Friday, February 27, 2009
Stranded
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Chapter II: Eddie
Mara was only a block away from her apartment building when she finally had enough. Her good mood had long since left and all that was left was a deep annoyance.
Her eyes had long ago adjusted to the dimness of the nights. Making it easy for her to spot the alley up ahead. It was narrow enough so only one person could go in at a time. On reaching it she turned and walked inside, hoping her stalker would follow her. She rested her guitar and speaker on the ground before turning to face the exit. Soon she heard the footsteps speed up and grow closer. Preparing herself she struck with the metal guard of her knife the moment the person stepped in front of the opening.
Caught off guard her stalker had no chance to react before the metal slammed into his face. He went flying and landed face first on the ground with a loud thud. Grimacing she walked out and wondered if she might have hit him a bit too hard. Minutes passed by before he moved. The man had long ragged yellow hair, a sad excuse for a mullet to be precise. He rested his palms on the ground and pushed himself up. As he stood he turned to face her and dusted off his white shirt and black pants. With the palm of his hand he wiped away the dirt and blood from his lips. He looked up to glare at her and she caught sight of a small stream of blood going down his nose. The left side of his face was red and swelling. Even in the dimness she knew who it was.
“What do you want now Eddie?” she asked, exasperated. She rested her hands on her hips but kept her knife out in plane sight.
His left eye twitched in annoyance at the sound of his name.
“It's Ed bitch”. He said.
Mara laughed. She had deliberately said his full name. She knew he hated it.
“It's either Eddie or Rat Bastard, you choose.” she replied.
“Shut up bitch!”
“You sure have a short vocabulary.”
He growled and lunged. She pulled back into the alley and struck out with her right foot. The metal over her boot tip slammed into his abdomen sending back to the ground. Ed sat up a few seconds later, clutching his stomach and shouting insults.
“Give it up man, you'll loose tonight.”
“And why is that?”
She couldn't help but envy the man's stamina.
“Because you're injured.” she replied.
“I'm not.” He growled.
“Sure you're not. I guess that's not blood soaking through your shirt huh?” She pointed to the left side of his waist.
He attempted to conceal the injury by covering it with his left hand. However, the blood was quickly soaking through the white fabric of his shirt, making the fact that he was injured harder to hide.
“You should see a doctor.”
“Don't tell me what to do!” her growled.
“I'm just worried about you.”
“Shut up!”
“Sorry for caring.”
“You're so full of shit!” Ed lunged at her again and caught Mara's leg when she kicked out. Shocked, she didn't have enough time to react. He yanked her forward to the street behind him. But before she hit the dirt she curled herself up and rolled once before jumping back to her feet. The man wasn't at his best. She could tell he was tired by the way he gasped after every attack. His shoulders shook as he turned towards her.
“Why are you overexerting yourself when you know you should be resting?!”
He ignored her and charged again.
She dodged.
I can't fight him when he's like this. He needs a doctor.
He stalked towards her and flung his fist when he was at arms length. Concentrating she grabbed a hold of his shirt after dodging. With enough force she punched him in the lower stomach while being careful not to hit his injury. The blow knocked him unconscious. However she wasn't prepared for his weight and almost lost her balance when he fell over her.
Once she had a firm hold on him she scanned the area. No one was there. Scanning her memory she tried to remember where the nearest physician lived. She recalled that Doctor Yi –an elderly man of sixty– lived a couple of blocks back. Hefting his weight and that of her instrument and speaker over her shoulders she began walking towards the doctor's house.
Mara stopped to rest after going halfway. Resting Ed against the side of a building she sighed, placed her things on the ground, and stretched her arms, legs and back to rid herself of the dull ache that had developed in her shoulders.
“Damn it man I think its about time you go on a diet.” she looked down at Ed's unconscious body. Blood now covered most of his stomach, making her worry. Frowning she knelt down before him and pulled up his shirt. His injury was hidden beneath poorly wrapped bandages now completely red.
He must have treated it himself.
Sighing and shaking her head she lowered his shirt and stood up again. Chills suddenly ran down her back and made her shudder. The familiar sensation of being watched came over her. Turning to face the empty street Mara gazed into the darkness trying to see if she could spot anyone hiding in the shadowed rooftops or alleys. She felt the eyes on her but no one stepped out into the open. Mara felt the presence nearby but as much as she tried she could not pin point a location. After several minutes she finally gave up the wait.
Deciding that Ed's health came first she hefted the man's weight over her shoulders again. If the person watching her had wanted to hurt her he or she would have attacked by now.
However, Mara felt the eyes on her the entire way to Doctor Yi's. By the time she reached the house the sky had already begun to lighten.
The elderly man lived in a small concrete house on the corner of the street. The building, like all the others, was overrun with ivy. The Doctor's house was one of the few in the block whose glass windows were still intact. It's walls were painted a light yellow and several potted roses were scattered on both sides of the door. After placing her things, and Ed, against an empty piece of wall next to the door, Mara knocked three times and waited. The sound of shuffling footsteps from within the house told her the doctor was home.
“Coming!”
A moment later the door was opened. The light from within the house flooded out into the street. She blinked and lowered her head. After the momentary blindness subsided she looked back up. The man standing before her was only five feet tall with wispy salt and pepper hair and a small mustache. The elderly man's ashy pale skin and wide eyes reminded her of a corpse. The old blue robe he wore didn't improve his appearance.
“Mara? Why are you up so early?” He looked up at her, confused. “You aren't hurt again are you?”
“No, sorry for waking you up.”
“Don't be, I was already awake. What seems to be the problem?” The elderly man had a husky voice that shook now and then. A while ago he had told Mara it was due to a sickness he had had as a child, a throat illness he knew little about.
“I brought someone for you to look at.” She stepped away from the entrance and motioned to Ed with her right hand. The doctor stepped out of the house and wrapped the robe tighter around his thin form. Looking down he saw the unconscious man and his eyes grew wide. Kneeling he checked the injury like she had done earlier.
“How did he get this?” He asked.
“I don't know, after he attacked me I noticed the injury. I guess it reopened when I hit him.”
Doctor Yi shook his head in disapproval. “He should have gone to a doctor.”
That's what I told him.
“Kids these days. Now, you said he attacked you?” He looked up at her then, his bright black eyes on her face.
“Lets just say we're rivals.”
Once more the man shook his head. “You must have a lot of them then.” She knew he referred to her past. Doctor Yi was the man who dressed her injuries after fights and also those of the people she fought.
After helping Doctor Yi take Ed inside Mara excused herself.
He stopped her with a question. “So how are you doing?”
She knew he was referring to her injury. She glanced down at her right side. A phantom pain passed over her waist and thigh for a fraction of a second.
“I'm fine. It doesn't hurt a lot anymore.”
“That's good. Come back whenever you want alright. Be careful.”
“I will Doctor, thanks.”
By now the sky had lost its darkness, it was now illuminated by the first rays of sunshine, making the entire sky a rusted red hue. Even though she knew it was because of the pollution from the city, she couldn't help but think it beautiful.
Mara turned to face the direction of home. She bent down to pick up her speaker with her left hand, and slung her guitar over her shoulders so her right hand was free. It unconsciously went over her side, over her injury, as she began to walk. Even though the bandages had been removed a week before, the flesh over it was still soft and pink. It was sensitive to the air, making her shiver from the morning cold. Even though it had been shallow enough to avoid serious complications the injury was still deep enough to leave a permanent scar. The scar ran from just bellow her ribs to the top of her right thigh. She was still confused about its origin. As much as she tried Mara could not remember how she had gotten it almost three weeks ago. She knew it was some time in the beginning of the month, but everything was a blur.
When she reached her apartment building the sun had already peaked out from the horizon, making the sky golden-red. Even so Mara was still uneasy. The eyes were still watching her. As much as she tried she cold not spot anyone in the streets or rooftops. The sudden wave of exhaustion that swamped her made her momentarily forget about the stalker and wish for her bed.
Finally, she reacher her home.
It was a four story apartment building of antique design. The exterior was made of concrete. Everything inside was made of wood. It was covered in ivy and several of the windows on the second and third floor were broken. They were covered with wooden planks or plastic bags. Since the building was furthest from the city it had no electricity. Several oil lamps hung outside the windows and two hung on the sides of the entrance. Since the day had arrived they would soon be put out.
After one more scan of the area she went inside. It was a good thing the lobby windows were tinted. That way only those inside could see the street, those outside could only see black. The feeling of being watched left her and she was finally able to rest her tense nerves. Her landlord was already up. The elderly woman of fifty was seated at the table next to the large window, looking out at the street. He had dyed red hair and a light tan to her wrinkled skin. Before her was a cup full of a steaming liquid and a plate with strangely shaped pieces of what Mara assumed was bread. She quickly recognized Angie's cooking. Angie was a tenant on the second floor. The phrase “looks bad, tastes good” fit the woman's cooking perfectly.
“Long night at the Alley's eh?” The elderly woman's green eyes rested on Mara's equipment, her right eyebrow raised in amusement.
Mara nodded. “Morning Abigale.”
Abigale smiled. “Good morning. Now go to bed you look like hell child!”
“I will.”
She resisted the urge to remind the old woman that she was already twenty two. Instead she smiled at Abigale before going to the flight of stairs in the far back of the small lobby. With one final wave to her landlord she began ascending up to the third floor.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I: Never Ending Carnival
CHAPTER ONE: NEVER ENDING CARNIVAL
The walls of five large buildings loomed over the crowds. They stood in silence in the the large empty space between them, called the Alleys. The four multicolored lamps hanging from thick cables around the Alleys were shut off. The only light came from the globe lamp hanging over the center, it's light cast dancing shadows on the walls. The light illuminated the three men and one woman holding the people's attention. All held some sort of instrument in their hands.
The woman was no taller than five feet six with long layered black hair that cascaded over her thin shoulders and bowed head. The top layer had a thick streak of red on her right. She wore red plaid cargo pants that were rolled up to just bellow her knees where the ends of black laced boots disappeared. The tips of her boots were covered in polished pieces of steel. Her black t-shirt stuck to her thin frame and was splashed with red paint to resemble splattered blood. From her neck hung a long silver chain with a rose pendant and around her neck were several cords of black thread. Her face was hidden from view, as she held her electric guitar. The strap was over her right shoulder so she could press down on the strings to produce the different notes while her right hand, with a red pick held in her fingers, hovered over the strings near the bridge. The light made the metal she wore gleam, including the spiked wrist guard on her right arm and the two rings on her hand, a small silver band with a cross cut red stone on her left index, and a silver rose that wrapped around her middle finger.
Her flashy wardrobe made her stand out from the other three, who wore simple shirts and baggy jeans with flip flops. The man beside her had long brown hair tied back into a pony tail, in his hand he help a small microphone near his lips. His brown eyes stared out at the crowd with childish glee. Behind her was the drummer, who held a pair of drumsticks in his hands. And behind the vocalist stood the keyboardist. His fingers hovering over the keys, ready to play at any moment.
All of a sudden she broke the silence by running the pick over her guitar strings. Her guitar wailed and the sound blared out of the two speakers that flanked the four of them. She began to play a series of notes as the keyboard and drums followed and timed to her beat. The vocalist began to hum into the microphone. His deep voice rose over the other instruments when he began to sing. The crowed cheered momentarily before falling back into silence so they could listen.
The woman, Mara, snapped her head up as she played, her hair flew away from her face as she smiled and stared with bright gray eyes at the crowd. The glee was plane in her face as she preformed. Music was the biggest part of her life, she was always happiest when preforming. Her heart soared with joy as she played her guitar. She scanned the crowd, looking at all the people watching them with enjoyment and awe. She loved their smiles and shouts. However her happiness was suddenly interrupted as she noticed a certain face in the crowd. Though it was cast in shadow by the darkness she still spotted the form standing within the crowd before her. It was as if all time stood still and the others were suddenly black silhouettes. Only he stood out. She knew it was male and a sense of recollection and fear ran through her, but as much as she tried she could not remember where she had seen him. She could remember nothing of who the person was.
After the wave of déjà vu ran through her the spell broke. The smile did not leave her face as she kept playing. When she tried to get a better look, though, the face blended into the crowds and was lost. Deciding to overlook the moment she poured her heart into the music once more.
Mara was one of the many inhabitants of the Outskirts, the forsaken district of Diamond City. The outskirts were where those who did not wish to live in the city, or could not live in it, went. After being abandoned by the Diamond Government those who lived in the outskirts formed their own rules to live by and became a small town. The Alleys was the place where performers and people came to pass the time. It was the place of relaxation for many, where they could momentarily forget their problems and worries and enjoy themselves.
Earlier in the evening, about an hour after arriving in the Alleys, she had been asked by the vocalist to play with them for the night. At first she had refused but after an hour of constant invitations she finally gave in and joined them. The four of them had then moved their equipment to the center of the place. She did not regret joining them. Mara had forgotten how good it felt to play music with others, like she had a long time ago.
Mara played with the band the entire night.
The end of the night soon came. Before she knew it there was only an hour left before dawn. They were all exhausted by then. The crowds cheered and clapped when the performance came to an end. Rubbing the sweat from her brow with her hand she thanked the people who came up to her for their compliments.
“You were awesome.” The vocalist said to her, also wiping sweat from his face.
She thanked him and knelt down next to her guitar case and pulled out a small hand towel she kept there. She rubbed it over her face and neck to remove the perspiration. She was always hot after a performance, and being in a crowd of people with so much body heat didn't help. Still she was content, the rage inside of her was now sated. She had even forgotten what had made her angry in the first place.
Mara turned to face the three musicians. “I have to go now. It was a lot of fun playing with you guys.” She held out her right hand to the vocalist first.
“It was fun, you sure you don't want to join us?” he asked as he shook her hand.
She shook her head. “Sorry but I cant. Thank you for inviting me though.” She turned to shake the other two's hands.
"No problem, if your ever in the neighborhood feel free to join us again."
She smiled at them and nodded. “I will.”
After saying goodbye to her new friends and a few admirers she decided it was time to leave. Mara picked up her speaker in her left hand and slung the strap on her guitar case over her right shoulder. She made her way to the western exit and turned back to gaze at the scenery one more time before leaving. The lamps on the four walls had been turned on again. Once more the entire place was lit up with colorful lights. Smaller lamps with images painted onto them cast large colorful shapes on the walls, there were stars and leaves and she even saw a witch flying on her broomstick. Laughing to herself she held onto the warmth she felt in her heart. She watched the jugglers to the sides toss up knives and flaming batons. She was amazed every time she saw them catch the items with they teeth. She watched her new friends laugh and clap each other on the back as they packed up their things. Couples danced all around them as other musicians began to play near the spot she and the three had played. Memories like these were the kind she held dearest. Even now she considered the Alleys a never ending carnival. Engraving the scene in her mind she turned her back to everyone and went into the small narrow alley that was the exit.
Outside was a completely different world. Looking up at the sky she saw only darkness.
Tonight must be the new moon.
The flames inside the small cases atop each street lamp blinked and sputtered as she passed by. The buildings lining the dirt road were old and crumpling, a few were nothing but rubble while other were covered in ivy that even penetrated a few shattered windows. She could see light from a few windows. Even though the area was poor, she rarely saw a miserable face. There were always smiling faces during the day. At night there was rarely anyone in the streets, most were inside or at the Alleys. Unlike those in the city, the people here could live their lives however they wanted, freely and without constant orders from the government. Like them she had traded her safety for her freedom. The Outskirts were dangerous, but Mara did not care. She had learned how to protect herself. In fact there was hardly a person who did not know how to fight within the small town.
She made her way down the lonely streets, heading towards the apartment building she lived in. She felt calm in the afterglow of the past event. However she did not let her guard down as she made her way home. She kept her senses sharp to avoid any unwanted surprises.
When Mara was near her home she began to hear another pair of footsteps. To make sure it wasn't her imaginations she stopped walking. Seconds later the steps stopped. After waiting a few seconds she began to walk, and sure enough she heard the footsteps far behind her again. She kept herself calm and actually felt bad for the person who had decided to disturb her good mood. While she walked she maneuvered her right hand into her pocket to pull out her switch blade. She did this while she was in the shadows before reaching the next street lamp. She flicked it open and slipped her fingers beneath the steel guard over the handle that served her as like brass knuckles when she fought. She made sure the light from the lamps illuminated the blade. Mara hoped her stalker would think otherwise about bothering her once he or she knew she was armed. However there was no such luck, the footsteps continued at an even pace a ways behind her.
This person's either stupid or very sure of themselves.
That's all for now folks, stay tune for next time.
(Note this is protected by a creative commons attribution license, cant be distributed or changed or plagiarized without my permission since it is original. Same goes for other chapters.)
Inatant Messenger
lately i have been using yahoo instant messenger a lot to talk to my friends. (As shown on the right.) Today the weather was a lot nicer. Still cold but not freakin freezing like yestersay. and for the first time in a while there was full on sunshine. usually i like the rain but not this way, not when its being shoved into my window by super gusts of wind. i was so happy to see the sunshine. my roomate was being loud, i mean she had her music up really loud and the walls are so thin i can her it and feel its vibrations on every beat. Actually she is my dorm mate not room mate, just to clarify. Anyway i have homework to do and i guess i better do it. Even though i dont want to. My friend May just gave me Terrier by Tamora Pierce to read and i wanna read that instead of work. I've already read the book once but i can't help but reread them, i love Tamora Pierce's books, well...most of them. Anyway that's all for now. Bye.
Friend's Blogs
http://cantchangethisone.blogspot.com/
http://makazu.blogspot.com/
http://toxin13.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wish Bracelets
Ugh i fell asleep in class today. but at least dance went by quickly. The weather is still crap right now, i wish it would stop raining and the sun would show. lately i have been making wish bracelets for my friends, like the ones on the right. (Yes Aya that's the same notebook you gave me for Xmas/New Years. I'm finally using it since i finished the small green one.) I learned how to make bracelets a long time ago but i stopped making them until now. i made them slightly different and not out of hemp string like they originally are. Anyway i should finish my homework. Byes for now then.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Chinese New Years '09
I went to go see the Chinese New Years parade on the seventh of February. it was a lot of fun and i loved the parade. it was very beautiful and even though the air was thick with the scent of gunpowder from the fireworks it was very beautiful.
Now i am in my dorm building and about to return to my room. my friends and i are about to watch Griffin and Phoenix. A sad romance movie (not the type of genre i usually watch but hey) about two terminally ill individuals who fall in love with one another. the weather is crazy and i hope the movie isn't too long, i have to get up for classes tomorrow morning. i swear when i woke up this morning i heard a loud banging on my window (on the second floor of the building) and when i looked outside the window was covered in water and the wind was what was making all the noise. It was so bad i decided to crawl back into bed. unfortunately i have to get up early tomorrow and the weather isn't much help. we had to practically run to the building today after getting food in the old union. Anyway i have to go now cause i have to pack up my stuff. byes for now.