No.
5: A Mother's Insight
"Sir,
we have received this letter from Alexander Grant, the professor in
Washington DC."
"Well what does it say?"
“...They have had a threat on the Savior's life.”
“Who gave it?”
“His brother, Sage.”
“Hmm...They are to come here immediately. Send a message to Alexander.”
“Yes sir.”
"Well what does it say?"
“...They have had a threat on the Savior's life.”
“Who gave it?”
“His brother, Sage.”
“Hmm...They are to come here immediately. Send a message to Alexander.”
“Yes sir.”
.:+++:.
After
the meeting in Venn's house, Stryder headed towards the odd shaped
building that served as the training center. Once there, and changed
into training garments, He busied himself with push ups and tried to
keep his mind on the task. But it was almost impossible. Kaleigh's
face flashed in his head, over and over again. The kind smiles, the
warm hugs, the encouragement she always gave him when he didn't want
to face the responsibilities of his role.
Sweat dripped into his eyes and he shook his head, trying to clear it. The images wouldn't go away, they became stronger and stronger, unlocking things he had struggled to put away. It was too much, he didn't know what was happening, or how, or why, but it was draining him. His energy was gone, leaving him lying on the cement floor, passed out cold.
Sweat dripped into his eyes and he shook his head, trying to clear it. The images wouldn't go away, they became stronger and stronger, unlocking things he had struggled to put away. It was too much, he didn't know what was happening, or how, or why, but it was draining him. His energy was gone, leaving him lying on the cement floor, passed out cold.
.:+++:.
October,
12th, 1996
Entry
38
I
am scared for Sage.
His passion for killing the Elementals is as strong and bloodthirsty as his father's. Sage is constantly following his father around, getting aggravated with his father when a plan goes wrong, and rejoicing when they bring more down.
Curiosity fuels him. He could a mass to greatness, if he would only realize the difference between right and wrong.
His passion for killing the Elementals is as strong and bloodthirsty as his father's. Sage is constantly following his father around, getting aggravated with his father when a plan goes wrong, and rejoicing when they bring more down.
Curiosity fuels him. He could a mass to greatness, if he would only realize the difference between right and wrong.
It's
not often that he comes and talks to me much anymore. He's grown so
much, but so does his black heart. Though, sometimes I still see
goodness in it.
He use to be my little shadow. Following me everywhere when he was but a toddler.
He said today, when he visited me in my chambers, that he was saddened by the fact that he had not been around for me as much as he would have liked. But he figured I was too busy for him since I am taking care of his baby brother.
I, of course, expressed how untrue this train of thought was and said I always had time for him.
He then talked to me for a good two hours, about his dreams and plans for the future.
For a thirteen year old, he has big plans.
I see how much he still loves me, and that gives me hope, that maybe... he can still be good.
He use to be my little shadow. Following me everywhere when he was but a toddler.
He said today, when he visited me in my chambers, that he was saddened by the fact that he had not been around for me as much as he would have liked. But he figured I was too busy for him since I am taking care of his baby brother.
I, of course, expressed how untrue this train of thought was and said I always had time for him.
He then talked to me for a good two hours, about his dreams and plans for the future.
For a thirteen year old, he has big plans.
I see how much he still loves me, and that gives me hope, that maybe... he can still be good.
Lillie
Ann closed the old, leather bound journal. Laying it on her lap as
she stared out the window, watching the snow fall outside creating a
winter wonderland she wanted so bad to go and explore.
So you believe he still has some good in him, mom?
She sighed and tried to resist the urge to rub her eyes, it would only mess up the contacts.
Turning towards the desk, she placed the journal in a secret spot in the drawer, and then locked the drawer, placing the key around her neck and tucking it into her black blouse.
There was a knock on the big oak door. She composed herself before calling to the butler that he could come in.
“Dinner is served mistress Lillie Ann.” He said in a dead tone.
She looked at him for a moment before realizing, that everything about him seemed dead.
He showed no expression, ever. His skin was pale and ghostly looking. His black and white suit was the only splash of color on him.
“I'll be along in a moment George.” She answered.
The butler bowed his head before leaving, quietly closing the door behind him.
So you believe he still has some good in him, mom?
She sighed and tried to resist the urge to rub her eyes, it would only mess up the contacts.
Turning towards the desk, she placed the journal in a secret spot in the drawer, and then locked the drawer, placing the key around her neck and tucking it into her black blouse.
There was a knock on the big oak door. She composed herself before calling to the butler that he could come in.
“Dinner is served mistress Lillie Ann.” He said in a dead tone.
She looked at him for a moment before realizing, that everything about him seemed dead.
He showed no expression, ever. His skin was pale and ghostly looking. His black and white suit was the only splash of color on him.
“I'll be along in a moment George.” She answered.
The butler bowed his head before leaving, quietly closing the door behind him.
Lillie
sighed, letting her shoulders slump forward. She watched the clock on
the red wall above the desk and tried to judge just how long she
could go before her father got impatient.
Finally, she guessed it had been long enough.
She rose from her seat and glanced at her reflection on the wardrobe's door.
The black blouse was a bold contrast against her pale skin, but her raven black curls blended in. The blood red skirt flared out at the bottom, but was other wise tight and showed off her body.
It wasn't an outfit she would have chosen for herself. No if she could have worn what ever she wanted, it would be jeans and a sweatshirt with her ice-skates in her hand as she ran out to the lake.
But her father thought she should be a grown, sophisticated, lady. At the age of sixteen. In all the outfits he had the maids buy for her, made her look twenty-five, and she hated it.
At least he didn't make her wear make up.
Finally, she guessed it had been long enough.
She rose from her seat and glanced at her reflection on the wardrobe's door.
The black blouse was a bold contrast against her pale skin, but her raven black curls blended in. The blood red skirt flared out at the bottom, but was other wise tight and showed off her body.
It wasn't an outfit she would have chosen for herself. No if she could have worn what ever she wanted, it would be jeans and a sweatshirt with her ice-skates in her hand as she ran out to the lake.
But her father thought she should be a grown, sophisticated, lady. At the age of sixteen. In all the outfits he had the maids buy for her, made her look twenty-five, and she hated it.
At least he didn't make her wear make up.
Downstairs,
she was escorted into the formal dining room. It was illuminated by
candles that lined the walls, and a large chandelier that hung over
the massive oak table.
As she took her seat, in the middle of the table, she glanced across it to see her brother, and then down at the far end, her father.
Lillie Ann hated dinner. It was the one meal that her father required all of them be present at. Breakfast, she usually ate by herself in her rooms, and lunch was spent with the servants in the kitchens. Of course, if anyone was asked, she was always in her room.
As she took her seat, in the middle of the table, she glanced across it to see her brother, and then down at the far end, her father.
Lillie Ann hated dinner. It was the one meal that her father required all of them be present at. Breakfast, she usually ate by herself in her rooms, and lunch was spent with the servants in the kitchens. Of course, if anyone was asked, she was always in her room.
The
servants came out of the woodwork, and placed plates of food in front
of the three people sitting at the table. There was actually five
chairs seated around the table, but two of them had been empty for
almost as long as Lillie Ann could remember.
“Sage,
how goes the hunt for those retched Elementals?”
Both, Sage, and Lillie Ann looked up from their plates at their father, who was cutting into his chicken.
Lucas Richard Campbell was a man of status. And you could tell just by how he held himself.
His dark eyes were always stern and serious, his brown hair was trimmed just right and oiled to perfection. His suits cost about a thousand dollars each, and were tailored to fit him just right. He was a tall man, with broad shoulders that were strong, and though he looked like a high end millionaire businessman, he knew how to kill a man in some of the most excruciating ways that Lillie Ann never wanted to even imagine.
Both, Sage, and Lillie Ann looked up from their plates at their father, who was cutting into his chicken.
Lucas Richard Campbell was a man of status. And you could tell just by how he held himself.
His dark eyes were always stern and serious, his brown hair was trimmed just right and oiled to perfection. His suits cost about a thousand dollars each, and were tailored to fit him just right. He was a tall man, with broad shoulders that were strong, and though he looked like a high end millionaire businessman, he knew how to kill a man in some of the most excruciating ways that Lillie Ann never wanted to even imagine.
Sage
cleared his throat before answering his father's question.
“I have been planning another attack on them and this time, I think we will over come them.”
“You think?!”
Lillie could tell Sage regretted his choice of words.
“I am positive father. I will crush them.”
Mr. Campbell raised an eyebrow and had a look of disgust on.
“I'll believe that when I see it.”
Sage dipped his head in submission and turned back to his food.
Lillie Ann studied her brother and tried to see what her mother saw in him.
“And what have you been up to today Lillie Ann? More frivolity around town I presume?”
Lillie tried to compose herself and instantly came up with a response.
“No, father. Actually I spent most of the day in the library. Studying up on the Elementals and trying to understand them.”
“Understand them? There is nothing to understand! They possess powers that could eliminate us all. Wipe us out and then rule what ever was left! They are evil killing machines.”
“Are they?” Lillie Ann challenged, meeting her father's gaze.
Sage tried to keep from choking on his wine.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Campbell smiled at his daughter.
“I can always trust you to give me a headache.” But then his expression turned hard. “But remember your place. Your mother forced me to let you live with us when she found you out on the streets. You were nothing before I brought you into our lives. Nothing.”
Lillie stared at her father in disbelief that he had just used her past against her. Though she knew, rationally, it wasn't out of character for him. He was harsh, and would use every card in his hand to get what he wanted.
“I have been planning another attack on them and this time, I think we will over come them.”
“You think?!”
Lillie could tell Sage regretted his choice of words.
“I am positive father. I will crush them.”
Mr. Campbell raised an eyebrow and had a look of disgust on.
“I'll believe that when I see it.”
Sage dipped his head in submission and turned back to his food.
Lillie Ann studied her brother and tried to see what her mother saw in him.
“And what have you been up to today Lillie Ann? More frivolity around town I presume?”
Lillie tried to compose herself and instantly came up with a response.
“No, father. Actually I spent most of the day in the library. Studying up on the Elementals and trying to understand them.”
“Understand them? There is nothing to understand! They possess powers that could eliminate us all. Wipe us out and then rule what ever was left! They are evil killing machines.”
“Are they?” Lillie Ann challenged, meeting her father's gaze.
Sage tried to keep from choking on his wine.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Campbell smiled at his daughter.
“I can always trust you to give me a headache.” But then his expression turned hard. “But remember your place. Your mother forced me to let you live with us when she found you out on the streets. You were nothing before I brought you into our lives. Nothing.”
Lillie stared at her father in disbelief that he had just used her past against her. Though she knew, rationally, it wasn't out of character for him. He was harsh, and would use every card in his hand to get what he wanted.
She
pushed away her chair, and rose from the table. Ignoring her father's
calls for her to come back and sit down. Once the large oak doors
slammed shut after her, she kicked of the painful heels, and ran back
to her room upstairs.
In her room, she stripped down and threw on a pair of pants, and several long sleeves. Shoving her feet into her boots, and throwing on a scarf, her jacket, mittens and a beanie. As she moved out of her room, she grabbed a backpack that was leaning up against her desk.
In her room, she stripped down and threw on a pair of pants, and several long sleeves. Shoving her feet into her boots, and throwing on a scarf, her jacket, mittens and a beanie. As she moved out of her room, she grabbed a backpack that was leaning up against her desk.
.:+++:.
Cliff
looked dully outside the window and tried to get his creative juice
to flow. He looked down at the paragraph and erased it all. Then he
wrote it over again, but was still disappointed about the out come
and erased it again. Eventually, he erased a hole through the paper
and knew he needed to do something else before he started to get
really frustrated.
He threw on his winter gear and headed out the door of the small house he and his siblings shared.
“Hey where you going?” Venn called from the couch.
“I'm going out, I'll see you later!”
He then grabbed the keys to the truck and ran outside.
He threw on his winter gear and headed out the door of the small house he and his siblings shared.
“Hey where you going?” Venn called from the couch.
“I'm going out, I'll see you later!”
He then grabbed the keys to the truck and ran outside.
.:+++:.
He
didn't know where he was going, he was just driving, when he suddenly
ended up at the frozen lake. He parked the car, and jumped out.
Only a few people were skating today, and fewer were walking around. He figured none of them thought it was worth going out and getting cold.
Cliff almost decided to go back to the car when he noticed a girl glide onto the ice. Instantly, he was captivated by the way she moved. Most of the other skaters were amateurs, slipping and sliding, not sure of themselves.
But this girl, she was different.
She skated with confidence, and grace. Her presence was noticed only by a few, but those who noticed her, stopped to watch. Including Cliff, who seated himself on the fence that lined the lake.
After a few minutes of just skating around the edge of the lake, the strange girl began to pull of some tricks, starting with just a simple jump, but to everyone watching, was amazing, and not so simple.
Cliff noticed that the moves flowed through her effortlessly as she moved to a song in her head. He found it incredible that someone could move like that on just thin blades and ice. It took a lot of falling, and a lot of determination to do something like that.
His eyes never left her as she moved across the lake, in a dance that was flawless and effortless.
Cliff found himself wondering about her. Who she was, what her life was like, who was her family, was she shy? Or was she bold?
But she was an enigma to him.
Only a few people were skating today, and fewer were walking around. He figured none of them thought it was worth going out and getting cold.
Cliff almost decided to go back to the car when he noticed a girl glide onto the ice. Instantly, he was captivated by the way she moved. Most of the other skaters were amateurs, slipping and sliding, not sure of themselves.
But this girl, she was different.
She skated with confidence, and grace. Her presence was noticed only by a few, but those who noticed her, stopped to watch. Including Cliff, who seated himself on the fence that lined the lake.
After a few minutes of just skating around the edge of the lake, the strange girl began to pull of some tricks, starting with just a simple jump, but to everyone watching, was amazing, and not so simple.
Cliff noticed that the moves flowed through her effortlessly as she moved to a song in her head. He found it incredible that someone could move like that on just thin blades and ice. It took a lot of falling, and a lot of determination to do something like that.
His eyes never left her as she moved across the lake, in a dance that was flawless and effortless.
Cliff found himself wondering about her. Who she was, what her life was like, who was her family, was she shy? Or was she bold?
But she was an enigma to him.
Her
dance came to an end with a slight curtsy. Everyone clapped and she
looked up in shock, as if just realizing there were other people
watching her. Her cheeks turned a rosy color, and Cliff knew she was
the shy type. Definitely.
Her bright blue eyes looked around the lake at all the people, and then her eyes fell on him. She blushed even harder and quickly looked down quickly as she skated back to the edge of the lake. Cliff decided to take a chance and pushed himself off the fence and walked over to her.
She was sitting down on a bench, unlacing her skates and putting her boots back on.
“So is it normal for you to stare at every girl that has some kind of skill?” She asked, not looking up.
“Uh...” He wasn't quiet sure how to respond to her question. And he still hadn't said anything when she finished untying her skates and looked up at him expectantly.
“Well that's a very intelligent answer. I'm shocked you've lived this long, unless of course you're a high school drop out or something then I just pity you.”She slung her backpack onto her shoulder and began to walk away.
“Okay that was not fair.” He argued, running to catch up with her.
“Fair? Who told you life was fair?” She questioned with a small smile.
“No one. And I know it's not fair, I just meant, can you give me a chance? Just a small chance?”
She stopped and turned to him abruptly, causing him almost to collide with her.
Her intense gaze looked at him square in the eye, as she chewed on her bottom lip.
“You can buy me a cup of coffee, how about that? Big enough chance?”
“It's perfect.” He said with a blushing smile.
Her bright blue eyes looked around the lake at all the people, and then her eyes fell on him. She blushed even harder and quickly looked down quickly as she skated back to the edge of the lake. Cliff decided to take a chance and pushed himself off the fence and walked over to her.
She was sitting down on a bench, unlacing her skates and putting her boots back on.
“So is it normal for you to stare at every girl that has some kind of skill?” She asked, not looking up.
“Uh...” He wasn't quiet sure how to respond to her question. And he still hadn't said anything when she finished untying her skates and looked up at him expectantly.
“Well that's a very intelligent answer. I'm shocked you've lived this long, unless of course you're a high school drop out or something then I just pity you.”She slung her backpack onto her shoulder and began to walk away.
“Okay that was not fair.” He argued, running to catch up with her.
“Fair? Who told you life was fair?” She questioned with a small smile.
“No one. And I know it's not fair, I just meant, can you give me a chance? Just a small chance?”
She stopped and turned to him abruptly, causing him almost to collide with her.
Her intense gaze looked at him square in the eye, as she chewed on her bottom lip.
“You can buy me a cup of coffee, how about that? Big enough chance?”
“It's perfect.” He said with a blushing smile.
“So
wait, let me get this strait,” Cliff said, trying to keep his voice
low in the slow cafe. “you've been ice skating since you were
five?”
The girl laughed as she picked up her cup, caressing it in between her hands. “Is that so hard to believe? I mean girls do gymnastics at five, so why cant I have started ice skating at five?”
“It just seems like torture to me.”
“Haha, not if you enjoy doing it.”
“True. Like my brother thinks I'm insane for liking English class.”
“Precisely! Why do you like English class?”
“Oh...um...well I like to write.”
Cliff was suddenly hit with déjà vu. The whole scene was familiar, even the conversation topic. He had been in the exact same place, in the other life. With his sister. (which he didn't know was his sister at the time.)
“Oh!” Lillie cried with obvious interest. “What do you like to write? Poetry? Biographies? Fiction?”
“Fiction. Definitely fiction. I can't write poetry at all, and it's not really my favorite. And biographies are always dry and boring.”
“Well I agree with you on the biography. But you don't know what you're missing with the poetry! Some of it can be so beautiful.” She said quietly into her cup of coffee.
“I'm not disagreeing, I just haven't come across a poem that made me instantly fall in love with poetry.” She nodded several times while sipping her coffee.
“Well I might have to fix that.” Lillie said with a playful smile.
She had introduced herself as Lillie. Just Lillie. At which he introduced himself as just Cliff. When they sat down, she had taken off her beanie, letting her curls fall free and hang around her shoulders. Her skin was fair, which always told tale of her blushes, and red lips.
She reminded him of a modern Snow White.
“So...would it be possible to read this fiction?” She asked.
“Ah...well it's still a working progress and all...”
“Great! I'll be your editor and adviser. It does have romance in it right?”
“Um...Yes?”
“Then you'll definitely need an adviser.” She stated.
“Hey! Are you saying I can't write a romance?” He argued playfully.
“No, I'm saying men can't write a romance. A proper one anyways. They always make the girl be all swoony and all and it's an insult to the female sex.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! And also,” She leaned on her elbows on the table, her expression a little frustrated, but completely open. “they always make the female characters do absolutely nothing! The only thing they do is scream and that's so far from the truth.”
“So, let's say you were trapped in a house with a werewolf, you wouldn't scream?”
“No of course I would scream, I'm a girl. But I would also get my butt out of that house. Or if a shotgun was around that just happened to have silver bullets in it, I would shoot the thing. And I would never. Ever run up stairs!” “Ah.”
“So you see? It's totally different.” Cliff and Lillie shared a smile as they drank their coffee.
The girl laughed as she picked up her cup, caressing it in between her hands. “Is that so hard to believe? I mean girls do gymnastics at five, so why cant I have started ice skating at five?”
“It just seems like torture to me.”
“Haha, not if you enjoy doing it.”
“True. Like my brother thinks I'm insane for liking English class.”
“Precisely! Why do you like English class?”
“Oh...um...well I like to write.”
Cliff was suddenly hit with déjà vu. The whole scene was familiar, even the conversation topic. He had been in the exact same place, in the other life. With his sister. (which he didn't know was his sister at the time.)
“Oh!” Lillie cried with obvious interest. “What do you like to write? Poetry? Biographies? Fiction?”
“Fiction. Definitely fiction. I can't write poetry at all, and it's not really my favorite. And biographies are always dry and boring.”
“Well I agree with you on the biography. But you don't know what you're missing with the poetry! Some of it can be so beautiful.” She said quietly into her cup of coffee.
“I'm not disagreeing, I just haven't come across a poem that made me instantly fall in love with poetry.” She nodded several times while sipping her coffee.
“Well I might have to fix that.” Lillie said with a playful smile.
She had introduced herself as Lillie. Just Lillie. At which he introduced himself as just Cliff. When they sat down, she had taken off her beanie, letting her curls fall free and hang around her shoulders. Her skin was fair, which always told tale of her blushes, and red lips.
She reminded him of a modern Snow White.
“So...would it be possible to read this fiction?” She asked.
“Ah...well it's still a working progress and all...”
“Great! I'll be your editor and adviser. It does have romance in it right?”
“Um...Yes?”
“Then you'll definitely need an adviser.” She stated.
“Hey! Are you saying I can't write a romance?” He argued playfully.
“No, I'm saying men can't write a romance. A proper one anyways. They always make the girl be all swoony and all and it's an insult to the female sex.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! And also,” She leaned on her elbows on the table, her expression a little frustrated, but completely open. “they always make the female characters do absolutely nothing! The only thing they do is scream and that's so far from the truth.”
“So, let's say you were trapped in a house with a werewolf, you wouldn't scream?”
“No of course I would scream, I'm a girl. But I would also get my butt out of that house. Or if a shotgun was around that just happened to have silver bullets in it, I would shoot the thing. And I would never. Ever run up stairs!” “Ah.”
“So you see? It's totally different.” Cliff and Lillie shared a smile as they drank their coffee.
No comments:
Post a Comment