Would You Rather: Pirates or Bad Dreams: by Willow

Bonjour!
 Willow is logging back on again! {I'm sorry it took me so long, but I'm still here}
 I'm wondering if you want me to continue my A Pirate's Life for Me series {read the P.S. at the bottom of this post}, or give you a preview of my new story blog's stories, with a story from The Labyrinth series called Bad Dreams? It contains many of the same characters form A Pirate's Life, but in a different setting, and 2 years younger, minus the pirates {pirates eventually come back in The Curse of North, another pirate story in progress}.
 Anyhow, here's a preview of Bad Dreams;



"Hehheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh.... Remember, there can only be two, and..."

 Willow stared dramatically into the distance-well, over near that clock there-and held her gaze steady. Several seconds past.
 "And...?" D asked impatiently. "And what?" She tucked a lock of short dark hair behind an ear impatiently.
 "And...," she shrugged, "That was it." Three pairs of eyes, four grey, two brown, bulged at her.
 "That's it? That ended it?" Darren leaned forward with interest.
 "Sorry, but yeah. That's it."
 Warren fiddled with his fingers while D chewed a nail, and Darren drummed his fingers on the table.
 "So this was only one part, right?" D asked finally.
 "I think so." Willow shrugged. "I dunno."
 "Sooo.... you think that there might be more?" Warren wondered aloud.
 "Maybe."
 "There could be more then. Something significant." D started on the next nail.
 "I suppose."
 "What do you mean, 'you suppose'?"
 "I suppose. I meant what I said." Willow shrugged again.
 "This is important, you know. This could be the end of the world for all we know. It could be anything."
 "Uh huh. Like the end of the world is announced by 'Heheheheheheh, there can only be two, and....'?"
 "Shush up, Darren!" D narrowed her eyes at him.
 "Guys, don't fight." Willow sighed. This was why she didn't bring her dreams up a lot.
 "Willow's right, we're not gonna get anywhere with fighting." Warren interrupted.
 "Oh, so now you're just mister peace and love now, aren't you?" D folded her arms.
 "Guys." Willow held up a hand. "Please. Stop fighting. And you wonder why I don't tell you guys about my dreams as much as you'd like."
 All six eyes blinked at her. "You've had other dreams and not told us?" Warren broke the silence.
  "Maybe. Maybe not." Willow folded her arms. "So... what's everybody doing today?"
 

*******Much later, but a climax********

Willow said nothing but ran as fast as she could. If she didn't make it, he would fall.
 She tried to stop, but couldn't. As Willow slid down the ragged cliff, she grasped at a root sticking out from the rocks.
 "Help!" A weak voice croaked beneath her. Glancing down, she saw him hanging by one arm. His other arm reached up, trying to claw out another handhold.
 "I'm slipping..." His eyes were frantic.
 Willow threw her arm down and caught his wrist, just as he lost his grip. She breathed a sigh of relief.
 "I can't hold on much longer." She clung tighter.
  Her grasp slipped a bit, and his fingers intertwined with her's, as she held on tightly to their lifeline - well, liferoot.
 Then, they were no longer hanging from a root on *Quarzite.

 

Dun dun dun!

 

*Quarzite: Planet in Star Wars, featured in the Clone Wars Episode called Bounty.

 

 

P.S. I cross my heart that I will finish Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate. I have not quite come up with the ending, so it may be a little while.

If You're An Author, Please Comment!!

OK, authors. So about the wiki pages. I know that with school and other activities you guys are getting really busy. But if you want a wiki page you'll have to comment while you're on (hopefully while I'm on, too). I'm usually on in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoon. That way if you're on, you can spend as little time as possible as an admin on the blog. If you would like, I can make a wiki page for you. Just include some facts that you'd like on it.

Also, I know we talked about story contests, but did we want to do that....?

Wow, I feel like I'm at a meeting, haha. :D

Bye!!!!!

Glitches {Thank y'all!}

Ok, it's decided! It's Glitches {I liked ''You Promised'' slightly better, but that's okay. :)}! I know I'm going off of the Protecters, but I got to a boring part. And it still needs to be done. So I've been working on Glitches more than I should be {I have 5 current stories}, but I thought I should give y'all some more. Hopefully I left you hanging.

One year ago

‘’You Promised’’

It didn’t happen like this. I swear. Everyday I lived without fear, only looking with pity at the poor souls who knew what would happen to them. But I was certain it wouldn’t happen to me. Because the man whom I never knew to tell a lie promised. But so much good that did. Would it all be easier for me to tell you? I suppose. It’s not a story which was weaved to tell, but humans weren’t made for lying. So here goes nothing:

       That man? He was my father. My protecter. The only family member I had left. My mother had been taken, and my sisters and brothers, too. But every month I was checked, they said I wasn’t ready. I was too fragile for ‘’that world’’.  When we watched my mother being taken away, he made a promise. ‘’Kate,’’ he said. ‘’I will never let you go. Remember that. Whatever happens, remember that.’’ Then he hugged me for a long time, and I felt like he would always keep that promise. He hid me, and things normal children need to grow strong he didn’t give me. ‘’They can’t take you if you aren’t healthy.’’ He never let me out. ‘’Playing will strengthen you,’’ he said, giving me a quick kiss and a chocolate. I had a thin and lean body frame, and perhaps that helped, also. I never grew much. I was short for my age, but Father always promised I’d be tall and beautiful like my mother one day. Well, it’s been 9 years, and nothing has happened. My hair is thick, but whether I liked it or not my eyes burn angerly. Nobody would want to play with me, anyhow. I seem to be the image of despicable.

       There’s a beast. One that’s slimy, and rather like an octopus. It lives above the main control room of the Computer House. It’ll wrap a leg around your head, and you will be shocked. It’ll shout out an order, either ‘’next month’’ or ‘’he’s/she’s ready’’. There has never been any other order, that we know of. But nobody knows much about the Computer House. It’s the sort of book you put in History books, not the places you’d want to go.

       I was always to thin, or too short. Or just plain ‘ole not ready. But then there was a day. Father said I was getting prettier. True, I did get a few curious glances, but once they saw my eyes all curiousness vanished. It had chuckled and said, ‘’she looks about ready.’’ It wrapped It’s leg around my head, and my body shuddered. I fell to the ground, shaking. I thought I heard the door open. But maybe not. I was certain this wouldn’t be the month. All the other girls my age were much bigger. ‘’She’s ready. She’ll do as a pretty one,’’ It’s voice sounded out. I was roughly grabbed, and taken blind-folded to another room. The next step of being taken is being transformed. Where ever you go, you go with a job if you’re old enough. Or you’re prepared for your future job. For example, if you’re a McDonald cashier, you’ll need to be pretty. The humans whom have betrayed us will study you and write down what you’ll be on their clipboards. Then they’ll knock you out, and robots will transform you. Whether it’s just a new hair color of a whole new transformation, you’ll never know until the end of the job.

       Let me tell you one thing: it’s painful. When you get less done, it’s not as painful. Sadly, the humans seemed fit to change all of me. My red hair was replaced with carmel hair, my nose smaller, instant redish color to my lips, and my eyes were a mix of green, blue, gray and brown. Then they walk you down a hall, and into a room. The floor is tilted, and it sucks you down into a black hole. You won’t remember anything after that. But the funny thing is, I remembered everything.

‘’KATE!’’ I heard screaming coming up the stairs. I glanced around my all-purple room. Before I thought about anything, I thought, I’ve got to make this more of an teenager room. Besides, I am 14. Then I gasped at myself. Wasn’t I in the Other World just yesterday? I looked at myself in the mirror. I had changed. Things like this didn’t happen over night. I was taller, prettier, and as big as a 14 year old girl should be. ‘’Kate!’’ Mom’s voice came again. But wait . . .  wasn’t Mom dead? I rushed downstairs, and practically flew into Mom’s arms. ‘’I missed you,’’ I sighed. ‘’That’s nice,’’ Mom said, not hearing what I had said. I laughed. Mom looked at me, then handed me a frozen waffle. ‘’Sorry, hon, I’ve got to go. Job appointment,’’ Mom said, kissing me on my forehead.

       I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. Obviously something had changed. But I couldn’t remember what. Whatever I had remembered this morning, I could remember now. I spent all of English class thinking about it. ‘’Kate, if you refuse to listen to me, then I shall report you to the Principle!’’ My short, squeaky Effie-like {from the Hunger Games} squealed. She got up and started wagging a ruler at me. ‘’Now, what is Jane Austen’s most famous book!’’ Ms. Hurk asked, already turning away. ‘’Um… Emma?’’ I asked. ‘’WRONG!’’ Ms. Hurk squealed. She ran to the black board in her high heeled pumps. And so that was how I spent the rest of my year. Every day, listening to Ms. Hurk squealing on about something else. She never liked me. But perhaps that’s because she was a spy for one of them . . . wait, what was I talking about?

Six months ago…

An angry slash. In some ways, I could understand her. She was angry, obviously. The curtains were ripped off of their hooks, half of the wall paper ripped off, all the kitchen knives were gone, the books dropped out of their shelves and the book shelves dragged away, and practically anything of value was gone. ‘’I may have failed, but it doesn’t mean you can do this!’’ She looked like a punk rock star, with spiky dyed red hair, a spiked collar necklace, and ripped jeans with long black boots. ‘’You. Did you help them?’’ She asked angerly. ‘’C’mon, Cinnamon,’’ I say, slowly backing away. ‘’We weren’t supposed to turn out this way. They're angry. It’s okay,’’ I purr. ‘’It’s not!’’ Cinnamon bursts out. Cinnamon curls up with her knees to her chest, crying. It hurts me to see her like this. She has been strong, stronger than I, and it’s normally me when this happens. The families whom don’t know us take us in, and this is what happens. Every time. But it’s the cost for freedom. Only truly, how much of it do we have? 

This isn't the end of ''Six Months Ago...'', but it's all I got. I also don't want to pile you up with too much. How do you like it? :)

~Madeline 

P.S. Just so you know, I may be posting the whole story on here, as well as the Protecters. That's why I gave it it's own label.

Prologue to ''You Promised''/Glitches

First of all, read the prologue then tell me if it should be ''You Promised'' or Glitches. Second of all, The Protecters aren't doing much currently. They seem to be stuck in place. ;)

Prologue:

‘’I think she’s going to find out, the Glitches are coming… no, not the normal ones. The worst ones, Master,’’ a short, skinny boy of only 12 said. You couldn’t see it, but you knew it was there. Waiting for you. To pounce. To devour. A bit of slime drops down and lands on the girl’s shoulder. She’s careful not to shudder. It chuckles. ‘’Send her in deeper, then, I don’t care if she doesn’t come out,’’ it says, still laughing.

       ‘’She’s breaking connection. Send her in deeper. It’s orders,’’ a cool, female voice says. They all start typing furiously. The people between any age of 7-79. They stare at the screens, never taking their eyes off. ‘’It has been done, by It’s orders,’’ they all chant, and begin to type normally.

       Between these times, though, the carmel-haired girl is screaming. ‘’No, take me back! You told me this wouldn’t happen! You told me I wouldn’t disappear!’’ Her last drowning words were: ‘’you promised.’’

       The very words which could destroy a nation of perfectly programmed humans. 

What do you think? If it was a published and sold book, would you want to buy it/ read it just by reading the prologue? I don't care if you're a reader, guest, or an author, I want to know!! {That includes:

elf, pixies, Santa Claus,  tissue boxes, and chairs {did you know chairs kill more people than sharks do every year?!}

~Madeline

Yes, this story is extremely short

Sorry. I finished it on Word, so I'm eager to start another story. That's why this will be rather a bit longer, and then I'll start a much longer one after this.

VOICE OF AN ANGEL: THE REST

Amanda walked shyly up to me while I was eating lunch. ‘’Can I sit here?’’ ‘’Sure,’’ I answer, trying my best to smile. ‘’I was surprised when I got Belle, because I was sure you would get it,’’ Amanda said, staring fixedly at her apple. ‘’I still feel like you should of got it. So, I’m saying this: I know they’ll give you Belle if I ask them to. I don’t mind taking April.’’ Amanda paused for a second. ‘’I just want to know if I really got this part,’’ Amanda said, her eyes blurring a little. I couldn’t help myself—I hugged her {I’m not the hugging type—not all girls want pink ponies}. ‘’I really don’t mind. I never really wanted Belle, anyway,’’ I say.  Amanda looked into my eyes, shocked. ‘’Thanks,’’ she quietly said.

‘’So I’m Dominic,’’ Dalton quietly says, staring at the ground. It was after the announcement, and we were walking home. ‘’And I’m April. What about it?’’ I ask, frowning. ‘’Don’t they get, um, married,’’ Dalton says, staring even harder at the ground. ‘’They do!’’ I almost scream worriedly. This is horrible, I thought. Dalton and I were just friends—I promise. And I wanted to keep it that way. ‘’Well, Mom says next year I can date,’’ I say awkwardly, kidding {I was sixteen}. Dalton stares at me, mouth hanging open. ‘’I was kidding, I was kidding!’’ I practically scream. We part awkwardly at our houses.

That night changed my life.

‘’Dears,’’ Mom says, leaning on Dad. We were eating our favorite dinner—sugar snap peas, mashed potatoes, and chicken {yes, we even like the peas}. ‘’Y’all are going to have a baby brother or sister!’’ Victoria’s mouth hangs open, and mine, too. You might think my mouth was hanging open because of the news. Um, no. It was because Mom said ‘’y’all’’. ‘’You know we aren’t southern, right?’’ Victoria asks, thinking the same thing I was thinking.

          The rehearsals passed quickly. Nobody made any huge mistakes, as we were all fairly good singers. I can’t say I remember any that well, except for the last one:

Amanda was singing one of Belle’s lines, missing all the notes. ‘’For the last time, Amanda, hit the notes!’’ Drama Teacher yelled. ‘’I’m sorry!’’ Amanda sobbed. It was a bad day for everybody—we were all missing up. ‘’Nicole Patterson, please report to the principle’s office,’’ a cool voice came over the loud speakers. Courtney, my understudy, took my place.

          In my head, I counted anything that could be called to the principle’s office for. Nothing. ‘’Nicole,’’ Mr. Mattern said, face stricken. ‘’Your mother is giving birth. Your aunt will be here any second to pick you up.’’ ‘’But my mom isn’t due for at least two months!’’ I said, frowning. ‘’I’m sorry,’’ was all Mr. Mattern said. I walk to the front of the school and put my head in my hands, not thinking.

          ‘’Aunt Maeve says she’s going to buy us ice cream!’’ Victoria exclaims. ‘’Where’s the best ice cream shop?’’  Maeve asks {she’s only two years older than me}, driving nowhere. ‘’Ben and Jerry’s,’’ I say blankly, staring out the window. ‘’That it is.’’

          Maeve and Victoria were playing Scrapple, but I was drawing my feelings out. I drew a tearing heart, two best friends, babies, and ice cream. Yes, I thought, I can officially be labeled mental.

          ‘’Hey, girls,’’ Dad said, sitting wearily on the sofa. ‘’Girls, why don’t you go upstairs?’’ Maeve asks. ‘’No way,’’ I answer, ‘’I’m almost as old as you.’’ Victoria, though, ran upstairs obediently. ‘’Your mother is doing well. The doctors say she’ll live,’’ Dad says, grinning. Maeve sobs a little.

          Later, Dad hugs us all and puts Victoria to bed. I sigh, and go up too. Maeve stays down and watches the latest dance show she can find.  I sleep well, knowing that everything will be alright. After all, it was in God’s hands.

          I wake up early, and hear cries. Victoria, I think instantly, throwing my comforter off, and getting ready to comfort her from a bad dream. But no, those are a newborn’s cries. ‘’Mom!” I whisper as I run down the stairs.

          Maeve is bended over a small, wrinkly and pink baby. With a head full of fiery red hair, and greenish blue eyes. Victoria is there, also. ‘’Why did Daddy bring home a baby troll?’’ She asks, twitting her short strawberry blonde hair. Dad steps out from the shadows, with purple lines under his face. He is unshaven, with half a cup full of coffee in his hands. ‘’Vicky,’’ he sighs, ‘’Mommy is going to be gone for a while.’’ His eyes meet mine, telling me the untold truth. Mom isn’t coming back. My knees  weaken, and I struggle to get to a chair. ‘’Lily wanted you to name her,’’ Maeve sighs, gently kissing the baby on the forehead. ‘’Annabelle, then Lily, after Mom. But we should call her Belle for short,’’ I say, touching Belle’s hair. Her eyes open, and stare unblinkingly into mine. Within her eyes, you can see it. The gentle fingers she’d use as a doctor, the spirit as hope, the loveliness, the beautifulness—she is more like Mom than we’d ever know. 

15 YEARS LATER:

          I was wrong—Belle wasn’t a doctor, but a dancer. She twirled on her toes, and seemed like she was floating when she jumped. Then she decided to become an actress, and then after that a farmer… who knows what will be next for my fiery little sister?

If you're wondering what happened to the play, I don't gather info before writing a story. I know, I'm horrible, but whatever. :P

  I haven't decided what's going to be next, but it'll be exciting. I'm really into Greek Culture {and I have almost 30 WORD pages done of a book}, plus I like Percy Jackson, so I'm thinking there might be something like that. It's currently name-less--Just like my other book. Oh, well. :P

 P.S. Authors, we also have a schedual over to the left. It doesn't have a calendar, but if you've got the hang of your days it's pretty helpful. ;)

Template?

Short question: do you guys like the template? This goes to the authors and the readers.


If you are an author, please tell me what you'd like and I'll see what I can do (and I'll possibly make you an admin for a day haha). ;)


If you're a reader, please tell me your preferences and I'll get back to you after asking the rest of The Story Club.

Bye!

Hi, guys!

Hey, guys!

You guys probably know that I was gone and so I missed my turn. I don't think I'm the only one who's confused. OK, so if you think you know what order this is going in (i.e. whose turn is next) then please comment, because I have no idea. I think the schedule might've gotten mixed up (??). I'd really appreciated it if you'd help me out here!! I don't want to skip anybody or anything.
Just something: If you want another page added (and you're an author), please tell me and I'll work on that.
Just another something: other authors, do you like to see the stats (pageviews) of our blog?
Another: would you like other polls put up about you?
Bye!