9-11=-2
America will never forget.
The sun shone bright,
The turnstiles rotated,
The people rushed to work.
Slotted timecards.
Nobody suspected anything,
Maybe it was an accident?
But no,
Two planes,
Two towers.
More than buildings were lost,
Lives were stolen,
Firefighters, workers,
Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters.
A broken skyline,
The skeleton steel,
The smell and burn of butane.
America will never forget.
-
Skylines and Turnstiles My Chemical Romance
Will He Love Me?
Falling,
Why do we fall,
We trip,
We jump,
We close our eyes.
It is just a seemingly endless cycle,
Over and over,
This falling,
This feeling,
This hope to be caught.
Maybe this time he’ll catch me,
You think,
But you crash,
But you’re hurt,
But he turns away.
There is nobody to blame,
I’m falling again,
Will he catch me?
Will he see me?
Will he accept me?
Will he love me???
She is Gone
As she laid on the bed in the hospital, limbs unmoving. Machines helping her breathe and maintaining her body. No sparkle in her eye left. I couldn't do anything to help her. They took her to do a CT Scan and I paced the room, then sat down and rocked, back and forth, back and forth. I was on the verge of Hyperventalating. My world was falling apart. I didn't know what to do without her.
They brought her back to the room and said, "She is brain dead"
We said, "Pull the plug. She doesn't desrve to be a vegetable hooked up to wires and machines."
They pulled the plug and I laid on top of her, hugging her for one last time. I cried my eyes out as her body no longer was warm. Her body was lifeless and there was no need for her to be a vegetable.
My best friend was my older sister, Renada R. Riggins
Survival and the Deal
Iris
I tossed Lolo out the door as the house crumbled and tumbled down upon me. I heard him screaming for me. I could hear the commotion from outside until all I could hear was the wind. My lower right leg felt like it was on fire.
“Iris, Iris? Wake up and follow me.” A female voice said as it pulled me out of the rubble.
“I am awake and who are you?” I asked as the rubble cleared from above me.
“Need not to know my name, but shall we meet again soon. Name I cannot say as that would be violation to personal self.” She said as I looked at her.
I noticed that she was a Shelldor. She was a Jet-Black Shelldor. Her eyes were the colors of pink pearls and her horn was straight then curved. She wore a gray feather that stuck from behind her ear. I remember that White Feather had a single feather behind her ear.
“What is the feather for, or signify?” I asked as I smiled at her.
“Signifying Feather means Pureblood Shelldor we are. Half-bloods and Males have not the privilege nor power to have thy Significant Feather.” She said with a smile as she took the feather from behind her ear.
She offered it to me, and I looked at her confused. She smiled as she stuck the feather behind my ear. I smiled and looked at her confused.
“Confusion I see upon your lovely face. Looks nice it is on you. Feather of White Dove and Seven Seas Pirate will know who saved your life. Leg you must heal soon. Find you, they must not.” She said with a smile.
She walked away from me and disappeared into thin air. I wonder if that was White Feather’s mom. At this point, I need to find my way to Lolo. I looked down at myself and realized my shirt had small holes in it and my jeans on the right, was ripped from the top of the wound. My left leg had small rips in them. My right arm had a few scratches that a thin line of scarlet showed through. At that point, I didn’t care what I looked like. I looked at the ground and saw blood on the ground. I walked over to it and scooped some up. I smelt it and I knew immediately that it belonged to Lolo. I saw his footprints and a trail of blood. Then, I heard thunder rolling in.
“Alright, check the area for signs of life!” A young male voice said as I started to limp away from the rubble.
I didn’t pay much attention to the gaping wound on my lower leg, even though it burned like it was on fire. I could feel the blood trickle down my leg. I heard someone sniffing the area.
“I smell blood and… *sniffs the air once more* a female?” Another male voice said questioning on what he smelt.
“Baldur! Go check it out!” The young male voice ordered.
He rustled through the leaves and I wanted to run but I stayed still. He saw me but he didn’t recognize me from behind. He hooted like an owl and I heard the leaves rustle until it was dead silent. I could see 3 guys and a woman within my peripheral vision.
“Hello, madam. Who might you be?” The woman asked as she could see blood dripping from my hand, and it ran down my leg.
“Who are you four?” I asked a little irritated with their presence.
“I am Baldur of the High Commission. This is Herald, Drake and Nancy. Who might you be, young miss?” The tallest male of them said as he respectfully bowed to me.
“Are you Elven folk or humans?” I asked as I felt waves of pain in my leg.
“Nancy and I are Elven folk from the Northern Forest, but Drake and Herald are Vulcanite. Are you alright, hibrido baten alaba (daughter of a hybrid)?” Baldur said as he looked at my leg.
“Why are the Vulcanite here and not up North where they belong?” I asked as I dropped to one knee and I sat the rest of the way.
“Turn around so we can see you, child.” Herald said as he saw the blood start to pool under my leg.
I could see the wound was covered in dust and other nasty things. I could see the bone, but I knew it wasn’t broken. I started to feel woozy and I laid back. I passed out for only the Sun Goddess knows. I woke up to soft bed made of feathers, instead of hard rock. I rubbed my head and sat up. I looked around to see that the room was almost like a cage but an actual room.
‘Ugh… my head hurts. Where am I? How did I get here?’ I thought to myself.
I heard voices from my left, and I saw the four people from earlier. They stopped talking when I guess Drake, the blonde looking Vulcanite, pointed at me.
“Thy patient is awake. How are you feeling, Iris?” Drake asked as Baldur and Nancy walked forward.
“My leg… um… hurts, and I do have a splitting headache. Where am I at exactly?” I said as I sat up and saw movement in the dark.
“You are lucky to know where part of thy Vulcanite live. You are at the House of Hybridization in Redina. No, you are not far from Shelldera. Redina is only 3 to 4-minute walk from here. Thy patient is in no condition to walk that long. Rest and we shall see if you will be able to walk tomorrow.” Herald, a buff yet tall Vulcanite, said as he stepped closer.
I tried to stand up, but I fell to the floor. I cannot believe it. Am I so weak that I need to actually rest? Ah, hell. Nancy and Baldur came over and helped me back up on the bed.
“Why are you Vulcabrats helping me?” I asked as Nancy put the blanket over my lap.
“Such vulgar language is not tolerated here. We are helping you because we wanted to know what you are. You aren’t an Elf, human or a Shelldor. What are you exactly?” Herald said as he walked over toward me.
“I am half Draginucous and half Elf. I know what I am. You are apparently one of the lower counted Vulcabrats.” I snapped back as pain seared through my leg.
“Thy pain has returned, no?” Nancy asked as she grabbed for a glass bottle.
“I can bear… through it. I need to find Lolo.” I said as the pain in my leg got more intense.
“Let us ease the pain for you, Iris.” Drake said as he had a syringe full of something pink.
“No. Drake go get some ice and a bucket of water. Nancy, go get me some gauze, crutches, and a medicinal wrap. Herald. I need you to go find more information about Iris. See if she has any family members other than someone named Lolo.” Baldur ordered as he glared at them.
They nodded and headed to go get what he needed. It felt like my leg was on fire by now. He looked at me. He sat on the bed and touched my wounded leg. He closed his eyes and spoke a rhyme.
“Through flesh and blood, heal this chosen one. She brings peace and will not cease. She is two within one, heal her so she can love.” Baldur said as his hand started to glow a warm yellow color.
The pain ceased as the blanket warmed up and I could feel my wound heal. It was a tingly feeling and then I could feel my own skin moved to close the wound. I looked at him surprised as Drake came in with the 2 buckets full of water and ice. Nancy came in right afterwards with the gauze, medicinal wrap, and crutches. Drake set the two buckets near the bed. Nancy set the medicinal wrap and the gauze on a table and rolled it to the bed.
“May I take a look, niece of Badilia?” Baldur said as he stood up.
“No, you may not look. How do you know Badilia?” I asked as I glared at him.
“I need to look at it. I know Badilia because I am her boyfriend.” Baldur said as he looked at me.
“The first rule for the Southern and the Northern Elves; Northern Elves cannot date or marry Southern Elves and vice versa.” I said with concern.
“Well, your father broke a rule too.” Baldur said ignoring what I said with a slight smile.
I rolled my eyes and uncovered my lower right leg. It still hurt to the touch, but it wasn’t a big hole either. It was weeping a little bit from a medium sized hole. He grabbed a small hand cloth from off the side table and dipped it into the bucket of water. He wrung the towel out, folded it and set it on my wound. I winced as he set the cloth on my wound and yet the water slowly started to ease the pain. He grabbed another cloth from the same side table and put ice in it. He tied the corners and set the ball of ice on top of the wet cloth. The ice made it burn and it made me winced at the pain. I was just about to scream when Herald bolted through the door.
“Sir, sir!! You will not believe at thy information I have found about her.” Herald said, running in as he held a small stack of papers.
“What did you find, Herald?” Baldur asked as Herald got to him.
“Tara L. Diera of the Southern Elves from the Southern Forest is her father. It also says her mother is unknown. It said that her brother is Lolo Darius Freedom. In this picture I printed out, her mother looks like she is human. How can she be half Draginucous, I wonder?” Herald said as he gave the papers to Baldur.
Baldur looked through the papers and found the picture on the 4th paper in. He showed it to me, and I froze. It showed Tara, Lolo, Deera and me. Mama… mama… MAMA!!! I peeled the blankets off me and jumped off the bed. I landed on my knees, but I stood up and tried to run.
“Mama? Mama!! Where art thou?” I asked with a screech and Herald and Drake held me back.
“What is your mama’s name and what is she?” Nancy asked as she helped them set me back down and Baldur showed me the picture again.
“Deera Freedom. That is my mama’s name. She is the last Black Draginucous. I need my Mama!!” I snapped as I was held down in the bed.
“Tranquilize her!! Give her 80 cc Dazacome!!” Nancy barked the order.
I flailed as they held me down. I was tiring myself out, but I knew I needed my Madre. Drake searched for the needle and syringe as Baldur grabbed the glass bottle. Drake tossed him the needle and syringe. Baldur caught it and pulled the medicine out of the glass bottle. I struggled as I felt him stab the needle into my leg and pushed the medicine into my body. My body immediately relaxed, and I started to fall asleep. I kept shaking my head to stay awake but to no avail. I fell into a deep, deep sleep. Hours went by as I slept and slept. I felt someone lightly shaking me as I started to wake up.
“Daru Daru, I am here, my child.” Deera said as I could see her.
“Madre!! Oh, how I’ve missed you.” I said as she and I embraced in a hug.
“How sweet is this, Captain Singe?” Drake asked as a young man walked up to us.
“Yes, but it is too sweet for my taste.” The young male said as he grabbed mama.
“Give her back!!” I snarled as he pulled her away from me.
“Let go of me, you nasty varmint!!!” Deera snarled as she turned into her Draginucous form and slid out of his hands.
She stood over the bed I was in and looked down at him. She growled as the man stumbled a few feet backwards. He looked at her astonished as blue misty magic swirled next the Deera and who walked in and… appeared but my dad, Tara.
“Papa!!”” I yelled with a smile and my leg was starting to burn.
“Stay away from my daughtren and my wife.” Tara said calmly as he held the Staff of Riles and the Book of Norawind.
“I am so scared, Deathly Hallows.” The young male said as he shook his hands for a dramatic effect.
“Deathly Hallows is not my name, Old one. My name is Tara Lerandor Diera.” Tara snapped back as he recognized who it was.
I never knew that my dad had a Master Given name like that when he had his Master. The young male started laughing and walked over toward Tara.
“My Sister will be happy to hear that her favorite Death Keeper’s father came to the rescue of a puny little girl.” He snapped at Tara as he started to get close to him.
“Back Away or there will be no deals offered.” Tara said as his book opened, and pages flipped until it stopped.
The man stopped. He thought for a moment and my leg felt like it was on fire. I took the blanket off my leg and saw my leg where my wound is was wrapped neatly. I stood up, shakily but I fell when I took a step forward. Baldur walked over to me and helped me stand up again. He put a crutch under one arm and taught me how to walk with it. Tara swallowed hard as he motioned for Deera to relax. She relaxed and changed back into her human form. She stood next to him.
“Why kind of deal, Deathly Hallows?” He asked.
“Let Deera and Iris go and… and I will stay with you.” Tara offered as he lost his smile.
“Interesting, Interesting. Your life for theirs? I will accept that just as long as my daughter can have you as well.” He said.
“Yes, my lord. I accept that deal as well.” Tara said as he bowed to him.
He motioned for Tara to follow him and Tara stood up. Tara went to follow him.
“No, Honey bunches of war. Don’t go back to that type of filthy life.” Deera said as she started crying.
“If it is to have him leave you and Iris alone, I shall do it. Not for the sake of my life but, to protect my family.” Tara said as he looked back at Deera and I.
“No, Padre. Let me go in your place.” I said as I used the crutch to help walk me over toward him.
“No, daughtren of mine. You are in no position to take my place. Deera, take her home and have the rest of the family look for Lolo. I will not be home for dinner tonight.” Tara said as he turned back around and walked away from them.
Deera started to cry but I picked up a rock and chunked it at the old man. It hit the back of his neck and he looked around. He spotted me, a few yards away from him and Tara.
“Ah, Daru Daru. Aren’t you the daughter of this elf?” He asked as he pointed at Tara.
“Leave him alone. I am the one you want. I am Daru Daru, one acquaintance of your daughters. She left me to rot under the rubble of a house that collapsed upon me. I saved the many lives of those we call Acquaintances.” I snarled as I tried to stand up tall.
“My, my, my. What an attitude she’s got even though she is injured.” He said with a smile.
He grabbed me by the front of my shirt and drug me as he walked with Tara behind him. It was a long time before I was thrown against a door. He motioned for me to open the door, but I was too weak to stand and open it. Tara helped me stand up and he opened the door. The young man gave us to an older man and walked away from us.
“Rose Petal!! Where are you?” The older man asked as we walked in and I saw Lolo.
“Master Rose is not here right now. May I take a message for you?” Lolo answered as the others hustled and bustled.
“Where is she?” He asked Lolo.
“She went to see if Daru Daru was alive under all the rubble. I see you have brought Deathly Hollows and Daru Daru. I will send one of the acquaintances to go get her immediately.” Lolo said as he glanced at me and father.
He whistled and Aphrodite dropped from the ceiling. She landed in front of Lolo, knelt down. He whispered to her and she took off like a bullet. He whistled again and Raja walked up to Lolo and bowed to him.
“Take Mr. Dormant to Master’s office. I will take these two to a cell until she gets back.” Lolo ordered as I watched Lolo’s stone-cold face.
Raja nodded and guided Mr. Dormant to her office as Lolo walked toward us. He got close to us and glared at us.
“I am guessing you know who Mr. Dormant is, right Fada?” Lolo asked the question looking for an immediate answer.
“I know him personally from… my past. I did not wish this upon myself, Death Keeper.” Tara said as he looked Lolo in defeat.
Lolo saw the feather behind my ear, and he dropped to his knees. He started shaking his head, back and forth, back and forth. He kept mumbling to himself as he looked from the feather to my face. Tara finally caught up with what was going on.
“Whose Feather does that belong to?” Tara asked me.
“I… I do not know. She kept saying something about Seven Seas Pirate and Feather of White Dove should know who rescued me.” I said, halfway lying.
“Silence!!! Silence, my dear ones.” Our Master said as she walked into the room.
Lolo stood up and saluted to her. She pointed at me and Tara. I let Lolo explain why I was here and same with Tara. She walked over to us and smiled at me.
“Daru Daru, my dear Black Lemon. Who saved you from the wretched rubble?” She asked as she slid her fingers from my forehead and behind my ear where she plucked the feather.
“Give that back!! It doesn’t… aah… it doesn’t belong to you!!” I snarled as I jumped and plucked the feather out of her hands.
I put the feather back behind my ear and glared at her. I tried to stand tall, but my injured leg gave out. So, I fell to the ground as my leg throbbed with pain. Lolo went to run to me, but Master held him back. She sighed and walked to her office door.
“Leave her be. We have other business to take care of. She isn’t worth messing with and she doesn’t deserve your time and effort. Deathly Hallows!! Follow me and leave her be. She shall stay there, so no one shall mess with her while she heals.” Master said as she stood at her office door.
Lolo sighed and Tara did the same, but they both walked after her. She walked into her office with those two behind her. The door shut behind them and all was quiet.
“What is she planning?” I asked myself as I stood up and faced the North.
My leg felt like it was on fire. I made myself a cane so I could walk.
Lolo’s Hiding Something
Lolo
I started laughing maniacally as I closed the front door. Holo Gina looked at me confused and scared.
“Death Keeper, sir!! Why are you back so early?” Holo Gina asked as she saluted.
“Hey!! Holo Gina, that isn’t nice to scare the wits out of me!!” I snapped as I jumped a little bit.
“Sorry, Death Keeper. We weren’t expecting you to be here until after the new year.” Holo Gina said as she looked at me with respect.
“Where is our Master?” I asked as I motioned for her to relax.
“She is in her office.” Holo Gina said as she relaxed.
We walked toward our Master’s office. I followed Holo Gina up to the door. I could hear our Master crying within. I swallowed my pride and took a deep breath as I turned the knob. I pushed the door open to see her and a tall dark figure face to face. He was ready to attack when I recognized the voice that spoke.
“What did you do with Lolo?” The dark figure asked as black substance dripped from his face.
“Lolo is at home! I laid him off until the first of the year!!” His Master snapped back as she pushed the dark figure backwards.
I noticed she had tear lines that stained her cheeks. I watched Master go back and forth with Shadow Master Dalton.
“Huh… his scent is fresh in here. Tell me this, is he here now or is that scent from yesterday or the day before, my dear Rose?” The Shadow Master Dalton said with a smile as his hood fell off his head.
“Leave, Shadow Demon!!” My Master snarled as she stomped toward Shadow Master Dalton.
“As you wish, Master Rose. Get ready for the war that is yet to come.” He said as his whole body turned into the liquid substance and slid under the door.
She sat down at her desk and sighed as she wiped away her tears. She motioned for me to walk forth. I walked forward, up to her desk and saluted her.
“No need to salute me, Death Keeper. Why are you here?” My Master asked as she rubbed her temples.
“I am here because I am looking for Raja, Killer, Destroyer and Mooran for a patrol around the borders before I take off. We shall be back by 17:00 madam.” I requested as I stood up.
“Fine, fine. Take them to patrol since it is only 6:00. I shall relax and please make sure that Iris is here when y’all come back.” She said as she motioned for me to leave.
I left and yelled for them one by one to come and stand in front of me. Killer and Raja were the first to show and to salute me. They stood tall but Killer looked confused. Mooran and Destroyer came running in and slid to a halt. They were breathing hard but saluted to me anyways.
“Why do you need us, Death Keeper, sir?” Raja asked as they all put their hands down.
“Patrolling the borders. We have to make sure that no one has come in or out. Got it?” I commanded as I stood tall.
“Yes sir!!” They all yelled and saluted again.
They followed me toward the Northwest corner and watched the border until we got to the South side of the border where our friends hid in the bushes. I whistled and Iris popped up. Killer and Destroyer looked at me in confusion. Then, Avalar, Flame Point, and Midnight Dash popped up next to her. They all smiled and hugged each other. I stood back a little bit.
“Lily, oreinak, hegazkinaria!! Nola zaude lagun zaharrak? The Lily, Deer people, Aviator!! How are you old friends?” Mooran asked in Basque as he shook hands with Avalar.
“Hey, Moron of The Hellish Language!! English please!!” Midnight Dash snapped as she nouggied Killer.
“At least he is asking how his old friends are.” Destroyer said as he started wrestling with Avalar.
“I am not a moron!! More like you are the moron, Crash!!” Mooran said with a smile.
“Don’t call her Crash, Moron. Avinator, Sequin Flower, Marmalade and Black Lemon, Flamin’ Road Rash and then me. Who are we missing?” I said as I counted the names as I said them on my fingers.
“White Feather. We are missing the young Shelldor named White Feather.” Flame Point said as he walked up to me.
“Hmm. Does anyone know where we can find the Feather of White?” I asked as I looked at my gallant friends.
“I might know where she hangs out at around this hour.” Midnight said with a smile as she walked up to me.
I looked at Midnight Dash and smiled.
“You won’t like where she is at.” Midnight said as she touched my shoulder.
“Well, where is she?” Flame Point and I asked her at the same time.
“Follow me and you shall see. Feather of White you can easily fright. She knows we are coming; yet shall she be on a guitar a-strumming.” Midnight rhymed as she trotted away toward the South.
We followed her toward the South for about an hour until we got to some bushes behind a building. We all stared at the big building in awe. We all heard a bell ring and the main door opened. Everyone except for Iris ducked down. We watched as the kids flooded from the school doors. These kids were Satyrs, Fauns, Shelldors and Elves. This was also no ordinary school; it was the Special School of Magic and Potions. Iris watched all of the kids flood out until she heard the soft clopping of White Feather’s hooves on the concrete sidewalk nearby. Iris ducked down as White Feather got closer. She walked by them and walked toward a thick oak tree. She sat down and a guitar appeared from thin air. She started strumming and started to sing the song of her people.
“White Feather can sing?!?” I asked in astonishment as I felt my cheeks go red.
“Uh oh, seems like Lolo has a crush.” Killer and Raja teased him.
“N… no. No, I don’t. I… um… I was just surprised that she could sing.” I stammered as I looked away from White Feather.
Avalar stood up and changed into his Shelldor form. He stepped out of the bushes and started walking toward her. She paid no attention to him. He stopped close to her feet and cleared his throat.
“Eep!!” White Feather screeched as she fumbled the guitar.
“Feather of White Dove. Shall we join our friends on an epic adventure?” Avalar asked as he stuck his hand out for her to grab.
“Pirate of the Seas, Son of Sinbad, don’t scare me like that. It isn’t nice to scare others.” She said formally as she made the guitar disappear as quickly as she had made it appear.
“Sorry, Dove. Shall we join our friends, Sister of mine?” He asked her as their friends snickered from within the bushes.
She nodded and took his hand. He helped her stand up and he grabbed her book bag. He threw it over his shoulder, and she smiled up at him. Avalar was at least a foot or two taller than White Feather. They started walking toward the front of the school when a group of two male elves and a female elf walked out of the school’s front doors and down the path a little ways.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Burnt Dork Feather and who is this with you?” The middle elf asked as he scaled Avalar up and down.
“Is he your boyfriend?” The elf on the left said as he chuckled a little bit.
“I am not her boyfriend. I am only a friend coming to walk her home.” Avalar said as anger started building within him.
All three of the elves started laughing. The female elf that was on the right, flipped her hair back and grabbed White Feather by her shirt.
“Listen here, little fucker. Stay out of my fucking way or you will regret that your precious mommy and daddy never had you. Got it, you piece of shit?” The female snapped at her as she threw White Feather down to the ground.
White Feather landed on her back, knocking the breath out of her. Next thing I knew, Avalar grabbed the female elf by her shirt and made her look at him. The other two elves gasped.
“Hey, I don’t appreciate you and your little friends picking on my friend. Leave her alone or I will do more than this. Got it?” Avalar said as he set her back on the ground and then glared at her.
“Y… yeah. Yeah, we got it.” She stammered as she stood up and walked away with her friends.
Avalar helped White Feather stand up and he brushed off the dirt. He heard cheering from his friends and his left. He looked to his left and a student body of 20 or more kids cheering.
“Let us go, Sister Dove.” Avalar said as he walked her toward the front gates.
They walked through the gates and toward their friends standing near the fountain. She hugged everyone and started talking about how her classes are teaching the basics right now. She noticed that I was a little pinker than normal.
“Relax Death Keeper. Let us go have fun before our Masters spoil our fun.” White Feather said with a smile as she hugged me.
“How come he calls you Sister?” I asked after I cleared my throat.
“He and I share the same heritage. We have different Papas and Mamas though. We have grown up together in the Shelldor society.” White Feather said as she let go of me with a smile.
“How is this Special School for Magic and Potions?” Killer asked as he walked with the group as they all left.
“Meh. They teach you basic spells and basic potion making skills. It is alright since I am in most of the Advanced classes.” White Feather said as she walked next to Avalar.
Avalar shook and his body reverted back to its elf form. His horn disappeared and his hooved legs turned back into normal legs. White Feather looked at Avalar surprised. He smiled at her and stopped next to her.
“What? How? Why?” White Feather asked as she stopped too.
“I am a Heraldor, which is half Shelldor and half elf, Sister Dove. How and why is not all that important.” Avalar said as he heard a branch break.
Everyone stopped and heard the breaking of branches from behind them.
“Run!!” Iris, Mooran and I yelled all together.
We all started running and the running steps became audible. The laughing started and Iris, Avalar, and I knew who it was. We all stopped running when we got to the middle of a group of trees that surrounded us. We looked around and noticed that the leaves on the trees were moving and the branches were dripping a black substance.
“Dalton!! Show yourself!!” Avalar and I yelled as Iris held her spear that appeared from thin air.
“Nah. Tell your so-called Masters and family that the war is about to begin.” He said as he stayed hidden within the shadows.
“Why should we tell them that?” Iris snarled as she looked in the opposite direction of me.
“I am not going to tell you. I shall take my leave now.” Shadow Master Dalton said as he disappeared, and everything was still and quiet.
“Time!! What time is it?” Raja asked frantically.
“Calm down, Drama Queen. It is only 9:00. Why do you ask?” Iris snapped as she looked at him with irritation.
Raja shrugged and looked at Avalar. White Feather squinted at Mooran and could see that he was crying on the inside. She started laughing and smiled at Iris. I cleared my throat, and everyone stared at me.
“Let us go tell our Masters what we saw and heard.” I said as I looked at Avalar and scanned across my friends.
My pod and Avalar’s pod started ringing. We answered and the friends separated to each Master they belong to. Avalar’s group consisted of Midnight Dash, Flame Point, White Feather, and himself. My group consisted of Iris, Bud, Raja, Mooran, Killer, Destroyer, and myself. Avalar and I opened our pods and all of us saluted. Avalar’s group saluted with their arms laying against each other across their chest. Lolo’s group saluted with arms crossed into a diamond shape.
“I need you and the rest of you to come back to home base immediately.” Both of their Masters said as they looked at all of them with a worried expression.
“Yes, ma’am!!” Lolo’s group replied.
“Yes, your highness.” Avalar replied as the others nodded.
We both closed our pods and put them away. Both Avalar’s and I’s groups looked at each other and we went our separate ways. I kept something hidden and Iris could sense it but, she or I couldn’t figure it out.
Avalar
“Let us go, Knights of the Round Barrel!! Let us get to our Majesty’s side and see what he needs.” I said as I turned and looked at the other 3 in my group.
“Sir, yes, sir.” I said as they bowed to me.
They stood up and watched me as I started to pace a little bit. I started to walk toward the East, and they followed me.
Lolo
“Let’s go, Acquaintances!!” I yelled as I felt uneasy about what Master was needing.
They followed me as we walked away from Avalar and his group. Something in my gut told me that we should run. I pushed it down and shook the ideal away. I started to run, and they ran after me. Iris ran past me and beat me to the door of our Master’s office. I knocked on the door and heard nothing. Something was off, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Something is completely wrong here.” Iris said as her spear appeared out of thin air.
“Nothing is wrong, my little failures!!” A male voice they recognized immediately.
“Dalton!! Show yourself, you cowardly and conniving snake!!” I yelled as I grabbed my bow and arrows.
“Awe… That isn’t the way to greet a family member, Lolo, and Iris. You know your mother and father would be so upset at this display of disrespect. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Why are you mingling with these lower life forms? Anyways, your Master is gone, sonny boy. Give up, my dear niece and nephew. It is useless to fight someone stronger than yourselves. You should know that by personal experience, Lolo the Undefeatable.” Shadow Master Dalton said as he let his body drop to the floor and take shape again.
“Where is our Master?” Iris growled the question that we were all thinking.
“Let’s just say that Master Rose is a bit… oh, what’s the word… Yes. A bit occupied at the moment.” Shadow Master Dalton said as he looked at Iris.
“Where is she?!?” I asked, angrily as I pulled the string on my bow back.
“Oh, she’s busy dealing with… who was it? Who was it? Oh, yes!! She’s busy negotiating with Doctor Roadrunner.” Shadow Master Dalton said as he smiled at me.
“Not him. Not that stupid boy who owns my rivals!” I said as Iris spun around and watched whatever was slithering toward us.
“Oh, yeah? I thought they were your friends on the other side of the Territories. Dearest nephew and niece turn around and watch this place start to crumble around you. Why try to save your so-called acquaintances when you can save yourselves? Stay with me and you shall live to see more days than you can count.” Shadow Master Dalton said as we all heard crackling.
When I looked over, I saw that he had blocked Iris and I from the others. I breathed in calmly as I looked at them and decided to bark orders.
“Everyone!! Get out of the building, now!! I need you to help me defeat him.” I ordered as I spun around and looked back at Shadow Master Dalton.
Iris stayed as the others ran out of the building. Iris and I stood our ground as the building started to crumble and pieces of the roof started to fall around us. I hunkered down but Iris stood tall as our uncle laughed.
“We won’t ever join you and join in on your evil schemes that you are planning.” Iris snarled as she got into her battle stance and her armor started to show up.
“Well, I guess… Enjoy your slow death.” Shadow Master Dalton said as he turned to liquid and slithered away.
Iris looked up as she heard something creak and crack. She grabbed me and tossed me out the door. The whole building fell as I was caught by a couple of acquaintances. Everyone gasped as they saw the building collapse to the ground.
“Iris!!” I yelled as went to run toward the mess but Holo Gina stopped me.
“She’s gone, Death Keeper. You cannot get her back.” Holo Gina said as she held me back.
“No, no, NO!!! I just got her trust back!! I can’t let her die!! How… H… How am I to… *sniffles* to explain this to… to my parents?!?” I yelled as I started crying.
“What happened here? Where is Daru Daru? Why is Death Keeper crying?” Their Master asked as she walked upon the scene.
“M… madam. Lolo and Daru Daru saved us from HIM. HE tried to crumble the home with all of us in it. HE crumbled the home on top of Iris. She tossed Death Keeper out and was crushed before she could get out.” Holo Gina answered as they all saluted.
“Death Keeper, my dear. No need to cry. Go home and explain to them that a rock slide happened and crushed her.” Their Master said as she set her hand on my shoulder.
“I… I cannot lie, Master. I must tell the truth. I promised that to my sister.” I snapped at her.
“Lie, my dear. You will not get in trouble. Just do it, or you will be punished.” She said as whispering started all around us.
“Punish me all you want!! I won’t be caught lying to my family!! You don’t know what pain I have withheld from you and your ridiculous orders make no sense!! You don’t know me at all if you haven’t noticed I have dreaded this day to come!! Go ahead and punish me!!” I yelled at her arms, wide open and they all gasped.
“What do you mean by you have dreaded this day to come?” Our Master asked.
“You will never know what I feel, you monstrous Master!! You will never feel the same way I do!! You feel no Compassion, no Sympathy or Empathy and you don’t have any, ANY feelings toward us, you Monstrous Fucking Master!!” I yelled and realized immediately my mistake.
“What did you call me, Death Keeper?” She asked as her expression went from concerned to angry.
I stayed silent and stood there without a peep. She raised her hand and a whip appeared. She popped the whip and it got my arm. Left a nice slice on my arm. She kept popping the whip until I fell to my knees. She was out of breath and I hurt all over. That punishment lasted for two hours straight.
“Now, what did you call me?” She asked me again.
“You… ugh… you heard me the first time. I am… am not repeating what… ugh… I called you.” I stammered from all the pain before I collapsed completely to the ground.
Blood pooled under my body as Holo Gina shook my body and saying something as our Master laughed. I tried to stand up but fell back down. My body still hurt but I stood up and stared at her. My vision blurred as I started walking toward her. She took a step back and glared at me.
“Let them go, Master. I shan’t call you any kind of nasty or mean names again. I am sorry.” I said as I knelt in front of her.
She smiled and said, “My dear Death Keeper, you won’t lose your standing among us. Let them carry you to our new home.”
I nodded and let Regina, Holo Gina, Killer and Destroyer grab me. I winced at the pain from the sores and scratches from my punishment.
“What about Iris’s body?” I asked as I looked at our Master.
“We will leave her body here to not disrupt Aria as she works.” Master said as she smiled at me and walked away.
“Set me down. It will hurt less if I walk on my own.” I said as they started to walk, and it was causing me a lot of pain.
They stopped and set me down. I stood and started walking after our Master. They followed me as I followed her. We walked away from the crumbled mess of a home and I felt no emotion in me whatsoever.
Glimpse
Through the turnstile and towards the corner,
I stood watching as you passed by my eye.
Just looking at you made me think I’d die,
Black shoulder-length hair you are a charmer.
Ushanka on top and suit all over,
I averted my eyes so very shy.
Slim but strong I’ve never seen such a guy.
And on his nose a ring of a rocker,
But briefcase in hand he walked past me fast.
Certain he did not even notice me,
Why is the world so cruel to make me see,
Somebody who will always haunt my past.
A feeling came over me looking at him,
And wishing and hoping will make me grim.
Let Me Go
I know it’s wrong to miss you.
I know it’s stupid.
I know I should just move on.
I need to stop thinking about you.
I need to stop going back to you.
I need to stop needing you.
I’m not going to lie to you.
I never have.
I never will.
That’s not who I am,
But maybe it’s who you are.
I cried the day you left.
I sat in my room
All alone
Ignoring texts
From all the people
Who really care about me.
And all for what?
For you?
Why did I ever do anything for you?
Why did I care?
Why couldn’t I just forget?
It’s been so long.
I still can’t forget.
I need you to get out of my head.
Please.
“I can’t do this anymore,” you said.
“I just need to stop,” you said.
You lied to me so much.
Can you blame me
For believing this wasn’t true either?
Can you blame me for hoping?
Maybe that’s why I can’t forget.
Maybe it’s because I keep waiting
For your name to come up on my phone.
I need you out of my head.
I need you out of my life.
But how can you get rid of something
That’s already gone?
I need to stop wondering if you’re thinking of me.
I need to stop thinking you’re different.
I need to stop putting you first.
I need to stop.