Control

I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to think, nor to expect. My grandparents were going to kill me if this guy didn't first. Death. I was too young to die, wasn't I? No, even I knew the answer to that. My beautiful little sister... I shook my head. I wanted to get out of here. I couldn't. I was trapped. And no one knew... dammit! What happened to 'never walk the streets alone' or 'stay in a group'? I wished I'd stayed at that party now, no matter how out of control it got. At least then I had the power to stop and prevent some of my mate's actions. I had no power here, no control. And I had no idea how long it would last.

[131 words]

Work Underway

She fought to control her excitement. She could do this. No thinking about it. Not until assignments were done. Then she could think about it all she liked. But not yet. She had work to do and she would get it done. She had motivation to finish it now, surely. Couldn't she see that? Not yet, but come morning, she would. She would understand the importance of getting her work done early, finished. A reward. A juicy reward. Drawing, Youtube, writing, and planes. How very exciting. Exciting? Sure. Nerve-wracking? Definitely. Was she going to think about it? Not for another week. Was that possible? No. Did she care? Haha... yeaaano. Work? Sleep. Tomorrow? Yes. Work would begin tomorrow.

[118 words]

Real Action

I sped around the corner, following him. Scared, innocent little Damien. I just wish I could see exactly how paranoid I was making him. I bet he was sweating over the wheel, fingers in a locked grip. I wanted to laugh, but I didn't feel it would be worth it. I was kind of ashamed of myself. At least I wasn't going to be the one crashing, I suppose. I took out my phone and text him that last mesage he would read. That would stump him, cause his heart rate to double again. With that, I swept off onto a side road, ready to wait out the remaining minutes before the real action set in.

[116 words]

Out There

Her ear drums hurt as she plummeted out of the water, sending splashes spaying. Her eyes swept the dark landscape, looking for the first sign of movement as the rain pelt down on her sodden clothes. She let out a moan of frustration. They weren't going to be impressed if she let him get away. But she couldn't hear over the rain, and her torch light certainly didn't do any good.

"I know you're out there!" she screamed, not expecting her prey to make a response and give away their location. She looked behind her out onto the water. It was quite still, considering the storm that was brewing. Ah, with any luck, they'd drowned too. And she knew she'd had at least one kill today. This pleased her.

[129 words]

Frantic

She waited frantic by the phone, ready to lunge at it the very second it rang. But she'd been waiting an hour and it hadn't rung once. She tried to remain calm. His phone was dead, that was all. But then he'd just use a mate's phone, like he always did. He knew this number off by heart. Why hadn't he rung? She brethed deeply, trying not to think of the worse. Any minute, he'd be on the doorstep. Any minute. If not, she would ring around his friends. Yes, that sounded logical. She didn't wait. She grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Rob, thank goodness," her voice was hurried, despite the sudden relief that at least one of his friend's answered their phone, "It's Nadine here. Is Caleb there?"

"Isn't he home yet?"

"Well no," her heart pounded, fear flooding through her voice, "We've tried calling him and he always answers my calls... I thought... I thought he was still with you."

"He left three hours ago."

"Oh my god," she screamed for her husband who came hurrying into the room, "We need to start a search party. We need to contact police."

[193 words]

Unwanted

The cold whipped around him as the train came to a halt. He shivered as he watched just one person get off the last carriage. It was getting late. Maybe he should head home. Yes, he thought, yes I'll go. He'd been out long enough. He didn't like the look this man was giving him. He shook the can in his hand nervously, listening to the remaining liquid splash up against the sides. It occured to him the man in his forties wasn't heading for the exit, but instead towards him. He quickly dropped his gaze. It was late. Too late. Too late to be here, to late to pretend he hadn't noticed. He sat frozen on the spot as the man approach him, and began his first greeting. The first of many unwanted greetings.

[135 words]

First Struggle

He slapped his hand across my mouth as I tried to scream and free myself from his grip. I dug my nails into his arm, trying to pry it away from my face. My heart hammered angrily against my chest as I panicked for my life. I dragged my feet, trying and failing to glue them down as he led me struggling and stumbling forwards towards the white van that was waiting. No! I was not going in there!

I managed to swing one arm out behind me and whack him into his side and was half twisted out of his clutches and I thought I might have a chance 'til I discovered he had accomplices. One slid the door open with a bang and I caught sight of another waiting inside the back for the prey. My own captor however had regained his grip on me at my slight distraction and lunged - by that, I mean practically threw me like a tennis ball - me into the back of the van, where I hit my head hard against the metal. I tried to scramble up as I heard the door slam behind me and was halfway there when I felt the sharp stab to my arm. I looked up to see Accomplice No. 2 with needle in his hand, grinning at me as I let out a cry before my body became weak and I was overcome with darkness.

[241 words]

Meaningless

I could see the light streaking through the window. Why? I had closed that damn curtain... I stopped, remembering the little girl I'd met. "It'll add some warmth to the dark," she'd said. I moaned, getting up and dragging myself over to close the curtain anyway. I didn't want to see the moon. I didn't want to see the stars. I wanted darkness. Black. Nothing. The way my life would be from now on. I didn't want to feed my hope. I snuggled onto the floor, and wrapped my arms around my knees, hiding my face as I brokedown into pointless sobs. Life was horrible. Meaningless. I wanted nothing to do with it.

[113 words]

Snap

I watched his struggles and had the desire to laugh. I granted that desire. It felt so good to laugh at him. In fact, I might go as far to say it was incredibly satisfying. Not for him, of course. I was destroying him inside out, and he knew it only too well. Still, I had to applaud his strength to hold onto that thin string of life that was his. I wanted to watch him scramble on those last fraying strands until they broke in the middle. I wanted to be there when he hit rock bottom, barely breathing, but alive. Unfortunately, I knew I wouldn't have that chance. But I trusted him in the hands of my employees, so to speak. They would make sure his life was as worthless as the feral dogs that roamed the flea-infested land. I would see him snap. And smile.

[148 words]

Chase to Collision

I chased after him, pelting up the steps two at a time, calling him back. He was too far ahead of me. He was almost at the top.

“Go away!” he screamed and I looked up from my feet. He had paused to regain his breath, to yell at me to stop following him. I couldn’t do that. I seized the opportunity, speeding up the steps quicker with every step.

“I’m giving you the opportunity to get away!” the teenager screamed, “Just take it! Leave me alone!”

I had almost caught up, steps away. The boy turned and took his last couple to the top. I wanted to yell after him, but I concentrated my energy on those last steps to reach the flat roofing. He was halfway across the top of the landing now. I had to get him to hesitate before he went and threw himself over the side. I yelled out to him.

“After all you’ve done! After all those calls for help, after all those clues! You’re just going to leave like that?”

The boy looked back just as the man collided hard with his body, both falling to the ground.

[195 words]

Somewhere Safe

"Mum, where are we going?" the girl sat staring out the window. She couldn't pull her eyes away.

"Somewhere safe, honey," was all she replied. The girl thought about this. Her Mum wasn't going to go into detail unless she kept asking, so she did.

"Who are we running from?"

"Running from? We're not running from anyone."

The girl finally turned her head to look at her mother who had eyes only for the road. She was lying. "Then why do we need to go somewhere safe?"

"Would you rather be unsafe?"

"No," she looked away again. She didn't recognise where they were. "What happened back there?"

"Nothing your ears need to hear."

"Mum, I'm not a little girl anymore."

"You're not even double digits yet!"

"I will be! In a week!"

"You don't even know what seven times eight is."

"Fifty-six."

Her mother finally took her eyes off the road for a minute to look at her daughter.

"I've been learning," the girl reminded her, "you pay for my tutoring."

Her mother smiled, "You're right, I'm sorry."

"What are they doing with him?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Try and get some sleep, okay? It's going to be a long drive."

"Oh, you know that's not true!"

"Don't you talk to me like that, young lady."

"I want Uncle T."

"He doesn't love you, Chloe."

"Yes, he does! More than you ever could!" with that she swung her door open and her mother quickly pulled off to the side of the road, grabbing her daughter before she could make her great escape.

"You're in trouble now!"

[269 words]

Do Not Disturb

Work. It's quite inconsiderate, don't you think? It never wants to wait for sleep but is never patient enough for rest, either. Words keep pouring out, ones you do and do not like, one you do and do not care about, in fact. Of course, words are very interesting and should be highly regarded in any sense, right? Wrong! Any word in an essay is considered an... er... essay word! And that's just so NOT cool. Oh look, pretty little photograph. Distraction here, distraction there, bit of work over the hill. Down the esculator. Hi there! Would you like to participate in a survey? Research reeks. Who agrees with me? I'm starting to sound like my tutor. You should meet him one day. I'll introduce the two of you. After I'm done writing for the sake of work. Understood? Excellent. Where'd my do not disturb sign go?

[147 words]

Truths

I didn't know what to expect anymore. Nothing was as it seemed. Sometimes I wished it was. Things might be easier then. I'd learnt that the unexpected wasn't always welcome. In fact, it hardly ever was. I dragged my feet, pacing in circles around the room as I had for the last half hour or so. I wasn't sure, I didn't have a watch. I lost track of time easily. Maybe it had been hours. I hoped it had been hours. Every minute closer to death. Sounds grim I know, but true all the same. I always tried to tell the truth. It was my captors that didn't.

[108 words]

Not At Home

I forced my eyes open. It was all just a dream, right? One bad nightmare. It was dark. Nighttime, I guess. I was fine. I was safe. In a few hours Pa will be asking what I got up to last night. What did I get up to last night? I was at the party. Great party, 'til everyone started getting drunk. That's when I left with my small can of vodka. I'd wandered around a bit, no real sense of direction of where I was going. I think I ended up at the train station. I frowned. No, that couldn't be right. That was part of my dream. The dream where I'd been kidnapped from the train station-

I rushed to sit up, hitting my head on something hard. I winced, feeling around in the dark. They'd been a blanket on top of me that was not my own. I began panicking. No. It had all been a dream. This wasn't real. This couldn't be real. I tried to get out, only to find mesh all the way around. I was caged in. This wasn't home at all.

[189 words]

No One

He stormed past a guard, eyes only for the door at the end of the hall. Someone grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

"No appointment, Henderson! You know the rules."

"I don't care!" he yelled back, struggling forwards and out of his grip, "He'll see me!"

"Henderson!" the guard called again, pulling out the cuffs.

The door at the end swung open and Clive ducked his head out, "Nick?"

"I need to talk," Nick breathed, trying to control his rising voice.

"Come in-"

"Clive!"

"It's fine," he assured, ushering Nick inside his office and closing the door behind him.

"He's here, dammit!" Nick screamed, bashing his fist against the wall.

"Nick, calm down," the counselor warned, "otherwise I'll have to get the guards in here."

Nick held his breath, nodding his understanding.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

"I don't want a seat."

"Okay, that's fine. Talk to me. Who's here?"

Nick looked at him with pleaded eyes, "My brother."

"Did you see him?"

"I talked to him."

"What happened?"

"He has no idea," the tears began streaming down his face and his voice cracked, "he doesn't have a clue who I am." He looked up in time to see Clive's troubled face and he let out a choked sigh, "I'm no one to him."

[218 words]

Crushing Metal

I sat frozen at the wheel as the car came straight for me. I was too late to try and move, I was trapped. The headlights were blinding. I was going to die, my time was up. It was all over, he had won. I braced myself for the impact, shutting my eyes and looking away. Please, be quick. I threw my arms up to shield my face as the sound of crushing metal filled the night. I could feel the door crushing into my side, feel the glass shattering against my skin, feel my whole world spinning upside down as I felt the blood rush to the top of my head. I blacked out. This was easy.

[118 words]

They're Coming

Got this idea from Voiceworks (http://expressmedia.org.au/voiceworks/) where each sentence had to include specifics. A Story of Isha one, this time :)

I was reading my book for English, and not looking forward to the essay I would have to write. It would put off the story I was writing, and take away all the sunshine outside. I looked up at the sound of footsteps, to find my prince heading towards me.

"Not to disturb you," he commented, "but my brother's are going to be here in a minute. Thought I'd forewarn you."

I nodded my understanding, eyes dropping to finish the paragraph I was reading as I absently stroked my cat's tail. Yes, the boys would be rattling to speak with her, questioning what in the story was to come next.

"All of them?" I asked.

He grinned, flopping onto the soft carpet beside me. Yes, I was sitting on the floor, it helped me concerntrate better.

"They can't wait."

[139 words]

First Chance

I didn't trust them. I didn't trust no one. No one was trustworthy anymore. It was something that took a long time to develop. A very long time. Time I didn't have. I wasn't going to waste time going around and pointing out who could and couldn't be trusted. It was easier to trust none. The truth hurt. So did the lies. What was the difference? Everything seemed the same now. Good was bad. Bad was good. There was no line separating the two anymore. It was all one big mess that I was suffocating in. The air around me was trapped and nothing mattered anymore. Kind, harsh, scared, angry, dead or alive. I wanted out and I was going to take the first chance I got.

[127 words]

Hurt You

6 May 2010

He slowed down when he saw the car that had passed him earlier parked up ahead. He debated for a minute whether to turn the other way, but decided against it when he saw the young man get out. That was one person he wasn’t going to turn his back to.

“Caleb?” He didn’t seem to recognise the name, but it was definitely the boy from the photos. Skinnier. Weakened. His hair was overgrown, an untidy mess, but hidden beneath would be those same liquid brown eyes.

“Get in the car,” he spoke. His voice was worn. Scared. Fake. His voice was saying something different to his heart.

“Caleb . . .” he whispered again.

“Please, just get in the car,” he ordered a little louder, “I don’t want to have to hurt you.”

[134 words]

Don't Look Back

He had to go. He had to get out of there. His eyes flashed towards multiple exit points. Which to take? There was no time for delay. He had to pick one. Had had to escape. But could he hide? Would they find him? Of course they would. No, no he shouldn't be negative. Just choose and run. Don't look back. Run until there's no energy left. He gulped. Yes, he could do this. And he sprinted for the exit, colliding with the door and pushing himself out of it to quickly, stumbling over his own feet and chasing the wind, looking for a way out. He had to find one before they found him.

[115 words]

The Believer

Another long daily :D Don't get too excited, I doub't they'll last :P

I sat shivering on one of the park benches. It had to be… what? Six o’clock? I didn’t have a watch. To be honest, I didn’t really care. I had more pressing matters on my mind. I stared at the mobile in my hands. They were shaking hysterically, and I gripped tight to the phone. To call or not to call. I’d been debating this for the last ten minutes and still couldn’t come to the right decision. If I turned myself in, I would be admitting to something I’d never done. But if I stayed out here, they would come after me, anyway. The longer I stayed out here, the more I was putting my little brother in danger. But I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t find the courage to make that call. The only thing I could do right now was sit there, staring dumbfounded at the pavement. People would awake soon. Morning joggers. They’d see me if I didn’t hide. I shouldn’t need to hide, I have nothing to hide from, except him. And he’s now the reason I’m hiding from everyone else.

I nearly had a heart attack when my phone rang. I jumped up from my spot, covered it with my hand trying to muffle the sound, as my mind raced into new decisions: to answer or not to answer. I ran for the cover of the trees. I knew I had to answer it. But I didn’t want to. I couldn’t. It wouldn’t shut up. Either I had to start it or end it. Just one button. That was all…

My fingers fumbled with the keypad…

And I answered.

“Hello?”

My voice was horrible. Cracked, whispered. Scared. Very scared. I kept walking through the trees.

“Nicholas Briggs?”

“Yes?”

“Hi there, kid. I’m Senior Sergeant Samuel Peterson, I’m with the police. Do you know why I’m calling you?”

I couldn’t help the tears welling in my eyes. This was it. It was over. Deeper and deeper into the forest.

“You want to lock me up,” I whispered, “You want to charge me.”

There was a slight pause on the other end, “Have you done anything wrong, Nick?”

I whimpered like a little boy. Why didn’t he just say it already? You’re going to jail, tell me where you are.

“I…” I stammered. If I was going to jail, I had to toughen up. But I crumbled anyway. “I don’t know.”

“Nick, I think you’re a scared little man, and we’re all worried about you.”

“Whose we?” I choked.

“The authorities. Your step-father.”

I let out a wail. Step-father? Worried? Damn! He had nothing to worry about! He was a King of Power, someone I couldn’t overthrow. Someone I didn’t want to overthrow. Who knew what it would mean for my little brother. Little Damien…

“Nick, you still there?”

“Shut up! Shut up! If I hear about that bastard one more time—”

“Okay, okay. Calm down. Nick, I think you’ve just gone for a nice long walk to try and clear your head. Can you tell me where you are?”

“I…” I stopped. Looking around me. Tree. Tree. Another tree. “No—“

I stopped again. Taking a few more steps forward and peered ahead where the trees cleared. Yes. Yes, I knew that street on the other side. It was a half hour walk from home.

“Yes.”

“Nick. I want you to know I don’t think you killed your mother.”

“Well,” I rushed, “Wha—“

Wait. Did he just say he didn’t think I’d killed her? Was he serious?

“And you’re feeling very lost,” Sam continued, “but you don’t need to run anymore.”

I didn’t say anything. Running still seemed so much easier… even if this guy might believe his innocence.

“I need your word that you didn’t kill her, Nick. You give me that, you can come home and we can talk about it. If you can’t give me that promise, I’m going to have to trace this call and everyone will be after you in a matter of minutes. I don’t want to have to do that.”

“Why?” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks, “Why are you doing this?”

“Let’s just say this is off the radar. My partner and I are heading to your step-father’s house now, I’d appreciate it if you met us there.”

“No. No. I’m not doing anything off the radar.”

“I’m not asking you to. That would be my doing. You’re facing great charges, Nick. If I can consult your step-father before you get here, we can consult the evidence and try and find your little brother.”

I leapt at his words, “What do you mean ‘find’?”

“Your step-father seemed to neglect mentioning you had another sibling.”

I could’ve screamed. “I’m coming! I’ll be there in half hour.”

“Your word, Nick.”

“You have it! My word! I watched that bastard kill her! Watched him torture Damien! Experienced it first hand myself.”

I fell to the ground, weeping.

“Half hour, Nick. I’ll see you there, okay? We’re going to end this.”

I hung up the phone, sniffling like a toddler and giving myself a few minutes to calm down. At least someone believed him, right? Maybe it’d be okay after all. I picked myself up, unaware where my feet were really taking me. I had no strength left. But a little bit of that hope had returned. I don’t know how I navigated my way home when I was on such a breakdown, but I did. I didn’t know what to expect. I jumped the back fence, pausing as I landed. I had to pull myself together. This was it. It’d be all okay.

I looked up at the sound of the sliding door opening. Two officers started walking towards me. I edged backwards as they yelled at me.

“Nicholas Henderson?”

I whimpered, hand moving back to the gate. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Heck, why did I answer that call? Which one was Sam? Sam wouldn’t yell at him.

One of them forced me forwards away from the gate, grabbing my arms and pulling out the handcuffs.

“You’re under arrest.”

“For what?” I cried, wrists locked behind me.

“You know what for.”

They led me towards the sliding door. I could see other officers standing around. Many. Too many. Through the sliding door. My eyes searched the room. Our living area, which led into the dining and kitchen. My eyes instantly fell to the body that lie motionless just inside the door to the left. Almost exactly where I’d watched my mother fall, gunned down…

An officer with the name badge, “Senior Sergeant S. Peterson”.

I screamed out a cry of frustration, my legs buckling to the ground, my hair hiding my tear-strewn face. They had to physically force me to my feet again, before leading me out the door. They wanted to lock me up. I was seventeen. My sentence? Thirty.

[1155 words]

In Pieces

Woooot, finally! A longer daily :)

The room was deadly silent. I couldn’t hear anything, except perhaps a small beeping coming from somewhere on my right. I couldn’t force my eyes open, so I continued to lie there, calm and unthinking. The silence was so peaceful. So truly wonderful to the ear. But it never remains that way. There was a small screeching noise against the ground. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did. A flash in my mind –

I couldn’t see. The white light was blinding me. Was it a star? A sun? I squinted. No. They were headlights. What were they doing there? They were almost pretty, but much too bright. I tried to look away.

“He wants to tell you something.”

He? Who was that? Wait a minute. The lights are gone. The voice must’ve scared them away. Oh well. I attempted to focus on the voice instead. Who wanted to tell me what? Another flash –

I’m heading straight for you. Cameron! Cameron was out to get me! My heart clenched. Ihad to run. But where to run to? I should call Ryan. He always knows what to do. But no… no. I don’t need to bother him. He said he’d call back in a minute. Nothing could happen between now and then.

Another distraction. This time, crying. Weeping. I wanted to tell them not to. They were calling my name repeatedly. Over and over. There was too much yelling. It was all too loud. I was fine. I was right there. I could hear them all. If I could just get my lips to move I’d be able to tell them that. Why weren’t they moving? Felt as if they were glued tight shut. A warm trickle dripped over them and the drops dripped onto his tongue. Blood, I noted. Was someone bleeding?

“It’s okay now. He’s gone. He’s behind bars.”

Who? Cameron? Well that was a relief. But ‘he wants to tell you something’. Why was everyone called ‘he’ nowdays? How was I meant to tell which male figure they were talking about? Could be any one of my friends. Or enemies. Maybe it wasn’t Cameron that was behind bars after all. Maybe it was…

“You saved an innocent man’s life.”

Innocence! I was innocent! I swear. I’ll tell anyone. I’m not the only one that’s innocent either. Nick is too. He was in jail here, too. Wait, is that where I was now? Jail? I had to wake up. Any minute Gavin would be hassling me, looking to start a fight –

“There’s something you don’t know about me. I’m… we’re…”

Yes? Yes? I’m listening. I’ll listen now. Please, explain it to me. The fight can wait. Silence. No. No, there couldn’t be silence. It was disturbing now. Keep talking. Please keep talking. I need to hear the rest of this story. Me. Me. Who did that voice belong to? Were they footsteps? No! No! Please, please don’t walk away. Not now. You’re nearly there. Don’t leave me. Wait!

Quite suddenly, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was the man with his hand on the doorknob, ready to walk out.

“Nick,” I tried to scream, but barely a murmur came out. He didn’t hear me. The beeping was getting louder. I had to be heard. “Nick,” I wheezed again. To my amazement, he turned. And came to me in pieces.

[565 words]

Binding

Terrier stood staring absently at Gabriel, who stared straight back. Both silent. Both watchful. He frowned. Gabriel, what, almost twice his age? Tied to that chair. It was wrong. He shivered as he recalled his own memories.

"Terrier!"

"I told you," he growled, "My name's not Terrier."

"You're a dog, my boy. A mongrel. Of course your name's Terrier."

He'd wrestled with his binds. Fought. Yelled. Cried.

"What do you want from me?" he had begged, "I've got a family. They're going to be looking for me. Just let me go, please. I won't tell anyone, I swear."

"It's too late for that now."

"No!" he screamed aloud.

"No?" Scott questioned.

Terrier blinked. He was in the room with Gabriel. Gabriel was tied, not him. He stared. It wasn't right.

[130 words]

Scaredy Cat

His whole body shook with fear, and anger, and sorrow all at once as he shiveredin the night air, finally prepared to carry out that one task. Although, prepared might still be the wrong word to use. He wasn't prepared for anything anymore. Only... capable. Did that make sense? Probably not. It didn't matter. He just had to perform the task and it'd be done. That'd be it. Over and done with. He had a hard time convincing himself of that alone without the voices inside his head and the ones trying to speak to him now. He wanted to tell them all to be quiet, but he couldn't force the words out. The scaredy cat gripped his insides, clawing at his skin and ripping apart his sanity. It had to be done.

[133 words]