imagined fiction in my head. welcome to my fiction writing blog.

Yes, I am stuck on my writings and have also been busy with some freelance work.  Happy that I actually have some work.  Better than being completely broke.

Hoping I can at least bring myself to type up my old novels.

In the meantime, I’ve been craving a good read, but since I haven’t had the time, I found this:

The Dresden Files – Full Episodes and Clips streaming online for free – Hulu.

One of my favorite fantasy authors, Jim Butcher.  I wrote before about his Alera books.  The Dresden files are actually what he’s known for and it’s still ongoing.  I started it before, but I was more in the mood for and old world fantasy rather than urban so I didn’t continue.  Though the TV series attempt seemed to go a bit astray from the novels, they it was still good and made me want to read the books.  I just wish they didn’t botch the production and just followed the books faithfully.  Then, they probably would have gotten more than one season.

If you decide to watch the TV series (hulu.com lets you can watch for free online), they are mostly self contained and for some reason, the episodes are mixed up and you can tell just from watching that something is weird.  The 8th? episode was supposed to be the pilot, but for some reason the third? episode was shown first and the pilot much later on the list…  If they would have aired in order, the show would probably have done at least a little better.  Oh, well…

The sea had turned into sparkling gold, reflecting the the sky as its hue approached burning orange. The wind still held its chill even so far from the mountain ranges up north and to the east. She was shielded from the castle’s view by a thick forest behind her. If her escape went well, she would not be noticed until morning. By now the harbors would be full with the capital packed with people celebrating such a joyous occasion. Adri saw the ship drift slowly from the city’s vast harbor to her left, its white sails absorbing sunset colors in the far distance. A strange and lonely sight in the empty waters. For a moment, she imagined herself diving into the waters to meet it, feel the air rush past her, break the surface of the water and let it envelop her, but the cliff’s face only held rocks for her below. She would have to do as she was told. The slow and treacherous downward climb would take some time, but the weather was calm and held little wind while the sea itself seemed content to let the day pass peacefully. She would have plenty of time to reach the waters.

Adri drew back the hood of her dark cloak and secured a heavy bag to her back. As the wind blew its caress through her newly cropped hair, she shivered with foreboding. That her hair had not completely dried from numerous washings, and its dampness did not help keep her warm. At least the stench from the dye was no longer screaming for attention. Her hair was now short and completely black. She was hoping to be mistaken for a boy, but Oddette’s sigh of resignation when she finished with the girl told her that avoiding close contact with others would be best even with the gashes and the peeling ointment that covered half her face. Maybe she could pass for a beggar, but no beggar would be smuggled into a ship nor could a beggar attempt to do what she was about to do.

Though the cliff looked a mile long, the climb seemed to end uneventfully and abruptly. Though there were few foot and handholds, she found them easily and her limbs did not tire even after such a stressful day. The food Oddette fed her certainly made a difference. Her body was healing faster and she was feeling much stronger. She climbed without the earth and her muscles betraying her. At the end of her descent, she found a small rowboat tethered to a rock. Inside she found the oars and a lit and covered lamp. She checked the fuel and found what was left to be more than adequate then set to the task of rowing out to sea.

When she was at least a mile away, the sky was already darkening. The horizon was had turned to a dark brick-red. The ship was drawing close so Adri reached for the lamp and uncovered and covered it a few times to signal the ship. There was still light enough for her to see which probably hampered the lamp’s visibility, but it would also mean others would not easily spot her either. The lamp would be too obvious in night’s darkness, but it was also dark enough that her signal would not be lost in the shining sunset sea.

She did not have to wait long for an answer. A few twinkles of light shone from the ship’s deck. As the ship drew nearer, Adri pulled up her hood, took up her heavy bag, watched, and waited. The ship itself was not the largest vessel she had seen but if she was right, it may well be the fastest. She could not make out much detail in the twilight, but it was apparent enough in the sleek lines of the ship’s silhouette. Well, that and her guess of its captain’s identity. There was only one captain in Endrin Oddette could trust to be eager enough at the idea of eliciting royal anger. During the previous king’s reign, Oddette had said he was the best captain of the royal navy, but upon the king’s death, he took a early retirement and sailed his on ship from then on.

Finally, the ship’s dark shadow loomed over Adri’s tiny rowboat. By the time they reached her, there was only enough light to see dark outlines against the sky. Adri’s boat rocked as the waves from the ship’s parting the sea reached her. She rowed herself as close as she could to the vessel and ropes thrown to the side of the vessel greeted her arrival. These she grabbed and tied to the corners of her boat. Right when she finished, the small craft began to be pulled out of the water in short intervals and accompanied by silent grunts from above. As she approached the ship’s deck, she spied four burly shadows hauling at the ropes she dangled from while a fifth, one tall, and lean muscled waited to the side. None bothered with greetings so Adri likewise kept her silence.

Adri stepped onto the deck lightly so as not to disturb the eery silence of the vessel and the men who hauled her up secured the boat and left without further instruction. The last shadow flourished an exaggerated bow and Adri saw a flash of white teeth before he beckoned to her, turned and did not wait for her to follow. Adri heard sails unfurl above her head and the ship creaked to life around her as she frowned and trailed behind. She wondered if she should have trusted the scheming of the old woman, but decided she had no choice but to let herself be led around. The faintest of hope was hope enough to keep her feet moving.

She was directed towards a room within, what she guessed from the size, was the captain’s quarters. It seemed to be a small room with no windows. The man left her in the pitch black and Adri was only able to find a cot to sit on by stumbling upon it. Moments later, the man returned and tossed blankets into her lap before closing the door behind him without a single word. Adri sat wondering if she had made a wise decision in trusting the old woman’s word while feeling excited at the same time about gaining freedom from the castle and its inhabitants.

Adri knelt on the white marble floor. The polished surface reflected her tanned, youthful, slender form. She was dressed in a fine, long, black silk gown, soft, black leather slippers, and delicate jewelry ornamented with black obsidian. Her hair, streaked with grey hung loosely at the nape of her neck, head bowed and dark brown eyes directed on the ground immediately in front of her.

Supple brown leather boots with intricate gold details stepped into her view and a hand ringed with gold and amber lifted her chin. The touch was surprisingly light and the hand was large but smooth and untarnished.

Adri’s dark brown eyes met the Prince’s cold, grey-flecked black staring directly into hers. Decked in his formal attire in browns and golds complimenting his fair skin and dressed brown hair, he was both a beautiful and imposing figure. He had to bend down a little in order to look closer at Adri’s eyes and he frowned slightly at what he saw. When he lowered his hand, the only warning Adri was given was a slight frown before her vision ceased for a fraction of a second and her head went spinning. When her consciousness returned, she found herself lying on her side a few steps from where she originally was. She lifted a hand to the side of her face and found wet warmth oozing out of the numbness the Prince’s backhand had created.

“The Succession approaches,” he said, looking down at Adri as he wiped his hand on a silk handkerchief one of his servants produced. “The first one in decades to have more than one Companion attending and this is what I’m given!” For a bare second, Adri witnessed the smoldering hate behind his eyes before the Prince turned his back on her. “I will not tolerate any sign of weakness.” He waved her away as he began walking towards the terrace. His two other Companions only spared Adri uninterested glances with their darkening eyes before they followed, black, silken gowns embracing their fair forms and greying hair flowing behind them. The Prince’s knights in their wake with their shining, polished gold-plated armor.

Adri could hear the loud cheers of multitudes in the Castle’s expansive square, opened to the public on the joyous and momentous occasion of their Prince’s presentation of his Companions. It was the beginning of a new era and the Prince’s rejection of her did not allow for her to witness it.

She was abruptly brought upright by some burly Castle guards and her vision once again went dark for a moment. When the stars finally cleared from her eyes, only then did she notice she was not being taken to her chambers.

The guards opened large, ornate double doors and deposited her unceremoniously onto plush, cream colored carpet. The deep gashes on her face dripped slowly, staining and seeping into the threads. Adri looked up to find herself in the sitting room of the King’s chambers. Bright light poured into the room from its large windows overlooking west towards the docks and the waterfront. It was a magnificent view – blue water sparkling like diamonds surrounded by the emerald of forest evergreens on two sides while colorful ships dotted another on the docks. Adri would have been amazed any other day, but today she hardly noticed even the beautiful dark-stained, hand-carved furniture, exquisite paintings hanging on the walls, and the gold plated details that touched everything in the room that were more immediately in front of her. Not today. She could not appreciate her surroundings today. She looked down and in front of her, clenched her fists into the carpet. Her jaw clenched unconsciously at the same time and the pain she felt meant that feeling had started to come back to her face. She struggled for control as her body also began to shake. There were more pressing matters at hand and yet she had no idea what to do about them.

Behind her, the large doors opened and closed quietly and a stooping old lady hovered into Adri’s view.

“Oh, my, my,” the elderly woman clucked at the blood she found journeying towards and creating small pools on the floor. “This will not do. Definitely won’t do.” She shook her head. “Now child, in my age my body no longer allows me to do all the things I wish to do. It would do the both of us good if you let me inspect your face.”

Adri looked up at her visitor and the blood diverted down her neck and chest. She recognized the old woman named Oddette who had served the royal family so energetically even for so many decades. People wondered if she could live on forever.

The old, stooping woman took Adri’s chin in her hand and tilted it until she had a good view of the damage. Her hazel eyes, framed by numerous wrinkles, were still sharp and missed nothing. “Well, with care, it will heal fine. The swelling will be gone in a few days,” she deduced, “but I cannot promise it won’t leave scars.” She frowned. “Now, if you just heard the Calling, it would have stopped bleeding by now and by tomorrow there would be no trace of it.”

Oddette rummaged through the hidden secrets of her apron and brought out a small pouch. When she opened it, a rotten stench like molded cheese wrinkled Adri’s nose and woke her up a bit out of her brooding.

“This won’t do much for the scarring and it will sting quite a bit, but it will help clot the bleeding.” A humorous twinkle shone in her hazel eyes as she said, “maybe then, My Lord’s rug would still have a chance to be saved.” She took a scoop of green, odorous paste with her finger and smeared it on Adri’s wounds, eliciting a sharp yelp and then gritted teeth from the girl. “There,” she said, surveying her work after she finished. “It will dry and crust over. Do not try to remove it. It should come off on its own. It may sting some more from time to time, but it will help keep infections at bay.”

Adri stopped her hand before she unconsciously touched the putrid concoction and looked up at the old servant with tired, resigned eyes. “Does it matter? The Prince has declared me Traitor. I will be executed at his convenience if I do not perform the deed myself.”

Oddette looked at the girl sympathetically. “You don’t have to accept that fate, you know.”

The younger brought her hand limply to her side and sorrow shone on her face. “The others may be able to do so, but I cannot abide by the Prince’s cruelty. I cannot lie for my heart. My eyes betray me. They have begun to grey to show my choice and my fate. It is death now or waste away first and still die only little later.”

The old lady smiled sympathetically and whispered confidingly, “But what if you find a different master to serve?”

Adri felt her insides lurch at the though. “I have no use for false hopes Ms. Oddette.” Would that there be even the slightest possibility.

“But I do not speak of falsehoods,” her eyes smiled kindly along with her lips this time. “You were not meant for the Prince Keston.”

“What do you speak of,” Adri frowned.

“Hope,” she said simply. “And before we are to lose it, you must be on your way.”

Dirk flopped down on his bed with exhaustion. He didn’t bother to change or do anything to get ready to sleep for the night. The room he sought relief in was small and cramped, the scant belongings he had were scattered all over, forgotten and abandoned for the moment.

Same hard work in the morning, he thought.

He spent his whole day working as he had been for as long as he could remember, doing odd jobs here and there to barely support himself. It was a good thing he only had himself to take care of. Many of his friends had families to provide for. Life was hard, but it wasn’t as if he could choose another.

Dirk was about to fall asleep when someone knocked on the door of his small room. The knock shook him from his escape from reality.

“Who is it?” Dirk groaned as he pushed himself off of the bed.

“It’s me, Max,” the voice said through the door.

“Come in,” Dirk sat up on his bed as best he could. “What is it?” He asked his friend when Max entered and closed the door behind him, carefully looking around suspiciously as if unwanted ears could hear their conversation.

“Someone was looking for you,” Max said simply, torn between excitement and fear.

“Who’s looking for me?” Dirk was suddenly alert, not really knowing hot to react to the news when he saw his friend’s unusual expression. It couldn’t have been the Collectors… He paid all of his debts as soon as he could.

“Someone from the castle.” Max’s eyes grew wide as his imagination ran wild. It was a wonder how he kept the different scenarios to himself.

Dirk’s own eyes narrowed as a million questions fought to race out of his mouth.

Max had to hold his hands up and raise his voice. “I told you all I know. I just heard it from a couple of people while I walked home.”

“Is the person still around?”

“Staying at one of those nicer inns somewhere.”

“Let’s go then,” Dirk stood up, and when out the door with a sigh. The excitement left him a little and he suddenly remembered how tired he was. Max followed.

“Where are you two going?” Llanna asked as she spied them exiting from behind the pile of laundry she carried.

“Just going to find someone,” Max smiled dumbly at her.

“See you later then,” she said with her usual friendly smile before going on her way.

“You mean you still didn’t ask her?!” Dirk almost shouted at Max when he thought Llanna was far enough not to overhear what he said.

Max tried to smile, but failed. “I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready yet,” he struggled to explain. “It’s not like she’ll need another burden on her shoulders. Llanna’s the only one around here that can manage to support herself and her relatives. She doesn’t need me. I’m still working about a hundred of the worst jobs everyday.”

Dirk sighed. “Well, I can’t force you to pursue your happiness.”

<><><>

Andrew sat at a corner table, watched and waited as the usual buzz of the inn’s common room went on around him. The boy would come, he knew. His seemingly endless search would soon be over. At least the king was convinced, though his court wasn’t. All those supposedly learned people didn’t even realize the importance of the boy in their lives, and in the kingdom. It was foolish of them to dismiss the boy just because he wasn’t rich or schooled to become a nobleman.

The tired man sighed as he contemplated the past and the future as well as the burden on his shoulders. He sighed again, but this time from relief when he say the boy enter the room. It was the right boy. There was no doubt – there wasn’t any room for doubts, not at that crucial moment.

After the boy, another search will begin, he mused. Yet another person, whose role in the way things were was important, desired, needed to the point that if she wasn’t found, the kingdom would either die or suffer slowly, arduously. Yet another person to be taken away from the life she was so familiar with, but it had to be done no matter what. Andrew would do anything to save his world from the death and suffering that was to come.

A small smile crept up to his lips, despite himself, as eh watched the boy approach him.

“I was looking for you,” Andrew decided to speak first.

“I was, too,” he answered, confusion evident in his expression.

<><><>

Why me? Dirk asked the sky as he crossed the courtyard, spring evident in all the blooming nature that spread throughout. It wasn’t fair. Dirk wasn’t ready for the court politics and the dress code… All the clothes he had to wear were uncomfortable. I’d rather wear my rags, he thought uselessly because he knew somebody had thrown them away the first day he had walked into the castle and been given a bath. The clothes they gave him to wear made him itch and were too tight. He felt stiff and ridiculous. Nobles have too much free time to contemplate on these ridiculous fashions.

He walked past a girl and winced as she curtsied to him. They were all like that, except for Andrew. They had to show their respect because he was heir to the throne now. They wouldn’t have before. Most would have turned away, and some would probably have even spit at him. Though he was now welcome on the surface, everything felt unreal. Most people around him likely seethed on the inside since he arrived two months ago. Many people had objected to Dirk, and they forced themsleves to hide their dislike of him. Dirk could only be comfortable with the lower classes, but Dirk wasn’t ignorant enough not to notice the fear those people had of him. Now Max… Max was different. They were friends for as long as they could remember. Max thought it better to stay away from Dirk at first, too, but Dirk had a talk with him, and their friendship continued as if nothing at all had happened. Max, though, was quick to take adantage of Dirk’s access to money. He didn’t spend it on himself, but spent it all for Llanna and her family. Dirk just gave as much as he could without attracting too much attention – his reputation not yet comfortably solid. They had shared all they had with each other from the start anyway and help each other whenever they could.

He entered the hallways, and quickened his pace as he got closer to his destination, the heels of his boots clicking on the polished marble.

Perfect, he groaned inwardly as he nodded to a group of curtsying people he passed. Everything was perfect down to the smallest things. It was almost unbearable – practically unnatural. He would be so relieved when his eyes would finally gaze upon the rotting visage of his old home rather than the art filled and sparkling glass and gold of the palace.

Dirk arrived at his destination and knocked.

“Come in,” he heard Andrew say.

Dirk opened the door, but Andrew wasn’t in the sitting room. He found the man pondering over several books strewn across one of the tables in his library.

“You wanted to talk to me about something,” Dirk started.

“We’re going out,” Andrew said, still staring at his books.

“Where are we going?” Dirk asked, secretly hoping he finally found a temporary escape.

<><><>

It was Tuesday of the last week of the last month of school. The day was bright and alive with clear skies and animal sounds, but still, Allie walked hurriedly home and didn’t notice the beauty of nature.

Allie didn’t care for the weather or nature at the moment. She was too tired from staying up late the other night. Staying up more than a couple hours after her bedtime left her feeling groggy and almost falling asleep in most of her classes. She was supposed to be asleep around ten or eleven that night, so Allie resolved to sleep and relax for the remainder of the day. No one was going to bother her because her parents would be gone for a while. She was just going to watch some TV, read a book, eat, and of course sleep.

Three days left of school, Allie thought as she walked up the driveway. Just three more and she wouldn’t have to worry about research, due dates, homework, etc. Three days. After that she’ll get her summer vacation. Three more days.

Allie opened the front door using the house key, and then dropped her backpack at the top of the stairs. She just entered her room when strong arms wrapped around her. Instinct took over, and Allie hit her back against the intruder. No one else but her was supposed to be home. Both of her parents were at work, and she was an only child. She turned while holding one of her assailant’s wrists, forcing the other to twist with her. No one went into her room without permission. She twisted the man’s arm, as she tripped him – no, he was just a boy about her age, she realized as he fell face-down on the dirt and she was kneeling on top of him.

Allie was about to say something when somebody else, not the boy, did.

“It worked!” The voice was cheerful and excited.

Allie looked up to see an old man in gray robes. She also noticed she wasn’t in Kansas anymore. What happened, a tornado? Did she get hit on the head?

Tall pillars of trees surrounded the small clearing they were in, but it didn’t look even close to being as tame as a park. Allie was suddenly aware of animal sounds around her. Where was she? What had happened to her? Wasn’t she in her room only a moment ago? Was this some kind of a joke? If it was, it was some kind of expensive joke. It looked so real… Questions surfaced into Allie’s mind only to be replaced by even more.

“You never told me it’d hurt,” Allie heard the boy say to the old man. His face was twisted in obvious pain from his arm, and it was also red from embarrassment of being beaten by a girl.

Allie watched them talk. She was angry, astonished, confused, and afraid all at the same time. Where was she? Who were these people?

“Can you please help me?” The boy said impatiently at the old man.

“Oh, yes, said the old man, “forgive me.” He approached Allie. “My lady, would you please let go of my companion?”

“Take me home.” Allie gritted her teeth and didn’t slacken her grip on the boy.

“I’m afraid that is not yet possible,” the old man sounded apologetic.

“What?!” Allie twiested the arm further without noticing, and a muffled cry came from the boy.

“I need my book of spells,” he tried to explain to at least let the girl loosen her grip.

“Spells?” Allie laughed. Her grip on the boy did become loose, and she didn’t notice the sigh of relief that escaped from the boy’s lips. Noticing the old man was serious, Allie stopped laughing. “You’re serious,” she frowned, and let go of the boy unconscioiusly. She stood up and thought of what she should do next. “Why did you kidnap me?” She asked after a while.

“We need your help getting out o this prison,” the boy said as he sat up and rubbed his sore arm.

“This doesn’t look like a prison,” Allie frowned,” and I won’t be much of a help. What do I know about escaping prisons?! Why should I even believe you?”

“Do you have any choice in the matter?” The old man asked her.

“No,” Allie gave up.

“Neither do we,” he said. “We don’t know how you’ll be able to help us, but a prophecy foretold of an Outsider assisting us in our escape.

“Outsider?” Allie was about to say something more when she heard a high-pitched screech from somewhere not very far.

“Time for talk later,” the boy grabbed her wrist and started to pull her to safety.

“What is it?” Allie had a little fear in her voice as she was yanked to one direction.

“I’m not sure,” the boy grabbed the old man, too. “It could be anything. It could be dying, dead, or alive; immobile, mobile; water, earth, air creature; herb herbivore, or carnivore. Whatever it is, I’d rather not find out.”

They ran out of the clearing, and into the trees. Branches whipped Allie’s bare arms, and gave her small, stinging cuts. Whenever someone would trip, another would haul him or her back up. Allie thought the forest would go on forever, but then the trees ended abruptly and the three came to another small clearing.

There it was again. The sound was getting closer and closer. Then suddenly, the trio stopped running. Allie had no idea what was going on. The boy started to back up. Allie and the old man had to follow. When she followed the boy’s gaze, she saw what was wrong.

A huge nest, almost as big as a three-bedroom house. Branches and limbs stuck out, wove and twisted to form it instead of the usual twigs. Loud chirps were coming from the nest. The three were fortunate the owner wasn’t there, but judging by the sound… Mommy was coming home.

Slowly, they walked away as the sound got closer and closer still.

“Oh, man,” Allie groaned as she watched the gigantic creature circle high above the trees. “What’ll happen if we run?” She asked without turning to look at either of the two. Allie already knew the answer, but she wanted someone to prove her wrong.

They were walking backwards toward the cover of nearby trees as the old man answered. “It’ll spot us and…” He couldn’t finish, but he didn’t need to.

Allie was on the verge of panic, but she restrained herself from running. She just kept waking as quickly as she dared without having the bird spot them. “Uh,” Allie turned to see the others with grim, determined faces as the bird started to land. “Do you think the bird can smell? ‘Cause I know most can’t…” She trailed off.

Both just stared at her, eyes wide open, giving an answer that made their hearts skip a beat with fear.

“Uh-oh,” Allie looked back at the bird. “Uh-oh,” she said again when the bird turned to face their direction, and peered at them with more than a little curiosity and something else the three interpreted as hunger, its eyes holding something close to rage and desperation. “Just a chicken. Just a chicken,” Allie mumbled to herself as she tried her best to analyze her situation, but it was useless. Her mind had gone numb from fear of what was happening that was supposed to be impossible.

They weren’t far enough into the trees when the bird gave a mad cry – much more frightening than the ones before. The trio turned around and ran like mice being chased by a cat, but it wasn’t a cat chasing them. It was a huge, nasty looking bird that didn’t play with its meal before eating it. There would be no chance of escape once it caught them.

Allie had no idea where they were headed, and she guessed that neither of the other two did. She swore to herself, and thought about what she would be doing or would have done if she hadn’t been kidnapped. To be lying on the couch and watching TV… Allie had always thought about having adventures, but she had never dreamed of anything even close to what she was experiencing at the moment. She had never been more aware of the risk involved than she was at the moment. Books and TV aren’t as good and descriptive as the real thing, but now that Allie knew what it felt like to be in the middle of the action, she thought she would rather have the ones that didn’t cover all the details. The real thing was just too much.

The girl tripped more than a couple of times, but was instantly pulled back up by the boy who wouldn’t relinquish his grip on her. Still, the bird got closer and closer, and its patience got shorter and shorter. It wanted its prey. It would chase them down for as long as it took to wear them out and catch them.

Finally, when the bird was only a few feet away, the boy pushed Allie into a small cave. She was yanked forward forcefully as the feathered beast tried to reach them through the hole with its beak and claws. It screeched and tried to dig an opening big enough to allow it to capture them, but it was useless. The rock walls of the cave were hard and the ground was packed.

“That was scary,” Allie panted.

“It was terrifying,” the old man corrected.

“Where are we?” Allie asked after she caught her breath.

“I have no idea,” the boy said as they all looked at their surroundings.

The bird would not stop screeching, clawing, and flapping outside. Allie winced every time she heard and felt something big land hard on the ground. Trees? The bird must have hit several trees as it flapped its wings in a flurry of giant feathers. It was a good guess. Along with the loud thudding came snapping and creaking sounds.

The small cave was connected to a larger one, and another passage in the second cave led to an even larger one. The first two caves were only lit by the small opening from which they entered, and the largest cave had light streaming down from an opening in the ceiling. It was getting dark judging by the weak light. As far as the three knew, they were the only ones inhabiting the place. There were no obvious signs to indicate the presence of another creature, and the three didn’t really care. They were exhausted from their long and panicked flight.

“I think it would be safer for us to spend the night here than to spend it outside,” the boy decided, “especially with the bird still out there,” he added.

Allie slumped down on the ground and leaned her back against the cave wall. “Got any food?” She asked as her stomach complained of its emptiness. Her lunch wasn’t enough and she had planned to pig out on the junk food she had at home once she got there.

“Barely,” he frowned. “We’ll have to save it for later, when we really need it.” He sat down a ways from Allie. “I think we can manage without it tonight,” he added.

“Then if you don’t mind, I need to rest,” Allie grumbled as she closed her eyes. Then she said to herselv, “what good did homework ever do to me?” She remembered the night she stayed up very late. Homework on the last few days of school. What was ever good about that?

“What?” The old man asked as he, too, sat down to rest his old and overworked joints.

“Nothing,” Allie lay down with her back facing the others and fell asleep.

<><><>

Andrew looked over the sleep ing form of the girl. Would it be right to tell her? Then his eyes swept over to the boy. What about him? What would they think if he told them what all they were doing was really about?

Andrew sighed with exhaustion. They were in a prison? Yes, they were trapped by their enemies, but Andrew had chosen to be trapped.

<><><>

Dirk noticed the old man’s glance at him and started asking himself questions of his own. He wondered about the true purpose of the old man. It wasn’t everyday that a legend got captured as easily as it had looked like. Was the wizard only getting old? Or did the wizard think there was something to be gained by their getting captured?

Dirk shook his head. It just seemed like the old man could have gotten out of the mess he put them in easily.

This story was written a while back in my grade school years.  The latest edit was actually around 2001 and I don’t even remember what the story was about.  I will be rediscovering this story along with you.  I am a bit embarrassed to put this up here as you would probably note the unsophisticated writing style to say the least, but as there was a great amount of time and effort spent on this, I thought it would be a waste to let it sit in storage unread.  I hope you enjoy it, and if not, please be kind.