✖ | ¹⁰⁰ ＯＮＥ-ＳＨＯＴ | open for posting

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:34 pm

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This is the post for my 100 one-shot challenge.
I'd love to hear any and all comments of critique you may have!
You can find the description, regulations, and participants here.

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9/100

link = completed
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.
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injured // sinking // father // exploit // boredom
// the art of conversation // take your best shot //
creativity // flash // puzzling words // ill
// skeleton // nothing // servitude //
possibilities // weightless // just say it
//last words // immature // blazing //
help // presence // because // forced
// reversed // cast away // emotions //
questions // wishing // crackling
// curl up // together // look again //
brief // space // special // jinx
// stop fussing // cozy // breaking //
either or // tell me a story // waiting
// willpower // who am I? // idol //
unseen // just try // for me? // your choice
// useful // treasure // ceremony //
lightning // protection //stay with me
// mint // rescue // dominant //thief //
deserter // stolen // sarcasm // darling
// how much is too much // over //
try again // hidden // forgotten
// the first time // aging // soldiers //
justice // thread carefully // one false step
// connection // mess // it can't be //
in due time // awake // delicious // fallen
// trickery // around the bend //
well traveled // choices // surplus // rough
// if // friend // found not lost // spiral //
deep // I could have // desirable // resentment
// build up // inch by inch / dilemma // blue sky

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I will most likely be using characters I already have in many stories,
as there is a wide range of genre and I know them well.
I think it would also be helpful to practice them for fun.
I will be color coding the titles to indicate which story is which.
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❝ swindle ❞
historical fiction; 1700's

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Scarlet Waters

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Vinazio "Vin" Espacciano

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Elizabeth "Beth" Watson

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William "Will" Conway

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Erren Espacciano

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Rosemary "Rose" Conway

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Constance Espacciano

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Annie, Rowan, Vincent

❝ shadows of mysterium ❞
fantasy; mutants

Rune

Säde

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Eirian

Halvard

Alair

Thayne

❝ iota beta/zeta ❞
sci-fi; post-apocalyptic

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Ezekiel Lewis

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Arvia "Arvie" Brimlad

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Azure Hubble

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Margrette "Maggie" Clermont

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Vincent Fellowes

Charlotte Kingsbury

Niles Calder

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Cascade "Cassy" Glendower

Caspian Glendower

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Electra Weeks

Sadalbari "Sada" Auldrey

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Maaz Epsilon

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:12 pm

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❝ includes rune, eirian, and säde in the forest of mysterium reaching 1,161 words ❞
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The orange blaze of the sunset only made the ruby red Mysterium trees look more vivid than they already were. The canopy swayed as one in the slight breeze as though all was well with the dying world.

However, that was far from the truth.

Especially in a certain clearing where three certain mutants were arguing over certain things.

“It’s your fault we got separated from the others!” Rune’s voice boomed through the forest as he marched after Eirian, his fine black hair stringy and windblown as it fell in his face. The shadows gathered around him, crowding him as his anger grew. “It was your idea and now look where we are, Eirian!” He barked, his voice trembling with rage.

Eirian walked speedily in any direction that wasn’t towards him, her freckled face red and her amber eyes squeezed tight in effort.

“Rune, stop it!” Säde cried desperately from behind him. “Can’t you see she’s struggling enough to control it? Stop!”

“I don’t care if she burns the whole forest down!” He retorted. “We’re all as good as dead anyway! The only defense we have against any threat is a pyro that can’t even control her own powers! It’s not like you and I could hold anyone off for long!”

Säde paused in her tracks, her face flickering to that of hurt at his words.

Meanwhile, Eirian spun around to face Rune as he approached. “Do not piss me off,” she hissed, spitting venom in her words.

Rune could see the sleeves of her uniform already beginning to smoke with heat, but against his better judgement, he paid no heed. “Or what? What will you do?” He demanded, leaning forward in a challenging stance.

“Rune, don’t provoke her!” Säde cried from behind them, though she knew it’d hardly be any use.

Eirian growled under her breath and her eyes flew to Säde. “You stay out of this, you little slag,” she snapped, raising an arm towards her. If people wanted to treat her like she was some uncontrollable monster, then she would act like one.

“Don’t you dare,” Rune warned in a low voice.

“What are you going to do, blind me?” Eirian snarled.

There was a few moments of an intense exchange between amber and hazel glares before Rune snapped. He jerked his arm towards her and shrouded her vision in darkness, causing Eirian to impulsively lash out blindly. Flames escaped her, though instead of hitting Säde like she’d intended, they grazed Rune’s arm and he cried out, clenching his teeth in pain as he stumbled back.

“Rune!” Säde called, running forward towards him. As she advanced, Eirian retreated as her vision cleared, turning to stalk deeper into the woods. Säde clutched Rune’s uninjured arm and watched Eirian walk away. “Hey! Where are you going?” She called, her breaths heavy and her voice exasperated. “We can’t afford to split up even more than we already have!”

Eirian paused and looked halfway over her shoulder before continuing on. “I’m getting firewood,” she declared in a flat tone before disappearing behind the trees.

Säde’s wide violet eyes watched her go until she felt Rune beginning to lean heavily against her. She looked over and scrambled to lower him gently to the ground before he fell, frantically tucking blonde strands of hair behind her ear that had fallen from her ponytail. Looking him over, she pushed the hair back from his face. He seemed to have fainted from the pain. “Rune?” She whispered, biting her lower lip nervously. She knew what needed to be done.

Rolling him slightly, she tugged his jacket off, ruined from the burn anyway, then very carefully rolled up his sleeve. Charred skin ran from halfway up his forearm to his shoulder and Säde winced herself. “Säde, what are you doing?” She jumped slightly as the groan escaped Rune, her hands already shaking.

“I was really hoping you’d stay unconscious,” she admitted quietly.

He pinched his eyebrows together and blinked his eyes open to look at her quizzically. “Why?’

Her violet eyes met his with a look of severe apology. “Because this is going to hurt.”

“What?” He asked breathlessly, still slightly dazed.

Ignoring his question, she looked him over before quickly undoing his tie and yanking it from around his neck before handing it over. “Bite on this.”

He looked at her then at it before tentatively taking it. “For what purpose?”

“So you don’t dislocate your jaw or bite through your tongue.”

He stared at her, bewildered, then immediately sobered up whens he realized she wasn’t kidding. “What are you going to do?”

“What I have to,” she insisted, then looked at him with a sigh. “The burned skin has to come off and bound, and none of that will be pleasant.”

Rune set his jaw in anticipated, but knew he hardly had a choice. “Please be quick,” he said flatly before stuffing the tie into his mouth.

Holding in a deep breath, Säde took his jacket in her hands and forced it down his arm. She pressed her lips together against stinging tears when muffled outcries escaped him and his muscles tensed with the effort of holding still. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, just try to hold still,” she told him, trying to keep her shaking voice calm. She hated nothing more than causing pain to those she cared for, even if it was for their own good. After she ran the length of his arm, she folded the jacket over and scraped off a couple of remaining bits, leaving forty percent of the surface of his arm raw and tender. She let out a heavy breath and sat back, tossing the effectively ruined jacket aside. “There’s some root that grows around there that should seal that up until it heals,” she told him, but he was barely listening.

He had turned her head away from her and his chest heaved, ears ringing. Finally coming to and spitting out the tie, he attempted to push himself up with his good arm. Säde quickly rushed to his other side and helped him sit up. “That hurt,” he groaned, glancing over at her with a weak smile.

Säde dared to let out a small laugh. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said with a small shake of his head. “It was my fault for losing my temper. I probably deserve worse than this.” He looked over after a moment of silence to see that her gaze her dropped to the ground. “I’m sorry about what I said,” he added, which make her perk up and look at him in surprise. “I didn’t mean to suggest that our powers are useless, it’s just that I feel so helpless against Eirian and the others like her.”

Säde sighed and reached over to brush his hair aside with her finger tips. “I understand,” she admitted. “That’s why it’s important that we get back to everyone else as soon as we can.”

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:52 pm

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❝ includes scarlet and vin in the year 1709 reaching 793 words ❞
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It was unfortunate, to be in a rowboat in the middle of the ocean.

It was fortunate, however, that at the very least, the storm from the night before had seemed to leave no trace of itself the following day.

Still, it was hardly consolation as they were, after all, still in rowboat in the middle of the ocean.

“Tell me again how this is better than the ship?” Vin grunted as he aided Scarlet in rowing the thing.

“I’m not going to sit and wait around for the Obsidian to catch up when we can meet ‘er half way,” Scarlet pointed out. “I don’t know about you, but I’d like to get back to me ship as soon as I can.”

Vin sighed in frustration, wondering why he even agreed to this. The ship they’d been on was only a Navy ship and though hostilities were there, they were hardly acted upon- other than the point where Scarlet hat knocked the first mate to the ground with a candle holder. Apparently, she’d had a different idea of the word “negotiating”.

He sat in silence a moment with an irritated expression until he heard a strange trickling sound. Puzzled, he glanced around until the source became apparent, at which point his eyes widened with dread. “Uh- Captain…”

“What?” She snapped, teeth bared with the effort of rowing. She froze, however, when she saw what he was pointing at.

The small boat had sprung a leak that was steadily filling it with water, which at that point effectively covered the soles of their boots and was only rising. Scarlet cursed sharply. “Better move faster,” she instructed with a flat tone and a hint of panic.

“What if we are going the wrong way?” He asked, a tad more frantic than she seemed to be. “There is no land in sight and we cannot go back to the Valor pretending we did not just steal a longboat!”

“Shut up,” Scarlet hissed, obviously in deep thought. “At the worst we’ll just have to tread water until the Obsidian passes.”

“What if it does not pass?!” Vin asked sharply.

Scarlet paused and raised an eyebrow at his increasing anxiousness. “It’s on the trail of the Valor and we haven’t made it that far- what’s the problem, afraid of a little water?” She sneered.

Vin heaved a heavy sigh and glanced around nervously, feeling the pressure of the water reaching his ankles. “I am not very good at swimming,” he admitted quietly.

He was immediately met by Scarlet bursting into obnoxious laughter. “Ye have been on a ship for over a year, mate!” She exclaimed. “Do they not teach ye to swim in Italy?!”

“Hey,” he snapped defensively, pointing a finger at her. “I was landlocked until a year and a half ago! It was hardly a necessary skill!” She merely smacked his hand out of her face and continued to laugh. He narrowed his eyes in a sharp glare while simultaneously choking down his fear that rose with the water. “What if the Obsidian does not come?”

His words made Scarlet pause. “Of course it will,” she spat.

“But what if it does not?” He repeated seriously. “What if we are further off course than you think? What if we keep drifting? What if it takes them longer than even you could stay afloat?”

For the first time, Scarlet’s face faltered as she was faced with the severity of the situation. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed, trying to convince herself he was worrying over nothing. However, as the water inched up their legs, they both stood and panic fluttered in her chest. They had maybe a few minutes until the rowboat was no more and the Valor was already a mere speck in the distance.

Dread overcame her and she let out a breath, adrenaline spiking. “Fine,” she said quietly. “If we die today there is one thing I should say.”

Vin raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What would that be?”

She looked up at him with a defeated expression and drew a nervous breath. “I-”

“Captain!”

Scarlet froze as she was interrupted by the distant call, looking behind her to see the Obsidian looming behind them. She whipped her head around to glare sharply at Vin and the smirk he now wore, her lips pressed tightly together. “Ye could see them the whole time!”

He paused and nodded innocently before smiling, his arms crossed over his chest.

“And ye were about to let me humiliate meself!” She snarled, her fists clenching.

“About that,” he began, casually mischievous, “what were you going to say, Captain?”

Baring her teeth, Scarlet struck out and shoved him by the shoulder so he toppled into the water with a satisfying splash.

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Sun Feb 08, 2015 12:39 pm

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❝ includes erren, vin, and scarlet in the year 1725 reaching 1,049 words ❞
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“Don’t ye dare walk out that door!”

Scarlet’s demanding boom of a voice rang through the house, her icy glare trained on her son.

“Try and stop me,” Erren growled back after swinging open the door, slamming it behind him with a tremor that shook dust from the windowsills. He stopped once he was outside, his hand flying to the dull throb in his face before anger overcame his expression once more and he stormed further into the forest with a frustrated grunt.

Meanwhile, Vin burst into the house, having heard the commotion from outside. Without slowing, his eyes found his wife and he marched towards her. “Scarlet,” he said in a warning tone as she headed for the door after their son. He grabbed her arm but she jerked away and strode on. “Scarlet!” He repeated sharply, stepping in front of her and stopping her by the shoulders.

“Vin, get out of my way,” she said with a dangerously low rumble in her tone. She tried to shove past him, but he jerked her back again.

“You know following him will make it worse,” he reminded her pointedly.

“Obviously it hasn’t gotten bad enough!” She argued loudly, gesturing to the door.

Vin looked down and narrowed his eyes at her hand, grabbing her by the wrist and holding it up. It was reddened and he let out a sigh when she pulled it away sharply. “Let me talk to him,” he insisted.

“Fine,” she spat after a moment’s hesitation, taking a hasty step back.

Releasing his grip on her shoulders, he eyed her a moment before turning and walking out the door, closing it much softer than his son had.

Once Vin was outside, he glanced around before seeing Erren had nearly disappeared into the trees. “Erren!” He called, picking up the pace as he followed him, though the boy didn’t stop. “Erren, wait,” he repeated, though it made no difference. Still, he caught up to him easily, keeping his pace. He looked over and noticed the left side of Erren’s face was red just as his mother’s hand, welts rising where her nails grazed him though no blood was drawn- this time. He looked forward again and the two of them walked in silence for a few paces. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked after a moment.

Erren let out a breath and looked away. “What’s there to say?” He asked flatly, though quickly continued. “I don’t understand!” He burst, voice shaking with frustration. “She gets angry over nothing! It’s like all hell breaks loose when she hears the word no!”

Vin listened to Erren’s rant, hardly phased. He understood better than most the rage Scarlet tended to bring out in others. He didn’t blame Erren for voicing his discontent- in fact, he was rather impressed it’d taken him as long as it did. “You must remember that she is used to being looked up to as a captain, not a mother,” Vin explained. He glanced over when Erren said nothing, and continued. “You must also remember that she had no way to learn how to be a mother, and the man she called father died when she was young.”

Erren’s expression grew softer, but only a touch so. “It’s not like she hasn’t had plenty of practice,” he grumbled. “She still never does anything different. You’d think at the least she’d learn something from aunt Beth.”

Vin glanced over and raised an eyebrow. “Would you rather be stuck in the house all the time?” He asked, causing Erren to pause. “Rose cannot hunt, she cannot track, she can barely fight- and who taught you all of those things?” The boy did not need to answer, for they both knew. “And you cannot blame her with losing her temper with you. You do the same with her.”

Erren frowned and looked up at him. “What are you talking about?” He snapped. “I’m nothing like her.”

Vin couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, which hardly helped Erren’s mood. “Were you not the one that stormed from the house?” He countered. “And do not think I did not notice the blood on your knuckles,” he pointed out.

“Yeah, well,” Erren muttered, touching his hand to his face again. “At least I take it out on the trees.”

“That takes more self control than the rest of us have,” Vin murmured.

“None of you have had to deal with her the way I have,” Erren spat.

A look of surprise and amusement overcame Vin as he stopped dead. It took Erren a moment to realize that his father was no longer at his side. Pausing in confusion, he stopped and turned, looking back to see Vin shaking his head. “My boy,” he laughed, “where did you think this came from?” He ran his finger along a faded scar on his jaw. “And these,” he continued. He pulled down his collar, exposing a puncture scar on his chest, then lifted the side of his shirt to show one nearly identical. “Or this,” he hummed casually, turning to pull up the back of his shirt where a long mark across his back was still prominent. Fixing his shirt once more, he turned back around to meet his son’s wide eyes with a smirk. “The rest have faded,” he said with a dismissive wave of his once-scarred hand.

“I… Didn’t…” Erren stammered.

Vin smiled and walked up to him again, putting a hand on his shoulder as the two of them continued to walk. “Those are nothing. You know of Beth’s blind eye, and perhaps you’ve noticed how Will favors his right arm?”

“She did all of that?” Erren asked in disbelief.

Vin shrugged. “It is an occupational hazard.”

“Then why did you all stick around?!” Erren exclaimed.

“Something about your mother…” Vin explained, gesturing with his hand, “is that you must thoroughly hate her before you can love her.”

Erren scoffed and folded his arms. “I’m still waiting,” he pointed out.

“That is only because you have yet to understand,” Vin told him. “It is difficult to reach her, but not impossible,” he said quietly. “Meanwhile, it is important to remember that she loves you.” He paused to laugh. “And that she could do a lot worse.”

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:26 pm

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❝ includes ezekiel, arvie, azure, maggie, cassy, electra, and vincent in the year 2429 reaching 2,011 words ❞

I'd like to mention that I twisted this scene considerably from the original story. In the original, they were from
the far distant future when the radioactivity of the surface was just beginning to dwindle enough to make life
possible. I switched it around so they were closer to the beginning of the war instead of the end of it's effects.
Just a few thousand years difference, no big deal or anything.
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It had been an average day in the refugee camp. Or at least, as average as things could be after a nuclear strike. Ironic, really, that the desert of southern Nevada was the last haven in the vicinity. The day was hot and dry, but people somehow managed to struggle on for the years following the strikes. Though it was inevitable that the radioactive debris would reach them sooner or later.

And suddenly, the average sweltering day took an unexpected turn as seven names were spoken over the intercom.

“Attention. If your name follows this announcement, report to the camp headquarters immediately. Ezekiel Lewis, Arvia Brimlad, Azure Hubble, Margrette Clermont, Vincent Fellowes, Cascade Glendower, Electra Weeks.”

Each had been confused yet compliant, and had arrived in a timely manner, sent into an interrogation room one after the other. The conversations were as followed:

“State your name for the record.”

“Ezekiel Lewis.”

Now, Ezekiel was a very collected person and he sat straight with his hands folded neatly upon the table, though anxiety gnawed at him and he forced himself not to fidget.

“Can you confirm that you have no family history of physical or mental disease.”

“... Yes,” he answered cautiously, narrowing his hazel eyes. “Listen, if this is about some kind of relocation, you’re wasting your time. I have to get back to my sister.”

“Would you mind describing how your parents died?”

Ezekiel tensed and shifted, his sharply featured face hardening. “Of course, officer,” he said flatly, resentment lacing his voice. “My father died in a mine collapse and my mother from grief. Anything else?”

“Your sister’s parents were both Shaemus and Rose Lewis as well.”

“Yes,” he spat bitterly. Ezekiel’s sister, Gretchen, was only fourteen and they had no one else. She was his responsibility and he was beginning to feel as though he’d swallowed a stone. “Is that all?” The officer across from him simply nodded and he stood, exiting the room only to be directed to another.

--

“State your name.”

“Avria Styx-Nyneve Brimlad- but you can call me Arvie,” the blonde said with a cheery, oblivious smile, her silvery blue eyes sparkling. “It’s nice to meet you, officer. Lovely day, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Can you confirm that your family has no history of physical or… Mental illness?”

Arvie nodded vigorously before taking a breath and pinching her brows together. “Well, I do have synesthesia, but I wouldn’t exactly describe it as an illness,” she pointed out. “More like a… Creative advantage.”

“Would you care to elaborate on your condition?”

“Of course!” She said with a wave of her hand. “I can see the colors of sounds, is all.” Her smile grew as she leaned across the table, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Your voice is dark green, in case you wanted to know. The echoes are a rather lovely pattern as well,” she added dreamily, looking around.

“Right, well… Continuing on. Your father was of a high government position.”

“Indeed he was! Well, is- was? I don’t know, is the government still a thing after a nuclear strike happens?” She mused out loud.

“... That would be all, Miss Brimlad.”

Arvie popped out of her chair and smoothed her dress. “Alright! Have a nice day, officer!”

--

“Name.”

“A-Azure… Cruxe Hubble… I’m sorry, did you want my middle name? Probably should have asked. … Cruxe with an E, by the way.” The thin boy was a wreck of anxiety, pushing up his glasses over his wide blue-green eyes.

“Can you confirm that your family has no history of physical or mental illness?”

“Yes,” he said hastily, nodding then shakily brushing the thick, dark hair out of his eyes when it fell forward. “Though, I’d be the first to admit my vision isn’t pristine- I- I don’t know if that counts or not.”

“... May I ask what brought you into the care of your aunt, Luna Gimmel?”

Azure glanced around with a sigh, wringing his hands together. “My parents died when I was young. It had nothing to do with their health though,” he added, his demeanor falling considerably as his mind wandered elsewhere.

“Is it true you are already closely acquainted with Miss Margrette Clermont?”

Azure jumped slightly, jarred from his daze. When the question registered, he narrowed his eyes slightly. “Isn’t that question rather… Personal? What is this for, anyway?”

“I’ll take that as a yes. And might I say that your IQ is practically off the charts.”

“Yes, well…” he said, clearing his throat, “I’m sure that’s the only accomplishment you’ll find on me, so how much longer is this going to take?”

--

The moment Azure left, he was directed to another small room. When he opened the heavy door with a creak, the first thing he saw was five others sitting in chairs around the edges of the room. They were silent, for the most part, though Margrette was turned towards Ezekiel, his hand on her shoulder as he seemed to be murmuring words of comfort. The two had gone to school together since they were small, though they had only grown to be friends since they were put in the camp, gravitating towards those who were familiar.

Margrette looked up the instant Azure walked in the door, her blonde hair messily pulled back and her brown eyes wide with worry as she stood and rushed towards him, immediately wrapping him in an embrace which he returned. “I’ve been so worried,” she whispered in a rasping voice.

“Worried about what?” He laughed. He looked down, but she refused to meet his eye. “Maggie, look at me.” She hesitated before obeying and he met her with a smile. “I’m fine.” He paused and looked her over. “Are you?”

She looked away and shook her head, letting out a shaky breath. “I just want to know what’s going on. Why are we here-” She was interrupted with a jolt as the door was shoved open, falling shut for the last time.

“That’s an excellent question, princess, and I’m sure we’re all wondering.”

The words were Electra’s, the tattooed, pierced, black-haired, green-eyed woman walked in and sat heavily in one of the chairs. “Though I’m sure if anyone could figure it out, it’s your brainiac boy toy.”

A groan sounded from the other side of the room as Cascade rolled her head and eyes back. “Can you keep your snake tongue in your mouth for two seconds?”

“Am I wrong, Cassy?” Electra scoffed, looking sharply over at the girl with she short blonde curls. “They sure as hell haven’t told me a damn thing and I’m sure none of you are the exception.” When she didn’t reply, she turned her green gaze back to Azure. “So what do you figure?” She asked bitterly, leaning back and crossing her legs. “Tell us why we’re here, boy genius.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to make a sharp retort, but Azure stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, silencing her before glancing around. “Well…” He began nervously, “We all have a similar age in common. Assuming they asked the same questions, they are interested in our genetics.”

“If they’re interested in our genetics, why isn’t my twin brother here too?” Cassy countered.

“Please,” Electra groaned. “I could survive a ten story fall if I landed on your brother. Are you honestly surprised that he wasn’t called here for his genetics?”

Cassy clenched her jaw, her face growing red with anger. “Listen you vile, twisted, sadistic-”

“Cassy, please,” Arvie said quietly, pulling her slowly rising friend back down into her seat.

Cassy glanced at her and sighed, plopping back down and crossing her arms bitterly. She glanced to the person on the other side of Arvie, the dark haired, green-eyed boy with glasses, scribbling madly onto a small paper pad. “Are you writing this down?” She snapped accusingly.

He stopped looked up with wide eyes. “I’m only… Studying behavior.”

Cassy raised an eyebrow. “I’ll give you some behavior to study-”

“Cassy, please,” Arvie insisted, her voice remaining calm and she pulled her down a second time. “You can’t blame Vincent for having a curious mind,” she insisted quietly.

“Did the theory that we’re being used for our genetics seem concerning to anyone else?” Ezekiel asked in disbelief.

Suddenly, a voice over the room’s intercom silenced each of them.

“I am sure you’re all wondering why you’re here.”

“Hell yeah we are!” Electra shouted, looking up at the speaker in the wall in which the voice escaped. It paused before continuing.

“Each of you has been carefully selected to be a part of a mission of the greatest importance. The radioactivity has been spreading closer to camps around the country, leaving less than one hundred left with that number rapidly decreasing.”

The faces of each of them fell into utter despair, a gasp escaping Maggie as her hand flew to her mouth.

“The only place in the world that will not be affected by this war is a rural place in South America. Each camp with the means will be sending young adults with the best chances of survival and reproduction to this haven to ensure the survival of our species. You have been chosen. You will not return to camp. This plan can by no means be exposed. You have thirty minutes.”

Silence.

“Everyone heard that, right?” Cassy said shakily, her voice rough.

“If we were deaf we wouldn’t be here,” Electra pointed out. “And they’ve lost their damn minds if they think I’m reproducing with any of you.”

“You wouldn’t be saying that if Tristan were here,” Cassy spat.

“Watch your mouth,” Electra growled threateningly.

“Now you don’t have a choice but to get over your dead fiancee. How long has it been now? Two years?”

“That’s it,” Electra spat, pushing herself out of her chair.

Vincent threw his notebook down and stood up to stand in her way. “Come on, fighting won’t help.”

“He’s right,” Arvie insisted, exchanging a daring glance with Electra.

The green eyed woman broke her sights and turned after a moment with a breathless laugh, sauntering back to her chair. She glanced over at Azure and Maggie. “You two should be thrilled,” she sneered. “Seeing as you already have a head start.” Once she sat, she looked up to see them both staring at her wide-eyed. “Oh, I’m sorry, was it a secret?”

Of course, they’d already known that Maggie had been expecting a child, they were simply mutually perplexed as to how Electra figured it out so quickly. “Ezekiel,” Maggie said suddenly, deciding to ignore the remark and looking to her friend. “Why isn’t Gretchen here?” She asked quietly, concern in her voice.

Ezekiel had been staring blankly at the floor with his elbows resting on his knees and his shaking hands clasped together. “She has a heart murmur,” he answered flatly. “God dammit,” he barked, striking the empty chair beside him with his fist before hastily standing and running his hands through his hair.

Cassy quickly stood and rushed over, a concerned hand touching his shoulder. Vincent sat heavily beside Arvie once more, Azure wrapping his arms around Maggie as she squeezed her eyes shut and leaned against his chest.

Electra gazed around the room in disgust. “You’re already pairing up like the pathetic lab rats they want you to be,” she spat. Suddenly, she stood with a jerk and walked briskly towards the door. “I, for one, would rather die than live in whatever desolate hellhole they’re about to send us to and be expected to screw anyone they thought was worthy.”

She swung the heavy door open, and though she slammed it behind her again, she didn’t go far. Stopping abruptly, Electra caught her breath and leaned against it. She stood for a second before her face twisted in sorrow. Frantically reaching down her shirt, she pulled out a diamond ring that hung around her neck always, gazing upon it through the blue of her free flowing tears as she sank to the floor.

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:50 pm

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❝ includes scarlet, beth, will, and vin in the year 1710 reaching 1,283 words ❞
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“I’m bored,” Beth groaned from a chair, her head craned back and her leg bouncing on her other knee. Her head lolled over to Scarlet who was leaning against the wall cleaning one of her swords with a cloth. “Let’s play a game.”

Scarlet looked up at her and made a face. “A game?” She scoffed. She hesitated, but still dared to ask, “Like what?”

“How about a little cards?” Beth suggested with a smirk.

“Cards?” Scarlet repeated with surprise. She was terrible at cards, but she’d never tell that to Beth. “But… We have nothing to bet,” she pointed out with a degree of satisfaction.

“We don’t need anything to bet,” Beth said with a wicked grin, pushing herself up from the chair. “How about… Every round, the loser sheds a piece of clothing. It’s only December, after all. The worst of the cold hasn’t reached us yet.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Scarlet snapped. “It’s freezing.”

“Can’t handle a little cold?” Beth taunted. “Or are you just self conscious?”

Taken aback, Scarlet gaped a moment before answering. “Self conscious of what?” She demanded.

“Well…” She trailed off and pursed her lips, gesturing to Scarlet.

“Really?!” Scarlet barked defensively, dropping her arm to her side and gripping the hilt of the sword she held. “If anyone were to be self conscious, it should be you,” she scowled sharply.

“It’s settled then!” Beth said cheerily, turning to swipe a deck off the table a bottle from the kitchen before making her way back and sitting on the floor.

Uttering a deep noise of frustration in the back of her throat, Scarlet threw her sword to the ground with a steel clatter before marching forward and sitting across from Beth, who began to swiftly shuffle and deal the cards.

Scarlet may have been bad at cards, but she had also been wearing significantly more articles of clothing than Beth had been, especially after she’d argued that jewelry didn’t count. The game had been stopped only to get more bottles to share between the two of them, both of which ending up very nearly bare.

Scarlet threw down her cards in frustration. “I don’t want to play anymore,” she said with a shiver, running a hand sloppily through her hair.

“You’re just sayin’ that because you’re afraid you’ll lose,” Beth slurred slowly, leaning forward with a taunt in her tone as she brought the bottle to her lips again. “Or you’re afraid I will,” she added with a wry grin.

“Please,” Scarlet spat drunkenly, snatching the bottle from her. “You’ll find any excuse to take your clothes off.”

“Maybe,” Beth said with an innocent shrug. “But you wouldn’t take off yours even if you did lose,” she retorted.

Scarlet eyed her past the bottle before slamming it to the ground. “I don’t have to prove nothin’ to ye,” she stated.

“Me? No,” Beth said with a vigorous shake of her head, her loose hair flying around her face. “Maybe to yourself though.”

Scarlet jerked her head back and raised an eyebrow at her. “What are ye gettin’ at?” She asked dumbly.

Beth shifted onto her knees and crawled towards Scarlet. “We both know you’ll lose anyway,” she said, reaching for the strap of her brassiere.

Scarlet fell back and rapidly swatted at her hand. “Stop that!” She screeched, half of her blows missing their target.

Beth reached forward further as Scarlet leaned back, muttering as she jerked her arm back and forth to avoid being smacked. “Just half!” Beth insisted before the arm holding her up gave out and she collapsed on top of Scarlet with a yelp. Taking advantage of the situation, she situated herself over the redhead and held her down by the shoulders.

“Get off me,” Scarlet growled, thrashing and trying to grab her arms.

“I’m building your confidence!” Beth shouted through clenched teeth, tearing her arms away from Scarlet’s grip.

“What if I didn’t lose?!” Scarlet argued back.

At that, Beth paused in thought, taking a few more hits from Scarlet before she stopped as well. “Well,” she said with a shrug and a sniff. “Then I lose,” she admitted, immediately beginning to shrug off her own brassiere.

“No!” Scarlet shrieked, sitting up and pushing Beth over by the shoulders. The two rolled onto the floor, Beth pulling Scarlet back down by the hair before she could sit up, wrapping her arms around those of her friend’s as she laid with her back against Beth’s chest.

“What are you so afraid of?” Beth taunted, jerking around as Scarlet flailed and squirmed.

“I’m not afraid,” Scarlet argued, unable to gain the upper hand. “But I could gladly go my whole life without seein’ yer-”

There was a bang outside the door and both of them froze. Beth let go of her victim and pulled up her knees, propping herself up on her elbows. Scarlet shot up, sitting on Beth, both of them looking to the door in wide-eyed anticipation.

Having been exchanging low words and the occasional laugh, Vin swung the door open with Will close behind, only for both of them to stop dead in the doorway.

“She didn’t think she was sexy,” Beth explained hastily.

“But apparently she did,” Scarlet grumbled, uttering a yelp of surprise when Beth shoved her off and onto the floor.

“Why doesn’t this ever happen when we’re here?” Will exclaimed in dismay. He jumped and looked over as Vin nudged his arm, gesturing to the three empty bottles and cards scattered on the floor.

“Looks like they had a bit much,” Vin murmured with a small laugh.

Beth fell back down on the floor and looked over at Scarlet beside her. Inching closer, she reached out and stroked her arm, only to be smacked away. “Do I make you uncomfortable, Scarlet?” She giggled, wrapping her arms around her.

“Remind me why we keep cutting them off then,” Will said innocently.

“Get off of me, wench,” Scarlet hissed, shoving her away and sitting up.

Beth frowned and propped herself up. “You’d be lucky to have me,” she slurred, poking Scarlet in the chest.

Scarlet groaned and put her hand on Beth’s face, pushing her back down. “Are you so eager to get away from your man, or… Whatever he is,” Scarlet asked, gesturing lazily at Will.

“Hey,” Beth snapped, grabbing Scarlet’s arm and yanking her down so they were nose to nose. “He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be,” she told her, releasing her grip after Scarlet tried feebly to pull it away. “No, wait…” She added, pausing in thought. “That’s not right…”

Will frowned and looked up at Vin to see him standing with a smirk and crossed arms. “You were saying?” Vin smirked.

Beth dropped back down to the floor and Scarlet collapsed on her. Beth reached up and stroked her hair, carelessly pulling out knots when her fingers got tangled. “You look like a normal human, only… Squashed,” she murmured dreamily.

“You have the hips of a man,” Scarlet muttered, her cheek pressed against Beth’s chest.

“One time, Will and I made a bet about whether or not birds nested in your hair,” Beth giggled.

“You fall over so often because you’re top heavy,” Scarlet said pointedly, both their eyes closed at that point.

They continued to murmur to each other, though their words became indistinguishable from one another. The two men exchanged glances, Vin thoroughly amused and Will not as much.

“Should we carry them to bed?” Will asked flatly.

Vin shrugged then looked over to the couch, wandering over and snatching the blanket from it, draping it over the two. “I think they will be fine. At least… Until they wake up.”

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:09 am

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❝ includes arvie and vincent in the year 2429 reaching 944 words ❞
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Arvie had been on the couch in the sitting room for the better part of the day. She’d been approached exactly once by one of the British girls- Fawn.

“Hey… You alright?” Fawn had asked.

“Yes, of course,” had been Arvie’s reply.

“Alright… I was just wondering, since you’ve been sitting here all day.”

“I like listening.”

With that, Fawn had wandered away with a shrug. Arvie rather liked her voice. It was a pretty dark grayish pink- one she had never heard before. Though she would admit the girl was quite unique, as, she was learning, was the majority of the others around the place. That’s why she’d been sitting in the same room all day. That’s where most of the people had come to just talk and man, did some of them have gorgeous voices. The colors swirled around her vision and she had hardly realized hours had passed.

It was around four in the evening when she’d gotten an idea.

Quickly standing from the couch, Arvie made her way to the art room, where Vincent spent most of his time. She didn’t have to search long- at that moment in time he was alone. She pranced up behind him and clasped her hands together. “Good evening, Vincent!”

He jumped at the sudden outburst, not having heard her approach. He turned to face her and offered a small smile. “Oh- good evening, Arvie.”

She folded her hands behind her back and tiptoed to peek over his shoulder at the easel propped up before him. “What’cha workin’ on?”

He turned back to look at the blank canvas and shrugged. “I don’t know yet,” he answered honestly.

Arvie pursed her lips and nodded thoughtfully. “Can I try something?” She asked suddenly.

He looked over his shoulder at her in pleasant surprise. Her attention span hadn’t held up all the times he’d tried to introduce her to different medias and he was happy to see her attempting to try again on her own. “Oh- of course,” he stuttered, taking a step back. “There’s paint and brushes in the drawer. I suggest you use… Acrylic… Because… Uh- Arvie?” He asked, holding up a finger as she took the canvas out of it’s holds and put a brush in her mouth, taking a handful of paint. “What are you doing?”

“I have an idea,” she answered innocently, mumbling past the brush between her teeth. “Carry these,” she instructed, shoving the paint she’d grabbed into his hand. With that, she started making her way back to the sitting room.

Vincent paused and glanced around before he hastily followed after grabbing the pallet. He walked into the sitting room to find her plopping down back onto the red couch and propped the canvas up on her lap with one hand, taking the brush from her mouth with the other. Slowing as he entered, he made his way over and sat beside her.

She looked over when he sat and smiled, laying the canvas on her lap and reaching over to grab the pallet as well as the tube of green. She unscrewed the cap and squirted it onto the pallet, making Vincent fidget nervously as it hovered above the velvet upholstery. Pausing, she frowned and stared at the color. “This isn’t right,” she mumbled.

“What isn’t?” He asked curiously.

“This green,” she explained, glancing up at him s if she were studying something. “It’s too dark and too bright at the same time.”

Vincent pressed his lips together then reached out to gently take it. “I think I can fix that,” he told her. After adding a specific amount of yellow, black, and white to the green with the occasional instruction from Arvie, a light olive green was developed.

Once it was perfect, according to her, she snatched it from him and swirled her brush in the color. “Tell me a story,” she said casually.

“Oh- uh- what kind of story?” Vincent asked curiously.

Arvie shrugged. “Your favorite.”

“Well…” he said with a small laugh, his gaze drifting away. “That narrows it down… Umm…” he mused, sighing in thought. “One time,” he continued, clearing his throat and trying to prevent a blush from reaching his face, “I was sitting on a rock sketching in my notebook and this girl walked up and asked what I was doing. I told her I was drawing the people and she asked if she was in there somewhere.”

Arvie laughed. “That was me, silly. I meant a fairy tale.”

“But none of those are my favorite,” he pointed out.

Arvie pursed her lips to try and hold back a smile and glanced up at him. “Fine,” she gave in, poising the brush before the canvas. “Continue.”

As he spoke, Arvie painted the patterns that came from his olive green voice, looking around in the air as she painted at times. A few times, she made him stop to tweak the green or make some new colors. By the time she was done, there was a slew of patterns across the previously blank canvas in different shades of green and varying patterns based on the story he was telling- all including her. Knowing they were about her inspired some spots of pale gray-blue as well, being the color of her own voice. Every color of the rainbow was splattered messily around the edges- background noise, she’d called it.

“We should do this more often,” she thought outloud, holding the still wet painting up before her.

“You’d get sick of green,” Vincent laughed.

“I haven’t so far,” she pointed out casually, standing to walk back to the art room before he had time to reply.

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:15 am

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❝ includes erren and rosemary in the year 1726-ish reaching 1,385 words ❞
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“Rose!”

The shout was loud enough, but she’d barely heard it in her half-conscious state. Groaning, Rosemary wrapped her arms around her pillow and buried her face in it. The comfort was short lived, however, when she felt someone jump on her bed and hover over her on their hands and knees.

“Rose, come on! Wake up!”

She opened one drowsy, green eye to glare with mild confusion at the boy grinning ear to ear. “Erren?” She muttered, rubbing her eyes and stretching her arms over her head with a glance at the window. “What do you want? It’s still dark outside.”

“No it’s not,” he said mischievously.

“What do you mean? Of course it is,” she grumbled irritably, closing her eyes again and swatting at his arm.

“No it’s not,” he repeated. “There’s just something in front of your window.”

“What?” She hissed half-heartedly.

“Yeah, so come on!” Erren sat up and reached behind him, grabbing her coat and scarf he’d brought in and tossing them onto her face.

Rose let out a muffled squeak and scrambled to shove them away from her face before pushing herself up. “What are these for?”

“It’s a bit chilly outside,” he told her, sliding back onto the floor. “Don’t you remember what day it is?”

Rose paused as a yawn escaped her. “January… Something,” she offered.

Erren scoffed playfully. “It’s my birthday, blockhead!”

That woke her up. Rosemary’s eyes shot open as dread settled in her chest and a blush reached her cheeks, offering a crooked smile. “Oh, I knew that,” she laughed nervously.

“No you didn’t,” he countered, though he still smiled. “It’s fine, just meet me by the back door!” With that, he rushed back out and she realized he was himself wearing a jacket and scarf as well as gloves.

Hasty now with her movements, Rosemary quickly pulled on her jacket and threw the scarf around her neck before hitting the floor and slipping on her boots as she ran out the door.

She was immediately hit by a wave of confusion as she stepped into the house, which was just as dark as her room. All of the windows were blocked in the same way. by what, she couldn’t tell. Slowing as she approached the ridiculously excited Erren standing by the back door, and looked around.

“Ok, close your eyes,” Erren instructed.

“What?” She burst, then laughed a little. “Its your birthday, not mine!”

“Yeah, so you have to do what I say,” he pointed out smugly. “Go on, then.” Rosemary heaved a sigh and squeezed her eyes shut as he ran around behind her to guide her forward by the shoulders. “No peeking!” He insisted, kicking the door open. They were immediately met by a winter chill, making Rosemary glad he’d made her put on a coat. She heard him close the door as they shuffled outside, when stopped. “Alright, open them!”

Erren let go of her shoulders and ran around to stand in front of her as she opened her eyes. They grew wider as a squeak escaped her and her hands flew to her mouth. Looking around, she saw that everything was a glistening white, covered with a thick layer of snow, which Erren had packed into the windows- most likely so she wouldn’t see what was waiting beyond.

She stood, dumbstruck for a moment, before hastily turning to head back for the door.

“Nope!” Erren snapped, lurching forward to hook his arms around her waist, dragging her back.

“No, Erren, let me go back inside!” She insisted, pushing on his arms and kicking through the air to no avail.

“I don’t think so,” he grunted, setting her down in a drift that reached halfway up her calves. Rosemary froze, completely rigid as she stood in the cold substance, his hand lingering on her shoulder. “See, it’s not so bad,” he said cheerily.

Then, the second he let go, Rose practically jumped on him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso.

“Rose,” he laughed, “ there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“You know I don’t like water!” She cried, tightening her grip.

“It’s snow!” Erren argued.

“Frozen water!” Rosemary countered, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Rose,” he said insistently, prying her arms off of him, not without effort. “Look at me,” he laughed, holding her arms gently through her eyes remained closed. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes and did her best to focus on just him. The pale blue of his eyes matched the morning sky behind him almost perfectly, his curls hanging damp from spending the early hours outside. Both sights she found beyond comforting, but only for so long. “You can’t drown in snow,” he pointed out.

Slowly and without looking away, he let go of her arms and she pressed her lips together, doing her best not to reach out for him again. Smile widening, Erren straightened up. “See?” He praised. He then pranced off into the deeper snow and proceeded to collapse, disappearing from sight.

“Erren?” Rosemary shouted worriedly, picking her way through the snow while holding her hands close together. She then stopped, taken aback, when something hit her chest and exploded in a white puff. The happening was immediately followed by Erren’s laughter, and she looked up to see him standing with a smirk, another snowball in his hand. That’s when what just happened, and was likely to happen again, dawned on Rose. “Oh no,” she said quickly, holding up a finger. “Don’t you throw that snowball!” He only pulled back his arm and her words became quicker. “I mean it! Erren Elmwood, don’t you da-”

She was cut off by another one hitting her shoulder, some hitting her face and causing her to flinch. Erren only continued to laugh. “Alright, alright,” he said, “I’m sorry. You try,” he told her, holding out his arms.

“What?” She asked in disbelief.

“Come on, throw one,” he taunted. “Take your best shot.”

Rosemary paused, raising an eyebrow in consideration. “Alright. Close your eyes.”

“What, why?” He laughed.

“So you can’t flinch away,” she pointed out with a smirk.

“Fine,” he gave in, closing his eyes.

Rosemary’s grin widened, but rather than bending over to get her own snowball, she bounded forward, gradually picking up speed until she was running full speed and tackled him to the ground.

Erren hit the ground with wide eyes and a grunt, Rosemary only giggling breathlessly as she sat on her knees over him with her hands on his shoulders, her loose hair tickling his face.

“What was that?” Erren laughed, batting her hair away.

“My best shot,” she answered, tucking the dark strands behind her ear. She then felt his arms slide loosely around her waist, finding herself leaning closer until their noses brushed.

“Rose?” Erren murmured in a low voice, a cloud of his breath caressing her cheek.

“Yes?” She hummed back.

“I’m sure you’re fine,” he whispered, “but it’s really cold down here.”

“Oh,” she laughed nervously, her face becoming red from far more than the cold as she shot to her feet.

Erren jumped up and brushed the snow off himself, suppressing a shiver. “We can go back inside if you’d like now,” he offered. “I can start a fire.”

“Sure,” Rosemary agreed with a small nod, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, avoiding his gaze.

“Alright,” he said with a smile, sauntering over to the windows and pulling his sleeve over his hand to start brushing the snow off the windows. Rosemary shuffled through the snow towards the door. She paused when she pushed it open, stopped by Erren’s voice. “Wait,” he called, taking a step forward and leaning towards her to take her hand and pull her closer. She stumbled against his chest and he snaked his arm around her waist, planting a kiss on her wind-chilled cheek.

Rosemary widened her eyes in surprise, lips quivering trying to hold back a smile. However, when she leaned back to look at him, he was already walking back towards the window. “I’ll just be a minute,” he called with a wave of his arm.

Smile widening now that his back was turned, Rosemary touched her fingertips to her cheek and headed back towards the door, stopping a time or two to glance at him again before disappearing inside.

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:23 am

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❝ includes scarlet and beth in the year 1709-ish reaching 1,795 words ❞
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They had been wandering for days. They still had water, as they followed the river in hopes of finding some kind of town along it. Now, they emerged from the forest to find only a vast expanse of moorland stretched before them. The two stood rigid, staring out before them in dread.

Suddenly, Scarlet turned and punched Beth in the arm, making her stagger. “I told you we should have gone the other way!” She growled.

Beth’s hand flew up to her upper arm and she glared at her companion. “We need to cross the moorland,” she insisted sharply, smacking the back of Scarlet’s head. “Brookhaven is just over the hill.”

The two of them had only had each other for what seemed like eternity. They didn’t know where they were going, but they left a trail of things they couldn’t possibly bring with. They stole, tricked, and demanded their way through every town they came across. None had been good enough for them to stay in. They were looking for something better.

Scarlet pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips. “You say that as if you’ve been there,” she spat. Beth opened her mouth to speak, but was cut short by a sound. She looked towards the hill and listened. Scarlet narrowed her eyes and poked her shoulder. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Shh,” Beth snapped, smacking her arm away. Soon, Scarlet heard it too and the two of them looked at each other. “Horses,” Beth whispered. After a moment, they both broke into grins. Then, Beth shoved Scarlet lightly. “You go,” she said hastily.

Scarlet groaned and rolled her head back. “Why do we have to do this again?” She complained. “I’d be far better at taking anyone I need to.”

Beth shook her head. “Look at you, you’re tattered with nothing but a knife!” She then paused and raised an eyebrow. “When force isn’t enough, you have to resort to other ways,” she pointed out. “And I’ve seen you try. It’s pathetic.” Before Scarlet could argue, Beth shoved her forward. “Now go!”

Scarlet jerked forward then glared at her over her shoulder, grumbling under her breath before breaking into a run. The moment she saw the riders, she fell to the ground and rolled down a short incline, going limp. Beth waited a few seconds, bouncing with anticipation, before following. “Scarlet!” She screamed, breaking into her own run and arriving at the crumpled form of her friend just as the riders had begun to slow. Beth scratched deeply and grabbed Scarlet’s arms with all her might before the guards got there, the redhead clenching her jaw and forcing herself to stay still against the pain. “Scarlet!” She shouted again, falling to her knees and hoisting the limp body into her lap.

Beth looked up when shadows crossed her, peering into the faces of the riders. “Please,” she said desperately, her chest heaving. “My sister- she was attacked and panicked.” She shook her head and tears welled in her green eyes. She drew a breath and began to shake before continuing. “I’ve been trying to find her all day. She must be exhausted.”

The men on the seven horses exchanged glances. “You’re near Brookhaven. You will make it before the night falls,” one of the men said.

Beth shook her head and looked down at Scarlet hopelessly, brushing her tangled hair away from her face. “She won’t be able to make it. I can’t carry her all the way there.” Her voice cracked and moans of sorrow escaped. Then she looked up at the one that spoke with hopeful eyes. “Can you take us?”

“We do not have time to stop,” one of the men hissed at the first.

“Only one man,” Beth begged frantically. “If Brookhaven is as close as you say, he can rejoin swiftly.”

“And what will we get out of this?” A third man asked bitterly. “We don’t run a charity.”

“My gratitude,” Beth said earnestly, but he only scoffed. She looked down again before carefully sliding out from under Scarlet and lifting her skirt to pick her way through the grass. She stood before Scarlet and looked around at the men, trying her best to seem just the right amount of scared. “I don’t have any money, but… Whoever takes us will be rewarded in… Another way,” she breathed, running her hands up her arms and shrugging her shoulders so one of her sleeves fell. “And still be back before daybreak,” she added quickly.

There was silence among them until the first man spoke. “You’d sell yourself for a short ride such as this?” He asked cautiously.

Beth paused and gave him a hardened stare. “For my sister, I’d do anything,” she said sternly. “She won’t make it without help.”

He paused then glanced behind him, looking to one of his men and nodding towards the girls. “Before daybreak,” he commanded. Immediately, one of them dismounted and the rest took off again with a single, brief command.

“Oh thank you, thank you,” Beth gasped, folding her hands together and leaning over in relief. “Thank you so much.”

“Just get on,” the man said flatly, gesturing to the horse. “You will hold her on the way.”

Beth nodded vigorously and lifted her skirt, rushing to the horse. The man let out a sigh and kneeled to lift Scarlet, who tensed mildly. He wandered back to the horse and heaved Scarlet up in front of Beth, who wrapped her arms tightly around her torso to keep the rest of her up as her head lolled to the side. She whispered to her convincingly as the man mounted behind them and immediately turned the horse around, heading for Brookhaven.

As soon as the town came into sight, Beth pinched Scarlet’s arm and loosened her grip. The next time they jolted, Scarlet slid off the side and slumped from the horse, hitting the ground and rolling. She tucked in her arms and clenched her jaw, causing as little damage as possible before the man could turn and notice. She lifted her head to look just as Beth screamed, “Wait!” And quickly went limp once more, after promptly sprawling her limbs.

The horse nearly reared as the man pulled back on the reins and as soon as it was stopped, Beth slipped off and rushed over. She fell to the ground beside Scarlet and wrapped her arms around her, leaning in close enough that her hair shrouded the two of their faces.

“Next time, you’re falling off the damn horse after I scratch the hell out of you,” Scarlet rasped in a whisper, her body aching.

“We’ll see about that,” Beth grumbled as she looked her over. “You’ll be fine.” She gave a satisfied smirk as the welts and bruises of her earlier abuse began to show. “Nothing a few days won’t heal.”

“What about the rest of the patrol?” Scarlet hissed.

“Wherever they’re going, its important,” Beth pointed out. “Important enough that they won’t turn back for one missing man.”

“How can you be sure?” Scarlet asked accusingly.

“Shh,” Beth snapped as she heard footsteps behind her. Scarlet immediately became slack and Beth brought the tears back, shoulders convulsing. With a whip of her head, she looked up at the man who approached. “She’s bleeding,” she cried. “Do you have anything to help?”

“I’m not here to save lives,” the man spat. “Now come on, we’re in a hurry,” he said, looking up at the sun.

“Please, she’s dying!” Beth wailed, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Scarlet’s body.

“Then leave her,” the man growled, grabbing Beth by the arm with an outcry from her, yanking her to her feet and dragging her towards the horse.

“Wait!” Beth said, trying to pull away to no avail. He did not stop, but she set her jaw in determination and pressed against his side, causing him to slow and look over. “If you help her… Well, I’m sure your patrol won’t miss you for a couple extra hours,” she said with a small smile.

Scarlet rolled her eyes and then silently rolled herself over, leaping to her feet and eying them carefully, but neither heard. With nimble steps, she rushed up and twisted the man’s scabbard around by the hilt of his sword before unsheathing it and promptly driving through his back.

Beth jumped back and watched, wide-eyed, as the man fell to the ground. She looked up to find Scarlet admiring the blood-streaked blade before marching forward and smacking it from her hand. “You fool!” She shouted. “I would have poisoned him to look like an accident! Now there’s no way this won’t be traced back to us!” Scarlet glared at her and scoffed before turning to grab the sword. Beth jumped forward and kicked it from her. “Are you mad?!” She screeched.

Scarlet snapped up sharply. “We need weapons!” She argued.

“Not the sword of a guard!” Beth said, gesturing with her arms and her eyes wild with amazement at her stupidity. With a grunt of frustration, she marched over to the horse and began to tear everything from it.

“What are you doing?!” Scarlet shouted, running up to her and picking up the things she threw to the ground.

“We can’t ride a guard’s horse into Brookhaven without a guard,” Beth pointed out bitterly as she knelt down to unbuckle the saddle before heaving it off. “But we still can’t stay. These things will be found.”

Scarlet rushed up and started shoving some things into the satchel across Beth’s chest as she spoke. “Fine,” she spat. “We don’t need to stay anyway. This is enough to get us to the next town.”

Tight-lipped, Beth moved to the bridle and gently slid it from the animal, stroking its face in a calming manner as it scraped impatiently at the ground. She then paused and threw the bridle and reins to the ground before quickly moving to its flank and kneeling, locking her fingers together. “Come on, then,” Beth said to the shorter woman.

Scarlet stood rigid and looked at her, letting out a slow breath. She’d grown number to horses on her time on land, but she was still wary of the things. Nevertheless, she took a deep breath and quickly stepped onto Beth’s hand, being launched onto its back with the momentum. After her, Beth jumped over the chestnut colored animal and scrambled to swing her leg over. Scarlet wrapped her arms tightly around her torso from behind, looking over her shoulder. “Whore,” she muttered.

A small smile spread across Beth’s lips as she gripped the horse’s black mane tightly. “Witch,” she replied before kicking back with her heel, sending the horse lurching into motion towards Brookhaven.

My gallery · by **ʞ ɔ ǝ ɹ ʍ d ı ʞ s** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:14 pm

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❝ includes scarlet, vin, and erren in the year 1715 reaching 763 words ❞
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The thunder was distant, but that didn’t mean lightning didn’t light up the small house in the woods every few minutes. The flashes were easily seen in the dead of the moonless night, the rooms switching between blinding and pitch black.

Of course, this wasn’t a problem for Scarlet and Vin. They’d slept through far worse. Because of this, the creaking open of their door went undetected. The door was closed again and the soft sound of footsteps approached the edge of the bed. The figure that entered the room stopped on the side Scarlet slept on, hovering over her. Hesitantly reaching out, it placed a hand on the side of her face and leaned closer, a single word escaping as a whisper. “Mamma?”

Blinking her eyes open only to find two that mirrored her own staring at her at an uncomfortably close proximity, Scarlet jolted back and let out a small squeak, causing the small boy to jump. Scarlet sighed and slapped her hands onto her face. “Jesus Christ, Erren,” she groaned.

Beside her, Vin instinctively shot up at the sound of her cry. “What is it?” He asked hastily, bringing the heel of his hand to his forehead when he was blinded by a headrush.

The boy, no more than four or five, stood beside the bed and clutched tightly to a small blanket he’d brought with him. He jumped when the lightning flashed outside, his head whipping towards the window. Scarlet glanced over as the light illuminated the room, reflecting off the tears streaking her son’s mortified expression. With a sigh, she slowly pushed herself up. “It’s just Erren,” she assured Vin groggily and he readily plopped back down.

“What is the problem?” He asked gently, to whomever was listening.

“He’s just afraid of the lightning,” she whispered to him before turning back to the small boy and holding out her arms. He hastily ran into them and she lifted him up and placed him between her and Vin. “You can stay in here tonight, but tomorrow it’s back in your own bed, alright?” She murmured, doing her best to keep the irritability out of her tone.

Scarlet reached to pull the blankets over Erren, but the second she let go, he scrambled back up and into her lap, wrapping his arms around her neck and squeezing his eyes shut.

Scarlet paused in surprise before clearing her throat and draping an arm around him, using her other to push herself back against the wall and pull the blankets back over them both. “There’s really nothing to be afraid of,” she said quietly, but he still held fast with his head facing away from the window and resting on her shoulder. Scarlet sighed and pressed her lips to the top of his head, slightly tightening both arms around him. The next time lighting flashed, it was accompanied by a crash of thunder louder than the last. Erren jumped, bumping her lips enough to knock her gold tooth loose. Groaning, she reached up to wriggle it back into place then rested her hand on his curly head. “Thunder, too?”

He only nodded and this time she held her head up as not to repeat the incident. Closing his eyes seemed to solve the lightning problem and her mind searched for a solution for the thunder. She supposed a lullaby would do the trick, but she already knew from experience that her voice paired with any song she knew would only keep him up longer. Reaching over, she smacked Vin’s shoulder with the back of her hand, causing him to lazily look over with a silent question. “Sing something,” she instructed.

A small sigh escaped him as he shifted onto his back and folded his hands upon his chest, trying to think of something. Once he did, Scarlet recognized the words to the Italian lullaby Beth had taught them in a desperate attempt to keep the child quiet when he was younger. Of course, he only made it a few verses before his eyes closed and the words became a soft melodic hum. He then slid his hand across the surface of the bed until he found Scarlet’s, wrapping his fingers around hers.

A small smile touched Scarlet’s lips and she leaned her head back against the wall. With her other hand, she delicately ran her fingers through Erren’s hair. He only jumped at the thunder one or two more times after that, but he soon fell asleep. Soon after, Scarlet followed suit, just as Vin’s voice began to trail off into silence.

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