IC: Whispers of the Past Chpt 1: The Awakening [m]

[Stiltzkin]

Location: Home
Time: Morning

The thing was insanely heavy even with the cart hefting most of the weight. Julian pulled harder until it met an incline and finally gave into gravity. Julian walked around to the side and opened a panel.

"Red or Green, which is it?" He fished around for some wire cutters in his jacket pocket but neglected to find any. "I'll guess we have to wing it." Julian grabbed both of the wires and pulled. A small blank screen suddenly flashed red and a timer began counting down.

"45"

"30"

"10"

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

The Bomb exploded and swallowed Julian up in a blinding heat. The pain was incredible but quick and left Julian with the kind of release afforded only to the blessed. And it was gone. Julian sighed. Just a dream.

"A really good dream." Thought Julian as he turned to face the pillow. He buried himself in the soft comfort of the bed and pulled his blankets up over his head. It was warm and smelled of sweet B.O. Julian scrunched up his nose and sucked in a breath, "I neeb bto chanbge dees sheets. Dey sbell like crab." Julian tore off the sheets and walked butt naked out of hos room and into the hall. His hand swept past the switch and the ceiling lamp flickered to life. "MOM?" Yelled Julian down the stairs.

"15 minutes." replied a small voice from the kitchen on the first floor. Julian smiled and stretched. "Til what?"

"Work."

Julian's face contorted in confusion. "I thought you weren't working tonight." Julian grimaced he hoped she could have stayed home to make some dinner tonight. It was her turn after all he made the last five dinners including a lunch. He could hear her walk towards the bottom of the stairs. She spotted him and squeezed the bridge of her nose. "Put some damn clothes on you idiot. By the way, 10 minutes."

Julian spun on his heels and marched back into his room. "You don't seem particularly interested in going to work." He spied around his room for some wearable pants. Poking his head out of the room he shouted. "Are you gonna ditch?" Julian mother looked at him and then through him a belt. "Thanks Mom."

"No, I'm not ditching." Said Julian's mother, her smile growing wider.

Julian grabbed a pair of jeans out from under his bed and slipped them on. They were torn in several places and hadn't been washed in quite some time. "Quick Fix" Mumbled Julian grabbing some Old Spice Body Spray from the dresser and then soaking the jean with it. "Good as new."

"Wait, So they're letting you work at home? That's cool. Hmmm, But wait, don't you work as a Personal Assistant? How does that work out?" She turned to him and looked at his puzzled face. "I swear I must have dropped you on your head at some point."

Then it dawned on Julian. "SHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT." Julian grabbed a random shirt, pulled up his window and jumped out. His mother ran to the window. "Use the door next time....AND WAKE UP EARLIER!!!"

Julian was booking it down the street, if he was late for work again his boss would murder him.

[Kris]

Location: "World of wonders", book store
Time of Day: 7:45 AM


"Kant, look at me!", the young woman gazed at the man before her, waiting for him (while tapping her feet on the floor rapidity) to fully concentrate with what she had to say, and as any feminine type of thinking stated (which she obviously possessed) the only way to make sure one took your words into consideration would be by making sure he was looking into your eyes as you spoke to him. Which obviously wasn't the case here since his back was directed to her.

Kant slowly turned his head half way for Cherilyn's direction, looking somewhat uneasy.

She used the 'tune', which meant she was unpleased with something, which meant that unless he would be ready to answer back he was going to suffer her bitching.

Slowly placing the books he unpacked into the right shelves, he swallow as he carefully asked, "What is it?". He tried hard to avoid eye-contact with her.

"Do you see anything wrong here?", she asked (Although it was clearly not a question. Something was wrong, or she wouldn't be so angry). He followed the trail of her pointed finger to another far book's shelf.

Oh dear... It's gonna be a long speech...

He slowly decent the ladder, making his way for her, trying not to hit any of the boxes on the way as he did. Carefully checking the area that she regarded at, he failed to see what was wrong. Returning a puzzled (and somewhat terrified) look, he opened his mouth to say, "I... I don't see what's wrong here".

He knew he was about to be sorry for his life for failing to anticipate what was it that got her so worked up. Then again it wasn't the first time. She would calm down, so better be cool about it.

However, dealing with her crap for the last 6 months that he has been working here taught him a lesson for life; Never get married.

"How can't you see?", she asked, the anger rising in her voice.

Oh boy... here we go...

Cherilyn picked up two books and held them up, one in each hand, "Tell me why they are both placed one after the other?".

"Err....", Kant rubbed the back of his head, "Probably because they need to be...?"

"Why?", her eyes slowly narrowed and her eyebrows almost crossed together as she frowned.

Keep calm, keep calm... you can do it... she is just one woman... insane woman, but just one!!!

"Err... Because that's the alphabetical order...?"

"YOU IDIOT!", she snapped.

Ah yes, Totally forgot logic is not one with insane people such as her... but let's try again...

"What...?", Kant asked slowly.

"You can't place Twolasiny with Tweedy together!", she snapped, "YOU JUST CAN'T!".

"Err... Why....?".

"Are you really stupid or what?!", she asked with anger, "The two are fighting each other for the last year! the last thing I want to do is having an angry fan of one of them not buying here because he gets to see his idol's nemesis book placed right beside his idol's book like it was nothing!".

... I give up... No reason with that woman... Let's end this quick, we got a lot of job to do unpacking this delivery... Let's end this now...

"I'm sorry", Kant said carefully.

"You better be! This is a big deal you know?! We can't make armature's mistakes here you know?!"

Total crazy bitch

"Yes, yes", he said trying so hard to hide the sarcastic smile that threaten to take over, "How foolish of me".

"Indeed", she agreed right away and Kant couldn't help but feeling even more stupid for actually giving her a full victory on a silver plate. Instead he just decided to give her a curve ball to deal with.

"So...", he said, looking serious as he looked around, "How can this be solved, ma'am?".

Cherilyn just shoved the books into his hands, "You solve it, I'm not going to fix up your mistakes!", and with that she left him standing with the books, cursing the hell out of her as he went to place them again right where they were.

Then he frowned knowing she would catch this... Having no real choice or solution for this, he went back and just did the thing he thought to be the best and left a long gap between the two books, all the while thinking of the stupid spot being wasted because of one mental woman.


***


Location: "World of wonders", book store
Time of Day: 9:10 AM


Today was a big day.

It was a delivery day!

For Cherilyn Rothberg these days were like a weekly Christmas. They were the days were Santa (aka her suppliers) gets her tons of presents (Which were the books. TONS OF THEM).

She could have really enjoyed these days more if it weren't for the need of a quick unpacking and cataloging she had to do before the opening, and she had little time to spare. She was just one woman, and she hoped her assistant Kant would do a better job, but the tanned tall skin blond guy proved time and time again that he can't do on his own. At this rate she was going to lose it.

Luckily it only happened once a week...

Which, grated, isn't so lucky...

Oh well...

The doorbell rang weakly as the morning breeze carried indoor along hit against the windwhistle that hanged not far from the bell, adding another melody to the soft rings, which was an appropriate herald to declare the coming of her best friend into the store.

“Good morning Cherilyn!”, said Rosaline Bennett

"Lina", was the best answer she could offer her friend from being behind the counter, but she added a thrilled wave and a huge smile, "Good morning sweetie, how are you?".

Their small talk was brutally cut by a great noise coming from the outside.

"KANT!", she called for her assistant who placed himself right before her in no time, knowing perfectly well it would be trouble if he let her wait for too long, "Go check what's going on near the trashcan outside".

"Fine", he said defeated. probably stupid cats or dogs fighting, he thought to himself but dared not say it aloud.

Once he was gone (Again, opening the door outside, allowing more ringing from the bell and some cold breeze to enter), Cherilyn turned to address her friend when a new comer walked in.

“Morning, you wouldn’t happen to have any new gem books in yet, would you?”

"We got some new stuff today, but we are still unpacking. If you want I can try and see around the hobbies section. Do you have any idea what you exactly looking for? Who is the author or define section of interest?".

"OH SHIT!", Kant came back running, almost slamming the door as he stormed inside.

"You idiot, stop going in and out like that, you freeze me!".

"Listen, there is a badly guy hurt there!".

"Oh crap, not again! Can you call the officers or summon up an ambulance?".

"Well, there is a woman outside helping him. I believe she already called one".

Cherilyn tsked, "Well, just go help her. I can't do much from here you know? and beside I'm with a client so make yourself useful and deal with this! I can't bother myself every time those addict kids go wild around here".

Kant frowned but didn't say another word as he left again.

"Sorry about that", Cherilyn nodded slowly, "It just keeps happening you know? those damn worthless thugs getting high and whatnot. We keep calling the cops but even they lost hope you know? So, what kind of a book are you exactly looking for?", she asked Su Lin, giving a soft nod to Lina, "I'll just help this woman and I'll be right with you", she told her with a warm smile.

[Edynol]

Location: Hospital
Time: Morning

It was around seven in the morning when Dr. Acerton entered the hospital from the back door in the emergency room. He made a habit of this years ago so incase there was an emergency when he was off, he'd be right there if they needed. As was his routine, he went straight to the coffee pot in the staff lounge and poured him a cup. "Morning Ace," said one of the office clerks who was sitting at the table near by enjoying her coffee and a danish.

"Mmmm," Zack groaned, he was never very social until he had his coffee. "Morning Janice," he finally said after taking a sip. He grimmaced at the taste of the coffee, which was way stronger than he liked. "I guess Grubby made the coffee this morning," he said before reluctantly taking another sip. As if summoned by his nickname, Doctor Grubner entered the lounge. "Damn, Grubby. You really should put more water into this."

The veteran doctor, who was in his fifties but still in good shape from the twenty years he spent as a Navy Corpseman, chuckled at the expression on Zack's face. "Hey my coffee has character. It'll put some hair on your chest kid."

"Hmm," Zack grunted. "Character? Your coffee has tar...Jesus Christ man. And I don't need hair on my chest. The ladies like it smooth and toned. But of course you wouldn't know that after being married for twenty five years."

Grubby snorted, the corner of his mouth comming up in a half smile. "Well I ain't got no complaints. You should take my advice and settle down. You won't be young forever ya know."

Zack scoffed. "Ha! Me? Settle down? Maybe when I'm done having fun and my first gray hair shows itself." Grubby grunted and shook his head as he left the lounge for his rounds, mumbling some about if he were still young. Zack then said bye to Janice and left the lounge as well as he headed to IC. "Hey Barbs" he said to one of the nurses. "How's Mr. Kingston doin? The sting victim from last night?"

"Morning Zack," the young nurse said with a smile on her face. "He's doing fine. The inflamation has receded to normal levels but he still can't talk."

Zack nodded as they walked to IC where the man was resting. He grabbed his chart and looked it over. "His white bloodcell count is still a little high, which means there's still an infection. Take him off the Naproxin and switch him to wide spectrum antibiotics." The nurse nodded and they parted ways as he entered Mr. Kingston's room. "Good morning, Larry," Zack said to the man. "Are you feeling okay? Don't try to speak yet, just give me signal." Larry held up his arm and gave a thumbs up. "Good, good. That was a close call last night. Maybe from now on you should buy bottles instead of cans when you're out and about. The same thing happened to a cousin of mine and he ain't touched a can since. But on the bright side, he couldn't laugh for two weeks, which was a blessing. He used to sound like a donkey choking on a seal when he laughed."

The man nodded his head in agreement and smiled at Zack's short story. "Well, everything's looking good so far. I called your daughter and she's flying in to see you. You gave us all quite a scare there. Thank god I was in the right place at the right time, eh? Anyways, I'm gonna keep you here in IC for one more night, maybe two, until we clear up that infection. You won't be able to eat or drink anything for a while, but the I.V.s will take care of that. You should be able to drink liquids though in a few days once you heal up a little bit, then after about two weeks you can start eating soft food, like applesauce and icecream and such. But you won't be able to eat anything solid for about five weeks."

Larry nodded in undertanding. Then Zack asked, "Have you ever used an I-Pad?" He nodded again. "Good. We have a few of them we keep around for situations such as yours so you'll be able to communicate. I'll have one of the nurses bring you one shortly." Zack checked his vitals real quick and smiled. "Well, everything seems to be going good. Your BP is a little low, but that's to be expected until the anesthetics totally ware off. With any luck, we'll move you out of IC tomorrow and give you your own room with a TV and such. You're lucky, we were below budget the past few months and were able to get HBO and the other movie channels." Larry grinned and nodded at that.

After leaving Mr. Kingston, Zack proceeded with his rounds then afterwards went to his office to catch up on some paperwork. Being in a small town, there were rarely many patients at any one time, so there wasn't much to catch up on. As was working on his paperwork, though, he heard one of the ambulances start up. When he went to inquire about it, the woman at dispatch said someone was beaten up and thrown in a dumpster behind World of Wonders book store. A look of worry crossed his face. He hoped it wasn't Cherilyn, the owner. She was a nice young woman, if not a bit ostentatious, and had never failed to get him a book he was after in quick order.

[Clyde]

Location: School [Hell]

Time: Late morning
------------------------------------------------------------
Super robot invasion.-robotic voice

"No we're just a helpless bully!"

Tears streamed the young man's face as he ran through the rather elongated buildings. The school had a seemingly twisted itself into a deadly maze of death. As students, mainly bullies, ran for their life. The teachers were also not left behind as robots began invading their privacy with laser beams.

"I didn't mean to not help,"

One teacher begged while pitifully sniffling. Hands on their knees and praying to the sky, the robot gave her a mechanical sneer. A laser then fired down around her and she was caught by a mechanical ship.

Take her to the mothership, she will be queen, and subjected to servitude. -robotic voice.

As the mechanical ships flew her to the mothership, god hand came from nowhere and smooshed the picture. Stephen looked up from his notebook towards the a teacher giving him a dark sneer. Stephen continued to nervously look back at the math teacher, Mr. Hansom. All though Stephen found his name, somewhat missleading since Mr. Hansom wore a toupe and was rather old.

"How about you solve the equation on the board Mr. Hughes?" Mr. Hansom said.

"So...so...sorry," Stephen managed to stammer out.

Stephen tried to turned the page of the sketchbook, but Mr. Hansom's god hand continued holding down unto the book. He actually meant on the board in front of everyone. Stephen stared at Mr. Hansom with a look of fright, he was kidding correct.

"Well, you weren't paying attention and I assume it's because you're delightfully intelligent," Mr. Hansom said, "Go on ahead."

"So...sorry...sorry," Stephen muttered.

"Pardon?" Mr. Hansom said.

He could feel the whole classes gaze on him now. Sneering. Some were giggling. They enjoyed watching him in uncomfortable situations they enjoyed watching him screw up or get picked by the teachers. It's because they could get away with everything. It's because everything Stephen did was wrong, but everything they did was right. He never understood how he could be doing anything wrong. Many of the teachers complained his robot invasions were disturbing pictures of his mind. Kids at school even the counselors thought he was crazy. And they imagined why. Here he was stuck in an impossible situation.

"Mr. Hansom boss level sixty, way past my experience," he whispered.

"Well Mr.Hughes," Mr. Hansom said Stephen unsure if he heard what he whispered.

Stephen finally took a gaze off of Mr. Hansom and stared at the board that seemed so far away. And the more stares he got and the more Mr. Hansom leered the more the class seemed to elongate and get farther away. He was feeling a sudden sense of panic and vertigo. He felt dizzy and confused. He wasn't sure what the problem was, but he couldn't.

"I...I...can't....Mr...I can't. Mr.Hansom," Stephen stammered out.

"You can't complete the problem on the board?" Mr.Hansom asked in a mocking tone.

"No...sir...." Stephen said fighting back tears.

"And this is why you pay attention in class," Mr.Hansom said, "See if you all don't want to turn out like Stephen then I suggest that you actually do the work and pay attention or you'll remain stupid."

Using his god hands Mr.Hansom took the sketchbook off the desk.

"I'll give this back after class," Mr.Hansom said.

The rest of math class was Stephen fiddling with his pen. He couldn't seem to focus on the words Hansom was saying. Nor could he see the board really. He wasn't sure what was going on. He felt a sudden chill as the door opened, oh just one of the students passing by. Unable to focus on learning he spent most of his time staring at the white texture walls of the classroom. The trimming of the walls had ugly pee stain yellow wallpaper beginning to peel off. Models of mathematics hung on the walls, making the classroom feel more spacious and empty. The muplications chart appeared to have many numbers and patterns connected with it. The whiteboard, was white with the fresh smell of markers lingering in the classroom. The small kindergarten desk and chair combos were not comfortable and they were made out of cheap pliable wood and cheap pliable metal.

Mostly a figment of his imagination the rows of chairs seemed long, like a fashionable runway. He sat in the back of the class in hopes that he would not be noticed. Though the teacher seemed to always pay especial attention to him and he wasn't sure why. He could note the many students texting or passing on notes that the teacher didn't seem to notice. He could note the students doodling in their notebooks and note the students just whispering amongst themselves. Why was it him? There were so many rules being broken, but it always felt like him. He was trying to choke back the urge to cry. He hated crying. He hated showing weakness in an ocean full of sharks. He was not a shark. Just a small minnow trying not to be used to much for bait.

"Mr.Hughes," Mr.Hansom said, "Mr.Hughes."

"So...sorry...what is it?" Stephen stammered now looking towards the cheap metal desk of Mr.Hansom.

"You're going to leave my classroom?" Mr.Hansom asked.

"The...bell..." Stephen said.

"Yes," Mr.Hansom said.

Stephen quickly got up and quickly, but neatly placed his items into his TNMT bag. Stephen quickly realized what he had to do. Slowly dreading the walk he found himself standing in front of Mr. Hansom and looming over his desk the way Mr. Hansom loomed over his from time to time. His heart was racing and his head was pounding. He wished he stayed him today and played hookie. He wished he could have played hookie.

"Ma...may...may...may I," Stephen stuttered.

"May you what?" Mr. Hansom asked generally not interested and packing out his lunch.

"May...I have...my sketchbook?" Stephen asked, "I have....I...have...B Lunch...so..so...after maths...I have art. And...need need my sketchbook."

"I don't know," Mr.Hansom said, "After school okay."

"You...you...said...after class," Stephen said.

"Yes and I changed my mind," Mr.Hansom said, "Because even after my talk you refused to pay attention in class. Now get to your next class please."

Stephen walked out of the math room feeling rather defeated. Swarms of students were clumped together in cliques like schools of fish. The campus wasn't very impressive, the buildings were warn down and the paint was fading. The grass was very much dead and there weren't very many big trees. The library sat in the middle like a holy divinity temple. The wooden benches had paint chippping and some wood warping. The metal benches were rusted. The art and music room was nestled behind the only large tree around the campus. The sidewalk was always littered in tree vomit. Leaves and sap made walking on the sidewalk less than pleasant.

He found himself staring at the art room door. Probably the only class he enjoyed and here he was going to upset another teacher. Staring at the door he still had some time before the bell rang.

"Boss level thirty, way past your experience level," he whispered under his breath and he opened the door.

There was a kind of noise and bustled in the painting room. Always the fresh smell of paint and always something intriguing. The horrible beige color of the wallpaper was faded away by paintings hung wherever there was room. Clay statues sat on a desk in the back. The metal sink was covered in paint stains and even the teacher Mrs. Gergit was always covered in paint. Her apron literally smeared in it and her hands were stained by it. She stared at Stephen.

"Have a seat," she said, "We'll begin in three minutes have your sketchbook ready."

"I..." Stephen began.

"Yes," she asked quietly.

"Don't have my sketchbook," Stephen said, "I...do...do...have...it. Another teacher took it away."

"Well we do have a policy of not doing our homework in class," she said, "So I'll mark you down for late assignment and I guess you'll be watching the other students present."

"I...I..wasn't doing homework," Stephen said. "I...just...thought...and...imagined."

"I'm sorry, but I can't give any leniences," she said.

"Yo...yo...you can...call Mr.Hansom...he...has my book..." Stephen said.

"Look class is going to begin and please don't start a fuss," Gergit said.

Stephen didn't protest any further he grudgingly walked down the mini aisles created by the long tables. Four students sat at the three long tables. It wasn't a fairly big class. Home Ec and computer science had more students usually and even then music class was even fuller than those classes. Stephen never liked disappointing Gergit. She was like a grandmother type, large and inviting. Old and wholesome the type of person with a lot of life experience. She was imaginative and thoughtful and was proud of her students work. She always commented that Stephen's mind was filled with wonders. But not today.

Today he felt out of it. In a quickened haze. Confused and unable to focus on anything. He felt he had disappointed someone and not only that, but he had felt he let her down. The students were whispering about him and once again even though it was a group project he was singled out and left to his own devices. He followed the assignment down to the bone, but he still felt something was missing. As Gergit came to collect their work a few minutes early before the bell rang to let them out of lunch early, she frowned at his work.

"This isn't your usual style," Gergit said.

"So...so..sorry," Stephen muttered.

"For?" she asked.

"I'll do better next time,"

As many of the students lined up at the door waiting hastily for the bell, he just sat on the plastic chair waiting for the bell. He was trying to fight back the eagerness to cry. The eagerness to simply shrink back and away from it all. Oh how he wanted to play hookie. How he wanted to be sick or dead. Dead would be better than this. But even then he was to much of a coward to end his own life. Why was he always the bad guy? Why was he always the bad student? Was he truly doing something wrong? Was there something wrong with him? As the bell rung he found himself getting up in a tranfixed state. Students from Lunch A were to make their way to class and students from Lunch B were to begin lunching. Stephen found himself walking to the one and only place he knew he was safe. The library.

No one spoke in the library that and no one was ever really there. The library was a bright place filled with silence. To make sure none of the students stole from the library backpacks were forced near the entrance in a slough of other backpacks. Though there were rarely people here and the library lady never seemed to pay attention. He knew where he was going passing the shelves that were empty and alone and found himself in the back corner with the non fiction where no one goes and the lights had burnt out. It was dark and quiet and he found his own energy seeping away. He found himself collasped in the dark crying in the library yet again.

[Storm]

Location: World of Wonders bookstore
Time of Day: MidMorning

As Cherilyn inquires "We got some new stuff today, but we are still unpacking. If you want I can try and see around the hobbies section. Do you have any idea what you exactly looking for? Who is the author or define section of interest?".

offers a polite smile and soft toned “Not sure of any author, just something on gems and making jewer….”

As Kant came in alarmed, her eyes widen which are hidden behind her sunglasses. As Cherilyn and Kant converse, she softly bites at her bottom lip, a slight level of concern for whom may be out back in trouble. The sound of dogs barking does sound like there is someone out back perhaps offering some assistance already. As Kant returns toward the back, she keeps her soft smile to Cherilyn. “I can tell you are perhaps a little busy, I can stop back later when I am off work. Anything on gems and making jewelry is what I typically look for.” She turns and starts toward the front door, she has an urge to make her way out the back to determine just what is going on yet this is not her store, she would sure as hell get mad if some random customer wandered through the back of her jewelry store.

As she heads out into the sun, adjusts her sunglasses catching view of Trixi’s police SUV while making fast pace steps toward the alley. As she rounds the corner she could hear the faint sound of sirens relieved that there was medical or additional police on the way. She slowly makes her way down the alley quickening her pace seeing Trixi and now Kant over on the dumpster. As she gets closer, calls out to the two “Deputy Nunrico, is there anything I can do to help? I do hear sirens so am sure more help is on the way.”

She stands close to the front of the dumpster with her arms folded in front of her chest holding her own arms tight. She has not really walked into a crime aftermath before and she feels a ting of fear and excitement at the same time. She waits to see if the two would need her do anything before the other aide workers arrive.

[Setsa]

Location: Behind World of Wonders Bookstore

Time: Mid-morning

Trixi was glad someone came to investigate the initial noise that she was called to investigate, the 'OH SHIT!!' was definetly Kant. No doubt about that at all....moment later hearing more loud voices the word was out that someone was back here injured. Trixi had to see how bad his head and face was....and get the garbage off before it started an infection at the very least while the ambulance was on approach. Charlie called in via the EMT channel on her talkie stating he was about 5 minutes away. Hearing footsteps she stood back up in the middle of the dumpster to see the return of Kant, a smile on her face as she got an idea. Motioning his over so she could reach.. "Kant you'll get a new one, promise" with no further explination she grabbed at the neck of his shirt and...

" Riiiippp....RIIIIPPP...Rippppp..." .....

Trixi had just taken his shirt and tore it into usable long pieces of cloth leaving only the back of his shirt and sleeves on the poor guy. Putting on some latex-free issued gloves from her belt she began to carefuly wipe and pick off the garbage and blood from his face and head. Definetly staples and stitches work here....need to get some bleeding to stop and his broken nose repaired. But she's seen worse by far...

“Deputy Nunrico, is there anything I can do to help? I do hear sirens so am sure more help is on the way."

Standing up to see Su Lin she gave a nod as her dogs went to great her and sniff to make sure she wasn't one of the scent they followed to here in the first place. "Easy boys....yea Su Lin there is, take one of my boys here and go to the entrance of the alleyway to meet the ambulance and show Charlie and his partner here. Kant, see the point of impact about 5 feet left of the bookstore door on the wall?" Pointing to exactly where she was talking about "this area is already contaminated but make sure the police get the blood and pictures of that spot first; before this place gets crowded. Then please both of you stay here, we may need your help getting Carter out of this garbage. It will be a bitch to get the board in here and him loaded onto as is. Thanks guys!" A brief smile appeared before she leaned down to check the patient's pulse again...still ok but he had to get to the hospital quick.... The sirens were getting louder and louder to her satisfaction as Charlie knew importance of getting to his destination fast.

[Stryker]

Location: Roughly a block away from the bookstore, seated on a bench.
Time: Mid-Morning

Austin hadn’t strayed far from the scene of the crime, in fact, from his position on the park bench he could see all the commotion going on behind the bookstore that had undoubtedly spooked a lot of people, including the manic owner.

“You think anyone knows that it was us?”

“Doubt it, we made sure remember?”

“Still, someone could’ve been watching that we didn’t know about, Morris.”

“Even if someone did see, what’re they going to do about it?” the third chimed in, smiling and proud of their handiwork as Austin sat, leaning forward with his elbows firmly planted on his knees and his eyes watching the happenings around the bookstore and how a crowd was beginning to form now that the EMT’s had arrived.

“They don’t know how many guys we got around this place!” he exclaimed, laughing until receiving a sharp elbow to the navel-area from Austin who had sat up and was glaring at him from the corner of his dark blue eyes.

“You keep yelling like that and you’ll take a beating just like he did, Shane…”

“Sorry, Austin…” he answered, his ego deflated like a balloon that had been punctured by a knife as he rubbed his abdomen.

Before any of the others could speak up, Austin stood and started walking down the sidewalk, toward the bookstore.

“Uh, where ya going?” Morris asked as they all stood up.

“To see my sister, go back and tell the others to fly low for a while until this clears up.”

“You sure you wanna go alone, Austin?” Chris asked, worried that someone just might identify him.

“You heard me…” he responded while he crossed the street, bumping shoulders with a lady carrying her newly-bought groceries that were now jostled around in her arms as she did her best to keep them from scattering across the sidewalk. Once she regained her balance and saved her day’s harvest she shot an angry look towards him before continuing on her way, Austin being none the wiser to the look.

Now walking in front of the bookstore, he could see the worried faces on those watching as well as Carter’s bruised and bloodied face. Though Carter couldn’t see the smirk that crossed his. He then stole a glance in the bookstore and saw the owner, talking to someone and clearly not paying a lot of attention to the commotion that was beginning to slowly overtake her store. He’d always had considered Cherilyn cute, she was just crazier than a fruit bat on acid and twice as loud in his eyes as well.

He stopped briefly when one of the medics passed in front of him, a woman who seemed to be in charge of handling the current situation. No words were spoken as he glanced into the alley and spotted Carter again. The smile was back across Austin's face as he began walking again, a message was sent.

[Storm]

Location: Behind World of Wonders bookstore
Time: Monday - Mid-Morning

She nods to Trixi and looks to the two Police dogs, a little leery about trying to give either commands. She relaxes as one of the dogs moves over sniffing her again and tapping her with his nose. A soft smile forms as she could imagine this dog if it had the ability to speak would be telling her “you heard the deputy, let’s get going”. The dog taps her hand again with it’s nose
“Okay, I got you the first time” in a soft almost amused tone.

She heads out front of the alley watching as the ambulance approaches and waves her arms to attract their attention. As the ambulance pulls up, she immediately approaches

“Deputy Nunrico has an injured person inside a dumpster, I don’t know the condition of the hurt person, she wants you guys to bring a board?”

Charlie and his partner grab their med kits, neck brace and back board. Su Lin heads back down the alley with the ambulance team following. As the medics spring into action with Trixi, she stands to the side arms once again folded over her chest watching what is transpiring.

As Trixi and the medics franticly work, she gazes about looking at the assembled bystanders outside the alley. One in particular catches her attention, familiar with dealing with people in her own shop, Autsin did not strike her as the ‘innocent bystander’ type nor did his actions match the bystander type. She removes her smart phone bringing up her calendar with her back to the alley opening looking at her appointments. She started turning toward the alley opening tapping camera mode and once she has Austin in focus while he is focused on Trixi, snaps his picture. Once the image is saved, she clicks back to calendar mode and taps the screen a few times to give the appearance of updating an appointment. She will make sure she forwards this photo to the police should they want it later.

She slips her smart phone back in her inside jacket pocket and looks down at her watch and rolls her eyes. Even is she leaves right now, she will not get all the things done she needs to before opening. With the medical assistance there, she really needs to get to her own jewelry store. She heads back out of the alley and starts down the street toward her black Lexus reaching in her pocket removing her keys and unlocking the doors with her remote. If she hurries and perhaps fudges on a traffic law or two, might not be too totally late opening today. She is sure she has a business card or two of Trixi’s and will text her the photo she took in the event she wants to follow up with it.

As she slips into the drivers side door, starts her car and fastens the seat belt taking time to feel her Starbucks cup.

Great, cold coffee again.

[Mysteria]

Location: "World of wonders", book store
Day/Time: Monday 9:20 AM




“I can tell you are perhaps a little busy, I can stop back later when I am off work. Anything on gems and making jewelry is what I typically look for.”

"Sure thing, I can pile up some books for you by late noon", Cherilyn nodded softly, "However I do have to state it could have been a lot more easier if you had a define area of interest or at least a known artist you liked to read about...".

But before Cherilyn could continue there came a ring from above the door and Su Lin was outside, "Bah... Oh well", turning her attention to Lina, Cherilyn gave a small smile, "Sorry about that, busy day and all...", she nodded softly, "How are you, Lina?"

Lina had been waiting patiently to speak with her friend who was already busy helping Su Lin. Lina had recognized her as being the instructor from the women's self defense group she'd seen advertisements for earlier. She offered her a smile as she left the store and then Lina's face lit up at her friends words "Bah" One thing about Cherilyn that Lina had learned early on was that Cherilyn didn't mince her words.

Lina chuckled "Good morning!" Lina said with a smile. "I'm good but it looks like it's been crazy busy for you already this morning" she said handing her old friend the latte that she'd picked up for her at the local Starbucks on her way over to the store. There had been another reason for her visit which she wanted to discuss with her also.

Looking around the store to make sure no one was in ear shot she lowered her voice "I've been petitioned to work on a special project that I wanted to discuss with you." Her voice dropped to a whisper then. " Something's not right."

She shook her head then looked around again before continuing in her normal voice "I hope you're not too busy to come over for dinner this evening Cherri." Lina questioned her dark haired friend using the nickname that she'd given her when they first met because it was easier for her to pronounce than the hazel eyed beauties real name was to pronounce, and it was always her way of letting Cherilyn know that she needed to tell her something important. "It's been awhile since we've had time to play catch up and we definitely, need to catch up." She said with a small wink.

Cherilyn's eyes narrowed as she dropped her head to the same level of Lina and whispered slowly above the counter, "How secretive...", her smile grew wider, almost in a devilish way. Looks like her day was turning to be better than it started, "There's no way I'm going to pass a dinner... and awesome secret news!", she returned the wink, "But!", she said eagerly, "You gotta give me a hint here!!!"

Lina's smile spread even wider knowing that her friend having to wait until the evening to hear more would drive her crazy wondering all day about it what it could be and just as she was about to give her a hint she heard the ambulance coming to a stop close to the shop. Looking out of the front windows she saw the flashing red lights.

"Looks like you're going to have to wait til later Cherri, things are getting busy around here." Lina grinned as she teased Cherilyn.

"Damned, doesn't this town ever have a normal moment? I wonder what could be going on now?" Lina said as her gaze lingered on the window.

Cherilyn was about to yell her famous 'not fair' battle cry but then her friend's meaningful stare took her by a surprise. Looking outside the window as well she couldn't help but having her friend's words sink into her like cold daggers. Usually Cherilyn would fail to notice anything that was going on around her, but... She knew that what Lina was saying was true. Too many junkies, too many bad kids, too many action around a small town, and in addition to it all the information that Lina was having about some more news...

A client walked into the store with another bell ring when Cherilyn looked at her friend, "You are saved!", she smirked, "For now. I'll come by your place later tonight", she said as she turned to help the guy who walked inside, since Kant, the stupid lazy ass was still outside.

Lina smirked, to herself. Saved by the siren, literally she thought to herself. "Dinner, my place, say around seven? I'm making your favorite, lasagna with garlic bread and your favorite, Moscato to go with it. Don't be late!" She tossed over her shoulder as she exited the store and made her way out the door for her day out in the woods of shooting some stills for the paper .


{A Kris/Mysti thang!!!}

[Tyler Gibbons]

Location: Richards bedroom
Time of Day: Tuesday 4:00 AM

Mr. Smith woke early the next day, disoriented warm and touching bodies with something soft and live. It was a major contrast to the dream he was just having. He had been in a rough, unfamiliar sea. The water and raged and stormed all around him as he cried out orders to his able-bodied crew. They were trying to store the mizzen sail while pull starboard in order to deliver another broadside into an enemy ship.

However the mizzen sail was ripped off of it's mast and the sound of groaning and cracking warned the crew that the main-mast was under so much strain it was about to crack. If it did they would be dead in the water, with 70-foot graybeards bearing down on them and an enemy freighter filling their hull with shot after shot of heavy cannon fire.

A younger Richard stood at the helm of his ship, his penetrating eyes focused on the scenes before him.

"Mr. Brizzen, bring forward the top-sail and let it billow out, on my mark," Brizzen looked at Richard as if he were crazy. The top-sail being let out would pull the main-mast over completely. However he knew that glint in his captains eye and ordered it so.

Richard trained a critical eye on the frigate circling them, seeking to gain the next broadside into the ship. The frigate was specially designed for combat in rough seas like this and it's knife-edge design allowed it to cut through waves and wind. Richard had been following the frigate for days without being able to draw him into combat. And then one day the summer storm had come upon them and the Frigate chose it's time to strike. It had a clear advantage in the current weather and Richard had know this would be a hard pressed battle for survival. That's why this needed to work right.

"Let loose top-sails!" with a screaming sound the top-sails came crashing down and caught a particularly strong gust of wind. The main-mast groaned, swayed, and cracked. It's shattering timbers let off a boom louder than the thunder-over head. Then the beauty of Richard's plan was revealed as the main-mast fell left over his ship. It smashed directly into the enemy frigate and punctured it's hull with a long gaping wound. Within moments the frigate had capsized and sunk beneath the waves.

"Cut the mast lose, and then hold on for dear life to whatever you can. We have to ride the storm out and then row our way to the northern isles for repair. Make it so," was Richards last order before he awoke in his cozy bed.



"What an odd dream... It felt so lifelike.. the wind in my hair the salt in my beard and the cold droplets of water pelting my skin with the occasional drenching from those waves..." He shook his head, smiled and nuzzled closer to Marie, savoring the warmth of her body and the fluttering feelings she gave him. It drove away the cold, wet, and bloody scene of his dreams. It wasn't long before he dozed off again. . .