“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 Phoebe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phoebe. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
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.”
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
ICONS Character Profile: Phoebe
Name: Phoebe
Origin: Unearthly
First Appearance: Book Two, Chapter 20
ABILITIES
Prowess 6
Coordination 5
Strength 4
Intellect 5
Awareness 6
Willpower 6
Stamina 10
Determination 1
SPECIALTIES
Law
Martial Arts
Medicine
POWERS
Immortality
Telekinesis (+Force Control/Constructs; Limit: must hold constructs) 6
Telepathy (+Emotion Detection) 4
QUALITIES
Motivation: protect those around her
Identity: Intergalactic Law Enforcement
CHALLENGES
Enemy: Caelus
Social: Unfamiliar with Earth’s social restraints
HISTORY & PERSONALITY
Phoebe’s origins and history remain largely unknown. Though she appears to be no more than twenty-five years old, she’s in fact an alien immortal that has lived at least three thousand years. Much of the last two millennia were spent as the host or under the control of the dangerous planetary criminal Caelus. Though she remains much of her sense of justice she gained as a member of the intergalactic police force, she possesses a joy for life after her long captivity.
Origin: Unearthly
First Appearance: Book Two, Chapter 20
ABILITIES
Prowess 6
Coordination 5
Strength 4
Intellect 5
Awareness 6
Willpower 6
Stamina 10
Determination 1
SPECIALTIES
Law
Martial Arts
Medicine
POWERS
Immortality
Telekinesis (+Force Control/Constructs; Limit: must hold constructs) 6
Telepathy (+Emotion Detection) 4
QUALITIES
Motivation: protect those around her
Identity: Intergalactic Law Enforcement
CHALLENGES
Enemy: Caelus
Social: Unfamiliar with Earth’s social restraints
HISTORY & PERSONALITY
Phoebe’s origins and history remain largely unknown. Though she appears to be no more than twenty-five years old, she’s in fact an alien immortal that has lived at least three thousand years. Much of the last two millennia were spent as the host or under the control of the dangerous planetary criminal Caelus. Though she remains much of her sense of justice she gained as a member of the intergalactic police force, she possesses a joy for life after her long captivity.
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.”
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 10. Ian
Ian walked in silence with Phoebe down the pier. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk. It was that he wasn’t sure what to say. The mystery of his own existence whirled around in his skull over and over again. He wanted answers—he needed answers—but he couldn’t find a single clue outside an eighty year old newspaper entry.
Well, maybe not the only clue. He glanced to Phoebe. “Can I ask you something?”
“I suspect it’s been wandering through your brain for quite some time. But you know you can ask me anything, Ian.”
“Back on the prison world—”
“I called it Elsewhere, though its proper designation was D97F9931.”
“Yes, there. When you were possessed by Caelus, you needed a mortal to break through the barrier that held the portal between worlds. But I couldn’t do it. It stopped me the same as it did you. How is that possible?”
“You’re clearly not a mortal, Ian.”
Phoebe said it so matter of factly that Ian wasn’t quite sure how to respond. An immortal? Even the concept seemed preposterous, though he was now speaking to an ancient human from outer space and fought a god only two days ago. Perhaps it was time to accept nothing in his life was preposterous.
“I’m not a god,” Ian said. “I barely can stand on my own in a fight. I have to overcome my own terror every time any danger comes near.”
“You don’t have to be a god to be ageless, Ian.” Phoebe stopped short in front of a tiny little hat shop. She pointed at the heavy blue braids on her head. “Come on. I need something to tame this.”
Ian followed her in. “Do you have any money?”
Phoebe laughed. “I took the liberty of confiscating Ms. Finch’s business bank card. It seems simple enough to operate. I will replace the funds in it soon enough, but I need to be a bit less conspicuous first, I suspect.”
“I guess. I just think maybe we should have said something to Alli before we spent her money. I don’t even know if she’s got any—”
“You worry too much, Ian. One thing you learn over decades and centuries is that worries only make you feel older. And after a few hundred years, it’s hard not to feel ancient, especially on a world that hasn’t unlocked any significant medicinal restoration.”
“Uh, I guess.”
Well, maybe not the only clue. He glanced to Phoebe. “Can I ask you something?”
“I suspect it’s been wandering through your brain for quite some time. But you know you can ask me anything, Ian.”
“Back on the prison world—”
“I called it Elsewhere, though its proper designation was D97F9931.”
“Yes, there. When you were possessed by Caelus, you needed a mortal to break through the barrier that held the portal between worlds. But I couldn’t do it. It stopped me the same as it did you. How is that possible?”
“You’re clearly not a mortal, Ian.”
Phoebe said it so matter of factly that Ian wasn’t quite sure how to respond. An immortal? Even the concept seemed preposterous, though he was now speaking to an ancient human from outer space and fought a god only two days ago. Perhaps it was time to accept nothing in his life was preposterous.
“I’m not a god,” Ian said. “I barely can stand on my own in a fight. I have to overcome my own terror every time any danger comes near.”
“You don’t have to be a god to be ageless, Ian.” Phoebe stopped short in front of a tiny little hat shop. She pointed at the heavy blue braids on her head. “Come on. I need something to tame this.”
Ian followed her in. “Do you have any money?”
Phoebe laughed. “I took the liberty of confiscating Ms. Finch’s business bank card. It seems simple enough to operate. I will replace the funds in it soon enough, but I need to be a bit less conspicuous first, I suspect.”
“I guess. I just think maybe we should have said something to Alli before we spent her money. I don’t even know if she’s got any—”
“You worry too much, Ian. One thing you learn over decades and centuries is that worries only make you feel older. And after a few hundred years, it’s hard not to feel ancient, especially on a world that hasn’t unlocked any significant medicinal restoration.”
“Uh, I guess.”
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5-6
Rosa was about a hundred yards away from them, on the other side of the wreckage. She sifted through an area that seemed like one of the most devastated, perhaps the source of one of the twin explosions that destroyed the building. She had little more than dust at her feet, but she shifted it around as if she would find something in its midst.
“It’s time, Rosa. We can’t stay here forever. Phoebe thinks it was a professional job. Maybe we can use that somehow. Find out more information about the man that did this.”
“No,” Rosa said. “There has to be something else out here. This can’t be all of it. I need something of his. Something to help me figure out what’s going on with all of this.”
“We will find who did this somehow,” Ian said. “Phoebe and I will both help, but we have—”
The flash of lights brought his attention back to the street in front of Whitey’s remains. A police car was pulling up. It was a lone police officer, but Whitey’s was naturally closed off by the water on one side and the river rocks on the other. They had nowhere to go.”
Ian turned to the others. “Run. I’ll create an illusion and—”
Rosa shook her head. “I know him. Just let me talk to him.”
She walked towards the police officer, a tall uniformed cop with light brown skin and closely cropped hair. He actually reminded Ian a bit of Stomp.
“Keith, hi.”
“Rosa, is that you?”
“Si. I needed to have a look for myself. I wanted to see if I could find anything of my friend and—” She shook her head. Ian could only guess she was crying.
Keith rushed forward and took her in his arms. “Oh, baby. I’m sorry. I know it’s hard. But you can’t be here. It’s still an active crime scene.”
“I know. I just wanted—I just thought if I could find something, maybe I could help in some way.”
Ian and Phoebe crept closer to Rosa and the police officer. The presence of the police worried him. Neither he nor Phoebe would be on any official records. That wasn’t the kind of thing easy to explain.
Rosa looked back at both of them as they approached. She wiped her tears away and quickly introduced them to Keith. “They came here to help me look. I hope I didn’t get them in any trouble.”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s just get you out of here, okay?”
Rosa nodded. She let him keep an arm around her as he walked her away.
Ian looked to Phoebe. She works fast, he thought. He wondered if Phoebe picked up on it when she gave him a knowing smile.
“It’s time, Rosa. We can’t stay here forever. Phoebe thinks it was a professional job. Maybe we can use that somehow. Find out more information about the man that did this.”
“No,” Rosa said. “There has to be something else out here. This can’t be all of it. I need something of his. Something to help me figure out what’s going on with all of this.”
“We will find who did this somehow,” Ian said. “Phoebe and I will both help, but we have—”
The flash of lights brought his attention back to the street in front of Whitey’s remains. A police car was pulling up. It was a lone police officer, but Whitey’s was naturally closed off by the water on one side and the river rocks on the other. They had nowhere to go.”
Ian turned to the others. “Run. I’ll create an illusion and—”
Rosa shook her head. “I know him. Just let me talk to him.”
She walked towards the police officer, a tall uniformed cop with light brown skin and closely cropped hair. He actually reminded Ian a bit of Stomp.
“Keith, hi.”
“Rosa, is that you?”
“Si. I needed to have a look for myself. I wanted to see if I could find anything of my friend and—” She shook her head. Ian could only guess she was crying.
Keith rushed forward and took her in his arms. “Oh, baby. I’m sorry. I know it’s hard. But you can’t be here. It’s still an active crime scene.”
“I know. I just wanted—I just thought if I could find something, maybe I could help in some way.”
Ian and Phoebe crept closer to Rosa and the police officer. The presence of the police worried him. Neither he nor Phoebe would be on any official records. That wasn’t the kind of thing easy to explain.
Rosa looked back at both of them as they approached. She wiped her tears away and quickly introduced them to Keith. “They came here to help me look. I hope I didn’t get them in any trouble.”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s just get you out of here, okay?”
Rosa nodded. She let him keep an arm around her as he walked her away.
Ian looked to Phoebe. She works fast, he thought. He wondered if Phoebe picked up on it when she gave him a knowing smile.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5-5
Ian looked around, but saw no one around. “I did. But we’re alone. The entire pier is empty. The police haven’t even opened it up for businesses to come in. The only people we have to worry about are the cops if they decide to have a look and they’re not going to arrest someone coming back to grieve. And let’s be honest, that’s why we’re here. Stomp died here. He died a hero, but he still died. I can’t quite believe it. It may have only been a few days ago, but he helped me when he didn’t need to do anything. He kept me alive when Doppelganger and his men were after me. And those few days are all the memory I have. It seems crazy but he’s the closest thing to a friend I had in this world. Now in a matter of days, I’ve lost a friend and a lover. And I would be lying if I didn’t say it pissed me off. I’m fucking sick of this.”
“Control your anger, Ian.”
“I don’t want to control it anymore. I spent so much time in fear, but the anger makes it go away. Now I just want to make those monsters pay. So if they want to come for me that’s fine. I’ll fight them with everything I have. I’ll suck the damn life out of them if that’s what it takes.”
“This is a new side of you, Ian Page.” Phoebe stared at him as she said it, as if analyzing him. “It intrigues me. But it doesn’t change the fact that we invite trouble as this location. I sense no signs of life outside the tiniest insects and rodents. They have nothing to tell us. But I can tell you the explosion was deliberately set. Someone wanted to destroy this building, though I cannot say for sure if they sought this Stomp’s death. It’s hard to read anything in this destruction, but I sense no sign of malice here. But without malice, why would someone destroy this place?”
“Money,” Ian said. “There’s people out there that will do anything for it. Even kill a dozen people in a sports center. Alright, I think I’ve seen enough. Let’s get Rosa and get out of here.”
“Control your anger, Ian.”
“I don’t want to control it anymore. I spent so much time in fear, but the anger makes it go away. Now I just want to make those monsters pay. So if they want to come for me that’s fine. I’ll fight them with everything I have. I’ll suck the damn life out of them if that’s what it takes.”
“This is a new side of you, Ian Page.” Phoebe stared at him as she said it, as if analyzing him. “It intrigues me. But it doesn’t change the fact that we invite trouble as this location. I sense no signs of life outside the tiniest insects and rodents. They have nothing to tell us. But I can tell you the explosion was deliberately set. Someone wanted to destroy this building, though I cannot say for sure if they sought this Stomp’s death. It’s hard to read anything in this destruction, but I sense no sign of malice here. But without malice, why would someone destroy this place?”
“Money,” Ian said. “There’s people out there that will do anything for it. Even kill a dozen people in a sports center. Alright, I think I’ve seen enough. Let’s get Rosa and get out of here.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5-4
The bus slowed and pulled to a stop on the side of the road.
“This is our stop,” Rosa said. “Unless you two have too much going on to join me.”
Neither Ian nor Phoebe said anything about Rosa’s jab. They simply followed her as she got to her feet and stepped off the bus. Moments later, the bus pulled away and left them standing on the pier. In the cold November air, the streets were empty. Food stands lined the street, but most were closed up and locked.
Rosa started down the street with a clear path in her mind. Ian gave Phoebe a sideways glance before he moved to follow her. He suspected he would receive more of a cold shoulder before the day was done. But for Stomp’s sake, he would take it. Stomp helped him against all common sense. Ian knew he owed the man a modicum of justice in return.
The walk was a short one. In the cold air, Ian was thankful. In just a matter of days, River City had cooled sharply. Winter was near and though the city rarely saw massive snowfall, it still offered real winters. Within a few weeks, Ian suspected they would see a white Christmas.
The remains of the building were little more than some burnt out walls and a few heaps of melted plastic. He didn’t see how they could find anything here.
Rosa didn’t wait for him to question her choice. She stepped up into the burnt frame and started to walk through the mounds of remains.
“Are you sure that is safe?”
She turned and glared at Ian, but said nothing to him in response.
Leaving Rosa to her own dangerous choices, Ian turned to Phoebe. “Are there any impressions? Anything at all that can tell us who did this?”
Phoebe said nothing as she slowly circled the burnt out shell of the building. She moved around it for nearly a minute, Ian just a few feet behind, before he realized her eyes weren’t open. Her movements were clean and crisp, even without her sight.
She stopped short after another minute of uninterrupted concentration. Slowly, Phoebe raised her head and opened her eyes. She looked at Ian.
“We should not be here. It is too dangerous for us. It is too exposed.”
“I don’t understand,” Ian said. “There’s no one here.”
“You told me before people seek you, is that correct?”
“This is our stop,” Rosa said. “Unless you two have too much going on to join me.”
Neither Ian nor Phoebe said anything about Rosa’s jab. They simply followed her as she got to her feet and stepped off the bus. Moments later, the bus pulled away and left them standing on the pier. In the cold November air, the streets were empty. Food stands lined the street, but most were closed up and locked.
Rosa started down the street with a clear path in her mind. Ian gave Phoebe a sideways glance before he moved to follow her. He suspected he would receive more of a cold shoulder before the day was done. But for Stomp’s sake, he would take it. Stomp helped him against all common sense. Ian knew he owed the man a modicum of justice in return.
The walk was a short one. In the cold air, Ian was thankful. In just a matter of days, River City had cooled sharply. Winter was near and though the city rarely saw massive snowfall, it still offered real winters. Within a few weeks, Ian suspected they would see a white Christmas.
The remains of the building were little more than some burnt out walls and a few heaps of melted plastic. He didn’t see how they could find anything here.
Rosa didn’t wait for him to question her choice. She stepped up into the burnt frame and started to walk through the mounds of remains.
“Are you sure that is safe?”
She turned and glared at Ian, but said nothing to him in response.
Leaving Rosa to her own dangerous choices, Ian turned to Phoebe. “Are there any impressions? Anything at all that can tell us who did this?”
Phoebe said nothing as she slowly circled the burnt out shell of the building. She moved around it for nearly a minute, Ian just a few feet behind, before he realized her eyes weren’t open. Her movements were clean and crisp, even without her sight.
She stopped short after another minute of uninterrupted concentration. Slowly, Phoebe raised her head and opened her eyes. She looked at Ian.
“We should not be here. It is too dangerous for us. It is too exposed.”
“I don’t understand,” Ian said. “There’s no one here.”
“You told me before people seek you, is that correct?”
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5-3
He certainly hoped not. He didn’t consider himself any kind of hero, but he didn’t want to bounce from one bout of insanity to another. But with an unknown organization still out there and after him, with Caelus still loose in the world and with nothing but a whole in his memory, he feared his destiny was not unlike hers.
“So many fossil fuels,” Phoebe said. “Why don’t you use simple power cells to fuel your cars? I have seen your homes. You have the capability to channel electricity anywhere. A simple battery could hold a charge for hours.”
Rosa looked at her with eyes wide. “You really are an alien, aren’t you?”
“More accurately, I suppose I would be called a demigod. My DNA is much like your own. The ancients spread humanity across the galaxy a thousand thousand years ago. Even the oldest elder us does not remember that day. Some of us are just more evolved.”
“I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be awed or insulted,” Ian said.
Phoebe smiled. “Why not both?”
Rosa turned to her window and left Ian to answer Phoebe’s question.
“Our cars mostly run on fossil fuels, as do most of our power plants.”
“I cannot believe a civilization this advanced has yet to unlock nuclear power sources.”
“We have,” Ian said. “We just don’t use them.”
“Why?”
“A lot of people consider them unsafe. They would rather seek solar or wind power.”
“Both are excellent backup generating techniques,” Phoebe said. “But they are impractical for an entire power grid. Nuclear fusion, even fission, would be cleaner and far safer than fossil fuels. I must say your people are strange, Ian Page.”
“I’m not quite sure they are my people. But humanity is built on a bunch of strange dichotomies. I don’t see why energy policy would be any different.”
“I sense much doubt in you, Ian. Even if you once were the monster Rosa fears, you must know you are not that creature now. Whatever took your memory also freed you from that darkness. Now it is up to you to make your own path, whether for good or ill.”
“What if the memories return?”
“Memories are just past experience. They may return, but you have the experiences of the past week as well. Let those guide you.”
“You remind me of Peach, you know. She always had the right things to say. I hope she’s alright.”
“Your friend is resourceful. I believe she will be safe. She was near my own home. With little trouble, she should be able to survive her imprisonment. The world was made to contain, not to kill.”
“So many fossil fuels,” Phoebe said. “Why don’t you use simple power cells to fuel your cars? I have seen your homes. You have the capability to channel electricity anywhere. A simple battery could hold a charge for hours.”
Rosa looked at her with eyes wide. “You really are an alien, aren’t you?”
“More accurately, I suppose I would be called a demigod. My DNA is much like your own. The ancients spread humanity across the galaxy a thousand thousand years ago. Even the oldest elder us does not remember that day. Some of us are just more evolved.”
“I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be awed or insulted,” Ian said.
Phoebe smiled. “Why not both?”
Rosa turned to her window and left Ian to answer Phoebe’s question.
“Our cars mostly run on fossil fuels, as do most of our power plants.”
“I cannot believe a civilization this advanced has yet to unlock nuclear power sources.”
“We have,” Ian said. “We just don’t use them.”
“Why?”
“A lot of people consider them unsafe. They would rather seek solar or wind power.”
“Both are excellent backup generating techniques,” Phoebe said. “But they are impractical for an entire power grid. Nuclear fusion, even fission, would be cleaner and far safer than fossil fuels. I must say your people are strange, Ian Page.”
“I’m not quite sure they are my people. But humanity is built on a bunch of strange dichotomies. I don’t see why energy policy would be any different.”
“I sense much doubt in you, Ian. Even if you once were the monster Rosa fears, you must know you are not that creature now. Whatever took your memory also freed you from that darkness. Now it is up to you to make your own path, whether for good or ill.”
“What if the memories return?”
“Memories are just past experience. They may return, but you have the experiences of the past week as well. Let those guide you.”
“You remind me of Peach, you know. She always had the right things to say. I hope she’s alright.”
“Your friend is resourceful. I believe she will be safe. She was near my own home. With little trouble, she should be able to survive her imprisonment. The world was made to contain, not to kill.”
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5-2
“You think of us as a unit?” Rosa shook her head. “We barely know each other.”
“We know each other well enough to accuse me of being a killer. And I know so little about my own past that you may very well be right. But when you’ve got a week’s worth of memories, you hold on to everything you can.”
Rosa stood still, silently contemplating Ian’s words. He remained silent, worried the wrong word might set off her fears of him again.
“I suppose,” Rosa said. “I have never really thought about your plight. I don’t know where I would be without my memories. Without their guidance, I would be lost. Perhaps I have judged you too harshly. But I have also learned in my time to not give trust too easily. Evil will use whatever means it can to strike. I won’t let that happen to me again.”
“Again?”
Rosa fell silent. Ian realized he touched on something she didn’t want to talk about. He knew it would be prudent to change the subject.
“Where do you want to go? You’ve got us for the day at least.”
“I want to go search for something at the scene,” Rosa said. “I feel like the police have missed something. I need to see for myself.”
“I am not sure that would be wise,” Phoebe said. “I can feel your emotions racing. You’re not thinking rationally in this affair. You’re letting your guilt control you. We can look into this friend’s death, but you must be careful not to put too much hope.”
Rosa said nothing in return to Phoebe. Instead she turned back to Ian. “Who is this person again?”
“Phoebe is an empath and a psychic. She can read your feelings, especially if they are strong. She can feel your pain and your stress over Stomp’s death. And she has some history in law enforcement.”
“Oh,” Rosa said. “Where?”
“Now that’s a very long story,” Ian said. “We can fill you in on that one on the way, though I’m not sure you will believe it. Come on.”
A few minutes later, a River City Metro Transportation bus sped down the freeway. Ian sat with Phoebe and Rosa in the back of the bus. Rosa took the story of Ian’s adventures in space in stride. She seemed easily accepting of every detail. Ian knew she had a past as a metahuman hero, but he would think the story would be extreme even for her. Perhaps he was wrong about that one. Maybe this was how every hero lived.
“We know each other well enough to accuse me of being a killer. And I know so little about my own past that you may very well be right. But when you’ve got a week’s worth of memories, you hold on to everything you can.”
Rosa stood still, silently contemplating Ian’s words. He remained silent, worried the wrong word might set off her fears of him again.
“I suppose,” Rosa said. “I have never really thought about your plight. I don’t know where I would be without my memories. Without their guidance, I would be lost. Perhaps I have judged you too harshly. But I have also learned in my time to not give trust too easily. Evil will use whatever means it can to strike. I won’t let that happen to me again.”
“Again?”
Rosa fell silent. Ian realized he touched on something she didn’t want to talk about. He knew it would be prudent to change the subject.
“Where do you want to go? You’ve got us for the day at least.”
“I want to go search for something at the scene,” Rosa said. “I feel like the police have missed something. I need to see for myself.”
“I am not sure that would be wise,” Phoebe said. “I can feel your emotions racing. You’re not thinking rationally in this affair. You’re letting your guilt control you. We can look into this friend’s death, but you must be careful not to put too much hope.”
Rosa said nothing in return to Phoebe. Instead she turned back to Ian. “Who is this person again?”
“Phoebe is an empath and a psychic. She can read your feelings, especially if they are strong. She can feel your pain and your stress over Stomp’s death. And she has some history in law enforcement.”
“Oh,” Rosa said. “Where?”
“Now that’s a very long story,” Ian said. “We can fill you in on that one on the way, though I’m not sure you will believe it. Come on.”
A few minutes later, a River City Metro Transportation bus sped down the freeway. Ian sat with Phoebe and Rosa in the back of the bus. Rosa took the story of Ian’s adventures in space in stride. She seemed easily accepting of every detail. Ian knew she had a past as a metahuman hero, but he would think the story would be extreme even for her. Perhaps he was wrong about that one. Maybe this was how every hero lived.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 5. Ian
With only a short trip between the Spirit Cop Headquarters and Rosa’s apartments, it didn’t take long for a bus to drop Phoebe and Ian in front of the building. Ian wasn’t sure he was ready to face Rosa again. He walked into situations several times in his week of memory that could have caused his death, but facing her seemed far harder.
It wasn’t simply her suspicion about his identity before the amnesia. Ian felt responsible for Stomp’s death. Maybe if they would have communicated with him, even stopped to find him before going after Marilyn and Cyrus, he might still be alive.
“You couldn’t have known,” Phoebe said. “I’m sorry, but your guilt is strong, Ian. You cannot take the weight of the world on your shoulders. Your friend’s death came at the hand of someone or something evil. You were a universe away. Even if he came with you, chances are he would be stranded alongside Peach.
Ian knew Phoebe was right, but it didn’t make things any easier as they waited at Rosa’s door. The front door offered no security for the building, but he felt it was probably best to ring her apartment. He didn’t want to push in too close on the woman that still saw him as a killer.
She met them at the door. She wore a heavy jacket, something far warmer than necessary for the early November weather. But Ian knew the climate here was far cooler than she was used to in Mexico. Coupled with her ability to run at supersonic speed, perhaps she needed the heavier attire.
“I thought we were coming up,” Ian said as she pushed out on to the street.
“I don’t want to just sit around the house. I want to go back to the scene. I want to figure out why someone would blow up the building. I want to know who wanted Stomp dead. It’s time I finally get some answers.”
“I might be able to help with that.”
Phoebe’s words brought her to Rosa’s attention for the first time. Ian watched the two women take each other in for a long awkward moment.
“Who’s this?” Rosa’s words were defensive. She didn’t trust Ian already. He hadn’t contemplated she might take Phoebe as an ally of El Sanguijuelo.
“My name is Phoebe.”
“Phoebe what?”
“Just Phoebe.”
“It’s a very long story,” Ian said. “One that I’m not sure even I believe. But Phoebe is another member of our merry band of misfits, I suppose.”
It wasn’t simply her suspicion about his identity before the amnesia. Ian felt responsible for Stomp’s death. Maybe if they would have communicated with him, even stopped to find him before going after Marilyn and Cyrus, he might still be alive.
“You couldn’t have known,” Phoebe said. “I’m sorry, but your guilt is strong, Ian. You cannot take the weight of the world on your shoulders. Your friend’s death came at the hand of someone or something evil. You were a universe away. Even if he came with you, chances are he would be stranded alongside Peach.
Ian knew Phoebe was right, but it didn’t make things any easier as they waited at Rosa’s door. The front door offered no security for the building, but he felt it was probably best to ring her apartment. He didn’t want to push in too close on the woman that still saw him as a killer.
She met them at the door. She wore a heavy jacket, something far warmer than necessary for the early November weather. But Ian knew the climate here was far cooler than she was used to in Mexico. Coupled with her ability to run at supersonic speed, perhaps she needed the heavier attire.
“I thought we were coming up,” Ian said as she pushed out on to the street.
“I don’t want to just sit around the house. I want to go back to the scene. I want to figure out why someone would blow up the building. I want to know who wanted Stomp dead. It’s time I finally get some answers.”
“I might be able to help with that.”
Phoebe’s words brought her to Rosa’s attention for the first time. Ian watched the two women take each other in for a long awkward moment.
“Who’s this?” Rosa’s words were defensive. She didn’t trust Ian already. He hadn’t contemplated she might take Phoebe as an ally of El Sanguijuelo.
“My name is Phoebe.”
“Phoebe what?”
“Just Phoebe.”
“It’s a very long story,” Ian said. “One that I’m not sure even I believe. But Phoebe is another member of our merry band of misfits, I suppose.”
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 1-2
Phoebe walked to Ian’s side and rested a hand on his shoulder. “My powers may be of little use in rescuing your friend, but they can help you unlock the secrets of your mind, Ian Page. Perhaps in time, I can help you find out why your memory has left you and give you back your lost memories.”
“I—thank you, Phoebe. I appreciate it.”
Ian turned to Alli. She wore another of her work uniforms, the odd jumpsuit emblazoned with the Spirit Cop logo over her heart. She looked away from them and it was clear that something else bothered her.
“This is about more than Peach,” he said. “I didn’t even expect to see you today. I expected you to take a day with Marilyn. Our rescue wasn’t much of one, but I know you’re happy to be reunited with her. So why are you here?”
Alli didn’t say anything for several long moments. She just looked away as if lost in thought.
“You don’t have to fear us,” Phoebe said. “You can talk to us. We’re not your enemies.”
“Don’t read my mind,” Alli said.
“I wouldn’t. If I tried to pickup anything more than surface thoughts, you would know. But I don’t need my powers to know something sits poorly inside you. Let it out. Let us help you.”
“I’m not really sure what’s bothering me,” Alli said. “Everything seems different now. I let her go with Cyrus. I let her get kidnapped. And when I went to rescue her, I let a mad god out to menace the universe. I’m lucky he didn’t kill me. And I didn’t do anything to stop him. I was transported from one world to the next by that monster, and I was unconscious the entire time.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ian said. “I’m sure Marilyn doesn’t blame you for anything.”
“I know. But I still blame myself. And that makes it hard to just be present. It’s like my mind is constantly going back there. So I came to work today, but when I saw Phoebe, I just couldn’t control myself. All my frustration just seemed to explode out of me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No one expects you to be perfect, Alli. I’m a man with a broken mind and a deadly power that scares the crap out of me. I’m not the first one to throw stones.”
She nodded. “I raised myself for the most part, Ian. Having my mom around was always great, but she wasn’t all that useful in keeping me alive. So I had to learn on my own. I guess that makes me more ready to take the blame when I do something wrong or let something go to pot. But I think you’re right. I need to refocus and concentrate on the matters at hand.”
“You’ll be alright in time,” Phoebe said. “Now go see your love. Let her know how you feel. This is the time for love in your life. Embrace it.”
Alli nodded. “I—I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it,” Phoebe said. “I am here in this world now. I have to find my path. If all I ever accomplish it to help you along yours, I will at least count one success. Good day, Alli Finch.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Alli gave Ian one last quizzical look as she started back towards the door. “Ian, while you two talk, you might want to work on her modern English skills.”
Phoebe turned to Ian as the door closed. “What does she mean? I gleaned my knowledge of your language from your minds. The language I use is common American English. Is there something wrong with my words?”
“Not exactly wrong,” Ian said. “You just don’t sound natural. But we can work it out. Come on. Let’s see what food we can scrounge up.”
“I—thank you, Phoebe. I appreciate it.”
Ian turned to Alli. She wore another of her work uniforms, the odd jumpsuit emblazoned with the Spirit Cop logo over her heart. She looked away from them and it was clear that something else bothered her.
“This is about more than Peach,” he said. “I didn’t even expect to see you today. I expected you to take a day with Marilyn. Our rescue wasn’t much of one, but I know you’re happy to be reunited with her. So why are you here?”
Alli didn’t say anything for several long moments. She just looked away as if lost in thought.
“You don’t have to fear us,” Phoebe said. “You can talk to us. We’re not your enemies.”
“Don’t read my mind,” Alli said.
“I wouldn’t. If I tried to pickup anything more than surface thoughts, you would know. But I don’t need my powers to know something sits poorly inside you. Let it out. Let us help you.”
“I’m not really sure what’s bothering me,” Alli said. “Everything seems different now. I let her go with Cyrus. I let her get kidnapped. And when I went to rescue her, I let a mad god out to menace the universe. I’m lucky he didn’t kill me. And I didn’t do anything to stop him. I was transported from one world to the next by that monster, and I was unconscious the entire time.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ian said. “I’m sure Marilyn doesn’t blame you for anything.”
“I know. But I still blame myself. And that makes it hard to just be present. It’s like my mind is constantly going back there. So I came to work today, but when I saw Phoebe, I just couldn’t control myself. All my frustration just seemed to explode out of me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No one expects you to be perfect, Alli. I’m a man with a broken mind and a deadly power that scares the crap out of me. I’m not the first one to throw stones.”
She nodded. “I raised myself for the most part, Ian. Having my mom around was always great, but she wasn’t all that useful in keeping me alive. So I had to learn on my own. I guess that makes me more ready to take the blame when I do something wrong or let something go to pot. But I think you’re right. I need to refocus and concentrate on the matters at hand.”
“You’ll be alright in time,” Phoebe said. “Now go see your love. Let her know how you feel. This is the time for love in your life. Embrace it.”
Alli nodded. “I—I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it,” Phoebe said. “I am here in this world now. I have to find my path. If all I ever accomplish it to help you along yours, I will at least count one success. Good day, Alli Finch.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Alli gave Ian one last quizzical look as she started back towards the door. “Ian, while you two talk, you might want to work on her modern English skills.”
Phoebe turned to Ian as the door closed. “What does she mean? I gleaned my knowledge of your language from your minds. The language I use is common American English. Is there something wrong with my words?”
“Not exactly wrong,” Ian said. “You just don’t sound natural. But we can work it out. Come on. Let’s see what food we can scrounge up.”
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 1. Ian
“What do you mean we can’t help her? You owe your freedom to her! We can’t just leave her on that other world.”
Alli’s words echoed through Spirit Cop Headquarters. Ian stirred in his rollout bed. He looked up at the clock on the wall. 7:30. It was way too early for this. Still he rose from his bed, threw on a shirt to go with his pants and walked down the stairs to find Phoebe and Alli already awake.
“I’m sorry,” Phoebe said. “Elsewhere was made to hold Caelus forever. It wasn’t designed to let anyone leave that is immortal. If your friend’s life has been extended, she will be trapped there as well. A dozen scientists and mages from around the galaxy combined everything they knew to make the world inescapable. It was the only way to hold an immortal ethereal being like Caelus.”
“There has to be a way.”
“I do not know of one. But I will look into it. If I can find a way to free her, I will. I truly am sorry for the loss of your friend. I did not wish this on you or anyone.”
“No,” Alli said. “That’s just not acceptable.”
“It must be,” Phoebe said. “I will not give up on her, but it is not a quest I can promise I will ever complete, especially not with this world’s technology. I’m no scientist, just a Gifted with a sense of justice. But I will not let her rot there. She has the wherewithal to survive. And I will see her freed. This I promise.”
“That doesn’t mean much when she’s taken—”
“Alli, you can’t blame it all on Phoebe. We’re all responsible. You rushed us to rescue Marilyn. Peach came up with the method. I found Smith—or Hermes, I guess. We were all suckered into a plot designed by gods, probably for decades. We were all pawns.”
Alli looked between them both. Ian could still feel her anger and frustration as a palpable force. He could understand it. Peach’s loss was an ache deep inside him. Their encounter had been brief, but the impression of those few hours he spent with her remained strong. He knew he would do whatever he could to bring her back.
“Focus on Marilyn. Be glad she’s back. I’ll help Phoebe find Peach. We will find a way to get her back from there.”
Alli shook her head. “What about you? You still don’t know your past. You still don’t know where you came from. Don’t you still want those answers?”
“I will get them sooner or later. The more I learn about my powers and my existence, the more I wonder if I want to know about the person I was before.”
Alli’s words echoed through Spirit Cop Headquarters. Ian stirred in his rollout bed. He looked up at the clock on the wall. 7:30. It was way too early for this. Still he rose from his bed, threw on a shirt to go with his pants and walked down the stairs to find Phoebe and Alli already awake.
“I’m sorry,” Phoebe said. “Elsewhere was made to hold Caelus forever. It wasn’t designed to let anyone leave that is immortal. If your friend’s life has been extended, she will be trapped there as well. A dozen scientists and mages from around the galaxy combined everything they knew to make the world inescapable. It was the only way to hold an immortal ethereal being like Caelus.”
“There has to be a way.”
“I do not know of one. But I will look into it. If I can find a way to free her, I will. I truly am sorry for the loss of your friend. I did not wish this on you or anyone.”
“No,” Alli said. “That’s just not acceptable.”
“It must be,” Phoebe said. “I will not give up on her, but it is not a quest I can promise I will ever complete, especially not with this world’s technology. I’m no scientist, just a Gifted with a sense of justice. But I will not let her rot there. She has the wherewithal to survive. And I will see her freed. This I promise.”
“That doesn’t mean much when she’s taken—”
“Alli, you can’t blame it all on Phoebe. We’re all responsible. You rushed us to rescue Marilyn. Peach came up with the method. I found Smith—or Hermes, I guess. We were all suckered into a plot designed by gods, probably for decades. We were all pawns.”
Alli looked between them both. Ian could still feel her anger and frustration as a palpable force. He could understand it. Peach’s loss was an ache deep inside him. Their encounter had been brief, but the impression of those few hours he spent with her remained strong. He knew he would do whatever he could to bring her back.
“Focus on Marilyn. Be glad she’s back. I’ll help Phoebe find Peach. We will find a way to get her back from there.”
Alli shook her head. “What about you? You still don’t know your past. You still don’t know where you came from. Don’t you still want those answers?”
“I will get them sooner or later. The more I learn about my powers and my existence, the more I wonder if I want to know about the person I was before.”
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