100TC #22 - Fairy Tale

A new post for my 100 Themes Challenge! This one is based on the theme "Fairy Tale", and it is part IV of Whatever Happened To Ruby. I hope you like this new part as well :) Below you will find the links to the first three parts if you need them. Thanks for reading :)

Part I - Tears

Part II - A Call For Existence

Part III - Another Side

***

- FAIRY TALE -

Whatever Happened To Ruby - Part IV

Rebecca

- A few weeks before the trial... -

Everything seemed to point out to a day that would be normal and boring as usual. Rebecca was an accountant, but she hated her job. She had always been good at maths when she was in school and so her parents pushed her to study accounting, saying she would easily find a job in that field and she would make an easy life. But she also had an immense talent in writing, and that's what she was doing in her free time : writing, all the time. She had a huge interest for fantasy and fairy tales and she was working on an epic fantasy novel, hoping she could have it published one day. Only problem was that her accounting job was taking much of her time and so she did not really have time to work on it. She wished she could make a life out of being an author, that is what she always dreamed to do. She wanted to study litterature at university but her parents kept telling her she would never find a job if she did and that such studies were an utter waste of time. So there she was, working a job she never wanted and living a life she hated. At least, she was making a good salary like her parents predicted, but that did not make her happy. What did was her writing. The moments she could spend working on her fantasy novel, that was pure bliss for her. Getting fully into the universe she created, forging her character's lives, building stories, that is what made her happy, what made her feel alive.

So after an extremely boring day of work, she was looking forward to get back home so she could work on her novel a bit. When she came back to her house she was surprised to find the front door open, which was strange because she was living alone and only she had the key to it. So on her guard, she decided to go in. There was an handsome young man sitting at her kitchen table, sipping tea. He had long black hair and bright purple eyes, which was rather unusual. He was wearing a suit and looked very elegant. Rebecca was dazzled when she looked at him and felt strange, as if she knew him from a distant past. For some reason she did not even feel afraid that a complete stranger broke in her house, she did not feel unsafe. 

"- Good day Rebecca," said the young man. "You probably don't remember who I am but you will very soon. It is such a relief to see you again..." and as he said that, he jumped to her and gave her a tight embrace, his eyes wet with tears. "I thought I had lost you forever... But now is not the time for this. My friends are in danger Rebecca, and you're the only one who can do something for them! I need your help.

- But... wait a moment..." said Rebecca, confused. "How could I help, I have no idea what you are talking about nor who you are... Tell me what is going on???

- I promise I will, in time. Right now you will have to trust me, even though you don't know me. The police will be here to arrest you in a matter of seconds. You will be charged with murder.

- WHAT?" shouted Rebecca, even more confused. "I have not killed anyone, what are you talking about?

- Things might start to get strange for you but you will have to trust me. I will explain everything in time. I will explain everything, and then I will defend you in court. And we will get through this together I promise. This is the only way to save everyone, yourself included.

- Wait but..."

She did not have time to say one more word that the house was surrounded with police cars. Police officers came in, put the shackles on her, told her her rights and brought her in their car. The young man went back in his car and followed them to the detention center, where he went to meet Rebecca again.

"- I am sorry you have to go through all this," said the handsome young lawyer to her. "I know you have a passion for writing. You also have so much inspiration... Have you ever wonder where it comes from? What if what you write about was not a story that was coming out of your imagination... what if they were memories? What if I told you there is a place that exists in this world that works under different laws... A place that wants to exist so bad it would bend the universe to its own will? Would you believe me? What if I told you you are the reason this place keeps existing, that your writing not only creates stories, but shapes a world, would you think I'm crazy? I know you wouldn't, I can see it in your eyes that you believe me... You know who I am do you not?

- I... I don't understand anything that is going on...

- Don't I remind you of someone you see in your imagination? A handsome young prince, powerful in dark magic, who would do anything for his friends?

- I have in mind a character like that yes... But what does it have to do with you? Or with this? I have been arrested for murder and here you are telling me about fairy tales! 

- The murder was the only way Rebecca. It is the key to get us both out of here and then go save Emerald, Garnet and Topaz.

- Wait... What are you... Don't tell me your name is Obsidian...

- That is my name indeed.

- You freak?! You've snuck in my house and read my manuscripts? And now you're trying to frame me for some murder is that it?

- Rebecca... I know you know deep inside that I'm telling the truth. You know I really am Obsidian. I know you can feel it. This life you live, you know it isn't really yours don't you? Accountant, that is not you. This boring life isn't what you are Rebecca. I know you can feel it, you don't belong here. Now you have to listen to what I will tell you and it will all make sense. Sit back and enjoy, I have a fairy tale to tell..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

***

(c) Copyright 2015 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text

Picture : stock photo, artist unknown

100TC #21 - Sacrifice

Here is number 21 of my 100 Themes Writing Challenge. This one is a short and rather spontaneous prose I have written a few weeks ago, titled In Times of War and based on the theme 'sacrifice'. Enjoy ;)

***

- SACRIFICE -

In Times of War

It is quite funny to see how much one can change from a day to the next. I used to be such a calm person, so peaceful, never looking for trouble. That is until war was declared. I never thought I would fight such a battle yet here I am, on the front row, ready to reclaim what is mine by right.

I never looked for trouble, in fact I have been avoiding it all my life. Yet, when someone attacks what you believe in, when someone tries to take away what is yours, it changes you. For the best or for the worst? That I know not, but I know there is a flame in my chest that is growing stronger everyday. To reclaim what is mine I will be ready to use any means necessary. What am I expected to do, fight a fair fight? We are way beyond this. When the enemy does not follow a righteous path, it is one's duty to reply in such a manner.

You cannot expect to try and take away our freedom without a fight. Know this, we are stronger than you. We are better organised. We will win this war and you will lose everything. No one is born yet who will strip me of my rights. No one is born who will steal from me. No one is born who will fail to respect me and go unpunished.

You might not be aware of the war you started, but the resistance is here. And way stronger than all of your pathetic 'soldiers'. Together we are strong, and together we will win. You will fall, you will fail, and you will never get back on your feet.

You started messing with the wrong person. I used to be peaceful once, but in times of war you need to change, you need to get tough and fight back if you want to protect what is yours. In times of war there is no more respect, only strategy. And my mind is stronger than yours. You started messing with the wrong person and you will be punished for this. It will not only be a failure, it will be your doom. I will never forget this nor forgive.

In times of war, justice will always triumph. I will win and you will lose. It is only a matter of time. I will revel in my victory, but even more in your loss. I will be on top watching you fall, I will be the hand that pushes you downhill and laughs. Victory will be blissful, your defeat will be ecstatic.

I look forward to see you fail. I look forward to the joy and satisfaction it will bring me. Victory is right in my sight, and I will seize it.

This is war. And you will lose.

***

(c) Copyright 2015 David Giroux aka Hope Alexander for the text

Painting : Kasimir Malevitch, White on White, 1918

100TC #20 - Waiting

And now for number 20 of the 100 Themes Writing Challenge, here is part III of my short story Whatever Happened To Ruby. If you want to read the first two chapters of this story, here are the links :

Part I - Tears

Part II - A Call For Existence

I do hope you enjoy part III and of course let me know what you think :) Thank you for reading 

***

- WAITING -

Whatever Happened To Ruby - Part III

Another Side

Obsidian was shouting at his friends in the meadow, but no one seemed to hear him. He approached Emerald and tried to talk to him, but the young man's eyes were empty and he did not seem to hear anything Obsidian was saying. He had a gigantic smile on his face and was carressing the flowers, utterly hypnotised. Obsidian went back to the woman with the flowery dress.

"- I'll ask only one last time, witch," said Obsidian to the woman. "Let them go, or die!

But my child," replied she, "I told you I bear no ill will towards them. They have tasted the fruit of paradise and know what pure bliss is, and so should you. Stay with us my child, you need not worry about the outside world; do you not see? This is what anyone desires. This is heaven, this is pure and eternal happiness.

- I don't care about what you say! This is not heaven this is a prison! You hypnotised them and you are keeping them against their will. Now you will let them go.

- I am sorry my child but I will not. Now I will bid you fare well and demand you leave your friends to the delights of paradise, and never come back.

- Fine... I said I wouldn't ask you again. I have no choice..." 

And as he said that, the prince unsheathed his sword. It was glowing of a dark radiance, enchanted by Obsidian's dark magic. He approached the woman and pointed the sword at her throat. He could notice a look of pure fear on her face.

"- My child... Please... Do not do this...

- I won't, if you let them go!

- The truth is..." said the woman, her voice trembling with fear, "I cannot. Even if I wanted to...

- What do you mean witch? Speak the truth!" Asked Obsidian in an angry voice.

" - I have no control over this... don't you see? It's a curse. I have been victim of an enchantment. I am trapped here, doomed to kidnap the passerbies and attract them to this garden of death. I never wanted this... 'tis the island... It did this to me. Your companions are entranced to me but I have no way to free them I am sorry...

- I see... I wonder though, if you died, that would probably break the enchantment wouldn't it?" Said the prince to the petrified woman. As he said that, the look of terror on her face broadened. 

"- Please", she said, her voice shaking even more. "Have mercy, I cannot do anything... Please do not kill me. There must be a way to break the enchantment. I will try to keep them alive as long as I can but I beg you to have mercy on..."

She did not have time to finish her begging that her head went rolling on the flowery prairie. Obsidian did not care for her claim for mercy. He did what had to be done to free his friends. He pulled back his bloody sword and used the dress on the lifeless woman's body to clean it and then put it back in its sheath. Killing the woman had the effect he expected, his friends and the guards were now free from the enchantment. Emerald, Topaz and Garnet went back to him, confused looks on their faces.

"- What happened here?" asked Emerald, bewildered.

"- That witch," replied Obsidian, "she cast a vile spell on you. She had you all hypnotised so you would all stay here forever until you died and turned into flowers for her to use against even more innocent people. She threatened to kill you all and she wouldn't let you go, so I had to slay her. It was not an easy fight, she almost bested me with her evil magic, but I managed to defeat her and free you all...

- Thank you your majesty," said Garnet to the prince, "we owe you our lives.

- Can I ask though," said Topaz in a tone of suspicion, "why is it that you were immune from the enchantment while we were all hypnotised?

- That is because, my young friend, I was trained in the art of dark magic by my mother the Dark Queen. I am trained to resist such enchantments. And I bless the fact I had this training because if not we would all be dead as of now. This is why I said we need to be careful. I might not be able to save you all as I did now! You have to be constantly on your guards on this damned island. The most innocent of things like a flower might be the most threatening. Never, ever, let your guards down, do you understand? Now, let us keep moving."

As the prince spoke those words, the party continued on their path to the heart of the island. They kept following the only trail in the forest. They walked for about an hour without seeing anything of interest, until they reached a small isolated cabin. "Let's go have a look," said Obsidian. The party headed to it and the prince knocked on the door. Immediatly, an old woman opened.

"- How can I be of help?" She asked, looking at Obsidian.

"- Sorry to bother you kind lady." replied the prince. "I am prince Obsidian of house Alexander, heir to the Diamond Kingdom. We are on a mission to your island to evaluate the situation here. Could we come in so we can discuss? I would have several questions to ask you.

- Yes, yes of course. Come in."

The prince went in accompanied by Emerald. Prior to going to the cabin they asked Topaz and Garnet to stay out with the guards, for no one could be trusted on this island. Topaz objected of course but Garnet managed to reason with him. Emerald and Obsidian followed the lady to a cozy looking dining room. They all sat at the wooden table. The house and the old woman were all looking extroardinarily normal, which was unusual considering they were on Sal-Tea island.

"- You are very brave to come here young ones." said the old woman to the two friends. "You should know this island isn't exactly... welcoming, I should say.

- Yes we know indeed," replied Emerald. "We have been here once before, and we lost a dear friend to the evil that resides within this island. But the place has changed so much since last time.

- Yes it has indeed," replied the woman. "In fact, it is forever changing. That is how this place is.

- May I ask," said Obsidian, "why and how exactly do you reside here? This place doesn't seem to be very suitable for living."

- Oh it's not so bad. You know, I was born here. Once, long ago, this island used to be normal and peaceful. That was before the curse... Before it became... Alive. But you know, for those of us who were born here, there is no danger. The island recognises us as its rightful inhabitants so it leaves us be. Though, it does the exact opposite to strangers. That is why I wouldn't recommend you stay here. Actually, I would advise you to leave before it is too late. You are in grave danger for staying here. It is a miracle you survived the Paradise Meadow and Flora's enchantment. You must consider yourselves lucky that you didn't cross paths with that witch. I wouldn't push my luck further if I were you... Leave while you still can.

- Well... about that witch, we did meet her. And I killed her...

- You did what? Oh dear, the island will never forgive you. The island sees all and never forgets. Flora was one of its favourite child, and not the most dangerous. Now I will ask you to leave my house please, you are putting me in danger.

- I am sorry kind lady," said Emerald. "But before we go, can you tell us. If we were to stay, are we on the right track to reach the heart of the island?

- Yes. There is only one trail now. If you went out of the trail you would reach villages of the other island inhabitants like me. The island has shielded most of them from the outside, but I wouldn't recommend you go visit them. The majority aren't exactly as kind as I am with strangers. So just go back to the trail and you will reach the heart of the island... well if you manage to make it there alive which is not likely. Up next is the village of the Salt People... Be careful. This is probably the most dangerous spot of the island. Now I cannot tell you more or the island will see me as a traitor. I will say it one more time, go back home will you still can, or you will die here..."

Emerald and Obsidian thanked the woman for her help and left. They reunited with the party and got ready to go on their way through the woods. Before they had time to leave, they witnessed giant vines starting to grow around the old lady's house, completely surrounding it and then crushing it in an instant, swallowing it beneath the ground. They could hear a scream as they watched the house vanish. The old lady was right, the island did not forgive her for helping strangers, and she paid the price...

***

"- Your honour," said Rebecca." Can I ask for another recess? I need to have a look at the facts again... and ask her some questions before I can give the rest of my testimony.

- Granted. The court will be adjourned for a period of three hours. We will use this time to review your statements while we wait to get the rest.

- Thank you your honour. My goal is not to make you all wait but I have been accused of giving flawed testimony so I want to make sure the final chapter of this story is sound. I promise you all it will be worth the wait, as this story will finally unfold and link with the case at hand and I should hope, clear my name once and for all.

- Well it better," said the prosecutor, "because right now it's a bunch of crap. We'll also take this time to reread your statements and find the proper way to bring this ridiculous trial to an end as fast as can be."

TO BE CONTINUED...  

***

(c) Copyright 2015 David Giroux aka Hope Alexander for the text and picture

100TC #19 - Dream

Hello everyone :) Here is number 19 of the 100 Themes Writing Challenge, titled Clash of Plotinvs and based on the theme "Dream". For a change, I decided to write a poem this time instead of a short story. Those of you who have been following me for a while now know that poetry used to be my trademark, and I still do some but I focus more on short stories these days. But here is a poem to prove I can still do some of them as well ;) It's quite short but I still like it so I hope you will to, let me know what you all think! Thanks for reading :)

***

- DREAM -

Clash of Plotinvs

Truth is not attainable through waiting

And not visible to the bare eye

Yet the capacity is in us all lingering

At an arm's lenght of you and I

You can reach for it and yet you won't

The power to awake is inside of you

You chose to stay blind to what is in front

Of your eyes and betwixt the whole of you

One day the universe will clash

And reveal the unseen truth that has been hidden

Within the abyss of time when space will crash

On itself, those who have seen will be given

The universal truth and the power

To be victorious over creation itself

To be the One ultimate creator 

To overcome the shell of yourself

I know what you refuse to see; I have seen it

I have opened my eyes and I will be victorious

And you will all clash with yourselves and it

Means I win; And you will all die

In a sea of lies

Alone

***

(c) Copyright 2015 David Giroux aka Hope Alexander for the text

Painting : Paul Sérusier, Le Talisman, 1888

100TC #18 - Eyes

Hello everyone! After a while, I have a new short story for you to read! It is number 18 of the 100 Themes Writing Challenge, which is based around the theme "Eyes". I know I am quite slow posting new things for this challenge but don't worry, I have been working on some more I should post soon, a new short story and the next part of "Whatever Happened To Ruby", so stay tuned; hopefully I'll be able to publish them soon :) Until then, please enjoy this one and let me know what you think ;)

***

- EYES -

Insomnia

My boyfriend Karl and I have been together for a while now. I used to live quite far from him but we both decided it was time we moved together. He has a nice little house in the middle of the suburban area, a perfect spot to live in, also considering it is very close from where I work. I would lie if I said I was not excited to go live there. Karl told me he lives with a housemate, one of his friends, to cover for the costs of the house, so I was kind of eager to meet him. His name was Alex I think. Turns out when I first got at the house, he was not there; same goes for the rest of the week. Karl told me he does not see him often because he has a busy work schedule and often goes out to see some friends.

For the first week, everything went perfectly well. Karl and I are made to live together I know it. I love this house and I know for a fact I will love living here; it felt like home already. There was only one thing that had been bothering me, I had not seen this Alex yet. I had heard him come home in the middle of the night and go straight to his room; he was probably very busy like Karl told me, but still, he could have at least made the effort to come and say hi, considering we would be living together from now on.

The days went by and Karl and I would go on with our daily routines, nothing extraordinary to tell. Still no sign of his friend. I caught a glimpse of him one morning when I was getting out of the bedroom and he was leaving for work, but nothing more. When I asked Karl about him, he did not have much to say except that he likes to have him around as a housemate because he is no trouble at all and he pays the rent on time. I could not disagree with that, but what a weird attitude still. He lives with us but it is pretty much a ghost. Anyway, whatever that is not the reason I decided to move there and I did not really care actually. I was just wondering what he is like.

One day, after an especially strenuous work shift, I went to bed really early and Karl joined me. Something woke me up in the middle of the night. A loud banging noise from the basement, where Alex's bedroom is located. It did not seem to wake Karl up. I thought I might have dreamt this and I decided to get back to sleep... That was until another round of this noise decided to keep me awake. I jumped and woke my boyfriend up by doing so. He looked at me with a bewildered expression and asked me what was going on. I told him about the noise I heard and he told me not to worry about it. He said his friend is a night owl and sometimes stays up really late. He usually tries not to make noise but who knows, he might have dropped something accidentally. I decided not to give more thought to it and to go back to sleep, even though I could not shake that feeling of uneasiness.

It had been three weeks now and I still had not seen anything more of that mysterious cohabitant than the glimpse I caught of his back the other day. It was starting to drive me a bit insane and I asked Karl about him. I asked him when was the last time he actually saw him or had a chat with him and he could not even remember. On that night, when we were both asleep, I was awaken once again by a loud commotion coming from downstairs. It was louder than last time, and it repeated thrice. It was followed by a faint scream. I could feel chills go down my spine. What the hell was going on here? Karl did not even seem to wake up. How could he still sleep with such a loud ruckus? I woke him up and told him what I heard and once again he told me not to worry about it. He said his friend often has nightmares and it happens that he screams like that in the middle of the night. I thought that could make sense so I deided not to give it a second thought, but I could not help it. I wanted to go back to sleep, but I was seized by that feeling of unease. Karl was sleeping like a log and even snoring and I could not even close my eyes. I heard a shriek once again, except this time it was deafening. I then heard steps going up the stairs and down the hallway. That Alex guy was coming towards our bedroom, I could hear him. I could see a shadow under the door. Not a sound. He was just standing there, on the other side of the door. I thought he might have been sleepwalking. Minutes went by and he was still there and Karl was still sleeping. I decided to wake him up. He was obviously annoyed that I awoke him again. I pointed to him the shadow under our bedroom door and he said not to worry about it and let him sleep. How could he not be scared by all this? The guy started banging loudly on the door. I screamed and woke Karl. He repeated once again not to worry about it and just go back to sleep. The banging was getting louder and louder and I could see the door shaking... and he was just telling me not to worry about it?! Karl was back asleep and his friend was knocking louder and louder on the door and he started screaming. I was terrorised. Then he stopped. Nothing for a couple of seconds, not a sound. Then, the door handle started turning... and the door opened. There he was, a shadow standing in the door frame, staring right at me in the darkness. I could see his eyes and I felt them gazing right through me. He was not saying a thing, not moving, completely quiet. I was so afraid I could not say anything either. I pushed Karl so he would wake up. He did, looked at his friend at the door and then told me to get some shuteye, that it was normal and that he would go away, and not to wake him up again for something so silly. It was surreal what was going on. The guy was still standing there looking at me and my boyfriend was sleeping as if nothing was happening. I was paralysed by fear and felt like I was bound to the bed. I could feel his eyes on me, inside me and it gave me such an eerie sensation. We both stayed like this for what seemed to be hours. And then there was nothing.

I do not know what happened. I do not recall falling asleep, but next thing I remember is the sun rising by the bedroom window. I must have fallen asleep somehow. The door was still open and Karl had just waken up. I asked him if he remembered what hapened last night. He told me he had no idea what I was talking about. I told him about Alex coming here and banging in our door, staring at us during the whole night. He had an extremely confused look on his face and asked me : «What are you talking about? What housemate? Who is Alex? We don't have a housemate and I certainly don't know any Alex!» I thought he was making fun of me and did not reply to that but gave him a sarcastic look instead. He still seemed to be confused and did not smile as he usually does when he is making fun of me.

I got out the bedroom and decided to go see downstairs in Alex's bedroom. When I got there, what I saw shocked me. There was no bedroom, only a storage room. No one could live in there. I got back upstairs and asked my boyfriend what happened with his friend's bedroom. He told me he had no idea what I was talking about and asked me to stop playing with him; he said the joke was not funny anymore. He told me there was no housemate, that he never had one and he does not want anyone else to live with us, and that he does not have a friend named Alex.

I looked around the house. There was no trace of anyone else living here. Everything that I had seen belonging to that guy disappeared. His bedroom was gone. All of his belongings. It is as if he never had been here, which my boyfriend confirmed. He looked at me with an annoyed face and said:

«I don't know what's up with you this morning but I never had a friend living with me here. You're making things up. Now stop playing it's not funny. I have to go to work. I'll see you tonight.»

***

(C) Copyright 2015 David Giroux aka Hope Alexander for the text