tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28325683052425971582024-03-21T10:21:07.863-07:00A Writer's PerspectiveAspiring author, Aspen Hite, sharing stories, musings and perspectives.
A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-68862543733345972312024-03-09T23:11:00.000-08:002024-03-10T07:33:42.808-07:00The Soul Takes Time<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/face-empty-woman-wait-waiting-time-66317/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1280" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTItmGWUYTMUw7HJMkWaT652paOBWprn13kBskUYs6yXIgBM2HK5QST3TN_qtdDKTzUI7ST-IyBWLdo1y_jqPL3r1_pNVqZAOXHPrfa9Fim1iU24ceIGWgYdmOwNmMwISXGnNQw5MhV5iiZgd8DCUX35ju44VPeG9vcYHOXIAz6i-RGLWkd1ve0pnjFxh/s320/face-66317_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>📷credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/face-empty-woman-wait-waiting-time-66317/">geralt</a><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>In the Darkness of the New Moon, I'm embracing new beginnings, letting go of endings, seeing new perspectives, and facing fears...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Behold my symmetrical gathering of words, a mini story in poem form, a menagerie of free verse and chaos with a dash of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition.</span></p><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">The Soul Takes Time</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am right where I need to be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To be right where I need to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Time after time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It could have gone differently,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s true, you see.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lacking a readiness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A new purpose to the past.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirsty with desire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Push and shove</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zoom zoom to the top</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reach the goal</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gather the prize</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Achieve it all</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take it home</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Make it your own.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over and over</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Essence was lost</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nothing but an empty</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Only a void</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Filled with the unfulfilled</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dark and dreary</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a heavy cost</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For all that was lost.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sing into the song of the wind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Find your sway in each day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The soul sought takes time,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And time again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lesson after lesson</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisdom and strength</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grow from within</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blossom and bloom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Again after again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am right where I need to be</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To be right where I need to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">It's been a while since I've dabbled in poetry, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this latest WIP. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">Thank you so much for stopping by. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">Until next time: Be creative. Find your wild side. Stay sane(ish). ✌️</span></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-54209528450690591312024-03-03T11:11:00.000-08:002024-03-03T11:15:00.926-08:00Happy International Writers' Day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/remote-working-digital-nomad-6550922/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="886" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUITKrYJ7z5zEle_ucIQpZTpzFpefxUBH9GI7XmOIVccKuZSzAdZXturz0D8TWJGUxVm6DzyOcchH7NGLK-u7dk9Abgyc_OiT2xMeWoKOBcwauPwmaL-P11hnSDRgd5hRtPiu3TSqxUsm5QlGFsuzzFK51VifmVqgJWju38yrPX7RJXpd0VC_eMhIlofH6/s320/Aspen%20Hite%20Promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>📷credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/remote-working-digital-nomad-6550922/">Chen</a><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Can I See Your ID? </span></b></p>Last night, I cruised through Hit-N-Run (a drive-thru convenience store where a human comes to your car, takes your order, gathers your items from the store, and then brings them to you in your car). <br /><br />The young clerk (probably 20-ish, but he looked 12) took my order.<br /><br /><b>Him: </b>Can I see your ID?<div><b>Me: </b>Aww…aren’t you sweet.<br /><b>Him:</b> Why’s that, ma’am (the tell-tale lingo for an old lady)?<br /><b>Me</b> (as I reach for my ID): Well, I’m gonna be 49 this year.<br /><b>Him</b>: You know, ma’am, 49 isn’t that old; it’s like middle age.<br /><b>Me</b>: I’m not sure I’m gonna make it to 100.<br />His face drops. <b>Him</b>: Oh yeah. I guess not. (Then he works really hard to recover). But you know, ma’am, you really only look about 32, maybe even 30.</div><div><br />He smiled at me and collected payment before he walked back inside. Grinning and giddy, but without any cash on hand, I rifled around the vehicle gathering, every last quarter I could find and gave them all to him as a tip. He thanked me profusely. And I him.<div><br /></div><div>He was a sweet kid, and he's gonna need all his extra cash for a good eye doctor. 👀🤷♀️🤣<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b>The End</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I appreciate you stopping by. Feel free to leave your thoughts on this super-short Creative Nonfiction in the comments section. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next time: Be creative. Find your wild side. Stay sane(ish). ✌️</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Aspen Hite</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-14984534165214439942023-12-31T23:11:00.000-08:002023-12-31T23:11:00.142-08:00Out With the Old; In With the New<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/woman-cliff-jumping-design-2023-8466678/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKfndOiXhPWY4kgETmGw4wUfpOjwG595Gux_iUXMe8Qq_kUo2z8aTgKvWewPpu8UEko0H_S4T91nKmapDAVcRtyibWqz5kLdBUkJ82gnZmcAlM8IUYVN4SGd0JXK1bm1EWMPdV0lyB6zP2DS5ww6P42B1IDVVr33wRMc37QQgkojik9vw4msV59cVNsdo/w367-h246/woman-8466678_1280.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>📷credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/mohamed_hassan-5229782/">Mohamed_hassan</a> <div><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1226cdb-7fff-4b1a-8183-5925526fd601"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Out With the Old; In With the New</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Time is a funny, fickle thing. In some moments, I feel silly and young and alive, like I’m 17, and in other moments, I’m tired, like I’ve lived 117 years and a thousand lifetimes. Somehow, in a way I don’t really understand, this year flashed in the blink of an eye. As 2023 ends, I like to reflect on how I spent the year. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What have I been doing? My knee-jerk response is to shrug and say, “I don’t know. Nothing.” But in truth, I’ve been busy working, teaching, reading, resting, letting go of all that no longer serves, and easing into all that is meant for me. Some of it’s heavy stuff. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I’ve also been writing. In fact, I spent a good chunk of the year tuning out the world and writing. I am beyond grateful for that opportunity because the grown-up outside world can come knocking, like a wise guy barging in to break your legs. So, I am humbled and thankful for that time.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At the beginning of the year, I tried hard to have an online presence. However, convincing strangers I'm a writer takes a lot of work. It worked for a while (welcome to the odd time in the 21st century, where we talk more than we do). One day, I had nothing left to post on my blog, and I’d spent too much time focusing on social media. It was the literal antithesis of where I wanted to be. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I needed a kick in the pants, so I got out of my comfort zone and went to a writers' conference. Not only were there some great workshops, but I also got feedback from industry professionals and pitched to an agent who asked to see the first 50 pages of my novel! It was an INVALUABLE experience. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After some polish and shine, I sent the pages to the agent and waited, checking my email every ten minutes while simultaneously planning the agent’s delighted response. (Ever see </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Christmas Story</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> where Ralphie envisions his teacher’s joy at reading his essay? It was a bit like that.) She was going to love it. I was on Cloud Nine. This was it; my time had come. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I also had a genuine problem. I had embellished (it’s what writers do) the completion level of the novel. I was only about halfway through and still needed a middle, a climax, and an ending (roughly 30,000 words). I DID have an outline and an idea (or two). So I wrote. Tuned out the world, and spun a tale.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I put all my energy into finishing that novel. Short stories and blogs sat incomplete and unfinished. The online posts stopped. My reading slowed, and I almost forgot about my word game. The only thing in my crosshairs was telling that story. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One day in mid-June, I finished. It wasn’t shiny and polished, but I’d told the tale. With nothing but radio silence from the agent, I let the first book simmer and immediately got to work on the second one. I was on a roll.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally, a response from the agent came. I was giddy until I opened the email. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The agent passed on the story. To her credit, she was kind and even offered specific areas of improvement. And she was right, but now what? My dream of a smooth path to publication (after ten years) was just gone. Poof. Snap of the fingers. In one email. Gone. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It took a hot second to allow the disappointment to fade, but then things became clearer: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. I’d made writing a priority, and I had two new novels and a third in rough outline form. All of it had been to show myself I could do it. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. It was time to stop fucking around. Stumbling around aimlessly, trying to be a writer was over. I didn’t need any more ways to NOT write a bestseller. I needed to learn—the tricks of the trade, the ins and outs. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So, after jumping through several flaming hoops and almost getting lost in paperwork, I’ve been accepted into a <b>Master of Fine Arts in Writing program</b>. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Brand new story beginning January 2024. Is it going to lead me to a life of best-selling novels (and that private island I’m always going on about)? Probably not, but as I learn from local industry professionals, I’m open to discovering my niche to see where it leads. Hopefully, to a revenue-generating career where I can entertain people with stories and positively impact the lives of readers of all ages. Perhaps I wind up back in a classroom or write a Kids' Yoga book (better yet, the next bestseller turned Netflix series). Maybe self-publishing, editing, or freelance writing will fit my lifestyle better. Time will tell. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For now, I’m embracing the present, celebrating the lessons of 2023, and having faith in the ebb and flow of the journey.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Endless possibilities loom on the horizon, each filled with challenges and lessons, all filled with learning and laughter (to keep me balanced). </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wishing you a wonderful New Year. May 2024 bring you peace, joy, and blessings. 💜</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Until next time… </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Be creative. Find your wild side. Stay sane(ish). </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Aspen Hite ✌️</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /></span></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-71081285834542091192023-03-19T21:11:00.003-07:002023-12-03T09:34:04.476-08:00A Fictional Musing: Dead of Winter<p><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">I wrote <i>Dead of Winter </i>for a <a href="https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/archive/winter2023">24-Hour Short Story</a> contest. At noon, a prompt and a word count went live. All contestants then had 24 hours to write, rewrite, edit, and submit. My focus for this story was a surprise twist at the end. The story earned an honorable mention. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Happy Reading. 📚</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-7555518/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll8cY7jx2HAo1E-p_22vVughpZmUg0Wco4birYuhNx7PxGLYuqlNbNjAJJ9EycLGVypmPPYQ1lJ_yKyvDaHDm0M-iMVg0vo49opnja5wHrHwJF1Vwi6yCqXXe55UrC5I6NzJ5S02hkqmnTRVDeVQ2Ebi_4TtwJSZSFqv82xq6Oca9QEMteZpYxPT_8Q/s320/cabin-7555518_1920.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>📷 Credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-7555518/">MaggooArts</a><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-17daa6e2-7fff-5856-5670-4bd57eb60131"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dead of Winter</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving to the mountains to escape humanity was the best decision I’d ever made. I was so much more at peace with my own existence, and that felt good after years of misery. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been almost five years since I’d lost my partner. It was one of those wrong place, wrong time sorts of things. A terrible accident. But man, I missed Carmel. His smile could light up the world like the sun was doing just now.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I paused at the top of Eagle Point and took in the glorious view of nature. The snow was melting, but there would be more by nightfall. Winters could be brutal on the mountainside. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hard-fast rule is: I don’t dare go out in the dark or in a snowstorm—there are far too many dangers, like freezing to death. My closest help was a windy 45-minute drive up a mountain. And that was on a good day. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I heard the rushing water of the stream before I saw it. The sound of running water always soothed my soul, and I almost smiled. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until I saw them. Bare footprints in the snow by the frosty edge of the stream... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What on earth? How could that be possible? There weren’t other people up here. And bare feet would be a killer in winter. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello?” I cupped my hands around my mouth, “Is anyone out there?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The snow blanketed everything, and silence responded. The sun drifted behind storm clouds, and fresh flakes began to fall. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Damnit!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raced back to my cabin to grab leftovers from the fridge. While that heated, I rummaged through the closet for camping gear. Just in case someone was trapped out there, I had to help.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The snow was light, and there was enough daylight for my mission. I made it to the stream's edge and back with my supply package. If someone were stranded out there, they would at least have a bowl of warm food, a fork, some water, and a blanket.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day I awoke early, anxious to get outside and check on my stranded Stranger. As soon as it stopped snowing and the sun rose above the tree line, I raced to the edge of the stream.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My eyes widened in surprise. The plate and fork were spotless, right where I’d left them. The blanket was gone. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I continued my mission for the next several days, leaving food and water for the stranded Stranger, no longer barefoot. I smiled at the tracks of the boots I’d left on the second day. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The smell of snow filled the air as I retrieved the dishes. A storm was coming. A bad one. And soon.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at the cabin, I prepped an extra large supply package for the next day and crossed my fingers I could get it to my Stranger on time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shortly after dinner, something revolted in my stomach. I sat hugging the toilet as the fever ravaged my body, burning me from the inside out. I could do two things: lie in a heap or crawl to the bathroom for sink water. Sickness struck hard and fast.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In one of my more lucid moments, I crawled to the phone, but there was no dial tone or Wi-Fi. Nothing. And a blizzard raged outside. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced at the supply package that never made it to my Stranger and my near-empty bottle of Tylenol, and I cried. The storm will kill the Stranger outside and me inside.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tormented, I collapsed on the couch. Even with all the blankets wrapped around me, I shivered and sobbed myself to sleep.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A door slammed in the distance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Startled, I sat up, blinked several times, and froze. People. Here. Who? And Why?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even though I heard the voices and the heavy footsteps on the front stoop, I jumped at the knock on the door. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello, we’re here to help.” A deep voice called. “Miss Jones, Louise? Ma’am?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another knock. “Louise, it’s Dr. Phillips. I’m here with the Sherriff. Your sister called in a wellness check when she hadn’t heard from you. Are you okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was alive, but my Stranger probably wasn’t. At least there was help right outside the door. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gathered myself, still wrapped in blankets, and shuffled to greet my visitors. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There you are, Louise,” Dr. Phillips said when I opened the door, “And now, I’ll count backward from ten, bringing your awareness out of hypnosis and back to the present. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Welcome home, Louise.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I fluttered my eyes open and sighed, “That was a great session, doctor. I feel like I’m making breakthroughs.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are, Louise,” Dr. Phillips smiled, “I’m proud of your determination for regular sessions. Now, go back to your room and journal about the Stranger. Who was it today? And why did you create the storm instead of saving the Stranger today?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a nod, I grabbed my journal and strolled back to my room at the Eagle Point Mental Institution. I would get out of here one day as soon as I could figure out why I killed Carmel in the dead of winter. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Were you surprised? 🤔</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks so much for stopping by! ✌️</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-85706923789373860622023-03-12T21:11:00.013-07:002023-03-13T06:32:05.514-07:00A Writer Musing: Writer Workshop Day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlS-gf8KDedzv-TAu_wwF42b6xg3NmCz2sDYb-QSxUObkYcq38bqr17AlVXvi7ghEN6k8Hok6_JPnzsyxWh44bQTPghXS2M97ZKA70MjDIKYI9gx_JCeVlQhhR7B4IFlhcx9hdpVx88iRTcmI3nuHJPRRqRyrPR83SnA5TP87WoBQOs2Vnvhu0d7czw/s1461/20230311_103628.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1461" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlS-gf8KDedzv-TAu_wwF42b6xg3NmCz2sDYb-QSxUObkYcq38bqr17AlVXvi7ghEN6k8Hok6_JPnzsyxWh44bQTPghXS2M97ZKA70MjDIKYI9gx_JCeVlQhhR7B4IFlhcx9hdpVx88iRTcmI3nuHJPRRqRyrPR83SnA5TP87WoBQOs2Vnvhu0d7czw/s320/20230311_103628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-1bc8cefb-7fff-1221-e55a-287c2eeda3a0"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Writer Musing: Writer Workshop Day</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love to learn. I love to write. When I have the opportunity to learn more about writing, I’m giddy. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently, I attended a Writers' Workshop in St. Louis, MO. Despite a sleepless night before, a dreary day, cold temps (in and out of the building), and a clogged ear making it hard(er) to hear, it was a fantastically awesome day.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Four Classes </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class #1:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Common Pitfalls in Publishing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hybrid author, Katie Otey, shared her writer-life experiences and advice. Invaluable information, plus she's a super cool lady. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class #2: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything You Need to Know About Agents and Query Letters</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kourtney Price laid all the nitty gritty for those pesky query letters and finding the right agent. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class #3:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10 Surefire Ways to Strengthen your Writing </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kerrie Flanagan, author and facilitator of the event, not only gave us a list but also read real-world examples AND offered the audience opportunities to create smooth, fluid writing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Class #4: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pros and Cons of Traditional and Indie Publishing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laura Benedict held nothing back as she delivered all the bottom-line details of traditional publication and self-publication. An eye-opening experience. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other Noteworthy Events</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Agent Pitch:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I pitched to esteemed literary agent Bonnie Swanson. It was a quick and dirty 10-minute segment. It was the highlight of the day!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writer’s Got Talent: A First Page Critque-Fest</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every writer in attendance had the opportunity to anonymously enter the first page of their manuscript. Several were randomly selected to be read aloud not only to the group but also to a panel of industry professionals (authors, agents, and editors). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the narrator read the pages to the room, the panelist would hold up a hand whenever they would stop reading. At the end of each page, the panelists provided feedback. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first page was a paranormal genre and MINE! Holy hells. My heart ricocheted around in my chest, and at one point, I could barely hear </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">the feedback </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">(my clogged ear didn't help). Feverishly, I scribbled notes to reflect on when I got home. An absolutely priceless experience. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Takeaway:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The opportunity to learn from experts in the writing world changed my perspective and provided new insight. This workshop was the push I needed to propel my writing forward. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Vidaloka; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THANK YOU so much for stopping by. </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your support is greatly appreciated! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Vidaloka; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Vidaloka; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></span><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Vidaloka; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-19200074122510712252023-03-05T21:11:00.049-08:002023-03-06T06:27:26.967-08:00A Writing Musing: Respect the Process<h4 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">A glimpse behind my creative curtain...</span></h4><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZuieOlaw78fcmVpGOZqv-n9BCYiK7nM41f5PhLE-v1YR7dvLsF6dEs64dX2pPpFcUPzkrN_sJT4QSk0kM8tjb8zIPxSnoe1RYhCx828jhVa1X0tGm_ygP4LYAxCvpDqBWO9jwTPZ6h9npTnjxgQFcjEmicwueaH3-Fd531xKycKw8hQvePY8dv__Yw/s2268/20230305_094904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZuieOlaw78fcmVpGOZqv-n9BCYiK7nM41f5PhLE-v1YR7dvLsF6dEs64dX2pPpFcUPzkrN_sJT4QSk0kM8tjb8zIPxSnoe1RYhCx828jhVa1X0tGm_ygP4LYAxCvpDqBWO9jwTPZ6h9npTnjxgQFcjEmicwueaH3-Fd531xKycKw8hQvePY8dv__Yw/w260-h260/20230305_094904.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Respect the Process</span></span></h1><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fiction writing has been going well, but it really is a process.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brainstorming: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he creation part, which is ALWAYS fun, is the beginning. This stage is messy and chaotic as I’m jotting loads of ideas and notes anywhere and everywhere (post-its, notebooks, napkins, receipts). I have multiple documents open on my computer (all very random). And I am actively talking to myself, playing out the actions and motives of the characters. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drafting:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I make it all up as I tell myself the story. I have to understand what’s happening. What’s the first problem? What’s the goal of the character(s)? How will I complicate it for them? And what can I do to surprise the reader? This part is my favorite part. Of course, I usually come up with my best-complicated surprises in the shower or while I’m driving, and when I get to some sort of way to record my thoughts, they have all flittered away. Sometimes I chase them. Sometimes I wait for them to return…the good ones always do. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This stage can be quick or long and drawn out (like now). It usually also involves various forms of </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rewriting</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and junk piling. At this point, I know the overview of the story, but scenes are still coming in scattered pieces, like a puzzle. I’m turning the pieces over, finding the edges, and putting similar ideas (pieces) together. I can picture the final result, but seeing it complete before me is a long way away. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Revising/Rewriting:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The puzzle comes together. Once I finish the first draft, I’ll reread (over and over) to fine-tune it and polish it into a creatively stimulating story using nothing more than words (the ultimate goal). This part can be enjoyable (like when I come up with something good) or torture (like when I hit a wall or write myself into a corner). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Editing:</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This is my least favorite part (perfecting the puzzle, pressing the pieces together, adding a gloss or glue), but it’s essential. It always entails reading aloud, Grammarly, laughter, and tears. Sometimes, I seek out an extra set of eyes. However, if my work is bound for publication, I will hire a professional editor to critique and correct my writing. Nothing more embarrassing than a typo on the title page. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Publishing: </b>The final stage: sharing the best version with the public. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where am I now? </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the drafting stage, with two feisty and hard-to-control heroines: </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Em De Mone</span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elle Kingsmith. </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These ladies and their crew of characters have been chattering and rattling around in my head most recently. These ladies are particularly interesting because their stories span many millennia and interconnect on multiple levels. But they are also very much the stars of their own stories. The experiences of their 20s (current WIPs) are not only happening in my head now, but their actions will vastly impact destiny. So technically, I’m creating the surprises and twists of future stories. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To sharpen my storytelling skills, I’ve also been dabbling in nonfiction, writing short stories about teaching, or dogs, or life, or writing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m enjoying learning to respect the process as I create my writing journey. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s next? </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b>mixture of fiction and nonfiction musings. And hopefully, some exciting book news soon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THANK YOU so much for stopping by. </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your support is greatly appreciated! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></span><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-29121656276101760922023-02-26T21:11:00.050-08:002023-02-28T07:27:02.127-08:00A Mental Musing: Benefits and Tips to Journaling (Guest Blog)<span id="docs-internal-guid-3624f173-7fff-3272-5090-0513936e1066"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Vidaloka; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Journaling does wonders for me in a variety of ways. And I wish I'd devoted more time to it when I was younger. This week, I’m sharing a great article from a fellow blog. Yes, it’s geared toward students, but aren’t we all students in this crazy study of life? </span></p></span><span><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you, </span><a href="https://psychologywriting.com/blog/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psychology Writing</span></a>,<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for sharing your wisdom and tips! </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Vidaloka; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be well. 💜</span></p><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Vidaloka; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh5UoJKgvQWY63PhlBvJNVqRGktJcVeza3gM6843qa99plNIRmOoCjY5MqplBYrTkF2PslLqXlcDI4xQQqfDNfSErWVroqSQMLjaHRxQ_Lvnf3Pee8sK2nT-SSF-pmtxCNf20I0JsfFmo8E9kUZGDg0VuPXY1OyjYjjL-QjBgeR7dsP7ZF5yCp8n3dg/s591/Sunday%20blog%202_26_23%20take%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="591" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh5UoJKgvQWY63PhlBvJNVqRGktJcVeza3gM6843qa99plNIRmOoCjY5MqplBYrTkF2PslLqXlcDI4xQQqfDNfSErWVroqSQMLjaHRxQ_Lvnf3Pee8sK2nT-SSF-pmtxCNf20I0JsfFmo8E9kUZGDg0VuPXY1OyjYjjL-QjBgeR7dsP7ZF5yCp8n3dg/s320/Sunday%20blog%202_26_23%20take%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff9dc3f-7fff-4b13-76a8-0b40e32a64af"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://psychologywriting.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Home</span></a><a href="https://psychologywriting.com/blog/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.32; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 6pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 22.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 9pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PsychologyWriting</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.98; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dec 12th, 2022</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.98; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8min read</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When was the last time you wrote in your journal? Many people associate keeping a journal with their childhood and the old-fashioned cliche “Dear Diary…”. However, modern research has shown that journaling has numerous benefits for your mental and physical health. Writing in a diary can:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lower your anxiety,</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">improve your memory,</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">boost your immune system.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 316px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img alt="The picture contains a definition of mental health journaling." height="316" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LKDCo2VAdd-P6SN_D_YPObeTouL5tVYeXkbbKyX-QPIpWPbOWRy5k7YYCCxKrdJMtJrrYU_kblaPRyelutSOM7t6yXpf6g15G8vKBmaXUz9bapKVE9zUnXdQs37ognYxMEkYMzen3TIepjpOM-a1Te8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you happen to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or dissatisfied with your life, this is your sign that you need to start journaling now. In this article, we’ll discuss how journaling can be good for you — physically, mentally, and emotionally. </span><a href="https://psychologywriting.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psychology Writing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> experts have also prepared some inspirational ideas for your mental health journal to overcome the fear of a blank page.</span></p><h4 style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 4pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Is a Mental Health Journal?</span></h4><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mental health journaling is the act of keeping a record of your feelings, thoughts, insights, ideas, and more.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your mental health journal may exist in many forms. It can be kept on paper or your computer, written or drawn. The idea behind the whole process is to make your thoughts clearer by getting them out.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Why Keep a Mental Health Journal?</span></b></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">For some people journaling can be challenging especially as building new habits takes time and effort. However, a mental health journal can help you in many ways.</span></span></p></span></span><span><span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 18pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 800px; overflow: hidden; width: 388px;"><img alt="The picture lists the benefits of keeping a mental health journal." height="800" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gwUuZnRJBBRDIBBpQVH8l9LENjxTewJRcbLdqsggDiyCUtZpMnY8TE3p41OK8DmAyrBpf3oROm4okSAjBcGlDLLrTR_OLughFjG-XsfvMRbgYVsjNoqe20ZGOnIxQTkqZ52e-1KkedlZt1yCW4Xg8Uk" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="388" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Continue reading: </span><a href="https://psychologywriting.com/blog/mental-health-journal-tips-for-students/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to Start & Keep a Mental Health Journal – Tips for Students</span></a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks so much for stopping by!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please feel free to share your thoughts on this week's Guest Blog.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next week, I'll be back with something fresh and new. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></span></span></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-86415394489934129942023-02-19T21:11:00.006-08:002023-02-20T10:43:21.601-08:00A Book Musing: A Court of Thorns and Roses<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fiction is coming along but not fast enough. 😉 Check out the latest from my <i>A Musing </i>nonfictional shorts collection. 📚</span></h4><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmuNWJE2ILveJo1YFmHQdpgwEviFSgIUFow9XJ6lfomosjNIin8IeVSJFPaSoZtEoc9rcZpcR0x2e9X9sBtTf2z4PQ_sbDXsAEnvsimfY0qA7MCUfXfeXuNgUeeNOu__eIHfT_EKGQj7afR7uYHzpP5RH0g7IDJiRs9F0DqKmlArVfBzyukfQeCaQlg/s1786/PSX_20230219_120554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmuNWJE2ILveJo1YFmHQdpgwEviFSgIUFow9XJ6lfomosjNIin8IeVSJFPaSoZtEoc9rcZpcR0x2e9X9sBtTf2z4PQ_sbDXsAEnvsimfY0qA7MCUfXfeXuNgUeeNOu__eIHfT_EKGQj7afR7uYHzpP5RH0g7IDJiRs9F0DqKmlArVfBzyukfQeCaQlg/w194-h320/PSX_20230219_120554.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-db02a3f1-7fff-964a-6947-185e8584bd58"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Book Musing: </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Court of Thorns and Roses</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By Sarah Maas</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This book has been on my list for a very long time. My 5th graders recommended it, and I haven’t taught 5th grade since 2015. That being said, I hate paying full price for a book and will rarely do so. Funny enough, the books I want to read always find their way to me. Most recently, the Kindle version of this book went on sale, and I had digital points. FREE. Thank you. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But much more importantly: I. Could. Not. Wait. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snug in my jammies on the couch with my dog, and I was ready to begin my journey. Yippie!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet Feyre, a strong huntress (human) singlehandedly taking care of her family. Well, that’s not sustainable, but it works as a hook. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After killing a faerie on the human side of the wall, our heroine is to be the captive of an ancient immortal (faerie) for the remainder of her days in the faerie lands. A horrid place she only knows by legend.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sigh. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A faerie and fantasy story. Not at all what I wanted. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, I should probably explain that I didn’t even know what this book was about. Yes, it’s been on my reading list for YEARS, and I didn’t know what it was about. I knew it had a grade level of 11/12-year-old children chattering about it. And I knew it was (and still is) a wildly popular New York Times bestseller. The aspiring author in me has always wanted to know what Sarah Maas could do. And there was no way I was stopping now.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I read on. The pages turned slowly at first, but it wasn’t long into the story that I began to really like Feyre. At first, I thought she was self-sacrificing, insolent, and hard-headed (and she was), but she was also wildly intelligent and fearless (redeemable qualities).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While in the faerie land, she was treated with kindness and respect. Once she realized her captor, Tamlin is a High Fae, and not at all the monster of legends (even if he was an actual immortal beast), she softened. Soon her anger and hostility toward Tamlin ignited into a fiery passion. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cue the love story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought it might stall here. Not at all. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before long, this fairytale takes a much darker turn for all involved. Suddenly, there was much more at stake than a human girl and her short life. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would tell you, but I don't want to ruin it. I can tell you this was where Maas got me, and I was hooked! Suddenly, I was unable to put the book down, reading late into the night. And that WAS what I was looking for. Yippie!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From that point on, Maas dazzled the reader (me) with magnificent imagery and a host of lively characters who truly brought a suspenseful, gripping, climactic storyline to life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas:</i></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This story absolutely lived up to the hype. A tremendous five-star read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t wait to cross paths with the next one!</span></p></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you are reading something fantastic. 📚</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks so much for stopping by!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-50504141082416279752023-02-12T21:11:00.007-08:002023-02-20T10:36:54.871-08:00A Teacher Musing: So I Read On<span id="docs-internal-guid-69b5d3a7-7fff-ceed-71d8-164ebeb07840"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-91442396-7fff-679e-20bf-15ffd5fb4d7c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I used to teach elementary school. Being out of the classroom for almost two years has me reflecting (and writing) about life in the classroom.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I Read On </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is a nonfictional short Teacher Story about a (very) fond memory during a not-so-hot time in my life.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-863418/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eiDDqHiMgr1lXcVfXO_bdYtOyBRc_qiSfAfwHx4iys5abvxuif7MjpIYOLgWI-O-TY2UEehx7zD9CNiN2BdoDT3q_iA68MPmuOGfVBwsgRHSvwZN6EZs84uqhLdDqw_v_pSyR-eZu8_oIuhv1Alhy9ZY8jO-Pc6Jv6mgL2hgbA-RoXuw2WkIn8R6jA/s320/book-863418_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">📷</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-863418/">Mysticsartdesign</a></span></span><p></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-305ec018-7fff-a708-53d0-df1e6782bde8"><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-919df986-7fff-953a-2782-302c8b85ffa9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I Read On</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was an at risk-school on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona. I was at the helm of a sixth-grade self-contained classroom and starting my 7th year in education at a brand-new district.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was a different experience for me in many ways. But it was the first time a majority of students had questioned the idea of education. Why bother with school, Mrs. Stenn? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They all had plans. A few wanted to go to college or learn a trade, but most planned to join gangs, like their family members. Of course, some of the young women dreamed of becoming famous on the MTV show 16 and Pregnant. But whatever they had planned, most didn’t see the reason for formal education. Life would teach them all they needed to know. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was an uphill battle, for sure. I really didn’t know what to do with them, so I read to them. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hunger Games</i> by Susan Collins was becoming wildly popular, with a movie to be released soon. I had read it the year before and loved it. It was terrifying and suspenseful in a gritty and raw way. It was perfect. So I opened the book and read.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They HATED it…rolled their eyes, made paper airplanes, coughed, talked, and even kicked books. I mean, some of them were downright rude and nasty. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was beat down. My personal life was a mess. And this job was so f*cking hard. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUT</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a handful of kids showed up every day to learn, and I would be damned if I was going to disappoint them. Plus, it was a good story, and I'd enjoy rereading it. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I read on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To my surprise, it didn’t take long for the story to pique the kids' interest. Soon, the disruptions lessened. Then they stopped altogether. Before long, read-aloud time was utterly silent. Even the once uninterested watched on the edge of their seats, hanging on my every word. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I read on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the trailer to the movie came out. And. That. Was. It. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 1000% hooked on the story. This was when the greatness happened. Suddenly they were having discussions and debates, theorizing about possible outcomes and rewriting parts they disliked. I had tricked them into learning, and they didn’t even know it. It was amazing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At one point, they declared mutiny, and I had no choice but to read on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our reading time was for the day. We were nearing the end of the story, and none of us wanted it to be over. It was that terrible time at the end of a book where, as readers, we wanted to keep reading to find out, but we also didn’t want it to end. And obviously, as a teacher making real progress, I wanted to stretch this out as much as possible. Resigned to devote our afternoon time to numbers, I put the bookmark in and told them to get out their math books. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few did as they were told, but then one of the leaders in the room. A tough kid, who was the LAST student to jump on the </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunger Games </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bandwagon, folded his hands on his desk and smiled before he spoke, “No, Teacher. Let’s keep reading.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was it. Before long, they all (yes, even the good ones) were pounding on their desks, laughing and grinning while they chanted: READ. READ. READ. READ. READ. READ. READ. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I read on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And one by one, they were transported back into Panem and into another world. We had come a LONG way, but I had done it… inspired them to read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is, perhaps, one of my finest teacher moments. Looking back, I am just as surprised by the outcome as they were. We spent a lot of time with that book that semester and had tremendous fun with the story and the trailers. </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I met them where they were and made the best of what I had. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I lost my home that Christmas and had to leave Arizona in the middle of the school year. It was terribly hard to say goodbye, and I kept in touch with them through letters and Facebook for the remainder of the year.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to think that Read Aloud was just as meaningful and impactful an experience to them as it was to me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A huge thank you to Susan Collins and the </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunger Games</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> industry. Literature literally changes lives. Read on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Thank you so much for stopping by!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">~Aspen ✌️</span></div></span></div></span></div></span>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-28096973999471728592023-02-05T21:11:00.002-08:002023-02-05T21:11:00.182-08:00The Elder<p> <span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;"><b>A quick little flash fiction...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-8594/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1258" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdinrUYSN-cCnlWhoqtiuzrzvWT3w6kyA7Rnv3K7vDi91D-aHfz2DCTfJSUBmeJgfr97OvMyXXcC8X_EBlxmdrUod3mjjpMxcYTJc7gNldNyXwJTUkKHTNt-ZA03CYwAprDbeohsPYL75n9tT2M2oh8EV7hlM1C9GdD6J2A1aCS0RikY7sSrQdrM_Mg/w157-h210/woman-8594_1920.png" width="157" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">📷</span><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: x-small;">credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-8594/">Pixabay</a></span></span><div><span><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span id="docs-internal-guid-0a44ec9d-7fff-f7a6-348a-93f2796a5b02"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Elder</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sun warmed my face as the cool crisp air kissed my cheeks, and the breeze tousled my hair. I loved this time of year. Red and yellow leaves fell, gently cascading to the earth as silent witnesses to this fall day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An ominous feeling erupted in the pit of my stomach as a weary old woman appeared from nowhere, hobbling toward me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wanted to run, but I couldn’t. My everything was rooted in the space around me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the Elder approached, she held it in her outstretched arms. A thick stick with knots and bumps matching her gnarled, arthritic knuckles. "It's yours now, young one.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t want it. Not yet. I’m not ready,” My voice cracked. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I must go. Your time is now,” the Elder said, “You will wield a great responsibility that will behold not only good and evil but also tremendous power.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don…don’t…want…it…It’s not supposed to happen like this…” I said, knowing I was powerless to stop any of it. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sky darkened, and the ancient lady shuffled into the forest, vanishing into the trees.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That had been two days ago. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain tapped at the windows, and the grayness of the day seeped into my soul. I sat in my apartment, twiddling the stick in my hands. It was long but thin, and the knots were already forming. I still had a bit of time, even if I could already feel a crippling trickling into my joints. I didn’t know much, but I knew this wasn’t supposed to happen. At least not yet. And certainly not now.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mae,” A voice called through the door just before three sharp knocks, “Are you in there? Are you okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed and tucked the stick under the pillow before I got up. I pulled the door open to let my friend Betts in, “Hey.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She gave me her famous side-eye as she walked through, “What’s up, Mae? You feeling okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I bit the inside of my mouth and made a decision. With a deep resignation, I reached under the covers and grabbed the stick, then tossed it on the bed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Betts screeched like a wounded animal and jumped back about ten feet, clasping her hand over her mouth. She choked back her breath, and her horrified eyes met mine, “Is that?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah,” I said, as my voice wobbled on hysterical, “It is.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But how?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“An Elder showed up and handed it off while I was studying in the park the other day.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shut up…that never happens!” Betts said, stepping further away from the stick, “And you’re barely 20. You’re supposed to live first.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know,” I sighed and sat on the bed next to it, “But there's not much I can do now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did you…” Betts gave me a knowing nod, “...ask for help?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sort of shrugged. I’d been wallowing in my fate instead of actively problem-solving or looking for any other solution. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t find my mom. I called my aunt. No answer. I left her a cryptic message. I thought about calling the professor, but I don’t want to become a lab rat. I don’t know what to do.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I eyed the stick. I could feel its power growing faster than I cared to admit, and I liked it. Well, some of it, not the impending doom part. I still wanted to touch it even knowing how this all turned out. The closer I got, the more the power surged through my body. It ran through my veins and stopped at my joints. Then my fingers ached, and my elbow stiffened, sending a sharp pain into my shoulder. I groaned and reached for the stick. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No!” Betts yelled and reached out to pull me back, “You know, the more you touch it, the faster</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> happens.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?!?! NO!” I shrieked. I’d been sitting here playing with this thing all morning.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as I was about to panic, there was a gentle knock and a soft voice at the door, “Mae?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed with relief and pulled the door open, “Auntie! I’m so glad you came. What’s happening? Where’s my mom?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, Mae, honey, I’m so sorry,” My Auntie said and hugged me. I immediately knew everything was more wrong than I thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?” I stumbled backward, “What is it? What happened to her?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She succumbed to the power, Mae. I’m so sorry,” Auntie’s eyes held mine as she walked into my apartment. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wha…wha… what do you mean?” I said as I tried to envision the sound of my mother’s voice. I hadn’t spoken to her in a few years. We’d had a falling out, but she sent cards and called now and again. I never answered the phone or responded to the letter, but she still tried every now and again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like I said, the power appealed more to her than anything else. That Elder, who handed you the stick, was your mother.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “What! NO!” I cried, “But…but…she was soo old…like really decrepit and looked nothing like my mom.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s the stick,” she eyed the same stick sitting on my bed, “that will grow into your Death Scythe and become your most powerful tool. It will take a toll on you, and if you’re not careful, it will destroy you quickly. And you’ll hardly notice because the owner feels amazing while it’s happening. Until that day when you are a withered Elder and have no choice but to hand it off to your daughter.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I… I don’t have a daughter,” I said, unable to focus on anything but the things I knew to be true.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You will sooner than you think,” My aunt rested one gnarled hand on my belly and held out her other as an invitation, “Now let me help you. Come with me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t want this life, Auntie,” I said, tears streaming from my eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know, but you are, by nature, a Grim Reaper. It’s your heritage, your legacy, your purpose. I will help you. Guide you. Your mother was drawn to the power. I can show you how to find balance and enjoy your time on this Earth. Come with me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Betts stepped up and gripped my hand, “Go. You need this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was right. I did. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a nod, I grabbed my bag and threw my favorite things into it as my aunt wrapped my stick in a special cloth. I grabbed Betts in a hard hug before I walked out the door after my aunt. It was my only chance at a life worth living instead of a speedy descent to death.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Thank you so much for stopping by!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">~Aspen ✌️</span></div></span></div></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></b></span><p></p></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-44489006673730945042023-01-29T21:11:00.020-08:002023-02-20T10:37:19.282-08:00A Health Musing: Movement is Medicine<p> <span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now for a nonfiction short…</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/openclipart-vectors-30363/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1199" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZmfOy2xyoNJAPyPXExsxI_A44Y3ukNLmCgH5wVTwG2eolwXmaT_2bWuzxo4ef6_Qt9cmahv5JCSLZyA8vQbZXhv8FNP3hF9RKctM9uEi9wHpLsNV63mF57fR3hYaSM9POOao0RgyfcYzHuzgnjijfYJvs2isKnzoMxp4H2kE1QzhOWugaEOFkNV7Ag/w229-h245/vitruvian-man-151866_1280.png" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">📷credit: Thank you, Leonardo da Vinci and <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/openclipart-vectors-30363/">Pixabay Vector</a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-f68304f8-7fff-7aee-db06-141d20b228d1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movement is Medicine</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the late 80s, and I remember our two-story house as clear as day. Smack in the kitchen was a round yellow table. It was built into the home and attached to a desk and storage area. It was around that table everything changed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One day Dad came home from seeing a doctor, and life took a sharp turn down 2104 Healthy Ave. Suddenly dinners went from beef or pork to chicken, fish, and turkey burgers (they are NOT the same as beef burgers, especially for children under ten). All proteins went on the grill. It didn’t matter there was a -10 degree windchill; the grill was fired up and ready to cook healthy. We ripped out a large window, put in French doors, and extended the deck. To grill. To be healthy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breakfast shifted to a high-fiber cereal piled with wheat germ and then drowned in powdered milk (long before today’s vast choices of non-dairy). Thank goodness my brother and I didn’t have to endure the breakfast aspect of good health. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then, we cue the exercise. Yep, plop a loud whirling exercise bike in the living room. My Dad would ride that bike every night after work for at least 30 minutes. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t understand it at the time and thought he was just a weird grown-up, but that was when he started taking his health very seriously. That was his precipice, and he jumped headlong into a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. In his 40s. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash forward to today, in the second decade of the next century. Dad turned 84 at the beginning of 2023. He was also diagnosed with </span><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parkinson’s Disease</span></a><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the summer of 2021. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait, I thought this was about health? Keep reading.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parkinson’s is not a one size fits all shoe. In fact, it’s uniquely designed for each individual. Symptoms and experiences can be vastly different for every person who has it. This can make it more complicated to treat.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The majority of folks get a diagnosis in their 50s or 60s. Of course, it has been known to show up in those younger (30s-40s). What’s not so common is a diagnosis in your 80s. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dad’s diagnosis came much later than average, and his symptoms are on the milder side (thank the heavens). Why? His neurologist believes his choice to live a healthier life and exercise regularly staved off the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take a moment to reread that: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His neurologist believes his movement/exercise/healthy habits </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">staved off </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movement. Getting up. Exercising. My Dad didn’t run triathlons or enter the UFC ring. He got on an exercise bike for 30 minutes a day and lifted light weights. He also made better food choices and chose to </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">actively</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> live his life: traveling, learning, and enjoying entertainment.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, he is responding well to medications and needs moderate amounts of artificial </span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/dopamine" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which is fantastic. And he still moves EVERY day. We are all very lucky he made himself and his health a priority all those years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So why share this? To celebrate Dad. Duh.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But also to acknowledge the truth: We only get one body/mind combo. If we treat it right now, it WILL function better later. Movement is a key factor in that equation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One last thought: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know, when we’re kids, we think our parents have it all figured out, but once we become adults, we realize how little they knew. They were just figuring it all out as they went along, too, like we are NOW. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Gen X folks…this is us… my kind, handsome Dad was our age when he decided to make changes. Changes that likely gave him 20 years… twenty </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extra </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">years. GOOD years with grandchildren and family and travel and friends and laughter. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The final bottom line is: </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movement is medicine. Get up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Thank you so much for stopping by!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">~Aspen ✌️</span></div></span></div></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-45482659296207920392023-01-22T11:22:00.002-08:002023-01-29T09:39:07.616-08:00Hard Knox<p><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">I've got loads of new stuff working, but nothing that's ready for public viewing. For the next several posts, I'll be sharing some of my super short fictional stories (from those 24-Hour Contests) as well as some new non-fictional shorts. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;">This week's feature: </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;">HARD KNOX </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;">A LOT can happen in less than a thousand words. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/6151189-6151189/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1212" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs8xqWc436xh_KhokDqAYpxC0neFguYmPKLhMqjTvWcevSoFUvQig3cRQfuhiLHQRSlkRpbLDoVyWV8CLkP_fajx_Bb3y5mF_He02gW9agzjfP5Uqx8utkO1gDHFEaFjXLw7sn_kapg9sBSMBZZ-mktXVavkmvVDLCSCktenQdXpjOYOFiNVLxLsPFw/s320/barn-2686283_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">📷credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/6151189-6151189/">Pixabay User</a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-21ae5639-7fff-fb5b-137b-ed4ac410f3a4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hard Knox</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tommy shimmied to the top of his favorite lookout tree. The Hawke Farm sprawled out below him. Kids in the group home longed for a spot on the spacious farm, and now he knew why. The surrounding woods were great to roam around and explore. Plus, the Hawkes were nice and fed kids. A lot. To make things even better, Tommy, 14, hadn’t had a single episode since he arrived. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A week after his arrival, a brother and sister showed up. Jake, 10, and Melody, 12. The three foster siblings had become inseparable in the six months they’d been together. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shielding his eyes, Tommy squinted into the distance. It wasn’t his imagination, “Hey, guys...car!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A car usually meant one of two things: an arrival or a departure.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jumping down, Tommy took off after the other two. The cool sunlight danced between the rippling leaves as the kids raced through the woods.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the trio returned to the farmhouse, they saw a woman in a suit standing on the porch. Child Services. One of them was going. Suit Lady would already be inside drinking tea if it was a newbie. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The kids snuck through the back door and peered around the corner to listen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve found his parents, and they want him. It’s not negotiable. I’m taking him.” Suit Lady said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, sorry, ma’am, Tommy’s not here,” Mr. Hawke shrugged. “I reported him unaccounted for days ago.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tommy exchanged glances of horror with Jake and Melody. What was Mr. Hawke doing? Why would he want to keep Tommy from his parents? And why would he make a fake report? Days ago? They just had breakfast together an hour ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was no way Tommy was missing an opportunity to be with his real parents again. After all these years. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning, he crept up the narrow staircase to his bedroom and threw all his belongings in his bag. He knew the drill and had learned to travel light years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the way downstairs, he stopped. This should be a dream come true, but he felt all hot and tingly. Was he about to have one of his episodes? He took a deep breath. He had to find out the truth about who he really was. He needed his family. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bounding down the rest of the steps, he stomped louder than usual. After quick nods and half hugs, Jake and Melody waved. Tommy would miss them, but a real family trumped all else in the eyes of foster kids.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m packed. Ready to meet my parents,” Tommy glared at the Hawkes as he strode out from the hallway hiding place. “How could you do this?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re making a mistake, son,” Mr. Hawke warned while Mrs. Hawke wrung her hands in worry. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I see he’s here and fine. You’ll be hearing from the authorities,” Suit Lady said, urging Tommy along, “Let’s go.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tommy flinched when she put her arm around him, but he followed her to the car anyway. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Halfway up the driveway, the Suit Lady’s phone rang. She answered and uttered two words, “It’s done,” and hung up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She stopped the car and turned to face Tommy in the backseat. Her face twisted, and her eyes blackened. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tommy jerked back in fear. What was happening?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Black-Eyed-Suit-Lady slid something out of her sleeve. “Mr. Hawke was right. You should’ve stayed. You stupid kids and your false hopes someone cares about you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a blink, she lunged over the seat and plunged a syringe into his neck. Tommy gasped and clawed at his throat. The world around him darkened as he lurched forward. His body exploded into the seatbelt, and a black nothingness took hold. He was gone.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tommy’s eyes fluttered open. It took him a minute. He was alive. He had no pain. But he was strapped down. Where? When? What happened? He was about to choke on his own breath when he heard a familiar voice. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think he’s awake,” Melody whispered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, thank heavens!” Mrs. Hawke rushed in with a smile and unbuckled his restraints, “So sorry about this. You were thrashing and screaming. That’s over now that the poison has worn off.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Poison? What? Huh?” Tommy croaked through his groggy worry.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before he could ask more questions, Melody set ice chips in front of him and patted his arm, “You’re going to be okay.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She right, Tommy,” Mr. Hawke strode into the room, “This Farm is a safe house for orphaned Huntsmans and Huntresses. We have our very own communities all over the place to watch out for our people, especially our abandoned children. Occasionally, an evil force gets through our security. If a child leaves of their own free will, there is nothing we can do. However, if any evil harms a child, like poisoning them, we will absolutely intervene.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whoa… poisoning, and Huntsman?” Tommy sat up. “What’s a Huntsman?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Special humans tasked with helping change the world. For the good.” Mrs. Hawke said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That sounds cool,” Tommy replied. That was why he’d always felt different. He was.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know what I say... ‘it’ll be hard knocks,’” said Mr. Hawke, “‘but you can handle it.’”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hmmm... I’m not sure Tommy can, though, especially with bad people looking for him.” The boy thought out loud.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you mean?” Mr. Hawke asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want to change my name,” The boy rubbed his chin until his face lit in a hopeful smile, “From now on, I will be known as Knox...Knox Hawke?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think that sounds perfect, son.” Mr. Hawke smiled and patted the boy’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family, Knox.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Thank you so much for stopping by!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">~Aspen ✌️</span></div></span></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-84230276987695035412023-01-11T09:11:00.018-08:002023-01-13T11:37:29.227-08:00A New Deal<p> <span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part 5 and the Finale of Short Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Deception</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk2xJL8aW7zQ3lYj1Ph8QSYXdFPwmS9IkaZIlpmSLFfPG57GoccdPLdVBUQPgHZ4trTT8me2mSFmAs58QggN8ExP2qEh7KoRb-HAtueWWGB_T9SVcox1TT_yOxrBQDWYqYrmIafgVt5iUzS_n1xO7CwOTdPQIoBJ87ozZdoHosGJNoN4DLmW9AXIz5Q/s1920/hut-7032759_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk2xJL8aW7zQ3lYj1Ph8QSYXdFPwmS9IkaZIlpmSLFfPG57GoccdPLdVBUQPgHZ4trTT8me2mSFmAs58QggN8ExP2qEh7KoRb-HAtueWWGB_T9SVcox1TT_yOxrBQDWYqYrmIafgVt5iUzS_n1xO7CwOTdPQIoBJ87ozZdoHosGJNoN4DLmW9AXIz5Q/s320/hut-7032759_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;">📷credit: Thank you, </span></span><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-7032759/">sanoojck</a><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-c7897413-7fff-6ebb-4e64-d489b3745526"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A New Deal</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hades stepped up and rested his hand on Janus’ shoulder, “I hate to interrupt, but you should know I told her I appreciated the help, and I’d take you guys as long as you’re willing. There’s no way I’m going to bind you to guarding the Underworld based on the word of a Siren,” Hades gave her a wink, “No offense, but I had a suspicion.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I never!” Nari stuck her bottom lip out and stalked off.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Say thank you to the nice god for not damning us here for Eternity, darling,” Janus called after her, his eyes dancing with amusement until…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hades cleared his throat, “Look man, I’ve got to get going, but I will warn you; this entrance is about to get busy. Hydi and her sister Helga are ready to take over whenever you’re ready to vacate. They need a few days to arrive and adjust.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You got the Hydra Sisters to come back?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did,” Hades grinned and puffed his chest. “It took some convincing, but I can be pretty persuasive.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Indeed, you can, old friend. And I am ready to leave this all behind,” Janus held out his arms, then clapped them together, getting down to business, “We can be out of here by the end of the week? That’ll give Nari several days of feasting before we head out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sounds good,” Hades gave him a pat on the shoulder, then stopped, “You know, I do have a gig similar to this one in the Bermuda Triangle. Warmer. Southern. Digs are way better than this place,” Hades looked around, “This really is terrible.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It is,” Janus chuckled. Even though the pain of the damned haunted him, he crossed his arms, “Tell me about the gig. Details, Hades…you know that’s where the devil lies.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need to open another entrance. I’ve decided to separate the damned from the blessed. The dark souls will keep coming here, but I’m rerouting the light souls south. It will be some good feasting for a bit. After that influx, there will still be plenty to sustain Nari and keep her happy. You guys can stay as long as you like. No long-term commitment,” said Hades.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Maybe. What’s in it for us?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aside from a happy siren?” Hades put his hands in a prayer position at his heart, “There’s a little hut on a tiny island in the middle of oceanic nowhere. Very much off the beaten path.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hmmm…” Janus stroked his chin, weighing his options. Warmth. Sunshine. No people. The blessed brought peace instead of pain. His love would be happy. Seemed right up his alley. A smile broke out across his face, “And I’m sure there are margaritas?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hells,” said Hades, “I’ll have a margarita machine installed in your hut and pay that outrageous tab you’ve got at the Tiki Hut.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That tab’s a helluva an offer! AND my own machine?” Janus threw back his head and laughed, “How could I say no?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hades extended his hand, “Middle of next week sound good?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sun and warmth in ten days? You bet it does.” Janus said, shaking hands.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A new deal was made.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p></span><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8ccdf3-7fff-8723-8c80-40778ad94922"><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fae872e-7fff-1fab-852a-2ee1afd63067"><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I do hope you enjoyed </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A Deception, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">and I would love to hear your thoughts </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">in the comments.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> Feel like you're missing something?</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Part I:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-1-janus.html">Janus</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> Part II:</b><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-ii-siren.html">The Siren</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> Part III: </b><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/12/hades.html" style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;">Hades</a></p></span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7ef88e22-7fff-ee72-02fd-bdad1eaeec42"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7af279b4-7fff-789a-2171-03882fa18c5b"></span></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Part IV: </b><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-betrayal.html">The Betrayal</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Thank you so much for your support!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></div></div></div></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-35240613913230637472022-12-27T09:11:00.086-08:002023-01-10T06:42:05.361-08:00The Betrayal<p> <span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part IV of Short Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Deception</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-4312474/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1690" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4ifcrUstvZ2l4aCToodZmt0qGZtVA5LgAF8sc183B4PitI2yGynd9S_7Bwbz58lHVvFtprtR53po7qWuYqwVqTs7yND92c-zZ8LnGckSZTgm429Z_2QQqX7FB6vtSQWBggWnGM-YNURTzc_Om3GIB70xLrbATEezhD2tT97IrL2dx4Ccq-vdqD3S5g/s320/mermaid-4312474_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">📷credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/darkmoon_art-1664300/">Darkmoon_Art</a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fae872e-7fff-1fab-852a-2ee1afd63067"><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Betrayal</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s up?” </span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janus balled his fists and paced the room. It would be foolish to lose his face in the presence of Hades and that dog. He took a breath and grappled with composure, “You’ve been hanging out in my warm, peaceful bar while I’ve been stuck here in this abandoned nightmare doing your job?”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hmm, I’m gonna take a stab in the dark and say you’re upset. But I feel like we’re not on the same page because when you say</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> my</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> job, I think, no, it’s</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> job,” Hades shifted his gaze to Naribelle and cracked a grin, “well, her job, so by proxy also yours.”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What in all the hells does that mean?” Janus tensed.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She…your Siren… took the job to guard the entrance.”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What? When?” Janus nearly screamed, teetering on insanity, “You’ve been dodging my call for weeks!”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dude, calm down. I was here,” he tossed an amused grin at the Siren and sucked back another swig of margarita. “She said you two loved it here and wanted to extend your stay.”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “For how long?” Janus clenched his teeth.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Indefinitely,” Hades said and took another swig.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You did what?” Janus exploded. Veins popped all over his head, and little bits of flames grew from his fingertips.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I…I…I… Janny…It’s wonderful here! It’s so quiet and peaceful, and the eatings are so plentiful,” Nari pled her case.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And she’s not wrong. A LOT of souls are coming through here and more on the way. I’ll be the first to admit there are some messes to clean up. Fucking humans.” Hades interjected to no one in particular, but it was enough to calm Janus.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Naribelle, darling,” Janus sighed, finding his level-headed face again, “you know I would do anything for you, but you can’t go making deals with the devil…” he tossed a glance at Hades, “No offense.”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“None taken,” said Hades.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“…without talking to me,” Janus reached up and tucked his unruly hair back in place, “Nari, why didn’t you come to me?”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Janny, I know how much you hate it here. I kept telling myself, ‘</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a little bit longer, Nari</span><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,’ but then it got out of control. When Hades showed up to relieve us, I just…I wasn’t ready.” Naribelle made her way to Janus. Cupping his cheek in her hand, she whispered, “I’m so sorry, love. You’re right, and I should’ve talk to you. I won’t make that mistake again. Will you forgive me?”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Naribelle, we’re stuck guarding the Entrance to the Underworld in the frigid cold. It’s the exact opposite way I had hoped to spend Eternity,” a fire flared in his eyes, but he tamed it, “At least I’ll have you, my darling.”</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, Janny,” she flung herself into his embrace.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><!--more--><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you so much for stopping by! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I'd love to hear your thoughts on the fourth segment of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A Deception</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the comments.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> Missing Part I?</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-1-janus.html">Janus</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> Part II?</b><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-ii-siren.html">The Siren</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;"> Part III? </b><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/12/hades.html" style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 17.3333px;">Hades</a></p></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7ef88e22-7fff-ee72-02fd-bdad1eaeec42"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7af279b4-7fff-789a-2171-03882fa18c5b"></span></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Part V (and <b>The End</b>)...coming soon. Stay tuned!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-51245571150644918142022-12-11T09:11:00.029-08:002022-12-11T09:11:00.187-08:00Hades<p> <span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part III of Short Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Deception</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-4903205/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1672" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWWWOdwVWSRY4S1lGIgy_vmsnsViegh-FMDqBkYG8X5zWOmTBJ-ZRLBKSDSx8XVrQpuOMMVedMcvoxNn8v7ryK9dLAe6PcXnImdn-c7JDkrh8dkM_oyF1SnL4GYrSTATR0wqHv2nSTm2j8HyQIhJIuWa4tx1a5Uw5s8rpm2Ghu6FEXUDa2QHaMTNu7A/s320/man-4903205_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>📷credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-4903205/">ArtTower</a><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-85f912a6-7fff-12ad-1bd7-555a4cfe4e23"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hades</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Honey, come here,” Naribelle was on her feet with open arms, closing the space between them, “Let’s think about this. Hades is the Lord of the Underworld, and he has that dog, and well, he’s very busy at the moment…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janus grabbed her by the shoulders, “What do you know of Underworld business?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes widened, and she tried to take a step back, “I…ah…well…I mean … I do eat the flesh of the newest Underworld Residents, and there have been a lot…more than usual…in fact,” she relaxed into him and licked her lips. Her voice came out like honey as she swayed from side to side with a seductive grin, “Haven’t you noticed I’m a bit softer and more padded than usual? Come on. Forget Hades. Let’s focus on us.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janus almost smiled at her. She </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> enthralling, but he narrowed his eyes. She was also deceptive by nature. And he knew two faces better than anyone. “Naribelle,” he said. His voice was tight, “Anything you want to tell me?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She flashed her most sensual smile and purred, “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I mean, it’s so nice here, and it was just for a little while longer…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nari, darling,” Janus said, “What have you done?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Jan, it was just for a bit…Hades…he said…” Nari wiggled free and inched backward, “Well, when he showed up last week to tell us it was over, I panicked. I wasn’t ready to go, and I knew you’d be out of here lickety-split, so I … made a deal…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You WHAT?” Janus ran a hand through his hair. His composed systematic face swirled, nearing madness, and he paced the room, “You made a deal with the God of the Underworld?!?!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jan,” she was at his side, pulling at his lapel, “please, it…I…I…just…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let me be,” He pulled her hands loose and walked away to gather his thoughts. What had she done? A deal with the devil? Was this his existence from here on out? His face toiled and turned as his insides shifted and the anger mounted. Control was slipping. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he spun around, rage surged through him. Fire and eruption filled his vision, except for the center. And there, at the heart of it all, was her. Shrouded and cloaked in lies and deception. All of it was surrounded by cold and nothingness. Good gods, the fucking cold.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He snapped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stumbled toward her, bleary-eyed and irrational, with his arms outstretched. If he just strangled her, closed off her windpipe, silenced her, shut her up, then this would all be over. “Oh Nari…what have you done?” He cried, “Why???”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Janny, you…you don’t know what you’re doing. You’re… you’re…this isn’t you,” she stumbled backward as he closed in, “Hades! Heeellllp…</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Haaades</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! NOW!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A swirling dark cloud erupted in the center of the room. As Hades landed in front of them with his three-headed dog in tow, a coolness blanketed the air, calming the fury. For a brief moment.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janus stood, stilled to his core, and gulped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nari squealed and took cover.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey … guys…looks like I’m interrupting a lovers’ spat, but you did call,” Hades grinned at Naribelle, taking a slurp of his margarita. He pushed his sunglasses atop his head, looked around, and cleared his throat, “The place looks good. Glad to see you’re settling in.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Settling in?” Fury swirled within Janus again, and he ran a rough hand through his hair. Disheveled and wild-eyed, his body hummed, and he teetered on the edge of an explosion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hades raised a questioning eyebrow and patted the middle head of his three-headed dog.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janus paused, taking in the scene before him. He sighed, “Um, were you at the Tiki Hut in Florida? My hut?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Indeed, I was. Thank you for the introduction. Great place and you’re right, the best margaritas,” Hades smiled, “So what’s up?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued</span></p></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-80e49d45-7fff-c82f-a23f-08542ad06403"><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you so much for stopping by! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I'd love to hear your thoughts on the third segment of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A Deception</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the comments.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> Missing Part I?</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-1-janus.html">Janus</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Part II? </b><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-ii-siren.html">The Siren</a> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Part IV...coming soon. Stay tuned!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></span></div><p></p></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-44024964666928216032022-11-29T09:11:00.011-08:002022-11-29T12:09:38.099-08:00The Siren<p><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part II of Short Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Deception</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2491794/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1920" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTX5sZkFFUyFtluIJoV01mn7ed2Wer1FIZg1387H9WxJdI7MUcz891X7o2_CDwFxePFOaNndlOk9INl3Z0c-ExSW_W1zvN2XkTKiwkd8LR04ra_VPtn_v2G1RtVWotiFcWIJc496CwmNviNMBmPzXp4diWl0WWF4UhB7WmnkKlb1_8PHIGX3WShQzMw/s320/shark-2491794_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>📷Credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2491794/">KELLEPICS </a><br /><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-621aa626-7fff-57bf-c1b9-37bc792233a4"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">The Siren</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus silently cursed Hades for dodging his calls and returning messages with messages. Sure, the Lord of the Underworld was busy. The entire Upperworld was screaming toward hell in a flaming handbasket, but there had to be time to return a call, even briefly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">His Siren’s call shook him from his wallowing as Naribelle sang and sang, calling loudly for her evening meal. The softness of her voice echoed through the cavern of bleakness. The music always helped. Janus closed his eyes and exhaled. Opening himself, he braced for the crashing wave of emotion of deaths and lives lived.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The moment her melodies died, the bottoms of the boats opened, sending all the seafarers plunging into the dark waters. Janus experienced it as if he were there. His beautiful Naribelle morphed into a hideous monster with claw-like tentacles, one for each Underworlder. Her mouth opened into a large swirling hole, and she pulled every dying person into her clutches and gobbled them up in one swift movement. Their screams drowned within her. And silence filled the air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus opened his eyes and exhaled, watching as his monster returned to her regular mermaid-like form. The souls floated around her as little lighted orbs passed through her on their way to the Underworld. The white ones, headed to that grand skyscraper at the top, were destined for eternal peace. The red ones were sent straight to the flaming pits of the deep. There was much to be done with them. And a few lone gray ones headed to a waiting room, where they would remain until the administration had time to deal with them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">With his atrocious work over for the day, the Two-Faced God retreated into the barren lighthouse. A subtle wave of his arms turned the drab space into a cozy-ish living room, complete with a roaring fire. At the end of the day, Naribelle craved the relaxation and warmth of domestic life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> For a moment, he stood and let the heat of the fire wash over him, imagining it was the sun and it was everywhere. Lost in the warmth, he had to admit this place </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">quiet and peaceful, and his love did thrive with this never-ending supply of flesh, all for her taking. An assignment to devour humans meant no sneaking around and no accidental deaths.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus thought about their escapades over the centuries, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. A hungry unhappy siren could destroy an innocent town in a matter of days. Once, an out-of-sorts hangry Naribelle gobbled up a pair of deep-sea divers. Eating tourists always drew attention and led to life on the run from both mortals and gods. For the moment, their debts were paid, and this extended favor to Hades should warrant a bit of reward. Where would they go next?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Jan! Janny! Where are you, darling?” Naribelle’s voice had a high mortal shrill to it. Nails on a chalkboard to most, but to Janus, it had a sweet singsong twang.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> “At the top of the lighthouse, Nari.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Prattling on, she made her way up the spiral staircase, “What a fantastic feast today! Did you hear the screams? Most were fear of this place, not of me, which is always a refreshing change, especially when I’m doing the good work of the Lord of the Underworld.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus rolled his eyes. The mere mention of Hades’ name put him in a mood again, but he plastered on a smile for his love.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">She entered the room and whistled, “Aawww, Janny, it looks great in here. I love the way you’ve rearranged. It’s all wooded cabin and rustic. It’s perfect, and that sofa looks cozy enough for two,” She kissed him on the lips before she fell onto the couch and patted the space next to her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is about this place you find so alluring. It’s dreadful… and drafty …and ghastly…,” He shook his head and walked to the wet bar instead. He poured her a glass of wine and crossed the room.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">She accepted the glass, took a sip of the wine, and licked her lips, “Darling, it’s lovely in here right now. Why can’t you embrace this? We’re so far from people, and the menu is sublime.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know, but this was supposed to be a temporary gig, and you know I much prefer the southern hemisphere. I’m not going to lie; I am about at my wit's end, darling. Hades said six weeks.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m sure he’ll be in touch soon, Jan,” Naribelle took another sip of her wine. Letting the shoulder of her wrap slide off, she patted the space next to her again, “Janny, darling, don’t you want to enjoy the giddiness of my spoils?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m not in the mood, Nari,” He walked to the window. Looking outside at the vast nothingness, his hatred for this situation grew inside him. Add in the feeling of being taken advantage of by an old friend and his deep-rooted inner craving for sunshine and margaritas, and his face slipped. He turned, and a storm erupted, “Who in all the hells does Hades think he is? Leaving us here in this land of death and nowhere to take care of his work? Returning messages with messages. Maybe I should summon him right now and give him a piece of my…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">To Be Continued</span></p><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a name='more'></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d3e41ea5-7fff-0e49-0fd0-a00d1f4f2fb2"><p dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you so much for stopping by! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I'd love to hear your thoughts on the second segment of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A Deception</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the comments.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> Missing Part I?</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-deception-part-1-janus.html">Janus</a> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Part III...coming soon. Stay tuned!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p><div style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-81086334038707458492022-11-19T09:11:00.037-08:002022-11-29T12:10:37.562-08:00Janus<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Part I of Short Story:</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> A Deception</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It started as a</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 24-hour contest</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, became a </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scribophile ‘desolate place’ contest</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and then morphed into an entry for the </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">L. Ron Hubbard Future Writers of America contest</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (where it won an </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Honorable Mention</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do hope you enjoy <b>Janus</b>, the first of four installments in this short story about a god (or two), a siren, and an entrance to the Underworld.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2861107/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1920" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpcQMMYw8uYghejnRU_rgBgAScRYq9TY_v_AABvwWwmy0qsXzgy2TATrpT7yz9Fa8zbpU2Xy2L6Df-MKMVBEWN5HEFOuBV9YacwCV2ELBw6B7hLz9J3fccVm2i3zp-UEKILvWXKsayM3fBtCVjU_eZwc7vecqQAKdSu6pi4aRA37VDSToVfjMimJtSQ/s320/hd-wallpaper-2861107_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>📷Credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2861107/">KELLEPICS <span><a name='more'></a></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Come on, old friend,” said Hades, looking entirely out of place drinking a margarita at the Tiki Hut on a beach in the Florida Keys. He stroked his beard, pulled down his sunglasses, and met Janus’ gaze, “Look, man, you know I wouldn’t ask, but things up here are a bit out of control, and it’s radically affecting the systematic way I run things downstairs. I should have most of it sorted out in a month or two, but I only need you guys to guard the Entrance to the Underworld for six weeks. Tops. Plus, Naribelle,” he glanced at the voluptuous beauty sunning herself oceanside, “she’s a natural. Six weeks is all I need…promise…”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">That had been six months ago. Janus pulled his lined trench tighter and exhaled a large puff of hot air as he looked down from the top of the dilapidated lighthouse. Before him lay his temporary kingdom, half of which lay in ruin underwater and half lay in ruin on land.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Six bloody months ago. Now, Hades was MIA. The lines of meat-suits were longer and longer. The temperature dropped and the days shortened. The pain worsened every time. It was miserable. And never-ending.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">His face twisted into a grimace. As far as he could see, there was nothing but sea and rock. Vast slabs of earth jutted from the waters, stabbing the air. The icy wind sliced through him, and he nestled into his coat and scarf, shoving his gloved hands deep into his pockets. He longed to flee this prison for the warmth of the sunny south.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">And in truth, it wasn’t even the time Janus minded. Six months was a long weekend to an immortal god but spending any more time than necessary in this situation was pure dreadful hell. He stood at the top of one frozen, rocky, nowhere island in the middle of the Siberian Sea. Certainly, no Tiki Hut here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">But Janus understood the importance and his purpose here. To regular living creatures, this island was a chilling vision of haunted devastation, a tragic place of terror and conjecture. To the dying, this was an entrance to the Underworld, guarded by Janus, the Two-Faced God, and his Siren companion, Naribelle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Hades had been right; the Upperworld was a mess. Even detached as he was, Janus had heard the rumors. And he understood Hydras were temperamental manic creatures, but Hades needed to get this under control. Six months here was taking its toll as Janus’ controlled face slipped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A bit of heat sparked, right in his center, bringing him out of his misery. The silhouette of her long, lithe body swam in the distance with the brilliant orange sun setting behind her. Her magical song echoed everywhere in the desolate nothingness, and his mouth twisted into a sly smile. Janus endured this for her, and she was blissfully happy here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A luminous gibbous moon cut through the darkening sky as the evening fleet of Underworlders rounded one of the protruding rocks. Three large ships sliced through the chunks of the frozen waters in the East Siberian Sea. A large influx of mortals, morning, noon, and night, was becoming the norm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Naribelle would be pleased with this last feast of the day. From sunup to sundown, she sang. Sweet melodies and classical notes all strewn together guided the boats here. Then she voraciously tore all their flesh away before their souls entered their final resting place. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">ALL mortal dead entered the Underworld. Experiences there differed, depending on the weight of their souls when they arrived. The lighter ones floated to a continued existence of peace, tranquility, and luxury. The heaviest souls were dragged deep into the fiery pits for torture and a lot of pain. There was a hierarchy and a system to it all. However, speculations were rampant that it was all in peril.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As a younger Two-Faced God-in-Training, Janus had spent decades studying his own faces and those of others. There was no better way to observe the many facets of humans other than in the Underworld. Pure soulful truths scream in the world below. For decades he’d split his time between torturing souls in the depths of the hellish pits of Tartarus to enjoying peace in the luxury of the high rise. Once, he even had a cabin in the Elysium Fields. It had allowed him to learn to master his own faces. But at this moment in the 21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">st</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> century, he was grappling to control this northern face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> The brutal sting of wind burned through him. Yes, the cold was dreadful. And yes, he hated the rigidity of the attire. Wingtips and ties paled in comparison to flip flops and trunks. But mostly, it was the internal pain that tore through him at every feeding.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Every time the dying entered their final destination, Janus felt it. The bleakness of the space around him allowed all of it to pour into him. Their lives flashed through his soul. The terror and agony of the damned ripped him apart. Sometimes the peace and comfort of the blessed balanced it all. But tonight, tonight’s load was a heavy burden. He hated this part, and it made this situation so much worse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Janus silently cursed Hades for dodging his calls and returning messages with messages. Sure, the Lord of the Underworld was busy. The entire Upperworld was screaming toward hell in a flaming handbasket, but there had to be time to return a call, even briefly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">To Be Continued</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><!--more--></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Thank you so much for stopping by.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I'd love to hear your thoughts on the first segment of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">A Deception</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> in the comments section.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> Stay tuned for Part II. Coming soon!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac2be629-7fff-a73a-bebc-11b8d6c677b5" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">~Aspen ✌️</span></p></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-2938638673252221162022-11-07T09:11:00.020-08:002023-11-20T07:12:35.495-08:00A Tongue-in-Cheek Musing: Finger Politics<p> <span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now for something completely different…</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d695f448-7fff-3d5e-7fa8-dfea1997a0b0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*I will warn you this is a VERY tongue-in-cheek problem-solving tactic. If you lack a sense of humor and/or have no appreciation for imagination riddled with dark twistedness, this is probably NOT for you. </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVD0CU1JDTgVBAU4cEsd958tGaAKfYAygK2wJEzFdi49i_nfxP8KLoKhVpoOyg9JolDXnX2RAZ8TiibamzY9wMRxTLnBbhv9rVGR0yyk2p4JE_02SNmDdq1yN6Vnik7rVRB-_5jC3sX6S5iyRQcD2yKFWHxrXIQIv6FbRJz9BSR1B4aiA5PyjCcCKEA/s1920/hands-600497_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVD0CU1JDTgVBAU4cEsd958tGaAKfYAygK2wJEzFdi49i_nfxP8KLoKhVpoOyg9JolDXnX2RAZ8TiibamzY9wMRxTLnBbhv9rVGR0yyk2p4JE_02SNmDdq1yN6Vnik7rVRB-_5jC3sX6S5iyRQcD2yKFWHxrXIQIv6FbRJz9BSR1B4aiA5PyjCcCKEA/s320/hands-600497_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face=""Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #191b26; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin: initial; padding: initial; text-align: center; white-space: normal;">📷 </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span style="color: #191b26; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin: initial; padding: initial; text-align: center; white-space: normal;">Credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stokpic-692575/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=600497" style="color: #191b26; cursor: pointer; margin: initial; outline: none; padding: initial;">stokpic</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=600497" style="color: #191b26; cursor: pointer; margin: initial; outline: none; padding: initial;">Pixabay</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0c0dbdf5-7fff-57e6-72c6-dd7fe1b05ed4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Finger Politics</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What’s the best thing about the 21st century? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Political ads come right to your phone. No need to drive or get the mail or turn on a TV; those toxic messages are delivered DIRECTLY to me. Best thing ever.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope that was read with sarcasm, an eye roll, or at least a scoff. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">With the constant barrage of spam to my phone, I started thinking about all that goes into election propaganda… the massive quantities of time, money, and energy. Then there’s the side effect of toxic disruptions and interruptions from every media outlet, trash from signs, flyers, mailers, etc… and now direct delivery? I’ll insert my own eye roll! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Seriously though, being a compassionate solutions-minded human, I’ve got to wonder if it wouldn’t be better to channel that immense force into something more positive, like ending homelessness, investing in mental wellness, cleaning up cities, reinvesting and refining old and dilapidated infrastructures, positively impacting education (psst...replace the political figureheads with good quality educational leaders at the helm, and the system will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong.).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I digress.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">ANYWAY, how do we clean up the political propaganda? </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Finger Politics </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This idea originated in 2018. On the way to work, I’d pull out onto Tropicana and there was nothing but a sea of political signs. Every corner was littered with faces and slogans. Every f#cking corner. As if a morning commute isn’t bad enough (*insert eye roll*). Now that elections are looming in 2022, and spam is blowing up my phone, I’ve decided to revisit an old idea.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What is </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Finger Politics</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">? Each candidate…at every level…in any capacity…pledges to stand behind and back TEN issues/policies throughout their term. Every time they actively go against anything they pledged to do, they get a finger cut off. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">For example, I’m an elected official, and one of my campaign promises was to increase funding for public education, but then I voted against it, or I did anything to intentionally stand in the way of getting funding for public education; I would lose a finger. However, if I voted to increase funding and it still didn’t pass, I’d get to keep my finger. It’s not about always finding success; it’s about following through with what I promised my constituents I would do. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Plus, with glaring truths at our fingertips (pun intended), there would be no need for dramatic, over-the-top smear campaigns. All ads would be in the same format: a picture of the candidates’ faces with fingers held high and all their pertinent information on the bottom: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Dale Smith, 7 fingers, 4 years in office</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Paula Doe, 3 fingers, 8 years in office</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Stephanie Nobody, 9 fingers, 15 years in office</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">On the back of their face/finger card, every candidate would have the opportunity to explain the finger loss(es) and/or tout any accomplishments, like how they kept their current fingers. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">One card. That’s it. Think of all the money and time saved. Plus, all the waste that’s not wasted! Not only does it clean up a literal mess of papers and trash, but there is also a bit of accountability tucked in there. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Finger Politics</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> may seem a bit harsh and unconventional, but it should only be worrisome for those who lie. An honest person would have nothing to worry about. And it really could be a highly effective way to streamline the overwhelming mayhem of intrusive monstrosities that have become political propaganda. Besides, aren’t we all a bit tired of the dishonest, corrupt mess politics has become?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In conclusion, <b>Finger Politics</b> has many benefits: Less trash in landfills. No more phone spam. No more signage on the roads. No more flyers in mailboxes. No more ads on the TV. No more toxic rhetoric. PLUS, an added element of accountability.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As an added bonus, there would be less need to pursue term limits. Once you’re out of fingers, you’re out. After all, it’s <b>Finger Politics</b>. Not Nub Politics. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Want to keep your fingers? Say what you mean and mean what you say. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Finger Politics</b> could be a<b> </b>simple solution to growing and unnecessary problems. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-81736483956936780952022-10-26T09:11:00.003-07:002022-10-26T11:43:27.883-07:00An Honorable Mention<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am thrilled to have earned an Honorable Mention in the <b>L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest </b>for my story </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Deception, </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> short little tale about a god, a siren, and an entrance to the Underworld. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sneak peek at the opening below. Stay tuned as I share more over the next few weeks.</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGanN21H2ecrOiMu1LFRhSYsvuHk2wp4bp9w4ToTBMHWJFTOMJ_z9eCUahp4HCbeNAkEx7kjEH6ZA-LzcYmZLVfY0wgqT2DDaeTbG_QpAbUgVBvE2JXZEwsxfPEbV5UZEAnEzizaIRotX5Y71yKERiVR4hXVBtcqxdtMB3v2lg_0lMVmT6Y1cm5jeWbg/s3296/Honorable%20Mention.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3296" data-original-width="2544" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGanN21H2ecrOiMu1LFRhSYsvuHk2wp4bp9w4ToTBMHWJFTOMJ_z9eCUahp4HCbeNAkEx7kjEH6ZA-LzcYmZLVfY0wgqT2DDaeTbG_QpAbUgVBvE2JXZEwsxfPEbV5UZEAnEzizaIRotX5Y71yKERiVR4hXVBtcqxdtMB3v2lg_0lMVmT6Y1cm5jeWbg/w309-h341/Honorable%20Mention.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8a8450ab-7fff-b9e7-a648-4c21c79bbb35"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Deception</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 12pt 0pt 10pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Come on, old friend,” said Hades, looking entirely out of place drinking a margarita at the Tiki Hut on a beach in the Florida Keys. He stroked his beard, pulled down his sunglasses, and met Janus’ gaze, “Look, man, you know I wouldn’t ask, but things up here are a bit out of control, and it’s radically affecting the systematic way I run things downstairs. I should have most of it sorted out in a month or two, but I only need you guys to guard the Entrance to the Underworld for six weeks. Tops. Plus, Naribelle,” he glanced at the voluptuous beauty sunning herself oceanside, “she’s a natural. Six weeks is all I need…promise…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2pt 0pt 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p></p></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2228; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-32c7ce92-7fff-0016-9eb1-95cb54a39f63" style="font-weight: normal;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you so much for your continued support. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. Until next time. ✌️</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">~Aspen</span></p><div><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-23995849215284147192022-10-12T09:11:00.005-07:002023-11-20T07:12:43.129-08:00Family Business Part 11: Connection<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The finale in Em De Mone saga (for now)...</span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-40462/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1280" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndzXSC69KwMppN_VHXB83ge4orll1u-KHE053C6yMcq7FJ6BFDQxLjLkg6LEO0s6gFqfuMZeo15Tn0T0I1lKIhVCDN12Dx82fGsUNpAX2gMLMJZmQZXzmhwI8pDF1LzDeSe6mpMPxLESxaABP-GpbHOCom1cmt7Q1HsQOL6UqqAw56qcPJUcLgfll_g/w199-h186/celtic-40462_1280.png" width="199" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo credit: Thank you, </b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-40462/">Free-Vector-Images / 29539</a></b></span><b style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 📸</b></span><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><!--more--></span></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-7b291a14-7fff-a66a-db42-30cd01f9de6a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Connection</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was I</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hungry</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Yes, of course, I was always hungry, but was he kidding right now? I couldn’t comprehend anything else but the issue at the forefront of my mind, “You just gambled with me being able to stop that bullet with my mind? You’ve never even met me. And you have no idea what kind of power I have, and you’re thinking about food?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, yes,” my dad said with a wry smile, “And I can think about food because I always knew you’d be fine.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How could you know that?” I screamed. “That lunatic pointed a gun at my face and fired!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dad’s gaze sharpened as he walked toward me. He pushed up his sleeve and pointed to the tattoo on his inner forearm, “Because of this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There, on his arm, were three swirls connected at the center, forming a circle of sorts with thick black borders. One of the spirals was gray and the other two were flesh-colored. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I recognized the symbol, “Is that a Celtic Triskele? The Spiral of Life?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes," Surprise followed by pride shot through his eyes, “That is exactly what that is.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stood a little taller.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Crossing his arms, he leaned against the counter and started talking, “A long time ago, before your mom, I hung out with a woman named Astrid, her daughter, and an odd little feline familiar. Astrid very powerful Celtic witch and a descendant of the Arianrod, the goddess of fertility, rebirth, and the weaving of cosmic time and fate. Big stuff,"</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> He paused to make sure I was following. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gave a nod. I was. A little.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">"As you can imagine, she had a long list of enemies and there was one time</span> I saved her family from a terrible fate. Astrid was grateful and practical. She knew her enemies were now my enemies, and they would come for me and maybe one day my kin. So she rewarded and protected me with three lives. One for each life I saved.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So…” was all I got out as I followed his line of thinking. If I were his daughter, then I would have three lives also. But that was crazy. And untrue. “I don’t…” I rolled up my sleeves and held out my arms. “See?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That symbol appeared nowhere on my arms or anywhere else, which means…I’m not his kin. My world jiggled and teetered for a moment. So I didn’t belong here either? My lungs tightened. I was going to hyperventilate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Slow down and breathe. Of course, you belong here. Jeez, you’re gonna have to work on containing your stressors,” My dad pulled a knife out of his pocket, “The Spiral has to be activated.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I could ask questions, he was in front of me with the sharp blade open and ready, “I'm not gonna lie; I’ve been looking forward to this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Um…” I exhaled. Everything was happening so fast. I wanted to take a step back, but I didn’t want to miss one thing, “H-how do we activate it?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Usually death,” he said without hesitation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My stomach fell to the floor. Was my father about to kill me?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Relax,” the corners of his mouth turned up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was he messing with me?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My blood also activates it,” he said as he ran the blade along the palm of his hand and squeezed three droplets of blood onto the center of my left forearm. He smeared it with his thumb and held my arm taut, “Brace yourself. This is gonna hurt.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“OOWWW,” came rushing out of my mouth as a burning blazed at the center of my arm. Deep inside. It was thick and dense, but it moved and changed. Then I could feel them, swirls and whirls formed at the bone and searing their way outward. Then they were inscribed into my flesh. The thick black border sizzled blue and blackened as a new power surged from the tips of my toes to the top of my skull. All of my curvy tendrils were flesh-colored. Then the pain stopped as suddenly as it began. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grabbed a towel off the counter, wiped the blood away, and stared at it. Holy hells. There was a Spiral of Life etched on my arm. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So you see,” said my dad, “I knew that even if he did shoot you, while not at all ideal, your time on earth would not have ended. Because of our… connection.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Uh-huh,” I said, looking at him. Not sure where to go after learning I had a Celtic blessing embedded in my life, um lives, now. “I took a deep breath and focused on the facts, “And how is it you knew for sure I was yours?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think he wanted to roll his eyes at me, but he didn’t. “For one, I’d say it’s more than obvious. Not only is our resemblance striking, and you’re a mirror image of my twin sister. But Granny checked. And I wouldn’t have played that card hadn’t I been sure.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hmmm,” I looked at him, “Okay, so what about Danny Wellman?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This time he did roll his eyes like a salty teenager, “Who is Danny Wellman?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The spirit with the missing eyeball? Where this whole thing started?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Right…the spirit…tortured soul…missing gift of sight… my bad. They found a way to release his soul to the next life, so he’s at peace, but the eyeball is still in the wind.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s gross,” I looked at him and narrowed my eyes, “So are you sticking around?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Look,” my dad cleared his throat, “I know we have a lot of things to talk about, but if I don’t get food like soon, things could…will,” he took a deep breath, “get bad. Horrid. Terrible.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pancakes?” I asked, rubbing my arm. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Anything you want, kid,” he said and rested his hand on my shoulder as we walked out of my apartment. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The End</span></p></span><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700;"><!--more--></span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"></b></b></span></h4><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: bold; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope you enjoyed this Em De Mone short story, and I would love to hear your thoughts </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: normal; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">about the final installment of </span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Family </i></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><i>Business!<br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">There will be more Em at some point, but next, I have a little tale of a god, a voracious siren, and an entrance to the Underworld. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span><i>A Deception</i> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">coming soon.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">THANK YOU for your continued support!<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span></span></span></span></div></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></p></h4><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: bold; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span>👇Need more Em De Mone?👇</span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Go back to the beginning. <br /></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold;"><i>Family Business</i> </b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 1:</span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;"> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>OR </b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Go back to BEFORE the Family.<br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone: </b></span></span></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-weight: bold;"><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></span></div></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: x-large;"><div style="white-space: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><b></b></span></b><div style="font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><b></b></span></b></div></div></div></div></span></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><div style="white-space: normal;"><b style="color: #0f1419; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><div style="font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div></span></div></b></span></b></div></div></span></h4></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"></div></span></span><p></p></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-13285426006390498282022-10-05T09:11:00.002-07:002023-11-20T07:12:45.842-08:00Family Business Part 10: Death or Life-ish<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latest in the life of Em De Mone... </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2082048/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vb0pVCaqx9woDUql9crCTp3I48KaPc1dD2gmSezocFJMlTMuoV3EzJppvcKBhkwk8UjjHsuo13Zhoa0OiRlNKt2I_g_YSqU2lEjZfZfImWTkgtRjPLUg15ypPdwjRxquS0G3KNj_rmoZO83llohK_sVpUFuX9VQ7SEhBxeED6vuKJkjN85y211MrvQ/s320/challenge-2082048_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-81ef8243-7fff-d7e6-6b49-79dee34c9da7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Death or Life-ish</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What the fuck is it NOW?” Nikki screamed at the voice beyond the door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s Sarah,” My aunt responded, “I’m here to help.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My shoulders relaxed, and I let out a sigh of relief. I leaned over to Violet, “It’s almost over.” She let out a soft whimper and nodded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah’s arrival was just the distraction I needed to bring the bullet into my hand. With the magic barrier down, I now had an advantage, but I waited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I knew she’d come,” Nikki, smug with hubris, never even paused to check the peephole before he pulled open the door. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I hope you don’t mind,” said Sarah, entering the apartment, “I brought some friends to make this easier for everyone.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A bevy of men followed her through the door—all in identical suits, sunglasses, and guns.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s going on? I don’t need your men? I have plenty,” Nikki spun around.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, these aren’t my men. That guy back there,” Sarah pointed to the one in the leather vest and dirty boots, then gave Nikki a lethal smile, “He’s mine, and if there were more of them, they would’ve broken the door down and snapped your neck.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why didn’t that happen?” Bass, relaxed with his legs up on the couch, interrupted his sister.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I convinced Paddy to give diplomacy a try first,” Sarah said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bass nodded, “Hmph, good for him.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What the hell is going on here?” Nikki’s face reddened. He looked like he was about to blow his top until one last person entered the fray. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything in the room shifted.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In walked a man. Tall and commanding, he was dressed in the finest Italian silk, and not a single hair was out of place. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Richard,” Nikki hissed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Niklaus,” Richard said, “It pains and distresses me the De Mone’s are having problems with a member of our family. Especially after we all agreed to adhere to certain rules and bylaws. Yet here you are, kidnapping young women.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And burning them with cigarettes,” Bass added.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cigarettes? Really?” said Richard. “Such class, dear brother.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I handle my business my way,” Nikki shouted, “Besides, what are <i>you</i> going to do about it?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Richard clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the room, “First, we’re going to untie these young women. Sarah, I have a doctor on call.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you, Rich,” Sarah said. She was at my side, resting a hand on my shoulder. With a gentle squeeze, she sent reassurance and a message: say nothing and stay put. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dad nodded, and I understood. Don’t let any of them know I got through the Magical shield. Even though they were our allies, they weren’t.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Our medical people are right downstairs,” Sarah leaned over to untie our ropes, “I’m going to take Violet right now, but Bass and Em will finish up here. I’ll stop by your office this week, and we’ll wrap up this matter.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course, Sarah, again, please accept my sincerest apologies,” Richard said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s all but forgotten, as long as it’s over,” Sarah said, lightly brushing her lips to Richard’s cheek before she looked back to Bass, still uncommonly relaxed on my couch, “See you at home,” she called and followed the club member carrying Violet out the door. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki opened his mouth to protest, but my dad gave his little cluck-head-shake combo, silencing him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Richard cleared his throat and took control. “Your time for talking is over, brother. At this point, you have a choice. I will give you two options, but you will decide which is best for you. And now I suggest you listen carefully and give each one some serious thought. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slumping into a chair, Nikki nodded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Richard glared down at his brother with his hands behind his back, “Choice one: Death. Stay here with Bass De Mone; he will take you into the desert and make you disappear, one dismembered body part at a time.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki’s eye’s widened, and he looked to my dad, who tipped his head and confirmed this to be true. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Choice two: Life. Turn yourself over to your own family, but not like the times before, Niklaus. You will be entered into a facility and rehabilitated or heavily medicated for the rest of your days. You will live a life of sorts and continue to breathe air. The choice is yours.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So death and dismemberment or a padded room to drool all over myself?” Nikki tossed back his head, “That’s rich, you prick.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve been too kind and forgiving over the last years, brother. This is the last time I will allow you to disgrace this family.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki curled his lip and glowered, then gave a dramatic huff, “Fine, I’ll take Life-ish.” There was nothing left to say. Getting up, he walked out of my apartment. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Bass,” Richard extended his hand, “Like I told Sarah, I appreciate your family letting my family handle this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dad stood up and held out his hand, “And like she said, this better be over,” then he leaned into Richard, “You don’t want to make Sarah an enemy. Between you and me, she’s the only person I’m scared of,” He grinned and patted the man on the back, “Now, if you don’t mind…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course,” Richard waved his arm, and the rest of his people exited. He followed them out, closing the door behind him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was alone. With my dad. For the first time in my life. What should I say? Should we hug? I was a little ticked that he was willing to send a bullet into me at point-blank range. But maybe I should ask about Danny Wellman, the beginning of this whole mess. Or I could just start with </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hello</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I wanted to fidget. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spoke first, “You hungry?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whoa, <i>what</i>?” My jaw dropped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued</span></p></span></div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-2082048/">Wuestensohn2000</a> 📷</span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><!--more--></span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Loving </span><i>Family Business</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I'd love to hear your thoughts unless you'd like to keep reading.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">👇Check out more of Em De Mone below. 👇</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks so much for stopping by!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span>Read ahead.<br /></span><span>Part 11: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/10/family-business-part-11-connection.html">Connection</a></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go back. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 1: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 2:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-2-seance-in-shop.html"><b>Séance in the Shop<br /></b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b><span>Part 3: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-3-mannys-old-town.html">Manny's Old Town Saloon and Gambling Hall<br /></a></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 4: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-4-foundation-room.html">The Foundation Room</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 5: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-reinforcements.html">Reinforcements</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 6:<span> </span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-so-it-begins.html">So It Begins</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 7: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-7-unprepared.html">Unprepared</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 8:<span> </span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/09/family-business-part-8-kidnapped.html">Kidnapped</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 9: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/09/family-business-part-9-man.html">The Man</a></b></span></div><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c4b092d8-7fff-cf05-24e2-7014a1fcf161" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Did you miss the</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone? Catch up here:</b></div></span></div></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"></b></span></b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><div style="font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><b style="color: #0f1419; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="color: #0f1419; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"></b><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div></span></div></b></span></b></div></div></span></h4></b></span></b></div></span></span></div><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-50150311267048798012022-09-22T09:11:00.002-07:002023-11-20T07:12:49.467-08:00Family Business Part 9: The Man<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latest in the life of Em De Mone... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-5777524/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1372" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYNlQcl7bUHYhYl8caLFDKb7c-xURGsqrxxkCbvAFfoOBC7M58-iY_UeZnLO7BJ_89bB3YCtQ3-xNdoRRl8wQE_LCsBAJac2nTD1qgkTaSyigfcYyVwN3xUpCWygrzego7oTsaCUCsWSxpx9bMV9TohBuFDNizoqdTWRoSV5OeWn_MxMQBx1K2wQgBA/s320/man-5777524_1920.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-89a6db15-7fff-3ea6-79a1-34845a2510fb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Man</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guns came out from all over. Everyone of Nikki’s goons was cocked and ready. The biggest one pulled open my front door and backed out of the way. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There in the doorway stood a man. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was tall, and he held his hands up in surrender. His shoulders were relaxed, and one corner of his mouth curved in amusement. He ignored all the weaponry pointed at him and waltzed through the door with his gaze fixed on me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, well, if it isn’t the legendary and treacherous Sebastian ‘the Bastard’ De Mone,” my captor said with an exaggerated bow, “thrilled you could make it, Bass.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nikki Chambers? Is that you?” the man asked, making casual conversation while two goons searched him and pulled a gun from each side of his torso, “Grown up a bit, huh?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One goon reached for the machete strapped to the man’s leg, but the man made a noise, like a cluck out of the side of his mouth, and shook his head no. The goon backed away. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man dropped his arms and sauntered into the room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That man was my dad, and saunter is the only way I can explain it. He was calm and collected, like he was strolling through the park on a beautiful Sunday morning. It didn’t seem to phase him one bit that at least six men had guns pointed at him, his kid was tied to a chair, and this was a volatile situation. By the way, we (me and my dad) have never actually met.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How’s the family?” My dad asked, giving me a curt nod before he plopped onto the couch and put his feet on the coffee table. The machete was still strapped to his leg. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s not my family you should be worried about, </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bass</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” Nicky spat back, waving a gun of his own.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Family was a trigger for this lunatic. I saw it clear as day. So did my dad.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Family can be a pain-in-the-ass for sure, and my pain-in-the-ass tracked me down and told me I needed to deal with you,” said Bass, “So here I am.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah yes, and you came running,” Nikki grinned, clearly thrilled with himself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did,” My dad folded his hands on his lap, and a thin line formed on his lips, but his eyes danced.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why Bass, you seem amused,” Nikki taunted. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do I? Because I’m not,” My dad leaned in, planting his feet on the floor and this elbows on his knees. But I am curious. Why on earth didn’t you let sleeping dogs lie? You could’ve flown under the radar with a small demon hive for the rest of your life, but you had to get greedy and mess with my family. The pain-in-the-ass that they are, they are mine to deal with, not yours. Plus, you hit my mom with a tire iron, kidnapped my kid, harmed two witches, and beat up a basketball star,” Bass gave a sardonic laugh before he continued, “And you think I’m amused. Truth be told, you’re lucky I don’t jump up and snap your neck right now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Still such a fool, Bass De Mone,” Nikki nodded, and the guns pointed at my dad turned toward me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gulped. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It seems you need a reminder,” said Nikki. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you say so,” My father’s jaw clenched ever so slightly, but his voice remained even, “Look, now that I’m here like you wanted, why don’t you point all your guns back at me and let these women go? There’s no need to hold them hostage anymore.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nikki shook his head as beads of sweat coated his forehead. He gripped his gun, pointed it at Bass, and screamed, “Leverage…I have it!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You may, for the moment,” My dad’s voice was razor sharp, “But let me be clear, you kill either of these women, and I will kill you before you or any of your men can get to me. Then, my family will hunt and kill everyone in this room and everyone they love, including your family…you’re mom’s still alive, isn’t she? Of course, we wouldn’t crack her upside the head with a tire iron. Granny would probably give her a nice shot of poison.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s not going to happen!” Nikki shouted, losing his composure, “I’m in charge.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Indeed,” My dad stifled a yawn, “So do something with it.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watched as Nikki's eyes bulged and the veins in his neck pulsed wildly. I wondered if my dad knew he was inciting this guy, who was already simmering dangerously close to a meltdown. Nikki waved his gun at me and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. I thought he might be having a stroke.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the slightest whisper, I heard it, “His magical shield is down, Em.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enraged and out of control, Nikki pulled the trigger. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I closed my eyes and sent all my telekinetic force toward the bullet, stopping it mid-air—inches from my face. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good girl,” Bass whispered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I exhaled and held the bullet still with my mind, ensuring I had total control. Opening my eyes, I met Nikki’s raised eyebrows and turned the bullet to face him, “Disarm your men, or I will send this into your brain, you dick.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One by one, each goon set his gun on the table next to my dad’s feet and took several steps back. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How?” Nikki turned to me with wild eyes as he spiraled into turmoil. His gun was pressed to his temple, “What are you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I opened my mouth to give him some smart-ass retort, but I caught the subtle shake of my dad’s head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there is a knock on the door. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re gonna want to get that, Man-in-Charge,” My dad said with a smile. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Photo credit: Thank you,<a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-5777524/"> ArtTower</a> 📷</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></h4><b style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Loving </span><i>Family Business</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I'd love to hear your thoughts unless you'd like to keep reading.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">👇Check out more of Em De Mone below. 👇</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks so much for stopping by!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span>Read ahead.<br /></span><span>Part 10: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/10/family-business-part-10-death-or-life.html">Death or Life-ish</a></span><span><br /></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go back. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 1: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 2:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-2-seance-in-shop.html"><b>Séance in the Shop<br /></b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b><span>Part 3: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-3-mannys-old-town.html">Manny's Old Town Saloon and Gambling Hall<br /></a></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 4: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-4-foundation-room.html">The Foundation Room</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 5: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-reinforcements.html">Reinforcements</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 6:<span> </span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-so-it-begins.html">So It Begins</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 7: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-7-unprepared.html">Unprepared</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 8: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/09/family-business-part-8-kidnapped.html">Kidnapped</a></b></span></div><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c4b092d8-7fff-cf05-24e2-7014a1fcf161" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Did you miss the</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone? Catch up here:</b></div></span></div></span></span></span></span></h4></b><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></span></h4><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal;"><span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div></span></div></b></span></b></div><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-55848604780953388462022-09-06T21:11:00.006-07:002023-11-20T07:12:52.330-08:00Family Business Part 8: Kidnapped<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latest in the life of Em De Mone... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/YbHFrt7-9Lc?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1R_b04EkaWemqWEKgC5fsj30xvekORt31XiM-96O0m6xR50mVu7zMTob5EPnjIATGttebYV4Om8eshWAs2w95m6xbf11ZvqSj67eDBqr7kS-UV3kdy-_9i0V9c076NA3Yt_x4fMLbj5CXO99qKnBC6BIgx7CD_VtuVh4XR2eQKQNvyLFD_q97GpU2g/s320/kirill-balobanov-YbHFrt7-9Lc-unsplash.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-af1009a3-7fff-22b1-6714-64b4018f2043"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kidnapped</span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-37546c6a-7fff-23c9-f246-437d79772b94" style="font-weight: normal;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I hear it far away. There’s a piano and maybe a violin or another stringed instrument. Then a crescendo of sound. There are no words, only dark and waning melodies whispering the deepest of terrifying secrets. I couldn’t place the classical piece, but it set an ominous scene, which appropriately translated to my current situation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The fogginess in my mind subsided while pins and needles riddled my body. I was heavy and immobile, not just because I was blindfolded and tied to a chair. I’d been drugged. HARD. I didn’t have much to go on. The only thing I could hear was the music, and the only thing I could smell was me. I’m pretty sure I peed my pants, but I didn’t care at the moment. Between the throbbing in my wrists and the pounding in my head, it was hard to focus on anything else.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What was the last thing I remembered? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The Hell ride down the freeway. The hospital. The parking lot. The tire iron. Granny! Oh, gods!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Silence blanketed the room. Everything shifted, and suddenly the space around me was filled. My senses heightened, and I knew. Six lackey-goon-types lurked around. Another human sat next to me, but she was in bad shape. I had a feeling that was poor Violet. The last being was seated in front of me. Calm and cool. I knew.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The sudden collision of Heavy Metal into my ears and smelling salts under my nose caused my head to snap involuntarily. The ammonia tickled, and I sneezed just as the blindfold came off. One of the many goons jumped back at my spittle. Good. I blinked several times. I was in my living room, tied to a kitchen chair. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Violet was next to me. Her situation was worse than mine, with her head slumped to the side and cigarette burns littering her hands. The rise and fall of her chest was subtle and labored, but she was alive. Thank goodness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“AH…here… she is!” Nikki Chambers gave a smug clap of his hands from the couch in front of me. He looked right at home with one leg casually crossed over the other. “I was wondering when you’d join us. It seems the dose my guys gave you was a bit too much for your body size. Terribly sorry.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I forced a smile as I took a deep breath. This greasy-haired-wiseguy-wannabe wanted to scare me, but I’m a half-witch, half-demon raised in the American foster care system. Even loopy from the drugs and tied to a chair, I didn’t scare that easily. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Plus, I had the home advantage. I tried to tap into any magic, but it was blocked. Probably whatever drugs I’d been given. I would have to rely on my wit and charm. “Mr. Chambers, welcome to my home. Although you should’ve called, I would’ve had snacks.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Em?” Violet gasped. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m here,” I said. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Why you little arrogant little shit, you are just like your father,” Nikki said. He gave the nod, and one of his goons stuck Violet in the neck with a lit cigarette. “It would be in everyone’s best interest for you to take this seriously.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Fuck. This guy was unhinged. I would’ve held up my hands and taken a step back under different circumstances, but instead, I nodded, “Alright, alright, no need to burn my friend. What do you want?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Perceptive girl, I like that,” A self-satisfied smirk crossed his face as he held up my cordless phone, “Let’s call your dad. He and I have some unfinished business. What’s his number?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Confusion took over. I was sure I’d misheard. “Huh?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">That was the wrong answer. One of his goons cold-cocked me right in the jaw. “WHOA…” I screamed and hissed at him. “What the fuck? I didn't hear you. It sounded like you want me to get my dad here. I’ve never even met him. I don’t know his number. And he’s certainly not going to come running.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">The Goon raised his arm to hit me again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“NO!” I screamed. The walls shook. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">His hand froze in mid-air, and his eyes widened, “That’s what you get for beating up little girls, you piece of shit,” Then my gaze shifted to Nikki, “Call your goon off. NOW.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">He snapped his fingers, and the guy faded into the shadows on the side of the room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Nikki got up and walked over to me and stared. “Well, now, that was a cool little parlor trick. Maybe after I deal with your dad, you and I can team up.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’d never get involved with you,” I spat. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s not like I’m really going to give you a choice,” he came closer and eyed me, “Show me something else. Can you free yourself?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Warning bells sounded in my head, so I went on the defensive, “Why? Do you want to steal my power like you stole Danny Wellman’s gift of sight? Bury my body under a casino? Or out in the desert?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">At this, he threw back his head and laughed, “If and when I want you to disappear, you will. Don’t worry.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Well, I hope that works out for you,” I continued, “And I know you have this business with my dad, but in the process, you are also pissing off the rest of my family. A tire iron to my Granny’s head? I’m new here, but they don’t strike me as the kind of folks to take an assault like that very well.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">That was the wrong thing to say.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> At first, I thought it bought me some time when he walked to the window and stared out. I took the quiet to concentrate on getting my hands untied. If I could stop a man’s arm in mid-air, the drugs must have worn off, and I should be able to undo the binding around my wrists. However, none of my usual telekinetic tricks were working.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve shielded your magic and rifled through your apartment for the obvious charms and talismans. That’s why you’re struggling. And also why I’m so impressed you were able to stop Ivan’s hand,” He paused. “I like you, Em. You’re powerful and feisty. You really would make a wonderful addition to my enterprise. And I think you also need to let go of the hope that your family is going to come in here and save the day. I mean, look what I’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time,” At this, he laughed, tight and angry. Muttering under his breath, he began to pace. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This guy was a time bomb. And I did have faith that someone from my family was working to help us. I also knew time was of the essence, and I needed to do what I could to get myself and Violet out of this mess. I tried to tune out his rambling and focus on the knots behind my back. If I could get through his shield once, I could do it again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Violet whimpered. Poor thing was probably in shock and close to passing out again from the pain. There was an immobilization potion on the table disguised as a shot glass. If I could get untied, I could toss it to the floor, freezing Nikki and his goons in place. That was all I needed to grab Violet, throw her over my shoulder, and get us out of here. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Nikki stopped right before me, and his eyes bore into me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Crap. I needed more time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“You really think your family is something special, don’t you, you little witch?” he said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I looked up with my best contrite fearful face. I forced an uncomfortable laugh, “That’s not what I said. Look, my family scares the bejeezus out of me. I just shared a casual observation. But I also don’t know </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">you</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Indeed!” he exclaimed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">That was the right thing to say. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“And you don’t know…you have no idea how much freedom I’ve given back to the demons. Your people.” Nikki ranted and returned to pacing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I didn’t trust good things to come out of my mouth if it opened. So I nodded and returned my focus to getting free. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Danny was the beginning. You know,” He said with a dramatic wave of his arms, “I have always hated how that went down between him and me. I would’ve much preferred to have him, here by my side…instead of…” he rubbed his chest and faded into a memory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">What was around his neck? Was it the dead man’s eye? That seemed pretty egotistical, but that did track with this guy. Perhaps with some luck, I could grab that on my way out and return it to my family. Danny’s soul deserved to be released to the After Realm, but first, I had to get out of here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A knock on the door startled us all. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Who is it?” Nikki screamed as veins pulsed all over his face. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Great, I thought. All we need is some Girl Scout coming by and making this more complicated.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Niklaus, it’s Bass De Mone. Apparently, you and I have some unfinished business and some new business.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Silence. I sucked in my breath. My dad was here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“You gonna open this door? Or am I gonna break it down?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">To Be Continued</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-e0341e96-7fff-b86a-65bd-195b2113706b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt;"></p></span></div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: #0f1419;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></b></span><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Photo credit: Thank you,</span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"> </span></b><a class="N2odk RZQOk Vk1a0 AsGGe pgmwB KHq0c" href="https://unsplash.com/@kbalobanov" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; line-height: 1.35; outline: none; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;"><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: medium;">Kirill Balobanov</span></b></a><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700;">📷<span><!--more--></span></span><b style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Loving </span><i>Family Business</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I'd love to hear your thoughts unless you'd like to keep reading.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">👇Check out more of Em De Mone below. 👇</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks so much for stopping by!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span>Read ahead.<br /></span><span>Part 9: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/09/family-business-part-9-man.html">The Man</a></span><span><br /></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go back. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 1: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 2:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-2-seance-in-shop.html"><b>Séance in the Shop<br /></b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b><span>Part 3: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-3-mannys-old-town.html">Manny's Old Town Saloon and Gambling Hall<br /></a></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 4: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-4-foundation-room.html">The Foundation Room</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 5: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-reinforcements.html">Reinforcements</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 6:<span> </span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-so-it-begins.html">So It Begins</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 7: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-7-unprepared.html">Unprepared</a></b></span></div><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p></h4><h4 style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 36pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c4b092d8-7fff-cf05-24e2-7014a1fcf161" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Did you miss the</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone? Catch up here:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></div></span></div></span></div></span></span></span></h4></b></span><p></p></div>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-3836110075814560902022-08-28T09:11:00.011-07:002022-10-22T06:30:52.181-07:00Family Business Part 7: Unprepared<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latest in the life of Em De Mone... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/prettysleepy-2973588/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1567" data-original-width="1920" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LHwr8R8R8AB8psIuLnVgIfFq_XXS4mkCFOhOXOTQJAKz-2u0-WhSUoEMk7wG0lgF5S_2Px3MIMTpILQIVY9gsBjUrC2hAKuM1Ic1XxYIwJMORi81Y-j0jID3qigcaL_HMZPKmwWMiRi-1V5jBcYvqbdktMN05ERzdS-DstR2iVEMxGPwLHb2Pk21ig/s320/car-3566810_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka,serif; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Unprepared</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cc4540f3-7fff-ea8b-bf98-6ae8a68633e1"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stood in front of the large bay window, cradling a cup of cold coffee in my hands. It was a gorgeous November day, and I tried to admire the view from my grandparents' vast compound in the northwestern area of Las Vegas. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their backyard was a 600-foot mountain. Lone Mountain. I could see people at the top. It was a good hike. On a normal day, I may have joined them. However, today was anything but the usual. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overnight, a close human friend of mine was attacked, and she was still in surgery. Then Granny’s dear friend Rose was in a car accident this morning. Granny fainted when she’d gotten the call and was resting on the couch now.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We didn’t know much other than Nikki Chambers was trying to run my Demon Peace Keeper Family out of town. He was responsible for Renee’s attack, but we were still waiting on news about Rose. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After hastily preparing myself for whatever hell and mayhem the rest of today held. I stared out at the scenery. Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the window, I straightened a few short spikes of hair and tried not to let my imagination run wild. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lovie…” Granny’s voice was a mere whisper.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I turned, she blinked her eyes open and sat up. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey,” I said, glad to have something other than my thoughts to focus on, “how are you feeling?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She took a deep breath and pushed herself into a sitting position. After fluffing her short silver hair, she rubbed her hands together, “I’m ready to get to the hospital and check on Rose and your friend. Plus, we need to be there for Violet.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Huh?” I said. Was she kidding?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She waved her hand at me and glanced over her shoulder, “I’m fine, just a bit of low blood pressure. I took my pill and laid down. It’s time to get back to business.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A second ago, you were on your back snoring…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She cut me off. Standing, she walked to the counter and grabbed her purse and keys to the Cadillac, “Well, I’m not anymore, and this is our opportunity. Neither Sarah nor Paddy will let us out of here. You and I both know that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I could answer, we heard the stomp of her boots as she came down the hall. Sarah. Secretly I was thrilled to see her. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My aunt stood in the archway with her hands on her hips. Her naturally stoic face showed genuine interest, “What are you doing?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nothing,” Granny said, tucking her keys into her purse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What have you got there?” Sarah walked into the kitchen, manhandled Granny, and pocketed the keys to the Cadillac, “Do you think you’re going someplace?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I do. Give me the keys,” Granny said, holding out her hand. “Em and I are going to the hospital. I need to check on Rosie and poor Violet. She must be so scared.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ma, you’re not going anywhere,” Sarah said, her voice softening, “and besides, I have news, and it’s not good.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> bad news? What happened now? Then I knew. I saw a flash of her face somewhere in my subconscious: Violet. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah’s head twisted, and she held my gaze. She knew I knew. How did I know? I had no idea, but that wasn’t the pressing issue. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Returning to focus, Sarah rested a gentle hand on Granny’s shoulder, “Violet’s missing. She never made it to the hospital. The men at her place had to be imposters. I spoke to police dispatch, and the legit Las Vegas Metro PD went to the house and found no one home. Violet still hasn’t appeared at the hospital, and she’s not answering her phone.” her voice trailed off, “We don’t know where she is.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I slumped into the chair and hung my head in my hands. The details made it so much worse. What the hell was happening? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to get to the hospital,” Granny said, standing firm. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re right about that, but you are not going anywhere. You’re staying put. On lockdown.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“By who’s orders?” Granny fumed. “You can tell Paddy…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I’m not telling dad anything,” Sarah said, “Besides, it’s your doctor’s orders. She’s going to be here in 20 minutes to check you out. Today was your second fainting spell in the last three days, Ma.” Sarah gave her mother a pointed look, then met my gaze, “But Em, you’re welcome to come with me if you like.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was right. We needed to find Violet. I was terrified, but my witch powers were growing daily. I had to help if I could. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Good,” Sarah said and then paused, “it might go without saying, but I need to be sure you know what you’re walking into. Grab a potion and a weapon or two. Nikki is sure to have men lurking, and we’ve seen what they’re capable of.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I let out an uncomfortable laugh, “I’ve got a potion case with a handy little variety and an athame strapped to my side. At all times. It’s how I live now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good girl,” Sarah nodded, then looked to her mother, “You need to go lay down.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m fine right now, and I can see you two off,” Granny said. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah studied her, “I’ll be ready in 10 minutes.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granny turned toward me the moment she was gone, “There’s no way I’m staying here, Lovie. Rosie’s my best friend. I have a 10-minute escape window. Are you coming?” Granny said, grabbing her purse and the keys to Sarah’s hellcat off the wall, “I’m not kidding or waiting.” And she was gone, already out the door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fear and adrenaline took over, and I knew I should call for my aunt, but I heard the engine roar. Man, she could move for an old gal. I grabbed my bag, exhaled, said a prayer to the universe, and ran after her. What kind of granddaughter would I be if I let her go all alone?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She reversed the sleek black car and screeched to a stop in front of me, “Get in, Lovie. We’ve no time to waste.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hesitated and shook my head, “Man, Sarah’s gonna be pissed.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’ll be fine,” She said, “Now get your ass in the car, child.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She hit the gas and squealed down the driveway as I slid in before my door was closed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We zoomed down Highway 95 at a speed far greater than I was comfortable with. My leg bounced, and I gripped the oh-shit handle for dear life. For the first time since leaving foster care, I thought about lighting up a cigarette. I rifled through my bag with one hand and found some gum instead. I unwrapped two pieces, chomped loudly while I exhaled, and concentrated on not hyperventilating or dying. Thankfully the drive to the hospital wasn’t too long.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granny didn’t even break as she roared into the parking lot. Two people jumped out of the way as she slammed on the brakes and skidded into an open spot. I put my hands together in a prayer of gratitude and catapulted myself out of the front seat. Thankful for safe passage and the solid ground beneath my feet, I leaned against the car and gave her a pat. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We felt the vibration of motorcycles off in the distance, and Granny looked and me and smiled. “See, Lovie,’ I told you everything would be fine. I know Paddy and Sarah will be angry, but the club will be here soon enough,” Granny said, “Let’s go check on our girls.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Granny, they are going to be so pissed, but yes, I supposed we should, since we’re here…” I said as relief washed over me. I was just about to tell her about the lipstick smeared all over her teeth, but I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Too fast for a human. Too creepy for a hospital. One hand dove into my purse, while the other went to my athame, but I wasn’t fast enough. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And they were on top of us. A Masked Goon swung a tire iron at Granny. THWACK. And she slumped into a huddle in the parking lot.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Granny!” I screamed as several other men grabbed me by the arms. My athame and potion dropped to the ground and skittered out of my reach. I kicked, swung, and growled, anything I could think of to get free. A needle pricked the back of my shoulder and I felt the rush of fluid. I was utterly unprepared for the body numbness that followed, “Gran…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It wasn’t long before I started to drown in the darkness. My mind was fuzzy and lost. The world weebled and wobbled. Then I sank further, and it all went black.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued</span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo credit: Thank you, <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/id-3566810/">PrettysleepyArt</a>. 📷</span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span></span></span></span></p><!--more--><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c4b092d8-7fff-cf05-24e2-7014a1fcf161" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Loving </span><i>Family Business</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I'd love to hear your thoughts unless you'd like to keep reading.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">👇Check out more of Em De Mone below. 👇</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks so much for stopping by!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span>Read ahead.<br /></span><span>Part 8: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/09/family-business-part-8-kidnapped.html">Kidnapped</a></span><span><br /></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go back. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 1: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 2:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-2-seance-in-shop.html"><b>Séance in the Shop<br /></b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b><span>Part 3: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-3-mannys-old-town.html">Manny's Old Town Saloon and Gambling Hall<br /></a></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 4: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-4-foundation-room.html">The Foundation Room</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 5: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-reinforcements.html">Reinforcements</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 6: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-so-it-begins.html">So It Begins</a></b></span></div><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p></h4><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Did you miss the</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone? Catch up here:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></div></span></div></span></div></span></span><h4 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></h4><div style="font-size: 21.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span></span></div></span><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2832568305242597158.post-4704237299847407052022-08-14T09:11:00.033-07:002023-11-20T07:12:56.612-08:00Family Business Part 6: So it Begins<p> <span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The latest in the life of Em De Mone... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/prettysleepy1-2855492/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1280" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIMU1mfjo8CUpQAFHJTCwGu6JcgS-Ng4PhvtGDQ8VMfpZwJ0OFQDv7m1JdmqyVD8DzlQ2fsGQeHNV7LUN7zp0dKNBlxqzcrfSeSTQ4cBNS3kFun111LBkuFC0CXXZDXrmJgp-RRLedLeSIcaSb71Rh7f_aA4qT5C1RQi7uWRwF7ZTeMCiPfWu74Wt6g/s320/detective-3519985_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-cced3723-7fff-5cb0-f0fb-bfb95f678948"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So It Begins</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, settling into the lull of the tide. The sun was warm. The breeze was light. I dipped a toe into the lake and smiled. It was perfect. Right here. Right now. The stillness. The peace. I wanted to stay here forever. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I heard it. Way off in the distance. A ringing. I pushed it away. There shouldn’t be any sounds out here except wildlife and the lapping of the water. But there was, and it grew louder and louder until…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I bolted upright, blinked, and looked around. What was happening? I stumbled out of bed and looked for the source of the noise. I grabbed my phone off the dresser. “Hello?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Em? Hey…” the frantic voice of my friend Maria blared through the receiver. “Are you there?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, I’m here.” I rubbed my temples, longing for the tranquility of my dream and not the still lingering whiskey hangover from Saturday night. What time was it? What day was it? My eyes met the clock on the nightstand. It was just past noon on Monday. “Slow down and tell me what’s going on.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A big sigh came from the other end of the phone and Maria choked out her words, “Em, it’s Renee.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every fiber of my being froze and my blood ran cold. This was bad. I took a deep breath, “What happened?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know all the details. She was attacked at the gym last night. It’s pretty bad. Her sister called me. She’s in surgery. Can you come to the hospital?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ummm,” I wanted to say yes, but I had to face the facts. This happened to Renee because she is a human friend of mine. A man named Niklaus Chambers was trying to run my family out of town. Humans were by far an easier target than a demon motorcycle with the Wiccan friends. But I couldn’t share any of that with my only other human friend. Plus I was on lockdown, “I’m with my grandparents, and just woke up. Let me figure some things out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Okay. See you soon,” she said half-heartedly, “I hope.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I could respond, the phone clicked and the line went dead. She hung up on me. I dropped the phone, gathered my thoughts, threw on my robe, and hurried downstairs. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wound my way through the halls of my grandparents' house to a little den off the kitchen. Granny’s office. There was no door, only a curtain and it was closed. I didn’t care. Renee was supposed to have been safe. Sarah had promised me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Without announcement, I flung back the mandala covering. Granny and my Aunt Sarah sat at the table. Each had a cup of something in front of them. They’d been expecting me. Granny held my gaze, but Sarah looked away. As well she should, she had assured me everything would be okay. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lovie,” Granny said her voice gentle confirming my fears, “Come sit.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sinking into a chair, I tucked my legs underneath me and braced for the gory details. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Em,” Sarah said, her voice the gentlest I’d ever heard, “I don’t even know how to start…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Renee was attacked, yeah I know!” I blurted. I couldn’t help myself. Forget my stoicism; I was pissed and I wanted everyone to know, “And I had to find out from my friend Maria.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I’ll make some fresh coffee,” she said with a sigh before she got up and walked into the kitchen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as we were alone, Sarah leaned toward me. I could see the pain on her face. This attack had sent her reeling.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s nothing to say, except I’m sorry. I really didn’t think…” she let a sardonic laugh escape, “...never in a million years did I think Little Nikki Chambers would ever be able to pull something like this off.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like what?” I asked. All of a sudden we were talking about much more than Renee’s attack.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’s got people in his pocket everywhere, including inside this family.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How do you know?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s the only explanation for the way your friend was attacked. She was in the shower.” Sarah looked at me point blank. The time for tip-toeing around was over.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My gasp of horror didn’t even slow my aunt down. She kept going.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“After they beat her and cut her up, they stuffed her into the janitorial and threw dirty towels over her to keep her hidden and out of sight.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How…” I wanted to ask how she was found, but I also didn’t want to know.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Her guard never checked in. We found him dumped in a bush stabbed in the back. He died on the way to the hospital.” Sarah stopped and took a sip. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had no idea what to say.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sarah, this isn’t all on you,” Granny returned with a tray of coffee and all the fixings. “We have to sift through all this carefully. The time for underestimating this sleaze bag or his reach is over.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t think he had it in him. My mind is blown,” said Sarah, “I can’t believe I missed this. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granny crossed her arms, “Sure would help if we had a fresh perspective. Have you heard from your brother?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No,” Sarah said without an ounce of warmth in her voice, “he’s not returning my calls either.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The room fell silent as I made my coffee. Letting it all sink in, I began to absorb Sarah’s fear and frustration. I also couldn’t shake the feeling this was only the beginning. And where in the hell was my dad?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The phone rang. Granny hurried off to the wall mount on the other side of the kitchen, “Hello?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I honed my Intentional Hearing to eavesdrop appropriately as I sipped my coffee.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The voice on the other end of the phone was frantic and familiar. It was Violet. She talked super soft and very fast. I couldn’t make out the details, but none of it was good.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granny screamed, “Nooooo!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jumping out of our seats, Sarah and I rushed to the kitchen. My aunt slid underneath Granny as the little woman slumped to the ground. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Paddy!” Sarah called through the house, “Paddy, come quick!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picked up the dropped phone, “Violet? What’s going on? Are you okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s my Grandma. She was hit by a car. The cops are here now. They’re taking me to the hospital,” she sobbed, choking out the words. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sshhh, Violet, it’s gonna be okay. We’ll be there as soon as we can,” I didn’t know what else to say, because I wasn’t sure everything was going to be okay. Was this really just </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an accident</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know,” she said, then clicked off the call. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hung the phone up and leaned against the wall. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah cradled Granny in her arms. Was she dead? Had she fainted? Had a stroke?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had no idea and I didn’t want to ask. Life was suddenly moving quickly through slow motion, and I was frozen in this second. My chest tightened. I couldn’t see beyond this moment. How could all this be happening? I closed my eyes and exhaled. When I opened them, Paddy walked into the kitchen.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A myriad of emotions passed through him, like an animated character when you flip the pages of a comic. At first, his face turned white and dropped, then the veins in his neck bulged and he turned red. He gritted his, bunched his fists, and found his calm, “Is she…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s breathing. I’m pretty sure she just fainted,” said Sarah, not a moment too soon. “That was Violet, Rose…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granny blinked her eyes open. A lone tear rolled out of one, “Poor Rosie. Paddy, what’s happening?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s a great question, Letti,” he said, kneeling down and picking her up in his arms, “but that’s not a worry for you at the moment. You need to rest.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why Paddington Bear that is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. I need to get to the hospital to support Rosie and her family,” Granny squirmed. “Put me down this instant.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will do no such thing,” He held her tight. Her small frame was no match for his giantness and strength, “No, you’re resting on the couch for the rest of the afternoon.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She glared at him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For at least an hour,” he conceded, and then we’ll see what’s going on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She gave him a soft nod, closed her eyes, and melted into his arms. I had no doubt she could’ve gotten up and handled everything, but she didn’t need to. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Paddy carried her out, he looked to Sarah, “Find your brother.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah pursed her lips and nodded. She said nothing, just watched them walk off.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was afraid, but I asked anyway, “Where </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my dad?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s the question of the hour, kiddo,” she said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Soooooo…” I stretched out the word.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked at me. Hard and unfeeling. “You want the truth, don’t you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded even though I wasn’t 100% sure. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have no idea where your dad is, or if he’s even alive. Nikki Chambers may have gotten to him already. At this point, I am more worried about him than I’ve ever been,” she crossed her arms and continued, “But we have work to do. So…get that coffee and get cleaned up. This day could go just about any which way, and none of them are pretty.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was dismissed. That wasn’t the truth I was looking for, but she wasn’t wrong. I could feel it. Nothing good loomed ahead. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; font-family: Vidaloka, serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Be Continued </span></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-c4b092d8-7fff-cf05-24e2-7014a1fcf161" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><h4 style="color: black; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Loving </span><i>Family Business</i><span style="font-weight: normal;">? I'd love to hear your thoughts unless you'd like to keep reading.<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">👇Check out more of Em De Mone below. 👇</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks so much for stopping by!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regards, Aspen ✌️</span><span><br /></span><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><span>Read ahead.<br /></span><span>Part 7: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-7-unprepared.html">Unprepared</a></span><span><br /></span><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go back. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 1: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-1-mystics-and.html">Mystics and Mechanics<br /></a></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><span><b>Part 2:</b> <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/06/family-business-part-2-seance-in-shop.html"><b>Séance in the Shop<br /></b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;"><b><span>Part 3: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-3-mannys-old-town.html">Manny's Old Town Saloon and Gambling Hall<br /></a></span></b></span><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 4: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/07/family-business-part-4-foundation-room.html">The Foundation Room</a></b></span></div><div style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Part 5: <a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/08/family-business-part-5-reinforcements.html">Reinforcements</a></b></span></div><p style="clear: both; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p></h4><div><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; text-indent: 36pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><!--more--></span><span style="font-family: Vidaloka; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Vidaloka;">Did you miss the</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><i>Secret Life</i> of Em De Mone? Catch up here:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span><a href="https://aspenhitewriter.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-secret-life-of-em-de-mone-part-1.html">Part 1: The Intro</a><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></div></span></div></span></div></span></span><h4 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></h4></div></span><p></p>A Writer's Perspectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963851367657620730noreply@blogger.com7