NaNoWriMo Entry - Doing it the fat way! :p

FloatingFatMan · 11-08-2006 09:32 AM

Thought I'd post my first chapter up for NaNoWriMo! This has a working title of "The Diary", and is basically about the origin of Miss Ellie's powers, and what happened between her getting them, and arriving in Paragon City.

The Diary

Chapter One

Jessica sighed as she knelt down amongst the boxes. Taking the knife from her shirt pocket, she cut the tape holding the nearest box closed, and put the knife back before opening the flap. Just underneath the flaps lay several sheets of newspaper, the Paragon Times. Glancing at the date on the headline, she smiled; 31st October 2016, her and Ellie's 10th wedding anniversary, just 2 weeks ago.

Putting the newspaper to one side, she began to unpack the box. Inside was an assortment of books, mostly dressmaking, and some cookery books, the accumulation of the last ten years of living together on Rolando Island. Jessica smiled, somewhat sadly, as her thoughts went back to the island. Life had been good there, too good really. It's a shame it had to come to a close Still, they had their new home now, in the countryside not too far from London.

Jess picked up the stack of books she'd unpacked, and walked over to the nearest bookcase. Kneeling down, she slowly started to shelve the books, trying to keep some semblance of order. About two thirds of the way into the stack, she stopped as she picked up a fairly thick, leather bound book, with no title. Curious, she opened it.

Ellie's Diary, she read. Raising an eyebrow she glanced first towards the door, then back to the book, turning the page to the first entry.

15th March, 2004.
Decided to start writing a diary, to try to make sense of what's happened to me. Dad's finally gone out, after spending the last hour yelling at me. Mum's downstairs, crying again.

I still don't really know what happened in the crash three weeks ago All I can remember is the screech of metal, and then waking up in the hospital. I'm glad Mogs is OK. From what the doc said, several tonnes of stuff fell on my mini when I was driving through those road works He said it's a miracle I'm alive at all!

Anyway, since I was let out (not a scratch on me!), some odd things have been happening! I've been having some really weird dreams, and last week I was watching the news on TV, some rubbish about mutants, and it just exploded! Scared the hell out of me I'll tell you Bits of the screen flying everywhere, god knows how I avoided getting cut. Funny thing is, there were bits of glass and stuff all over, and some went past me, but just in front of me, there was this little arc of bits of glass on the floor, like a line stopping just in front of me. Weird.

Mogs was pretty shook up by the accident though, he doesn't seem to want to go far from me anymore, and actually seems happiest when he's curled up on my shoulder. He seems pretty quiet since too Hardly ever meowing anymore

Jess looked up from the diary as she heard a door slam just outside the room, and a high pitched voice call out, "Mum? I can't find my laptop!"

Smiling, Jess was about to reply, when she heard the soft tones of her wife reply. "It's in the kitchen, Josie. Right where you left it! Maybe if you'd be a bit tidier, instead of spending all your time bothering Auntie Hannah, you wouldn't lose it?"

The voices faded into indistinct mumbles as the owners moved further away from the room Jess was in, out of earshot. With a chuckle, Jess turned back to the diary. She flicked through a couple of entries, then turned to the back of the book, to see when the last entry was made.

31st October, 2006.
Jess and I are getting married today! I'm so excited! It feels like everything I've done in my life up to now, has been leading to this moment! I'm such a lucky girl, I don't know what I've done to deserve someone as wonderful as Jess!

Must find a way to thank Hannah properly for everything she's done for us!!

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

Jess smiled as she read the words of the final entry, then closed the book and stood up. Placing the diary carefully on the desk near the bookcase, she finished putting the rest of the books on the shelf before picking it up again, and heading out of the room, to ask Ellie about it.

In the kitchen, Ellie was just putting the kettle on as Jess entered the room. Ellie was a slight woman, only 5'4", with narrow hips and a small chest. Her long white hair was tied in a pony tail, ending just above her rear, where her long cat tail sprouted from the base of her spine. A small red cap perched between the cat ears on the top of her head.

Jess smiled at her wife as she entered, "Hey hun, Josie find her laptop?"

Ellie glanced up from the kettle as Jess spoke, "Mmhmm, she's in the lounge, setting up a chat session with Hannah. Wants to tell her all about the trip, I think. Tea?"

Jess smiled as she sat on a stool, "Please."

Ellie nodded, almost absently, as she fixed a second cup. Pouring the hot water, the aroma of cinnamon drifted across the room. After a moment of stirring, Ellie picked up both cups and walked over to Jess, sitting next to her and putting both cups on the counter before glancing at the book in Jess's hands. "What's that, love?"

"A diary, yours in fact. Came across it when unpacking." Jess placed it on the counter as she spoke.

Ellie frowned slightly as she picked it up, "Oh wow... I'd forgotten all about this thing... Haven't seen it for years!"

Ellie flipped through it's pages for a moment, before shrugging and putting it back down to take a sip of her tea, "It's mostly just me prattling on, nothing too interesting."

Jess smiled as she sipped her tea, "Mind if I have a read?"

Ellie grinned at her partner, "You and your curiosity... I'm meant to be the curious cat, not you!"

Jess chuckled into her mug as she sipped some more.

Ellie picked the diary up again and hefted it thoughfully, remembering it's contents. After a moment's thought, she shrugged and handed it over, "Alright, but there's stuff in there you're not going to like..."

Jess smiled as she took the book, "I'm sure there's nothing in there that can compare to some of the thing's Josie's gotten into..."

"Don't be so sure..." Ellie replied as she finished her tea and picked up her handbag from the counter, "I've got to pop to the shop for some milk. Be about ten minutes."

Jess nods, "OK love, see you soon."

Ellie leaned over and pecked Jess on the cheek, her vanilla scented perfume lingering as she headed out the back door. Jess smiled as she left, and after looking at the now closed door for a moment, turned back to the diary, opening it again at the first page.

18th March, 2004
More weird stuff today I was peeling some potatoes for mum, and I sneezed and the knife slipped. It was a pretty deep cut, right in the palm of my hand, but as I stood there, more in surprise than anything, the cut healed!! I couldn't believe it! There I was, stood there dripping blood into the sink from a 2 inch gash in my palm, and the cut just closed up! It didn't hurt at all!

I'm beginning to think something happened in that crash, dad does too, he keeps giving me funny looks. More weird dreams again. I keep seeing images of, well spaceships!

I'm scared.

24th March, 2004
Katie came over today. Dad gave her his usual filthy look so we went out to the common for some peace and quiet. I tried to leave Mogs behind but he yowled so much I just had to bring him as well. Told Katie about cutting my hand the other day, but she thinks I imagined it. Decided not to tell her about the dreams.

We cuddled for a bit on a bench, there were no people about, so why not? After a bit, her mobile rang... her mum. She had to get on home but she's coming around to see me tomorrow.

25th March, 2004
Had a really scary dream last night, there was this voice coming from nowhere that kept telling me to fly away! I think I'm starting to go mad

Katie's coming over later. We're going to go see a film. Maybe I should tell her about the dreams?

26th March, 2004
Katie didn't show up last night. No phone call, nothing. I tried ringing her mobile, but it was off and she never checks her answer phone. Stayed up half the night worrying, It's not like her to not call. Where IS she?

Jess looked up as a sound came from the hallway. A moment later, a slim little girl with long blonde hair, up in pigtails, poked her head into the room, "Mom, auntie Hannah wants to know if you remembered to close off the portal in your tower room?"

"Tell her it's all closed off Josie, and I'll come over at the weekend to remove it completely, OK?"

Josie nodded and her head vanished back to where it came from. With a chuckle, Jess returned to the diary.

1st April, 2004.
Some April Fool's day today turned out to be... Katie doesn't want to be with me anymore! She came around earlier and said things had been too weird since my accident, and that she's found someone else. Why didn't she say something the other day? It's not fair! I've been with her for nearly a year, and she just dumps me like that!

Spent the last few hours in bed, crying. At least Mogs loves me.

I'm so depressed.

With a rattle at the handle, the back door swung open, and Ellie walked in and put a carrier bag on the counter, "Hey love, told you I wouldn't be long."

"Hi Ellie, " Jess smiled, "Get the milk OK?"

"Yeah... Couple of twits in the shop gawked at me, but you know I just ignore that [censored]."

Jess nodded as Ellie started to put the milk, and a few other groceries, away. "Who's Katie?"

"Katie? Oh... Just an old girlfriend, from a long time ago. I've told you about her before, haven't I?"

Jess shakes her head, "No, I don't think so..."

"Oh... Well, nothing to tell really. She was my first proper girlfriend, but I only dated her for about a year. Last I heard, she ended up marrying some guy, had a couple of kids, and spent the next few years working in a supermarket..."

"A guy? And she dated you?"

Ellie finished putting the things away and turned to look at Jess, "Yeah, well... She never DID know what she really wanted."

"Aaah, I get you. One of the insecure types."

"Insecure? Yeah, that's Katie alright. A shame really, she was really pretty and did this thing with her middle fin...." Ellie stopped and grinned sheepishly, "Ah... Guess you don't really want to hear about that."

Jess chuckled, "Ah, not really, no."

"Well, anyway... She was my first proper girlfriend I guess, shame she didn't feel as strongly about me as I did her. Still, things worked out better in the end, right?"

Jess smiled at Ellie, "Indeed they did. After all, look where we are now."

Ellie chuckled and gave Jess a brief hug. "Guess you read about her in my diary? Afraid you won't find anything juicy about her in there; we split up not long after I started writing it..."

"So I gathered... I'm sorry that upset you so."

Ellie shrugged, "Why be sorry? It was a long time ago, and I was pretty screwed up back then. Anyway, I'm going to see what Josie is getting up to."

"Alright love, I think she's still in the lounge, talking to Hannah."

Ellie nodded and patted Jess on the rear before heading out of the kitchen. Jess chuckled in response, "Cheeky!"

Smiling after her wife as she left the room, Jess once again returned to the diary.

10th April, 2004
Been so depressed lately. Can't stop crying about Katie, why'd she leave me? What did I do wrong?

Had a row with dad yesterday. He's sick of me moping about the house and told me it's time I bucked my ideas up and got a job. Guess it was sparked off by that cheque from the insurance for my car. A whopping great £3000! Bloody tightwads... You'd think getting nearly killed under a few tonnes of heavy gear, and my car getting smooshed, would be worth more than that? But NOOOOOoooooo... Three effing grand...

Anyway... Dad told me I'd better use it to sort my life out, coz he's sick of paying for everything for me. I swear, sometimes he's tighter than a ducks [censored]!

18th April, 2004
Oh My God! I can fly!!!!!!!!

I was carrying some stuff downstairs, and I tripped, but didn't fall down! I was just.. bobbing there... In the air! Mum saw me and near screamed the house down! That made me jump I can tell you, made me fall too, luckily I caught the banister so I didn't fall more than a couple of steps.

Poor mum, she was all hyperventilating and everything! She said there was this glow in my eyes and everything! I've NO idea how it happened, and I've tried to do it again, but I can't. Mum's all worried and everything and thinks we should call someone, but... who?

Not looking forward to dad finding out, he can't stand things that aren't what he called "normal".

19th April, 2004
Dad blew his stack when mum told him. Said he knew I was a freak! Me? A freak? What a horrible thing to say! I tried to talk to him, tell him I had no idea how it happened, but he just yelled at me to get out of his sight!

20th April, 2004
Dad's a lot calmer today. Came up to my room this morning and said he was sorry for yelling at me like that. Even gave me a hug! Then he said he was worried about me, and thought maybe I should go see someone. I didn't know how he meant, but then he said he'd called the Ministry of Meta-human Affairs, and they're going to send someone around tomorrow to talk to me!

I was a bit panicky about that... He knows I don't like talking to strangers much, but he got all stern and told me he knows what's best and that maybe they can cure me or something!

21st April, 2004
The man from the ministry came today. He was a really nice guy, in his early 30's I guess, did his best to keep me calm and stuff. We spoke privately for a while about the accident and stuff, and I mentioned the dreams to him. He got all thoughtful and asked if I'd like to visit the ministry for some testing, so they can see what's actually happened. I'm not sure I want to know what's happened, but I guess I should.

Anyway, dad's told me I have to go as well...

28th April, 2004
Oh god... Oh god... Oh god... Oh god...

Visited the ministry today, for those tests.. Took Mogs with me as he really yowled the place down when I tried to leave him at home. They had this psychic woman there, and she went looking through my head... They were all nice at the ministry, told me they only wanted to help, but what they found!!!

I've got something inside me... An alien of some kind.. A Kellan I think they said. No, that's not right... Kheldian, that's it. Whatever one of those is. The psychic lady said she spent some time talking to it, asking it what it wanted, but it didn't say much. Just that it saw the crash, and that it... well... it saved me. They said it did ask me if I wanted it to help, and I said OK... I don't remember any of that!

Dad totally spazzed out! I don't think I've ever seen him look so... Angry? Upset? I dunno... He just freaked and told me to get out of his sight. I ran upstairs to my room, crying again, and listened to the muffled voices of him and mum arguing. Then the door slammed and dad's car started up. After a few minutes I heard mum coming upstairs, and she stopped outside my room for a minute before she went back downstairs again. Guess she can't face me at the moment either...

Jess paused in her reading, taking a moment to take stock of what she'd just read. What a... a pig, Ellie's father had been! Almost afraid to continue reading, Jess looked back at the pages before her, and Ellie's flowing handwriting.

1st May, 2004
I'm homeless. When dad came back the other day, there was a massive row. He said he'd been to find out more about this thing inside me, and he was horrified! He said I'm not his little girl anymore, just a damned filthy alien body snatcher! I've never seen him so angry before... I was scared spitless!

He raged on about his little girl having died in that crash, and that I'm just a monster wearing her body! I actually thought he was going to hit me at one point and Dad's never ever done that before! He told me to get out... To get what clothes I could into a bag, and get out, and never ever come back!

What could I do? Mum was just standing there, in tears. Dad was fuming and going all red faced.... So I just threw some stuff in a bag, grabbed Mogs, and left. I was so scared and upset, I didn't know what to do or where to go, so I just ran.... And ran, and ran.

I don't know how long I ran for. Somehow, I found myself outside Katie's house, so I knocked on the door. Her mum answered. When she saw me though, she just slammed the door in my face. I tried a few more times, but after a bit I heard a voice shouting "Go away, freak!". It sounded like Katie... Guess she's been talking to dad.

I ran off again, and jumped on the first bus I saw. I'm in a hostel at the moment, but I can't stay more than one night as pets aren't really allowed here.

Everybody hates me... I'm so alone... I wish I'd died in that crash.

Jess stopped reading, and put the diary down. Shocked and horrified at what Ellie's father had done to his daughter. Of course, she'd known roughly what had happened; Ellie had told her as much years ago. But only in an offhand way, actually reading about what had happened brought the reality of what Ellie's father had done, the sheer harshness of it appalled Jess. Taking a tissue from her pocket, she dabbed at her eyes for a moment, and then set off in search of Ellie.

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Sis_Kin · 11-08-2006 05:34 PM

Wow...that was simply amazing. You caught me up from start to finish and I want to read more! Beautiful story. You will add updates will you? I'll give you cookies if you do!

CatKeeper · 11-08-2006 09:46 PM

Exellent work mate, can't wait to see how the story continues!

Tigergirl/Yoko Hatori - Full time hero
Kiyarii Kade - Model and part time hero
Mileena Lim - Alien Demon Bat Sorceress or rather Hotel property owner
Starborn/Klair Elwin - Full time hero and Journalist

CBeet · 11-08-2006 10:11 PM

First story that has caught my eye for a while, good read mate, can't wait for the rest

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

FloatingFatMan · 11-09-2006 05:14 AM

Thanks everyone, for the kind words! Just the sort of thing to encourage a person to write chapter two...

Speaking of which!

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Chapter Two

In the lounge, Ellie was sat on their large 5 seat leather sofa, her feet curled under her, as she idly flipped through a fashion magazine. Josie was sat cross legged on the floor, typing away at the laptop on the coffee table.

Smiling, Jess walked up behind the sofa and leant down to kiss Ellie on the cheek.

Ellie looked up from her magazine, a smile on her face. "Hmm What was that in aid of?"

"Have I told you lately, how much I love you?"

"Oh Not for ages Must be at least a couple of hours? You're slacking love."

"Well, I love you very much, Ellie"

Ellie looked at her a little oddly, "Hmm And I love you too Jess. So what brought all this on, hmm?"

Jess smiled at Ellie, then shrugged, "Oh it's silly really, just something in that diary of yours."

"Ah yeah, I see now. Well, try not to worry too much about anything you read in that thing. Don't forget it was written a very long time ago, and I'm not that person anymore."

"I know, but well Reading what happened to you I just wanted to let you know I love you, and that you're not alone, OK?"

Ellie smiled, and leaned over to kiss Jess back, "You're a dear, you know that? Always thinking of others, even when there's no need. It's one of things I've always loved about you."

"One of the things? What are the others then?" Jess asked.

"Hmm Oh, you know... This and that" Ellie grinned cheekily.

Jess blinked a few times, before realization dawned, "Oh you! A one track mind, as ever!"

Ellie laughed, her emerald green eyes twinkling in the bright autumn sunlight streaming through the French doors, "You're the one with the one track mind honey, I didn't say a thing!"

Josie looked up from her laptop, a rather fake look of indignation on her face. "Hey! Do I have to get the squirty bottle? Little girl over here you know!

Ellie and Jess looked over to Josie, and spoke in unison, "Sorry Josie"

Josie looked at her parents, and let out a rather exasperated snort. "I hate it when you do that!"

Ellie chuckled at her daughter, "Well, remember that next time youre finishing young Michaels sentences!"

Josie blushed, "Mum!"

Ellie smirked and glanced up at her wife, "I dunno love, kids today."

Jess joined her wifes chuckling, then stood upright, "Ill leave you two to fight this one out, I think..."

Josie glared at her mum, infuriated at the gentle teasing, and turned back to her laptop, attempting to ignore them both. Jess then turned to leave the room, quietly singing a song she remembered from her own childhood, "And they called it, puppy looooove...."

As she left the room, Jess stopped her quiet singing, and went back to the kitchen. After getting herself a glass of orange juice from the fridge, she once again picked up Ellies diary and, sitting on a stool, returned to her reading.

2nd May, 2004
Had to get out the hostel this morning, stupid no pets rule! Poor Mogs cant stay at home!

Spent the day wandering around London, trying to find somewhere else to stay. Theres nowhere that will take pets, not on short notice. Eventually went back home, before dad got back from work. Mum was out. Took a shower then went down to the shed, looking for my old tent. Finally found it, and my old rucksack, so packed it all properly this time, dumping all my nice clothes for more practical stuff. Then raided the larder for some food, packed that, and wrote a note for mum.

Had another cry while writing that, then with Mogs safe on my shoulder, I dumped my keys on the kitchen table, with the note, and left.

No idea what Im gonna do, or where Im gonna go, but I cant stay here.

5th May, 2004.

Im in Sussex. Pitched my tent in a field near an old farm last night. The farmer found me this morning, seemed a nice enough chap, but told me I needed to move my tent. Guess I cant blame him, it IS his property after all. Still... He told me theres a campsite not far away that has showers and things!

6th May, 2004
Found that campsite the farmer told me about. Its really cheap as the season hasnt really started yet, so Im going to stay here a couple of days. Finally got a shower and Im CLEAN again!

Tried to call mum on my mobile, but dad answered so I hung up.

Im glad Mogs is with me. Dont think I could sleep at night if he wasnt there. Hes all Ive got.

10th May, 2004
Left the campsite today, decided theres no point in staying there in this crappy weather, so Im going to hitch down to Dover, and get a ferry to France. Maybe getting away from here will do me some good.

11th May, 2004
Stupid customs idiots! They wont let me take Mogs as hes not chipped! Ive pitched my tent up on the cliffs while I figure out what to do.

12th May, 2004
Im gonna try to do it. Im gonna try to fly over the channel. Ive done a few short flights now, been practicing today. Im not that fast, but I can keep it up long enough to get over the channel, I think.

Gonna pick up some stuff from some shops today, and try as soon as the sun goes down. Dont want people seeing me!

13th May, 2004
Made it, just! Got a few miles out and started to feel really tired. Thought I was gonna fall but a ferry heading towards Calais went past. I managed to land on one of its decks though, and got to the passenger area without being seen. Phew!

Had to get off again before we got to the port though, wasnt easy as there were a few people on the deck. Still, managed it and landed on the beach at Calais.

Hostels in Calais dont mind Mogs! Yay! Managed to get a shower and a hot meal, and chatted to some other backpackers who are planning to head down to Italy. Andy, and his girlfriend, Julie. They asked me if I had any plans, and as I didnt, they invited me along with them! Theyre both a bit older than me, in their mid-twenties I think, so they probably thought Id be safer with them than on my own.

15th May, 2004
Were about 50 kilometers from Paris. Andy and Julie are a nice enough couple, but I think theyre potheads. Definitely got a whiff of some grass from their tent last night. Oh well, to each their own I guess.

Theyre really noisy in the sack too... Kept me awake for hours last night with their racket. Made me really miss Katie.

18th May, 2004
Andy propositioned me last night! He was stoned out of his head, so I didnt get too freaked. Just told him no thanks. Julie thought it was funny and said if we did it, could she watch! Mind you, she was stoned too.

Havent told them Im [censored]. Should I?

19th May, 2004
Andy said sorry this morning. Hed come down from his high and was really embarrassed. I told him its OK, but that he really wasnt my type anyway. Glad thats over!

We made it into Paris today, and are going to stay here for a week or two in another hostel. No rush after all, and all this being in France is really helping with my French!

22nd May, 2004
Saw a superhero today! Had been shopping in a market, and there was this screech of tires as a car went out of control and headed right for a stall. This guy wearing the French Tricolor just appeared out of nowhere, raised his hand, and the car just floated into the air!! Wow!

After hed made sure the people in the car were OK, he just vanished again, in a flash of light! Awesome!

Rushed back to tell Andy and Julie about it, but theyd gone! All there stuff was gone from their room and the guy at the desk said theyd checked out earlier. Guess Andy was more embarrassed than I thought.

Oh well, just me and Mogs again. Where do I go now? Carry on to Italy?

26th May, 2004
Still in Paris. Checked my bank balance today on an ATM, got just over 4 grand from my savings and the insurance money. Went to a travel company today to see where I could go, dont really want to walk or hitch it, so Im thinking either train or bus. Got to watch how much I spend though, as I dunno how long its got to last me.

30th May, 2004
Im on a train to Prague! Always wanted to visit there as Ive heard so much about it, and the ticket was only 90 Euros for a last minute booking!

Phoned home last night. Mum answered, but I couldnt think what to say. Ended up just blurting out that I was fine, and hung up.

5th June, 2004
Been in Prague a few days now. Its OK here. Quite a pretty city, where the tourists are anyway. Not quite so nice if youre a backpacker though.

Have visited a few sights, but dont really feel comfortable here, not sure why. Havent slept properly for a couple of days, and Mogs keeps fretting around me.

7th June, 2004.
Got arrested today! I was standing on a street corner, trying to figure out my map, when a cop pulled over! I didnt have a clue what he was saying, and he didnt speak English OR French. Stupid sod thought I was a [censored] and busted me!

Finally got it sorted out, AFTER theyd carted me off to the police station. Bloody idiots. How was I to know I was in the red light district? Youd think a girl in a leather jacket, jeans, and a bloody great big backpack would look just a BIT different to some tart on the game!

Oh well, they were very sorry when they realized their mistake, and gave me a lift to the bus station which Id been trying to find.

15th June, 2004
Im somewhere in Turkey, but couldnt tell you where. Stupid bus broke down in the middle of nowhere, and the breakdown truck just dumped us in this tiny little village before sodding off. The bus driver is trying to call his depot, but cant get through yet.

This village is really squalid. Smells like their drains stopped up months ago. Living on dehydrated food and bottled water as I dont want to risk the local food or water. Mogs doesnt like it here either.

16th June, 2004
Civilization at last! A new bus finally turned up and got us out of that cesspit of a village, and Im now sitting in a nice hostel in Istanbul!

There are a few English people here, so Ive got someone to chat too as well. Mogs has finally settled down so I guess he likes it here.

Jess paused in her reading for a moment, pondering some of the things shed read. To think that Ellies own father had made her feel she needed to get that far away Well She could hardly believe it of the man. Hed seemed nothing like that in the last few years shed known him, until hed passed away last year. In fact, hed seemed to grow more loving as hed neared the end. Obviously, his change of heart had been quite severe.

Putting the book down for a moment, she got up and went to the fridge, refilling her glass with some more orange juice. Then she returned to the stool, and sat back down, taking a sip before returning to the diary.

20th June, 2004
Spent the last few days looking around the city, and doing a little bit of shopping. Theres so much to see here, at least in the tourist section. Shame the less touristy parts arent so nice Theres quite a lot of poverty here, hidden behind the scenes.

A pair of nasty looking pieces of work started following me as I was looking around, so I went back to the hostel.

21st June, 2004.
Those two nasty looking guys were hanging around the front door of the hostel this morning, so I stayed up in my room. Mogs seems pretty freaked out too.

22nd June, 2004
Those guys werent around this morning, so I went back out. Decided to stay away from the seedier parts of the city and just stick with the tourist parts. Not sure how much longer Ill stay around here Might head east again in a few days.

28th June, 2004
Oh god, whats happening to me!?

Those two guys turned up again a few days ago, whilst I was taking a shortcut back to the hostel, through an alley. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! They tried to grab me!! Mogs went berserk and went for them, all teeth and claws! Ive never seen him act so... vicious! Whilst one of the men was trying to get him off, the other one tried to grab me!

Im not completely sure what happened then I know I tried to fight back, but Ive never learned how!

Anyway There was this flash of light and then And then I dont know! Mogs was back on my shoulder, and seemed calm, bumping his nose against my cheek. I felt I needed to get back to my room, so I managed to work out where I was, and got a cab back. Im still shaking not just from the attack, but from something else too.

That happened 5 days ago! Where have I been? Why cant I remember!?

30th June, 2004
Ive left Istanbul. Packed my bag yesterday, and just got the hell out of there. I grabbed the first train I could that was heading east, I dont care where. Ive kept myself to myself while I try to remember what happened, but theres nothing. Not even a glimmer of a memory.

Mogs is refusing to leave my side for more than a few minutes. He seems calm enough, but he keeps giving me these long looks. Its almost like he knows what happened, but how can he really? I mean hes just a cat, isnt he?

Its got to be this thing thats inside of me It must have done something. But what, what did it do?

Jess stopped her reading again, rather shocked at what seemed to have happened. Shed known theres been problems with Ellies joining with Mikoshi, her Kheldian symbiont, but this? She searched her memories, both hers and Shokushus, but came up blank. As far as she or Shokushu knew, no joining had ever been so unstable as Ellies seemed to have been. By now, they should have been in full partnership

Reaching for her bag, she pulled out a compact PDA and made a note to contact Sunstorm, back in Paragon. Perhaps he can offer some insight as to what had happened to Ellie back then?

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Ghost · 11-09-2006 09:17 AM

Excelent work, good read. Nice to see the 'present' in with the past. Keep it up!

@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity

If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.

Aqua_Femina · 11-09-2006 10:46 AM

Wow that was great!! keep up the good work, cant wait for more

AF

CBeet · 11-09-2006 11:27 AM

Another great read, more I say!

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

FloatingFatMan · 11-10-2006 05:42 AM

Onward to chapter three!

**WARNING: Tissue's may be required!**

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three

Jess sat thoughtfully for a few minutes, considering what she'd actually ASK Sunstorm when she saw him next. After all, it had all happened so long ago, could it possibly matter anymore? Besides, since that Nictus attack a few years ago, it's not like he hung around in his old spot in Atlas Park anymore, she'd probably have to go up to the mothership to talk to him. Jess shuddered, she hated that place; so cold and sterile, no heart in the place at all. Still, if she wanted answers, he really was the best person to speak to.

With an inner sigh, she took another sip of her orange juice, and returned to the diary.

10th July, 2004
Been a few days since I've felt like writing. Not much has happened since I left Istanbul. The train has stopped in several cities, but is continuing its slow crawl eastwards. We've crossed several borders, and had to stop for passports and stuff, but the customs people don't seem really bothered.

I think we're going through Azerbaijan at the moment. Such a desolate place, at least from what I can see on the train.

11th July, 2004.
End of the line. The train stopped at a seaport this morning. Not a lot here but a small village, and a ferry to cross an inland sea into Turkmenistan, I think it's the Caspian Sea? God, what am I doing going so far from England? It's almost like something is driving me eastward, and I don't know why.

The battery on my mobile gave out days ago, so I can't even call mum to let her know I'm OK. Not that there'd be a signal way out here anyway. I tried to use a payphone in the village, but the operator didn't speak a word of English or French, and direct dialling didn't work, so I guess that's out.

I've run out of money as well. Got plenty in the bank, but the chances of finding an ATM out here are pretty remote. I have my visa card, but there are no banks either. I'm hungry, I'm cold, I'm tired, and worst of all I smell. It's been days since I've been able to have a shower, and I'm really starting to feel just... Ugh!

No idea how I'm going to get across this sea, with no money for the ferry. I'd try flying over, but I'm so tired I can't even manage to hover more than an inch off the ground, let along fly god knows how many miles across.

12th July, 2004
I'm in a house, in a spare room!

This elderly couple saw me sitting by the ferry, sniffling. I guess I looked so pathetic sitting there. They don't speak any English, or French, but they made do with sign language. To tell the truth, by then I was feeling so low, I didn't care what they wanted; I just went with them.

They're a very kind couple. Very poor, but they gave me some food, somewhere to wash, and somewhere to sleep. I was so grateful, I burst into tears and the old lady, I think her name is Astrid, just put her arms around me and let me cry. After a bit, they led me to this room, with an old mattress on the floor, and left me alone.

It really gets to you, y'know? When people have so little themselves, yet put themselves out to help others. I wish more people were like that.

13th July, 2004
Gosh, I've slept for 36 hours! Astrid made me some breakfast this morning, some kind of porridge. I didn't care, I was so hungry that it tasted delicious! She's been jabbering away to me in what seems like Russian, not sure. I heard mention of some names, one seemed quite prevalent, Dmitri. I'm not sure, but I think he might be coming to talk to me?

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better now, not so depressed. I guess it was the lack of decent sleep, and hunger, which was getting me down so much. Mogs seems to like it here as well.

14th July, 2004
That Dmitri guy came this morning. He's an old Russian soldier that settled here years ago, and speaks some English! Guess that's why Astrid and her husband asked him to come over. I spent most of the morning talking to him, and telling him some of what had happened. I didn't mention about my powers or stuff like that, just that I'd had problems at home, and had to leave.

He's a really nice guy, so friendly and caring. He says he knows someone with a car, and they're going to take me to the nearest town, about 30 kilometers from here. From there, well I'm on my own again, but at least it'll be somewhere where I can sort out some money and stuff.

15th July, 2004
I'm in a town called Buzovna. Dmitri and his friend dropped me off this afternoon and made sure I was safe in a small hotel, after first taking me to a bank to get some money. I tried to pay them for all their help, but they flatly refused it. I was quite tearful when they left, almost as much as when I said goodbye to Astrid and her husband. People here have been so kind to me.

I had a hot shower for the first time in what seems forever, I was only able to wash at Astrid's house. Then I went to bed for a couple of hours, with Mogs curled up with me. When I finally got up, about 6pm I think, I felt so much better, and able to think about what the hell I'm doing, and where I'm going.

So far, I've just been running, trying to get as far away from dad as I can, but I can't keep doing that. From what I remember, this isn't exactly the safest part of the world for a girl on her own, or for anyone else for that matter. Something seems to be almost calling me... eastward. I don't know what, or why, I just know I need to keep going east.

I picked up a map today, to see what lies in that direction. Geography never was my strong point. If I keep going east, beyond Turkmenistan, there's Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. God, I never realised just how big China is.. It's massive! Going to take me a long time to get through there.

20th July, 2004
I made my way into Turkmenistan this morning, taking a ferry across the Caspian Sea. Took hours as the boat wasn't exactly modern Found myself in a town called Turkmenbashi, and managed to get directions to the train station, and sorted out a ticket east. The next train is due in 2 days, so I tracked down a hotel. I want to avoid the southern border as much as I can, don't want to end up in Iran, or Afghanistan!

22nd July, 2004
Boarded the train today. Its meant to take me all the way to the border with Uzbekistan, where I should be able to get another train. I think the man said itd take about 3 days to get there, trains here arent exactly quick.

I found a seat OK, somewhere where I can bed down to sleep as well. Should be safe enough, just very very dull.

24th July, 2004
Been on the train for 2 days now, I can't believe how slow this thing is We're barely doing 20 miles an hour! AND it's a steam train too! There have been a few stops, were we can get off for 20 minutes at a time for food and stuff, not that that's very palatable. I've only got dried stuff with me as it's easier to carry. What takes up all the space is the bottles of water I have to carry!

Anyway, no one else on this train speaks a word of English or French. Been amusing myself doing some sketches of the scenery, and some of the people on the train, which seems to go down well with everyone. At least its something to do to ease the boredom.

26th July, 2004
Finally got off that train! Arrived at the border quite late but I was able to find a grotty hotel. At least its somewhere to crash for the night. Didnt like the look of the guy at the front desk though, he looked pretty nasty, and made some leering faces I made sure the door was locked with a chair in front of it.

Mogs seems very nervous about something.

28th July, 2004
It's happened again! Another blackout I mean. A remember feeling sleepy in that hotel room, so I settled down to sleep, and then suddenly, I'm waking up in my tent, in the middle of nowhere.

I have no idea where I am, outside the tent is just miles and miles of wasteland, almost a desert. There aren't even many plants around.

WHERE AM I!?

29th July, 2004
Spent most of yesterday, and all today, walking. Nothing changes here. All I can see are miles and miles of desert. No trees, no grass, no animals, nothing. Just the sound of the wind sighing across the dunes. I can just make out some mountains in front, but it's so flat here, they must be over a hundred miles away.

Everywhere I look, there's just nothing!

During the day, it's so hot here, and freezing at night. Mogs is staying close to me, walking sometimes, but most of the time sitting either on my shoulder, or in my backpack. Guess it's too much walking for the little guy.

If it wasn't for my watch, I'd have no idea what the date was. I'm still in the middle of nowhere, the mountains seem just as far away and I've not even seen a bird or lizard. This place could be another planet for all I know.

Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve this?

1st August, 2004
Ran out of water yesterday and the last of the food went today. I'm so thirsty. Mogs just stays huddled in my backpack. All I can do here is walk and think. Everything that's happened to me lately just runs through my mind over and over. The accident, the hospital, going home, Katie Oh Katie, what I wouldn't give to be with you now

Im so scared. I dont think Im going to get out of this place

2nd August, 2004
Another day of walking. I'm so hungry, so thirsty, and oh so very tired. All I do is walk, stop, walk, fall down, get up and walk again. Nothing changes here, even the wind has stopped. It's so quiet, as quiet as the grave.

I'm starting to hear voices. Mum, Katie, even dad. Oh, how I'd love to hear dad yelling at me again. I feel so numb and alone, Mogs just sleeps in the backpack. Poor little guy, hes got no food either Maybe I should No, I cant do that!

More images of recent events have been going through my mind The ministry, the tests, dad's reaction, this journey. If feels like as I go through each part in my head, it washes away the pain behind it, leaving me empty of feeling.

The mountains look so beautiful in the distance, like a row of purple white flowers, floating in the sky. They're so far away, but feel almost close enough to touch.

4th August, 2004
This is it, I can't walk anymore. My feet are agony from all the blisters, and I'm so tired and thirsty. I couldn't even get the strength to put up my tent, so I just crawled into my sleeping bag and zipped it shut, with Mogs inside with me.

I'm going to die here, but I guess that's OK. I'm not frightened anymore. If anyone finds this diary, tell my mum and dad that I love them, and that I'm so very sorry

A crash of breaking glass startled Jess from her reading. Looking up from the pages and blinking tears from her eyes, she looked at her hand, and the remains of her glass of orange juice. Most of the glass was shattered and the remains of the drink were dripping from the last few shards remaining in her hand.

Slowly, she reached out her shaking hand, and put the remains of the glass onto the counter.

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Aqua_Femina · 11-10-2006 11:01 AM

Wow, that was really good, very very gripping.
And yes tissue required, just one tho

AF

Ghost · 11-10-2006 11:28 AM

*sniff* *daps at eye with tissue* Ouch! oooh, that smarts...

Anyway... Good piece again, I'm trying hard to find some way to improve on it, but... all I can think off is that there are many diary entries without interruption.. but.. well, that's logical, really...

@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity

If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.

CBeet · 11-10-2006 02:38 PM

Wow, really cool mate, me likes.

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

Catz_ · 11-10-2006 03:22 PM

So Totally Awesome!!! A********************* (So many stars o.O)

Catz

FloatingFatMan · 11-12-2006 09:22 PM

Time for chapter four! This one was particularly difficult to write as it deals with imagery I'm not used to expressing. Still, I hope you like it!

************************************************** **************************************

Chapter Four

As she sat, staring at the broken glass on the counter, and soft voice echoed in her mind. It was Ellie, using the link theyd shared these past 11 years now, Jess? Are you OK honey? What was that crash?

Jess took a breath to steady herself, before replying. It was important to remain calm, or Ellie would sense how much the diary had affected her, Its OK love, I just dropped a glass is all.

Do you need a hand to clean it up?, Ellies mental voice sounded a little like she didnt quite believe Jess.

No, its OK Ellie, I made the mess, Ill clean it.

After a few seconds, Jess felt Ellie presence within her mind retreat to its normal background level. Just a small glimmer in the mental landscape, enough to know shes there. With a small sigh of relief, Jess waved her fingers at the mess and muttered a quiet spell. The glass fragments rose quickly into the air, and with a faint tinkle of sound and a glow of pale blue light, the glass was repaired. Jess then gestured at the spilled drink and muttered another spell, cleaning up the mess in an instant.

She sat at the counter for a few minutes, staring numbly at the book. Of course, she knew everything turned out OK in the end; Ellie didnt die in that desert. How could she have? She was here, married to her, happy. But, Ellie had never told her any of this, and the shock at reading what had happened to her love was, well shocking! With a glance towards the kitchen door, Jess couldnt help wondering how much more pain Ellie had suffered that she knew nothing about.

After several more minutes of thought, Jess reached out a hand, and pulled the diary back towards herself.

20th August, 2004
IM ALIVE!!!

Something has happened. Im not totally sure what it all means, but Ill try to put down here what I saw. Its almost too fantastic to believe, but I must. Its the truth, and it saved me.

When I zipped myself and Mogs into my sleeping bag, I expected to die. I was so tired, so hungry, so thirsty. I couldnt walk anymore. Id lost all hope and could feel myself drifting away into the darkness.

For a long time, thats all there was; darkness. I dont know how long I lay there, or even that I was laying anywhere, there was just nothingness. Then I saw a light in the distance, moving closer and closer. Finally, it stopped just in front of me; a ball of light, glowing and pulsating. It just, hovered there, in front of me, as if waiting for me to speak.

I asked it if I was dead. The, thing just hovered there. It didnt speak, or move, or do anything; it just, hovered there. As if it was looking at me, expecting me to say something else. So, I asked it what it was. It answered.

Not with words, maybe it cant speak like we do, I dunno. No, it used pictures. The darkness around us changed, and dimly, I could make out a landscape, but one like nothing Id ever seen before. I could see trees, weird looking ones towering miles into the sky, and there was a city. It didnt look like any city Id ever seen before though. Massive buildings rising even higher than the trees, and lots of what looked like walkways, connecting them. The image changed and started to move. The image swooped through the buildings, down to ground level, where there were parks everywhere. Parks, fields, trees, flowers All strange looking ones Id never seen before, and more beautiful than anything I could have imagined..

But no people. I saw what could have been cars of a sort, and larger vehicles, but they were all abandoned. No sign of life of any kind, the city was dead. The image changed again, and I could see the entire world below, glowing with a faint blue light. As I watched, the image started to move off, faster and faster until all I could see was the bright light of the planets sun, shining in front of me. Then the sun, exploded! I saw it shrink suddenly and grow incredibly bright, and then there was a flash. I saw the sun explode, and I knew that world Id just seen, was gone.

This incredible feeling of loss, and sadness came over me as the image faded; and anger, cold burning anger and hatred, directed at the killer of this world.

As the image faded, the glowing light returned, brighter than before. I dont know how, but a word came into my mind, or rather, a name; Kheldia.

Another image slowly faded into view; another world, huge by any standards. It looked a little like Saturn does, with rings around its middle. The view zoomed into the planet, past its rings and into its atmosphere. Then I saw the creatures. They looked almost squid like, with long tentacles waving and glowing faintly with a blue light as they flew through the skies of their world, and I became aware of another name, Mefnanim.

As I watched, the view carried further down, lower and lower until there were no more creatures. The lower it travelled, the darker it became, until I began to see more of the creatures, darker, stronger looking, and suddenly I knew their name too, Hulmanim.

The image faded again, and once more the glowing light was in front of me. But as I watched, it changed. It grew brighter and brighter and then there was a flash, and it changed. It had become like the first creatures, the Mefnanim. Glowing far brighter than they did, it floated in front of me, its tentacles waving.
It floated there, looking at me and I asked it again what it was, confused. The creature changed again, the squid like image glowed brightly again and changed back to the ball, and more images began to form around me.

This time, it was an image of star! It was tiny, and shining incredibly brightly. Again the view zoomed in, closer and closer, until all I could see was light. We got closer and closer, until I could see the surface of the star, and moving around on it, huge hulking shapes. Massively armoured and slow, I could see their glowing forms move a few steps, then vanish in a flash of light, only to appear a little further on. A name went through my mind, Kurukt.

The images faded again, and once more the glowing light was there. Then it changed again, glowed bright like before, and turned into a copy of the Kurukt! It stood there, watching me, before again turning back to into the ball.

Then the images came back again This time is wasnt a world; it was a view of deep space. I could see 100s of huge, brightly glowing shapes all massed together, like a massive armada. And before them, another mass of glowing shapes, but these were glowing with a darkness Ive never seen before, and I could feel the evil from them, creeping over and through my body. The two forces began to move to one another, and tendrils of energy, both light and dark began to reach out to the opposing sides.

I was watching a battle, and I felt this was the final battle in a long line of them; of a war that had been raging throughout space and time, a war mind bogglingly ancient. As the battle unfolded before me, it became clear the light side were winning. I watched them move over the enemy like surf crashing to the shore, and I felt a sense of great satisfaction.

Then the images changed one last time. I could see a world, floating in space; it looked almost familiar! The image zoomed in, and then I recognized the continents, it was Earth! The ground rushed up at incredible speed, and the image skimmed across both land and sea, slowing as it approached a city. London! I could see Big Ben, the Millennium Dome, the Tower of London! Then, the image rushed forward to a street, and zoomed in, to a scene of carnage.

I could see a car, crushed, buried beneath a small mountain of steel pipes; my car. The scene shifted again, to the inside of the car, and I could see myself; crushed beneath the tonne of metal that had fallen from the nearby crane. Next to me lay Mogs cat box, crushed by one of the pipes, and I could just see a tuft of black fur, splashed with red, poking out from the door. The image moved again, focusing on me, on my face. My eyes were open, but it was clear that there werent seeing anything. A trickle of blood was slowly seeping from between my own lips, and when I looked down at my still body, a pipe, as big around as a dinner plate, had pierced my chest.

As I watched, the glowing ball appeared again, this time beside my body. It moved slowly, and floated across the narrow space, and into my still form. Then my entire body started to glow with a pale green light, and the pipe that had pierced my chest, seemed to melt, and vanish. The light grew brighter, and I saw a fierce blue light in my eyes, getting brighter by the second as the green glow intensified, and the horrible wound in my chest, faded away!

Then, pain! Incredible, burning pain! But not mine The ball of light, it was in pain! I felt its confusion, and fear; something was very wrong! The light grew brighter and brighter, and the pain grew worse, then a tendril of light reached out from my body, towards poor Mogs. As it touched his paw, it grew brighter, and Mogs paw glowed with it, and then vanished!

The pain began to fade, quickly growing less and less, before finally it was gone. With the last of the pain, the light faded, and I could see that I was breathing, brought back from death by this strange glowing ball. Then, I saw Mogs, curled up on my lap, and breathing. He was alive too!
The images suddenly faded away, and the glowing ball took their place once again. I asked it one more question, What are you?, and it answered.

The ball of light grew brighter again and began to change once more. The light grew brighter and brighter, then faded, and I saw Me. Me, holding Mogs in my arms, and a faint light glowing in both our eyes, and I understood at last.

This being, this Kheldian Had tried to save me, that day in my car, but something had gone wrong. When it had tried to join with me, something inside me had fought it, and in its weakened state after healing me, it hadnt been able to fight back, so it used Mogs. It couldnt separate from me completely though, so it rests inside both of us, split in two, but still joined somehow.

Im not quite sure how, but because the joining had gone wrong, the Kheldian had been unable to reach me normally. Only at times of great stress could it take over, but it couldnt talk to me. So it had brought me here, to this desert; and brought me to a state where all the non-essential thoughts in my mind were washed away, a state between life and death, where it could finally communicate.

The image changed again, and the view of me and Mogs faded, leaving only the glowing ball of light once more, and I asked it another question Why?

The image faded again, and everything I had just seen, and far more, flickered through my mind. Images of 1000s of lives, countless hosts, each as weird and wonderful as the last. Then the flickering images of those lives changed again, and I saw my own life unfold before me. My birth, growing up, school, puberty, coming out to my parents, my first kiss with Katie, the crash; everything I had ever experienced in my life up this point, and I knew why it had brought me here.

When it had saved me before, in the crash, and had tried to join. It didnt ask. It had broken its races most ancient laws, and paid a terrible price. It had brought me to a state of near death because it was the only way it could ask me to choose what I wanted. I could choose life, and be a part of this creature for as long as I live, or I can choose an ending, to both of us.

The images before me changed again, and I saw two doors floating before me, the glowing ball between them. Both were open, and beyond one I could see the desert where I lay. Beyond the other, I could see only darkness. It was time to make my choice, so I did.

I woke up, still in my sleeping bag, with Mogs curled up with me. In the darkness, I could just see a faint glow in his eyes, fading quickly. I unzipped, and climbed out.

It was dark when I did, and the air was cold, but I didnt notice it. The moon was high in the sky, and though it was night, I could see quite clearly. I felt more awake than I had ever done before, like the feeling after a cold shower. Mogs jumped up onto my shoulder, and suddenly, I was flying! I was hurtling through the air like a missile, and the ground flew by me in a blur. A little bit later, I landed near an oasis, at the foot of the mountains that had been so far away. There was a small pool of water there, and a tree bearing some fruit. I drunk as much as I could and raided the tree for its fruit, before taking to the air again, and returning to my backpack.

By the time the sun came up, I was feeling so much better. With food in my belly again, and the water refreshing me, I took stock of my situation. It no longer seemed so desperate. I knew now I could be out of here in just a short space of time, so I picked up my diary to put down what had happened, and checked my watch for the date.

16 days I lay there, in that sleeping bag. It had seemed such a short space of time when it was happening, but 16 days?

Jess paused and allowed her eyes to lose focus for a moment as she went over what shed just read, and absorbed its meaning before going on to the next entry.

21st August, 2004
Spent the day in that same spot, thinking about what happened, and going over my diary entry. It all seems like a dream now, the images I saw are starting to fade, and the details. Its only when I re-read yesterdays entry that I remember it properly. Still, dreams are like that.

Im not completely sure if it all really happened anyway. I was feeling pretty weak so it could have been my imagination. Still, SOMETHING happened, because I feel much better now. And flying, well, it doesnt make me tired anymore, and I can go a LOT faster. In the morning, Im going to head back towards those mountains, fill my water bottles and get some more fruit, then head east again. And Im not bloody walking anymore!!

22nd August, 2004
Arrived back at that mountain about mid-morning and went to fill my bottles, but there was this old bald guy there, in an orange dress! Well, I guess theyre robes really. He tried to talk to me, but I didnt have a clue what he was saying.

When I went to fill my bottle though, he started to jabber at me really fast, and wouldnt let me. Then he calmed down, and using sign language, asked me to follow him. Well, he seemed harmless enough, and as it turned out, he was.

Seemed I kind of accidentally raided this monasterys little orchard yesterday, and that pond was holy water or something; I was seen! They found some wrinkled up old guy who could speak French, and he explained that they werent angry, as they could see my need was urgent, but they really couldnt let me raid it again. However, they DID offer me somewhere to stay for a bit, to rest up, with all the food and drink I need!

They seem very nice people, but then, theyre Buddhists I think, and those guys are meant to be nice. I guess I DO need to rest still, after that ordeal, so yeah Im gonna stay for a bit.

Jess looked up from the diary as Ellie entered the room. Pausing briefly at the door, Ellie smiled at Jess and walked over to her, putting her arms around her in a hug. You alright love?

Jess nodded at her wife, a smile spreading quickly on her face. Im fine hun, really. I just Well, you DID warn me there were some things in here I wouldnt like

Ellie nodded kindly, I guess you read about my little walk in the desert? Id have told you about that before, but Well, I dont think of it that much, and really It happened a long time ago. I didnt see the point in dredging those memories up and upsetting you.

Jess put the diary down on the counter, and turned in Ellies arms, to embrace her properly. I never knew you went through so much.

Ellie makes a small snort, trying to make light of it all, I guess, back then, my life was a bit of a train wreck And coming to Paragon, well, it didnt exactly help any did it? Though it did bring me one or two nice things

Ellie smiled as she spoke, and gently kissed her wife, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the kiss, with Jess held her tight, almost painfully tight. After several minutes, Ellie finally broke the kiss, Wow

Jess chuckled as the kiss ended, Wow indeed!

Ellie glanced up at the windows, it was dark outside. Have you ANY idea how long youve been reading that thing?

Jess followed Ellies gaze, and looked with some surprise at the darkness. What on earth? What time IS it?

Ellie smiled, Nearly 11. Josie went to bed hours ago. And I was wondering if youd like to do the same?

Hmm... Stay up reading your diary Or come to bed, with you Not much of a choice, is it?

Ellie smiled, and taking Jesss hand, started to lead her from the kitchen, Not really, no.

Jess chuckled again as Ellie towed her along, forgetting about the diary; for now.

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

CBeet · 11-12-2006 09:46 PM

Absolutely brilliant mate, cannot wait for the next one

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

FloatingFatMan · 11-19-2006 06:37 PM

FINALLY gotten some time to finish off Chapter 5... This week has been rather busy, no way I'm going to make the 30th now, but I WILL finish this story!

************************************************** *******************************

Chapter 5

Jess woke with a start and lay still for a few moments, staring at the ceiling, before sliding out of the bed. Being careful not to wake Ellie, she padded over to the bedroom door, and taking her dressing gown from the door hook, slipped it on and headed downstairs.

In the kitchen, she put the kettle on and prepared a cup of cinnamon tea before glancing at the clock; five in the morning? What on earth was she doing up at that time of the morning? With a small sigh, she finished making her tea and sat on a stool by the counter, near Ellie's diary. She sat there for some time, sipping her tea and staring at the diary, deep in thought.

Roughly 20 minutes passed as she sat there, sipping her tea and staring at the book. Then, with a small sigh, she reached out and picked it up. She held the book in her hands for several more minutes, feeling the texture of the smooth leather cover in her hands. Eventually, she could resist it no longer, and opened the diary, turning it to the last entry she'd read.

26th August, 2004
Been here a few days now, mostly resting from my ordeal in the desert. It's very peaceful here, and the monks leave me alone most of the time, only really bringing me food and drink to the small room they've given me. Mogs seems much happier here, even content to let me walk around the place without sitting on my shoulder!

I was invited to talk to the Abbot of the place today, that old monk from before doing the translating. He's a pretty smart guy for someone who's lived most of his life in a monastery. He managed to get the whole story of what I was doing out here out of me, but didn't think any less of me for what's inside. He said that it doesn't matter what other people think of me; what's important is how I feel about myself, and what I choose to do with my life from now on. He said he could sense great potential within me, but what I did with that potential was up to me.

I spent most of the afternoon talking to him, and have been doing a lot of thinking too. Not sure what I'm going to do with myself just yet. I think I'll stay here a little while longer here; it's very peaceful and the monks only ask that I get well. I may feel OK, pretty good in fact, but I certainly don't look it! I finally saw myself in a mirror today (they don't really go in for things like that here), and boy am I a mess. Cracked lips, bags under my eyes, sunburn; and so THIN!

29th August, 2004
Something AMAZING, happened today!

I was in one of the monks small orchards, resting against a tree with my eyes shut, when I heard one of the monks calling my name. When I opened my eyes, one of the monks was gesturing for me to come with him. He took me to a small room where one of the young monks, hell; a kid really, was laying in his bed, obviously in a lot of pain. The Abbot was there, and the old monk that had been doing the translating.

The told me the kid had fallen badly when out gathering herbs, and his leg was broken! They have no medicines there. I thought they wanted me to go fetch some or something, they know I can fly; but no. The Abbot said he wanted me to help!

I was pretty surprised and confused by that. I mean, how could I help? I'm no doctor But the Abbot said I didn't know what I was, and took hold of my hands and put them on the boys broken leg. Not entirely sure exactly what happened then, but I felt a warm tingling in my fingers, and there was this pale green glow that spread from my hands into the boys leg!

After it stopped, the boy smiled and stood up! His leg was fixed! WOW!! I mean, like That's just incredible!! I healed this kids' broken leg!

Jess stopped her reading for a moment, and smiled. It seemed Ellie was starting to discover some of the other things she could do, and that healing was one of the first Well, she was happy Ellie had been able to help the injured boy. Still, it was somewhat puzzling that the Abbot knew Ellie would be able to help

1st September, 2004
I'm still gob smacked by what I did. All the monks just seem to take it in their stride! As if seeing someone heal a broken bone like that was perfectly normal!

Saw the Abbot again today, and I asked him how he knew I could do that, but he just smiled and said he'd had faith. That's not much of an answer!

I love this place, and the monks, but sometimes they can be SO INFURIATING!!

3rd September, 2004
After being on such a high note for the past few days, today was a bit different. The Abbot spoke to me again, and told me it was time I continued my journey. I don't want to leave, and he said that I was welcome to stay as long as I want, but that I won't find what I'm looking for here.

I guess he's right. As much as I love it here, it's so peaceful and everything; it's not somewhere I want to stay forever. So I'm going to pack my stuff up tonight, and say my goodbye's in the morning.

4th September, 2004
Said my goodbyes this morning to the Abbot and the other monks. They all gathered at the steps to the entrance to see me off. They've given me enough provisions to last me a couple of weeks, mostly dried stuff again and plenty of water. The Abbot held my hand and said some words, I guess giving me a blessing or something, then they all watched quietly as I turned and walked out of the monastery.

I decided to walk for a few hours, get some exercise. This flying lark is a lot of fun, but a girl needs to stay in shape! At least the scenery I'm going through now is very different to the desert. There's lots of rice paddies here, and the occasional house, well... hut really rather than house! I've seen a few people about but most keep their distance from me. Guess they're not used to strangers much around here.

Found a small village towards the evening. Got a got meal and drink at this tiny inn, and managed to get a room using sign language. Really must try to learn a bit of Chinese. The room is pretty basic, just a rough bed and a sink to wash in, but it beats sleeping outside.

6th September, 2004
Spent last night in my tent as I decided to fly for a bit rather than walk. Had to go up fairly high as I didn't want people to see me and get spooked or something. Landed inside a small grove of trees and pitched my tent there.

Not sure of my exact location, as though I've got a compass, map reading isn't exactly something I've ever learned before. I can fly really fast now though, so I think I've made pretty good progress across the country. Still heading east, though I don't feel that burning need to go that way anymore.

8th September, 2004
Came across a pretty big river today, and as far as I can make out from the map, I think it's the Yangtze River. I remember reading about that one in geography at school. If I'm right, then the map shows that it leads to Shanghai, so I think I'll follow it.

The days are pretty boring really, spend a lot of time just drifting through the clouds. Sometimes I fly really fast and everything shoots by in a blur, but more often than not, I'm taking it a lot slower. From time to time I drop back down to the ground for a rest.

The countryside here is really beautiful, but I have to say, it gets REALLY dull after a while. I'm starting to long for civilisation. Nothing to do out here except travel, and think.

Besides It's been a long time since mum has heard from me She must be worried sick. Must try to get in touch with her as soon as I can. Maybe dad will have calmed down a bit too.

12th September, 2004
God, is there no END to this country? It just goes on and on and on

13th September, 2004
FINALLY!! Civilisation at last! Arrived at a city today Called Chongquing I think, the sign was rather run down. Got a room in a hotel; there's banks here so I've been able to get some money at last. I only had a tiny amount the monks had given me.

Spent some of the afternoon looking around the city, and found a shop with a sign on it in English! I went inside, and it was a small school where they taught English! I spoke with the teacher, a big Canadian guy who'd been in China for years, and he helped me sort out a train ticket all the way to Shanghai! Spent a lot of time talking to him; Jimmy Ashcroft was his name. He was quite curious as to why I was all the way out here, somewhere tourists are almost unheard of. Decided to just tell him I was seeing the world before I had to settle down. Don't think he believed a word of it.

My train leaves really early tomorrow, so I need to get an early night tonight, or it's back to flying.

15th September, 2004
SHANGHAI!!

Wow, this place is amazing!!! Arrived early this morning and sorted out somewhere to stay, then decided to go look around. I've never been anywhere so incredible in my life! I think I'm going to be here a fair while, just so I can see everything there is to see!

Lots of westerners here, including a lot of backpackers as well. Loads of people to talk to! Make SUCH a change after my long journey. It's almost overwhelming.

16th September, 2004
Took in more sights to see, and managed to get my phone charged up as well! I called mum, and actually managed to talk to her! She was so happy to hear from me, and was amazed when I told her where I was. Decided not to tell her what had happened in the desert, I don't think she'd understand any of it. She said Dad hasn't said a word about me, but she's pretty sure he's regretting some of the stuff he said. He just won't admit it, stubborn old man!

Mum made me promise to call more often, to let her know I'm alright. Then she started crying and said she'd been so scared something had happened to me. Set me off crying too. Ended up talking to her till the credit ran out on my phone, so now I have to get some more credit on it.

18th September, 2004
Shanghai is so massive! If I tried to see everything there was to see, I'd be here for months!

But I can't... Things aren't that cheap here either, being very touristy, and I do have to watch how much I'm spending. Already managed to spend over £200 in the last 3 days so I need to start budgeting a bit better. Moved out of the place I was staying today, to a much cheaper backpacker's hostel. It's not so clean, but at least it's less than half the price. It's also a lot further off the beaten track so you need to be a bit careful moving around, especially at night. I've heard some stories from other backpacker's of muggings and the like, so I'll have to be wary.

19th September, 2004
Met a girl today, called Suzy. She's a backpacker as well, from Australia, 27 years old. She'd been around the world several times she said, and was heading towards home. She's ever so cute! Red hair, hazel eyes, tanned skin and a nice slender body, nice bum as well! AND she's pretty well stacked too! I wonder if she likes girls It's been a while after all

She showed me around a bit, some of the cheaper places to eat and shop. She told me lots of stories about some of the places she'd been too, and some of the places I should avoid. She's so smart too! A graduate in genetics and everything! She told me she was taking a sabbatical from her job, and that once she'd got back to Australia, she had a big project waiting for her at the big American company she works for, Crey Industries. I think Ive heard of them.

20th September, 2004
There was a bit of trouble in the room next to mine last night. A couple of guys were having an argument about something and a fight ended up breaking out. Someone called the cops and they were both hauled off. From what I hear about the cops in Shanghai, they're going to really regret kicking off on one, bloody idiots. Suzy reckoned they were doing drugs or something.

Anyway, I spent the day with Suzy again, looking around the less touristy areas of the city. There's definitely a feeling of being watched all the time around here, makes me and Mogs a bit edgy. Still, no one bothered us or anything so I guess I'm just imagining it.

Suzys speaks fluent Chinese too! She ordered us a lovely dinner at a small restaurant and we chatted for hours about our lives. I told her a little bit about what happened at home; dad chucking me out and stuff. Didnt mention the Kheldian thing though, not yet anyway. Dont want to scare her off or anything.

21st September, 2004
They were right about the muggings. A couple of guys tried to rob me & Suzy earlier! Hah! Not as if we've got much worth taking anyway, but they didn't seem to let that worry them. Anyway, there was a lot of knife waving and yelling, I guess to hand over our money. Well sod that! Boy did they brick themselves when I just grinned at them, grabbed hold of Suzy, and flew into the sky!

I dont think Ive ever seen anyone run quite so fast!

Big problem though; I think I scared the hell out of Suzy. She stayed quiet while I flew us back to the hostel, and once I'd landed and let her go, she ran to her room and slammed the door shut. I tried knocking on her door, to try to explain, but she didn't answer.

Went to bed feeling really depressed.

22nd September, 2004
Suzy came to my room this morning, really early; about 5am. She said she was really sorry for reacting how she did, she'd just never been near someone that had powers before and it all overwhelmed her. Then, she thanked me for saving her from those muggers, and kissed me! &#61514;

I was pretty surprised, but I like her a lot, so I kissed her back! Oooooh She's a good kisser, gentle, and so sweet tasting We must have stood there for ages before she stopped. Then she started to push me towards my bed

Anyway We left my room about lunchtime for something to eat, and a bit of a rest! Suzy had to make a phone call to someone so I ordered us some lunch at a small restaurant whilst she made her call. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon together!

I feel so happy again! Finally, things are looking up!

Jess paused in her reading for a moment, Suzy? Ellie had never mentioned anyone by that name and as for Crey Well, Jess knew well that Ellie hated that company, and never had anything to do with them; especially after it became clear a few years ago that they'd been responsible for Ellie losing her job at Icon, all those years ago.

Turning the page to the next entry, she frowned as she saw that the page was blank, as were the next few pages. Finally, she found another entry, rather short, several pages further on and several weeks later in time.

18th October, 2004
Oh god, what have I done!?

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Necropolis_ · 11-20-2006 07:40 PM

Don't leave us there FFM, you fiend! :P

Really really amazing stuff so far, brought me to tears on more than one occasion, keep uo the great work!

FloatingFatMan · 11-21-2006 01:01 PM

Ask and ye shall receive!

************************************************** ******

Chapter 6

19th October, 2004

I'm going to try to write down here what's happened in the last few weeks. Maybe coming back to what I've written later on, will help me deal with what's happened.

Let's see Back on the 22nd, Suzy and I spent that morning together in my room, and then we went out for the afternoon. We had lunch, she showed me some sights, and generally had a laugh. Once it had gotten dark, she asked me if I could take her flying again, so of course, I did. We went up pretty high and we could see the city below us, stretching out for miles. It really is a massive place.

Then we went back to the hostel just before ten.

Suzy invited me to her room, so I said sure thing, and she unlocked it and stood aside for me to go in first. Then everything went black and the last thing I can remember is a sharp pain in my left arm.

When I woke up, I was lying on a table in a really brightly lit room. I was strapped down and Mogs was nowhere to be seen. I tried calling out but there was no answer for a real long time. I must have laid there for hours, trying to break those straps, but I couldn't shift them.

Then someone finally came into the room. I couldn't see their face clearly at first as they were behind me, but after a little while they moved to where I could see them. It was Suzy, wearing some kind of lab coat! She told me that they weren't going to hurt me, just run some tests so they could find out why I could fly. She was being all nice, even stroked my cheek and said she was really sorry they'd had to do this.

I tried begging her to let me go, but she just shook her head and told me not to worry and it wouldn't be long before I could go. I even tried asking her where Mogs was too, but she just ignored me.

Then she started doing all sorts of tests First she took some blood, and then she put me through a load of different machines. I was pretty scared by now; after all, you hear stories of people just, disappearing I was terrified they were going to do something horrible to me.

They kept me there for weeks; running their stupid tests, taking more and more blood, asking me questions about how I could fly, whether I could do other things too. They got my name and stuff from me, and found out about my accident; then they somehow got into the records from my visit to the ministry. That's when things got really unpleasant.

Several other people started showing up and asking me more questions, some of them in some kind of military uniform, quite a few of them Chinese military as well. They started asking me lots of questions. They asked me about the Kheldians, where they came from, how many were there, what did they want. How am I supposed to know? All I know is one of them helped me, and screwed up my life in the process!

Then all those people left, and I was pushed into a tiny room with just a mat on the floor, and a bucket. No idea how long I was there for. Food would get pushed through a slot in the door, mostly a watery soup and some bread, but nobody came in for a long time. I spent most of the time curled up on the bed, sleeping sometimes, or worrying about Mogs.

After what felt like forever, a guard came and brought me back to that first room and strapping me to a metal chair. Suzy was there and she told the guard to leave me with her. Once he'd gone she touched me on the cheek again, and said she was really sorry this had happened.

All I wanted was to get the hell out of there, but she said that wasn't possible anymore. They'd decided they wanted to study me some more, so I was going to be taken to America. I yelled at her, I cried, hell I even tried begging again. All I wanted to do was to be left alone! Suzy DID look really sorry, but she said it wasn't her choice. But she DID have some good news for me

Then she went to a side room, and came back a few minutes later carrying a cat box. Mogs!!! He was OK!

He was meowing really loud and trying to get out of the cage so Suzy opened it, and he ran over, jumping onto my lap. That's when it all happened.

When he landed on my lap, I felt a rush of something! I felt like I could, I dunno break out of there, so I did! I flexed my arms and tore right through the leather straps holding me down to the chair, and headed for the door really fast, with Mogs hanging on to my shoulder. Suzy called out and a guard came running through and I I

Oh that poor man. I didn't want to do that But I had to escape! They had no right to just kidnap me and hold me there! After I'd done it, I glanced behind me, at Suzy. She was aiming a funny looking gun at me, so I just pointed my hand at the wall, and fired a blast of light at it! The wall got smashed apart and I could see some light outside so I just dived through the hole, right as there was a high pitched noise and a sudden cold passed by me!

I flew out of there as fast as I could; looking back just once to see Suzy looking through the hole, up at me as I flew away. Once I'd gotten as far away as I could, I stopped a bit to figure out where I was. Still in Shanghai but a long way from where the hostel was. I headed back there to see if my stuff was still around.

The manager was pretty surprised to see me! He'd thought I'd just left without paying my bill and stuff! He still had my things in a locker, so he let me have them, I paid him from what money there was in my backpack, and left. I couldn't stay there; it was the first place they'd look for me.

I spent the night hiding down by the docks, in a half empty shipping container I found open.

I didn't sleep that well in the night; kept seeing that poor guard as I as I killed him. The shock in his eyes as that blinding light fired out of my own, and went straight through his chest I know I had to do it, they would have ended up killing me in the end, but I've never done anything like that before, and I never want to do it again! Doing that made me just as bad as them! I hope he didn't have a family.

This morning, I dug my map out, trying to figure out where to run to. Japan looks good, I think I can fly that far.

I got some supplies from a Market at the docks, keeping a watch out for anyone looking for me, and as soon as I had what I needed, I headed to a quiet spot, and after making sure Mogs was safe in my backpack, took off; flying straight up until I was above the clouds where no one could see me. Then I checked if I was going the right way on my compass, and flew as fast as I could.

It took me most of the day, and I'm pretty tired now, but I made it to Japan (I think). I've pitched my tent in a little forest and am going to try to get some rest. Maybe in the morning things will seem a bit less bleak.

How could Suzy have done that to me? I trusted her, I liked her, and I thought she liked me too. I feel so, betrayed I'm never going to trust anyone ever again.

Jess stopped reading, and put the diary on the counter. So THAT was why Ellie hated Crey so much; shed never said anything to her about any of this. Oh, the poor thing! Having to deal with all that on top of what shed just been through in that desert.

Jess sniffled a little and sipped her now cold tea. Making a wry face, she concentrated on the cup for a few seconds, and steam started to rise from the now hot liquid. She glanced up at the clock, 7:15; Ellie will be up soon, and Josie. Time to make breakfast for everyone.

Finishing her tea, Jess got up and rinsed the cup out, then headed to the fridge for some eggs. After mixing them in a bowl with a hint of pepper, she got out some cheese and ham ready for the omelettes and then headed out the kitchen to wake people up.

In the hall, she heard the quiet sounds of the TV coming from the lounge. Poking her head around the door, she saw Josie curled up on the sofa, her arms around her favourite teddy bear, and watching some cartoons.

Jess walked into the lounge and leant on the back of the sofa. Morning sweetie

Josie looked up with a grin, Hi mum! Youre up early!

Mmhmmm Been up awhile, reading.

Oh, reading. Josie grinned up at her mum, her green eyes sparkling a little in the early morning light. Im hungry.

Jess smiled, Ill be making omelettes in a moment, just going to check if your other mum is up yet or not.

Shes in the shower, I heard her a few minutes ago.

Your ears I dont know, youre as bad as your mother when it comes to hearing things! Jess chuckled as she ruffled Josies blonde hair, and scratched lightly behind the small cat ears on the top of Josies head. Then, after leaning down to kiss Josie lightly on the top of her head, she headed upstairs.

Entering hers and Ellies bedroom, she heard the sounds of the shower from their en-suite bathroom and went inside. She could make out Ellie slim form behind the frosted glass of the shower cubicle and with a grin, dumped her dressing gown on the floor, slipped her nightie off, and slid the door open.

Boo!

Ellie turned around, startled, and with a thud, the bar of soap shed been holding fell on the floor, Oh you! You made me drop the soap!

Jess chuckled and bent down to pick it up, before stepping into the shower with Ellie, closing the door behind her, Sorry about that; mind if I join you?

Ellie smiled back, Uh, you already have! And of course I dont mind, silly!

Jess lathered her hands up on the soap, and started to run them over Ellies body, washing her gently as they talked, Ive got everything ready for some omelettes; Josies already up, watching cartoons.

Ellie made a slight purring sound as Jess washed her, Hmm Thanks love, and sounds yummy! Ham and cheese? Ellie took hold of the soap as she spoke, and after lathering up, started to return the favour.

Just as you like it, with a hint of pepper in the mix.

Hmmm Nice.

Jess looked thoughtfully at her wife as she washed her, wondering whether to ask her about the incident in Shanghai. After a few minutes consideration though, she decided against it. If Ellie wanted to talk about it, fine; but she wasnt about to bring back some bad memories if she could avoid it. No doubt everything is she wanted to know would be in the diary.

Several minutes later, they both stepped out the shower and stood in the drier Hannah had installed for them. Pressing the button, Ellie stood in the stream of warm air as it dried her, and Jess smiled as she joined her.

Once dry, Ellie put her arms around Jess, Hmm, Cosy What time did you get up anyway?

Jess shrugged, Oh about five-ish, not too sure actually.

Aww.. Poor love! You go sit down in the lounge once youre dressed then.. Ill make the omelettes!

Jess smiled and nodded, then pulled on some fresh clothes before heading downstairs. On the way to the lounge, she stopped off at the kitchen and retrieved the diary, then sat down and returned to her reading.

22nd October, 2004

Im definitely in Japan. Spent the last couple of days laying low in this forest, running through my mind everything that had happened to try and understand it all. Ive ventured out a few times, theres a small village not too far from here and I got hold of a newspaper. Couldnt read a word of it, but I DID recognize the lettering as Japanese. Finally, watching anime has come in useful!

As near as I can tell from the map, Im not far from a city called Kagoshima. I think Ill head in that direction tomorrow, and see about finding a hostel or something. I REALLY could use a bath...

Still keep dreaming about that poor man. Every time I close my eyes to try to get some sleep, I see his face looking at me.

23rd October, 2004

Arrived in Kagoshima this morning; this city is REALLY clean! Found a small hostel but I nearly couldnt get a room as the manager wrinkled his nose at me; well, I guess I did look rather a mess. Fortunately he took pity on me, and rented me a room. Its pretty small, but at least it has a shower! Clean at last!! I tell you, theres nothing worse than having to wear the same pair of knickers for god knows how long...

This place has a small laundrette as well, so I spent a fair time inside getting my clothes washed, after Id been to a bank and withdrawn some money.

Once Id gotten my clothes clean, Ive decided to try to get some sleep... Im pretty tired and its been awhile since Ive had a soft bed.

24th October, 2004

Had another bad dream last night, about that poor man again and some of the rest of it. Kept seeing Suzy as well, laughing at me.

Dragged myself out of bed around 12ish and went to find somewhere to eat. Kagoshima is a coastal city, though arent most in Japan? Anyway, lots of different fish dishes here which Mogs loves, though what I wouldnt do now for a nice bacon sarnie

Ive decided I need to turn myself in. Telling someone what Ive done is the only way to deal with this, but Id rather do it to someone I can actually TALK to, so I went looking for a British consulate. Searched for hours before I eventually came across a tourist information place. The people there spoke some English but they told me the nearest consulate is in Tokyo. Got some information about trains and stuff, and they sold me a train ticket for tomorrow.

Headed back to the hostel by early evening to try to get an early night. Tomorrow, Im going to Tokyo and hand myself in.

25th October, 2004

Im locked up in a private suite in the British consulate in Tokyo.

I got into Tokyo this morning, just after 11, and after checking with a local map, I made my way here. Took quite a long time of waiting around before I was finally able to talk to someone about what had happened. The guy I was talking to, an aide of some kind, stopped me half way through my story and made a call, and a little while later, this really skinny bald guy came in. He said he was a liaison officer and worked with meta-humans.

So I started my story again, starting from when I met Suzy and going through everything I could remember. By the time I got to the part about the guard I was a sobbing wreck, so they let me stop for a rest and some tea. Eventually though, I got the entire story out. The men looked pretty serious, but said Id done the right thing in reporting what had happened.

The bald guy left the room for about half an hour, and when he came back he said hed arranged a room there for me to stay at whilst they checked my story. Then they brought me up here and Ive been here since. A middle aged woman brought me some dinner earlier, beef stew! But otherwise, Ive been left alone the past few hours.

26th October, 2004

More questions and retelling the story again today. The bald guy was back, along with some police from Shanghai as well as some Tokyo cops. I was pretty scared I can tell you, but I went through everything that had happened again, told them where the place was Id been held and everything.

Once Id done, they left me alone in the interviewing room for an hour or so; nothing to do except sit there and cuddle Mogs until they came back. When they DID come back though, I had quite a surprise.

Theyd sent some people to the place Id told them about, but it was deserted. No sign of any labs, no sign of a hole in the wall, no dead guard, nothing. The shanghai police were quite cross that Id wasted their time and expense, with them being brought over to Tokyo, and the Japanese cops werent too impressed either. There was lots of yelling and threats of prosecuting me for wasting police time!

The bald man just sat there though, watching me, and listening to all the yelling. Eventually though, he spoke to the cops, in Chinese and Japanese, and they left; they didnt look happy either.

Once theyd gone, the bald guy just sat there looking at me. I was feeling pretty stressed from all the yelling and stuff, but after a little while, I began to feel much calmer. Then the bald guy spoke.

He said he believed me! He said hed looked into my mind, and seen what I had seen, but that as the place had been cleaned out, there just wasnt any proof! He actually read my mind! Ive heard about telepaths of course, but... wow! I was pretty surprised but, somehow, I didnt feel angry that hed been poking around in my head. Guess it was just tiredness, and relief that at least someone believed me.

He spoke to me for a long time. Told me he understood the guilt and upset I must feel about having killed that man, but that it really wasnt my fault. Id done what Id had to do in self defence, and that no-one could blame me for that. As he spoke, I realised he really was right, and all the horrid feelings that had been bubbling up inside just faded away.

After a while, he asked me if I had any money, and what I planned to do. I thought about it for a bit; I do still have plenty of money, and Im not really ready to go home, so I told him I thought Id maybe like to stay in Tokyo for a while, and explore.

After a long talk, he left the room again for about 15 minutes or so, and when he came back he told me hed arranged for me to stay at a guest house not far from the consulate. He then gave me a card with a number on it and told me to call if I found myself in trouble again. Then he showed me out, into a waiting cab that took me to the guest house.

Im there now, sitting in this really pretty room they put me in. Yknow, in all the story telling and talking and stuff, I never caught that bald guys name.

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

CBeet · 11-21-2006 01:17 PM

Cool, chapter 7 please

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

Ghost · 11-21-2006 08:49 PM

Hmmmm.... a bald guy with mental powers... hmmmmm

@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity

If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.

Hidden_EU · 12-15-2006 02:31 PM

what... stopped,,, more, moreeeeee, /em resurect dead post

FloatingFatMan · 12-15-2006 02:50 PM

Sorry!! Christmas preparations have been getting in the way! Next chapter IS nearly done, promise!!!

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Hidden_EU · 12-15-2006 08:35 PM

yay, see resurection works! Now, just get a self rez, i cant be bothered to keep running over to you each time your thread dies XD

FloatingFatMan · 12-30-2006 04:14 PM

OK peeps, REALLY sorry it's been so long, but what with one thing and another, I've been busy!

Anywhere, here's chapter 7!!

************************************************** ***********************************

Chapter 7

27th October, 2004
Finally, a decent nights sleep. The hostess here is really nice; she cooked me a lovely dinner and gave Mogs some fresh fish, instant friend there! Then she laid out some things for me to have a bath, along with a really nice silk robe.

No bad dreams!

Slept quite late, past 10 in the morning, before the hostess woke me with some green tea. She speaks really good English, so we chatted for a while, and she told me about some places I should visit whilst Im here. Decided not to go out anywhere today though; Ive been moving about so much, and so much has happened lately, I feel a need to just stop for a bit.

Thought a little more about what happened in Shanghai. Somehow, what happened there, and what I did; it all seems so distant now, like it had happened in a film, or perhaps a dream. I know it DID happen, but I just dont seem to think it really matters anymore.

Tomorrow, Im going to get some more credit on my phone, and call try to call mum. Good job I bought a tri-band phone and travel charger!

28th October, 2004
Called mum today, after getting some credit on my phone sorted out. She was worried about me as usual, and not too happy thatd Id not been phoning as much as I said I would. I considered telling her what happened in Shanghai, for about 5 seconds. No way am I telling her that! Shed have hysterics or something knowing her!

Anyway, she said dad is still moping around with face like a thundercloud. Hes padlocked my bedroom apparently, and wont let anyone in. She said he goes in there once or twice a week, and just stays in there with the door shut, for ages. I hope hes feeling a lot of guilt over what he did!

Once Id finished talking to mum, with another promise to call more often, Mogs and I went looking around Tokyo. God this city is absolutely PACKED with people, and most everyone seems to get around on bikes, though there IS a lot of traffic as well. The sheer number of electronics shops is staggering too, really puts Oxford Street to shame! I nosed around for a few hours, and ended up in an internet café. Spent about an hour there, surfing the net and mostly looking up stuff about Japan.

29th October, 2004
1 month until my 20th birthday. Whod have thought, this time last year, that Id be a homeless freak in a years time? Maybe its time I took a hard look at myself, decide where I want to go, what I want to do? I cant keep wandering idly around the world for the rest of my life, can I?

I got a card delivered this morning, from an M Sebastian. Its the same kind of card as that bald guy gave me so I think its from him. It was an invite to a Halloween party at the British embassy on the 31st. Not sure if I feel like going to a party but, well At least itd be a taste of home; Japanese people dont seem to celebrate it.

Besides, its a fancy dress party, and its not like Ive got anything to wear.

30th October, 2004
A dress arrived this morning! Its black silk, done in the style of a Japanese kimono, with some matching stockings, some black shoes, a small black mask for my eyes, and a small witchs hat! There was a card with it, from M Sebastian again, that said Dear Miss Smith, I know you dont have much to wear for the party, so please accept this small gift of a costume, as a gesture of friendship.

So I guess I AM going to the party after all Who is this guy? Does he want something from me?

1st November, 2004
Wow, what a party!

Mrs Takamura, the hostess of the guest house, helped me do my hair and makeup for the party. She made me up in traditional Japanese style, and with that and the costume, oh boy did I look damn good! Id not felt so pretty in AGES!

Arrived at the party at 9pm, as it said on the card, and there were already quite a few people there; queuing to go in. That Sebastian guy was waiting at the door for me and introduced himself properly at last. Marcus Sebastian is his name and he was dressed up to look like Dracula, right down to a long flowing cloak.. I tried to stick to calling him Mr Sebastian, but he insisted on Marcus. He introduced me to a few people at the party; most arent the sort of people Id normally mix with, business people and the like, but some were students attending special courses over here, so I wasnt completely out of place.

Danced a bit with a few people, but there wasnt really anyone there that caught my eye. Then Marcus asked me for a dance, and as hed invited me here, I couldnt exactly say no, could I?

Anyway, he was a complete gentleman. Didnt try to touch me anywhere he shouldnt or anything like that. Just seemed to want to make sure I had an enjoyable evening. We chatted a bit, and then I decided to bite the bullet, and ask him why he was doing all this for me.

He didnt answer right away, just looked at me quietly for a bit as we danced, then he said he just wanted to see I had some fun for a change. He said he knew everything Id been through in the past few months, hed seen it all the other night when I first met him, and he thought something like this is just what I needed to help me relax a little, try to forget all the horrid things that had happened.

He also said I didnt need to worry about him wanting anything; he didnt. He said he got all the thanks he needed just from seeing me smiling, and that there were no strings attached to anything. Hes got this really calming voice, made me feel like I was safe and nothing mattered except enjoying myself.

After that, he introduced me to some other girls, not far from my age, who were here studying Japanese. They seemed an interesting bunch, really smart and everything, but well, they all knew each other and me not at all, so it was kind of hard to join in their conversation.

Anyway, about 2am, I was really tired and a bit tipsy, so Marcus drove me back to the guest house and saw me to the door. Not once did he try to touch me or anything at all. Quite a gentleman!

2nd November, 2004
Woke up with the most horrible hangover this morning! I only had a few glasses of wine too! Guess Ive not had any booze in so long, Im not used to it.

Stayed in bed pretty late as I felt like [censored], serves me right for drinking on an empty stomach! Finally dragged myself up about lunchtime, but couldnt face eating anything. Just had a shower, and sat in the gardens for a few hours. Considering the time of year, its actually quite warm here, feels like its in the 20s.

My head finally cleared by late afternoon, so I had a little bit of rice with some tuna to eat. Felt MUCH better after that! Mrs Takamura fussed over me a fair bit, telling me I should eat more and take better care of myself. Shes a nice old lady really, reminds me a bit of gran. She kept going on about Mr Sebastian and how nice a man he was.

Mogs was a bit restless today and kept fussing around me and bumping me with his head. Guess he could tell I was feeling a bit rough!

4th November, 2004
Got another invite from Marcus today, to a small fireworks display tomorrow night at the consulate. Dont think Im going to go though. Never really cared a lot for fireworks, and Im beginning to think maybe he fancies me or something.

Maybe its time I thought about moving on again?

Was going to go and do some exploring today, but Mrs Takamura said the weather forecast was pretty bad and that Id best stay in Sky looks fairly clear to me, but she can understand the weather forecasts on the radio, not me

5th November, 2004
Another package came today, from Marcus. A lovely red dress, with a golden dragon embroidered on it. Guess Ive no choice now; its pretty obvious what Marcus wants, and Id much rather avoid any messy situations. I wrote him a short note saying Im sorry and stuff and sent it back with the dress; then I checked out of the guest house and headed out of Tokyo. Mrs Takamura tried pretty hard to persuade me to stay; Im sure I heard her on the phone as I left the guest house.

Spent a few hours picking up some supplies and stuff; then took a cab to the edge of the city, and walked into the countryside. Japans a beautiful country and I think Id like to explore the countryside for a while; maybe visit some of the temples and stuff you see on TV.

Oh, it didnt rain yesterday.

6th November, 2004
Japan really is a beautiful country. The city was great and all, but now Im wandering through the countryside, its so much better. The air is fresh, and though its starting to get chilly, its stayed dry.

Ive been heading roughly south today, back towards Kagoshima. Theres an airport there where I can get a flight out, but Im not in any kind of rush; enjoying the countryside too much!

Been thinking a little about Marcus; was I maybe just too suspicious about him? He didnt try to make any moves on me or anything Maybe I misjudged him? Oh well, guess its too late now. I dont really want to go back to Tokyo and its not like I owe him anything.

Reached a load of rice paddies by midday; didnt feel like wading through them and getting soaked, and it looked quite a long way around, so I flew over instead. Well I say flew Ive been trying to get some better control so I just floating over them, my feet just a few inches above the water. I guess to anyone watching, it would have looked like I was walking on water! Dont think anyone did see me though.

Later in the afternoon, I came across a farmhouse and stopped to see if I could get some fresh milk for Mogs. Its kinda funny Japanese people dont seem to go for milk much. They didnt have any at all so I just bought some fresh bread from them and carried on my way. Made camp just inside a small woodland in the early evening and made up a campfire to toast some of the bread and heat some soup.

7th November, 2004
Been studying my map a bit this morning and realised Im not far from Hiroshima. Ive heard so much about that city in history; how the yanks nuked the place at the end of WW2. I think Ill go take a look as my guide book says its quite safe.

Spent most of the day either walking, or flying; but taking my time really. Theres no rush to be anywhere after all.

Next town I get to though, I must call mum.

9th November, 2004
Came across a small town today, not far from Hiroshima, and Ive finally got a signal on my mobile so I called mum for a bit. Told her I was OK and stuff, and where I was. She wants me to come home, she said shed talk dad round but... Well, I just dont want to go back there; not yet anyway.

I should arrive in Hiroshima tomorrow; there are a few sites Id like to visit such as the museum and ground zero.

10th November, 2004
Arrived in Hiroshima today. Its kind of hard to believe this city was levelled by an A bomb once, its so clean and beautiful; until you visit the museum that is. In there, theyve got fragments of ruins, and in one corner, what was the corner of a building, with the shadow of a person burned into it. That was quite a thing to see; to realise all that was left of that poor person was a pile of ash, and their shadow burned into a wall.

Whilst I was looking at all the pictures and remains, I started to see similar images in my mind. Flashes of terrible wars and 1000s of bodies. Made me feel quite faint so I had to have a sit down; I guess I went all pale too as a nice young man in museum uniform asked me if I was OK, and got me a glass of water.

His English was pretty good and he told me not to worry, that the pictures had this effect on people sometimes; but that it was important people saw what happened. But it was more than that The images I saw in my mind definitely werent of Hiroshima; or ANYWHERE I recognised. They didnt even look like they were on earth, most of them

After I felt a bit better, I left the museum and sat in a nearby sushi bar for a while. This place, though the people seem perfectly normal; feels tainted somehow. Like theres an undercurrent of unease pervading the people here. Its almost like no-one really wants to live here, but stays anyway; perhaps from some sense of duty or something. Not sure Id want to live somewhere where so many people died so quickly.

Decided to head out of the city before night came. I dont want to sleep here; its giving me the creeps.

11th November, 2004
Pitched my tent a few miles out of the city last night, in a small field. Didnt sleep very well either, kept tossing and turning, and seeing more of those images again in my mind.

Im going to head back to Kagoshima today, and see about a flight out of Japan. Something tells me its time to move on from here.

13th November, 2004
I arrived back in Kagoshima late in the afternoon and checked into a cheap hotel near the airport. I went to the airport to check some flight prices, and HE was there Marcus. He didnt see me I dont think; so I just got out of there as quick as I could.

Why was he at the airport? What does he want?

The next nearest airport is Tokyo, and I dont want to go back up there Ill try again tomorrow; maybe he was just taking a flight out himself?

14th November, 2004
Its no good; he was there again. This time he definitely saw me, as I heard him call my name, in my mind.

He wasnt alone either. As I was pegging it for the exit, two guys tried to grab me, so I just shoved them out of my way and jump into the air, and just flew out of there as fast as I could. I cant go back to the airport now, and I cant stay in this hotel much longer either; its FAR to close to the airport for comfort.

What does he want? Why wont people just leave me alone!? What am I going to do?

@FloatingFatMan

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

CBeet · 12-30-2006 09:58 PM

*claps* Very nice

I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc