tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76539479155681167562024-02-20T15:13:33.997-08:00I'm not a writer unless people see I'm writingOxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-87005221924163740062016-02-02T07:30:00.001-08:002016-02-02T07:33:56.303-08:00Just a quick post...Just making this very quick post to say I'm sorry for the lack of Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) this weekend just gone (29/1/2016 - 31/1/2016)... Unfortunately a number of things happened (including me hurting my hand) that kept me from really using the laptop T_T<br />
So yeah sadly there won't be any new entries for Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) til this weekend (5/2/2016 - 7/2/2016) so expect to see that somewhere between Sunday night and Monday morning at the latest.<br />
I'm very sorry but hopefully the wait will be worth it.<br />
<br />
Oh I also changed the settings so even people wishing to stay completely anonymous can post comments if they wish ^_^Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-79398982648456010962016-01-24T18:27:00.000-08:002016-01-24T18:27:40.680-08:00Quest 6 was running a bit late T_TSo yeah sadly Quest 6 came a little later than I had hoped. Sadly reading and coursework come first...<br />
Anyways now my workshop piece has been posted on moodle I was free to work on Quest 6...<br />
Quest 6 introduces a new character Puppeteer... I wanted to take a quick break from Assassin, Brawler and Scholar to introduce Puppeteer before she joins the fray... She is a bit more complex than Brawler even if they appear to have experienced similar events (which might not be as similar as they seem)...<br />
Anyways I wish I had done some sort of intro bit like this for Assassin... I did it with Brawler and Scholar because I have big things planned for them... but now I kinda wanted Assassin to be the main antagonist and it just seems a shame I missed a chance with her...<br />
Anyways got lots more characters to introduce but next week should see us return to the story with Assassin, Brawler, Scholar and very possibly Puppeteer...<br />
Ok I'll stop going on... Please read Quest 6 below or feel free to head over to the "Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change)" section to read the entire story so far...<br />
I hope you enjoy... Please leave comments or criticisms as any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 6 – Puppeteer takes the stage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She flung
herself forward in a panic. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Breathing
heavily she slowly reached out to her bedside table and flicked on the lamp. A
dull glow illuminated the room. Her tightened chest began to ease. She slid her
hand under her pillow and let out a sigh of relief as she pulled out her phone.
Trembling she dragged her knees to her chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It was just a dream.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> She kept telling herself. Uncertainty
remained caught in her throat. Memories circled within her head, like sharks
waiting for a moment of weakness. Her isolation bobbed gently beneath the
surface. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s not your fault. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She told herself unsure if she could
ever believe it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">You were driven to it. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The attempt to rationalise was poor even
by her standards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s the game. It has to be. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It was somewhat more believable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She just couldn’t
handle reliving the same event every time she tried to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The phone
slipped from her hand. Tears worked their way down her cheeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She was a smart
child and that was the reason her parents had separated. Her Mother was adamant
on her reaching for the top and her Father wanted her to enjoy her childhood.
If they had just gotten along she wouldn’t have been driven to the escape of
games. If she hadn’t thrown herself so willingly into the arms of every new
game. If only she hadn’t been so obsessed with Real World Gaming. If only she
hadn’t joined THAT beta test. If only she hadn’t tried testing that skill. If…
If… If…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So many if’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Of course
someone of her intelligence wouldn’t have believed the implications of using a
skill that claimed to control inanimate objects. Her intelligence? What a joke.
She felt like the dumbest person alive. There wasn’t a need to test the skill
on her best friend. If anything it was her fault. The doll may have killed her
friend but she was the one who made it happen. She was, if nothing else, a murderer.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She sobbed
quietly into her hands. There was no one else in the world who understood her
now. Her family was broken. The only friendship she had ever known was gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">An idea hit
her. Her quivering hand reached for the phone. She sniffled slightly. Unlocking
the screen she was confronted with that which had made her life worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-STATUS-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CLASS: Puppeteer<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LEVEL: 1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">TYPE: Mixed<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">SKILLS:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-Puppet Mastery Level 1: Give life to an
inanimate form to do your bidding.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Finger hovering
over the skill she sniffled once more. Seconds slowly passed. She breathed
deeply then pressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sure enough her
teddy bear slowly turned to face her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Mr Cuddles, you
won’t ever leave me will you?” she whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The teddy bear
jerked its head from side to side. An attempt to shake its head. Puppeteer
finally smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-7738561292236049832016-01-16T20:13:00.001-08:002016-01-16T20:18:11.828-08:00Workshop stuff going but Quest 5 made it in time...So yeah I kinda had my plans messed up ever so slightly by accepting to have my next 3000 words of my coursework piece workshopped in the next load of workshops (26/01) the trouble being I had lots of notes on how I wanted to continue on from the first 3000 words... I just hadn't actually started it yet... So I got almost halfway through that (currently 1,300 words give or take) and decided to make the time for the next "Quest" in Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change).<br />
Please forgive me for any faltering of quality I had less time than I normally would have liked to put into planning, writing and editing this.<br />
As a reminder the entire project in order can be found <a href="http://seemywriting.blogspot.co.uk/p/test.html">Here!</a><br />
Anyways I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to comment or criticise ^_^<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 5: What can a Scholar do?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">His hand grazed
along the floor. Pain shot up his arm from his wrist. He yelped in pain. Embarrassment
flooded his face as he looked over his shoulder. He didn’t feel very much like
a Scholar now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“What was-“
Brawler started to ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Your health
bar,” he said cutting her off through gritted teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re quick
little gingerbread man,” Assassin said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Brawler quickly
snatched her phone from its pouch on her belt to check. Assassin wasted no time
and grabbed at Brawlers arm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Don’t let her
touch you,” he shouted to Brawler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It was too late
Assassin already had a firm grip on Brawlers arm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Let go!”
Brawler growled as she flung a fist at Assassins face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Assassin nimbly
dodged the fist. Brawler squirmed and struck out again and again. She hadn’t
anticipated Assassin being able to move with such dexterity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Do something!”
she yelled at Scholar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Scholar finally
began climbing to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re joking
right? Two against one?” Assassin said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She began
scrolling through her phone while avoiding Brawlers flailing fists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Let’s take a
rain check on this shall we?” Assassin asked as she tapped her screen
activating her <i>Crippling Touch</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You aren’t
going anywhere!” Brawler yelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh but you don’t
have a say in the matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Brawlers’
movements suddenly became sluggish and she started struggling to move at all.
Assassin backed up slowly waving before turning around and walking away
casually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Do something!”
Brawler shouted at Scholar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Do what?” he
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Anything! Just
something!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“What? You have
at least a skill don’t you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He shook his
head. She sighed and crumbled to her knees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Assassin is
out of combat range,” both of their phones said in unison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“We’re safe?”
Scholar asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I dunno,”
Brawler said shaking her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Scholar held
his breath as he scrolled through his phone until he found it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-NEARBY-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sorry There Are No Opponents In The
Current Vicinity!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Finally he
released his breath and let out a sigh of relief. Replacing the phone in his
pocket he sat on the curb and began cradling his wrist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re hurt?”
Brawler asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She nodded
towards his wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh it’ll be
fine I think,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Brawler began
stretching her arms and legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I dunno what
happened but I can finally move properly again,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Movement
restriction?” Scholar suggested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Umm… In most
games there are skills that restrict or limit movement to give you a
theoretical advantage. In most cases they take the form of Stun, Paralysis,
Slow or Knockdown. I’m not sure which would be applicable for us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She stared at
him slightly shocked at the amount of information he had just rattled off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Is that your
skill?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He looked at
her blankly then shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I don’t have
any skills.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As if to prove
his point he pulled out his phone and brought up the appropriate menu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>-STATUS-</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CLASS:
Scholar</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LEVEL: 1</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">TYPE:
Support</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">SKILLS: None</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“That’s bizarre,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-75068546720944163762016-01-09T19:38:00.002-08:002016-01-09T19:38:31.295-08:00Dun Dun Duuuuuuuun.... Quest 4 is here!So ye after reviewing my previous additions for Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) I've decided I will try to carry it on as best as I can for now. Hopefully I can get some feedback on it ^_^"<br />
Well anyways here is Quest 4 - Forming a party. Hope you enjoy it and if you haven't seen the rest yet well you should read all that first you can find it all in order <a href="http://seemywriting.blogspot.co.uk/p/test.html">Here!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 4 – Forming a party<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She had only
lost sight of him for a second as he turned the corner so of course she was
surprised to find a fist flying towards her face as she turned the corner. Thankfully
she could react quickly enough to barely avoid what could have been a painful
impact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Well looks
like this isn’t a simple case of, what did you call it? Noob hunting?” came the
voice from her phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She wanted so
badly to tell the Fairy to shut up but she could already see the next fist
flying towards her. Her nimbleness kept her from being touched but this was
obviously no beginner. Finally the assault stopped and she had a chance to take
in the player standing before her. It was a girl who appeared older than her
with long black hair a well-defined body and small fists which were deceptively
powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“So you must be
Brawler?” she said looking down at her phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“And I’m
guessing you’re Assassin which makes him Scholar,” Brawler replied pointing to
an unconscious mass on the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Ah so that’s where
he went.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I’m sorry I
tend to think irrationally when I stumble across unfair fights.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh its fine we
were just playing tag,” Assassin replied with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re awfully
happy for someone about to get their block knocked off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh words can’t
even begin to describe how happy I am to find a more suitable player.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She kept
Brawler talking as she scrolled through her phone with one hand. She knew the
screen like the back of her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-STATUS-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CLASS: Assassin<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LEVEL: 3<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">TYPE: Melee<br />
SKILLS: <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-Poisonous Touch<br />
-Crippling Touch<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-Nimble (Passive)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Without looking
she tapped Poisonous Touch twice she anticipated the pop-up. <i>Only one Touch effect can be active at a
time activating this will disable any other Touch effect. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“This game isn’t
what you think can’t we just talk this over?” Brawler pleaded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Assassin couldn’t
stop the smile spreading across her face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Ok let’s call
a truce,” she said holding her free hand out towards Brawler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Brawler
cautiously stepped forward to shake the outstretched hand. As their hands were
about to meet she lunged forward grabbing Brawlers hand as tightly as she
could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I’m sorry I
just wanted my little gingerbread man back,” she said nodding her head in the
direction of the mass on the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The mass
stirred and sat bolt upright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“That hurt!” he
yelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh you’re
awake, you have one new notice please check the screen for more details,” a
happy voice chimed from his phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He looked at
the screen completely confused for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Brawler would like to create a party
with you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">ACCEPT<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">DECLINE<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As soon as the meaning of the message registered
he tapped <i>ACCEPT.</i> Just like that a
new menu option appeared labelled as <i>PARTY.</i>
Tapping on the icon his own and Brawlers health bars were visible but something
wasn’t right. Looking closely he realised Brawlers health bar was slowly
dropping.</span>Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-81244772473789179172016-01-03T19:40:00.003-08:002016-01-03T19:42:11.826-08:00A small delay in adding Quest 3<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly this is later than it should be due to a family think lasting longer than it should have. It is now 3.37 am Monday morning and this should have been posted Sunday evening/night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Quest 3 - Assassin Appears! Takes us back to the unlucky Scholar and adds yet another character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Quest 4 should be added next weekend (depends how I feel about the idea/progress of the project by next weekend). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As usual the whole of Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) can be found <a href="http://seemywriting.blogspot.co.uk/p/test.html">Here!</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feel free to leave me any feedback etc. I hope you enjoy ^_^</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 3 – Assassin Appears!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He kicked at
the ground still cursing at his luck. Looking down at the plastic carrier bag
he was confident his mood would improve when he got home and finally broke out
his new game. He had made it just in time before the store closed to pick up
the latest instalment of one of his favourite franchises. It wasn’t the limited
edition he had sought after but it was better than the new random real world
games. Streetlamps flickered into life. He breathed in the cold night air and
let out a sigh. Ok maybe he wouldn’t get over it that easily but he wasn’t
about to let his last minute trip to the game store be for nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Eventually he
was broken out of his thought filled daydream by a loud ping from his phone. As he pulled the phone from his pocket a
familiar fairy face appeared on his lock screen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Possible
opponent nearby, would you like to check?” she said cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He swiped his
finger across the screen of his phone and sure enough the app filled the
screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-NEARBY-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Assassin Level 3<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I thought I
said to close the app,” he muttered to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You did but in
the case of an imminent battle I must reactivate the app so you aren’t at a
disadvantage,” the fairy replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“But I don’t-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Battle
initiating in three, two, one, start!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Wait I’m not
playing this dumb game,” he argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Tell that to
Assassin,” the fairy said with a giggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Where is-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Before he could
finish the sentence a sharp pain flooded his abdomen. He clutched his stomach
in agony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Guess who?”
said an unfamiliar voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You must be
Assassin?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Correct!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A sudden pain
in the side of the head sent him sideways. He found himself gazing up at a
female in her teens with shoulder length blonde hair dressed fully in black.
She flicked her hair then kicked him in the stomach again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I was saying I
don’t want to play this stupid-“ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Another kick
cut him off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You don’t get
a say in the matter, so just shut up and die quickly so I can have my xp,” she
said in a hushed tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thoughts raced
through his head. Only one thought kept resurfacing. One question that was
burning to be asked. Did she intend to literally kill him? His mind screamed it
couldn’t be true but her face told him otherwise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Without further
hesitation he threw the bag with his new game in at her face. In her moment of
flinching he scrambled to his feet and ran. She immediately began following.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Run, run as
fast as you can but I’ll still catch you my little gingerbread man,” she yelled
after him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">His chest
burned, his legs wanted to give way but he kept running. He turned down an
alleyway, leapt over a fence and made so many turns that he was getting lost
himself. Too afraid to turn around he kept running. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Brawler has
joined the battle,” said the fairy as the phone made another ping. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">THUD! Then
everything went dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-89472496763965647822016-01-02T03:29:00.001-08:002016-01-02T03:29:47.068-08:00Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) second section added.So today I added "Quest 2: To Brawler or not to Brawler..." which introduces a new character and hopefully puts across where I plan to take the story. Can you say "Let the games begin"?<br />
Find Quest 2 below and for the entire story so far check <a href="http://seemywriting.blogspot.co.uk/p/test.html">Here!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 2 – To Brawler or not to Brawler…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The smirk
slowly faded from her face. Wisps of light resembling smoke slowly drifted away
from his body. He didn’t move, he didn’t talk. Fear slowly began to grip her.
He was taking this too far. It wasn’t funny anymore. As she stepped towards him
his body began to emanate light. Slowly but surely he began to disappear. Every
inch of him began to break down into pixelated cubes and collapse in upon
itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Congratulations
Brawler you win,” said a cheerful voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She looked
around for a second before realising the voice was coming from her phone. Pulling
the phone from her pocket she glared at the happy looking fairy on the screen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Where is he?”
she asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“There are no
opponents nearby,” the fairy replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“That’s not
what I meant. Where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Your opponent
was defeated and has been removed from the competition.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I know that
but where did he go?” she asked trembling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Your last
opponent has been removed, would you like to spend you points now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Terror clung to
her as she frantically began searching through the menus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-STATUS-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CLASS: Brawler<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LEVEL: 2<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">TYPE: Melee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">SKILLS:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-Combo Maker<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Would you like to spend your points?” said the cheerful
voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She swiped the
screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">-NEARBY-<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Sorry There Are No Opponents In The
Current Vicinity!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Looks like we
need to find some more opponents to beat up,” the voice commented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She swiped
again and again but there was no indication of him there. Minimizing the app
she went through her phone book. His name wasn’t there. It should have been
there but it wasn’t. Not that it mattered she typed in the number manually. <br />
“The number you have dialled has not been recognised,” the automatic voice
began. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She shook her
head. This couldn’t be happening. Filled with mixture of determination and
desperation she began searching every social media she knew he had used. Nothing.
Finally she returned to the app. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“How can I
assist you?” the fairy asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The blonde
haired bright eyed fairy floated eagerly awaiting her question. She hesitated.
Unrelenting dread was almost strangling her. Breathing deeply she finally
asked:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“What happens
when a player’s health drops to 0?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“They are
removed from the competition,” the fairy replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Where do they
go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I’m sorry I
cannot answer that question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Do they die?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The fairy
giggled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Of course they
die if their health bar hits zero. So try not to lose ok?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She fell to her
knees. Her arm went limp. The phone clattered to the floor. It wasn’t her
fault. She didn’t know what would happen. Tears began to stream down her
cheeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A wild beeping
noise from the phone broke her trance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“There is a
possible opponent nearby. Would you like to initiate a battle?” said the cheery
voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Looking up at
the night sky she realised she wasn’t alone in this mess. Others could make the
same mistake as her. What could she do now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-57783522983169843642016-01-01T14:38:00.002-08:002016-01-01T14:38:54.899-08:00Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) has begun ~~(o.o)~~So today I began Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change). Todays addition consists of the "Invitation" which I guess would be akin to a prologue(?) and Quest 1 which introduces one of the main characters to the game.<br />
Feel free to excuse or criticize any errors. Any and all comments are appreciate.<br />
The additions can be found below but the entirety of Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) can be found <a href="http://seemywriting.blogspot.co.uk/p/test.html">Here!</a><br />
And so comes the most nerve wracking part for me... I hope you enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Invitation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dear Hero,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Congratulations
you have been selected as a participant for the Heroes Kingdom Closed Beta. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Heroes Kingdom
is the next step in Real World Gaming, completely bringing the game to your
life in an immersive world changing PvP experience. Finally you can meet and
battle not only in real time but in real life.<br />
As part of the Closed Beta you will be randomly assigned one of our many
classes. For the duration of the Beta your screen name will be set to that of
your class by default. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Win battles,
spend points, level up, become a hero, conquer any opposition and start
building your kingdom today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Simply download
the app and your fairy guide will talk you through everything else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We look forward
to seeing you soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Quest 1: Enter the Scholar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Blegh!” he
said throwing himself on the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This was one of
the worst starts he had ever experienced in a game. Not only was the class
randomly assigned but it was unchangeable too. He stared at the screen of his
phone in disgust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CLASS: Scholar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LEVEL: 1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">TYPE: Support<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">SKILLS: None<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Worst class
confirmed. How exactly was he supposed to participate in a PvP focused game as
a lone support with no skills? Supports where supposed to have skills that were
designed to help team mates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“How exactly am
I supposed to play like this?” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A fairy flew
onto the screen blocking out the status screen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Greetings, I
am your very own Hero Support Fairy, if you would like any help feel free to
ask,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The system
seemed to respond with voice recognition but that didn’t mean it would be able
to help him. He looked at her tiny face and long purple hair. She had
translucent wings and wore a dress that almost seemed to be made of feathers.
There was so much detail, she seemed life like. He hadn’t been aware such
graphics were possible on his phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“How can I help
you?” she asked with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I have no
skills. Is this a bug?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Would you like
to go through the tutorial?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“No, I need to
know how to get skills,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Would you like
to go through the tutorial?” she asked again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Just as he
thought the system couldn’t help him. What was the point? With no skills and no
team he wasn’t exactly going to be playing the game for long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Close app,” he
replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Are you sure?
If you close now you will not be able to resume the tutorial later,” the voice
warned him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I don’t care!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Closing app, if
you require further assistance please feel free to ask.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With that a quiet pinging noise alerted him to
the closing of the app. He threw the phone across the bed and sighed loudly. So
much for a fun new game to take his mind off of things.</span>Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-61884295257293935342015-12-31T20:23:00.001-08:002015-12-31T20:38:12.810-08:00Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) is coming soon!Project: Quest Tracker (Name Subject To Change) is something of an experiment/task I've set myself for this coming year (2016).<br />
The idea was inspired by the many games I have played off and on over the years, most of which tend to be MMO's. I have no idea how original this idea is so if you know of any incidents where this has been/is being attempted elsewhere let me know I'd love to see how it went/is getting along.<br />
Anyways back to the idea itself...<br />
I've noticed I have a bit of a habit (and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this) of not bothering to read quest text if there is too much. For those who do not know or are confused, when gaming you usually have to complete quests and these quests are usually broken down into 4 parts:<br />
1. Quest title/Name<br />
2. Quest text - The story, background information, reason, etc for doing the quest<br />
3. Conditions for completion/Goal/Whatever else it wants you to do<br />
4. Reward (currency, xp and/or whatever else)<br />
<br />
So I took the time to work with some friends to try and pin point the amount of quest text an average player would be willing to read... This didn't go so well... Turns out a lot of people are lazier than we thought <insert sad face here>.<br />
It might have been best of me to give up there... but I couldn't... After counting the words in various quests from an array of games along with the help of some random players answering what must have seemed like bizarre questions we eventually settled on the number 500...<br />
Why 500 you ask? Well minus the few odd exceptions there were virtually no quests that exceeded 500 words (well ok there were like 3).<br />
<br />
So the task I have set myself is simple... Each week write an installment of about 500 words and post them here to eventually create a bigger story. <br />
The thought being to keep the chunks of story almost bite sized.<br />
Having said that last part I don't know if my intentions with this are entirely clear but hopefully after a few posts it will become clearer... I hope...<br />
<br />
The plan from here: From today(Friday 1/1/2016) til Sunday I plan to post an installment a day.<br />
After that I want to step back and take the week to decide if my plan needs any alterations before I resume with a weekly installment every weekend.<br />
<br />
Well that about wraps that up so please stop by and check it out as it unfolds ^_^Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-84038820029517039202015-10-05T19:19:00.002-07:002015-10-05T19:19:42.042-07:00Ok so I'm not very good at this...So yeah I'm not very good at keeping a blog up to date or making regular posts... I'm going to try and change that from now on I will try to post once a week even if it is something old I will post something in hopes of getting as much feedback as possible.<br />
This time I will be posting another of the three genre pieces intended for last years coursework.<br />
The piece itself is supposed to be of the sci-fi genre with similar restriction to the previous genre piece.<br />
Below is the piece copy and pasted from word. Feel free to leave any feedback. Thank you ^_^<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Light flooded the room. The taste of vomit filled my
mouth. My head continued to ache and my vision was still slightly blurry.
Depression was also kicking in. I closed my eyes. Guess I wasn’t so confident
in myself anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Hey, how’re you feelin?” Marie asks
as her fingers ran through my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Better,” I lied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“You didn’t slip again did you?” she
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Course not,” I whined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">It didn’t feel like much anymore but
another day without slipping was still just another day without slipping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Good, I’m about to go get some food
in,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I attempted to nod feebly. Then I
heard the bedroom door close as she left and I wondered if she actually
believed me. There was really no way for her to know if I had or not. Was
there? I shrugged the thoughts off. It didn’t matter if she believed me. All I
had to do was anything but slip. I’d made my decision and I needed to stick to
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I searched under the pillow and
grasped the small object. It was still there but I hadn’t used it. I pulled it
out and sat up squinting at it. My face reflected in its smooth silver surface.
I looked worse today than I did yesterday. There was something comforting about
how the circular device fit perfectly in the palm of my hand. I gently pulled
open the face. There it was. The dial grinned at me. It begged me to turn it.
Twelve hours. Each one marked with a line. Each one beckoning me to use it. All
I had to do was twist the dial and I would slip back. I knew the initial pain
would be intense. My brain would feel as though it’s exploding. Enough uses and
the damage would be irreparable. On the bright side within twelve hours I could
do anything I wanted. In that time frame I was essentially my own God. My hand
trembled over the dial. It was the answer to everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I heard the front door close. The
noise made me drop the device. It fell neatly into the bedsheets. I stared at
it. Its dial stared back at me with infinite promise. I had told myself I
wasn’t addicted but it was this moment that caused me to realise I was addicted
with the first use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">After scolding myself mentally I
closed the face of the device. I looked quickly around and grabbed an old
shirt. There wasn’t going to be a relapse today, I told myself as I tore a
sleeve from the shirt. I grabbed the device and wrapped it in the sleeve then
stuffed it neatly into my pocket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The bedroom door flew open. I turned
in shock to see a man in a black trench coat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Yo,” He said casually waving a shiny
red object in his right hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I knew immediately something was
wrong. As I stood to confront the intruder I realised the object wasn’t red. It
was like a knife with a gold handle and a peculiar wavy silver blade which was
covered in blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“So, I hear you have a piece of
illegal tech,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I opened my mouth to deny it but before
the words escaped his left fist sunk into my face. Shock rapidly spread
throughout my body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Just hand it over so we can get this
over with,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“I don’t know what you’re talking
about,” I protest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“You heretics are all the same. You go
using your technology to go messing up God’s plans,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“What? Are you crazy?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“Crazy? Me? No. You’re the crazy one,
messing with things that should only be touched by God,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“So, what are you even gonna do?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">His lips curved into a crooked smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“I’m going to reclaim the power which
belongs to God and punish all those who were touched by this un-holy
technology,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I reached into my pocket and grabbed
the device. As I pulled it out he kneed me in the gut. I fell and dropped the
device. It rolled. I watched helplessly as it left my reach. The man descended
upon me like a beast. Knife in the air clasped in both hands. Blade pointing
towards me. Descending. I tried to look away. I didn’t want to see the end as
it came so quickly. That’s when I saw Marie. She was lying in the hall. A
lonely island in a sea of crimson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Something snapped. There it was. A new
found need to slip back. The adrenaline surged. I raised one hand defending
against my falling doom. The other I slammed into his ribs. It caught him off
guard. I rolled him off of me. My heart was pounding in my ears as I scrambled
to my knees. I edged towards the device. Pain seared the back of my left leg.
The blade had been buried deep into it. I screeched in pain as it was ripped
out. He dragged me back across the floor. My hands outstretched to the device.
I kicked with my right leg and scored a lucky blow. With a push I used the man
as a new found footing to launch myself forward. I grabbed the device. After
haphazardly turning the dial I pressed it against my temple. The familiar
burning sensation. A discomfort in my head caused me to close my eyes. The pain
emanating from within my brain. Every electrical impulse, every memory from now
etched itself forcibly into my past self. More scarring on my brain. Possibly
more years off my life. I had no choice. It felt like I’d been hit by a truck,
punched in the gut and dropped off a building all at once. The unusual feeling
that the world had sped up. Then someone slammed on the breaks and everything
came to a screeching halt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I opened my eyes to find it was night
and Marie was asleep on the chair. I hadn’t realised she’d been watching over
me so intently. I had broken my promise. How could I tell her what had happened
or rather what would happen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-62722826743239761642015-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:002015-06-28T11:59:15.834-07:00Independent Reading Portfolio: Genres marks and sharing the Crime extract ^_^So yeah just got my mark back from my Independent Reading Portfolio: Genres... And well I don't think I did too badly... What I really want though is more opinions so I'm going to be trying to share these three pieces with as many people as I can.<br />
As usual please excuse grammar, punctuation, etc (I really suck at that stuff and it keeps getting pointed out). There may also be a loss of formatting so apologies in advance. So without further stalling here is the crime extract:<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Daylight was fading as detective Matthews entered the room.
He nodded to the guard as he walked in. Quickly following him in was the fox
girl. Her tail swished with each step. She paused, ears twitching as she
sniffed the air.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“It stinks of wolf in here,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Detective Matthews nodded and pet her on
the head. She looked at him in disgust and proceeded to sit at the table
opposite their suspect. He followed and stood next to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Well this is a little awkward isn’t
it?” He asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I didn’t do anything wrong,” said the
young-man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Oh but you violate some of the most
basic laws for your kind,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“What?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Matthews pulled a revolver from the
holster on his waist and set it on the table. He began searching his pockets
and pulled out a syringe filled with a reddish liquid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“This,” he said waving the syringe in
the air, “Would lead to a better solution than that,” he indicated to the
revolver.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re gonna drug me?” The young-man
shouted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“No you idiot, it’s a tranquiliser
specifically for your kind,” The fox girl chimed in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The young-man looked at her in
confusion. Matthews set the syringe next to the revolver.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“We can tranquilise you and have you
sent to a shelter,” Matthews said</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“A shelter? I’m not some kind of
animal!” The young-man retorted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I’m sorry that was a bit heartless of
me but you have to understand you have no papers or tattoo, for all we know you
could be dangerous,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Papers or tattoo for what?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re a Lycan aren’t you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“A Lycan? Wait I’m not a werewolf!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The fox girl shook her head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“It’s almost time,” she said calmly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Detective Matthews looked at his wrist
and nodded. He picked up the revolver. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Look shortly you’re going to change and
then if you try to hurt anyone I have to put you down,” He said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Put me down? I’m not a werewolf.” The
young-man protested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Look just tell us who’s trying to form
a pack and we can tranquilise you,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“A pack? How am I supposed to know?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Because we know you’re a lycan and very
possibly the newest member of the pack.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“I don’t know anything and I’m not a
werewolf!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Ok let’s say you don’t know you’re a Lycan,
has anyone approached you about joining them?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“NO and I know I’m not a werewolf.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The fox girl’s ears twitched.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“It’s coming,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Detective Matthews looked at his watch
again and sighed. He pointed the revolver at the young-man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Wait, I don’t know anything!” the
young-man screamed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“You’re sweating, easily irritable and I
bet your feeling itchy too right?” Matthews asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“No… Well yes but it’s cos I’m scared.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Really? Or is it because you’re about
to turn?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Detective Matthews pulled back the
firing pin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Please don’t,” the young-man pleaded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“It’s time,” the fox girl said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She shuffled to the edge of her seat.
Matthews stood with his revolver ready. Aimed at the young-man. Nothing. Then a
ripping noise. A blur raced past them. The revolver spiralled across the floor.
A giant bipedal wolf, tatters of a guard’s uniform clung to its body. The creature
grabbed the young-man’s neck in its jaws. A gurgling followed by silence. The
beast released its grip and let loose a howl. It dived through the window
taking the bars and chunks of the wall with it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Capture?” the fox girl asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Yes capture,” yelled Matthews as he
leaped to the young-man’s aid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Before he could finish the sentence the
fox girl had already given chase. She leaped through the giant opening and
across the gap between buildings. There were claw marks where the monster
before her had scaled the wall. A chunk of concrete flew at her from above. She
narrowly dodged. As she looked up she saw the werewolf almost two floors above.
It snarled at her and continued its climb. The fox girl immediately gave chase.
She jumped from ledge to ledge with ease. The gap between her and the wolf grew
smaller and smaller. Just as the creature got close enough to touch it
instinctively swiped at her. Its claws tore through her sleeve and into her
flesh. She yelped and paused to inspect the wound. The monster had almost made
it to the roof. Knowing she couldn’t lose sight of it she pushed herself to
continue. Another piece of concrete flew at her. It completely missed. She
resorted to running up the side of the building on all fours. There was no more
gap as she ran alongside the beast. Deliberately keeping herself just out of
its reach. They made it to the roof together. As the werewolf pulled itself up
she leaped high into the air and arced over the wolf. She quickly swiped at it
before it completely regained its balance. It just ignored her and pulled
itself upright as it unleashed another howl. She backed up having realised her
mistake. The creature dropped to all fours and charged at her. The fox girl
barely moved out of its way. The monster slid to a halt. It turned towards her
and charged again. The werewolf brushed against her. She couldn’t move. Letting
out a yelp of surprise she turned to see the wolf had caught her tail. It
dragged her backward. She struggled to pull away. The creature wrapped its
giant hand around her neck and lifted her off the floor. She kicked and
struggled. The creature tightened its grip. She began to frantically search her
pockets. Saliva dripped from the creature’s mouth as it pulled her closer. Her
hand finally closed around the syringe in her pocket. She slid the cap off and
plunged it into the wolf’s inner-arm. The werewolf yelped in pain and threw her
across the roof. It pulled the now empty syringe from its arm and let loose the
loudest howl it could muster. The creature walked over to her each step
clumsier than the last. It towered above her and raised its fist in the air.
Then its eyes slid shut and the monster toppled over.</span></div>
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-351170058474989302015-06-15T09:06:00.002-07:002015-06-15T09:06:31.395-07:00Been so busy lately.With everything that has been going on and writing pieces for the course I'm on I've refrained from posting here because A) I didn't have much time and B) I didn't want to mix up personal ideas from those I was using for coursework.<br />
Well now I've got my marks I feel happier to write "from the heart" again. While I'm working on some stuff I thought I'd post the piece I used for my coursework here... (I was considering building on it but I dunno yet haven't had too many people making positive comments about it)<br />
*Please excuse the formatting as I used copy and paste I'm aware the formatting sometimes messes up*<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My
hand trembles as the cold metal caresses my skin. I have traced this thin line
at least a hundred times before. Letting the cold edge dance lightly across the
blue. Yet every time my heart starts racing and my hand will inevitably shake.
My body is a traitor to its very core. Denying me a release. What happened to
freedom of choice? Of course I know already the human body never gives up
without a fight but this wasn’t fair. My life is essentially just a number of
days that I have existed. Nothing more, nothing less. I mustn’t be too quick to
judge myself. It’s not like I haven’t exhausted every other option. I actually
have a check list of things I want to accomplish. I like lists; I think they
keep me sane. This list literally consists of a few simple things. Get good
grades, I’ve been doing well so far. Get a high paying job, I mean if I’m lucky
of course. Fall in love, only to get my heart broken. Maybe I’ll rethink some
of these things later. I guess you could say I don’t see much of a future for
myself and so I took to thinking of suicide. Not that I want to die or kill
myself. It just makes sense to have some sort of eject button to remove myself
from a life that I serve no purpose in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So here I go with my daily routine following the
same movements. The blade would break the surface here. By here it needs to be
approximately 0.5 to 1 centimetre deep. Then I need to drag the blade as far as
here to create an incision over 5 centimetres long. As long as the cut fit
these requirements it should bleed sufficiently without causing so much damage
as to prevent me making a similar mark on my opposite wrist. Finally would come
the waiting game. Of course when the time came to initiate this procedure I had
a little something in my bag to calm my body. Practice. Practice. Practice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Trying to force my body to remember the motions.
This is what my life has boiled down to. It was only when the light got really
dim that I realised I’m no longer alone. A shadow was blocking out the light
that hung almost directly over the little cubicle. Dropping the blade pried
from a sharpener some time ago I scramble to cover my arm with my school
sweatshirt. The female toilets are usually empty during the third class and
even the rare visitor wouldn’t go to the lengths of spying on someone in the
next cubicle. As I look up I’m greeted with a face that could easily pass for
my own. Her slender features almost mimic mine. The only differences between us
being her hair being blonde and the glasses that tarnish my face. She beams
down at me then she disappears. I hold my breath for a moment as I wait for the
taunts, the mocking and the banging on the cubicle wall. If she is here she
most likely brought an entourage. I wait. Nothing. Then BANG! The cubicle door
flies open. She stands there looking in at me still smiling but kindly this
time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Oh hi there,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I sit there and stare at her trying to not let my
jaw hit the floor. She boldly steps forward. I edge back. I’m cornered and she
knows it. She continues to smile. That’s another thing that separates me from
her, she never stops smiling. It’s a warm welcoming smile. It’s confusing and
disturbing to say the least. She is possibly the most popular girl in the
school and that smile is her trademark. It wouldn’t be unusual to see her tear
into someone while smiling at them like she’s their best friend. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">People once called her names and she smiled at them
while proceeding to plant their face into a locker door. Then she claimed it
was self-defence and apologized with that same smile while asking the girl to
be her friend. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She grabbed for the arm I was attempting to hide
under my sweatshirt. I tried to squirm away but it was no use. Her hand caught
my wrist with ease. She pulled my arm so it was straight then to my surprise her
grip softened. I cringed away but nothing happened. I felt her soft fingers
stroking the same line I had been tracing with the blade only moments earlier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Shh, it’s ok,” she says as quietly as she can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I look up to see her smile has gone and she is now
looking at my arm intently as she brushes her fingers along the surface. She
notices I’m looking and the warm friendly smile comes back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“So you haven’t made a serious attempt yet?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I shake my head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You really hate your life that much?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I bow my head slightly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Hey I’m talking to you,” she says her voice as
soft as ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I keep looking at the floor. I’m hoping she goes
away but she crouches down in-front of me. She looks up at me her smile firmly
in place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Even if you can’t stand living… Don’t just quit,” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Her words shock me. My body begins to tremble. I
don’t know how to respond. She must sense it because she continues.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“If you really think you don’t have a purpose then
try living your life for me,” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She pauses giving me time to take it in. How could
someone like her have any clue what I’m thinking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Help me with something,” she says her smile
disappearing once more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My mouth opens but words won’t form.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It’s ok, all I want is a friend to help me. I’ll
protect you and give your life purpose,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She suddenly looks a little saddened. Her face
appears more like mine than ever. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I want someone to have fun, with someone who
understands how I feel about the world, someone to waste my time with,” She
finishes and her smile returns.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I don’t know what to say. What could I say? Did
Melody, the schools most popular girl, just open up to me? She must see the
confusion written all over my face. Suddenly she stands back up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“If you’re interested I’ll be at your locker at the
end of lunch. Just be there if you want to talk about it ok?” She says as she
backs away from me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She turns suddenly and vanishes from sight. The
door to the toilets closes and I’m alone once more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
seconds ticked away as the corridors slowly emptied. Almost every other student
was now heading to whatever classroom they needed to be in. Not Melody. She was
waiting. Patiently. Her heart leaping a little in her chest but she fights it
back into submission. Now wasn’t the time to feel excited or nervous. Colette
hadn’t walked past her which meant now was the time to move. Everything was
falling into place so easily. Sure it isn’t much of a challenge like this but
at least what was to come would entertain her a little. Melody slips down a
side corridor. Lockers jut out from each wall at intervals giving the illusion
of a narrower space. Apart from the main corridor behind her there was only a
fire exit and set of stairs up to the science rooms ahead. Very little chance
of escape. She spies movement. Melody begins her careful approach but of course
she already knows what’s going on. That fool took the bait. Poor Colette had
decided to wait for Melody out of curiosity and now… Well as far as Melody was
concerned Colette had drawn in a new friend. One of those girls who thinks she
owns the place, likes to think she’s a lioness and this is her kingdom. Sadly
that girl is about to learn a thing or two about this eco system. Yes she might
be a predator… but Melody was essentially the apex predator. Melody really
didn’t want to risk sacrificing Colette but this could also give her the final
push she needed. Melody was merely a few feet away. This so called bully
attempting to put Colette in her place. Adrenaline courses through Melody’s
veins. Colette stands defiantly as this girl gives her yet another shove, this
time into a corner. Melody now only inches away. She can see Colette fighting
back her tears. Melody looks on in admiration, Colette really was almost as
strong as her. Melody pauses directly behind the fail excuse for a human being.
Check. In the blink of an eye she grabs her prey’s hair and yanks it back while
sweeping the poor things legs with her foot. The pretender falls right on her
rear. Melody sees Colette slide to the floor as well but she can’t go to her
aid yet. Before the shock subsides Melody places a hand just below the idiot’s
neck. Wait, 1, 2, 3. Just as her victim begins to assess the situation Melody
gives a quick shove pushing the girl to the floor. That’s how it’s done.
Quickly, quickly. Melody slides a pair of scissors out of her skirt waistband.
Flicking them open, she watches in delight as her new toy’s face twists
slightly, that moment between shock and fear. It’s too late before the girl can
clamp her mouth shut Melody slips one side of the scissors into it. Melody puts
on her best smile. Appearance is everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Now, I was hoping we could all play nice,” Melody
says as sweetly as she can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Her new found friend tenses up, it’s a sign she is
about to struggle. Melody wastes no time in deterring her and applies some
pressure to the blade against her tongue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Hey, shh, shh, I just wanna talk,” Melody
continues as she brushes the short blonde hair from the girl’s face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Now please if you want to interrupt me at any
point just move a bit and I’ll be sure to cut up the inside of your mouth, kay?”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody pushes the blade of the scissors against her
tongue once more. All the while making sure to continue smiling. Of course the
walking corpse decided to play dead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I’m so glad we understand each other. So let me
ask if you remember what happened when you touched my new bag last year?”
Melody whispers close to her ear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Her prey continued playing dead, staring blankly
into Melody’s eyes. Melody delighted in the sight of those tears waiting to
break forth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Well could you just imagine how I feel about you
getting your filthy hands on my friend?” Melody lets a hint of malice slip into
the words.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The poor thing lays there stupefied. Melody pulls a
sad face. If there was one thing Melody hated it was sad faces, they just looked
so ugly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Would it be easier to keep ‘em away from her if I
cut your fingers off?” She asks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody quickly switches to her best smile, the one
she usually save for special occasions. A tear breaks free and rolls from the
corner of the girl’s eye.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I could always cut your tongue open for playing
with scissors?” Melody jokes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Her prey whimpers. This was the point where Melody
had to be careful. It’s not nice to break people, or so she had been told. It
was just so tempting. How much could they take? How much damage could she
inflict? Which was the most effective damage? Physical? Mental? If one of them
was super effective it could break her new toy in one move and finding a new
one would be a pain. Melody knew she would have to restrain herself. What fun
was a game if you rushed straight to the end?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You’re lucky, I don’t want to upset my friend
anymore so I’m going to let you stand up and then you are gonna walk away and
not mention this to anyone, kay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The play thing stops whimpering and sniffles a bit
as Melody slowly begins to pull the scissors from its mouth. Melody sees the hands
go to move. The thing almost got away too easily. Melody wedges the scissors
back into the girl’s mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Don’t forget it’s not just your pretty hands and
face I can ruin for you should you tell anyone,” Melody reminds her playfully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Game, set, match. The pretend predator ceases to even
consider moving. That complete and utter defeat. Melody revels in the moment as
she slowly slides the scissors from her mouth making sure to pause randomly.
Keeping her victim guessing as to if it really is over or not. Finally Melody
pulls the rest of the blade from her mouth and stands up towering over her new
found subject for a moment. The now ex-bully scrambles to her knees. Melody offers
a hand to help her up. Of course this quivering pile of flesh wasn’t going to
trust Melody now. This once upon a time bully was now completely broken, as all
people like her should be. There was a moment of hesitation and then she sprang
to her feet and took off. Melody watches amused as the fail excuse of a human
almost trips over. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Have a nice day,” Melody yells after her as she
disappears from sight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A sniffling end of a crying fit causes Melody to
spin around to see Colette. Still there. Still watching. Still waiting. Good
thought Melody as she offered Colette a real smile as well as her hand. Colette
simply smacks her hand away, pulls herself to her feet and runs. Melody looks
at my hand in shock for a moment. She wouldn’t trust this hand either. Yet her
heart raced a little more than usually. Melody slides the scissors back into
her waistband and let out a sigh. Now she had to wait for Colette’s move.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
felt terrible. I hadn’t seen Melody since the incident yesterday. I was torn
between demanding an answer and begging her forgiveness. I slumped down on the
wooden bench at the top of the hill. The day was wearing on and school had
finished yet I couldn’t shake the want to talk to her. I looked out into the
distance. You could see from miles around from here and normally the view would
somehow set my mind at ease. Not today. My brain was still racing with thoughts
clambering over each other. I leant forward and hung my head. The boards
beneath me shifted indicating I had company. I attempted to take a peek without
showing any real interest. All I saw was a skirt. I looked up slowly following
the school uniform of my own school, long blonde hair and finally a smile that
just wouldn’t give up. I tried to tear my gaze away but I just couldn’t. Melody
was admiring the view from the added height of standing on the bench. She
stretched her arms into the air briefly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Isn’t the view amazing?” She asked in her softest
kindest voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I quickly acted as though I hadn’t noticed her
there but I was one hundred percent sure she had seen me looking at her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I didn’t think you’d be one to enjoy a view like
this,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I just stared straight ahead. The questions I’d
wanted to ask the things I wanted to say all dissipated. All that was left was
an awkward silence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I’m sorry,” she whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I quickly looked up at her. She was now staring
down at me. Her smile was gone and her face looked completely serious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I’m sorry about yesterday please don’t make me say
it any louder,” She half shouted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It’s fine,” I said forcing a smile. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Of course it wasn’t fine but at least now I knew
she didn’t want me to harbour negative ideas of her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Oh my god, you can smile!” she said acting
shocked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I simply looked away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You know why I want to be your friend right?” she
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I shook my head. I really didn’t have a clue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Cos… I know what its like,” she said simply.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I watched her with her arms extended forwards,
almost as if reaching for the horizon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“They tell you that you can do whatever you want,
they tell you that everyone has to listen to the same rules, they say the sky
is the limit, they encourage you to try your best,” She stopped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A gust of wind shot between us blowing her hair out
of place and ruffling her skirt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“But they lied.” She finished.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I don’t…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It must’ve been the same for you… If you are too
smart you will be excluded, if you don’t try hard enough you get punished, if you
argue or complain you get looked down on,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Her smile was gone and showed no sign of coming
back. She stood there in silence looking at me. I couldn’t tell if she was
waiting for my response or not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“But the worst part, the part that really gets me,
no one is bound by these unspoken, unseen rules. They do whatever pleases them
and the rest of society just goes along with it,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She took a deep breath and then fell to her knees
on the bench next to me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You’ve noticed it too right?” She asked almost
pleadingly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I nodded. She was right. I hadn’t seen it that way
before but she was right. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I’m sick of playing this shitty game with them on
my own please be my team mate, my partner, my friend?” she leant forward as she
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What was I supposed to say? I couldn’t say no. She
understood the kind of life I had endured. She was smarter and more beautiful
than me. While I had always thought she had everything could it be she also had
all the negatives as well? Was it possible she had endured it worse than I had?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Of course,” I said nodding and trying to smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tears welled up in her eyes and she smiled leaping
to her feet on the bench.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Hear that world? Me and Collie have each other now
and we are gonna tear your stupid game apart. So watch out!” She shouted at the
horizon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I tried to restrain a giggle but I just couldn’t
keep it in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Oh you think that’s funny huh?” She shouted at me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She leapt of the bench and turned to face me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Wait til you see the speech I give when we show
the rest of the world whose boss,” She said pointing at me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Something about her newfound energy and smile
seemed completely natural. I had to wonder if I was the first person to see this
side of her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She
expected Colette to be waiting. After all Colette always waited for her no
matter how late she was. Today she had gone the extra mile to be later than
usual. Being late was one of the few ways to minimize being caught or
overheard. There were a few tricks she had learnt over the years to keep people
out of her business. Even though violence was the most potent remedy it was
much easier and less risky if they didn’t know her business in the first place.
Since her friendship with Colette was something special Melody really didn’t
want people getting involved. Sure enough there was Colette leaning against a
wall staring blankly at the run down English block. Melody couldn’t resist. She
was extra careful to make sure Colette didn’t see her as she got closer. Then
quickly she leaps in-front of Colette pushing her against the wall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Looking for someone?” She asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You’re late,” Colette replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody shrugged. They looked at each other for a
moment before Colette decided to try and pull free. Melody used her body to
push Colette against the wall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Where do you think you’re going?” Melody asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Seriously Mel? This isn’t the time or place,”
Colette retorted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As soon as the words came out Colette felt Melody’s
fingertips pressed gently against her lips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Its fine Collie, trust me,” She said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">However Colette still struggled. Melody slid her
leg between Colette’s and grabbed one of her wrists making Colette completely
helpless. Using her free hand Melody brushed Colette’s hair away from her face.
Making sure to push it over her shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Please, not here, I’m not used to this yet,”
Colette protested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody completely ignored her pleas and leant in
towards Colette’s neck. Colette gasped and tensed up as Melody’s lips made
contact with her skin. The softness and the sensation had completely shocked
her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Good, keep that expression,” Melody whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Of course she was referring to the look Colette had
made every time they had practiced this. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“What?” Colette asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette had a hunch Melody was enjoying this and
Melody would’ve been lying if she said she wasn’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Shh keep it down, its better if no one sees us,”
Melody whispered as her lips brushed Colette’s skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“But...” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette didn’t get to finish her sentence before
Melody made another move.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Do you see anyone around?” Melody whispered again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette tried to look around and when she couldn’t
see anyone she attempted to shake her head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Good,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Would you stop even if there was?” Colette asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody shook her head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Of course not, while we’re doing this no ones
going to want to look,” Melody replied quietly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette began to tremble slightly. Melody had to
wonder if it was fear or excitement. Maybe it was something else altogether.
Either way she pushed herself firmly against Colette. Making sure she could feel
every curve against her body. Melody traced a line with her lips up to
Colette’s ear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Have you decided yet?” She whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette nodded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“And?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I want to do it,” Colette forced the words out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Are you sure?” Melody asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colette tried to nod. Melody could feel Colette’s
heart racing. She moved her lips to the other side of Colette’s neck. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“There’s no going back if you do,” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I know,” Colette replied breathlessly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“If we get caught?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I don’t care,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Really?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“As long as I’m with you,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It should’ve sounded needy or childish but Melody
was touched. She froze as she contemplated those words. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Umm,” Colette tried to think of something to say
but no words would come.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody quickly realised the awkwardness of the
situation and she pulled away. Colette seemed like she was trying to catch her
breath. Melody smiled at her without even meaning to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“What?” Colette asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Nothing, nothing,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You don’t smile like that for nothing so tell me,”
Colette pleaded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“This,” Melody said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">With that she leant towards Colette and gently
kissed her lips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Like I said before I’ll always protect you, you’re
mine now,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Colette said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I wouldn’t let there be any other way, if anyone
tries to take you from me… Well let’s just say I can be very inventive,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I can be inventive too,” Colette replied with a
smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Oh really? I guess you’ll have to show me some
time,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Melody couldn’t help but wonder how far Colette
would really go. She already knew the things they would soon do together would
go beyond her wildest dreams. Her heart began beating faster even thinking
about it. Melody could already see they completed each other. Could Colette see
it too? It couldn’t be just one way. There was definitely something special
between them. There had to be. Colette was her ticket to happiness. Soon
everyone would know how happy they made each other. Melody could feel the
warmth in her chest. The gears were beginning to turn. Cause and effect. One
day everyone would know about their games. How they had played around. When
that day came she wouldn’t hide the truth. She wanted everyone to know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Adrenaline
coursed through my veins. I had never felt so excited. So alive. We had come
out to the forest and the moonlight danced through the tree branches. It was
beautiful. Nature itself had set the stage for what we were going to do. It
didn’t take much for Mel to convince me that this was only natural. Now we were
running through the trees soaked in sweat and something else. We ran side by
side laughing. Reality became a blur. It was exhilarating but it wasn’t over
yet. Melody let go of my hand so we could split up. I continued moving forwards
unable to stop myself. Stumbling into what seemed to be a small clearing I
found him. He noticed me instantly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Colette, why are you here?” he whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It would’ve been impossible to tell from his
appearance here but he was one of the more popular guys at her school. His
clothes were torn up here and there but that wasn’t the most noticeable thing.
The moonlight illuminated him perfectly enough to show the crimson patches on
his clothes and skin. Blood. He was covered in it. There was very little of his
clothes that hadn’t been ruined by blood. I stepped closer into the moonlight
so he could see me more clearly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Oh my god, she got you too,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Of course I knew immediately he was referring to
Melody and the blood on my clothes. I looked down at myself. No wonder he
jumped to that conclusion. I looked about the same as he did. Thick blotches of
blood had died sections of my clothes red. I suddenly felt sick. The world
began to spin. I screamed. He dived towards me and covered my mouth with one
hand while wrapping his other arm around me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Keep quiet, its ok, I’ll protect you,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I didn’t struggle. His breathing was heavy. There
was no telling what he’d do next but that didn’t matter to me. I felt oddly
secure in his arms. It would all be over soon. He held me as close as he could.
If he wanted he could suffocate me right here and now. I was lucky he knew I
wasn’t a threat. He clung to me as we fell to the floor together. Still he held
onto me trying to shelter me. His grip finally loosened and I pulled away. He
didn’t try to stop me. I stood up and stretched. Somewhere behind me I heard
clapping. I spun on my heels to see Melody standing just within the edge of the
clearing. Moonlight only just barely revealing she too was covered in blood. I
sighed and turned back to the heap on the floor. Reaching down I pulled the
small knife from his stomach. Poor guy he never saw it coming. Melody walked
over and slapped his face harshly. He groaned as she pulled his head up by his
hair. We had been torturing him for the best part of a day before releasing him
so we could hunt him down. Now he was barely clinging to life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Hey wake up,” Melody said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She slapped him over and over. No response. She
clenched her fist and punched him in the side of his head. He groaned again but
this time he squirmed slightly as well. Melody let him drop to the floor.
Pulling himself to his hands and knees he tried to crawl away. Melody shook her
head and kicked at his arms. He fell face first into the floor. So even after
all this his body was still fighting to survive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“You go around breaking any rule you want and yet
you never get punished,” Melody said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He rolled onto his back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Well I’m sorry to tell you, all that rule breaking
has finally caught up to you,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“We aren’t going to let people like you do whatever
you want anymore,” I added.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Finally he looked at me in shock. Did he only just
realise I’m part of this?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Today you are being tried for all the rules you
have broken,” Melody announced as she began searching his pockets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“We have decided you are guilty,” I said as Melody
pulled a mobile phone from his pocket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Your actions have triggered an event,” Melody said
as she began doing something with his phone. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "\@BatangChe"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I helped him onto his knees. Melody flashed the
screen at him. It read: DEAD END. The flag that appears in certain games when
you reach a negative end. She hit the button to send. A look of confusion
crossed his face. We each place a hand on one of his shoulders. I was on his
left and Melody was on his right. We both reached a blade across to the other
side of his neck. Nodding to each other we both pulled. The noise was a
pleasant squelching with a mixed in gurgling. His body went limp. We let go and
he fell forward with a dull thump. Melody flung her arms around me. I embraced
her. There was very little that could separate us now. </span>Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-18697449692155332812015-02-23T06:40:00.001-08:002015-02-26T16:14:11.330-08:00So yeah...Here is a little something I threw together not too long ago. As one of my more recent pieces of writing I can see a clear difference between this and the sort of thing I would've written a few years ago.<br />
Well anyway here is a very short story about an encounter with a Kelpie.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">On cold and clear Sunday
night’s I often find myself meandering to a body of water on the outermost
reaches of civilization. For this is the best way to catch a glimpse of a water
spirit that has grown rarer with the spread of man. If you should wish to see
it too then you should heed my warning. Find a river or stream surrounded by
dense woodlands and observe from a distance. The creature itself may seem
unstartled at your presence and may very well be friendly but it likely does
not understand the danger that it poses to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">I must elaborate on my
first encounter with one which happened some time ago. A night which I had
stumbled across a small village in the northern most reaches of the country. In
a clearing not far from the village, what appeared to be every man, woman and
child who resided in the village were gathered at a lake. There were all kinds
of accusations being thrown and the whole ordeal seemed very much like a trial.
Not wanting to upset these villagers or to get involved in their affairs I
turned to take my leave. However I was halted by a sound somewhat similar to
hooves. I dared to creep ever closer and hid behind the tree closest to the
crowd. There I saw the magnificent black beast standing like a proud horse with
a mane of snakes. It trotted so casually through the crowd of villagers and
each of them backed away. When it had reached the center of the clearing the
village folk pushed a young girl towards the animal. They urged her to climb
upon the horses back. The girl refused. She was obviously scared, I couldn’t
help but wonder why. In an instant two burly men separated themselves from the
crowd and lifted the girl up onto the horse being cautious to not touch the
creature themselves. She screamed. The men backed away. For a moment the being
upon whose back she was placed seemed confused. It stood there, head held
proudly. A calm fell upon the girl and the crowd. Then without warning the
creature bolted towards the lake and both were gone. The girl didn’t even have
time to scream, the last noise she made being a gurgling one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Once the villagers had
dispersed I picked up my courage and approached the lake to investigate. I
crept up to the edge of the water and peered into the darkened depths. I could
see neither the animal nor the girl. I doubt I was staring into the lake for
very long or with much concentration but I suddenly felt like I was being
watched. That was when I heard what sounded like hooves hitting the ground
behind me. I spun round to see the beast staring at me tapping what looked like
a reverse hooved foot on the floor. Upon seeing it at such a close distance I
could tell clearly that it was a black stallion not much bigger than a regular
cart pulling horse. Its eyes were somehow magical, black in colouring but there
was a depth and shine to them which seemed it would pierce a man’s soul. The
mane of the creature was not snakes as I had initially thought but rather some
form of water weed that floated as if the air was water. Its face was so close
and in all it appeared to mean me no harm. If anything the stallion appeared
lonely, I use this word only because I could not find another that described
the solemn air about it. The more I drank in its features the more curious and charmed
I became with this fantastical beast. I had resisted until then to reach out
and touch the beast but I could fight the urge no longer. Slowly I raised my
hand. As my hand came up the horse like creature displayed the side of its
neck. I stretched the tip of my fingers and gently brushed against its fur, if
that really is what it was. To my surprise it felt like no fur I’d ever touched
before, not exactly soft or wet but something entirely different. Quickly the
horse head rose up back to its proud position. I jerked my arm away only to
find that the water weed mane had encircled my arm. I was trapped to the beast.
It turned towards the water. I pulled away. The mane tightened. I realised
instantly that I was to end up like the girl before me. My survival instincts
kicked in. I pulled the blade from its place on my belt. The creature began to
pull. Sinking my heels into the floor I tried to slow the movement while I
attempted to cut the weed. Both efforts were useless. My prospects were looking
bleak. As hope appeared to thinning I quickly severed my hand. Then I merely
watched as the beast literally disappeared into the lake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
The next morning, after a somewhat
restless night and doing my best to hide my arm, I approached the lakes edge
once more. The water was crystal clear but there was nothing living in the lake
aside from a few aquatic plants. Upon the shore near to me I discovered a mess
of clothes and water weed, which had been washed up there at some point. As I
pulled them free from the lake I believed I recognised them. They looked
similar to what the young girl was wearing the previous night. That was when a
young <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">boy approached me. He
looked at me with a sad look and said something that would haunt me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">“They belonged to my
sister. Everyone thought she was guilty. So they brought her here to be judged
by the kelpie…”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span> </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
</span>I hope you enjoyed reading this. Please feel free to tell me what you thought ^_^Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653947915568116756.post-61398358195867455642015-02-19T15:40:00.000-08:002015-02-19T15:40:56.305-08:00Ohai there...So yeah... I'm pretty new to blogging but I'm aspiring to one day be a published writer... That day may not be coming any time soon so until then I wanted to share my work with people and get a larger input on what I write and how. <br />
Hopefully with each post I will be including either something I have recently started writing or something from the past. <br />
I should probably mention that I am on a course to get a BA in creative writing. How well I will fair on said course is anyone's guess. <br />
Well without further delay here is something from a while back. It is just something very short and was originally just me playing with a second person narrative:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Good morning you have not
slept well. How could you have? But you’re awake now and that’s what counts.
You survived the first and most important night. It’s an accomplishment you
should be proud of yet you aren’t proud at all. A certain fear grips you and it
overpowers everything else. You aren’t a fortune teller but you know things
will only get worse. As you move to a corner of the bleak room you wonder if
there will ever be a reason for you to exist. Your thoughts are still limited.
Your body still heavy. Your heart… well who cares about that? The day will pass
slowly and uneventfully again then as night creeps across the room you will
eventually drift into another restless sleep, if you can call it that. The
coming days will be harsh and you will wish you hadn’t been brought into
existence. All you can do is remember what you were told and do as you were
asked. You haven’t realised it yet but you are pacing between the corners of
the room. It’s something you weren’t told to do but you’re doing it anyway. See
it’s not so hard you can do this. At the thought of success your body decides
it doesn’t want to walk anymore and you collapse under your own weight. Back to
square one. You need to try to stop worrying but you can’t. How could you not
worry? She told you to have your own life without her. You both needed freedom
she explained it to you over and over again. However when she ended her life
and commanded you to be free did she, your master, consider for one second that
she’d break your heart? Be free, live your own life. You could try all you like
but deep down you know without her you are nothing. After all what is a golem
without someone to command it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Well I hope someone reads this and would let me know what they think/feel ^_^<br />
<br />
Oxymorasaurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06730887897712921344noreply@blogger.com0