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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 7, 2011 0:31:24 GMT -5
*I stare out the window and tap my foot impatently. Where the hell is he?! I glance at my watch. This isn't the first time he's disappeared. But he's never been gone this long. I turn and look at the kids. Penelope is finger painting and Murph is playing a game of chess with himself. I sigh and turn back to the window. We haven't had a bear sighting in a while... A thought occurs. I scowl* Murph, have you seen your father?
*he shakes his head and I sigh. I walk over to the cabinet and check all the drawers. Gone. They're all gone.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 7, 2011 0:48:52 GMT -5
*I lean against the mantel and stare at the fire. I'm sure he went there. Jeez. And everything was going so well. I roll my eyes and clapse on my cot in the corner and throw a pillow over my face while I think*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 7, 2011 19:06:44 GMT -5
*I sit out on the front step and strum my guitar. The kids are chasing each other around the yard. Murph has his slingshot and is pelting Penelope with pine cones. They look so happy here. I can't go back. I can't. But... I sigh and walk inside. I put the guitar back in the corner and throw an old suitcase on the cot. I walk over to the closet and grab an armful of clothes and toss them in. I grab my raygun from the stand and check the battery. I strap my holster on and put the gun in place. I then go to the kitchen and grab whatever I think we'll need. I quickly shove the suitcase closed and walk outside. I yell as I leave* Murph, Penelope! Come on! Let's go get some juice boxes.
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 7, 2011 19:27:58 GMT -5
We're almost there. Just a bit further. *Murph groans and pulls the suitcase behind him. I re-adjust Penelope who is sleeping on my back. We finally make it out of the woods as the sunsets. I look down at him and I can see he's tired. We all are.* Okay, do you want to start the fire, Murph? You can use my gun... *I wave it in front of his face and he grins. He quickly drops his things and runs off for some wood. I throw down a blanket and lay P down. I stare at the sunset. We can't walk the rest of the way. I need to find a ride.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 8, 2011 0:25:35 GMT -5
*I fiddle with my radio and kick at the campfire ashes. The suns rising but there's still a few stars out. I look down at the sleeping kids.* Hello? Anyone there? *I get static so I tap it and mess with the dials* This transmission is for Black Jack. Black Jack, if you're receiving this, please come to the following coordinates. *I say our location and repeat it. Knowing Black Jack he's usually driving around somewhere in that crappy car*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 8, 2011 0:36:32 GMT -5
*A beat up car pulls up and a hoboish man steps out and grins a toothless smile. He holds his arms out and greets us in an almost unintelligible dialect. I just grin* Hello, Black Jack. It's been awhile. *He suddenly wraps me in a bear hug. And as much as I feel like vomiting I laugh awkwardly. I start to explain things to him but he just waves it off and tells us to get in the car. Murph and P scream, giggle, and hop in the back seat. I shake my head, smiling slightly, and get in the passenger seat. We're on our way to Battery City, the radio is blasting, BJ is talking my ear off, and the Murph asks what's on the floor. I look back just in time to cry out* DON'T TOUCH THAT!!
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 10, 2011 16:38:05 GMT -5
Yeah, just turn here- *I point and Black Jack turns down onto a vacant road. I lean back and gently shake the kids awake. They rub their eyes and sit up, confused* Got your stuff together kiddos? Pull in here. *He pulls into a drive way and I silently get out and open the back door and the kids slide out and stand on the pavement, suitcases hanging limply at their sides. I put my hands on their backs and guide them up to the front door of the small suburban house. I see the tire swing hanging on our lone oak tree and smile saddly. They could have fun here. I knock on the door and tap my foot while waiting.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 10, 2011 16:47:35 GMT -5
*the door opens to reveal a woman not quite in her 50's. She's had face lifts but BLI does them so well now they're hardly noticeable. She's dyed her hair since I last saw her. That been what? A little over 6 months surely. She smiles a phony smile and looks at my face. Her eyes then go down and she sees the kids who just stare up at her.* OH! Children! *she pinches there cheeks and they roll their eyes and look up at me. I just shrug my shoulders and frown empathetically.* Nice to see you again Mother. This is Murph. And this is Penelope.
*she just nods and quickly waves for us to come in. I linger but she grabs the kids hands and leads them inside while telling them she just made some scones. I look back at the suburbs then hold up a finger telling Black Jack it'll just be one more minute. I follow them inside and shut the door behind me.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 10, 2011 16:58:59 GMT -5
*I stare at the pictures hanging up in the halls. Murph and P are sitting at the kitchen table laughing while eating scones and sipping juice boxes. My father appears behind me and we don't look at each other. After an awkward moment he says:* So, where've you been? *I scowl and lightly run my fingers over the picture of me at my first piano recital.* I took a vacation. I need a favor. *I turn to him and he just nods and readjusts his glasses* Can the kids stay here? I'm not sure how long I'll be but... *I look down at the floor. He just nods again and does the first affectionate thing he's done in years. He lightly puts his hand on my shoulder for a one second before walking into the kitchen with a checkers board under his arm. I stand there and look at them. My parents. My kids. I scowl and silently creep out of the house with out saying goodbye.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 10, 2011 19:40:51 GMT -5
*I have Black Jack drive me into downtown Battery City. We say our goodbyes and promise to see each other soon. As soon as he leaves I walk off and am hit with nostalgia. I had forgotten so much living out in the woods. I let myself wander around for an hour until I finally make it back to that familiar cafe. I push the door open and the little bell goes off. I walk across the room and sit at the bar. I order a soup and some wine. I look around for any familiar faces. I don't see anyone and the waitress comes with my food. I ask her if she's rented out the top room. She says it currently un-occupied so I grab my food and walk upstairs to check it out.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 10, 2011 23:46:18 GMT -5
*The doors unlocked so I walk in and drop my bag by the entrance. I run my fingers along the dusty bookshelves. Sunlight shines thru the windows and lights up the big room. Dust swirls in the air and I stare around. The desk, the couch, a few papers scattered about. I sigh but smile saddly. I was hoping he'd come here. By the looks of things he hasn't. Perhaps it holds to many memories of Atlas. I shudder and walk over to the windows to open them and get some fresh air in here. I pick up an old tea mug and some papers and place them in a neat pile on the desk. After looking around one last time I leave and walk back downstairs and outside to the back alley.*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 21, 2011 1:46:09 GMT -5
*Black Jack is gone and in his place is another familiar face standing against my old BLI motorbike.* Hey. *He nods. I nod back and trace my finger along the handle bar. We're both silent for a moment.* I heard you're looking for someone. *I nod again and after a moment, smirk and look at his bright green eyes.* I know where you can find him. He's working for BL/ind again. Under close supervision but nonetheless... *I scowl. Figures. I rub the back of my neck and sigh as I stare up at the electicity lit night sky* Is he alright though? Does he seem happy?
I don't know about happy, I mean how happy can you be after someone takes a laser to you retinas? *He laughs awkwardly while I stand, jaw dropped* What?! *I sigh and shake my head* Burbank... *My green eyed friend just grins and holds out my car keys. I take them from him with another exasperated sigh and climb on the bike.* Thanks... *I say wearily before starting the bike. He just smiles and leans on an old dumpster. He waves slightly.* Good luck.
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 21, 2011 18:34:03 GMT -5
*I pull up to my parents house and weave myself thru the packed driveway. Kids are running about screaming and adults chatter with little white BLI logoed cups in their hands. I dodge a kid with a badeball bat as I step inside* Mom? Dad? *Mom appears from nowhere. She explains that she knew it was the kids birthday and she wanted to throw them a party. I sigh and walk into the kitchen. Murph and Penelope are sitting alone at the kitchen table. They're playing with some streamers and look bored. I try to smile and ruffle their hair.* I know you probably don't know any of these kids but if you're really good and go play with them I'll give you a special present tonight. deal? *after a little convincing they run off. I search the cabinets and find an old vodka bottle under the sink. I wipe the dust off, open it and take a sip and gag. It's been awhile since I've had something to drink. I take another swig and step outside with my pack of cigarettes I had been rationing. I look around the yard and can't handle the screaming. I need to think. I hop our white picket fence and walk across the neighbors lawn and into the woods where I can have some peace.*
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Post by BurbankAme on Mar 21, 2011 18:55:25 GMT -5
*I park the car a few houses down. When I get out of the car I can see a group of parents and random kids running around in the street. A few of the parents look up from their drinks for a moment as I make my way around the kids.
I'm trying not to trip over any toys lying across the lawn. I almost make it to the door when a kid rushes over to me and trys to tackle me. It's Murph he's yelling something but is talking too fast for me to understand him. I smile and pat him on the shoulder awkwardly. P isn't far behind him but she keeps her distance from me. Crossing her arms not looking very happy to see me.* Happy Birthday guys. *I say and take two candy bars out of my pocket.*
This is it?! You said cookies! *P fusses* I'm sorry it's the best I could do for now. What did you want again I'll get it later.
I wanted a ray gun. *Murph says sitting on the grass* You're not old enough for one.
*P starts eating the candy* I should tell mom you're here
No! *I raise my voice and they both look at me.* I mean it's a surprise. *I look around for Main and don't see her* Lets go inside then I'll take you to pick out your presents. *I explain and they lead me to the kitchen. I sit down at the table and think*
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Post by Sylvia Main on Mar 21, 2011 19:10:53 GMT -5
*I sit down on an old log and take another drink and drag on a cigarette. Maybe I was too harsh. Maybe. Life had just been getting good again. No more killing dracs. No more killing killjoys. No more sides. The Killjoy life had been great and all but they could think of was the past and revenge. No forward thinking. No future. Only death. BLI offered life. I didn't want to die. Came so close to it so many times it's lost it's attraction. BLI is the future. But even that grew corrupted. Maybe it's not anymore. Maybe there's still a life to be made working for them. But out in the forest, that was peace. Yeah, we had our moments. Maybe it was too good to last.
I glance at my watch and smolder my cigarette. I'd better be getting back. I get up and start walking back to the house.*
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Yes, I'm still running - sort of. But it is lonely out here. Haven't seen anyone else for a while.
//