All too soon the holiday vacations ended and school resumed. Bruce continued to pick Amber up every morning and drive her to school where they parted company until lunch. They still looked forward to having lunch with each other and spending the afternoon together in different classes. It was difficult not to stare at each other during the classes they shared, but they found the strength to resist. The rumors concerning w...

When I was five, I lived in New York. I didn't know, nor care if I was popular or not. I was just there, and played my own way. I later grew to learn which side belonged to me. As I look back, it seemed to me that I was the most forgotten and least likable girl in my class. Before we moved, I had two best friends, Sarah and Emily. I always preferred visiting Sarah's house because she knew how to play along with me. Unlike...

Stiles was supplied with a horse and a pack mule by his employer and began the long trek back to the town of Springwood. As he rode he started to formulate his plan to expose that dance hall harlot for what she truly was and the only obstacle was the man called Carpenter. "Is he under her power?" he asked himself out loud, "He must be as he seems to be always there to assist her." "No matter, if he attempts to interfere t...

Stiles stayed put in the small town he had arrived at a few weeks ago and spent most of his days in his room reviewing his notes and writing in his journal. In case of his demise, natural or otherwise, this journal would be a guide to whomever took his place. He had sent a telegram to his current client and received a request to stay there as the client was en-route to his location. About a week later a private train arri...

They chatted late into the Evening about the upcoming visit. Each person had a task to perform once they arrived in town and it was gone over repeatedly to ensure there were no mistakes. As Holly bustled about performing her house cleaning tasks Lafayette decided to speak to Carpenter outside, he used the premise of staying out of Holly's way. "You should think about marrying that girl," Lafayette said. "Why would I do th...

Just after sunset, Carpenter and Holly exited the cave and headed for the house. Ever the gentleman he held the door open for her and allowed her to enter first. Upon stepping across the threshold she froze in place because standing there at the kitchen table was her twin. Holly's face showed total shock and surprise as she slowly moved closer. Even Carpenter's face registered disbelief at the figure before him. It was on...

The man who had been Aunt Lilly was now Cousin Jasper Sloan. Shortly after he arrived at the hotel he combined two of the trunks he brought with him into one. Before switching disguises he contacted the desk clerk who arranged to have that one trunk taken to the train station where it would be shipped to the train station near his home to await being picked up. It was tall dapper looking gent that arrived on the Thursday...

Back in Carpenters hometown a messenger from the telegraph station rode out to the ranch the day after he sent his telegram. He was met by the ranch foreman shortly after passing through the gate and was informed that the boss was out but he could slip the message under the door. The messenger hesitated for a moment until the foreman tipped him handsomely then he complied. When Carpenter and Holly returned from their plac...

 Holly was enjoying her time in the territorial capital. She spend a lot of time shopping, not an easy task since most of the stores had closed by the time she was up and active. She solved the problem by leaving an envelope for the morning concierge with her orders and instructions on where the packages should be shipped, either back home or delivered to her hotel room. She was renowned for her generous tips so never had...

The day after her birthday Jen was up earlier than usual as she had a special reason to get to work early. She was s surprised by her Moms sudden appearance in the kitchen. It seems that despite all her attempts at being quiet Mom heard her, she filed away the sharpness of Moms hearing for future reference. When questioned about the earliness of the hour Jen said she had been asked to do the opening set up. It was less th...

In the wee hours of the morning, while the rest of her family slept, Jen was packing. A towel wedged under her door assured the light in her room would not be visible from the hallway and invite anyone to inquire if she was OK, she was not OK. An old military duffle bag found at a garage sale was being methodically packed with some of her belongings."Enough was enough," she said to herself. Barred from dances and all spor...

Before I begin, I would just like to say that I’m not proud of most of the things that I’ve done. I’ve always put myself into certain situations without any regard for the consequences. My story isn’t as intense as some others might be, who have written their memoirs dedicated to their intense drug use or life as a homeless person. I’ve never been addicted to any certain drug, unless attention from men suddenly comes in a...

I shouldn’t be timid anymore, but every time I could never bring myself to step up and call to attention that this was wrong. I sat by myself at the table this morning. Raven and Fei were still sleeping off the trauma of yesterday’s events. In fact, I was the only one that wasn’t asleep at the moment. The faint glow of the sun stones casted the empty room in an eerie light that made it more ominous than before. I shudder...