Coffee, French Kisses, and a Mockingbird

"And now people Talk to me, but nothing ever hits home
 People Talk to me, and all the voices just burn holes"
-Yellow Flicker Beat(Lorde)

"Jim! Jim! Here take a look here!"
The camera flashes blared in every direction as Jim Lore stepped out of his car. It was hard, being an actor. He fell into the career when his friends made him come to an audition to the T.V. Series 'Roland's Locker", a then-underrated Neo-Noir Teen Drama. Jim liked detective novels and mysteries and had even aided in solving a Student Council election corruption back in his high school days all from watching one episode of Veronica Mars from his cousin, Cassie White's house. So when he read the script, he was like, Why the hell not? He initially auditioned for the main character's best friend who only floats in and out of the series. But apparently, he had natural talent. He was cast as the lead, Roland Moore, with his friend, Lionel Roberts, getting the Best Friend role.
A year later, the series is a cult hit and Jim had become a big star.
But sometimes he longs for a nicer, quieter life.
He had hoped that Roland's Locker, despite being popular, would faze out after three seasons and be cancelled, like the aforementioned T.V. series that helped him with the school corruption thing. But the producer was just so good that they've been into 4 seasons of Roland's Locker and it's still getting good reviews.
Roland sighed as his bodyguard pushed through the Paparazzi.
When he reached his apartment room, he took off his suit that he had worn to the Teen's Choice Awards (Roland's Locker won over Pretty Little Liars) and tossed it to the laundry basket, replacing it with casual clothes.
He stared into the ceiling, thinking what he should do for the night.
Then, he grabbed this brown trench coat he likes to wear and put it on.
He wanted to be a Private Detective before he got into acting. Being an actor is a creative, but sometimes frustrating job. His love for mystery went so far as to wanting to solve them himself.
That's the only reason why he still sticks around for Roland's Locker. So he can live it without really living it. It was all so fake, but it felt real.
Then...There's his little sister. With his father bailing on them and his mother too weak to continue working, he had to support his family by himself(He used to bus tables though and also had his own stints of looking for missing things when he was in high school. He had a sharp eye so he charged a little cash for it. Refundable, of course."
His little sister only had him since he's the only one that pays for her education.and expenses. This acting job has a big inflow of money, so he's happy that his sister's happy.
Jim went through his stuff for something to do. He found his old beanie and shades.
Then, he had an idea.
He grabbed the fake ID machine Lionel gave him last Christmas and made a fake P.I. License.
"Keith White... How inconspicuous."
He put on his hat and shades, grabbed his old wallet from his box of stuff and stuffed it with about 458 Dollars, grabbed the Taser his other friend, Erica Sein, had gave him last week. Private Investigators do need weapons.
He strolled out of his apartment complex, thinking how people may see through his disguise. Surprisingly, it had worked.

~Coffee~
"Mr. Keith?" The barrista called. "One Mocha Cappuccino?"
"Oh. Thanks!" Jim donned green eye contacts he got as a gag prop so he didn't have to wear his sunglasses all day.
As he sipped his coffee, he saw the T.V. playing Roland's Locker.
Jim sighed. "Can't even escape my job here." He muttered
In the screen was the penultimate episode of season 1. Just after Roland had saved the leading lady, he had given her a kiss that had been wildly popular to the fanbase.

Jim remembered it too well. It was his first kiss after all. It was so fake... And minty for some reason. 

Jim strolled out the streets. He didn't want to keep watching it.
Especially when people have dubbed him The Man with the Perfect French Kiss. He hated the nickname.
As he walked the cold streets of New York, he found himself attracted to a continuous guitar beat going on from the street.
A girl, who was on an acoustic guitar was doing an excellent cover of We Used To Be Friends by the Dandy Warhols.
The only reason why Jim knew the song was because of Veronica Mars.
He grinned and thought, I can't seem to shake this show off.
As she ended her song and collected all her earnings, Jim approached and handed her a crisp 100 dollar bill. He didn't even bother trying to look like a random stranger.
"You were great."
She smiled. "Thanks." Jim took a few seconds to see if she would recognize him. But no... The usual You're Jim Lore! People seem to shout at him when they see him.
She must not watch TV much or not care about the series.
The girl took out a CD from her guitar case. An album she made, he thought.
"Here's my first album. It's unofficial though. It's just covers and a few of my original songs. I'm still Indie. It's the best I can give you for a hundred dollars anyways." She says.
Jim takes the CD.
More Than A Step by Angel Rue
"Thanks. Angel Rue" Angel picks up her guitar case with a smile, but stumbles when a man runs into her and grabs her stuff.
"Hey! HEY!!" She ran after him and Jim trailed behind.
The Guy wasn't even wearing a mask, Jim Thought. What a lousy thief.
Then, the guy turns around and pulls out a gun. The people in the area gasps in horror. Angel stops, but her hand was on her backpocket. Jim made out what looked like a pager sized shape. A Stun Gun.
Load of good that would do to the guy with a gun.
But Jim notices first. The thief's gun was on its safety. And NOT only that. It was a prop gun used in theaters. Jim knew because he's had the pleasure of working with them every season of Roland's Locker for a lot of episodes. And he really meant a LOT.
"The Guns A fake!" He shouts. A trickle of sweat creases on the thief's eyebrow. He tries to turn around and make a run for it. Before Angel could run after him with the Stun Gun already on her hand, Jim presses her back, takes out the Taser from his pocket, and shoots.
A direct hit. To The neck.
It looked painful.
The people around the area claps their hands. Jim keeps his head low to avoid being recognized. To his surprise, he saw Angel run to the guy with her Stun Gun in her hand. She takes back her stuff and presses the Stun Gun to the thief's neck and zaps him.
"Nice try you Fucking A." She stands up and kicks the man to the gut. He moans as she walks back to Jim.
"Hey...Thanks. I'm a total stranger but you still helped me."
Jim blushed. "I-It's what any decent human being would do." He said.
He remembered an episode of Roland's Locker where he had done something similar for a female friend. But this felt more... natural.
She smiles. "Aww, don't be so stiff and embarrassed. At least let me take you out to some coffee one day. Give me your cell." Jim hands her his Iphone 6.
"Oh. Someone's got some cash to burn. Careful not to bend it."
"Ha Ha. I'll have you know, this hasn't been damaged. Not once."
She gives a cocky smile and pulls out a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and exchanges their numbers.
"Oh... I forgot. What's your name." Jim felt sweat trickle on his neck.
"I'm..." He lowered his voice a little. She didn't know who he was, so he thought he'd be safe. "Jim."
"Well, Jim, give me a holler and I'll bring you somewhere neat." She gives him a flying kiss and walks away.

~White Residence~
"Oh, hey 'Roland'" Cassie White, Jim's maternal cousin, was holding a cup of coffee when she opened the door.
"Teen Sleuth saves Little Brother." Jim retorts. "Come here" And he pulls her into a hug.
"So. What brings you here?"

Jim sighs and sits down on the couch.

"I dunno. I just wanna be somewhere I can feel like a normal human being."

Cassie grins and enters the kitchen. She reemerges with another cup of coffee and hands it to Jim.

"Well, in that get up, I doubt people would notice you. Here."

"Two times in a row." He says.

"Take what you get, man. Its what non-celebrity humans like me do." He smiles and grabs the cup and drinks.

"I met a girl today." Jim says. He didn't really know where that came from.

"On set?" Cassie asks. "I'm dying to know if you'll end up with Nancy Atwell."

He chuckles and removes his hat.

"The girl's nice enough, but I just don't feel her." Cassie shrugs and lets him continue. "No, this time, this girl Is the first human being in a long while that I've met without some sort of intervention or staged event. This was pretty coincidental."
"Well what do you want from me?"
"I need... Advice."
Cassie flipped her hair and set down her coffee mug.
"Well, I AM a girl. And a real person. Let me see this girl."
Jim took out his new copy of Angel's Album and handed it to her.
"Hmm. Pretty. Didn't think your type would be the musical type." She grabbed her phone and began typing in the girl's name in Google.
"Uhh... What are you doing?"
"The girl has a decent following. She has a show tomorrow at 3:00 in the Local Cake Store."
Jim laughed at Cassie's 'Sleuthing' skills. Though it hadn't really crossed his mind to Google her for a SoundCloud account or something.

~French Kisses~
"Hurry! Get out of here!" Cassie insisted Jim to hurry.
"Too late."
The flashing of cameras began. He tried his hardest to keep his family out of the Hollywood scene.
"Who's the girl Jim!" Jim tugged at his beanie to hide from the flashes. Cassie was stunned as the cameras blinded her.
"Are you dating the local Teen Sleuth?" Jim laughed at that thought. And just when he couldn't take it anymore, he turned from his car door and smiled.
"She's my cousin you Fucking Ass. I'd appreciate it if you leave me or anyone related to me ALONE."
He got in the car to speed off to the Cake Store Angel was playing in. But the paparazzi were doing their utmost best to block his way.
Jim honked but none of them backed off. He considered getting out of his car and shooting his Taser at one of them, but he didn't want to go to court.
He banged his head at the steering wheel in anger. Cassie, who was watching by the porch and backing some people away, couldn't take it anymore. She ran back into her living room, barely bumping into her little brother, and grabbed her Stun Gun from her backpack.
"Ok!" Cassie didn't worry about HER name. She was a nobody to these people. She may be related, but she wasn't an actor.
She cackled her Stun Gun to the air and made a few run from fear. But the more persistent ones didn't go away. She grabbed one by the shoulder and jammed the Stun Gun at his neck.
"Merry Christmas." He was down. He faced another.
"Happy Holidays!" Down again!
The last one was still persistent and decided to attack her. She kicked him in the shin and placed the Stun Gun at his chest. "Feliz Navidad, Bitch."
He was down. The other ones around ran away.
"Go." She mouthed. "Good Luck." She added.
He was gone.

"Thank You! Merry Christmas"
She took in the small array of applause and collected her things. Before she could exit, a hand rests on her shoulder.
"That was awesome." The mystery guy who saved him. Jim, she thought.
"Oh. Thanks. You know, I think I remember just asking you to call me for coffee. How did you even find me here?"
"Eh, Google?"
"Hahaha. Well, we might as well go now." Jim did his best to hide himself from public eye and Angel wondered why he looked down every time someone passed by.
"Reclusive?"
Jim chuckled and looked at her. Her eyes were really pretty, he thought. "No. Just avoiding attention."
Angel didn't want to ask why. He could be a murderer, or a local rapist. It should have really shaken her, but she really likes him. So she just went along with it.
They reached a cafe, not Starbucks, that was barely full of people. It was back near that fancy Apartment building she recalled housed some stars from TV series. She wasn't a big fan of TV, but she watches occasionally because her sister enjoys them. Also because she listens carefully for soundtrack.
"No one knows this place that much, but they serve REALLY good coffee!" Angel eyed the price. Well no wonder there were barely any people. They were slightly expensive. And there was that weird bouncer like guy outside who let Jim in without any hesitation.
"So. Why music?"
"I went to a Flyleaf concert when I was young and I started enjoying music. It was pretty simple, really. Music... Is my life." Jim gave a small laugh. He thought about his job career. It WAS his life too, but mostly for financial reasons, but the lack of privacy was an annoying liability.
"So, what do you do? Are you some sort of Private Detective?" Jim opened his mouth to answer, then his friend Lionel appeared out of nowhere."
"Girl, do you even watch TV? He's not just a P.I., he's Roland from Roland's Locker!"
Angel stared at him with a blank expression. Roland's Locker...
She had heard of that show from her sister countless times. She watched ONE episode of it. Though she had to admit it was good, she didn't want to immerse herself and be like her sister.
Then it hit her. Jim really did look like that Roland guy.
"You're... The actor from Roland's Locker? I don't really watch that, but my sister talks about it nonstop." Her face was flushed. She didn't know how to respond to going on a date with a famous actor. It might increase her publicity, but she wasn't that shallow.
"I... I don't know what to say." Jim sighed. He didn't really want to her to find out because the information of his career is enough to drive people greedy... Or away.
He gave Lionel a look of disappointment. Lionel raised his hands in apology and told him he was going home.
"I hope that doesn't really compromise things." Jim expected one of two things. Angel becomes giddy and be THAT person. A user. OR Angel stands up and walks away.
Instead..."Are you kidding?" Jim expected the giddy part. "You think I'm that shallow? Why do you think I don't watch TV?"
That was what sealed the deal for Jim and smiled. He was going to pick up his coffee and accidentally brushed her hand. In a long time, he hasn't felt that hot, breathless feeling of attraction because of his fake life on TV. Angel giggled at Jim's blushing face.
It didn't really take them that long to start talking about things. Normal things. They continued this talk on their walk out when Jim offered to take Angel home in his car.
They did their best to avoid the topic of acting, but Angel was a little curious. Not in a paparazzi way, but curious.
"So why'd you become an actor anyways?"
"I was curious. I liked the story, that's all. I didn't really expect things to kick off. Truth be told, I really wanted to be a REAL Detective. I didn't want to end up a cult hit like Veronica Mars or something."
"What's Veronica Mars?"
"Ask your sister. From what you've told me, She must know."
"So why don't you go do it? I mean, even a normal teenager like that Cassie White girl could do it."
"Funny story about her..." He said and explained his relationship with her. Angel laughed at the coincidence.
They arrived at her Apartment complex and stopped.
"We're here." Angel blushed.
"Want to come down? It's room 239." Jim refused.
"I'm sorry. I don't want people to start hounding YOU because they'd see me." She nodded. She stared at him, longer than she meant to, and she just felt like... She was complete with him.
As she held his gaze, they didn't notice that they were both getting closer to one another. Then it just happened.
They shut their eyes and their lips interlocked. Jim was happy. This was the realest kiss he'd given. He maybe a French Kissing prince on TV, but here in real life, it was perfect.
"Merry Christmas." She smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
And she exited the car.

~Mockingbird~
In the span of 3 months, Jim and Angel's dating life were as perfect as possible. Jim made it his mission to keep her a secret from the TV life.
They'd rendezvous at small, unknown stores and cafes and did everything possible to enjoy company. Soon, they'd met each others friends and families.
Jim's actor friends were kind enough to keep Angel out of people like Perez Hilton's sights. Jim's family was far away, so he brought him the closest to family he could. Cassie. The two were very fond of each other.
Angel's friends(Rather, Her BEST friends) were excited to meet Jim and promised, crossed their hearts, and barely hoped to die, that they'd keep it secret.
Her family? Her sister hyperventilated. She was THIS close to glomping Jim and full out kiss him.
Angel made her swear to keep it a secret.
Secrets.
All the secrecy didn't last though.
A month later, a sneaky Paprazzi had followed Jim out from set and spotted him dating Angel in his favorite Tea House.
They were surprised to find Angel's in Hollywood Lifestyle papers.
"Celebrity dates Local Musician!" They were THAT quick to find out everything about her.
Though it gave her publicity, even a record label contract with Fueled by Ramen, she would shake her head at the way she bloomed. She didn't want to use her own boyfriend.
With everything, Jim decided to just keep holding her hand everywhere.
It was a nice gesture, but the next months got really painful.
Shippers from Roland's Locker sent hate mail to her.
It was mean, she admitted, but Jim was really pissed.
"Leave my Girlfriend alone. Fans? That's just awful." He tweeted. That divided some fans.
It went too far when a crazy fan approached Angel in a shop and slapped her.
"You're just using him! USING HIM! SNAKE! BITCH!" Angel refused to cry. She stood her ground. Though she had a body guard, she insisted that she'd deal with her.
"He's just a person too. That's what you crazy people do now. Generalize. Well, I hope you'll enjoy generalizing this!" She took out her Stun Gun and scared her away.
That night, she sat Jim down to talk.
"I can't do this anymore."
"But... I love you." He'd said it enough. And she as well.
"I do too... But this. This crazy life. It's not for me." A tear ran down her cheek.
"Angel."
"I love you too, Jim. I do. So much. But I can't deal with this chaos."
She ran out crying that night.
Jim broke down. He had broken into an echo of himself.
As Roland's Locker got better, so did Angel.
Her career flourished and she was standing at stages beside the likes of Hayley Williams and Patrick Stump.
Jim felt his heart  break each time he saw her tweets, her face in the news. But he never stopped loving her. He'd buy her album and he could tell she loved him too. Every album, there were always 3 songs for him.
But his favorite was "Mockingbird."
It detailed their first meetings and their fondest memories.
He'd listen to it for hours.
Then one day, he went out and told his producer to end Roland's Locker. To his surprise, Roland's Locker was to end in one more season.
So he did his best. 6 seasons in, Roland's Locker ended with Roland getting the girl and living the dream.
Now it was Jim's turn to get the girl and live the dream. If his fake life had that opportunity, so should he.
He took a P.I. exam and surprisingly passed. He still took to acting, but only in movies and small part shows. He didn't want to have a long alternate life again. Never.
A month passed and he found himself sitting at the park where he met Angel. A mockingbird perched at his hat.
"What a nice coincidence." He said to himself. The lyrics to the song entered his mind.
"A Pathetic Thief, A Graceful Savior" He had sung out.
"A Fake Gun, A Real Taser." Another voice sounded.
It was Angel.
The Mockingbird flew away.
"Now... THIS is a coincidence."
"I heard you're a P.I. now."
"Just call me Detective Jim Lore. Not Roland."
It didn't take them a second to relight their old fire and let sparks fly.
They sat in their spot, their past overlooking from beyond, kissing as the clouds parted and the Mockingbird taking flight.

~There is a pretty interesting story as to why I made this story. My mom and dad kept mispronouncing Mockingjay and another French store I don't remember.
This just came into mind when I watched videos of paparazzi bugging actors everywhere in youtube. Terrible, TERRIBLE, scums of the earth, by the way.
This is my excuse for a Christmas story. It's long, I know, but bear with it :) Enjoy
Oh, and, Merry Christmas :D
-Thanos Venge.

Eidenross: Gust

"Are you a God!? are we supposed to live beneath you!?
 Kick someone enough and they will NOT GET UP"
-Human Target Practice(Hail the Sun)

Eidenross Castle
850 A.D.

"All lies and trickery!" High Guard Markus Flynn said. "There is no such thing as magick!"
"Silence." said King Onroe Danzel "Magick is very real, my liege."
The High Guard wondered if it all came down to their old king's age for he had sworn allegiance to a king, who had saved him from the depths of death, not a king who dabbled in such rubbish.
Then the king stomped his stave.
Time has come to a halt.
"Wha- What is this?!"
"Have you lived in a cave for the majority of your life? This is magick. The practice had been ongoing for years. Why do you think such things like Dragons exist? Or why I would have a High Wizard?"
Upon those words, the High Wizard Crowley Aberath appeared out of thin air. "You called, my king?"
Markus flinched. First time stopped, then a person appears out of nowhere. He had always thought Crowley was just a jester that the King liked to have around.
"I told you. Very real." said the King.
"Is this all you need me for, my lord? To prove the simpleton of such fascination?"
The king shook his head and a worried expression came over him.
"I have called you two here for a very important matter. I have told you about the happenings upon Eidenross, correct?"
"Keeps suddenly on fire, creatures of the night appearing more often, and the city of Emberlash becoming frugal with power and rebellion."
"Yes. Magick is very important to our nation of Eidenross and we have done so well to keep it at minimum, evident as to how you, High Guard, has believed that such thing did not exist. There has been a dabble of the darker arts and mysterious creatures begin to manifest here... And into the future." The High Wizard stood astonished.
"My King, how could you know of the Future? Even we, those who dabble in the arts, have no jurisdiction upon Time and Fate's flow."
The King stood and tapped his stave. They had teleported to a dungeon. The King's secret room, Markus recalled. King Onroe strode to the cauldron in the room and inserted a muck of some greenish powder.
The powder swirled and created a clear image of cities full of risen buildings and expensive cars.
"What is this?!" Markus exclaimed.
"The very distant future..." Crowley said. "My lord, could you possibly be a..."
King Onroe nodded. "Yes, Crowley. I am a Time Mage."
"But the Time Mages have long been extinct! Practicing the art of Time magic is a tedious effort. And even then, all one could manage is to stop the flow for as long as your Mana can hold on or turn the clock back. Nothing of the future."
"Time Mages have never been extinct. Just hidden. My lineage have all been that of the Time Mage's blood. So have many others. So have my son and daughter... And to the magick, I have Blue Wizard blood in me. Its amplified my strength." said the King. "Now, on to business."
Then, screeching sounds emit the cauldron and creatures of darkness and horrible power have appeared and set upon destruction to the city.
"This will happen soon. With what strength I have, I know that another Time Mage is aiding the one causing all the mishaps upon our kingdom. We must find the perpetrators. But I don't have the strength left and my children are far long away from the business of Time Magicks."
"What do you propose we do, my king?" says High Wizard Crowley.
"I want you to find my descendant."
He hands a ring with crosses etched on it. "This will help you find my blood in the future. It will glow a faint should you cross paths with her."
Markus stood astonished. "How... How do you expect us to travel upon the future, my lord?!"
With those words, the King Grinned.
~Eidenross~
"My father has instructed me the task of sending you off." Jared Danzel, Royal Prince of Eidenross, stood proud in front of Crowley and Markus. "Travel to the future is a very tiring and limited process." Those words incurred fear on Markus. If time travel was limited, what would happen if they were stuck in a world they didn't belong to.
"This portal will take you to one timeline and will be up for just 15 seconds. You will have to be quick once I open it. Here."
He hands them 3 emerald necklaces.
"Once you've done your task, just break one and a portal back shall open."
The two place them in a bag with their gear.
"Good Luck." He said.
The Portal was open.

~Eidenross~

Verum Investigations, Detroit, Michigan
December 10, 2014

"Thanks Mili."
"No problem Reese. Just try not to get caught."
"When have I ever been caught?"
Mili Verum set the phone down and arranged her paper work. Ever since she was a kid, she's always been one who loved the law. She wanted to be in the FBI or the Force at first, but realized how much corruption they all lead to.
So she got her P.I. License when she was 21 and opened up her own agency. She was good, More than she would admit. But the P.I. business was a pretty slow way of raking in cash, so she uses her abilities for another profession. Being a journalist.
As a P.I., finding information was cake. Using her badge was a pretty easy way to gather more info than what a regular journalist would normally resort to.
So with her jobs, she didn't really had a lot to worry about cash.
"Oh, Ian." Ian Fringe entered her office with donuts.
"Hey, Couz. Mom told me you were around so she had me deliver these."
"Thanls. I can't wait to carbload." Before Ian could leave, she stops him.
"Here." She tosses him a notebook. "It's everything I could find on that bitch who's been putting gum on Heather's backpack." Ian grinned and exited her office.
With donuts, Starbucks couldn't hurt, She thought.
She put on her trench coat and slung her bag full of various amounts of P.I. Gear and weapons on her shoulder and departed for Starbucks.

~Eidenross~
"Mommy! Look at the funny men!" The little girl ushered her mom to try and look at the ash blonde stranger wearing a set of armor and the silver haired one wearing blue robes that accompanied him.
"Don't disturb them Callie. They must be performers of some sort." The mother said. "Freaks."
They walked away as the two wandered around the public area.
"Where are we?" Markus asks.
Crowley stared at a sign by the road. "It seems we are at this... Detroit place." Their English Accent was thick and seemed to gather stares at people.
Some just assumed they were filming for some sort of Game of Thrones special.
Then, a nerd with purple rimmed glasses approached them.
"Are you perhaps promoting a new AQ Worlds theme?" The nerd asked with giddy delight.
Markus gave him a strange but scary look. The nerd was unfazed.
"Oh come on. Spill it already!"
"What is this... AQ Worlds, of which you speak?" Markus asks sincerely.
"You can't trick me. I know what you're doing!" Markus was alarmed and drew his sword. "What business do you have with Eidenross?! Answer!"
"Aha! I knew it! Whatever this Eidenross is is going to be a new story isn't it! No point denying it now you idiot!"
"You dare call me an idiot you vile, wretched, fool?! I shall smite your blood upon my-"
"Stop!" Crowley hisses. "Remember, this is the future. We cannot make any hasty actions. Certainly not murder in broad daylight."
Crowley turns around and places a hand on the nerd's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, we are not part of AQ Worlds... We are merely part of a play called Eidenross. My friend is just very... in-character." The glow in Crowley's eyes was unmistakable. Magick. Or, Magic as it is spelled in this era.
The nerd nods and walks away.
"I've read as much as I can about this time from the boy. It's a very advanced world... Also his brain was so full of pop cultured things and obsessions with women. It was, as they say, creepy."
"We do not have time for such trivial things right now. We must find King Onroe's descendant."
"But Markus, Do you not wish some knowledge of this world so you do not make a mistake? My magic can share to you the things about this era. You-"
"It can wait." Markus took out the ring and walked on with the slightly annoyed Crowley trailing behind.
Then the ring glowed, It was headed north.
So were they.

~Eidenross~

Mili had always enjoyed Starbucks. You could almost call it a vice.
She sat at by the window and enjoyed her donuts and the coffee.
She was about to take her camera out to take pictures of people for future use when a pair of hands cover her eyes.
"Guess who?" Mili giggled and moved the hands away from her face.
"Hey, Oz." Osmund Virtus, Mili's long time boyfriend, had practically been what Mili described as 'The One'. 7 years ago, when she was just a sophomore, she'd have probably just laugh at someone who says that the probability of them going out was high. Oz was reckless and a jackass as a teenager. Mili, who always lingered on justice, had detested Oz and his antics. But after saving him from his Big Brother who she found out was the one who had been kidnapping and killing girls from their school(Including Oz's former lover), he had been considerate and nice. Mili lost her disgust for him, but it didn't really amount to anything but friendship. Until Senior Year, that is. Finding out that her Physics teacher and a student had caused the fire that killed the former Math Teacher for destroying their lives and a couple of students, the teacher and student had attempted to kill her too. Mili subdued the student with a Stun Gun and Mace, but her teacher had her trapped in the teachers lounge. Disarmed, she had hoped that her text about the revelation and chaos would reach her Older Brother. Instead, Oz appears with a pipe and knocks the teacher unconscious. She had texted Oz in her panic. That was a deal breaker.
They started going out a month later.
She wrapped her arms on his neck and kissed him. The way that made single people hate themselves.
They ate the food and left for her office to watch a movie. On the way out, they had missed the weird guy who wore armor as they arrived to Starbucks.

~Eidenross~
"Damn it. We missed."
Markus sulked at a table as Crowley arrived with two cups of coffee. It was pretty simple to swipe 20 dollars from that moron who kept his bag open in front of him.
"Cheer up. We'll find this descendant." He hands the coffee to Markus. "Coffee?"
Markus takes the cup with curiosity and examined it with careful precision.
"You... You sip it from the little hole on top." He says, trying his hardest to not laugh.
Markus took a gulp and went red. "That is very hot!"
"I told you to sip it."
Markus expels a sigh and smiles. "It does, however taste like a million sunbursts of energy."
Crowley didn't want to explain the burnout he'll experience later.
"Are you sure you don't want-"
"It can wait!" Cheered up, Markus stands and drags Crowley out in search of the descendant.
They had followed the ring for as long as they could until they eventually reached Verum Investigations.
"Hold on." Crowley produced his staff and tapped the ground. Markus felt lighter.
"I put on a glamour to make it look like we're normal people."
They entered the office and was greeted by a cheery brunette. Her features were similar of that as of Prince Jared's wife and daughter, Markus thought. The boy beside her, however, were unfamiliar.
"Welcome to Verum Investigations. How can I help you." The ring glowed at her
Markus began to speak, but Crowley put a stop to him. Giving him a look that said 'I got this' Crowley dug deep into the info he has gained on this place and finally spoke.
"We're here... for a case."

~Well? How'd you like my new story?
This popped up after watching my sister watch Game of Thrones.
I was like, "Why don't I ever make stories about knights and that stuff?"
I argued that it must have been from my distaste of rather old English or something.
Then I remembered a plot I was going to use for a Skyrim Fanfic.
And then I thought, Why don't I add the future to the story? So I did.
This is the outcome! Eidenross is inspired by The Elder Scrolls and My Sister Watching Game of Thrones. It will be a 4 part short story series. I hope I FINISH it this time though. Hahahaha XD
I hope you enjoyed! Tune in for the next chapter of Eidenross.
-Thanos Venge

Intuition: Flint

  Intuition:
      Flint

                                -Gallows Road just beyond Mile Turn-
                                          Friday, September 14, 2034

The rain at night didn’t seem to matter. Marty Smith wanted to live his life like another face in the crowd and he didn’t care what other people had to say. As he lit up a joint by his favorite alley, he found himself staring deep into the watery night sky.
It was quite beautiful. Then as the last raindrop fell, the faintest green light radiated.
“What the hell?” Soon, flames enveloped his mind. The flashes of green fire did not stop and as Marty writhed in pain trying to fight off the phenomena he couldn’t fathom, he felt his mouth twitch. From his slowly muffling screams, his lips slowly curved into an undeniably creepy smile.
All individual thoughts by him slowly locked into the deepest parts of his mind as the fire overtook.
His last cigarette butt fell as he walked away with his contorted, new smile.

                                                   -Fort Residence-
                                                     The Next Day

My sleep was abruptly ended as my parents swung open the door. It was Saturday, and usually my parents would still be asleep at this hour, but they were oddly up anyways. They wore incredulously wide smiles. I only ever saw those kinds of smiles for surprises, and I usually love surprises, but their smile today was off.
“Goooooood Morning!” they said strangely in sync and monotonously.
“Its time to get up! Up! Up!” They didn’t even let me register what happened and just grabbed me by the hand, dragging me downstairs, and sitting me down firmly to a chair. In the table before me lay a bowl of cereal.
“You must eat your breakfast.” Dad said, which was REALLY odd. He never said anything when eating.
“A plain bowl of oatmeals?” I said. “This is what you woke me up for at 7 in the morning?”
Silence strayed, then mom spoke.
“Breakfast! You must eat!” She stares at me intently. “Eat!”
“Ok! Ok!” As I scoop up my first bite, I stop at the sight of a mysterious white grain and a mechanical like tip.
“… I think I’ll pass.” I said and set the spoon down.
“But, Kyle Fort! You must eat this food. You must! Son!” I didn’t want to believe it since I doubted those Science Fiction shit would be real, but these people aren’t my parents right now. I stood up, backing away from the table. They followed. Slowly at first.
“You must! Obey! You Must!” And the crooked smiles became scarier.
I dashed to the living room, but tripped over my mom’s lamp. I’d be dead by her wrath if she were in her right mind right now. She loves that lamp. But I’d rather not be dead by her wrath right now with that sick smile on her face! I struggle up, but mom grabs my leg. I trip and fall over, grabbing and dropping her handbag from the couch in the process. The contents spill and I find her can of Tear Gas laid out. As she begins to drag me to her, I notice a small, silvery object in her hand. A butter knife. Without second thought, I claw for the Tear Gas just inches from my fingertips. As I hear my mom give out a triumphant cry as she begins to bring the knife down, my fingers reach the can and I turn around.
The orange spray that comes out instantly backs my mother off. The knife glints and falls away from her direction. The smile is momentously covered by her hands as she tries to wipe away the Tear Gas from her face.
“Sorry about this, mom.” I say and kick her in the face. She's out cold.
I slowly get up, but stop as I hear a click.
I forgot about dad.
He was pointing his Desert Eagle that he had bought in case the family was in danger at me.
I shut my eyes as he slowly squeezed the trigger. But the shot doesn’t come. Just a spasm from my dad and the buzzing of electricity.
Dad is also out. On his back were probes attached to wires leading up to a Taser. Holding the Taser that saved my life was my best friend, David Urch.
He unhooked the Taser cartridge holding the shot that was attached to Dad.
“We gotta run. There’s more of them.” He says.
Before I can leave, I take the gun from Dad and Mom's can of Tear Gas on the floor. Better hope that they don’t kill… or be killed.
“David, what’s going on?!” I said as we dashed out of my house.
He lingers on words, but finally he answers.
“I don’t know.” Just not the answers I want.
“Don’t block the road!” Old lady Sally from across the street was coming at us with a pipe. Her smile… was just like the others.
David takes out the cartridge on his taser and uses it’s Drive Stun function. It kind of like turns into a Stun Gun, but is used more for pain and not for incapacitation. I roll to the side and David ducks as Sally swings her pipe. David jams the Taser to her gut and Drive Stuns her. She was on the floor, clutching her gut.
David kicks her in the head and she stops moving.
Was she dead?
“David… You-”
“She’s not human anymore.” He says, almost a little coldly. “We have to go.”
A man from the sewers rises from the manhole just beyond David. I pull David away before the man could grab his foot and drag him under.
I pull out the can of Tear Gas and spray the man’s eyes. His grip on the sewer’s ladder loosens and he falls. A distinct thump was heard… Along with a crack.
David didn’t hesitate with more words and just grabbed my wrist and made a run for it.

                                                        ~Intuition~

We arrived at the foot of a large tree. This was…
“Our tree house? The last time we went here, we were 4^th graders. How on earth are we safe here?” I ask.
He motions me inside a small opening via a slightly uprooted root and kicks off a suspicious, dusty rug. There was a square door of steel.
“Where did you…”
“I found it 2 months ago. I was supposed to tell you about it once I was finished refurbishing it, but the situations changed.”
David climbs down and tells me to shut the door when I follow him.
I do as told and my mouth is left open.
It was like a nuke bunker in here! David had managed somehow to put in a sofa, a TV, a PC, two Laptops, a mini-fridge, and other furniture and appliances you wouldn’t think would fit through that door.
“Welcome to Casa Urch Fort. I managed to rewire the electricity and save all the food I found in here. The mini-fridge are for snacks and drinks. There’s a real fridge just over that room.”
I wondered at the place, reveling on David’s work. I almost forgot we were in some sort of Smilepocalypse for a while.
Almost.
“No one knows where this is. I mean, the tree house was pretty hard to find by itself. I doubt people would know about THIS.”
David sat in front of a laptop and booted up a sort of camera.
“And don’t worry, I’ve rewired the area so we can check in if ever someone discovers this place. I’ve placed a few… Defensive measures out.” I checked outside. All I could see where a couple of slightly hidden bear traps, a few tripwires, and water balloons that David said he filled with Mace spray.
“I’m just a teenager. I know I may sound amazing for being able to put this old bunker to use, but I don’t have a lot of resources and I can’t say I have enough experience to make more complex traps… Besides, we don’t have a lot of weapons.”
He had a point. It made me check what we DID have to defend ourselves. David brought out a box of things he took from home that we could classify as weapons.
We had his Taser, A crowbar, a few knives(Kitchen and a few utility ones), a firepoker, a few cans of pepper spray and mace, the Tear Gas I took from home, a boxcutter, a Stun Gun, Slingshots, a cleaver, and the gun I took from dad.
Say someone did manage to get in, the gun had about 8 bullets. 8 saving graces and we’re to struggle. And what’s stopping them from using guns themselves? We need weapons. Real weapons.
And David knew that very well. I could tell from the look in his eye after looking at me as I rifled through the weapons.
"It's not much... But they're better than nothing." He says.
"Yeah, until one of them comes at us with an AK-47 and start shooting us." I reply. "We need real weapons. Guns, David. This isn't like a zombie apocalypse. These things are smarter." And creepy. And I thought Miley Cyrus was creepy.
I'd take her licking my face to the being smothered with a pillow by these smiling freaks.
Even if four of these smiling freaks were our parents. Speaking off...
"How are your parents, David?" He fell into a short silence. Then, after holding back a sniff, he answered.
"Mom was fine and got away with my little brother. Dad wasn't so lucky... He turned into one and tried to kill me with a fork. That was until my big brother came in and shot him. He was dead. Then, my big brother was shot too. I hid in a closet and then came to your place after the killer left."
A lump appeared on my throat. Mrs. Urch and his little brother, Alex Urch was fine. Mr. Urch was shot by David's big brother, Patrick Urch... Then he was killed himself. I know I sound annoying for rehashing these things but... Mr. U was cool. And Patrick was cooler.
I had fun just being David's friend when I was around their place. I could only imagine the pain he's going through. And the pain he's taking to hold it all back.
"I'm sorry..." I say.
"Let's go look for weapons." I'm glad he was the one that decided to change the subject. I always sucked at that. "The Police Station should have some weapons."
I nod, but I felt myself getting heavier and tired.
Constantly trying to avoid death by smiles was a pretty exhausting job after all. Much worse than trying to avoid those annoying little kids from Three Streets down whenever I try to go to 7-Eleven.
Now those were some people I wish wore the smiles.
"Maybe we should take a break first. Let's go later." I say.
"Alright." He takes off his vest and lays down on the couch. "Set the alarm to thirty minutes. That should probably enough." Ok. It's a fair enough rest time. Any other NORMAL day, I'd have told him to stop being a fucktard and let me sleep in. But how could I complain? We were living under a tree with the entire city was overrun with... with...
"Hey, what should we call those freaks. Smiles?"
He remains in thought for about a minute before turning his head to look at me.
"Giggles." I nod.
Giggles. The entire city is overrun with Giggles.
I don't know how long we were gonna survive with whatever food we had, or how we could defend ourselves with what we currently have.
But it's better than dying out.
If i have to conform and let those freaks kill me or worse, turn me into one of them, I'd off myself first.
I just hope whoever else is sane enough are still alive.
We'll live our life fighting before we die to this.

~Author's notes
So! This was the original(Albeit revised since the original one was lost)
I hope you like it! This is origin of Kyle Fort and David Urch. Their story starts here. But things will take an unexpected twist in the next story... So stay tuned >:)
Read the first story, Guts, here:
Guts: Ignition

Myself and Only Myself

A poem on the quote I like to quote upon the end of my profile bio.

Myself and Only Myself

A fallen lily, a fallen leaf
A falling stone, a falling phone
Our fallen wishes, our falling dreams
Save them, can we? Catch them, should we?
Will our identity lead us to an answer?

We grow up, We die
Hoping something goes right, broken when it doesn’t
Are we supposed to be just another face in the crowd?
Or are we supposed to find out who we should ever be?
We’ll only ever know by ourselves

Life’s too short, but it seems so long
Then again, you never notice the clock move on
When you think its peaceful, then you’re dead wrong
We’re always at a war
With someone, or with ourselves

People come and go in our lives
But we’ll always have ourselves
You can isolate yourself in a room
Or you can melt in the crowd, but you’ll still find you
Because no one can ever be who you are

Why live a life of white and gray?
When you can take that rainbow, you know it’s there
I’ve found that and drove away
And I know in my heart that I’ll never fade
For I am Myself and Only Myself

I’m fine with that, and I always will be
Cause the way I see it
 I wouldn’t have it any other way

Thanos Venge: Wind Up

"No answers, nothing will ever be the same."
-Sonder(Eclipses for Eyes)

The images were vivid as Reese began to dream.
"Come on, Reese!" Reese followed his friend through the woods. Deeper and deeper as they trekked, they finally reached their tree house. A place they've kept in great condition even though they were High School Sophomores. What could Reese do? They were best friends after all.
"Are we ever gonna bring Mandy here?" Reese asked.
But his friend only stared into the distance.
"Hey."
"She's not ready."
They spent a few moments catching up before deciding to go to home.
Little did they know, they'd be more than just walking home.
"Dad..." Reese saw the fire in his friend's dad's eyes as he dumped a body off the cliff they used to look at.
"You didn't see nothing, ya hear!" As they backed away, the crazy eyes set in and the large man was running after them. When they thought they lost him, he's 15 inches ahead.
"Be good boys and come...Come on."
Reese held on to his friends arm. He did not want to die, nor did he want his friend to die. Not now, not today.
From his backpocket, Reese slowly pulled out a can of Mace that Mandy had given him on the event that a bear may attack.
There was a standoff, and Reese could see the deranged man's hands by the Taurus 9mm in his pocket.
An odd place to be stuffing a pistol.
Then Reese broke the ice.
The Mace let loose a burst of burning white liquid that burned through the man's eyes.
"Run!" They obviously did. Reese was scurrying to dial 911.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"Hello, we're being chased by someone with a gun. We saw him dump a body and now he's trying to kill us... The guy was my friend's father. His name is-" A shot cut Reese off. He could hear the woman on the phone gasp in shock.
Reese's friend fell flat to the ground. He was breathing, thank god. But the side of his head was bleeding, heavily.
Reese didn't want to look back and just carried him and ran as fast as he can. The phone was still on his ear.
"Oh god! Oh god!! He just shot my friend! He shot him! I've managed to get us away from him!"
Reese reached old lady Parsen's house and knocked frivolously.
"Hello! Help!" Her grandson, Jason Stackwell didn't ask questions and just let them in and locked the door.
"I'll go get the first aid kit."
"We're in a nearby house. The address is 9023, Ransom Road, Eastbrick Colorado! Please! Help!"
Reese placed a gauze Jason handed him on his friend's bleeding head.
"Dude, no... Please, open your eyes!"

-V-

Reese woke up screaming. It was 6 in the morning.
"What's wrong?!" Mandy came rushing, wearing only a bathrobe.
Reese gasped a few times and wiped the sweat off his face.
"Hey..." Mandy pat his back.
"...Terrence" he uttered.
The memory was so vivid. It would plague Thanos' dreams randomly. But even if it didn't he never forgot. Besides, his friend was the sole reason why he turned to life of revenge.
Terrence Sanders was Reese's first best friend. He had known him long before he met Mandy. That one day in Reese's dreams, they saw Grant Sanders throwing a corpse off a cliff.... and it ended with Terrence's coma. He'd been in that coma for 2 years. His mother, Janine Sanders refused to let him off life support, while the father was no where to be found.
It became Thanos' mission to find him, exact his revenge, and destroy him.
But was that really the start of it? When did he really begin to start getting revenge?
"Reese...." She started and sat by her friend's side. "Maybe we should visit him."
Reese stared at her, with a curious and sad look in his eyes.
He hadn't seen Terrence in a year. He'd promised himself that he'd come back whenever he's done something to get closer to the man that did this to him. And the last time that happened, Reese had only managed to find a CCTV screenshot of him in the middle of the road just beyond Maine.
Nothing after that.
But maybe Mandy did have a point. Can't a visit be for the sake of friends? Can't it be to check up on someone you always think of but never see anymore? Besides, it was a Saturday. What was the harm?

-V-

Reese showered in his bathroom and reminisced of old memories.
Like the day they met Mandy.
"Give me your lunch money, prick! You think you can straddle around this school and act like Hit Girl from Kick-Ass to save people? Please! Get your head out of your ass."
Mandy was defending a small Freshman boy who was being harassed by the local bully, Lester Ricks.
Just as the bully was about to hit Mandy, she pulls out a black, handheld device with probes on its tips. On closer inspection, Reese identified it as a Stun Gun. The same one Reese borrows to this day every now and then when he needs it to incapacitate someone or fight back.
"Stun Guns are legal here. No one can stop me from just outright tasing you with Mr. Raichu." She pokes it on the bully's gut who was contemplating if he should retract his fist. "Tell me. Are you feeling lucky? Or would you like to have a word with Mr. Raichu's friend, Mr. Koffing." She pulls out a can of Mace. Identical to the one she had given to Reese just 2 days before the incident with Terrence's dad.
"You crazy bitch!" A crowd had swarmed to watch. Lester was obviously stupid to think he could react faster and swung his hands. His fist didn't connect as the Stun Gun zaps the bully to the ground. Reese and Terrence saw Lester's big friends approach and they knew they had to intervene.
Mandy saw one come at her. Maybe she DID watch Kick-Ass. Her first reaction was violently stepping on the man's feet and then spraying her Mace at his eyes. He falls and starts rolling to try and get the spray off his eyes. Another approaches and she vehemently swings her hand with the Stun Gun at him. He catches her hand as she activates the weapon. Cackles fly as she struggles against the teenager's strength.
"You know what people call guys who hit girls? Gay." She flashes a devious smile as the bully wound up to do a strike. Mandy is flung aside as the bully falls in pain.
Terrence had swung a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at his back. It was heavy enough to do a good amount of pain.
The last one comes rushing. Terrence winds up his book, as if playing baseball and Mandy held on to her weapons. But none of them attack because the guy had fallen face first. Reese had tripped him over with his foot. Now as the bully stands up, Reese flashes him a photo on his phone. It wasn't big enough so only the bully could see.
"You wouldn't want this to suddenly just start flying around school, would you? I mean, I've got copies. You can punch me if you want, but it's just going to make you and your pathetic little friends lives harder, you know? I'll make it hell as quick as possible. Now, you can back off and I wont post this up on every possible social site and newspaper across the country, or opt a ride to a world of shame and misery." The bullies stand up and start to back off.
"Alright, alright! Break it up!" The Math teacher, Mr. Nelson breaks the scene.
"Ms. Roe and Mr. Ricks, everyone in this fight, come with me."

After a whole talk about how violence is never the answer, The Freshman took a brave turn and told Mr. Nelson how Mandy, Terrence, and Reese were only looking out for him. The bullies made a scary face at him, but one whispered something to another. They turned to Reese, who made an intimidating grin and pulls up his phone.They all look away, scared.
Mandy and Terrence were given a warning for harming her peers on her first few days and a pat on the back for standing up for the weak. The bullies were given 2 weeks of detention.
Reese was ignored throughout the most part,as he wasn't seen tripping over anyone. He was only seen with the phone in front of the fallen guy.
As they leave the room, Mandy stops them.
"Thanks." She says.
"Hey, anyone who can taser Lester Ricks is a friend of mine." Terrence says.
Mandy smiles. "I just can't stand it when people pick on others. I'm new, and I know it's a bad move, but still..."
"Hey, you're welcome to stick with us. That is, if you're fine with the testosterone." Reese interjects. "No one really messes with us." He adds.
"I think I'll take you up on that offer. Better than staying with stuck up little sluts who stab each other in the back while smiling...." She laughs. But returns a strange look at Reese. "Wait a minute. I saw you trip the other guy, but what was that thing with the phone about? They looked ready to shit their pants."
Reese's eyes look up and he gives a smug grin.
"That my friend." Terrence says. "Is Reese's secret weapon. Blackmail."
"The greatest and most dangerous weapon is information, dear Mandy." Reese adds.
Mandy takes it in and nods. "Remind me not to share any of my secrets with you."
"Don't bother. I've got more ways than one to find out your deepest, darkest secrets."
And from that day on, they were fast friends.

~V~

"It's so nice to see you again, Reese. Mandy."
"Mrs. S." Mandy replies.
"How is he?" Reese asks.
Janine Sanders eyes her comatose son and sighs. "Still the same... I've got enough money to keep him alive so I'm not really worried about the costs, but... It's been so long and I don't know how long Terrence will keep fighting..." Her eyes started to water and she was holding her own not to break down.
"Hey, I'm sure that Terrence will hang in there. He's got to!" Mandy reassures.
"I KNOW he'll hang in there." Reese adds. "He's Terrence Sanders."
Janine smiles and stands up. "It's about time for lunch. Would you kids like something?" She picks up her purse.
Mandy stands up as well. "I'll go with you. You don't have to pay for us. Right, Reese?" Reese nods and gives her a 20 dollar bill. "Some nuggets and a coke's fine."
Mandy takes the money, jokingly saying that she'd buy herself something more with it before leaving with Mrs. Sanders.
Reese watches as they shut the door and returns his gaze to his comatose best friend.
"I'll get him, you know." He says. "I haven't been here in a while... Ha... Some Best Friend I am."
Reese falls into a short silence. Before he let tears unconsciously fall off his cheek.
"...O-Oh." He says and wipes it off.
Reese observes the machines keeping his friend alive and stifles a sigh.
"It must be nice... Living inside a dream... Ha, what am I saying. It's been two years... I miss you dude..." Another set of tears fall down, but he wipes it off and takes out a notebook.
"Here's some things you missed while you're still asleep, bastard." He laughs and reads the notebook.
"E.R.strikes again. I hear he...or she been getting on the police's nerves. Ha, screw them. Can't even do their jobs right. I say E.R.'s a hero." He flips through the notebook.
"Cassie White from Terra High saved her little brother from this burger joint kidnap slave labor thing. Paramore released their 6th album yesterday. It was great..." He trails off.
"I wonder if you can hear me right now. It hurts, but I hope you do. It's never the same without you." He stares at his friend's peaceful face and takes out a pair of headphones with a logo saying "Fuck Off" and placed it in his friend's ears. He plays a song from his IPod and watches silently.
"Those names we made when we were younger? I've gotten used to using it recently. I never thought I'd be using hacking as a benefit either, but... Revenge is my drug. Thanos Venge thanks you... Arthur Day." He says. Arthur Day, meaning Strength and Hope, he thought. He had always been the darker one of the two. Thanos Venge, meaning Death Revenge as he put together when they made their alter-names. Reese never thought he'd create a Persona along with it, however. But if it meant doing what he would to find Grant Sanders along the way, he'll do whatever it takes. Whatever. It. Takes.
Mandy enters the room and gives Reese his food
"Here's your nuggets."

"Where's Mrs. Sanders?" He asks, noticing her absence.

"She had to take a business call, said they were calling her to work." 

Reese knew that as much. She was a busy person. Then, he got his own business call. Or text, really.

Client: Lisa Vane

Revenge Crediblility: Reliable

Age:17

Click here for personal info.

Target: Carter Anderson

Info on target here

Reason: "That son of a bitch cheated on me. What's worse? She cheated on me with my sister AND my cousin. I want this bastard to pay!"

Personal Favor/Requests: I want a picture of him duct taped, naked, to a pole with a crossdressing hooker.

"Thats my call..." Reese says under his breath. 

He finishes the food and pats Terrence on the arm.

"Mandy, I gotta go. Urgent text. I've got your Mr. Raichu so dont worry about me."

She sucks in some air and breathes.

"Well, just be safe. I'll head home later. I'll catch up with Terrence for a while and maybe go shopping. See ya at home."

And he was gone.

Thanos emerges from a bathroom stall, wearing his usual attire. The hoodie, with Mandy's Stun Gun in his pocket. The call to business was a strong pull. And why not? Reese has admitted that much. Revenge is a drug.

"Hey." He says to the target before tasering him in the neck.

That drug is his drive. And if he needs to be a junkie for things to move forward to the truth, then Reese was willing to dive into the dangers of being Thanos Venge.

Paramore - The Only Exception

When I was younger I saw-
Err I meant, I didn't really like a lot of music.
In the past, I'd scavenge whatever good songs I heard from the radio(Or Glee) and just randomly add it to my MP3 player.
Come one summer time, and my life changes before me. I recall having the song Ignorance on my MP3 and the song Pressure from playing the Sims 2. So, in a state of boredom, I looked the band up and their music. I liked the songs after all, why not hear what the rest of them sound like? You know, that was the first time I had my touch with music. REAL music.
I mean, sure, most of my songs were either J-Rock or random at best, but when I learned about Paramore, it felt like a missing piece of me was found. So as I heard the melodies that constantly became my saving grace when I'm down in the dumps(Or in the mood to strangle), the band had a special place in my heart that would never cease to die. I used to name bands as my favorites solely on certain songs, like Keane per say, but thanks to Paramore(And a few pushes from friends) I learned of other good bands and my taste in music adapted(But mostly stuck to the Rock Genre. I WILL NOT CONFORM TO POP!!! EAT MY DUST BOY BANDS!). I now constantly listen and discover other great bands(Though none that should surpass Paramore's place) like I The Mighty, or Panic! At the Disco, or Our Last Night!
So what's all this whole declaration of love on all about? What's a Parawhore doing what they already do in broad daylight. So much so that it could(And probably has) start to annoy others?
That's the point.
Any other day, I'd declare my everlasting love for Paramore, but today's special.
Not only is this a thanks to the band, but also a reflection upon the people.
I enjoy the serene online presence of other Parawhores like myself, and I can understand them. But this part of this weird post is about how other fans seem to be (One of Those) Crazy Loons.
As another face in the crowd, I enjoy stalking the people I look up to in the internet. Twitter, Instagram, Whatever social site that's still alive these days. Then, I see feuds.
This wasn't very long ago, but it's been in the past.
Recently, Hayley Williams had noted the similarity of One Directions Song to one of New Found Glory's old songs. I already expected an enormous amount of rage coming in from the Directioners at that point. And so had Hayley, who had quickly posted a tweet about how she was probably going to be receiving hate from 1D's fanbase.
I don't want to reignite fires. This post is not about this 1D crap that went on. I'm just stating examples.
Again, this is about the fans.
I read comments(On youtube) How Hayley was causing trouble or how Paramore was talentless, and whatever dipshit those Directioners can dig up off their arses.
Then, there were those who rightfully defended Hayley and actually pointed out facts that Paramore wrote their own songs unlike 1D..
Back on topic, What I mean is how some people are so BIASED that they have to think of awful crap to throw at someone who was JUST STATING HER OPINION! She's a freaking person too, you know! What happened to freedom of speech?
Then it occurred to me how I was probably being biased for being a Parawhore and how I'm being a hypocrite to begin with.
Months ago, Justin Beiber had released a song We Were Born For This, which used (Stolen) fanart of Paramore's album, Riot! which had a song called Born for This(Which is totally awesome, btw). The day I found out, I took to twitter and facebook and started slamming Justin freaking Beiber with hastags.
Fans can be crazy sometimes, and that includes me. But theres a length to where you take your words and actions.
Every angry Parawhore the day they saw JB's stolen art had a reason to be angry. JB had(If unintentionally) ignited the wrath of a large fanbase. And it was justifiable.
Then, there's the crazies.
I saw some really awful words when I saw those comments in a Youtube video I found.
Like I said, these Directioners(Probably hormonal preteens or 12 year old girls, as one said) had spouted how Paramore sucked, or how Hayley was picking on "Their Boys" (*Shudder* Creepy fangirls and their creepy sexfictions are creepy) and how they were going to wait for her in hell.
She was just stating her opinion(Which also sounded like a fact, tbh. The two songs, DID sort of sound alike), Jeez. You shouldn't say awful things without giving it something to back it up. Though, you could say you don't like them because their songs aren't your taste. It's just, when you defend something you love, you don't throw dirt in others peoples eyes for it, lest stab someone. What proof do you have that your favorite band is the best? We're all going to be biased. People are going to pick sides.
But if you actually built up on observation and hard work, you'd know that Paramore had worked longer and harder for where they stand. They didn't rely on looks(As one said) and X-Factor(Another commentor). They worked for it with blood, sweat, and tears.
They've lost friends and they've made new ones.
They've been frustrated and they've made success.
Don't get me wrong. One Direction is popular and a very largely loved (Boy)Band, but sometimes we don't see eye to eye because sometimes we're stereotypes and cliches, and sometimes we're jamming to what we really love. We'll all be at an impasse, but please...
Lets take example of the peaceful fanbases out their.
And not just for bands.
I'll get into the whole SMT and Persona fans one day, but I want to make a point.
Whether you're a Parawhore like me,
Or a Belieber or Directioner like my a few of my friends,
Overcast Kids(Fall Out Boy) or Sinners(Panic! At the Disco)
Little Monsters, Selenators, or whatever the fuck you want,
Can't we be civil fans?
Can't we stop assaulting each other?
They're people too! They get to live their lives as much as WE do.
Can we only RAGE about things that DO matter?
And when we DO rage, can we not attack them or each other with facts we don't even know or care about?
We're hormonal, or we're really, really hooked up.
Lets just enjoy what we Love!
-Sincerely, a Concerned(And sometimes CRAZY) fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRXw9yK3JTM

Speech: Role of TV and Movie Personalities in Developing Youth

For one of our classes, our finals were to make a speech on one of many set subjects. Luckily, I got this one.
So, I decided to share it here on the net. Hopefully no one steals this. I WILL hunt you down you know
I worked hard on this, so I hope you guys like it.

                                Role of TV and Movie Personalities in Developing Youth

What’s a TV? It’s a square, sometimes rectangle, plastic box with electrical wirings and steel parts with a glass panel that resembles a window. In a sense, you could consider a common TV as a window to another life you can never truly live. Sometimes, you could call it a lie everyone wants to live. Why? Let’s admit it. Our lives can become boring in some points in our lives, and to that point we seek this window to escape and try to jump into something that’s never going to happen. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t try and make something out of it.
            This world is going through a lot of change, and because it is, the future is in the youth’s hands. Our hands. People say that TV is a bad influence, and since the youth are naïve and believe what they see in TV, maybe too much COULD end up melting a person’s brain or mental capacity, but in the end, the TV is the most prevalent visual aid, so let me ask you this now. How many of you, have people you look up to in television, people you want to be like? Good. Everyone has a story to tell, but what’s a story if you don’t have a character. A character is the strongest medium of strength and influence within the minds of the young. We learn and create morals and beliefs from snippets of things we’ve learned from what people say and do in TV. Truth or Deception maybe, but the people in TV have and continued to give people something to believe in or dreams they can hope to accomplish. Why does that happen, though? The people on TV is easier to empathize with and probably sympathize if you’re experiencing something similar than watching the environment change.
            Let’s take the actress Kristen Bell for example. She’s played Veronica Mars from, well, Veronica Mars, and though her character lives a life full of tragic mystery and painful social hierarchy, her character teaches women to be strong, to fight for what’s theirs. Though she also teaches a lot about grudges and revenge, she taught how the real world isn’t like a fairytale and if you want to earn something, you have to go through hell and back to get to where you are and people are going to get in your way, maybe occasionally help you, but in the end it’s always going to be you. Another good example would be Josh Radnor who played Ted Mosby from the recently concluded sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. What did you look forward to, other than the funny parts in that show? Who the wife is, right? Ted’s story goes as far as 9 seasons to tell the story of how he found his one true love amidst all the crazy adventures. In the end, it’s inspiring to know that Ted finds her in the end, right?
            A quote from Persona 3’s Final Boss goes like this: “The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed. One of life’s greatest blessings is the freedom to choose one’s goals” In the end, we choose what we want to do in life, and the people we see in TV are little pushes and in the end, we look for that channel to that certain window we want to learn from. When we do find it, we’re given the opportunity to choose how we’ll live that lie and turn into a better truth. That’s what the people in TV do for us. Now I’ll end you with this. Our lives are a series of choices. In the end, have you chosen?

Songs by Story - Dear Ana by Eclipses for Eyes

“I've discovered that all monsters are human,
and they'll devour anything that smells weak.”
-Dear Ana(Eclipses for Eyes)

“Stop it…” A single tear fell on Shelly Kane’s cheek. She was curled on a fetal position as Ana Burkely towered over her with a vicious smile on her face.
“Why? Because you’re in pain?” She lowered herself to whisper on the girl’s ear. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Ana takes out a bottle of water out of her locker and throws it at the poor girl.
“Take a shower. You’re filthy.”
As she begins to walk away, she didn’t discover Marilyn Blanc come out of the locker lane she was watching from.
“Are you alright?” She asks. Shelly only moans in pain.

-X-

“We have to do something about Ana Burkely…” The group watches as Ana shoves a freshmen to the floor.
“You’re not going to amount to anything, dipshit.” The freshmen crawls to his things and runs away.
“But…How?” Says Carly Mann. Marilyn holds a still shivering Shelly as the group of sophomores ponder on how to stop the cruel teenager. She, a teenager that exemplifies what teenagers believe as a battle royale for class in a culture that has taught everyone to deny anything different. The poison that ruined youth.
“Tara, you’re brother’s Mason James, right?” Tara nods as they see him walk by.
“She has a thing for him.” Vicky Lynn beckons him over.
“Did my sister do something?”
“We need your help.”

-X-

Ana and Mason stood in the school hall, all lovey dovey in front of everyone.
“How much do you love me?” The lovestruck Ana says.
Mason smiles, as vicious as she did to Shelly.
“…I don’t” The dumbstruck Ana stared in surprise.
Mason shuts his locker.
“But… The letters, the dates…”
“Lies. You can’t have me, Ana.”
Ana came out of her stupor and went into a blind rage.
“You said I was beautiful! You said you loved me.”
“You’re just fine, Ana, but you’re uglier on the inside out.”
Ana, again dumbstruck, stood silently.
“The truth? You’re a manipulative, spoiled, and evil bitch. And I’ve got proof.”
The T.V.s around school began opening all, one by one, showing clips of various acts of evil and dirt she had done.
Ana began shaking her head, like all she had destroyed with just words.
“How does it feel, Ana?”
Everyone began laughing and on cue, everyone else began saying
“How does it feel to be told that it’s all been lies?”
“You’re just fine Ana.”
“How does it feel, Ana.”
She raced out of the school and never returned.

*Dear Ana is a Song by Eclipses by Eyes. The song interprets how the real monsters of the community are Humans, choosing to deny and outcast anything different. This is a perfect example of the youth, as the song also says, that have been poisoned by this culture. It doesn’t take physical action to destroy someone now. All one needs are words. Because words are the sharpest weapons one can brandish. That much a teenager has forged.
-Thanos Venge

Thanos Venge: Teaching is not a Legal Version of Torturing

"I dare you to share with the world exactly what you've done."
-Conspiracy(Our Last Night)

Reese Morrison silently brushed his teeth to the morning news. The highlight was of another Thanos Venge case. A smile formed on his face and thought of the annoying receptionist who wrongfully tried to sue one his friend's mother for being black in broad daylight. Obviously, the receptionist lost her case, but she did not stop harassing them. When a restraining order wasn't enough, his friend, Andy Mann sent a Vengeance Request the other day. Reese was happy to do this for him. He had even already planned on how he was going to take revenge on the obnoxious bitch; Trapping her in a tanning machine, butt naked, and tan her till she's brown for at least 2 years.
She was horrified. She couldn't even leave her house without shouting "I'M CURSED! I'M CURSED!"
This act of payback earned Thanos money, fun, and a reputation. But it left Reese tired and with Eyebags under his eyes.
"Ever wonder who this Thanos guy is?" Mandy asked. She was completely oblivious to Reese's secret.
"No. Not at all. Maybe a guy who's bored with his life?" Reese even tried to sound a LITTLE sarcastic, but his friend did not take notice of it, or anything strange Reese seems to do.
It was a clear Friday morning. A good day to prepare for the weekend.
"So, any plans tomorrow, Mandy?" he asked, trying to dwell away from Thanos.
Mandy changed the channel to Disney. Wizards of Waverly Place was on.
"I dunno." She replied. "Hang around and look at memes, or go out shopping. I'm not sure."
Reese shrugged and returned to retrieve his backpack from his room.
"Hey! Can you get my bag too?!" Mandy shouted.
"Lazy ass! Fine!" Reese shouted back.
As he began to leave, his Iphone vibrated. Database check.
Someone was accessing his site, and his program had already traced who his would be client be.
"Trevor Gants, Huh. Well, you're in my school, so I guess your case wont be far." As Reese checked the details that Trevor was slowly typing in, he was surprised to see Trevor stop. Even more so, he stopped at the Client Target Box. People usually fill that one up very fast. Trevor typed in M, but suddenly logged off from the site and closed it.
"...I guess revenge isn't for everyone." Reese says and walks off to Mandy's room.

-V-

"Mr. Venge. Ms. Roe. You are late." Ms. Tatiana's crooked nose flared and her wicked eyes glared at them.
"We're sorry Ms. Tatiana." Mandy bows her head. "We missed the train and had to wait for the next one."
Reese rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, if someone didn't go window shopping for Iphone cases, we'd have made the first train." Reese says under his breath. Mandy discreetly stomps on Reese's foot, hard,
Reese flinched and held back an ow.
Ms. Tatiana circled them and let loose a sigh.
"Right, well please be early next time." She points her ruler to their seats and they scramble to get to them.
"Today we will be-"
"Sorry I'm Late!" Trevor Gants walks in, out of breathe. "I missed the train and-"
"No excuses." Ms. Tatiana smiled wickedly. "Another second you're late, you waste your classmates lives. Just like your mother." Reese was open mouthed at Ms. Tatiana's barely veiled verbal assault.
"He was just a second late than us!" Mandy whispers to him. "This is horrible."
"Detention, Mr. Gants." Gants opens his mouth to protests, but recants and strides to his seat in front of Thanos.
"Are you alright, Gants?" Reese could feel the shudder in Trevor's skin.
"...Y-Yes..."
"This is verbal abuse and discrimination. You can report this and Ms. Tatiana will be fired!" Mandy adds.
"And we'll all be saved." Reese quietly adds as well.
"No talking in class. Mr. Gants, an hour will be added to your detention."
Gants did nothing to complain and simply kept his head down. When he did nothing to defend himself, Mandy stood up.
"Ms. Tatiana! That's just cruel! He didn't even do much of the talking! It was Reese and I!"
"Wait, what?" Reese adds. Mandy glares at him. "I mean, y-yeah."
The wicked teacher narrowed her eyes. "Do you have proof of this Ms. Roe?" She asked menacingly.
"N-No but..."
"Then you should abstain from defending your peers when its really none of your business."
She walks to the board and gives Trevor an incredibly strict look. "Having your classmates defend you? Disgusting. You have a way with words. Just like your filthy mother back in the army."
Trevor trembled and remained quiet.
"Look, you cant even defend yourself." She smirks. "Herbivores like you don't deserve to live." That was the last straw for Reese.
"With all due respect, Ma'am. That's verbal abuse."
"Its not abuse if its facts."
"Its slander. And I believe you could get arrested for that."
"Well we all want to believe something, Mr. Morrison. Sit down." Reese sat down with a dejected look.
How could Reese not have noticed it before? She had always been extra hard on Trevor. Maybe because it wasn't really his business or because no one defended him before. But when he accessed his site and this little scene, Reese decided Thanos should get involved.
As Ms. Tatiana continued her lesson and projected a video, Thanos' phone vibrated. Database Check.That was when he saw Trevor shakily typing on his phone in secret. He was still hesitating.
Its time he gave the guy a little push.
Thanos grabbed a disposable phone on his backpack and began to text. He checked on Mandy first, to see if she noticed him. She was sound asleep.

Its time you did something about that Bitch
Don't you Think So, Trevor Gants?
Revenge... Is almost as sweet as cupcakes
-Thanos Venge

Thanos smirked as Trevor silently gasped at his Phone.
Trevor hesitated, but finally filled out his request. Thanos' phone vibrated and received the Request.
"Tatiana Gravels. I'm going to enjoy this."

-V-

In the small town of Eastbrick, Colorado, Thanos had more than just enough places to go to for his traps. A revenge plan wouldn't be very effective if he didn't have any equipment or connections.
The Eastbrick Theater is famous for its line of actors they'd produced for Holywood. Granted, the line isn't very big, but everyone they've sent have never returned unhappy or without money, that's for sure.
Thanos knocked on the owners office and was greeted by a 30 year old man in a suit. His expression was neutral, but he was definitely scary.
"Well, Well. Thanos Venge." He smiled. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Hello Mr. Vitro."
"Please. For you, Nick is fine. The guy who ran Coutor Theater out of Business for purposely bribing our clients away is more than welcome here." He pours 2 mugs of coffee. He hands one mug to Thanos.
"So, Thanos, what can I do for you?"
"Mr- Er, Nick." He smiled. "On cases where I'm on broad daylight, I'd like to be called Reese. People might... hear."
"Of course. Sorry. Now" Nick sets his mug down. "How can I help you?"
Thanos smiles. Maybe a little evilly. "I'd like to borrow the theater.... In two days. Is it free?"
Nick stands up and walks over to a small schedule clipboard on his door. "Uhhh... Its free by night. You do attack your targets at night, right?" Thanos nods and takes out a file.
"If you're curious, this is my clients target. She used to be one of those torturers in interrogations in the army."
"Tatiana Gravels. Her huh?"
"You know her?" Nick smirks and takes out a small picture.
"She used to come here everyday. Trying to land a role after her gig in the army. She threw epic diva tantrums. No one wanted her. Eventually, she took a hint when she lost a part to Hannah Gants."
Thanos furrowed his eyebrows. Hannah Gants, Trevor's mother. Thanos could still recall how Trevor was relentlessly bullied this morning. Ms. Tatiana did mention his mother most of the time.
It was time he found out what happened that turned Ms. Tatiana so...Horrible.

-V-

Thanos knocked on the Gants household. He expected to find Trevor answer, but no. He was answered by a foreigner. By the looks of it, he looked like he was Russian.
"Yes?" His heavy accent was there, but was a little concealed. Obviously immersed from the American Culture.
"Um... I'm Reese Morrison. I'm Trevor Gants' classmate."
The man opened the door more. He smiled and motioned him in.
"Trevor iz not 'ere yet. Vut he vill be back from work een just twenty minutes."
Trevor's house was big. He was rich. But it made him wonder why he would take the train instead of just buying a car or being carpooled.
"Actually. I'm here to talk to his parents. Is Mr. and Mrs. Gants around?"
"Ooh. I'm Trevor's vather. People just assume that I em someone who works here. 'e got his looks from e's mother."
"He...Did get your complexion though." Thanos sets his bag down the couch and sits.
"I vill call Hannah." He walks off upstairs. Thanos stands up to walk and check the pictures. They looked incredibly happy. How could they send someone like Trevor to a school with a terrible teacher like Ms. Tatiana?
"Reese?" On the staircase was Trevor's mom. Trevor's dad was right, he got her looks.

-V-

"I've known Tatiana since our initiation in the army." She holds her husband's hand, whom she introduces as Victor Gants.
"She was incredibly sadistic. On interrogation, she would take this...Stun Baton and hit the people we caught in very vital parts." Victor flinched, as if on instinct. "My husband... was captured. He was willing to talk and take our side, but... Tatiana was convinced he was lying. She would talk to him alone and hit him. Bloody. I stopped her. I stopped her, and got Victor out of there. As you can see, it became a sort of tragic love story." It was, Thanos thought. "Tatiana never forgave me for that. She slapped me once. And everytime she saw us, she'd go out of her way to just... harass us. Harass who's related to us. We got a restraining order, but..."
"But, what Ms. Gants? Your son is being bullied. Can't that restraining order do something?" Thanos was getting impatient.
"The order didn't include him. He wasn't even born yet." She began crying. "I'd tell him that we should move or that he should transfer. He'd say he...he'd thin it out. That we shouldn't worry. That she wasn't doing anything to him." She sobs in Victors arms.
"Thank you... Vor telling us vat that voman eez doing to our son. Ve vill be zure to contact the school." Thanos smirks and stands up to leave.
"I've got a feeling that you wont have to do that." As he began to leave, the door opens. Trevor got home.
"Reese?" He had gauze on the left side of his face.
"Trevor? What happened to your-" Trevor shushes him to stop his parents from coming in. "Ms. Tatiana was at the cafe. She threw coffee at me. My boss tossed her out."
That was definitely the last straw for Thanos. He was gonna make sure that this person was going to suffer a hell more painful she put Trevor through.

-V-

"Hello?" Ms. Tatiana entered the stage. It was surrounded with sound proofed glass, like a music studio.
Thanos activates the speaker on it and talks with a voice changer. "Please. Begin. As if we're not here. You've read the script, Ms. Gravels."
She began yammering the script. She was horrible. No wonder no one took her. She bows with a smug look on her face.
"Well? I knew you'd take me back. What did you think of my art?" Thanos was repulsed.
"Ms. Gravels, I am afraid that you are very bitter trash in this community. Your acting was garbage." She was astonished.
"Why I'd never-"
"Do not interrupt me. And do not bother trying to leave. The doors are locked." Tatiana began becoming hysterical.
"A sadistic fuck like you don't deserve a life here, or on any face of this planet for that matter. You repulsive, vile, and sad bitch. I mean, seriously? Killing puppies because your sister was more popular than you? Harassing people with better hearts? Psychopaths like you should just drop dead. I'm done. You are free to start going crazy."
But before she did, another person enters the room. It was Trevor.
"Uh, I'm here for my free Laptop." Tatiana set fire in her eyes and started towards him. "YYYOU."
Trevor stood still. Scared.
"You set this up. Your little prank is going to cost you a lot more than that eye!" She takes out a Riding Crop and began whipping him. Thanos didn't want to do this, but it was necessary.
"You've always been trash. Trash, trash, trash. You and traitor blood and your filthy parents. Your going to die. You and everyone you love is going to die." She wraps her hand around his neck. "And you're weak. You can't do anything about it. Your going to die alone and broken! I'll be sure to make it happen, you little shit!" As Trevor began choking, Thanos shouts in the P.A.
"Stop! Gravels, you just proved what you kind of monster you are."
"Oh, and who's going to believe you, Mysterious Voice?" She turns her head to Trevor. "Oohhh. I know who you are. Thanos Venge. You should know my feelings. But then, a hypocrite who can't even do anything to stop me wouldn't know anything. Tell me. Who'd believe you?" Thanos smirked.
"The public eye." The lights turn on. Huge monitors revealed multiple monitors in multiple cities that made everything she did become public. People were watching and was horrified with her actions.
"Don't ever call me a hypocrite, Ms. Gravels. Don't even lump me together with you. Revenge is different from dementia." She begins to back off as a Stun Gun appears from a platform by Trevor. "You're not weak, Trevor. You are strong. Strong to have endured so much. But it's time to let everything out. Just take it all out." Trevor stares  at it at first, but picks it up, approaches the hysterical teacher and tasers her. Repeatedly. "Don't ever call my family trash, you crazy bitch." The door opens and Trevor walks off. Tatiana Gravels is on the floor, in pain.
"Just so you know." Thanos says. "I've sent the video to the school board. So don't count on them not seeing this. Buh bye."
Thanos quickly flees the scene as police enter the building. With Thanos Venge gone, they arrest the demented teacher for aggravated assault.
Thanos calls Trevor from a disposable phone. "Everything is done. I think you know that anyway. I'm sorry...to drag you into my trap." Trevor remains silent at first but finally answers. "It's fine. Whatever it took, I'd have done it to stop her. Don't worry, I've wired the money to you."
Thanos was originally gonna tell him that his case was on the house, despite a lot of costs were needed. But he had already paid, so what was there to say?
"No Problem. I think you'll be fine now."
Thanos throws away the phone and walks home.

-V-

The next few days were crazy. Ms. Tatiana was fired and instead of being arrested, was put in the looney bin.
Trevor's life started to look bright. He was more happy and stronger. That was what mattered to Thanos. Justice and Vengeance, served. On a golden platter.
"I hope that'd be me, soon." Reese said as he silently took out and stared at a family picture.

Holding on to an Echo: The Age of Ashes

Holding on to an Echo:

   The Age of Ashes

                                                              "Climb for Light"

Six years had passed since the War of Struggle. With the exposition of magic and wizardry, Mortals and Wizards alike had an uneasy unity to make our lives normal. It obviously did not last. After about two years of either reliance or fear, the Mortals waged a battle for the extinction of Wizards, all because someone had apparently killed the Presidents Child with an incurable disease. They blamed magic, and a war to destroy wizards happened. Mortals who aligned with Wizards hid behind their friends and Mortals who were more or less racist killed any wizard or anyone with any connection with them with prejudice.
The earth was left in ashes. Wizards and Mortals were dead, left from right. All who were left standing have hidden themselves. All that was left of our world was fear.
Nothings stopping the people from bloodshed if it means survival.
Not even Magic.
I’ve lived in this old, decrepit building for as long as I can remember. This was the safest place I could find from anyone, armed or magical. This war had taken my home, my oldest brother, my parents… And my best friend, Jackson, the person I loved the most.
Today was supposed to be my birthday, but what was the point. I stopped having birthdays when I was just 16. Six years ago, when I learned to be careful where I stood.
I could’ve run to the wizard world like my younger brother, Brendon Madigan. But they were just too quick. I was still at school when the government launched thousands of firebombs from the sky. The doors to the other side have all been destroyed.
And so were the rest of my family.
The rubble blocking the stairs and windows were starting to fall apart, so I had to renew them. I took out my blue wand and aimed.
“Gravelus Pacifica” The rubble pieced together and formed into a new wall. More rubble appeared thereafter. I’ve made at least 4 walls before that wall. It’ll take a lot more for ordinary people to get through that. I returned to my makeshift room and laid in bed. The peach wallpaper and the homey feel would make things seem so… Normal… in this hopeless situation. But this is all just a lie. Everything I have right now, and everything else I’ve made is all a lie. The things that were real were nearly all gone and all I have left were the things I’ve managed to dig up from the rubble of our old home. All those that weren’t turned to ashes.
Like this picture.
That black haired girl sitting beside her older brother…
That smile…
They don’t exist anymore. The old Kathy Madigan had died the day she held her brother and listened to his dying words.
“Go… I lov…” and he was gone. No magic or medicine could change that. I was out as the last of the fire burned our home to ashes. Along with the last of my light.
“This Wall, So Mighty and Strong, Turn it Transparent from this side of my hold.” The wall became a transparent cube and I watched the rust and broken down city that was once Manhattan.  I could call it people watching, but you get the picture.
“Ahhhh!!!” My eyes widened as 3 people ran from gunfire.
“Vocalis Medima” The sound increased to about the same as when in front of a computer.
“Give us back our stuff and we’ll let you live!” Said an approaching soldier.
The young people did not comply and continued running.
Then, another one came out of a window.
He was a wizard.
“Osmos!” With a flicker of his hand, the earth erupted pillars and slammed 4 of the advancing, armed, men.
“Wizard!” They shouted and they seemed to back off at first, but fire their gun.
The wizard puts his hands in front of him and summons a wand.
“Kryo Arriera” A wall of ice blocks the bullets. The soldiers reload and the wizard took his chance.
“Osmose Maxima” The earth shook, I could feel it. A wall was rising from the road and fell on the men.
But missed one. This one was quick and took his chance before the wall could block him out or crush him. He fired a single bullet and hit the wizard in the shoulder. The wizard was on his knees. The man kicked away the wizards wand and placed his foot on the wizards chest.
“Ae-“ The soldier squeezed the wizards chest to stop him from casting until all that came out of his mouth was screams of pain.
Then, the first rock was thrown. The soldier looked at one of the escaping 3. They had stopped when the child that was with them threw the rock at him.
“Stop hurting him!” He threw another.
“Little brat. Your wizard friend will be joining you once I’m through with you.”
That was the last straw for me.
“Sevetre Movetris.” I was outside the street, facing the man. He looked scared but tried to hide it in his arrogant face.
“T-Two wizards in one day. What a catch!” He aimed at me, but the gun was gone.
I pointed up.
“Looking for your toy?” The gun fell on his face and he tripped over.
“You.” I pointed to the people behind me. “Get your friend.”
They complied and grabbed the wizard.
“As for you.” The soldier was rising to his feet. I pointed my wand.
“This Day Was Long Enough, Send This Fool Away To Somewhere Dark and Rough!”
The man was gone.
I approached the group. The Wizard was unconscious.
The girl was a little suspicious of me.
“Why’d you help us?” Her eyes were filled with doubt.
“Some people say Thank You.” I smiled. She stayed silent. “I didn’t want to leave you out to dry.” She returned her eyes to the bleeding Wizard.
“Lets get out of here. There might be more.” They grabbed some bags. I waved my wand.
“Backtrack Movetris.” We were back to my place. It had gotten dark. “Light.” The room lit up.
The three had taken off their bags and placed the wizard in my couch. There’s blood all over. Damn, I just washed that.
“Come on, Martin. Open your eyes.” The girls eyes had tears. “Come on… You’re my best friend…” The guy and the little boy approached me.
“You’re a wizard, aren’t you? You have to save our friend.” I just stood for a few seconds before I started walking over there.
“Mari. Let her do something.”
“Troy…” The girl, Mari, looked at me with some daggers in her eyes at first, but softened and let me sit by the wizard, Martin.
“This is a serious wound. If he only took the bullet, this would be easier, but that creep stomped on him hard. This is going to be a while.” I started with the soldier.
“Leviatus S” The bullet was slowly pulling itself out of Martin’s shoulder. Cure magic is a hell of a lot more difficult than tv has made it seem.
“Blood, Blood, Seep in and Don’t hold Back.” The lost blood slowly seeped back into the hole. I have to concentrate so the blood intake doesn’t waver, But Mari slowly watching me was a little distracting.
The last of the blood finished returning. I gasped. This was incredibly draining, but I have to keep going. I haven’t used this much magic in a while.
I paused for breath and continued on.
“This is going to be the hard part, ok? Don’t let me fall over or I might fail.” Mari nodded.
 I sucked in a lot of air.
“Dermis Clota” The bullet hole was slowly mending. Torn veins and tissues were slowly being mended. I shut my eyes a little. I was getting tired. My hand was shaking.
“Don’t stop!” Mari shouted. I opened my eyes. Just a little more….
Sweat was trickling down my face.  The last of the tissues were slowly tying each other. Come on…
My hand was starting to slowly go down.
The boy, Troy, held it up for me to finish.
“Aspiscus!” I shouted, and the wound closed into skin.
I fell to the floor and breathed quickly.
“You did it… You-“ I stopped Mari.
“Wait!” I stood up. “We’re not yet done.”
I stood up and pat his chest with my wand.
“Broken Bones bound in his chest, mend them like platinum chains and let him rest!” Martin’s body arched and fell back to the couch.
“Now he’s ok.” Mari hugged the unconscious wizard. “Why isn’t he waking up though.
“The force of the wounds sent him into shock. He could stay asleep for a while, but he’ll be fine.” She sighed and laid her head on him.
I zapped a hospital bed in and transported Martin to it.
Great. I need a new couch. Some blood dried up on it.
But I’m getting tired. I’ll just do it tomorrow.
“Hey.” Troy approached me.
“Thank you. You saved our friends life, uh…”
“Its Kathy. Kathy Madigan.” He smiled and lifted his hand for a handshake. I took it.
“Troy Orfield. You’ve met Mari Fells. Then, there’s Martin Reese and his younger brother, Xan Reese.” The kid approached me. “Thank you for saving my brother.” I smiled. But behind that, my thoughts returned to MY brother. Could I have saved him? My Parents? Then I looked at Martin and Mari. Jackson?
That day is never going to go away.
“Its no problem…” I told him.
I returned to my room and crashed into my bed.
That day… It’ll haunt my dreams again.
Only today? It’s going to be much longer.