Just thought I'd let you know, I'm going to be gone at the biggest concert in the world Friday through Monday. And then I'm moving on Tuesday. So I'm not sure how consistent I will be able to be in my posting. But I will honestly try!
I'm a JESUS FREAK! (but you can call me a 'Jeek' if you want
Why is a raven like a writing desk?
You aren't an official writer unless you're at least slightly mad.
Dill closes the door with an annoyed huff and moves to write down the address.
"Alfr and his crazy schemes, I don't know why the hell he bothered coming here," he huffed. I smiled widely and snatched up the paper with the address, reading it over and over again. "I'll have to show up and tell him how stupid he's being, and why the hell did he buy a new house again?"
"I want to play," I mumbled. Dill turned towards me and I looked up at him, Dill's eyes were the only ones I could meet without cowering back in fear.
"What?"
"I want to play," I repeated, slower that time. My brain buzzed with the idea of participating in one of Alfr's games. I usually get to watch but I've never been invited to participate.
"No, Ten. You're not going," Dill said with a straight face and a hard voice. That tone usually meant 'no questions asked', 'hell no', and 'did you really think I was going to let you get away with that?' I narrowed my eyes and him and walked forward until we were nose to nose.
"I want to play," I repeated, harder this time and with my fist clenched by my sides. I wasn't going to hit Dill, I could never hit Dill, but he was making me angry. "You never let me do anything fun," I continued, "and I want to go."
"No."
"Please, Dill," I begged. He looked away but I moved to where he had to look at me. If I begged long enough he'd give in, hopefully.
"You're not in a safe enough state to-"
"I'm never in a safe enough state to do anything!" Dill sighed and brushed my hair out of my face. I growled at him but didn't move away.
"You're not. And who will make sure you keep up with your medication once you start to "play"?"
"Then come with me..." Dill shook his head and I jerked violently away from him. Anger bubbled under my skin and I fought to keep it there, underneath, but I was slowly losing control. Being locked away in the house was no fun, not at all, and I finally had a chance to do something fun and he just says no! Just like that?! I growled and shook my head, trying to fight down the voices but failing miserably. They were right, though, Dill was looking extremely delicious in the shirt and tie. Good enough to eat...
"Ten, sit!" And I had to, because Dill said so in Italian and when Dill says something in Italian I have to listen or else. So I sit, but I growl too, and I claw at the floor. I can feel myself slipping and it's not long before I'm no longer in control. "Ten, stay. Don't move. Don't get up." But I'm not Ten anymore. I'm London and London doesn't listen that well. London actually doesn't even like Dill.
He pulls out the collar.
"If I let you go I'm coming, and you're wearing the collar."
"I don't like the collar," London growls, scratching at the ground, making dents in the floor with his nails. I tell him to stop but London doesn't listen. I don't like London. He's mean and he does bad things. I want my body back but London likes being out for a while. I can see that Dill notices I'm gone and he wants me back. I feel bad for getting angry at Dill but I really want to play in Alfr's game. Alfr always has the best game and I can never play. I've been getting better, I should have told Dill that. Letting London out isn't helping my case. I'll probably never get to play now. London makes a move to stand up but Dill tells him to sit, in both English and Italian, which means he's serious.
When Dill puts the collar on London screams. Inside the collar are these spikes that come out and jab me in the neck if Dill presses the button. The spikes put me to sleep, Dill says because of some medicine on them. London doesn't like the collar and I don't like it either. But it makes London calm down
"Do you want to go? Do you want to go to Alfr's house to play," Dill asks in a soft voice. Both London and I nod, I can feel London fading away though, this always happens when the collar's on. "Then I'll let you play, but I'm coming too."
"Okay," I say. I smile up at Dill and he lets go a sigh of relief. He tells me that I'm free to move and I immediately tackle him down to the ground. He laughs and pushes me off, ruffling my hair.
"Good boy, Ten," he mumbles. "But there are rules. You are to do everything I say. You do not let London out on your own, only when I say it's okay. And don't take off the collar for any reason, if you even as much as touch it I'm pressing the button." His voice is hard when he talks and I lower my eyes.
"You're mad at me?"
"No," he breathes. "No, I'm not mad." He pets my hair back and I lean into the touch. "I'm not mad at you."
"Mad at London?" I feel something inside me stir but I ignore it with little effort.
"No," Dill says, but I can tell he's lying. "Just go to bed," he says in Italian, and I move to settle on the floor. "I'll wake you when it's time to go."
I curl into myself and smile widely before closing my eyes. I'll finally have some fun.
I turned the letter over in my hands. Once, twice, three times. Three times and kind of a half turn. It was so stupid. This idea. The idea of competing in a kind of game for wealth and...power. Two things I had never really possessed. But the thought of having money. So much as to be called wealth. Made me shiver with anticipation. I wanted to play. It was so idiotic but I wanted to play. I nibbled on my thumb nail and looked at the address.
"495 Victor Lane, be on time or don't come at all." I had reread that line at least twenty times now. But I had made my decision. I would go. And if some thing terrible happened to me there..I bent down and touched the pocket I had sewn into my boot, I could feel the outline of the blade hidden there. Honestly though, I doubted my life could be worse than it was currently. I dreamed of a day when my handsome prince would kiss me and we would ride off together, to a place where food is set on the table by some one else and you never again have to steal.
I chuckled to myself. I knew where Victor lane was. And I had money, actually the last wallet I had taken had quick a chunk in it. Plenty to take a taxi the said location. I walked out onto the sidewalk holding the money close. So what if I spent it all in one trip. If this was the game of a lifetime. If this one taxi ride could mean me becoming more wealthy than I had ever imagined.
Who would I meet there? Were there others like me invited? How many. I walked down the street slowly, kicking a paper cup with the toe of my boot. humming softly in a high, almost soprano voice. The wind picked up a piece of my hair and curled it around my eyes, I brushed it back absently and let out a low huff. I was tired. And I should get going. I was coming. I was going to get rich.
I slammed the door in the man's face, screaming about how he's so stupid, but that doesn't stop me from writing down the address - 495 Victor Lane - and pacing the floor nervously. Money, that's the only thought that filled my head. Money, for me. Money for Roman. I don't have any money right now and my bills were due. The electricity already shut off...
"Lire?"
"Go to bed, Roman." I answer without looking at him because it hurts to much to see his fear.
"Who was at the door?"
"Go to bed, Roman." I hear him sigh and a few moments later his bedroom door shuts. I sigh and sit on the floor. I pull up my knees to my chest and fold my arms around them. I don't know what I'm going to have to do but I need money.
I'll have to go.
"If all our life is but a dream, fantastic posing greed, then we should feed our jewelry to the sea. For diamonds do appear to be just like broken glass to me." Northern Downpour
"Alfr. What does that asshole want?" Mason scowled, handing the letter to Jerr.
"Watch your mouth." Jerr chuckled, opening the letter and reading it. His eyes narrowed and he let out an angry hiss.
"What?" Persephone asked, trying to take the letter from Jerr.
"Nothing!" Jerr snapped, moving the letter away from the girls.
Mason darted and snatched the letter from him. "He wants us to meet him at his house."
"Let's go!" Seph cried excitedly.
"No!" Jerr snarled.
"I'm going, you're staying." Mason snapped, folding her letter up and slipping it in her dress pocket. She hated the fact that Jerr forved the girls to wear dresses, as to keep up with the image. If anyone knew Jerr illegally trainex the girls, they'd all be hanged. Again.
"Neitherof you are going!" Jerr snapped.
"Yes I am! I can do it and we need the money!" Mason growled defiantly, glaring at her father.
"And I'm going with you!" Seph yelled.
"No, no, NO!" Jerr roared, slamming his fist on the table.
"Face it Dad. I'm going whether you like it or not." Mason said calmly, putting her hands on her hips.
"I'm going with you!" Seph yelled again.
"We can do this Dad." Mason said quietly.
Jerr groaned. "Fine! Go!"
"YES!" Mason and Seph cheered.
Finally, they could put on jeans and fight.
“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." - Lewis Carroll
"Who was that?" Came my dad's gruff voice. He limped out of the living room wincing because his bad leg was aching particularly badly today.
"I've no idea." I replied to him. "I'll get you some ice for your leg, ok?"
"Thanks." He limped back and I heard the small TV start up again.
I rembember the letter, re-reading it in my mind: Need money? Fame? Power? Excitement? Or, even better, are you craving all four. If your answer is yes to any of these then come to at 495 Victor Lane tomorrow night at 11:30 PM. Further details will be explained upon your arrival.
-A.N Of course I would go, but was I brave enough to leave my parents? They don't really need you. Says a voice inside my head. You know their world doesn't revolve around you like you want it too. I tried to push it away but it was right. I'd always craved their attention but they'd never give it to me. Always to each other, or the newest, more powerful rifle or shotgun they'd gotten. They'd never acknowledged my amazing archerey abilities. Just silently scoffed that I could never use a gun correctly.
Well, I thought as I started to fix the ice for my father. I guess I'm going.
"Just remember there's a difference between stalking people on the internet, and going to their house and cutting their skin off." - Jenna Marbles
~ Yeah I'm letting go of what I had, yeah I'm living now and living loud ~
I stared at the letter in front of me. 495 Victor Lane. Should I go? I mean, I left my parents, but I can't really leave the person who actually took me in and cared for me. I heard Wen's footsteps down the hall and I quickly stashed the letter in my pocket and began practicing.
"Who was at the door?" he asked. I ignored him and continued punching and kicking the punching bag. Wen knew I wouldn't answer, and just shrugged it off.
"What's that?" he asked. I give him a what the hell are you talking about? look. He laughed and pulle out the piece of paper from my pocket. I stiffened as he read it.
"You going?" he asked when he finished reading the letter. I ignore him again and continue practicing. When was just about to punch the bag, he held my fist mid-way.
"Effy," he said sternly. "Are you planning on going?"
"Maybe," I muttered. He let go of my fist and I punched the bag.
"You know I wouldn't let you get hurt," he said. I nodded, still attacking the bag.
"I think you should go," he said. I stopped punching the bag and turned to fully face him. I raised an eyebrow.
"You heard me," he chuckled. He tapped my hand.
"Make good use of those," he advised before leaving. I smiled slyly before punching the bag again. This is going to be fun.
Mavrivk's black leather shoes clicked sharply on the hard white marble as he left the gale. It was really to early for him to be leaving, but he'd had enough. This was the third business related gale this week and Mavrick was tired. Tired of only being seen for how much his father made a year. Tired of the false smiles and the shallow words. Tired of pretending as though he wanted to take over the family businesss.
He pushed through a pair glasse doors out onto the walkway outside. Closing his eyes, he leaned against the building and breathed deeply. Father would be furious with him for leaving before the gale was over, well he could stay that way. Mavrivk thought with sudden anger, clenching his fists. He was through playing his father's games. For a moment Mavrick felt the fire of defiance warm in his gut but almost as soon as it was kindled it flicked out and he sunk to the sidewalk, heedless of his tailored suit, his back pressed to the course bricks of the building behind him.
Who was he kidding? He'd never be able to tell his father he'd had enough, not unless he wanted to end up on the streets. His father had never deprived him of anything, but Mavrick had learn from an early age; you don't go against Father, in anything. Not unless you were prepared to face the consequences and there were alway consequences. His father wanted Mavrick to take over the family business and his father got what he wanted.
Putting his head in his hands, Mavrick rubbed his eyes wearily. There was no escape.
He sat like that for several minutes before he became aware of a continual rustling. Lifting his head, he looked for the source. In the soft orange light spilling through the glass door it didn't take long to spot the piece of paper trapped in a grate. Idly, he watch it flap in the wind, rattling noisely as the breeze blew over it again and again. Finally annoyed by the disturbance of the quiet, he reach out and plucked it from the grate.
As his fingers touch the paper he was surprise to find it thick and good quailty. Turning over the cream colored page Mavrick read;
Need Money? Fame? Power? Excitement? Or, even better, are you craving all four? If you answer is yes to any of these then come to 495 Victor Lane tomorrow night at 11:30 PM. Further details will be explain upon your arrival.
For a long breath Mavrick just stared at the note, then slowly, a cool smile touched his lips. Perhaps there was a way out after all.
Checking the date on the note Mavrick swore softly. It was dated yesterday which meant the meeting was tonight. He shoot up the cuff of his jacket to glance at his watch. 10:15 PM, he still had time. Hailing a taxi, Mavrick slipped into the backseat. The driver glanced at him in the review mirror.
"Where to?"
Mavrick only hesitated for a second, then;
"495 Victor Lane."
Sorry this is so long. I'll make sure my next post is shorter.
"Every writer I know has trouble writing." - Joseph Heller
~ A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones who need advice.~ - Bill Cosby
495, Victor Lane. The address runs through my head as I pretend to do my AP Lit homework. 495, Victor Lane. I'd received the letter while walking home from school, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. It offered just the escape that I was looking for, an escape from my foster father and from my dreary day-to-day existence. I allow myself a small smile, and snap the book I was reading shut. Moby-Dick can wait. For eternity, in fact, for all I care. I quickly lace up my combat boots, slide my knife into the boot sheath, and strap my double long swords to my back, concealing them with a battered leather trench coat. I blow my long red hair out of my eyes, and then I cautiously leave the safety of my room. It sounds like my foster father is watching some stupid TV show, so it should be fairly easy to sneak past. However, when I get to the front door, I hear an angry snarl behind me.
"And where the hell do you think you're going?!"
I turn around, "I'm going to hang out with some of my friends..."
He snorts, "You? Hanging out with friends? Riiiight. I'll believe that when I see you rich and famous!" He laughs derisively.
"Believe what you want, but I'm going out. I don't give a damn what you say." I say evenly, looking him in the eye. He glares back, and shoves me out the open door.
"Go then. But don't think you're coming back," He says it like it's supposed to hurt me, but, quite honestly, he can go to hell. I spit at his feet, turn around, and head into the darkness, towards 495 Victor Lane and the lure of fame and fortune.
And remember...A portkey can be any sort of harmless object...A football...or a dolphin. ~Snape, AVPM
"You are the egg, you are the chrysalis, you are the progeny. You are the rot that falls from stars." ~Will Henry, on Typhoeus magnificum
(OOC:) So this is a new kind of personality for me so I hope I don't sound too clunky and weird. Also, I hope that I've done everything right so far. I read every post so I am pretty sure that I am on the right track; if not just tell me and I'll fix it. I make a lot of mistakes.
Betty Newman:
Stepping out from under the shadows of a large oak tree, I stared up at the gigantic house; the light from inside spilled out onto the desolate road, scaring the owl that had been hopping along through the shadows. My fingers crumpled around the note in the pocket of my jacket. So this was the place...pfft, it wasn't the great looking. I was lying of course; the place looked hundred times better then anything I had ever lived in but I wasn't about to admit that.
From my position I had watched others walk towards the door, knock and then enter when the door opened. They only entered, no one left. Well of course no one had left, the meeting hadn't even begun yet. Sniffing, I shouldered out of my hiding spot and crossed the road. Fame, power and excitement -- I didn't want any of that. I didn't need it. The only reason why I had even gotten out of work was because of what the man in the black suit had first said when he had cornered me on my way home.
"Money!"
And God knows I need a lot of those green backs. This had better be darn worth it, I thought as I slid through the gate, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one else had gotten the same idea as I had and were watching me from a far. Dropping a shift at the gas station was not something I was used to doing and if this was simply a prank that some prissy freak had created then heads were going to roll for sure. Lifting my arm up to the long, white door, I was about to knock when it opened suddenly almost making me jump. I collected myself of course before I could even show a flash of emotion. The smell of peppermint washed over my senses, rolling into the back of my throat and making my empty stomach rumble.
"Your invitation, please?" I couldn't see who was behind the door, but I didn't like the sound of that voice.
"Thanks, but I don't talk or even listen to people who cower in the shadows-!" I forced the smirk to remain upon my face up until the point he smashed the door on my face. I took me a moment to register just what happened. Dammit! Kicking at the hard wood, I felt a shout escape my lips. The door opened slowly, though, again, the man (or woman) remained hidden in the shadows.
"I don't have time for your antics, ticket or leave." He said evenly.
Making a sound, I grudginly grabbed at the invitation in my jacket and threw it at his face. "There!" Barging the door back, I stepped through. "I don't have time for your antics eith-either...!" My voice died away as I stared at the grandeur of the house. Everything glimmered as if it were all brand new. There were no moth's eating at the curtains, or rat holes in the walls. There were also pictures on the walls and they weren't placed there to hide mould patches, they were literally there for decoration! Who did that these days? I wouldn't have been surprised if the owners of this house were using dollar bills as toilet paper. My mouth dropped, the cold chill from behind me dying away. Note to self: go to the bathroom at least once before you leave.
After Mom and Dad had gone to bed I stuffed a backpack with a few clothes and toiletries, grabbed my bow and two quiver-fulls of arrows and snuck out of the house.
Once I'd gotten to town I hailed called a taxi service and told them the address. Soon, I was there.
You can do this, Faye.
I walked up to the door and knocked three times.
"Who's that?" A gruff voice said and a large man opened the door.
"Faye Jensen." I replied calmly, I couldn't be intimidated after being through my high school. "I came for the contest."
He blinked once then opened the door wider, letting me in.
No looking back now. Lets do this.
"Just remember there's a difference between stalking people on the internet, and going to their house and cutting their skin off." - Jenna Marbles
~ Yeah I'm letting go of what I had, yeah I'm living now and living loud ~
I gripped the strap of my bag and stared at what's ahead of me through the open door. I'm leaving someone I love, again, for wealth and power. Seems pretty harsh when you think about it, but at the same time, it leaves you thinking that it's sort of... right. I feel Wen's hand on my shoulder.
"Ready?" he asked. I continue to stare ahead, ignoring him.
"Good. I'm not dropping you off, you do know that," he said. I nodded, and Wen chuckled.
"Good," he said again. He gripped both of my shoulders and turned me around, so I could fully face him.
"Be careful, and win," he said enthusiastically. I smiled slyly and nodded. Wen spun me back, so I'm now facing the outside. I took one last glance at Wen, and kissed his cheek.
"Bye," I said quietly, with my British accent. Wen smiled and shoved me gently, gesturing that I leave. I took a deep breath and began walking.
I examined the trees outside, then the sky, then the ground. The world seemed... dull, for some reason. I stuck my hand in my bag and dug out a cigarette and a lighter. I held the cigarette with my two fingers while my other hand tries to light it. After many attempts, I give up and throw the items back in my bag.
"Bollocks," I muttered to myself. I guess I'll have to go on without a light.
I walked up to the large house, gaurded by a buff man. I pulled out the invitation.
"Here for the competition?" he asked. I didn't answer, and handed him the invitation, staring at him and smiled to myself. The man nodded and let me through, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek. I passed by him and gripped the strap of my bag again. I'm ready.
I knocked on Alfr's front door, none too nicely, and scowled when Charles opened it. His burly body could barely fit in the small door frame.
"What a pleasure," he drawled sarcastically. I laughed bitterly and pushed past him.
"I wish I could say the same," I mumbled. I tugged on Ten's leash gently to get him moving and to also stop him from glaring at Charles. Neither one of us liked that man very much. He was a tricky one. Sneaky and you couldn't trust him. That's the only reason Alfr kept him around for so long.
There were people gathering in Alfr's living room, some didn't look to be more than meer children. Over the frantic whispering I could hear Ten growl lowly at my side. I quickly put a hand on his head and brushed my fingers through his hair to calm him, crowds always made him nervous. Thankfully the growling stopped when John walked up to us, a friendly smile on his face. I let go a smile of my own and, when I glanced over, I could see Ten was smiling too.
"John, what a pleasure!" He stopped in front of Ten and I and gave us each a low bow.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Rivanni and Mr. Sauna." He thrust out his hand and I shook it firmly, Ten just gave him a hug, skipping the formal hand shaking instantly. John patted him on the head and Ten returned to my side.
"So what is Alfr up to now," I said with a friendly air.
"Foolishness," John replied with a shake of his head. I sighed and swept my eyes across the room.
"I like foolishness," Ten mumbled happily. John smiled at him fondly.
"Well, then I think you'll love this, Mr. Sauna."
"And, good God, these children here are much too young and... fragile looking to participate in anything the Alfr has planned."
"That what I tried to tell him," John mused. "But when does anyone listen to me?" He ran a hand through his long curly hair and shook his head. "Anyway, time to make announcements. And Ten..." Ten snapped his head up from where he was starring intently at someone from across the room, I can only hope it was a friendly type of "you're interesting" stare and not a London type of "you're looking mighty tasty right now" stare.
"Yes, John," Ten replied softly. He peered up at John, who towered over both of us easily, with naive eyes.
"Be good," was all John said before walking away and up the spiraled stair case that led to a small balcony. He rang a bell and the crowd hushed.
"You may die but, then again, you may not." The crowd gasped and sputtered obscenely at the beginning of John's speech. "If you do survive you get 100,000 dollars cash and more respect and honor than you can ever hope to achieve while living a normal life. And if you're already rich and powerful the least you will get out of this is excitement." I can tell that last part was meant for Ten and I and I rolled my eyes. "For those of you who wish to stay and try to survive please follow me into the back but for those of you who don't want to risk it, Charles will show your way out."
I walk forward to where a small group was gathering around John. No more than children.
"Well, who's ready," I ask them lightly.
Last edited by Sassafras on Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The taxi ride was silent. Totally silent. I was not one for conversation and apparently my driver was not either. As we reached the address I handed him all my money. I wouldn't need it for a while. Maybe I would have more. If I made it out of here.
I walked slowly up the path and entered, into a living room. A few people were already here. I looked around, almost nervously. I hated people. Really I did. And all these others competing for my money, my fame. I shook a little. Closing my eyes to relax. Taking a seat as far away from any one as I could.
The man who had greeted me, showed me to the living room began to speak.
"You that you may die but, then again, you may not...100,000 dollars." I gasped, putting a small hand over my chest. The chance of a life time. There was no way I could not take it. More money than I had ever dreamed of in my lifetime. Wonderful beautiful money. There was no way I was leaving now.
A few people stood, began to gather around the man. I followed in this manner, to show I too was in, and there was no way I was leaving this game until some one had to haul me off dead. I had no next of kin any more. They would not have to explain or notify anyone.
Get a hold of your self Nadia. You can do this. You can walk out with the money. But I was small. And so fragile compared to many of these people. Two strong looking men also joined the group. I tried to keep my eyes focused and straight ahead. It would come down to wits and skill, not your physical body. Or muscle. At least I hoped. I prayed. Because with some of the people here I would never win the money.
Focus. eyes on the prize. Slow and steady. All of that. I took a deep breath out.
"Well, who's ready," one of the men in the group asked, he seemed to survey every one here with an air of authority. The quiet murmur went on. I needed to show them I was here for a reason and I was not to be trifled with.
"I believe I am." I said straightening my back and lifting my chin. No smile. I only narrowed my eyes slightly and began to look over my competition.
(Sorry it is short! I can edit it too if I messed anything up.)
