Tick tock goes the clock and yet I struggle to keep my eye lids closed. I find that I am burrowed in for the night with the cat sleeping on my feet refusing to give an inch as I try to stretch my legs, while the dog takes up residence on the other half of the bed.

I find that the smallest sound penetrates the darkness making my eyes fly open thinking of all the lost spirits that could have died in the house and they are now happily haunting every nook and cranny.

I find that even though the dog is making up for the empty space, my heart is still beating heavily for the one that got away…it still doesn’t feel right as the canyon grows wider and deeper.

Then there are the holidays that are looming around the corner unsure why we must put on airs even for a moment, but knowing it’s expected. We haven’t spoken too much over the years but as the holidays approach this is something that must be done. Why do some of us only get together on holidays? Doesn’t family matter year-round?

Finding that my soul is unrested as the rest of my body, it tosses and turns as it views my inner thoughts. How disappointing I must be to some. How inspiring I must be to others…yet why is there doubt in my my mind and unrest in my soul. Yes, tossing and turning must help, for the moment. What can I do to feed it? Why is it so uncomfortable to be myself?

Lastly…what I am doing with my life. Yes, I have a job, friends and family…is this enough? Why can't I be good enough, who I am trying to impress? Surely, it’s not myself that I am trying to impress. I would be fine in my own skin…had society allowed it.

How do I fight through the loneliness, sadness and inadequacy of society…and my life?

Mostly, how I do I fall asleep and sleep like I did when I was a child?

…and wake up with a smile on my face…for no reason?

Dear Death,

I caught a glimpse of you today. Just when the monitor started its long siren that gives even the strongest a jolt. In that moment I thought, no, not today. I did what I had to do—I worked against you. You fought back with a vengeance, but I refused to let this one go. I worked against time—I fought you-giving everything I had.

A small spike in the monitor set the room into a frenzy. Now there was an army working against you.

I caught a glimpse of you today…but only a glimpse….you didn’t get this child today.

Sincerely,

Pediatric ER Nurse

#Short story, #Dear Death Challenge, #chilling, #horror

They took me in when no one else would

They said they loved me

They put clothes on my back

Gave me chores before and after school

They kept food in my belly—most of the time

They hit me when I was bad

They hit me when I wasn’t good enough

They ignored me when they were bored of me

But…

I owe them

I have to pay them back

They saved me from an unknown world

I feel Indebtedness

It was hot after toiling in the bitter sun

Face, hair, uniform covered in sweat and ash

Yet the fire kept burning

Sixteen hours fighting for the structure behind me

Burning flames twenty feet higher than the tallest trees

Body weary

Throat parched

A mission to be finished

Completely surrounded by fire, no units can get to us

Scared, but determined

Just keep the fire at bay

Tap on the shoulder

Canteen shoved into my hands

Cool liquid satisfying the desolation settling over me

I can keep going

We can save this house

I feel gratitude

We survived

So did the house

All I see is embers

The beast aglow

Knowing this is the last moment

Billowing clouds of ash dominate the sky

And all I can hear are the screams of my people

All I see is white

Whiteness slowing suffocating my brothers

Come the end of the day

When the sky has fallen

Will you remember me?

All I see is red

Waters flowing crimson of my sisters

Come the end of the day

When all is in ruins

Who will watch over those who are lost in the flurry?

All I see is black

Keep watch over our souls

For the Mountain burns with its wrath

Covering Pompeii for the last time

Will you remember us?

All I see—

PROLOGUE

St. Cloud’s Academy: Camp Anita Dolor

“Brother Dan by the order of the Brotherhood, you are to take Camilita Ramon to Camp Anita Dolor. We can tell she has the potential to be one of our greatest assets, if we can get her to follow the rules. Camilita has been here for one year and has been exhibiting unruly behavior even after the behavior modifications. If she doesn’t show any progress over the next year-in-a-half—kill her.” Brooks stated while sitting on a chair with a high black velvet back. The other six members sat beside him, although they were sitting in normal chairs. There was no question who ran the counsel—Brooks.

Brother Dan nodded his head in acceptance. He knew of the child they spoke of—she had been disciplined more than any other child in St. Cloud’s Academy history. She spoke out of turn in classes, she refused to say the St. Cloud’s Academy prayer to the Great Ones. The worst offense, she refuses to follow—The Rule.

He was surprised that they were keeping the girl a little longer, although everyone knew that Camp Anita Dolor was the last resort. He also knew his career depended on the success of Camilita becoming an asset. He shook his head, he would need to come up with a different plan if he was to keep his life. He let out a sigh as soon as he was out of the room, he feared this would be his last mission.

(5 Months into training)

Brother Dan smiled as he watched five-in-a-half year-old Camilita—Cam, which she insisted she be called by that name, wield a short knife. She ran through series of offensive and defensive moves almost to perfection. She had memorized all the footwork and had prided herself on coming up with new and creative ways to best him. She was clever, he had to give her that. The first week she was there he found out she could do magic. He finally understood why it was so important that she be trained. Her magic and deadly training would certainly help the Brotherhood. He also found that if he didn’t beat her and force her to follow the rules—she started to follow them on her own volition.

“Cam, do you know what this is?” Brother Dan asked after their evening meal.

“A book.” Cam rolled her eyes. She had noticed the book in his study the night before when she was working on her night stealth skills. Skills, she was sure Brother Dan would kill her for practicing—so, no need to mention that she had thumbed through it already. She grinned as she ran her fingers down the worn leather spine, flipped through the pages and smelled the parchment.

“Not just a book,” Brother Dan ignored the reply. “A spell book.” He proudly presented the book to her. “Now, just a few rules; no eating with the book, no taking the book to the woods, pond, creek, or marsh.” Cam nodded her head barely listening to the man, she was engrossed with looking at the words.

“I can’t read it.” She pouted and threw it on the table, where Brother Dan immediately picked it up and dusted it off as if she had thrown something breakable.

“Of course, you can’t it’s written in an ancient text. It’s meant to keep other inquiring

minds out. Although, against my better judgement I am going to teach you how to read it.” Cam’s eyes lit up. She had been waiting to learn some spells even though she just learned she could do magic. She also just learned how to read and had been sneaking books into her room. She felt that she owed Brother Dan.

“Thank you, Brother Dan. Do you think tonight I could say St. Cloud’s prayer with you?” Brother Dan’s spoon clattered on the table. He was so still that Cam asked the question again. “Can I say St. Cloud’s prayer with you?”

Brother Dan beamed down at her. He finally felt he was doing something right.

(Camp Anita Dolor: Two years later…)

Cam sat back on her bed. She could hear voices outside her door, whispering about her. Another house had been erected earlier in the day to house at least ten people. Brother Dan had brought in reinforcements. She felt sick to her stomach she knew things were changing but didn’t know if they were for the best. Cam had finally mastered her adult skills, she knew it was almost time she selected a career.

She could be an Assassin, Faithful, Grabber, or Solider. She liked them all and she was good at them all, in fact she had mastered all the skills that one must have to become any one of them. She was told that when she graduated from St. Clouds she could choose which of the two professions she wanted to go in, Rangers or Protectors.

Rangers were the Assassins and Soldiers. Where Protectors were Grabbers and Faithfuls. She had asked to be all of them but Brother Dan said it was impossible—hence the extra help.

(Camp Anita Dolor: 3 Months After the Brotherhood Arrived)

“Listen to me little girl, you will never become one of us with that attitude.” Brother Mack brought a wooden cane down on her back. “I told you to be quiet and you stomp around here like rampaging elephants!” He brought the cane down seven more times. “I will beat quietness into you if it’s the last thing I do!” He screamed while veins popped out of the sides of his forehead. His face wrinkled while it lit up like a stoplight.

“You’re just mad because you weren’t watching where you were going and tripped over that rock.” Cam forced out while she up-righted herself. Brother Mack didn’t know she could heal herself. She muttered a few words under her breath but slowly straightened.

“Why you little,” Brother Mack let the cane do the rest. Cam still felt proud even though she was getting a beating. She giggled a little because she had made Brother Mack trip with a little help of her magic. Unfortunately, Brother Dan heard her giggle and in the first time in two-in-a-half years—he took over for Brother Mack and began bringing the cane down on her with extra force.

Rule 3 stated: a pupil must never fight the Brothers. Cam wanted to make Brother Dan proud, but she was so surprised at his twist of character all she could do was fight back. It earned her one week in hot-box hut chained to the ground.

(Camp Anita Dolor: Two-in-a-half years later…testing day)

“I cannot wait to get out of this damn camp!” Brother Mack complained as he swatted another mosquito. They were surrounded by lakes, trees, ponds—anything nature could offer, except for city living.

“Let’s just hope she can pass the tests. It’s four years earlier than any other student. I don’t think she’s up to it.” Brother Sander’s commented.

“You know she’s up to it! You’ve seen her fight and you’ve seen how smart she is. I think she could go into any of the professions and you know it. You’re just jealous. Besides, all of us at some point in our careers at St. Clouds wanted to do it all, dreamed of it even.” Brother Cathy motioned for the others to follow her. The others grumbled and followed her through the trees to the meadow where Cam was supposed to test.

Where Cam was supposed to be standing, a letter stood in her place.

“What is the meaning of this Brother Dan?” Brother Sander’s anger could barely be contained, he hated Cam the most.

“I suggest we read the letter. I think the testing has already begun—but we’re not the ones who are running it.” Brother Dan’s voice hinted with pride. He knew Cam had the whole test planned to go the way she wanted, on her terms. Even though she had followed The Rule, he knew deep down she didn’t truly believe in it with her heart.

Brother Dan calmly walked over to the letter, opened it and read it aloud,

“The test has already started, come find me. I dwell at the place of your treasures.”

*****************

Cam waited for the others to arrive, she was standing outside of their house and she had plans. She knew what was expected of her:

Brother Mack: wanted her to be ruthless and not to back down—an Assassin

Brother Cathy: wanted her to be kind and teach, maybe even heal—a Faithful

Brother David: wanted her to persuade them to do something they wouldn’t normally do—a Grabber

Brother Sanders: wanted her to kill mindlessly—a Soldier.

Today they would all get what they wished for. As the Brotherhood emerged from the tree line, Cam smiled—she just persuaded them to change the location of the test. It was time they followed her rules.

Cam mumbled under her breath and calmed her mind. She smirked as the gray hatched roof caught on fire. The fire was blue and green, something The Brotherhood said was impossible. Another rule broken. The Brother’s house burned quickly. Cam ignored the screams from inside—they wanted her to be ruthless. She was killing their pets, lovers and other precious secrets. There was nothing they could do but watch until there was just dust and ash. They wanted a monster—Cam hadn’t even started yet.

She needed to persuade them with more than a test location change—they needed something that would unnerve them—she was going to kill them. She created air bubbles around each Brother and made it seem as if they were suffocating. Cam stood over them as they withered until lifeless on the ground. Brother Cathy and Brother Dan had tears dripping down their faces. They were still breathing—but the magic she used made them think they were dead.

“I just killed you and your pets—there was nothing that you could do to stop me.” Cam stated. She made it so they could hear her through their air bubbles.

She released the Brothers shortly after and as they came out of their stupors, they blankly sat and watched Cam move around preforming a test they didn’t sanctify.

She began to move her hands in circles creating blue, green, purple, red, yellow, orange colors. The cloud of colors grew and grew until they hovered over the smoking ashes of the house. Slowly as the colors intertwined the house was rebuilt. People and pets ran from the house weeping. Cam put everything back in place not missing a detail for she knew her life would be forfeit if it wasn’t.

Cam smiled to herself, she finally did something right. Maybe they would stop hurting her and she could live her life as a Protector and a Ranger. She turned towards the Brother’s expecting them to bow or congratulate her. What greeted her was; horror, shock, fear and disgust. Brother Dan recovered first and grabbed Cam by her hair. He used his fists and feet, landing them in all of Cam’s soft spots. The others joined in—all their rage was felt with every blow.

“Enough!” Cam screamed. She muttered under her breath and used the air to throw them away from her. They each hit a tree—the tree’s roots and branches held the Brothers secure. She used the last of her strength to heal herself. “You will never lay another hand on me again.” She spat at them and pointed towards the house.

“You wanted me to be ruthless, so I killed everything you loved—an Assassin. You wanted me to persuade you so I did—you all thought you were dead but you weren’t—a Grabber. You wanted me to be kind and heal so I brought everything you held dear back to you—a Faithful. You wanted me to kill mindlessly—I did so when I killed your lovers—a Soldier.

I’ve done everything you wanted and yet it’s not enough.”

Having said that Cam walked into the forest knowing that they couldn’t find her if she didn’t want them to. She knew her life was over, she went too far. She made herself a promise to never intentionally hurt another human being and she would die trying to protect the innocent. She made this oath to the stars, heavens, realms, and the cosmos. She would pay a debt if she ever broke this particular rule. A blinding light hit her and spread out across the land reaching the remote corners of the earth.

The Brothers looked at each other in shock and fear. They had never seen power like that before. In fact, they were terrified of the nine-year-old girl that had bested them using skills they thought only to be myths.

“That was interesting.” Brother Dan understated.

“She’s going to have to be killed.” Brother Cathy glared at Brother Dan, “You did too good of a job training her. Why didn’t you mention in your reports that she could do magic?” Brother Dan shrugged,

“We all have some magic or else we couldn’t be in the Brotherhood.”

“You do realize you will be killed for your success, right?” Brother Sanders stared at Brother Dan until he bowed his head. “You are going to be the one to kill her.”

“You did the dirty work, now you’re going to have to pay for it.” Brother Mack laughed gleefully.

Brother Cathy had more magic than the other five men combined. She let them out of their leafy prisons.

“Alright,” She stated. “I hereby state—in the place of Brooks and label this incident as the Cookie House Incident. It’s also stated that Brother Dan will kill this child—and we shall never speak of this again.” She looked at each of the Brother’s in the eyes and held their gaze until they nodded.

“We will also record what has happened here—so we can learn from our mistakes. Gentlemen, if we have found this kind of power you can guess the other side may have something better. We must prepare our future Rangers and Protectors. Is that clear?” Again, she waited for another round of nods. When she got them, she walked over to Brother Dan and placed a hand on his shoulder,

“You know what you need to do.” She handed him a gun with extra bullets. “Once the job is finished report back to me, I am sorry but you know what has to be done.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and moved to towards the newly created house.

CHAPTER 1

EAST WESTENDON: Present Day

The last time Cam saw her, she was dead. Cam knew she was dead because she attended her funeral. It was an open casket therefor a small child could be seen, dressed in pink surrounded by a sea of yellow lilies. Her mother wailed into a light pink baby blanket while the man sat next to her, periodically wiping at the tears that poured down his cheeks. The room was filled with a low murmur as Cam followed the wake of family and friends. As if on parade she made her way past the red mahogany box. Like the others she stopped to pay her respects. But, she was only there for one reason and one reason only; to make sure the little girl was dead and stayed dead.

Cam leaned in and placed her hand over the small pale one. She whispered a prayer that would encase the little girl forever. As the words flowed from her lips she could feel the familiar burn course through her body and expel into the deceased. For eternity, the girl would carry a little insignia etched into the fleshy part of her palm. It would be the only thing that would remain intact while the rest of her withered away. When Cam was finished, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. For the past few months Cam had been to many funerals and the bodies kept getting younger. She bet the little girl was barely eight years old. A clearing of the throat and a pat on the back brought Cam into motion.

She straightened her jacket and let lose a couple of tears to blend in with the rest of the mourners. Father Travis nodded his head at her and gave a tight smile, he knew why Cam was there. If he didn’t like it he never said anything, he had to follow The Rule. This was Cam’s assigned domain to protect. Who cared if the Brotherhood priests didn’t like her, she had trained most of her life to protect the innocent. She had given so much of herself to this cause, so much so she began trying not to give a damn about what others thought of her. Cam shook her head and took a deep breath trying to let go of the brief anger she felt from the lack of respect the priests gave her. Once she felt centered, she noticed a difference in the air—it was stagnant. Strange, Cam thought. She turned towards Father Travis but his head was still bowed and hadn’t picked up on the change. Cam’s eyes raked through the crowd looking for something noticeably unreal.

She locked onto a pair of light blue eyes speckled with bits of frosted green. The eyes belonged to a well-dressed young man. As Cam quickly studied him, she realized he seemed oddly familiar. Cam had been trained to blend into a crowd—to have people’s eyes slide right over her without ever registering or remember seeing her. For a fleeting moment, she thought he was looking at someone behind her but there was no one. He raised his index finger and wiggled it at her. He grinned, put his hands in his pockets and shrugged while nodding towards the girl. Cam’s eyes flickered in direction of the casket while her brain flew over the words she had whispered. Cam was positive the girl was dead and her soul was encased, the spell was flawless. Never had a Greater Shadow

Demon show up at a funeral there was something peculiar going on.

Cam glanced towards Father Travis his attention was fixed on the young man. His arms were extended holding onto his rosary beads, they shook as his mouth moved wordlessly. Sweat dripped down his face as he grew paler. The Shadow Demon never took his eyes off Cam. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down as he brushed invisible dirt from his shoulder. With each swipe of his hand screams erupted throughout the room. The demon grinned and winked at Cam before straightening his ebony suit. He was grinning from ear to ear as he disappeared through the back door. Cam turned towards the hysterical crowd, she knew what she was going to find. Sure enough, Father Travis was sprawled on the floor with blood pouring from his mouth. Something dark and cold rubbed Cam’s bones.

She knew Father Travis was dead before he hit the floor. Cam had hunted enough underworld demons to know a powerful Shadow Demon like that would only show itself if it wanted. It was rare to have one show up in the middle of the city. They enjoyed isolation and rarely did business in crowds. The funeral was packed from wall to wall.

Something strange was happening and she had to get to the bottom of it before more humans died. Cam shivered as she zipped up her jacket. She took one last look at the chaotic scene, and shook her head. She was thankful she had gotten to the girl before the Greater Shadow Demon.

Cam began walking towards the park across the street from the church. The weather had grown nasty, gales of wind swept leaves up into their strong embrace and scattered them along the roadside. Cam stuffed her hands into her pockets and ducked her head. She was aware of every moving branch, shadow, and sound that penetrated her ears and vision. She needed make sure the Shadow Demon didn’t follow her home. Well, not really a home, more like a mandated prison. The state insisted that Cam stayed with the Waldon’s since she was under eighteen.

Cam hurried along the jogger’s path, twice she thought she heard the flapping of leathery wings to her right. She bowed her head a bit but her eyes were constantly monitoring both sides of the path. Once she thought she heard a chuckle and that’s when she knew she was being followed. Cam had two choices she could run and try to shake him or she could stay and fight. Cam checked her energy stores and stopped.

“Come out, come out, where ever you are.” She chanted softly into the wind. She knew it could hear her. “Come out and play with someone who can actually stand up to you.” She taunted and for a split second she thought she heard a throat clear. She walked towards that direction.

“What’s the matter—too scared to come out and play. Oh, I know you need to ask permission from your mommy. Oh, that’s right you don’t have a mommy—you’re a demon.” Cam turned in a circle waiting for a response. Usually Shadow Demons didn’t like to be made fun of and would display their short tempers within seconds of an insult or taunt. This was a very unusual day. Cam shrugged off the sickening feeling gathering in her gut. She threw caution into the howling wind.

“Show yourself, you ugly piece of demonic plague.”

“Hmm—is that the best you got?” The wind sent back a soft response.

“Come out and I will show you the best I’ve got. You are in my district trespassing and attempting murder. Show yourself or else I will do it for you. I am done playing games.”

Cam checked her watch and let out a frustrated sigh, she was going to be in so much trouble. She was already three hours late.

“My, my,” Whispered the voice in the wind. “First you insult me, then you make outlandish accusations, moving right onto threats.” The wind scoffed.

“You child, are not quite ready for the truth. I will give you time to hone in on your skills. Better get moving you’re three hours late and who knows what that miserable man has done to the twins.”

The wind tore unmercifully at her clothing, laughter filled the air. In an instant, the laughter and wind were nonexistent. Cam stood in place for a few moments not breathing. Once she snapped out of her shock she realized she was scared. She hadn’t been this scared in years. The worst part of all, she didn’t think she had enough power to stop it for a few seconds before it obliterated her. Strange night indeed, she thought.

**********************

“Where have you been?” Roger shouted at Cam from his perpetual place on the couch as she walked through the doorway. Roger was already burrowed in for the night with a beer in his hand and several empties scattered on the floor.

“Does it matter?” Cam’s voice stayed calm. Roger didn’t care what she did just as long as she kept showing up so he could cash in the hefty checks twice a month.

Two pairs of eyes stared at Cam from the upstairs banister both were wide and scared. She nodded and motioned towards their room. Roger had been after them again she could tell by their pale faces. Cam had finally come to a conclusion; this man was no longer innocent and she was going to make him pay. She inhaled, with the decision made, planted herself in front of the TV.

“Um—Cam? Please come here.” Betty’s voice trembled from the kitchen.

“No. Leave her be, apparently she has something to say.” Roger growled and motioned for Cam to come closer. Inwardly she scoffed, like she was going to come closer to him.

“Picking on little kids again I see.” Cam’s voice was cold with fury.

“What’s it any business of yours? No one wants you or them brats. I can do any damn thing I want to them—and to you.” He belched and scratched his oversized belly.

“I will kill you if you touch them again.” Cam threatened. She was done. She knew there would be a price to pay by killing what the Brotherhood considered innocent. In Cam’s eyes, he had no innocence left and she would gladly pay the price. This was a death she wouldn’t lose sleep over.

Roger’s beer can flew across the room hitting Cam on the forehead warm liquid cascaded into her eyes. For a moment her vision blurred, this had never happened before. Cam’s hatred for the man boiled her anger over the top. Roger launched himself and Cam tried to slide right past him, but something was wrong. Her reflexes weren’t as fast as usual. He slammed Cam up against the wall. Cam’s head went through the drywall. As she was yanked from the wall horror flooded her. She was paying the price right now. She had been stripped of her magic, strength, and combat training. She had the strength of an untrained sixteen-year-old. Cam realized that she was in serious trouble and knew she was going to have to fight as hard as she could, even then she didn’t think that was enough.

Roger grabbed Cam’s hair and swung her onto the coffee table scattering the clutter in all directions. Cam realized he wasn’t as drunk as she thought he was as he punched her in the ribs. She squirmed out of his reach but he grabbed her foot at the last second. He pulled her back ignoring her flailing leg. Roger grabbed the front of her jacket and punched her ribs. Cam let out a small gasp as she felt two give away. He felt it too and reinforced it with a couple more punches. He moved on to the softer parts of her body, her face and stomach getting the brunt of it. She tried fighting back using her nails and fists. For the first time her training failed her, she couldn’t remember any offensive moves let alone defensive.

Finally, she got in a good shot but it backfired as he puked all over her. He threw her on the ground and kicked her in the stomach laughing gleefully while he landed each kick. At this point, all she could do was curl up in a ball and force herself not to cry out.

“Roger, honey, baby. Here’s another beer for you.” Betty ventured out of the kitchen holding a beer as a truce. It seemed to bring him out of his rage.

“You let the other one grow warm you worthless piece of shit!” He yelled advancing towards her. Cam, without thinking grabbed his ankle to trip him up. “What the hell are you still doing here?” He demanded while kicking her a few more times. While he was getting the beer, Cam scrambled to her hands and knees. Fighting the dots dancing in her eyes she began crawling towards the stairs. Betty pulled her to her feet and half dragged her to the kitchen. Roger was back to shouting at the TV as if nothing happened.

The light in the kitchen was bright Cam had to blink several times as she focused on the woman in front of her. Betty had fading bruises on her cheek bones and down her neck. She twisted a towel to keep her hands busy as she stared at Cam with teary eyes.

“How bad are they?” Cam asked biting back the nausea while concentrating on breathing through the pain.

“Not too bad tonight.” She whimpered. “I think he was waiting for you to get home.”

Her lips quivered as she pushed a plate of cold chicken towards Cam. “Here eat up, it will help you heal. I don’t think you should go to school tomorrow, leave the house of course, but not to school.” The last word was barely a whisper.

Cam turned away from her shaking her head at her weakness. Leaving the plate untouched she tiptoed past the living room but realized she didn’t need to because Roger was passed out. She navigated the steps biting back sharp gasps as each step jarred her ribs. She was paying the price tenfold.

“Cam!” Two identical redheads flew at her but stopped short when they saw what shape she was in.

“Hi guys!” She to lightened up her voice but it wavered. The twins took a couple steps backwards when they heard her voice crack. Cam could smell the fear rolling off them as they huddled in the shadows of the hallway.

“Don’t worry about me, come here.” She smiled at them. They ventured out and to her relief the only thing that marked them were their tears.

“Did he hit you?” She whispered.

Both nodded their heads no. She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. They sighed and raised their sleeves. Fingerprints wrapped around their arms although faint now they would be dark by morning.

“Alright, let me see if I have any of that special lotion left. But first I need a shower.” Both gave Cam teary hugs as she sent them to their room. She made them pinky promise not to leave their room and to lock the door.

Cam stood in the hallway waiting to hear the click of the deadbolt. She was dreading going to her room because it gave her too much time to plan the perfect death for Roger.

Cam’s room was located in the attic with all of Rogers lost dreams and memorabilia of the past. She didn’t mind too much because he had a hard time getting up the ladder. Tonight, she cursed his name as she attempted the rickety wooden steps. Her muscles screamed at her while she climbed the ladder. She realized the without her strength and magic she was just as vulnerable as humans. Once she reached the top, she laid on the floor gasping for air and taking assessments of her injuries.

Cam’s forehead was still bleeding, several ribs were broken and she had sharp pains in her stomach. She closed my eyes, gritted her teeth as she crawled towards the light switch but it was already on. Cam grabbed one of Rogers’s old baseball bats and hoisted herself upright. A soft chuckle vibrated around the room.

“You know just as well as I do—that little metal toy will do nothing against me.” Fear pulsated her bllod. She was careful he shouldn’t have been able to follow her but then she remembered his last comment, “Better get moving you’re three hours late and who knows what that miserable man has done to the twins.” She began muttering under her breath only to find warmth flow out of her.

“You shouldn’t do that, it will kill you.” His voice softened. Cam, finished the stanza and fell to the floor gasping. In her final breaths, she realized a few things. She would never get the attic dirt free. The moldy smell would never come out of the blankets that covered the mattress on the floor. The bloodstains on her favorite jeans wouldn’t come out no matter how many times she scrubbed them. The last thought made tears fall, Cam would never be able to protect the twins again.

“Shhhhhh—don’t cry.” The voice sounded desperate. The world was growing dark and icy. A pair of hands grabbed Cam’s face, the last thing she saw was a pair of blue eyes ebbed with green staring into her own murky brown eyes. Her last thought was clearer than any other.

This is not possible I should be dead for him to touch me, oh—I am. It’s amazing how cold your world can go in just a few short seconds.

PROLOGUE

St. Cloud’s Academy: Camp Anita Dolor

“Brother Dan by the order of the Brotherhood, you are to take Camilita Ramon to Camp Anita Dolor. We can tell she has the potential to be one of our greatest assets, if we can get her to follow the rules. Camilita has been here for one year and has been exhibiting unruly behavior even after the behavior modifications. If she doesn’t show any progress over the next year-in-a-half—kill her.” Brooks stated while sitting on a chair with a high black velvet back. The other six members sat beside him, although they were sitting in normal chairs. There was no question who ran the counsel—Brooks.

Brother Dan nodded his head in acceptance. He knew of the child they spoke of—she had been disciplined more than any other child in St. Cloud’s Academy history. She spoke out of turn in classes, she refused to say the St. Cloud’s Academy prayer to the Great Ones. The worst offense, she refuses to follow—The Rule.

He was surprised that they were keeping the girl a little longer, although everyone knew that Camp Anita Dolor was the last resort. He also knew his career depended on the success of Camilita becoming an asset. He shook his head, he would need to come up with a different plan if he was to keep his life. He let out a sigh as soon as he was out of the room, he feared this would be his last mission.

(5 Months into training)

Brother Dan smiled as he watched five-in-a-half year-old Camilita—Cam, which she insisted she be called, wield a short knife. She ran through series of offensive and defensive moves almost to perfection. Her little body rotated and twisted through the air as she did several acrobatics across the makeshift areana. She had memorized all the footwork and had prided herself on coming up with new and creative ways to best him. She was clever, he had to give her that. The first week she was there he found out she could do magic. He finally understood why it was so important that she be trained. Her magic and deadly training would certainly help the Brotherhood. He also found that if he didn’t beat her and force her to follow the rules—she started to would follow them on her own volition.

“Cam, do you know what this is?” Brother Dan asked after their evening meal.

“A book.” Cam rolled her eyes. She had noticed the book in his study the night before when she was working on her night stealth skills. Skills, she was sure Brother Dan would kill her for practicing—so, no need to mention that she had thumbed through it already. She grinned as she ran her fingers down the worn leather spine, flipped through the pages while smelling the parchment.

“It's not just a book,” Brother Dan continued. He had learn to keep his aggrevation to a minimum. “A spell book.” He proudly presented the book to her. “Now, just a few rules; no eating with the book, no taking the books to the woods, pond, creek, or marsh.” Cam nodded her head barely listening to the man, she was engrossed with looking at the words.

“I can’t read it.” She pouted and threw it on the table, where Brother Dan immediately picked it up and dusted it off as if she had thrown something breakable.

“Of course you can’t, it’s written in an ancient text. It’s meant to keep other inquiring minds out of it. Although, against my better judgement I am going to teach you how to read it.” Cam’s eyes lit up. She had been waiting to learn some spells even though she just learned she could do magic. She also just learned how to read and had been sneaking books into her room. She felt that she owed Brother Dan.

“Thank you, Brother Dan. Do you think tonight I could say St. Cloud’s prayer with you?” Brother Dan’s spoon clattered on the table. He was so still that Cam asked the question again. “Can I say St. Cloud’s prayer with you?”

Brother Dan beamed down at her. He finally felt he was doing something right.

(Camp Anita Dolor: Two years later…)

Cam sat back on her bed. She could hear voices outside her door, whispering about her. Another house had been erected earlier in the day to house at least ten people. Brother Dan had brought in reinforcements. She felt sick to her stomach she knew things were changing but didn’t know if it were for the best. Cam had finally mastered her adult skills, she knew it was almost time she selected a career.

She could be an Assassin, Faithful, Grabber, or Solider. She liked them all and she was good at them, in fact she had mastered all the skills that one must have to become anyone of them. She was told that when she graduated from St. Clouds she could choose which of the two professions she wanted to go in, Rangers or Protectors.

Rangers were the Assassins and Soldiers. Where Protectors were Grabbers and Faithfuls. She had asked to be all of them but Brother Dan said it was impossible—hence the extra help.

(Camp Anita Dolor: 3 Months After the Brotherhood Arrived)

“Listen to me little girl, you will never become one of us with that attitude.” Brother Mack brought a wooden cane down on her back. “I told you to be quiet and you stomp around here like rampaging elephants!” He brought the cane down seven more times. “I will beat quietness into you if it’s the last thing I do!” He screamed while veins popped out of the sides of his forehead. His face wrinkled while it lit up like a stoplight.

“You’re just mad because you weren’t watching where you were going and tripped over that rock.” Cam forced out while she up-righted herself. Brother Mack didn’t know she could heal herself. She muttered a few words under her breath but stood up slowly.

“Why you little,” Brother Mack let the cane do the rest. Cam still felt proud even though she was getting a beating. She giggled a little because she had made Brother Mack trip with a little of her magic. Unfortunately, Brother Dan heard her giggle and in the first time in two-in-a-half years—he took over for Brother Mack and began bringing the cane down on her with extra force.

Rule 3 stated that a pupil must never fight the Brothers. Cam wanted to make Brother Dan proud, but she was so surprised at his twist of character all she could do was fight back. It earned her one week in hot-box hut chained to the ground.

(Camp Anita Dolor: One-in-a-half years later…Testing Day)

“I cannot wait to get out of this damn camp!” Brother Mack complained as he swatted another mosquito. They were surrounded by lakes, trees, ponds—anything nature could offer, except for city living.

“Let’s just hope she can pass the tests. It’s four years earlier than any other student. I don’t think she’s up to it.” Brother Sander’s commented.

“You know she’s up to it! You’ve seen her fight and you’ve seen how smart she is. I think she could go into any of the professions and you know it. You’re just jealous. Besides, all of us at some point in our careers at St. Clouds wanted to do it all, dreamed of it even.”

Brother Cathy was tired of hearing the mean complain over the littliest things. She silently motioned for the others to follow her before she took her wrath out on her. The others grumbled and followed her through the trees to the meadow where Cam was supposed to test.

Where Cam was supposed to be waiting, a letter stood in her place.

“What is the meaning of this Brother Dan?” Brother Sander’s anger could barely be contained, he hated Cam the most.

“I suggest we read the letter. I think the testing has already begun—but we’re not the ones who are running it.” Brother Dan’s voice hinted with pride. He knew Cam had the whole test planned to go the way she wanted, on her terms. Even though she had followed The Rule, he knew deep down she didn’t truly believe in it with her heart.

Brother Dan calmly walked over to the letter, opened it and read it aloud,

“The test has already started, come find me. I dwell at the place of your treasures.”

*****************

Cam waited for the others to arrive, she was standing outside of their house and she had plans. She knew what was expected of her:

Brother Mack: wanted her to be ruthless and not to back down—an Assassin

Brother Cathy: wanted her to be kind and teach, maybe even heal—a Faithful

Brother David: wanted her to persuade them to do something they wouldn’t normally do—a Grabber

Brother Sanders: wanted her to kill mindlessly—a Soldier.

Today they would all get what they wished for. As the Brotherhood emerged from the tree line, Cam smiled—she just persuaded them to change the location of the test. It was time they followed her rules.

Cam mumbled under her breath and calmed her mind. She smirked as the gray hatched roof caught on fire. The fire was blue and green, something The Brotherhood said was impossible. Another rule broken. The Brother’s house burned quickly. Cam ignored the screams from inside—they wanted her to be ruthless. She was killing their pets, lovers and other precious secrets. There was nothing they could do but watch until there was just dust and ash. They wanted a monster—Cam hadn’t even started yet.

Cam needed to persuade them with more than a test location change—they needed something that would unnerve them—they were going to die. She created air bubbles around each Brother and made it seem as if they were suffocating. Cam stood over them as they withered until lifeless on the ground. Brother Cathy and Brother Dan had tears dripping down their faces. They were still breathing—but the magic she used made them think they were dead.

“I just killed you and your pets—there was nothing that you could do to stop me.” Cam stated. She made it so they could hear her through their air bubbles.

She released the Brother’s shortly after and as they came out of their stupors, they just sat and watched Cam move around, their faces blank without emotion.

She began to move her hands in circles creating blue, green, purple, red, yellow, orange colors. The cloud of colors grew and grew until they hovered over the still smoking ashes of the house. Slowly as the colors intertwined the house was rebuilt. People and pets ran from the house weeping. Cam put everything back in place not missing a detail for she knew her life would be forfeit if it wasn’t.

Cam smiled to herself, she finally did something right. Maybe they would stop hurting her and she could live her life as a Protector and a Ranger. She turned towards the Brother’s expecting them to bow or congratulate her. What greeted her was; horror, shock, fear and disgust. Brother Dan recovered first and grabbed Cam by her hair. He used his fists and feet, landing them in all of Cam’s soft spots. The others joined in—all their rage was felt with every blow.

“Enough!” Cam screamed. She muttered under her breath and used the air to throw them away from her. They each hit a tree—the tree’s roots and branches held the Brothers secure. She used the last of her strength to heal herself. “You will never lay another hand on me again.” She spat at them and pointed towards the house.

“You wanted me to be ruthless, so I killed everything you loved—an Assassin. You wanted me to persuade you so I did—you all thought you were dead but you weren’t—a Grabber. You wanted me to be kind and heal so I brought everything you held dear back to you—a Faithful. You wanted me to kill mindlessly—I did so when I killed your lovers—a Soldier. I’ve done everything you wanted and yet it’s not enough.”

Having said that Cam walked into the forest knowing that they couldn’t find her if she didn’t want them to. She knew her life was over, she went too far. She made herself a promise to never intentionally hurt another human being and she would die trying to protect the innocent.

The Brothers looked at each other in shock and fear. They had never seen power like that before. In fact, they were terrified of the nine-year-old girl that had bested them using skills they thought only to be myths.

“That was interesting.” Brother Dan stated.

“She’s going to have to be killed.” Brother Cathy glared at Brother Dan, “You did too

good of a job training her. Why didn’t you mention in your reports that she could do magic?” Brother Dan shrugged,

“We all have some magic or else we couldn’t be in the Brotherhood.”

“You do realize you will be killed for your success, right?” Brother Sanders stared at Brother Dan until he bowed his head. “You are going to be the one to kill her.”

“You did the dirty work, now you’re going to have to pay for it.” Brother Mack laughed gleefully.

Brother Cathy had more magic than the other five men combined. She let them out of their leafy prisons.

“Alright,” She stated, “I hereby state—in the place of Brooks, label this incident as the Cookie House Incident. It’s also stated that Brother Dan will kill this child—and we shall never speak of this again.” She looked at each of the Brother’s in the eyes and held their gaze until they nodded.

“We will also record what has happened here—so we can learn from our mistakes. Gentlemen, if we have found this kind of power you can guess the other side may have something better. We must prepare our future Rangers and Protectors. Is that clear?” Again, she waited for another round of nods. When she got them, she walked over to Brother Dan and placed a hand on his shoulder,

“You know what you need to do.” She handed him a gun with extra bullets. “Once the job is done report back to me, I am sorry but you know what has to be done.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and moved to towards the newly created house.

What made you not love me anymore?

Was it my screaming?

My need to be close?

My thirst for knowledge?

After three years of life—why give me up to foster care?

Where were you when I needed you the most?

I can fix this

I can change

I will be good

I won’t ask for anything

Please, Mom…

I can change

I can be someone you love.

#Challenge: justaperson

I wish you knew exactly what I meant….

When I screamed at you

When I wished you weren’t in my life

When I called you names

When I made you worry

When I found the balls to stand up

When I slammed the door shut in your face

I wish you knew exactly what I meant…

That I love you

And...thank you

Now, I am standing over your grave with a single pink rose—not ready to put it on the wooden box. I never got the chance to say how much you meant to me. Mom, I’m sorry I wish you knew exactly what I meant when I chose anger over love.

“I triple dog double dare you.” A cold voice whispered in the darkness. After all these years Lizzy still submitted to whatever Jen asked of her. “It’s simple, all you have to do is sneak into that building over there, and put this on Malcolm’s desk.” She pointed to the largest skyscraper in the city as she produced a pink letter bathed in a flowery stink.

“Right now?” Lizzy stared at her oldest friend in amazement.

“Why not?” Jen said. She looked down at her dainty watch. “You still have five hours before the sun comes. I don’t see the problem.”

They were hiding by the bathrooms in Starry Nights Park. Lizzy leaned back against the cement wall they were hidden by tall Evergreen bushes. Earlier on the phone Jen told her to meet her at 76th Street and to wear something dark and sinister. Lizzy thought they were going to the new club. She was wearing a short black mini skirt, and a tight black halter top that had large shiny rhinestones sewn on the collar. She had on five inch red heels and fishnet stockings. Jen had other ideas and showed up a dark pink camo sweat suit and black combat boots.

“How am I supposed to get in? Who is this Malcolm guy anyway?” Jen usually told her about each man she had the slightest interest in.

“He’s—” she put her hand on her chest and let out a sigh. “—the one.” Jen wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “Hey, time’s a tickin’.”

Lizzy puffed out her checks and hung her head; this was not how she wanted to spend her Saturday night. Still a dare was a dare. Jen grabbed her arm and shoved her through the bushes. Lizzy being in five in heels got herself entangled with the bushes. Ripping sounds came from her newly acquired fishnets. Lizzy groaned as she landed face first in the dirt.

“You know fishnets are out of date, right?” Jen emerged from the bushes gracefully. 

“Come on you’ve got work to do.” She stood and tapped her foot waiting for Lizzy to collect herself.

“Hey!” A male voice shouted in the darkness. A cold beam showered them with light. 

“What are you two doing out here?” The same voice barked.

“It’s okay,” Jen called out. “My friend was sick and I knew there was a bathroom somewhere over here.” The man came closer but a clopping sound accompanied him making Lizzy’s mouth go dry. He was dressed in a dark blue uniform and sitting on top of a dark chestnut horse.

“Hmmm—why does she have leaves and sticks in her hair?” he asked.

“Well, she didn’t make it to the bathroom in time.” Jen let out her most sticky, flirty giggle. “Don’t worry I’ll get her home safe.” Jen patted Lizzy’s hair mushing the leaves further in.

“At least let me escort you to a cab.” He scanned the area around them, “I’m not supposed to give people rides but I’ll make an acceptation this once. Let’s get her up here.”

“Oh—she hates horses. Nasty incident our freshman year but I’ll take the ride. I love horses.” She batted her eyes at the man who was now nodding like an idiot. Jen held out her hand as the officer lifted her up.

“Stay way behind us it will be much safer." Jen winked at Lizzy who gritted her teeth but followed instructions.

Walking behind the horse was a terrible idea. Lizzy fell over twice, breaking off a heel when she stepped in a hole. She slipped and landed in the big present the horse left. She was going to kill Jen.

Officer Rick hailed them a cab, no one stood by Lizzy. Officer Rick got a goodnight kiss and Jen’s phone number. Lizzy hoped her night was done.

The cab driver insisted on putting newspaper down before Lizzy got in the car. He handed her his own personal trash can. It contained left over Chinese food, several half-smoked cigars and a rotten banana peel. Lizzy almost puked and thought the trash smelled worse than she did.

“Where to?” He let Jen sit in front.

“To the corner of Korbin and Warshaw.” Lizzy let out a soft groan, Jen hadn’t forgotten. The man raised his eyebrows and let his eyes flicker over Lizzy. “My car is parked in a garage there.” Again, Jen battered her eyelashes and the cab driver was taken in.

“You wanna take the newspaper with you?” He asked kindly.

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you, thanks.” Jen gushed as she grabbed the offered newspaper. She turned and winked at Lizzy.

Soon they were standing in front of the most prominent building in Cedar Lakes. Stockholm Enterprises. Most of the lights were off, but three security guards were sitting at a desk in the lobby.

“Here—” Jen shoved the letter at her. “Take it, make sure it gets on his desk. Keep it safe it’s really important.”

“Can’t we do this in the da—” Jen had already sprinted off leaving Lizzy chewing on her bottom lip debating on what to do.

She took a deep breath, walked up to the main door and tugged on it. It rattled loudly. All three men looked up in disbelief. One shook his head and mouthed, “closed”.

Lizzy nodded her head, of course it was closed it was close to one in the morning. She walked away thinking about different ways of getting into the building. As she rounded the building she spotted the underground parking garage.

She grinned and hobbled several feet before taking off her good heel and what was left of her ruined one. She threw them in the trash and watched her favorite shoes disappear. She looked up from the depressing sight and surveyed the scene before her. One way in and one way out with a single security guard manning the booth.

The wall to her left was a little over six feet high. She could gain access to the garage from that point, after all she did high jump in high school. How hard could it be? Piece of cake. Lizzy snuck over and ducked behind some bushes. She would need a running start, she shoved the letter down the front of her halter scrambled from the bushes, took a skip and running pace towards the wall as she attempted to jump the large cement barrier. The wall was thicker than she had anticipated.

Lizzy whimpered as she looked around her. The good news, she was up the wall. The bad news, she couldn’t get down. She sniffled and wiped her nose on the wall tears leaked while black streaks painted her face. She was completely straddling and bear-hugging the cement.

Lizzy tried to move but found herself frozen. The realization hit her, she couldn’t get down on her own. One side dropped twenty feet and the other side she couldn’t maneuver to dump herself off the side. Lizzy gathered enough courage to let go one side of the wall to reach into her shirt and pull out her cell phone. She moved a little and the phone slipped out and shattered twenty feet down.

“Dammit!” she whispered as she banged her head against the wall.

“Excuse me, ma’am?” a voice asked. Lizzy squeaked, yelped, and let out a loud fart. She almost lost her grip on the wall. “What are you doing?”

Lizzy could only imagine what she looked like, her skirt was around her waist, she was covered in dirt and manure without shoes. All she wanted to do was disappear but, she couldn’t keep her mouth from running.

“Can’t you tell, I’m practicing tight rope walking, and I laid down to take a nap!”

“What?” He stepped closer, staring up at her.

“I’m stuck you stupid moron!” she yelled.

“I’ll say—” the man muttered. He was the security guard from the booth. He turned away to talk on his cell phone.

“Wait! Don’t go! Help me down!” Lizzy screeched.

Twenty minutes later, with many more scrapes and bruises, she was off the wall—in hand cuffs and sitting on newspaper for the second time. She watched the blue lights strobe off the glass buildings. This night couldn’t get any worse.

“Time to go sweet heart.” A uniform got into the driver’s seat.

“Where are we going?” As if she didn’t know.

“To the most amazing resort Cedar Lakes has to offer. How much have you had to drink tonight?”

“I haven’t had anything to drink.”

“Really?” There was laughter in the voice, “We just pulled you off a wall.”

A half hour later, three breathalyzers and a blood draw proved that she hadn’t been drinking, yet she was still sitting in jail cell. Jen had promised to be there soon.

Lizzy was sharing the cell with three other women, they kept their distance with their noses plugged. She didn’t think the smell was that bad.

A young lady walked over and sat next to her. She was dressed in a hot pink spandex dress that was detailed every bump, cellulite, and mole she had on her body. She was wearing large gold hoops, her hair was sticking up a mile high, and she had on enough blue eye shadow she could have painted the cell wall. Lizzy couldn’t say too much considering how she was dressed.

“You look like hell. What happened?” she asked in a thick accent.

“A long night.” Lizzy just wanted to go home and take a shower.

“Ahhh—did they arrest you cuz you smell so bad?” She snorted at her own joke.

“I got stuck on a wall.” The cell was silent.

“Why were you on a wall?” The lady asked and Lizzy told her story. When she was done, she was the only one that had dry eyes. The others were howling with laughter, even the female cop.

“Evans!” an officer barked. “Your ride is here.”

“Wait.” The short lady grabbed her arm and shook it like she was pumping candy out of Lizzy. “I’m Natalie. When I get out, I’m gonna find you. We’ll have lots of adventures.” She grinned showing three gold teeth.

“Awww—isn’t that sweet, making new friends in jail.” Jen’s cold voice rang throughout the hall. Lizzy sighed of course Jen was going to be angry.

Usually Jen was all chatter, this wasn’t natural for her to be so silent. Lizzy waited for Jen to explode as she fiddled with the warning ticket for indecent exposure.

“I can’t believe you!” Jen cried out once they were on the freeway headed towards Lizzy’s apartment. Lizzy stared at Jen with wide eyes,

“Excuse me?”

“How dare you get caught and then call me to come bail you out of jail! I can’t believe you could do this to me!”

“Do this to you? This was your idea. You and you’re stupid letter! Where were you—you were supposed to have my back?”

Jen changed the subject, “Did you at least get the letter up to Malcolm’s desk?” Lizzy shook her head no. “Hmph—well, you’re going to have to come up with a better plan next time. Why didn’t you tap into their security system?”

“What makes you think I can do that? And what do you mean a better plan next time?” She shifted. For the third time that night she was sitting on newspaper, but now it was sticking to her butt and legs and making ripping noises as she moved.

“You’re into that computer stuff—I mean look at your business.”

Lizzy gaped at her, “I own an internet café.”

“Yeah—computer stuff, security.”

“It’s an internet café. I make coffee, cakes, muffins. I have computers and couches. No where does it say Lizzy Evan’s security café. This isn’t one of your TV shows.” Jen was silent for a moment.

“Well, I thought better of you.” She sniffed. “At least give me back my letter, until you can come up with a better plan. Plus, I’m going to have to rewrite it and spray it with perfume. You stink.” Lizzy was happy to give the damn letter back. She reached down the front of her shirt and gasped, then began searching frantically.

“What, you finally figured out you have small boobs?” Jen snickered.

“It’s gone.” Lizzy whispered. Jen slammed on the breaks.

“What?!” She screamed.

“My cell phone, wallet, and the letter gone. They must have fell out when the firemen got me off the wall.”

“Well, you’re going to have to break in and get them back.” Jen was breathing heavily. 

“You’ll do it tomorrow night this time wear something more practical.”

“No.”

“Excuse me? It’s your fault you lost the letter and you were stupid enough to get caught.” Jen sniffed, bobbed her head, “So yes, you are going to get your things back and deliver the letter.”

“No, I have to do payroll, and I also have to be at the café at three in the morning.” Lizzy took a deep breath, “We’ll do it Tuesday night, let things calm down.”

“Damn right you will.” Jen muttered and stopped outside of Lizzy’s apartment. “I’ll pick you up at ten pm, Tuesday night.” Lizzy rolled her eyes. All she wanted to do was wash off the memories of the night.

*********

Malcolm stopped by the security office Monday morning. Clancy had reported that a “funny incident” happened Saturday night. Malcolm didn’t like funny incidents. Usually they weren’t “funny” and caused a lot of paperwork. He was shocked when he walked into the room and it was full of his men. They were all laughing too loud to notice his arrival. Malcolm cleared his throat. The room grew silent.

“Oh—Mr. Stockholm, good morning.” Ned, the director of security stood up. Ned wasn’t the only one trying to keep a straight face.

“What’s going on?” he demanded.

“We had a minor problem this weekend.” Malcolm waited for him to continue. “Um—just watch this.” Ned tried to hide his snicker. Malcolm sighed and looked at his watch.

Malcolm stared at the monitor. He watched a woman try the front doors. Then limp around the side of the building, she threw away her shoes and attempted to jump over the garage wall. He smiled when he saw her stuck and struggle for ten minutes. He chuckled as seven firemen, two police officers pried her off the wall. Malcolm looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep it together.

“You have listen to the audio.” They replayed the video, this time with sound.

When startled the woman, squeaked, yelped, and farted. Malcolm couldn’t hold it in any longer, his laughter joined the rest of them.

“Was she drunk?”

“Nope.”

“Crazy?”

“No, but she did drop several things.” Ned held up a baggie, inside was a crinkled letter, shattered cell phone and a little orange and black wallet.

“What did the letter say?” he asked. No one responded. Ned just shoved the baggie at him.

“You should read it.” He handed him a pair of gloves. Malcolm put them on, his patience wearing thin.

“Good God,” he muttered when the smell hit him. He picked out the pink letter, unfolded it and began reading. He blinked several times. The letter was addressed to him.

                   “My dearest Malcolm…”

Malcolm’s face heated up as the letter went into explicit details of what she wanted to do to him and about the night he had spent avoiding her. He looked up at the lady in the video. He had never seen her before, but he remembered the night. The farewell made his stomach clench.

               “Love, your future wife.”

All the men were looking at their feet when he finished. It was obvious they knew the letters’ content. Malcolm cleared his throat.

“I will take care of this.”

“Yes, Sir.” Several voices followed him out into the hallway.

Malcolm went straight to his office and tried to forget about the woman on the security tape and the letter but he couldn’t concentrate. He grabbed the baggie and dumped the smelly contents onto his desk.

The woman had several business cards in her wallet, along with her driver’s license. She was the owner of The Crazy Neptune Café. Her phone number and email were listed along with her Facebook page and the hours of the shop. Based on the hours of the café it looked like this woman never slept, perhaps she was crazy.

Malcolm looked up her up Facebook. He had access to everything about her it was evident she didn’t believe in security. He browsed her photo albums, one labeled; “Jen and Lizzy, Spring Break 2013” caught his eye. He clicked on it, the first photo made him stop.

Two women were arm in arm holding large blue drinks. He recognized both. They couldn’t have been more opposite; one woman had light brown hair, deep brown eyes, pale with a small frame. The other was blond, bright blue eyes, wide smile, fake tan, and fake boobs. The one with brown hair was featured in the security video. The other was the one he had met at the club three weeks before. He shook his head, What a small world.

************

Lizzy stared at the double chocolate chip muffins she had just taken out of the oven. It was Tuesday morning, D-Day. She felt sick to her stomach. Last night she had drunk her sorrows with a bottle of fire whiskey.

“Miss Evans!” Lizzy cringed, it was the third time she told Chris to stop yelling. She gave him the stink eye. “Oh, yeah, um—there’s someone here to see you.” he whispered.

“Who?” she whispered back holding on to her pounding head.

“I don’t know.” Chris walked away. He was her manager. He ran the store so well she couldn’t fire him, even though she wanted to on several occasions. He kept her honest.

“Ha!” A voice echoed throughout the café. “I found you!” Lizzy couldn’t help smiling at the little lady in front of her. She hadn’t changed much since she had last seen her, still in clothes that were too tight with God awful blue eye shadow.

“Thought you could use a friend. I’m starved, got anything good to eat?” Natalie grinned up at her.

Lizzy smiled and put together a small spread, she looked over to the side of the shop where a man had been sitting for the past seven hours. She hated squatters, but at least every few hours he would buy a drink or pastry.

Natalie and Lizzy laughed over their bizarre introduction and what had happened. Lizzy told her what Jen had said.

“Wait, you’re going to break in again?” Natalie asked in disbelief.

“Not really. I told Jen I would, but I am going to write down the address and put it in the mail box. Then I am going to run around the block a couple of times so when she comes and picks me up it will look like I did as she asked.

“That’s like some Navy Seal shit!” Natalie wiped tears from her eyes. “I’m going to help you.”

“Excuse me,” Both women looked up, it was the strange man from the corner. “I couldn’t help but over hear you. You’re going to break into Stockholm Enterprises?”

“No. Why were you listening to our conversation?” Lizzy asked, she hated squatters.

“You a cop?” Natalie asked. The man shook his head. Natalie sniffed at him, then nodded at Lizzy. “He don’t smell like one, he’s okay.” The man took that as an invitation and joined them.

“Who are you?” Lizzy asked. Under the hat she liked the way he looked; dark hair, blue eyes, a sensual mouth and perfect white teeth. He had broad shoulders and it was apparent he wasn’t a stranger to the gym.

“I’m, M.M.”

“As in the rapper or the candy?” Natalie asked.

“Neither. However I can help you. I am a delivery man for Stockholm Industries. I know how to get in without getting caught.” Natalie nodded her head, she was sold.

“I don’t think so.” Lizzy said. She was going to stick to her original plan.

“I promise it will be a piece of cake.” He smiled and gazed into her eyes. Lizzy was caught.

“Fine, you two meet me downtown near Korbin Street at eleven tonight.” They both agreed. She shook her head; this was going to be more disastrous then Saturday night.

Jen picked her up and chattered the whole drive into town about Officer Rick, and about their upcoming date.

“What about Malcolm?”

“Oh—don’t worry about that. Malcolm will be my first husband and then I will make Rick my second.” After that she began talking to Lizzy about what she was thinking about wearing on the date. Lizzy could have cared less. Jen stopped the car near Korbin Street.

“Don’t screw this up!” she hissed. “At least you’re better dressed this time.”

“Ya, think?” Lizzy snapped, “Pick me up in front of the building in a half hour, don’t be late.” She slammed the door shut on Jen’s reply. Lizzy walked away, looking for M.M and Natalie.

“Hey! Navy Seal over here!” Natalie hollered in a whisper. M.M and Natalie were hiding behind some rose bushes both dressed in black with sunglasses and hats. Natalie went as far as painting her face with black streaks. Lizzy sighed last time she started the night out in the bushes. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Let’s go.” She hissed.

M.M led them through an alley, they found a secure door leading to the parking garage. M.M typed in a code which opened the first one. They duck walked to the elevator where he typed in the numbers to open them. He hadn’t been lying when he said he knew the codes. Lizzy’s idea of sticking the letter in the post office box flew out the window as M.M lead them into the elevator and pressed the button for 90th floor.

After a few minutes listening to Elton John’s Candle in the Wind Natalie asked, “Who’s the letter to?”

“A Malcolm.”

“You mean thee Malcolm Stockholm?” Natalie asked, her mouth dropped open.

“I don’t know, it just says Malcolm. How many can there be in this building? We need to find out.”

“Just one.” M.M. answered.

“Oh.” Lizzy’s anger was growing; she was going to slaughter Jen. “Let’s get this over with, so I have time to commit a murder before I go to jail.” ‘Time of My Life’ played on the way up, Natalie hummed out of tune, while M.M grinned. Lizzy clenched her teeth and concentrated on breathing and the task before her. The elevator rung for the 90th floor.

“Make it quick!” M.M told her, then shoved her out the doors.

Lizzy sprinted across the marble floors. It was too slippery for she slipped and slid into the wall making it shake.

“Oh—that had to hurt.” Natalie giggled. M.M joined her.

Lizzy was beyond angry. She picked herself up and sprinted up to the large wooden door. She didn’t slow because she didn’t think it would be locked. To her dismay, it was and her face stopped her momentum. Warm fluid exploded out of her nose. Crying out in frustration she dropped to all fours and shoved the letter under the door it got stuck half way through.

“Screw it.” She muttered and got up to ran back to the others.

“What’s on your face? Is that blood—” Natalie passed out, half in the elevator, the other half on the floor. They tugged on her arms and legs. The doors silently closed, ensuring every part of Natalie was in. Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ floated around their ears.

“They’ve gotta change these songs,” Lizzy stopped short. “Why are there alarms going off?”

M.M shrugged, “I don’t know, but I have a plan.” He handed his scarf to Lizzy for her nose. Natalie started to wake up.

“Wh—what happened?” She mumbled.

“We’re about to be chased, so I need to you run as fast as you can. You ready?” M.M asked.

“Chased?!” both girls yelled.

“Yep, we’re going to run out the front doors.” The elevator stopped the hideous music as the swoosh open and invited them into the lobby. “Ready?” He asked.

He grabbed them by the hands and pulled them through the lobby. Lizzy didn’t have time to see if the guards were following them. Natalie wheezed while Lizzy stumbled over her feet. M.M pulled them through the front doors, never slowing down. Sirens screamed in the distance.

“Where’s your friend?” As if those were the magic words, Jen pulled alongside the curb. M.M opened the back door and shoved both girls through before getting in himself. He made all three of them duck down. Jen stepped on the gas, tearing through the night.

“Lizzy! You have a lot to explain!” Jen demanded from the front seat. “Who the hell are these people? I will not harbor criminals. Why is your nose bleeding? Don’t you dare get a drop in my car.”

“Blood?” Natalie passed out again. They drove in silence for a few minutes.

“Did you fail, again?”

“No.”

“It’s on his desk?” Lizzy rolled her eyes.

“Close enough.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, I can’t pick the lock of Malcolm Stockholm’s office, the CEO—ring a bell?” Lizzy spat out.

“Hmmm…” Jen smiled. “Husband number one, coming up.” She was pleased with herself.

An hour later they were holed up in Denny’s. Natalie was happily sucking down a double chocolate shake. Lizzy had washed the blood off her face. M.M was still wearing his sunglasses and hat.

Another one bites the dust. Lizzy thought to herself angry that she still did what Jen asked.

After introducing her friends, Jen wasn’t impressed. She rolled her eyes at Natalie. She gave M.M a once over and moved on. She talked about Rick and Malcolm. Natalie pretended to puke into her fries. Half way through she stopped and turned towards M.M.

“Why don’t you take off those stupid sunglasses and hat? Join the living.” she sneered.

He did as she bid. Jen’s face turned red then it drained of all color. Lizzy looked from Jen to M.M, and it dawned on her. She felt like an idiot, she had been played.

“Malcolm?” Jen whispered.

Lizzy grabbed her Sprite and dumped it on Malcolm’s head, then took her water and threw it in Jen’s face. She walked out of the building feeling humiliated by being played by two people. She could still hear Natalie wailing with laughter.

A week later Lizzy looked at her watch and yawned it was three in the morning she was ready to start her work day. As she opened the back door to the kitchen she realized the light was on. She was going to kill Chris, he had a bad habit of leaving the light on. Lizzy dumped her stuff on the counter then stopped. Sitting on the edge of the counter was a note with a chocolate kiss on it.

          Look in the café.

Lizzy grabbed the bat she kept behind the counter and turned on the lights to the café.

“Surprise!” voices yelled at her.

“Lizzy it’s Natalie and Malcolm. Don’t hurt us!” Lizzy realized she had the bat raised high in the air running towards them to attack.

“See this is the proper way to break into someone’s place. No alarms.” he grinned.

“I missed you!” Natalie squeezed the air out of Lizzy.

“Where’s Jen?” she asked, still angry.

“We dumped her like a bad habit.”

“Oh—so she’s around here somewhere?” They shrugged and nodded their heads. Lizzy made them coffee. They picked up as if nothing happened.

“You have to see the security tapes.” Malcolm stated. “Priceless.”

They sat around drinking coffee and watching the videos. Laughing at themselves. Apparently, security had been in on the whole scheme.

A soft knock came from the front window. Jen was standing with a sad look on her face, pawing at the window. Officer Rick came up behind her and gave them a happy wave. Jen held up two fingers—a peace sign. She shrugged her shoulders, the usual Jen apology. Lizzy rolled her eyes. She nodded but would no longer cower to the woman.

Jen gave Lizzy a hug and Lizzy whispered, 

“Never again.”

Lizzy left them to their own devices she had work to get done. Lizzy stopped and looked at the crowd she was leaving; Jen was trying to make amends with her new friends. Officer Rick couldn’t stop starring at Jen with a goofy look on his face. Natalie was lecturing Jen, still dressed in clothes too tight. Malcolm sat back in his chair and watched the interactions. He caught Lizzy’s eye, she gave him a little shrug as if to say ‘welcome to my life’. He winked and gave her a wolfish grin. Lizzy shook her head and laughed.

Back in the kitchen Lizzy put on her apron. She frowned when she noticed something bulky in the front pocket. She reached in and pulled out a pink rose. Attached to the rose was a little hand written note. She unfolded it and read,

               Have dinner with me;

                          I triple dog double dare you.

                                                     Malcolm