“Okay, I can accept Marilyn is some experiment you created. I can accept Cyrus got in your way. But why chain him to the wall? Why bring me here? You could have just taken her and left the rest of us alone. Now you invite the rest of my new friends to come after you.”
“They have no chance. I was easily able to hide us from their view once. Besides, I suspect they have far more trouble ahead of them than little old me. GENESIS still wants you all. And I gave them all the information they needed to trap the rest of your little friends.”
Ian said nothing. It was already clear to him Saul would give him all the information he needed. The man clearly saw himself as far too perfect for subtleties.
“The Composite will rise, but it will be a new life. It will be weak. It needs power. It could take weeks for it to take final form and have the strength to sustain it. But I can easily circumvent that. If The Composite latches onto you, it can steal your ability. The godling is a source of pure energy. One touch with your powers would guarantee our success. The Composite would rise and we would take our leave. The next you would hear of us would be our rise to power.”
“Power?”
“I have bided my time for centuries, Ian. I have watched the world grow too large for its own good. Nations rise and nations fall, but they consume resources needlessly when such things could be better used for greater purposes. The world needs a firm hand. It needs someone to take control. With guidance, this world could become a paradise. I have worked for over a century to guarantee that the man that would bring this about would be me.”
“Other men tried, all with far larger forces than anything I see from you. Hitler, Stalin, Ragnarok. None of them could do it. No amount of power could bring them a victory over every nation in the world. What makes you think you can take control? How do you expect every nation to fall in line so you can rule the world?”
“Because, I will wipe out six and a half billion people to do so.”
Showing posts with label Ian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ian. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Book 3 Chapter 27-5
Saul smirked at Ian. His bemusement and the reason for it were clear to Ian. His memory loss entertained Saul. Ian couldn’t help but think he should know exactly why Saul wanted all of this, but the memory was too elusive. No answers were coming to him. Whatever knowledge might be locked in the recesses of his mind, it would be of no help to him now.
Saul turned and looked down at the floor at Cyrus’s feet. Ian could see his friend was hurt and exhausted. But this was the first time he noticed the strange puddle on the floor. At first glance, it might have looked like some kind of strange oil. The liquid was awash with colors, slowly shifting as it seemed to shift across the floor. But the movements were clearly not just a flow down an imperceptible dip in the floor. The amorphous blob shifted on its own. Ian couldn’t hide his horror as he realized this object before him was alive.
“See someone you recognize, Ian? Your foolish friend and his female companion walked right into my trap. It took only a few seconds for my associates and I to secure them. They didn’t even put up a fight. Now you can finally watch that foolish harlot you’ve had in your midst as she takes her true form.”
Ian turned back to Saul. “You act like you’ve worked everything out, but I’m still lost. Are you saying that thing on the floor is Marilyn?”
“I’m saying it is an amorphous being. I worked hard to create it over sixty years ago, but somewhere along the way the host body failed to receive its gift. Another mind took control over what would have been my most perfect creature. Now I’ve unlocked the true power within the creature, unleashed the minds that were meant to rule over the body. Your dear friend Marilyn was just a figment, a dream. Now there’s only The Composite.”
Ian turned to Sandra. “Seriously, I wish I could remember meeting this guy before. He’s monologuing like a comic book villain. Does he always do this?”
The controller simply smiled and shrugged.
Saul turned and looked down at the floor at Cyrus’s feet. Ian could see his friend was hurt and exhausted. But this was the first time he noticed the strange puddle on the floor. At first glance, it might have looked like some kind of strange oil. The liquid was awash with colors, slowly shifting as it seemed to shift across the floor. But the movements were clearly not just a flow down an imperceptible dip in the floor. The amorphous blob shifted on its own. Ian couldn’t hide his horror as he realized this object before him was alive.
“See someone you recognize, Ian? Your foolish friend and his female companion walked right into my trap. It took only a few seconds for my associates and I to secure them. They didn’t even put up a fight. Now you can finally watch that foolish harlot you’ve had in your midst as she takes her true form.”
Ian turned back to Saul. “You act like you’ve worked everything out, but I’m still lost. Are you saying that thing on the floor is Marilyn?”
“I’m saying it is an amorphous being. I worked hard to create it over sixty years ago, but somewhere along the way the host body failed to receive its gift. Another mind took control over what would have been my most perfect creature. Now I’ve unlocked the true power within the creature, unleashed the minds that were meant to rule over the body. Your dear friend Marilyn was just a figment, a dream. Now there’s only The Composite.”
Ian turned to Sandra. “Seriously, I wish I could remember meeting this guy before. He’s monologuing like a comic book villain. Does he always do this?”
The controller simply smiled and shrugged.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Book 3 Chapter 27-4
Everything around them shook at the impact. Ian could see bits of dirt and dust crumble off the wall. Whatever shook the room had been incredibly powerful and very loud. Ian suspected he knew the source, but it made no sense for him to be here now.
Saul threw open the door to the room. His stoic expression was gone, replaced by abject fury. A figure hung on the far side of the open chamber. It was dim, but Ian saw it was indeed Cyrus. He didn’t know how the young god came to be here. He only knew his friend had put a kink in Saul’s plan.
Saul moved across the room at blinding speed. He wasn’t as fast as Rosa, but he clearly was far faster than any normal human. A moment later, he was next to Cyrus. Saul drove a fist hard into the side of Cyrus’s head. The blow landed with a resounding thud. Cyrus already looked terrible. He slumped forward as the blow was landed.
Ian slowly entered the room after Saul. He had a chance now. With the right move, he could end Saul. He might lose Phoebe if the other man died. He would have to be careful. He creeped up behind Saul as he thought about the power that made him El Sanguijielo in Rosa’s eyes. One touch could drain Saul’s power, but he would have to be careful not to kill the other man. He wasn’t sure he had that control, but it was his only hope.
“I don’t suggest you do anything foolish.”
Just a few steps separated him and Saul, but none of it mattered as both men turned towards the new voice. Sandra stood in the doorway. Ian wasn’t sure how she got here without making a sound or him seeing something. But she wasn’t alone.
Phoebe stood beside her. She still wore the hat she picked up earlier. In fact, she would look perfectly normal if not for her vacant eyes. Sandra’s control was complete, but that didn’t stop Ian.
“Phoebe, are you alright?”
She said nothing. Ian knew he shouldn’t be surprised, but he could already see how this complicated everything. Sandra’s power kept her silent and compliant.
He turned back to the other man. “What is this, Saul? What do you want from me? What do you want from Phoebe and Cyrus?”
Saul threw open the door to the room. His stoic expression was gone, replaced by abject fury. A figure hung on the far side of the open chamber. It was dim, but Ian saw it was indeed Cyrus. He didn’t know how the young god came to be here. He only knew his friend had put a kink in Saul’s plan.
Saul moved across the room at blinding speed. He wasn’t as fast as Rosa, but he clearly was far faster than any normal human. A moment later, he was next to Cyrus. Saul drove a fist hard into the side of Cyrus’s head. The blow landed with a resounding thud. Cyrus already looked terrible. He slumped forward as the blow was landed.
Ian slowly entered the room after Saul. He had a chance now. With the right move, he could end Saul. He might lose Phoebe if the other man died. He would have to be careful. He creeped up behind Saul as he thought about the power that made him El Sanguijielo in Rosa’s eyes. One touch could drain Saul’s power, but he would have to be careful not to kill the other man. He wasn’t sure he had that control, but it was his only hope.
“I don’t suggest you do anything foolish.”
Just a few steps separated him and Saul, but none of it mattered as both men turned towards the new voice. Sandra stood in the doorway. Ian wasn’t sure how she got here without making a sound or him seeing something. But she wasn’t alone.
Phoebe stood beside her. She still wore the hat she picked up earlier. In fact, she would look perfectly normal if not for her vacant eyes. Sandra’s control was complete, but that didn’t stop Ian.
“Phoebe, are you alright?”
She said nothing. Ian knew he shouldn’t be surprised, but he could already see how this complicated everything. Sandra’s power kept her silent and compliant.
He turned back to the other man. “What is this, Saul? What do you want from me? What do you want from Phoebe and Cyrus?”
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Book 3 Chapter 27-3
The tunnel wasn’t like anything Ian expected. He thought the simple design and furnishings of the previous room would continue even in the new passage. But the walls here looked far older. They seemed to be carved from the very earth itself. Rock walls were moist with groundwater, rough surfaces unevenly formed from some natural or supernatural force. His host seemed used to them, but something about them unsettled Ian. Some ancient power permeated this place.
I have nowhere to run, even if I wanted to. I have to be strong.
He repeated the mantra in his head again and again, once with each step forward. But Ian wanted to panic. He wanted to run. He could feel the impending danger before him. Saul knew him. Saul wanted him for something. The life of him and his friends were in danger until he could uncover the answer. He couldn’t help but think Saul only wanted him here to kill him. Yet if Saul wanted him dead, Sandra could have used her powers to keep him from defending himself.
The tunnel winded around and downward. If they were on the ground level before, they quickly made their way into some kind of catacombs beneath River City. As they passed an offshoot in another direction, Ian wondered how expansive the tunnels were. And how many people had died trying to escape. It was the perfect trap to keep him and Phoebe from escape.
After several long minutes, several more turns and a half dozen forks in the tunnel, Saul turned and lead Ian into a long haul. Here one side of the walls were made of solid cinder blocks, cold and flat outside the four metal doors that broke them into separate cells. Because that is all they could be, some kind of confinement for Saul’s enemies.
Is this my future?
But Saul offered him no answers. Instead, he pulled a set of keys from his pocket. The ring held over a dozen keys, all ancient skeleton keys unlike anything in regular modern use. He flipped through a few and found the one he wanted. Saul walked to the nearest door, inserted the key and opened the lock. Saul grabbed a heavy iron ring just below the lock and slowly pulled the door open.
Ian felt a surge of power blast from the opening, even as darkness rushed over him.
I have nowhere to run, even if I wanted to. I have to be strong.
He repeated the mantra in his head again and again, once with each step forward. But Ian wanted to panic. He wanted to run. He could feel the impending danger before him. Saul knew him. Saul wanted him for something. The life of him and his friends were in danger until he could uncover the answer. He couldn’t help but think Saul only wanted him here to kill him. Yet if Saul wanted him dead, Sandra could have used her powers to keep him from defending himself.
The tunnel winded around and downward. If they were on the ground level before, they quickly made their way into some kind of catacombs beneath River City. As they passed an offshoot in another direction, Ian wondered how expansive the tunnels were. And how many people had died trying to escape. It was the perfect trap to keep him and Phoebe from escape.
After several long minutes, several more turns and a half dozen forks in the tunnel, Saul turned and lead Ian into a long haul. Here one side of the walls were made of solid cinder blocks, cold and flat outside the four metal doors that broke them into separate cells. Because that is all they could be, some kind of confinement for Saul’s enemies.
Is this my future?
But Saul offered him no answers. Instead, he pulled a set of keys from his pocket. The ring held over a dozen keys, all ancient skeleton keys unlike anything in regular modern use. He flipped through a few and found the one he wanted. Saul walked to the nearest door, inserted the key and opened the lock. Saul grabbed a heavy iron ring just below the lock and slowly pulled the door open.
Ian felt a surge of power blast from the opening, even as darkness rushed over him.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Book 3 Chapter 27-2
Ian said nothing. He had to listen to the other man, had to play along, but he wouldn’t let his anger fuel his actions. Nor his fear. He wouldn’t let this man goad him into either.
“You don’t have to answer, Ian. I know you don’t recognize me. I also knew you as a name other than Ian, but I suspect someone like you has used many names.”
Someone like me. What does he mean? El Sanguijuelo?
“My name is Saul. Like you I’ve had other names, but it’s been Saul as long as we knew each other. The name only became frustrating in recent years, with that idiot from the drug show.”
Ian didn’t know what he was talking about. But Saul didn’t need to know that. He kept his face impassive. Saul would tell him what he wanted soon enough, but Ian hoped he would slip more and reveal more about Ian’s lost memories.
“You’re quiet, Ian. It’s not like you. I remember you talking a mile a minute. Anytime you were under stress it was yammer, yammer, yammer. Now I can’t even get you to open your mouth. Have you become a mute?”
Ian said nothing.
“If you don’t cooperate, your friend will be tortured. Answer my question.”
“I can talk. I just don’t have much to say to you.”
Saul chuckled. “Of course not, you’ve lost your memory. You don’t even remember me. You don’t remember what I swore I would do. You don’t remember your own threats towards me. I find a delicious irony in that. But perhaps that’s my knowledge and wit showing. Come now. I’ve got something to show you.”
Saul turned and walked towards the hidden door. It opened without his touch. He beckoned Ian to follow. Reluctantly, Ian did so.
“You don’t have to answer, Ian. I know you don’t recognize me. I also knew you as a name other than Ian, but I suspect someone like you has used many names.”
Someone like me. What does he mean? El Sanguijuelo?
“My name is Saul. Like you I’ve had other names, but it’s been Saul as long as we knew each other. The name only became frustrating in recent years, with that idiot from the drug show.”
Ian didn’t know what he was talking about. But Saul didn’t need to know that. He kept his face impassive. Saul would tell him what he wanted soon enough, but Ian hoped he would slip more and reveal more about Ian’s lost memories.
“You’re quiet, Ian. It’s not like you. I remember you talking a mile a minute. Anytime you were under stress it was yammer, yammer, yammer. Now I can’t even get you to open your mouth. Have you become a mute?”
Ian said nothing.
“If you don’t cooperate, your friend will be tortured. Answer my question.”
“I can talk. I just don’t have much to say to you.”
Saul chuckled. “Of course not, you’ve lost your memory. You don’t even remember me. You don’t remember what I swore I would do. You don’t remember your own threats towards me. I find a delicious irony in that. But perhaps that’s my knowledge and wit showing. Come now. I’ve got something to show you.”
Saul turned and walked towards the hidden door. It opened without his touch. He beckoned Ian to follow. Reluctantly, Ian did so.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Book 3 Chapter 27. Ian
When Sandra was done with him, Ian hated himself just a little bit more. He still didn’t know how he knew the woman, but it was clear her powers were too much for him to resist. No matter how hard he tried, he did everything she asked of him. He couldn’t help himself but to comply.
She was gone now and for that he was grateful. She forced him into a blindfold before dumping him at his current location. As he pulled the cloth from his eyes, he couldn’t help but think he was in an everyday ordinary living room.
Though he saw no doors in the enclosed space, it was decked out with a pair of loveseats, a big screen television, an end table and even a few choice pieces of art. He stared at the large ficus tree on the edge of the room and wondered who wanted to see him so badly as to lure him into this place.
Sandra hinted at another, someone Ian felt he should know. He couldn’t stand his broken mind. It could be the only thing that saved either Phoebe or him. But the information refused to unlock from whatever recess it hid in. Maybe it wasn’t there at all anymore.
A portion of the wall to the left of the television suddenly shifted. It folded back, revealing a hidden door into the room. A man stepped through it.
Ian knew he should recognize the new arrival. The lanky man looked to be in his mid-forties. His head was shaved bald and a goatee framed his face. He wore round glasses over his eyes, the kind Steve Jobs used to wear. Dressed in a black sweater and slacks, he could have passed as a close relation to the late Apple founder. But Ian knew this figure was much older than he appeared. Much older than his lookalike. Something told him, his history with this man was long and quite often deadly.
The stranger smiled as he met Ian’s eyes. It wasn’t a friendly grin, but the knowing look of someone that knew he had his foes where he wanted them. It just served to make him look even more devilish.
“I would ask if you remember me, but I guess we both know that isn’t the case, don’t we?”
She was gone now and for that he was grateful. She forced him into a blindfold before dumping him at his current location. As he pulled the cloth from his eyes, he couldn’t help but think he was in an everyday ordinary living room.
Though he saw no doors in the enclosed space, it was decked out with a pair of loveseats, a big screen television, an end table and even a few choice pieces of art. He stared at the large ficus tree on the edge of the room and wondered who wanted to see him so badly as to lure him into this place.
Sandra hinted at another, someone Ian felt he should know. He couldn’t stand his broken mind. It could be the only thing that saved either Phoebe or him. But the information refused to unlock from whatever recess it hid in. Maybe it wasn’t there at all anymore.
A portion of the wall to the left of the television suddenly shifted. It folded back, revealing a hidden door into the room. A man stepped through it.
Ian knew he should recognize the new arrival. The lanky man looked to be in his mid-forties. His head was shaved bald and a goatee framed his face. He wore round glasses over his eyes, the kind Steve Jobs used to wear. Dressed in a black sweater and slacks, he could have passed as a close relation to the late Apple founder. But Ian knew this figure was much older than he appeared. Much older than his lookalike. Something told him, his history with this man was long and quite often deadly.
The stranger smiled as he met Ian’s eyes. It wasn’t a friendly grin, but the knowing look of someone that knew he had his foes where he wanted them. It just served to make him look even more devilish.
“I would ask if you remember me, but I guess we both know that isn’t the case, don’t we?”
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 22-4
The woman leaned in close. Her eyes seemed to glow with a dark energy in the dim light of the sedan. “Nothing about this Peach and her powers jogged your memories? You don’t recall anything about the coven or what they tried to do to you.”
Ian grimaced. His head hurt as her words forced him to navigate the broken corners of his mind. He clutched at his forehead, but he could only shake his head in response.
“Answer me with your words, Ian.”
Through gritted teeth, he said, “I don’t remember them at all, mistress.”
“Remember, Ian. What do you remember of the coven?”
“I-I remember Locke. I remember him killing men and women I know. I can’t remember their names anymore, but I remember they were important to me. He murdered them all because he hated me.”
She smirked. “Good. Do you remember the rest of the coven? You and Locke were not the only immortals after all.”
He met her eyes. He stared deep into them. “I remember you, Sandra. You were among them. You used me. You manipulated me into betraying Locke. You caused so many deaths. But I escaped you.”
“You tried, dear boy. You made it last for a few years at a time. But I always found you. You were far too useful to me. Someone of your power under my control makes my life so much easier.”
“But you aren’t in control of your own destiny anymore. There’s someone else now. Someone that can resist your power. Someone that has control over you.” The memories seemed to open in his mind, even though they were still blurred by the haze in his head. “You couldn’t stop him and you couldn’t escape him. I tried, but something brought me back. Someone I can’t quite recall.”
Sandra nodded. “Your memories are better than you thought, Ian. Your mind just needed a bit of prodding I suspect. But you’ve disobeyed me. That cannot happen. What did you just call me a moment ago.”
“Sandra. That’s your name.”
“Not for you!” The volume of her words caused an echo through the sedan.
“No, mistress. I’m sorry, mistress.”
She lifted one of her heels up in front of her. They were leather. Flashes of memories came to him again. But these were ones that made him shiver.
“You know what to do, Ian. Show me how sorry you are. Serve me.”
Ian sank down off his seat. He sat on his knees in front of her. Though he wanted nothing more than to stand and slink away, he couldn’t control his actions. No matter how hard he fought, he could not stop himself from bending forward. He could not stop himself from taking her shoe in his hand. He tried to pull his head away. To stop himself in anyway. But nothing worked.
Ian hated himself as his mouth opened and he slowly started to lick the leather around her feet.
Ian grimaced. His head hurt as her words forced him to navigate the broken corners of his mind. He clutched at his forehead, but he could only shake his head in response.
“Answer me with your words, Ian.”
Through gritted teeth, he said, “I don’t remember them at all, mistress.”
“Remember, Ian. What do you remember of the coven?”
“I-I remember Locke. I remember him killing men and women I know. I can’t remember their names anymore, but I remember they were important to me. He murdered them all because he hated me.”
She smirked. “Good. Do you remember the rest of the coven? You and Locke were not the only immortals after all.”
He met her eyes. He stared deep into them. “I remember you, Sandra. You were among them. You used me. You manipulated me into betraying Locke. You caused so many deaths. But I escaped you.”
“You tried, dear boy. You made it last for a few years at a time. But I always found you. You were far too useful to me. Someone of your power under my control makes my life so much easier.”
“But you aren’t in control of your own destiny anymore. There’s someone else now. Someone that can resist your power. Someone that has control over you.” The memories seemed to open in his mind, even though they were still blurred by the haze in his head. “You couldn’t stop him and you couldn’t escape him. I tried, but something brought me back. Someone I can’t quite recall.”
Sandra nodded. “Your memories are better than you thought, Ian. Your mind just needed a bit of prodding I suspect. But you’ve disobeyed me. That cannot happen. What did you just call me a moment ago.”
“Sandra. That’s your name.”
“Not for you!” The volume of her words caused an echo through the sedan.
“No, mistress. I’m sorry, mistress.”
She lifted one of her heels up in front of her. They were leather. Flashes of memories came to him again. But these were ones that made him shiver.
“You know what to do, Ian. Show me how sorry you are. Serve me.”
Ian sank down off his seat. He sat on his knees in front of her. Though he wanted nothing more than to stand and slink away, he couldn’t control his actions. No matter how hard he fought, he could not stop himself from bending forward. He could not stop himself from taking her shoe in his hand. He tried to pull his head away. To stop himself in anyway. But nothing worked.
Ian hated himself as his mouth opened and he slowly started to lick the leather around her feet.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 22-3
“I’m not going to tell you anything,” Ian said. “I want to talk to your boss. I don’t know exactly what he wants with me or you want me or whatever. I’m sick of everyone and their second cousin chasing after me like I’m a golden fucking snitch.”
This made her laugh. “Always so brash when confronted. I supposed you could try and lunge over here. Suck me dry with that power of yours. You are the leech after all. But you will not. Do you understand?”
Ian nodded. He couldn’t stop himself. Something was very wrong here.
“Now you are going to answer all my questions, aren’t you?”
He nodded.
“Speak every response. I want to hear your words.”
“Yes.”
“Now you know better than that, Ian. I suspect somewhere in that addled little mind of yours, you remember what to call me.”
His head ached, but something about her words—something about the power they carried—made him remember. “Yes, mistress.”
“That’s better.”
She smiled and he could only focus on her face. Her words compelled him somehow. No matter how much he didn’t want to do anything she said, as soon as she spoke, her command was everything.
“I see your resistance,” she said. “You know this will only cause you pain. You will suffer needlessly. You understand you cannot resist me, Ian.”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Better. Much better. Now tell me what you remember.”
Ian told her of his awakening in the hands of Doppelganger and his men, his escape and his subsequent meetings with Stomp, Cyrus and the rest. His limited description of Doppelganger seemed to intrigue her, but not nearly as much as his description of Peach and her abilities. As he started to explain his transfer to the alien world, she cut him off.
“Tell me more about this Peach. What is her full name? Where does she come from?”
“She’s beautiful,” Ian said. “She looks young, but she’s far older than she looks. I didn’t ask where she came from, but she hinted more than once that she was older than she appeared. She was the first person I didn’t feel like a pariah around. She made me feel like a person, while it still felt like the others treated me as a complication in their life.”
“Did she tell you where she came from? Did she ever mention other witches? Or the whereabouts of the coven?”
“I don’t know anything about other witches,” Ian said. “Nothing I can remember.”
This made her laugh. “Always so brash when confronted. I supposed you could try and lunge over here. Suck me dry with that power of yours. You are the leech after all. But you will not. Do you understand?”
Ian nodded. He couldn’t stop himself. Something was very wrong here.
“Now you are going to answer all my questions, aren’t you?”
He nodded.
“Speak every response. I want to hear your words.”
“Yes.”
“Now you know better than that, Ian. I suspect somewhere in that addled little mind of yours, you remember what to call me.”
His head ached, but something about her words—something about the power they carried—made him remember. “Yes, mistress.”
“That’s better.”
She smiled and he could only focus on her face. Her words compelled him somehow. No matter how much he didn’t want to do anything she said, as soon as she spoke, her command was everything.
“I see your resistance,” she said. “You know this will only cause you pain. You will suffer needlessly. You understand you cannot resist me, Ian.”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Better. Much better. Now tell me what you remember.”
Ian told her of his awakening in the hands of Doppelganger and his men, his escape and his subsequent meetings with Stomp, Cyrus and the rest. His limited description of Doppelganger seemed to intrigue her, but not nearly as much as his description of Peach and her abilities. As he started to explain his transfer to the alien world, she cut him off.
“Tell me more about this Peach. What is her full name? Where does she come from?”
“She’s beautiful,” Ian said. “She looks young, but she’s far older than she looks. I didn’t ask where she came from, but she hinted more than once that she was older than she appeared. She was the first person I didn’t feel like a pariah around. She made me feel like a person, while it still felt like the others treated me as a complication in their life.”
“Did she tell you where she came from? Did she ever mention other witches? Or the whereabouts of the coven?”
“I don’t know anything about other witches,” Ian said. “Nothing I can remember.”
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 22-2
The back of the sedan was a bit more spacious than it appeared from the outside. Two rows of seats were inside. With the woman taking up the seats against the wall separating the back from the driver, Ian took a seat directly across from her.
The woman across from him did seem familiar, though older than he remembered. He guessed she was in her early forties. Her blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun. Her blue eyes were framed by designer glasses. She wore a simple skirt and business suit, both in heather gray. Her three inch pumps were the only thing that marked her as anything but a business woman.
She didn’t show any sign of emotion at his presence. He knew her, but she showed no sign of recognition, nor really of interest in his presence. Whoever she worked with—or for—went to great effort to get him here, but she showed no sign of caring about his existence at all. She tapped the dark screen between herself and her driver. Ian felt the sedan move a second later.
She met his eyes. She seemed to study him now. He couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t out of curiosity about his thoughts or feelings. No, it felt like she looked at him like prey.
“Your memory really is gone,” she said. “I can see it in your eyes. What do you remember about me?
A wisecrack rose in his mind, But those words didn’t escape his lips. Instead he found himself compelled to answer her. “I remember your face. But you were younger. You were possessive. I remember your body. I remember being on my knees before you. I was completely infatuated you. I did anything you asked of me. It’s like I worshipped you, but I don’t know why.”
She smirked. “That’s probably a good thing. I don’t think you would have got in this car with me if you had after all. My skills are a unique specialization, sl—” She stopped short, as if she remembered to not use whatever word she meant. “What is it you call yourself now?”
“Ian. My name is Ian.”
“Of course it is. You were always fascinating to me, Ian.” His name slithered off her lips like a serpent. She clearly knew him as someone else. “But we have a long ride ahead of us and you have a lot of answers to give me.”
The woman across from him did seem familiar, though older than he remembered. He guessed she was in her early forties. Her blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun. Her blue eyes were framed by designer glasses. She wore a simple skirt and business suit, both in heather gray. Her three inch pumps were the only thing that marked her as anything but a business woman.
She didn’t show any sign of emotion at his presence. He knew her, but she showed no sign of recognition, nor really of interest in his presence. Whoever she worked with—or for—went to great effort to get him here, but she showed no sign of caring about his existence at all. She tapped the dark screen between herself and her driver. Ian felt the sedan move a second later.
She met his eyes. She seemed to study him now. He couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t out of curiosity about his thoughts or feelings. No, it felt like she looked at him like prey.
“Your memory really is gone,” she said. “I can see it in your eyes. What do you remember about me?
A wisecrack rose in his mind, But those words didn’t escape his lips. Instead he found himself compelled to answer her. “I remember your face. But you were younger. You were possessive. I remember your body. I remember being on my knees before you. I was completely infatuated you. I did anything you asked of me. It’s like I worshipped you, but I don’t know why.”
She smirked. “That’s probably a good thing. I don’t think you would have got in this car with me if you had after all. My skills are a unique specialization, sl—” She stopped short, as if she remembered to not use whatever word she meant. “What is it you call yourself now?”
“Ian. My name is Ian.”
“Of course it is. You were always fascinating to me, Ian.” His name slithered off her lips like a serpent. She clearly knew him as someone else. “But we have a long ride ahead of us and you have a lot of answers to give me.”
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 22. Ian
Every few minutes, Ian’s cellphone rang. It gave him another path to travel, or another means of transportation to take. After a trip on the city bus, a walk down seventeen blocks next to heavy traffic and a rented bicycle ride down the trails of Reinhold Park, he found himself in a large parking area just on the edge of the park. In daytime, he was sure it was a lovely place. But in the dark of the night, it felt dangerous, as if dark things lurked in the shadows around him.
It was clear the journey had one purpose: to throw off anyone that might have followed Ian. He knew the concept well. His past may still be a mystery, but he knew it wasn’t the first time he took action to lose any potential tail. His earliest memories were of being pursued by Doppelganger’s enforcers. But he knew deep down he spent much more time than that on the run.
When the black sedan pulled in and stopped in front of him, he knew this was a moment of truth for him.
I’m alone. I have no help. I’m not sure I can do this. He could feel his hands shaking. I know I should be worried about the voice on the phone, but I have no idea why. Yet I can feel the foreboding that came with it. I have a history with this person and it seems obvious it isn’t a good one. And even though I want to help Phoebe, all I can feel is dread at the thought of it. Why I am such a coward?
The back passenger side door swung open in front of him. A silky feminine voice simply said, “Get in.”
He stared at the open door. His life could be forfeit if he entered. But he knew this was his only chance to save Phoebe. Besides, if they wanted him dead, they would have killed him a long time ago. This was clearly someone’s plan. If he backed out now, she would be lost. Her life would be lost instead of his. And none of the genetic engineering she experienced in space would save her from a torturous demise.
“Get in,” the voice said again. It was familiar, but like the man on the phone, Ian couldn’t place it. “I won’t repeat myself again.”
With a sigh, he stepped forward and climbed into the sedan.
It was clear the journey had one purpose: to throw off anyone that might have followed Ian. He knew the concept well. His past may still be a mystery, but he knew it wasn’t the first time he took action to lose any potential tail. His earliest memories were of being pursued by Doppelganger’s enforcers. But he knew deep down he spent much more time than that on the run.
When the black sedan pulled in and stopped in front of him, he knew this was a moment of truth for him.
I’m alone. I have no help. I’m not sure I can do this. He could feel his hands shaking. I know I should be worried about the voice on the phone, but I have no idea why. Yet I can feel the foreboding that came with it. I have a history with this person and it seems obvious it isn’t a good one. And even though I want to help Phoebe, all I can feel is dread at the thought of it. Why I am such a coward?
The back passenger side door swung open in front of him. A silky feminine voice simply said, “Get in.”
He stared at the open door. His life could be forfeit if he entered. But he knew this was his only chance to save Phoebe. Besides, if they wanted him dead, they would have killed him a long time ago. This was clearly someone’s plan. If he backed out now, she would be lost. Her life would be lost instead of his. And none of the genetic engineering she experienced in space would save her from a torturous demise.
“Get in,” the voice said again. It was familiar, but like the man on the phone, Ian couldn’t place it. “I won’t repeat myself again.”
With a sigh, he stepped forward and climbed into the sedan.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15-6
Ian walked into the lobby of the DMV, back towards the queue. He was ready to find Phoebe, maybe meet her new friend and then get the heck out of here. But the corner where Phoebe and her friend were at was now empty.
His eyes frantically scanned the room. They probably just stepped aside, he told himself. But as he looked around, he saw no sign of either Phoebe or her strange guest.
Ian’s feet locked beneath him. His panic level started to rise, even as he tried to resist the urge. He took the quick exit path to the side of the queue, which took him right back out onto the streets of River City.
The parking lot was full and cars whisked by on the two adjacent streets. But he saw no sign of Phoebe or the man she talked to inside.
No, no, no. I can’t lose her too.
He started to run down the nearest row of parked cars, his eyes on the interiors for any signs of life. He caught sight of a mother waiting with her child and a pair of young lovers kissing a bit too passionately for the DMV in the afternoon. But still no Phoebe.
Stay calm, Ian. Be rational. She can’t have gone far. She has to be nearby—
—unless her attacker could fly. Or teleport.
Memories of Smith bounced through his mind. Really the messenger god Hermes, he had lured Ian into freeing Caelus before being betrayed by the dark god. He could teleport anywhere in the universe, but it didn’t make sense for him to come back now. Still, what if he wanted some kind of vengeance against Phoebe. Ian couldn’t be sure it wasn’t him that took her, even if the tall handsome man had looked nothing like Smith.
This is getting me nowhere. I have to find her. She has to be here.
Suddenly a cell phone rang. He didn’t have one with him, even though Alli had given him one back at Spirit Cop Headquarters. Yet, he quickly realized the ringing was coming from the back pocket of his jeans. He reached back and pulled out a simple flip phone he never saw before. He opened it quickly.
“Hello?”
“Good afternoon, Ian. It’s been a long time, but you probably don’t remember that. All you need to do is remember this: if you want to see your friend alive, you will do exactly as I say.”
Ian’s gut felt like hot coals weighted it down. He knew this voice, even if he couldn’t place from where. And he knew that this man, whoever he was, meant every word he said: every threat. He offered Ian no choice.
“Yes. I understand.”
His eyes frantically scanned the room. They probably just stepped aside, he told himself. But as he looked around, he saw no sign of either Phoebe or her strange guest.
Ian’s feet locked beneath him. His panic level started to rise, even as he tried to resist the urge. He took the quick exit path to the side of the queue, which took him right back out onto the streets of River City.
The parking lot was full and cars whisked by on the two adjacent streets. But he saw no sign of Phoebe or the man she talked to inside.
No, no, no. I can’t lose her too.
He started to run down the nearest row of parked cars, his eyes on the interiors for any signs of life. He caught sight of a mother waiting with her child and a pair of young lovers kissing a bit too passionately for the DMV in the afternoon. But still no Phoebe.
Stay calm, Ian. Be rational. She can’t have gone far. She has to be nearby—
—unless her attacker could fly. Or teleport.
Memories of Smith bounced through his mind. Really the messenger god Hermes, he had lured Ian into freeing Caelus before being betrayed by the dark god. He could teleport anywhere in the universe, but it didn’t make sense for him to come back now. Still, what if he wanted some kind of vengeance against Phoebe. Ian couldn’t be sure it wasn’t him that took her, even if the tall handsome man had looked nothing like Smith.
This is getting me nowhere. I have to find her. She has to be here.
Suddenly a cell phone rang. He didn’t have one with him, even though Alli had given him one back at Spirit Cop Headquarters. Yet, he quickly realized the ringing was coming from the back pocket of his jeans. He reached back and pulled out a simple flip phone he never saw before. He opened it quickly.
“Hello?”
“Good afternoon, Ian. It’s been a long time, but you probably don’t remember that. All you need to do is remember this: if you want to see your friend alive, you will do exactly as I say.”
Ian’s gut felt like hot coals weighted it down. He knew this voice, even if he couldn’t place from where. And he knew that this man, whoever he was, meant every word he said: every threat. He offered Ian no choice.
“Yes. I understand.”
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15-5
The man behind the camera—a figure of such girth he barely fit into the area allotted him—barely looked at Ian as he approached. He just grunted a request for a name, which Ian gave. He then said “on the line,” and Ian quickly stepped into place before the photograph was snapped.
“Over there to get your card.” The photographer nodded slightly off to his left. Ian walked to yet another line, where people were being handed their cards.
It’s strange, Ian thought. I feel like I know how horrible visiting the DMV should feel, but I have no memory of it. I don’t know why I know these visits should be horrible. It seems like perfectly obvious knowledge, but I don’t understand why it would be obvious to me when I have no memory of its origin.
Ian tried to shake off his train of thought, as it only felt like a rabbit hole that would hurt his head even more. He looked back towards the entrance of the building instead. Phoebe and her new friend were still chatting, which still felt somehow wrong to Ian. But Phoebe seemed more than happy with the attention. A large grin was on her face, and they seemed to go on like they were long lost friends, even though Phoebe hadn’t been on Earth for more than a few days.
Is she doing this? Did she use her abilities to make the man talk to her in order to look more natural here? They certainly acted like they knew each other, but maybe that was just her power over this stranger.
The line moved forward again, around a large dividing wall. As Ian stepped closer to his driver’s license, he lost sight of Phoebe and her new friend. He considered hanging back for a moment, but the people coming in behind him didn’t allow him to stop. He continued forward in the queue and out of Phoebe’s view.
Finally he reached the front of the line where it only took a few seconds to confirm the information already given and receive his new license. It felt strange holding the official piece of identification in his hand, but he was grateful he had it. At least with this he had a chance of starting over, even if he was never to get his memory back. He took the card and headed back out front to meet Phoebe.
“Over there to get your card.” The photographer nodded slightly off to his left. Ian walked to yet another line, where people were being handed their cards.
It’s strange, Ian thought. I feel like I know how horrible visiting the DMV should feel, but I have no memory of it. I don’t know why I know these visits should be horrible. It seems like perfectly obvious knowledge, but I don’t understand why it would be obvious to me when I have no memory of its origin.
Ian tried to shake off his train of thought, as it only felt like a rabbit hole that would hurt his head even more. He looked back towards the entrance of the building instead. Phoebe and her new friend were still chatting, which still felt somehow wrong to Ian. But Phoebe seemed more than happy with the attention. A large grin was on her face, and they seemed to go on like they were long lost friends, even though Phoebe hadn’t been on Earth for more than a few days.
Is she doing this? Did she use her abilities to make the man talk to her in order to look more natural here? They certainly acted like they knew each other, but maybe that was just her power over this stranger.
The line moved forward again, around a large dividing wall. As Ian stepped closer to his driver’s license, he lost sight of Phoebe and her new friend. He considered hanging back for a moment, but the people coming in behind him didn’t allow him to stop. He continued forward in the queue and out of Phoebe’s view.
Finally he reached the front of the line where it only took a few seconds to confirm the information already given and receive his new license. It felt strange holding the official piece of identification in his hand, but he was grateful he had it. At least with this he had a chance of starting over, even if he was never to get his memory back. He took the card and headed back out front to meet Phoebe.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15-4
Ian turned and gave Phoebe a glare. She only gave him a wry grin in return.
If I had known she meant to nudge me into using my powers instead of nudging them, I might have said no. If I knew how it would make my head feel, I would definitely have said no.
“Are you alright?” the clerk asked.
“Just a headache,” Ian said. He pulled his hand away from his temple.
She nodded. “I get plenty myself around this place. Seems like it’s a good day when it’s only a quiet roar in here.”
“I guess so.”
She put the card down between them. “Everything looks fine. How are you paying today?”
“Uh, credit card.”
“Sure. You have it.”
His head throbbed again as the card in front of her changed back to the credit card. “It’s already on the table there.”
“Oh, so it is. Totally missed you putting it down.”
“Guess I’m faster than I look.”
She chuckled as she ran the card through her reader. She handed it back to him.
“Everything checks out, Mister Page. Just head over to the camera station and we will get a new picture taken.” She handed him a number and pointed to a set of chairs across the room.
“You got it.”
He shot Phoebe another look as he took the credit card and walked over to take a seat. She didn’t see it however as she was already talking to a young man in the line next to her.
Ian couldn’t quite hold in his surprise. Though they had been out for most of the day, Phoebe had shown no sign of wanting to interact with anyone other than him and Rosa. She seemed almost aloof to the people they passed on the street, nor did she talk to anyone on the bus. But now she was talking to a thirty something man in the line next to her. They seemed to be getting along swimmingly as they chattered like they were old friends.
Ian couldn’t quite make heads or tails of it. But he didn’t have time to think about it as he heard his number called. He quickly pulled himself out of his chair and made his way to a camera station. He didn’t want to push his luck any longer than he needed. Something told him the sooner they were out of here the better.
If I had known she meant to nudge me into using my powers instead of nudging them, I might have said no. If I knew how it would make my head feel, I would definitely have said no.
“Are you alright?” the clerk asked.
“Just a headache,” Ian said. He pulled his hand away from his temple.
She nodded. “I get plenty myself around this place. Seems like it’s a good day when it’s only a quiet roar in here.”
“I guess so.”
She put the card down between them. “Everything looks fine. How are you paying today?”
“Uh, credit card.”
“Sure. You have it.”
His head throbbed again as the card in front of her changed back to the credit card. “It’s already on the table there.”
“Oh, so it is. Totally missed you putting it down.”
“Guess I’m faster than I look.”
She chuckled as she ran the card through her reader. She handed it back to him.
“Everything checks out, Mister Page. Just head over to the camera station and we will get a new picture taken.” She handed him a number and pointed to a set of chairs across the room.
“You got it.”
He shot Phoebe another look as he took the credit card and walked over to take a seat. She didn’t see it however as she was already talking to a young man in the line next to her.
Ian couldn’t quite hold in his surprise. Though they had been out for most of the day, Phoebe had shown no sign of wanting to interact with anyone other than him and Rosa. She seemed almost aloof to the people they passed on the street, nor did she talk to anyone on the bus. But now she was talking to a thirty something man in the line next to her. They seemed to be getting along swimmingly as they chattered like they were old friends.
Ian couldn’t quite make heads or tails of it. But he didn’t have time to think about it as he heard his number called. He quickly pulled himself out of his chair and made his way to a camera station. He didn’t want to push his luck any longer than he needed. Something told him the sooner they were out of here the better.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15-3
“Sometimes I feel like I know you, Phoebe. And sometimes you really take me by surprise.”
Phoebe smiled broadly. “I am a woman of many mysteries. It is hard to get as old as I am without adding a few layers to one’s personality.”
The line moved steadily for the most part and when it didn’t, Phoebe resorted to her mental tricks to move them forward faster. Ian still wasn’t quite sure how she was going to get him a license, but he suspected more mental trickery would be involved.
Even with her ability to push people to do what she asked, it still took them almost an hour to get to the front of the line. Ian couldn’t get past the feeling they would be found out at any moment. He knew it was an irrational fear as no one here could be able to detect Phoebe’s powers, but after his days on the run and his ambush by Caelus, he supposed he had a right to be jumpy.
As they reached the front of the queue, Phoebe handed him the credit card in her hand.
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“Just tell them you’re here to renew the license. I’ll do the rest.”
“But I don’t have—”
“Ian, you said you trust me. Was that the truth?”
“Yeah. Yes, I trust you.”
“Good. Now tell me about how old you think you look.”
“What?”
“How old do you feel you should be? I’m not good with ages. When everyone you know rarely looks a day over twenty-five no matter how many hundreds of years old they are, you lose a bit of skill at telling these things.”
“I don’t know. Twenty-one? Twenty-two?”
“Alright then.”
“Next!” The shrill voice from behind one of the counters in front of him called him forward. Phoebe gave him a pat on the back as he walked forward.
“I would like to renew this,” he said.
He felt a sharp stab in the back of his skull. For a moment, he thought some god was punishing him for his lie. But as he looked down, he saw the card in his hand was now a state driver’s license. He handed it to the clerk. She took it and started to type something into the computer in front of her.
Phoebe smiled broadly. “I am a woman of many mysteries. It is hard to get as old as I am without adding a few layers to one’s personality.”
The line moved steadily for the most part and when it didn’t, Phoebe resorted to her mental tricks to move them forward faster. Ian still wasn’t quite sure how she was going to get him a license, but he suspected more mental trickery would be involved.
Even with her ability to push people to do what she asked, it still took them almost an hour to get to the front of the line. Ian couldn’t get past the feeling they would be found out at any moment. He knew it was an irrational fear as no one here could be able to detect Phoebe’s powers, but after his days on the run and his ambush by Caelus, he supposed he had a right to be jumpy.
As they reached the front of the queue, Phoebe handed him the credit card in her hand.
“What am I supposed to do with this?”
“Just tell them you’re here to renew the license. I’ll do the rest.”
“But I don’t have—”
“Ian, you said you trust me. Was that the truth?”
“Yeah. Yes, I trust you.”
“Good. Now tell me about how old you think you look.”
“What?”
“How old do you feel you should be? I’m not good with ages. When everyone you know rarely looks a day over twenty-five no matter how many hundreds of years old they are, you lose a bit of skill at telling these things.”
“I don’t know. Twenty-one? Twenty-two?”
“Alright then.”
“Next!” The shrill voice from behind one of the counters in front of him called him forward. Phoebe gave him a pat on the back as he walked forward.
“I would like to renew this,” he said.
He felt a sharp stab in the back of his skull. For a moment, he thought some god was punishing him for his lie. But as he looked down, he saw the card in his hand was now a state driver’s license. He handed it to the clerk. She took it and started to type something into the computer in front of her.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15-2
The trip to the DMV—just on the edge of downtown and only a few blocks off their route back to Spirit Cop Headquarters— proved to be less of a hassle than the actual line once they reached their destination. At least a hundred people were in a queue in front of them as they arrived.
“So maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” Ian said as they got in line. “It’s not like they’re even going to help me without social security information or some kind of ID already in place.”
“I told you to trust me, Ian. Are you going to trust me?”
Ian shook his head at Phoebe. He wasn’t sure what it was about the woman, but he inherently trusted her. He wondered for a moment if she was exerting some control over him, perhaps making him believe her words and go along with her actions. He almost instantly dismissed the thought. It was pure paranoia and he had enough of that in his life already. He clearly trusted her because she was one of the few people to treat him like an actual person. Like Peach—poor lost Peach—she seemed willing to accept him as just another person with flaws and fortunes. He wasn’t someone that needed help or worse, someone to fear.
“Yes, I’m going to trust you.”
“Good.” Phoebe turned away from Ian and tapped the hefty man in front of them. “I’m sorry, sir. My friend and I are in a bit of a hurry and I hoped we could perhaps budge in front of you in line. We would greatly appreciate it.”
That’s never going to work, Ian thought. But the man just smiled at Phoebe, nodded and stepped out of the way for them.
“How did you do that?”
“I’m a very patient individual, Ian. But I know you’re not. So I gave him a little nudge with my mind. I’m not nearly as good at it as many of my past compatriots, but it isn’t an unusual skill to hone. And it can be very handy when you need to secure official documents in an unofficial capacity.”
“Wait, I thought you were some kind of space cop. Isn’t this against the rules?”
“I am a peacekeeper, Ian. And sometimes being a peacekeeper is about blending in as much as it is about flouting one’s authority. When I travel to world’s less heavily connected to the Confederation, I often need to find ways to secure entry to their security. This just proves to be one of the easiest paths of action.”
“So maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” Ian said as they got in line. “It’s not like they’re even going to help me without social security information or some kind of ID already in place.”
“I told you to trust me, Ian. Are you going to trust me?”
Ian shook his head at Phoebe. He wasn’t sure what it was about the woman, but he inherently trusted her. He wondered for a moment if she was exerting some control over him, perhaps making him believe her words and go along with her actions. He almost instantly dismissed the thought. It was pure paranoia and he had enough of that in his life already. He clearly trusted her because she was one of the few people to treat him like an actual person. Like Peach—poor lost Peach—she seemed willing to accept him as just another person with flaws and fortunes. He wasn’t someone that needed help or worse, someone to fear.
“Yes, I’m going to trust you.”
“Good.” Phoebe turned away from Ian and tapped the hefty man in front of them. “I’m sorry, sir. My friend and I are in a bit of a hurry and I hoped we could perhaps budge in front of you in line. We would greatly appreciate it.”
That’s never going to work, Ian thought. But the man just smiled at Phoebe, nodded and stepped out of the way for them.
“How did you do that?”
“I’m a very patient individual, Ian. But I know you’re not. So I gave him a little nudge with my mind. I’m not nearly as good at it as many of my past compatriots, but it isn’t an unusual skill to hone. And it can be very handy when you need to secure official documents in an unofficial capacity.”
“Wait, I thought you were some kind of space cop. Isn’t this against the rules?”
“I am a peacekeeper, Ian. And sometimes being a peacekeeper is about blending in as much as it is about flouting one’s authority. When I travel to world’s less heavily connected to the Confederation, I often need to find ways to secure entry to their security. This just proves to be one of the easiest paths of action.”
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 15. Ian
The cold seemed to grow more bitter as Phoebe and Ian walked through the streets of River City. The buses seemed to avoid their route and neither he nor Phoebe really wanted to hurry back to Spirit Cop Headquarters. While his history might be important to him, Ian knew he needed to break free of the cot upstairs in Alli’s business. With both Phoebe and him staying there, it was already crowded and he felt bad living off her good graces.
Of course, finding his own place wouldn’t be easy. He had no identification and little money. He would need to remedy both if he was going to find a way to live in River City for any length of time.
“Your current situation troubles you, Ian.” He looked towards Phoebe, a smirk on her face. “You act as though Alli sees you as little more than trouble. I suspect she sees you as a friend, even if your arrival has sent her life into an upheaval.”
“You might be right. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel as though I’m leeching off her. The irony is that I have one person constantly calling me ‘The Leech’ in Spanish, but it’s a completely other person I feel far more like I’m taking too much from.”
“I suspect you worry too much. I suppose if I only had a week’s memories and they started with my escape from a cell, I might also have such worries. But you must not let them overcome you. Come, I suspect I can help you in these matters. Tell me, where is a place that you can get the proper identification that you need.”
“Well, I would need a driver’s license, but for that I would need a social security number. And I’ll need both if I am ever going to have a hope of getting any kind of job.”
“A driver’s license? This is a license to pilot your fossil engine vehicles, yet you use it as identification. Truly your world is strange, Ian Page.”
“I guess.”
“Come, let us go to this Department of Motor Vehicles I can hear echoing in your head.”
“I really hate it when you do that, you know. My mind isn’t there for you to read.”
“My apologies, Ian. I only mean to help. Will you come with me?”
Ian shrugged. “What the hell.”
Of course, finding his own place wouldn’t be easy. He had no identification and little money. He would need to remedy both if he was going to find a way to live in River City for any length of time.
“Your current situation troubles you, Ian.” He looked towards Phoebe, a smirk on her face. “You act as though Alli sees you as little more than trouble. I suspect she sees you as a friend, even if your arrival has sent her life into an upheaval.”
“You might be right. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel as though I’m leeching off her. The irony is that I have one person constantly calling me ‘The Leech’ in Spanish, but it’s a completely other person I feel far more like I’m taking too much from.”
“I suspect you worry too much. I suppose if I only had a week’s memories and they started with my escape from a cell, I might also have such worries. But you must not let them overcome you. Come, I suspect I can help you in these matters. Tell me, where is a place that you can get the proper identification that you need.”
“Well, I would need a driver’s license, but for that I would need a social security number. And I’ll need both if I am ever going to have a hope of getting any kind of job.”
“A driver’s license? This is a license to pilot your fossil engine vehicles, yet you use it as identification. Truly your world is strange, Ian Page.”
“I guess.”
“Come, let us go to this Department of Motor Vehicles I can hear echoing in your head.”
“I really hate it when you do that, you know. My mind isn’t there for you to read.”
“My apologies, Ian. I only mean to help. Will you come with me?”
Ian shrugged. “What the hell.”
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 10-5
Phoebe chuckled. “I know you only have a week’s worth of experience to go upon, but you don’t have to rush into decisions, Ian Page. We are talking about a potentially life changing experience. These people after you could be far more deadly than you suspect. They could have given up on any urge to capture you.”
“I need answers. And I can’t crack their files despite clearly being good with computers, even if I can't remember why or how. So you’re right that this is how I find my answers. I don’t think I have any other path.”
“Have you considered that the answers you seek may not be the answers you want? What if you are not the person you think you were? What if you were someone far worse than you are now?”
“I—if that is what happens, then I will face it when it comes. But if I’ve learned anything in the last week, it is that I cannot let my fear force me down my path. I need answers and I cannot let any worry about what I might find out stop me from going after them.”
“Alright then. When we return to Alli’s shop, we should figure out a plan.”
Ian nodded. “What about Rosa? Should we find her first?”
“I’m sure she will be fine with her new boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? You think her and the cop are an item?”
“She clearly has affection for him. I suspect they are intimate, though whether you wish to define that as love or lust is up to you.”
“Do you ever give a clear answer?”
She smirked. “After living as long as I have, one gets used to not just jumping to one simple answer. I’m used to having time to make decisions.”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” Ian said. “I told you I’m not used to this immortality thing.”
Phoebe slung an arm around him and gave him a playful squeeze. “I promise you this, once you get used to it, you lose half the fun. Come on, Ian. Let’s enjoy the rest of the day. And tonight we start to solve the mystery of your missing life!”
Ian laughed with her as they continued down the pier.
“I need answers. And I can’t crack their files despite clearly being good with computers, even if I can't remember why or how. So you’re right that this is how I find my answers. I don’t think I have any other path.”
“Have you considered that the answers you seek may not be the answers you want? What if you are not the person you think you were? What if you were someone far worse than you are now?”
“I—if that is what happens, then I will face it when it comes. But if I’ve learned anything in the last week, it is that I cannot let my fear force me down my path. I need answers and I cannot let any worry about what I might find out stop me from going after them.”
“Alright then. When we return to Alli’s shop, we should figure out a plan.”
Ian nodded. “What about Rosa? Should we find her first?”
“I’m sure she will be fine with her new boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? You think her and the cop are an item?”
“She clearly has affection for him. I suspect they are intimate, though whether you wish to define that as love or lust is up to you.”
“Do you ever give a clear answer?”
She smirked. “After living as long as I have, one gets used to not just jumping to one simple answer. I’m used to having time to make decisions.”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” Ian said. “I told you I’m not used to this immortality thing.”
Phoebe slung an arm around him and gave him a playful squeeze. “I promise you this, once you get used to it, you lose half the fun. Come on, Ian. Let’s enjoy the rest of the day. And tonight we start to solve the mystery of your missing life!”
Ian laughed with her as they continued down the pier.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 10-4
Phoebe nodded. “You could very well be much older than you look, Ian. You also could be naturally immortal, but still a young one. I cannot answer one way or another. But none of this explains your memory loss.”
“What does then?”
“If I were to guess, I would suspect someone removed those memories. But it could be accidental or purposeful. That I cannot know without learning more about your past, just as you wish to do.”
“Then we’re back at square one.”
“Not exactly. You have knowledge of what you are. And it seems you have one source that must know something about you.”
“What? Who?”
“You’ve told me the story of how you and your friends came together,” Phoebe said. But I don’t think you’ve considered it as deeply as you might. Yes, the people you escaped from had your name and the others on the list, only one of dozens of files you’ve managed to open. But don’t you think if they have this many files on you and your new friends, they also have more information about who you are or where you came from?”
Ian stopped in his tracks. “I suppose. But even if they do, it does me no good. Doppelganger is dead and whoever he was working for vanished as fast as the police could cover up the crime scene.”
Phoebe turned to face him. “But they’re still out there and they have answers. All we have to do is get their attention. You just have to be ready to turn the tides on them.”
“We don’t know how many men they have,” Ian said. “They could come at us with a small army.”
“You could be right. You have to consider whether or not that is a chance you wish to take.”
Phoebe started to walk again. Ian stared at her for a few more seconds before he ran to catch up with her. But he still wasn’t sure what to think about her words. Facing danger was never his natural inclination. Phoebe was right that Doppelganger’s employers had to have some answers for him. Besides, they were still out there somewhere. They would be back to hound him and the others soon enough. It just made sense to take the battle to them.
“I’ll do it,” he said.
“What does then?”
“If I were to guess, I would suspect someone removed those memories. But it could be accidental or purposeful. That I cannot know without learning more about your past, just as you wish to do.”
“Then we’re back at square one.”
“Not exactly. You have knowledge of what you are. And it seems you have one source that must know something about you.”
“What? Who?”
“You’ve told me the story of how you and your friends came together,” Phoebe said. But I don’t think you’ve considered it as deeply as you might. Yes, the people you escaped from had your name and the others on the list, only one of dozens of files you’ve managed to open. But don’t you think if they have this many files on you and your new friends, they also have more information about who you are or where you came from?”
Ian stopped in his tracks. “I suppose. But even if they do, it does me no good. Doppelganger is dead and whoever he was working for vanished as fast as the police could cover up the crime scene.”
Phoebe turned to face him. “But they’re still out there and they have answers. All we have to do is get their attention. You just have to be ready to turn the tides on them.”
“We don’t know how many men they have,” Ian said. “They could come at us with a small army.”
“You could be right. You have to consider whether or not that is a chance you wish to take.”
Phoebe started to walk again. Ian stared at her for a few more seconds before he ran to catch up with her. But he still wasn’t sure what to think about her words. Facing danger was never his natural inclination. Phoebe was right that Doppelganger’s employers had to have some answers for him. Besides, they were still out there somewhere. They would be back to hound him and the others soon enough. It just made sense to take the battle to them.
“I’ll do it,” he said.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 10-3
“Dang, I hoped I might have an answer.”
Two more tables down, Phoebe was now at the back of the store where a bored teenager paid them little attention as she listened to a pair of earbuds. She didn’t appear to want to even be working, let alone give any help to either of them.
Phoebe didn’t pay any heed to the clerk. Instead, she seemed to find exactly what she wanted from the store. She picked up a simple black knitted beret. It was oversized and clearly made for someone with a lot of hair. It didn’t look like anything particularly special, but Phoebe studied it harder than she did her previous choices. She turned it around in her hands more than the two circles of the other hats. Then she put it on her head and pulled her long braids up under it.
“How do I look?”
Ian shrugged. “Honestly, Phoebe, I think you’re gorgeous no matter what.”
Phoebe laughed. It was a loud roar—a rousing guffaw that almost shook the tiny shop. “You are a flatterer, Ian Page. But thank you. This is the one that I want.”
She pulled the hat off and brought it to the girl, who looked up from the Scribblenauts game on her tablet long enough to mumble, “Twenty bucks.”
Phoebe brandished the card. Ian stopped, suddenly fearful that the clerk would ask for the identification neither of them had. But the employee barely looked at them, so it was no real surprise when she didn’t even ask for a signature. Ian silently scolded himself for letting his own fear get too much control over him again.
As they left, Phoebe one again positioned the beret over her head and tucked her blue braids beneath it.
“Do you feel better now?”
“Much,” Phoebe said. “I’ve never been on this world but that doesn’t mean I’m interested in sticking out.” She paused. “Is the idiom ‘like a sore thumb’ correct? That makes little sense.”
“It’s correct and you’re right that it doesn’t make much sense.” Ian glanced back at the store for just a moment. “Back there you said that my memory loss couldn’t be due to the fact that I’m way older than I look. But everything tells me I am, from Ian Page in the thirties to the barrier stopping me to this El Sanguijuelo business tells me that I have to be an immortal. It feels strange using that word about myself, you know.”
Two more tables down, Phoebe was now at the back of the store where a bored teenager paid them little attention as she listened to a pair of earbuds. She didn’t appear to want to even be working, let alone give any help to either of them.
Phoebe didn’t pay any heed to the clerk. Instead, she seemed to find exactly what she wanted from the store. She picked up a simple black knitted beret. It was oversized and clearly made for someone with a lot of hair. It didn’t look like anything particularly special, but Phoebe studied it harder than she did her previous choices. She turned it around in her hands more than the two circles of the other hats. Then she put it on her head and pulled her long braids up under it.
“How do I look?”
Ian shrugged. “Honestly, Phoebe, I think you’re gorgeous no matter what.”
Phoebe laughed. It was a loud roar—a rousing guffaw that almost shook the tiny shop. “You are a flatterer, Ian Page. But thank you. This is the one that I want.”
She pulled the hat off and brought it to the girl, who looked up from the Scribblenauts game on her tablet long enough to mumble, “Twenty bucks.”
Phoebe brandished the card. Ian stopped, suddenly fearful that the clerk would ask for the identification neither of them had. But the employee barely looked at them, so it was no real surprise when she didn’t even ask for a signature. Ian silently scolded himself for letting his own fear get too much control over him again.
As they left, Phoebe one again positioned the beret over her head and tucked her blue braids beneath it.
“Do you feel better now?”
“Much,” Phoebe said. “I’ve never been on this world but that doesn’t mean I’m interested in sticking out.” She paused. “Is the idiom ‘like a sore thumb’ correct? That makes little sense.”
“It’s correct and you’re right that it doesn’t make much sense.” Ian glanced back at the store for just a moment. “Back there you said that my memory loss couldn’t be due to the fact that I’m way older than I look. But everything tells me I am, from Ian Page in the thirties to the barrier stopping me to this El Sanguijuelo business tells me that I have to be an immortal. It feels strange using that word about myself, you know.”
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 10-2
She turned to him after the third table and the fifth hat. “You have went silent again, Ian Page. I know mortality is a trait seen as normal for the human race here, but throughout the universe it isn’t that way. Billions of sentients from across the universe have paid for or been rewarded with the ability of consistent cellular repair. But even that comes with problems. You see, the human mind is much like one of your computers. It has amazing processing power but its storage space has limits. The cells of the brain may stay stable, but their capacity doesn’t grow. Once you reach about three hundred forgetfulness sets in without a proper memory extension.”
“Memory extension?”
Phoebe pushed the blue braids away from the back of her neck. A tiny piece of metal barely showed against her skin, just to the left of her spine. A casual glance might take it as a strange piercing, but it was clearly embedded deeper than that.
“Your world is already beginning to explore the melding of man and machine. I would think a memory storage upgrade wouldn’t be all that surprising to you.”
“I—I guess I’m not really sure what to think. But I wonder if you’re describing what’s wrong with me. Could I be so old I’ve developed some kind of complete memory loss?”
“It doesn’t really work that way,” Phoebe said. “Memories simply fade over time. Most people rarely remember more than a few snippets of their childhood by the time they’re forty. As time comes between the reality and the memory, the memory fades. But it is the distant memory that fades, not the near one. A thousand year old without a memory extension will remember the last couple hundred years alright, but he may have forgotten his first love, his first marriage or even all of his first five hundred years. It all depends on the individual. If you are truly old, your memory might suffer from some degradation, but your current loss of your past is not due to this.”
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