Everything is ready. Pen. Paper. Hot cocoa mug. The light is just right. Chair is good with the right amount of pillows. All the housework is done for the week. No distractions. I can finally do what I've been planning to do all day. Sit my ass down and write.
Desi, my cat, jumps up onto the desk. She needs a good scratch before I can start.
Okay, now I'm ready.
I lift my pen and stare at the paper. I write 'Chapter one: the...'
I've blanked. I stare at the paper.
It should have been gone now. I did everything first. Fucking writer's block.
I've been stuck for ages.
"Meow." My cat has the audacity to just sit there and meow at me.
I pick up the pen again. This is hard.
A growing shadow falls across the paper. It wants to devour my poor excuse for work.
"Go away," I say, but the shadow keeps growing and growing. It grows untill it could swallow the entire desk. I refuse to look at it. I'm gonna write now.
A wet drops lands on my paper. Spit. Above I hear a hissing sound. It wants to demand my attention. I count to ten inside me. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. I can't do it. I look up.
Thick heavy monster paws rest heavily on my desk. There is nothing cute about what I see. Desi is a cute cat. What's above me is not Desi.
Saliva drips from the tips of sharp canines. Sharp yellow eyes pierce into me. Hot cadavre breath wafths up my nose.
Desi is a small cat. The beast before me could swallow me whole and still have space for dessert. The beast opens its mouth.
I recoil in fear.
A heavy paw lifts up and lands on my hand. Sharp talons digs into my hand, drawing blood.
I clench my teeth against the pain.
With the talons embedded in me, the beast moves its paw, lifts it.
I dare not make a sound.
Joint, talons and hand, hover above the paper. Yellow eyes bore into me. Conveying meaning.
The talons retract, and my hand falls down to the paper.
Gingerly, I move the pen to write. The shadow lessens. I dare to breathe.
'Chapter one: the fearsome beast.'
The shadow goes away.
I blink. Some imagination. Better get back to writing.
Drops of red dribbles from my hand and onto the paper, staining the white. Those talons were sharp.
The soles of her boots crunched against the bones beneath. White and scraped or licked clean the bones littered the ground, as well as the ornament nestled in her red curls.
"Your crown is made of the people's bones and hunger," the lord to her left said.
"None will dare to defy you now," another said. "There's no strength left in them. You've vanquished them all."
"You've supported me through this campaign. Feasted and grown fat on my success." Murmured assent rose behind her. They were bone-lickers, all of them. Eager to please, and eager to betray. There were so much power in bones.
She bent down and picked up a small bone. By some miracle it was whole. Looked to have been a finger bone. Those could be quite tasty, but that wasn't at the fore of her mind then.
Twirling the little bone between her fingers, she turned to those following. Wary eyes tracked the little bone in her hand. They knew what she could do. Had seen her do it many times. She said, "I have yet to be sated."
The nearest one trembled. Smart guy. The one at the back turned and left. Smarter guy.
She lifted the little bone up before her eyes. It began to spin. Fast and faster. Eyes followed it, waiting for the inevitable. She would not have bone-lickers in her ranks. It was time to clean.
The tiny bone moved.
One bone-licker collapsed to the floor. Then another. And-
"Wait," the third said.
The bone spun towards him.
"I know where they put her."
The bone stopped, partially embedded in the tender flesh beneath his rib cage.
"Speak." She'd suffer no fool. She'd suffered many fools in her quest.
"They buried her." The bone started to inch upward. Sweat pipled on his brows, and pain laced a grimace to his features. "She lived. Still got her bones."
"They'd never let her power go to waste."
He licked his lips."There were troubles with extracting. Casualties. She's strong."
"Yes, she is." The woman they spoke of was no bone-licker. No, she was a formidable bone-wielder whom Cha'Tal wanted by her side. Captured and buried in the early days, Cha'Tal had spent all her resources trying to find her. For her troubles, all she'd gotten was a crunchy carpet and a crown of bones. The next word almost seared her throat, "Where?"
"I can take you," he bowed to the floor before her, the little fingerbone still embedded in his chest. She released its pressure, but did not remove it. That bit might come later. For now, this bone-licker would live a little longer.
Like every day for the past five years I woke up to look into the eyes of my least favorite person. A slow groan escaped me, as it did every day.
Putting on an awful flower dress, it chafed in places dresses shouldn't be able to chafe, I ate the rest of last week's bread. In a few days I would be able to start on this week's bread.
The government had outlawed happiness, and for good reason, and so we'd all adjusted. The Sects fed off on happiness, devouring the emotions and their vessels. Large cities had disappeared before new rules came to be. London had become no-man's land, controlled by the Sects. Only empty shells left of the humans inside. They belonged to the Sects now.
My shoes found the tiny wounds on my heels as I put them on. That was as it should be. Happiness, even in simple things, was dangerous.
My spouse got up, and scowled at me from across the hall. The mere sight of him revolted me, so much so, that I couldn't even find consolation in the fact that he felt the same way.
Outside, the first rays of the sun hit our windows, it would be another warm day. Thus, on my way out, I put on a thick hot winter jacket.
Stopping at a news booth, I scanned through the headlines.
"Parliament hits new dead end."
"The last resistance in Liverpool has fallen."
"10 tips to staying unhappy."
"Our vigilance against happiness must be constant."
It was the same shit stories as everyday. Five years of misery, and still no closer to defeating the Sects. Then again, good news would automatically brings the Sects attention down on us.
No friendly nods as I passed neighbours on the streets. I kept my eyes down, no point in opening up for potential risks. Every day someone failed, felt a little happiness, and brought the end a little bit closer.
A shout further up the street jarred me out of my doomful musings, and I looked ahead.
There was nothing much to see, but I listened. Screams were coming from around the corner. Rapid footsteps followed, and then people were running towards me.
No, not towards me. That's just a direction. They were running away from whatever caused the screams.
Stupidly, so very stupidly, I didn't turn to run as well. My traitorous feet lead me ever forward. Forward, and around the corner. There they stopped.
A couple of teenagers were kissing, and it wasn't hateful and ugly, but filled with joy. Teenagers were the worst at following the happiness ban, ruled by unruly hormones, they transgressed. Their short moment of happiness was beautiful to watch, and that thought took a moment to long to register with my brain. A very dangerous thought.
Something buzzed, vibrating through the air. Above the teens a Sect had arrived. Hovering gleefully, drinking in their happiness. Buzzing our end.
I'm caught in the net, same as the two hormon heads in front of me. Their radius extending too far to be safe.
Then the Sect began to work. The lifeforce of the teenagers dissipated, and was drawn into the sect. The colour leave them as they become hollow shells, bound to the Sect for life. Their individuality lost, their minds just another source of operating power for the Sects purpose. A purpose we don't understand, but experience every day.
I'd like to say it was gruesome to watch, but a small part of me welcomed it. Welcomed an end to unhappiness. Cause, having watched a moment of happiness, and in letting it enter me, I knew the Sect would turn to me next.
'Noooooo,' ripped from my lungs. The wind claimed the sound before it reached my ears.
The ground was so far below me. So very far below.
It came closer though.
Closer and closer.
At a very rapid pace.
This was not awesome.
I screamed again.
Whose idea was this again?
Stupid bet with my kid.
I'm never making another bet ever again.
Little shapes are becoming visible on the ground. My eyes watered long ago, but my tears fall slower than I, so they are left behind.
I hope the insurance is in order.
Fuck. I was supoosed to write up a will. Still haven't done that.
Oh dear.
The ground looks awfully close.
How can this terrifying madness be legal?
What just happened? My speed is slowing. Did I fall through some sort of wormhole?
'Easy there ma'am. We're at 1500 feet, I've just ejected the parachute.'
Intense relief flood me. i would have forgotten that. I'd practically forgotten about the man strapped to my back.
High altitude jumps are no joke.
As the velocity kept reducing, I almost enjoyed the decent.
Tiny dots of houses and fields below me.
Yes, next year I'd make my kid do this.
And I knew just the bet to get her to do it.
Born from the spring of life Raised through times of prosperity Joy and laughter the common music A happy time
Wrecked by the wheels of war Broken by the battlefields Blood, ashes and pale bones A time to fall
Captured by despair Heroes far away Alone and lonesome A time to endure
To rise again What a dream that would be Sorrow's rivers run deep Not a time to build
The tide ebbs The tide rises A single person A time to create a new
Tell the stories Tell the myths Tell the legends Tell them all Time must be rememberd
"Hello, I'm Yellow," the fish blubbed.
I startled. Did the fish just speak? I mean, I always knew fish could speak, I just never thought one would bother to speak with me.
Leaning close, I pressed my hands, face, and most importantly, my nose up against the aquarium window.
"Hello," I said. "My name is Pia."
"Very nice to meet you Pia," said the fish.
"Is your name really Yellow?"
"Yes, as is the name of my brothers and sisters. My full name is Yellow 526."
"That's a big number." The glass was getting foggy from my breath. "My name is Pia Her... Um, I can't remember it." I looked down at my feet.
"That's okay. It took me a while to keep track of the other 525 Yellow's here."
I smiled up at the fish, and I'm quite sure Yellow smiled back at me.
"Pia," my mom called. "We have to go now"
"Not yet mom, I'm talking with the fish."
"Don't be silly dear. Fish can't talk."
"Yellow can," I called back at her. To Yellow I said, "I'm sorry. My mom never believes me."
"That's okay Pia. Parents are sometimes so busy that they forget to use their imagination, and listen." Yellow flapped his fins.
I sighed, completely fogging the glass. I wiped it away, so I could still see Yellow.
"Maybe you can help your mom find her imagination again."
"Not possible."
"It very much is possible, for imagination can never truly be lost-"
"Pia," my mom called, "now."
"I have to go," I let my hands fall from the window.
"Your mom will imagine again, I promise. Goodbye Pia," and then Yellow blinked at me.
I waved at him, and ran after my mom.
Later that day, once we'd had dinner, my mom sat down beside me, and said, "How about you and I make a pillow fort, and then you can tell me all about the fish you met at the aquarium."
"His name was Yellow, and then a really big number."
Something loud and big has crashed onto the top of my home. The ceiling almost caved in. And thunderous steps reveberate down from the surface.
I'm pretty certain the aliens have arrived. Well I'm holed up in my home underground, and that's where I'll stay. Right till the end of my days likely. The crash caused both exits to cave. No one can complain about me being a hermit now.
Bailey barked. She barked at me.
'Shh,' I said, holding my hands out. She had never barked at me before.
I crouched low, making myself as non-threatheing as possible.
A low growl emerged from her throat.
'Shh,' I repeated. 'It's okay girl.'
I'd dealt with a bank robbery and a fire so far today, and then on my way to change, I'd noticed Bailey. Out on the street and alone.
She was supposed to be safe inside our flat. Not out here where anything might happen to her.
Bailey growled again.
'Easy girl, it's me.' I touched my chest.
Bailet backed up, one paw stepping into the street. Cars swoshed past behind her. She didn't recognise me.
Eyes were watching me. I could feel them, wondering what their hero was doing crouched on the pavement, pleading with a small poodle.
Bailey had never seen me in my costume before, and the mask I wore... Well, it had a reputarion for inspiring fear. I was also covered in quite a bit of dust, sewer water and smoke. Probably masked my scent from her.
Taking care to stay low, I inched forward, palms up. Bailey took another step back.
I stopped. I'd never had a friend like Bailey before.
Though it went against my instincts, I took a step back.
Bailey barked again, but she didn't advance.
'Do you see who that is?' Someone whispered behind me. I ignored them. They probably had their phones out and readily clicking photos.
'Hey girl, shh. You know me.' Bailey kept on growling, it wasn't working.
'He should leave the poor dog alone.' A woman to my left said to her companion, who murmured their assent. I shot them a filthy look, not that they could see it behind my mask.
Bailey's gaze began to waver. She'd never been a fan of crowds, and a crowd was exactly what was beginning to form behind me.
I had to get out of here. If tomorrow hwadline read 'Local superhero harasses tiny poodle'. That would be bad for my reputation. The city only cared for me as long as I generated good press. Heck, I'd saved a kid from the fifth floor of a burning building this morning, and waded through a sever to catcth a robber today. All that would pale compared to this story.
'Bailey,' I whispered. 'Let's go home girl. Have some of that bacon you like.'
It wasn't working. Bailey barked two snap barks, and then she did the worst thing possible. She turned and ran straight out into the middle of the road.
I looked up. Tires screeched. Cars honked. In my mind I saw the horror. They wouldn't be able to stop in time.
I dived after Bailey. By the way, did I mention that I'm a superhero? I'm a big muscly guy with superpowers. Right now, that meant I'm fast. Like really fast. Superfast.
In the moment between moments when the car and Bailey should have met (massacred my dog), I happened.
In the next moment, Bailey were in my arms and we were on the other side of the road.
Bailey howled in terror or anger. I'm not sure. Then she went wild, trying to get out of my grasp.
'It's me, Sasha,' I said in her ear. Then I did something loving, or just very stupid. I lifted my mask for her to see my face.
I don't know how to best describe her joy, but if a dog can 'whoop' that's what she did, licking my face all over. Bailey was safe.
A camera clicked. Fuck. A swift motion brought my mask down again. Bailey didn't care now, just snuggled up in my arms, and then I sped away from the scene.
The headline the next morning, read: 'Local hero got a soft spot.' In the attached photo I looked ridiculous in my getup with Bailey happily assaulting my mostly hidden face. Underneath, a quote from the little boy I'd saved earlier, 'I'm also gonna get a poodle.'
My brother is missing. Usually he's always there in the back of my head, ready with a snarky comment or prepared to take over when I get bored.
After he took control yesterday, he whispered of being followed. I didn't believe him, he's prone to imagine things. And yet, his whisper of us being shadowed, followed me into our dreams.
At lunch I looked sideways at everyone, quickly shovelling the food in my mouth. My brother was silent, not there in the back of my head as usual. Not offering a funny take on my coworkers. He was usually there for lunch hour, but the rest of the work day belonged to me alone. My mind was too silent today.
It was mid-winter and the sun had set before I finished work at 4pm. Outside the pitch dark evening had arrived. Wrapped in layers of wool, I made my way outside. Alone.
My brother usually walked us home. He liked the quiet dark. I didn't. He don't like when I disagree with him.
His comment about being followed rose to a roar inside my mind, but my feet only shuffled forward. Why did he have to go missing? I needed him. Alone I was just alone.
'Ouch.'
Something hit me. I think. I'm sprawled flat on my face. The snow is cold and invading. Hands grasp my legs, and start to drag me.
I'm freezing, and my mind is an empty mess. I let them drag me. I don't try to count the distance. Meters, trees or corners, what does it matter?
At some point they stop, and let go of my legs. I lay on the ground, and it's not white, but grey, with streaks of a rust-brown red on it. A little to my left I can see two shoetips, blue sneakers.
'Hello, how would you like to meet your brother?'
Someone laughs, but I don't know who.
'Something funny?
Abruptly the loud laughter stops, and I realise, I was the one laughing out loud. A weak laughter continues inside my head.
The man above me sighs. 'This one's a nutter, load her up boys and let's get going.'
I find my voice. 'Where's my brother?'
'What's she talking about?' Another man asks.
'No idea. Found her alone as usual. Never seen any brother while I've been wacthing her.'
'Good, we need to get these girls shipped. Boss is waiting.'
The first man grunts his assent. Then they pick me up and place me in a box I think. The lid shuts, and I'm alone in darkness once more.
Minutes or hours later I hear from the back of my head. 'Believe me now sister? I told you someone followed us.'
Weak light For so long Weak light is all there was Sometimes darker Sometimes lighter
Then the earthquake happened It squeezed and it squeezed It took so long It pained me but I did not cry
And the light changed So much light Blinding So much space Vastness No confines of comfort I look but I can't see The world is blurred
I do not move But I am moved Softness and warmth I blink And then I see Eyes that match mine
