The Pains of Writing Fiction #1 - Pilot Woes

Today I stray away from writing the Fiction within this blog and going to the pains of writing Fiction. This has been one of my realest posts I've posted in a while, the last one being the one about Paramore. I COULD just post this up in The Daily Baggage, but let's be honest. No one reads shit from that so its pretty much dead haha.
So thus begin the first entry into my journey of Fiction.

Don't let the title fool you. I LOVE writing stories. They're the only thing I've got going for me.
But even if you love what you do, you'll eventually come to a point where you get frustrated and unsatisfied with what you've done. Despite it being what you really want to do.
I'm a college student, and college students tend to either be lax or really REALLY busy. I'm one of those people in between. I don't study enough to overachieve, but I don't neglect myself to score mediocre below averages. I've got my highs and lows and I've got enough free time.
The first thing you think about writing, career wise, is that it doesn't seem like such a life sustaining career. It's a gamble. Will you sell hard like Veronica Roth? Or will you vanish into thin air?
I've always thought of being a Novelist from just when I was a wee Sophomore in High School. Back then, I treated it as a joke though. I didn't seriously get into books until I was a Junior. After watching Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, I wouldn't shut up about it and so my Oldest Sister challenged me to read all 7 of them(I'm proud to say I finished them all within a week. Granted, I stopped paying attention in class to finish her books.)
What sealed the deal was when a friend of mine lent me her copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. It's now my Favorite Book Series.
After the day I finished Hush, Hush, I dug up the notebook I used to write and doodle(Yes, it was originally a semi comic, semi story) the story and got in front of my laptop to start writing it. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every single keystroke.
It wasn't until I was in Chapter 3 and a senior that I started to neglect the story. I must have been heavily distracted. If I still had ADHD, I'd probably never get past chapter 4.
I resumed it in College, doing whatever I could to continue. Tragedy struck when my laptop was stolen. Damn that asshole.
I had to restart with what little I had. What little I managed to save in my sister's old laptop.
So I rebuilt in from the ground up, and there I realized a lot of mistakes I did before. Sometimes a tragedy is also a blessing. When I lost my laptop, I gained a stronger will to continue, and a New Good Friend who listened to me go on and on about the Laptop I lost. She's such an amazing person.

Now I go to concentration. I'm proud to say I'm currently on Chapter 18 of my first novel. I never thought I'd reach a number after 7 actually since the laptop that was stolen had up until only chapter 5.
I'm a guy and a geek. I immensely enjoy watching TV Series and playing Video Games.
My laptop is loaded with games and shows. And I have a PS4, so that's another thing.
There's always this point in writing my chapters that I'd stop and grab the nearest fun thing and just do that instead. In other words, I get bored.
Which is weird. When I get back to it, it doesn't seem boring as it was a few hours ago.
That leads to this entry's final point.
The heart. To write something, you must have an idea. The story in itself, I made when I was a naive High Schooler who was heavily influenced by Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy.
Now, its more than just a scribble in a notebook. It's my pride and soul.
This story is what I plan to gamble my life with. But there's a problem... Even in real life, people experience this. You can't express what's in the heart.
As one can't express their feelings, I can't express the heart of the story or what's going to happen in the right words. It gets to me.
Same for all the unfinished stories in this blog. There are a lot of them that are incomplete, no?
That's just it.
I know what's going to happen... I just can't say it out loud.
Well that's all for today's woes and stuff.
I'm Thanos Venge.

Today's song is Now by Paramore.

Thanos Venge: Prying Eyes

"You're always on display
  For everyone to watch and learn from
  Don't you know by now? You can't turn back
  Because this road is all you'll ever have."
-Fences(Paramore)

It didn't surprise Thanos how much coverage on the news he'd garnered from avenging people, but they never seem to be able to find out anything about him.
He'd made sure of that of course.
CCTVs were very easy to disable. Any information on him from the net was very well protected. He's made many walls to block out anyone trying to catch him or are anyway affiliated with the cops.
Hackers have also tried to make their way in, seeking to siphon information Thanos had gathered and the money he made.
As a hacker himself, he made it as painful as possible for hackers if they ever tried. The punishment being their gadgets being destroyed by a cyber leech Thanos created if they've ever gotten past the second wall. And then he'd track their IPs, hack their email account, and post porn all over their social networks to humiliate them.
Of course, that isn't without help.
He's got his connections after all.
Now. It DID surprise Thanos that someone, directly from his school too, was trying his best to attempt unveiling him. At least, it surprised him that it took someone THIS long.
He had already deduced that the person would be good with computers and had a sharp mind, but that was just common sense.
This person was called EyezOnU on the web.
He had one day sent a message on Thanos' site saying.

"Im goin 2 find oit who u r."

At first, Thanos laughed at the guy's horrible grammar. He assumed he wasn't much of a computer expert, but made precautions anyways. EyezOnU was subsequently banished from Thanos's website.
Thanos then took a quick look at the guy.
No Facebook, No twitter. No Instagram.
His email address was also a blank profile.
BUT, he did make the mistake of using it as his MySpace email address.
"Jeanette Mars... Oh, that nosy bitch from my Physics and English Class.... I hope she isn't related to Veronica Mars or anything. She'd be like a sleuthing legacy."
So Thanos took it from there and checked Jeanette more. She used a separate account for other things. JeMa@yahoo.com
That's where he found her Facebook and Twitter.
And oddly enough, she had perfect grammar. Was it to try and throw him off? If so, she did a really horrible job at it.
She was also Reese's friend in Facebook. And the only time he had interacted with her is to ask if she saw his hat.(She didn't)
It was midnight and Reese had class tomorrow, so Thanos decided to turn in for the night and use his real life to try and elude Jeanette.

~V~

"Mr. Morrison, please refrain from sleeping in class." said Ms. Rayne, the sunny replacement of Tatiana Gravels.
Reese wiped his eyes and looked at the lesson.
Reese slept for two purposes. To look like he didn't like to pay attention so Jeanette wouldn't suspect him... And to catch up on his sleep.
Jeanette was seated two tables away and Reese couldn't risk her eyeing everyone and landing on him.
His phone buzzed.
It was a job. He couldn't answer it right now even though he should, but Jeanette would spot him looking at his phone and he'd know that she'd assume something.
Fortunately, there was an FB notification from Mandy, who was fiddling with her phone.
Reese checked that and felt Jeanette's eyes land on him. Then she sighed when she saw Facebook on Reese's phone.

Mandy Roe:
"Geez, Gravels may be gone and Rayne is nice enough, but this subject will never change.
It's Boooooring."
3 Likes.

Make that 4.
Or 5.
Actually, make that 15 likes.
Then, Mandy's older brother(a College Sophomore) commented.

Logan Roe
"Shouldn't you be listening to your teacher?"

and Mandy replied.

Mandy Roe
"Shouldn't YOU? Mind your own Biz big bro."

Jeanette could already feel her blood curdling to find most of her other classmates on their phones, getting in on Mandy's action.
One, because she can't eye them.
Two, because she's also a good student.
But that was the perfect distraction Reese needed to answer the vengeance request for today.
Looks like he's going out to New Jersey tonight.
And he scoffed.
He hated New Jersey.
There's absolutely nothing there.
And maybe the one who gave the request also hated New Jersey if they're sending Thanos to deal with some poor sap there.
The request merely asked for the victim to be dangled on a tree and...
Forced to eat Maple Syrup?
What's this person got against Maple Syrup?
Most importantly, was the requester from Canada or something? Thanos had his share of odd requests... But this probably takes the cake.
"Looks like I'm going to the Supermarket later." he whispered.

During lunch, the loudspeakers on the walls activated as Jeanette's voice(hidden poorly through a voice changer. But it seemed to work on the poor morons, other than Thanos) chimed.
"Citizens of Eastbrick Colorado. The public Vigilante by the name of Thanos Venge had been roaming the streets, serving Justice upon those who deserve it. Vigilantism isn't something we should all try and achieve... But it is our duty, the citizens, to find out what we do not know and through achieving this knowledge, we may not only reveal the identity of this person... But thank him.
He deserves that much."
And the line went off.
Students were silent, and then whispers echoed within the cafeteria.
"They have a point. I mean this guys been cleaning up bad people out of the streets... Sort of."
"But he does it when he's paid. I'm afraid to even try asking for help and not paying."
When Reese heard that, he already knew that anyone who withholds money from him was getting a one night only date with Mandy's Pepper Spray and a hangover at an abandoned warehouse.
He wished no one would dare try it.

~V~
"Reese?" What horrible timing.
Just as Reese sat at the subway train, Jeanette Mars was seated across him.
"Um... Hello, Jeanette." he said awkwardly to the girl trying to unfold his truth.
Jeanette was a Dirty Blonde with Silver eyes. She wore a pink coat and army boots.
Despite being his pursuer, she's actually a kind and compassionate person. But some people hate her stubborn nature and she's made a few enemies herself. She's naive, curious, and goes to lengths to a fault.
"What are you doing at this time of night?" she inquired.
Reese didn't have to think twice, really. He was going to the supermarket. He didn't really have to give out the fact he was buying so much Maple Syrup for a request.
"I'm going to the Supermarket. I live together with Mandy you see. It's my turn to do the errands.
She nods.
"What about you? Where are you going?"
She manages an oh before smiling. It was a little sad, though.
"I'm going out to find my Uncle. He's been gone for a while now, but I'm really close to finding him. He's made a lot of terrible decisions in life and I feel like he's in a lot of danger."
Reese wanted to know why she was desperately trying to find him. So he made a subtle excuse.
"Why are you trying to find Thanos Venge, Jeanette? Don't lie. I saw you exit the P.A.'s office. And that voice changer wasn't very good."
She tilted her head down and a tear went down her cheek.
"I want to thank him. If he hadn't caught this guy from a week ago, I wouldn't have any information to go by..."
"And you didn't think to just ask for his help?"
"I think I blew it. See, I sent this message saying I would find him. Then he blocked me. I guess he must be paranoid."
That he was.
And it was now Reese's stop.
"I have to go. I hope you find your uncle, Jeanette. See you in class."
She waves goodbye and he walks on to the Supermarket.

~V~
"Don't ask me, dude. Just doing my job."
Andrew Tuts was suspended upside down a tree and Thanos Started pouring Maple syrup all over him.
"Aaahh!!!" Apparently, the guy hates it. And so Thanos hates him too.
What kind of monster hates Maple Syrup?
"This would be a really funny Instagram post if I had an Instagram" Yet Thanos pictured him anyways.
There was no reason he couldn't post it on his website or put it up on his laptop.
Thanos' phone chimed as Thanos poured the last of the Maple Syrup at the guy.
"I think you'd agree that no one's going to care very much about you. Seriously. It's just Maple Fucking Syrup."
He turned his back on the now unconscious Andrew and checked his phone. It was another job.
But it wasn't one that he'd take.

"We know you were the one who sent one of our men to jail and we're all going to find you soon."
Thanos scoffed before he continued reading.
"But let me offer you this job so we'd reconsider. We'll even pay for it." The sound of money was something Thanos couldn't refuse to.
"There's a girl who's been nosing around here, trying to find her uncle who used to work for us as in our Drug Syndicate. If she exposes us, we're all going down. So my offer of 3000 Dollars."
Thanos stopped.

"Kill Jeanette Mars."

Thanos dropped the empty bottle of Maple Syrup.
Not only did these guys ask him to find his classmate. But they asked him assassinate her.
He was very sure they'd never find him, but...
He was a vigilante, but he wasn't a murderer.
"I don't murder people. I most certainly not work for criminals either." He sent back.
There was a quick reply.
"Fine. We'll kill her ourselves. And you're going down with her." Thanos blocked him and all his associates out of his site and quickly ran to the subway.

~V~

Reese had no fucking idea what to do.
It wasn't like he hadn't received requests for him to hurt people before, and they're normally light hearted in nature.
But this was the first where people wanted him to kill.
It surprised him it took someone this long, actually...
But it was wrong.
Beyond wrong.
But what was Reese supposed to do? He can't just simply call the cops. He'd be blowing his cover.
He couldn't be facing them himself either.
Thanos planned ahead. He's not able for sudden fights.
He was good with the Stun Gun. But he only ever needed to use it when he was in immediate danger or if he needed to incapacitate someone.
He didn't have any killer skills. He didn't even know a single fighting style. Well he did learn some Aikido with Mandy and Terrence. And that was on a whim.
Everything he knows was from TV or what little he practiced.
But... He couldn't just leave her for dead. So he tracked her phone.

~V~
Jeanette had apparently been lured to the old burger joint at Mane Street at Eastbrick.
She was getting closer and closer there. He knew she was being lured because only drug addicts go to that burger place.
There was only one person he could call to help him at this time.
The guy he had helped a year ago find someone who framed his sister for murder.
Lance Garro, an ex sniper of the Black Ops back in 2005.
Lance were to tranquilize anyone who was close to killing Thanos or Jeanette. He could shoot at glass just to distract them too.
Ok... Thanos was ready for this... Was he?
Jeanette entered the burger joint, optimistic to see her uncle.
"Uncle Jan?" She sat a booth and took a look at the menu. It was a typical looking menu.
Then her uncle arrived. He was a fair looking man in about his late thirties. Jeanette stands and hugs him.
"Oh... I missed you." Her uncle didn't say anything. "What's wrong?"
Her uncle looked at her. "I'm sorry."
From across the street, Lance texted Thanos 'Now.'
As he did, the uncle steps away from Jeanette and some men appear, guns in hands.
She looks at her uncle in disbelief. Tears welling up.
"Why?" He looks away and takes a briefcase from their suited leader.
"Get this in your little head young lady." Said the leader. "People will pick money over everything."
She struggled as a man restrains her.
The leader gives a menacing wipe on her face as he laughs.
"Such a pretty face. Sad to see you go... You should have walked away on your pathetic uncle."
He aimed his revolver in between Jeanette's eyes.
Jeanette shuts her eyes, waiting for the shot to end her life.
But it doesn't come.
The men are hysterical as the lights suddenly shut off. What was going on?
One screamed as a Stun Gun's electricity strikes their neck, then falling to a kick to the head. Thanos,  with night vision shades on, had begun.
Another tries firing at Thanos. It hits a cookie jar. The shards fall as he is hit by a stool on the head.
One manages to grab Thanos by the hand, but releases him and falls unconscious when a sharp Tranquilizer bullet hits him in the back.
Another shot hits a bottle and the man beside it turns around and fire rounds at nothing.
Thanos kicks him in the shin and Zaps him in the eyes and finally on the heart, knocking him unconscious. Jeanette's uncle tries escaping, but falls to the ground when a Tranq bullet hits him in the but.
Thanos assumed no one was left standing and approaches Jeanette. He turns on the voice changer and hides his face with his hood.
"Are you ok?" Jeanette, who had hid under a table, screams. A bullet shatters some condiments. Lance's warning was almost a second too late.
The leader hacked at him with a Machete, missing only by an inch.
Thanos got up, as the leader swiped at him furiously. Lance repeatedly tried to shoot the man, but missed. He was too fast.
Thanos ducked and tried tazing him. The man held Thanos' wrist as the stun gun hits his sides, effectively lessening the damage. The man shoves Thanos to the side and dodged another bullet.
Thanos attempted to stand, but is grabbed by the neck.
"I don't know what shit you're playing, but don't think I don't know who you are, Thanos Venge."
He smacks the Stun Gun from Thanos' hand as he attempts to crush Thanos' neck.
"I told you we'd get you soon." Thanos wasn't one to give up so easily. He picked up a fork from the nearby bar and jammed it at the guy's shoulder.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!" He punches Thanos and takes out the fork from his shoulder.
Thanos tried to grab his Stun Gun, but the man was getting closer.
"You wondering how I can find ya? I've trained my whole life for things like this. I can hear you loud and clear." He takes a stool and breaks it with his leg. A jagged stick was all that's left.
Thanos attempts to reach for the Stun Gun. It was still too far. Lance had stopped firing, because they were at the back of the counters and his view was blocked.
"You should have stuck behind your computer, kid. You're no match for me." He got closer, and then, Thanos felt something in his hand.
It wasn't Mandy's Stun Gun, though.
It was a gun.
He looked back to the guy, who was getting closer and closer. Then he raised his hand.
"Die!" In panic, Thanos aimed and fired. The man dropped the stick and groped the bullet wound with his hand. He falls and began to squirm in pain. It wasn't a fatal shot, but it was enough.
Lance takes up his rifle and watches Thanos. He was also to watch in case any of them gets up, just in case they try to escape.
Thanos got up and grabbed his Stun Gun. He leaves a fat envelope and a letter on the counter and calls the police.
Jeanette stands up wanders the burger joint.
Thanos stood still. Jeanette couldn't see him, but she felt he was there.
"Thank you."
Thanos stifles a 'Heh'
He activates the voice changer. "I can turn on the lights and you can see my face for yourself. That's what you wanted, right?"
Jeanette went rigid. Was it finally her chance?
Thanos held up his phone, ready to open the lights, when she turned around from him.
"Stop. Don't." Thanos retracted his phone. "I want to find out who you are... by myself."
She smiles at her savior. "Go. The police will be here any second."
Thanos hightailed as the cop sirens blared.
He was long gone when the Police had entered the crime scene and the lights went on.
Lance also takes his leave from the building across.
Detective Jeremy Brackett opens the note, reading the details about the men who attacked Jeanette, arresting everyone.
"Another Thanos Venge case?" Feal Ross, Eastbrick Police Department, inquires.
Detective Jeremy nods as Feal instructs a stretcher for the Leader.
"This Thanos guy's bad news, I tell ya." Feal lights a cigarette and smokes it.
Detective Jeremy waves off the older cops suspicion. He know Thanos' heart and actions are in the right place.
"He may be a Vigilante, Feal... But I believe in this guy."
Feal scoffs and exits the joint as Detective Jeremy stares into the streets. Not noticing Thanos' eye from the alley across.

-Author's Notes-
Ok, it took me a little while to finish this, but I've got to say. This is currently my favorite Thanos Venge story.
I hope you enjoyed it!

Skies: What We Fight For

"I Took Infinity From The Sky and I Made it My Own
  But not for you to turn into your personal property
  I...I will outlast the turning of time,
  But I know that you're,  know that you're scared of me
  And what I can achieve, But I won't be waiting"
-Fountainhead(Hands Like Houses)

It was my first time entering a club. My best friend, Gavin Russo, who just finished the last of his Finals yesterday invited me out, even though he knew I never drink anything stronger than a Sprite. I haven't seen him in a while so I agreed to it.
We're at the bar side and people are dancing here like packed rats. Gavin's been trying to egg me on to drink alcohol.
"Come ooooooon Martin. We're 19 years old. We didn't turn legal to sit around and play Call of Duty everyday." Tsk. I'd appreciate it if he left my gaming tendencies out of this.
"I just don't like the taste of alcohol." Or the smell, for that matter. He's already had about three shots and his breath smells like sake. They serve it here and he loves it.
"Come on, lets just watch the people dance or something." I'd dance, but the limited space and how I have this tendency to step on other people's toes are stopping me.
Then again, he wasn't listening to me and full on just ordered more drinks.
"Here." He handed me this strange, Gatorade Blue, drink. "It's called a Hawaiian Kool Aid. I know you don't like the stuff I like, so I thought I'd try to appeal what you want! I mean you eat anything sweet you could grab almost to the point of diabetes anyways. Give it a chance!"
I gave him a stern look and then a look at the tattooed bartender. He was serving burning drinks to some kids.
Eugh. God no.
"No." He frowned.
"Try it." I just stared at him. That was when he gave me that serious do it or die glare.
"Martin Jacobs. You will drink that 23 Dollar drink or so help me I will destroy your Playstation 4 when you're asleep and when I may or may not be drunk. And I won't feel guilty for it"
Ok! Fine!
...He'd seriously do that if I didn't. He once destroyed my 3DS. He paid for it a week later though when I gave him a massively cold shoulder.
I grabbed the blue drink and sipped it.
It was sweet... But I could still taste the Alcohol in it. And it wasn't weak.
"I am not going to get drunk with this." I was bluffing of course. A drink like this, I might get drunk. He's been trying to get me to drink so he could see me drunk. The only other time I drank something was at a Party my popular twin sister, Stacy, held when we graduated High School. Gavin was already passed out and someone apparently spiked the punch with Alcohol. I was already drinking a glass of strong Scotch because my sister forced me to. I had to get a chaser, because I was getting woozy so when someone handed me Punch, I never really knew if it were spiked or not. Long story short, I got drunk. And Gavin was too passed out to see it first hand.
From the pictures and stories from a friend(And the puke on the floor), I was pretty crazy.
But the biggest proof was that I was naked in my bed with Lyra Sanders when I woke up(Hangovers suck. Losing your Virginity unwillingly and Unknowingly? Even Suckier).
That was pretty much the last time I drank alcohol. Until today.
"Ugh... It isn't as sweet as it is nauseating," and I set it down.
Gavin gulped down the next shot in his hand and groans.
"You're no fun. Maybe I should have just brought Alexandria or Jack or any of my other college friends."
That was the thing that stung the most about my friendship with Gavin these days. Back then, we stuck together like glue.
I was the shy guy who loved video games. He was the one who was always out there- Especially at night.
I don't really know what he saw in me that he decided to be my best friend, but we were totally opposites. Especially the drinking part. Even before Stacy's Party, he'd been the alcohol happy.
(Somehow he keeps in shape though. Must work out enough to keep away beer bellies.)
When College rolled in... Well, lets say communication wasn't as strong as before. He'd been hanging out with his College friends(They do seem nice.) more than me now and he seems to be fine with it. I can't say I'm not the same. I've met some pretty great guys that had been with me throughout my years in college, but I don't forget easy.
And to think we went to the same college too.
It was just us the first few weeks. Then we made a few friends, but we were still together. Then we just sort of... Grew apart.
I guess it's true what they say. Nothing lasts forever.
"Why'd you become friends with me in the first place?" I asked. It wasn't a threatening question or a guilt trip. It was an honest query. I scratched my head and looked at my phone. It was 10 PM.
"It's not as if I doubt our friendship. It's just... We're so different. And I never questioned it before because we always just stuck together. But these days, we never seem to see each other, or talk. I hate to say it, but it's like we've grown apart."
I realize I've been talking in my normal tone and remembered we're in a club. I doubt he could have heard any of that. Did he?
I turned his direction to check on him. His cheeks were red from the alcohol and he has that relaxed smile that could only mean one thing.
He's drunk.
It was facepalm time. I should have guessed he'd be drunk from so many shots by now.
It just surprised me it took him this long to start.
"Forget it." I say. "I didn't say anything. I'm going to the bathroom."
Which was where? With so many people here, it was hard to see where I could possibly go. Then again, I didn't really need to use the bathroom. I just wanted to go somewhere quiet and relax my mind. Maybe catch up on Final Fantasy Record Keeper on my phone.
Besides. I can't leave the poor guy by himself here. He's drunk and he's going to piss a lot of people here if I don't get him home later.
So thus began my trek through the masses.
But it didn't even begin.
Gavin caught me by the wrist and brought me back to the bar.
"You're not... *hic* going anywhere."
Ugh...
"Maaaartin, stop being a kiiiiljoy." He murmured. "Then again.... That's what I like about you."
What? What kind of fun person wants a killjoy friend?
I could go to the bathroom now, but let's hear what his drunken stupor would have him say.
Gavin places his chin to the bar and plays with his shot glass.
"I could... go... *hic* be friends with  the assholes or the other alcoholics or druggies back then... But thats *hic* pretty stupid. You can't always be friends... with someone who's like you."
He turns his head to me and grins.
"You just get me Martin. *hic* hahahaha... Even if I'm the biggest asshole in the world, you seem to care enough to go out of your way and come with me to this shtinking bar..."
"It's a club and you don't want to say that in front of the nice bartender." I reprimand him. The bartender smiles and wipes a shot glass.
"Whatever." He wipes his eyes. "The point is... *hic* You could be the biggest geek I've ev*hic*er met, but you have heart. *hic* The guys are nice, but they just *hic* won't always have that *hic* history we've had. And the Physics of course."
I held back my laughter. "You meant Chemistry, right?"
"Bah! Barte... Barte... BAR GUY! Get.. *hic* another shot of... two of... Belgian Ale! Wait.. No! Rum! no!!! I want whiskey."
The bartender starts pouring.
"Wait, no-" I began.
"It's just Iced Tea kid. Don't worry about it."
He slides two into our direction.
I gave it a whiff and fair enough. It was Iced Tea.
Gavin took a shot and didn't seem to notice the difference in taste.
"Let's get you home." I say. I gave the bartender a big tip(He was really happy about it) and carried Gavin to my Toyota Vios.
His apartment was on the third floor of the Frigid Luxury Apartments Building on room 312. The most prestigious Apartment in Gallows City. I forgot to mention. Gavin's family is loaded. I've been here so many times(Especially when Gavin's friends would ask me to bring him home) that the staff and neighbors practically know me.
"Need help with him today Martin?" said Mikey the Guard.
"It's fine. I got him." I also have keys to his apartment. Mr. and Mrs. Russo trust me enough to give me a key and keep an eye on him if ever he gets into trouble
His apartment room was a bit messy. Oh right, it's a Thursday. His apartment's never clean on Thursdays.
"Night Gavin." I placed him on his bed and began to leave. I checked back. He was snoring.
Hey! That's my copy of The Last of Us that I lent him two months ago! I forgot all about it.
... Yoink!
I locked the door and began my way down to the parking lot and then into my car.
The Vios revved finely and I started to drive.
I stay at the Dorms at Gallows University. I've got my dorm room all to myself... Or so I wish. My roommate, Aron, always seems to be away.
Ugh, that Kool Aid thing just gave me some sort of hunger aftertaste.
I need a snack. Thank god there's a 7-11 out here in Gallows.
Cheetos are the first things I pick up and a can of Sprite.
This was a real party if you ask me.
I paid the cashier and left.
Cheetos. Your cheesy puffs will be mine!
My car was my second haven after my Dorm room. Whenever I feel sad or angry or bad, I just sit here and listen to I The Mighty and eat or play some video games. It's gotten me through a lot of tough times. And out of the house we used to call home.
So I stayed at the parking and binged on the snacks as I turned up the volume for These Streets are Alive.
"Help Me Stranger! I'm Begging for More!
 You've got plenty to spare but you just stare at the floor!
 Help Me Stranger! These Streets are Alive!
 I'm a Capable man! Just got lost on this-
*Bump*
What the hell?!
What the fuck was that?! Did something just bump into my car?!
I'm parked! How could some moron hit me? A drunk moron?
I opened the glove compartment and took out my flashlight and my Switchblade.
I don't just collect video games. I've been collecting weapons for as long as I could(Though the Pepper Spray was a gift from my Sister), and I'm happy to say these things have saved me from many things.
Muggers, Thieves(Ha that was a really funny one. Try stealing my phone. Tasers are really painful.)
Now... The question is... Do I go out? Or do I just drive away and not care if I hit someone.
It was now or nothing.
 I checked the rear first. No damage.
Phew.
"Meow" Wha?! My knife was outstretched only to find an orange tabby cat. "You scared the shit out of me kitty." It jumped inside my car as a hand comes into my sight.
"Oh... Crap!" This... person... was wearing a hooded sort of  garment that was sun themed. I checked closer. It was a girl.
"Miss, are you ok?" She didn't reply, but suddenly grunted and got up. I checked my car. Unscathed.. Whoo.
Wait, where's she going? "Miss?"
Then a bloody moan came out of nowhere. The girl did a 180 and began walking back to my direction.
And then it came. It had gleamy silver eyes and it was shaped like Red XIII from Final Fantasy 7. It had a crescent moon etched on its head.
"HOLY....SHIT!" I could handle muggers, bullies, or any human that I think isn't built like Dwayne Johnson or Chris Hemsworth. But that things a fucking monster! If it looked anything like a Heartless from Kingdom Hearts, I may have considered trying to kill it. But this is Final Fantasy level and I'm not exactly what you'd call someone who can handle monsters, even if I WERE the rational type!
"Lady, we have to get out of here now before-" She ignored me and took out some sort of whip...blade. It was like Seven's weapon from Final Fantasy Type-0.
She twirled into the air and swung the weapon at it. The pointed edge lodged itself onto the creature and it died.
"Oh my god!" I shouted. Then from out of the darkness, another hooded person arrives. His clothes were now Moon Themed
"You cannot escape Teme. The Lunaris will win and we will achieve Deep Night!"
She retracted the weapon and clutched her sides. I didn't notice it was bleeding before.
The man produced a spear like weapon and deflected the girl, Teme's whip attack.
And then I ran.
Not away, but to my car. This guy was human.
"The Solaris will not stand in our way, Teme. The moon's light. It shall be-" And he began to convulse to the floor when the Taser Probes hit him.
"We should cuff him." I say.
Teme's reply was much different.
She kicked the guys weapon away, pushed me into my car and got into the drivers seat.
"H-Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
She started the ignition and began to drive. I The Mighty's Speak to me blared into the stereo.
"Buckle up, kid."
And we began to drive deep into the City of Gallows.


~Author Notes
I'm back! After a long time of no stories, I've finally finished one I like!
I've had this idea for a few days now and I really wanted to start it.
This will be a three to four part story(Though I hope I finish it. I never seem to finish stories these days. I've got a lot of drafts that are waiting to be finished XD)
So enjoy the beginning of the Skies series.
What We Fight For.

See that?

1

Ever see that one?

Yeah that one over there

In the hall?

No, not that blonde, pretty girl only stereotypes go for.

That one, over there.

2

See that Normalcy

Gets you

Always platonic

A friend

3

See that hi? 

Give it back.

Lets go eat?

Ok.

4

See her again in the hall?

Back turned

Walking away

Quickly

5

See your phone?

No reply

That chat?

Not even seen zoned

6

See her? Not really

Figures

Still cant figure it out

What did i do wrong?

How did i lose my friend?

How?

How?

How?

Freedom? Or Loose Chains

            I

Are we really free?

Or are we bound but blind?

Held down by society

Eyes full of money

           II

Are we really free?

Or is the government pulling the strings?

We are slaves to political strings

Cant we have emancipation

           III

Are we really free?

Or are we chained to acceptance?

Forced to believe false truths

Can we cure this selective poisoning?

           IV

Are we ever going to be free?

Or are we forever tied to loose chains?

The exit's in sight

But we can never reach that last stretch

Is this really freedom?

Or are we held down...

By our own humanity?

~Author notes

This poem was inspired by class today when our teacher discussed the government. It tells us how we are SUPPOSEDLY free, but we are held down by chains of laws and society's acceptance.

Its not supposed to have a happy end because in reality we still struggle in real world problems that classify as chains.

Oum: Real Fantasy

"This will be the day we've waited for
  This will be the day we open up the door
  I don't want to hear your absolution
  Hope you're ready for a revolution"
-This Will Be The Day(Casey Lee Williams/RWBY)

Last February 1, 2015, Monty Oum, Creator of Dead Fantasy and RWBY, and member of Rooster Teeth Productions died of a severe allergic reaction that left him in a coma for days until his body could no longer recover.
This story is dedicated to a wonderful, amazing, and talented person who had been taken from us too soon. Goodbye Monty... You will be Missed
Rest In Peace (Monty Oum June 22, 1981 - February 1, 2015)
Without any ado, this is the first chapter of Oum.

~Oum~
Long ago, a mysterious sorcerer called Kalt emerged from the shadows and cast open a rift in between our world and the shadow's.
The shadows that follow our every move is a mirror to our every steps and they are always a step closer to seeing the conclusion to our actions. But they will never interfere, for it is merely their job to observe. To lurk within our sight, but never in our grasp. Day after day, without will, they must follow suit their original version's life for the shadows were once alternate versions of people. But their will was so strong they began to gather power and rebel against the will of Fantasma, the Dimension King. To Punish them, they were allowed to keep their powers, but was cast into darkness and will only echo the movements of their true form.
But when the sorcerer came, he had found a ripple into the dimension. He had contact with his shadow self, of course. No one knew how.
The world was plunged into overlapping darkness. Shadows had become physical, human like beings. Most shadows were evil, and caused chaos. There WERE some who had good hearts. Some from the hearts of truly good people, some alternating a bad one.
A mage simply known as Ross had gathered strength from good shadows and the will of men to forge 2 mighty weapons that helped seal of the Shadow Realm. Oum, The Pen of Light. A staff that could emit light that could eliminate darkness. And Rubiose, The Tome of Darkness. A sword that can overlay darkness on shadows to cease their movement. With these two weapons, he banished evil shadows back into their realm and shut the rift that granted entrance to their world. To this day, however, there are still shadows that lurk among us. Most are the ones that helped Ross. But most alarmingly are those who escaped. Even more so are the creatures they had brought with them. Echoes. Dark creatures that dont have their own original personas.
Generation after Generation, the story of the mystical Weapons of Ross have been told to each. However, of the two weapons, only the Rubiose was found.
Oum had been sealed away by Ross as it held deep powers that he predicted would have been fought over.
Even to this day, people sought after Oum to find its secrets and banish shadows.

~Oum~

"Monty!"
"Huh?"
Monty Ren opened his eyes to find his sister, Kayla, trying to trek through his things.
Monty closed his laptop and cleared a way for her.
"You're going to be late for registration! Your entrance exam is in an hour!" She turned around to check on his things. It was a mess.
" You're not going to make it to Rote at this rate!" But he was gone. His laptop, a few of the anime posters plastered on the wall, and his bag with him.
When Kayla had finally gotten out his room, Monty had already eaten his breakfast(a stack of pancakes), washed the dishes, and was tying his shoelace.
"How did you..." Kayla stopped. Of course he could do that. He'd been doing it since they were kids.
"Well, I'm off." He grabbed his things and got up.
"Rote's in the next city over. How are you going to get there. Your car's in the shop. You know, after what happened LAST WEEK?" Monty took out a pen and grinned.
"I've got it covered."
The weapons Oum and Rubiose had caused a reaction that created substances that is used today to power many things and create weapons. This was called Oumites. Along with them, it unlocked People's potentials by giving them a sort of link to their shadows. Powers if you will.
Monty's power relied on his imagination. With his pen, he had to power of creation. Though his powers held significant strength, it had it limits on what came into existence and his mental strength.
"Let's try a portal..." Monty drew a circle in the air. It turned into a hoola-hoop and dropped into the ground.
"Guess that's out of the picture." He could draw a car... but he wont. It was just too simple and boring for him.
Instead, he drew a glyph into the air. Something he studied from an Oumite book of power called Weiss. A friend got it for him once.
A booster glyph.
Rote was in Pale City. It was directly across his hometown. But it was far. By car, it would have taken at least 30 minutes.
He stabbed his pen into the glyph and pressed a button. He jumped into it and released the pen.
He was soon flying 20 feet into the air.
As he began to fall, he pointed the pen to his feet and pressed another button. A copy of the glyph appeared and he continued to boost.

~Oum~

Within 20 minutes, he was within the city and halfway to Rote.
"Excuse me! Coming Through! Future Maven coming through!"
Maven's are groups of trained professionals that use their powers to battle Shadows and Echoes while constantly searching for Oum.
Monty arrived at the front door of Rote, the academy of Mavens.
For years it stood proudly and trained fine Mavens.
"Am I... Too late for registration?" He said to the registration lady.
She looked mean, but it disappeared with a smile.
"Sign your name and go on in. Wait for your name to be called."
Monty signed his name and entered the glass doors leading to a hall. As he continued, he watched students from the window as they walk on campus or trained.
He was really excited and nervous.
Exams usually pit trainees and cut those they deem weak.
He eventually reached the Exam Waiting Area. A lot of tough contenders who looked ready to eat him alive had fire in their eyes.
He sat next to a girl with brown hair tied in a ponytail and wore a combat skirt.
"Hello... I'm Monty" Monty, outside of friends and family, had a shy disposition. If he was to become a Maven, he had to learn how to talk to people.
She looked at him with a sort of arrogant... No... Confident Smile. "Sheena Valkyrie."
A Valkyrie... Monty should have guessed from her combat skirt. Her family name is widely recognized as expert Mavens who had helped eliminate countless Shadow Rebels.
If Monty was right, he counted that this girl was a trained expert in combat. He shuddered at the thought of facing her.
"The Exams are about to begin. Please Enter The Stage Monty Ren..." Monty stood up, nervous to find out how he'll fair. "And Sheena Valkyrie."
Oh Crap Monty thought. This was just great.
He looked at her with a sort of fazed, but still blank expression.
"Come on." She said and stood up.

~Oum~

 They entered the arena. It was a simple, concrete battlefield with some debris. The audience were watching from bleachers.
Sheena crossed to the opposite side and produced a single, steel handle.
Monty was already trying to asses how she would fight.
Maven's created their own weapons with Oumites, but the Valkyrie family were particularly popular with their line of weapons they crafted.
"Monty Ren versus Sheena Valkyrie. Single Round." Monty got nervous. It doesn't matter if you win, or lose. As long as you put up a good fight. If you do, you can still enter. If you don't, well try again next year. This was a Valkyrie she was facing. Could he really put up a fight?
"Begin."
Sheena put her right foot forward and raised the handle.
"Let me ask you something before we begin." She said.
"What is it?"
"Why do you want to be a Maven?" She asked.
Monty remained silent for a few seconds before giving a huge smile.
"Because being a Maven's awesome."
She looked annoyed. "Excuse me?"
"What reason do I need to explain more? Mavens help people, save lives. Protect them. I get to work my hardest and people call you awesome for just doing what you love. I work and people are safe. The world looks very different when you're pushing yourself every second you've got. So I'm willing to risk it."
Her face softens and the fire of a fighters soul burns.
"Alright... Then lets see if your resolve is just as good as your strength!" The handle extends into a steel rod. She spins it and multiple blades appear. The rod flips and it becomes a sword.
The swords glow and a glyph appears on the ground.
The same booster Monty used just a while ago.
She's in the air.
"This is my power! Energy Projection! Can you take it?!" The blades rain down at Monty.
He takes out his pen and begins to create ink strokes into the air. It blocks blades before cracking. More was coming.
From a single hole in the ink shield, he put the end of his pen and spun the barrel like part on the rear. He then pressed a button that was labeled "Paste"
The Booster glyph reappears on his side and the blades that came at him flew back at Sheena.
"Impressive. Someone studied their glyphs." New blades manifested and blocked the repelled blades.
The new ones gathered their tips all pointed as if like a drill.
Energy emit from the tips. Monty made it out as the Reverse Glyph. If the blades combined with a Reverse Glyph hit the Booster Glyph, it would reverse the direction towards Monty, and he'd be struck.
"This is it!" Sheena flew down and pierced through the Booster Glyph.
Though she felt she hit something, she knew that the fight was far from over. Wind picked up and the broken ink strokes scattered. The blade was being blocked by a... Laptop?
"This is my weapon. I made it myself."
"You made... A battle laptop?"
 Monty pushed her off and held his lap- Weapon up.
It had different linings and held no brand besides a glowing 'Monty' on the top.
"Don't underestimate it just yet." Monty threw the laptop up. From the air it transformed into two dagger like weapons.
"Ah... You used Tentral Steel for it to shift into weapons and refined Xaltec for the monitor and wiring."
"Smart." Monty swiped his pen into the air and multiple copies of the Daggers fluttered into his hands.
He continued the fight by throwing the carbon copies at Sheena. It was easily deflected. But she did not see Monty come at her and he began swinging the knives. He looked docile, but he was very fast. The energy projected blades were being shattered and she was down to her real sword.
Like the scene from Kingdom Hearts 2, Monty had continued bashing Sheena, but unlike Kingdom Hearts, Sheena was able to back Monty off.
Her reach with her sword was admirable. She swung at him with a fencer's style. Luckily, he was able to block it with his weapon's form. But he can't swing to an offensive. She pulled back and multiple swords appeared.
Monty twirled his weapons and they became pistols. It shot the energy swords with electricity and they shattered.
He reassembled them and turned it into a single sword.
It was a continued battle of swings and blows.
However, Monty knocked her into the air with a stroke of ink from his pen.
To win the exam, you must hit the enemay into submission, but cannot fatally hurt them with swords and such.
Monty turned the sword into a bat and swung up.
Sheena reverted the sword into a rod and swung down.
They were both hit in the shoulders and fell to the ground.
"DRAW!" The announcer said. The crowd got wild and began clapping.
Monty and Sheena got up and dusted their pants.
"You were great." Sheena said.
"Nothing less from you too, Valkyria." She smiled and they returned to the waiting area.

~Oum~

As the exams continued, Monty and Sheena waited for the results to come.
Warriors exited triumphant, tired, or unconscious. That was mostly the gist of it.
But there WAS one who had to be taken to the hospital. His opponent was Gallen Raze. He had the look of a toughened warrior with a ruthless edge. He gave Monty and Sheena a dark and menacing look before returning to his seat.
"All exams have finished. Please proceed to Malton Hall to see results."
Monty was glad that despite their battle, he had made a friend out of Sheena. They entered Malton Hall to check the results.
"I got in!" Sheena squealed and shook Monty's hand. He did not expect a girl of the Valkyrie name to be this quirky.
Monty quietly continued looking. Scared that he didn't make the cut. Then he saw it.
Number 54: Monty Ren.
"I got in too!" Monty laughed. The two were happy and agreed to go get lunch. Then they saw him again. Gallen. He was staring at the results board. The two looked as well. Sure enough. His name was there.
Though it scared them to know such a dangerous and violent person was around, they couldn't help their excitement.
Monty took out his phone and dialed his sister's number.
"Hello?" His sister picked up.
"I'm a Maven." The screams of happiness was so loud that Monty had to move his phone out of his ear.
But... He has worked hard for it.
This was just the start of everything.
Today marked the start of his life as a Maven at Rote Academy.

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.