It was nearly 3:00 in the morning when Jake found the motivation to rise from bed and look out the window. His eyes blurred and struggled to focus immediately on the rushing lights and colors of the lively city below. He rose shakily to tired legs to look deeper into the world below. He wondered quietly to himself how many of the scurrying humans running about were alive because of him. Sighing, turning, he looked into the darkness of the room, glancing back at the bed, tangled in blankets, he left the room to stare into the faint glow of light coming from the windows of the living room. He could hear it, faintly, but sure. It was an unmistakable sound to him, as familiar and natural as his own heartbeat. There was a flowery scent, like a rush of sweet summer breeze blowing the smell of nature around, and Jake knew like a sudden instinct exactly who it was.
"Hello, Ree."
There was movement in the shadows, slow, and almost undetectable. But clear as day, she rose from the darkness, to stare at Jake with clear dark eyes. Moving with silk like grace, she moved around him to answer quietly.
"Jake."
Watching her step lightly across the ground, Jake felt confusment rise slowly. Why is she here?
Ree answered his question almost immediately. Well, somewhat.
"Do you know what your doing?"
Her head slightly cocked, eyes flickerign with each crystal clear word echoing through dark thin lips, Ree stood, unbreakable, strong, and seeming angry as she spoke.
"I dont know what you mea-"
She closed in so quickly he barely had time to realize what was happening before a crushign impact hit his chest and sent him flying backwards. Straightening almost as quickly as a reflex Jake started to push Ree back but she gripped his throat and shoved him against the wall. Her eyes burning, dark long hair flying over her shoulder as she moved, Ree was furious and annoyed and Jake knew why.
"Dont play games with me," She warned in a quiet voice. Releasign his throat, Jake fell, bitign his lip to keep from spatting somethign at her.
"Your going to get hurt." She whispered as she dragged his arm upward, risign him to his feet.
Jake swallowed, and looked away to the huge window of the living room.
"I'm fine." He replied though clenched teeth. Ree walked quietly, and slowly, with the same fluid grace as in everyhtign she did, breathing warm breath on the back of his neck, she whispered quietly in his ear,
"You fell."
Turnign away from her husky voice he stepped towards the door to the balconey.
"How would you know?"
"I know you."
Bitign his lip again Jake refused to look into her eyes, but like some unseen force, he turned to face her anyway.
"You, are all to eagar to sacrifice your heart, i knew the moment you saw her,you would fall."
Ree spoke her sharp words of truth in such a way Jake fell speechless. She didnt stop, walking circles around him, trailign her flawless pale fingers across his back she spoke.
"Its dangerous, beautiful, crazy, and you cant stop it. Not like you want to."
"What do you want Ree?" Jake felt like he had exploded as he cried out the words. She knew what she as doing, she was pulling out the truth and she knew it hurt to realize.
Her dark eyes locked his, she took a breath, stepped forward, and placed her finger on his chest.
" Its a mission, Jake,"
Stepping lightly around him, her long fingernail brushing against his cheek.
"Sooner or later, when mission is accomplished, you, will have to leave."
"i dont have to."
"She doesnt even know what you are Jake!"
Lowering his eyes, away from her, he nodded.
"I could tell her," he answered quietly.
"Would she handle it? Would she even believe you?"
"She has faith, Ree,"
She paused, before she stepped forward, curling her fingers under his chin and raisign his eyes to meet hers.
"Does she believe in angels?"
Chapter2
2 weeks later from that short but life changing conversation, Kale was sitting on the hardwood floor in her new room, rummaging through unpacked boxes.
Since her fathers idea of furniture was a TV, couch, tables, chairs, and a few kitchen appliances, the move hadn't taken long. It was strange to think she had lived there since she was 4, yet never seemed to realize how little each room had. Packing, moving, and hopefully unpacking, were all pretty easy for Kale. But unlike her father, who was at work at the moment with his new "buds," Kale was almost heartbroken to say goodbye to her old friends. Even if she was only a few hours away from them. From home.
Stop being depressed. She scolded herself. Long distance friendships worked out, and no doubt she'd see them around. Satisfied from her own solution for the item being, she moved onto her next big problem.
New school, town, people, friends. If she made any friends at all.
Kale didn't think of herself as a anti social person, but sometimes, when she felt uncomfortable, (like she did here) she could be extremely shy. Only one night had actually been spent here, she and her dad had cruised around town a bit, ate lunch at the local diner, but besides that, she had had no interaction with the new world around her. What if they didn't like her? A cold brown nose suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
" Hey there cutie."
One highlight, her father had picked out the most adorable shepherd lab mix puppy ever from the animal shelter. With dancing brown eyes, a shaggy brown mixed coat, and a playful personality, Trigger, was definitely one of Kales new friends.
Scratching his floppy ears Kale glanced around her room, her bed was set up, some clothes unpacked, and a few posters of her favourite bands and movies, for today, Kale decided to consider herself unpacked. But not quite at home.
"Walk?" She said with a smile in her voice. Trigger yelped in an excited pitch and instantly started padding down the hallway to the stairs. Snatching her coat, Kale followed.
It did feel good to be in the crisp autumn air, to feel warm wind and sun, even if it was in an unfamiliar place. She felt happy, at the moment. She tried not to send her anxiety in any negative vibrations like a tight tension down to Trigger as she clutched the leash. But she didn't know where she was going, who these people around her were, she was a little nervous.
You need this, she told herself firmly. Its good to be out, 1 week until school, head start on meeting new people.
Trigger whimpered with impatience as she stopped before the street to await a line of cars and trucks to whiz by. Smiling at Triggers interest in a pile of leaves by the stop sign, Kale's eyes suddenly caught the movement of someone across from her. Leaning against the post of a telephone wire, stood a dark haired boy. He looked about Kales age, older,if not the same. He had a small mp3 in his hand, headphones in his ears, he watched the traffic pass as he fiddled with the music device. With a tall, slim figure, dark eyes and hair, and chiseled features, he was pretty attractive.
Make that very cute, Kale thought with a small smile. The boys gaze moved suddenly to her, with a hot red instantly moving into her face, Kale turned away and pretended to be petting Trigger. Just breathe, she told herself, Don't be nervous, theres no reason too. It was safe for them to cross now, keeping her eyes an equal distance from the boy's, Kale walked in confident, quick steps. But as they passed each other, his eyes met hers, and for the moment, Kale thought she actually could feel at home here. Besides, any normal girls day was brightened by a smile from a cute boy, and she was no exception.
:)
Since her fathers idea of furniture was a TV, couch, tables, chairs, and a few kitchen appliances, the move hadn't taken long. It was strange to think she had lived there since she was 4, yet never seemed to realize how little each room had. Packing, moving, and hopefully unpacking, were all pretty easy for Kale. But unlike her father, who was at work at the moment with his new "buds," Kale was almost heartbroken to say goodbye to her old friends. Even if she was only a few hours away from them. From home.
Stop being depressed. She scolded herself. Long distance friendships worked out, and no doubt she'd see them around. Satisfied from her own solution for the item being, she moved onto her next big problem.
New school, town, people, friends. If she made any friends at all.
Kale didn't think of herself as a anti social person, but sometimes, when she felt uncomfortable, (like she did here) she could be extremely shy. Only one night had actually been spent here, she and her dad had cruised around town a bit, ate lunch at the local diner, but besides that, she had had no interaction with the new world around her. What if they didn't like her? A cold brown nose suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
" Hey there cutie."
One highlight, her father had picked out the most adorable shepherd lab mix puppy ever from the animal shelter. With dancing brown eyes, a shaggy brown mixed coat, and a playful personality, Trigger, was definitely one of Kales new friends.
Scratching his floppy ears Kale glanced around her room, her bed was set up, some clothes unpacked, and a few posters of her favourite bands and movies, for today, Kale decided to consider herself unpacked. But not quite at home.
"Walk?" She said with a smile in her voice. Trigger yelped in an excited pitch and instantly started padding down the hallway to the stairs. Snatching her coat, Kale followed.
It did feel good to be in the crisp autumn air, to feel warm wind and sun, even if it was in an unfamiliar place. She felt happy, at the moment. She tried not to send her anxiety in any negative vibrations like a tight tension down to Trigger as she clutched the leash. But she didn't know where she was going, who these people around her were, she was a little nervous.
You need this, she told herself firmly. Its good to be out, 1 week until school, head start on meeting new people.
Trigger whimpered with impatience as she stopped before the street to await a line of cars and trucks to whiz by. Smiling at Triggers interest in a pile of leaves by the stop sign, Kale's eyes suddenly caught the movement of someone across from her. Leaning against the post of a telephone wire, stood a dark haired boy. He looked about Kales age, older,if not the same. He had a small mp3 in his hand, headphones in his ears, he watched the traffic pass as he fiddled with the music device. With a tall, slim figure, dark eyes and hair, and chiseled features, he was pretty attractive.
Make that very cute, Kale thought with a small smile. The boys gaze moved suddenly to her, with a hot red instantly moving into her face, Kale turned away and pretended to be petting Trigger. Just breathe, she told herself, Don't be nervous, theres no reason too. It was safe for them to cross now, keeping her eyes an equal distance from the boy's, Kale walked in confident, quick steps. But as they passed each other, his eyes met hers, and for the moment, Kale thought she actually could feel at home here. Besides, any normal girls day was brightened by a smile from a cute boy, and she was no exception.
:)
Chapter 2 of, "Its all Good."
"Ouch." Kale mumbled under her breath as the car jerked to a stop. Shoving off the blanket tangled around her she unbuckled the seat belt strangling her then looked out the dusty window.
" What do you think?" Her fathers excited voice made it all the harder to fake a weak smile as she looked around the unfamiliar surroundings. They were parked on the browning grass in front of a light blue, shingle missing and window needing house. The streets and homes around it looked more inviting, but they were still strange to Kale. It was almost too perfect for a picture, easy going traffic, a play ground of kids, fresh cut lawns, she felt like she was a vocal point in the seemingly abandoned yard. " What do you want me to think," She answered hesitantly as she opened the car door and stepped into the crisp August air.
" Well, i would be happy if you liked it." He replied. He walked around the car to stand beside her. Kale pushed back her fears and asked the question that was throbbing in her head.
" Why are we here?" Her fathers reluctance to answer made her cringe.
" well," He paused again.
" Get it out before i smack you,"
" I got a job." Kale bit her lip as he finally spit it out.
"so we're moving."
"I won't close the deal on the house if you don't want to be here."
"Thanks, put me on the spot."
" Kale!"
She took a deep breath and chewed her lip. Pushing herself from the car to walk around the lawn, she looked back at him, trying to sound casual.
" i have friends, and a job, and all my stuff back home."
" We can move your stuff."
His playful smile made her hard expression melt.
" do you like your job?" she asked quietly.
He walked over to her and put his arm around her slumping shoulders.
" i know its senior year in high-school for you, but I'm in a town where being a cop means you actually make a difference." he sounded sincere, like he really wanted to be here. but it was her decision too.
" so we're in a crime capital."
he punched her lightly in the arm.
" not exactly."
Kale let her eyes fall to the brown grass beneath her, as she kicked it, little clouds of dust came up.
"What do you say to this little fixer upper?" he asked again, warmly, as
if the question wasn't that hard. She threw up her hands in surrender.
" fine! alright, fine." She almost burst out laughing at her fathers sudden childlike expression. " yes!" he cried.
Kale turned back the the house. sighing, nervous, but also a little excited for the whole new experience. " but i want a dog. " She said, trying to sound mad, she couldn't. her dads arm looped around her shoulders again. " as long as you don't call him something strange." he answered with a smile.
"Its All Good"
" 2 beers, please." bellowed a stocky man with curly red hair and a almost overwhelming smell. Kale didn't resent being a waitress, it really didn't make much of a difference to her whether or not she liked her job, as long as it paid good wages. the people she had to serve, however. sliding the beers across the grimy table, and collecting the even dirtier money, she continued to walk around the small tavern in which she had worked in almost 4 months now. she had grown accustomed to its regulars, usually disappointed, old men that talked too much about days they had jobs and money to pay for their many beers. shed even gotten used to the almost daily, flirtatious customers and even some who got into small quarrels with others over a misunderstanding, a spilt drink, or a waitress. sighing heavily, and glancing for the umpteenth time at the clock above her, Kale continued to doodle on the pad she was supposed to put orders on, occasionally pouring a shot or handing a cold drink to a shouting person.
"hey! wake up!" growling to herself, kale strode over to a short, dark haired woman with heels too big and glasses even bigger.
" a martini, please." she said in a most ignorant tone.
" sorry, we don't do that here." kale tried to sound polite, but she couldn't keep annoyance out of her voice, the woman looked up from filing her obviously bitten nails.
" excuse me?"
" we don't do that." kale repeated, while handing a plate of fries to a waiting man and collecting a bill.
" i think you should learn to, right now." the woman persisted, anger rising in her voice.
" look, its just a drink, anything else you want, we probably got."
turning up her nose and growling to herself, she slid from the rocking chair and on shaky feet, walked out of the tavern. nibbling on her lip, kale wondered whether or not to go apologize to the woman, but quickly decided not to as a tall, blonde stranger seated himself squarely at the stool closest to her. " 1 shot, please." smiling, and nodding, Kale handed the drink and collected the money.
" whats your name?" he asked after handing her the neatly folded bill.
" kale. "
" nice to meet you Kale, I'm Ryan, Ryan Jensen."
Kale kept the warm smile on her face a she shook his hand. " you dont look like your from around here."
" I'm not," he answered as he downed his shot, and slid it across the table to her.
" another please." kale handed it back to him full.
" where are you from then?"
" settle, came here to pick up some work."
"you came to all the way here, to Mississippi, for work?"
" i know people that can get me into the business i want here."
"i see."
Kale felt almost nosy, but she couldn't help it. it wasn't often someone that looked like Ryan walked into here.
" you live here?" for what seemed like minutes, but what was actually an hour, Kale continued to talk to the stranger. laughing, smiling learning more about him, while talking about herself too. it felt nice to actually talk to someone, most of her conversations here had something do with a customer or an order, or how to mix a certain type of drink. all too soon, a slur took over Ryan's voice, and a sway in his movement. " your shifts over." came the quiet whisper of her friend Kelly. Kale glanced at her, then back at Ryan. " ill get him a cab, just go home." Kelly instructed with a smile. returning her grin, Kale farewelled Ryan, then reached beneath the counter to grab her coat and purse. as she walked towards the door, she suddenly realized Ryan had followed her out.
" where are you....." he stumbled, for a moment, before he fell Kale gabbed his arm and hoisted his weight against her. " come on you weirdo." Kale said under her breath as she began dragging him back to the door of the tavern. suddenly straightening, but still swaying, Ryan pushed Kale's arm away from itself and instead grabbed both. " wait." Kale stared in horror, waiting for him to throw up on her, instead he lunged forward for her lips. crying out and dodging his disgusting breath, kale shrunk back from him, then started towards her dusty car again. " hey!" Ryan protested and grabbed her arm again. pulling with what seemed like all his strength, Ryan slammed her against the hard door of the tavern. kale dropped her purse, and groaned as the sharp pain ofthee doors handle stabbed into her back.Ryann smiled feverishly, " your not going anywhere, until...." he burped, an overwhelming stench in Kale's face. " get off me!" she cried. she struggled to free herself, but Ryan grabbed both her arms and locked them against her chest. crying out again Kale kicked as hard as she could, falling back for a second, Ryan appeared stunned. but instead of staying away he took one shaky step forward and swung his fist into the left side of her jaw. screaming again, and falling to the hard concrete ground in a painful slam, she struggled to breathe. she felt helpless, swallowing back the blood in her mouth she pushed herself up, and before Ryan could swing at her again gave him one good knee in the stomach. " jerk." she growled as he fell gasping to the ground.
it was almost eleven,when Kale walked up the steps of the white, 2 story house in which both she and her father resided in. she personally want looking forward to his lecture, she was supposed to be home by ten, the mere later half hour probably wouldn't bother him, it would probably be the rereason she was half an hour late. jamming her keys into the door, she cringed to remember the drunken customer who had punched her. then the fuss her friend Kelly had made as she pressed a bag of ice against her swollen cheek. some people are just unpredictable. kale huffed to herself as she stepped into the warm, bright house.
" kale? is that you?"
" yeah its me." stripping off her jacket and pulling off her shoes, kale tried to think of a reason in the next 2 seconds of why she had a huge bruise other face. or maybe the cover up she had reapplied at the tavern wouldn't show it.
her father walked down the creaking stairs and into the entrance.
" what was with the extra half-" stopping dead, Kale cringed as she struggled to pull her hair out of a knotty bun in an attempt to cover her face. too late.
" Kale what the-"
" I'm fine, dad." Kale interjected quickly. she let her head hang, not wanting to look up at his flaring eyes. her dad was a retired marine, he had been retired since she was born. he still had the old scars, and build of a marine, and attitude too.
" tell me what happened, right now."
she forced herself to look into his storm blue eyes.
" moody drunk wanted a goodnight kiss." she said quietly.
shaking his head he strode to her, grabbing the side of her face he turned her head to one side to look at her jaw.
" did you hit him back?" he asked as he brushed away some of her brown hair.
" gave him a knee in the stomach." Kale smiled, remembering.
her father laughed out loud. " next time aim a little lower." her father took a step back to look at her. she nodded, pulling her hair back over her face. " its late, and you have to get up early tomorrow."
Kale hung up her coat.
" for what?"
" its a sunrise."
"great." Kale mumbled under her breath, she climbed the stairs, put a cold cloth on her jaw, then sat on her bed. he took it well, she thought to herself. not near as bad as i thought it would be. she then fell asleep.
:)
"hey! wake up!" growling to herself, kale strode over to a short, dark haired woman with heels too big and glasses even bigger.
" a martini, please." she said in a most ignorant tone.
" sorry, we don't do that here." kale tried to sound polite, but she couldn't keep annoyance out of her voice, the woman looked up from filing her obviously bitten nails.
" excuse me?"
" we don't do that." kale repeated, while handing a plate of fries to a waiting man and collecting a bill.
" i think you should learn to, right now." the woman persisted, anger rising in her voice.
" look, its just a drink, anything else you want, we probably got."
turning up her nose and growling to herself, she slid from the rocking chair and on shaky feet, walked out of the tavern. nibbling on her lip, kale wondered whether or not to go apologize to the woman, but quickly decided not to as a tall, blonde stranger seated himself squarely at the stool closest to her. " 1 shot, please." smiling, and nodding, Kale handed the drink and collected the money.
" whats your name?" he asked after handing her the neatly folded bill.
" kale. "
" nice to meet you Kale, I'm Ryan, Ryan Jensen."
Kale kept the warm smile on her face a she shook his hand. " you dont look like your from around here."
" I'm not," he answered as he downed his shot, and slid it across the table to her.
" another please." kale handed it back to him full.
" where are you from then?"
" settle, came here to pick up some work."
"you came to all the way here, to Mississippi, for work?"
" i know people that can get me into the business i want here."
"i see."
Kale felt almost nosy, but she couldn't help it. it wasn't often someone that looked like Ryan walked into here.
" you live here?" for what seemed like minutes, but what was actually an hour, Kale continued to talk to the stranger. laughing, smiling learning more about him, while talking about herself too. it felt nice to actually talk to someone, most of her conversations here had something do with a customer or an order, or how to mix a certain type of drink. all too soon, a slur took over Ryan's voice, and a sway in his movement. " your shifts over." came the quiet whisper of her friend Kelly. Kale glanced at her, then back at Ryan. " ill get him a cab, just go home." Kelly instructed with a smile. returning her grin, Kale farewelled Ryan, then reached beneath the counter to grab her coat and purse. as she walked towards the door, she suddenly realized Ryan had followed her out.
" where are you....." he stumbled, for a moment, before he fell Kale gabbed his arm and hoisted his weight against her. " come on you weirdo." Kale said under her breath as she began dragging him back to the door of the tavern. suddenly straightening, but still swaying, Ryan pushed Kale's arm away from itself and instead grabbed both. " wait." Kale stared in horror, waiting for him to throw up on her, instead he lunged forward for her lips. crying out and dodging his disgusting breath, kale shrunk back from him, then started towards her dusty car again. " hey!" Ryan protested and grabbed her arm again. pulling with what seemed like all his strength, Ryan slammed her against the hard door of the tavern. kale dropped her purse, and groaned as the sharp pain ofthee doors handle stabbed into her back.Ryann smiled feverishly, " your not going anywhere, until...." he burped, an overwhelming stench in Kale's face. " get off me!" she cried. she struggled to free herself, but Ryan grabbed both her arms and locked them against her chest. crying out again Kale kicked as hard as she could, falling back for a second, Ryan appeared stunned. but instead of staying away he took one shaky step forward and swung his fist into the left side of her jaw. screaming again, and falling to the hard concrete ground in a painful slam, she struggled to breathe. she felt helpless, swallowing back the blood in her mouth she pushed herself up, and before Ryan could swing at her again gave him one good knee in the stomach. " jerk." she growled as he fell gasping to the ground.
it was almost eleven,when Kale walked up the steps of the white, 2 story house in which both she and her father resided in. she personally want looking forward to his lecture, she was supposed to be home by ten, the mere later half hour probably wouldn't bother him, it would probably be the rereason she was half an hour late. jamming her keys into the door, she cringed to remember the drunken customer who had punched her. then the fuss her friend Kelly had made as she pressed a bag of ice against her swollen cheek. some people are just unpredictable. kale huffed to herself as she stepped into the warm, bright house.
" kale? is that you?"
" yeah its me." stripping off her jacket and pulling off her shoes, kale tried to think of a reason in the next 2 seconds of why she had a huge bruise other face. or maybe the cover up she had reapplied at the tavern wouldn't show it.
her father walked down the creaking stairs and into the entrance.
" what was with the extra half-" stopping dead, Kale cringed as she struggled to pull her hair out of a knotty bun in an attempt to cover her face. too late.
" Kale what the-"
" I'm fine, dad." Kale interjected quickly. she let her head hang, not wanting to look up at his flaring eyes. her dad was a retired marine, he had been retired since she was born. he still had the old scars, and build of a marine, and attitude too.
" tell me what happened, right now."
she forced herself to look into his storm blue eyes.
" moody drunk wanted a goodnight kiss." she said quietly.
shaking his head he strode to her, grabbing the side of her face he turned her head to one side to look at her jaw.
" did you hit him back?" he asked as he brushed away some of her brown hair.
" gave him a knee in the stomach." Kale smiled, remembering.
her father laughed out loud. " next time aim a little lower." her father took a step back to look at her. she nodded, pulling her hair back over her face. " its late, and you have to get up early tomorrow."
Kale hung up her coat.
" for what?"
" its a sunrise."
"great." Kale mumbled under her breath, she climbed the stairs, put a cold cloth on her jaw, then sat on her bed. he took it well, she thought to herself. not near as bad as i thought it would be. she then fell asleep.
:)
The deal...
My little sister, (whom will be taking over this blog soon after this post) is a scary good little writer of 13. SO I've decieded to help/encourage the talent however I can. What will hopefully follow on this page will be excerpts, passages, chuncks of chapters and likely just a myriad of Jordan's musings, thoughts, short stories and so on.
(as soon as she figure out how to post :) )
to give things a bit more of a twist as well: I promise that each time Jordan posts a writing to this blog, I will shortly upload a sketch/painting/drawing to compliment.
Hope this is post one of a very succesful little blog! take it away little sis!!
(as soon as she figure out how to post :) )
to give things a bit more of a twist as well: I promise that each time Jordan posts a writing to this blog, I will shortly upload a sketch/painting/drawing to compliment.
Hope this is post one of a very succesful little blog! take it away little sis!!
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