I turned around and looked up just as an arrow seared the air next to my face. I scanned the mountain side, looking for the projectile's owner. But in the dense woods, it was difficult to see. My heart began beating rapidly within my chest as the fear I would soon be killed slowly sank in. There was nowhere left to run, and nowhere left to hide. I turned and started half-running, half-sliding my way down the pine needle c...

The Widower Katrina made it all the way home before falling apart. She shed her cloak, tossed the bloodied dagger aside, and leaned back against the door, struggling to breathe. Slowly she fell to the floor, then brought her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them and started sobbing. Her aunt eventually grew tired of it and came by to help her to the bathroom and clean her up.Meradith sat her down at the table...

The White Pawn XVIIIWilliam sat down at the Sisters fountain, twirling the bronze Rook around in his fingers, today was the last day Jordon gave him to offer the proof he needed against Walden's innocence and to reopen the greater case at large. But it had no matter now; all his evidence was lost. The last of captain Gren's men who could provide accountable details about the night of Albert's death, had themselves died; k...

Wanderer's blood coursed through my ancestors' veins, Boiling under wind-stretched sails off Africa’s coast, Thousands of miles from their European homes. Their blood stirred at the vast mysteries before them, Legends and rumors of the dark continent, devourer of men, Pulsating through their thoughts As they stepped onto the red soil for the first time. Their wanderlust stirs and boils within my blood too. Echoes of the d...

The White Pawn VIIIThe wine cellar was so dimly lit that William could hardly see a few feet in front of his face; let alone the six men aside him. Derren had his eight best and most trusted men with him that night. Five of them were down there with him, and the other three were keeping an eye out on the entrance to the cellar door upstairs, to make sure no one but Gem and Lewis entered. They had to trust that Madam Fiona...

The White Pawn VIThe next morning William finished his letter and sent it off with a courier before seeking out Captain Lewis. His search quickly led him to discover Captain Lewis Gren worked night patrols, he should have known that. He had a long boring day of patrolling Bulwark Street. Soon enough he pulled out the bronze Rook he had found placed next to Albert's corpse, and started fiddling around with it. When that go...

Jean and I shareThe same visionThe same king.I don't know if old ageOr a family will be granted me,Or if my heart will pour out on the groundIn the great clashWhich will soon be upon us once again.

A silent scream in the dark, muffled cries echoed in hollow halls. Sounds amplified, making the quiet still and more painful. Wooden floorboards creaked with each step, years of abuse warped the floor beneath. Screened lights above flickered a dull yellow dimming to dark amber. Some areas submerged in the dark, for the popped lights now littered the floor.The walls were sticky and wet, stained red and thick as paint. A so...

Several days after Enaguille was thrown into the dungeon he received his first visitor. He was excited at first expecting it to be his father, come to release him and congratulate him on his victory; instead it was Maester Leana. She was wrapped head to toe with thick clothes; the elder woman had a great issue dealing with the cold. He prefer to see his father but Maester Leana was to him the next best thing. She was the...

Only a thousand he yelled I felt the impact of the steel boot heal Connect with my face The snapping of bones Sounding like small twigs The taste of blood My blood It runs so freely from my mouth Hours seemed like days Dragging myself to the phone Pulling the phone off the table Finally a plea for help No words will form I can not move my mouth Just blood So much blood I hear them talking as I slowly wake My eyes will not...

As I stopped and listened for sound at the door I knocked and called her name once more A soft cry followed by a bump and crash I started to pray as I fell to my knees When someone opened the door with the keys My eyes first saw the blood all over the floor Running like a river to the open door Blood on the walls The ceiling The tub Laying in a heap on the floor not making a sound She lay with her face down Trying C.P.R I...

In the weeks that followed Lafayette's departure Carpenter began Holly's training. He taught her how to move at night without being seen and to move as softly at a cat. She had demonstrated that she knew how to jump down from high places, so now he taught her how to leap up. They practiced in woods surrounding the Indian burial grounds all night long. They also spent a few nights in the cave digging an escape passage in t...

Eran sat staring dumbfounded at her laptop screen, as the cell phone blips disappeared. She poked Kevin in the ribs and he grunted. Her mouth hung open, as she kept refreshing the screen. The blips disappeared and never returned. She looked at Kevin and yelled, "What just happened? We lost the gang members cell phones. Where did they go? We need to find them." Kevin assured her, "If they are in that house we will find the...

Slade turned to Eran and Connie, as Leona and he walked to his car. "We are going to talk with Gustaf and Andrei to open a dialog with the vampire community. Why don't you go question Maria? That way we can do more in less time," Slade said as he helped Leona into the car. Connie looked up and smiled at Eran. "We can interview Maria easily. If Slade were there, he would intimidate her. Let's go to her place." They looked...

After Kevin left, Eran took a long hot shower to clean up and to awaken her senses. She got some sleep, but all the events of the past two days ran continuously through her mind. She had not taken time to review the security videos, which Kevin delivered. As she dried, she thought she would start the review on today's shift. She had six days of video to scan and that would take a long time. She dreaded the task, but it wa...