Woot!

I believe this is my 5th post in ONE month!! In case you were wondering, that's a pretty big deal on this blog. :P
Anyways!

I haven't written any free writing exercises in MONTHS until...today! Greg gave me the prompt like a week ago, and I totally forgot until my mind was being random, and thought of the word. Oh yes. The word. That word being Fire! B-) Fire is an awesome subject to write about, because there's soooo many amazing words and ideas that can be connected to it! For some reason, my idea turned out to be love. Told you my mind was being random. :P  And this is what came out. I call it.... The Fire of Love. So orignal. I know. Stop being jealous!

The flames move.

Weave.

Dance.

Climb higher in my soul.

A love that cannot be forgotten.

It smolders.

Devours.

Consumes.

Haunts every thought.

Feeds every desire.

Clutches at my very essence.

No water can quench it.

No words, describe it.

No shackles, contain it.

It defies restraint.

Recognizes no authority.

Burns, though denied.

Blazes with unending passion.

An inferno of love.
 
DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying this is how love should be. Not recognizing authority= Bad. Don't do it. :P This is just what I think of when I think of fire and love combined.

~ Calleigh

The Beach, Again!

Day 02: I actually went out over my head in the ocean to day!! You should all be proud. :P There were ten other people out there with me, and I figured if a shark did come...I don't have to out swim the shark, I just have to out swim them! Brilliant, right? :D
But right now, I have a headache, and my sunburn is hurting, so I'm being lazy and chatting. :P So, yeah...I also had cookie dough, which completely made my day. Cookie dough fixes everything!!! ....except headaches and sunburns. :P
 
I am now up to 99 shark teeth!! I didn't realize I was the close to 100 before I came back to the house, and now I feel to lazy too walk back down. :P
 
~ Calleigh

The Beach (I actually wrote this yesterday, but forgot to post it) :P

So! Day 01 at the beach! So...it is 12:08, and I have been on the beach for an hour, splashing in the waves. So far, I have found 23 shark teeth. Topsail Island is the #1 place in NC to find shark teeth. Which is the #1 reason why I do not go past my knees in the water unless I can see my feet. :P
We are currently breaking for lunch, then going back down to the beach afterwards. The view is amazing. Nothing but blue-green waves, white surf, and sparkling sand.
 
~ Calleigh
 

*begs*

PLEASE comment on my chapter 2! I need to know if peoples like it before I can continue. Or at least somewhat need to. :P Chapter 3 is already done, and chapter 4 is started, but no one gets it till I get a comment. So there. :P Please let me know what you think! And yes, you can say it's awful. :P AND you can edit, critique, and pick apart to your hearts desire!

Thank you to anyone who comments with something helpful!!! :D

~ Calleigh

....

That was a lot of complaining and begging... o.O Won't do that again, don't worry :P

I'm back.

And with my return comes.....!!!!!!!!

Haha, I was really tempted to say nothing, but there actually is something this time!! :D *readers groan* Get over it, people. :P Yes, I might just possibly be like this in real life. *pats my real life friends* Thanks for putting up with me. *GRIN*

Anyways!! As I was saying...with my return comes...Chapter 2 of Rael's Redemption!! (title subject to change)

Now, I made some changes to chapter 1 in order for everything in Chapter 2 to make sense. SO! IF anyone wants to reread chapter 1, with the changes made, I'm going to edit my original chapter 1 post so the new version may be found there.

And now...Chapter 2. *posts and hides*


Chapter 2

I awoke to someone bouncing on my bed.

“Rory…” I said through gritted teeth. “You’d better have a good reason for this.”

“It just so happens that I do…” Her normally cheerful voice sounded strained to me. I sat up, alert. “Rory, what’s wrong?”

“Um…your benefactor is here…he wants to see you.”

“He’s here? Now?” I scrambled out of bed, running my fingers through my disheveled curls.

“Yeah, now. Rael…be careful around him.”

“I’m always careful.” I said as pulled on my dress uniform.

“Right. You have the amulet?”

“Of course I have the amulet!” I said, frustrated enough to snap at my best friend.

“Sorry, my bad,” she said, her voice sounding hurt.

I slumped. “Rory…I’m sorry. You know I’m under a lot of pressure right now…” I sighed, knowing how awful that sounded. Giving up on words, I hugged her tight. “I’m sorry.” With that, I grabbed the amulet, and hurried out the door and down the hallway. I clutched the amulet in my hand. What if it wasn’t enough?

Reaching the meeting room, I pause to compose myself, then pushed the heavy door open. Much to my surprise the guildmaster stood inside with a tall, dark man, who stayed hidden in the shadows.

“Lady!” I bowed quickly. “Forgive me, I did not know you would be present.”

“Calm, Rael. I’m just here to make sure things go smoothly. You’re one of my top thieves! I have to make sure nothing…” she glanced at the tall man, “unfortunate happens.”

“Yes, Lady. Thank you, Lady.” I bowed again. This was a rare occurrence. It was not the guildmaster’s job to take care of her thieves; we’re responsible for ourselves, always have been. I was either something special, or the Lady wanted me to owe her.

I stood there, shifting my feet, waiting for the lady to start the meeting.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” she said, noticing my hesitation, “Just act like I’m not here.”

I bowed towards her, and then in the direction of my benefactor. I paused, and then began the little speech I had practiced on the trip down the hall.

“Sir, I regret to inform you that I was unable to perform the task you required of me last night.”

“I know.” The stranger cut in. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Of course, Sir. Begging your pardon. But I do have a means of payment.”

He leaned forward. My hand slowed on its way to my pocket. What if the medallion was worth more than I thought, and he tried to take it from me? But it was too late for such thoughts now, and so I pulled it from its place. “I have this, Sir. Will it be enough?”

What I could see of his shadowed face moved, as though he were smiling, but I was soon proven wrong.

“You think this trifling bauble is enough to repay me?”

“I have not a full understanding of its worth, but I’m sure it is sufficient for whatever I owe you.” I said.

“Oh really! You’re suddenly an authority on gems and metals?”

I had just opened my mouth with a biting reply, when I heard the Lady’s sweet voice fill the air.

“Sir, the guild will pay whatever Rael owes you.”

I stood there, mouth open in shock. She really did want me to owe her! There was no record of her ever doing this for any of the other thieves, and I had to wonder what she meant by it.

“It’s a deal,” said my benefactor, a little too swift for my taste.

“Rael, you’re not needed here anymore, you may go.”

I turned to go, not understanding what was going on. Never had such a thing happened before, and it was puzzling. Walking down the hall, I met Rory, who promptly asked about the weird face I was making. I was too consumed by my thoughts to comprehend what she was saying, but the hard punch in the arm made me aware of her presence.

“Finally!” She said, and I could hear the exasperation in her voice.

“Sorry. Something strange just happened.”

“Strange as in, let’s talk privately?”

“That might be best.”

Seeing that I wasn’t going to be moving anywhere on my own any time soon, Rory, for the second time that day, grabbed my arm and pulled me towards our room. Once inside, she forced me to sit on the bed.

“Tell.”

The words were a command, and a command I obeyed immediately. I always thought Rory would make an excellent guildmaster. Her slim build reminded me much of the current Lady’s, and her red hair was pulled back in almost the exact same style.

The guildmaster had always been a lady, no one knew exactly why…it was just how things were. Some said it was because women were less greedy than men, but that’s not true at all; we’re just sneakier about it. I personally think it’s because we’re intimidating. I’m sure that’s it.

After I had finished my bizarre tale, Rory sat on the bed next to me, looking as confused as I felt.

“That’s…weird.”

I nodded my head; my mind was out of words. “Why me? I’m not special? I’m not any different or better than any of the other thieves here!”

“Well that’s nice to know!” Rory said, rolling her eyes at me.

“Hey!” I said, a little hurt by her tone of voice, “I didn’t ask for this, okay? I have no more of a clue than you do as to what’s going on around here.”

“You’re right…I’m sorry.” She said, hanging her head.

I hugged her tight, “It’s alright, Ror, I probably would have said the same thing in your position.”

She laughed. “No you wouldn’t. You’d have said something ten times worse.”

I punched her arm playfully. “Very funny.” Deciding to change the subject, I added, “Come on, let’s go get something to eat, I’m starved.” And it was true. I hadn’t eaten since a quick supper the day before.

She looked at me hard, as if she were still not sure she as okay with the things going on with me and the guild.

“My treat.” I added as a bonus.

“You’re on.” She said with a smile. Who said affection couldn’t be bought?

We walked down the dusty city street that was full of people selling things, walking, talking, and a few fights here and there. I took a deep breath. Yes, the city was the life for me. I couldn’t imagine what country people did all day! There was so much to see and do in the city, so many colours and sounds. Yes, to me, Afinel was as close to heaven on earth as one could get. And the thieves were the backbone to it all.

Without us, the city would be dead, the nobles broke, fat, and boring. We kept things around here interesting. Some of the Houses had favourites among the thieves, but I made sure my loyalties were divided. I was not attached to one house more than I was to another. To me, that was playing it safe; keep them guessing.

I walked with a very distinct swagger, pulling Rory along behind me. I owned this city. There was hardly a person on the street who I didn’t know in some capacity. I had made an effort to get to know them all, and by now, I was pretty sure I did.

“Rael.”

I started at the sound of Rory’s voice very near my ear. “What?” I asked.

“A man…he’s been following us ever since we left the guild. And if you hadn’t been so focused on your ‘I own the town’ swagger, maybe you would have noticed!”

“Okay, my bad! Don’t forget all the times I’ve saved your life! You’re just now starting to catch up!”

“You’re keeping track?!” She asked, the irritation clear in her voice.

“Of…course not! Why would I do that?” I backpedaled. “It was just a joke, Ror! Lighten up a bit, huh?”

She sighed, and I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me. But it wasn’t a complete lie…I only had a vague idea of the count, not a definite number.

“So, what do we do?” Rory’s voice sounded uncertain in my ear.

“We keep walking! We’re just two members of a guild going out for lunch. We’re easily a match for him, and last I checked, eating lunch isn’t a crime, so he’s got nothing on us. In short, we ignore him.” I braced myself for the pout I knew was going to come. And it did.

“But Rae…I wanted to take him out!”

I patted her arm. “I know, Dear, but we simply don’t have time for it today.” I teased.

“Fine.” She huffed.

Ror and I had been friends since the streets. We knew each other’s moves backwards and forwards, but still never failed to enjoy each other’s company.

We walked through the streets, arm in arm. Me pointedly ignoring the man who was following us, Rory, glancing back at him several times, smiling in a way I knew meant she found him quite pleasing to the eyes.

He really was a handsome man. Tousled blonde hair, blue-green eyes, tall and toned. I understood why Rory was interested. If I hadn’t lost my heart years ago, I would be too. Rory had always been flighty when it came to matters of the heart. From war, to love, then back to war in an instant. But me…If I loved, I loved forever.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, not wanting to think about the past. I asked, “Where shall we eat today, Dear Rory?”

She rolled her eyes. I seem to get that a lot.

“How about the only place you can afford, Dear Rae.”

“Watch the attitude, or I’ll change my mind!” I teased.

She glared at me. I always seem to get the dark side of Rory’s extensive collection of facial expressions. I’ll have to work on that.

I led the way to our usual pub, a cheap, but clean place that served moderately good food. We ordered, which took longer than it should have, because I had to convince Rory she should not order the most expensive item on the menu. As we waited, I played around with the amulet while Rory and I talked about our handsome follower.

In truth, he was very good looking, and Rory might have found him worth knowing if he hadn’t been following us.

“So,” she asked, “do we try to lose him?”

I shrugged. “I don’t see why we should. It’s not every day a good looking man follows us watching our every move! Spies are good for a girl’s ego.” I said, grinning.

“Yeah, unless he’s ugly.” Rory muttered.

“Nah, it’s still good for the ego, it’s just not quite as fun.” I smirked.

Our food came out at last, much to my relief, as I had run out of funny things to say. We ate our meal in silence, I paid the owner, and we left, happily followed by the handsome stranger.

Things were starting to feel alright again. Sure it was strange that the guildmaster had taken such an interest in me, but really, what difference did it make? I slung my arm around Rory’s shoulder, once again at peace with the world. That’s when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was our handsome spy.

I dropped my fingers to my belt, fingering my knives. “Yes?” I asked, my voice steady. No spy was going to frighten me.

“Lady, I have need to speak with you privately.

“Why now? Why not while we were having lunch?”

“This cannot be spoken about in public, Lady. We must go somewhere private.”

I glanced at Rory, who stood nervously next to me. “How do we know we can trust you?” I asked him.

He looked straight into my eyes. “I know Keeran.”
~ Calleigh

Skye's Fault :P

So, Skye tagged me, and now I have to answer all these questions. Deal with it. :P

A. Age: I'm am 17, but I'll be 18 in 160 days :D
B. Bed size: Twin :)
C. Chore you hate: Um...none really. :P
D. Day: Friday and Saturday
E. Essential start to your day: Diet Coke :D I'm slightly addicted to caffine :P
F. Favorite color: Pink
G. Gold or silver: Definitely Silver
H. Height: 5'3 1/2"
I. Instruments: Bagpipe, guitar, and piano
J. Job title: Um...House Cleaner :P
K. Kids: None, at present, but hopefully some day!
L. Live: Um...I live, yeah...doesn't everyone? Or at least everyone who's going to read this is...hopefully... o.O
M. Mom's name: Why do you want to know? >.>  Robin.
N. Nicknames: Patty, Dearest, California, Dork (thank you Daniel >.> :P) California, Lei, Lee, Calli, Cali, Calle, Sis, Poking Pain, Miss Sobbles, Cali-wali, um...Dory. I think that's it... :P
O. Overnight hospital stays: None that I can remember...but I could be wrong...
P. Pet peeve: Um...a lot of things :P
Q. Quote from a movie: "That makes me cry inside...in my special angry place."
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: One older sister (Hadley), one younger brother (Riley), and...a lot of oyan sibs :P (Kiehl, Janey, Aimee, Nick, Aubrey, Aimee, Jessica, Lauree, Lyss, and Christy, but actually Christy's my mother. :P
T. Time you wake up: Um...it varies from day to day :P
U. Underwear: O.o Skipping this one...
V. Vegetables you dislike: Most of them :P
W. What makes you run late: Siblings. >.>
X. X-rays you've had: One of my foot, possibly one of my shoulder..
Y. Yummy food you make: Banana bread :D
Z. Zoo: Well, there you have it. Zoo. *profound expression*

There you go, Dearest. Happy now? :P

~ Calleigh

Click It!!!

My friend Christy just got a blog!! :D And so I thought I'd post a link for anyone who's interested...and everyone should be! :P  So, here's the link to Christy's awesome blog, The Cave of Wonder!

http://christy-thecaveofwonder.blogspot.com/

~ Calleigh <3

IT. IS. HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*parties* Ha! You peoples still don't know what's here! :P Hm...to tell, or not to tell...*ponders* Okay, not that you'll really care, but my chapter 1 is about to be posted!!! :D I'm sure most of you aren't nearly as excited about that as I am, but you'll get over the disappointment eventually. :P
So, without any further rambling from me, Chapter 1 of my novel, currently titled, Rael's Redemption.

P.S. Some of this hasn't really been edited yet, but I'm posting it anyway. Deal with it. :P

Chapter 1

It was rare for the guild to receive an assassination order. Rarer still was a request to have a certain member carry out said assassination. Even more rare for the guild to obey that request. And of course,
the requested member would have to be me. I hated these jobs. But I did what was asked of me, so here I was in a dark bedroom in the middle of the night, stalking some sleeping old man.

I walked towards the bed, poised for action, and pulled my favorite knife from its sheath. I looked around. All was dark, all was quiet; everything was going just how I wanted…but as I approached my mark, I had a strange feeling all was not as it should be. My skin prickled in a way that I had by now learned meant danger. Upon closer observance, what should have been a body in the bed was oddly proportioned, with arms and legs sticking out at wrong angles.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had been set up. There was only a dummy in the bed, I was getting no money for this job, and I might not escape with my life. Yes, I always assume the worst; it’s just how I am.

Forcing myself to be calm, I ran through a mental list of escape possibilities. Deciding the window would be the best way out, I started towards it only to turn and look back at the bed. I had to be sure. No money meant I wouldn’t be eating for the rest of the week and I couldn’t take that chance. Of course I could just steal something, but being paid to steal something for someone else is different than stealing for myself.

When I was about four feet away, knife raised, I felt a tingling across my legs.

“Blast.” I said through clenched teeth. I really hate magic.

I held still, hoping I hadn’t triggered, only brushed the magic line. That I wasn’t dead was a good clue, you could never be sure what tricks a magician put into his toys, but I was lucky today.

I stepped back slowly, then sprinted for the window which was looking better by the second. I threw myself at it, hoping I would survive the fall. But I didn’t go through.

My head hit a barrier that set my short hair on end and sent tingles up and down my body. I take back what I said about hating magic. I loathe it. Magic is what people pay too much for, that gets honest folk in trouble and ruins people’s lives! Well in my case, maybe not so honest, but still…

I swirled around looking for another escape route. Nothing. I would have to go back through the house. Catapulting myself down the stairs, relieved to have left the room alive, I was rather careless. What I mean is I didn’t notice that I’d walked through a cord of magic till I felt the spark of it on my skin. Double blast.

I might as well go on now. With no regard to my surroundings, I dashed through the house. As I was running, I noticed something sparkly on a table ahead of me. A necklace, glittering in the light coming from the window.

In passing, I grabbed it, knowing that if all else failed I could maybe get enough money for it to survive the week. Sticking it in my pocket, I smiled as I saw the door straight ahead. I hurled it open and threw myself outside. Right at the feet of the provost guard.

I picked myself up, dusting off my clothes. “Evening, Jarret.”

“Rael.”

“Well, I’ll just be going now…” I said, as I turned away.

“Not so fast, Rael. You know the guild can’t protect you from this. You were seen leaving a house that is not yours. A house we got a tip on tonight.”

“You have nothing on me! You saw me leave the house…big deal!”

Jarret motioned to his law enforcing cronies who started towards me with a look in their eyes that told me I would be spending the night in a jail cell, whether I put up a fight or not.

“Rael Avongara, you are under arrest for murder.”

“But I haven’t killed anyone!”

He raised his eyebrow at me.

“Tonight,” I amended.

He laughed. I glared. And I won. He stopped laughing, and looked me in the eye. “Rael...if my men go in there and find a body, you will be arrested, and there’s not much the guild can do about it.”

“Let them go in! I don’t care!”

Jarret’s men moved inside the building, but of course he had to stay and watch me. I wasn’t worried though; I knew they wouldn’t find anything inside the house. For once, I was innocent.

I tensed as one of the men came out from the house, a grim look on his face.

“Uh, Sir, I think you might want to see this,” he said, nervousness making his voice shake.

My confidant stance did not alter in the slightest. They were probably just trying to make me uncomfortable enough to confess to the crime they thought I committed. Well, I wouldn’t give an inch. I was sure of my innocence, and they could act all they wanted to; they weren’t going to get a response from me.

They disappeared back inside, but not before one of Jarret’s henchmen stationed himself at my side. I could probably escape, but I couldn’t take the risk of him getting lucky. I hadn’t done anything, so I was going to wait right here, and make them apologize for ruining my night.

They finally reemerged from the house and, marching right up to me, (honestly, you would think that by now they might have learned something about personal space!) they clapped irons around my wrists, before I could even think of reacting.

“Rael Avongara, you are under arrest for suspicious actions…and…uh…arguing with a law enforcing officer.”

“Give it up, Jarret! You’re finished here. You know you didn’t find anything wrong inside the house! I demand to see my guild leader!”

I smothered a laugh as Jarret’s face went purple…it was not a good shade on him.

“Very well,” he muttered, and I smiled in triumph. There was no way he could convict me for something like this; I had already won, and he knew it. The problem would be the paying citizen who just might be unhappy that the job he’d paid me to do had not been accomplished.

Maybe I would offer him the amulet in exchange for the payment. A stone that large must be worth something! At least, I hoped it was.

When we reached the guild, there was some trouble getting in. Our sentries weren’t too happy about having to let members of the elite city guard inside thief headquarters. Several times they shot me questioning looks, and I knew if I but nodded my head, the provost guards would soon have a serious fight on their hands.

But I didn’t. If I had been guilty, it would have been another story, but I wasn’t, and that made all the difference. We walked through the thick, oak doors and into the guild hall. The vaulted ceiling made our footsteps echo loudly. Not what you’d expect from the home of those who devoted their lives to being silent.

We walked through the halls, Jarret looking straight ahead, but the guards looked around in wonder. I smirked. Obviously, they weren’t used to such grandeur. And the Hall was grand.

A fountain gurgled in the foyer, and huge, marble pillars lined the walk way. Intricate tapestries hung down the walls, depicting beautiful landscapes, intense battles, and start crossed lovers. Yes, it was magnificent. A perfect place in a city full of the opposite.

I was marched through the long hallway, and right up to the door of the guild master’s office. Jarret hesitated, then knocked.

“Come in.”

The voice shouldn’t have been audible through the heavy oak door, but it was…something that had always mystified me. Jarret inched the door open, looking almost afraid to enter the office. He looked at me, saw the smirk I’m sure must have been evident, then squared his shoulders and stepped inside.

“Jarret,” said a surprisingly sweet voice. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Wish I could say likewise, lady.”

“Do you now.”

“Right. Well tonight, we caught Rael here coming out of a house we got a tip on.”

“Was anything missing? Did you find anyone dead?”

“Ah, no ma’am,” Said Jarret, sounding a little less sure of himself.

“Then why are you taking up my time?”

“Uh…begging your pardon, lady. I just…we…well, we wanted to make sure personally that you knew. She should be dealt with.” “Thank you, Jarret. I will take what you’ve said into consideration. You may leave now.”

“Ah..uh, yes, lady. G-Goodbye, lady.”

With that final, stuttered farwell, Jarret turned and fled down the hallway. I tried to cover a giggle that was forcing its way out, but failed, although it was immediately silenced by a stern look from the guildmaster.

“Begging your pardon, lady.”

“Rael.”

“It’s not my fault! The place was magicked, not to mention they got a tip.”

“I don’t blame you, Rael. Jarret’s an idiot to have brought you to me with such pathetic evidence. I’m just glad you didn’t show up with more of your street children.” She said, rifling through some papers on her heavy, oak desk.

I blushed. Because of my own history, I tried to take care of the kids who struggled to make it off the streets alive. Some of the worse off ones I brought to the guild to do odd jobs for the thieves, and hopefully so they could become a thief themselves.

“None today, Lady.”

“Good.” Was her only response, but even though she complained about it regularly, I could tell she approved.

I took a moment to study the lady. Tall and slender, the guildmaster would be perfectness itself, were it not for the small scars that covered her body. They were similar to the marks the snaked their way across my own body, but I was not ready to ask her how she had come by hers. None of the other thieves knew either, and no one had dared to ask her.

She was dressed in the standard guild uniform, with her blonde hair pulled up into a loose bun. Not much older than I, her face was stern, but you could tell that despite that, she smiled often.

Finally, I broke the silence. “Lady…if I could go now?”

“Yes, of course, dear. One final word though: You know you’ll have to tell your benefactor that you failed tonight. I’m assuming you have some sort of compensation…?”

“Yes, lady. Of course, lady.”

“Good girl. Now, you may go.”

I performed a quick bow, then turned and hurried out of her office. Despite having a motherly attitude towards all of the members of the guild, the guildmaster still had a harsh side that came to the surface when things did not go as planned.

When I was sure no one was looking, I pulled the amulet out from under my shirt. Jarret was really an idiot not to search me. Always search a thief.

The medallion should have been warm from being so close to my body, but it still felt cool to the touch. Surely it had to be worth something; at least enough to pay my benefactor.

As I walked down the hall, I saw someone who made instantly made me smile. “Rory!”

““Rae! How’d your job go tonight?” She yelled down the hall as she hurried towards me.

I winced. “Don’t ask.”

“That bad, huh?” She asked as she threw her arm around my shoulder, pulling me towards our room.

“Worse.” I answered. Okay, so it wasn’t really as bad as all that, but I was annoyed, and it sounded good at the time.

She raised her eyebrow at me, and I feigned a hurt expression. “You don’t believe me?” I teased.

“Come to the room, and tell me about it; then I’ll make up my mind.” She said as she flashed me a grin.

I smothered a laugh as she pulled me along. Rory was the best friend I’d ever had; she put up with every single one of my odd quirks.

Pushing open the door to our room, I immediately collapsed on my bed. Staying up all night was beginning to take its toll on me.

Rory perched on the edge of my bed. “So, what went wrong?”

“Pretty much everything.”

Rory tapped her fingers, almost glaring in my direction, and I had the feeling she wanted me to be more specific. I sighed then continued. “I was set up. The house had trip lines all through it, and there was nobody in the bed. Luckily this caught my eye as I was heading out.” I pulled the amulet out from beneath my shirt again, and tossed it at Rory.

“I don’t recognize the metal, or the stone.” She said, turning it over in her hands.

“I know, neither do I. I’m hoping it will be enough to satisfy my benefactor…if not, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Aw, you know everyone here would give a bit if you couldn’t pay; everyone loves you!”

“They just know if I got kicked out, they’d get a whole lot less entertainment.” I said, laughing.

“True.” Rory agreed, a grin making her beautiful face slightly impish.

“Hey!” I shouted, as I gave her arm a playful punch. “You’re not suppose to agree!”

Rory’s face was comical as she tried to pull the laughter inside, and replace it with a stoic expression. “Right. My apologies.” She managed before breaking into another giggling fit. I might have rolled my eyes.

When she’d pulled herself together, Rory stood up straightened her clothes. “Well, it might have been a long night for you, but I didn’t get a job, so I have work to do.”

She tossed me the amulet, and left the room, shutting the door behind her. I sat there, turning the strange piece of jewelry around in my hands, still marveling at how cold it felt even after being held. It was certainly a mystery, and one I was determined to solve.

~ Calleigh

Boo! >:D

Yes, I have come back!!!! :D I have decided to return to the world of blogging!  So, here's something I wrote just kind of off the top of my head. :) Not exactly happy or inspiring...but, yeah...

The pain spirals,

The hurt’s so clear.

Anguished cries fill my soul,

And I wonder if you hear?

Do you hear all the things I say?

Do you notice all I try to do?

Is everything I say in vain?

Do my strained smiles ever reach you?

Do my choked back tears make no difference?

Does my friendship fall flat, never to be returned?

Do I even matter to you?

Are the “I love you’s” just a sham?

Are the hugs a cover up?

Are the words whispered softly in my ear, just part of a mask you wear?

~ Lei

For Aimee

I love you, Sis. <3

The pain I see so clear,

It haunts my every thought

I long to take your burden from you

But it’s not something I can give.

My heart yearns to understand,

To show my love, to make you believe

In the amazing person I think you are.

~ Lei