Rounded Characters

Here's a link that was very helpful to me in making sure my characters were well rounded. Hope it helps you all!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2PZNga/:86pQUc3M:bgb@p6Gk/www.creative-writing-now.com/writing-character-profiles.html/

The Prairie Fire

Here's a story I wrote about three years ago...
                                                     The Prairie Fire
    The beaming sun rose steadily in the morning sky, casting long shadows across the tranquil prairie land.
    Ophelia-Grace Warkentin swung the milk pail in rhythm with her footsteps as she and her siblings followed the well-worn path towards the barn.
    Ophelia’s older brother Peter-Sam wrestled the stubborn barn door open when they arrived at the barn.
    “Probably time to oil the hinges again.”  Peter commented as the four siblings sauntered into the barn.
    “I’d say so, especially if even you are having a hard time opening it, Peter.”  Ophelia teased.  Peter gave her a playful jab before grabbing the pitchfork leaning against the wall and heading towards the stalls.  Seven year old Beni-Karl followed along with the wheel barrow to transport the muck out of the barn.
    Ophelia and Virginia-Hope gathered their pails and started milking the two cows, Minnie and Lou.  Half a dozen yawning barn cats twined themselves around the girls’ legs, hoping for a taste of the fresh milk.  Virginia, always the considerate one, squirted a stream of milk at one of the cat’s faces.  He eagerly opened his mouth wide and swallowed the liquid while the other cats clamored jealously around him.
    Within the hour, the four children had completed their chores and raced each other back to the house for breakfast.
    “Wash up and you can eat.”  Mama said, flipping the pancakes on the griddle.  “Your Pa already ate and has started plowing the west field.”
    The four siblings quickly washed and were seated at the table in record time.
    “Well, you children must be hungry!”  Ma laughed.
    “We sure are!”  Beni piped up for all of them.
    “Peter, would you pray for breakfast please?”  Ma sat down momentarily while the pancakes were cooking.  Peter nodded and they all joined hands.
    “Dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful day that You’ve given us, and thank you for this food You’ve provided.  Help it to be nourishing to our bodies.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
    “Amen!”  The others echoed and then dug into their breakfast.
    “Ophelia, Mrs. Dueck hasn’t been feeling the best and I baked a couple fresh loaves of bread and was wondering if you’d be willing to take them over to her this morning.”  Ma said as they were almost finished eating.
    “I’d be glad to, Ma.”  Ophelia smiled, forking the last bite of pancakes into her mouth.  Soon everyone was done eating and the dishes had been cleared.
    “I guess I’ll head out now,”  Ophelia said.
    “Be back in time for dinner, alright?”
    “Yes, Ma!”  Ophelia called over her shoulder as she headed out.
    “And don’t dawdle!”  Peter yelled after her teasingly. 
    Ophelia swung aboard Chestnut, their horse, and galloped down the trail towards the Dueck’s homestead, noticing that the wind had picked up to a nearly fierce pace.
    Her mission was accomplished and she was cantering back home when she felt more than saw a dark cloud forming on the horizon.  Chestnut sensed something in the air and started stamping nervously.  Ophelia held her hand up to her forehead, squinting her eyes against the glare of the sun.  Her heart skipped a beat when she realized it wasn’t merely a dark cloud, it was a cloud of smoke!
    “Oh no!”  She gasped, digging her heels into Chestnut’s sides.  He shot forward, sensing Ophelia’s panic.  Ophelia urged Chestnut on frantically, pushing him to a speed he rarely went. 
    They galloped right past the house and Ophelia reined Chestnut in sharply when she reached the field Pa was plowing.
    “Pa! Pa!”  She yelled, nearly out of breath, pointing at the quickly enlarging billow of smoke.  Pa saw the smoke and immediately turned the team of plow horses around and hurried them towards the house to start a furrow between the fire and the house.
    “Phellie, call the others and get the animals out of the barn!”  Pa yelled over his shoulder.    Ophelia dashed toward the house, Chestnut close behind.
    “Ma! Peter! Gini! Beni!”  Ophelia hollered.  They quickly gathered at the door and when they saw the darkening sky, realized what needed done. 
    Minnie and Lou bellowed in fright as they were herded out, but they eventually gave in and left the barn.
    The fire loomed dangerously near.
    “Isaac!”  Ma cried out.  They could just begin to see the flames hungrily licking at the dry prairie grass.  Pa saw how fast the fire was coming and quickly unharnessed the horses.
    “We’ll have to start the back fires, there’s not even time to plow!”
    Pa, Ma, Peter, and Ophelia worked furiously with the back fires as Virginia and Beni pumped water at the well and filled all the barrels they could find and started soaking flour sacks to put the back fires out. 
    Fleeing birds and insects filled the air and the ground was swarming with panicked rabbits and other rodents frantically trying to find a way of escape. 
    Ophelia carefully watched her backfire until it met with Peter’s, then beat it out with the wet flour sack Virginia had supplied her with.  The fire was roaring ever closer, and they only had one side of the house protected with backfires.  There wouldn’t be time to get enough backfires going.  Sparks carried by the fierce wind were starting to fall all around them.  One landed on Virginia’s skirt and Ophelia panicked, leaving her backfire and beating the fire on Virginia’s skirt out with her flour sack.  Virginia fell to the ground with fear and then suddenly Ophelia realized that her backfire had gotten out of hand.  It was racing towards the house at a dangerous speed, and there was nothing she could do about it.  The wind was starting to pick up even more.  The crackling and popping of the fire was nearly deafening and the heat was overwhelming.  Something had to be done!
    “Dear Lord, please help us!”  Ophelia cried out as she pulled Virginia into her arms.  A few terrifying seconds passed as the fire rushed closer and closer, and then suddenly, Ophelia felt something wet fall on her hand.  And again, and again.  Ophelia threw her head up and stared at the black sky.  It was starting to rain! Then a torrent of rain came pouring down on Ophelia’s face and continued to fall, rapidly dousing the roaring flames as the sheets of rain came pouring down from the heavens.     
    “Thank you, Lord! Thank you!”  Ophelia swung Virginia around in circles as the rain continued to fall all around them.  Then Pa and Ma appeared beside them and hurried them towards the house, as the smoke from the doused fires was thickening.
    Soon all six of them were in the house, sopping wet but wonderfully safe!
    After the smoke had cleared, the family went out and were immensely grateful to see that the barn was still standing, unharmed, and that all the farm animals were still there, dazed and bewildered by all that had happened, but physically unharmed.
    The Warkentins were able to continue their normal activities, and within a few weeks the grass was beginning to grow again and they were almost, but not quite, able to forget the near disaster that had occurred.  But whenever they did remember it, they were always sure to stop a moment and thank God for the protection He had given them.
                The End!

Merry Christmas

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Bringing Down the House

I had trouble coming up with something to write so...don't expect anything amazing... :)

    Snow whipped about the small, clapboard house.  “It sure is picking up outside.”  Mandie took a long sip of her hot chocolate and smacked her lips.  “This is delicious.  Where did you get the recipe?”

    Kate glanced up at her from the present in her hands.  “My Grandma.”

    “You’ll have to give it to me.  My family would love it.”  She stuck another log into the fire then sunk down on the plush couch tucking her feet up beneath her.  “Whose present is that?”

    “Bennies.  He has been begging for a remote controlled helicopter for forever.”  Kate brushed a strand of hair out of her face and put a bow on top of the package.  “All done.  I love getting presents, but I hate wrapping them.  That’s why I invited you over, to entertain me while I wrapped.”  She grinned impishly and dodged a well aimed pillow.  “Want some cookies?”

    Mandie tried to glare at her.  “As long as they are those mint ones.”  Kate headed for the kitchen but was interrupted by knocking on the door.  Wind and snow burst in with the intruder. 

    “Sorry, for barging in like that, but it is freezing outside.” 

   “Megan!  Hey!” Kate wrapped her friend in hug then pulled her towards the fire.  “You remember Mandie?”

    “Of course.” She glanced around the room.  “Where’s your family?” she wiggled out of her coat and laid it on it on the rocking chair.

    “In town at the church.  They are doing some last minute baskets for some people for Christmas.  I thought it would be a perfect time to wrap presents without Ben sticking his nose everywhere.”

    “That’s for sure.  Hey, have y’all seen how thick the snow is outside?  I think we are going to get a record snowfall.  I almost got lost in a snowdrift as I hiked out here.” 

    Kate raised an eyebrow.  “Why did you hike out here?   Not that I’m not glad to see you, but it is snowing like you said.”

    “To say Merry Christmas, of course, except that it is Christmas Eve.”

    “Hey,” Mandie sat straight up, “Do you hear something.” 

    The others turned to look at her.  “Huh?”  The next moment something crashed through the roof.  Snow and wood fell everywhere.  Something slammed into Mandie’s back forcing her to the ground.  Everything went silent.  “Kate!”  No answer.  Mandie tried to push herself upward, then gave up.  A large branch lay across her back pinning her to the ground.  She was completely covered in snow.  She tried again.  “Kate!  Megan!”  A muffled cry sounded a way off then she felt hands brushing the snow away. 

     “Just a sec Mandie and I will have you out.”  Kate’s warm voice rung in her ears.

    “Are you okay?  And what about Megan?” she winced when a sharp branch poked her in the side.

    “Megan’s okay, I sent her off to get some help.” 

    “What happened?”

    “The big tree beside our house fell over.  I guess it got weighted down with too much snow.  It crashed through the roof and into the living room.  I’m going to lift this branch, see if you can wiggle out.”  Kate wrapped her arms around the branch and pulled.  Mandie rolled out from under.

    “Kate!  Mandie!” frantic voices reached their ears.  Kate dropped the branch and helped Mandie to her feet.

    “We’re in here, and we’re fine.”  They plowed their way through the debris till they reached what was left of the porch.  Hands pulled them into warm embraces. 

    Kate’s mom had tears pouring down her face.  “We ran into Megan as she headed for the neighbor’s house, she told me what had happened.  I was so worried.”  Mandie shivered in the cold and shifted from one foot the other.  Her whole body ached.  “I’m sorry dear; let’s get y’all somewhere that’s warmer.” 

    “Good idea,” Mandie mumbled.  She stiffly walked to the car and climbed in.  She dozed off on the car ride and was surprised to open her eyes and find out that she was home.  Her mom folded her into her arms then guided her up to the house.  A fire crackled cheerfully in the fire place.  “Mom, what are they going to do?  Their house is destroyed,” Mandie fought to keep her eyes open. 

    “Don’t worry.  They are spending the night with Megan and her family and after, that, well, they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it.  But I have heard that they were already planning on moving, so perhaps this was well timed.”

    “Uh huh.  I’m going to bed.”  Through her dazed condition she saw the clock in the wall, its hands pointing straight up.  “Merry Christmas Mom.”  

The Experiment

Howdy all!  This story isn't for the Christmas challenge, but it's one I wrote for my Short Story class.  I do not like it in the least though; I thought I'd get your opinions on it!  (By the way, the story is written in first person because that was the required format; the story is not a true one or even based off of a true one; it is purely fictional!)

The Experiment
    It was a hot, sunny day in Ravanna, Kansas.  I was running away… away from my autistic younger sister.  I’d had enough of being the good older brother who always looked after little Jessini.
    I was gasping for breath, needed to stop and rest.  I saw the convenience store as I emerged from the alley and sprinted over, thinking to run in and find a drink of water.  I entered the store and looked around.  The first thing that caught my eye was a yellowed sign hanging above the cash register, bearing faded letters that read “Don’t even think about stealing something while the counter is unattended.” 
    Ha!  I thought, an idea formulating in my brain.  I quickly scanned the store to make sure no one was in sight and then hurried over to the counter and grabbed the first thing my hands laid hold of -- a pack of cigarettes.  Hmmm...  I thought, I’m going to try something new and daring!
    I turned then, and looked right into the eyes of the “absent” worker.  His thin, wizened face was set in a frown, and his faded blue eyes gleamed with anger.  My heart began to race, all feelings of glee suddenly erased from my mind.  I looked frantically for an escape route and dodged to the left before the elderly worker could react.
    “Hey, kid!  Wait up!”  The worker’s gravely voice sounded behind me as I ran.  I reached the end of the aisle and swiveled to the right, seeing too late the “Caution: Wet Floor” sign right in front of me.  Oh great.  Just great!  I slid precariously, my arms waving wildly in a vain attempt to keep my balance. 
    I ended up flat on my back, staring up into the eyes of the worker.
    “Heh heh.  I could’ve told you running would do no good.”  He grabbed me and hauled me to my feet.  I stood there, wavering between defiance and defeat.
    “Hey, kid, calm down.  I have an offer for ya.  Ya willin’ to listen?”  The worker pulled me back into the aisle and lowered his voice as he spoke.  I nodded reluctantly, not seeing much of a choice.
    “So you’re running away from your sister, eh?” 
    I gasped.  “How did you--”
    “Don’t get all worked up,” he interrupted me.  “Any observant person can see how much your sister embarrasses you.  I’ve seen you trying to pretend you aren’t her brother.”
    I bit my lip sheepishly.  Was it really that obvious?
    “It seems we both have a dilemma,” the worker continued, “and I think you can help me solve mine and I can help you solve yours.  If you agree, I’ll let you go free.”
    I stared at him skeptically.
    “Here, let me explain.  I’m doing an experiment in my spare time with rockets.  I’ll spare your little brain from all the technical detail, but I need a little kid to go up in one of my rockets and test something out for me.”  He paused, letting his words sink in.
    “What does this have to do with me?”  I asked.  The worker chuckled.
    “You’re a little slow, aren’t you?  Never mind, I’ll explain. You’re annoyed with your sister and never want to see her again, right?  That’s why you’re running away.  I can take her off your mind; you’d never see her again if I could have her for one of my experiments.”
    “What?  Are you crazy?”  I scowled, hoping he was kidding.  No one in their right mind would try to coerce a boy to give his little sister up for some bizarre experiment… even if my little sister was troublesome with her autism.  She wasn’t that bad.
    “Look, kid, I’m not joking.  I’m serious here.  I need to do this experiment.”  He looked at me, his eyes full of some insane sort of desperation.  “How ‘bout it?  It’s a fair trade; your freedom for the kid.”
    “No!”  I said forcefully.  I couldn’t do that to my sister; to any little girl, for that matter.  The worker sneered at me. 
    “No?  You dare to decline my offer?  You realize this is the only way you’ll go free, don’t you?  I can turn you in to the authorities if you don’t agree; tell them whatever I want, and it will be your word against mine.  Who do you think they’ll believe?  Huh?  You think they’d believe a little good for nothing thief?”  He was shouting now, clenching my arm in a painful grip.  I struggled desperately, crying out in my attempt to break free. 
    “No, sir, please!  I’m not going to give you my sister!”  I managed to squeak out.  “You can turn me in.  I’ll give the cigarettes back!” 
    I felt the worker’s grip loosen and looked up to see his hard eyes soften slightly.
    “You do care about your sister then, eh?”
    I nodded in determination.  He stared at me for a long, agonizing moment and then dropped his hand.
    “Well, boy, I admire your courage.  Your sister must be someone special if you were willing to let yourself be turned in to spare her.”  
    “Yes, sir.  She...”  I paused, remembering the long hours my parents and I had spent praying for my little sister’s life when she was born prematurely.  “She’s God’s answer to prayer.” 
    “I see.”  The worker paused for a moment and then said, “You go on home now; I’ll find something else to do my experiment with.”
    I sighed in relief and turned to go, but then remembered the cigarettes.
    “Here,” I said, pulling the pack out of my pocket and giving it to the worker.   He accepted the pack, thanked me, and nodded his consent that I could leave. 
    I headed towards home then, still a little shaky from the whole ordeal.  As my house came into view, the door swung open and a little brown headed girl with a crooked smile on her face ran out, stumbling awkwardly and then catching herself before falling.  I smiled in sudden appreciation at the sight of her, my special little sister.

A Chirstmas Switch

Here's my story for the challenge. I got it typed in last night!

 

I glanced toward my husband with raised eyebrows.

“That’s so mean! You know our kids are good.”

“Yes but I want to teach them something through this. Will you help me?” His green eyes watched me as I put on my makeup one Sunday morning a week before Christmas.

We had been discussing what to give our children for Christmas when my husband, already dressed and ready even though it was only 8 o’clock, had startled with a strange suggestion.

“Of course I’ll help you, Mike, and I’m sure it will come out just great. Your suggestions always do!” I unscrewed my mascara bottle and turning to the mirror began applying it to my eyelashes.

“No-no they don’t. Remember what happened last week when I suggested we take a “short cut” to our performance at The José’s?”

I jerked, daubing the mascara brush in my eye.

“Oh!Oh!” I squeezed my eyes shut to try and lesson the pain as it began to water furiously.

“Here,” he put a tissue in my hand to wipe off the tears. “this might help get the bat pooh out. I thought you would remember that considering the color your face was when we walked on stage half and hour late.”

“It’s not bat pooh! And that turned out just fine. The manager didn’t fire us or anything.” I picked up my foundation and then heard Dillon announce he was awake by wailing loudly from his bedroom. That was the end of that conversation as well as my makeup because Dillon woke everyone the seven other children up.

Mike and I carried through with our plan and by Christmas morning I was more excited than my husband.

“Do you think they’ll understand? Boy their faces will be funny!”

My husband smiled at me as we heard Dillon announce that he was awake.

“I guess well see soon.”

In a moment our house erupted as fourteen bare feet began rushing through the hall and down the stairs to our living room.  I scooped up Dillon and hurried after, eager to see their faces.

“Here’s your Mommy!” my heart beat a little reproachfully when I thought of their gifts and saw that they had waited to open them until they had given me mine.

My present was a small black box and inside lay a silver locket. Opening the small heart I saw four smiling faces looking at me from both sides.

“We were going to do us all in one picture and put Daddy on the other side, but our faces were so tiny you couldn’t really see us.” my second eldest son, William, apologized.

“It’s beautiful! Thank you so much!” my conscience was really pricking me now so I hurried to get the worst over. “Your turn now. Open your presents!”

Mike came up behind me and together our gaze followed each child as the located their packages and eagerly began tearing them open.

Cassy, my emotional thirteen year old, was the first to get hers open. She starred at it in pitiful horror and then burst into tears. Silence began to dominate as each child got their present open and starred at it in dumfounded silence. Finally Josh, my boisterous ten year old found his words.

“You gave me a stick!?”

“It’s a switch Josh.” our eldest son, Randy, corrected.

“Oh.”

“Your not gonna spank me are you Mama?” tears started in four year old, Annaleece’s eyes. “I’ll be good always after this I promise!”

The other children turned their expectant and startled eyes on me.

“No I am not. Because someone else has offered to be spanked instead.”

Mike, putting Darcy down on the floor where he toddled to one of his sisters, stood up and walked toward our bedroom door where spankings were usually delivered.

Josh jumped up. “Daddy? You can’t spank Daddy! He hasn’t done anything wrong!”

“Your right Josh, he hasn’t but you have and someone has to take your spankings.”

Josh starred at the floor hard and I would tell he was trying to decided which one would be more painful—Him being spanked or his Daddy being spanked for him. Cassy burst into tears again and chaos began to rain.

“I don’t want Daddy to be spanked!” Wailed Annaleece.

Randy looked back and forth between Mike and I and then unfolding his long limbs he walked over to me and took Dillon.

“I know where your going with this I think.” He said under his breath and his eyes, so green like his father’s, twinkled at me.

“All right, all right! Calm down. I won’t let your mother spank me--” here he through an ornery grin at me. As if I wanted to spank him! “if you will all calm down, sit down and listen up.”

Immediately there was perfect silence.

“Do any of you understand why your mother and I did this?”

Cassy, wiping the last of her tears away, gulped out, “To tell us all what bad kids we are?”

My heart thumped painfully. That was the point I was afraid they would get.

“No Cas that’s not it. I think I know why Dad.” Randy looked up from checking Dillon’s diaper.

“Okay Randy. Fire at will—and I don’t been your younger brother.”

“You’re doing this to show us how we deserve God’s punishment because we are bad. But he sent someone else, Jesus, to take that punishment for us like you were going to take our spankings, though I don’t think Mom could have ever really spanked you.”

“Yes Randy you are completely right. About all of it—I was hoping someone would interfere before your mother actually did spank me. She has a strong arm, as I think you all know from hearing how we met.”

Titters and eyes caused my checks to turn red and I was grateful when my husband continued.

“But anyway, enough embarrassing of your mother. You were right about what we were trying to show you. Now let’s talk a little more in-depth about this.”

Half an hour later I saw the light was dawning in several of the children’s minds and Mike and I decided we could give them a pleasant surprise.

Walking over to the coat closet I swung open the door and jumped back. A shower of sharp corners and sticky bows poured down upon me as the real presents came tumbling out. It was an unusual Christmas but it was one that made memories. The next year, not to our surprise, Mike and I both got switches and the grandparents would have to had we not preempted the kids and told them they couldn’t.

Christmas Challenge

    Since it is getting close to Christmas, I thought it would be a good idea to have a Christmas challenge.  So, the challenge is:  write a story about Christmas and have it done by Christmas Day (if possible).  Like last time, this is not a contest, just a challenge.  If there are any readers that want to do the challenge, then follow the instructions in the last challenge issued.  http://larkwriters.blogspot.com/2012/11/challenge.html

Unnamed Story

Well...Faith has been after me to post something and I agree, it is about time for me to post again. There is one small problem however--I haven't written anything. Actually that is not quite true, I started to write something last week and decided I didn't like the idea. It is really short but I'll go ahead and post it on here just to be able to say I have posted something recently. :) I actually wrote it on my Kindle Fire so my apologies if there are misspellings. Kindles aren't the easiest things to type on.


I rested my exploding head on my chin as I heard Henny's obnoxious
laugh for the umpteenth time. Was that girl ever quite for more than
two seconds? I was honestly not sure it was possible! My wife,
Isabella came and sat down beside me rubbing her hand gently on my
back.

"I'm sorry honey but we're only here for a little while, I'll make you
some hot tea when we get home."

"Do you think she laughs constantly in her sleep too?"

My wife smiled but said reproachfully, "John! She really is a nice
girl, just perhaps a bit silly."

"A bit silly? Really, I would never have guessed it! If she is a bit
silly, what am I?"

"Grumpy." She smiled and kissed me gently on the forehead before
standing up and gliding gracefully away.

Escaping the Night - Part 4

I know most of you probably already read this on my blog, but I figured I better post it here also since I posted the other ones here.

Catherine ignored the rambling Lord Gem and his wife, and soon out ran Oriole, reaching the stable first. Ember sat inside, sobbing. The girl, whom Catherine assumed was Becca, was trying her best to console Ember. The horses neighed uneasily, and the cool evening breeze whistled through the trees.

“What's wrong?” Oriole asked gasping for air.

Becca lifted her head. Her light brown hair was piled on top her head, and her chocolate brown eyes were pooled with compassion. “My brother has returned sooner than expected. We just got word that he is staying in Rubina and will be here by the end of next week. Father and Mother wish them to be wed right away.”

“Becca! That is not what distresses me most,” Ember looked up. Her eyes were red and glistening tear streaks ran down her cheeks. “I don't want to lose my best friend to Lord Whatever-his name-is across the sea.”

Becca looked away, choking back her own tears. “It is the custom of countries making peace to each give a princess to the other country. Since Princess Amanda is already wed, I was the second choice.”

“But I'm losing my freedom and best friend all in the same year!”

Becca attempted to smile.“I know I told you my brother acts like a stingy old man, but I assure you he won't keep you locked in cage.”

Ember didn't look convinced. Amy rushed to her sister's side and gave her a hug. “If he does, I'll find a way to get you out.”

Oriole rolled her eyes.

“I'm sorry I invited you on such a crazy day, Cricket.” Ember stood up and dusted off her skirt. “You must think me terribly emotional. I don't normally act like this...”

Catherine shook her head. “You Rubians are just plain weird.”

“How?” Oriole challenged.

“You let others see your weaknesses and cry unashamedly, and you believe in some fantasy being called Sum whom no one has ever seen!”

“Don't you ever cry?” Amy asked.

“No.”

“Never?” Amy's eyes were huge violet saucers.

“Never--” Catherine stopped. That wasn't true. She had, when she was little; but she was beaten for it. Crying wasn't tolerated in the Dark Land. Catherine didn't know what it was about these Rubians, that made her want tell the truth. They were just so honest with each other, and her, a complete stranger. “Actually, I did. When I was younger...”

“You don't cry anymore? Ever?” Oriole chimed in.

“Weaklings don't make it very far in the Dark Land.”

“But crying isn't a weakness!” Ember exclaimed. “It's an expression of deep feeling. Those unashamed of their tears show that they are unafraid to show their heart, the real person, deep down inside. People should never be ashamed of who Sum created them.”

Catherine's thoughts spun wildly. These ideas were so new to her. She just couldn't grasp them, yet somewhere deep inside she knew Ember was right. Many times she had felt like crying or expressing her true feelings, but had hidden them in fear. She didn't want anyone to see the real person she was, but there was a part of her that wanted set free. This wasn't the Dark Land. Could she, perhaps, share her secret with these girls?

Suddenly the sound of pounding hooves and shouting split the silence. A horse rode up to the house. Its rider frantically shouted for Lord Gem. The Lord, Lady, and Ember's parents burst through the front door of the house. Ember's little brothers and Aaron came running from behind the cottage.

“Lord Gem! A fleet of Dark Landian ships have taken port in Markland's Bay. They are demanding your presence immediately.” The messenger slid off his horse, gasping for air.

“What do they want from me? Come on, speak up, Lad,” Lord Gem demanded.

“They accuse you of stealing, Sir.”

“Stealing what? I have never set foot in their land or ever even cared to. The river blocks most of our access to them, and the only other way is by sea.”

“Sir, they claim you have stolen their prince's bride.”

“What?!?! I have no need for his bride!” Lord Gem huffed. He called for his servants to bring the horses.

Catherine's stomach churned. They had figured out where she was, and so quickly. If she did not leave soon, this family would be in danger, or all of Ruby for that matter. She should just turn herself in. Fear settled on her like a fog. Would she ever be free? What if Ember already suspected who she was? Would she turn her in? Catherine glanced over at her. Ember examined her curiously, but said nothing. As the Gems prepared to leave, Catherine saw her chance to escape. Silently, she slipped into the shadows of the woods and disappeared.

The Wait

    “I can’t wait until he gets here!”  Amanda danced around the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement.  “He has to be the cutest thing in the whole world!”

    I surveyed my friend as I sprawled across her bed.  “You act like you have already fallen in love with him.”

    “Oh, I have!  I just saw him once, but those eyes.  Ah!  They were so brown and deep, I could drown in them.”  She looked dreamily out the window.  “How long will it take for him to get here?  I don’t think I can wait a moment more!” 

    I absentmindedly studied my nails.  I was excited for my friend, yes, but not to the point of going crazy.  “I’m sure you will survive.”

    She looked at me with reproach in her eyes.  “You are so droll!”

    I raised an eyebrow.   Her range of vocabulary was amazing.  Every few moments, she would pop out a word that I had thought was long forgotten in the modern world.  “Droll?”

    “Yes!  Droll!  Don’t you love the word?  It has to be one of my favorites!” 

    Amusement tinged my voice.  “Since when?  I haven’t ever heard you use it before.”

    Amanda paused, stumped.  “Well, I don’t know.  Perhaps since yesterday.  Besides, it doesn’t matter!  He’s going to come here today!  Yeah!”  She began her twirling act about the room.

    I got to my feet.  “If you would look out the window, you would see that he is already here.” 

    “He is?” she flew out of the room with me hot on her heels.  “Oh!” she gasped and came to a stop.  “There he is!  Isn’t he cute!”

    I looked at the little spotted puppy on the floor.  “Puppies usually are, Amanda.”

Gone--8

   “Slightly bare isn’t it?” Ashley glanced around the small apartment.  It was comprised of three rooms:  a kitchen, a living area, and a bedroom.  All were scantily furnished.
    “It works.”  He hurriedly shuffled through some papers on his desk.  “Here they are.”

    She glanced at the pile of papers in his hands.  “What?”

    He shook his head.  “Instructions, correspondence, stuff like that.  Enough to show that I have been paid to do this stuff.  I want any evidence I can get against these guys.”

    “What are you going to do now, though?  And what are you going to do with me.  Technically I’m still your prisoner.”

    His shoulders slumped.  “I promise I’ll get to those questions later.  Right now we have to get.  I never told them where I lived.  But that doesn’t mean they don’t know.  As far as you being a prisoner…well, I don’t think that term rightly applies anymore.”

    “That’s comforting.  Does that mean I can leave?”

    “And have someone else kill you?  Listen, you would never reach the police, and the police would never reach you.  You would be dead or captured.”  He took a step towards her.  “Please believe me when I say that.”

    She broke his gaze and stared at the wall.  “What’s your name?”

    The change of subject threw him.  “Huh?”

    “Well, if I am going to be have to be with you for a bit longer, I would at least like to know your name.”

    “Philip.  Yours?”

    “Ashley.”

    “Well, Ashley, let’s go.  I’ve got a spare car down in the parking lot.  I’ve been saving it for emergencies.”

    She smiled.  “I’d say this counts as one.”

                                                                            ~

  Philip checked in the rearview mirror again.  “You said your house was down this road?”

  “Yep.  About a mile down.”

  Ashley had managed to convince him that her house could be a safe haven for them stay in for the rest of the day.  He wasn’t so sure.  His boss, Ryan Flelling, would not hesitated on finding out where she lived, and considering his resources, it wouldn’t take long. 

  The tension was thick in the car.  Both of them had had time to think about what had happened.  The attempt to kill them both had planted fear firmly in their minds.  Ashley had suggested they go to the police.  While that would make sense in any other situation, it was unreasonable right now.  Besides the fact that he had tried to kill Ashley, something he now deeply regretted, Flelling had people planted everywhere.  It stood to reason that he would have spies in the police department too.  Ashley and he would never get out alive.  It was best that they duck below the radar screen of both Flelling and the police.  Philip wasn’t sure how long Ashley would wait until she shoved his reasons aside and went to the police.  He wouldn’t blame her if she did, but he had to keep that from happening.  If anything, to make up for what he had tried to do.

  “There it is!” Ashley excitedly pointed towards a small clapboard house.  Bushes and trees blocked most of it from view. 

  Philip eyed the house uneasily.  “I don’t like it.”

  She turned concerned eyes on him.  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know what I mean, but I feel there is more there than what we see.  Let’s drive a ways down the road first while I think this out.”


I'm sorry to say that this will be the last installment of Gone.  There is no telling how long this story will become, and I don't really relish posting it on here for the next year.  Hopefully you won't be too angry at my discontinuation of it.  :)

Gone--7

    Exhausted she stared at the computer screen.  Her body screamed for rest, yet fear kept her going.  She had clues.  She had to use them.  There was no one else.  He was dead.  

    The screen grew fuzzy.  She blinked.  It remained blurred.  Her fingers trailed over the keyboard as she fell forward.  The dark hole had swallowed her.

   ~

    Philip slammed on the brake.  His eyes surveyed the road.  Something was wrong, he could feel it.  The girl stared fearfully at him.  He cracked down the window and listened.  “A vehicle,” he mumbled.  Why should that worry him?  He didn't know.  Up ahead there was a turnoff.  Philip gunned the engine and spun into it.  A few moments later a gray Mercedes sped by.  The boss.  Fear crept over Philip.  His boss knew what had happened.  There was no knowing how, but there was no doubt that he did.

    He urged his car onward down the bumpy road his hands clenching the wheel so tightly that they were turning white.  “Now what?” he muttered.

         ~

    Ashley watched the man out of the corner of her eye.  His was worried.  Well, I guess that makes two of us.  That thought almost brought a smile to her mouth.  Yet the stark fact still remained:  he had tried to kill her.  Of that she was certain.  Why he hadn't she couldn't figure.  It would have been easy.  She had been unconscious, completely helpless to defend herself. 

    She sighed.  If only she dared voice the questions swirling in her mind.

    Ahead a small tumbled down shack appeared on the side of the road.  The man swerved over in front of it.  He turned off the engine, then starred off into space.  Finally, he spoke, his voice hoarse.  “What am I going to do with you?”  His whole body seemed to deflate and he turned to look at her.  “I-.”  He shook his head. 

    “I have a question,” when no reaction came, she continued, “Why?  Why are you doing this?”

    He grinned ruefully.  “Good question.  I don’t know.  The reasons I had before no longer have merit.”

    “You were supposed to get rid of me, I gather.  Why?” 

    “I can honestly say I’m not entirely sure why you were chosen as my first, um, project.”  He tapped his fingers nervously on the steering wheel.

    Ashley took a deep breath.  He was talking with a calm, modulated tone.  That was a good sign that she was going to get out of this situation alive.  “What’s going to happen now?”

    Her window shattered sending glass everywhere. 

  ~

    Philip grabbed the girl’s arm and jerked her down on the floorboard while he fumbled around for his gun.  They had been found.  More bullets hit the car piercing through the sides.  “Keep down!” he revved the car to life.  They had to get out of there fast.  The back window shattered as they started down the road.  The girl yelped with fear.  They were quickly gaining speed.  In a few moments they would be out of reach of the bullets.  Suddenly a sharp pain ripped up his arm.  “Ah!” the car swerved and slammed into a tree sending his head against the door.  He lay there for a moment stunned. 

    As he blinked, trying to clear away the black dots, something appeared in his peripheral vision.  A gun.  There was no time to think or to act.  He starred at the gun barrel trying to accept what was about to happen.  Behind the gun a man stood there, a sneer on his face.  His finger began to draw back on the trigger.  The sharp retort of a gun filled the air.  The man froze, then dropped to the ground, dead.  What happened?  I'm not dead? Philip whirled and looked at the girl.  In her hands she held a gun.  Her face was white and her hands were shaking. 

    “I killed him,” her lips trembled.

    Philip didn’t say anything; he just took to the gun from her hands and tried to smile.  “We need to get out of here.” 

    "Yeah..." her voice trailed off and her eyes wandered to his arm.  “You’re hurt!”

    “It just barely nipped me, nothing serious.  We have other things to worry about right now.  We have to see if this car will work.”  The front had been battered a bit, but the car might still move.  He put it in reverse.  The car pulled back onto the road.  “Yes!”  He grinned, they could get out of here.    

Heretic!

This is a story that I wrote for the challenge, but it turned out really, really short.  So, I ended up writing another instead.  However, I thought you might enjoy reading it.

    His death would be my joy.   I grinned wickedly at the small cottage in front of me.  Judgment would be swift, death would be swifter.  I could picture his horror filled face, his wife petrified with fear, and his children screaming in terror.  His wife would cling to her husband begging us not to take him.  Ha!  As if that wish would be granted.  I could not wait to see him burn.

    The soldiers behind me shifted from one foot to the other eager to begin.  

    The wind whistled through the grass creating an eerie moaning sound.  The moon was blackened by a cloud.  I took a step forward and waved for the others to follow.  Instead of going to the door, I peered through the window.  The man was talking, telling a story.  His little children gazed up into his face, their lips curving upwards into small grins.  I gritted my teeth, he was telling a Bible story.  The heretic!

    I nodded at the others, and they prepared to barge in the door, that was when I heard it, small voices citing The Lord’s Prayer.  Anger and hate flooded through me.  I bellowed and shoved the door open.  “You are under arrest you heretic!”

The Kingdom

    “This meeting will now come to order!” I looked down my skinny nose at the vast array of my subjects.  They were here to do my bidding, to fulfill any task I might assign them, to do anything and everything to keep this kingdom together.  I pointed at one, a scrawny girl, to rise.  “Becky, what is the status of our kingdom!” 

    She licked her lips as she fumbled with a torn folder filled with papers.  “Um, everything is okay.”

    “Thank you, you may be seated.”  I leaned forward and eyed them all.  “Does anyone have a complaint to make?”  A little boy in the back raised his hand.  I sighed.  He always had a complaint.   “Yes, yes, what is it?”

    He placed his hands on his hips and glared at me.  “Why do you always have to be king?  Why can’t I or-“

    “You are out of order!  Anyone else?”  The little building was filled with silence.  “Alright.  First off today,” a small grin crawled out on my face, “everyone is going to clean my room for me, an-“

   “Excuse me.”

    Oh no.  It was Amber.  She always managed to ruin my fun.  “Yes.”

    She crossed her arms.  “I don’t like the way you do things here.”  She turned towards the rest of the small group.  “I propose, that instead of doing what our king wants, that we go to down to the creek an play.”  Cheers filled the room as my subjects tumbled head long towards the door.

    “You can’t do this!” I yelled to an empty room, “It is mutiny!  Mutiny!” 

What Happened in Dead Rose Canyon

    “Howdy.”  I swung out of the worn saddle and landed heavily on the ground.  The man in front of me assessed me with hate filled eyes.  He abhorred my kind, yet, he had a job that needed to be done that would be too dirty for him to do.  That was why he sent for me.  A man willing to kill anyone if paid. 

        My horse dug its nose thirstily into the water trough sending ripples everywhere.  The trip had been long and tiring and the poor creature had been pushed harder than usual.  “You must be scared,” I shoved my hat back on my head.

    

    The man’s eyes flashed.  “Why do you say that?”

    

    I smirked, “That is why most people hire me.  To do stuff they are too scared to do themselves.”  I glanced around.  “Nice place here.”  And it was.  The house was a big one, probably two stories, and the barn seemed nearly as big.  Just riding in I had seen more cows than I had seen in a month, and that was saying something.  This man was wealthy.

    

    “Conrad Fraze.”

    

    “Huh?”

   

    “That is why I sent for you.  I want you to kill Conrad Fraze.  You heard of him?”

    

    “Nah.  But that don’t matter.  I’ll kill anyone any way you want me to as long as the price is right.”  Just the thought of taking another life excited me.  Some might call that downright evil.  Me, I didn’t care what it was.  All I knew was that it felt good.  “Where is he?” 

    

    “Right now he is camping in Dead Rose Canyon.  About ten miles that way.”  He motioned west.

    “Well, I’ll just make my up there then.  But first, the money.”

    The man sent me a hard stare.  “The job ain’t done yet.”

    Well, that stirred me up.  He was questioning my honesty.  That was something you never did to me.  “I want the money now.  The job will get done.”

    He was about to contradict me, I could see it in his eyes.  But he suddenly changed his mind.  Perhaps my hand closing over my gun had something to do with it.  He disappeared into the house for moment then came back with a bag.  “500.  Just like I said.”

    Grinning I got back into the saddle.  “The job will get done.”  I clucked to my horse and started for Dead Rose canyon.”

˜  

   

    Rocks and sticks tore at my pants as a shinnied up the rock face.  Conrad Fraze’s camp was right below me.  I had watched it from a distance until I was sure it was empty.  Then I had tied my horse in a grove of trees a good distance back and walked over to the camp, careful to leave few tracks.  Getting up somewhere on the high rock walls was the most logical place to mount a surprise attack.  That why I was climbing it now.

    I settle down around some boulders that would conceal me and barely stuck my barrel over the edge prepared for action.  He would come riding in, and I would pick him off.  It would be easy.

    A loud neigh sounded through the canyon.  Well now, wasn’t he being nice coming in so quickly?  I got in position and waited.  An appaloosa came cantering towards the camp a man sitting high in the saddle.  The horse skidded to a stop, dust flying. I squeezed the trigger.  The man went limp and tumbled out of the saddle.  I waited for a moment.  Nothing moved except the nervous horse.  I slowly made my way toward the camp, pausing every few minutes to make sure he wasn’t moving.  Some people were smart and tried to fake you out.  Then when you got close them, they would let you have it. 

    When I reached the body, I rolled it over.  The man’s eyes stared up at me, glazed over.  The job was done.  “Well feller, I’m guessing you won’t need your horse, so I think I will just take it with me.”  I laughed and swung up into the saddle and left.  Another job well done.

˜  

    “Have you heard?” 

    Conrad Fraze turned towards his partner’s voice.  “What?”

    “Some guy was shot out by our camp.”  His partner leaned against the front of the livery where Conrad was saddling up his horse.

    He frowned.  “You don’t say.”

    “From the looks of things, some guy hid up in the rocks and shot him as he came in.  Isn’t that a shame?”

    Conrad nodded solemnly, “It sure is.  But I have to say that I’m glad we were in town with people all around to say that we were here when it happened, or else they might try to blame it on us.”

    “That’s a fact.  You ready to ride yet?”

    “Sure am.  Let’s go.”