by Leanne Sype
Showing posts with label creative collaboration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative collaboration. Show all posts
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Collaboration Challenge Finale
The collaboration challenge has come to a close. Link over to the end, or start at the beginning to reach
Monday, July 1, 2013
Collaboration Challenge, Part 5
Heather has put together the fifth leg of Kip's story over on her new fiction blog, HJ Musk. So, check out the story, catch up if you need to (like, maybe, I need to catch up, too :-P ), then browse around her new blog to see how you like it. :D
by Heather Musk
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
High Tide: Collaboration Challenge, Part One
It's been a while, and I'm excited to start off a new Collaboration Challenge! Joining me this time will be Nicole Pyles, Tena Carr, Leonard Suskin, Heather Musk and Leanne Sype. I can't wait to see what they turn this story into over the next few weeks!! :D
For now, the jumping off point. It's time to meet Kip.
-------------
Collaboration Challenge - Part One
High Tide
Kip hated wet jeans. Yet, here he stood, knee deep in the tide. The water would rush in and up his thighs, then pull back at his calves on it’s way out - a tug of war he had no intention of losing.
The problem was, which way to go to get out of the game?
Gritting his teeth against the salty spray, Kip narrowed green eyes at the sunset. His hands curled and uncurled in tune with waves plastering his jeans to his legs. Someone on the beach might think he'd burrowed his feet into the sand below to keep such a steady stance. Instead, the weave of his sneakers was collecting untold amounts of the ancient, ground rock in their fibers.
Why couldn't he just make up his damn mind?
Undoubting faith in another was more difficult than he'd imagined.
Kip glared at the cloudless sky, the sunset slightly less spectacular without it's fluffy counterparts to help bring out the texture of it. Much like his life was turning out to be - a blending of colors and things he knew could be more beautiful.
Jerking free of the water didn't have the same effect as pounding on dry ground, so he pushed against the water instead, legs cutting through until he came dripping onto the shrinking beach. He stomped then, ignoring the way his feet squinched in his shoes, fighting the urge to peel the denim from his legs, knowing it would mold itself right back on.
There was no door to open or slam on his Jeep. He had to settle for the rough sound of the seat belt as he whipped it into place. He pounded on the military grade steering wheel and pretended he was hurting it more than it hurt him.
She'd called him a silly boy. Said he had no place trying to be a part of her life when he wasn't even a part of his. Then she'd left him in a bubble of confusion. She was a girl. He was pretty sure they all were born knowing how to confuse a guy. But this time, this girl, started to make sense. She was gone, by then, of course. Girls didn't give guys enough time to sort through their stupid riddles. It was her own fault.
That part, at least.
Kip's phone beeped at him from the glove box. He grabbed it out, then silenced the alarm. He was supposed to be at Mick's house in a few minutes for some party. No, not some party. An end of the summer party. A last chance to play summer games and make summer choices party.
Shut up, he ordered, deep in his mind, the thought directing itself to the beach in front of him as he jammed the Jeep into reverse and kicked up gravel in his rush to get out of there.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Collaboration Challenge Sign-Up
It's been a couple months since we've had a Collaboration Challenge. With A-Z, then puppies, it wasn't high on my mind, but I'm thinking it's about time. I'm looking for 4-8 people to sign up. With four people, we'll do double weeks of writing. 5-8 people, we'll leave it at one week so it doesn't get too long. :)
You can check out past Challenges by clicking on the Collaboration Challenge Stories tab above.
If you don't know what the Collaboration Challenge is, let me help:
The Challenge is where a group of bloggers come together to write different sections of the same story, with a new section posted each Monday. We don't talk about the story before hand, or during, we just try to write well enough to turn the story in our direction while keeping in mind everything that came before.
Let me know if you have any more questions or if you're interested in joining up. :) Remember I have a max limit of Challengers, and possibly different areas people are expressing interest, so I will do my best to keep you updated.
You can check out past Challenges by clicking on the Collaboration Challenge Stories tab above.
If you don't know what the Collaboration Challenge is, let me help:
The Challenge is where a group of bloggers come together to write different sections of the same story, with a new section posted each Monday. We don't talk about the story before hand, or during, we just try to write well enough to turn the story in our direction while keeping in mind everything that came before.
There is no length min or max, just write enough to nudge the story along. The next author won't see the previous part until the post day, then they have seven days to come up with their portion, posting again on Monday.
Every new portion of the story will start with a link to the beginning of the story so those who come in mid-stream can start over. I will include links to each portion of the story every week on my page and I'll leave it up to you to do the same or not as everyone's blog is a little different.
A few weeks later (usually a month, though it depends) I'll post the story as a whole. You will be welcome to do the same, or to link back to mine once it's up.
This Challenge will start June 3rd, so if you're interested, make sure you have the time during the weeks following to post. I'll give from today, May 20th to Sunday, May 26th for sign-up, then we'll start selecting week assignments on Monday the 27th.
Let me know if you have any more questions or if you're interested in joining up. :) Remember I have a max limit of Challengers, and possibly different areas people are expressing interest, so I will do my best to keep you updated.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Anika's Complete Story - Collaboration Challenge 4
I know it's been a while, but here I have it: The 4th Collaboration Challenge Story. I think I say this each time (or at least think it) but this is my favorite. It is one of the few I think could truly be made into a much longer story.
So ow you can read all of February 2013's Challenge in one place. If you would prefer to blog hop your way through the story, here are your links:
Otherwise, keep on reading to get Anika's Story in full.
--------------------------
Part 1: For What It's Worth
By Carrie K Sorensen
The chill from the chair permeated Anika's jeans and soaked into her skin. She slouched a little more so only the tops of her shoulder blades and hips make contact with the chilly metal. She pulled the over-sized hood on her deep purple sweater over the dark stubble on her shaved head to help hold some of the warmth in her body.
The cops could probably pump the heat from hell into this room and it would still be cold. Concrete floors, concrete block walls, and aluminum furniture, all grey, all fresh from the meat locker as far as she knew. There wasn't even one of those two way windows in this room. Anika lifted a corner of her lips with that thought. The windowless room wasn't to hide any abuse to her - but to hide her, period.
The bolt on the door slid open with a deep thunk. The person on the other side had to shoulder the heavy door open, then maneuvering quickly out of the way before it slammed shut on spring-loaded hinges and the bolt slid into place again. Anika's smile grew.
"Anika." Detective Harper leaned against the door that had almost crushed him. His green eyes peered through a fallen lock of his gold hair. He was handsome, charming and was meant to disarm his young female charge. Anika had seen more beautiful.
She raised her brown eyes to his, meeting his gaze to show him she was not trying to confront him, she was not afraid of him, she saw her time here little more than an inconvenient moment.
"I wish you would reconsider." He always spoke first and last and more. He gave away so much with his words he thought would break her into answering.
"You're better than this." A familiar theme. He'd only said she was better than them once. She'd swung the chair around to catch him in the shoulder on the other side of the table she still sat behind. Since then, he talked to her from the relative safety of the door.
"You have an excellent background. A good school, excellent grades. You have your year of volunteering at the very museum you began to steal from - but not until you met Razor's Edge."
Ah. Anika had been about to yawn, sick of listening to her own history over and over again from Harper's cool voice. This time he'd shared a bit more. They knew the name of the group she worked for now. It didn't change anything, really, but she doubted Harper knew that.
She had broken many things - the law, her supervisor's trust, her parent's hearts. It had all been necessary.
"You could help us. If you could tell us who's behind Razor's Edge, what their goals are, where they're hiding, we could help you. If you returned the amulet, your life could even go back to normal. Mostly. Isn't that worth giving up this gang's secrets, to returning the artifact?"
He lied. Anika wasn't sure he realized she knew that or not. He didn't realize a lot of things - like by putting his back to a door in a room with no reflective surfaces, he would fail to see the alarm light pulsing weakly above his head. All she had to do was stay quiet, let him talk himself into his own head.
"We're running out of time, Anika. The D.A. is only willing to cut a deal with you if we get information on Razor's Edge before they commit another crime."
Harper jumped at the hollow sound of the bolt being thrown. He narrowed his eyes on Anika's face when she failed to flinch, looked up to see the red glow and cursed.
"Come on, Anika," he spoke quick, pushing against the door, trying to plant his feet on the polished concrete floor while the door was pushed inward. "I can help you. Don't do this. Don't let them take you back."
The door flew open under Xav's shove. He wore a hoodie that matched hers, though his hood was thrown back to show his mussed brown hair and the anger in his golden eyes. A bruise was forming on his jaw, accentuating the tick in the clenched muscle.
"Let's go, Annie," he ordered. She rose smoothly from her slouched position, watched in disinterest when Harper tried to punch Xav only to catch a hook to the shoulder Anika had already bruised. Harper stumbled to the concrete wall and glared at the boy half his age.
Xav stood in the doorway, holding the door open with his left arm, the right one ready to fly into offence if Harper moved toward him again.
Anika paused, looking between the two males. Harper noticed her hesitation and hope lit his eyes. Had his long-winded words finally reached her? Xav huffed with impatience when she moved closer to the detective.
"I was a good student from a good, loving family. I had my feet firmly on the ground and was headed for the high skies of success. So why would I abandon all that? What would be worth stealing for, lying for? Disappearing for?"
Disappointment and confusion wrinkled Harper' as she left him to watch the door slam shut between them.
Part Two: Bridges Burned
By L.T. Dalin
The air outside was raw, chilly carrying hints of winter. Anika pulled her hood down further while Xav guided her down the sidewalk toward his car. Four people with identical hoodies stood guard in front of the building – all with waiting motorcycles already fired up.
“The Beast” - that’s what she called it. The largest Humvee to exist and with spare-parts from the chop-shop it lived up to its name.
Xav turned off the radio as they zoomed past the other cars, heading for the bridge. Anika clicked her seatbelt in place.
“What did you tell them?” He didn’t look at her, though she recognized the tone. Much depended upon her answer.
“I didn’t tell them anything. They know whom I’m working for, and he used the information for shock-value.” Anika shrugged, staring out of the window at the passing buildings and cars. In this weather, everything looked black and white: even the people.
He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “None of my men would –”
Anika shoved aside, her hood falling back in the process. “I don’t know who told him, but I didn’t. It doesn’t matter anyway, does it? I’m free – they won’t get to me, again.”
Xav regarded her for a moment. “What were you doing out there alone, at night? We have rules, Annie.”
She pulled her legs up on the seat, disregarding his expression. “I had business to attend to.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Business? Well, now. Your business is my responsibility. Or are you hustling on the side? You know we don’t allow –“
“Oh come off it.” Anika puffed her cheeks and let the air out slowly. “I’m not the first to be caught, and I’m sure I won’t be the last.”
“But you are the first who belong to me,” Xav replied, again looking at her.
“Keep your eyes on the road, please.” She didn’t belong to him. He was a safeguard, nothing more.
“I will not have the pigs lock you up and put their grubby hands all over you, just because you can’t keep to the rules.” He paused for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing. “Did they touch you? Are you hurt?”
Anika rolled her eyes. “Now you ask. Thanks for your concern, but I’m OK. Can’t say the same for you, though. How’s the jaw?”
Xav swore under his breath and stared fixedly on traffic. “It’s nothing. They fight like little girls.”
She reached out and switched the radio onto a music station. She needed to drown-out his perpetual talk of rules and dangers. He treated none of the others like this, and she already regretted the decision that linked them together.
No. She couldn’t regret it. Everything was finally coming together, and it wouldn’t be long before…
Anika was hurled forward, and the seatbelt constricted around her, cutting off her airflow. Tires squeaked along the wet asphalt, and the heavy Humvee skidded sideways bumping a compact Fiat into the rails before coming to a sudden stop along the edge.
Xav was draped over the steering wheel – the airbag tainted red. Anika drew shallow breaths.
“Xav?” With fumbling fingers, she released her seatbelt. “Xav, wake up.” She shoved on his shoulder, and this time he groaned.
Xav raised himself into a sitting position. “What the…” He shook his head and wiped his nose; it was the cause of all the blood. “What happened?”
“You’re the one driving.” Anika pulled down the shade and flipped-open the mirror. She had a cut on her right temple, but it wasn’t serious.
“Someone jumped in front of the car,” he said, now looking over his shoulder. “Didn’t you see him? He wore white and appeared out of nowhere right in front of the car.” Xav sounded delirious – and Anika was all for making everyone believe that.
“You’re not making sense. We need to get out of here.”
The others should have caught up by now, but there were no one around. No cars on the bridge, other than the Fiat. The Humvee’s headlights illuminated the green, scratched paint job and the empty interior.
Xav removed the deflated airbag and put the car in reverse. The broken railing was latched onto the Humvee, holding them in place. He mumbled under his breath, fished out his cellphone and hit the speed-dial.
“We’ve had an accident on top of the bridge.” He nodded. “Yes, that’s the one.”
Anika heard animated speech from the other end, but she couldn’t make sense of it.
“We’ll wait. Yes, it’s bullet-proof.” He sounded like a proud father talking about his son’s achievements.
Xav held the cellphone out to Anika. “He wants to talk to you.”
She swallowed thickly. “Hello?”
“Anika. I hear your trip downtown didn’t go over well.”
Jasper. This was only the second time they had spoken. “No, Sir. It didn’t. I’m out now – it won’t happen again.”
Jasper laughed; a deep, throaty rumble. “It seems we have a problem, Anika.”
She didn’t answer.
“The amulet you stole for us. Well, it seems to be a fake.”
Adrenaline: her heart beat faster and her earlobes tingled.
“I didn’t know. I took it from the Museum, just like you asked.”
Jasper clucked disapprovingly. “Is that so?”
Anika looked out the window, making sure not to make eye-contact with Xav. “I swear I don’t know anything about a fake – "
“Anika,” Jasper interrupted, all pleasantries gone from his voice. “I will find out one way or another. You know how… persuasive I can be.”
“Yes, Sir. I am telling you the truth.”
“Wouldn’t want anything to happen to your friend, now, would we?”
Bile rose in her throat, and she shook her head fiercely. “I swear I don’t know anything.”
Xav thrust a semi-automatic with a spare clip into her waiting hand. Anika raised her eyebrows, and he pointed toward the end of the bridge. Dark shapes were advancing.
She shouldered the cellphone and hit the eject button on the gun, checking the cartridge. It was full.
“Sir, we have a situation.”
“Don’t die, Anika. I want that amulet.”
“Here they come,” Xav said and four, large openings appeared at the front, turning the Humvee into a shooting-pit.
Anika looked at the phone, and then clicked the red button.
Part 3
By Joseph Redhorn
Xav was the first to fire his weapon at semi-rapid lock thru a small firing pit door. What they saw amazed and terrified them both as the being seemed to turn to mist or dust.
“Anika try the UV light in the back seat.” Xav commanded.
Scared nearly motionless Anika slowly reached around a fumbled for the light.
“Hurry your lead.” Xav nearly screamed as the beings neared to no more than five feet.
When Anika had the light in her lap Xav grabbed it and turned the dial all the up and hit the trigger. A blinding flash of light appeared momentary blinding both Anika and Xav. When they regained their sight the being seemed to have created one large mass. A barrier of some type.
“What's happening” Anika asked.
“I have no idea, but whatever is it doesn't look good.”
The creatures didn't move from their five foot distant circular wall. Anika opened the phone but found it was drained of all power. Xav looked at his watch and it too had stopped.
“What the hell?” Xav murmured under his breath.
In a few minutes that seemed like hours a small pathway was formed by the beings directly in front of them. Soon a small robed figure appeared. It came to stand right in front of the Humvee, it raised its head to bear a face that seemed to be rotting as he looked at them.
Their blood began to chill from it stare until it seemed that they were frozen. They watched the creature peel it's figure nail into the paint as it wrote something out. Then it was like they had fallen into sleep. When they came to the beings were gone and the sound of sirens could be heard headed in their direction.
Xav glanced at his watch, it was working and only three minutes had past since the last time he looked at it. Anika stuck her head out the window to read the message on the hood.
'You released us. Vamprye the true.'
She was white as death when she looked at Xav and lipped the word Vamprye.
“What you mean vampires?” Xav asked with sarcasm in his voice.
“Worse. Vampire as we know them are fantasy. Vamprye are the true type who have been called back from the dead and they don't drink blood. The feed on human energy so much so that it kills. Vamprye means soul sucked.
“So how do you killed them?
“I have no idea.” Anika retorted.
Part 4: The Half-ling Escape
By Yolanda Tong
She reached for the cell phone in her purse, but stopped, remembering she turned it off. While there were probably many ways for her to be followed, she didn't want to risk it. Not to mention, she didn't want to hear from Jasper. Not yet, anyways.
She took a breath and made a left turn, away from her home and away from the van that waited for her. She needed to get to closer, but needed to avoid those prying eyes.
As she passed the creek that cut across the neighborhood, and had an idea. Sneaking in and out as a teenager without getting caught would finally pay off.
~
30 minutes later, she managed to make her way through the creek and into her own backyard with mud caked on her shoes and bottom of her jeans. As she crouched behind the bush that hid the broken fence she knew so well, she listened a moment for any extra noise. A noise that would reveal who truly watched the house.
She heard the backdoor of the house open and the door slam. She gasped softly and recognized her father standing on the porch and facing the backyard. Aged by several years now, he looked just like he did the day she left home. She took her own life and her parents in her hands, but she grabbed a small stone from the ground and threw it out onto the grass.
The soft thump noise was enough to catch his attention. His eyebrows furrowed and he searched across the yard. His eyes stopped right where she sat. His eyes crinkled with a smile and quickly faded as he realized the danger of the situation. He stepped onto the grass and acted like he was eyeballing the growth of his plants. He even squatted and felt the leaves.
Finally, he got close enough to her.
"What are you doing here? You could get yourself killed. Don't you know who is watching the house? - "
"Dad, not now. Save the lecture. Where's...." She'd known of its existence nearly her whole life. How could she just ask about it, like it was..."the amulet? I need it."
He stood from his squatting position and inhaled sharply. "I don't know." She had stared at that face her whole life and knew when he was lying.
"Dad..."
"No, Anika."
"Dad..."
"Anika..."
"It's my life or theirs. You choose..."
"I promised. Them...I never...why did you have to get involved with those people?" His eyes drifted off. "I fought for you to live a normal life. Then you got into your teen years...stupid rebellion and found those...people to hang around. It wasn't long before they realized you weren't going to follow the rules."
"The rules?"
He squatted back near her. "The rules that had been created to keep the Vampyres from the humans. The stupid rebellion you joined was created just so those lines could be blurred. Why do you think that Jasper created this."
"And the police?"
"Know about it. Always have known about it. And work very hard to make sure those lines are never destroyed. But then the Vampyres realized how much they would like for those barriers destroyed too."
"Dad, I need the amulet."
"I can't give it to you."
"Dad...."
"Do you know what will happen if this ends up in the wrong hands? It destroys everything."
"Destroys everything? Jasper says the amulet protects - "
He scoffed. "Jasper says...what else did he tell you so you would get involved?" He reached into his shirt and pulled out the necklace he kept hidden underneath. A large jewel - very similar to the one she thought she stole - hung on the end of it.
She gasped. "The amulet."
He held in his hands and gazed into it. "I was entrusted to protect it. To make sure it never ends up in the wrong hands."
"And what would the right hands do with it?"
He took it off his neck and handed it to her. "I think you can figure it out."
~
By the time she returned to her truck, the sun was almost gone from the sky. The old truck provided little protection against the Vampyres she feared were just outside and waiting for her. Her initial plans had been changed just a bit. She hadn't expected to have this in her hands so soon. Even more she didn't realize she wouldn't want to return with it.
Figure it out? She thought of her father's words. Something within this amulet needed to be activated. The top of the amulet looked like the lid you may find on a perfume bottle. As if with one twist, and...
Silently, she said a prayer. A prayer to...she wasn't sure what exactly.
And twisted.
~
A flash of light. Screeches and cries as if bodies burning alive yelled into the night. Her voice among them.
~
....is she awake...
....how did she know...
....it's all over....
~
When she woke up, she wasn't sure where she was exactly. Butterfly prints on the wall. A familiar window. She was home. In her own bedroom. She looked around and there he was resting in the rocking chair by her closet.
Xav.
"What are you doing here? What happened?"
Xav's eyes blinked open and smiled. "You did it. Why do you even ask?"
"What did I do?"
"The amulet..." Xav stood up and maneuvered to the bed and sat down at the edge of her bed. The one with cloud prints. "...you know the energy that the Vampyres take from the humans?"
She nodded.
"The amulet protects it. The energy has been sealed again."
She looked away and smiled. And then a thought..."And Jasper?"
Xav shook his head. "He left...no idea what happened to him..."
~
And somewhere in the darkness someone watched and waited. The seal had returned. The protection strengthened. But one day...they would have their chance and take back the world they once thought might be theirs.
So ow you can read all of February 2013's Challenge in one place. If you would prefer to blog hop your way through the story, here are your links:
Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five
Otherwise, keep on reading to get Anika's Story in full.
--------------------------
Part 1: For What It's Worth
By Carrie K Sorensen
The chill from the chair permeated Anika's jeans and soaked into her skin. She slouched a little more so only the tops of her shoulder blades and hips make contact with the chilly metal. She pulled the over-sized hood on her deep purple sweater over the dark stubble on her shaved head to help hold some of the warmth in her body.
The cops could probably pump the heat from hell into this room and it would still be cold. Concrete floors, concrete block walls, and aluminum furniture, all grey, all fresh from the meat locker as far as she knew. There wasn't even one of those two way windows in this room. Anika lifted a corner of her lips with that thought. The windowless room wasn't to hide any abuse to her - but to hide her, period.
The bolt on the door slid open with a deep thunk. The person on the other side had to shoulder the heavy door open, then maneuvering quickly out of the way before it slammed shut on spring-loaded hinges and the bolt slid into place again. Anika's smile grew.
"Anika." Detective Harper leaned against the door that had almost crushed him. His green eyes peered through a fallen lock of his gold hair. He was handsome, charming and was meant to disarm his young female charge. Anika had seen more beautiful.
She raised her brown eyes to his, meeting his gaze to show him she was not trying to confront him, she was not afraid of him, she saw her time here little more than an inconvenient moment.
"I wish you would reconsider." He always spoke first and last and more. He gave away so much with his words he thought would break her into answering.
"You're better than this." A familiar theme. He'd only said she was better than them once. She'd swung the chair around to catch him in the shoulder on the other side of the table she still sat behind. Since then, he talked to her from the relative safety of the door.
"You have an excellent background. A good school, excellent grades. You have your year of volunteering at the very museum you began to steal from - but not until you met Razor's Edge."
Ah. Anika had been about to yawn, sick of listening to her own history over and over again from Harper's cool voice. This time he'd shared a bit more. They knew the name of the group she worked for now. It didn't change anything, really, but she doubted Harper knew that.
She had broken many things - the law, her supervisor's trust, her parent's hearts. It had all been necessary.
"You could help us. If you could tell us who's behind Razor's Edge, what their goals are, where they're hiding, we could help you. If you returned the amulet, your life could even go back to normal. Mostly. Isn't that worth giving up this gang's secrets, to returning the artifact?"
He lied. Anika wasn't sure he realized she knew that or not. He didn't realize a lot of things - like by putting his back to a door in a room with no reflective surfaces, he would fail to see the alarm light pulsing weakly above his head. All she had to do was stay quiet, let him talk himself into his own head.
"We're running out of time, Anika. The D.A. is only willing to cut a deal with you if we get information on Razor's Edge before they commit another crime."
Harper jumped at the hollow sound of the bolt being thrown. He narrowed his eyes on Anika's face when she failed to flinch, looked up to see the red glow and cursed.
"Come on, Anika," he spoke quick, pushing against the door, trying to plant his feet on the polished concrete floor while the door was pushed inward. "I can help you. Don't do this. Don't let them take you back."
The door flew open under Xav's shove. He wore a hoodie that matched hers, though his hood was thrown back to show his mussed brown hair and the anger in his golden eyes. A bruise was forming on his jaw, accentuating the tick in the clenched muscle.
"Let's go, Annie," he ordered. She rose smoothly from her slouched position, watched in disinterest when Harper tried to punch Xav only to catch a hook to the shoulder Anika had already bruised. Harper stumbled to the concrete wall and glared at the boy half his age.
Xav stood in the doorway, holding the door open with his left arm, the right one ready to fly into offence if Harper moved toward him again.
Anika paused, looking between the two males. Harper noticed her hesitation and hope lit his eyes. Had his long-winded words finally reached her? Xav huffed with impatience when she moved closer to the detective.
"I was a good student from a good, loving family. I had my feet firmly on the ground and was headed for the high skies of success. So why would I abandon all that? What would be worth stealing for, lying for? Disappearing for?"
Disappointment and confusion wrinkled Harper' as she left him to watch the door slam shut between them.
Part Two: Bridges Burned
By L.T. Dalin
The air outside was raw, chilly carrying hints of winter. Anika pulled her hood down further while Xav guided her down the sidewalk toward his car. Four people with identical hoodies stood guard in front of the building – all with waiting motorcycles already fired up.
“The Beast” - that’s what she called it. The largest Humvee to exist and with spare-parts from the chop-shop it lived up to its name.
Xav turned off the radio as they zoomed past the other cars, heading for the bridge. Anika clicked her seatbelt in place.
“What did you tell them?” He didn’t look at her, though she recognized the tone. Much depended upon her answer.
“I didn’t tell them anything. They know whom I’m working for, and he used the information for shock-value.” Anika shrugged, staring out of the window at the passing buildings and cars. In this weather, everything looked black and white: even the people.
He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “None of my men would –”
Anika shoved aside, her hood falling back in the process. “I don’t know who told him, but I didn’t. It doesn’t matter anyway, does it? I’m free – they won’t get to me, again.”
Xav regarded her for a moment. “What were you doing out there alone, at night? We have rules, Annie.”
She pulled her legs up on the seat, disregarding his expression. “I had business to attend to.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Business? Well, now. Your business is my responsibility. Or are you hustling on the side? You know we don’t allow –“
“Oh come off it.” Anika puffed her cheeks and let the air out slowly. “I’m not the first to be caught, and I’m sure I won’t be the last.”
“But you are the first who belong to me,” Xav replied, again looking at her.
“Keep your eyes on the road, please.” She didn’t belong to him. He was a safeguard, nothing more.
“I will not have the pigs lock you up and put their grubby hands all over you, just because you can’t keep to the rules.” He paused for a moment, his eyebrows furrowing. “Did they touch you? Are you hurt?”
Anika rolled her eyes. “Now you ask. Thanks for your concern, but I’m OK. Can’t say the same for you, though. How’s the jaw?”
Xav swore under his breath and stared fixedly on traffic. “It’s nothing. They fight like little girls.”
She reached out and switched the radio onto a music station. She needed to drown-out his perpetual talk of rules and dangers. He treated none of the others like this, and she already regretted the decision that linked them together.
No. She couldn’t regret it. Everything was finally coming together, and it wouldn’t be long before…
Anika was hurled forward, and the seatbelt constricted around her, cutting off her airflow. Tires squeaked along the wet asphalt, and the heavy Humvee skidded sideways bumping a compact Fiat into the rails before coming to a sudden stop along the edge.
Xav was draped over the steering wheel – the airbag tainted red. Anika drew shallow breaths.
“Xav?” With fumbling fingers, she released her seatbelt. “Xav, wake up.” She shoved on his shoulder, and this time he groaned.
Xav raised himself into a sitting position. “What the…” He shook his head and wiped his nose; it was the cause of all the blood. “What happened?”
“You’re the one driving.” Anika pulled down the shade and flipped-open the mirror. She had a cut on her right temple, but it wasn’t serious.
“Someone jumped in front of the car,” he said, now looking over his shoulder. “Didn’t you see him? He wore white and appeared out of nowhere right in front of the car.” Xav sounded delirious – and Anika was all for making everyone believe that.
“You’re not making sense. We need to get out of here.”
The others should have caught up by now, but there were no one around. No cars on the bridge, other than the Fiat. The Humvee’s headlights illuminated the green, scratched paint job and the empty interior.
Xav removed the deflated airbag and put the car in reverse. The broken railing was latched onto the Humvee, holding them in place. He mumbled under his breath, fished out his cellphone and hit the speed-dial.
“We’ve had an accident on top of the bridge.” He nodded. “Yes, that’s the one.”
Anika heard animated speech from the other end, but she couldn’t make sense of it.
“We’ll wait. Yes, it’s bullet-proof.” He sounded like a proud father talking about his son’s achievements.
Xav held the cellphone out to Anika. “He wants to talk to you.”
She swallowed thickly. “Hello?”
“Anika. I hear your trip downtown didn’t go over well.”
Jasper. This was only the second time they had spoken. “No, Sir. It didn’t. I’m out now – it won’t happen again.”
Jasper laughed; a deep, throaty rumble. “It seems we have a problem, Anika.”
She didn’t answer.
“The amulet you stole for us. Well, it seems to be a fake.”
Adrenaline: her heart beat faster and her earlobes tingled.
“I didn’t know. I took it from the Museum, just like you asked.”
Jasper clucked disapprovingly. “Is that so?”
Anika looked out the window, making sure not to make eye-contact with Xav. “I swear I don’t know anything about a fake – "
“Anika,” Jasper interrupted, all pleasantries gone from his voice. “I will find out one way or another. You know how… persuasive I can be.”
“Yes, Sir. I am telling you the truth.”
“Wouldn’t want anything to happen to your friend, now, would we?”
Bile rose in her throat, and she shook her head fiercely. “I swear I don’t know anything.”
Xav thrust a semi-automatic with a spare clip into her waiting hand. Anika raised her eyebrows, and he pointed toward the end of the bridge. Dark shapes were advancing.
She shouldered the cellphone and hit the eject button on the gun, checking the cartridge. It was full.
“Sir, we have a situation.”
“Don’t die, Anika. I want that amulet.”
“Here they come,” Xav said and four, large openings appeared at the front, turning the Humvee into a shooting-pit.
Anika looked at the phone, and then clicked the red button.
Part 3
By Joseph Redhorn
Xav was the first to fire his weapon at semi-rapid lock thru a small firing pit door. What they saw amazed and terrified them both as the being seemed to turn to mist or dust.
“Anika try the UV light in the back seat.” Xav commanded.
Scared nearly motionless Anika slowly reached around a fumbled for the light.
“Hurry your lead.” Xav nearly screamed as the beings neared to no more than five feet.
When Anika had the light in her lap Xav grabbed it and turned the dial all the up and hit the trigger. A blinding flash of light appeared momentary blinding both Anika and Xav. When they regained their sight the being seemed to have created one large mass. A barrier of some type.
“What's happening” Anika asked.
“I have no idea, but whatever is it doesn't look good.”
The creatures didn't move from their five foot distant circular wall. Anika opened the phone but found it was drained of all power. Xav looked at his watch and it too had stopped.
“What the hell?” Xav murmured under his breath.
In a few minutes that seemed like hours a small pathway was formed by the beings directly in front of them. Soon a small robed figure appeared. It came to stand right in front of the Humvee, it raised its head to bear a face that seemed to be rotting as he looked at them.
Their blood began to chill from it stare until it seemed that they were frozen. They watched the creature peel it's figure nail into the paint as it wrote something out. Then it was like they had fallen into sleep. When they came to the beings were gone and the sound of sirens could be heard headed in their direction.
Xav glanced at his watch, it was working and only three minutes had past since the last time he looked at it. Anika stuck her head out the window to read the message on the hood.
'You released us. Vamprye the true.'
She was white as death when she looked at Xav and lipped the word Vamprye.
“What you mean vampires?” Xav asked with sarcasm in his voice.
“Worse. Vampire as we know them are fantasy. Vamprye are the true type who have been called back from the dead and they don't drink blood. The feed on human energy so much so that it kills. Vamprye means soul sucked.
“So how do you killed them?
“I have no idea.” Anika retorted.
Part 4: The Half-ling Escape
By Yolanda Tong
Anika was shivering so badly her jaw seered with pain and with clenched shoulders she ran through the woods. Running would warm her, and she needed to get as far away as possible. The faster she moved the clearer her head felt. She felt alive, her vision brighter, and the muscles in her legs moved her forward effortlessly as if she’d run a marathon a hundred times before.
She was alone now, truly alone. No Xav to watch over her, no security camera preventing her from a moment of privacy. She felt invigorated by the thought, and yet she felt afraid. Afraid of what could happen if she found herself in a sticky situation again.
It had happened again, and she suspected this time many innocent lives had been lost. She couldn’t even save Xav had she tried. It just didn’t work that way. Outnumbered and surrounded by police, all guns were on her. What could she do. As an intense fear for her life took over, all the men around her started collapsing. Before the last gun smashed onto the concrete, she had leapt off the bridge, plunging into the icy river, and she swam, and then she ran, and she kept running using the energy she had acquired to find someplace safe. She hoped no one had died this time.
She needed to get her hands on that amulet. It was the key to stop all this, she knew it. She just wasn’t sure how it was all going to happen. If Jasper had the fake, this was bad news. It meant the real amulet was still out there and she needed to get it fast, especially now that whatever kept the Vamprye separate from the human world no longer seemed to exist.
Only Jasper knew the truth about her, or so she hoped, and she suspected this was only because he himself was just like her, and if Xav actually survived, he would possibly now know too. But Jasper had his own agenda, this she knew in her gut, his heart was that of steel. She suspected it was a result of being backed into a corner too many times, too many years of living with a Vamprye mother who was a bitter resentful woman, but luckily for the world, she only took it out on her son, and was thus able to live in the human world without raising suspicion.
Anika had heard a story from her father about another, one like her, an angry boy, whose Vamprye mother was bitter and abusive, the boy grew up and became a member of an underground gang no one had heard of. She suspected Jasper had heard about her the same way she had heard about him. Vampyres had their connections, and weren’t exactly forthcoming about them either.
Regardless, he found her, and he told her straight what she was, he even knew what she had done. He claimed others knew about her too. No one other than her parents knew the truth about her, or so she thought, and at the time with her future looking so bright, she would do anything to keep her secrets safe.
Jasper offered her protection, he also offered hope. The amulet was the hope. It may have seemed like any other old artifact to the museum when it anonymously turned up on its doorstep one morning and happened to be valued in the millions had it gone to auction, but it was so much more than that. It had a power, a special power to keep humans safe. Safe from half-lings like her and Jasper that sucked energy from humans only when their fear and adrenaline was activated in life threatening situations, and of course, safe from the Vamprye. It acted as a shield of sorts, but was it enough to keep all Vamprye separate from the world of humans permanently? Anika had more questions than answers. She did learn from Jasper however that it needed to be activated properly to work. Jasper claimed to know how, and so for the greater good of the world, she entrusted Jasper with the task.
Now that the Vamprye had been freed from the barrier that separated them from humans, and somehow she was responsible, Anika knew now more than ever, the world needed protecting. She needed a plan.
……
It had been exactly two weeks since Anika had been broken out of prison. Not much had happened in that time. She had been reunited with Razors Edge, although she still hadn’t heard if Xav had made it or not. No one mentioned anything about the Vamprye or strange sightings of horrible creatures that seem to drain energy and freeze time, not even the news. Everyone seemed to eye her suspiciously, and they kept their distance, cautious in case she had ratted them out whilst imprisoned. Anika didn’t really care. A plan had slowly been formulating in her mind.
She wondered why she and Xav were the only ones to see the Vamprye that day on the bridge. She knew what they were capable of, and hoped they would not come back, though deep down, she knew it was just wishful thinking. The gateway between the world of Vamprye and humans had been opened somehow.
Anika had known about the Vamprye from a young age, her father being one himself, but little more was said about them beyond what they were capable of, and how those who chose to live peacefully amongst humans coped. Perhaps her father could tell her more, but she was too afraid to show up at home, or call as she knew the police would be monitoring her parents in case she attempted to contact them. She would need to be careful, the plan had to be perfect.
As the first rays of sun entered the morning sky, Anika set out in an old Ford pick up truck, her hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel.
Part 5: Take Back The World
By Nicole Pyles
Four hours later, Anika arrived in the neighborhood of her childhood home. At the stop sign, she let the truck idle for a moment, eyeing the neighborhood for a moment. She recognized the police van immediately. An unmarked white van parked at the corner of the street.Part 5: Take Back The World
By Nicole Pyles
She reached for the cell phone in her purse, but stopped, remembering she turned it off. While there were probably many ways for her to be followed, she didn't want to risk it. Not to mention, she didn't want to hear from Jasper. Not yet, anyways.
She took a breath and made a left turn, away from her home and away from the van that waited for her. She needed to get to closer, but needed to avoid those prying eyes.
As she passed the creek that cut across the neighborhood, and had an idea. Sneaking in and out as a teenager without getting caught would finally pay off.
~
30 minutes later, she managed to make her way through the creek and into her own backyard with mud caked on her shoes and bottom of her jeans. As she crouched behind the bush that hid the broken fence she knew so well, she listened a moment for any extra noise. A noise that would reveal who truly watched the house.
She heard the backdoor of the house open and the door slam. She gasped softly and recognized her father standing on the porch and facing the backyard. Aged by several years now, he looked just like he did the day she left home. She took her own life and her parents in her hands, but she grabbed a small stone from the ground and threw it out onto the grass.
The soft thump noise was enough to catch his attention. His eyebrows furrowed and he searched across the yard. His eyes stopped right where she sat. His eyes crinkled with a smile and quickly faded as he realized the danger of the situation. He stepped onto the grass and acted like he was eyeballing the growth of his plants. He even squatted and felt the leaves.
Finally, he got close enough to her.
"What are you doing here? You could get yourself killed. Don't you know who is watching the house? - "
"Dad, not now. Save the lecture. Where's...." She'd known of its existence nearly her whole life. How could she just ask about it, like it was..."the amulet? I need it."
He stood from his squatting position and inhaled sharply. "I don't know." She had stared at that face her whole life and knew when he was lying.
"Dad..."
"No, Anika."
"Dad..."
"Anika..."
"It's my life or theirs. You choose..."
"I promised. Them...I never...why did you have to get involved with those people?" His eyes drifted off. "I fought for you to live a normal life. Then you got into your teen years...stupid rebellion and found those...people to hang around. It wasn't long before they realized you weren't going to follow the rules."
"The rules?"
He squatted back near her. "The rules that had been created to keep the Vampyres from the humans. The stupid rebellion you joined was created just so those lines could be blurred. Why do you think that Jasper created this."
"And the police?"
"Know about it. Always have known about it. And work very hard to make sure those lines are never destroyed. But then the Vampyres realized how much they would like for those barriers destroyed too."
"Dad, I need the amulet."
"I can't give it to you."
"Dad...."
"Do you know what will happen if this ends up in the wrong hands? It destroys everything."
"Destroys everything? Jasper says the amulet protects - "
He scoffed. "Jasper says...what else did he tell you so you would get involved?" He reached into his shirt and pulled out the necklace he kept hidden underneath. A large jewel - very similar to the one she thought she stole - hung on the end of it.
She gasped. "The amulet."
He held in his hands and gazed into it. "I was entrusted to protect it. To make sure it never ends up in the wrong hands."
"And what would the right hands do with it?"
He took it off his neck and handed it to her. "I think you can figure it out."
~
By the time she returned to her truck, the sun was almost gone from the sky. The old truck provided little protection against the Vampyres she feared were just outside and waiting for her. Her initial plans had been changed just a bit. She hadn't expected to have this in her hands so soon. Even more she didn't realize she wouldn't want to return with it.
Figure it out? She thought of her father's words. Something within this amulet needed to be activated. The top of the amulet looked like the lid you may find on a perfume bottle. As if with one twist, and...
Silently, she said a prayer. A prayer to...she wasn't sure what exactly.
And twisted.
~
A flash of light. Screeches and cries as if bodies burning alive yelled into the night. Her voice among them.
~
....is she awake...
....how did she know...
....it's all over....
~
When she woke up, she wasn't sure where she was exactly. Butterfly prints on the wall. A familiar window. She was home. In her own bedroom. She looked around and there he was resting in the rocking chair by her closet.
Xav.
"What are you doing here? What happened?"
Xav's eyes blinked open and smiled. "You did it. Why do you even ask?"
"What did I do?"
"The amulet..." Xav stood up and maneuvered to the bed and sat down at the edge of her bed. The one with cloud prints. "...you know the energy that the Vampyres take from the humans?"
She nodded.
"The amulet protects it. The energy has been sealed again."
She looked away and smiled. And then a thought..."And Jasper?"
Xav shook his head. "He left...no idea what happened to him..."
~
And somewhere in the darkness someone watched and waited. The seal had returned. The protection strengthened. But one day...they would have their chance and take back the world they once thought might be theirs.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Take Back the World: Part 5 of the Collaboration Challenge
The bittersweet moment has arrived, the time when this Challenge has reached it's completion point. The story, on the other hand ... ;)
Part Five
By Nicole Pyles
Monday, February 25, 2013
The Half-Ling Escape: Part 4 of the Collaboration Challenge
Anika's secret power is revealed and her need for the real amulet increases.
by Yolanda Lane
Catch up links:
Friday, February 22, 2013
Part 3 Of the Collaboration Challenge
Meet your enemy.
by Joseph Redhorn (aka Gavril Mikhailovich)
Catch up links:
Monday, February 11, 2013
Bridges Burned: Collaboration Challenge Part 2
L. T. Dalin has brought a bit more excitement into Anika's life with her contribution this week. I'm so excited to be able to link you to
By L. T. Dalin
Previous installments:
Monday, February 4, 2013
For What It's Worth - CC Part 1
We're back and at it again. :-D Welcome to 2013's first Collaboration Challenge starting 5 days shy from it's 1 year birthday. I can't believe how much fun these all have been, and I look forward to seeing what tangled stories this year brings.
Get ready as a story is woven and fought over for the next five weeks. Joining me for this challenge are L.T. Dalin, Gavril Mikhailovich, Yolanda Lane, and Nicole Pyles (in that order). As usual, I get to kick the challenge off (privilege of hosting it.) ;-)
-----------------------------------
Collaboration Challenge Part 1:
For What It's Worth
The chill from the chair permeated Anika's jeans and soaked into her skin. She slouched a little more so only the tops of her shoulder blades and hips make contact with the chilly metal. She pulled the over-sized hood on her deep purple sweater over the dark stubble on her shaved head to help hold some of the warmth in her body.
The cops could probably pump the heat from hell into this room and it would still be cold. Concrete floors, concrete block walls, and aluminum furniture, all grey, all fresh from the meat locker as far as she knew. There wasn't even one of those two way windows in this room. Anika lifted a corner of her lips with that thought. The windowless room wasn't to hide any abuse to her - but to hide her, period.
The bolt on the door slid open with a deep thunk. The person on the other side had to shoulder the heavy door open, then maneuvering quickly out of the way before it slammed shut on spring-loaded hinges and the bolt slid into place again. Anika's smile grew.
"Anika." Detective Harper leaned against the door that had almost crushed him. His green eyes peered through a fallen lock of his gold hair. He was handsome, charming and was meant to disarm his young female charge. Anika had seen more beautiful.
She raised her brown eyes to his, meeting his gaze to show him she was not trying to confront him, she was not afraid of him, she saw her time here little more than an inconvenient moment.
"I wish you would reconsider." He always spoke first and last and more. He gave away so much with his words he thought would break her into answering.
"You're better than this." A familiar theme. He'd only said she was better than them once. She'd swung the chair around to catch him in the shoulder on the other side of the table she still sat behind. Since then, he talked to her from the relative safety of the door.
"You have an excellent background. A good school, excellent grades. You have your year of volunteering at the very museum you began to steal from - but not until you met Razor's Edge."
Ah. Anika had been about to yawn, sick of listening to her own history over and over again from Harper's cool voice. This time he'd shared a bit more. They knew the name of the group she worked for now. It didn't change anything, really, but she doubted Harper knew that.
She had broken many things - the law, her supervisor's trust, her parent's hearts. It had all been necessary.
"You could help us. If you could tell us who's behind Razor's Edge, what their goals are, where they're hiding, we could help you. If you returned the amulet, your life could even go back to normal. Mostly. Isn't that worth giving up this gang's secrets, to returning the artifact?"
He lied. Anika wasn't sure he realized she knew that or not. He didn't realize a lot of things - like by putting his back to a door in a room with no reflective surfaces, he would fail to see the alarm light pulsing weakly above his head. All she had to do was stay quiet, let him talk himself into his own head.
"We're running out of time, Anika. The D.A. is only willing to cut a deal with you if we get information on Razor's Edge before they commit another crime."
Harper jumped at the hollow sound of the bolt being thrown. He narrowed his eyes on Anika's face when she failed to flinch, looked up to see the red glow and cursed.
"Come on, Anika," he spoke quick, pushing against the door, trying to plant his feet on the polished concrete floor while the door was pushed inward. "I can help you. Don't do this. Don't let them take you back."
The door flew open under Xav's shove. He wore a hoodie that matched hers, though his hood was thrown back to show his mussed brown hair and the anger in his golden eyes. A bruise was forming on his jaw, accentuating the tick in the clenched muscle.
"Let's go, Annie," he ordered. She rose smoothly from her slouched position, watched in disinterest when Harper tried to punch Xav only to catch a hook to the shoulder Anika had already bruised. Harper stumbled to the concrete wall and glared at the boy half his age.
Xav stood in the doorway, holding the door open with his left arm, the right one ready to fly into offence if Harper moved toward him again.
Anika paused, looking between the two males. Harper noticed her hesitation and hope lit his eyes. Had his long-winded words finally reached her? Xav huffed with impatience when she moved closer to the detective.
"I was a good student from a good, loving family. I had my feet firmly on the ground and was headed for the high skies of success. So why would I abandon all that? What would be worth stealing for, lying for? Disappearing for?"
Disappointment and confusion wrinkled Harper' as she left him to watch the door slam shut between them.
Get ready as a story is woven and fought over for the next five weeks. Joining me for this challenge are L.T. Dalin, Gavril Mikhailovich, Yolanda Lane, and Nicole Pyles (in that order). As usual, I get to kick the challenge off (privilege of hosting it.) ;-)
-----------------------------------
Collaboration Challenge Part 1:
For What It's Worth
The chill from the chair permeated Anika's jeans and soaked into her skin. She slouched a little more so only the tops of her shoulder blades and hips make contact with the chilly metal. She pulled the over-sized hood on her deep purple sweater over the dark stubble on her shaved head to help hold some of the warmth in her body.
The cops could probably pump the heat from hell into this room and it would still be cold. Concrete floors, concrete block walls, and aluminum furniture, all grey, all fresh from the meat locker as far as she knew. There wasn't even one of those two way windows in this room. Anika lifted a corner of her lips with that thought. The windowless room wasn't to hide any abuse to her - but to hide her, period.
The bolt on the door slid open with a deep thunk. The person on the other side had to shoulder the heavy door open, then maneuvering quickly out of the way before it slammed shut on spring-loaded hinges and the bolt slid into place again. Anika's smile grew.
"Anika." Detective Harper leaned against the door that had almost crushed him. His green eyes peered through a fallen lock of his gold hair. He was handsome, charming and was meant to disarm his young female charge. Anika had seen more beautiful.
She raised her brown eyes to his, meeting his gaze to show him she was not trying to confront him, she was not afraid of him, she saw her time here little more than an inconvenient moment.
"I wish you would reconsider." He always spoke first and last and more. He gave away so much with his words he thought would break her into answering.
"You're better than this." A familiar theme. He'd only said she was better than them once. She'd swung the chair around to catch him in the shoulder on the other side of the table she still sat behind. Since then, he talked to her from the relative safety of the door.
"You have an excellent background. A good school, excellent grades. You have your year of volunteering at the very museum you began to steal from - but not until you met Razor's Edge."
Ah. Anika had been about to yawn, sick of listening to her own history over and over again from Harper's cool voice. This time he'd shared a bit more. They knew the name of the group she worked for now. It didn't change anything, really, but she doubted Harper knew that.
She had broken many things - the law, her supervisor's trust, her parent's hearts. It had all been necessary.
"You could help us. If you could tell us who's behind Razor's Edge, what their goals are, where they're hiding, we could help you. If you returned the amulet, your life could even go back to normal. Mostly. Isn't that worth giving up this gang's secrets, to returning the artifact?"
He lied. Anika wasn't sure he realized she knew that or not. He didn't realize a lot of things - like by putting his back to a door in a room with no reflective surfaces, he would fail to see the alarm light pulsing weakly above his head. All she had to do was stay quiet, let him talk himself into his own head.
"We're running out of time, Anika. The D.A. is only willing to cut a deal with you if we get information on Razor's Edge before they commit another crime."
Harper jumped at the hollow sound of the bolt being thrown. He narrowed his eyes on Anika's face when she failed to flinch, looked up to see the red glow and cursed.
"Come on, Anika," he spoke quick, pushing against the door, trying to plant his feet on the polished concrete floor while the door was pushed inward. "I can help you. Don't do this. Don't let them take you back."
The door flew open under Xav's shove. He wore a hoodie that matched hers, though his hood was thrown back to show his mussed brown hair and the anger in his golden eyes. A bruise was forming on his jaw, accentuating the tick in the clenched muscle.
"Let's go, Annie," he ordered. She rose smoothly from her slouched position, watched in disinterest when Harper tried to punch Xav only to catch a hook to the shoulder Anika had already bruised. Harper stumbled to the concrete wall and glared at the boy half his age.
Xav stood in the doorway, holding the door open with his left arm, the right one ready to fly into offence if Harper moved toward him again.
Anika paused, looking between the two males. Harper noticed her hesitation and hope lit his eyes. Had his long-winded words finally reached her? Xav huffed with impatience when she moved closer to the detective.
"I was a good student from a good, loving family. I had my feet firmly on the ground and was headed for the high skies of success. So why would I abandon all that? What would be worth stealing for, lying for? Disappearing for?"
Disappointment and confusion wrinkled Harper' as she left him to watch the door slam shut between them.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Collaboration Challenge 2013
It's going to start again! I'm looking for everyone interested in joining up with February's Collaboration Challenge. You can check out past stories on the Collaboration Challenge tab (or follow the link here).
I will begin a story and post it on February 4th. It will be the first time any of the other contributors see it. Writer #2 will then have until the following Monday to post their story. Writer #3 takes week three, and so on until the final writer ties it all together. It's a fun way to write together with other authors without it getting too serious. The challenge of writing enough to carry the story forward, yet try to manipulate the future writers to go with what you want is addicting. The actual plot and ending is always surprising. And though the story is written over several weeks, your commitment is just for one or two of them.
Anyone is welcome to join in, though I limit the contributors to six per story or they get too long. If 4 or fewer people are interested, there will be the opportunity to write twice. The schedule will be set up by February 3rd, so leave me a comment and let me know if you're interested in joining ASAP.
I will begin a story and post it on February 4th. It will be the first time any of the other contributors see it. Writer #2 will then have until the following Monday to post their story. Writer #3 takes week three, and so on until the final writer ties it all together. It's a fun way to write together with other authors without it getting too serious. The challenge of writing enough to carry the story forward, yet try to manipulate the future writers to go with what you want is addicting. The actual plot and ending is always surprising. And though the story is written over several weeks, your commitment is just for one or two of them.
Anyone is welcome to join in, though I limit the contributors to six per story or they get too long. If 4 or fewer people are interested, there will be the opportunity to write twice. The schedule will be set up by February 3rd, so leave me a comment and let me know if you're interested in joining ASAP.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Transformation: Part 5 of the Collaboration Challenge
Though long awaited, here is the finale for our Halloween Collaboration Challenge - Just in time for Thanksgiving. ;)
First, though, stop by the previous parts of the story to see how we got here.
I Was Expecting You: Part Four by Nicole Pyles
---------
Transformation
Zack's step faltered when he heard Morgan laugh.
"Oh, the fated lovers rule the forest story. Yeah. I think that's the wrong fairy tale."
The woman spun around just inside the dim house, her eyes reflecting light from somewhere inside making them glow.
"Morgan, you don't know a thing about fairy tales. Now come on in. The scones won't wait."
Morgan crossed her arms, jutting one hip out to stare at the shadowed hut. "No way. No way! This is not what I signed up for."
"Get in the house," Zack told her, using his hand at the palm of her back to direct her inside.
"Hey! What gives you the right?"
"I babysat your four year old self for half the day. That kind of erases any feelings of intimidation I might have had."
Morgan stumbled. When Zack tried to help her she shoved off his hand, marching into the house on her own power.
The old woman was pouring four cups of tea, three at empty tables and one for a college kid scribbling in a note book.
"Zack and Morgan, meet Riley," the old woman introduced. The writer held up a finger, showing mostly the short bob of hair. Zack thought he was a boy until the person looked up, showing a mix of delicate and strong features. The slightly over-sized jacket over a v-neck tee didn't help the mystery. Zack looked at Morgan to see if she might know. Her eyes moved around the cabin, her features drawn into a frown.
"Thank you, Peggy." Riley's voice didn't help Jack, either. He decided it didn't matter, the writer was still a person. Then Peggy chuckled.
"Anytime for the Director of Fate."
Morgan's head snapped around and her eyes narrowed onto Riley.
"So you're responsible for this mess?"
Riley closed the notebook and slid the pen into the spiral ring. Morgan tapped the toe of her pointed shoe.
"I'm not Fate. I help Fate out a bit, nudge people back into the right lines when they get too far off track."
"You're the one who's off track this time." Morgan stalked to the table, pressing her fingertips into the wood and leaning forward. "What is all this about me being fated to rule this forest. With him," she added as an afterthought, jerking her head Zack's way.
"Gee, thanks," he murmured. Peggy smiled and offered him a seat. Zack decided to take it and watch the drama unfold.
Riley and Peggy didn't rise to Morgan's bait. Peggy suggested Morgan take a seat. She shook her head, her purple and orange ribbons dancing over her hair. Zack got up, grabbed her arm to move her away from the chair, then maneuvered it out and her in it.
"Zack," Peggy began, sitting down. "Show Morgan." Zack looked between everyone at the table before glancing up at the chandelier. It was made of twisted metal branches decorated with delicate bronze leaves. The bulbs on it were shaped to look like candle flames and didn't give off much light. It was enough.
Zack pulled out a flip notebook and small pencil he always kept with him. Flipping to an open page, he sketched, drawing the light down, forming it into a column on the table, shaping it and molding it into a stem, curling countless petals in on themselves, flaring the outer ones just a touch at the tips.
He looked up to see the rose in the center of the table. He reached out, gently grasped the stem and pulled it away from the light, revealed the real flower with in and handed it to Morgan.
He thought she might refuse it. She accepted it with an expressionless face, her eyes caught by the deep purple petals. Her free hand reached up to cup the flower. When it came away, it had been replaced with a sun shaped flower though it kept the rich color.
"Daisies are my favorite." She spoke quietly, like she was making a confession.
"You each think I gave you this power," Peggy said. "You were born with it. With Riley's help, you found your way here when you needed to. There's something about this part of the forest that wakes up sleeping power. Each of you needed something it gave you. Zack, you needed the light. Morgan, you needed to be able to transform parts of your life into something more beautiful."
Morgan blushed and Zack thought of her dad with her need to transform things. Zack's need was more literal His family didn't have much money. Electricity was used to heat water and food. When the sun went down, there were no lights to turn on. With his power, Zack could pull in the light from the streetlamp and fill his room with it, among other things.
Riley smiled at the two. "I'm here just to meet you today. You got here on your own. We may need to help each other in the future. It's always good to know your friends."
"Why are we friends?" Morgan asked, brushing the soft petals against her cheek. The movement hypnotized Zack. He followed the flower petals across her cheek down to her dark lips each time it made the trip.
"Fated to be together can mean a lot of things," Riley spoke with a secret smile. "It's up to you to decide what exactly that means beyond the job description. Yours is to bring a little light into people's lives, to transform it into something that can make them smile."
"And we get our orders from you?" Zack asked, pulled back into the conversation.
"Not always. A moment of happiness can be fate-changing, but oftentimes it's more reaffirming. You two know about struggles. You cannot change the world, or even the circumstance, but you can choose that moment to spend that special gift to make it easier to smile."
"This is ridiculous." But there was hope in Morgan's words.
"You'll come here every day after school," Peggy instructed. "I'll teach you what I can. You'll practice within my guidelines, then when you graduate, all of this is yours." Her face glowed as she gestured around the small cottage. Morgan's lips twisted.
"It will need some redecorating," she grumbled.
"It's a good thing you're just the girl to do it," Peggy agreed brightly. Morgan blinked, then looked around the place with new eyes.
"Okay," she said slowly.
"So you agree?" Zack asked her quietly. Morgan met his eyes.
"I can remember every surprising, happy moment of my life. If I can help those moments happen, I'm in."
Zack grinned. "Me, too."
"It's settled, then," Peggy agreed. She reached into the deep pocket on her witch's dress. "Here are your excuses for school today. You better get going if you're going to be home after school. Morgan, your dad is taken care of, passed out on the couch. He'll think it was all a dream if you play your cards right. Are you ready, children?"
Her eyes asked more than if they were ready to go. Her smile suggested she already knew the answer.
"Yeah," Morgan agreed.
"Sure," Zack echoed.
When they left the house, there was a path made of light weaving between the trees, directing them where to go. They didn't know it, but this path was a part of them, part of the sadness they would heal and part of the happiness they could bring. With this well-lit path, they would never be lost again.
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