*Didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it but here goes anyway.
505
"Why have you placed this burden upon me?"
"My dear girl I only opened the door. This is who you are, I had nothing to do with it." I sighed not seeing the greatness of being the creature he described. I was already having trouble dealing with this life and now it seemed that my paranoia was right: I was doomed from the start. My mentor began rubbing my shoulders. "You hold the world in the palm of your hands. Another genius in the making."
"Sure," I muttered. Growing up my parents had never put pressure on me to be anything in particular, just encouraged me to do my best and be happy. What most parents want for their children. Now I was getting a taste of what my long gone peers had to deal with. Who doesn't want insight on why they are the way they are yet, when a destiny that seems improbable is tacked on with it ignorance direly wished for.
"I think someone deserves a treat." My eye twitched at the thought.
"Actually I need some fresh air. Time to put all of this together." He patted me on the shoulder.
"Certainly. Would you like some company?"
"No, I need to be alone." I rose and headed for the door.
"Remember your importance," he called after me; I just nodded.
*****
"Took you long enough. I was starting to worry as you called thirty minutes ago."
"Sorry Amber," I said without much feeling.
"Oh dear you look like hell. C'mon in love." I plopped myself down on the comfy couch while Amber disappeared into the kitchen. She came out a few moments later with two martinis. "Dry and three olives, just how you like it," she said while handing one to me.
"Thanks."
"What, no doll? What's gotten you all shaken up?" I downed my martini and chewed on an olive. Amber gently placed a hand on my knee. "Talk to me Sam."
"The weight of the world has just been put on my shoulders. I'm suppose to bring 'great things'." I emphasized the quotes with hand gestures.
"And who told you this? That mentor of yours?" I wearily nodded my head. Amber set down her glass. "Just because he has more experience doesn't mean he knows you. Hell I hardly know you and I'm the only one who can get you to open up." She was the only one, she was the only one who would understand. "And if he's trying to pigeonhole you well, I'm sorry but it can't be done." Her face turned softened. "You're one of a kind Sam and you already bring great things even if it's not the kind of kings."
"Thanks doll," I said before giving her a kiss. She smiled.
"That's the Sam I know, and I take it you're wanting another martini." I laughed.
"And you say you hardly know me." She kissed me this time before heading back to the kitchen and I was glad to have her in my life.
20 April 2006
18 April 2006
Fallen
403
There she hung in the cathedral suspended by a rope that seemed to have no end. Kaleb rushed in caressing her bare feet with silent tears flowing down his cheek.
"Do not weep for her boy." A man clad in black appeared from the shadows. He reminded Kaleb of a priest yet in a dark way as he could feel eyes boring into him from behind reflective glasses.
"You did this," Kaleb fumed accusingly.
"Trust me, she wanted it."
"Liar!" The man moved closer, his cane echoing as it hit the ground.
"You knew the little whore little."
"How dare you," the young man move to strike yet was quickly stopped by a blow of cold steel.
"She makes a lovely corpse, doesn't she?" Kaleb struggled to pick himself up. "Anger will get you nowhere." The stranger reached out to her.
"Don't touch her." Ignoring Kaleb he caressed the cold bronze skin of her ankle.
"What brought you here?"
"What?" Kaleb supported himself against a pillar.
"What brought you here to mourn her death?"
"There was a note."
"Which you could have disregarded but you didn't. Why?"
"Love," Kaleb admitted quietly with resignation.
"Of course, what else fills the dreams of the young." He let go of her ankle. "Yet this one was empty. Incapable if you will."
"Who are you?" The man took off his glasses revealing a lack of irises.
"Who I am is of no importance." As a heavy sidedoor creaked open Kaleb looked to see a group of nuns. They worked carefully to remove the hanging girl as the man was already on his way out.
"Her halo was just too heavy," one of the nuns spoke solemnly.
"Pardon," Kaleb asked startling them.
"What...Oh. Young man you really shouldn't be here."
"But I--" The sisters helped him to his feet.
"There is much work to be done if she is ever to be at rest. You've paid your respects, now you must leave." They had already propelled Kaleb towards the entrance. He took one last look at the eternally sleeping girl. "You will see her again," the nun said kindly while nodding to add assurance. He hesitated then nodded back and left the cathedral.
"Much, much work to be done." The nun shook her head in sorrow. "Hurry along sisters, time is of the essence." They all returned to the corpse and went back to making the preparations.
There she hung in the cathedral suspended by a rope that seemed to have no end. Kaleb rushed in caressing her bare feet with silent tears flowing down his cheek.
"Do not weep for her boy." A man clad in black appeared from the shadows. He reminded Kaleb of a priest yet in a dark way as he could feel eyes boring into him from behind reflective glasses.
"You did this," Kaleb fumed accusingly.
"Trust me, she wanted it."
"Liar!" The man moved closer, his cane echoing as it hit the ground.
"You knew the little whore little."
"How dare you," the young man move to strike yet was quickly stopped by a blow of cold steel.
"She makes a lovely corpse, doesn't she?" Kaleb struggled to pick himself up. "Anger will get you nowhere." The stranger reached out to her.
"Don't touch her." Ignoring Kaleb he caressed the cold bronze skin of her ankle.
"What brought you here?"
"What?" Kaleb supported himself against a pillar.
"What brought you here to mourn her death?"
"There was a note."
"Which you could have disregarded but you didn't. Why?"
"Love," Kaleb admitted quietly with resignation.
"Of course, what else fills the dreams of the young." He let go of her ankle. "Yet this one was empty. Incapable if you will."
"Who are you?" The man took off his glasses revealing a lack of irises.
"Who I am is of no importance." As a heavy sidedoor creaked open Kaleb looked to see a group of nuns. They worked carefully to remove the hanging girl as the man was already on his way out.
"Her halo was just too heavy," one of the nuns spoke solemnly.
"Pardon," Kaleb asked startling them.
"What...Oh. Young man you really shouldn't be here."
"But I--" The sisters helped him to his feet.
"There is much work to be done if she is ever to be at rest. You've paid your respects, now you must leave." They had already propelled Kaleb towards the entrance. He took one last look at the eternally sleeping girl. "You will see her again," the nun said kindly while nodding to add assurance. He hesitated then nodded back and left the cathedral.
"Much, much work to be done." The nun shook her head in sorrow. "Hurry along sisters, time is of the essence." They all returned to the corpse and went back to making the preparations.
10 April 2006
City of Rain
414
Still wet, the knife laid gracefully in her hand. A few ill words were muttered before life was no longer present in the target. Quickly she wiped the void looking liquid off with its owner's clothing and left the scene. This night was no different from any other yet gratitude for the new covering reign high.
Arriving at the compound Jac nonchalantly undressed and headed for the showers. The clothes were taken by an attendant in exchange for a small square of 2D, a type of soap used to erase acts like the one committed. After a quick scrub down Jac slipped into fresh civilian clothes and headed to the front desk.
"Has Kal been around?"
"No, he hasn't been on duty I believe."
"Alright. Thanks."
Walking away the person working the front desk added, "Rest up good. There's word of a big bust tomorrow." A hand was waved in reply; a late night dive offered promises of wine.
Sitting down at one of the tables Jac let the music sink in.
"A glass of Pinot Noir my lady?"
"Not inter-Kal." Kal took a seat handing over one of the glasses of red wine.
"Figured you'd show up eventually Lola."
"Why do you insist on calling me that?"
Taking a sip from his glass he replied, "The aliases just don't do it for me."
"You seem to like yours."
"Well I was lucky." Kal grinned his sly grin; Jac gave him a sour look. "I jest. C'mon Jac, lighten up a bit. We're safe, well as much as we'll ever be, in this place."
"Sure." Jac took a long sip. "Tomorrow there's apparently--"
"A big bust. I know, that's what they always say."
"You've been scarce lately."
"I do have a life outside of this you know. I like to live once and awhile. Speaking of, how's that doll of yours?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Fucked things up again, did ya? You could learn a few things from me you know. Don't let what we do ruin your chance at happiness if that's what you've found." Kal gave the Pinot Noir a whiff. "How long have you've been in Jac?"
"Since I dropped out of mid high."
"Ah yes," Kal took another sip, "you're one of the age-old bloods." Jac winced as she hated the term even though it encompassed the truth. Kal decided to be nice and change the subject. "Looks like it's going to rain again."
"When has it ever not?"
Still wet, the knife laid gracefully in her hand. A few ill words were muttered before life was no longer present in the target. Quickly she wiped the void looking liquid off with its owner's clothing and left the scene. This night was no different from any other yet gratitude for the new covering reign high.
Arriving at the compound Jac nonchalantly undressed and headed for the showers. The clothes were taken by an attendant in exchange for a small square of 2D, a type of soap used to erase acts like the one committed. After a quick scrub down Jac slipped into fresh civilian clothes and headed to the front desk.
"Has Kal been around?"
"No, he hasn't been on duty I believe."
"Alright. Thanks."
Walking away the person working the front desk added, "Rest up good. There's word of a big bust tomorrow." A hand was waved in reply; a late night dive offered promises of wine.
Sitting down at one of the tables Jac let the music sink in.
"A glass of Pinot Noir my lady?"
"Not inter-Kal." Kal took a seat handing over one of the glasses of red wine.
"Figured you'd show up eventually Lola."
"Why do you insist on calling me that?"
Taking a sip from his glass he replied, "The aliases just don't do it for me."
"You seem to like yours."
"Well I was lucky." Kal grinned his sly grin; Jac gave him a sour look. "I jest. C'mon Jac, lighten up a bit. We're safe, well as much as we'll ever be, in this place."
"Sure." Jac took a long sip. "Tomorrow there's apparently--"
"A big bust. I know, that's what they always say."
"You've been scarce lately."
"I do have a life outside of this you know. I like to live once and awhile. Speaking of, how's that doll of yours?"
"I'd rather not say."
"Fucked things up again, did ya? You could learn a few things from me you know. Don't let what we do ruin your chance at happiness if that's what you've found." Kal gave the Pinot Noir a whiff. "How long have you've been in Jac?"
"Since I dropped out of mid high."
"Ah yes," Kal took another sip, "you're one of the age-old bloods." Jac winced as she hated the term even though it encompassed the truth. Kal decided to be nice and change the subject. "Looks like it's going to rain again."
"When has it ever not?"
09 April 2006
The Job
490
I rushed to the bathroom and quickly washed the blood off my hands. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough; Blaize stood there in silence. I turned to speak, yet what could be said to justify the act I had committed. She violently shook her hand and walked way leaving me no choice but to follow.
"Love."
"Don't call me that."
"But--" She cut me off.
"This is beyond us. How can you even love when you partake in such maliciousness?"
"It's my job."
"Jackie you've been saying that for weeks but I just can't cope with it anymore." Blaize stood there hugging herself to keep from shaking while refusing to look me in the eye. "This has to stop."
"How?"
"How?" There were tears in those baby blue eyes and I could feel their sting. "I'm sure there is a way Jackie. How can you fucking continue?" I knew there was no answer that would make this right yet what was I to do. I had revealed to Blaize a lot about my job however I couldn't divulge everything. I just stood there helpless. Blaize nodded her head as if I had confirmed something with my lack of an answer. "Well then, let me make things simply. Get out."
"What?" I looked at her not believing those words has just come from her mouth.
"Just leave Jackie. Please." Resigning I nodded calmly and grabbed a few things. "I love you" was the last thing I said before the door closed on me. Placing a hand on the door I made my goodbye and started down the hall.
I wasn't lying when I said I loved her. Blaize was what kept me from becoming completely numb to what I did; she was the one I did it for. It's not like this kind of work made me rich, just enough money to get by but that wasn't the point. I did what I did to protect Blaize and others like her. There was a lot going on in the world that most people could never fathom, and it was my duty, along with a handful of others, to keep it that way.
I had been in the line of work for years then with the addition of Blaize in my life along with the increase of risk hiding was difficult. I ended up telling Blaize that I roughed up drug dealers every once in awhile. She believed me and let it slide as "they were just getting what they deserved." That didn't last for long as the blood just kept getting thicker, yet she remained silent only lightly mentioning something once by referencing Lady Macbeth.
Walking down an alley in the spring rain I hoped that we would be able to patch things. My head wasn't in the clouds though. Truth was I might lose Blaize, but I had to continue taking care of the nightmares that lived below these streets.
I rushed to the bathroom and quickly washed the blood off my hands. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough; Blaize stood there in silence. I turned to speak, yet what could be said to justify the act I had committed. She violently shook her hand and walked way leaving me no choice but to follow.
"Love."
"Don't call me that."
"But--" She cut me off.
"This is beyond us. How can you even love when you partake in such maliciousness?"
"It's my job."
"Jackie you've been saying that for weeks but I just can't cope with it anymore." Blaize stood there hugging herself to keep from shaking while refusing to look me in the eye. "This has to stop."
"How?"
"How?" There were tears in those baby blue eyes and I could feel their sting. "I'm sure there is a way Jackie. How can you fucking continue?" I knew there was no answer that would make this right yet what was I to do. I had revealed to Blaize a lot about my job however I couldn't divulge everything. I just stood there helpless. Blaize nodded her head as if I had confirmed something with my lack of an answer. "Well then, let me make things simply. Get out."
"What?" I looked at her not believing those words has just come from her mouth.
"Just leave Jackie. Please." Resigning I nodded calmly and grabbed a few things. "I love you" was the last thing I said before the door closed on me. Placing a hand on the door I made my goodbye and started down the hall.
I wasn't lying when I said I loved her. Blaize was what kept me from becoming completely numb to what I did; she was the one I did it for. It's not like this kind of work made me rich, just enough money to get by but that wasn't the point. I did what I did to protect Blaize and others like her. There was a lot going on in the world that most people could never fathom, and it was my duty, along with a handful of others, to keep it that way.
I had been in the line of work for years then with the addition of Blaize in my life along with the increase of risk hiding was difficult. I ended up telling Blaize that I roughed up drug dealers every once in awhile. She believed me and let it slide as "they were just getting what they deserved." That didn't last for long as the blood just kept getting thicker, yet she remained silent only lightly mentioning something once by referencing Lady Macbeth.
Walking down an alley in the spring rain I hoped that we would be able to patch things. My head wasn't in the clouds though. Truth was I might lose Blaize, but I had to continue taking care of the nightmares that lived below these streets.
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