Who’s not acknowledging every echo from your voice?
River streams to the ear
You have to be whispering somewhere close
It’s underneath my own skin
These words that I’m just saying
You have to be more than just my inspiration
But no matter what anyone else is saying
I spill portions of my heart’s potion
Thinking of you
~ Sakari
Photo by Alrick Gillard on Unsplash
Until My Days End (Interlude)
What efforts do you need
My heart has pen and paper ready
My soul has your link
I only need your permission
Does the edge of a night’s shore
Sound like a plan to you
I’m asking because my life force
Cannot sustain another year without you
After seeing that you exist
~ Sakari
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash
Won’t Forget Your Waves (Interlude)
So jealous I’m not in your bed Upset that I’ve caught you so late When are you really going to bed Can I get you to stay up late *** Won’t change my mind if you say yes I’ve been locked inside these thoughts for days Like seeing you come my way isn’t natural for me Not questioning if I can keep you in your room for days *** Is it mine or your waves That will lead us in direction I want to know what I don’t know about you I can see myself with you, in every direction
~ Sakari
Author’s Notes: For more poetry by me, just check out my LinkTree link below. Here, you can find access to my poetry ebooks, and even fantasy fiction by me (if you’d like). Quick reads all across, so i’m never taking up too much of your time 🙂
Ignoring Mykel, Josh’s body begins to mutate. Josh grows a few inches in height, with an estimated range guess of about eight feet. His skin turns dark grey with his shirt tearing apart.
Josh’s lower arms morph into a set of chainsaws, with human flesh merged at the handles of each one. Josh’s eyes fall out onto the floor, and in the matter of seconds, his mouth disappears.
The sound of dual chainsaws can be heard in the distance as Josh taunts the two girls, hearing loud screams come from Riley as the girls back up slowly, with Josh making his way forward at the same paste.
MYKEL: Oh my god, run Riley!
The two girls turn around into a sprint, with Josh running after them. Looking over their shoulders continuously, they notice each time the amount of speed the creature was gaining on them, enticing Riley’s screams further.
The girls make it near the end of the hallway, almost reaching the double doors that lead outside. Making an appearance from another angling hallway, Philip stands in front of the doorway.
MYKEL: Philip, run!!
Philip doesn’t move. Instead, his body begins to mutate as well, with his skin changing into a similar color of Josh’s skin, as his teeth fall out and chainsaw like blades replace them.
Philip’s new form submerged his shirt as well, with his arms falling onto the floor, as his flesh tore apart by themselves, from his upper abdomen.
Mykel and Riley stop, with Riley breaking down onto her knees at the sight of the horror that was now in front of them, and behind them.
Philip’s monstrous teeth began to rev like an actual chainsaw, showing that an object placed close enough to them would be shredded with any effort from Philip himself.
Mykel attempts to pull up her friend Riley, continuously looking up at the threat Philip, who was also charging them.
Riley refuses to budge as she keeps her hands over her head, kneeled onto the floor, with screams acting as her only means of communication. Paying more attention to her friend that appears to be trapped in a frantic frenzy, Mykel is knocked down by Josh as Josh places his focus on Riley.
Josh jams his chainsaw limb through Riley’s back, revving her insides as he lifts her off the floor with the strength of an actual monster.
Riley is suddenly silenced, with only the sound of chainsaws coming from Josh’s limbs and Philip’s teeth.
Fountains of Riley’s blood squirts onto the hallway floor, with some of it managing to get on Mykel. Mykel begins to shake, just as her friend did, as Mykel decides to crawl backwards against a wall.
Chapter 8
Both Josh and Philip place their attention on Mykel, with Josh still carrying Riley’s limped body on his limb like a glove. The two slowly close in on Mykel, with Mykel placing her hands over her eyes, expecting to die.
The two mutated students were ready to pounce, coming to a sudden stop once in arm’s length. Slowly realizing that she wasn’t being mauled by her fellow students, Mykel removes her hands with caution.
The two monsters were seen looking down the previous end of the hallway as what appeared to be the math teacher, Mr.Isenberg, sped walk down the hallway in frustraion. The two mutated students backed away from Mykel with their heads down, showing some sort of fear at the arrival of Mr.Isenberg.
Mr.Isenberg reached the three of them in no time, Riley’s body still hanging and dripping blood from the calming rev of Josh’s chainsaw limb.
MR.ISENBERG: (Gets in both monsters’ faces)Didn’t I tell you two not to touch Mykel? She’s mine, that was the agreement.
MYKEL: M…Mr.Isenberg?
Mr.Isenberg placed his attention on Mykel, rushing over to her and lifting her off the ground by her neck, slamming her back into the wall behind her.
The wall’s impact forced Mykel to scream. Mykel begins to shrivel in fear, forcing Mr.Isenberg to place his freehand’s finger over her lips with an attempt to calm her down.
MR.ISENBERG: (Speaks in a peaceful tone)You were my favorite student so far. Because of this, i’ll make sure your death is quick and less messy than your friend’s.
Mr.Isenberg drew his freehand back as his hand morphed into a short sycthe-like blade. Mykel closed her eyes as tight as she could, unable to cry from the tightening grip he had around her throat.
Just as Mr.Isenberg is about to impale Mykel, a series of bullets fly through the glass of the double doors. Mr.Isenberg jerks from each bullet riddling within him, dropping Mykel as he attempts to stand his ground. The bullets began to riddle within Mr.Isenberg.
The glass from the double doors shatter upon the series of soaring bullets storming into the building.
After what sounds like two clips of dual sidearms being emptied, Mr.Isenberg begins to bleed through his shirt before dropping to the floor on his face.
The two monsters place their attention on the double doors, with Mykel following suit. A man with an open hooded coat, wearing a gray muscle shirt underneath, can be seen holding smoking sidearms in both his hands. The hoodie isn’t over the man’s head, so his face is revealed in the sky’s half light.
The strange man lowers his guns.
STRANGER WITH GUNS: A bunch of demons picking on one little girl…that sounds like pussy antics to me.
Chapter 9
Mutated Philip shrieks, while Josh charges in head first. Philip chargers after him, with both the mutated students heading outside with where the stranger is standing.
The two mutations make it outside, with both creatures attacking the stranger at the same time. Mykel stands up, watching the fight between the three from the hallway.
The three stay in the doorway’s view, curtesy of the stranger as he seems to toy with the two monsters. He effortlessly dodges both monsters at the same time, avoiding Josh’s sharp blades and Philip’s buzz sawing teeth.
MYKEL: Who…is this guy?
The fight between the three begins to get even more serious, with the stranger rushing out of Mykel’s view as the two mutated students follow after him. A series of gunshots can be heard, with one of the monsters releasing a series of shrieks before two more gunshots echo.
Startled, Mykel doesn’t move. There is a short pause before the stranger is seen back in the entrance way, his sidearms smoking once again.
The stranger leans on the entrance doors, stepping on the shattered glass underneath his feet. He faces Mykel in the distance with a careless look on his face.
STRANGER WITH GUNS: Hey kid, you wanna hurry the fuck up? I’m sure after all the shots I let off, the police will be here soon.
Chapter 10
The stranger keeps his distance as he continues to speak to Mykel from down the school’s hallway. Mykel stands in place, giving the stranger a confused stare.
STRANGER: (Yells down the hall) Kid? Did you here what I said? We have to get the fuck out of here. Hurry the fuck up.
Mykel’s confused facial expression tightens up.
Mykel: (Yells back down the hall) Do you have to curse so much? And why would I go anywhere with you? I don’t even know you.
STRANGER: (Yells) Because I just saved your ass from man eating demons! Now can you please come the hell on before you piss me the fuck off! You little sh-
The stranger’s words are cut short when he sees something behind Mykel. He raises both his sidearms once morning, pointing the barrel of the guns in her direction.
STRANGER: Duck!
Mykel immediately does as she’s told, dropping to the floor as she covers her head with her hands.
Mr.Isenberg is seen standing not too far from Mykel, his body shaking uncontrollably with a sudden submergence soon after of a much larger creature, bursting from his skin. The creature was black skinned with large scythe blades replacing his hands. He held eye sockets but no form of eyeballs. His teeth looked like animalistic fangs.
The stranger begin to walk towards Mykel as he let off what seemed to be an infinite supply of bullets at the once math teacher. The creature jerked continuously, attempting to endure every bullet as it made its way towards Mykel.
The mutated Isenberg seemed not to even pay attention to the gun wielding stranger, but instead payed more attention to landing a fatal blow on Mykel while her back was facing it, raising it’s blade high for a killing impalement.
As chunks of the creature’s body flew off, staggering the creature more and more, the stranger made his way closer and closer to Mykel, still firing an endless supply of bullets without a single reload.
A few rounds took away chunks of Mr.Isenberg’s abnormal face, finally dropping him for the count. The stranger stopped shooting for a moment as he made his way past Mykel and onto the mutated teacher’s twitching corpse.
The stranger placed his foot on the creatures back, aiming his right sidearm at the creature’s neck before firing off four more rounds.
STRANGER: (Looks back at Mykel who is now seen standing back up, looking at him as well) Now can we go, or do you need more of these things coming after you? Notice, I didn’t cuss this time.
Chapter 11
The scene transitions to the outside of a restaurant, with a flashing red sign that says, “Uncle Perry’s Pizza.” It is now nightfall as Mykel and the stranger are both entering the restaurant.
The stranger leads Mykel towards a doorway in the very back of the pizza place, no one in the lobby or in the front is seen. The wooden door takes them to a set of stairs, leading the two into the basement of the place.
A couch can be seen with a stretched out rug on a cement floor, as a washer and dryer sits in the corner across the room and a small Tv takes position in front of the couch. The stranger, now having both his guns in a holster, points at the couch.
STRANGER: Make yourself at home, you’ll be here for some time.
Mykel stares at the man as he walks past.
MYKEL: What?
STRANGER: You heard me(flops on the couch). You’re not going anywhere.
Mykel is now speaking to the back of the stranger’s head as she stands behind the couch.
MYKEL: So what, you’re kidnapping me?
STRANGER: It’s not kidnapping if it’s voluntary.
MYKEL: But when did I volunteer?
STRANGER: You didn’t(looks back at Mykel). I volunteered for you. You know, when I saved your ass from those three demons that were about to turn you into an ornament.
MYKEL: Demons? You keep saying that. Those were really demons?
STRANGER: (Waves his hands sarcastically)In the flesh. Well, should I say, in your friends’ flesh.
MYKEL: But they didn’t look possessed. Josh…Mr.Isenberg…Philip…they were all just normal earlier that day. How is it that they just…transformed out of nowhere?
The stranger sighs before standing up from the couch. He faces Mykel.
STRANGER: Nine out of ten, your friends were devoured some time ago. It could have been that day, it could have been days before. Demons don’t possess, they eat their victims and then they take the form of their most recent meal, if they choose so. I’m sure those demons planned an attack on you.
The stranger makes his way back towards the staircase.
MYKEL: But why would demons be after me? I didn’t even know they existed before today. What did I ever do? I’ve never even smoked a cigarette, let alone done anything to draw a demon’s attention.
The stranger is seen heading up the staircase as he answers.
STRANGER: Hold that thought while I go grab some pizza.
MYKEL: (Shouts from the bottom of the stairs) Could you please take this situation more seriously? This is my life we’re talking about here!
Mykel gets no response, forcing her to chase after the stranger upstairs. She makes a left turn as soon as she leaves the basement, heading into the kitchen where the stranger left the door open. The stranger is seen with a slice of pizza hanging from his mouth and a small box of pizza in his hand.
MYKEL: Hello? Are you even listening to me?
The stranger takes a bite out of the hanging slice in his mouth, walking past Mykel without a care in the world expression on his face.
STRANGER: You need to lighten up.
The two are ready to head back down stairs, when Mykel suddenly blocks the basement entrance with her body.
MYKEL: I’m going to really need you to answer all of my questions, please.
The stranger begins to smack loudly in Mykel’s face with a mouth full of pizza. He stares at her for a moment before looking around and pulling out a chair.
STRANGER: (Sits in the chair) Fine. What is it that you want to know?
MYKEL: Why did you bring me here?
STRANGER: To protect you from anymore demons, what kind of question is that?
MYKEL: Wait, there are more demons that are after me?
STRANGER: Of course.
The stranger sits the pizza box on the nearest counter without getting up. He then pulls a box of cigarettes out of his pocket, lightening the cigarette before saying anything else.
STRANGER: (Takes a puff) You’re a third generation selection. You fit the cycle this time around.
MYKEL: What cycle?
STRANGER: Every thirty years a new child is selected, or, every three generations is more like it, a chosen girl or boy is hand picked by angels themselves. Sort of a biding war between angels and demons. Anyway, the angels pick a sorry soul, that case being you, and hell picks ten demons that have a chance at killing you. If the demons succeed at killing that person either within a year’s time frame, or before the selected demons themselves are defeated, then the bargain must go forth, and the gate to hell is opened up. In which case, a demonic god leads hell onto earth.
MYKEL: And how does a human being like myself stop ten demons? Those three at the school almost killed me.
STRANGER: You don’t. Your protector does. Part of heaven’s way of winning the bargain is to assign some even lamer soul to watch over your pathetic ass. That’s where I come in.
The stranger gets up from his seat and walks back towards the kitchen. He opens the fridge and pulls out a carton of orange juice.
STRANGER: And by the way, those demons didn’t count as the ten demons. Those were Watchers.
MYKEL: (Takes a few steps towards the stranger in frustration) What do you mean they didn’t count?
STRANGER: I mean they weren’t strong enough to be part of the ten demons a demonic god would pick to win a bet against heaven. Watchers are more so known to stalk and report back to the higher ups, not attack the wanted individual. If I had to guess, that particular set of demons were just trying to earn a rank up in hell. They were too weak to be part of the higher ups, hell, I could barely feel their essence.
The stranger finishes off the carton and throws the orange juice box at the garbage, missing the inside of the garbage can as the carton bounces off the edge. The stranger walks past Mykel as she picks up the carton and tosses it away instead.
MYKEL: So there’s really demons out there stronger than the ones that killed my best friend and almost killed me?
STRANGER: Yep.
The stranger heads back down the stairs. Mykel follows after him.
MYKEL: And you’re my protector?
STRANGER: The best there is.
MYKEL: How many other people have you protected before me?
The stranger stretches out across the couch.
STRANGER: None.
Mykel pauses with a look of confusion and concern on her face.
MYKEL: Then how do you know you’re the best?
STRANGER: You’re still alive aren’t you?
MYKEL: That doesn’t even make sense.
STRANGER: It doesn’t have to when you’ve got moves like mine. Did you not see me out there?
Mykel pauses once again as she gives the stranger a mean glare, taking a seat on the staircase as she quickly realizes the stranger is more interested in the tv than what she has to say.
MYKEL: How long do you plan on keeping me here?
STRANGER: This is the safest place on earth, believe me. The demons will never find you here, due to my uncle’s warding. He placed a spell around the building that will make you undetected by any of hell’s minions, as long as you stay here. So to answer your question, the entire year. You are not to leave this place for any purpose. I’ll provide you with food and everything else you may need.
MYKEL: What about my family?
STRANGER: Fuck em.
Mykel stands up from the staircase.
MYKEL: Excuse me?
STRANGER: You’re no good to them dead. (Sits up and looks at Mykel) Look, just lay low and don’t give me any shit, alright? It’s only a year. Don’t make it a long one.
Mykel gives the stranger a disputed stare, with the stranger staring back at her. She then rolls her eyes and makes her way back upstairs.
The stranger places his focus back onto the television.
STRANGER: (Speaks loudly so Mykel can hear me) Bring me a soda out the fridge, will ya?
MYKEL: (Speaks loudly back to the stranger) Get it yourself, you jerk.
STRANGER: That’s Gabriel, the jerk, to you.
Chapter 12
The television watches Gabriel, as he lays asleep on his back, across the couch. His arms are folded across his chest, Mykel, looking down at Gabriel, from the top of the stairway. She is seen with her thin jacket and backpack on, as she eases her way back away from the basement’s entrance, taking caution, as she slowly opens the store’s front door. She watches the bell on the door, not pulling the door open far enough to alert anyone.
After sleeping through the cracked door, Mykel makes a full dash away from the pizza place.
She reaches her home, knocking in a furry, as she continuously looks over both of her shoulders, seeing only the night scenery, in the dark, yet nice neighborhood, she resided in.
The lights to the front room cut on, with the locks being heard removing, from the other side of the door. The entrance door is then open, with two adults, who look to be in their mid forties, standing in the home’s doorway. Mykel smiles.
Mykel: (A worried look) Mom? Dad?
Mykel doesn’t give her parents a chance to respond, hugging both of them with an arm each, at the same time, as she nearly dives into the middle of them both, standing up. They both put an arm back around her.
Mykel’s Mother: Mykel, where have you been?
Mykel, still paranoid, quickly glances behind her, back into the night scenery.
MYKEL: (Tells her parents) I’ll tell you right now.
Mykel is seen closing the door behind her.
A short segment of time passes, with Mykel seen sitting at the kitchen table with her father, as she holds a mug of cold milk, in front of her. Her mom is seen standing up, behind her father.
MYKEL’S FATHER: So let me get this straight…you were kidnapped?
MYKEL: (Nods her head repeatedly) Yep.
MYKEL’S FATHER: (Looks back at his wife) We have to call the police. (Pulls out his cellphone from his pajama pants pocket) Do you know this man’s name?
MYKEL: His name was Gabriel. But dad, he didn’t really kid-
MYKEL’S FATHER: Where did he take you? Do you know the address? (Holds the cellphone to his ear, though he hears nothing.
MYKEL: I don’t really know the address. But yeah, I think I remember the place. But dad, he-
Mykel’s father looks down at his phone and sees there are no bars in the corner.MYKEL’S FATHER: No signal. (Gets up and goes into his bedroom. Though he speaks from his bedroom)
(SWITCH INTO FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW)
Mykel
My dad wouldn’t allow me to get a word in edge wise, and I didn’t make it any better, making it seem like Gabriel was some sort of a monster. He was an asshole. A jerk. But he saved me, from actual monsters. I didn’t know how to tell my father that, in a believable state. I mean, he had every right to be dramatic and amped up right now, it was going on two in the morning, and I was just now returning home to them.
My mom didn’t go in the room to get further dressed, like my father did. Reason(s) being, she was already wearing her house shoes, and, she was now behind me, rubbing the back of my head repeatedly. She often did this to not only calm mine or my father’s nerves, but her own nerves as well.
My father came back out of their bedroom, with his bat in hand, a cigarette in his mouth, and the car keys. He told me and my mom to get ready to go the police station, as we were going to go downtown to make a report on Gabriel. I requested for my father to wait, with both my parents looking at me crazy at this point. Again, I wasn’t making any of this, look any easier on myself.
Author’s Note: Finally got my LinkTree together! Now I can properly give choices of where readers can go to obtain my poetry and fiction. For those who only read on Apple, or Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, I have all that together finally. So for future releases, i’ll just posting the link of my LinkTree, below the book that comes out.
The chapter opens with ninth grader Mykel and her best friend, Riley, walking down the hallway with their books in hand. The hallways are briefly crowded as everyone seems to be headed in the same direction.
RILEY: I wonder what’s for lunch today.
MYKEL: Hopefully it’s not spaghetti and meatballs again. I can still feel my stomach turning to the mere thought of eating it again.
RILEY: (Snickers) Oh yeah. I almost forgot about your encounter with the “Lunch Ladies’ special” the last time it was up for grabs. You had two other choices though. You should’ve just grabbed the chicken salad like I did.
MYKEL: Well, i’m never making that mistake again.
Mykel and Riley are passing a poster on the wall, when suddenly Riley stops her. Riley’s eyes are glued to the poster at this point.
RILEY: Oh…my…god.
MYKEL: What? What is it?
RILEY: (Points to the poster) The fall festival. It’s coming.
MYKEL: Fall festival?
Riley nods her head.
RILEY: It’s when the school gets together to host events after school from four to eight. It’s only one day a year but it’s topped off at the end with a dance at 6:30.
MYKEL: That’s…cool…I guess.
RILEY: (A male voice unintentionally speaks from behind them at the same time as her, saying the exact same phrase) It’s better than cool.
Riley and Mykel both turn around to see an older and taller male student approaching them, his arm reaching for the poster as well as his finger lands on a piece of text.
STUDENT: (Speaks by himself) It’s one of the rare events we have where students of all grades that attend high school, get to hang out together. Freshman and Senior alike. This’ll be my brother’s first time attending this event as well, assuming you two are both freshman as well.
RILEY: (Jumps to answer) Of course we are. (Holds her hand out for a handshake) I’m Riley.
The older student shakes her hand with a smirk on his face.
STUDENT: Josh. Nice to meet you. (Looks at Mykel with his other hand out, as Riley has yet to let go of his hand out of excitement) And you are?
Mykel is hesitant to shake Josh’s hand, looking at Riley first. Riley gives her a justified look before Mykel shakes his hand.
MYKEL: (Fakes a short laugh) Sorry, i’m not much of a hand shaker.
JOSH: Oh? So you’re a hugger instead?
Josh goes in for a hug on Mykel. Mykel takes a step back and Josh stops in mid motion.
JOSH: (CONT’D)(Smiles) Just kidding. Welcome to your first week at Manifest High. I try to greet all the freshman; I don’t want them to think that any of the high school terror stories they might have heard, are true. (Looks around the hallway with his head) I’ve been trying to convince my little brother the same thing. He’s around here somewhere. Shy kid, but he has a really good heart. Oh well. It was nice meeting you both, and if I don’t see either of you around anytime soon, I at least hope to introduce you two to my kid brother, he’s terrible at making friends.
Riley’s mouth is nearly left open in amazement as Josh walks off with a wave down the hallway.
RILEY: (Squints in excitement, attempting to maintain her composure) Oh my god, this is so cool!
MYKEL: What? What’s so cool?
RILEY: Us! We met a Senior on our first week of school! A senior who is actually kind, sweet and very, very attractive.
MYKEL: Oh please.
Mykel walks off and Riley follows. The girls turn into another hallway.
RILEY: What? You don’t think he’s cute? I thought I was going to have to go to the fall festival with hopes that I could meet a senior there. But now i’ve already met a Senior, so I can just show up and hang out with him and his friends if I wanted to. Or hopefully just him.
MYKEL: Boys are a complete waste of time. I’m more concerned about band practice. Besides, Riley, he is way older than the both of us.
RILEY: Only about three years older. Besides, older guys are way hotter and way more mature than the boys around our age. Who wants to date the same losers we were in the eight grade with?
The two girls head into the school’s cafeteria.
Chapter 2
The school bell rings, and Riley enters the classroom as Mykel is on her way out.
RILEY: Good luck with Ms.Kane’s class. She has a surprise test for you just waiting.
MYKEL: I don’t think it was supposed to be a surprise. She kept hinting at it all day yesterday during the first civil war reading. You probably just weren’t paying her any attention.
Riley gives Mykel a dumb look.
RILEY: It’s not my fault she’s so damn boring.
MALE VOICE: Mykel.
Mr.Isenberg, a tall man with no hair on the top of his head, yet, grey thin hairs on the side of his head, approached the two.
MYKEL: Yes, Mr.Isenberg?
MR.ISENBERG: Even though the school year has just started, you’ve shown a lot of promise. Keep up the good work.
MYKEL: Thank you sir. I love math. It isn’t that hard. Every new equation is just a stepping stone from the last one.
MR.ISENBERG: I wish other kids caught on just as fast as you. By the way, were you doing anything after school?
Riley and Mykel look at each other.
MYKEL: No, I wasn’t.
MR.ISENBERG: Great, then would you mind staying after to help me grade papers? I would offer you extra credit but you don’t seem to need it.
MYKEL: (Smiles) No problem, i’ll just have to call my parents and let them know that i’m staying after.
MR.ISENBERG: Great. And Riley, you’re not too far behind in your studies from Mykel. If you wanted to, you could stay after as well with her.
RILEY: (Slowly nods her head in an unhumorous fashion) Sure, I guess. I’ll call my parents too.
MR.ISENBERG: Thank you girls so much. Hope to see you two after the last bell.
Chapter 3
Mykel leaves the classroom with her phone in hand as her books are weighted in her free arm. Riley follows behind her, books in hand as well.
MYKEL: (Speaks into phone) Hey mom, you’re probably sleep. Taking another one of your cat naps, I’m sure, so i’ll just leave you this message. I’ll text you too, so you don’t forget. I know your medication has you drowsy. Anyway, i’m calling to inform you that i’ll be staying after, so don’t wait up for me. I should be at home by seven at the latest, the math teacher has asked me to help him grade papers. Anyway, love you, bye. (Tries to hand Riley the phone) You need to call your parents?
RILEY: (Shakes her head) As if. I hate keeping my parents in my business. I barely get any privacy as is. Parents can be so annoying.
MYKEL: They can, but i’m sure your parents just care about you a lot. You know, trying to keep you safe?
RILEY: From what? All the smothering they do? No thank you.
Riley spots Josh changing classrooms from a distance, further down the hallway.
RILEY(CONT’D): By the way things are looking, the less they know, the better.
Mykel smirks and shakes her head.
MYKEL: I’ll see you after class.
RILEY: You betcha.
Riley goes back into her math class and Mykel heads down the hallway for her next class.
Chapter 4
The final bell rings, and just as planned, Riley and Mykel, meet up in front of Mr.Isenberg’s classroom. Mr.Isenberg’s classroom is locked.
The lights are out, with no one in the room. Mykel looks down at her cellphone.
Mykel: It’s only two ‘o’ six. School just let out. Where the heck could Mr.Isenberg, have went already?
A small group of students walk by. Riley snaps to no one.
Riley: This is just great. We stay after, and Mr.Isenberg, isn’t here.
Mykel: Didn’t you say you didn’t have anything to do after school anyway?
Riley: Yeah, but he didn’t know that. I swear, if it wasn’t for-
Riley stops mid-sentence, at the sight of Josh, who walks up to the door the two girls are already seen standing in front of.He holds a smile on his face, at the two.
Josh: Hey Riley. Hey Mykel. Looks like Mr.Isenberg, has you two waiting?”
Mykel sighs.
Mykel: Yeah. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. The bell just rang not too long ago, so i’ll give it some time before I decide to go home.
Josh: Knowing him, he probably had to go run a quick errand. Though I think I seen his car outside still, some i’m sure he’s around campus somewhere.
Riley: So why lock the door? (Riley pulls on the classroom doorknob, with frustration) He knew we were coming. For a math teacher, he sure is stupid.
Josh: I think he’s quite cool and calculated. I mean, look at it from his point of view, what if he had hidden answers to an upcoming test or something and he didn’t want any of the students just going in and searching through his desk. Heck, even some teachers leave their personal belongings in their desk as well.
Josh maintains a laid back facial expression.
Riley: I like him too. I was just frustrated, that’s all. I talk bad about everyone when i’m frustrated, it doesn’t mean a thing. Isn’t that right, Mykel?
Mykel nods in agreement, trying to help her friend save face. Josh ends the conversation with a smirk, looking into the classroom right after, through it’s room’s window, on the door. Josh soon backs away.
Josh: Well, guess i’ll be keeping you girls company until he gets back.
Riley’s face lights up.
***
An hour passes, Mykel repeatedly looking down at her phone. Out of arm’s reach, Riley and Josh sit on the floor away from her, having a conversation amongst each other.
With an hour’s worth of talking between the two, Josh stands up.
Josh: I’m going to the restroom real quick.
Riley: (Jumps up) S…So do I. I mean, I’m going to the restroom as well. You know, the lady’s room.
Josh nods with an awkward look on his face, followed by a fake smirk as he walks off without her.
Still in eye’s view, Riley continuously looks back at him as she leans towards Mykel, for a low volume conversation. She takes her eyes off him for a short period of time, only to tell me in a whispering, yet anxious voice,
Riley: (Anxious low tone) I’ll be right back.
Riley strolls off before Mykel can respond, catching up to Josh in no time.
Mykel: (Speaks to herself) I hope that girl doesn’t do anything she’s going to regret.
Chapter 5
Another hour passes. Mykel, still sitting on the hallway floor, pulls out her phone. She sends a text to Riley.
The phone can be seen, with text messages between them both.
MYKEL
Mr.Isenberg still isn’t here.
(4:15pm)
MYKEL
Are you still in the bathroom?
(4:32pm)
MYKEL
Where are you?
(4:37pm)
MYKEL
Helloooo?
(4:40pm)
RILEY
Help me.
(4:43pm)
MYKEL
(Stands up) What the-
Mykel continues to text.
MYKEL
Where are you?
(4:44pm)
RILEY
Bathroom.
(4:45pm)
Mykel makes her way down the hallway to the girls’ bathroom. She slowly creeps in, unsure what to expect.
Chapter 6
MYKEL: Riley?
A thin trail of blood catches the attention of Mykel, walking along the floor as the blood leads her to a closed stall. A pair of shaking feet can be seen underneath the stall’s door.
Mykel slowly opens the door, seeing her friend Riley shaking, balled up in the corner beside the toilet. Riley’s right arm is bleeding with a long cut down the upper half of her arm.
MYKEL: (Kneels down to Riley’s aid) Oh my god, what happened?
RILEY: (Tears in her face) Did he hear you?
MYKEL: Who? And where is Josh? Who did this to you?
Riley doesn’t answer, only continuing to shake as she attempts to look over Mykel’s shoulder without making much movement.
Mykel takes a quick glance behind herself.
MYKEL: (CONT’D)(Short pause) Did…did Josh do this to you?
Still shaking, Riley manages to nod her head. An unusual snarl is heard that echoes down the hall, grabbing the attention of both Riley and Mykel.
Riley releases a quick shriek before placing her own hand over her mouth, startling Mykel in the process. Mykel gives her a frightened look as well, as she sees her friend crying even more hostile-like.
MYKEL(CONT’D): We’ve gotta get out of here.
Mykel takes her hoodie off and wraps it around Riley’s arm. The two then cautiously make their way for the bathroom door.
Mykel and Riley look around the corner of the bathroom’s entrance, before fully moving forward. Riley is still horrified and shaking from her prior encounter.
Seeing nothing, the girls move forward, heading for an exit that is seen on the opposite end of the hallway.
MYKEL: (Whispers to Riley) We just have to make it to the exit. We’ll get help then.
RILEY: H…he…he isn’t…he isn’t…person.
MYKEL: Don’t worry about it, Riley, i’m going to get us both out of here. I promise.
RILEY: J…Josh. He…he isn’t…a…person.
A monstrous shriek is heard behind them, forcing both the girls to turn around and stop in their tracks. Josh is seen standing down the previous end of the hall, his backpack and books now gone.
Wanting To Be Known For Something (In The Fiction World)
Opening statement…opening statement…ummm…I don’t have one, so I’ll just get right to it. I’m closing in 100 published books (most of them poetry). The problem is, when it comes down to the fiction side of things, I have no clear identity. For marketing purposes that can be a big problem.
Every writer is known for something. Shakespeare is known for Romeo and Juliet first, and then his Sonnets. R.L.Stine has the Goosebump series. J,K.Rowling has Harry Potter. And as for me…I now have my vampiric supernatural series – How Long Is Forever.
How (Truly) Long Is Forever
I’ve spent the longest time out of any book series I have ever written, on this series. I’m five books in, with the first four books being novellas, and the fifth book on the verge of being a light novel. The fifth book is actually wrapping up the first arc, and I’m so excited for this. To be honest, I already have the next four arcs lined up, leaving me to just set time aside to write them.
Versatility Amongst The Supernatural
Out of all my fiction books, I consider this one the most versatile one. At face value, it can sort of appear to be another vampiric action romance. Maybe even a story of strong revenge. But it’s more than that. I capitalize on character development. The bonds between characters is what pushes this series. Also…this series has WAY MORE IN IT, than just vampires.
More Claws And Fangs
I don’t want to give too much away, but this series has vampires, werewolves/lycans, witches, demons, magic battles and magic hunters, and more creatures down the line. To give an example of what the arcs are looking like, there is an upcoming arc that centers around the demon Lilith. Another arc that centers around an entire society of hunters, who want to put an end to a magical school that has found a way for supernatural beings and humans to coexist.
Bonding With Another
There is a strong romance system in this series as well. Some romances are deeply hinted at, while others are right there in the open. Mostly all my characters share some sort of bond with another, this being done purposely to flesh them out. To give them skin. To make them feel more alive and believable.
Each character has a purpose – a goal in which they are trying to achieve. Some want revenge, others just want to save someone who is still alive. Some even want to save others from themselves. Then there are other characters who just want to survive in the judgmental world they live in. The bonds between characters is what will push the series.
Sample Chapter
Chapter ??
Principal Santiago
The moon’s light, breaking through my tall office window, positioned behind my desk, was the only company I had at this time. Piles of paperwork stood in the corners of my desk, being an actual improvement compared to what my desk looked like earlier in the day.
The campus grounds seemed quiet now, as only the night classes were available. The vampires on campus were much more organized and trustworthy than the humans, leaving very little surveillance needed over them. Lyserg, the vampire dorm’s leader, made sure to keep all the vampires in line. They operated completely differently than the human dorms, that being the human dorms not having a leader besides me, their principal. This gave me time to think. Something I rarely was able to do, as I maintained a busy schedule most of my days.
My son. I thought back on the last real conversation I had with Aiden, before our departure.
***
Aiden was much younger than what he was now. About ten years younger, making him sixteen at the time. Though his early teen spirit still lingered over him at this time, as he confronted me in the rain, on the sidewalk of an empty street. It was nearing midnight, with me finally leaving my office and returning home. Aiden, who hadn’t said anything to me for several weeks, had finally caught me outside of work.
He looked at me with a mixture of anger and concern in his eyes, his blonde hair resting on his head from the rain’s constant pressure above. He asked me with demand in his tone, why…
Why would I side with the vampires, after what they did to his mother, my ex-wife. I looked at him with a straight face, though my small streaks of tears hid between the rain that was already running down my face.
I wanted to tell him to come home. That the two of us would continue to find a way, past his mother’s death. Together. The same way we were, before I built the academy. Elissa had been tarnished for two years at this point, though I knew she would be proud of my accomplishments. Bringing vampires and humans together was something we both wanted for years, during our early days in the hunters’ society together. Aiden didn’t know this. I never bothered to tell him either. I was waiting…for the right time.
I got lost in my own mind, triggering Aiden to yell at me. He screamed ANSWER ME! I did just that, realizing that he was at the brink of destruction. Misguided. I told Aiden that through my journey as a hunter, I learned that not every vampire was a murderer, and that most vampires wanted to control their hunger. I told him that just like his mother, Elissa, would have preferred to help others.
Aiden snapped at me, telling me that Elissa wouldn’t have helped a vampire, knowing that she hunted vampires. However, he only knew the surface of his mother’s background. She was born into the hunter’s world, with her not knowing much but to slaughter vampires in the beginning. She was the one who showed me this. Elissa showed me that vampires were humane as well.
I told Aiden that by bringing vampires and humans together, that I could further prevent what had happened to our family. To his mother. This only further enraged Aiden, as he smacked my hand away that I had reached out to him, telling him to come home in this process.
Aiden told me that he was never returning home with me, and that he would have a “real” hunter train him, and that he would kill every vampire himself. He left right after this outburst, with me watching him walk away in the rain.
***
My one and only son…felt as if I betrayed him and his mother, for this legacy. But I hadn’t. And though I didn’t get to finish raising him, looking out my office window, down at the night dorm switching classes, reminded me…that I was raising tons of other young adults.
I turned away from the window, looking into the darkness along the right side of the room. And I spoke. I spoke Elissa’s name, knowing that she wasn’t physically there. However, this often helped me, whenever my mind faced a roadblock.
I asked Elissa in spirit, what I should do. What could I do…with our son Aiden?
Zero Barriers
Each and every one of these books will be a dollar. No matter how long the book is. I want as wide of a reach as possible. I don’t want any barriers of entry. I don’t mind playing the numbers game, as I have so much to write about. So many locked away ideas.
Join my email list or my Medium for more content like this. Mini poetry collections, more articles, and chapters from all my upcoming books, are sent out on a weekly basis. Either or will grant you access to these things…
They tell us, and they tell us…but as a writer, we focus on that aspect of the career. The writing aspect. If all we had to do is write…if success was only bargained by this, I have over 86 books published, trust me, I would be beyond successful. But I have to learn to properly merge being a blogger as well. I have to remind myself that I…am more than just an author.
How She Drifts (Poetry)
Poem # 1
How far the journey, before I cry out for you
This weight that doesn’t release in this atmosphere
I carry it for you
I crave to be remade by you
~ Sakari
Poem # 2
I linger as a spirit does
My voice goes weak down your halls
Reality sings to me, in its loudest voice
Why can’t I have you, in the distance
~ Sakari
Poem # 3
Through will we shall bond
She’s been observed by so many before
I break and twist inside rotating matter
I reform within her presence
~ Sakari
Poem # 4
There are symbols that I see, throughout the day
A knife between realms, allow me to carve things out
She’s placed herself away, from wondering crowds
All I get, is her spirit’s dust
~ Sakari
Poem # 5
Strands of mist repaints her dark forest
This darkness she has told me, she has never wished
I want to wash away all of it for her
I want to take away, her black beach
~ Sakari
Poem # 6
And so she falls into a pit
Her back goes in first
Her eyes close for sleep
Her heart stays awake
~ Sakari
The First Home For My Writing
WordPress was the first place for me to post my writing. The first place to make me believe that my art had somewhere to go amongst the digital world. I was able to use this platform to post my content and build a strong base of followers. Of strong readers. Of supporters. And even though I hadn’t been on here in some time, I have still grown in followers. This feeling is unexplainable.
Returning To Where It Started
I’ve learned so much since I first started six years back. My writing is better. And I have found my voice. I can’t wait to be more consistent on here again. With better posts. More eyes. And a different mindset. I want to continue to build my writer’s foundation, and I want it to be on WordPress. Coming back to this platform with a sharper sense of everything is only going to further my career. I’m a blogger. An author. An MMA fighter in training now. I’m starting a band soon. I can’t wait to share these arts with all of you. I simply…can’t wait.
One Of Many Poetry Books From Me…
Put your heart at risk I know, I know You’re not new to this I know, I know I’m asking for a lot I know, I know You’re not new to this
Omar watches as his owner gets dressed. A spirit mage who has pulled him from the afterlife to ally her in battle.
Omar is a man in his late twenties, while Cel is a woman with all black long hair, who dresses in one color always – the color black. She is nearing her mid-twenties.
OMAR: Do you have to leave with him again – you’ve already been out three times this week, and its only Thursday.
Cel continues to fix do her makeup. Omar leans against the wall with his arms crossed, realizing he is being ignored.
OMAR: We should be training, not indulging in useless matters. What if we were attacked by the enemy?
CEL: I’m not about to do this with you tonight, Omar.
OMAR: Do what?
CEL: This.
Cel stops with her makeup for a bit.
CEL: You do this every time I’m about to meet up with him.
Cel continues her makeup in her bedroom mirror.
OMAR: It just seems so pointless. What is he actually doing for you?
CEL: Look, Omar.
Cel turns around to face her summon – her spirit ally.
CEL: You can’t…sigh. I’ve been thinking, and…I wanna give up mage craft.
Omar leans off the wall. His face is now in utter shock.
OMAR: What? Why? We’ve been training hard for this.
CEL: That’s the thing, I don’t want to be any of this. I never asked for this. I want a normal life. I don’t want to battle and continue to risk lives anymore.
OMAR: But we haven’t harmed anyone. We’ve actually saved many with our…
Cel puts her finger up, indicating for Omar to wait. To pause. And pause he does.
CEL: That’s not all. I’ve also been considering…terminating our contract.
OMAR: The contract that keeps me in this world? The contract that has me bound to you?
Cel doesn’t reply.
OMAR: All because you think I’m jealous.
Omar’s tone drops.
OMAR: He wins then.
CEL: Goodbye Omar.
Omar stands in place as he watches Cel grab her black purse and head out the door. He makes his way to her bed as the door closes behind Cel.
Omar flops in place, his head now dropped to the floor. He looks down at both his hands.
OMAR: All because I’m jealous.
Omar dematerializes into the air, becoming thin strands of mist before no longer baring a physical form. Cel enters back into the room just as his particles scatter into the air.
CEL: Omar, wait.
Cel rushes over to the bed where Omar once was. She tries to catch his disappearing body but fails to.
CEL: Omar?
She calls out to no response. Cel then turns around and sits on the bed herself.
CEL: I’m sorry.
She manages to say in a saddened tone.
***
Author’s Note: This article will be rushed, so please, my apologies in advance 🙂 i’m putting this article together on a Greyhound, as i’m traveling across the map from Arizona to Michigan. I’m planning to be in Michigan long enough for my career to float, and then i’m moving to Malaysia, as there is a certain visa I need to acquire to do this 🙂 i’m so excited for the future ahead!!! 🙂
Now, to get back on track, I literally wrote this fiction story while I was passing through Texas (still am passing through Texas at this moment, and on my way to Nashville next, according to my bus driver). Since certain platforms don’t allow me to post too much of any book I am publishing with their service (looking at you Amazon – our love/hate relationship), I will be delivering flash fiction to you 🙂 they will be like lore fiction, giving you little side stories using the characters from certain universes of certain series.
These stories will be an add-on every week to these articles. The purpose of these stories is to dive further into the universe of each series, as I am going back to working on multiple series at once. This is because i’m thinking more like a publisher from now on, than an author. I’m treating my writing career more like a monopoly from now on. I’m going back to serialization, as I constantly see that my shorter works are being sought after. It’s so darn frustrating writing a 200 page book, just for it to be shelved because a more known author has just dropped their own book.
[Over 200 pages of poetry – a much larger collection than usual. Available for 1.99]
***
Fiction…
One of the few remaining witches in their world, Brandon, a 30-year-old man, requires the aid of Ulysee, a 23-year-old woman. After having tracked her down, due to her being the only one that can break a curse turned disease that is killing off witches, Brandon must first protect her from an opposing witch that wants her dead.
I’ve been away for some time now, trying my art in different paths of publishing. I’m back with a new outlook on everything writing now. The section of literature I have presented was not the end- there is more. Below is the rest of this article, including more poetry and more fiction. I want to link these worlds, giving readers more options when available.
