Who Are You?

Konnihiwa!

So Anora will be on break for a bit, so either I or one of the other bloggers will be posting on her days. So, as you can see, the blog has recieved a huge overhaul. This is one of many changes that the blog will be experiencing. We shall soon be getting the Life In Fiction Youtube page underway, where every now and then I shall be posting videos of reviews on books, movies, and evern some comics! :D

On a more serious note, I am currently diving deeper into my identity everyday, searching for the me I lost ages ago, hoping that he's still alive deep down inside. Want this means for you is that you will get another series of writing from me. Some of them will also be part of other pieces, e.g. Dream Chronicles, Chapters from any of my three novels, or just poems. You will also see work dedicated to the series alone. As of right now, there isn't a name for the series, but as the series goes along it will gain one. At the moment, I will simply refer to this as Project Searchman. (Megaman pun) Now, here is the first story of the series, which is from a book that some of you may recognize. Enjoy!
====================================

Unhealthy Happiness

I walked over to the balcony, pushing my hair back in the cold November breeze. The stars danced in the midnight sky, and random clouds were scattered across the sky. I paced around the wide balcony outside the third floor of the Gwinnett Center. Dressed in an all-black tuxedo and a red tie, I was sweating profoundly despite being below freezing outside. After a few moments, I leaned on the railing, staring at beautiful stars gazing down upon me. I closed my dark-brown eyes.

“At least you guys find me good enough to stick around.” I said to the distance suns.

“That’s cause you can’t run from them.” An adolescent female said.

I opened my eyes, and flipped around to find a dark-skinned girl in a zebra after-five dress, and 5-inch heels. I averted my gaze from hers which I could feel shooting a mix of emotions at me, predominantly concern.

“You okay?” she asked me.

“You want me to lie to you?” I replied harshly.

“No need to be a jerk.”

“Well you asked me a stupid question Christina.”

“Excuse me for caring for you. Some people are just crazy enough to flip over an entire chocolate fountain on two people, but I thought you didn’t fall under that category. Not to mention it’s a little sketch when someone does it to their girlfriend.”

“She wasn’t my girlfriend Christina.”

“Well she obviously likes you.”

“Oh I’m sorry; I didn’t realize you swap spit with a guy you just met when you obviously like another guy.” I leaned back against the balcony, and stared up at the sky as Christina gave me a baffled look.

“She did what?!??! That fucking slut!!! Hell no I’m going to—”

“…do absolutely nothing.” I said eyes closed again.

“You can’t be serious? Why not?”

“Well, excluding the fact that I have already sprayed her down in chocolate, it was my fault that Liana went for him in the first place.”

“What hell what you think that?”

“If I was better…”

“Oh don’t start with that nonsense, she fucked you over because…”

“The spark that guy gave her in five minutes was obviously greater then what I gave her all this time anyway.”

“Sweetie…”

“It’s the story of my life Christina. You see these lights the sky?” I said pointing upwards, “These lights are kinda like me. They don’t care how far I go, they will still be there. They don’t care who I am, they will shine for regardless. They don’t care if I disappear for a years on end, they will be right there when I get back. Waiting. Just there to be used when need be…”

“Any girl would love to have you…”

“But every girl would love to have better then me.”

“Sweetie I know that you are having a hard time believing me, but any girl would love to have you; you’re sensitive, sweet, funny, and a great listener.”

“Thing is all it takes is one good looking guy to come along and all that would be negated.”

“You’re good-looking too sweetheart.”

“If that was true you would have mention it first, Christina.”

“That’s not all girls care about…”

“Oh no, it’s not even close. Girls see beyond that, and that’s how I know I’m doomed. If a guy doesn’t see your value, it’s because they aren’t looking for it. If a girl doesn’t see value, it’s because it’s not there…”

“Sweetie,” Christina said, placing her hand on my cheek,“Despite what girls try to say, we’re always right. Otherwise we would never let a guy like you go.”

“That’s funny… that’s exactly what Liana told me.”

Christina dropped her head, and I began to walk away. Before I made it through the door, Christina turned towards me.

“Any girl would love to be with you Rey!” she screamed, causing me to stop. I tilted my head towards her with fully turning around.

“Would you?” I asked.

She gave me a shocked look, and then dodged my direct gaze. She crossed her arms, and I walked over and gave her my tux jacket.

“She gave me that same reaction when I first asked her out, after saying the same thing you just said.” I said, covering her shoulders.

“I know you feel like things are hopeless right now but you can’t give up on love.”

"Too bad love has given up on me..."

"It obviously isn't love if she is with another guy."

"Not quite. All it means is that I'm not the right pick for her. The world tells you how great it is to be in love with someone, what they don't tell you is how much it hurts when they don't love you back."

Christina just looked at me, and I turn to leave for the door, mumbling to myself.

“Worst thing is, I'm still genuinely happy for her.”

================================

~APLIW~

A Testimony

My poem today comes from an unexpected inspiration. Throughout my life I have been the victim of bullying like many others. The saying "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" was a mantra I repeated daily throughout my early childhood. Everyday I repeated it, praying that it would hold true. Sometimes it did, other times it didn't. However, looking back I can see how being subjected to such torment made me stronger and less caring of others' thoughts. The poem that follows takes a twist on my mantra. It shows how strength did come to me even though words did hurt me. 

Enjoy.

Sticks and stones build my thoughts
No, my bones they did not break.
I built my mind upon their strength
and the words that would never hurt me
pierced like needles through the cracks
They seeped through and poisoned a solid stone.

Here’s to the words that other’s claim to be naught
Here’s to the words meant to hurt and kill
Here’s to the words that were to destroy me:
Yes you did damage what once was a solid place
But you filled the cracks between the stick and stone
and like mortar held me together.

Here’s to the words that first pierced my heart:
I’m still here, even stronger than before.

~Anora Anakaya~

Good ole days

Sooo i wrote some lyrics called Midnight Memories.


_______________________________



We're looking straight down
from the water tower
above the grove
where the sweetest flowers
grow.

And we'll lay down
in the middle of the field
where the sun always shows
and at night we'll watch in awe
as the fireflies start to glow

(Chorus)
And we're, out past midnight
in this old country town
we were up to no good I'm sure
cause those nights are a blur

(post chorus)
And we'll talk all night
under the soft moonlight
sing our songs of love
as we gaze at the stars above

And here we are again
Looking straight down
above this old town
watching people come and go

And here we stay
as the faces fade away
you and I alone
our memories, set in stone

(Bridge)
Lets burn down, this old town,
grab our coats, lets go,
they won't hear a sound.

________________________

Lemme know what you think!

-Joseph W.

Always Be Considerate

It is said that:
People live and learn; However most
take far more than is earned, and are never satisfied
with what we have.
Treasures are to be cherished, but it is often forgotten to
honor the great things in life.
Give thanks for blessings, and never speak foully to a fellow human.
We all make mistakes, and we all have flaws.

Something that has become apparent to me in the last couple weeks is that many people don’t understand the great things that they have been given in life. People are quick to talk badly about a fellow friend or coworker, and often put others down for things that they could not do better themselves. For me, a rule I try to follow by very closely is to not scold or put another person down for anything. I always try to find a more productive way to handle the struggles that others go through, and hope that they will extend the same kindness to me when I struggle. I also never comment on a job that I could not have done better myself. When I believe I could have done better, I offer a suggestion of how I would have handled the situation, or what I would have done differently. I try to give advice, and other options so that the next time. My goal for this post is to help readers to realize that everyone messes up sometimes, and I hope that those who read this will be less harsh when mistakes are made. I think that people need to put themselves in the other person’s shoes and think about how they would want to be treated when things come up short. It would help to make society a little nicer.

Always Considerate,

Terra

Several Poems. Same Girl.

        Over these past few weeks I've been settling into my nice, comfy dorm room at The Ohio State University. Columbus is definitely different than my old residence, but for the better. At least, I think so. While most of my attention is being focused on school work, studying, athletic band, and continuing the first draft of my novel-in-progress, definitely expect to see at least one piece of work weekly from me for a while.
        While at OSU, I've met quite a few new, interesting people here. These next few poems are derived from the mixed inspiration coming from two girls I met on the first day.


       "Silent Eyes"

Give way to stark emotions,

     your emotions are too cool to hold back.

See the eyes glaring from the darkness;

     they see all that you want the most.

Someone to match your coolness,

     something tho love your silent soul.

Simply believe

     that I can be solely myself.

All will be better

     when your confidence

          creates my smile.

"The Sun"

Shoot me a glance

or a smile,

    so sweet.

The sun

is brightest

    in your felicity's wake.

     "Shooting Stars"

A thought becomes a wish

    as I ponder so heavily

         tonight.

Clouds, dark and gray,

    surround those that are

         light and pure.

Clarity seeps into my sleepy eyes as I wonder

         how to make my wish come true.

Learning is for those who

    wish to accept "the truth,"

         but my lies seem more valid.

Each thought,

                    each wish,

                                   is my reality,

                                                     my star-crossed fatality.

"Listen"

Voices echo through the darkness.

Words drop like flies.

People run about with madness.

They sprint to lies.

Provehito in altum et carpe diem

~Alex

Dream Chronicles Story 6: The Promised Takeover

Ciaossu!

So I would like to say happy birthday to fellow blogger Joseph, whose birthday was today! In celebration to his invalubale contribution to this blog, I would like to post story six of my Dream Chronicle series. Enjoy! :D

========================================

Dream Chronicles Story 6: Sonic Takeover

“Gotta move, gotta move, gotta MOVE!”

I was running through the Georgia State University courtyard, packets of cocaine in my pocket. Rain was striking my exposed face and I was covered in my favorite Sonic the Hedgehog jacket, blue jeans, a blue t-shirt under the jacket, and Jordans. I shoved over multiple people in an attempt to get to my dorm room, slipping and falling on my butt multiple times before I made it to lobby of the Freshmen Hall. I flashed my ID to the receptionist, barely making it into the elevator. When I reached the fourth floor, I turned the corner and quickly opened the door. To my surprise, Tyler, Danny, Sharon, Chris, Stevie, Stephen, and Reegan were all sitting around my dorm room.

“What is this? Is it party in Quinton’s room today?” I said.

“Damn straight.” Sharon said, while everyone else’s eyes were focused on the TV.

“What’s wrong?” Stevie said the only one who noticed I was in distress.

“Well…” I stuttered, “We might have an issue.”

“Did that chick turn you down?” Tyler said, focused on Breakin’ Bad.

“Aw I’m so sorry sweetheart.” Reegan said attempting to comfort me.

“What? No! I don’t care about that!”

“Hey the best way to get over it is too talk about it.”Chris cut me off.

I pushed my way through them all, throwing about six packets of white powder on the table. They all jumped up, not believing their eyes. Tyler walked over, picking up a packet to see if it was authentic.

“How much is it?” Tyler asked.

“What hell does it matter?! It’s fucking crack! Why do you have it?” Reegan blurted.

“… About 10 pounds. It’s not what you think, this is Damien’s. He was framed and he needed to get the evidence out of there. Something going on here you guys, but first we need to get out of here.” I started to move, but the sound of barking stopped me.

“Wait… were you being followed?” Danny asked.

We all looked at each other for five minutes, and instantly Tyler and I rushed to bar the door. We made it just as the two giant Dobermans attempted to break into the room, and we pushed the door back so they couldn’t get in. The girls screamed; Stephen started to freak out.

“Go through my suitemate’s room! MOVE!” I demanded

One by one we filed out of the room and sprinted for the stairs, the dogs right on our tails. We ran until we made it into the lobby, sounding the fire alarm by opening the 1^st floor door. We bolted for the exit, when Danny tripped and the dogs grabbed his legs. All I could here was the sound of Danny’s scream as we moved at full speed trying to get away. After we move it outside and into the parking lot, we stopped to catch our breath, and Chris and Tyler got into a scuffle.

“What hell dude!” Chris said, throwing punches, “Why would you trip him?!”

“I didn’t do shit!” Tyler defended himself.

“Stop it you’re acting like children!” Reegan said attempting to break them up. “Well you two hell me?”

Stephen and I ran over and broke them up. After a minute of sulking, Sharon started looking around frantically.

“What are you looking for love?” I said flirtingly, but Sharon shrugged it off.

“Where’s Stevie?” She asked, and we looked around noticing she wasn’t with us.

“The hell…” I said.

“She was right in front of us!” Chris exclaimed.

“Help me!”

We could hear someone screaming off in the background, heading towards the Georgia State Recreation Center. Stephen, Tyler, and I all ran off.

“Chris you stay here and protect the girls!” I roared, as we bolted towards the voice.

As we approached the recreation center, we saw Stevie being pulled into the student center across the street from us by two black Dobermans.

“STEVIE!” We all screamed simultaneously.

We dashed through the street, cars forced to slam on their brakes. Horns honking at us, the police called out to us asking us to halt, but we darted straight into the pitch black student center. We crept around the corner, stopping on the ramp so the cops could past by.

“Something’s not right…” Tyler said.

“What do you mean?” Stephen asked.

“Why would the police stick dogs on you when they could come after you themselves?”

“They wanted to get the drugs.” I replied softly.

“Sure, but didn’t the dogs seem like they were avoiding the police a little?”

“I was too busy running for my life honestly.” I replied harshly.

“You said so yourself, it just seems like something bigger is—Gahh!!”

I looked over to see a pair of huge white teeth digging into Tyler’s shoulder, and a pair of demonic red eyes staring at me. Stephen and I ran into the ballroom, where we found a huge hole in the ground with a giant root coming out of it.

“This is new.” I said aloud.

“I don’t remember paying for giant tree seeds…” Stephen said analyzing the root.

“Duck!”

I ducked as two Doberman flew straight at me, crashing into Stephen and knocking him to his death. I cursed at myself as I watch him fall, but quickly recollect my thoughts.

“Got to find Stevie…”

I dedicated myself to my new mission, and maneuvered around the giant hole until I could climb onto the root. I followed the root to its source, a huge tree that was somehow invisible to the general public of Atlanta. I climbed my way to the top of the tree, and in the center there was what looked like a giant stage. Surrounded by millions of people stood an elderly looking gentleman, who had a wooden Bo staff in his hand was delivering a speech to the masses before him.

“… and they said we could never rise up again! But thanks to years of hiding and after my genius of planting my seeds in cocaine so that it could be transported over to the US was genius! Cocaine wouldn’t be regulated by the government, so they wouldn’t check to see if my micro-seeds were laced in with the drug! Now we are here and Yggdrasil will take us to Valhalla!”

The people before him roared in celebration, and I could hear the sound of someone crying in the background. I advanced cautiously towards the sound, where I saw that Stevie was tied down behind the monitor behind the elderly man. I quickly rushed to set her free, and she embraced me in a tight hug once I untied her.

“I’m glad to see you too, but we have to go!” I said.

“They are planning to take over the world!” Stevie said through tears.

“I know!”

“They killed Danny…”

“Stephen and Tyler as well…”

“What!” Stevie yelled, and I instantly covered her mouth.

“Quiet! They might find us. Now come on we have to get the police.”

We quietly went around the back of the monitor out of view, and I saw that they had an entire network of tunnels and areas in the tree.

“What the hell?”

“This is their home Quinton. They have multiple networks using the floor plan for General Classrooms and the Student Center.”

“So all the stuff that was in those places will be here?”

“Yea… Why?”

I heard the people scream in rage.

“They’ve escaped! After them!”

I quickly dragged Stevie along and placed her on a one of two conveniently placed bikes. She looked at me with a scared look.

“Go to the bottom and get help! Chris must have called the police and they will notice this tree eventually. Get them to send a helicopter up here!”

“What? Why? What are you going to do?”

“…I got a plan.”

I took my favorite necklace off and placed it around her neck.

“Now go!”

She rode off, and I dug up the other bike just as the old man came out.

“Stop you freak!” He said.

He then shifted into a wolf-human hybrid and chased after me. I rode the bike at full speed, ridding through twigs and roots. Methanol…Methanol… I thought to myself, looking for all traces of methanol. I came across a whole storage of methanol, and knocked it over as I rode by. The smell messed with the man’s senses, slowing him down. Hexane, Hexane… I rode around until I found hexane, doing the same thing I did with methanol. Hydrogen…Hydrogen… I thought, thinking where I could find pure hydrogen. The wolf-man had caught up to me though, slicing my bike tire from under me. I lost control and fell down a hole, landing on a steel landing. I winced, rolling around in pain from the long fall. I opened my eyes to read a pipe right next to me.

“Cautious: Contains hydrogen and carbon disulfide. Don’t break around…”

I didn’t take the time to read the rest, but I took what remained of the bike and broke the pipe in two, spilling the contains out into the whole tree. I looked around, and found a whole supply of oil sitting around. I run over to them, the wolf-man jumping in my path.

“End of the line punk.” He said.

“End of your balls maybe.”

I took a cheap shot at his sack, bringing forth the desired effect. I swerved around him, grabbing all the oil cartons that I could handle, and booked it out of there. I ran around the tree, throwing the cartons in random places that I hadn’t already spilled chemicals.

“I know what you’re doing!” He said, “You’re trying to kill the tree by infecting it with poisonous chemicals.”

I kept running, taking random turns to keep him from catching up. I eventually grabbed matches off a table I found on my zip-line through the tree.

“It won’t work!” He exclaimed, “Because Yggdrasil can’t be poisoned! You’re wasting your time young one. I am King Odin himself, enforcer of life…”

The wolf-man crashed down in front of me, tossing me to the side of the tree. He took his Bo Staff, transforming it into a spear. He jumped up to where he had thrown me, and stabbed it into my shoulder.

“… And you have been found guilty of capital punishment.”

“Shut the fuck up.” I said, coughing up blood, throwing the last of the oil all over him.

He screamed in torment, and I dragged myself to the very edge of the root. I looked down, seeing a helicopter circling the around below. I forced myself over, and stared at Odin. His eyes were red and burning from oil.

“You know, I wasn’t attempting to poison your stupid tree.”I said.

“Too bad, whatever your plan, you are still falling to your death.”

Odin shoved me over the edge, and I took a freefall for about five minutes. Next thing I knew, I was lying in the laps of Stevie and Sharon, Chris and Reegan were also huddled around me. I was coughing up blood, and I nodded towards the pilot to fly up towards Odin. We stopped about 12 feet away from him.

“So you survived now! So what? Yggdrasil is invincible! No one else will ever make back inside this tree!” He yelled triumphantly.

“Pop Quiz for you Odin.” Stevie said with a smirk.

“What does Oil…” Chris started.

“Carbon disulfide…” Sharon continued.

“Methanol…” Reegan keep the sequence alive.

“Hydrogen and Hexane all have in common?” Stevie finished.

Stevie pulled out a lighter, Chris took out a grenade, Sharon took out a flare, Reegan took out another lighter, and I took out the matches I found. I lit one, and Chris took out the pin in the grenade.

“…They’re all flammable.” I said, and we threw our respective items overheard into the tree, causing a massive chain explosion. We stared as the tree burned in flames, and flew off towards the middle of Atlanta.

==========================

Happy Birthday Joseph, and continue to Always Put Life Into Words.

Wow it feels like ages

Hey all, Joseph here, live from Ohio... Or semi Live. Ha! I wrote some stuff during our little hiatus. So I hope you enjoy it.


Last month I saw a man that Inspired me, turn his back on faith, it was a shocking moment for me, to realize that although someone seems faithful and brilliant, that they are humans too, and that they can lose it all too fast.
I asked myself "Could that happen to me?" It disturbed me greatly, and out came this poem... please enjoy it.
This one is called "I'll see you at the fall.
___________________________________________



And in the end, with no noise
I'll see no silhouettes, I'll hear no voice.
Your beating heart, I can feel it
pounding against my chest, as we lay in this pit


a pit we dug, the one we made as a trap
to catch the broken hearts, when they snap..
And here at the end, we fell in
you and I, right back where we began

Now heroes fall, and Legends will die
our life will flash, as we lay here and cry
And I say curse you, my heart, for deceiving
I say curse me, for not believing

And I'll see you at the fall
man and mystery, we had it all
then again, where we stand
is not far from where we'd been... Before...

As the skies burn, and the twilight takes its place
I will rise up, and towards the new sun, i will face
And I'll struggle, to believe what I see
I will fall down, and forsake what once was me.

Imperfect, battered, shaking on my knees..
You show me, all these people, i wonder, "Could that happen to me?"
They lay there, ignorant to what they see.
The power, and glory... in front of me...

________________________________________



-Love and Blessings

Joseph W.

200th Post

Ciaossu!

So after a month of waiting, we finally have the blog's 200th post!!!! So as your treat, I will posting the latest of my Dream Chronicle Stories! After this post, the blog has a bunch of material ready you, so come back daily for updates and posts!

=====================================

The waves splashed in my face, my body was partially submerged in the fresh ocean breeze. The sun’s rays were beaming on my exposed chest. The smell of salt water was deep in my nostrils. Straight over my head was the beautiful blue sky. I floated on the sea, the clouds writing out letters I couldn’t quite comprehend. Before I could make them out, my friend Anna was shaking me awake.

“Wha, WH— I’m awake, I’m awake…” I said still half-asleep.

“Yea right Hun.” Anna said smiling at me, handing me a notebook. “…The notes for today’s class.”

I glanced around, seeing people leaving out of a huge dome-shaped classroom. I was in Auditorium 700 at Georgia State University, which was recently the site of my Global Issues class that just ended. I almost panicked but then looked at the notebook and calmed down. I grabbed it, and Anna let go.

“God I love you so much,” I told her.

“I know,” She said conceitedly, packing her stuff simultaneously.

“Hey Anna…”

“Yes?”

“Will you go out with me?” I asked, and she giggled.

“You keep asking me, and I keep telling you no. So why are you asking again?”

“All men are taught something as they get older.”

“What’s that?”

“When you fail, you keep on trying until you succeed.”

“Isn’t that the definition of insanity?”

“Love equals insanity my dear.”

“Oh quit exaggerating…”

“I’m not!”

“Love doesn’t make you insane.”

“You’ve obviously never been in love before.”

Anna just gave me a sly look, completely at a lost for words. I had been asking Anna out for months, only to get the same response every time. She would say “I don’t think we would work out” or “I just don’t see you in that way.” But I couldn’t accept those answers, because they just don’t work for me. Then Anna gave me that signature look she always gives when she asks that question.

“Why do you like me?”

“Do I have to have an answer for you to go out with me?”

“You’re answer might help me make up my mind.” She replied, and I sighed.

“I keep telling you, I don’t know. It’s not that you’re pretty or anything…”

“Oh really?” She asked angrily.

“No- I mean you are pretty—”

“So you just like my looks?”

“Damn it Anna! You’re so frustrating!”

“I thought you loved me?”

She was effectively getting under my skin with her mind games. I wasn’t willing to give up on her though, no matter how difficult this was. I geared up for round two, but at the top of the steps I saw a man in a blue dress shirt, orange tie, and slacks staring at us. My gaze hardened and Anna took notice. She turned to look at the man, but I grabbed her wrist and dragged her along to the emergency exit. The man in the suit didn’t give chase, and I immediately knew something was up.

“What’s going on? Where are you taking me?”

“No time Anna.”

“Who was that guy?”

“NO TIME Anna.”

“Well then make time,” She said, stopping after the fourth flight of stairs. “Let me into the mind of yours.”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

“If I let you in, you will either never get out, or never want to see me again….”

“What could you have done that was so terrible?”

I look off to the side, but the sounds of footsteps start to resonate in my eardrums, and I know it’s time to move. I reach out for Anna, but my wrist is intercepted by a Ginger man in the same suit as the guy before. I tried to struggle my way out, but the guy swung me by my wrist, flinging me down the stairs, crashing to the bottom floor three flights down onto a few unlucky people. I awoke around five minutes later, my body sore. The people I fell on must had already left, having propped me up against the wall. I felt sick, but I instantly remembered Anna. I jumped up and let my instincts take my feet to where I needed to go.

“If I know Rio at all…” I thought, “… He’ll be at the Rialto… right… now.”

I skid across the pavement to see the guy from earlier shoving Anna into the front doors.

“Anna!” I screamed.

Paul Giamatti then stepped out the car, wearing a red leather jacket and brown slacks. He was wearing what looked like Italian shoes from a distance. He pulled a .75 caliber pistol on me.

“Dude… those are so old…”

“Yea but I bet it’d still kill you if I hit you with it. Now where is my money?” He retorted.

“Why the fuck can’t you let it go!” I hollered back.

“What the hell is going on?” Anna cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Go ahead Buddy. Tell her what’s going on.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure what I wanted to say. I looked at Anna, and knew I had to buy myself some time.

“Anna… I’m… not who you think I am.” Things got real silent.

“So who are you then?”

“I’m really… a stuntman… A stuntman paid to be framed for robberies, and I’m bailed out by higher-ups and the bribed cops erase the charges from my file.”

“…You’re a criminal?”

“I was a criminal! Past tense! I quit after a scam to steal a million dollars was laid out, I was meant to take the fall for Paul’s brother. But I skipped out last second, taking the money with me. Its how I can afford school…”

Anna couldn’t look me in the eye. I had been waiting years to finally have the guilt off my shoulders, only to have it intensify ten-fold. I squeeze my fist some hard I start to draw. Paul’s men then drag us both inside the Rialto. Paul sits me down at a table in the middle of the Rialto, while having Anna sit elsewhere. My hands are now soaked in blood. Paul’s men have guns pressed into my back, and Paul is digging into a freshly cooked steak.

“So,” Paul said with his mouth full, “What did you do with the money?”

“It’s gone. I spent it all on my college funds.” I said, Paul’s eyes obviously not believing me.

“You spent a million dollars in college? Yea right brody, you could live off that for the rest of your life if you truly desired.”

“I don’t have any money Paul.”

“Very well then; Nick, kill the girl.”

One of the guys pulled his gun off my back, sticking it in the direction of the Anna. I had to move quickly, so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Have you ever been in love Paul?!” I said loudly, distracting the guard. Paul had him lower his weapon, feeling confused. Paul leaded in closer, elbows on the table.

“What did you say?”

“Have you ever been… in love?”

“Damn you must be desperate.”

“Have you?”

“… What’s it to you?”

“Look at that girl over there.”

Paul momentarily took his eyes off of me, directing them towards Anna.

“What about her?”

“She look like anyone you know?”

Paul hesitated, then swung around once more, apparently having a epiphany.

“She can’t be…”

“She is Paul. Her name is Anna Giamatti, she’s you’re brother’s daughter.”

Paul eyes dropped, waving off his guards. I could feel the gun in my back come off me. A female singer stepped up on the stage, and began to sing “Tell Me Lies” from the movie Cats Don’t Dance.

“So the money?”

“I was originally assigned to watch over her. It was going to be my relief mission. The money was to be used to pay for college and help out her out of bind if she ever ran into it.”

“Is that why you fell in love with her? As part of the job?”

“… No. I took the mission because I was in love with her.”

“Yet she doesn’t love you back.”

“Love isn’t always as great as advertised. Sure, when they love you back, it’s the greatest feeling in the world. But when the feeling isn’t mutual, it’s the second worst thing in the world.”

“What’s the worst?” Paul asked.

“Losing your loved ones altogether. Not having that touch you love, to see those eyes that drain you of all despair, to share a laugh that only they can dig out of you… I know you are angry about what your brother did, but do you really have it in you to sabotage the last piece that he has left in this world?”

Paul stayed still for another moment. He raised his head as the song was coming to its end. Paul began to sing along side the lyrics as he stared at Anna.

“…I’ve got… to believe… in his dreams…”

The song concluded, and a huge round of applause followed suit. Paul stood up, throwing a wad of cash on the table. I reached out for it tentatively, and stuffed it in my pocket. Paul gave me a powerful nod, and I returned it with an understanding one. Paul waved his men off, and they all left the building. I run over to Anna, where she sat talking to some of her girlfriends telling them what happened. When they saw me coming they tried to drag her off, but Anna broke free and met me halfway.

“I know things seem bad Anna but you got to believe me I didn’t…” I started but she placed her index finger on my lips, quieting me.

“I’m leaving hun. This life is too wild.”

“L-leaving?” I shuddered. “I see… so this is goodb—”

“I’m only going to be gone for a week. I need to go get to know my famous uncle I never knew I had.” She said with a wink.

I had a stupid look on my face for a minute. After a few minutes, I attempted to play it off, and failed miserably.

“I see. Well I am looking forward to when you get back.” I replied coolly. Anna laughed and began to walk off. “Wait! I also want to tell you something.”

“Yes?” she asked, half-turned.

“I love you.”

This caused her to turn all the way around, and walk up to me until she was right on me.

“Why do you like me?” She asked, and I smiled, finally knowing the answer.

“When I look in your eyes, I find myself floating on the ocean waves, staring up at the sky, and the sun’s rays beaming down on me. It reminds me of my home where I grew up, of a place that I can only dream of. That’s what you are to me, the dream that I never have to wake up from.”

Anna stared me at me, smiling, and locked her fingers in-between mine. I smiled back, and kissed her on the cheek.

“You know, it’s my family’s rule that I have to take my boyfriend to go see them.”

I took out the wad of cash Paul gave me and flashed it in her face.

“Don’t worry; I have plenty to pay round-trip.” I smirked.

Anna smiled back at me, and we walked outside underneath the November sky. Next thing I know, I find myself floating on the ocean waves under a cloudy, blue sky. The water around me dyed red with my own blood, and on shore was Paul aiming a rifle at me, Anna screaming but I couldn’t make out the words. As Paul pulled the trigger, all I could think was how my perfect dream, could end up being my worst nightmare.

=================================

How'd you like it? This one was different then the others because only one of my friends showed up in this one, and I'm not even sure that I was in this one. I couldn't tell if the main guy was me and some other guy.  REgardless, I hope you like it, and check back often, because we will be posting daily to make up for a lack of post last month!

~APLIW~

An Awkward Sight

These past few nights I've dreamt, slept, and taken in all the insanity rising in my mind. A young girl, short and feisty, who once held my heart--before she tore it apart--keeps my mind at unrest. She cares no longer for these brown eyes that still hold her in deep consideration, yet my heart sinks to impale itself upon the rocky shores below that stand to shield my ocean of torment. Yes, I died with suicidal precision at the unwelcomed vision of her face. Her face, a serene scowl to hold back lies, as her small, white hand draws a frightful card numbered XIII.

My head hits the pillow and thoughts of her death pound against my frontal lobe. So, my feet hit the cement in an attempt to allow darkness to wash away my pitch thoughts. Love, hate, something deeper than I've ever looked to imitate; it all pounds against my psyche against my will. When will it come? Where will she be if I'm true? I'd rather die myself than learn that her fate has met the big number XIII.


Carpe diem.
~Alex