“One day, you’re going to thank God you’ve got that speed, lad.” Those were the words of old Jack Linley to eighteen-year-old Danny Friar after the young man had run a solo one hundred metres trial on grass. While Danny, in his running gear, and spiked trainers, looked on anxiously, from a distance. the old man showed the time on his stopwatch to his two back-up trainers Vic Tanner, and Sid Dawson. Danny saw some approval...

Trying to sleep in the field The chill sinks in Beneath the five ton truckOut of the rain But soaking up the coldInside the bagWith head outLetting in the chill Sinking in While thoughts keep you awake Long into the early hours of the nightWhat needs to be done What must be accomplished What your troops mustComplete Stumbling to the water buffaloTrying to clean your face and mouthGroggy from lack of sleepBarely awake But...

When not working or spending time with Amber, Bruce was preparing for finals, graduation and the summer. He had checked out a few local colleges that would allow him to live at home so he could continue working at the restaurant and that way his dad wouldn't have to foot the whole cost for college. He sometimes wondered if college was the wisest choice for him. There were so many local positions that paid well and did not...

As soon as Bruce pulled out of the driveway Amber bounded into the living room to tell her folks that she had been asked to be his prom date.  "Yes, we know," Mom replied. "How do you know?" "He asked us if he could invite you because he knew we would be babysitting that night," her Dad chimed in. Before she could comment further, the baby monitor on the end table let them know that Lea was up and needed attention and Amb...

Chapter Three Outside the rain was pouring but Bran had taken Noah out there to practice magic spells anyways. He put up a stone arch with a wide ceiling over their heads so they didn’t get soaked while Noah practiced. Just ten yards in front of him was a stone statue that Bran had Noah practice trying to destroy with whatever spell he could think of. Naturally Noah used Lightning spells but he always missed the statue ea...

Chapter Twenty-two: Mind Games Marry didn’t know what happened to Ethan while he was gone, but when he returned to her room for more training he was more determined than she ever saw to become stronger. In the following weeks he became incredibly adept at anticipating Marry’s next attacks and avoiding it. But he made no real progress on his illusionary skills, until two months time when he made a breakthrough. It was duri...

Chapter Twenty: Marry Cromwells Room of Pain Inside Marry’s room Ethan and Picario sat down and drank the tea Marry offered them. She wasted no time getting to the point of why she asked them there. “I want the three of us to start working together as a team in the tournaments,” Marry said. Ethan and Picario looked at each other then back to Marry and Ethan said, “Marry it’s not that we wouldn’t enjoy fighting by your sid...

The next morning Stiles was escorted to the railway station by two of the deputies and they stayed with him on the platform until the train arrived and boarding began. "Remember what the boss said about showing your face here again," one of the deputies warned. "And don't even think of jumping off as we ain't leaving here until the train is well underway and one of us are gonna follow on horseback until the train reaches...

So on a frigid Sunday morning I began my trek from Cleveland, Ohio to Indianapolis, Indiana.The entrance ramp to I-77 South was treacherous and roads were no better with top speed was maybe 40 mph. I-271 South was worse as only one lane had been used since that last round of severe Winter weather came through and again top speed for all was about 40 mph. I finally reached I-71 South and at least 3 of the 4 lanes were open...

The highly polished wooden floor was cold against his bare feet, but he didn't seem to mind. Sweat was rolling down his face and would have wound up stinging his eyes if not for the sweatband he wore. The front and back of his loose white karate uniform were also soaked with sweat due to his exertions and he stood controlling his breath while waiting for the next test segment. Craig had just run through all one hundred an...

As a police officer and trainer I attended many an update seminars to keep my self-defense skills sharp and to insure that I passed on the newest and proven techniques to my trainees. Female officers were rare at these classes as rolling around on the ground and trading punches were not high on their list of things to do on a weekend. These seminars are open to police officers that were thinking of holding a defensive tac...