Writing Passionates discussion

I think we should write a story as a group. You can add as much or as little as you want to. Here's a start:

Carl stared glumly out the window. It was raining. Again. He wished it would take a break and be sunny, even if for only 10 minutes. Better yet, he wished it were more like his home, where they only got about 5 inches of precipitation every year. Home. He hadn't thought about home in a long time; he hadn't thought about home in years.

"Carl, honey!" The voice wafted into his room, and Carl gritted his teeth. He hated that voice, the voice of his stepmother. Why couldn't she just leave him alone?
"Carl, lunch is ready!"
Carl groaned and plugged his ears. He'll starve, then.

His stomach rumbled, and he knew he could not ignore his hunger.
"Carl, come down here now. Or you're not going to get any food."
Carl sighed. If he didn't go to eat he'd have to deal with her in his room. And he didn't like her being in his room.

Succumbing to the smell of macaroni and cheese dancing through his room, Carl got up and headed through the hall into the dining room. His stepmother sat there, eating. Carl ignored her and sat down at his own seat, eating in silence.

The macaroni and cheese was thick and gummy, more like half dried glue than food. Carl lifted his glass and drank deeply. Passionfruit juice. Carl suppressed a shudder as he swallowed. He loathed the stuff. Not for its taste, it was very sweet, but because it was the favorite drink of Lola, his stepmother, and he loathed her.

It was, after all, her fault that he was stuck in this wretched soggy wasteland. The sun rarely ever shined through the bleak and oppressing clouds. He missed the sun, its light and warmth. In the time he had been here, Carl's skin had become pasty white, like the skin of all people who lived in this rain cursed land. Nowhere was there to be found the earth brown tan of sun healthy skin. Yes, he missed the sun and its invigorating rays, but even if it showed its glorious face, Carl knew it would not be enough. He couldn't be whole without the warm dry wind of his home. He missed the wind the most. It blew ceaselessly across the hilly country side until it met the red mountains in the distance. That was another thing he missed, being able to gaze at the horizon from a hill top and see in all directions forever. In this place, Carl could see no more than fifty feet ahead of him, his view obstructed by the thousands of abominably tall emerald green trees.

When Carl had first come to his new home, (no it would never be his home, it was Lola's home) he had thought that the never ending green was beautiful. He had never seen so much green, nor in such vibrant hues. But now he hated it. It was like a poisonous stain that only increased with the downpour instead of washing away.

Worst of all, in Carl's mind was his inability to dream the marvelous dreams that he used to dream. He needed sunlight and warmth to dream the beautiful and amazing things that he had before. In this land, his dreams were only dark. Now he only dreamed of silk black ravens and gray wolves skulking and creeping ominously in lightless woods.

His father hadn't asked his opinion on moving here. He just said one day, "son, I'm getting married." the next it was, "son, we're moving in with my new wife."
Where's the justice in that. He had thoughts of running away, he even attempted to run away. His father took him to a psychiatrist.
He had to talk about feelings, and mushy-gushy stuff that guys never talk about. He almost loathed the therapist more than he loathed his stepmother, almost.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Lola asked him. He shuddered inwardly. He hated that voice; they way it was coated with a false, heavy sweetness, as apples coated with fake honey. He turned away from his stepmother and got up from the table, ignoring her calls. Once in his room, he slammed the door and leaned against it, fuming. What had he ever done to deserve this?

I should have been with mom that day. When she died. I should have stayed with her, he thought, then I would be in heaven with her, instead of being stuck with dad down here.
His father was never around. After settling in with Lola he went and got a double shift at some Wal-Mart downtown. He hated staying with his 'stepmom' while his dad went to work. She never really did anything wrong, but that's why he hated her. After being stuck with her for so long he was starting to hate his father.

LET'S RECAP!
Carl stared glumly out the window. It was raining. Again. He wished it would take a break and be sunny, even if for only 10 minutes. Better yet, he wished it were more like his home, where they only got about 5 inches of precipitation every year. Home. He hadn't thought about home in a long time; he hadn't thought about home in years.

"Carl, honey!" The voice wafted into his room, and Carl gritted his teeth. He hated that voice, the voice of his stepmother. Why couldn't she just leave him alone?

"Carl, lunch is ready!"

Carl groaned and plugged his ears. He'd starve, then.

His stomach rumbled, and he knew he could not ignore his hunger.

"Carl, come down here now. Or you're not going to get any food."

Carl sighed. If he didn't go to eat he'd have to deal with her in his room. And he didn't like her being in his room.

Succumbing to the smell of macaroni and cheese dancing through his room, Carl got up and headed through the hall into the dining room. His stepmother sat there, eating. Carl ignored her and sat down at his own seat, eating in silence.

The macaroni and cheese was thick and gummy, more like half dried glue than food. Carl lifted his glass and drank deeply. Passionfruit juice. Carl suppressed a shudder as he swallowed. He loathed the stuff. Not for its taste, it was very sweet, but because it was the favorite drink of Lola, his stepmother, and he loathed her.

It was, after all, her fault that he was stuck in this wretched soggy wasteland. The sun rarely ever shined through the bleak and oppressing clouds. He missed the sun, its light and warmth. In the time he had been here, Carl's skin had become pasty white, like the skin of all people who lived in this rain cursed land. Nowhere was there to be found the earth brown tan of sun healthy skin. Yes, he missed the sun and its invigorating rays, but even if it showed its glorious face, Carl knew it would not be enough. He couldn't be whole without the warm dry wind of his home. He missed the wind the most. It blew ceaselessly across the hilly country side until it met the red mountains in the distance. That was another thing he missed, being able to gaze at the horizon from a hill top and see in all directions forever. In this place, Carl could see no more than fifty feet ahead of him, his view obstructed by the thousands of abominably tall emerald green trees.

When Carl had first come to his new home, (no it would never be his home, it was Lola's home) he had thought that the never ending green was beautiful. He had never seen so much green, nor in such vibrant hues. But now he hated it. It was like a poisonous stain that only increased with the downpour instead of washing away.

Worst of all, in Carl's mind was his inability to dream the marvelous dreams that he used to dream. He needed sunlight and warmth to dream the beautiful and amazing things that he had before. In this land, his dreams were only dark. Now he only dreamed of silk black ravens and gray wolves skulking and creeping ominously in lightless woods.

His father hadn't asked his opinion on moving here. He just said one day, "son, I'm getting married." the next it was, "son, we're moving in with my new wife."

Where's the justice in that. He had thoughts of running away, he even attempted to run away. His father took him to a psychiatrist.
He had to talk about feelings, and mushy-gushy stuff that guys never talk about. He almost loathed the therapist more than he loathed his stepmother, almost.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Lola asked him. He shuddered inwardly. He hated that voice; they way it was coated with a false, heavy sweetness, as apples coated with fake honey. He turned away from his stepmother and got up from the table, ignoring her calls. Once in his room, he slammed the door and leaned against it, fuming. What had he ever done to deserve this?

I should have been with mom that day. When she died. I should have stayed with her, he thought, then I would be in heaven with her, instead of being stuck with dad down here.

His father was never around. After settling in with Lola he went and got a double shift at some Wal-Mart downtown. He hated staying with his 'stepmom' while his dad went to work. She never really did anything wrong, but that's why he hated her. After being stuck with her for so long he was starting to hate his father.

The sudden realization hit him like a punch in the gut.

He hated his father.

He used to love his father. He didn't love him anymore. He didn't love anyone. There was nobody left to love.

He had to get out of here. He would run away. But this time it would work. He would plan it very carefully.

But where would he go? he thought to himself? Where could he go? He didn't have an answer.

He sighed and lay back on his bed. What is that noise? It was coming from his stepmother's room. He got up to investigate.

Slowly, he cracked open his stepmother's door, carefull not to make a sound.

She was standing there, naked, in the middle of the room. She was performing some kind of dance.

He tried to run. But he couldn't. His feet were frozen as if stuck in blocks of ice. He couldn't even look away. The dance was oddly entrancing.

Suddenly, the performance ended. Lola crouched into a huddle on the ground.

Carl was turning to leave, but stopped. His stepmother's skin was rippling and becominig rough and scaly. Her blonde hair grew shorter and shorter until it was gone and replaced by black tufts of fur and shining silver horns covering her head. Her feet and hands lengthened until they were as long as his forearm.

Once the transformation was complete, she got up with her back to him. Her head turned slightly, giving him a glimpse of her face.

Surpressing a scream, he turned and ran without looking back. Lola was a demon.

END OF CHAPTER 1

After seeing his stepmom transform it was ingraved in his mind and no matter how hard he tried it would stay that way.

When his father brust in the door that night Carl would tell him of his discovery, but it wasn't that simple, Lola had occupied much of his father's time by just talking, it would be impossible to get his father alone.

As soon as the clock read 10 Carl was told it was late and to go to bed but Carl refused, he wanted to talk to his father. After hearing this Lola was the first to abject and convinsted Carl's father that it was to late and that a growing boy needs his sleep, His father agreed and told Carl with a stern voice to go to bed.

Carl did what he was told and ran up the stairs and slad his door shut. When Carl was all ready and in his bed he started to cry and repeatly said "she is brainwashing him, I hate her!".

When he finally stopped saying that it was because his dad was coming in to say good night but Carl couldn't stand to look at his father. Once his father spoke he said "I know you don't like Lola but would it kill you to give her some respect?". Carl looked at him and said "Yes, it would".

Carl's father glared at him. He walked over to Carl's bed.

"You can't have everything, Carl. I know that she isn't like your mother, but you have to try to work with her. She'll never take the place of your mother."

Carl didn't say anything. He couldn't. How the heck could he explain what he had seen to his father? Would he believe him?

Carl's father patted Carl on the head. He walked over to the door, pausing to turn around and say, "she's tried to fit in with us, I think it's time you try for her."

After Carl's father leafed the room Carl sat there in deep silence, what could he do?, his father was clearly not open to talking about Lola or at least nothing negative about her.

What was Carl to do?, he was trapped, he thought for a second and than said to himself with a hushed tone "i guess it is up to me, to make my father see." Than Carl drifed to sleep.

"Oh, Carl!"

It was that voice. That cursed voice that he hated, breaking into his dreams and thrusting him awake. He groaned and turned over. Lola could wait for all he cared.

"Carl! Breakfast!"

This time it was more of a command then an offer, and Carl crossed his arms, as stubborn as ever. He plugged his ears as Lola's calls continued, and he stuck his head under the covers as he heard her footsteps coming towards his room.

When she made it to his room she saw that he was still in bed and pulled the covers off with incredible force.

Carl was scard at this point and when she finally spoke it was truly torture."How dare you not answer me when i call you.", Carl was quick to reply " How dare I?,No, How dare you come into this family and take it over, like my mother. You will never be my mother." Lola was stund and than said "we will see about that."

Lola ran out the door she was truly upset. After seeing this Carl was terrified when he saw the anger in her eyes.

After seeing that look of pure anger in her eyes, Carl knew he wasn't being smart. She was a demon, and that probably meant that she was dangerous. Mouthing off to a demon who was married to your father was not only childish but it was hazardously stupid. Carl realized that he needed to change his tactics. If he was going to stay alive, he needed to be civil at least, perhaps even pretend affection.

Carl made his way down stairs and found Lola sitting at the table with a novel and a cup of coffee. She glanced up at him in acknowledgment and went back to reading, as if the scene upstairs had never happened.

Carl sat down across from her where his plate of food was sitting, still warm. The biscuits and egg gravy looked good, and he was about to take a bite when the thought that they might be poisoned crossed his mind. Casually, he set down his fork and looked at his step mom.
"Um, Lola," Carl began. "I am sorry that I yelled at you upstairs." He tried to look ashamed, hoping that his acting was convincing.

Lola looked up from her book, but didn't say anything.

"Its just that, well, I miss my mom and its hard to see Dad with you. There's nothing wrong with you," here Carl stumbled over the words but kept going, hoping that Lola didn't notice. "but its just not the same, ya know?"

There was a pause where Lola just looked at him. Then came her sickeningly sweet voice, "Oh, honey, Its all right. I understand that its not the same. It probably never will be. But you can love many people in one lifetime. Did you know that before I met your dad, I had a husband and a son?"

This came as quite a surprise to Carl. He shook his head. "What happened to them?" he asked, unable to control his curiosity.

For a moment, Lola lost her perfect composure and looked a bit uncomfortable. "They died." she said, and offered no more on the subject. There was an awkward silence which Lola finally broke by saying, "Shall we promise each other to try and get along better?"

Carl didn't know how he felt about making promises to a demon, even ones he did not intend to keep, and hesitantly, he nodded his head.

"Wonderful!" Lola cried, and she turned back to her book, but not before she gave a grin that to Carl seemed very sinister.

Carl didn't know if the promise he had just made was a good thing or a bad thing. The one thing he did know, however, was the breakfast in front of him looked good. He took a spoonful. It wasn't poisoned. Yet.

When Carl was finished scarfing down his food, he stuck the plate in the sink and went upstairs to change.

After changing he heard a conversation going on,but between whom?, his father was not home yet it was just Lola and himself but it occuried to him if Lola was a demon than she must have demon friends,right?

*male voice on the phone*.

" So have you done it yet?"

" Almost, i have him within my reach."

When the conversation was over Carl couldn't believe what he had just heard. He had to tell his father.TONIGHT.

Carl sucked in his breath as his heart pounded in his ears. What was Lola going to do to him? And was her demon friend inside the house? With a gasp, Carl slammed the door, and, locking it, dove under the bed, the blood rushing in his ears.

Carl could hear foot steps coming up the stairs he thought to himself "thats it i'm done for.".

Lola knocked on his door,"honey are you alright?" Carl didnt answer for a moment but something came out, "I'm f-f-f-fine." he said with a studder.

Carl could hear Lola leave the door, he jumped up from under the bed. He had to think, what was he to do? He thought for a moment than something came to him,a smile came over his face and what a sinister smile it was.

He would sabatoge her, he decided.

Suddenly he jumped as the front door opened and closed. "Honey, I'm home!"

Carl sighed and released the breath he realized he had been holding. It was just his father.

"Carl!" his father's voice called. There was a soft knock on his bedroom door. "Carl, come on out. Lola and I have something to talk to you about."

Carl walked to the door and opened it. His father and Lola walked in. "Why don't you have a seat on the bed?" she said, voice dripping with a false sweetness.

He gave her a questioning look. What were they going to tell him? That they were getting divorced? Were they moving back home? A flicker of a smile crossed his face at both thoughts. Niether of those two things were likely to ever happen, however. His father and Lola were happly married, and happy living in this dreary rainy place. So what else was so important that they had to tell him together?

"Carl," his father's voice interrupted his thoughts. "You're going to have a baby brother."

Carl could not help the gasp escape his lips. His mind was whirling with dread. Oh no. Oh no. A baby brother could mean nothing but trouble. Carl could not help thinking...would the baby be half-demon? And then..what would it be able to do to him? How would he survive with two demons after him?

"Carl, son, what's the matter?" His father asked, concerned.

"I-I'm just suprised, thats all," he lied to his father. "I-in a good way of course."

"He'll be here if four months!" his father said brightly. "Isn't that wonderful news?"

"Yeah!" Carl replied, trying to sound excited rather than sarcastic. It didn't completely work, but his father was too happy to notice. Oddly, Lola, the Lola who literally saw everything and never missed a beat, was also too happy to notice.

Carl kept small talk for a few minutes until he felt like he couldn't bear being in Lola's sight anymore. "Uh, dad?" he asked desperately.

"What?"

Carl searched for an excuse. "I..have homework I really need to get done."

His father seemed to accept it with no question. "Sure, son, go ahead."

Lola, however, narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.

Wasting no time, Carl walked as slowly as he dared to his room, then locked the door. What was happening to me?

He felt it in his gut was this some demon magic that Lola was playing on his dad?.

Sitting straight up in his bed he thought for a moment and realized that this baby is a pawn to get to me and my father. Carl really hated Lola now.

Carl could hear them talking downstairs "they are talking about what to name the baby, what room would he get?, Carl stopped, what room would he get, Carl got scared because he knew if Lola had her way the baby would have his room.

Carl sat in the dark for a second and said "  Not on my watch."

After hearing what he said one word came to mind "Demon Spawn."

Carl cleared his mind. Perhaps he was being harsh. Maybe he had imagined Lola's transformation. Maybe she really was just a stepmother, who was trying to fit in and really wanted the best for him. Maybe...

"Carl, honey, come back down here! We came up with the perfect name!"

Hearing her sugary voice, Carl could not believe his doubting thoughts. There was no question about what he had seen, about Lola's evilness. What is she putting in my brain?

Carl ran down the stairs and met Lola and his father on the couch.

Carl was looking at them both with questionable eyes. " so whats the name." Lola was the first to reply "Timithy."

He looked at her than his father said " we would call him timmy for short." Carl looked unamused, its not he didnt like his father making an affort, but it was a name Lola liked and he hated anything Lola liked.

"Great." Carl said sarcasticly.

Carl ran back upstairs saying that he was tired.

What was Carl to do he couldnt handle Lola and he knew he couldnt handle her child "demon spone". He was trapped but what did he expect he was on his own with the whole demon thing so he would have to deal with the baby as well.

"I'm dead, might as well dig my own grave.".

No, he thought to himself. He would have Little Timmy dig his grave for him. After all, that little demon spawn was sure to be evil enough. But then again, maybe he wouldn't be evil.

Carl shuddered. Where were all of these positive things about Lola and the baby coming from? He hated Lola, and he hated Timmy too, and he wasn't even born yet.

A scary reason flashed through Carl's mind, and he pushed it away, not wanting to believe it. But he could not help the thought straying back towards his mind: Lola was somehow messing with his mind, making him think things he did not believe.

At once Carl grabbed his head in his hands as if it hurt. Lola can't be messing around with my brain! He thought in horror. If she can control my mind, what else can she make me do?

Carl instantly felt his legs, as if they would start going out of his control. And he couldn't help wondering: If Lola really did have the power to control his mind, how long would it be before she used it to her advantage- and made him do something against his will?

Carl got a chill that ran down his spine, this time the chill advanced through his whole body, he was scared.

He sat on his bed, took a picture of his mother he had on his night stand.

Carl stared at the picture and started to cry. " I wish you were here. I'm scared."

Hold on a second he thought four months. I thought it took nine months for a baby to be born. How long have they known? Why wouldn't my dad tell me?

Carl got up off his bed and looked around. What time is it? Carl looked over at his clock on the nightstand. 11:30pm. I should get to sleep. Lola will be watching.

Silently, Carl stripped down to his boxer shorts, turned out the light, and walked across the dark room to his bed, thinking about the past two days, and the days to come.

It was hard to believe that he had found out that Lola was a demon only yesterday. It felt like it had been months ago. And what was he going to do?

He sighed and turned over, deciding to think about it tomorrow, when he wasn't so sleepy.

Suddenly he jolted up. Why was he sleepy? He had been fully awake only a few seconds ago. And why was he suddenly putting off a plan until tomorrow? He had to do something soon, and there was no time to spare. Was Lola controling his thoughts again?

But this time it wasn't just his thoughts. She was making him feel sleepy! What else could she make him do? Suddenly a horrible thought flashed through his mind. Can Lola see what I am thinking right now?

Carl thought maybe Lola doesnt need to be around me to control me.

Carl began to panic, this wasnt normal. Lola had a sinister plan and Carl knew it involved him.

He thought some more could Lola invade his mind, control it?, unhing it?. These questions puzzled him.

What am I going to do?

Carl sat up in his bed. He rubbed his aking head. He glanced over at the clock, 8:23am.

Did I fall asleep? I don't remember sleeping.

Lola could control time.

Carl's eyes glazed in terror. Now that he knew what the demon was capable of, it just made him fear her even more. He propped himself in the most uncomfortable position he could in bed, widening his eyes. I'm not going to fall asleep if I can help it, he thought stubbornly. It's too dangerous.

What can't she do? Is she like one of those things, where when you find their weakness, you can destroy them?

Carl heard a knock on his door.

"Carl," his dad's voice called. "Time for school. You've already missed the bus. I have to drive you."

Carl sighed. At least at school, Lola couldn't do anything to him. Little did he know how wrong he was.

Carl groaned. With all the craziness of the past two days, he had completely forgotten to write a paper for english. He sighed. He would just have to do it in first hour.

When Carl first got to school, everything seemed normal; his math teacher handed back his test with a big fat F on the front, his English teacher yelled at him for clearly doing his work in a rush, and so on. But it was at lunch when things started getting weird.

When he entered the lunch room there was no one there!.

Carl started to freak out. Was this really happening?

Carl thought to himself, could Lola control his whole life?. Sure she could she was a giant red DEMON. In Carl's opinion she could do whatever she wanted.

Carl checked the clock to make sure it really was lunchtime. Yes! 11:30! Then why was the cafeteria empty?

It was then that he heard the voice.

The doors slabed shut, he heard the voice of HER.

Carl was scared to death. He called out "I know its y-y-y-y-you Lola. Carl tried hard not to sound terrified.

The room went pitch black. What was she doing?. Carl knew what she was doing she was going to kill him.

"Show yourself.". Carl saw a figure come out of the darkness. It was Lola.

"You are just as scared as your mother."

Carl was shocked at what she just said.

"Did you kill my mother."

"Well i had to or the prophecy wouldn't come true."

Prophecy? Is she insane? What prophecy?

"What prophecy?" Carl shouted at her.

"Silly, silly boy. You know nothing of it, do you? How sad." Lola faked a compassionate smile.

Carl's brain whirled. He didn't know what to do.

"I can see what you're thinking. But you can't escape." Lola's voice was cold.

She can read my mind? Carl looked up. Lola grinned at him. Every thought I have is unsafe around her...

"That's right," Lola sneered. "Every thought. You are not safe from me." She took a step towards him.

Carl slouched back into the shadows.

Evil demon! Why do you have to control my life?

"I already told you. To fulfill the prophecy," she said. "Let's start from the beginning..."

Carl's eyes widened. He didn't want to hear this. But strangely, he half-did. If she really did kill my mother, Carl thought grimly, She'll pay for it. Then Lola began her story. Carl had barely time to think Why is she stalling time instead of killing me? before he was lost in her words.

"Years ago i was part of an anicent prophecy that was meant to happen and it involved your mother. She was not really human she was a witch with lots of power."

"Was she good or bad?" Carl ordered

"Good ,unforuntely."

"She had the power but didnt know what to do with it."

"well as i was saying it was my duty to kill her and i did. i needed her power. And sense her power runs in your vains i must kill you as well.

Carl was shocked he couldnt believe it, better yet he wouldnt believe it.

"You really have to stop talking to yourself. I can read your mind, remember?."

"So i killed your mother, than my master told me an heir had been born to her power so i had to act and the best way to get to you was met your father and marry him so i could produce an heir of my own."

Carl was speachless.