cats with eyes that look left and right with every second was
a good idea for a clock design? Not that I have any right to complain
– I mean, I own one. But it was still something to think about. An
easy, empty thought. The kind that kills the silence, but doesn’t
shake you up too much. So I contemplated the kit-cat clock as my
phone let out a few tones, until Iris finally picked up.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hey, honey,
what’s up?” she asked. Whenever she spoke I felt as if my very
essence was touched by the sweetest honey, each particle in my body
relishing in the sweetness.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I didn’t wake
you up, I hope?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">No, don’t
worry. I actually just got to work.” I could see her walking down a
modern, spacious office with glass walls and lots of sunlight, with a
view on the Paris spring. In my mind she was wearing a dangerously
short skirt and a plain, pale blue blouse that hung loose on her
shoulders, with ample cleavage. The sunlight bounced off her breasts,
bringing the constellations of freckles on her smooth, radiant skin
to life. She smiled a full smile, exposing sparkling white teeth
surrounded by red, red lips. Her chestnut curls swirled in the wind
as she greeted me with a tempting gaze.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, uh,” I
started after coming back from my daydream. It was three in the
morning – can I still call it a daydream? “That’s good. I keep
forgetting about the time difference, you know.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">She giggled. “Well,
no wonder. You flew quite the distance.” She let out a sigh. It was
a gentle sigh, one that melted me from the inside, quite unlike the
passive aggressive sighs that Cathy gave me. “I miss you.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And I miss you,
too” I said.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">So what are you
doing up in the middle of the night?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh, right,” I
said as I looked back at the kitty box. “I was looking through some
old things and stumbled upon this weird box. It’s wrapped in gift
paper with cats on it. The card says </span><span lang="en-US"><i>To
Franco</i></span><span lang="en-US">. Ring any bells?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Franco, Franco…”
she said and fell silent, lost in thought. I pictured her putting up
her thumb to her lips and biting on it as she pondered. “I don’t
think I know anyone by that name, no. Did you talk to Cath about it?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I did, actually.
It’s not her box. And she has no clue who Franco is.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">That’s really
weird. And you don’t know a Franco either?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, I wouldn’t
be calling you guys if that was the case.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I suppose so…”
she paused for a second. I imagined her chest raising and dropping as
she breathed in and out. I could almost feel it as I ran my imaginary
hand down her unbuttoned blouse, undoing two more buttons along the
way. “So what do you think is in it?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hmm?” I shook
myself awake.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What do you think
is in the box?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I dunno.” I
shook the box gently. There was a sound, but it wasn’t what I was
expecting. Nothing hard hit the box from the inside, but it also
wasn’t empty. It was as if there was something soft and relatively
light filling up most of the box. After I told Iris about it, she
giggled again.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Maybe it’s a
cat? I mean, the box is covered in cats, so it seems logical.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I’m pretty sure
the cat would be long dead. And it doesn’t smell like anything.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">C’mon, I was
joking,” she chuckled. “It just kind of reminds of that thought
experiment. </span>Schroedinger’s Cat, you know?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">About the cat in
the box and how it’s alive and dead?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">That’s not how
it works. Until the box is closed, it holds a certain amount of
potential. The cat has a chance of being dead and being alive so long
as the box is closed. But once you open it, it is either alive or
dead. You no longer have the potential you had when it was closed.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And where did you
learn all this?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">At school, of
course.” She laughed and then sighed again. “Anyway, it was a
really nice of you to call me today. This long distance thing is kind
of hard on me.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah, I know. But
it’s only for a little while, right?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Right. Now I
gotta go back to work. This is my dream job, after all!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">It is! Go show’em
who’s boss, sweetie!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Love you!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Love you too.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I stared at my
phone’s screen for exactly 34 seconds, if the kit-cat clock was to
be believed. Apparently, Cath called me twice while I was talking to
Iris, so I called her back.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What’s up?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Sorry, I didn’t
think you’d call Iris right away.” Her voice sounded different.
She was no longer whispering, and there was a strange echo in the
background. For some reason I pictured her in the kitchen, wrapped in
her bathrobe.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, I did. Not
like I have much better to do. I can’t sleep anyway. It was nice.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Glad to hear it.
Listen, I just remembered something. Well, maybe remembered is a big
word for this.” She fell silent again and then exhaled a lot of
air. I knew that sound.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hey, are you
smoking again?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What are you
talking about?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You’re smoking,
I just heard you. We were married for eight years, you can’t fool
me.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">So what if I’m
smoking?” she said in that flat tone she always used to annoy me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, you
shouldn’t. For your own health, and remember the kids live with you
and second-hand smoking is also super bad for your health.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I heard her dip the
cigarette in the ashtray and sigh. “Sorry. You’re right. I
usually don’t smoke now, it’s just… I’m kind of having
trouble sleeping.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Because of me?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, yes, I
think. It has to do with that thing I remembered.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">She didn’t say
anything yet, but I felt a lump in my throat, as if my body knew what
was coming before my mind could even register it. “What is it?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">It’s not
anything specific, more like this nagging feeling at the back of my
head. I don’t know who Franco is or what he brought on himself, but
after we disconnected, I had some sort of epiphany.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Epiphany.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah, you know,
like a-“</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I know what an
epiphany is, Cath. So what did you see?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">She fell silent for
a second and I heard her lean on an old kitchen stool. “I’m going
to hang up now and you take a look at your contacts. See for
yourself.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Okay,” I said
nonchalantly, though I felt a chill run down my spine. “You should
go back to sleep then.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I don’t think
there’s a point now. I better take a shower and start preparing the
food or something, just to get my mind off things.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well, whatever
works for you. Take care then.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Sure enough she hung
up. The light from the phone was much more blinding than I remembered
it being, and the apartment seemed darker than it was before. With
shaking fingers, I located my contact list and scrolled down. Sure
enough, soon I found a ‘Franco’.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>You brought this
on yourself.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I didn’t even let
myself think before pressing the call button. I put the receiver to
my ear, watching as the kit-cat’s eyes moved in slow motion. What
was I doing? Who was I calling? Why did I have his number? What’s
going to happen now?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">But he didn’t pick
up. I waited there for what felt like hours, but he didn’t pick up.
I then reminded myself that it was still, in fact, the middle of the
night, so he might just be asleep. I was suddenly very aware of the
fact that I had held my breath and could only now breathe freely
again. I was about to give up my search and call it a night, but
then I noticed his contact information in my phone was actually quite
robust. I had his full street address. And I knew exactly where that
was. So I did the only logical thing. I put on my coat and stepped
out in the dead of night to deliver a package to a total stranger
whose full address was in my phone, for some reason.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Walking down the
dark lane with only a couple of streetlights to disperse the
blackness made my mind wander into places I’d rather not tread. I
tried to come back to the kit-cat clock, to Iris’ undone blouse,
but instead I kept returning to the gift-wrapped box. There was no
doubt in my mind that I knew Franco, and that I knew what was in the
box. But why couldn’t I remember it?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">My footsteps echoed
down the empty street, but soon another pair of feet was added. The
unmistakable click of high heels was coming in my direction. I saw a
young woman draped in a large coat, but her legs were left exposed. I
smiled at her, but she only ignored me as she passed by. I probably
shouldn’t be surprised that the response to unwanted attention from
complete strangers in the middle of the night was not considered a
positive thing, but I couldn’t help but feel my confidence dip. By
many, I was still considered attractive for my age. Though my gut has
expanded in recent years, I was still very active, and my hair,
though graying more and more, was still thick, strong and wavy. That
one disinterested look tonight made me feel bad about myself.
Although maybe it wasn’t just that. Maybe I was trying to convince
myself that I’m angry, so that I could stop thinking about the box.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">It was starting to
drive me insane. I was angry that I forgot, compelled to open it, but
at the same time I had a weird fascination with this Franco person
who I could not remember for the life of me. It was almost perverse,
how much I wanted to see him while at the same time dreading the
consequences of that. What would I see if I actually found Franco?
Would everything change, or nothing at all? What would I remember
then? Maybe it was better to leave it all and resume my normal life,
ignorant of what may have happened, never knowing what I could have
missed, but also never hurting the way I potentially could.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>You brought this
on yourself</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">What did he bring on
himself? What type of punishment awaited this poor man in this box?
Was it really right to deliver it to him?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I stopped. I was
standing right in front of the house. It was a beautiful,
Victorian-inspired building with modern elements. The lights were
out, so I knew that I would wake him up if I just rang and left him
the package. I did not want to wake another person up in the middle
of the night, considering what happened to Cath. I could just leave
it in the mailbox. But really, did I want to leave it? Did I want to
risk leaving something for this person I didn’t think I knew that
could potentially cause him great pain?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">What’s in the box?
Should I open it?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I stood there,
watching the windows, hoping to at least catch a glimpse of this
stranger that I probably knew long ago. But there was nothing to see.
I felt as if my head could explode at any second. My blood was
boiling and my hands were shaking. Whatever was happening to me, I
wanted to distance myself from it as soon as possible. I laid the
damn package on top of the mailbox and walked away. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">It was better this
way, I told myself. It was none of my business. I didn’t even know
the guy, so he might as well have not existed. It made no difference.
Better him deal with whatever that box was than me. And I can just
carry on with my life.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Goodbye, Franco.
Have a nice life, whoever you are. </span>
</div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-39918075788088904482016-02-07T10:52:00.001+01:002016-02-07T10:52:31.156+01:00A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (III/III)<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Eli
did not sleep that night, but he was still startled by the noises
coming from downstairs. He heard his father get angry again. Yet this
time, things seemed much more violent.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
will not let you do this!” his father screamed. “He is MY SON,
and I will NOT stand by and let you-“</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">A
blood-curdling shriek came from downstairs, followed by his father’s
anguished scream. Eli then heard a loud thud and footsteps rushing
upstairs. He got up and opened the door. He saw his dad, his shirt
untucked and torn in places, his arm bleeding.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Dad!”
Eli cried. “What happened?!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I’ll
explain on the way. We need to get out of here.” He grabbed Eli’s
hand and rushed down the stairs. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What
about mom?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Mom
is… Mom’s fine. She’s visiting a friend, she’ll come later.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">They
ran out into the darkness. Beside his dad’s car was another one
that Eli did not recognize. When asked about it, his father said
nothing. Once they were in the car, his father rode down the
neighborhood at a speed that was undeniably above the speed limit.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Dad,
what are you doing!” Eli shouted. “You’ll never make that turn
at this rate!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">We
have no time to lose. It’ll all be-“ He suddenly turned deathly
pale. “The brakes,” he whispered. He didn’t say another word,
but Eli knew what was going on. They were going faster and faster,
his dad was frantically pushing on the brake, but nothing happened.
Someone had cut their brakes, and now they would crash. Eli never
expected that would be the end of it. His dad did his best, swerving
and turning as fast as he could, but in the end, a tree blocked their
way. The last thing Eli heard was a deafening crash.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">And
then he was crouching on the sidewalk in a puddle made up of his own
blood. He was watching the wreck burn and the large tree it had hit
catch the fire from it.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Dad!”
he screamed, rushing to the wreckage. But before he could get close
enough, the vehicle exploded, leaving behind only a burning heap of
twisted metal. Eli screamed in horror. Suddenly, his screaming
stopped. A thought occurred to him. Perhaps it was not too late? He
did not have paper on him, or a pen, but he had lost enough blood to
make it work. He crouched beside his puddle of blood and, fighting
back tears, he started drawing shapes on the sidewalk. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Please,
please, please, speak to me,</i></span><span lang="en-US"> he
thought. And sure enough, his hand soon began writing on its own in
an ornate, calligraphic font.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Greetings,
Eli.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
wish my father was alive again!” he shouted into the concrete slab.
For what seemed like an eternity, nothing appeared. “DO IT!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="en-US"><i>That
is something I cannot do, Eli.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You
have to! Please!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Not
only is it not in my power, but there is nothing you could do to make
up for it.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>There
is nothing that is of equal value to human life. Even if you were to
give your own life, that would not be enough for me to bring your
father’s life. I am sorry.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What
the hell are you talking about? You were granting my wishes!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Nothing
is free, Eli.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Eli
slammed his fist on the ground and started sobbing uncontrollably. He
felt his hand move again, but couldn’t even muster up the strength
to look at what was written. In the end, however, he lifted his head,
and saw the message from the demon.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Please,
Eli. Don’t cry.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What
else am I supposed to do? What do you care? You’re a demon!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>I
am. But I also care about you. I am always with you, after all.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Liar!
If you were, you would do something about this.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>And
I am trying.</i></span><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Listen
to me. There is one thing you may do.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What
is it?” Eli’s tears stopped flowing and he was now looking at his
hand as hard as he possibly could.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Your
father may not come back to life, but that does not mean you cannot
help him. Your father was a good man, but he has committed an
unforgiveable sin in the past. He is now suffering for all eternity.
However…</i></span><span lang="en-US"> Eli’s hands were shaking.
</span><span lang="en-US"><i>If you wish it, I can end his suffering.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yes!”
Eli sobbed. “Yes, please. Don’t let my dad suffer. I wish for my
father to be saved.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Are
you sure? Is your father’s salvation what you wish for?</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yes.
I have never wished for anything more.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>Very
well, then. Your wish has been heard.</i></span><span lang="en-US">
Eli tried to get up after that, but his hand was still out of his
control. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Oh, and Eli – thanks :)</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">He was
in the gray space from the dream again, the trumpets blaring louder
than ever before, but this time they were harmonized. The man got off
from the dromedary and smiled at Eli. It was a strange, serene smile,
that filled Eli with unease. The man bowed to him, and as he clapped,
the sound of the trumpets became distorted, his own figure and that
of the dromedary disintegrating before Eli’s eyes. The gray
landscape started falling apart as well, and before he knew it, his
eyes were open again, and he saw his mother. They were in some dimly
lit room, and she was wearing a large hood on her head.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">He’s
awake,” she whispered. Eli then noticed three more figures in the
room, their faces obscured by the shadows of their hoods. “Rise, o
Paimon, granter of wishes. Your time has come. We, your humble
servants welcome you.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Eli
stood up. He had not wished to stand up, he just did, as if someone
else was in control of his body. He tried to turn his head, to move
his arm, to shake his leg – nothing worked. His body seemed to be
on autopilot, and he was a prisoner in its cockpit.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Greetings
to you, dear followers,” his voice came from his lips. It was
unmistakably his own voice, and he could even taste the words on his
lips, but they came out on their own. Eli wanted to cry, but his
voice box was not his own anymore, nor were his tears. He felt his
hands reach out for something. He was holding something warm – it
was an oil lantern. He saw himself move and reach for the front door,
ignoring the protests of his “followers”. As he stepped outside,
he slammed the lantern into the floor and locked the door, leading
the people inside the building that turned out to be a shed, to
scream. Eli himself wanted to scream, but only a chuckle came from
his throat.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">We
are free now, Eli.”</span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-5235094827415900642016-01-24T11:06:00.000+01:002016-01-24T11:06:08.732+01:00A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (II/III)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The next morning, he couldn’t go to school.
After the doctor inspected him, it appeared that he had suffered a mild
concussion and sprained his knee. Though he was glad that he wouldn’t have to
go to school for several days because of it, the pain was something that made
Eli wish he had just stayed unconscious. But then he remembered the nightmares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">In the dreams, he was running through a gray,
empty field. At first everything was unnervingly quiet – even his footsteps
made no sound, causing him to question whether he was actually running instead
of floating. But then there was sound, and he wished it had come back to being
silent. Still no footsteps, just trumpets. Trumpet sounds, more and more of
them as he ran further, forming a dissonant soundscape that felt like they were
assaulting his brain with their sheer volume. The same dream repeated over and
over again through the night, and each time he would get closer to his goal,
which appeared to be someone riding some kind of animal. He always tripped near
the end of the dream, causing him to wake up and clutch his knee in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Jonah would come and visit him regularly to
tell him what had been covered in class and what the homework was. He told him
that after Eli collapsed on the cemetery they all rushed him to his house. No
one seemed to remember the Ouija board pointer moving on its own. Eli dismissed
that memory as a result of his concussion. Still, Eli found it odd that only
Jonah seemed concerned enough to come visit him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh, those two have just been busy lately,” Eli
reassured him as he shook his long bangs out of his eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“They’ve taken up
some extracurricular stuff but they said they want it to be a secret, so hell
if I know what that’s about. They’re still pretty worried about you. I’m sure
they’ll come visit you once they have more time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That’s okay,” Eli said with a smile. “So this
is all the stuff you covered today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yep. And here’s your algebra homework.” Jonah
handed him a file that looked disturbingly thick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Jesus Christ, that’s huge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah, but it’s due next week, so don’t sweat
it. Oh, but the teach said the stuff in there will be on the test.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Awesome.” Eli scowled as he scanned the pages.
He put the file on his desk and adjusted his leg in bed. “So, you got time? I’m
bored as hell. We could play a game or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Sorry, man. I gotta go. I promised these guys
I’d show them that place…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You mean, the place where this happened?” Eli
pointed at his forehead and then his knee. Jonah slowly nodded. “Wow. Let me
know who’s next to bust their head open.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ha ha. It’s not my fault you got too scared to
function.” Jonah glanced at his phone. “Right, it’s about time I left. See you
tomorrow, I guess?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah, see you.” For a few minutes after Jonah
left, Eli sat on the bed, gazing at the ceiling. With nothing better to do, he
grabbed his algebra homework and started filling it in. After ten minutes, his
mind began to wander, and soon he found himself in the gray space yet again.
This time around, he woke up as soon as the trumpets sounded. When he opened
his eyes, he noticed that it was already dark out. He turned on his desk light
and his heart sank. His homework was filled with his own handwriting, and yet
he was sure that he hadn’t written it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Greetings, Eli. I have
come to serve you. Tell me your wishes, and they shall be granted.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What the hell?” Eli had never heard of people
writing in their sleep, but no other explanation made sense. The thought calmed
him down a bit. He scoffed: “Yeah, right. Like my homework is haunted by some
wish-granting genie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">To his horror, his hand started moving on its
own. In jerky motions, it held his pen tightly, even though he tried to resist
it, and scribbled down another sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I am no genie, and yet
your wishes shall be granted</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Mom! Dad! Help!” Eli shouted, but there was no
response. Then he remembered that they would be out that night. He was left all
alone with whatever was guiding his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">There is no need to
fear, child. I am on your side. Simply tell me what you wish, and you shall
receive.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why should I believe you?” At that moment,
memories of that fateful night came back. Eli remembered how Jonah mentioned
demons. He felt cold sweat on his back. “Wait, you’re not a demon, are you?
You’re here to tempt me with wishes and take my soul?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Your soul is safe,</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> his hand wrote. <i>My only task is to grant your wishes. I ask
for nothing in return for that. I grant your wish, simply, and you must live
with your granted wish.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“There’s no way you can make that happen.” <i>And there’s no way I can risk it. I know how
these things work. The genie uses my precise wording to make my wish into
something bad.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I would never do that,
</span></i><span lang="EN-US">the hand responded
to his thoughts. <i>I will do all in my
power to ensure what you wish is given to you. I am bound to serve you, Eli.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t believe you.” Eli’s heart was beating
fast. He wasn’t sure he could take this much longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">So you don’t. But
what’s the harm in trying?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">There was something tempting about that. Eli
was always afraid of such things, but the very possibility of this being real
gave him goosebumps – the good kind. <i>If I
wish for something small, I don’t think there really is a possibility that he
can turn it against me</i>, Eli thought. “Fine, have it your way. I wish my
homework would just do itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Your wish has been
heard.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Eli felt that he finally regained control of
his hand. Confident that he still had time until next week to finish his
homework even if the demon lied to him, he put away his homework. The pain in
his knee felt stronger and his head hurt again, blurring his vision. He took
some painkillers and lied down. “Now here’s something I really wish for,” he
said in a whisper as he slowly drifted away into the land of dreams. “I wish I
felt better. So I can leave this prison and just… see her again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">To his immense surprise, he woke to find that
his leg did not hurt anymore, and his vision was good as new. “No way…” he
whispered as he stood up on his own two legs for the first time since the
accident. He ran up to the desk and glanced through the homework file – all the
answers had been filled out. Eli couldn’t help but snicker. With a demon at his
side, he felt he could do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-20315328586817241942016-01-09T19:47:00.001+01:002016-01-09T19:47:07.928+01:00A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (I/III)<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">The
dry leaves seemed to whisper as they rustled in the faint wind that
night. The crescent moon loomed over the old willow tree in the
middle of the abandoned graveyard. Stirred by a sudden gust of wind,
a loose branch fell to the ground, into a heap of autumn leaves,
startling the four figures searching for traces of the unknown on
this cold October night. Nonetheless, they carried on their way
deeper into the darkness, light from a flashlight their only guide. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Eli
was against the idea from the start, but he didn’t say anything. He
was sure Dwight and Jonah would make his life hell if he didn’t go.
Though his teeth jittered every step of the way, he pressed on, aware
of the glances the other two boys were sending his way. He knew they
were waiting for the right opportunity to scare him. But this time
things would be different. Eli was not going to let a silly jump
scare get him this time. Further motivating him to stay strong was
the presence of Hannah. The girl he liked for a long time, the one
with flowing black hair, was as excited as Jonah and Dwight to be
visiting a graveyard in the dead of night. A chill went down Eli’s
spine, his throat making a loud</span><span lang="en-US"><i> </i></span><span lang="en-US">gulping
sound as he swallowed down his anxiety. Lucky for him, the others
didn’t seem to notice.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">After
walking for what felt like hours, they reached the far edge of the
graveyard. Beyond the balding willow tree and a crooked little fence
was a dense forest, where everything was pitch black. The howl of the
cold wind and the rustling leaves were the only thing coming out of
that onyx abyss. The land beyond felt dead. The chill felt so strong
that Eli’s senses became dulled, to the point that he felt like his
body was not his own, and the paralyzing fear was being experienced
by someone standing next to him who happened to look exactly like
him. This feeling of detachment came to an abrupt end when Dwight
cleared a pile of leaves near the willow tree and cast the light of
his flashlight at it, revealing an ornate circle, adorned in strange
markings, etched in the remnants of the pavement. Eli’s heart sank
violently, nearly destroying his larynx as it fell.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
</span><span lang="en-US"><i>hell</i></span><span lang="en-US"> no,”
he whispered. Dwight chuckled, seeing the distress on Eli’s face
and motioned something at Jonah. To Eli’s horror, he pulled out a
Ouija board out of his backpack. “Are you </span><span lang="en-US"><i>fucking</i></span><span lang="en-US">
serious?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What,
you didn’t know this was here?” Hannah snickered. The sound
pierced Eli’s heart, the betrayal stinging like a thousand cuts.
“You’ve lived here all your life and you’ve never heard of the
witch’s circle?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Of
course I have, but I never would have expected you guys would be
stupid enough to come here. This thing is dangerous!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Right,”
Jonah said as he rubbed the nape of his neck. “That was just our
plan, Eli – bring you here and play with a Ouija board so a witch
comes and eats your ass up so that we can finally have peace.” He
laughed his hyena laugh, the piercings on his lips gleaming like
fangs in the flashlight. “Relax, bro. It’s just a game.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And
no chickening out like last time,” Dwight said as he set up the
board on the ground. He shook a bit and zipped up his hoodie. “It’s
just a game, man. Don’t be a party pooper.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You
could have warned me,” Eli said.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Like
you’d come then,” Hannah giggled and crouched near the board.
“C’mon, it’s getting cold.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>It’s
all bogus,</i></span><span lang="en-US"> he told himself. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>There’s
no witch, and you can’t communicate with the dead. So just chill
out and roll with it.</i></span><span lang="en-US"> And with that, he
crouched by the board and put his right hand on the pointer. The
other hands soon joined his, their skin cold from the October winds,
the eyes of the teen fixed on the glass magnifying the letter “A”.
For a few tense minutes, nothing happened. Eli felt cold sweat on his
forehead, his breathing was becoming faster. “Why isn’t it
moving?” he whispered.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">We
need to ask a question first,” Hannah said. “Let’s begin with
something simple.” She glanced at the boys and then back at the
board. “Hi! What is your name?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">The
pointer jittered and Eli’s heart made a summersault. Someone was
moving it, but he was sure it wasn’t him. The others looked just as
surprised, but Eli still tried to convince himself it was one of them
anyway.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i>H-E-L-L-O
C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N O-F M-A-N</i></span><span lang="en-US">, the pointer
indicated the letters one by one, with Jonah reading every letter out
loud and later saying the words he could make out. “Wow,” he said
under his breath. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>M-Y N-A-M-E I-S
P-A-I-M-O-N.</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Is
that the name of the witch?” Dwight asked, his eyes darting from
Jonah to Hannah.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
don’t think so…” Hannah’s voice trembled slightly. “I, uh…
It doesn’t sound like a name I’ve heard.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
have,” Jonah said, his face pale. “There’s this book I’ve
been reading through some time ago, and uh… and it had names of
demons in it.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Shut
up!” Eli heaved, his breath shallow and erratic. He let go of the
pointer. “I’m out. This is too much for me.” The others only
stared at him with their mouths agape. “What are you looking at?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Eli,
your...” Hannah whispered and pointed to her forehead. Eli touched
placed his hand where she pointed on his own head – it felt sticky.
His knees shook as he extended his hand and gaze upon his palm –
covered in thick black blood. With a click, the pointer moved again,
even though hands were touching it. Everyone was too busy trying to
catch Eli. He didn’t even notice when he began to faint, but it
happened in an instant. His vision went dark and he heard a loud
thud. It wasn’t until he woke up the next morning that he realized
it was him falling that made that noise.</span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-990822518640322602015-12-23T00:37:00.002+01:002015-12-23T00:37:52.806+01:00Bauer Island FINALE (2/2)<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
chandelier cast its radiant glow on the people gathered in the dining
room. Gathered around the oval table, all faces were stern and pale.
Two dead bodies in one night was too much to handle for a group of
guests who only came over to have some fun.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">All
the people who had attended dinner and were still alive were there.
Ashley, Jade and myself were standing by one of the narrower ends of
the table, with Francis, Louis and De Silva standing at the other.
Ms. Whitacre was standing next to Louis, her face in a scowl –
probably disappointed that she couldn’t be standing closer to
Francis. The three Dugalls stood to De Silva’s left, with the
opposite end of the table being occupied by three people I did not
recognize at first glance. One of them was a middle-aged man in a
tuxedo who was very well-groomed that I recognized as the butler. The
girl next to him was a maid and though she was looking at the ground,
I soon recognized her face – she was the woman we had earlier
encountered with Mr. Dugall. I glanced at De Silva who gave me a
small nod right before he started talking.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">No
point in dragging this on any further,” he said as he pulled out
several pieces of paper from his coat.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What’s
that?” Mr. Dugall asked as he fidgeted in place. His wife had her
face turned away from him, while their son seemed to have spaced out.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">De
Silva gave a wry smile and waved the paper a bit, holding it between
his thick fingers. “Well, Mr. Dugall, in here I have everything I
need to reveal the killer.” A collective gasp resounded around the
dining hall. De Silva continued. “Now, of course, I doubt the
culprit and their accomplices will just come clean when I ask nicely,
so let me just go over the details one by one. Ram, I’ll be needing
your help with this, since I wasn’t there to see some of the things
you saw while investigating the organ room, and this is all very
important.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yes,”
I said, my face stiff as a rock, cleverly disguising the ball of
shaking jello that I was underneath it. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Around
ten PM,” De Silva began, “the lights go out. The only people
absent from the room is our dearly departed friend Wei, who can
safely be ruled out of the equation, and Jade.” He pointed a hairy
hand at the girl next to me who was still trying to feign innocence
in front of the others. Deep down I really wanted to strangle her,
and I was also kind of afraid of her, but I knew that if I wanted
this to work, we had to cooperate. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
truth was, contrary to De Silva’s assertion, we had no hard
evidence against the culprit. To draw them out, we needed a solid
bluff. While I had my doubts about the idea, I decided to follow
through with De Silva’s plan, trusting that the detective actually
knows what he’s doing. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
knew it!” Ms. Whitacre exclaimed. “I told you all from the
beginning – this girl was the killer all along! How deplorable!
Pretending to be the victim while she-“</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meredith!”
Francis Bauer said as he slammed the table. “How <i>dare</i> you
behave like this at my house? Let Miles tell us everything he knows
before you go around throwing baseless accusations!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank
you Francis,” De Silva said with a smile. Ms. Whitacre’s face
looked as if someone had just told her Santa didn’t exist. “Now,
here’s where I wanted to ask Jade about the circumstances of the
event. Howe did you find the body?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well,
I was coming back from the bathroom,” she said in a feeble voice.
Her acting was so good it was scary. If I hadn’t discovered the
truth about her, I would have been totally convinced with her
innocent act. And truth be told, I had been convinced. “The lights
went off as I was washing my hands.” From what she told me, Ashley,
and De Silva, all this was true, but I still wasn’t convinced that
was the case. “Then I heard music and came out. When I was back in
the main hall, I heard a strange rattling noise. When the lights came
back on, I… I…”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
found the body,” De Silva said. “What did it look like?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She
was… all covered in the glass and metal pieces from the chandelier,
blood was starting to come out of her body, and there was something
weird coming out of her mouth too, and-“</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wait
a minute,” John Dugall interrupted, pointing a fat finger at Jade,
as if he was trying to threaten her. “I thought you were in shock.
How can you remember it in such vivid detail?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Oh,
you’d be surprised with what people can remember in stressful
situations, Mr. Dugall,” De Silva said with a wave of his own
finger. “In fact, funny you should stop her at just that fact.
Because I, too, happened to have noticed a strange liquid seeping
from Van’s lips as she lay there dead. Now, if she had died by
chandelier, nothing like this would happen… Still, I’m getting
ahead of myself. Ashley!” Ashley almost jumped as De Silva called
his name. “You and Van were together right before she died,
correct?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
could see the panic rise in Ashley’s eyes as he looked at Bauer. He
did not seem to pay that any mind, however. “Y-yes. Van asked me to
follow her to her room. We, uh… had some private time and then she
told me to go back here and meet her in the organ room once everyone
was done with desserts. I, uh… I never found out what she wanted to
tell me.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank
you, Ashley,” De Silva said in a warm tone. “Now,” he raised
his voice, “I would like to show you all something. Francis?” He
turned to Bauer, who only nodded and guided us all into the main
hall. He touched one of the columns in a distinct manner and revealed
a small switch. Once he flicked it, a soft hum came from the ceiling.
Then, the floor beneath where the chandelier used to be on the
ceiling, gave way, revealing a trap door, while a similarly shaped
segment of the ceiling above came down suspended on a set of ropes.
It lodged itself securely in the space left by the trap door, while
the ceiling was filled with an identical looking block. The floor
blended in perfectly with the hall, with the only real difference
being subtle smears of blood.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Holy
shit,” said the boy, Eugene Dugall.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So,
John,” De Silva turned to Mr. Dugall and faced him with a wide
smile. “Not only has the cause of death been put into question, but
so has the place. To support that, we have several eyewitness
accounts claiming that they saw undeniable evidence that the murder
actually took place in the organ room.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well,
yes, but how could any of us have known about it?” Dugall demanded
as his face reddened. De Silva chuckled.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Glad
you think one of us is the killer. I never expressly told all of you
that, did I?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mrs.
Dugall stared at her husband in disbelief as he struggled to grasp
for air and his face resembled a tomato more and more every second.
“That’s preposterous! You can’t insinuate that it was I on the
grounds of-“</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’m
not insinuating anything. Let me continue. So, Ram, what did you find
in the organ room?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Trails
of blood leading into the middle of the room and stopping without
explanation. There was the organ that was set to play music when the
right button was pushed. There was also Mr. Bauer’s will.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ah,
yes, that. We’ll get to that eventually, but for now,” De Silva
said, “it’s enough proof that the murder actually took place in
the organ room.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
what might that change?” Mrs. Whitacre demanded.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
fact that, if Jade indeed encountered Van’s body after leaving the
bathroom, she can’t have committed the murder, because it took
place one floor above and the body descended while she was coming
out. As for how she died… Maggie?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
maid came forward and pulled something out of the pocket of her
apron. It was a small bottle with a strange shape.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hey,
it’s that bottle!” Eugene said, after which he was decked on the
head by his father.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
bottle?” Mrs. Dugall demanded.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s
nothing,” Eugene whispered.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">No,
it’s not nothing,” I said. “You told us earlier that you saw a
weird bottle in your dad’s coat but it was gone later, correct?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
didn’t say anything!” Eugene screamed in defense.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That’s
okay, Eugene, there’s no need for you to say anything,” De Silva
said. “We have someone else to do the talking. Maggie, would you
please?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
maid took a deep breath and started talking in an emotionless
monotone. “This vial contained poison. But now it’s empty. I was
the one who poisoned Van, leading to her death.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Everyone
gasped. The butler’s face turned crimson. “Maggie! How could
you!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s
nothing personal,” she said in that emotionless tone, though I did
see a hint of a tear in her eye. “I only did as I was instructed. I
later did all the arrangements of the body, and I helped them get rid
of it before De Silva could completely investigate the body.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So,
who told you to do it?” De Silva asked.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Maggie
raised her petite face, her eyes dead as stone, her eyes cold as
steel. “It was Mr. Dugall,” she said.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">John
Dugall's face went from a vivid red to alabaster. His eyes widened,
his shoulders dropped. The cocky joker was gone, replaced with a
shadow of himself. “Maggie!” Mr. Dugall shouted, his face twisted
in a painful grimace, his eyes welling up with tears. “How could
you? You said you loved me! That you’d do anything for me!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
may be young, John,” she turned to face him, her eyes cold and
distant, “but I’m not stupid. I know people like you just use
others, but I still wanted to get that money you promised.” Her lip
quivered slightly as she continued. “I could have been set for
life. But then De Silva told me that he already knew who did this, so
I confessed. That way, I can still at least save my skin.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">NOOOO!”
Dugall cried. It was strange. For someone who allegedly cared only
about money and only used Maggie as a means to an end, he seemed
almost… hurt? I didn’t have time to think on that too much,
however, as Mrs. Dugall had just fainted and had to be taken away by
the staff, with Eugene following her.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Finally,”
Louis said, “we have our culprit.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not
entirely true, I’m afraid,” De Silva said. He approached Mr.
Dugall who at this point had his arms on the ground with tears
streaming down. “Why did you poison Van? Who put you up to it?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dugall
only shook his head and uttered a strange, hiccough-like laugh. “No.
You’ll hear nothing from me.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We’re
running a lab test as soon as we get off the island, and I’m sure
the results will tell us all we need to know. So you're going to face
the consequences either way.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dugall
cackled. “No. No you won't. As long as I don't spill the beans. I
am safe.” He stood up, a broad, ugly grin on his fat face. “My
benefactor can buy me out, whatever happens. And I'd like to see you
guess who it is. Half the people in here are stinking rich.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
wanted to say something. I wanted to simply reveal the culprit, but I
knew I would jeopardize everything if I did. I needed to follow De
Silva's instructions exactly if I wanted this all to work. So I
stayed silent, waiting for my cue.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">De
Silva gave Dugall another wry smile. “Luckily, I know exactly who
did it.” He selected one of the sheets of paper that he was
holding. “Over here I have Mr. Bauer's will. Ram, you remember
this, don't you? Can you tell me what you saw on it?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
that was my cue. “Well, from our discussion earlier, it's easy to
deduce the motive for the murder. Apparently, somebody important was
snubbed from the list of inheritors,” I continued, as a cold drop
of sweat descended down my neck like a snail, leaving behind a sticky
tail, “and they wanted to off Van in order to get in on that
inheritance. Which is why they used a proxy. And then they promised
Dugall a part of it.” Dugall only snickered in the corner, his eyes
twitching uncontrollably. I'd never seen so broken a man.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ms.
Whitacre gasped and turned to face Louis with her mouth agape. He
only raised an eyebrow, his bearded face stuck in an expression of
complete bafflement. “How could you,” she whispered. “Your own
niece...?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hey,
what's the big idea?” Louis raised his arms. Francis looked at him,
though his face expressed nothing. “Why the hell would I kill Van?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It's
like that boy just said,” she pointed to me. “An important person
who was not included in the will?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If
you knew anything about my brother and I,” Louis said with his
eyebrows furrowed, threatening Whitacre with his finger. “You would
know that I personally asked him not to include me in the will, as I
have enough money to take care of myself and I told him to transfer
everything to Van!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
what about little Maurice, huh? Who's he, the girl's bastard?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Got
her. Louis played his part perfectly. Everyone fell silent for a
minute, exchanging knowing looks. Whitacre seemed to not notice yet.
I made eye contact with De Silva. He shrugged and gave me an
expression that I could see was meant to say <i>she's all yours</i>.
And so I took a few steps towads her, put my hands behind my back and
started speaking.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meredith,
my dear,” I said. Startled, she turned around to face me, her eyes
wide with bafflement, the pearl necklase on her neck rustling, her
permed red hair swaying uncontrollably. “Tell me, what's this
whole... Maurice business?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">W-whatever
do you mean?” she said, her eyebrows furrowed in disapproval. “You
just told us about that yourself, that the entirety of Francis' will
was dedicated to Van and Maurice.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
shook my head. “I only told you that an important person was
ommitted from it.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">W-well
then, I guess I must have mixed some things up,” she ran a hand
down her neck. “I must have snuck a peek at Mr. De Silva's copy.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Oh,
you mean this?” De Silva raised the piece of paper and turned it
around in his fingers to present to everyone present that it was, in
fact, completely blank.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Whitacre's
lips quivered quivered. She was cornered. No way out for her. <i>Time
to deliver the final blow. </i>“I
don't know you're aware of this, Ms. Whitacre, but you've just put
yourself in a very uncomfortable situation.” I said as I approached
her closer, while she took a step backwards. “By knowing details
about the will without laying your eyes on it, you've confessed to
murder. That, combined with Mrs. Dugall's statement about your
frequent phonecalls with Mr. Dugall...”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don't
be ridiculous,” she shouted. “Francis, please, are you just going
to allow this man to say such things about me?” Mr. Bauer only
stared at her in silence. Whatever life had been in that eyes that
night was gone.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
have nowhere to run, Ms. Whitacre,” I said. “Admit it. Just go
ahead and admit-”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
have no proof!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That
you've murdered Van Bauer with the intention-”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That's
a lie!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of
receiving her part of Mr. Bauer's inheritance-”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Stop
it!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Is
this true or not!” I shouted.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">NO!”
she bellowed, the pearl necklace on he neck falling apart as she
cluched it too tight, pulled on it, and severed the chain. Tears
rolled down her cheeks, dying her face black from the mascara. “I,
I would never...” she sobbed, “do such a thing for money. You
ignorant fools... Do you really think I need that? Have you seen this
dress? These pearls?” she violently shook her hand at the ground.
“If you think I can't buy everything, you are wrong. Money means
nothing.” She went quiet. For a second I thought she'd composed
herself, but I saw in her eyes that she was gone. She ignored me,
turning her face to Francis. Tears came rolling down her face yet
again. “I only did it because I love you... She was your entire
world, you couldn't see past her, couldn't see how much love I could
give you. I only wanted you to be mine, but you chose that whore...”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mr.
Bauer suddenly changed. He seemed to grow five inches high and
another three inches wide as he approached her, the tears escaped his
eyes momentarily, and he bellowed, exposing huge teeth: “SHE WAS MY
DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
don't know what would have happened had Ashley and De Silva not
stepped in and helped Louis restrain Francis. He could have just torn
her to shreds right then and there. It was so bizarre. I never
thought I'd see something raw and feral coming from the composer I
idolized, a person who composed subtle, beautiful, delicate pieces
that just overtook my world. I felt sad for him. But I didn't lose
any respect. In fact, seeing that part of him, how human he really
was under that exterior, was really enlightening.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jade,
you got all that?” De Silva called.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Everything's
recorded,” she said with a crooked smile. “We've got our killer.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As
Louis helped Francis come back to his sense, by which I mean he went
from uncontrollable rage to uncontrollable sobbing, the rest of us
tied up the co-consiprators. None of them even resisted at this
point. Dugall didn't even say a word since Whitacre confessed, and
she just seemed... dead. Nothing reached her. She had lost the love
she was fighting for, even though she sacrificed her humanity to
achieve it. Pathetic.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
still don't get one thing,” Ashley said as a pale line appeared on
the horizon. The sun was starting to rise, and it looked like it was
going to be a lovely, cloudless day. Perfect weather for the police
to arrive without incident. I turned my head to face Ashley whose jaw
now protruded forward as he pondered. “Why the hell did she kill
Wei?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Actually...
That's a good point.” I said. I started pacing.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
mean the motive?” De Silva said with his back to me as he watched
the light on the horizon rize higher and higher.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yeah,”
I said.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
said the last time you saw him before he died he was quite jittery,”
he said. “I suppose he might have seen Whitacre dispose of the body
and then lost his mind and jumped out of the window.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well
yeah, but still... 'She knows about the jasper'... If Wei was talking
about some treasure, and Whitacre's motivation had nothing to do with
material gain, I don't think there's any chance that he could have
meant her.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
reddish light came from the center of the horizon, nearly bliding me.
The sun gently illuminated the dining hall, making it look quite
peaceful for a place that had just seen such violence. I glanced to
the left and noticed Jade cover her eyes from the rays. She noticed
me looking at her and sighed.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don't
look at me,” she said. “I told you, I don't kill people.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
he meant you, didn't he?” I said. “He saw you, you wanted to get
info on the jasper from him, and he got scared and fell to his
death.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well
well well,” she giggled. “One more stroke of genius and you'll
have me at your heels for all eternity. Yes, that's exactly how it
went. At least, me meeting him and asking for info on the jasper
part. Not that sure about the rest.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
what the hell did Wei really have to do with anything?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
believe I can answer that.” The feeble voice came from the entrance
to the dining hall. Supporting himself on his brothers shoulder,
Francis Bauer came into the room, his eyes sunken and red, his cheeks
hollow. I hardly recognized him in the light. It was terrifying, what
one night can do with a man. Then I noticed that he was also holding
someone's hand – the little boy with the unruly auburn mess of hair
and Van's eyes. He sat on a chair and took the little drowzy boy on
his lap. “I invited you all as my guests to dine with me. But there
was one more reason for all this to happen.” He stroked the boy's
hair as the little one fell asleep with his head on his grandfather's
shoulder. “Van was my adopted daughter. She was born in a
small,far-away country to a family that was the head of a substantial
organized crime faction. I adopted her to fulfil a request... A
request made by a friend. By the name of Wei.” He covered his eyes
as the Sun came up higher and higher, dyeing the sky blue and pink,
casting light on his old, tired face. “Wei wanted nothing more than
peace. He wanted to end the conflict between the rivalling criminal
factions that were tearing his country apart. He did that by
kidnapping the heir. Van's father is old and can't have any more
children, so he tasked Wei with finding Van's offspring, unaware of
the fact that Wei was actually working against him.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
does that mean...” Ashley began, but I interrupted him. Bauer
looked too tired to be answering questions.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
did my best to hide Maurice from him, so he wouldn't have to lie
about this to his boss. So the point of this whole meeting was the
transfer of this child.” His hands shook and a tear fell from his
eye on to the boy's cheek. “But I don't want to say goodbye to
him... He's all I have left.” He closed his eyes and took a deep
breath. Composed, he resumed: “Van knew who the father was and
wanted me to arrange the meeting with... him...” he slowed down his
speech as he lifted his face to look at Ashley. He gave him a meek
smile. “That's what Van was going to tell you.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
don't mean to be blunt, Mister Bauer,” Jade said as she tapped a
manicured hand on the table. “But what exactly does all this have
to do with the jasper?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well...
The rumors about the criminal lord's heir spread all around the
country, and then left it. A child is a parent's greatest treasure,
after all, so one, two, three inconsistent translations later, it
became a gemstone that never existed. Soon, someone must have gotten
wind that 'it' was in my possession.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Are
you serious,” Jade slammed her hand on the table. She stood up and
paced around the room. She faced the sun, casting a large shadow on
everyone else in the room. She turned around, biting her nail. I
could see the fury build up in her eyes. “Well, this was fun,”
she said with sarcasm. “I wasted my fucking time after all.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Things
seemed to happen all at once again. Suddenly, I felt a draft, smoke
filled the room, and people started coughing. Then, before I knew if,
someone's lips were touching mine, and a tongue slid down into my
mouth. With a sloppy sound, it ended as soon as it as it began, with
a giggle in my ear and a “at least I got this much” whispered in
my ear.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
felt my blood boil. I was so furious, for a moment I could not
comprehend that the smoke had already dissipated and the large window
was ajar. I wanted to go after her and punch her in the face for
violating my space like that, but something restrained me.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let
me go!” I shouted. “That bi-”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hey
there, feisty-pants,” Ashley called from behind me. He turned me
around and greeted me with a wide smile. I was still furious and was
just about to start screaming at him, but then I felt a small, sharp
pain in my forhead as Ashley gave me a flick.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
the fuck did you just do?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well,
you deserved it,” he said with a slight chuckle. “See? You're
already calmer than you were.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It
was difficult to admit, but he was right. For a minute there, I lost
myself in anger, and for what, really? That was really nothing.
Everyone else was safe, which was all that mattered. I went up closer
to Mr. Bauer with Ashley. Asleep, with his eyes closed, the boy did
look markedly similar to my friend. He stroked his head.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do
you mind if I at least visit him once in a while?” he asked Bauer.
“I mean, I know you are in a much better position to raise him, so
I don't really want to take him away from the only family he knows,
but...”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Bauer
smiled, but his eyes welled up with tears yet again. “Absolutely.
You are welcome to come here anytime. It's what Van would have
wanted.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
I guess inviting me over was just a pretext to have Ashley come?” I
asked with a subtle smile.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now,
Ram,” Bauer said. “This may be a bad time, but I'll still gladly
let you interview me whenever you want to come over. That is... If
you want to. I don't think I'll be as interesting a conversation
partner after all this...”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don't
worry,” I said as I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I love your
work. Talking to you has been a dream of mine forever. And nothing
can ruin that.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Hey,
Ram?” De Silva called. He was standing at the edge of the window,
leaning out dangerously over the large evergreens protruding from the
jagged island below.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
is it?” I approached him, barely able to cover my eyes from the
sun.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Is
that the tree where you saw Wei's body?”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
looked, though I felt my stomach turn upside down at the very mention
of the word <i>body</i>. The
thing was still there, though there was something strange about it
when seen in sunlight. “Yeah, that's it.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well
then,” De Silva slid on his coat and made his way to the main hall.
“If you'll excuse me, I need to go find Wei.”</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
jaw dropped. “What?”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">De
Silva smiled, exposing a big, gaping hole in one of his teeth that I
hadn't noticed before. “You disappoint me, Ram. And here I thought
you were more perceptive. That's a dummy.”</span></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-57371455836168531112015-12-20T19:14:00.001+01:002015-12-20T19:14:43.869+01:00Bauer Island FINALE (1/2)<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh good,”
I said. I stood up and approached Jade. She sat on the floor, her
hands still tied to the marble statue. She was oddly still. We had
her completely immobilized, helpless, but she didn't even try to
struggle. I felt a drop of sweat trickle down my forhead. I crouched
down to be on the same eye level, and I heard Ashley do the same and
crouch next to me. Her freckled face, previously in a twisted
grimace, was now turning into a smirk.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wow, you
guys really do make a cute couple,” she snickered. I saw Ashley
raise a finger and take his breath in. I stopped him mid-protest,
blocking his hand with my own, and just stared down Jade, as
Ashley's face turned red from the pent-up emotion.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nice to
see you in high spirits,” I said. “So, why'd you kill Van and
Wei?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Excuse
me?” Her eyes widened in what looked like genuine surprise. After
that little stunt, I knew better than to trust her.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Jade,
sweetie,” I said. My tone just suddenly shifted to something weird,
smooth, confident. Which was a bit surprising, considering I'd never
felt so afraid in my entire life. “You just tried to slit my
throat. At the very least, I know you're no reporter.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How
perceptive, Rammy,” she said with that smirk on her face. She
hesitated for a second, rolled her head, and gave a heavy sigh.
“Fine. I'll tell you all about me. But know that I didn't kill
them. I didn't even know Wei was dead until you started screaming
like a maniac with your junk out in the open.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay.
Let's hear it then,” Ashley said in a barely audible tone. I was
alomost as scared of him as I was of Jade.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm not a
reporter, you're right. But I came here to gather information. And
maybe even more.” She stopped for a second and flipped her brown
curls off her face. “I work for an organization that lives off...
acquiring valuables from opulent individuals.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So you're
a thief,” I said.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If you
want to be blunt, yes. That's exactly what I am. I steal really
expensive stuff as part of a trained group. I used to be a spy,
actually, but this kind of thing is far more exciting.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
you're telling us all this just like that?” Ashley raised his
eyebrow. Soon his face turned red again as Jade went into a fit of
ugly laughter.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And why
the fuck would I care? No one's gonna believe you anyway, and I'll be
far away from here by sunrise.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Don't
think we'll let you get away,” Ashley growled. Jade cackled once
again.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
adorable, Ashley. I like that. But sorry. While I appreciate the
occasional ginger, I'm not that into pale guys. I prefer them brown
and scrumptious like dear Rammy here.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was <i>this</i>
close to doing something drastic. For some reason, she knew <i>exactly</i>
how to push my buttons. “Okay,” I said in as neutral a tone I
could possibly muster. “So why are you here? Anything special about
Bauer Island?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well,”
she balanced her head from side to side. I wasn't sure if she was
just trying to relieve neck pain or preparing to do something
unpredictable. “I was sent to find the crimson jasper.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“There's
that word again,” I said. “What the hell is a crimson jasper?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Honestly?”
She cocked her haid to the side. “I have no idea. Apparently it's
some treasure from far away that's worth a fortune. And Francis Bauer
has it. Really, if I'd known things would get this ugly, I'd just
look for some other treasure.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
well,” Ashley stood up, his fists shaking. “This really doesn't
matter because I don't think there's any proof you may have that will
clear you of suspicion. For all I know, you're the killer.” He
stormed off.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ashley,
wait!” I bolted after him and managed to stop him as I grabbed him
by the arm. I put my face closer to his and made sure Jade couldn't
hear me. “Hey, I know this is all hard for you-”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Thanks,
Sherlock!” he snapped.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hey,”
I said as I flicked him on the forehead.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
the fuck, AGAIN?” he growled, but as soon as I put my finger to my
lips he went quiet.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good.
Now, listen. We need to be level-headed about this. She's far from
the only suspect. Let's just take her to De Silva so he can question
her.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh,
sorry guys, I kinda overheard your conversation,” Jade said in a
jovial tone. “But there's something you should know. I know who the
killer is.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We
both turned our faces to her. For a moment, time stopped, and we just
stared into her smug face. We then looked at each other and sprinted
toward her.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why
should I believe you?” Ashley asked, pointing his finger at her, as
if he were somehow trying to threaten her with it.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Simple,
really. I saw the murder happen, didn't I? Or at least, I saw the
body arrive. Anyway, you'd be surprised how loose people's tongues
turn when they think you're in shock and have no idea what's going
on.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tell
us, then,” I demanded.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh,
I will, Rammy dear,” she said with a wink. “I'll do even more
than that – I will help you apprehend the killer. I've got some
nice techniques learned from my spying years, though I really don't
think our perp is quite as sophisticated to require that. And I'll do
even more for you, Rammy.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's
fine,” I said. “Where's the catch?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh,
there's no catch, really,” she sighed theatrically. “You just
have to untie me.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Helpless,
I glanced to my side, to take a look at Ashley, hoping he could help
me decide. His stern face, illuminated in the dim light, gave me a
very clear idea of what his decision was.</div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-39071648648509371842015-12-13T17:42:00.000+01:002015-12-13T17:42:28.385+01:00Bauer Island (VI/VII)<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I got
up from the floor as quick as I could. Worried about Jade and Wei, I
left the organ room, only to hear a familiar voice call out to me.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ram!”
Ashley shouted. I could also hear another voice muttering something
in protest.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Over
here!” I called to him. When he finally came into view, I noticed
he was dragging a skinny teenager with him. “Well now, looks like
we've found all the Dugalls.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Now tell
him what you told me, Eugene,” Ashley said as he shoved the boy
forward and crossed his arms.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What for?
It's not that importa- ouch!” Ashley kicked him in the shin. “Fine!
Jesus...” the boy said as he stood up. I could barely see his eyes
behind those bangs. “So before we came over, I saw my dad put some
small, weird-lookiong bottle in his pocket. His coat is hanging in
the hallway now, but when I checked, the pockets were empty. I really
don't think it's that important, though.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And
yet it was important enough that you mentioned it to me. Unasked,
even,” Ashley said in a firm tone. I could hardly recognize him, he
was completely different than usual. “Feeling guilty for your dad?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Wha-”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">C'mon
Ashley. It's not like you'll get anything else out of the kid
anyway,” I said. “I really don't think he knows much more.” </span><span lang="en-US"><i>And
even if he does, he sure as hell isn't telling.</i></span><span lang="en-US">”Go
and tell De Silva what you told us. This might be more important
than you think.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Eugene
wasted no time in running for the stairs, nearly stumbling as Ashley
stomped his foot just as he ran past him. With Eugene out of sight,
Ashley turned to me. “You're not coming?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Actually-”
I began, but Ashley interrupted.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Wait,
where's Jade? I thought you were going to show her the organ room.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">About
that... I lost her. Somehow. In the organ room. One minute she was
there, and the next, she was gone.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">What
the hell?” Ashley growled. “How the hell do you lose a woman?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Alright,
you know what? First of all, don't take that tone with me, okay?
What's the matter with you? You've been acting weird for some time
now!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I'm
fine!” he said without lowering his voice.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Whatever!”
I yelled, throwing my arms in the air. “Be like that and see if I
care!” I took a deep breath and continued with my explanation.
“Secondly, the room was really dark and filled with trap doors,
remember? The chandelier from there had squished a person just a
couple of hours a-”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Just
get to the fucking point, okay?” Ashley's face went rend at the
mention of squishing. Something didn't seem right.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Okay,”
I said quietly. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>I
think this whole situation might be getting to both of us. It's
really better that I keep my calm in this situation. </i></span><span lang="en-US">”I
wanted to look for her, but that's when you came with Eugene. Oh, and
I saw Wei.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
yeah, he disappeared in the commotion some time ago. Besides you, I
was also supposed to look for him. Where did he go?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
have no idea. He was acting all funny, too... Like he'd seen a ghost.
And he was saying something about a jasper or something.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well
then, what are we waiting for?” Ashley said as he started walking
down the hallway. “We need to find them. De Silva asked me to round
everyone up.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Really?”
I raised an eyebrow, the air around my face moving as I broke into a
brisk walk, following Ashley. “What for?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hell
if I know,” Ashley grunted. “It's not like anybody tells me
fucking anything around here.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
tried to ignore his foul mood, so the most of our search was spent in
complete silence. There were a couple instances where I was certain
that I heard footsteps from behind the corner, only to encounter
nothing. After a long while of searching aimlessly, I realized that I
had not gone to the bathroom since I'd come to Bauer Island, and I
was starting to be painfully aware of my bladder. As our search
continued, I made sure to check the doors for a bathroom. Luckily,
there was one quite near, so I didn't have to wait long.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Ashley!”
I called somewhere into the hallway. “I'm gonna use the bathroom,
you keep looking!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Okay,”
his voice came to me as I closed the door. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
tried to turn on the light, but it was busted. Just like in the organ
room. The window behind the toilet was wide open, with the fierce
wind from outside blowing in. I used my phone as a flashlight and
felt my way to the toilet. I unzipped my fly, ready to relieve
myself. As the feeling of tension left me, I stared out the window.
With a flash, a bolt of lightning appeared on the sky, illuminating a
large tree right outside the window. I really, really wish it hadn't.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
tried to scream, but no voice came out. The pale light of the
lightning bolt made his face look even paler than he was the last
time I saw him, but there could be no mistake – Wei was on the
tree, his limbs twisted in an unnatural position, his torso pierced
with a thick branch, a thick, dark substance smearing his clothes.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Wei
was dead.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
didn't even flush the toilet or wash my hands – I simply bolted out
of the bathroom, wanting to get away from the terrifying view. As I
burst through the door, I didn't even see where I was going. All tha
was there was the deafening beating of my heart, and the sensation of
every molecule in my body shaking, while at the same time being
somewhere else than I was. I was pretty certain my legs would give
way any minute, or that I'd vomit, and for all I know it might just
have happened – I was in such a daze that telling what was real and
what wasn't was impossible.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Ashley!”
I tried to shout at the top of my lungs, but I didn't hear anything.
I wasn't sure if it was my throat that wasn't making a sound, or my
ears that didn't register it. Nonetheless, I soon stopped shouting as
I was quite brutally brought to my senses as I felt a cold piece of
metal touch my neck. My mind became sharp once again and I knew that
someone was holding a knife to my throat. “What the hell,” I
whispered as a soft hand caressed my cheek, sending shivers down my
spine.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Shhh,”
a voice said into my ear. I knew that voice.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Jade,”
I whispered. “What the fuck?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Now
now, Rammy,” I heard a hint of a giggle in her voice. “You just
tell me all I want to know and I won't hurt you. In fact, I can
reward you wi-” she suddenly fell silent, as if she ran out of
breath. I knew it wasn't that, however, as her silence came at the
same moment that a resounding bang came from somewhere around where
she was standing, and the knife was no longer pressing against my
throat. I turned around – Jade was lying on the ground,
unconscious, her thick brown hair sprawled on the floor, her glasses
shattered. Ashley was standing behind her, heaving, holding a
heavy-looking frying pan in his hands. He looked at me with concern.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You
okay?” he asked.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
tried to say something. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Thanks
for saving my life. How did you find me? Where did you get that
thing? What the hell is even going on?</i></span><span lang="en-US">
But no words came. I just stood there for a moment, staring at Ashley
with my mouth agape. I could only shrug. For some reason, that made
Ashley laugh.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
thank God,” he said. “I heard you call me. You sounded really
terrified so I just ran all around the place. Found this thing.” He
pointed at the frying pan. “Thought it might come in handy.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah,”
I said.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">So,”
Ashley started as he put away the pan and cracked his knuckles.
“Guess we found Jade.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">And
Wei,” I said. Ashley gave me a puzzled look. “I found him dead
just outside the bathroom. It looked like he fell on a tree and got,
uh... penetrated.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
man, no,” Ashley sighed. “I had so much I still wanted to tell
him.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Never
realized you two were close,” I said with a raised eyebrow. </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
no, it's... Nevermind now. So what do we do about her?” He pointed
at Jade. “She might wake up any minute.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">We
could tie her up and interrogate her, and then we'd bring De Silva
to see her,” I said.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">How
do we do that, though?” Ashley asked. I did not have an answer
ready. My eyes darted back and forth, up and down, until they landed
on my belt, which was still undone from my journey to the bathroom.
“Aha!”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">We
found a marble statue that looked sturdy enough and tied her hands up
using our belts. I almost felt pity for her, being all tied up like
some sort of w</span>ar prisoner, but then I remembered the same woman was
trying to kill me just minutes ago.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hey,
Ram,” Ashley said as we sat with our backs against the wall. “Sorry
for acting like a total dick before.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">You,
acting like a dick? So what else is new?” I snickered. A tiny
smiled appeared on his lips but disappeared almost instantaneously.
“So, do you intend to tell me what your deal is?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">Ashley
took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He opened them as he started
talking. “Remember how I told you what I was doing with Van before,
uh... before she died?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Yeah.”
</span><span lang="en-US"><i>How
could I forget?</i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Well,
I wasn't really lying but...” He brushed his hair from his face.
“Well, let's just say this wasn't the first time we've done it.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Good
for you, I guess?”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Let
me finish,” he said, his face now burried in his hands. I heard him
take in another deep breath and lift his head again. This time he
faced me, looking at me with his brown eyes. “I've known Van for a
couple of years. We had... a thing. I don't know if I was in love
with her, but we would meet from time to time and I... I really liked
spending time with her, you know?” I noticed a tear form in the
corner of his eye, but he quickly wiped it away. He gave a sad laugh.
“You know, I never thought I'd react like this. I thought I still
had the time to talk to her about so many things and... Well, that
doesn't matter anymore, really. To the point.” He took another deep
breath and gave his cheeks a gentle slap. “So right before she died
she told me that she had to tell me something really important. Of
course, I never got to know what it was. But you know, there was one
thing that made me wonder...”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">And
then it hit me. “That kid! That kid we saw in the organ room!”
Ashley nodded. “I </span><span lang="en-US"><i>knew</i></span><span lang="en-US">
there was something familiar about him... But still, you really can't
be sure it's your kid. Or Van's, for that matter.”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">I
know, but...”</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Hey,
stop right there,” I said. “There really is no reason to worry
about that now. We've got a murderer on the loose here. Lighten up!”
</span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US">I
was going to give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, but before I
could, we both turned to face our captive. Jade was beginning to
stir, a grimace on her face.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span lang="en-US">Oh
will you two just shut up? I think I'm gonna throw up...”</span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-80856376527908065312015-12-06T13:32:00.001+01:002015-12-06T13:32:37.936+01:00Bauer Island (V/VII)<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The path had seemed
pretty straightforward – we took the stairs up to reach the organ
room, so we needed to take them down to get back to the main hall. We
must have missed something, however, as we got lost in the network of
hallways.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How can
you not know where we are?” Ashley raised his voice at Louis. He
seemed quite on edge ever since we left the organ room.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I don't
exactly live here,” Louis said with a frown. “I visit my brother
quite often, but I don't really have a habit of taking strolls down
these hallways.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Let it
go, Ashley,” I said as I adjusted my pace to walk side by side with
him. I lowered my voice so that only he could hear me. “You okay,
man? You don't look so good.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
fine,” he grunted. “I just need to cool down a bit.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
understand,” I said as I left him alone. He slowed down as well and
was now walking behind us all. With Louis leading the way, that left
me and Wei in the middle. The small man seemed lost in thought. “What
do you make of all this?” I asked.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
would you define as <i>this</i>?” the man said with a smile. “There
are many things that are happening now and I am doing my best to make
sense of it. Though my mind is, as you say, if I'm not mistaken,
drawing a blank.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I somehow
doubted that statement. The clues we found in the organ room were
indicative of something, at the very least. Wei seemed to be a
perceptive man, considering he was the one who noticed the
chandelier, so how could he not deduce anything from the things we
found? An organ on auto-play, a trail of blood that ended abruptly,
Francis' will, and that kid. So many possibilities arose – could
Louis had done it since he wasn't included in the will? Or maybe one
of the other guests was counting on receiving some of that fabulous
fortune, now that the most important person to Francis was gone? Wei
could have at least said that, and those were just the most obvious
solutions, and yet he chose to say that he can't think of anything.
<i>Just what are you hiding, Wei?</i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before I
could call him out on this, however, we all fell quiet as we heard
the sound of two people speaking. A male and a female voice,
half-whispering, but agitated. I could not make out what they were
saying, but it did not make a difference, since they fell silent soon
enough. They were just around the corner and Louis had already
turned, which must have startled them. I hurried over to check out
who it was. It was Mr. Dugall, his arm pressed against the wall over
the shoulder of a petite maid. His face was pale and sweaty, his tie
undone, his shirt unbuttoned halfway, while the maid's hair was
ruffled and her apron was falling off her shoulder. Apparently, we
had interrupted an intimated situation.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Louis,”
Mr. Dugall said with an awkward laugh.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“John,”
said Louis. “What are you doing here?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh, uh,
y-you know,” he stuttered and sent a glance at the maid. He cleared
his throat and proceeded to button up his shirt as the maid went down
the hallway. “Amanda doesn't need to know about this.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I couldn't
see Louis' face, but judgin by Dugall's expression, he wasn't too
happy with what he was seeing.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“My lips
are sealed,” Louis heaved.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'll be
on my way then,” Dugall said with a smile, the color returning to
his face, as he turned down the hallway in a different direction than
the made.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“At least
we know why he disappeared,” I said. Silence. No one said anything
else, we just kept going. Soon enough we found ourselves in the main
hall. De Silva was gone and Francis was handing Jade a cup of coffee.
They both seemed to be feeling a bit better, though their hands were
still shaking as they sat on the stairs.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Louis,”
Francis said with a faint smile as he noticed us. “Did you find
anything?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Something,
yeah,” his brother replied. “Where's De Silva?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“In the
dining room. He's questioning the staff.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay. I
think we should go in there and tell him about what we found.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Um...”
a feeble voice came from Francis' side. “I would like to take a
look at the organ room, if that's okay.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well, we
can't let you go alone,” Louis said.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I can
show her the way,” I said. For some reason, I didn't think I could
trust anyone else to do it. “Ashley, you coming with me?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sorry,
man,” he said, his expression still grim. “I think I wanna hear
what De Silva has to say.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well, if
the rest of us remains here, I think it is safe to let Ram show Jade
the way,” said Wei. “Might I be excused for a moment, however?
Nature calls, as you say it.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes, of
course. The bathroom is right over there,” Francis said as he
pointed towards one of the hallways. “We'll wait for you.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay,
let's go then,” I said as I extended my hand to Jade, helping her
up. She ran a hand through her brown curls and readjusted her cat-eye
glasses. Traces of washed mascara were still visible behind the
spectacles. As I led her to the organ room, she walked just behind
me, much too close for my liking.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This is
so bizarre,” she said. “I really can't believe this is all
happening.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“At least
you'll have something to write about,” I said with a chuckle, but
then I stopped as I was reminded of something. A chill went down my
spine. “Say, you're a reporter too, right?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
just like you, I told you already.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I turned on
my heel with a loud <i>creak</i>
that echoed down the stone hallway. I looked her dead in the eyes.
“Where?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Who
do you write for? You have to be writing for somebody, don't you?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She
blinked, and took a step backwards. Her lips trembled. Perhaps I was
too aggressive? After all, she was still in shock. “Well, I-”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She
stopped as we both heard the clicking of high heels on the marble
floor. Soon enough, Amanda Dugall emerged from the darkness. Mrs.
Dugall looked none too pleased, her face twisted in a vicious frown,
her hair in disarray as she walked by in a hurry.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Seen
my no good husband anywhere?” she bellowed at us. “Bet he's off
fucking that Whitacre woman somewhere.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I,
uh...” I hesitated. I did not know what to say. Should I pretend I
didn't see him? Or should I tell her he was with someone other than
Ms. Whitacre? Or maybe... “I think he went to the dining hall with
the others.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She
stormed off without another word. Jade sent me a wide-eyed look.
“Wow,” Jade whispered.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
sure hope he's there,” I said. “Or at least that we're not here
anymore once she's done there.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Did
you really see him?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes.
He was having his way with someone other than Ms. Whitacre, though.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
if it's all a setup?” she said as she put her hand on her chin. “I
mean, why would she assume he's having an affair with Ms. Whitacre?”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
don't think I follow...”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well,
Mrs. Dugall discovers her husband has been in contact with Ms.
Whitacre. He's always been a womanizer, so she just assumes it's an
affair, but he's actually conspiring with her to kill Van.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's
pretty far-fetched,” I said.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
right,” she said. “I guess I am getting ahead of myself. But if
that's the case, I called it.”</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We
went into the organ room and I showed her all the important spots.
There was something I was not prepared for, however. As I went to
examine the organ itself again, I lost sight of Jade in the darkness.
She didn't make a sound when I called her – it was as if she'd just
disappeared into thin air.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I
was making my way to the door when suddenly someone grabbed me from
behind. I turned around and saw that it was Wei, though I barely
recognized him. His face was deathly pale with sweat trickling down
his bald head. His lips were moving but he wasn't saying anything.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
can't hear you, Wei,” I said to him.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He
pulled me down closer. For someone so tiny he was incredibly strong.
“I've seen her,” he mumbled. “And she knows. I don't have much
time left. The crimson jasper – you can't let her have it.”</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With
that, he disappeared into the darkness. I called out after him but he
didn't listen. I tried running after him, but tripped in the
darkness, falling flat on my face. As I rubbed my poor nose, I heard
him open some door and then close it. A clock went off somewhere,
striking God-knows-what hour, painfully reminding me of the fragility
of my own life.</div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-60850257456049206382015-11-08T13:10:00.001+01:002015-11-08T13:10:23.533+01:00Bauer Island (IV/VII)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I heard a <i>click</i>
somewhere behind me, but nothing happened. Everything was still dark. Two more
presses of the switch changed nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The light’s busted,” Louis said, his voice
echoing around the organ room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You think it’s because of the storm?” Ashley
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Could be.” A sudden flash of light blinded me.
After a few seconds my eyes got used to the change and I saw Louis use his
phone as a flashlight. I fiddled in my phone and did the same, Ashley and Wei
following suit. Four streams of light were now illuminating the large brass
construct in the back of the room. Pipes glistened as if covered in a thin
layer of ice, forming a twisted jungle of metallic icicles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Impressive,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“A bit too rococo for my tastes, but Francis
wanted it that way.” Louis approached the organ. Though I didn’t suspect him of
being the culprit, what De Silva said made me question many things. I decided I
needed to keep an eye on my co-investigators, just in case. And so I followed
him and took a look at the instrument. Oddly enough, the keyboard was covered
and locked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“How do you open and then lock this up in the
time that it takes for one person to leave the dining room, kill a person, and
come back? Oh, not to mention play a whole sonata in the meantime?” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The solution is quite simple, really,” Louis
said as he pushed a switch on the side of the organ. The pipes blared the
opening notes of Bauer’s masterpiece, only to be shut down once Louis pressed
the switch again. “Hardly anyone plays this nowadays. Francis mostly just uses
his little piano in the basement. But he did devote a lot of cash to deck this
organ out with some snazzy programming. He was never really able to distribute
his money, properly, that sweet brother of mine.” Louis furrowed his eyebrows.
All the love and support he had for his brother – the only trait he seemed to
exhibit from the time of the murder – seemed to have temporarily disappeared as
he lost himself in though. He then went back to his usual expression, brutally
brought back to Earth by an obnoxious voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That almost gave me a heart attack,” Ashley
called from the other end of the room. “Jesus. You guys could’ve warned me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Personally, I found that performance quite
moving,” Wei called from the middle of the room. “That solves one of our
mysteries, then. But I think there is one thing you might want to see.” He
beckoned us and soon all four of us were standing in the center. Wei pointed up
and flashed his light at the ceiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t see anything,” Ashley said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Exactly,” Wei smiled. “If you look closely,
there’s a small link of a chain hanging from the ceiling. The only remnant of
what was once-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The Chandelier,” Louis said in a whisper. His
breath became fast and unsteady, and I could feel mine become the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“But wait,” I said, realization hitting me like
a truck. “You don’t mean-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Wei only smiled at me. As if on command, we all
shone out lights on the floor. There could be no mistake – the floor was
covered in blood. Blood that formed a trail leading halfway to the doorway, but
then suddenly disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You have got to be kidding me,” Ashley said. “So
this is the actual scene of the murder?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I’m not our detective, but I’m pretty sure
that’s a safe bet,” I said. “But what happened to the body? How did it get
transported like that? I didn’t see any blood on the way?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Admittedly, none of us were looking at the
floor when we were coming here,” Louis said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No, Mr. Ram has a point.” Wei scratched his
chin and pointed at the place the trail of blood ended. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Someone either lifted
the body there or cleanly wiped the floor, which I doubt there was enough time
for. Furthermore, I did take quite a good look at the place where the body is presently
located and no trails leading into the pool of blood Ms. Van was lying in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I guess that pretty much confirms this was the
work of more than one person,” I said. “I don’t think one person would be enough
to just carry a crushed body and a huge chandelier downstairs on their own. But
the blood trail still bothers me…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I can see why,” Wei said. “None of the guests
seemed to be covered in blood when they appeared downstairs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Wait,” Louis said suddenly, in an urgent tone.
“I think I know something… As I mentioned earlier, Francis likes to spend
excess money on stuff he doesn’t really need. Some time ago he mentioned with
great pride that his castle even has trap doors and hidden passages.” He
hesitated. “But then again, just because he knows, doesn’t mean the killer
does.” His face suddenly went pale. “Unless…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Hey, now, let’s not jump to conclusions,”
Ashley clasped his hands together and put his chin on them. “Maybe they’re
easier to figure out than you’d think. Let’s take another look around.” As he
finished that sentence, I noticed that he was looking at me and motioning in
the direction of the corner. Hardly subtle, as I’m pretty sure Wei noticed it
too, but even if he did, he didn’t follow us. “Look what I found in trash,” Ashley
whispered as he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“A paper ball. That’s quite a find.” I rolled
my eyes, but Ashley was having none of it. He shook me by the shoulder and
forced me to look at the unrolled piece of paper. It was Francis’ will. “Okay.
Weird, but still, I don’t think it’s anything special. He isn’t exactly young,
I mean, so maybe he was making a draft?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t know, it looks pretty clean to me,”
Ashley said. “But that’s really not the point. There’s something kinda weird
about this. Read it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I pulled the paper closer to my eyes and
flashed the light from my phone on it. Ashley was right. For a person with such
a huge fortune, this will was incredibly short. According to it, Francis was
planning to give all his money to his daughter Van and “little Maurice”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Gotta agree with Louis. Mr. Bauer really doesn’t
know how to manage his money right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah, that’s the whole point. I mean, someone
with as big a fortune and a family so close would be expected to devote some
more money to other members that just his adopted daughter. If you know what I
mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">My heart sank. “No,” I whispered, my mouth
agape. “You really think Louis could?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Not so loud! He’s right here in this room!”
Ashley covered my lisp with his hand. I shoved it away in one swift, angry
motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“First of all, I’m fucking <i>whispering</i>, so I can’t really get much more quiet than that.
Second, don’t touch me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Third,” I took another look at the paper. “Who
the heck is this Maurice person?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Beats me,” Ashley said. At that moment we both
heard a sound. It reminded me of that one time my mom put some hideous shoes on
her little Pomeranian, Hubert. The poor thing awkwardly lifted every paw high
up as it walked, failing to comprehend why it can’t feel the ground normally. I
turned around to see a little face staring at me from the double door leading
into the hallway. I was utterly confused. The resemblance to Van was uncanny –
round, freckly, decidedly Asian face, but the hair was a curly auburn mess. As
it spotted me, it disappeared, its feet awkwardly <i>tap tapping</i> as the little person made their way down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Did you see-?” Ashley began but I was already
dashing to the door. As I threw it open, I ran down the hallway, trying to
catch a glimpse of the little peeping tom. I heard steps behind me, but didn’t
have the time to look back and determine who was following me. I looked left
and right, up and down, until I reached the stairs. No one was there, and there
was no sign of anyone ever being there. It was as if I was chasing a ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Did you get him?” Ashley heaved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“He got away,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Who were you two chasing?” a voice came from
behind Ashley. It was Wei, smiling at us, as usual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“We saw someone,” Ashley said. “I think it was
a little kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“A child?” Wei’s smile disappeared. He fell
silent for a few seconds and soon asked with a somber expression, his eyebrows
furrowed: “Are you certain?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yes, there can be no mistake,” I said. “I
think he was around two or three. Must have had some help, since he disappeared
so suddenly.” I stopped to think for a second, wondering if it was appropriate
to share such wild speculation with them, but in the end, I saw no reason to
withhold that. “I think that might have been Van’s child.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-48820154884456439992015-10-17T19:16:00.001+02:002015-10-17T19:16:45.344+02:00Bauer Island (III/VII)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Ashley ran up to detective De Silva, his feet
splashing against the pool of blood, leaving large, dark spots on his brightly
colored pants. He tilted him up and gently shook his head, which I was sure was
the wrong way to do it, but still, De Silva was miraculously awake again in a
manner of seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The body…” he heaved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Gone. Without a trace.” The small Asian man
stood up. I hadn’t noticed before, but he had been lying sprawled on the floor
until just a few moments ago. Rubbing his bald head, he supported himself with
the stair railing and slowly went closer to the pool of blood. “Hidden by the
person who knocked me over in the dark, most likely.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Guess it’s safe to assume one of them’s the
killer,” Ashley said. He did have a point – the only reason why anyone would
want to hide the body would be the fact that there was something that would
give away their identity. So that would mean either one of the Dugalls or that
woman that had been flirting with Bauer all evening were the culprit. Either
that, or an accomplice. I looked to my right and saw Jade sitting in a corner, her
head wrapped in her arms. Just looking at her, it didn’t seem likely she could
be the one behind all this. But I’ve already learned the hard way that looks
can be very deceiving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“If things were always that easy, I’d be out of
a job, kid,” De Silva said in a near-whisper before wincing and letting out a
hiss of pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Don’t strain yourself, Miles,” Francis said,
helping Ashley lift De Silva up to his feet. Once up, he shrugged both of their
arms off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I’m fine,” he said. “A bit light-headed, but
otherwise unharmed. I think I need to work faster now. Looks like the culprit
is trying to hide something, and the absence of several guests is upsetting.
Let’s see.” He pulled out a notebook with a pencil attached to it from a pocket
inside his jacket. It didn’t look much better than the rest of his shabby
attire. “Present here are Francis and Louis Bauer,” he said as he made a “check”
motion with his pencil, “then we have Van Bauer, our victim. Next up is Miles
De Silva, who is also present,” he said with a faint smile. I felt my eyes roll
into oblivion. It was impossible to tell if that lame joke was a habit or if it
was just a one-off thing. “Jade Bird is the nervous wreck in the corner, I
presume. You must be…” He slowly shifted his gaze to Ashley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh, I’m uh… Ashley. Ashley Woods.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The detective stared into his notebook, his
eyes furrowing, as if he was trying to dig something out of the depths hidden
beyond the paper. “I don’t see your name on the guest list, I’m afraid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“He’s with me,” I said. “Darzi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ah, yes. I see. Ramacha-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Just Ram is fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">De Silva didn’t even lift up his gaze from
above the notebook, which was fine by me. I was told I had terrible eye
contact. “Ram Darzi and friend. Here you are.” He checked us off his list and
glanced at the small man who was now gazing at the puddle of blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“My name is Wei.” He didn’t look at De Silva,
though he did lift his head. Glancing in turn at the ceiling and the crimson
reflection on the ground, he seemed to have noticed something. And yet, if he
did, he wouldn’t say what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“So it is.” He checked off his name as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why would you need a copy of the guest list if
you didn’t know a murder was going to happen?” Ashley asked. <i>Very smooth, Ashley. Bravo.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Habit.” He closed the notebook with a loud <i>clap</i>. “Ms. Meredith Whitacre and the
three Dugalls are missing.” De Silva scratched his scruffy cheek. “This is
getting out of hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You think?” Ashley blurted out. I sent him a death glare which I
was sure he noticed as he seemed uncomfortably quiet from then on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">De Silva ignored him. “Francis, I have an idea,
but I do not want to do anything without your permission. I know this is a
sensitive issue for you, so…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s quite alright, really,” Bauer said,
though his eyes were still vivid red from the trauma. “What do you have in
mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I would like to interrogate your staff.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I have no reason to object to-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“But I want your brother to take these two
young gentlemen and Mr. Wei to the room where the organ is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh.” For a moment Bauer fell silent and his
eyes darted around the floor. The moment was brief, however, and he soon
continued: “That’s quite alright, I think. That is, if you are fine with that,
Louis?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s fine.” Louis, who up until that point had
been standing in the shadows, right behind Francis, emerged with a gentle smile
and placed a large hand on his brother’s shoulder. “But may I ask why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s pretty simple, actually.” De Silva
pointed at Jade. “That girl won’t be moving anywhere anytime soon, Francis is
also still quite shaken up, and I would still rather avoid quick movements for
the time being. Whoever knocked me out hit pretty hard. So, I’d like Francis to
call his staff over here and I will question them, while you investigate the
mystery room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why me?” The smile disappeared from Louis’s
face, leaving nothing but confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why, you’re the host’s brother. You
practically live here, so, in theory, you know every nook and cranny. </span>And you’re
a smart man, so I have faith that whatever investigation you conduct will be
thorough.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">What he said made sense, but there was still
one thing I could not wrap my head around. “Why are we going with him, then? It
sounds like Louis could handle this on his own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">De Silva grinned. It was a very unpleasant
grin. A couple of his teeth were missing, and those that weren’t looked
oversized, misshapen, and yellow. “I thought it would be obvious. The most
probable suspects have vanished, true, but it’s still highly probable that any
one of us is the killer.” <i>Us</i>. I found
it slightly unsettling that a detective would also consider himself a suspect
in a case that he was investigating. “Mr. Bauer is the least likely suspect,
Ms. Bird is harmless at present, and I can keep an eye on both while keeping a
keen eye on the staff as well. You two are outsiders, Mr. Wei is someone even
more unrelated to this place than any one of us, and Louis is the host’s
brother. For all intents in purposes, you all have different agendas, and you’re
all suspicious of one another. I don’t think I could come up with a better way
to keep the killer at bay. It’s also doubtful that there is a culprit available
for the killer in this group, considering the differing backgrounds. So if the
killer and the accomplice are both in this group, it’s safe to deduce that it’s
you two,” he pointed at Ashley and me. ”Judging by your statures, I don’t think
it would be reasonable to pull anything with Louis, aided by Mr. Wei, in the
same room. The only way I can see there being a murder duo in this group,
besides the scenario I just presented, is if you are secretly family.” He
chuckled. Judging by that, I had a general idea of whom he considered a likely
suspect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">That said, one thing about his little speech
bothered me. “You keep talking about this <i>accomplice</i>.
So you’re certain this is the work of more than one person?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">De Silva turned away from me and faced the
window. The black sky seemed endless, the howling winds pierced the silence
that fell. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning dyed the entire hall white, giving De
Silva’s eyes an unearthly glow as he turned towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“There is no other possibility.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-80481599922281904902015-09-28T18:51:00.002+02:002015-09-28T18:51:06.575+02:00Bauer Island (II/VII)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">People all around were screaming, sobbing,
sometimes both, while others were completely quiet. Her knees and hands
submerged in the expanding pool of blood, Jade seemed to be choking on shocked sobs, her brown curls disheveled, her
cat-eye glasses askew. Opposite her, similarly drenched in blood, was Francis Bauer.
He leaned over the body, lifted the head of his daughter from behind,
illuminating her face white as porcelain, and wailed. A long, deep wail of
sorrow permeated the building, the host’s stone face twisted in a pained
grimace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Call the police!” a voice called, but I’ll be
damned if I know who it was. There was way too many people for my tastes, and
the smell of blood started to make me feel a bit woozy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The phone line’s dead!” came another voice.
This one was female.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Check your cell, you dolt!” shouted the first
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well, I never-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I got no reception,” Ashley said in a shaky
tone. I glanced at him – his face was paler than usual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Me neither,” another voice called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“We can call them via the Internet!” came a
strongly accented male voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The wifi’s dead too.” This time I saw the
speaker: it was Louis Bauer, his face pale as the moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“NOOOOOOO!” the black-haired boy screamed and
ran off somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Eugene! Come back here this instant!” a shrill
voice called after him. It was the “I never!” woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That wouldn’t do us any good anyway.” This was
the first time that I’d heard this voice. The others noticed as well and turned
their heads – it was the middle-aged man from the table. Broad-shouldered and
tired-faced, wearing a tattered old suit, he was leaning on the door. He took a
step forward and swung the door open, revealing a raging inferno of wind and
rain, the waves on the ocean gigantic and wild. I felt faint. “No one’s going
in or out anytime soon. Luckily, you have me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“And who are you supposed to be?” The voice
that had requested someone call the police said. Now that the commotion had
subsided, I saw that it was Mr. Dugall. Barely disguising his chubbiness and
his receding hairline, he had a face redder than most in the hall. He was giving
the man a dirty look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Miles De Silva,” he said in his gruff tone.
“I’m an old friend of Mr. Bauer’s-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Aren’t we all,” Mr. Dugall interrupted in a
quiet tone, sending me and Ashley a wry smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“-and a private detective.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The smile was gone from Mr. Dugall’s face, and
the hue of his face now matched everyone else’s. The silence was deafening,
interrupted only by the quiet sobs of Bauer. Then they also stopped and the man
stood up, his elegant suit dark and wet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That’s right,” he said, straightening his tie.
“You’re a professional, and a damn good one at that. I’ll pay any price, you
know I can. Just get to the bottom of this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">De Silva smiled a crooked smile and walked
slowly toward the middle of the room, his hands behind his back. “Come now,
Francis.” He placed his hand on Bauer’s shoulder. “You really think I’d charge
you for this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Thank you, Miles, I-“ Bauer started, but De
Silva shushed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It would appear the victim was impaled by the
chandelier, but I would still need to take a closer look at the body to see if
that was really the case. I’d like to do that first, actually. Considering the
circumstances, I don’t think any of the suspects will be escaping before-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Suspects?” The elegant woman who was sitting
by Francis Bauer’s side during the whole dinner said. She had the looks of a
woman in her sixties who had access to all the enhancements she would need to
fool the world of her age. Yet her hands betrayed her. I think it would be wise
that she consider a pair of gloves to match her crimson boa. “But the
perpetrator is clear. The girl!” she pointed a manicured hand at Jade who was
now only rocking back and forth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“But the girl is in shock, clearly,” the
accented voice spoke again. It was the small Asian man. “Surely, you would be
too if you stumbled across this… event while coming back from the bathroom,
hmm?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It is too early to draw conclusions, true, but
the truth is that those who have recently left the table are the first suspects
that come to mind.” The detective was touched the blood with a gloved hand,
instantly dyeing the immaculate fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I felt Ashley grab my shoulder. His hand was
evidently shaking. “Ram, you can’t ignore me like this,” he whispered. “This is
really bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well, I can’t imagine why,” I said as I turned
to face him, but when I saw his expression, the terror in his eyes, I
understood. “No,” I whispered. “You went out right before- but, does that
mean-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“A little louder please, I don’t think the
detective guy heard you just yet.” His whisper sounded as if he could break
into tears at any moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Right,” I said and looked around for a place
where we could talk in peace. Near the stair, behind a column, it seemed that
we could speak without drawing too much attention. “Alright, listen, I know I
can be a bit blunt at times, but you’re my friend, and I’ll cover for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What? No! I didn’t kill Van!” Ashley said a
bit too loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Shh!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What are you <i>shhing </i>me for? I said I didn’t do it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Every word can be turned against you. So, you
really didn’t kill her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I really didn’t kill her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That doesn’t sound very credible. What <i>were</i> doing, then? You did leave the
dining hall right after her, you could have set up the whole thing in the
meantime. You gotta admit, that’s really suspi-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“We were <i>fucking</i>,
okay?” Ashley’s face was red, as he exhaled way more air than necessary when
saying that. I was sure I heard him shout, despite it all being a whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Van and I got down and dirty right before her
death, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You’re serious?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Dead serious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You IDIOT!” I whispered sharply as I flicked
him in the forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ouch! What the hell, Ram!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What the hell me? What the hell you!” I
flicked him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Okay, enough with the flicking already!”
Ashley rubbed his forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Dude, you got us both into this mess because
you couldn’t help but jump on the first eager girl that comes at you, you
disgusting pig! My God, what is <i>wrong</i>
with people!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s a human instinct.” Ashley was red in the
face. I was sure he could just punch me any second now. “Not that you’d have
any of those, would you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Hey now, that’s harsh.” I whispered back at
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You’re right. Sorry.” He seemed to calm down.
“It’s h</span>ard to deal with you when you’re like that sometimes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That’s great, but we don’t really have time
for that now. I believe you now, though. I could have expected such an action
from someone like you, while murder seemed pretty drastic, even for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Wow, thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No problem. Anyway, we need to find a way to
prove your innocence. What exactly did
you do after you, uh… did the deed?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Nothing, really. I went back to the table and
saw you talking to Jade. Van said she’d come back later. We didn’t really want
to draw attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“And Jade later went to the bathroom,” I
pondered, “but she didn’t scream until a good while later. So it’s safe to say
that Van wasn’t dead yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah. And I think a chandelier that big
falling would make enough noise to draw attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">He did raise a good point. I hadn’t really
thought about that before, but it seemed that there wasn’t really a time where
the chandelier could have fallen, as everything was quiet before Jade screamed.
Besides that one time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Unless it fell when the organ started
playing,” I said, “but then again, <i>Evanescence</i>
is a pretty quiet piece.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“But it was played on an organ. That’s quite a
bit of volume from the get go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Something still didn’t seem right. “But who
could have been playing that organ? I’m pretty sure everyone besides Van and
Jade was in the room at the time, and if Van is the killer…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You really think so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I have no reason to
think otherwise</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, I
thought. “Nothing really makes sense here, to be honest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">And then, just to add fuel to the fire, the
lights went off again. This time things weren’t quite so peaceful, as people
started screaming and running around as soon as the lights went off. Ashley and
I waited behind the column, hoping everything would die down soon. And it did.
As the lights went back on, we returned to the main hall and to our surprise,
the pool of blood in the middle was missing a body. Instead</span>, the detective lay
there, clearly dazed, but alive. But the missing body wasn’t what worried me
the most.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was only seven of us in the hall.</span>The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-38594666000898599872015-09-20T17:07:00.000+02:002015-09-20T17:07:16.867+02:00Bauer Island (I/VII)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">For months I had waited for this opportunity,
and yet I had this nagging feeling at the back of my head that I would come to
regret it. Francis L. Bauer – the world-renowned composer and my idol since childhood –
invited me to attend a small party at his mansion. When he approached me at
work, I was taken aback. I immediately said yes, without even thinking, without
even letting him finish his sentence, which I later told myself was a good
thing. I could interview him, which would really help me get ahead at work, and
it was Francis <i>fucking</i> Bauer. But
then I got scared. I’d be on an island for at least two days, in the middle of
the ocean, with only rich strangers surrounding me. Which is precisely why I
brought Ashley along. Not only was he excited to go to a mansion for a weekend,
it’s pretty fair to say the guy makes me look good in comparison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We arrived at the island on Friday evening.
Even with the sky stormy above it, the mansion looked beautiful, with
strategically placed lights illuminating the most awe-inspiring accents. It
couldn't have been old, but it was stylized to look as if it had been made
around the 19<sup>th</sup> century, though some liberties were obviously taken.
Nevertheless, the stormy sea made it hard to focus on the magnificence of the
building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We were both welcomed rather warmly by the
butler and led to the candlelit dining hall. There were much fewer people than
I was expecting. Together with me,
twelve of us were sitting at an oval table. Bauer sat at the thinner side to my
right, his silver mane of hair glimmering in the candlelight. To his right was
a man that I assumed was his brother Louis – his face was very much alike his
brother’s though his shorter forehead and darker hair and beard suggested he
was a tad younger. Opposite me, to Louis’s right, sat three people that kept
glancing in my direction with what I could only assume was scorn. The man, who
was sitting the nearest to the Bauers, was most definitely John Dugall. For a
CEO of one of the country’s most influential pharmaceutical companies, he
really didn’t make a big impression. A balding man in his forties, constantly
grinning as he told the Bauers his inappropriate jokes, while his wife rolled
her eyes out of exasperation. Next to her sat what I could only assume was
their son. With black bangs covering his eyes and a pierced lip, he really
didn’t seem to be in a position to be judging my attire, and yet it still felt
that way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Ashley was sitting to my left, though if I
hadn’t known it was him, I probably wouldn’t be able to tell, as his back was
turned to me throughout the evening. He was too busy talking with the woman
next to him, sitting at the end of the table opposite Francis. Judging by her
appearance – a well-groomed, young, East Asian woman – she was Bauer’s adopted
daughter, Van, a controversial figure in the media, to say the least. Between
her and the emo kid sat a tiny, bald, older Asian man with large glasses who I
had never seen or heard of before. His focus was directed entirely at his large
plate of tagliatelle al ragu. There were three more people sitting to Bauer’s left, but I could not see them as my
view was blocked by a freckled girl about my age sitting to my right. She had
wild, curly, chestnut hair and cat-eye glasses that reflected the flashes of
light from her phone as she photographed her food. Pathetic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The wind outside was howling ever louder, and I
could have sword I saw a lightning bolt flash outside the tall windows. Just
imagining those gargantuan waves crashing against the cliffs of this tiny
little island sent a shiver down my spine. I took a sip of water and set the
glass back on the table with a shaking hand, barely avoiding dropping it on the
floor. When I looked back up, the tiny Asian man was gone. <i>Perfect timing</i>, I thought, as the kitchen staff was just bringing
in dessert. Soon after that, the host’s daughter was gone, saying she needed to
rest in her room. After wolfing down his tiramisu, Ashley patted me on the back
with an unconcerned “Be alright, man?” and went to the bathroom, or so he
claimed. I was mad that he left me all alone among these strangers. I suspected
it was only a matter of minutes until one of them attempts to talk to me. The
kid opposite me was staring daggers at me, I assumed, though that hair
prevented me from being certain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“So, cool party, eh?” a voice came from my
right. The freckled girl was looking at me while she sipped water through a
brightly colored straw. “I’m Jade.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ram.” I went back to my own glass of water and
took a sip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Cool name. What brings you here, Rammy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ram.” I put the glass back down and wiped my
mouth in a napkin. “I’m a reporter. Mr. Bauer invited me to interview him."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What a coincidence. So am I.” She was now
using her straw to stir the water. <i>Please
don’t flirt with me, oh my God…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">After a solid minute of awkward silence, I saw
Ashley come back into the room. His red mess of a hair was even more ruffled
than usual and a big stupid grin was stuck on his face. He was tucking his
shirt into his pants, causing Mrs. Dugall to roll her eyes yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Miss me?” he asked nonchalantly as he sat next
to me, the girl quickly catching his attention. “Friend of yours?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I’m Jade.” She smiled at Ashley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Name’s Ashley,” he said as he shook her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I was just having a lovely chat with Ram here.
Quite the life of the party, I have to say. You guys look like you make a nice
couple.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I stared her in those big, blue eyes, not even
comprehending the logic behind those words and the smirk on that face. “What?”
I said in a dry tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh no, no, we’re nothing like that, no. Ram’s
a good old friend, that’s all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I’ll give you the
“old”, but “good”?</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> “Jade
was just telling me she’s a reporter too. Where do you work?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh, I’ll gladly tell you later, but I have to
go… uh, powder my nose, as they used to say,” she giggled. “It was nice talking
to you, boys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">As she left the room, Ashley’s gaze followed.
“She looks like quite the conversation partner, if you know what I mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Like most people, she thinks that she has the
right to invade my personal space just like that. And societal convention
prevents me from simply saying ‘no thanks, I find talking to strangers to be
pretty draining and would much rather spend this time alone, without talking to
anyone’.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“And yet your job requires you to talk to
people,” Ashley said as he rolled his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well, that’s different.” I put my glass down.
“That was quite a long trip to the bathroom, though. It didn’t really feel nice
being all alone here with vampire boy over there watching me with murderous
intent, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Ashley looked at the boy. “How do you know he’s
even staring at you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I can sense it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No you can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“You know what, Ashley? Why don’t you-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Alright, alright, sheesh. Sorry I said
anything.” He placed his arms on the back of his neck and leaned back on his
chair. I turned my gaze to Bauer and saw him converse with an elegant looking
woman on his left, who soon got up and left the room. I didn’t recognize her
either, but she certainly looked well-off. Bauer was left to himself, sipping
wine, as his brother was now talking to Mr. Dugall and laughing loudly at his
jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Do you think now’s the time to talk to him?” I
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Sure, man, go for it. I mean, that’s the
reason we’re here, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t know. This feels weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Dude, you’ve been waiting your whole life for
this, right?” He was leaning in now, his brown eyes more serious than I had
ever seen them. “Go get him!” He pushed me out of my chair, almost causing me
to trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Thanks for that,” I said in a sarcastic tone.
But I guess I was genuinely thankful. If it hadn’t been for that shove, I might have refused to get up from my chair
at all. I passed a middle-aged man sitting by the table – the final guest who I
had not seen yet – and quietly sat down next to Francis Bauer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Mr. Bauer, sir?” I asked in a quiet tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Ah, Darzi. Good to see you,” the man said as
he smiled, a strange warmth in his voice. “I take it you would interview me
now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“If that’s okay with you, then yes, of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I would love that, but you see,” he said as he
pointed to his wine glass, “I’m a tad bit tipsy at this moment. I do think I’d
make a better conversation partner in the mo-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The wind forced the windows open, blowing out
all the candles. A loud crack came from somewhere downstairs and the light
coming from the hallway went out. For a second we sat in complete silence, then
people started talking and shuffling about, but then, seemingly out of nowhere,
somewhere in the distance, an organ was playing Bauer’s “Evanescence”, one of
his earlier pieces, and one of my personal favorites. It stopped half way,
leaving everyone in a petrified silence. After two quick flickers, the light
came back on. No one except me and Francis seemed to be sitting where they had
been before the power outage. Louis went up to the windows and closed them.
That’s when we heard a woman’s scream from the hallway. Everyone sprang up and
ran there, myself included. I could hardly believe what I saw when I arrived at
the spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Van, the host’s daughter, was laying sprawled
out on the floor. Her black silky hair was in disarray, her obsidian eyes
opened and lifeless, a trickle of blood running from her mouth, reaching the
large pool of blood she around her. Her body was pierced with parts from the
chandelier which had apparently fallen on her, sticking into her abdomen,
killing her. Jade was kneeling in the puddle of blood, both her knees and hands
covered in the liquid, crying uncontrollably. I looked at Ashley who covered
his mouth with both of his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No, no, no…” a muffled whisper came from him.
He slowly turned his face towards me and approached me. “Ram,” he whispered,
“we need to talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-7300193713891218072015-08-22T14:45:00.001+02:002015-08-22T14:45:34.736+02:00Windy nights<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The wind
howled like a wounded animal. The signal was gone from the TV and all that was
left was static. The boards of the house creaked in agony. I stood up from the
dusty couch and gave the receiver a gentle punch, and then a harder one. No go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I try to
look out the window, but the wind is so strong and the rain so dense that I can
hardly see a foot ahead. I’d never seen such a nasty storm before. There seemed
to be something odd about it, though. The light was strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And then I
heard something hit my roof. Startled, for a moment I just stood there and did
absolutely nothing. Then I heard another bump, a louder one. The hair on the
back of my neck bolted up. It’s better that I get this over with quick, I told
myself, so I went up the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I couldn’t risk
going out there with the wind so strong, but I wanted to go as high up, so I
opened the door to the attic and climbed the latter. To my surprise, there was
a large hole in the ceiling, a downpour coming in outside. In a puddle made by
the rain lay a figure. It was a woman, dressed in something weird – an outfit
with protrusions that made it resemble a kite. No doubt startled by my sudden
emergence, she got up, took off her goggles and gave me a weak smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Sorry
about your antenna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-72861492643286759922015-08-15T16:22:00.001+02:002015-08-16T12:40:54.122+02:00Fluff<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I saw it again today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Living alone can make you paranoid. It had been
ages since I’d last seen shadows in the corner of my eye, but the fuzzball just
kept appearing out of nowhere, and I knew it couldn’t have been me just seeing
things. It bumped into my cabinet, for Christ’s sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">That night, I heard the bang, I saw the cabinet
shake and the little critter hit it and make a run for it. I jumped out of my
bed and chased after it. I couldn’t see it anymore after I made a corner, but I
heard a faint tapping somewhere downstairs. I didn’t turn on the lights,
because of course such things only exist in the dark in stories, and then I
just descended down the stairs as fast as I could. Big mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">My foot seemed much more eager to greet the
small creature than me and went ahead much faster, and before I knew it, I hit
the stairs with the back of my head and was tumbling down. As I reached the
floor, moaning in pain, I could’ve sworn I heard the tiniest of laughs right in
my ear. And then the pain was gone, and so was any sign of the creature. I
never saw it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-46838746063324934892015-08-11T17:26:00.000+02:002015-08-11T17:26:10.128+02:00The Month of the Sky<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
countdown had begun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It was a
peculiar feeling, knowing I had a month left. And I knew I couldn’t tell anyone
– they said my time would be cut short then. With no way to warn the people
about the impending apocalypse, I did my best to just enjoy the rest of my life
for what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It wasn’t
easy. For the first week, I couldn’t sleep. I had panic attacks and almost told
my friends. But after that paralyzing sensation went away, after I was done
shaking like a leaf, I felt relief. I found that I could ignore my bills and
leave my job. I suddenly had a whole reservoir of cash, because I didn’t need
to save up anymore. For the following two weeks I lived a life of decadence,
touring the world, sleeping in luxury hotels and enjoying the most exquisite
entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And then
there was one week left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I felt a
void. I felt emptier than my wallet was at that point. I realized this was the
end, for real. Some people started talking, the news sometimes mentioned
something about the end, but despite that, life seemed to be going as normal
for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I had no
idea what to do. I thought of visiting my parents or some old friends, but
there didn’t seem to be any point to that. What can you talk about when there
is no future to set your eyes on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So I got in
my car, and drove away. I packed all the food I could take, though I still took
too much, I think. One person won’t really it a lot in a week. I parked my car
by a cliff where I had a clear view of the ocean, and I set up camp near the
wood. For the next few days, I lived my life in silence, accompanied by little
more than the sound of the ocean, the rustling leaves, and the hints of the
presence of wild animals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the last
day, I did nothing. I sat at the edge of the cliff, watching the sun make its
descent into the water. The sky looked bloodied, redder and redder the deeper
the sun goes. As the stars twinkled into existence one by one, I took a deep
breath and took in the view one last time. I knew that was the very image I
wanted to preserve forever. Hoping that even after death I could still see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I closed my
eyes and I still saw them. And everything was quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-65710649067374500252015-08-02T22:43:00.001+02:002015-08-02T22:43:17.205+02:00Into the Woods<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I don’t
know if it was days or weeks that passed since the power went out. At first,
people thought it was a regular power outage. Everyone just lit candles and let
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expecting everything to be back to normal the next morning. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Still, that
wasn’t enough for a panic. Everyone kept a stiff upper lip, chatting
nonchalantly about the weather and how the lack of Internet made them go out
more and appreciate the gorgeous pine woods. It was a beautiful summer then.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Things
started going downhill later, however, as was to be expected. With no working
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receiving any new stuff. We soon started running short of food. To top it all
off, one of our kids got sick and we were out of medicine. With no drugstore in
our village, I had to walk to the city, with the hopes that the drugstores
hadn’t yet been plundered. I kissed my wife goodbye and she gave me a large
knife. It was for my safety, she told me, as there are wolves and lynxes in the
wood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I could
smell the change in the air as I left my house. The village was getting tense.
I was worried the neighbors might try to pull something. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I just hope she locked the house</i>, I thought. And then I had this
sinking feeling – the city might as well be in chaos. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What if I don’t come back alive?</i> I did my best to shrug the thought
off and just go, but it still hanged around at the back of my head as I made my
way into the woods.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
completely lost track of time. The forest was dark and I really couldn’t tell
if it was still day or night already. How long had I been walking? It struck me
as odd that I was the only person in the village taking a journey to the city –
surely, the others were running out of food too. Nevertheless, when I heard a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crack</i>, I flinched. I turned around and
saw nothing in the thicket. Only darkness. I wasn’t sure I was even going in
the right direction. Then I heard what I thought was a growl, so I made a run
for it. A stupid, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stupid</i> mistake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before I
knew it, my leg was pulled up above my head and I was hanging upside down near
a tree. I saw a lynx run by on the ground, but he paid me no mind. As I swung
around like a pendulum, my consciousness drifted away. I was engulfed in
darkness, convinced that was it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is
how I die.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But then I
woke up. I felt wet. The gentle rays of the sun illuminated parts of the wood,
revealing a distinctly human figure smiling at me with pity. It was my brother,
battered and scarred, but he was there to free me. And he was carrying
provisions. He’d come all the way from the city to save me. We were all saved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-48370600882163597552015-07-28T07:09:00.001+02:002015-07-28T07:09:59.671+02:00Blood Pact<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My hands
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’re
learning, I see,” a voice called from behind. Lenny had learned of blood magic
a day earlier than me, but he already seemed like he was a master at it.
Although, judging by my performance today, it didn’t seem so difficult. Draw a
plain circle with your blood, sign in your name and voila – I can shoot the
stuff everywhere. And I had just made a hole in the wall. Cutting your finger
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Pretty
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powerful. Seems counter-intuitive for the Pluto folk to give us access to this.
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh, this
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What do
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Precisely.
You have been given the tool to fight, a tool that can win you this war.
Something that makes you think you can change this world. But,” he said as he
adjusted his glasses, “so have we all. We can now perform contracts that have
allowed our bodies to perform inhuman feats, and we now believe we can do this.
They gave us hope.” </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lenny took
a deep breath and walked toward the window. The pitch blackness was illuminated
only by the orange gleam of the streetlights. The stars and moon were gone,
engulfed in the tarry nightmare that was our everyday sky now. He exhaled,
breathing out a heavy breath, his shoulders dropping. Lenny took off his
glasses and continued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“They gave
us hope. Because only if we believe we can succeed, can we truly fail and
succumb to despair. It’s a simple truth of life.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-30736051254204459202015-07-12T15:03:00.001+02:002015-07-12T15:03:55.859+02:00[No title]<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You’re
warm, she says<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Your silky
hair, barely there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Your skin
so soft<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s all so
warm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I love you
so, she cries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Clutching
at her abdomen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Her screams
red and dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
I love you so, she moans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Grasping at
the bump that was never there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Why won’t
you come to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And let me
hold you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s all
too much to bear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-1499076600167010692015-07-06T15:37:00.000+02:002015-07-06T15:37:04.649+02:00Freedom<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">She packed her suitcase with useless junk. Scraps
of paper, her old wigs and coats – all things she knew would divert attention
from her. After spilling gasoline all over the suitcase, she put on her finest
auburn wig, fashioned into an elegant bob, painted her lips blood red and
admired herself in the mirror for a second. <i>You’re
almost free, darling,</i> she thought, confident nothing could stand in the way
of her master plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Took out a piece of paper and a bic pen and
wrote a note. The words were random, the note on itself made no sense. It had
no sense to her either. It’s simply what she imagined people thought spies did
– write notes for themselves in code. She tore a significant part of the note
up and singed its edges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Now comes the climax.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> She opened the door of her closet
and out of it emerged a corpse of a woman. Her face was already completely
burned off, as was all her hair, and her fingertips, making it completely
unidentifiable, anonymous. For all intents and purposes, this corpse was
nothing more than a mannequin. And that was just what she needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Leaving the suitcase open on the bed, she
opened the large window. The chill winter air entered the resort room, her
makeshift rope waiting for her. She grabbed it tight and made her way over the
balcony. Before jumping down, she lit a match and threw it on the floor of what
had been her room. Soon, the whole thing caught fire and she touched the
ground, soft and smooth from the freshly fallen snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Leaving a blazing inferno in her wake, she ran
as fast as she could into the nearby forest. She was finally free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-46698833980209999832015-06-28T10:43:00.003+02:002015-06-28T10:43:53.924+02:00Sunset<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The sun is
setting as I make my way along the beach. There are no more people in the
ocean, but I still see them on the beach. I see them laughing, kicking up sand
as they play volleyball, even though it’s getting harder and harder to see the
ball. Another group is starting a bonfire. I zip up my hoodie as I feel a chill
run down my back and get back to my task. I lean down and pick up rocks. That’s
what I do every day. It may seem mundane, but I have my ways of keeping it
interesting. Today, I’m only picking black rocks. You’d be surprised at how different
the rocks can be from day to day. Yesterday I managed to pick up about fifty
rust-colored ones, while Wednesday I gathered a whole bunch of smooth ones. Now
there are a whole lot more reddish ones than yesterday, but I’m still not
complaining, since I already have plenty of black ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The sun
plunges into the sea in one, final, swift motion. The lanterns on the promenade
light up. I listen to the songs coming from the group at the bonfire. Summer is
here. Finally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327915901920213567.post-39317543942408334162015-06-21T12:28:00.001+02:002015-06-21T12:28:36.442+02:00Orpheus 17, Captain's Log<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">March 24<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Drifting in
this void is beginning to get to my head. It’s been three months since we lost
transmission with Earth. I find myself visiting the rec room more and more
often. For some reason, I don’t really feel like spending time with the others.
Our ship is making plenty of noise, but we still haven’t picked up any signal.
It’s a bizarre feeling, being so far away from home not even the stars look
familiar. I just hope whatever civilization we find has more soup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">March 27<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Doyle has
been acting strange lately. He’s complaining about a scratching noise in his
room which no one else can hear. I tried to comfort him by challenging him to a
friendly game of snooker, but he was paranoid throughout. I promised to switch
beds with him. We’ll see if I can hear that pesky rat alien or whatever it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">March 28<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">No
scratching reported, but now Doyle’s missing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">March 29<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Found Doyle
outside in a spacesuit. He’s feeling well. But how did he get out there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">April 1<sup>st</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><sup><br /></sup></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We found
the body of another Doyle outside. The “Doyle” inside is something else. If you
find this message – RUN!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Writing Lionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05984251022502593715noreply@blogger.com3