Stuck in the Maze: Part 3

Amelia turned around and gasped as she saw a huge snake slithering up to her.

Summer had reached Annika by now but couldn’t untie her yet because the snake was watching. She didn’t dare gasp in case that gave her away.

“I heard you talking to someone,” the man yelled, “Don’t lie to me!”

“I talk to myself you know,” she said calmly, keeping her eyes on the serpant.

“Liar!” he screamed and jumped at her with sword outstretched.

She did a huge swipe with her sword that she had quickly pulled from the sheave around her waist. He blocked it and landed elegantly in front of her. They started battling fiercely. Amelia had amazing sword skills, that awed Summer and Annika. She was waiting for her opportunity, only blocking his pitiful attempts to kill her. Finally her opportunity came.

He dove at her and his left side was left unprotected and she jabbed, and pulled her sword as he fell to the ground, dead.

A lake of crimson blood started forming around him, but some of the blood wasn’t his. Summer noticed a gash had been made in Amelia’s stomach. Amelia put her hand to her stomach and when she drew it was, it was covered in ruby red blood. She was starting to weaken, slowly but surely as the blood escaped from her body.

“You may have killed my minion, but you will never be able to defeat me,” the serpent hissed sinisterly.

And the snake jerked its head towards her. Amelia brandised her sword, but weakly. Summer quickly untied Annika and told her to stay there. The snake slithered out of sight, calling taunts from the shadows. Amelia fell to the ground, out cold. Summer ran over to her and dragged her over to Annika. Amelia’s head lay limp on Annika’s lap. Annika stroked Amelia’s hair affecctionatley, looking down at her unconcious body, worry filling her eyes.

Summer ran out into the cleaing and picked up Amelia’s sword. It felt awkward in her hands but she had to do her best. All was silent and then all of the sudden out of the shadows the snake jabbed. Summer flourished the sword, missing by a smidge.

“You can never win,” the snake hissed.

He jabbed again and this time she was ready. She jabbed and struck it in the mid section. A loud screech emitted from the serpent and it fell limp on the ground. Summer rushed over to Amelia, who was still out cold, and dropped the sword.

“We have to get out! We may have won but she is weak, she needs medical attention,” Summer said.

“Ok,” Annika replied, nodding her head.

They hoisted Amelia’s arms over their shoulder and supported her to the flashing exit door. They got closer and closer, the sword was now invisible back in its sheave. They opened the door and were out in the sunlight.

“Are you guys ok?” Cary hollered running over to them. Then she saw Amelia’s bloodstained shirt and gasped.

“We have to get Amelia to the hospital,” Summer said.

“Ok, I’ll drive,” Cary offered. They got into Cary’s car, Summer was sitting in the passenger’s seat and Annika was in the back, Amelia’s head still resting on her lap.

Cary drove quickly and they arrived at the hospital and Amelia got rushed in.

The three young women were outside Amelia’s hospital room, pacing. The doctor came out.

“Is she ok?” Annika said worriedly, rushing up to him.

“She will live but she has lost a lot of blood,” the doctor replied.

All three women walked into the hospital room. Amelia looked tired, and had bandages wrapped around her middle. She smiled when her friends walked in. Cary let out a deep breath, and Annika sat beside Amelia and brushed Amelia’s bangs out of her face. “Thank you Summer, not only did you save my life, but you defeated the evil snake. That takes a lot of courage and strength,” Amelia whispered.

“Eh, it was no big,” Summer commented beaming. And they all spent the evening talking and hanging out in the hospital room, until Amelia fell asleep on Annika’s shoulder.

The End

The Protector (Part 4)

By Charlotte Lewis

I stood as still as humanly possible, not daring to breath as the heavy sounds of footsteps assailed my ears.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned silently to face Netty. She handed me a bag and pointed to the window.

I looked up at her, understanding in a moment exactly what she wanted me to do, knowing in a second that she had had these packed for days, that she had suspected something might happen.

There were so many things I wanted to say, I'll miss you, I'll never forget you, sorry, and most importantly thank you.

I tried to fit all that and more in a singular look. praying to the spirits that she would understand, hoping she would forgive the trouble we, I caused.

Netty smiled knowingly, still silent she came forward to embrace my sister, then me and I swear I could see tears in her grey eyes.

She gestured again towards the window, more frantic this time as the footsteps had grown louder.

I had the sickening feeling of having been here before as I helped Emalaya out the window. I heard the door begin to creak open.

Panic rose within me and it was only my long years of training that kept my body in soundless stealth as I jumped out the window. Landing like a cat on all fours.

My sister was crouched down beside the window, I joined her listening. We could hear Netty's strong voice from within

"Can I help yer sir?"

"Where is she?"

"Who are ye talkin bout?"

"You know full well who I am talking about."

"'fraid I havn't the slightest."

we heard a slam of a body against the wall, and Emalaya flinched. The man's voice was barely audible from outside the window,

"Tell me where she is or I'll gut ye"

I could imagine Netty up against the wall barely breathing because of the knife the man held close to her neck, and yet she stayed silent.

There was a sound. I knew that sound, indescribable to those who have never heard it, more horrible then words can tell, the sound of a knife going through living flesh, a sound I hadn't been able to get out of my head in days. I shuddered. There was a sickening thud, and I picked up the sent of blood.

"Well I did warn you" the man said chuckling easily

At the sound of Netty's body falling to the ground Emalaya let out a cry, but I had felt it before it became sound and had clamped a hand firmly across her mouth.

She struggled uncontrollably but my arms circled around her and held her there. I could guess what she was thinking.

We have to help her! We have to help her!

Admittedly it was my first instinct as well but my mind went back to my fathers words she is most important. I couldn’t let Emalaya be taken, no matter the cost.

"Come on boys,"

the man called out

"she's not here, but she can’tve gone far. Come on leave it! There's is nothing of worth here. Lets go! Move it!"

My sister's eyes widened and I took her momentary pause in struggling to escape. I took her by the hand and we left at a dead run across the gravely ground toward the trees.

We didn't stop. I don’t know how long we ran, it could've been hours or minutes. Even when we did stop running, we kept moving. Navigating fallen trees and rocks slipping on the uneven ground and tripping on tree roots. Finally we came to a small clearing and I called a halt.

My instincts said to keep going, and I could've, for hours more but one look at Emalaya and I knew she couldn't. She flopped down exhaustedly at the center, while I walked the perimeter checking for signs of danger.

Nothing....

But that didn’t mean it wasn’t coming. I sat uneasily by my sister and began to look through the bag Netty had given us. I pulled out a decent amount of food (I estimated around three days worth), Our old clothes they had been washed and at the very bottom a note.

"Whats that?" Murmured Emalaya who had been watching.

"A note, from Netty I think."

"Read it to me will you?" I nodded and began to read.

Stuck in the Maze: Part 2

“Come on Amelia we have to leave. Annika will be fine,” Summer said, trying to reassure Amelia.

“She isn’t fine, I know it, she is in trouble.” Amelia whispered, looking Summer in the eye.

“Ok, what do we do?” Summer asked.

“Hide,” Amelia said. They ran as fast as they could to their hiding spot. “Get down,” Amelia whispered.

Summer and Amelia dove to the ground, Amelia lifted her head looking around the room. She saw in the neon light two figures, one pulling the other along, covering the second’s mouth. “Annika,” Amelia breathed. She put her hand on her invisible sword. This sword is an extraordinary piece of weaponry and magic. It is around her waist at all times but no one can see it, unless she draws it out of its sheave.

She kept her hand on the hilt, and signaled for Summer to be silent. She pulled up the pant of her jeans exposing a gun, she took it out and handed it to Summer, to give her some self defense. “Do not use it unless I tell you,” Amelia whispered and Summer nodded.

The man holdng Annika spoke, “Come out, Come out where ever you are Amelia,” he yelled. They had fallen into a trap! They didn’t want Annika they wanted Amelia!

Amelia and Summer stood up, both armed,and ready to fight. But they kept to the shadows, wanting to stay hidden. When they go out of ear shot of the man, Amelia turned around and faced Summer. “Here is the plan, you will free Annika and I will fight. Ok?”

“Ok,” Summer said. They high fived and Summer stuck to the shadows and Amelia stepped out into the open.

“Ah, so you have decided to reveal yourself,” the man said, dropping tied up Annika to the ground. “Where is your friend?”

“What’s it to you?”

“Well, I don’t just want you, I want her.”

“Why?”

“I want the set,” he said simply.

“Set of what?”

“Goddesses.”
“What?” Amelia said confused.

“The element goddesses; fire, water/ice, nature, earth, and air. I know your secret; you are the water and ice goddess, your friend Katie is the air goddess and your other friends, Maggie, Leah and Lauren are the other goddesses.”

Amelia’s brow furrowed in confusion, Katie wasn’t here. Then she realized that he thought Summer was Katie and smiled. This could be a leg up, she didn’t know how but it could. “Well she isn’t here,” Amelia declared smugly.

“She lies!” something hissed behind her.

Curia Dolum (part 3)

by Marcella Haddad

            <*>

            “These ridiculous pins will never come out.”

            “That’s what I thought!” Denidre said, grinning widely. She had only spent minutes with this serving girl half her age, but Tenmar was proving to be more witty and intellectual than any of the lords or entertainers she had yet met.

            “Oh dear…I suppose you wanted them intact.”

            Tenmar held a piece of a pin with the feather part broken off in front of Denidre’s face, showing her how it had snapped in two.

            Denidre simply laughed and took the broken pin from Tenmar, tossing it onto the vanity in front of her. “Don’t worry. The agreements are going well, I hear—that always means a large sum of money for me by way of father.”

            Tenmar continued to work her hair, twisting it out of its curls and knots. “Agreements?”

            “For the treaty.” Denidre looked into the mirror. “That’s why I’m here. Though I expect to be staying long, for even after the treaty is signed there will be an embassy who remains to ensure that both sides keep the peace.” She let out a small sigh, for a moment allowing the serving girl to catch a glimpse of her inner conflict. “That’s usually me.”

            Tenmar let down Denidre’s hair at last, and then began brushing it slowly, looking at the mirror, deep in thought.

            “It doesn’t sound so bad,” She mused, fingering the dark brown curls. “To travel so much…to meet so many young lords…” She giggled again, and Denidre smiled at her innocence.

            If only she could find that much joy in her work.

                                                            <*>

            Jotorin woke the morning after the feast with a splitting headache. He groaned as he threw off the bed sheets and made a run for the lavatory before he spilled his stomach’s contents.

            Sinking back onto the mattress and wiping his mouth, he reflected on the dismal events of last night. He had felt like some kind of animal, a golden songbird put on display for all of the lavishly dressed lords and ladies, and the amount of wine he had consumed had barely numbed his stabbing uninterest.

            At least back at his castle he could sulk in his room without being scolded.

            But no, here he had to make an appearance. Here he was the prince, the observed, the whispered about. The one everyone talked about but no one talked to.

            He groaned as he stood up again, staggeringly making his way to the trunk with his still unpacked clothing. He had been here for almost a week, but he couldn’t bring himself to call a servant to put his things away—it made everything seem so permanent.

            He found a simple white shirt and threw it over his head. He had no time for proper dress now, not that he needed it. He only wanted to escape to the kitchens for a few minutes to obtain some real food, before he was subjected again to that mud they called delicacies. And then to the stables, before he was subjected to that boredom they called entertainment.

            He opened the door and turned around before he walked out, regarding the unfamiliar surroundings.

            Yes, he would definitely try to get out of this place as soon as possible.

Curia Dolum (part 2)

by Marcella Haddad

            <*>

            “Perhaps if miss cannot decide what she wants to wear, instead of going down to the feast so late, she should simply don her nightengown and inform the lord that another illness has befallen her—“

            “And miss out on the prince?”

            Phatorytt licked the juice from a berry from her fingertips, aware that they were staining her lips a delicious red. She walked slowly around her bedchamber, observing the gowns her maid had laid out for her on every flat surface available.

            The gown tonight was important. Not to impress the new court lady—no, that didn’t matter at all. But the prince! Phatorytt had missed his welcome feast as a result of the same illness her maid was suggesting she use as an excuse, and she would find it hard to sleep at night if she did not make it up to herself.

            “I’ve heard he’s very handsome.” Phatorytt fingered the neckline of a maroon dress, running her hands over the lace. “They say he takes after his father—I absolutely adore light eyes.”

            Her maid, Ketora, nodded mutely, following after her mistress and carefully folding up the gowns she had deemed unworthy. This was surely a task for two maids, with the amount of clothing the princess had--but all of the others were at the feast with their mistresses.

            Phatorytt popped another berry into her mouth and stopped in front of one of the last dresses, a violently red creation with a circular neckline. She smiled slowly, observing the fitted bodice. It was perfect—red to draw attention, and the neckline made her into the paragon of innocence while showing more that her mother would approve of.

                                                            <*>

            After all this time, she still couldn’t choose a dress.

            Meru shook his head at the unchanging stubbornness of his friend. He knew exactly why she hadn’t been at the feast so far, since it had been this way for years. When she had missed the princes welcome feast he had wondered, but then she truly had been ill. Most fortunate for him, as she had been very interested in the prince, therefore making him his main opponent in her love.

            Though that must have been very horrible for her to go through, of course.

            Meru laughed inwardly at himself as he stood at the edge of the dancing floor. Here he was, worried more about his jealousy for the prince than for her health! What a person he was.

            He did wish she would come tonight, though. Even if it meant she did have to see that ridiculous prince.

            It was as if the god Den himself had been listening to his thoughts. There she was—walking in in that dress, the red one he loved so much.

            But would the prince love it too?

            His violet gaze lifted from Phatorytt to the prince—he was looking at her, all right. But only with an expression that could be described as nothing more than boredom.

            Meru relaxed.

            “Has he danced with anyone yet?”

            Unlike most, Meru didn’t jump when he heard her voice close to his ear. He was accustomed to her way of moving silently, like the other ladies who seemed to have it hammered into them at birth.

            He put his arm around her waist, and pulled her close, aware of how naturally she seemed to fit into his side. He looked back at the prince, who still wore the same expression.

            “Not that I’ve seen.” He murmured into her hair. It matched her dress exactly. “Perhaps we should show him how it’s done?”

            Phatorytt seemed to think for a moment, and then nodded. Meru couldn’t help but wonder if she was only trying to make him jealous…

Curia Dolum (part 1)

 by Marcella Haddad

                                                            <*>

            Denidre took her emerald ring off and turned it over in her hands beneath the table, tracing her finger over the intricate design as she listened to her father’s speech. She had a strong sense of having been here before—but of course, she couldn’t have.

            They were in Kadorna now. She had to keep reminding herself as she stared up at the elaborate tapestries surrounding her. They were so much like those of the great hall back home—there was the goddess Res, slaying the demon Au. If she stared at it long enough, she could almost convince herself that it was the same one hanging in the corridor outside her room.

            Almost.

            It seemed to Denidre that every time she accompanied her father on one of his peace missions, he always had to make a speech.  Fortunately, there were more upsides to this feast—such as the handsome distraction that had caught her eye.

            She gracefully turned her head so as not to dislodge the huge feather pins fastened in it (these people had such strange customs…) to look at the boy sitting only a few seats down from her, at the right hand of this castle’s lord. If that wasn’t enough to determine his standing, he was wearing almost all gold—a royal color. But his white-blonde hair and striking yellow eyes bore no resemblance to this lord—surely he was not a member of this household. A visiting embassy, perhaps.

            It might have been that her neck was at a strange angle, for Denidre felt a sudden pain near the base of her hair, as though someone had stabbed her with a small knife.

            She gasped and quickly whipped her head around, involuntarily reaching a hand to touch the spot, and forgetting the fact that all eyes were trained on her.

            “M’lady?”

            It was a serving girl. She was standing right behind Denidre, innocently holding a plate of grapes and looking at her strangely.

            Denidre let out a breath. There was still that constant pain—could it be one of those damn feather pins?

            She forced a smile that looked somewhat real, after years of practice.

            “I shall…be retiring to my chambers early tonight, if you would show me the way.”

            The serving girl ducked her head shyly in the direction of Dinedre’s father, who was still speaking. She flashed a knowing smile.

            “With or without the knowledge of your father, miss?”

                                                            <*>

            Hulian watched her get up from the table. So, this was his target. It was almost an insult to his intelligence. This was the third soft-bred lady of the courts he had been assigned to this year—surely master couldn’t hate him this much?

            He was standing to the left of her, not seated with the other nobles, but blending in with the other servants who were standing attentively along the edge of the hall, though he certainly looked more like a noble than any of them, with his midnight-dark hair and expensive jacket.

            He watched her, moving instinctively into the shadows as she walked past with a serving girl. She was rubbing her neck—ah, a telltale sign.

            Hulian grinned. Finally, his search had not been in vain!

            His dark blue magic crackled around his fingers as he watched the two turn a corner. With a few whispers he sent a few tiny balls of light after the lady of the courts, so that they might latch onto her person and he might find her again.

            There was nothing more for him to do tonight. She had magic, surely. But there was much more to discover before he could prove it to Master.

            He leaned against the cold stone, running his hands over it. The castle was humming with energy from the feast, and he felt rather than heard his charges footsteps retreating down the corridor.

            He needed this job done right. To have finally found one, after all this time parading about in courts, all for nothing—at last he had found something for all of his troubles.

            Though he still had to make an appearance at this ridiculous feast. That was part of his assignment, for getting on good terms with this lord would surely help him in his endeavor.

            He brushed the last traces of magic from his fingertips and returned to his charade.

Stuck in the Maze: Part 1

“Laser Tag! Laser Tag! Laser Tag!” chanted Summer.

“To bad Katie couldn’t come,” Amelia said sadly.

“Oh come on Amelia, cheer up, Annika’s coming,” Summer reminded her.

“Yeah,” Amelia said perking up a little bit but not completely.

They were riding with Carrie in her Prius. Glen was riding with them, which was the only damper. She sat in the front with Carrie, and Amelia, Frances, and Summer sat in the back. The girls in the back got control of the iPod and the car of girls sang along with Lady Gaga the whole way to Laser Quest.

When they arrived they went inside and waited as everyone else started arriving. As soon as Annika arrived, Amelia and Summer were at her side, like Velcro.

They picked their code names and waited at the door.

“What are your code names?” Amelia asked her companions.

“Mine is Siuan,” Summer replied.

“I’m Sunshine,” Annika said happily. Amelia and Summer started cracking up.

“Why Sunshine?” Amelia asked taking a deep breath trying to suppress her laughter.

“I told the lady to pick one and she picked Sunshine.” This reply just started another bout of giggles and Annika rolled her eyes and began to walk away.

“Wait, I’m sorry,” Amelia yelled running after her and giving her a hug.

After a few more minutes of waiting their color got called and then went into a dark neon room to hear the rules. As they recited the rules, Amelia, Annika, and Summer said the opposite of what they were supposed to. The three friends were laughing and giggling as they entered the airlock. Amelia grabbed vest number 15, Annika number 14 and Summer 16. They put them on and put in the card thing that gave the vest your code name. They ran inside to find a good hiding spot.

They kept going shooting left and right, “Q, Q, Q!” Summer and Amelia yelled shooting lasers all around. Annika started cracking up at how weird they looked. After about ten minutes of playing the emergency exit light started flashing and everyone started leaving. It was complete chaos. Amelia whipped around, “Where is Annika?” She asked Summer, frantically looking around.

Candlelight (Part 3)

by Rebecca Clearwater

Katheneria

The rain hit my back hard, cutting into my rough shoulders slightly. I knew it was time to go inside and yet I had a problem. I loved rain but this rain was going to cause me hardship.

I couldn't see for more than three feet around me it was raining so far. This meant that I had to trust my gut and go in the direction that was home. But what if I was wrong?

If I was wrong any of three things could happen. If I went one way I would hit the dreaded forest and surely be eaten by a mysterious beast of the savanna. The other way would present an opposing village where I would surely be held hostage. And lastly the vast ocean where I could only perish, not live.

I rushed in the direction I hoped was home. My bare feet slipped in the mud slightly. It was slippery and I couldn't find a grip. I fell, hard.

My knees scraped against a hidden rock and began to bleed.

That killed me. It made me realize how lost I was. I sat there in my mud puddle and hugged my knees crying. I wished I was home with my mother and sister. But no, I was alone.

Then in the distance I saw a light. It glowed dimly, a beacon in the rain.

I stood up and began to run towards it.

When I got there I was confronted by a white man. He was holding the oil lamp that had led my way. Not my way home but my way to danger.

But maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He was different than my people. I was different than my people. We were both in the same boat. Maybe this was for the best.

The Protector (part 2)

by Charlotte Lewis

first thing I felt was the warmth. I was lying somewhere soft and warm. I pointedly kept my eyes closed as consciousness began to seep through to my brain. My body was telling me to go back to sleep, however my brain had other ideas. It fired off questions in my head.

Where was I? How long had I lain here? Was Emalaya alright?

Finally my brain won, as it always did, and I opened my eyes, and my senses. I was lying in a small comfortable cot. Beside it there was another cot where my sister lay, her steady breathing reassuring me she was alright.

The room we were in was small and sparsely furnished, containing only the two cots, a table and a chair. On the table there was a low burning lantern. It gave off little light, but from the glow emanating from the curtained window, I guessed it was day.

Decisively I stood up, groaning slightly as I felt the soar-ness in my muscles and the sting of my cuts. I rubbed my eyes and forced my feet to move toward the door.

I left the room and my sleeping sister, coming into a short hall that led out into a sweet little kitchen. Wonderful aromas assailed me, and I realized how hungry I was.

I followed my nose to the kitchen and was greeted by the sight of a plump middle aged woman working at the stove. I coughed slightly. She turned to look at me, a smile ascending on her kindly features.

“Ah there ya are love, good to see yer up ‘n about eh?”

I nodded

“d’yer have a name then love?” she asked

I tried to talk but it came out as a dry croak.

“Oh dear, how silly of meh, sit down thar and Ill get yer some water.”

I sat in the indicated chair and smiled as she came back with water.

“Thar ya go. Sip at it though love, to fast ‘n yer might feel sick.”

I nodded in acknowledgement.

“ While yer at it I ‘spose yer wondering where you are eh? Well my husband found you on the
shore, He’s a sea fisherman ya see. He tells me ye were near gone by the time he got to yer. He and ol’ Roola brought yer back here. Ye both were unconscious so I just put ya in my sons’ old room. I tried to clean yer wounds best I could, ye’ve both got some nasty gashes.”

I nodded and looked down at my legs which were all cut up from our mad dash to the ocean.

“Yer feelin any better love?”

“Yes thank you” I replied my voice coming out a little gravely but for the most part clear.

“Ah so yer can talk naw. So d’yer have a name?”

“Yes, I'm called Kari, and my sister is named Emalaya”

“So how did yer come to get so cut up?”

I felt my face darken as the memories of the massacre flashed through my mind. I was saved from having to answer, when Emalaya stumbled out bleary eyed and swaying on her feet.

“Water” she croaked I gave her what was left in my glass and she took it gratefully.

“So what is your name?” I asked the woman

“I'm Netta, Netta pickets. My husband is Jenson Pickets. Yer both look in the need fer bathin. Ill set two baths and then we’ll eat yes?”

Emalaya and I nodded eagerly. Netta showed me to one bathroom, where I took a nice long bath. She had laid out a homely dress. It differed from my usual pants and tunic, but it was comfortable and easy to move in. My sister came out dressed in something quite similar.

“These where my daughter Rosemary’s.” Netta said, refearing to the dresses.

She had already set out food, which we fell upon like hungry dogs. The food was excellent. There were grated roots fried into pancakes and roasted bird, with good bread and cheese.

“How long were we asleep?” I asked between bites

“Oh about a day and a half” My sister and I looked at each other startled.

“Thank you for letting us stay so long" Emalaya said. I nodded in agreement.

“Oh tis nothing love, ya can stay as long as yer like. I'm assumin ye have no other place to go”
She said with a shrewd look at the both of us.

“You would be correct.”

“Mmm, well ‘til ya figure it out, yer welcome here. Though ya’r sayin ye have no family t’all to speak of?”

A shadow crossed my sisters face and I saw her fight back tears.

“Never mind love, in any case ya both can stay as long as ya like.”

From that point on Netta never pressed that matter, and I was grateful for that.

We helped her around the house all day, learning how to cook and cleaning the house from top to bottom. She talked and talked. She told us of her two sons one of which was married and lived nearby. The other was a journeyman for the metalworking trade, and he only dropped by once or twice a year.

Her daughter was married as well, though she lived farther away in capital, and worked with her husband among books.

Later that evening Janson came home, he had a loud welcoming presence and seemed pleased that My sister and I were awake and well. The dog Roola was lean and playful often jumping up on us and generally being hyper.

We sat down to dinner, which Emalaya and I had helped make. It was over all a pleasant evening. Janson told stories of his youth, and Netta told hers. Between the two of them one didn’t have to say a word, which made it easier on Both Emalaya and I.

We spent a few lovely days there. Cleaning, cooking, eating, and talking. I didn’t have time to dwell on my family and Roola, Netta and Janson’s infectious personalities it was easy to allow yourself to be happy.

On the fifth evening we were all sitting down to dinner, when we heard a loud pounding on the door. Netta and Janson exchanged a worried look.

Netta took us to the back room.

“Just in case loves.” She explained to us in a whisper.

“kin I help yer?” We could hear Janson say to the person at the door.

“Where is she?” a gruff voice answered

“She who sir? My wife?”

“No stupid. Where is the girl?”

“I'm sure I have no idea what yer talking ‘bout.”

“Don’t Play me fer stupid old fool!” The man’s voice shouted back “Now, where is she?!”

“I'm sure I-” Janson stopped short, and we heard a hefty thump, undoubtedly the man’s fist hitting Janson’s face.

“Come out, come out where ever you are.” The man called out in a gruff sing song voice. We heard the footsteps as he got closer

“Shy now, are we? Well no worries darlin, I will find you.”

Rescue: Part 7

It was the Shaman!

Amelia felt herself being dragged through the tunnel that led to the outside world. Quickly everything was illuminated by the iridescent moon.

The Shaman let go of her, “Fight,” he demanded.

“What? Why?”

“You look just like her. For that you must die. Fight me!”

“You’re raving mad!”

“Fight!” He screamed a battle cry and jumped at her. Amelia barely had enough time and energy to draw her sword. She held it up, but halfheartedly. She was so weak.

She parried his attacks slowly weakening. Finally, when all hope was lost she gutted him.

“You look just like her,” he said warmth abandoning his body quickly.

“Who?”

“Rebecca Clearwater.”

“Who is she?” Amelia said surprise dawning on her face.

“My girlfriend,” he said gasping for his last breath. He groped for her hand and found it pushing a cold, hard item into her palm. She slipped the item into her clock and took a deep breath. Despite what he had done, she regretted his death. And then he died.

The girlfriend who betrayed him, Amelia realized. But why did she have her pen name? And why did she have her daughter’s name? Did it relate or was it just a freaky coincidence?

“Amelia are you okay?”

Katie’s voice brought Amelia back from her wonderings.

“Yeah I’m fine.”

“Your bleeding!”

“I’m fine.”

“Why are you bleeding?”

“Let’s just say I was weakened for a reason. You were right. Can we go home now? I’m tired.”

“Yes of course.” And the six girls piled into the car. They had won!

When Amelia got dropped at home last Katie stopped the car and Amelia was about to get out when Katie stopped her.

“What happened out there?”

“I almost got killed.”

“Yeah but did he say anything?”

Amelia relayed what happened and they sat in silence for a minute while Katie took everything in.

“So what did he put in your hand?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well look.”

“Ok.” Amelia removed the vial from her pocket. The vial was filled to the rim with a airy, silvery liquid.

“His memories,” Amelia breathed.

“Wow,” Katie whispered, “Are you gonna look at them?”

“I guess I’m supposed to. You want to come?”

“You sure? There may be something you don’t want me to see in there.”

“What wouldn’t I want you to see?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re my best friend my life is an open book to you. Come on.”

Amelia got out of the car and hoped Katie would follow. She relaxed when she heard Katie’s car door close. Amelia started walking towards the front door of her house and smiled when Katie caught up with her.

They went into the house and Amelia went into the kitchen and got a flat bowl and then walked down the stairs to her bedroom with Katie close behind. She entered her room and went into her closet and typed in the passcode. 1-4-7-3. The door blew Amelia’s hair out of her face as it opened. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Amelia walked over to the table and placed the bowl on it and dumped the contents of the vial into the bowl carefully.

“After you,” Katie said.

Amelia stared at the silvery, stringy contents of the bowl and took a deep breath. She placed her face on the bowl and was confronted with an icy water feel. Amelia’s stomach turned as she began to fall. After many minutes of the sensation her feet fell firmly on the ground and her head began to stop spinning. Katie fell next to her and grabbed Amelia’s arm to stabilize herself.

They had fallen in on a wedding. It was extravagant. There was a young woman of about twenty-two and a man of about thirty getting married. She wore a long white dress and he a dashing tuxedo. They were exchanging rings and then they kissed with such passion that it brought tears to the congregations eyes. Amelia looked around at the church, they were at Trinity Menlo Park. Her head began to spin but she grounded herself concentrating on the transforming scene around her.

The newly married couple buying a house in Queens, New York and working to make it beautiful.

The man beginning to have affairs and finally sticking to one girl no older than sixteen.

The young woman crying over a pregnancy test. She was pregnant with his child. The young pink bundle being brought into the household of the couple now having been married for ten years. The wife taking pity on the lured in sixteen-year old and taking her in. A toddler of about three standing in a room with her mother, the young woman now nineteen. In a man-free household raising her daughter.

She looked into the girl’s eyes, “I will never leave you, we will be best friends forever.”

A car, holding the young woman, getting hit by a drunk driver.

The ex-wife of the couple breaking the news to the toddler that her mother is gone. The toddler began to wail in agony.

The ex-wife and orphaned child moving to California to begin a new life together.

The man impregnating another young girl eleven years later.

The young woman dying in child birth.

The man sending the child down a river in California naming her Rebecca Clearwater, after the mother of his first child.

And finally the man losing all his money in a harsh lawsuit and moving to the mountains to become a Shaman.

Amelia and Katie warped back and were back in the secret room.

Amelia bent over crying uncontrollably.

“You were the little girl weren’t you?” Katie asked gently.

Amelia nodded.


The End

Rescue: Part 6

She turned the dial on her invisibility cloak and was invisible. She drew her instant darkness powder and activated it around Katie. Amelia drew her sword and ran toward the Ra’zac with wicked ninja skill. She gutted and beheaded the first one, the one who had harmed her best friend, then went to the second one. The Ra’zac gazed around wildly waiting for the blow that never came. Amelia took out her gun and hit him right in the heart. She watched as the red light left the beady eyes under the cloak and he keeled over, dead.

Amelia rushed to Katie’s side and quickly started mending her. When Katie came to herself. Amelia had a glass of river water ready.

“Drink,” she commanded.

“But Lauren.”

“Drink.”

“But Lauren!”

“Lauren is not my biggest concern right now. Lauren is dead, you are alive. Drink!”

Katie drank the water, grateful to feel it refresh her body.

“Ok let’s go,” Katie said when she had drained the glass.

“We can afford to sit for five minutes. It is only ten.”

“Ok.”

“That was really dumb what you did.”

“I know but I couldn’t let you die.”

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“Sorry.”

“It was really dumb what you did but I thank you for it.”

“Your welcome.”

“You ready?”

“Yeah.”

Amelia and Katie walked through the forest at a leisurely pace until they reached the mouth of the cave.

“You’re back!” Maggie called.

“Yup,” Amelia said.

“Did you get everything?”

“Yes, now for the last thing on the list,” Amelia commented darkly. “You go on without me. I’ll catch up.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Katie offered.

“Ok, here Maggie,” Amelia said handing Maggie the things her and Katie had collected. “Go let the Shaman start on the potion. We will be in there in a minute.”

Maggie left and Amelia drew one last vial from her cloak. It measured a liter.

Amelia drew a dagger from the loop on her thigh and held it her palm. She took a deep breath and cut into her hand. She cut a long gash from the bottom of her pinky finger to the lower right side of her left palm. The blood flowed heavily and soon filled up the vial. When the vial had filled, Amelia handed it to Katie, and blacked out.

When Amelia woke up she was in the Shaman’s cave her head on something soft and warm. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Amelia saw Katie’s worried face gazing down at her.

“Gosh, I really conked out.”

“Yeah and gave me a heart attack. Don’t ever do that again,” Katie demanded shooting Amelia one of her “I will kill you if you don’t kill yourself first” glares.

“Ah, just in time for the potion ceremony,” the Shaman commented glancing in Amelia’s direction.

Katie shot him a venomous glare but kept silent.

“Do you have the body?” the Shaman asked.

“Well duh, it’s right there,” Amelia said.

“Bring it here.”

Susan and Summer brought the body and placed it in front of the Shaman.

“Now come heal her wounds,” the Shaman commanded.

Amelia stepped forward.

“Are you strong enough?” Katie inquired worriedly.

“Yes mom, I’m fine.”

Amelia bent over Lauren and healed her wounds. She stood up and felt herself sway from the exertion of the healing.

Susan caught Amelia while she swayed dangerously and helped her next to Katie where she sat, lying her head on Katie’s shoulder to clear her head.

“I swear that Shaman guy if trying to kill you,” Katie muttered darkly.

“Maybe so,” Amelia acknowledged.

The Shaman turned out the lights and muttered a few magic words. He then dumped the potion into Lauren’s gaping mouth. He began chanting loudly. Soon Amelia felt the presence of another human.

“Lauren,” Amelia yelled into the darkness.

“Amelia I’m alive!” Lauren yelled.

A big group hug congregated in the middle of everything. But as Amelia tried to join it she felt a sharp pain against her neck. She gasped slightly but then fell silent when she heard a voice whisper in her ear, “Keep silent and no one will die tonight but you.”

Rescue: Part 5

Amelia laced her fingers with Katie’s, took a deep breath and plunged into the darkness hoping everyone would follow.

The cave was long and dark and the passageway as getting narrower and narrower. Amelia saw a light ahead and took a burst of speed, her heart racing. She felt the comforting presence of Katie next to her as they all entered the dimly lit room.

Amelia looked around, taking in her surroundings. It was a wide cave, lit by a single candle. There was a cauldron in the corner and a small waterfall dripping soothingly in the very back. Sitting on a rock, smack dab in the middle was a man dressed in a loin cloth and a fur cape. He had dark skin and dark hair weathered by his nature setting. His eyes were dark and mysterious and sent a chill through Amelia’s body. It was the Shaman.

“How may I help you?” the Shaman asked in a gruff, airy tone.

“My friend was killed and I need your help to bring her back from the dead,” Amelia explained, her eyes filled with pleading.

“Why can’t you? I sense you are a powerful being.” the Shaman murmured.

“I am powerful but not with the power to bring back the dead.”

“Ok, I will help you, but you must gather the materials I need.”

“We can do that.”

“I will make a potion that will call your friend’s spirit back from the dead. To make this potion I need a great many things. I need four pine needles from the owl’s sycamore tree. I need a cup of sand from the spring of life 40 paces to the left of the owl’s sycamore. I need a pebble from the river 212 paces to the right from the spring of life. And lastly, blood.”

“Whose blood?”

“Your blood.”

“How much of my blood?”

“A liter.”

“And where is the owl’s sycamore?”

“You will know when you have found it.”

“How?”

“The owl speaks. He will call your name when he senses your need.”

“Ok, we will do it.”

“I need two of your friends to stay here and help me make preparations.”

“Ok, Susan and Summer can do that.”

“I also need one of your friends to stay outside the cave to mark where you started.”

“I will,” Maggie volunteered.

“And one last catch,” the Shaman murmured.

“What?”

“It has to be done by midnight.”

“Anyone know what time it is?” Amelia called to her friends.

Maggie looked at her watch, “Eight O’clock,” she read.

“And I need fifteen minutes to prepare the draught,” the Shaman added.

“Ok,” Amelia agreed, “how are the paces measured?”

“Heel to toe.”

“Ok thank you.” And with that Maggie, Katie and Amelia raced out of the cave to begin their gathering.

When the three girls went out of the cave Amelia turned to Maggie.

“You didn’t have to volunteer to stay here,” Amelia said thankfully.

“I know but we don’t know if this guy is dangerous or not. This way there is someone who stayed behind who has very good self defense.”

“Good thinking! Ok we’ll be quick.”

“Good luck!”

“Thanks we’ll need it.”

Amelia started running in the direction of where the woods thickened with Katie close behind. She stopped running and slowed to a walk gazing around at the forest surrounding them.

It was dark and an owl hooted in the distance.

“Come on let’s go that way?”Katie suggested.

“I don’t think it’s that way.” Amelia replied shortly listening carefully.

“Why not?”

“I hear an owl farther off in that direction?”

“Why go to the one farther away?”

“It’s calling our names.”

“Then how do you know its an owl?”

“It’s hooting in between each name.”

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” Katie said. “Let’s go,” she agreed lacing her hand with Amelia’s.

Amelia immediately relaxed a little bit. And they walked towards the owl. As they got closer it grew louder, “Amelia... hoot... Katie.”

“You want to hear an owl joke?” Amelia asked.

“Ok.”

“Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Owls.”

“Owls who?”

“That’s right owls hoot.”

“Wow.”

“I know right? Best joke ever?”

“Totally,” Katie said smiling.

Katie noticed Amelia’s hand move toward her sleeve. Katie shrugged it off and kept walking. She walked a few paces then stopped. She heard a noise. The sound of cloth rubbing on skin. She looked down at Amelia and saw her rubbing her left wrist rapidly.

“Amelia!”

“What?”

“I thought you were done with that?”

“Done with what?”

“That,” Katie said pointing at Amelia’s wrist. Amelia looked down and saw that she was scratching. She quickly ceased the action and turned bright red. She pulled back her sleeve exposing an irritated red spot.

“What’s wrong?” Katie said, her voice gentler now.

“I don’t know. I swear I have stopped! I just... I don’t know I’m doing it sometimes.”

“Ok.”

“You believe me don’t you?”

“Of course! Now what’s wrong?” Katie asked sitting down on the leaf strewn ground, signifying that they weren’t leaving until Amelia explained herself. Amelia sat next to Katie and pulled her knees to her chest.

She sighed, “This is gonna sound really stupid...”

“Its ok. What’s going on?”

“I guess I’m worried about the blood.”

“So am I.”

“You are?”

“Yeah, I mean that is quite a bit of blood.”

“I’m just so weak from all my past injuries. Today my mission felt hard instead of the usual ease. I’m scared that losing that blood is going to kill me.”

“Well then don’t do it.”

“I can’t not do it, I have to save Lauren.”

“Even it means losing your life?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you were fighting with Lauren?”

“I am but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to save her. I have to. I would save my worst enemy. I need to do this.”

“Can’t it be someone else’s blood?”

“No it has to be mine.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“Why?”

“Your my bffl. I care.”

“I know you do just wanted to check. I’m not going anywhere.”

“How do you know? You just said this could cost you your life.”

“I know but I’ve changed my mind.”

“You can’t change your mind about that.”

“Yes I can.”

“Why did you?”

“You care,” Amelia said sticking out her tongue. “Come on, we better keep moving if we are going to keep the deadline,” Amelia decided, standing up and reaching out her hand to pull Katie up. They kept walking and finally came to the owl’s sycamore tree that was calling their names.

Amelia reached out and tried to take and handful of pine needles, but the tree interrupted her. “Uh uh uh, not so fast.”

“Why not?” Amelia shot back.

“You have to answer a riddle first.”

“Why?”

“Cause I said so.”

“Proceed.”

“A man is lying dead in a field of sunflower’s and he is stark naked and holding a pice of straw. There are no tracks for three miles around him. How did he get there? Why is he naked? And why is he holding a piece of straw?”

“He was zapped there by pink elephants from mars. He is naked because the pink elephants feed their prisoner’s clothing to their purple and green striped piranhas. He is holding a piece of straw because he poops straw cause he is a magical human and the elephants found out he pooped straw and thought he was possessed. So they dropped him from the moon and he fell and died holding his poop and naked cause the piranhas ate his clothes.”

The owl was now laughing so hard that he didn’t notice when Amelia reached up, grabbed four pine needles and started counting her steps heel to toe, moving rapidly away from the tree. Katie realized what had happened and caught up to Amelia.

“Was that really the answer?”

“Of course not.”

“Do you know the real answer?”

“Of course. Him and his friends rented a hot air balloon. They took a joy ride and it started loosing air. They took off their clothes to lighten the load, but of course that didn’t work. They drew straws to see who would be pushed out and he drew the shortest straw. He got pushed out and died.”

“Why didn’t you just say that?”

“He would have said I was wrong. He didn’t want us to get the pine needles.”

“How did you know that?”

“Intuition,” at that Amelia stopped walking in front of the Spring of Life. The spring was a long waterfall at least twenty feet high. The rocks sparkled with a unnatural sheen. The sand at the bottom of the pool was orange and the water as blue as the sky.

Amelia placed the pine needles inside her cloak, which was off invisibility mode right now, and reached in for a cup. She dipped the cup into the spring and came up with a cup of perfectly dry sand. “Hydrophobic,” Amelia whispered in awe.

“What?”

“The sand repels water.”

“Woah.”

“I know right? I’m surprised there is no booby trap here.”

“Maybe the Shaman is on our side.”

“Maybe.”

The two companions turned around ready to leave and came face to face with Wadjet. Wadjet was the protector of all Egypt. She is called the cobra-goddess. While she was one of the main goddesses she made duplications of herself and sent them all over the world. They are tricky creatures and can only be killed when stabbed in the heart.

“The only way you can get past is to elect one of you to fight me,” Wadjet hissed.

“Fine,” Amelia said stepping forward drawing her sword.

“Without weapons.”

“As you wish,” Amelia said sheathing her sword.

“Amelia what are you doing? Are you crazy?” Katie hissed worriedly.

“Trust me.”

“Ready yourself,” Wadjet announced changing into cobra form.

Amelia gazed intensely at the cobra, attempting not to be scared. She locked eyes with the snake and began bobbing her head in time with the snake. The venomous creature began to follow Amelia’s movements exactly. Amelia began to hum a small tune and the Wadjet’s eyes began to droop with sleep. After less than five minutes the huge body of the serpent fell to the ground. Amelia drew her sword and drove it into the snakes’ heart. Wadjet shifted back to human form, dead.

“You did it!” Katie exclaimed running over to Amelia and hugging her.

“It was no big,” Amelia said modestly.

They started counting their paces and reached the river quickly without running into a single creature. The forest seemed deserted.

The river babbled and bubbled the water slapping the shore heavily.

Amelia bent down and picked up a pebble and quickly pocketed it. As she was standing up she heard something in the water. “Run,” she hissed at Katie.

Katie turned and ran and hid behind a tree out of site.

From the depths of the river came the Ra’zac. Amelia gasped and put a hand on her sword. “We have been waiting for you Ms. McKeefry,” the Ra’zac hissed.

“Stalkerish much?” Amelia commented. But that comment cost her. The Ra’zac lashed out a claw with wicked speed and hit her arm. Her arm bled freely and she fell to the ground. Amelia muttered a quick healing charm and mended her arm. She was just about to get up when out of the shadows came Katie, running. She jumped in front of Amelia shielding her from an approaching sword.

Amelia winced when she heard the sword meet Katie’s flesh.

Rescue: Part 4

She soon felt the warmth of someone next to her and she knew it was Katie. Amelia took a deep breath and sat up, it was time to plan their next move.

“There has to be something we can do,” Susan exclaimed exasperated.

“I’m out of ideas. We have done everything, there is no new way to bring her back to life,” Amelia said defeatedly.

“Can’t we reuse an idea?”Katie asked.

“That wouldn’t make for an interesting story,” Amelia commented shaking her head.

“Gosh Katie,” Summer said attempting to lighten the mood.

Amelia laughed slightly.

“I have one last idea,” Maggie murmured.

“What?” Amelia asked urgently.

“Well it is a long shot,” Maggie said.

“Tell us,” Amelia demanded.

“The...” Maggie began.

“Shaman on the Mountain!!!!!” Amelia and Maggie finished together.

“What????” Summer, Susan and Katie chorused.

“The Shaman on the Mountain lives on Mount Lefroy in Canada. He was a rich entrepreneur but he was breaking a lot of laws in the process of making his first trillion. His girlfriend got mad at him and betrayed him to the government. His punishment was he was exiled from the U.S. He fled to Canada and became a Shaman. Shamans practice medicine and spiritual potions. He can contact the spirits and make a potion to revive Lauren,” Amelia explained.

“Cool,” Summer muttered taking everything in.

“Yay!” Susan cheered.

“Katie your gonna have to drive,” Maggie told her.

“Road trip! Road trip! Road trip!” Susan and Amelia chanted.

Summer and Amelia picked up Lauren’s lifeless body and placed it carefully in the trunk of Katie’s car, which Amelia had teleported here.

“I feel kind of like a murder,” Amelia commented giggling.

“I know rite??!?!?!” Summer said laughing hysterically.

“I call shot gun!” Amelia called and ran and hopped into the passenger’s seat.

Susan, Maggie and Summer loaded into the backseat and Katie into the driver’s seat. Katie revved up the car and they were off.

The car ride was loads of fun. Amelia was the D.J. which implies some very interesting music being played. They all talked and laughed as if nothing were wrong.

Finally, after a few hours of driving they reached the cave where the Shaman resided.

They all got out of the car, Susan and Summer lugging Lauren’s body.

“Ew why do I have to be on body duty again?” Summer complained.

“You volunteered dummy,” Amelia said laughing.

“Oh right, well I didn’t think you would let me. I thought someone would say you already did it and take the body and I would get the brownie points for offering,” Summer said.

“That’s what you get for trying to get brownie points,” Katie shot back.

“Oh like you never try to get brownie points,” Summer retorted.

“Oh will you shut up,” Susan requested pointedly.

They reached the mouth of the cave and Amelia gazed through the gloom trying to see anything and everything. “Hello? Anyone there?” she called into the darkness.

“Enter,” a creepy, low voice replied.

Rescue: Part 3

Amelia and Maggie read this and both burst out laughing.

“Yeah turn myself over, hah, I have a better idea,” Amelia said laughing. She looked at the address that was placed at the bottom of the text. It was located in Canada.

“What enemies have you made in Canada?” Maggie inquired.

“I don’t know,” Amelia said shrugging. “Shall we go?”

The two old friends got into the airplane after Amelia had tricked Maggie out with some spy gear. Amelia made a spotless take off and flew straight to Stratford, Ontario Canada. She landed about half a mile from the warehouse they were being directed to.

The two ninjas walked the last half mile and entered the warehouse wearily. The door creaked as it opened and Amelia cringed. They snuck in and stuck to the shadows. They had entered from the north and on the south wall they found a door guarded by two large, buff men. The men wore black crew neck tees, caky slacks, black dress shoes, and sunglasses. Around their waist they both held a twenty shot gun. Amelia went all the way back around and took the east side and Maggie took the west. They each knocked out one guard, using the sleeping darts. They had an hour before the guards would wake up. They had to work fast!

Amelia went into her jacket and pulled out a bobby pin. She placed it into the lock, it was an everyday lock and she picked it successfully; hearing the satisfying click of the door opening. Amelia turned the knob and stepped into the room sneakily, with Maggie right behind her.
The room was simple enough. It had off-white walls and a cement floor. There were wooden crates all along the the walls and one window, that was about six inches by one foot, at the top of the wall. And smack dab in the middle of the room were Susan, Lauren, Summer, and Katie.
Maggie went and untied Susan and Summer while Amelia went over and unbound Lauren and the Katie.

“What took you so long? For a while there I didn’t think you were going to come at all,” Lauren asked as Amelia untied Katie.

“Ye of little faith,” Amelia murmured good-naturedly.

“I knew you were gonna come and get us all along!” Katie exclaimed when Amelia had finished freeing her from her ties.

“Of course you did,” Amelia said hugging them glad they were all safe.

“Who captured you guys? And why Canada?” Maggie asked, not able to contain her curiosity.

“I don’t know,” Susan said.

“None of us do,” Summer said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Amelia commented, “Let’s get out of here.”

“Not so fast, Wilson,” a high-pitched voice said from behind her.

“What have we been caught by a four-year-old?” Amelia asked sarcastically turning around.

“Not quite,” the voice said.

Amelia’s eyes widened in astonishment. Standing right before her eyes was Justin Bieber!

“No!” Katie gasped.

“OMS!!!!!!” Susan yelled.

“OMG!” Lauren exclaimed.

“WOAH!!” Summer squealed.

“Ahhh!” Maggie screamed.

“Wow. Really? What have we ever done to you?” Amelia asked, placing her hands on her hips eying him skeptically.

“Not what you as a group but you as a singular person,” he replied.

“Ok then. What have I ever done to you?”

“Well hmm let’s see. Besides ruin my career...”

“I wish,” Amelia muttered.

“Oh, your little Facebook page against me has over three million members.”

“Really that much already? But why capture my friends?”

“Well, by yourself you are too strong but when your friends are in danger,” he explained snapping his fingers, “you are mine.”

When he snapped his fingers two guards walked over to the group of friends. Amelia who had been standing next to Katie and Susan got in front of them protectively and Maggie got in front of Summer, but Lauren was left to her own devices. The guards went over to her and picked her up. They went back behind Justin and the bigger of the two held Lauren down at gun point.

“Now, if you don’t give me what I want, you can watch your friend die,” he said cackling menacingly.

“Ok, what do you want from me?” Amelia said, her head falling in defeat.

“I want you to take down your page, and make a blog posting how awesome I am,” Justin demanded.

“But I’m not a liar,” Amelia said sarcastically.

That sarcastic comment had done it. A gun shot rang out through the warehouse and the guard dropped the dead body of Lauren.

Amelia and Maggie pulled out their swords. Maggie started rapidly decapitating the guards, while Amelia went straight for Justin.

He quickly drew his gun and held it up. Amelia just held up her sword and in pure rage she knocked the gun out of his hand. The gun fell to the ground and slid across the room. Justin backed away from Amelia until he was flat against the wall. She held him at sword tip and when he held up his hands in surrender...

She jabbed and felt the sword hit resistance and then go through and hit the resistance of the wall.

Amelia watched as the light left his eyes and removed her sword from Justin’s chest. She gazed around the room and saw that Maggie had taken care of everything else.

Amelia felt the sadness wash over her and she let it envelope her. Her knees buckled under her and she fell dropping her weapon. She sat on her knees, head in hands, and cried.

Rescue: Part 2

In a few hours she landed in Russia, where all bad things happen. Why you ask? Two words, Russian ninjas. Amelia landed the plane in a large plain of snow. In front of her loomed a huge stone castle, a beacon of doom in the snow; the headquarters of the Russian ninjas. She hiked towards it and finally reached the west wall. She drew her gun and pulled the second trigger. The hook grabbed onto the top of the wall and Amelia scaled the side of the building.

She got to the top, panting slightly. Her past injuries were taking their toll on her abilities.

Amelia crept across the roof; halting at every sound. When she reached the air vent she bent down and opened up her jacket, exposing the weapons and tools on the inside. Amelia reached in and took out her laser and used it to cut a perfect square in the air vent, just big enough for her to shimmy through. She placed the laser back into its small compartment and climbed into the air vent.

She turned on her glasses and it showed a map of the fortress. The young ninja started moving in the direction of the throne room, hoping it would lead her to her companions.

She slunk through the air vent, wincing every time it creaked. Finally, after a lot of crawling, the map showed she was right above the throne room. Amelia cut a hole with her laser in the side of the air vent and slid out carefully. She was now directly on the ceiling. Amelia found a loose tile and moved it so she could see into the throne room. It was completely empty except for the ninja king sitting in his throne at the head of the room.

Amelia replaced the tile after sizing up the room and moved ten feet to the right. When she reached what she hoped was the far side of the room she loosened another tile. Once it was removed she hooked her grappling hook to a pipe above her head and slid down silently. She kept to the shadows until she reached the king.

She drew her sword quietly, the beautiful blade glinted in the moonlight. The king’s head twitched and he stood up and drew his sword.
“Who’s there?” he called out into the seemingly empty room.

“It is I,” Amelia announced stepping out of the shadows.

“Ahhh, my young ninja nemesis returns!” And at that he jumped at her. He flourished his sword making a grand swipe that aimed for her neck. Amelia reacted quickly and parried the attack. She hooked his sword with hers and twisted. His sword flew out of his weak grip and slid across the room, coming to a halt at the far wall.

He gazed at her in utter amazement at how quickly the fight had come to an end. She took a threatening step forward but he did not back down. He glared at her figuring out his next move, but before he could act she used her advantage. Amelia hooked the heel of his boot with her sword and pulled. He was wavering on falling and she flew at him. He fell to the ground and she stuck her knee into his groin; pinning him to the ground.

“Where are they?” Amelia asked accusingly.

“Who?”

And his utter confusion threw her off. It was pure confusion, so pure that she got up, turned on her heel, and went back into the ceiling. She retraced her steps back to her airplane.

Amelia took off and thought as she flew. Where could they be?

She needed help and though she hated to admit it, she knew it was time to call in some back up.

When she landed back in her hanger she took out her phone and dialed Maggie’s number. 1-4-1-7-7-5-6-1-2-7-8-6. It rang and after the second ring Maggie picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hi Maggie!”

“Hello Amelia! What’s up?”

“Summer, Susan, Katie, and Lauren are missing. I went to Russia and looked there and couldn’t find them. I need help. You want to help?”
“Yeah sure, I’ll teleport to your hanger right now.”

“Thank you.”

And with that they hung up. Within seconds Maggie appeared at Amelia’s side.

“Hello again,” Amelia said cheerily.

“Hi.”

“Ok, so any ideas?”

“No.”

They sat there and thought, bouncing ideas off one another but none of them fit. A few minutes into their brainstorming Amelia’s cell phone buzzed. She had received a text from a private number.

Amelia opened it and it read, “I bet by now you have noticed that Katie, Summer, Lauren, and Susan are missing. I have them neener neener. To save them you must turn yourself over to me within the next three days.”

Candlelight (Part 2)

By Charlotte Lewis

Illaria

“And so Mr. Delent I believe that you would be making a great mistake in commissioning your portrait from Angelico considering that he did such a horrific job at painting Alfred. I mean by gods the man’s nose was the size of……”


My father droned on to Mr. Delent, and I sat listening quietly. Poised gracefully unmoving, so as not to mess my perfectly curled hair. Seen but not heard. It took a surprising amount of effort to suppress the overwhelming urge to scream and run out of the room.

I shifted slightly in an attempt to quiet my rebellious thoughts. My mother who was sitting on the other side of Papa saw my subtle movement and shot me a warning look that meant "don’t mess this up. "

It was a needless glance. I knew the importance of my father’s dinners. Or at least I knew how important they were to him and Mother had no reason to think otherwise. I always did what I was told, I was good in my lessons, and I never complained. Well, I never complained to her or Papa.

I opened my senses to the room and realized that the servants were coming with the food. They had such a timid way about them almost as if they were apologizing for their presence. Strange perhaps, but that was how father trained them. I hated it.

I smiled at the girl who served my food, but the only response I got from her was a bewildered look that came into her eyes right before she hurried away.

Mother, who never missed a thing, gave me a reproving look which I understood as; don’t interact with them. They’re beneath us.


I sighed silently to myself and glanced down at my food. It gave off pleasant aromas and the heat emanating from it was comforting. I could feel hunger gnawing at me but my corset was cutting into my ribcage quite painfully and it rather put me off eating.

So I sat there,

The hours dragging by with the same old conversations on the same five topics politics, art, education, horses, and property. Always the same conversations, no matter who the guest, no matter what the occasion.

To say the least, I was board out of my mind.

I wondered what Mother thought of it. But then again she hasn't been to as many dinners as I have. I was acutely aware of the fact that my father likes to show me off. To him I am rather like a trophy or an award. However it had never been the same with my mother. I've always thought that odd but after fifteen years, I have just come to accept it and not ask questions.

Four hours in and I was sure I would lose control and begin to scream. Thankfully my Baby Brother Emile came to my rescue by starting to cry loudly.

I looked to my mother. Receiving the nod of consent I took him and walked, as swiftly as could be socially, out of the room.

Upon my exit I handed Emile to the first Nanny I saw and began to Run. I ran through the halls, decked with the bland portraits of my ancestors. I felt as if the walls were closing in on me. I needed to get out. I couldn't’t breathe ‘course that might’ve been the corset.

I ran faster and faster, ignoring the odd looks from the butlers and maids. Finally I made it out the doors and into the grounds. But I didn’t stop there. I kept running through the gardens until I reached the rose garden. I pushed past prickly thorns and tightly woven stems pulling impatiently as they caught my dress. With one last tug I made it to the center where upon I collapsed in a heap.

I was surrounded by roses on all sides. Red, pink, yellow. I lay back staring at the stars, happy to be outside on a perfect summer’s night.

I lay there happy. Hours must’ve passed by but it felt like moments.


“Illaria!” I heard a voice call out. Recognizing it I smiled


“Over here!”


There was a rustling amid the roses and a few muttered curses as thorns broke skin.


“They're looking for you.” Still smiling I looked up at my friend


“I know.”


“You should go back”


I sighed my smile fading


“I know.”


Siren looked down at me, his eyes sympathetic.


“Come on, I’ll walk you back” with another sigh I nodded and allowed him to help me up. With one more wistful look at the roses I followed him back in the direction of the house.

We walked the more secluded paths seeing as it would be improper if we were seen together alone. People would start to talk, and if word ever got out mother would have a fit ans forbid me to speak to him ever again.

We reached the back kitchen door. I paused before entering.


“Good Luck” he said.


“Huh thanks I’ll need it.”


I entered the door leaving my best friend of fifteen years behind me and then started to my chambers, stopping only to check in with my mother and receive a lengthy lecture about politeness.


Finally I made it to my chambers. Kicking off my shoes I flopped on my bed sighing resignedly


“You really shouldn’t run off like that”


I groaned


“Not now Oma please.”


“Fine, fine as you wish m’lady. Come, help me pick out a dress for you for tomorrow.”


“Ugh you pick it”


She sighed at my unconcealed disinterest.


“Alright then, red or Purple?” she asked


“Goodness” I said surprised. “Why so fancy?”


“Because, didn’t your mother tell you? Your father finally arranged a suitable marriage for you. You meet him tomorrow”

The Protector (part 2)

by Charlotte Lewis

It was dark when I next came round. How much time had passed? A day, two maybe? I knew not. Emalaya lay at my side still unconscious. I looked at her, so peaceful like a Lunessa, guardian of heaven and earth.

For a moment all was forgotten and the world hung, suspended in a state of bliss. However the moment was short lived. It all came back to me and the world began to fall…

FLASH!

there I was sitting at the table. Breakfast had been layed out just as mother liked it. Our plates were placed carefully alongside the silver forks and knives. The cloths were folded as always, diagonally in half.

I noticed mother had gathered the fallen leaves from the gold and silver Una trees, and had scattered them across the table, their metallic color glowing softly in the morning light flowing in through the open window.

Flashes of red caught my eye and I saw that among the leaves were the blood red Ukka berries my sister was so fond of. Strange though, that they’d be at the table as they were usually never allowed in the house.

My mother strode in, her long skirt flowing gracefully around her as she walked. Emalaya followed in after her dressed similarly. Last to come was my father, there he was tall and dark his presence filling the room

They sat and we all took hands bowing our heads as Father thanked the spirits. I watched the blue grey smoke of the customary Zelta candle. My father’s voice faltered and the candle blew out. I glanced up at him questioningly.

He sat completely still, his piercing eyes focused. They saw nothing, but felt everything. I knew at a glance what he was doing and I decided to follow him.

I opened my senses letting the Leaza flow through me and reached out…. There was the forest, the meadow , the dunes. I was traveling swiftly, faster and faster, never before had I ever felt this alive. I reached the ocean and BANG! I withdrew with a jolt and came back to myself. I

could still feel the shock running through my system.
It wasn’t pain exactly, but a powerful sense of dread, suffering, and malevolent forces so strong

it made me sick.

“Fathe-”

“Shh”

My mother stopped me mid word slapping me lightly on the wrist. A moment later my father came back. He shot me a warning look and stood up.

“I must speak with the council.”

He said to my mother and he left. Emalaya looked at me and I could see the burning questions in her eyes. I shook my head and looked back to my still empty plate. My own dread beginning to build up inside me.

FLASH!

I could hear the screams and I felt the heat from the flames. The whole village was burning into nothingness. I had no Idea where my Father and mother were. I was alone with my sister, crouched low facing the door.

One hand Held my knife poised at the ready. The other hand my sister had taken. She griped it tightly frightened but thankfully making no noise.

I tapped into the Leaza but kept it to the surface so as to hear better see better and feel more, but I had to stay present stay with Emalaya.

My ears picked up movement coming this way and I stood knife at the ready. Praying that the little fighting magic I knew would come to serve me. The person was coming around the corner I raised my knife ready to strike and take the man by surprise.

“Wait don’t!”

my sister cried latching onto one of my arms as if to stop me. I looked at her bewildered

“Don’t! Its father!”

I stared at her unsure of what to do next. Then Father strode in. He was bloody some of it was his, some I was sure was from others. He reached us breathing hard.

“You will leave by the back window. Run. Run anywhere. Just get away from here.”

“No!” I cried “I won’t run not when the village needs me. not without you not without Mother”

“GO! Kari, take your sister and Run.” I looked at him, attempting to force down the tears. Something in me kne this would be the last time I ever saw him.

He embraced my sister, and then me.

“Remember” he whispered into my ear

“Remember to look after you sister. You must look after her. Never let her get hurt, never let her be taken from you. She is your responsibility now. Protect her, at all costs she is important.”

Then he slipped something into my pocket. There was a bang from outside and more horrific laughter. Anger shadowed my father’s face.

“Go”

He said and we went. I grabbed my sisters hand and ran for the back of the house. I looked back and saw Father fighting three of them.

My sister stumbled over her dress and I caught her. My knife still in hand I kneeled and slit her dress up the side. I dragged her to the back of the house and broke the nearest window I helped my sister through it. Glancing back I saw more of them now all pushing pas my father.

Coming for us…..

I pushed her through the window and jumped after. Grabbing her arm I took off and we ran.

My mind came back to the present. The unwelcomed flash backs shot pangs through my heart. I felt my consciousness fading and I struggled to keep awake.

“Look thar Roola. It be two bashed up pettles a layin thar. Don’t ya worry naw m’dears. Ill take ya back to the ol’ homestead ‘nd the dear Wifie will ‘ave you lurvly petals fixed up in no time. Come on naw Roola lets get goin a’fore they perish.”

I felt myself being picked up but I could do nothing to stop it. I was fighting to stay awake.

Fighting…..

Fighting…..

Fight…

Rescue: Part 1

It was late on a Saturday afternoon and Amelia was lying on her floor listening to her Evanescence music and thinking, just thinking. She was just in one of her moods, and she was thinking; trying to figure out what was causing the mood.

Finally, she had had enough thinking, she was getting too sad. She took out her phone and texted Lauren, Summer, Susan, and Katie, something very lovely and witty. She waited, no reply. It had been days since she had last heard from them. Where were they?

She called Katie’s house. It rang and rang until finally her sister picked up. “Hello?”

“Hey is Katie there?”

“Who is this?”

“Frances!”

“No actually come to think of it I haven’t seen her in a day or two.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem, tell me if you see her.”

“I will, bye.”

That’s weird, I hope she is ok, Amelia thought. She picked up her phone and called Summer’s and Susan’s house and got the same reaction both times. She was really worried now. Then she picked up her phone one last time to call Lauren’s house.

“Hello?” Amelia heard Lauren’s mom’s on the other end.

“Hey Jen, I was wondering if Lauren was there?”

“Nope I thought she was with you. I haven’t seen her in a few days.”

“Oh, well let me look into it and see what I find out.”

“Ok, thanks, bye.”

Amelia sat on her floor and and thought about where they could be. She took out her phone and dialed Aunt Mallory’s number.

“Hello?”

“Hey Aunt Mal I was wondering if Aidan was there.”

“Yeah hold on a second.”

“Hello?”

“Hey Aidan. I need some mission equipment what you got for me?”

“Ok go to your closet and type in the code. I’ve been working on some new stuff.”

“Ok,” Amelia said and she walked over to her closet. She moved aside her clothes and typed in her code. 1-4-7-3. It slid open quickly and she walked inside.

“I’m in,” Amelia said into the phone.

“Ok, walk over to the weapon wall. You there?”

“Yup.”

“Ok, your gun is now a grappling hook and a gun. The top trigger is the gun and the bottom is the hook. Now before I give you any more weapons walk over to your wardrobe. Now you will see a pair of black yoga pants, a black tank top and a black leather jacket. That is your uniform. And before you make that face saying “well that is stupid” listen to me. There is a sling across the thigh for your phone and a sling across the other for your gun. The phone one is on your sword side, the left, and the gun hook the right. On the inside of the jacket is a bunch of ninja stars, a dart shooter, some sleeping darts, instant darkness powder, a flashlight, a pocket knife, and a dagger. On the floor is a pair of black vans. The vans symbol on the back is a button; when pressed it opens the compartment on the bottom that holds an extra gun. Not one up to the level and technology of your real gun but enough to be of use if you get captured. Hanging next to that is a floor length black cloak with a hood. This is your invisibility cloak that you told me to make. It is just as good if not better then Harry Potter’s. Hanging on the wall next to all of this is a pair of glasses with no lens. These glasses are no ordinary set of glasses. They have built in lights, and a built in GPS. You can also communicate with me through these glasses and I will feed you information. It will feed me what you are seeing and I can send you diagrams that will be projected where the lens should have been. Lastly, your plane. I have added a cooling mechanism in the engine so we won’t have another freezing incident. It can also shrink, become invisible and I added a few extra jets to make it go faster. And that is it.”

“Thank you Aidan.”

“My pleasure, good luck.”

Amelia changed into her outfit and fit the gun into its hold. Everything fit perfectly, a match made in heaven. Amelia went over to the table and grabbed the keys to her plane. She went into the hanger and started up her plane, feeling the exhilaration of being back in the pilot’s seat. She opened up the hanger, pressed the steering wheel forward and pulled up. Her body tingled at the rush of flying. She was off! Hopefully she wouldn’t be too late.

Overlooked(part 4)

by Sophia Haddad


The costume was perfect, if I wanted to be my mom. I could just grab her ugliest purse and run away with all of her money and id. But it wasn't that time now. I have some more days left before the bills are due (and let me just tell you I won't pay them without a fight). Because right now the world was mine to mess up. Let the wild side of me run free.

I grabbed some money from the wallet and decided to leave the cleaning up for later-I had decided now that the house was mine to redo. I could do it all in my own style, now that I owned it and everything in it. I put on a pair of ripped up jeans, threw on an old t-shirt, and stole my brothers bike from the backyard. Ha ha.  Oh yeah I'm badass.  Don't mess with me!  I wasn't ready to steal the car and just drive away. There were still some things I didn't feel safe doing.

My first stop was the mall. I could buy some decent clothes and possibly some other necessities as they popped up. I think I should get some scary clothes.  Y'know like the ones emo people wear.  Heck maybe I should be emo. I am so glad I live in a small town and the mall isn't miles away. It was only a short ride but I secretly enjoyed getting out of the house. Even though the air was poluted and the streets were trashed with years of low maitenance, I felt free.

It was common throughout the town for people to just not care. About anything really. And, living in the town, I was brought up the same way. I didn't care if I died today or if some guys in dark shades took my house away. I just wanted to have fun. I hoped it would stay that way but I had heard that these were just the effects of being young.

Most people here could even pull off what I was doing. It all contributed to the fact that anything could happen and it would be allowed to just pass by, unnoticed. I didn't take it for granted that this was the perfect place for my situation.  Yeah that's right! I will rule this town! People will regret not knowing me before this opperation.

It was easy to navigate the mall. Like most buildings here, it was small. But it served a dire purpose.

I stopped in a locally owned store called Shirts and Pants. Nice name. But like I said, people here may be lazy, but they make service simple.

I browsed for something cool. Something that would fit my style and looked good on me so I could show it off on my outings. I also favored a comfortable outfit for when I would stay indoors and possibly work.

I tried on some warm jeans with designs on the back pockets. Then I noticed a pair of skinny jeans. Oh yeah baby, I thought to myself and checked out the price tag. $49.99. Well its safe to say things don't run cheap here.

As I discouragedly headed towards the door, thinking screw this, an either stupid or brilliant idea crossed my mind. I could steal this. With all the laws I've broken already, why not just go all out? Why not become a full criminal? Who's going to stop me from becoming a skilled evil doer. My parents would have done the same thing. Or would they? I don't know. I want out! Stop making me be all goodie-goodie!  C'mon! Just try to stop me!  The saddest part is that I had nothing standing in my way.

Overlooked(part 3)

by Sophia Haddad


Yes. Don't doubt it. I'm going to give myself a complete makeover. At least I don't have to change my gender like people do in so many movies. The id is only a facial picture but it would help to add some weight onto my tiny figure. I have to look older. 48ish I suppose. I can do that easily. At least that's what I thought when I started.

I dug through my moms drawer of makeup for some mature eyeshadow. I wasn't going to go full out and make my face completely covered. I wanted it to look natural like my mom did in the picture. I found a basic bronzer that could help my pale complection. I even added some red to my cheeks to make me look plumper. That was the look I was going for.

I searched through some laundry still by the washing machine so I could be sure it was all clean. The part I most enjoyed was gathering up all the socks I owned, tying them together, and shoving them up my shirt, then forming the blob of knitted mess into a somewhat convincing body for me.

I looked in the mirror and realized I needed a bit more height on me. I pondered the subject for a moment before finding an easy solution. I found my mom's biggest platform shoes. There were three things I needed in these shoes: height(obviously), an I'm-grown-up-and-I-still-try-for-fashion-even-though-I'm-so-80's look, and a bigger opening than my regular size feet would fit into for stuffing big socks into.

The extra sock idea was my attempt at adding the most possible height I could. I didn't have much to work with at the time. Well either that or I was to lazy and tired to look for more. I sat down on a couch-hard with all the added flub-and layered on one sock after another until my feet wouldn't feel the weight of an anvil if it was dropped on them.

With difficulty, I put on the shoes. I stared into my parents old full-length mirror and gasped. I was overjoyed to see that I wasn't myself. Only if one looked deep into my eyes would they be able to tell it was me. But that's not what I needed. No one knew me anyway so this wasn't a disguise. I was trying to look older, not less myself. Then it occured to me, I could do anything I wanted, be whoever I wanted outside of the costume. Now was my chance for a new life.