“You want us to do what?”

“Storm the castle.” The King was as calm as if he was ordering his nightly meal.

The General, the King’s friend and right-hand man was not enthusiastic. And his voice was downright sarcastic. “Right. The seven of us are going to storm the castle, which, by the way, is full of elite troops who want to kill you and us, because they know that we are planning to take back the kingdom, which is rightfully yours. Is that your plan? We’re going to storm the castle?”

The King nodded. “Yes.” He smiled. “Well, not all of us.”

“Not all of us? Not all of us? What are we going to do, split our forces into what…” The General looked at his loyal band one by one, nodding his head as if counting. “…seven factions of one?”

The King smiled. “No. Three factions. Two factions of two and one faction of three.”

The General slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand then slid it slowly down his face. “Do tell.”

The King pointed. “These three will go through the forest in a counter-clockwise motion toward the back of the castle. They’ll cross the moat in a raft operated by the quartermaster. He’ll take them across the moat into the larder where they’ll find a small group of loyalists.”

The three nodded.

The King turned to his left and pointed at two others. “These two will go clockwise toward the south side of the castle. There they’ll swim across the moat in the shadow of the wall below the rear guard tower. They’ll find a rope hanging from the tower. Then, they’ll climb up to meet a group of guards who are loyal to me as well.”

The two nodded.

The King smiled and looked at the General. He grabbed his shoulders with each hand. “You, my friend… You and I will storm the castle gate. Just before the drawbridge is taken up at sunset. Okay. We won’t exactly storm the castle. We’ll just stroll right in with our weapons and identities concealed. We’ll walk along with the others returning from the fields and going into the safety of the castle. And when the drawbridge is drawn and the portcullis is lowered, we’ll have that evil usurper just where we want him. The people will turn on the enemy, our loyalists will back them up with muscle. The walls will have our people on top instead of theirs. And we will rule this place in peace again as it has been for decades.”

“Am I the last to know of your plans, O King?”

The King pursed his lips. “The would be usurper had thought to put a listening ear in our camp. A new confidante who would speak lies in my ear. Indeed, I had heard that one of my most trusted men, one of you six was not who I thought he was. I looked with suspicion on all of you as this false friend whispered in my ear.”

“Damian,” the six whispered as one.

The King nodded. “Damian went back to the usurper with the notion that I had made foolish plans without your counsel. He thought that we were disjointed and without allies or a plan because I had kept you in the dark. He smiled when he snuck off to his evil master.”

The King smiled. “I only doubted you for a moment. Then, I realized that your character had always shown you to be true. But I had to keep you in the dark for our subterfuge to work on Damian.”

The others nodded agreement.

“And now it is time. Time to take back the kingdom.”

“Your kingdom,” the General corrected the King.

The King smiled. “Our kingdom.”

When it was all over, the General kneeled and bowed his head to his liege. “It is finished. The kingdom is yours…” He looked up at the King. “…ours again.” He smiled as he stood. Then he said to his friend, “That was probably the worst idea you have ever had, my King.” He smiled even broader, if that was possible. “But it worked!”

That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had. To stop writing for as long as long as you did. I don’t thnk you can even call it an idea or a decion. You just drifted away, right when you were startibg to develop some momentum.

What if you’d carried on? Where would you be now. And there in lies the problem. Captalism has made you thik monitisation of a passion is the only true measure of its worth.

How very incorrect, especially in the case of writting. Where the reward is very much in the doing. The only plus of your hiatus was you were able to come to this revalation for yourself. So now you’re ready to go again stronger than before. So yes giving up on your writting was a terrible idea. That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had . . . and yet it worked.

(This is more on my OC's Kieran and Gia, just a bit about their backstory, go read Test Number #8 for their introduction though!)

"That was probably the worst idea you've ever had... how did it work?" "Hah, told you I know what I'm doing!" Gia punched the vending machine one more time, knocking down a Dr. Pepper. "Here you go!" Kieran thanked her, and the two walked around the lab, bored.

Since being here, for almost two years now, neither were allowed to leave, but neither also really minded. For Gia, home was Kieran's house, and for Kieran, he missed his mom but not her jerk boyfriend, so he was pretty happy staying in the clean lab with the doctors that never yelled at them, (except for Gia scaring people with her wings, but even she admitted that then it was a little fair), their own suites, and always good food. And a bonus, enough money for Kieran's mom to quit three of her jobs, so they were very happy.

Although sometimes they were very bored, in between physical therapy and tests. It had taken a while for the two to get used to their new selves, especially Gia. They walked around the lab wing, talking and sipping their sodas. "Man, it's almost been two years." Gia was getting reminiscent now. "Yes, it almost has been. Although do you even remember your first year?" Gias first year there was a sore subject, but she answered nonetheless, "I mean, I remember the hospital, but for the most part I was unconscious. I do remember when I first saw myself after the procedures. I almost cried when I looked at the wings. They were all scabby and gross at the base, remember?" Kieran did remember. His adjustments were only on the inside, except for his eye, but that was damaged, so it was just nice to see again. He sometimes worried about his intellect, feared he knew too much, but other than that he really didn't hate his new life. Gia, on the other hand, had major adjustments, and it was awful her first year, remembering all she had gone through. She used to cry every night, lamenting the body and life she had once had. Wanting to feel human again. Even the benefit of flight still made her feel strange. He thought for a moment, then answered her, "Yeah, I remember. You seem better now though. How are you feeling about everything?" Gia looked to the side. "I don't know. It's weird. I guess maybe I accept it more now, but sometimes I just miss feeling, I don't know, human? Even though my old life really wasn't good, at least I had my humanity." Kieran knew what she meant. He really did think she had it better here, her old house was awful. "I understand that, but at least now you have your super cool flight abilities, and you can totally beat me up and stuff." She giggled, "God, Kie don't talk like that you sound like me." She looked over at him, "But thanks, you're right."

She noticed he was finished with his soda, so she grabbed it, crushed the can, and threw it out. She then stole his glasses, and flew up so that he couldn't reach them. He read her mind, something he was able to do but never used for respect of her privacy, but he learned that although she still felt strange about her new self, she knew that as long as she had her best friend, she would be fine.

Rose was thirteen when she asked her mom about her sister.

Not her little sister.

No, she knew everything about her eight year old sibling.

This was about her older sister. She would be eighteen——is eighteen. Since she’s still alive.

Rose thought so at least.

Her mom didn’t appear to think so.

Anytime it was her sister’s birthday or a day of significance that it would make sense to bring her up, her mom would clam up.

It was probably her worst idea she ever had, and she really wanted it to work.

Normal day. Nothing significant.

“Mom, why do you think it was a Stranger that took Thorn?”

That was her name for her. Because their younger sister was five years different from Rose, her and her older sibling were close, not thinking they would have another sister. They were Rose and Thorn.

Her mom was taken by surprise. Good.

She doesn’t have time to put up the walls.

“Strangers are bad, Rose. Your sister was too trusting. It was probably that boy of hers that tricked her. I wouldn’t be shocked if he kidnapped her.”

“Rex? You think he was a Stranger?” This was the first time Rose ever heard that theory. He’s Thorn’s best friend. After she disappeared, he did too. He was always so nice to her.

She didn’t believe that for a second. Rex wouldn’t have hurt Thorn.

“Of course, why else would they have disappeared around the same time?” Her mother answers, moving her eyes away from Rose.

“But why——“ she begins but her mom doesn’t let her finish.

Her mom clicks her tongue and shakes her head in that disapproving way no child wants to see. “You’re much too young to be asking these questions.”

“But not all Strangers are bad,” she tries. She shouldn’t. Not with her mom.

Her mom’s views won’t ever change.

With a roll of her eyes, she questions, “Is this about the Flame Person again? I thought you realized it was a hallucination from smoke inhalation.” She was always like that about the fire. Dismissive like every person in Rose’s life, except her little sister.

“Fire Woman. And no. You think that, but I know what I saw,” she corrects.

“I’ll make another appointment with Dr. Mindilin.” Ugh. The therapist that tries to get her to believe her memories are wrong. Just great.

Her sister is alive. Rose can feel it.

She just doesn’t know where and why.

Deep in the core of her being, she knows her sister wasn’t taken and killed by a Stranger. And definitely not by Rex.

She may not be able to get answers yet, but someday, she will and finally know what happened to Thorn.

How long has it been since I’ve been thoroughly obnoxious? That is what I asked Nick a few days ago, when one of my other friends told me I hadn’t been “thoroughly obnoxious” in a while. It’s not like I try to be. I wouldn’t even call myself an obnoxious person. I would rather prefer highly eccentric and overly ambitious.

All he did was side eye me and laugh. Went back to playing a game on his phone—probably Crossy Roads or something. His silence mocked me. He couldn’t just leave me hanging. I said “I mean, I’m really not an obnoxious person. I just like sharing my happiness with others.”

Then there was that side eye again. That signature smirk. Then an exasperated sigh, before he got up and walked away. Even had the audacity to mutter the words: “Oh, Katt, your not meant for such a cruel world…”

I mean, what was that supposed to mean?

Maybe he’s just grumpy because I forced him to do that Grammar project with the glitter. People made fun of him and talked about it for days after they saw the video. And through those days, Nick provided me with glares, groans, and didn’t talk a whole lot. I suppose that last part is normal for him. That’s the great thing about our friendship. He doesn’t have to do anything, really. I enjoy coming up with conversation, and he enjoys adding little comments and silent judgments.

He’s really a good person, though! Just not very talkative or…a beam of light, but the guy can still make you laugh. And he will actually speak if he finds a topic interesting. That’s mostly why I bring up the really gory movies he watches and stuff like that. Not because I enjoy them—I really don’t. But because his eyes sparkle when he talks about zombies and the most gruesome way to end someone.

I swear he’s okay! He’s not some cereal killer or anything. Just…different. But aren’t we all? In our own ways, at least.

Anyway, since, apparently, I’ve been less obnoxious these past few weeks, I thought it time to step up my game again. To start, I pick up my phone and call my friend, Rain. It’s like 2:00 in the morning, so you can imagine her reaction once she finally answers.

“Fuck, don’t tell me you’re back at it…” she says.

Suddenly, sleep is very far away. Instead, a bright smile and a cheery tone takes its place. “Good morning, Rain.”

“It’s not morning, Katt. It’s 2:00 a.m.”

“Last time I checked, that was morning.”

“Get to the point.” I could practically hear the glare in her voice.

I do a giddy little dance and flip onto my stomach, my bed creaking beneath. “Alright, so you know how Nick’s Birthday is coming up soon, right?”

“You know he doesn’t like celebrating his birthday, right?” she says in a sarcastic tone.

I roll my eyes and continue. “That’s not the point right now—”

“But it should be.”

“Anywho, I was thinking maybe we do a little surprise thing for him.”

She sighs. “And I’m guessing you already have something planned?” This was less a question and more of a statement.

I giggle maniacally and roll onto my back, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars I have stuck to my ceiling. They’re deep red and orange, and without some sort of light, I find I can’t sleep. My dad put them there for me when I was little. He stayed up for hours, just to be sure he got them placed in exactly the order I wanted them. And speaking of lights, my big idea involves quite the show.

“So, what I was thinking was,” I begin, “we tell him we’re all gonna hang out togther on The Hill.” The Hill is the hill we all played at when we were kids. We weren’t friends then, well—Rain and I were tight, but Nick was less…friendly back then? He used to throw bugs in our hair and stomp on moths we rescued. Stupid shit like that that all kids do and deal with. Anyway, the two of us have moved on from all that—obviously.

My point is, we go there once every month. It’s a special little thing we do, and we take it very seriously, making it the perfect spot to u leash my little scheme.

“Hello?—Katt, I said yeah—”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” Forgot she was on the phone. I must’ve gotten sidetracked just thinking about it all. Can’t leave a friend hanging, I suppose. “My idea is: we go up to The Hill, and we do a _littleee _firework show…hear me out!—it’ll be awsome. And I know he doesn’t like surprises or celebrating his birthday; even celebrations in general. But I have a feeling that even if he doesn’t end up admitting it, this will make his day.”

“Katt…listen, you have a good heart, and I know you wanna make him happy, but I know for a fact he won’t enjoy that. What if we just go up to The Hill like normal—bring snacks and a tent. We could sleep there for the night. Its more lowkey.”

“—Boring, if you mean,” I add. “That’s not good enough, Rain!”

“For you, maybe not. But he’ll appreciate it if we just act like it’s a normal day.”

I sigh. God, part of myself really believed she’d be on board this time, and at the very least, I could’ve convinced her to.

“Rain, c’mon. All I need you to do is buy the fireworks. I’ll do the rest.”

“Sorry, Katt, but I’m out. I’m tired and this isn’t a good idea. Good night.”

Deciding it best not to keep prodding her at 2:00 in the morning, I respond with a simple “Night…”

She won’t help no matter what. Looks like I’ll just have to do this on—

“Katt.”

“Hm!” Geez, her voice really does jump into your train of thought. It’s like she can hear exactly what your thinking. Kinda like when you’re playing a horror game, and the monsters face just jump scares you and screams into your screen, when, only moments before, you were peacefully exploring. I know this because Nick forced me to play one of his dumb games last year for Holloween. I was too scared to do the actual tasks and find a way out, so I tried staling by making little comments like “Ooh, is this ketchup on the walls?—Somebody really needs to clean that up.” To which he’d just roll his eyes and say “That’s blood you imbecile. Not ketchup. There’s a reason this place was shut down. Now go find your way out before the damn thing tears you limb from…“

Yeah, I stopped listening there.

“Back down,” she orders.

Must’ve been thinking out loud by mistake. “Don’t worry about it,” I wave her off like she can see me. “Anyway, gotta go now, bye!”

“Kattherine—”

I hang up before she can say anything else. I’ll just tell her it was an accident tomorrow if she asks. After all, it sorta was. I was planning on cutting her off on the third word.

And in my mind, I heard less of a “Back down.” and more of a “Back down?”

What time is it now? I check my phone. I get distracted by my Home Screen after seeing the time (2:27). It’s a picture of the three of us—Rain, Nick, and me—together making goofy faces.

My eyes fixate on Nick. This is becoming less of a plan to step up my obnoxiousity, and more of an idea to make someone else happy.

I shut my phone off and rest it against my chest. “This is gunna be the best birthday ever. You’ll see.”

Sleep, surprisingly, I succumb to swiftly.

I spent another hour at the party, avoiding Damian, before heading up to bed. I was exhausted by then. A bunch of other Heirs came my way and tried to talk to me. I had shrugged them all off. Tonight had been enough already.

I collapsed into my bed. I felt so tired. My feet hurt and my body ached. I hated these balls. They wore me out.

My dreams that night were full of Damian. They were more like nightmares. He turned into an actual Vampire every time and killed me. His warning wrung out in my head.

“I look forward to driving you insane.”

I shivered at the thought. What had he meant? What was his plan? What was he up to?

I woke up the next day feeling just as stressed. My nightmares about Damian had brought no help. It had only terrified me more. Now, I was tired and nervous. Wonderful.

I slowly got up and had my maid help me dress. I dressed in a basic white dress with white stickings and black flats. I pulled my blonde hair into a bun. I didn’t look the best that I could. I just coated my lips in a bit of gloss and called it a day.

My maid followed me to breakfast. All the families were there. Everyone was talking and discussing the ball last night and the days to come. This was normal. It was lovely.

I sat down at the table next to two Heirs. They were both these annoying boys. They were both handsome though. The first one was the Heir to the House of Lords. He had light brown hair and tan skin. He had boring brown eyes though.

The second boy was the Heir to the House of Waterwren. He had blonde hair and fair skin. I only caught of glimpse of his eyes, but I knew they were just as boring as the first boy’s.

I loved eyes. They were the windows to the soul. Attractive eyes were beautiful. They could make me weak at the knees.

“Good morning, princess.” The Lords Heir said.

“Morning.” I replied. I sat down and grabbed a biscuit to start eating.

“I can’t believe those monsters actually showed up.” The Waterwren Heir said.

“Who?” I asked, tired.

“The Vampires.”

Oh yeah. Damian. I almost said, “Trust me, it’s worse than just that. He’s haunted my dreams.” But I didn’t. I had to be good. Father would kill me if I spoke badly about our guests.

“My princess, it has come to my attention that you’re of age.” The Waterwren Heir said.

Crap. “Age for what?” I tried to play it dumb. Maybe he’d stop if I did.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well…marriage.”

Someone scoffed behind them. They turned to see Adrielle Vampire there. “Beat it, Waterwren, she doesn’t even know your name.” She hissed. Then she did the thing where vampires would bare their fangs, except she didn’t have fangs to bear.

The poor guy paled and ran off with his friend. Adrielle nodded approvingly and sat down next to me. She smiled at me and grabbed a biscuit.

“Thank you.” I said.

“No problem. I know the feeling of unwanted guys.”

“You have your own at home?”

She smirked at me. “Nah. They’ve all learned not to mess with me.”

“Thank you, Adrielle.” I laughed.

“Call me Elle. Adrielle is so formal. It’s awful, really.”

“Thank you, Elle.”

She gave me a friendly smile. It was nothing like the demonic smile she gave the boys. She was genuinely being kind to me. It felt nice.

“Hey, would you like to have tea with me?” I asked.

Elle stared at me for a second. “Actually?” She asked.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m having tea today and I haven’t had actual tea with a friend in years. It’d be nice to have some company.”

She thought about this for a second. “I’d love to.”

I smiled. “I’ll see you at tea time then.” Then I walked off.

At tea time, I had my maid set up tea for Elle and I. I examined myself in my mirror. I looked nice. I just hoped that tea would go well. I liked Elle. She seemed friendly. She obviously wasn’t as mean as she tried to appear.

I had my maid set up tea in the garden. I loved to have tea there. Usually, it was just me, but not today. I had her get a few different foods. I even had her get a few things from Elle’s home. I wanted to make a good impression.

I sat down at the table. I twiddled with my thumbs for a minute. I watched a few people pass by. They gave me polite smiles and a few bows, but none of them approached me. It was nice. I hated being approached in public.

“Sunshine, are you waiting for me?”

I didn’t need to turn around to know who stood behind me. That demon was following me. I could feel it. He was a monster.

“Actually, I’m waiting for your sister.” I replied.

Damian sat down next to me. “I can promise that she isn’t nearly as fun as I am.” He gave me a dashing smile.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, she can scare of the other guys here so she’s fine in my book.”

“Is that all it takes to get on your good side?”

I glared at him. “Don’t you have another maiden to torment?”

“Sorry to disappoint you, sunshine, but I’m here to give you my undivided attention. I’m free all afternoon.” He smirked.

“Good, now if you could go and find some other friend of mine to bother, that would be greatly appreciated, brother.” Elle said as she approached. She sat down next to me. “Sorry to keep you waiting. My other brother needed some help with something.”

“Which brother?” I asked.

“The favorite.” She smirked and I knew what she meant.

Aspen then.

We both turned to Damian. “Now, if you could leave, that would be appreciated.” I said.

He smirked and nodded to us both. “See you later, sunshine.” He winked at me and left.

Screw him.

Elle turned to me. “I’m sorry about him. He just doesn’t know when to quit.” She said.

“It’s fine. He’ll get over it. They all do once I don’t show them any interest.” I explained.

She shook her head. “You don’t know my brother then.”

“No, I don’t. I might like to one day though.” I didn’t know what I was saying anymore. I hated that boy.

“That’ll be the worst mistake you’ve ever made, wanting to know my brother.”

I nodded in agreement. “Then I’ll just ignore the heck out of him.”

She nodded approvingly.

Then we sat and drank our tea.

I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t notice! It seemed odd when you kept the compass so close… even when you were using the privy. Now what are we supposed to do?? We have to get home to Mom and Dad now! You heard them… it’s dangerous out here.

We have no idea what kinds of animals are watching us even right now. I can feel their beady eyes just waiting for us to let our guard down. Fledge, you’re going to have to make this right. I don’t care how. Just get us home! I’m scared. And this is your fault

[LUCAS]

“That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had, and yet…” Runne looks toward me, his eyes holding an appreciative expression I never would’ve guessed he was capable of, “it worked.”

Maybe it shouldn’t have.

I bite back a grimace, thinking of Giselle cuddled into Runne’s side.

“Yeah,” I begin to brush it off, “no problem, bro.”

Runne looks back at me, his face bursting into a wide smile. “I can’t believe she’s liked me this entire time.”

I don’t even realize I fisted my hands against my sides until after Runne notices.

“Bro, you good?”

Quickly, I nod a reply, too angered to let my words take over. I can’t believe she’s liked me this entire time. __ I can’t believe she’s liked me… __ I can’t believe… __ Runne’s word continuously echo through my brain so much, I have to close my eyes and attempt to force the thoughts away.

I don’t like Giselle. __ I don’t like her. __ I don’t like Giselle. __ I have no reason to like Giselle. __ Do I like Giselle? __ How can I like Giselle? __ Runne is with Giselle.

“Hey, Runne, I can lock up. You go get some sleep so you won’t look like crap at your date tomorrow,” I remark, leaning against the counter in an attempt to stay calm. An attempt at a smile and chuckle follows, but the attempt goes sour.

My brother gives me a look.

“Me? Look like crap?” He jokes, a small smile reconnecting on his face, “Impossible, my dear twin.” He edges to the kitchen door, waiting for a moment, as if he thinks I’ll take back my last few words.

“Go get sleep,” I say a little louder, pulling the towel off of the oven door and throwing it at him. As he’s exiting the large restaurant, I shout loudly to make sure he hears, “Giselle would love to hear that you might not be a bad boy anymore—”

“Oh, shut up! I ride a motorcycle, for f—”

I mentally cut him off and push myself off the counter, eyeing all of the surfaces for my phone.

Moments later, I find it sitting in the uniform cabinet underneath my change of clothes.

Should I do this?

My fingers move before my brain.

Suddenly, I’m on a call with Giselle, wholly unaware how I managed to do that. I start pacing as we talk.

“Yeah, Lucas?”

“Um… I need to tell you something,” I blurt, facepalming myself at the desperation in my voice. For some reason, I completely forgot about her date with Runne tomorrow, but that was the whole reason I was calling. “Wait… never mind. You have your date with Runne tomorrow.”

I pause, hearing the quiet breathing of my _friend _over the phone.

“I guess I’ll see you Thursday, G.”

“Thursday?” She pipes up, and I nearly stumble at her soft voice.

“I’m going to a business meeting with my dad. Runne’s staying here to help run the restaurant while we’re gone.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Don’t focus on how disappointed she was. __ Don’t. __ Come on, Lucas! __ This is your brother’s girl. __ You are merely friends with her.

“So… bye, Giselle.”

“Bye Lucas.”

I love hearing my name from her.

I like my brother’s girlfriend. __ How could I do that to Runne?

“That was probably the worst idea that you’ve ever had… And yet, it worked!” Leo said. “Of course killing all those guards and soldiers was a good idea. Don’t sound so surprised.” Liannaa said. He looked at her. “You say it as though my plans never work.” “That’s because they don’t.” He said, “especially the ones that include ‘killing a lot of people.’” “Those ones just never work because you never let me do them and I have to do it when you don’t notice.” “Because killing people is a BAD thing to do!” “Oh come on Leo, don’t be such a goodie two-shoe’s! Now come on and help me re-wire this robot so we can take it with us.”

Learn the knot, uncle Rob was a soldier.

Throw it up for someone to become trapped in.

Run around, be a good son.

Clean your room, finish up.

Tie it up, make it work.

Write it out, just for you.

Try it out, it’s tempting me.

That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had….and yet it

                    worked.