I wake up alone. Not really something special there but more alone then normally. Like I can’t see anything alone, that’s not normal for me. Honestly I just kinda still feel groggy and like my worlds been flipped upside down today. Huh, wait a minute I am upside down. That’s what’s up. All the blood in my heads making me think all weird. “Oi boss she’s awake.” I hear a gruff smoke filled voice says. Ah so I’m not actually alone here. What could they possibly want from me? The sound of a door could be heard echoing throughout the room. “Loud and clear Brick, lower her down a bit for me would you.” A sombrely dark voice chimed. “I wanna have a little chat with our guest.” With the rattling and rumbling of a chain pulley system I feal myself slowly begin to drop. There’s a sudden jolt in the process leaving me swinging a little like a cat toy. “Yo Brick be gentle would you. It’s coming from your wallet if it breaks.” The yet unnamed voice barked. Brick must be new to this. The swaying suddenly stopped as a strong grip grabbed at both arms tied beside me. “Now young lady, do you know why your here.” The boss says slipping a bit more honey into his voice then he did with his comrade. Awe he’s playing nice for now, how cute. “Where am I? Who are you?” I say in the most panicked way I can muster. “Oh sweetheart you don’t need that information.” He says acting like the king of the world talks to a rat. This won’t be as easy as I thought. “Young lady, it has been brought to our attention that you have some… information.” What dose he know? Actually, thinking on it I only know Brick at the moment. Who am I talking to exactly? I remain quiet. “You my dear, know the location of the black-jewel charm don’t you.” He states like a fact. Ah that’s what this crook is after. Fair enough. That things great. I can see why he’s after it but I’m not giving it up that easily. “I never heard of that in my life! You got the wrong person!” I say keeping up the act of a scared young girl. “Shut up and stop lying! I know who you are and I know you know where it is!” He shouts uping the harshness in each word. Friend you just gave me the golden key to my shackles. After all, I’m just an innocent young lady who knows nothing of what he’s talking about. Time to bring out the /water works/. “Sir im sorry I really don’t know. Please I’m telling the truth you got the wrong girl.” I blubber out. Slowly mixing more and more tears into my lines. “Boss I think she’s telling the truth” Brick says. Score I got one. “No no no she’s the one I know it.” The unnamed man barked towards his assistant “Just tell us the truth young lady and we can all go home.” I don’t stop. If anything I upgrade my sprinkler eyes to waterfall as the sound of my sobs pick up. “Boss I’m not on board with hurting an innocent citizen.” Brick spoke, with a bit more back bone to his tone. “This isn’t right.” “I don’t care, she’s a lier. I know she knows something and we aren’t stopping until she talks!” Oh things are heating up. The two men with me continue there arguing until footsteps and the creaking and slam of a door signals they took it outside. This is my chance. One other good thing about the crying strategy is it gives you a good excuse to wriggle. Leaving none the wiser when your hands get free. Once you’re hands are free well. In this case I used the hand tie to break the machine and drop me. This of course isn’t silent sadly so it alerts Mr, nameless and Brick who come running back in. “See Brick what did I tell you! No normal person could get out of that.” Said the average looking white guy with a low voice, before slapping his compatriot. “Ow… sorry boss.” Brick said rubbing at the sore smack spot looking sad. “Hey sorry boys, but I gotta go so.” You know I kinda feel bad for interrupting their talk. “Wait a minute, no you’re not leaving.” Boss says in that stern voice of-

Pepquackery: who doesn’t know what a pepquackery is. They are so friendly, and the babies are so cute. Honestly a friend for life.

Off course some people are allergic to the feathers. Which Is sad. Some people are allergic to the fur. Which is also sad. Truly a nightmare to be bared from befriending one.

I of course have 3 of them. One named sprinkles, one named Ghost because she’s hairless and translucent.and lastly FieFia who’s my gigapepquackery.

———————————————————-

Pepquackery: a pepquackery is a large feathered lizard like duck. The average pepquackery is about the same size as a kangaroo. Some are small enough to fit on one’s shoulders. Some more so match the size of a school bus. The smaller breeds of pepquackerys have this distinct difference from there larger counter parts. That being the ones under two feet tall have hollow bones thus making them more fragile of critter but they can flutter and jump nearly three stories high. A pepquackery likes to sleep as low to the ground as possible. Some even learned to burrow. Why is still a mystery. Overall a pepquackery is one of if not the most docile and friendly creature discovered to date. Though more research is necessary they are safe to be around humans.

Sitting down at the desk labeled with my name a voice sounds out over head. “Welcome all you lucky folks,” a jolly sort of girl sang. “Welcome to the valley games.” She sounds so happy to be here. Sat to ether side of me is another person. One a ginger woman with doted skin and goldish eyes. The other a ravenette dark skinned man with a blind fold for some reason. Out of no where the voice drops down with stile in front of our podium. she looks like a kid dipped and swirled in pastel rainbows. “As you know my name is Penny McFransin and I’ll be your fabulous favourite host for the evening.” This hole thing just gives me the chills. I don’t ever remember signing up for this. “Now let’s head in up and meet today’s contestants.” Oh shoot ms Rainbow harlequin’s coming what’s going on. “Introducing contestant number one, Emma Maylor,” hole light show goes off over the red head. Guess her name is Emma. “Contestant number three Ro-ro-Rowan Cartaki,” a similar bount of lights go off. so… his name is Rowan. Or do I ad the extra ro,s. I’ll figure it out later “and finally contestant number two, Scott Scott!” Ugh I hate my name. My turn for the lights though so. Wait a minute right hand why are you waving. Stop it. One more tick to the somethings off board. “Now for those of you at home here’s how today’s game is gonna work. Penny said as enthusiastic as she’s been. “Our lovely three cone heads will have to put there cone heads together to solve as many questions they can in fifteen minutes,” she dips her voice down a few notches “and then the chase is on.” Oh if that’s not ominous. Again I did not sign up for this. “Okay Ro-ro-Rowan you’re up first.” Oh that’s his real name. “If you were to take a perplexed purple kite for a flight how long will lo be red?” Penny said in a bubbly quizzical tone. What in the…? “A perplexed purple kite will be red for eight grams of sugar if you take it for a flight.” How in the…? “That is correct” If that’s how we’re playing I’m screwed. “Next it’s Emma’s turn. Emma what is the ignonian word for gloof?” Now we’re on foreign languages. “Gloof in ignonian would be tioni.” I dropped out of language school. “Very good you must be fluent.” Penny complaints. “I am I studied the language for a good most of my life.” I’m last then okay game show lady bring it on. “Now Scott you get one of the hardest questions.” Bring it what craziness is this. “Scott, what is, 3 x 6?” Oh my god are you kidding me. “3 x 6 is 18” I say loud and proud. “That is correct” air horns go off and the sound of hands clapping chimes along. That was far to easy. The quiz continues similarly for the next ten minutes, or five hours. Who’s to say really but then a loud almost overwhelming SCREEEEECH blasted out around the stadium. “Oh look at that, that’s time peeps.” Penny quickly blurts out, leaving the podium she climbs back on her stage. “Seems it’s time for the main event. To all those at home here’s how it works. Our three contestant will race through the, Maze, of, Suffering!!! And for each question they got right in the quiz round they get a Help Line! First one to the finish line wins.” She in her best host voice says to the invisible crowd.

Woo now I actually kinda get this hole game thing. What a relief to actually know what’s happening “Also Bedoy here will be chasing them so there’s, you know, a bit more, action.” Damb it I let my guard down. “Anyway contestants your time is up. Get on your mark,” without thinking my body moved to a sprinters crouch. “Get set,” I see the others meet me in the line. “GOOO!!!” Penny shouts shooting a bubble pistol she just had on her As the three make there mad dash into the mossy mix of stone and brick. “Oh they better run.” Penny says in her lowest vibration of a voice, chuckling to herself as she flutters off away to her pent house.

The sun began to set. A traveller making his way through the sandy land scape. This fine looking traveller covered himself head to toe in rough thick and heavy looking fabric. Despite the heat he seemed to be rather comfortable as he trots along on his horse.

The heavily cloaked being doesn’t quite know when or why they started this trek. Just knows they need to keep going… somewhere.

A few hours pass mostly nothing has changed. Of course the sun fell below the sand by now and the cool night air whipped in but the scenery seemed to be repeating over and over and over.

The horse however has gotten tired and needs a rest. So the clad nomadic figure stops to set up camp. They don’t set up a fire. They don’t set up a tent. They just feed the fine steed and lie down like a plank in the dirt. Before the sun rises the two are back on the move.

Silly enough about twenty minutes later they became the stranger that walked into town. If they just walked a little bit longer they could have had an inn and a stable. Oh well maybe it was better to sleep in the wilderness. Good time to stock up on supplies anyway.

By about noontime, the cloaked figure finished up with their shopping and was preparing to head out. Suddenly a voice rang out behind them.

“Hey you,” it said making the pile of cloth on top of the majestic animal turn. “Yeah you, I heard you here have been messing with my locals.” On closer inspection this dusty old man appears to be some sort of authority of some sort.

The being just looked for a moment then turns back on the path. “Stop you’re not leaving, you have to pay for this” at this the stranger just kept on moving. “I said stop.” Mr authority shouts, again the nomad kept going.

At this point the sheriff has gone red in the face. No one, and he means no one disrespect his badge. He grabs out the pistol on his hilt, takes aim. BANG. Rapidly the bullet flys and rips the strangers arm clean off. Fully it goes flying. Not even a drop of blood. That’s how clean a shot it was.

Wait no blood.

The cloak of a man dose not flinch, they just trot on over to the detached limb. The figure picks it up and effortlessly reattaches it. The fabric falling in the process to show there’s no skin underneath. Not even flesh.

The sheriff to stunned at the sight to move. What was the cloaked figure. He may never know because the being hiked the reigns and dashed off to continue their travels.

A young girl sat outside in her garden. She tends to the plants, pulling weeds, giving them water, and a hole lot of other little tasks required to properly care for the greenery all around.

Her favourite part is raspberry bushes on the edge of garden. Makes a good wall and she gets a snack out of them. Today however something odd happened as she tended to the bushes. A sound rang out. Not loud at first but it grew.

Fwoosh. Just barely missing her a tree crashed into her backyard. A small step more she’d be crushed like the not as lucky part of the wall.

A tree this old should have been cut down professionally with how much of a hazard it could have been. “The association must have missed it somehow.” She thought. “Better go get a better look for documentation peruses.”

Climbing up the withered old log she began to walk it. Find the stump find the cause, then the paper work. Not fun but it’s needed in the process.

Wow this was a tall tree. Seems like it’s gone on forever. Well not forever but far longer then this should take. She can’t even see the end with the fog that’s rolled in.

Oh wait there’s something. A tall ish thin black thing stands near what looks to be the tree stump. “They bust be who cut it down.” The girl thought. “Not even in uniform how unprofessional. Do they even work for the association. Ugh the nerve of some people.”

“You know what I’m gonna give show em why not to mess with a gardeners garden.” She thinks rolling up her sleeves Marching towards the figure. As she gets closer the figure grows taller yet as thin as they wore before but that didn’t register in the girl still thinking about her poor poor plants.

“Hey you what do you think you are doing.” She shouts towards the figure, who only stands there. “Hey you are you listening” still no response.

The girl kept marching. Wanting to give this thing a piece of her mind. Until right next to the massive dirty mop like being.

“Hey I’m talking to you.” At this point the situation dawned on her. That is one big person. Why are they just standing there.

Suddenly the thing shifted turned, a little to look at the young lady and, fwiish. The girl screamed, but no one heard her make a sound.

“Ugh what day is it.” I horsely say, sitting up in my bed. The alarm clock to my left says 7:22 Am, almost ten minutes before it’s supposed to go off.

Ugh I guess it’s time to get up. My body hurts all over. What the heck did I do last night. I know I drink a bit but it’s never this much of a headache after.

Standing up from my bed I prepare for my day. Shower, get dressed, you know the works. My body is still completely sour though. My heads killing me.

Finally I head downstairs for some food and water. Breakfast? Yeah breakfast that’s what it’s called. But hey the water should help me feel better. Definitely looking forward to that.

I spot something odd in my kitchen when I get there. Namely a person. She’s a nice looking young lady standing ruffly 4 inches above me. What’s their name, I don’t know. Since they’re here so casually I guess I should pretend I do though.

“Hey buddy how you doing this morning.” I say. I can just hear how bleh I sound this morning.I can probably get away with calling out today.

Little ms big unknown lady turning to me with this look of both dear in headlights and oh my that’s my favourite celebrity. Truly a wonderful mix of faces. Then she smiles. Smiles like you would at a horde of puppies. Or being gifted a lot of things. Or I don’t know it’s a really pretty smile okay. And she speaks.

“Myra your awake,” as she trapes me in an embrace. “ oh Myra I thought you were gone and you wouldn’t comeback but you’re here. Your back again.”

“What the… get off of me.” I say pushing and ducking out of the hug. “Who are you I’ve never seen you in my life.”

“Come on Myra, it’s me, Sunny, you remember me right.” She says the smile not as there as it was.

“No, frankly I don’t. How do you even know my name.” Honestly she’s got some nerve. I probably just let her in for a night and now she thinks she knows me. I’m my own person and not dealing with someone like that.

“You really don’t remember me.” She’s starting to tear up now. Kinda pity inducing.

“No, I do not. Now are you staying going, are we having a little breakfast chat. What’s going on.”

“Myra you have to remember. You and I were paired up in one of our meetings, and you helped me with the… and then we went to dinner. Then I helped you with the thing.” Oh ooh crying, that’s not something I’m trained for. “Please Myra your the best person I’ve ever met you have to remember me.”

Wow that’s a lot of rambling. I did all of that with her in one night, dam. “Wait a minute what meetings.”

“What do you mean what meeting. Before the accident we would go every week.” She said. Still sniffling

“Wait ACCIDENT”

“Yeah you got a ride from your friend one night and you were upside down in the ditch in the morning.” Things are starting to click. “I don’t even want to think about that scene.”

“Umm Sunny you said your name was.” She turns to face me again. Lip quivering a little she nods. “What day is it.”

“April 17th why.” Oh my gosh it’s clicking. I grab her by the shoulders now to ask. “How long was I out.”

“About a month.” And it’s clicked. Kinda, my memories aren’t all there but that memory is how I know this girl.

“Sunny I am sorry for any and all things I’ve said this morning,”

“I accept” she says.

“I think I vaguely figured this out, but we have a lot to talk about.” I say.

“Okay.” She responded and together we walk off and settle for that chat.

It’s been fifteen years since the sun had last risen. Over time you just get used to it. No one knows why it happened. NASA and all those other space programs are trying there best to figure out why to no avail. It’s almost as if a starry blanket covered the sky and just beyond that the sun shines as it did.

Now though we finally gathered the materials and the people to properly search for a solution. And I’m part of it.

Today is the day I’m given right to possibly pass that blanket and see the light of day once again. Man this will be one great story to tell My family when I come home.

Standing before me is the crew who I am glad to assist on this mission. Our captain, Captain Bronzer tall and proud stands to give a speech to all those brave enough to assist.

“Cadets, today is a great honour. For today we venter into new and unknown territory...” Captain seems to have rehearsed his speech a lot. “We all must be brave as this is no easy task. I vow to lead the way into this new age as we rise to the occasion…” Lot of fluff there captain I know this is big but I’ve kinda been zoning out. “And finally, after all these years. we, will see the sun again!”

The crowd begins to cheer as is costmary in the situation. I of course join in but my word buddy captain who wrote that for you it was awful.

The cheers settle and finally the real fun part starts. In an orderly fashion sorted by last names the team climbs aboard the star ship Light Prayer.

Overall it takes a good hour or so to get everyone settled. I myself posted my butt right into the shields master seat. Probably the second best viewing spot as we take flight. It’s so cool to actually see us lift off the ground. Even compared to the simulations this is a sight to see. Oh right work. If we even want to breach atmosphere I need to up some shields.

Beep boop bop and up. Breach in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. oh my huh the hell is that stuff. It’s like all oily. Like plopping through a thick globy puddle of mud but upwards. What is that ewe. I guess that explains the sun problem. We are literally covered in a muddy icky blanket. That’s the flipping problem.

This brings up so many more questions. So many more things to look into. We need samples and so many more things. However that’s for another day. For now we must work.

Where I work there’s this thing. A good sized pot of soup in a warmer that’s fresh to eat from everyday and free for the employees. One of the things I like so much.

Some soups are better then others I can say. Like the gumbo is awful. Got a specific spicy ketchupy smell to it and it’s all runny and chunky at the same time. Don’t even get me started on the taste. It’s got all the spice and no flavour. My mouth is in pain with no reward. It’s not like spicy spaghetti sauce my grandma makes where there’s cheddar and garlic. It’s not like a well spiced piece of meat. It is awful.

But there’s good soups to like there chicken noodle. Oh my perfection only sucky part is how popular that one is.

However my all time favourite of there’s is the mushroom stew. I can’t quite describe what makes it as good as it is. It’s so creamy and smooth. The sliced mushrooms are just the right size. There’s a small hint of something in the In the broth I just adore. Mmm it’s truly the best. Sucks to clean but it’s worth it.

“You’ve got the wrong guy” he shouted, dazed and confused.

“Oh no you hear that boys we should let him go then.” The official looking man said, pining him to the ground. His crowd snickered amongst themselves one even letting out a good hardy chuckle. “Like I haven’t heard that one before Mr. Black, or should I call you Freddy Mayson.”

In all truth Quinten Black has no clue what’s going on. One minute he was just chilling at one of his mothers lavish business banquets, next he was being held down by some officer who he just can’t read the name tag of in this position.

“Ugh I’m serious okay I’m not whoever… that is. What did I even do.” He spits out, trying his best to squirm free.

“Oh come on Fred don’t play dumb you know why you’re here.” The officer speaks again.

“No, no I don’t. Last I checked I was “socializing” at one of my moms “parties”.” Truly at this moment he wonderes why he didn’t sneak up into his room tonight. Wait a minute that is what he was doing. Then these donkey-pigs started chasing him.

“Just admit it dude, you snuck in disguise as a guest so you can steal the Black-Jewel charm.” A uniformed blond man, who looks to have nice shoes from this angle, said.

The what. “I don’t even know what that is. Come on let me go.”

“You can not be serious give it up already. Guys take him to the station I’m going to inform the family and guests the perp has been caught.” Mr. probably commanding officer said.

With his hands cuffed behind him Quinten was forced to his feet and shoved over to a pair of identical looking officers. Seriously both bald shades covered there eyes even the same mole by the ear. It’s like mom was a copier machine for these pricks escorting him towards the exit.

One more thing about Double and Trouble up front there leading the way. neither of them seem to be that good at running. Meaning if he just slows down a bit, makes a small fidget motion like so, aim the knee and… OW that’s gotta hurt.

Down falls Trouble on his knees clutching the damaged area. Double quickly dropping down to attempt comforting his clone giveing the masterful escape artist a chance to dash off down the halls. Where is he going? He doesn’t know just need to lose these pricks.

He could go for his original plan up in his room but that has a lot of room for them to catch up. Plus there’s a reason he was trying to be sneaky in the first place. Maybe he could hide in a bathroom. No downside. Who in there right mind would break into a bathroom.

This is Quinten’s house he knows the next left three doors down is a bathroom. Things may not be optimal at the moment but perfect timing for this perfect plan.

Quinten slowed to a halt right in front of the spruce carved door. Places his hand on the nob and twists it. More so jiggle it around. “Crap the doors locked” he thinks “now what”

Suddenly Double and the blond dude round the corner in chase. mr blond in the lead yells out “Get back here Mayson, you can’t run forever!”

“That’s not my name” Quinten shouts back, bursting back into the sprint he had going. Oh word now what? The guys are right behind him now. Where does he go? The other bathroom is far on the other side of the banquet hall and even if he got there these guys would definitely see him hide and camp the door. Or worse they could grab him before he can lock the door.

Wait a minute. There’s an idea. Still in a sprint Quinten dips right, flinging open the largest doors in the halls revealing the large grandly decorated room he was trying to flee in the first place.

The sudden slam turning a good few heads in his direction. A good few of course meaning about a quarter of them. “Oh this will do nicely” Quinten thought before busting out his big ingenious plan.

“MOM, HELP” he yelled out still in chase. The crowd of elites getting the hint parted giving the boy a clear path to safety.

“Mom, mom you gotta help me,”

“Ugh dumb kid what did you do”

“I just went to the bathroom and…

It was a cold snowy day. The night prior there was a storm leaving the grounds covered in a nice fluffy thirty something cm of snow. What fun. For those who get to enjoy it that is. Like sweet princess Avia. The kingdoms seven year old ball of pride and joy. Shame, today will be her last.

See she is one of the few who get to and have gotten to enjoy their any of their days for a while now. over the past few years since her dad has made some, not so good choices for his people. So the people together made their own choice for the king.

Our little princess was all tightly bundled up and warm in her cute little coat, with a red scarf a slightly less red tuque and big fuzzy boots. Making a snow angle face down next to Mr.Snowman. She’s having fun.

The sun was just meating it’s peak at noon. Which would normally sound off a servant to come fetch the little princess for lunch. However today is not like other days as a different sound rings through the castle grounds.

The loud sound of sirens rang out warning everyone on the grounds that something was happening. Something big. Something dangerous. The sound so loud little startled Aria began to cry. Cry because she was alone. Cry because she was scared. Cry because of the sound. Realistically any kid would cry in this situation.

Luckily the servant who would normally have brought her in was coming. She could see her coming from the castle. She would be able to make all of this okay. Aria thought. Getting up she started to sprint towards Ms. Laighi because she can help.

“Aria Aria I’m on my way don’t worry sweetie.” Ms.Laighi called out rapidly running towards the girl.

“Ms.Laighi” Little Aria spoke running and jumping into the lady’s arms. “Ms.Laighi I’m scared.”

“Shhh shhh dear it’s alright no one’s gonna hurt you” she said in a softer tone to the now quivering little lady she’s holding. “Come with me we are going somewhere safe.”

“Okay” she says. Now being carried by the maid. Ms.Laighi is like a cool aunt to Aria so she trusts her. They are gonna be safe.

Suddenly on top of the sirens came a large booming sound. A blast of fire and debris from the wall nearby. A dozen or so men came rushing through all wielding all sorts of weapons.

“You! On the ground now!” There leader shouted out pointing the bow he has directly at the pair.

Screaming they both get down. Dropping face down in the snow. Ms.Laighi covering the small child with her body.

“I said on the ground lie flat with your hands on your head.” The man screamed out again. Both doing exactly as said.

“Hey boss ain’t that the princess” a scruffy looking man to the leaders left said.

“Oh yeah your right, bet we could get something for her” the leader spoke back.

“Let’s take her.” Shouts a man in the far back with a pitch fork.

“That’s the plan Reymon, thought we briefed you on this.” The leader said turning to address the pitchfork guy. Turning back kneeling down to the princess’s level he said “all right little lady your coming with us got it.”

Aria didn’t respond she was to scared to even move. Boss man of course did not like this. So he reached down, grabbed her by the hair, and pulled her up to face him. “You got it” Aria to the best of her ability just nodded.

“Okay boys, one of you deal with this one rest of you follow me.” He exclaimed restraining the small girl and throwing her over his shoulder.

———————————————————————

Little Aria was mercilessly tussled around being carried through her tattered up home. Eventually they arrive at her fathers thrown room filled with more angry folk and one big guy up front. “King Stephen we have your daughter now, you know what we want. if we don’t it’s her life.”

Her father just sat there. Stoic as ever he just sat there facing the crowd. “ oh you think we are bluffing we aren’t bluffing we will do it.” One of the rioters in the back shouted. Another pitchfork dude.

The king still sits still as he normally dose but his head dips a bit and he raises his arm giving a hand signal towards the angry towns folk.

“Is… that a good thing”