Friday, February 23. 2007
The Nature of Things, Part 5 Posted by Johnny Elbows
in A Defense of My Life, by Jonathan Bicara at
03:54
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"Who's this?"
The voice seemed to come from somewhere above me. It seemed foggy, like early morning after a restless night. "Claims he's the other's roommate. Don't know if that's true. He's a witch though. Not a very good one. He tried to break his friend out, and collapsed midway through the spell. Started hallucinating and talking to himself. Something about killing" "Hmm. Well, put him in the car, too. Two birds with one stone, you know?" I felt strong hands grab both of my arms, and soon, my feet bumped over the threshold as they dragged me to the car. Sitting in the car, my thoughts began to clear. I opened my eyes, and instantly regretted it. At the sight of sunlight, my headache became nearly unbearable. I closed my eyes again, gasping, but the pain didn't subside. It throbbed in time with my heart, and pulsing lights seemed to dance before my closed eyes. I heard the front passenger door open, and felt the car settle slightly as someone got in. Grimacing, I forced my eyes open. I was surprised to see a pretty girl about my own age sitting in the front seat, looking back at me. "Good morning, sunshine," she said, smiling. Continue reading "The Nature of Things, Part 5" Tuesday, February 20. 2007
The Nature of Things, Part 4 Posted by Johnny Elbows
in A Defense of My Life, by Jonathan Bicara at
13:24
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I'm not usually the type to skip classes. My parents sacrificed a lot to give me the opportunity to attend school, and I've always felt like I owed it to them to attend my classes. Somehow, though, classes seemed unimportant to me that day. I called police stations all over town looking for David. None of them would tell me anything. I searched the newspapers. His name was never mentioned. I even visited a paranoid friend who spent most of his time listening to police scanners, but he could tell me nothing.
David's warning words about witches dying young ran endlessly through my brain. I was guilty. It was my fault. If not for me, no one would have known. And now, he was the victim of that rabid violence that we reserve for the things that we fear most. When night fell, I found myself sitting in my car, rocking back and forth, unaware of how I had gotten there, or what I intended to do. I started the car, and sat there in the darkness, listening to the sound of the engine. When the idea first came to mind, I dismissed it immediately. I couldn't do that! But it poked and prodded at me until I could no longer ignore it. I began forming a picture in my brain, and as I formed it, I tried, in some strange, inexpressible way, to form it into a request, and to pass that request to the air that surrounded me. The voice startled me. I can't say that I heard it, or even that I felt it. I simply knew what it said, and that the whispering was the voice of the wind. "Why?" Continue reading "The Nature of Things, Part 4" Monday, February 19. 2007
The Nature of Things, Part 3 Posted by Johnny Elbows
in A Defense of My Life, by Jonathan Bicara at
14:06
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"OK, so, someday, I'm going to learn all about why the Universe is a she, and I'm going to learn about my 'mission,' but right now, I still don't get the whole partnership with the elements thing. Can we go back to that?"
"Yeah. Look, I'm sorry that this is so disjointed. In my mind this all went more smoothly." "Don't worry about it." He sighed, and muttered to himself as he walked around the living room. "OK, so . . . let's see. How about if I explain . . . yeah. That will work." He turned toward me. "Here's how it works. When you do magic, you're imagining something, and then asking the elements to do it for you. That's all." He stood there looking very pleased with himself, waiting for me to respond. "I'm asking the elements to do something for me?" "Yes, exactly." "So . . . well . . . how do I . . . what do I . . . I don't get it." "It's really not that complicated. Think of something that you want to happen, anything, but make it be something in this room." Continue reading "The Nature of Things, Part 3" Thursday, February 15. 2007
The Nature of Things, Part 2 Posted by Johnny Elbows
in A Defense of My Life, by Jonathan Bicara at
14:10
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"Tonight?"
"No, I've got a date tonight." "Tonight?" "No, I've got a test tomorrow. I need to study." "Tonight?" "No, I'm going out with some friends tonight." After about a week of excuses, I could tell that he was avoiding me. I wondered how he would react if I kept bugging him. Would he give in, or would he just get mad? These are things that I should have known. It still surprises me how little I knew him. Finally, he relented. Once again, I asked, "Tonight?" This time, he shook his head. "Why is this so important to you? Why don't you just give it up?" "I uh, I don't know. It just feels important." Continue reading "The Nature of Things, Part 2" Thursday, February 15. 2007
The Nature of Things Posted by Johnny Elbows
in A Defense of My Life, by Jonathan Bicara at
02:51
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He took one look at my scowling face and outstretched arm, and laughed, heartily. "It's about truth, you know. Truth, and respect." He paused for a moment. "Well I suppose that truth and fear work, too, but those who use fear, are usually used by their fear. Truth, though, that's the most important part. That's the part with the power. You don't need the arm waving and the muttering mumbo jumbo." He glanced at the pitcher on the counter and it shattered, spraying shards of glass all over the kitchen. "The arm waving and muttering are for the audience, nothing else. They make weaklings look more impressive. Truth is," he said, glancing at the broken glass, and watching as it gathered itself back up, and assembled itself into a pitcher again, "it's really all about truth and respect." That's when we both noticed that there were still some pieces of glass on the floor, and the pitcher was missing its spout.
"Truth is," I said, grinning, "you're not as good as you think you are." We both laughed as he picked up the broom and started sweeping the remaining shards together. "See, magic is--" "Hold, on," I said, cutting him off mid-sentence. "When did you become an expert? I've never seen you use magic at all, and you've been my roommate through three years of college." "That's the way it's supposed to be. You don't use real magic to make flashes and bangs. You use it to get things done. You use it to get in touch. You use it to, well, I can't think of another sentence that starts with the phrase 'You use it to get.' If I could, it would make this whole spiel of mine more memorable, but yeah, you know what I mean. Magic isn't a show. It's . . . it's just magic, and I don't even like that word. Calling it magic makes it sound mysterious, but really, it's simple. Nothing mysterious about it. Nothing to whisper about in darkened rooms. Nothing to write home to your mom about." Continue reading "The Nature of Things" Wednesday, October 11. 2006Gifted And Talented
A large television screen sits in a place of honor in the middle of a shabby living room. Several young men cluster around the television, watching as Kana, dressed in the robes of a priest, speaks.
Kana: Look at them. You see what I see. They have become narcissistic and soft. They have buried their own teachings, abandoned the worship of their God, lost their principles, and enthroned the preservation of life as the greatest possible good. They have forgotten that there are things that are more important than life. They have forgotten these things, my brothers, but we have not. That is their weakness. That, my brothers, is our strength. An unidentified man peers intently at a computer screen. The camera zooms in on his screen just enough to read the first few lines of the article that he is reading: Headline: Test Results Stolen Article Text: Department of Education officials confirmed today that unknown intruders were able to access the test results for nearly 200,000 middle school and elementary school students. There is no word, as yet, what the criminals intend to do with the data. The scene changes. People hurry on foot along a dusty, dirty street lined with brightly colored houses and high, narrow apartments. Overhead, Kana's voice echoes through loudspeakers along the street. Kana: I know you. I have seen your hearts. I know that you are willing to sacrifice, to give your lives if necessary to see God's will done. Do not mistake, He will ask that of some of you. But He will protect us, His chosen people, and we will sweep the infidels from the face of the Earth. The scene changes. In a dimly lit room, a man inspects papers as they come off of a high speed color printer. Each page bears a large picture of a child in the upper left hand corner, and several lines of text off to the side. The last sheet of paper leaves the printer. The man picks up the sheaf of papers and carefully places them on top of a large (about 4 feet tall) stack of similar papers. Sunday, October 8. 2006Gifted And Talented
The camera pans around a small classroom filled with round tables. Four small chairs cluster around each table. Children, each about 10 years old, sit in the chairs, building things out of legos. There is a large mound of pieces in the middle of each table. A young female teacher threads her way among the tables commenting to the children, and encouraging them as they build. In the back of the room, near a set of large windows, two boys sit at a table by themselves. One (Khalil) is working on a carefully structured, completely symmetrical three dimensional star. The other (Ashlin) seems to be randomly sticking pieces together.
Khalil: You have to have a plan. Nothing will happen otherwise. Ashlin: God has a plan. I simply follow His will. Khalil shakes his head and laughs. Khalil: God doesn't care what you do during creation time. Ashlin doesn't answer for a moment, he is too busy staring vacantly out of the window. Then, he turns to his friend and smiles. Ashlin: Why wouldn't He? He's a creator, too. Khalil scowls and doesn't answer. For a moment, they are silent, Khalil concentrating on his design, Ashlin placing pieces at random. Suddenly, Ashlin picks up his creation and begins crushing it in his hands, pushing and pulling at it until the pieces fall off onto the table. Khalil watches in surprise. When it is mostly broken apart, Ashlin begins building a new object, concentrating fiercely, placing each piece carefully. Khalil: See, now you have a plan. Now you're getting somewhere. Ashlin: No, now I've seen a vision. Now I know where God wants me to go. The screen goes dark. Tuesday, November 8. 2005
0.4: How Did I Get Here? Posted by Ancient of Days
in The End is Near at
21:47
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Jack watched through the glass as Angel hugged her father. His eyes saw the scene playing out before him, but his mind was watching a different scene: the vision he'd been granted the night he and Angel had met.
He'd attended the dinner party for the exact reason his friend Jeff, the host, had figured he would: free food. Early on, he claimed the darkest corner of the room and glared meanacingly at anyone who approached, leaving the corner only for short intervals to swoop in and grab some more food, then retreating back to his corner to eat in what remnants of privacy he could gather around himself. It was as he returned from one of these "gathering runs" that he returned to find her in his corner -- and not just standing there, but looking as though she were trying to fade into the wallpaper. A little knot of jealousy and fear formed in the pit of Jack's stomach as he confronted her. "That's my corner," he started to say. But as soon as the first word left his mouth, he felt the familiar tug, as though someone were pulling on a string attached to his soul. Weeping with pain, she looked up at him from the hospital bed. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." Over and over she whispered it through the moans and grunts of pain. "OK, dear, once more..." Jack turned his head and looked at the doctor. "Push, Angel...push!" Tears filled Jack's eyes as the heart-rending scream of pain and frustration mixed with the sweetest sound Jack had ever imagined: the lone wail of a newborn child. "It's a boy!" the Doctor proclaimed, grinning at Jack. Emotionally spent, Jack looked from the woman in the bed to the child and back again. She grinned tiredly and said "Congratulations, Daddy." Jack stared at the girl, shocked. Never before had he had a vision which led to anything other than death or pain. She cocked her head and looked at him quizzically. "That--?" she asked. Racing to cover his shock, Jack looked at the floor and said "That's a nice dress." Looking up, he watched as a red glow crept up her neck and filled her face. Drawing her eyebrows together in a frown she spat "Cute. You come all the way over here to say that, did you? Yes, I know my dress is torn. No, I don't normally dress like this. No, you can't have my num--" She stopped, examining Jack's face. Something she found there must have spoken volumes, because her tone changed instantly. "Oh, you were actually complimenting my dress! I'm sorry...I figured you were just another jerk coming to make fun of me." "Actually, I was looking for a place to hide, but I think you need it more than I do." Jack looked around the room and then stepped over to Jeff's couch, pulling a decorative blanket off the back. Without saying a word, he folded it into a rectangle and wrapped it around the girl's waist, tucking the top back into itself to form a makeshift skirt. Realizing how close the gesture had brought him, he looked down into the girl's face and smiled. "I'm Jack. And you must be Angel?" Jack woke from his reverie to find Angel staring at him from across the terminal, her jaw clenched. Jack raised his eyebrows and started towards her, but she dropped her gaze to the floor, shaking her head sadly, and walked away. Friday, November 4. 2005Decisions, decisions
I have to make a decision in regards to my story, tenatively titled "Quick", and decided that the fact that I'm writing this on a blog gives me a unique chance to reach out to the readers, such as they are, and ask them for input. :)
So, the dilemma: Capt. Ashton's story and Jack's story are both quite lengthy. Towards the end of their individual stories, there will be a convergence, and a new story arc will begin. I've decided that I can either continue writing the two stories in parallel, or I could focus on one character up to the point of convergence, and then the other. Which would you prefer, as readers? And if you'd prefer to see one story developed fully before diving into the other, which character would you rather I finish first? Thursday, November 3. 2005Revisions
I've finished the first round of revisions, and hopefully, I've addressed all of your concerns. This is what I've tried to do:
I would appreciate your input on the revisions. You can find them here. Please let me know what you like, don't like, and/or don't understand. Thanks Wednesday, November 2. 2005
0.3: Unreal (updated) Posted by Ancient of Days
in The End is Near at
22:40
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Jack glanced through the tiny glass panel in the door. I hate it when he sits with his back to the window. I have no clue if he's busy or just staring at his desk...
Glancing around the room for clues, Jack noticed the red light on the phone cradle that indicated a call was in progress. He glanced at his watch, and the clock on Andy's wall. 3:47...if I'm going to be at the airport in time, I need to leave NOW. At that moment, Andy turned, nodded vigorously at the phone, made a brief statement, and pressed a button, terminating the call. Glancing at his door, he motioned Jack in. "What can I do for you, slugger?" Jack grimaced. He wanted to say "I hate it when you call me that.", but that wasn't the way one began a conversation with Andy Millicant. Especially not when you were about to ask him for a favor. "Look, Andy, I've got an important family thing, and I need to leave early." Andy pursed his lips and blew out a long breath. "Look, Jack, I've been meaning to talk to you...hey, come in and shut the door." As Jack did so, Andy motioned to the armless chair that sat across from him. "Have a seat, big guy." Jack glanced nervously at his watch and sat. As he looked up from his watch, he noticed a look of...anger?...on Andy's face. The sarcastic voice in Jack's head chuckled dryly and whispered "Sorry, Andy. Does the fact that I have somewhere else I'd like to be diminish you in some way?" Jack smiled wanly and tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. "What's up?" "Well, Jack, I wanted to talk with you about the company's performance. You know things are a little tight right now?" "Of couse. Ever since I got those shares for 'sweat equity', you know I've gone over every quarterly and monthly status report with a fine-toothed comb." "Yeah, yeah...that's right. Well, Jack, I spoke with the Board this morning -- in fact, just got off the phone with the Chairman -- and I'm afraid we're going to have to cut back resources in your department." "You mean I'm going to have to fire someone, right? How many people?" "Well, champ, that's the good news. You don't have to fire anyone at all!" Andy delivered this with a toothy grin, but there was a dark, hungry look in his eyes. "You're fired, Jack. Clean out your desk. You're still a partner, there's nothing I can do about that, but you've been a millstone around this company's neck for too long. Tiny and Mack will be sharing your duties." Jack slumped backwards, poleaxed. "What?" he whispered faintly. Andy's face shifted back to its usual cheerfully anonymous look. "No need to take it personal, champ. We're just having a bit of a rough spot, and had to cut some of the -- dead weight, if you will." Jack leaned his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands, gazing at the floor. "What?" "You're fired, Jack. Hey, come on, don't act so surprised. We both knew this day was coming. You've been cutting back your hours -- only 85 last week! You know how things go around here, Jack." Fight it. Jack snapped up straight, staring Andy right in the eyes. "You -- you can't fire me, Andy. I *built* this company! It's MY COMPANY." "Hey, Jack, calm down. Look, the Board appreciates everything you've done, but -- well, we're going to be taking the company in a different direction now, and we don't really need any of the 'old guard' hanging around, resisting change. And, hey, it's not like you haven't been compensated for your work. The investors paid you almost two million dollars." "EVERY SINGLE PENNY of that has gone right back into the company and you KNOW it, Andy! Why are you doing this to me?" Andy sighed and leaned forward, putting on his "earnest" expression. "Jack, I'm sorry, I wish there was something --" He held his hands apart, as though to indicate his helplessness. "Say, didn't you have some sort of emergency -- somewhere to be?" Jack stood, his thoughts spinning. "Andy -- I --" The hungry look came back to Andy's face. "Get lost, Jack. And don't let the door hit you on the way out." Andy turned his back to Jack and leaned back in his chair, whistling. As he left Andy's office, Jack glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 4:15pm. Wednesday, November 2. 2005
0.2: This is your life, Jack Posted by Ancient of Days
in The End is Near at
17:45
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Marcia had long since left them alone. Angel sat back, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Jack took a bite of his burger and chewed.
This stuff is horrible. Why do I keep eating here? "Angel, you know I'm no good at meeting new people. Why are you doing this?" "We've been going out for almost two years now, and I've let things go at your pace until now, but I'm done with it. It's time things went MY way for once. You're doing this for me, or you're not doing THIS anymore." Now, see, if *I* called her a "this", she'd be angry with me. Oops...she wasn't done talking. "...anymore. It's time to make up your mind, Jack. Are you in or out? I can't wait for you any longer. If you're serious about this relationship, it's time we took it to the next level. My parents will be arriving at the airport at 4:30. If you're not standing outside the gate at 4:15, we're done." "Look, Angel, I can't just LEAVE work like that --" "Don't. Don't use that excuse. I won't listen to you shove it off on your boss yet again." Angel stood and placed her trash on the tray, then turned away. Before she walked away, she slumped her shoulders and hung her head. Without turning around, she said softly, "This is your life, Jack, and it's leaving you behind." Wednesday, October 26. 2005
0.1: Another Glimpse Posted by Ancient of Days
in The End is Near at
19:02
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[Author's note: I'm not happy with this chapter as-is, but if I wait any longer, I'll lose interest in the story completely...]
The young woman approached the cliff's edge, gently bouncing the bundle in her arms. From his position behind her, Jack couldn't make out what she was holding, but her body language made it an easy guess. With the faint thud of his own heartbeat sounding in his ears, Jack watched as time slowed to a crawl. The anonymous young woman stood, her back stiff as a rod, and flung the bundle of blankets out in the blackness. Jack felt a strangled cry rip from his throat, and he lurched towards the edge, feeling the wind drag at his clothing, holding him back as if to prevent his interference in what was happening. In the flash of colors both bright and pastel, Jack saw a tiny foot, and then a leg, before the baby disappeared over the cliff. His neck taut with rage and eyes wide in horror, he grabbed at the girl and spun her around to face him, then flinched in shock. Where he should have seen the eyes of a young girl, be they brown, blue, green, or hazel, two pure pools of liquid silver gleamed wetly. Jack watched as the girl pulled her arm from his grip and then, with a motion that was neither forceful nor sudden, cocked her elbow and drove her stiffened hand right through Jack's chest... "Watch 'ere you're walking, bub." a voice growled at Jack from the void. Jack looked around and found himself in the mall food court once again. Looking over his shoulder to apologize to the man he'd bumped into, he noticed Angel standing in line at the Speedy Panda stand, talking to someone from her office whose name he ought to remember, but didn't. As he crossed the court to meet them, a chill ran up his spine as he saw the face of the young woman from his vision near the center of a gaggle of high school girls. Deftly, Jack reached into the group of young women and grabbed the girl just above the elbow. She turned to him, startled but not scared, an expectant look on her face. "Do I know you?" she asked quizzically. Jack pitched his voice low so that only she would hear what he said. "Don't sneak out tonight. Don't go see him. Your parents will find out." Shock and shame flooded the girl's face, but Jack released her arm and let the flow of traffic caused by her friends carry her away as he headed toward Angel and...Mary? Marcy? It didn't matter. The girl would still sneak out tonight; she'd still get pregnant; her boyfriend would still become a dead-beat dad; and the literal offspring of her choices would still pay the price. Nothing could stop it. In a way he couldn't ever explain, it had already happened...but, as always, Jack was the only one who knew it. Suddenly, Jack found himself thinking about that mysterious email again. Some of you have been harder to protect than others, almost as if you were deliberately fighting me... Tuesday, October 11. 2005William Harres
My name is William Harres. I don't remember much about my first life; she reassures me that with time, my memories will return. As for my second life, those memories are all too clear. It was, like every real life, full of joy and sadness, pain and gladness. My third life began when a beautiful woman leaned over me and said, "Wake up. Here, you don't have to call me Rocio. All water flows to the sea. My name is Marea." And mine, is William Harres.
Yes, I know. It's not a very satisfying ending. There are still too many unanswered questions. But that's the beauty of this story. Even though this IS the last episode, the story IS NOT finished. So, tell me what the dangling threads are. Let me know what the inconsistencies are. And when the story IS finished, hopefully, they'll all be taken care of Thursday, September 29. 20050.0: The WarningFor over four thousand years, I have protected your world from the gibbering madness that lies just beyond the edge of your perception. Silently, I have stood, the sole guardian of mankind. I have wearied at times, and always the darkness was presciently poised to strike in my moments of weakness, giving view to its horrors to men such as Lewis Carrol, Bram Stoker, and H. P. Lovecraft. Some of you have been harder to protect than others, almost as if you were deliberately fighting me. Your subconcious minds struggled to grasp that which it could glimpse, but never fully grasp. Today, the signal came. My time is at an end; your time has just begun. Like the Guardian before me, I leave you a message in the manner most familiar to you. Be warned, mortal. Before the passing of feowertiene niht, the price will be paid, I will be laid to rest, and you will be called to take my place. Jack shuddered and read at the email again. Creepy. The origin was very well masked. Either someone had accidentally hidden their tracks perfectly, or one of his friends was trying to play a joke on him. Running his hands through his greasy black hair, he tried to ignore the goosebumps appearing on his arms. Some of you have been harder to protect than others, almost as if you were deliberately fighting me... Finally, with a jerk, Jack grabbed his mouse and closed the email, shunting it off to his "psbl spam" folder. Plucking the empty styrofoam cup from the heap of papers and books scattered around his work area, he moved rapidly towards the office common area. It was nearly time to meet Angel for lunch, and she was never very pleased when he was late. As he passed the wall of glass that served as a common window, a flicker of movement drew his attention to his reflection. What the...? For the briefest of moments, there had been another image in the glass...someone standing behind him. With a nervous glance over his shoulder, Jack crashed through the door and into the parking lot. |
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