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Title: Hot Air Balloons, Tacos, and Crimes
Author: Joelle
Words: 2243
October 27 4:24 PM
As I walked through our flower garden that day, August 18, I thought. I thought of hot air balloons, of tacos, of crimes. I thought these things because, you see, they were very important in my life at the time. You don't know why yet, but you will. I just have to explain these things to you.
August 6 11:16 PM
Our flower garden is the most beautiful in the world. I have taken to walking through it every day. The smell of the peonies and of the roses made my nose tickle. I would never scratch the itch that developed because that ruined the moment. Soon, I would reach the middle of the garden, where the old wooden bench sat. I would sit there, under the shade of the ancient weeping willow, until the fireflies appeared in the summer.
That was what I did tonight. The fireflies came out as the sun set and they lit up the lilies and the orchids. They floated around my head with such grace, I thought they where trying to teach me how to dance. So that's what I did, I stood up and danced. I danced with no music playing and only the brilliant fireflies to watch. They revolved around my head and danced with me.
Then, I tripped. Right there in the middle of the dirt path. It sounds a lot less graceful than it was when I say it like that though. I had a good reason, too. There was a hot air balloon laid across the path. The basket sat in one of our picnic spots, which are just blanket-sized expanses of grass. I landed softly on my bottom and the fireflies settled around me. Under the illumination of the fireflies and the now rising moon I saw that the balloon matched my dress perfectly. They were both a striped maroon and white fabric. I loved it.
That's when the owner of the ballon appeared. He was tall and handsome. He was probably a bit older than me, twenty-one at most. I didn't notice his clothes, I was too stunned by his face. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was dancing with the fireflies. He laughed and told me he loved doing that, too. He asked me if I wanted to take a ride in his balloon, and, of course, I said yes. So he lifted me into the basket and followed me with a graceful leap over the edge. The balloon roared to life and in a few minutes we were rising into the sky. He showed me how he had turned on the hot air and then taught me to steer it. I was really glad I had pulled my brown curls back this afternoon since the wind high up was really terrible. By the time we returned to the ground it was quite late and I had to hurry off to bed.
The balloon owner never told me his name, and he already knew mine, even if I hadn't told him. My mother owns the stately mansion in the middle of the garden. We have many gardeners to help her keep up with all the work the flowers need. She hired a cook and some house maids, but the gardeners greatly outnumber all the other staff. The garden is her life. She loves me, yes, but that garden is her favorite child. When she purchased the land, no one thought anything would grow on it but that old tree, but she has a green thumb, she does. I don't mind much really. I love the garden, too.
October 27 4:24 PM
If I would have had a bit of foresight, I would have never let that garden make me love it so much. The same goes for the balloon owner, who actually didn't own the balloon at all, he was just boring it from an uncle. He also turned out to be a gardener. Neither my mother nor my father cared that I had fallen in love with a gardener that I didn't know the name of. Mother was actually quite pleased.
August 8 9:16 AM
I ran into the balloon owner again. He told me his name was Giovanni. He was even more striking in the sunlight. He complimented my dark blue sundress and matching shoes. He noticed my hair was up again, this time in an elegant braid, and asked if I wanted another ride in the balloon. I said yes and he showed me where he kept it and told me I could use it whenever I wanted. I told him I only wanted to use it if he where there with me. He suggested a daylight ride this time. Naturally, I accepted. So we dragged the balloon out of the shed together and got in.
The view was wonderful. The mountains were crystal clear. They were so beautiful. The garden looked wonderful from above. The colors were so sharp and bright. I couldn't tell which was better, the day or the night. When we landed again, Giovanni asked if he could take me to dinner. I said he could and asked when I should meet him to which his answer was tonight at six thirty.
October 27 4:24
If I would have known what this dinner would lead up to, I never would have left the safety of my bedroom. Of course, Giovanni would have come looking for me and I would have broken his heart, telling him I couldn't go with him. I wouldn't have been able to take the pain I would see in him. I would have gone with him anyway. That was how things were supposed to happen, so they did. I just wish they hadn't.
August 8 10:58
Giovanni picked me up just as he said. I was outside at six thirty in my white dress waiting when he walked up. I asked him where we were going and he told me I would love it. Not sure what this meant, I followed him. He held out his hand and I took it. As we rounded the corner of the house a quaint table setting came into view. I was glad I had chosen the dress I had, the occasion was perfect. As we ate our taces, we talked. When we were done we parted.
It all sounds very innocent. It was the things that we talked about that bothered me though. We talked about our furtures, children, love. It bothered me that we spoke of these things afterward. After, but not during. The parting wasn't all so innocent either. He kissed me, and I kissed him back. It didn't seem to be enough for him though. He wanted more. He wanted more than I could give him.
October 27 4:24 PM
That was when everything started falling apart. He wanted more than I wanted to give. Or at least more than I wanted to give so soon. I was surprised he could be a gardener, being so impatient. And things just got worse from there. I couldn't stop it either. I couldn't do anything.
August 15 12:46 PM
A young man came to the house today. He looked very smart. He was tall, attractive, and obviously rich. When I asked my parents about him, they said he would be back tomorrow and I could talk to him. I have a bad feeling about this.
August 16 10:37 PM
The man's name is Claudio. I was right about him he is smart and rich. I like him. That's a good thing, too, because my parents want me to marry him. Turns out, our finances aren't what they used to be, and this could really help us. I was fine with the whole thing until I saw Giovanni again. He was furious. He couldn't believe I was going to dump him for someone I don't even like. He kept yelling and I couldn't fit a single word in. He just kept yelling and yelling. When he finally took a breath, I told him I do like Claudio. He's smart and kind, and he could help our family. Giovanni kept taking huge panting breaths as he stared at me. He couldn't believe what I was saying. I told him all of it was true, every word I spoke. Then he changed from disbelieving to angry.
He just kept screaming at me. I didn't know why. I stepped closer to him and he got quieter. With each step, his voice softened. Soon I was standing only inches from him and he stopped talking altogether. I asked him why he was so angry with me, I was only trying to help my family and Claudio was a perfectly nice guy. He said that he didn't care if Claudio were nice or not, he loved me. That was the first time he'd said that. I knew it of course, but he had never told me in words. I told him I loved him, too, but I had to think beyond myself. Claudio is great, my family needs help. We stood in silence for a while. Then he kissed me.
He kissed me like he had never kissed me before. He knew I could give him what he wanted now, all alone, in my bedroom. I was still free. I knew what he wanted, I knew I could give it to him, too. This was my last shot. I wasn't going to get another. But I couldn't. I pushed him away. He glared at me and walked out of my room, silently fuming.
October 27 4:24 PM
That's when everything broke inside me. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get married then, I decided. I was going to marry Claudio as soon as I could. That was my coping method, get married. I don't know why it was that, but it was. I wanted someone to love me and no one to have the chance to break that apart. I knew Giovanni would try, deep down I knew. I just didn't want to acknowledge that small part.
August 17 7:46 PM
I told my parents I wanted to marry Claudio as soon as I could. They looked worried. They knew I loved Giovanni, but they didn't say anything. I almost wish they had. It is best that they didn't though. They told Claudio as soon as he got here. He was overjoyed. We were in the garden all day. We had tacos for lunch and we went for a hot air balloon ride. I thought these things would have made me sad, but they didn't. They were almost better with Claudio than Giovanni. Claudio loved me more. He kissed me in the hot air balloon even though my breath smelled like onions. His did too, and I didn't care. I think I love him more than I loved Giovanni. I didn't see Giovanni all day.
When we finally returned to the house for dinner, my parents announced we where getting married the next day at noon in the garden. I am so happy. I can't even comprehend the joy within me. Before we went off to bed, he was staying at the house now, he kissed me again. His kisses are so wonderful. They aren't full of what I can't give him yet, only what I can. He knows me more than Giovanni did. He knows not to pressure me, I will move on when I want to.
October 27 4:24 PM
That night could have been the worst in my existence. I hadn't realized it, but Giovanni had been watching us all day in our doomed garden. He knew I loved the garden and was going to do something horrible to it. Little did he know, I had replaced my love for the garden with love for a man. He hadn't been able to replace the garden for me, and that made all the difference.
August 18 5:34 AM
When I awoke the garden was on fire. No more fireflies would come to visit. I watched as the lilies and the orchids burned. I barely noticed when Claudio rushed into my room and held me. I couldn't believe what was happening to the garden. Right next to the giant willow sat the hot air balloon. I knew who had done this right away. I hadn't realized, but tears where streaming down my face. In anger I screamed Giovanni's name. Claudio asked who that was. I told him the one who ruined the garden I loved more than him. Claudio seemed to understand and held me tight.
August 18 9:17 PM
Mother seemed to know who had done it, too. She even managed to save the ancient willow and the bench. I told her to let the balloon burn. Claudio and I were married under the willow right on schedule, even though the rest of the garden was ruined. I told him I loved him more than the garden. After our small feast, we walked through the garden. I thought of hot air balloons, tacos, and crimes. I told Claudio that Giovanni was no felon, just an angry lover. He tried to understand what I told him, but I knew he can't and I am fine with that.
October 27 4:24 PM
As I walked through our flower garden that day, August 18, I thought. I thought of hot air balloons, of tacos, of crimes. I thought these things because, you see, they were very important in my life at the time. Now you know why.
Author: Joelle
Words: 2243
October 27 4:24 PM
As I walked through our flower garden that day, August 18, I thought. I thought of hot air balloons, of tacos, of crimes. I thought these things because, you see, they were very important in my life at the time. You don't know why yet, but you will. I just have to explain these things to you.
August 6 11:16 PM
Our flower garden is the most beautiful in the world. I have taken to walking through it every day. The smell of the peonies and of the roses made my nose tickle. I would never scratch the itch that developed because that ruined the moment. Soon, I would reach the middle of the garden, where the old wooden bench sat. I would sit there, under the shade of the ancient weeping willow, until the fireflies appeared in the summer.
That was what I did tonight. The fireflies came out as the sun set and they lit up the lilies and the orchids. They floated around my head with such grace, I thought they where trying to teach me how to dance. So that's what I did, I stood up and danced. I danced with no music playing and only the brilliant fireflies to watch. They revolved around my head and danced with me.
Then, I tripped. Right there in the middle of the dirt path. It sounds a lot less graceful than it was when I say it like that though. I had a good reason, too. There was a hot air balloon laid across the path. The basket sat in one of our picnic spots, which are just blanket-sized expanses of grass. I landed softly on my bottom and the fireflies settled around me. Under the illumination of the fireflies and the now rising moon I saw that the balloon matched my dress perfectly. They were both a striped maroon and white fabric. I loved it.
That's when the owner of the ballon appeared. He was tall and handsome. He was probably a bit older than me, twenty-one at most. I didn't notice his clothes, I was too stunned by his face. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was dancing with the fireflies. He laughed and told me he loved doing that, too. He asked me if I wanted to take a ride in his balloon, and, of course, I said yes. So he lifted me into the basket and followed me with a graceful leap over the edge. The balloon roared to life and in a few minutes we were rising into the sky. He showed me how he had turned on the hot air and then taught me to steer it. I was really glad I had pulled my brown curls back this afternoon since the wind high up was really terrible. By the time we returned to the ground it was quite late and I had to hurry off to bed.
The balloon owner never told me his name, and he already knew mine, even if I hadn't told him. My mother owns the stately mansion in the middle of the garden. We have many gardeners to help her keep up with all the work the flowers need. She hired a cook and some house maids, but the gardeners greatly outnumber all the other staff. The garden is her life. She loves me, yes, but that garden is her favorite child. When she purchased the land, no one thought anything would grow on it but that old tree, but she has a green thumb, she does. I don't mind much really. I love the garden, too.
October 27 4:24 PM
If I would have had a bit of foresight, I would have never let that garden make me love it so much. The same goes for the balloon owner, who actually didn't own the balloon at all, he was just boring it from an uncle. He also turned out to be a gardener. Neither my mother nor my father cared that I had fallen in love with a gardener that I didn't know the name of. Mother was actually quite pleased.
August 8 9:16 AM
I ran into the balloon owner again. He told me his name was Giovanni. He was even more striking in the sunlight. He complimented my dark blue sundress and matching shoes. He noticed my hair was up again, this time in an elegant braid, and asked if I wanted another ride in the balloon. I said yes and he showed me where he kept it and told me I could use it whenever I wanted. I told him I only wanted to use it if he where there with me. He suggested a daylight ride this time. Naturally, I accepted. So we dragged the balloon out of the shed together and got in.
The view was wonderful. The mountains were crystal clear. They were so beautiful. The garden looked wonderful from above. The colors were so sharp and bright. I couldn't tell which was better, the day or the night. When we landed again, Giovanni asked if he could take me to dinner. I said he could and asked when I should meet him to which his answer was tonight at six thirty.
October 27 4:24
If I would have known what this dinner would lead up to, I never would have left the safety of my bedroom. Of course, Giovanni would have come looking for me and I would have broken his heart, telling him I couldn't go with him. I wouldn't have been able to take the pain I would see in him. I would have gone with him anyway. That was how things were supposed to happen, so they did. I just wish they hadn't.
August 8 10:58
Giovanni picked me up just as he said. I was outside at six thirty in my white dress waiting when he walked up. I asked him where we were going and he told me I would love it. Not sure what this meant, I followed him. He held out his hand and I took it. As we rounded the corner of the house a quaint table setting came into view. I was glad I had chosen the dress I had, the occasion was perfect. As we ate our taces, we talked. When we were done we parted.
It all sounds very innocent. It was the things that we talked about that bothered me though. We talked about our furtures, children, love. It bothered me that we spoke of these things afterward. After, but not during. The parting wasn't all so innocent either. He kissed me, and I kissed him back. It didn't seem to be enough for him though. He wanted more. He wanted more than I could give him.
October 27 4:24 PM
That was when everything started falling apart. He wanted more than I wanted to give. Or at least more than I wanted to give so soon. I was surprised he could be a gardener, being so impatient. And things just got worse from there. I couldn't stop it either. I couldn't do anything.
August 15 12:46 PM
A young man came to the house today. He looked very smart. He was tall, attractive, and obviously rich. When I asked my parents about him, they said he would be back tomorrow and I could talk to him. I have a bad feeling about this.
August 16 10:37 PM
The man's name is Claudio. I was right about him he is smart and rich. I like him. That's a good thing, too, because my parents want me to marry him. Turns out, our finances aren't what they used to be, and this could really help us. I was fine with the whole thing until I saw Giovanni again. He was furious. He couldn't believe I was going to dump him for someone I don't even like. He kept yelling and I couldn't fit a single word in. He just kept yelling and yelling. When he finally took a breath, I told him I do like Claudio. He's smart and kind, and he could help our family. Giovanni kept taking huge panting breaths as he stared at me. He couldn't believe what I was saying. I told him all of it was true, every word I spoke. Then he changed from disbelieving to angry.
He just kept screaming at me. I didn't know why. I stepped closer to him and he got quieter. With each step, his voice softened. Soon I was standing only inches from him and he stopped talking altogether. I asked him why he was so angry with me, I was only trying to help my family and Claudio was a perfectly nice guy. He said that he didn't care if Claudio were nice or not, he loved me. That was the first time he'd said that. I knew it of course, but he had never told me in words. I told him I loved him, too, but I had to think beyond myself. Claudio is great, my family needs help. We stood in silence for a while. Then he kissed me.
He kissed me like he had never kissed me before. He knew I could give him what he wanted now, all alone, in my bedroom. I was still free. I knew what he wanted, I knew I could give it to him, too. This was my last shot. I wasn't going to get another. But I couldn't. I pushed him away. He glared at me and walked out of my room, silently fuming.
October 27 4:24 PM
That's when everything broke inside me. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get married then, I decided. I was going to marry Claudio as soon as I could. That was my coping method, get married. I don't know why it was that, but it was. I wanted someone to love me and no one to have the chance to break that apart. I knew Giovanni would try, deep down I knew. I just didn't want to acknowledge that small part.
August 17 7:46 PM
I told my parents I wanted to marry Claudio as soon as I could. They looked worried. They knew I loved Giovanni, but they didn't say anything. I almost wish they had. It is best that they didn't though. They told Claudio as soon as he got here. He was overjoyed. We were in the garden all day. We had tacos for lunch and we went for a hot air balloon ride. I thought these things would have made me sad, but they didn't. They were almost better with Claudio than Giovanni. Claudio loved me more. He kissed me in the hot air balloon even though my breath smelled like onions. His did too, and I didn't care. I think I love him more than I loved Giovanni. I didn't see Giovanni all day.
When we finally returned to the house for dinner, my parents announced we where getting married the next day at noon in the garden. I am so happy. I can't even comprehend the joy within me. Before we went off to bed, he was staying at the house now, he kissed me again. His kisses are so wonderful. They aren't full of what I can't give him yet, only what I can. He knows me more than Giovanni did. He knows not to pressure me, I will move on when I want to.
October 27 4:24 PM
That night could have been the worst in my existence. I hadn't realized it, but Giovanni had been watching us all day in our doomed garden. He knew I loved the garden and was going to do something horrible to it. Little did he know, I had replaced my love for the garden with love for a man. He hadn't been able to replace the garden for me, and that made all the difference.
August 18 5:34 AM
When I awoke the garden was on fire. No more fireflies would come to visit. I watched as the lilies and the orchids burned. I barely noticed when Claudio rushed into my room and held me. I couldn't believe what was happening to the garden. Right next to the giant willow sat the hot air balloon. I knew who had done this right away. I hadn't realized, but tears where streaming down my face. In anger I screamed Giovanni's name. Claudio asked who that was. I told him the one who ruined the garden I loved more than him. Claudio seemed to understand and held me tight.
August 18 9:17 PM
Mother seemed to know who had done it, too. She even managed to save the ancient willow and the bench. I told her to let the balloon burn. Claudio and I were married under the willow right on schedule, even though the rest of the garden was ruined. I told him I loved him more than the garden. After our small feast, we walked through the garden. I thought of hot air balloons, tacos, and crimes. I told Claudio that Giovanni was no felon, just an angry lover. He tried to understand what I told him, but I knew he can't and I am fine with that.
October 27 4:24 PM
As I walked through our flower garden that day, August 18, I thought. I thought of hot air balloons, of tacos, of crimes. I thought these things because, you see, they were very important in my life at the time. Now you know why.
A Felon's NightmareWords: 986-1,032
He raced across the cobble stone streetand into the combined shadows of two cottages. The police dogs barked in the distance and men ylled. The felon darted out from the combined shadows of the cottages. He hadn't planned on being caught- and he wouldn't. He heard the police and their dogs closing in on his location. He ran into the surrounding forest, his heart pounding. His adrenaline was now the only thing that was keeping him going. He raced towards the center of the forest- wherever that was. He laughed. They would never catch him now.
Dawn arrived in the forest and the felon slowed- he hadn't realized tht he had been running for so long or that he could no longer hear the police and their dogs.
He stopped and rested on the ground, leaning against a large tree. He closed his eyes in the attempt to sleep, but it was of no use. his conscience wouldn't have it. The pale dead face of his victim fept on flashing into his mind's eye over and over again. He sat up exhausted. He looked at his dirty hands- his tainted hands. They would never be clean again- never. He looked for a creek or other body of water in which to wash his blood stained hands in. HE stood up and walked a short way before he found water. It was a small stream.
He put his hands in it and rubbed them together. He pulled his hands out and realized he had just polluted his only source of water for miles. He watched the filth- once upon his hands- swish around and settle in the water. Sighing he tore his eyes from the water.
He went to a tree and sat down under its branches. He closed his eyes and sighed again but this time for the appreaciation of the warm sun on his face. Transylvania was not very warm espeacially during the fall- one was always glad to receive any warmth the sun brought to them. The felon saw the face of his victim flash in his mind over and over again his reaction much like his first- disturbed and repulsed. He sat up several times shaking his head to dispell the horable image. He layed back again but the image didn't come for a moment he was almost asleep- almost-when it arrived.
The image was different this time. The pale face of his victim was at first calm his eyes closed- it was, over all, and uneverntful picture. But then it started with an almost imperceptble twitch of the dead man's head. The corpse's eyes still closed, an eyes brow rose. The felon sat up again sweating shaking his head once again to dispell the image, but it no longer worked. He could not see the forest he was in, only the corpse's eyes open. Next the blue lips twitched then formed into an inhuman smile. The eyes seemed to look right past the felon as if the corpse could see- or suggest to the felon himself- that he was transparent and shallow, a monster worthy of the ones that came from Castle Dracula. The felon shook himself and pinched at his own face to get rid of the image invading his mind. The corpse's eyes seem to now focus in on him and the dead smile creeped towards its eyes. The felon couls take the imagined image his mind and conscience produced any longer and bained his head against the tree- dispelling the image.
His head hurting he got up- as he could now see the forest- and ran as far as he could as fast as he could. The day past with terrifying slowness. The haunted image of the corpse would suddenly attack teh felon rendering him terrified. At times he felt as if someone was watching him but at those exact moments the image would come into his mind again.
It was midnight when he broke through the forest's edge. He could see a huge building on a hill above. he travelled towards it hoping for refuge. As ho got closer he heard a scream from the building his face paled. " It couldn't be," he thought mortified. He heard a movement behind him. He swiftly turned to see what it was.
The pale face smiled but it was neither dead not alive it seemed. It showed gleaming white fangs to the felon and he gulped. He had most certainly arrived at Castle Dracula. There was no doubt in his mind that this was indeed the dreaded Dracula. He turned away from the horror before him but soom felt the strong grip of the vampire on his right shoulder before before he saw the face again he felt a searing pain in his neck and blacked out.
( I couldn't decide on which ending I wanted so here's the endings I wrote)
(Ending One)
He woke up on the dirst and area not far from dracula's castle. A group of men stared at the castle. They stood in a ring around the felon. He felt a wicked thirst in his throat and smiled. One of the men standing in the ring looked down at the supposed to be dead felon and cried out in horror. The felon sat up quickly allowed the other men to run as he secured his next victim in his strong vampire grip.
(Ending Two)
The felon looked out at the crows of people gathered to watch his hanging. he sighed. If only he had gotten away- he would've taken anything else he had to face. He had been caught by the police. The dogs had lost no time in jumping on him- securing his capture. He had been dreaming of exscape for far too long. Seven hours was too long to wait to hang a person the felon thought as he frowned hearing the charges against him and his preprepared obituary. He was asked if he had any last words. He paused in thought then said, " Beware of your so called monsters that lurk farther than just Castle Dracula." With that he closed his eyes waiting for the trial to end.
Mod
Words: 1,180
By: Arthur
……………………………………..
Thinking it Through
Mr. Wilcox was old and a victim. He had Alzheimer’s but he had also become unfamiliar with the world. Feverish. Clammy. Sickly. Cold.
His symptoms of Alzheimer’s is the only thing doctors can use to recognize the spreading plaque in his diseasing body. Appearing in all aging individuals today.
This story like all history wouldn’t be necessary if it was a world without plaques. Instead world wide growth rates dwindle half in the next twenty years. All elderly are captured like wild animals and are destroyed to help fight the aging plaque. The disease spreads according to doctors. They are trying to isolate it and find the cure. So far they can’t. It begins and spreads and those who newly contract it unknowingly give it to others.
Sergeant Perelman Kingston stood watching his people remove Mr. Wilcox. He’s leaning agape on the balustrade. Fewer can be as committed as Sergeant Kingston. Fewer bitterer.
His imagination ponders his surroundings as they lead Mr. Wilcox away. Trailing is his son and daughter-in-law whom had done everything to keep the old man alive and hidden somewhere safe from the Special Forces department that will come and take the loved ones away. The couple is put in a car to be questioned at the headquarters. The old man is wrapped immediately in an isolation bag, is no longer conscious, and handled into a patrol ambulance. Hiding any aged person even relatives was a felony. When you are aged you are to report it. Today it is known to be all handled by the local at State Hospital.
“He looks like he had been living for many years in the hidden room behind the fireplace.” I said. What an idea. A secret room had been placed between the walls. A common enough trick of using a sliding panel will reveal the room. And the storage room Wilcox was in just wasn’t noticeable from outside.
The spreading of Alzheimer’s plaque disease is spreading. Once all aged individuals are destroyed you will not be able to catch the Alzheimer’s transferring from one to one the government claims. To save the human race from extinction we are using extreme measures.
I’m only a sergeant and have no real opinion on the matter. Why bother? Once I’m sixty I will be terminated too unless the cure is found.
I turned to the inspector. I have a clear idea of where his wife may be hiding. I begin to tell the inspector.
“Is it important?” The inspector asks.
“Sure is…” I tilt up the telephone from the table revealing the bottom’s base with a sticky note glued to it. It’s sculptured as a kitty-cat, cute I think, the ringer model has a black face and white boots for fury paws. Once it ringed it probably purred.
Inspector Ron Freakrite seems dazed. The workmanship of constructing the secret room was a good one. Finding a sticky note to remember where they placed the mother was remarkable. After all people are well trusted and your supposed to turn in your aged realities. It’s the law. Why had they gone to the trouble of protecting them and seriously jeopardizing the rest of humanity?
“So, were the Wilcox’s found out by a tip from the neighbors?” I ask inspector Freakrite.
“Hum?” he sighs. He has read the sticky note and looks at it pleased.
“Had the neighbors suspected the Wilcox’s was keeping him still alive?” I ask again intrigued by that idea.
“No Perelman they weren’t suspects until today.” The inspector takes a breath. “It’s another classic and you could guess what went down.”
I at first think he’s shutting up and I’ll never learn. Then I realize he’s taunting me to play a game like twenty questions so I asked one. I say, “A visitor heard what was going on? Maybe saw him out of that secret room.”
“Sorry. Perelman it was the grocery store. They always suspected the levels of food looked more like three portions and not two. And today Mr. Wilcox came down really sick. Brad Wilcox came in this morning for over the counter drugs and acting wildly. That got one of them thinking at General Store.”
“And the hidden room, how did you know he was behind it?” I ask.
“Easy. We secured a warrant and brought in the equipment that scanned the premises.” The inspector morosely admits.
“So why can’t we check over every residence?” I dumbly ask. Revealing my enthusiasm we both know the elderly survivors are a problem we must meet.
“Manpower and no clue where we start.” He answers.
I look at him and say nothing while picking up clues from the hidden room. I look for names, pictures, ordinary things that were left behind by the felons who are in someway protecting the elderly.
A voice rises from another room. I turn from the inspector. “I think we will not find much more.” Another sergeant says to me. “We will be leaving soon Kingston. Are you coming with us?” he asks.
“I only want to stick around until the inspector finds everything.” I say. I will make myself available to the inspector even if he wants to be alone or not bothered. He will need some help I’m sure.
Seems the Brad Wilcox’s mother may be found at some boat cottage found at 344 Lakeshore. I may assist the inspector in cracking down on her too. The felons are fewer and fewer and are easy pickings. Inspector Frankenrite smiles to me in agreement.
After a long day I come home. Slip off my shoes and removed my shirt. I sling my gun over the arm of a chair. I look in the empty kitchen. I live alone. My wife died. I’m settled in the dust of the house in a few moments.
I listen to my messages from a black machine. It ticks off missed appointments so I offer I’ll call some back, sorry. It’s been a sort of bad day.
I assume this problem I’m filling in to you has taken everyone. If it’s literature you want you may be in the wrong place. I had no idea it was this bad.
I go to the T.V. sitting room. I bend towards the set. My room is always this dark in here. I press the button on the remote box taped to behind the set. The remote slides open the panel behind my fireplace revealing the hidden room I have. I hear a cough. I have woken him up. It mystifies me how anyone this old could survive in a closet or locked room. He is so old and grizzled I take moments to recognize my father. Like myself he is filled with questions for the day. I begin by telling him how we found the Wilcox’s family still hiding their parents after so many years. The grin is long and toothless. He roots for the fact they lived so long. He frowns when I speak about the mistakes the Wilcox’s made. I give him my T.V. diner. I hate these anyway.
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This week's Topic is Felon. If anyone has any objections to this topic, please go to the Objections post. The rules are pretty loose. This can describe a lot such as criminals, serious crimes, someone's appearance is evil, or even wrongdoing, lawbreaking, or delinquency. Etc. You could write about pretty much anything. Just have the word in the story.
Weekly stories must be at least 500 words long to 2,500 words long. (if the whole story won't fit in one post, divide it into two)
Good luck!
Arthur [acting for Clare:]
P.S. PLEASE say if you would like to have your story on Short Story Galore, if you win. This way it wouldn't take me ages to get your consent afterwards. This includes adding a link to your stories. If you want to have your story on the Short Story Galore, but not the link, just say so.