Footsteps hard, pounding, punishing the pavement. Breaths fast and frantic, arms akimbo, limbs leaden, yet the woman pushed forwards with remarkable speed. Hair limp and straggly, cold gray eyes cast down, her mouth pursed in a thin, chapped line, she bashed her way through the throng on the city streets. Passers-by might not have noticed her, in her business suit and pumps, the speckles of spaghetti sauce still spattering her collar, a napkin peeking from her pocket bearing the insignia of one of the many high-class dining restaurants in the commercial district. She did not notice them but remained trapped in her mind while her body morphed into that of an animal, clawing and bashing to evade the crowds, seeking isolation and freedom. Within her mind, her memories pounded like a drum, like a code, whispering the secrets of her misery to only her.
There had been candlelight. A fine white cloth, gleaming silverware, plates laden with rich, fancy foods. The man in the suit across from her, angular face tilted, bearing a jack-o-lantern smile. He had made her laugh. But she had had work to do, that morning, and so she had arrived late to their lunch date, still in work clothes, hand stained with ink. He waited patiently, eyes dark and thoughtful, had led her to their table. They had chatted, and she smiled, and he smiled back. He let out a loud laugh and did not care when the other diners laid down their cutlery to stare. His laugh was velvet, a fog bank - roiling and rich. Hers was the tinkle of shattering glass. But their food was late as well, and she had gulped it down, fearing a late return to the office, while he nibbled and gazed away. They had chatted about business, and idle things, quick and friendly banter. Friendly. She had thought they were friends. And then their check was late, and he had offered to pay. She had thanked him, smiling quickly. And then he had offered to pay for everything, from now on, and from his pocket he had drawn a box. A ring. A ruby ring. Her heart had plunged out of her body, into the abyss, as she had whispered to him, mortified, told him the truth. That they could never marry because he was her friend, nothing more. That she was already in love with someone else and it was not him, was not even his gender. That he had assumed too much. That he had waited too late to ask her. Until he was already plunging in love. He had assumed her love, until it was too late. The pain, the betrayal, the fury. The plate of spaghetti, splattering across the floor. That furious face, blazing and raging like a jack-o-lantern turned dark, sadistic. How she had hurried away, hearing those shouts in her ears, furious and fast, until she was out the door and into the pulsing, clamoring street. Now, her eyes burned with unshed tears. Fury, rage, and grief clawed within her, threatening to break free, to erupt in a violent explosion of human longing, human love. Human heartbreak. She had rushed into love too early, in the past. She was still alive. But this time.. her heart churned, lungs whispering feebly for air that seemed just out of their reach. This time, everything was too late.
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My hourglass, it cracked,
But it's my life, Spilling out, It blows over like sand. It spreads, Makes waste, Destroys. It mends, Its broken bonds reform. Just like a clock, And as the hand ticks down, It slowly fades away. And with that, All pain and sadness fade away, I'd love to wash it away. For now, I'll see you off. And as I wait for a new day, I say, I WISH I WAS "THERE" Staring out the window.
Imagining. Another place, another time. Memory. Scene after scene, do you see them too? Bikes left on the curb. Leaves of trees rustling. The soundtrack of our childhood. Laughter. Frolicking through the grass, Hand in hand, side by side Promises. Never to leave, never to forget. Always together, stronger as one. Boxes. The landscape of leaving. Promises shattered on the floor. Collecting the shards, trying to make them fit. How did they fit? How did they fit? Tears. Looking over shoulders, Fading out of sight. Letters. Mismatched attempts to stay as we were. Vows, promises, so many empty words. Love. Keeping us tied. A lifeline. Writing everything we wish to say out loud. Hope. One day, one day. A surprise phone call. Laughter, tears, “You must be kidding!” The joy in your voice when I said I was making no jokes. Do you remember too? The almost rain. Black and purple fabric flying behind as we ran. Colors under a bridge. Reveling in the togetherness, longed for for so long. Cars. Leaving again. Harder than before, now we knew what followed. Letters, more this time. Promises made and promises kept. The string holding us together thickened to rope. We grew strong again. Our thoughts, fears, joys. Words upon words. Weaving hundreds of one-page stories. Meant to keep, meant to send. One bond. Two sisters. Stronger than ever. Never apart, not really Mother:
Strong Smart Inspiration Hope Safe. There for me my anchor steady star in my galaxy You never ever ever complain when I wake you up too early when you’ve stayed up too late making sure that everything is good in the house you make me a better person you believe in me you know I can do it even if I don’t Once - I Wished.
once- i watched them; gentle manners, their movements - fluid - flawless - everything that humankind could become, i saw in their faces, their eyes… I Wished to be like them. i Wished to LOOK… like them, petite and graceful and lithe… i Wished to speak- like them, words curling, flailing, shimmering off their tongues, Masterpieces. i Wished to comfort them, to step from the shadows, gently t r a c e- e r a s e- the faults and craters of sorrow from their faces, their perfect, human visages, i Wished to understand them: to comprehend their story, whispers behind the melancholy, i- Wished to meet them… to watch as their faces lifted towards me, alabaster blossoms to the crystalline moon, i Wished that they would not shriek, cower, In TERROR at my monstrous form, i WISHED! that they would see- a being- Capable of Thinking. Speaking. Understanding. loving. Like Them. i Wished to be them. -and even now- i am trapped… for after the pain, the rejection, the flight and the loss- the loss of life, the murder - the unlawful, the death of the innocent- marring me for the monster they claim me to be- I AM- i still wish. i - WISH. “First up is something white. Of the blinding kind” (Zusak 6). The lights above burn your eyes. You are thrown into a noisy room full of commotion. As you begin to cry, someone in a white coat carries you away to a sink. Water comes out of a faucet. At first, you think they are trying to drown you. Soon, you realize they are simply cleaning you.
What’s happening? you wonder. You try to ask, but no one seems to speak an intelligible language here. Put me down! you try to shout at these people in white coats. Finally, the people catch on and place you into the hands of another person. Her hands are soft and her eyes wet, but not sad. They are proud and happy and relieved all at once. You can hear a thumping from her chest and find it soothing. The sound is constant and familiar. Never ceasing. Never slowing. Always ba-dump ba-dump ba-dump. The other noises in the room are still there, but they seem distant now. For all you know, this person may be the only one in the world, but that’s all you need. Looking up at her eyes, your own tears slow. Your breathing returns to normal. You can hear the thumping from your own chest, syncing up to her’s. An understanding passes between you and the one holding you. You do not know what it is called. Some words come close, affection, fondness, tenderness, but they are not enough. They don’t capture the protection, the connection, the willingness to sacrifice that emanates from the woman. The woman makes noises, but nothing you can comprehend. Tears stream down her face in joy. You decide that you must learn the language of these beings. You must communicate with this woman. “Love.” That sound, through the rest, sticks out to you. You know it’s the one to describe the understanding. Love, you think. Love. You will soon forget this day. You will forget the blinding white light, the cold flowing water, and even the startling loud noises, but you will never forget the understanding. You will never forget the one word to describe the most wonderful feeling in the world. You will never forget the Love. a Threat;
a Thief; a Curse; the one who Ends All Or… a Relief; an Escape; a Blessing; the one who always gets Blamed But… We All Run From Death. from the Poisonous Medicine; from the Toxic Gift. have we ever Given it a Chance? we call it Death. should we call it Salvation? I wish for:
Mental Freedom. No Restraints holding you back from Joy. Chaining you to your Past or Future. No Rules on what Can or Can’t be. every page Clean, every word Waiting to be Redefined. No Captivity bars made of Fear locking you inside the Darkness of Stress and Anxiety. I wish to be Free of My Own Mind Progression:
a Crossword; a Puzzle. the Trick to Completing? T i m e . . . …but no Empty Afternoons, Walking Outside. only Expressing, Lifting. You MUST Distinctly Reside. 2536 London, England
Temporal Zone A woman walks down the streets. Buildings reach up into the clouds. Cars whooshing by in the sky and on the streets. Beautiful blue sky. The woman quickly reaches an open field of the greenest grass, perfectly mowed and trimmed. The woman pulls out a small silver remote with a blue button in the middle. She presses the blue button, and a big silver ship appears. A door opens up, and the woman walks in The ship flies up and takes off into the sky. “Gwendolyn, pick up the files on the 8 girls accompanying me on this journey,” The woman says. “You usually work alone captain,” Gwendolyn replies. “Yes, well, I’ll need a little help this time,” The woman says, “Plot a course for 2016, realm 1.” 2016 New York, US Realm 1 “Ivy Savage, adopted daughter of Vandal Savage, street crime fighter” A gunfire. Sirens ring loudly. A girl, dressed in dark colors crouches nearby. She stands up and flies down to the sounds. She lands. The man standing before her holds up the gun. He has a big sack over his shoulder. “Catch me if you can girly!” He yells. He jumps into a van and begins to drive off. The girl slightly laughs and flies very quickly after. She catches up to the van and her hand creates a fireball and she punches the van. It topples over and lands on its side. The sirens get closer as the robber slowly gets out of the van. “Hello,” Someone says from behind the girl. She turns and a flash knocks her out. 2016 Seattle, US Realm 1 “Toni Lotus. Sonic scream, great martial artist, and interesting relations.” A girl sits in a diner. The diner has a dance floor and a bar section. The girl stays at a table and watches the dancing from afar. She looks back at the seat next to her and a woman is sitting there. “I was wondering if you could help me with something,” The woman says. She lifts up some device and the girl widens her eyes before a blinding flash knocks her out. 2016 Missouri, US Realm 2 “Sally Allen, The FLash’s daughter, super speedy.” A girl zips around her town. She is the fastest girl on earth. She speeds to the scene of a crime where her father is. She slows down and runs at a normal pace. “Dad!” she yells. “Honey, what are you doing here?” Her father asks. “I thought it was, "take your daughter to work day?” She replies. “Oh, I forgot!” “Haha!” She laughs. “Okay, okay, go change,” He says. The girl smiles and runs away. She goes into a room and quickly changes. She comes out of the room and a woman stands before her. “Can I help you?” She asks. “Yeah, hold still,” The girl cocks her head before a blinding flash knocks her out. 2016 New York, US Realm 2 “Diana Crock, daughter of assassins, the Red Archer.” Two girls walk down a street, one is older and the other a little younger, sisters. They talk and laugh. The two are inseparable. “Yeah, It was funny. Well, I have to meet Jade, Don’t know why, but see ya!” The older one says waving goodbye. “Bye! Have fun!” The younger one replies. She walks away smiling. A woman walks in front of her. A blinding light flashes in her eyes and she get’s knocked out. 2016 New York, US Realm 3 “Carla Woosan, former assassin, and newly adopted A girl walks out of a big mansion. A boy comes from behind her. “Wait up!” He yells after. “What is it?” She replies. “Oh, nothing really, but you’re on patrol tonight,” He says. “Oh, okay fine. I was going out to eat,” the girl says. “Okay, cool, have fun,” The boy replies walking back to the mansion. The girl smiles and continues walking. Soon she reaches the diner. She is about to open the door when some men start going after a car. The girl looks over a little and sees that they have surrounded a woman in the car. She runs up to them. “Leave her alone!” The girl yells. “Or what?” One of the men ask. “I was hoping you’d say that,” The girl runs to them. The men throw punches at her, but she anticipates every move and dodges them, then throws her own punches knocking them each out one by one. She turns back to the diner. A woman smiles at her and a blinding light flashes in her eyes knocking her out. 2016 Seattle, US Realm 3 “Leila Ross, former street thief, and has uncontrollable powers.” A girl walks out of a prison. She sighs. The girl walks down the stairs and takes a deep breath. She walks away from the prison. She puts on her sunglasses and travels throughout the familiar streets. Walking around, clearing her mind. She sees a woman begin to walk behind her. She turns multiple streets, and the woman is still following her. “Quit following me,” The girl says turning around. The woman holds up a device and a blinding light knocks the girl out. 2016 New York, US Realm 4 “Evelina Lawton, daughter of another assassin, underrated younger sister.” “You are so controlling!” “No, you’re just really stubborn!” “Oh, come on! You know that I’m right and you don't want to admit it!” “Not true! I’m older, which means I know more!” I’m getting some air!” One of the girl's storms out of the room and slams the door. She goes and sits on the bench in a park far away from her older sister. She looks at her hands. Thinking hard. “Can you help me?” someone asks.The girl looks up and a blinding light knocks her out. 2016 Hindu Kush, Asia Realm 4 “Nizah al Ghul, League of Assassin, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul.” A girl sits in a big sandy area. Behind her is a huge temple in bedded into the rock. She sits in silence, thinking, wishing, dreaming. She always thinks about leaving the League. It never felt right to her. She begins to walk back to the temple when a woman steps before her. She grabs her sword. “Who are you?!” The girl yells. The woman standing before her doesn’t reply. She brings up some device and a blinding light knocks the girl out. 2016 Temporal zone Everyone begins to wake up. Each one slowly rises and looks around dazed. “What?” Toni looks around. “Red Archer?” Sally asks. “I prefer Arrowette. Red Archer makes me sound bad,” Diana replies. “What happened?” Evelina turns around in confusion. “Some woman, black jacket, blinding light knockout device, anything ring a bell?” Carla says. “Yeah… a flashy thing,” Leila says sarcastically. “I don’t know, I remember the light, but…” Ivy says. “Here’s something, how about we all find out who is who, cause I sure don’t know anyone,” Nizah interjects. “That’s not a bad idea, I’m Sally Allen, fastest girl alive,” “The fastest girl who couldn’t avoid a blinding light, that’s sad,” Leila says, “Oh, I’m Leila, nothing important about me.” “I’m Ivy, or Silvia either one is okay, but I’m Owl. I’m famous throughout superheroes,” Ivy says. “Two names? Weird. I’m a hero and have never heard of you. Larksong, or Evelina, but I’m called Eve,” “Carla, I inherited my mother’s ability to anticipate my opponent’s next move,” “I’m as, Sally said, the Red Archer or Arrowette, Diana,” “Nizah, League of Assassins,” “Toni, sonic scream called the canary cry,” “Great you now know each other. Let’s get down to business,” A woman comes up from the shadows, “The name’s Maren Hunt. I’m from London, England, and the future.” “Haha! Yeah right,” Toni comments. “Who are you, and why did you kidnap us?” Ivy asks. “What’s so special about us? Diana continues. “So many questions. Many answers. I took you 8 out of your timelines and realms. I and a Realm and Time Jumper. That’s the informal term. I brought you 8 together because a band of “supervillains” for say are coming together and trying to use the ability to jump from timeline to timeline in all the realms and shape their own reality. I chose you because you have powers, abilities, and ties to this group,” Maren replies. “Ties? What ties?” Sally asks. “Glad you asked. This is the group,” Maren holds up a device and a holographic screen appears. A picture of a man with a very nice looking clothing and a look of power to him. “Ra’s al Ghul…” Nizah breathes. “Ra’s who?” Sally asks. “Ra’s al Ghul, he’s the head of the League of Assassins, known as the Demon. Ra’s al Ghul is really just a title, he had a name before, but no one really knows what it was anymore,” Nizah explains. “Precisely,” Maren pushes another button and the next person is a woman. She's Asian and seems very strong, precise, and sly, she also has a striking resemblance to Carla. “Lady Shiva,” Carla says. “Lady Shiva! I’ve heard of that before!” Sally exclaims excitedly. “You’re not in the same realm as I am,” Carla replies dryly. “Yeah, but Lady Shiva is the name of a store owned by Sandra Woosan!” Sally exclaims. “That’s the problem. Lady Shiva is a great assassin. She’s probably one of the greatest. She had a sister, they made a way to tell what their opponent’s next move might be. I’m Carla, Carla Woosan. Lady Shiva is my mother,” Carla says. “Right, Nizah’s father Ra’s al Ghul, Carla’s mother Lady Shiva, and there is more to come,” Maren says. “Oh, wait, Nizah didn’t say that Ra’s was her father,” Livy comments. “Yeah, didn’t think It was very necessary, who’s next?” Nizah replies rather quickly. Maren pushes the button, again. A man appears. He has one red eye, and many bullets lacing his light brown jacket and a smirk is plastered his face. ‘Wait, he looks like Floyd Lawton,” Leila speaks up. “Who?” “Floyd Lawton, he was someone who… nevermind, I just knew him, he looks a lot older, though, and he had terrible aim…” “Deadshot, He’s an assassin from where I come from. He is a very good one too, never misses,” Eve says. “He could hardly protect himself when I met him,” Leila says. “Well, different realm thing, but Deadshot is called that because he never misses, that’s my father,” Eve says. Before the conversation can prolong, Maren switches the person. It’s two people standing closely together. One is a man who looks mean and cold, the other one is a woman who looks less cold, but there’s a fire in her eyes. “Sportsmaster and Huntress. They are also assassins. They’re my parents,” Diana states. “Why are all these people assassins?” Sally asks. “Because assassins kill and killers are usually cold-hearted and are the biggest problems in every realm I guess,” Owl replies. “I’m an assassin,” Nizah says. “I’ve killed before too,” Leila says. “I said usually,” Owl defends herself, “Though, Leila, you seem cold.” “Yeah, I have enemies everywhere,” Leila replies. “We all do,” Eve interjects. Maren changes the picture. Now it’s a man with longish hair, many scars on his face and has a murderous stare. “Vandal Savage. We can’t kill him, he’s immortal,” Ivy says. “Why would we kill him? We just want to apprehend him right?” Sally replies. “I was just putting out an example,” Owl states. “Or can we kill him…” Leila says. “I just said he’s immortal!” Owl claims. “We’ll see,” “Okay that’s enough, who’s next?” Toni says before the argument can go further. The next person is a big guy. He has this device on his hand with a tube that goes to his head. “Bane. That’s a serum in the tube. It makes his muscles grow and makes him super strong. That’s my uncle. He injected some of that into me when I was born, so I can choose how strong I want to be, I don’t do it too often, it gives me a migraine after I do it,” Toni states. “He just looks scary,” Sally says. “He can be, but he does care, but he’s evil and well, hard to deal with at times. He can’t get around without getting noticed right away. You can’t miss that figure,” Toni explains. “Right,” Diana says, “So, is that it?” Maren changes the picture to a man in a yellow suit. “Wait, that’s Reverse-Flash,” Sally says, “He has no ties to me. Leila? “Reverse who? Never seen the guy in my life,” Leila says. “Oh, you know who it is,” Maren speaks finally. “What do you mean?” Sally asks. “Think, You were born with super speed, yet, Flash and Iris are not biologically related to you,” Maren clarifies. “But, that’s… how can…” Sally stutters, “That can’t be true!” “Oh, you’re dad is a supervillain. Big Woof, so is everyone else’s,” Leila says. “Says, the one who doesn’t have an evil relative!” Sally yells. “Chill girl, I have not evil parents, but bad ones. My father deserted my mother when I was born, and my mother is in jail,” Leila says. “Still! None of your family is assassins!” Sally exclaims. “Let’s not get too hasty, Sally,” Maren says. The picture changes and this time it’s a fairly good looking man, he has black hair and deep green eyes. His expression shows hatred, but a calming way to it. Everyone looks to each other, no one answers. “This is the man who organized the entire grouping, he is very persuasive and manipulative. He was able to convince all of these men and women to join his insane quest,” Maren says. “What does this have to do with Leila?” Ivy asks speaking up after a while of silence. No one else speaks, but they are all thinking the same thing. “Because his name is Juniper, Juniper Ross,” Leila speaks for everyone, “I’ve seen him in pictures. He was what kept me going in my darker days. I had hoped to find him one day.” “Guess your wish is coming true,” Nizah says. “Not in the way you want it though,” Diana says. “Or is it?” Eve replies. “Shut up,” Leila says to all of them. “So this is what we’re up against?” Carla comments. “If you agree to join,” Maren replies. “But we’re trapped in this weird thing,” Ivy says. “Yes, but there are doors heading to each of your realms, so if you wish to join me stay put if you don’t, leave now,” Maren says. Nobody moves. They look around at each other, but none of the 8 girls move to leave. “Excellent,” Maren says, “Now time to meet the ship that will bring us through time and realms.” |
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