Awake to autumn

Awake to autumn

New painted world,

Splendour of decay

All is nature’s art.

Gold blushed crowns

Most regal farewell,

A scarlet promise

For spring to come.

Brittle burnished rain

Wind wafted flakes,

All things return

To their beginning.

LADY AUTUMN

Late autumn ice, thin and shifting, summons me

Slack fisted, hands curl in light anticipation

Breathe, exhale, billowing languid smoke screens

The tide preparing change quickens reality

Destiny crumbles, immersing fate through shriveled leaves

Beckoning, wanting, and needing to be set free

So here it is I wait, pondering loss of comfort, O’ haunting season

That which once so vital, now degraded, hovering, collapsing

And here, and then, and again I wait, marveling at reason

For how am I to accept this madness, slithering in its departure

When how ravishingly the crackled frost, webs her treason

Homage to autumn, trembling, wrapping, consuming the tender

Embrace her cool breath, taking wing, her deep sigh embraces, filling me

For The Love of Big Foot

Guardians of the Forest
By: Abigail-Madison Chase

She was beautiful. Her flowing locks and beautiful smile called to him. She came to Potters Mountains every summer to hike. This was her sixth summer in the mountains every year he promised himself he would claim her.

Watching her put up her tent he realized he was paralyzed with fear of rejection. The woman was his mate but first she had to accept him in his natural form. He was the boogie man of legends. Would she? Could she love one such as him?

He smiled as she cussed the tent. The woman had two left hands when it came to the outdoors she loved so much. Every year he made sure her camp fire never went out, her tent stayed up and she had plenty of fresh fish to eat.

Looking down at his body he willed his human form to come forth as it did he grabbed the clothes he keep hidden around the forest. Dressed in ranger greens he walked toward his mate.

“Howdy” turning his way she smiled with recognition. He was a park ranger. The forest was his home.

“Howdy, Ranger Ryan Parks. I am so glad to see you. This tent is behaving like a girl gone wild it can’t seem to keep its top on.

Flashing her brilliant smile I stepped closer inhaling her delicious scent. Standing in the sunshine she looked like sweet dark chocolate. Smiling back I knew it was now or never. This summer I would claim my mate.

“It’s the same thing every year April Summerfield.” I chuckled putting up the tent while she banged the pots and pans around trying to find her matches to start a fire. The woman needed a keeper.

Stomping off to the river April carried the pots and pans for fresh water. Looking back she watched as Ryan put up the tent and started the fire.

Instead of a ranger he should be called he-man. Every year she came to Potters Mountain he was there to help. The first year was to dump her grandmother ashes every year after that was to see him to be near him to be close to him.

Ryan smelled of man her man. He filled her nights with dreams of love and her days with longing.

Ryan was beautiful. His honey colored eyes captured her each time he looked at her. Two braids held his shoulder length hair in place. Over six feet tall Ryan was athletic and fit.

That women needs a keeper

The thought hit her. It was Ryan’s voice in her head. Turning quickly she slipped off the rock and began falling face first toward the jagged edged rocks in the river. April tried fighting to catching her balance closing her eyes he began the slow decent into the swiftly moving river.

Her mental scream stopped him in his tracks.

Help! I am going to die

Calling on the Great Spirit Ryan stretched his arms out sending shock waves of energy t0 catch her before she hit the rocks. This was not the way he envisioned his mate finding out what he was. He would have to change mid stride to save her. His energy would not hold long enough for him to rescue her and change back to human form.

Un,hum,da Fedo, uttering the words he changed into the largest beast known to roam the North American landscape he was Big Foot.

Finally Free

I wrote this at a flash fiction contest last Saturday. They gave us a theme (Vegas--the city of second chances [and we couldn't use gaming]) and then gave us 90 minutes to write a story of no more than 500 words. So, here's my entry...

FINALLY FREE by Alba Arango

They said Los Angeles was the place I would blend in, that no-one would notice I was different. They lied.

I stepped out of the cab to what would’ve been my new home, a sort of run-down apartment in East Los Angeles. It was perfect.

“Yo, buddy,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. “Spare a buck?”

A scruffy looking man held his hand out in anticipation.

I frowned, confused. “A buck?” Why would this man believe I had a large animal on my person? “I’m afraid I do not have a buck.”

The man whipped out a gun. “Then I guess I’ll take your wallet instead.”

He raised his weapon and pulled the trigger.

I looked down at the hole in my chest then up at him for explanation.

His eyes grew big, his face paled. “You some kinda freak?” He backed up, then left rather quickly.

Reaching into my chest, I pulled out the bullet and sighed. I had only been on this planet for twenty minutes and already I had drawn attention to myself.

“Excuse me.” A dark man with equally dark eyes approached me. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

I shook my head.

He nodded. “You’re looking for the city of second chances?”

“Yes.”

He heaved a deep sigh which almost shook the ground under my feet. “They gave you the wrong coordinates. It’s Vegas you want, not LA.”

“Vegas?” I repeated.

“It’s the city for people like us, people who are...not from around here.” He put me in a cab and told the driver exactly where to take me.

I arrived in Vegas a few hours later. As I stood, marveling at the giant canopy covering Fremont Street, I heard people speaking probably twenty different languages. Two in particular caught my attention. They were walking arm in arm, speaking Mercurian. Openly. Right there in front of the humans.

Walking up to them, I tapped one on the shoulder and mumbled a quick greeting in the language native to Mercury. They stared wide-eyed for a moment then laughed, welcoming me to my new life.

“How long since you escaped the dungeons?” The female one asked as she sipped a drink from a place called Starbucks.

“Only a few days,” I said, amazed at finding some of my own kind.

The male clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re going to love it here. You’re free.”

I looked uneasy. “But the humans, don’t they know? Can’t they tell?”

“Not here,” the girl said smiling. She pointed to the masses of people on the street. “Half these people are from other planets. Like us, they moved here to be free, to be able to do anything they want. Here, no-one cares if you’re different, they expect it.”

I looked around. Could it be true? Could Vegas truly be the city of second chances? Just then, a bus drove past bearing the motto “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” A tear rolled down my cheek. I was finally free.

The terror of Garsdoon moor.

They went out on the moor alright
The sky was clear the stars were bright,
The cart track shone like ribbons white
That ziged and zaged into the night.
Across the Garsdoon moor.
.
Good progress they did make alright
She, dressed in wedding gown of white,
Who held the carriage side so tight
That lurched and rattled through the night
Across the Garsdoon moor.
.
He was young and brave alright
With gun and sabre for the fight,
To guard his love, his hearts delight
From highwaymen that stalk the night
Across the Garsdoon moor.
.
But now the scene will change alright
Thunder roars with lightning bright,
Strange sounds are heard from left and right
Tormented souls that own the night
Across the Garsdoon moor.
.
The young groom is afraid alright
He holds his gun and sabre tight,
The bride like gown is palest white
As wails and moans are at their height,
Across the Garsdoon moor.
.
Now dawn it will arrive alright
And they will search the moor till night,
Of coach and riders there’s no sight
Back home lock doors and windows tight.
Across the haunted Garsdoon moor.
.
The local folks they know alright
That ghouls and spectors walk the night,
Transporting souls to hell for spite
Tormenting them for their delight.
On fearful Garsdoon moor.

Alan Gilbert.   2010.
.

.

RAPT Chapter 2

Here is Chapter 2 of Rapt. Hope you enjoy the story through the eyes of Ryan Golden. Love, Tami.

*2*


Ryan

Present Day

Eureka Springs, Arkansas



There’s just somethin’ magical about Saturday mornin’ in the Ozarks, somethin’ peaceful and serene, sittin’ by your lonesome in the middle of Beaver Lake, waitin’ for a bite to hit your line. There’s nothin’ quite like it in all the world, I’m sure. Not that I’d been many places.

I enjoyed watchin’ the sun rise up over the Brillo of dark-green trees, the sky turnin’ the color of salmon eggs. And the world seemed quiet, like I was the only one in it. Like I could scream and scream at the top of my lungs and only the birds might answer back.

Again, I cast my line into the middle of the lake, and reeled it in slowly, hopin’ for a bite. The sun bounced of the water and into my eyes. I lowered my ball-cap to block it out. I would miss these easy Ozark mornings.

My bait had seen better days. The pot goin’ off like a reekin’ alarm clock, sendin’ out rottin’ fumes. “Slippery little suckers. Next time maybe,” I said to no-one in particular. I pulled my line in and started the engine of my little aluminum yacht. It hummed its way back to shore where folks were startin’ to gather for a day at the lake.

I hauled my junk outta the boat and leaned in, loadin’ my tackle box and poles into the bed of my ol’ Chevy pick-up.

“Well, I’ll be, if isn’t Ryan Golden,” said the familiar voice of Peyton Bailey, behind me.

I adjusted my ball-cap, spun around and grabbed my girl around the waist, pulling her in close. “What’re you doin’ out here so early?” I kissed the tip of her upturned nose. It seemed more outta habit than desire. No girl had ever really been able to capture my heart.

“Lookin’ for you,” she said, all sweet like. “Your momma sent me. Says she needs help with things over at your place, and I volunteered.” She fluttered her eyelashes, givin’ her best effort to drive me crazy.

“Geez all mighty, that woman’s gonna drive me batty. She knows I don’t stay out here past sunrise. What’s she got her panties in a wad over now?” I let go of Peyton, and moved to open the passenger door for her. “You drive? Or you wanna ride back with me?”

She slipped onto the threadbare seat of my truck. “I got a ride down here and figured I could hitch one back with you.” Leanin’ toward me, she kissed me hard on the mouth.

“Mmm, mmm, mmm,” I muttered, hurrying around toward the driver side. I hopped in the truck next to her. The key had broken off in the ignition years ago, so I had no need to carry one, which was fine by me. I turned the ignition and the engine roared to life.

“So what’s the damage?” I asked her, turning down the tree lined street toward home.

“Oh y’know, same shit different day. Your mamma’s puttin’ on the Nelson wedding at your place. And I’m pretty sure she wants somethin’ special done with the rose garden. You know how Janey can be.” She shrugged. It was typical for momma to reorganize and do special things for guests, but we all knew how particular Janey Hannigan could be. And seein’ since she was marryin’ Mayor Nelson’s son, Mamma must be havin’ a dickens of a time dealin’ with her.

I took a deep breath, exhaling in a huff. I had my work cut out for me for sure.

The Golden family had owned the Brownstone Inn for generations. Grammy and Grampy left it to momma and me when they passed. I remember the way Grammy looked all serious at momma when she said, “Evelyn Golden, the Brownstone has been in our family longer than Beaver Lake has been housin’ the fishes. You best take care of her right and proper.”

I missed that wrinkly old woman. She’d puff on flavored tobacca outta the pipe Grampy had whittled for her, blowin’ smoke rings so I could try and put my hand up through ‘em. Course she died of the cancer from smokin’ that pipe, and Grampy soon followed. Momma said he died of a broken heart.

I never did tell momma that Grammy told me all ‘bout my daddy. She said he played the banjo for a blue-grass band, and momma and he had one of them lickety-split sorta relationships. Anyway, she said he never knew nothin’ ‘bout my comin’ into the world. But I was okay with that too. Momma did a fine job raisin’ me up on her own.

“Are you goin’ to the ball game tonight?” Peyton asked, breaking me outta my distraction.

“Yeah, pretty sure I am. Phil’s gonna come with me. Sure is crazy to think Reid will be headin’ off to Arizona next year.”

Phil Evans, Reid Jarret and me had been the best of friends since I could remember. Phil was headin’ off to Harvard to study law, which was reasonable since his daddy and momma had met there, studyin’ the same sorta thing. Reid had gotten a baseball scholarship for the University of Arizona. I don’t think my momma ever expected to have her only son headin’ off to Yale University with a full ride. I knew she sure didn’t get my obsession with history. She liked the romance of ancient Egypt, but couldn’t reckon why I’d wanna spend my life diggin’ around in the sand, tryin’ to unearth dead folk and their junk.

“Melody’s comin’ too and Jaime, I think. We’ll meet up at the bleachers?”

I winked at her. “Sounds good, sugar,” I said, pulling into the long driveway of the Brownstone. It was flanked on both sides by enormous hardwoods.

She scooted close to me and laid her head on my shoulder. “I’m sure gonna miss you when you go away. I wish you’d consider goin’ to Little Rock with me.”

I kissed her forehead. “Now how’d you know I was thinkin’ ‘bout school?”

“Every time you do, you get this faraway look in your eyes. It’s like you’re not even here.” She sounded sad.

“Come now, baby, you don’t have to worry ‘bout that for awhile. We have all summer together.” I touched the tip of her nose then kissed it. “We have all summer.”

Heaven Help Us............Chapter Two (Part 1)

God sighed, and the bundle of rags at his feet shook nervously.

Both He and the vibrating rags were in one of God’s favourite parts of Heaven...The White Room. Although it was called The White Room, it wasn’t exactly a room, in the conventional sense.

Oh, it had walls and a ceiling and a floor. Somewhere. And it might even have had a window or two and a door. Probably somewhere else.

But mostly it had whiteness. Lots of it

There was even a rumour that it had a white sofa and a small white coffee table. But where they were in all the other whiteness was anybody’s guess.

“It’s no use, boss”, said the rags. “I’m just not cut out for all this secret agent stuff.”

“Nonsense, old friend,” said God, who was sitting on something...white. It might have been the sofa. But then again, with God, you never knew.

“I can’t think of anyone better suited to be my eyes and ears. We go back a long way, right?”

The rags grunted and mumbled, pathetically. “ Suppose so.”

“Been through thick and thin, eh?”

“Oh hell no,” said the rags, shaking even more rapidly. “ Not ‘the speech’ again. Not the ‘you’re my right hand man’ thing with the ‘what would I do without you’ bit tagged on at the end. Please God no – if you get my drift.”

“But that’s exactly what I need you to do old buddy”.

“Eh?” said the rags.

“Please God”, said God.

“But I’m crap at it. I’ve tried it before, thousands of times.”

“That means you’ve had lots of practice,” said God.

“No it doesn’t, boss. It just means I’ve been crap thousands of times”.

God softened his voice. “Gabriel, you’re just too modest. Now pick yourself up, brush off your wings and at least think about it.”

The bundle of rags unfolded, sort of fell away into grubby garment folds, and in its place stood the most famous of all of God’s angels, Gabriel. Savour of souls. Bringer of mercy, (well, so the calling card said). Cleaner of Angelic robes, except his own    ( at a favourable discount).

All three feet nothing of him.

“But please don’t take too long to make up your mind. And for heaven’s sake, take off those blasted Ray-Bans!”

“It’s this room, Boss,” pleaded the angel. “Every time I come in I get snow blindness. Can’t see anything for days.”

“Oh?” said God, surprised, “I find it rather restful.”

“Restful? How can it possibly be restful? I can’t see a thing except you! Any minute I could bump into something large and painful...or trip over something small and breakable. Can’t you at least introduce a little colour? Maybe co-ordinated furnishings or a bit of Feng Shui?”

“Gabby, old friend,” said God, frowning, “we’ve got problems. Big ones. These earthly anomalies are getting worse.”

Gabriel saw the worry in God’s face. “Worse, eh?” he said, wondering what could be possibly worse enough to worry the Creator of the Universe and everything in it. And lots outside it, too.

God leaned forwards, put his elbows on his knees and rested his face in his hands, looking down at the small angel.

“You have no idea,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s this technology lark. It’s gone too far. We can’t have good and bad things happening in the world just because technology either saved the day or buggered things up.

God pounded the unseen arms of the chair he was very possibly sitting on. “Next thing you know,” he remarked, “they’ll be building altars to technology and making human sacrifices to ensure that the technology stuff works. Or blaming each other or some poor unfortunate if it doesn’t. Before you know it they’ll be saying ‘Oh you remember that God bloke. Turns out we didn’t need him after all. Now we’ve got technology all our prayers are answered. Hallelujah!’ ”

God thumped a heavenly balled-up fist into the palm of his other hand with a resounding smack. “That’s my word!” he hissed. “Not content with taking our worshippers and our powers, this technology lark is taking our well-known phrases and sayings.”

His voice took on a strange, soft, quivering aspect.

“Hell naaah!” said Gabriel, trying to be positive and optimistic.

“Hell yeah!” insisted God. “I knew it was only a matter of time before things turned belly up. I mean, how long can anyone keep all that ‘all powerful being’ stuff up, eh? A few thousand years? Few million?” he added.

Gabriel reached out and patted the back of God’s right hand. “There...there...” he said, with as much calmness and soothingness as anyone so small could muster, when faced with anyone so almightily powerful. “You’re just making yourself all upset. Just how bad is it?”

“Oh, it’s bad alright,” said God, shaking his head slowly.

Gabriel was sure he could detect a slight tear in God’s left eye. ‘Hellfire,’ he thought. ‘Things must be friggin bad if the Boss is nearly blubberin.’

He looked up at his old friend. This omnipotent being who had relied on him and trusted him since…well….nearly since the beginning of time.

Raising himself up as high as he could ( he could just clear the Godly knee),Gabriel puffed out his chest, fluttered his wings and said, “Okay boss. I’ll do it”.

There was a short silence and then the voice from above that he knew and loved so much said, “Righty ho, then. Better fill you in on the big picture. I’ve put together everything you’ll need for the mission, now that you’ve accepted it. I hope you don’t mind.”

As he looked into the eyes of God ( now miraculously no longer watering ) Gabriel could swear he saw a small speck of either relief or triumph, he couldn’t figure out which. But he had the distinct and clammy feeling that he’d just been conned. “Oh hell” he thought. “If I can’t be conned by the Boss, then who the blazes can I be conned by?”

Shrugging and shouldering acceptance of his fate, Gabriel’s eyes followed God’s right hand as he gestured to an angel who had suddenly appeared beside, and above, him.

“Mother?” said Gabriel, startled, looking up.

“Hello sweetchucks,” said a tall, bald geeky-looking angel in a white lab coat with a rack of pens in the breast pocket.

“Gabriel,” said God, “ you know Mother, don’t you?”

Mother nodded at Gabriel. Just a slight acknowledgement, accompanied by the merest of smiles. Regulation size and shape.

Gabriel nodded back. “Been a while,” he said, slightly nervously. Then he remembered the reason for his nervousness.

Mother looked into Gabriel’s eyes and slowly walked over to him, swaying his hips in the best John Wayne impression Gabriel had ever seen. The little angel backed off slightly.

“Well, little fella...nice to see you again,” said Mother. “What…no hug?”

Gabriel blushed and moved slightly away from Mother. “…er…no thanks. I gave up hugging knees for Lent. I’ll pass, if it’s alright by you.”

Mother smiled a tiny smile. “Of course,” he said. He turned to God and nodded. “Okay if I begin? There are some things you might need on this mission.” He glanced at God, who nodded his approval, leaned back and folded his arms. Then he reached into a pocket, pulled out an object and handed it to Gabriel.

“Let me guess,” said Gabriel, “it’s a pen with cleverly concealed memory-loss button in case I’m discovered.”

“Very good”, said Mother, clearly impressed.

His hand went to another pocket and retrieved a pair of spectacles. Gabriel let out a long, boring sigh. “No contest,” he said. “Thick, black, horn-rimmed glasses. Perfect for an impenetrable disguise. Also contains anti-demon power-spray in the left arm and emergency rations in the right.”

“See,” said God, smiling proudly. “Didn’t I say he was the right one for the job? Eh...didn’t I?”

Gabriel shrugged. “Well, I have done this a few times before,” he said. “Admittedly not for a while.”

“You’re too modest,” remarked Mother, “I remember the last time.”

“Yeah,” said Gabriel, with an inward glance. “That funny little Austrian fella with the short moustache Wanted to take over the world or something.”

Mother cocked his head and looked at the little angel with fondness. “And you were the one in the bunker who, shall we say, made him reconsider.”

Gabriel puffed out his chest just a touch, remembering the terrified looks in the eyes of the soldiers – and the funny little Austrian fella - as they witnessed a three-feet tall bungle of feathers pop into existence amongst them. He sighed. Happy days.

Mother produced a third item and placed it carefully in Gabriel’s hand. The angel looked at it and said, “It’s a tiny heavenly communicator with an internal guidance system and voice activated tracking device. Come on now, every trainee agent knows that.”

“It’s a watch,” said Mother, as the interest waned slightly in his eyes, “you’ll need it to tell the time.”

“Well…two out of three ain’t bad,” said the little angel. “Anyway, I’m an angel. I don’t need to tell the time. I’ve got the Force.”

“Well…that’s where it get’s a bit tricky,” said God, pulling on the lobe of his right ear and thinking that maybe ‘The Force’ wasn’t such a cheesy term after all. “You see, ever since my powers started getting weaker, there have been a few glitches in the old angelic ability stuff.” He shrugged apologetically, “ Sorry.”

“Anyway, it doesn’t tell earth time….it tells divine time,” said Mother. “Much more accurate. You might need it if things get a bit hairy down there and time starts running out.”

“Where the hell would it run to?” asked Gabriel, smiling.

“Look...I’m not much for gadgets. So if you don’t mind I’ll wing it without them.” Suddenly he laughed, “Oh...wing it...see...wing it...angel...it’s a joke, Mother!”

Mother shrugged. “Please yourself. And be careful with that sense of humour. One day somebody just might decide to park it somewhere painful where only surgical gloves and Vaselene can reach.”

Gabriel felt his sphincter muscles tighten.

“Oh and another thing,” said God. “You’ll be taking Azriel.”

“What?” shrieked Gabriel. “No way Jose! He’s a bloody psycho. He’s the four horsemen of the whatsit….”

“Apocalypse,” said God, helpfully.

“Bless you,” said Mother.

Gabriel started to look around, although all he could see was God, Mother and the same old whiteness stretching into infinity...or maybe just a few feet. “Well whatever they are, he’s the four of them all rolled into one pretty-boy smiling maniac. I’ve never seen anyone enjoy inflicting so much pain on so many people in so little time.”

God sighed. “Nonsense. He’s just a little headstrong.”

“Headstrong?” yelled Gabriel, who by now was beginning to panic. “I wouldn’t call the Crusades headstrong! I wouldn’t call lifelong vows of celibacy headstrong! I wouldn’t ca….”

“Somebody call my name?” asked a voice. “Funny how whenever someone says it I can hear it no matter how far away I am.”

The voice belonged to a stunningly handsome angel, dressed completely in black, which was appropriate since he was also known in certain circles as The Angel of Death.

“Hello, Azriel,” said Mother. “You never call, you never write, a person could think you just didn’t care.”

A small shiver ran down Gabriel’s spine and a funny tinny taste crept into his mouth. “Hiya Al. It must be a real shit to be so damned popular. Tell me, do your parents know you’re out so late?”

“Ah,” said Azriel, patting the little angel’s head. “It’s the short, fat, hairy one. Hello Gabby.”

“Save the meet-and-greet stuff for later,” said God, suddenly very businesslike. “You two will be working together so get used to it – very quickly. Gabriel’s in charge. Azriel, you’re second in command. And if either of you argue any more I’ll use what little powers I have left to beat the crap out of both of you! Capishe?”

“Why does he suddenly sound like Marlon Brando?” said Azriel to Mother.

“It’s Marlon who sounds like him,” replied Mother.

Azriel’s eyebrows arched. “That’s a frightening thought.”

“Hey you guys, I’m right here,” shouted God, raising a hand and pointing to himself repeatedly. “See? I’m not a hospital patient and you’re not doctors crowded round the end of my bed. So give up with the third person stuff.”

They looked suitably chastised. “Sorry Boss,” they muttered in unison.

Gabriel decided to change the subject...quickly. Turning to Azriel, he smiled and said, “So...you mean you actually had a thought?”

Azriel laughed. “I think so, yeah. Scary, ain’t it.”

“I think,” said Mother, “it’s time we spoke about The Eye of God.”

The Warlord's Dust - Part 1 - Chapter 1 (b)

(Author’s Note: Now that I have gotten into the action, I am seeing how much my writing has changed over the years. This is not bad, especially when you consider I was only 12 when I wrote it. Still, the action is not as smooth as I write now and the dialogue seems somewhat forced to me when I read it aloud. Wow, it’s weird critiquing my own work as opposed to fixing it. Anyhoo, enjoy… Drake)

The small fighter, dressed all in black except for the thin, white silk blouse, smiled up at the large warrior. His cloth pants where tucked into soft leather boots that ran up his legs nearly to his knee. A small money pouch hung from the right side of his leather belt, offsetting the scabbard dangling from his left. His short, sandy-blond hair, stood out in contrast to the dark black beard that covered his chin. "It's not nice to curse someone who has done so much for you. Now is it, Sivlon?" The smaller man closed the door behind him and walked around the bar.

"You've done nothing for me!" Sivlon backed into the center of the main room. Putting his back against the firepit, he raised his thick sword in a defensive position.

By this time, the patrons of Foxferds had cleared quite a large area for what they expected would be a grand fight.

"How soon we forget, dear Sivlon. Was it not me who was teaching you of justice, fairness, and humility, just before you went running off? Don't run this time, Sivlon. I’m getting awfully bored having to chase you down. And besides, we have a score to settle."

"I beg of you!" Sweat formed on the brow of the warrior. "I apologize for what I have said and done! It was wrong of me."

"By the gods, it was wrong. And I'm going to correct it as well. You, Sivlon, think in size. I'm smaller than you, so you can defeat me, right? Well then, that's all I'm asking. A dual. A chance to prove myself." Crouching low, the small fighter brought his gleaming scimitar above his head, parallel with the ground.

Sivlon flinched. "You have more than proven yourself!"

The small fighter lowered his blade and rose up to his full height. "And, you more than proved yourself with my companion," he said through clenched teeth. "Yet, he lies dead in the street now, doesn't he?" The small fighter lunged forward suddenly, raking the tip of his blade across the cheek of Sivlon.

The warrior's reaction was fast—quicker than most mortal men—and still the deadly scimitar was already away from his face and carving a deep gash into the big man’s left thigh by the time Sivlon attempted to block the first attack. Blood gushed freely from the deep wound. Sivlon grunted in pain as he fell to one knee. "Go ahead then," he said as he let his sword slip to the floor and clutched his wounded leg. "Kill me! I'm no match for the likes of you."

The small fighter raised his sword for the killing blow. "At least you will die like the coward you are," his sword came rushing down.

Before the scimitar had time to nestle into Sivlon's neck, the warrior lunged forward toward the fighter, attempting to grapple the smaller man. But to his surprise, the only thing he grabbed was air. Like a flash of lighting, the small fighter sidestepped. As Sivlon flew past, the fighter slapped him on the rump with the flat of his blade, sending the warrior smashing into a nearby table. He fell off the table and landed on his back with a thud.

As the big warrior moved to recover from the fall, the fighter jumped and landed on his chest, forcing the larger man back down. Sivlon reached up to grab the smaller man, only to find the tip of the scimitar resting comfortably under his chin.

"For the man whose blood stained your sword this past aurn."

Sivlon's eyes opened wide as the blade slipped effortlessly into his throat and nestle against the back of his skull. A gut wrenching, slurping sound filled the now silent tavern as the blade was twisted, then pulled from its fleshy resting place. The body of Sivlon jerked once before it lay still and lifeless.

The small fighter bent down and cleaned the blood from his blade on the cape of his lifeless opponent. Turning, he walked up to the bar, sheathing the scimitar. "I'm sure he has enough coin on him to cover any damages done," he said to the barkeep.

The bartender motioned for some of his bar-hands to remove the body, as well as any valuables, no doubt. "That was pretty fancy sword play uh . . . I'm afraid I didn't catch your name, me’lord."

"No, you didn't," the fighter said as he sat down. "Just give me a shot of whisky." He tossed a silver bit onto the counter. It landed with a tink and rolled around in a circle twice before the barkeep snatched it up.

Looking more than a little embarrassed, the barman set out a shot of dark elixir before storming off to the kitchen.

A Muse's Influence

I've been thinking about this for a while, and I'm sure many of you will see a bit of yourselves in this.

     When I first came on board here I wasn't really sure how I'd contribute or what kind of posts everyone would find interesting. Growing up, I never looked at my writing as all that ground-breaking, and I never did it out of some need for acceptance or for anyone else's enjoyment but my own. I think many writers are by nature hermits in their own minds, saying things on paper that would be taboo or downright dangerous in "normal" society. I never really fit in as a child, and in a lot of ways writing was my way of coming to terms with all those difficult years. All writers have some hidden soul that drives their work and gives them the strength to work through their demons; for some it's joy, for me, it was pain. There's something strangely therapeutic in using that pain to fuel your own desires, and though it isn't always easy, we need to beat back the anxiety, the self-doubt, that comes with the territory. If you can do that, your audience will hang on your every word, and treasure each and every offering you grant them.

     I'm proud to be in the company of so many talented souls. For some of us, I'm sure it's rare when we can actually converse with others in our same field, let alone find anyone in our day-to-day lives that can truly "get" us. It's comforting to have a welcome forum of expression, and I thank you all for that. This little community of ours has grown really fast, and it's been very interesting to see everyone's work evolving along the way. I feel that it's made me a better writer, and in a lot of ways brought me back to those early years when I'd stay up all night just to finish that last chapter or that one all-important scene. I think we've all done some great work here, and I have high hopes for where it will take us.

     As one, we are our own Muse.

     We are artists of Creation itself.

— C —

A Thousand Different Ways to Love Someone

There are a thousand different ways to love someone. And even though I knew this to be true, it didn’t make the way I felt any easier. Sure, I suppose I loved him, in my own way. He was terribly crafty in the manner with which he worked his constant presence into my mind, causing me to wonder if he hungered for me the in the same ways I did him.


It wasn’t his outward appearance that captured me. It was the heated way he looked at me, with those liquid green eyes, like he wanted to lock me up in chains and keep me only for himself. Even that I didn’t mind, quite the contrary. And for awhile, I was content with his eyes on me, stripping me down with his gaze. I loved him then, before I really knew it. Before I knew who he was, before I knew that he could make me into something I wasn’t. Before I really knew just what I was capable of.

It all seemed so simple, so harmless a flirtation.

He was a regular evening patron at my local coffee shop. My head buried in a late-night book, I would look up to see him there, leaning against the window, peering at me through smoked glass. His eyes on me caused my body to react in strange and beautiful wonderment. The way he forced my lips to pull into a knowing curve, the tickle of butterflies rushing through me, and the slow ache that developed in the pit of my stomach, gave me cause enough to desire him. My eyes always felt locked in a struggle of power with his. And it was this same battle of delicate pain that brought about the beginning, and the end, and then—the beginning.

The night he took me, or rather the night I gave myself to him, was one of those where the air felt like a satin sheet, slick and liquid. I sat at my usual seat in the coffee shop. After long hours of reading late into the night, my eyes were no longer able to define the words. I dog-eared the page of my novel and tucked it under my arm, heading out into the tepid oceanic evening. My thoughts lingered still on his presence, the staring man with the haunting eyes that so cunningly captured my longing. But he had left hours ago, and the street was empty of almost all life. It wasn’t an unusual night. Even as the fog settled into the street, misting my view, I felt no threat.

TIME CHASERS

Chris inspired me. I dug up an old script I wrote years ago. Here's the beginning...

TIME CHASERS By Alba Arango

FADE IN:

EXT. CHURCH - SUNDAY MORNING

SARAH REYNOLDS

16, blonde, Homecoming Queen, walks up the church path with her very trendy parents. She spots ELLIE CHOI, also 16, Asian, stylish, Sarah’s best friend. Sarah waves good-bye to her parents and runs to catch up with Ellie.

ELLIE: (pointing) He’s here.

Sarah primps her hair and smooths her form-fitting shirt.

SARAH: How do I look?

ELLIE: Fabulous.

Sarah turns around casually and smiles at AARON PETERS, 17, tall, buff, captain of the football team. Aaron walks by and nods to Sarah.

AARON: Hey.

SARAH: Hey, Aaron.

Aaron disappears inside the church. Sarah grabs Ellie’s hands and rushes her into the church.

SARAH: Come on! I want to get a seat where I can see him.

They disappear inside the church.

SAME CHURCH PATH - MOMENTS LATER

ROBBIE NELSON

16, slender, shaggy brown hair, grunge look, walks up the path with his mom, MRS. NELSON, 40s, homely, typical churchy mom.

MRS. NELSON: Remember to save me a seat, Robbie.

ROBBIE: I know, Mom.

MRS. NELSON: We’ll only be singing four songs today, so we’ll be done early.

ROBBIE: Okay, Mom.

MRS. NELSON: Oh! There goes Mrs. Tyson. See you in a bit, Honey.

She gives Robbie a quick kiss then rushes toward MRS. TYSON, a large, jolly African-American woman, waving her arms wildly. Robbie smiles and walks into the church.

SAME CHURCH PATH - SECONDS LATER

JAMAL JACKSON,

aka “JJ”, 16, African-American, athletic, corn rows, walks up the path with his MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, and BROTHER, age 8.

GRANDMOTHER JACKSON: What a beautiful morning for church.

MS. JACKSON: I hope Pastor Thomas gives his sermon on self-discipline. Some of us could use a refresher.

JJ rolls his eyes, careful for his mom to not notice.

JJ: Come on, Mom, I wasn’t that--

MS. JACKSON: (interrupting) Twelve-thirty. You got home at twelve-thirty. You know your curfew is twelve o’clock.

JJ: Mom! None of my other friends have curfews.

MS. JACKSON: None of your other friends live in my house.

A woman near the door waves for them to come over.

MS. JACKSON: We’ll talk about this later.

JJ’s face shows signs of “I can’t wait” as he disappears inside the church.

INT. CHURCH - TEN MINUTES LATER

Rows of chairs are filled with PEOPLE talking. The band is setting up on stage.
Sarah and Ellie sit a few rows behind Aaron.

SARAH: These are definitely choice seats.

ELLIE: Yeah. We’ve got a prime view of Aaron and the hot drummer.

Sarah is tapped on the shoulder. She turns around and looks up at MICHAEL, 30ish, tall, elegant, handsome. He smiles.

MICHAEL: Excuse me. Sarah Reynolds?

SARAH: Yeah?

MICHAEL: You are needed in the conference room.

Thinking nothing of it, Sarah rises and places her purse on her chair.

SARAH: My parents probably forgot something. I’ll be right back.

BACK OF CHURCH - MOMENTS LATER

Robbie looks up at Michael.

ROBBIE: I’m needed where?

MICHAEL: The conference room.

Robbie turns to the boy next to him.

ROBBIE: Save me and my mom seats, will you?

The boy nods. Robbie turns to follow Michael, but he has disappeared to

FRONT OF CHURCH - A HALF-SECOND LATER

JJ’s brother is poking JJ and laughing. JJ looks annoyed. Michael walks up to them.

MICHAEL: Excuse me. Jamal Jackson? You are needed in the conference room.

MS. JACKSON: Boy, what did you do now?

JJ: (indignant) Nothing!

MICHAEL: He has not done anything wrong, Ms. Jackson, I assure you.

MS. JACKSON: Well, that would be a first.

JJ stands up, mainly to get away from his mom right now.

JJ: I’ll be right back.

Soon.

Soon will be that peaceful time
When dreams and hopes and loves combine.
When freed from hurt my spirit’s sour
To be the one I was before.
Tranquillity when reconciled
Internal adult, parent, child.
.
Soon with clearest vision see
The one who is at war with me.
Who steals my thoughts and saps my will
And jibes that he controls me still.
He dons the mantle of the night
To stalk my dreams with vicious spite.
.
Soon with courage to withstand
Storms that rage on either hand.
To face the demons that cajole
And vie to win my very soul.
Then unfettered left to fly
With joyous spirits free as I.

Add caption

Reflected in blue eyes.

As stars reflected clear in crystal pools
Dance as evening breezes stir the air,
So your eyes as mirrors of your heart
Sparkle with the love that's burning there.
.

As the crescent phases of the moon
Tinge autumn nights with lunar mystery,
So the smile that plays around your lips
Promises enchanted nights to me.
.

As the sun that warms the buds of spring
Smiles to greet the waking earth below,
So your beauty stirs the life in me
The sweetest aspect I will ever know.