dustytrunkrelics

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “Kiss of Death” Chapter 3: Ray’s Journal

Ray got off the bus and walked down the driveway to her house. She could just see the pale yellow house at the end of the drive as she walked, her backpack thumping against her shoulder.

She went in and dropped her keys on the table near the door. She quickly patted the golden Lab, Timber, and then bounded up the stairs two at a time. She went into her room and slammed the door. She dumped her backpack onto a pile of dirty clothes she forgot to pick up and grabbed her journal out of it.

She sat at her desk at the other side of her room, and she looked at her journal. The purple cover was covered with Wacky Pack stickers and doodles of random things. She smiled at her favorite sticker, Jelly-O. She opened the notebook and flipped to the page she needed to go to. She grabbed her favorite lead pencil and began to write her next entry.

Friday, 9-17-06

Well, I am back from school. I met a nice guy today. His name is Andrew. He seems very nice, although he was acting a little strange, and

“Who are you writing about?” Trina asked as she popped her blonde head over her shoulder.

Ray looked to her little sister and said, “What are you doing in my room?”

Trina grinned and said, “Well, me and Mom,”

“Mom and I.”

“This isn’t about you! Anyway, me and Mom just got home, so I decided to pop in and see you.”

Ray looked at the five year old and said, “Why must you always do this to me?”

Trina just grinned bigger and said, “’Cause I can.” She kissed Ray on the cheek and bounded back to her room, leaving her sister to wipe the icky kiss off her cheek.

“How was school today, Rachel?” Mom asked as she doused her salad with plenty of Thousand Island dressing.

“It was good.” Ray replied as she lifted her ranch-covered tomato to her mouth. Trina took fistfuls of salad from her bowl and started throwing them behind her. “Trina Lawson! What are you doing?!” Mom cried as she witnessed this happen.

“I’m tossing the salad like you do.” Trina replied as her spinach leaves fluttered to the ground...

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “Requiem of the Frost Dragon” Chapter 2: Amal

Near the Scottish border was a small village. It was a wealthy village in a miniscule area. It was so small, it had no name; because of it, it was known as Little Northern.

In that village, there was only one girl with no home and no family. Because nobody knew who she was, they just simply called her Amal. She definitely lived up to her name. Everyday, she went to shop after shop, working for food or scraps of clothes. They purposely paid her the smallest they had from a pence to a crust of stale bread.

Amal lived in the ghettos of Little Northern, located on the northern most point of Shetland Island. In a shack deep in the ghetto, she kept her most prized possessions and she lived there. She kept anything from food to clothing to random pieces of junk like rocks and cloth. The most prized possession she owned was a discarded bagpipe that she used for a pillow. Every night, she would always fall asleep cold and hungry.

One day when she was working in the baker’s store, she overheard the baker and another man talking. “I heard there be a dragon of ivory out by the sea,” the man said.

“Are ye sure of it? It might be yet another wives’ tale.”

“Aye, lad. It be true. From what I heard, she is quite the bonnie.”

“Are ye sure it’s not Nessie?”

“Aye. The dragon is nowhere near Loch Lomond.”

Amal stopped sweeping. A dragon at sea? That would be so amazing to see! She dropped her broom and ran for the door.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “The Kiss of Death” Chapter 2: Andrew

There he was, the new boy. He had brown hair and green eyes. “Class, this is Andrew Johnson. He’s transferred from seven different schools.” the teacher said.

“He is so cute!” Ray heard a few popular girls exclaim. She rolled her eyes. She thought he would sit with one of the populars. She was wrong.

He strolled over to her table, his Nikes softly thudded on the tile floor. “I’m Andrew. Is anyone sitting here?” he asked as he leaned over on her part of the table. She shook her head. As he settled in, she heard MacKayla whispering to Mary Concord. She caught a few words like “geek”, “why doesn’t he sit with me?”, and “I’m prettier than she”. Ray smiled, glad that the new boy say with her instead of them.

After class, he walked with her to language. “So,” Ray said, “why did you transfer from seven different schools?”

“The teachers thought I was a trouble maker, but I don’t believe it.” Andrew said.

“Me neither. You were so good in class today.” Ray said as she shifted her purse up her shoulder.

Andrew gave an awkward smile and said, “Thanks, I guess.” Her face turned red as she turned to her next class.

She sat down and looked to the board. She was slightly embarassed about telling him that. Soon, her guy friend Joel came and sat next to her. “So, how did you survive the day?” he asked with a grin. 

Ray smiled at the little joke they have had since first grade. “I guess I just did.” she replied. Joel smiled and went to work on the morning starter.

Suddenly, Ray saw Andrew enter the classrom, casually high-fiving guys as he walked. Miss Rivers showed him to his seat and then left him to his starter. She was shocked. “I didn’t know he was in this class!” she whispered to Joel.

Miss Rivers gave them a stern look before Joel could reply. When she wasn’t looking, Joel leaned over and whispered, “He probably got his schedule changed.” Ray nodded. That was the only explanation why.

Suddenly, she caught herself in Andrew’s gaze. He smiled and waved then returned back to his work. Ray blushed.

“Well, who’s that, Ray? It looks like you know him.” Joel said with a grin.

“It’s nothing.” Ray said.

“Whatever.” Joel said as he turned his nose into his book.

The afternoon bell rang an hour later. It was time to go home. Ray and Joel met Reggie in the hall and then they walked to the buses.

“Well, it looks like we all survived the day.” Joel said as Reggie and Ray sat in a seat together with him behind them.

Reggie grinned. “So Ray, who was that cute guy that walked you to language today?” she asked.

“Me, of course!” Joel said as he ran a hand through his blond hair just to have it flop back over his left eye.

Ray rolled her eyes. “His name is Andrew.” she said as the bus pulled out of the school and rumbled down the road.

“MacKayla told me you were flirting with him.” Reggie said.

“You can’t always believe what MacKayla says.” Ray said.

“Ya, you know Ray would much rather flirt with me.” Joel said. Ray leaned behind her and punched Joel’s shoulder really hard. Joel looked at her and rubbed his shoulder.

“That’ll teach you.” she said as she turned back around just as the driver gave her a look to sit down.

Ray stared out the window as Reggie and Joel argued about which sport was better: cheerleading or football. She was thinking of Andrew. Why did he transfer from seven different schools? What did he mean when he said the teachers thought he was a trouble maker? She shrugged as she watche dJoel get off at his stop, screaming up to Reggie as he left. Ray sighed and turned to Reggie as she blabbed on and on about how Joel was wrong about cheerleading and that she wished she could go to a tanning bed.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “Requiem of the Frost Dragon” Chapter 1: The Dragon in the Iceberg

The seal glided through the frigid water with the grace of a swan. Dodging chunks of ice, it chased after small fish. Just as it had its jaws around a fish, something else had its jaws around it. 

The seal was lifted up and eaten in one gulp. The owner of the mighty jaws licked its lips and blasted a jet of frost mist from its nostrils. The creature turned in the water and headed back towards its cave.

The creature, a mighty frost dragon, clambered up into its iceberg cave and curled up inside. The dragon, who was a she-dragon, lifted her head and saw her reflection in the ice. Her ivory scales glimmered from wetness. When flexed, her wings sparkled and shined. Her deep blue eyes stared back at her. She opened her mouth and saw her white teeth, slightly stained, glimmer and sparkle. She closed her mouth and smiled softly.

She stood up and ran her claws along the cave wall to sharpen them. The only reason she ever did that was because she needed to distract herself from her thoughts, which came anyway. She realized she was the last frost dragon, but who were her parents? What happened to them? All she remembered about her past was her name: Levana. Moon shine. She often wondered about her name. Why was her name Levana? Was there a certain reason for it? She sighed and went back to sleep.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “The Kiss of Death” Chapter 1: Ray

Friday, 9-17-06

Another boring day here at Lorraine Hendrix Middle School. I finished my math work, first as usual. Yet again, I write in this journal out of complete boredom. Wait! There went the bell. Gotta go!

She gathered her books and went for the door. Before she could reach it, Mrs. Tallahoga grabbed her shoulder. “May I speak to you for a minute, Rachel?” she asked.

“Miss, I’d rather be called Ray, please.” she said as she followed her teacher back to her desk.

“Rachel, I mean Ray, you are the smartest student in my class.” Mrs. Tallahoga said as she settled herself in the chair.

Ray looked up while she twirled a piece of hair around her finger. “Yeah, why are you telling me this?” she asked.

“Because I’ve noticed you have been working very exceedingly and quickly in my class.” 

As she commented on and on, Ray looked up to the clock and smiled. “Um, Mrs. Tallahoga, I’m ten minutes late for social studies.” Ray said.

Mrs. Tallahoga noticed the time and quickly walked to her desk. “I am so sorry I’ve kept you so long”, she said as she scribbled a late pass on a Post-It sticky note, “I was so caught up in commenting your wonderful work that I-”

“Uh, that’s okay, Miss,” Ray said as she grabbed the pass and hurried on to second block.

When she got in, she hurriedly gave her pass to the teacher and then slid into her seat next to her best friend, Reggie Miller. The girls high-fived and got out their notebooks. They knew they would have time to talk later. Right now, they had to start the new assignment.

The girls talked as they walked to connections. “Why were you late for social studies?” Reggie asked as she blew a curly strand of black hair away from her face.

“Mrs. Tallahoga kept me for a bit so she could comment on how I do my work quick and correct.” Ray said.

Reggie rolled her eyes. “You are such a nerd.” she said.

“I already knew that!” Ray protested. She hated it when people called her a nerd. It was very annoying to her. She angrily stomped off to art without saying goodbye to Reggie.

Angry thoughts flooded her mind as she worked on her oil pastel of a Chinese rice farm. She knew a nerd was good, it meant she was smart, but she hated it. Nerds are never asked out. Maybe popular nerds or just populars, but never plain nerds like she. She wished she could be asked out one day. Suddenly, MacKayla Richardson’s thrashing finger popped her out of her thought. 

“Ray, you’ve totally got to see the new boy. He is so cute!”

Ray rolled her eyes, looked up, and gasped.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Short Story: The Creek

The wind was the only sound that was heard as she danced in the field. The tall blades of auburn grass met her hip bones in height. Her green velvet dress with the flowing skirt spun and coiled around her legs as she spun one way and released its grip when she went the other direction. Her honey curls whipped softly at her face as she giggled and sang with the wind.

After awhile, she stopped spinning and sat in the grass, her knees curled up to her chest. She intently studied the landscape before her with her cerulean eyes. The dried blades bent back and forth to the beat of the wind. Woosh! Back and forth. Woosh! Back and forth. The rough sinews scraped against each other constantly with a soft rustle. The horizon rippled with the heat wave that the cool breeze couldn’t even conquer. The robin’s egg blue sky was slightly bleached with the scorching sun and the occasional white cloud. She closed her eyes and sighed, enjoying hearing the sounds of nature.

She suddenly opened her eyes as a bitter thought shot through her brain. I shouldn’t be singing and dancing and laughing after what happened. To Jason. She layed down on her side and kept herself coiled in a ball.

“Jason.”

The name felt sweet on her tongue. Already, she was imagining him alive again. She could feel his soft brown hair on her palms. She could see his sparkling blue eyes smiling at her. She could taste his lips on her own, could hear him say “I love you”. Just remembering his love was starting to dampen her spirits. A few tears managed to push through her squinting eyes and fall down her freckled cheeks. A couple of light whimpers escaped the lump in her throat and joined in step with the tears.

“Why, my beloved, why did you have to go? Why did you leave so young? I love you, my Jason, but you are gone. Death has escorted you to his carriage and raced away with you. If only you didn’t follow through with the dare. You knew you couldn’t do it. You knew there were rocks at the bottom of the creek. How could you do this to me, my love? How could you?”

All of a sudden, it seemed like the whole world stopped to hear her sobs. The wind stopped blowing. The grass stopped dancing and rustling. The sun even lost a touch of its intensity. After a moment, her sobs lessened down to sniffles. She closed her eyes and began to remember the event of last June.

~~~~~

It was near the end of June, a time where kids were getting over the excitement of school being let out and looking forward to Fourth of July vacations on the lake. She and Jason were sitting on the porch swing at her house; they were cuddling each other. “Are you glad school is out?” he asked as he nuzzled her head with his sunburnt nose.

She smiled. “Of course I am,” she replied, “but I am looking forward to my freshman year in high school.”

“Don’t remind me of school!” Jason said with a moan. She giggled and kissed his nose. He looked at her. “Kelly, do you enjoy my pain?” he asked with a playful grin. She playfully punched his arm. “Ouch!” he cried. “Hush.” she said as she began to kiss him.

Suddenly, his two friends began walking up her driveway. Jason looked at them. “Roger, Sam, how did you know I would be here?”

Roger laughed and said, “You’re always with Kelly, no offense Kels.”

Kelly stood up. “Don’t call me Kels.”

“Whatever.” Sam replied as he ran a hand through his sandy hair. Roger ignored him.

“Anyway, you two want to come to the creek with us?”

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “A Demon in My View” Michelle

I had arrived at the nearby Target when I noticed that I had left my checkbook on the coffee table at home. I laughed, telling myself how silly I was, and began to drive back home. I turned the radio to KZ 106 and sang along, believing nothing bad was going to happen.

I began to talk as soon as I walked through the door. “I forgot my checkbook, don’t worry.” I then noticed Rachel running into the living room. She stopped and trembled. Her breathing was rapid, and her pupils were dilated in distress. I put one hand on her shoulder and reflexivly put the other hand on my chest. “Rachel, what’s wrong?”

“Nick...he...closet...room...trash...gone...help...”

“Rachel, calm down. Breathe and relax.” Once she was calm, I said, “Now tell me what happened.”

She took another deep breath and said, “Nick is gone.”

I gasped and brought the hand that was on her shoulder to my mouth. Rachel grabbed my elbow and led me to Nick’s room. The gasp returned. We both left his room. She immediately grabbed the cordless phone and began to dial 911. As I paced across the brown shag carpet, I heard a cry from Nicky’s room. In a panic, I ran to his room.

I nearly cried at what I saw. There Nick stood, shaking and crying. He walked up to me, still blubbering.

“Mama!” he cried as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I sat him on his bed and held him close. I noticed he...

[dustytrunkrelics]

Short Story: Rock Band

She nervously fingered the three hoops in her ears as Phillip completed the distortion pedal set-up. He threw his brown ponytail over his shoulder and looked at her. “Don’t worry, Taryn,” he said, “It’s only our first gig.”

She nodded. “I know, but I don’t want to ruin it for us.”

Phillip smiled and said, “Look, just go out there and rock out loud,” he thumped his fist on his chest, kissed it, and then held up a peace sign, “Peace in the Middle East!”

She gave back the sign as he went to set up his drums.

The lead singer, Cornelia, walked up to Taryn and touched the tips of her hot pink spiky hair. “Your hair looks great, Axe.” Cornelia commented, using the nickname she gave her for the brand on her guitar.

“Thanks, Treble Rebel.” Taryn replied with a smile.

“Is Crow and War Drum ready?” Cornelia asked, meaning Phillip and the bass player Jake.

“I know Phil is, but I’m not sure about Jake.”

Cornelia nodded and left for the microphone, tossing her blonde curls over her shoulder.

Taryn stood up and went to find Jake. She went to Phillip’s van to see if he was there.

“Jake?” she called. Nothing.

She dialed his cell number, hoping to reach him. It was off. She started to get worried. They couldn’t play without Jake; he was the bass. Suddenly, Cornelia burst through the door and saw Taryn standing there. “Forget the gig, Axe! We’re going to the hospital!”

“Why?” Taryn asked.

“It’s Crow,” she frantically replied, “War Drum found him passed out in the bathroom; he’s bleeding from his head!”

Taryn gasped. “Get in the van!”, Cornelia ordered, “War Drum is with Crow at the hospital.”

Taryn hopped into the front seat while Cornelia took the wheel. She stepped on the gas and sped down the road. “What about the stuff?” Taryn asked.

“I asked the manager to watch the stuff.” Cornelia replied. The girls sped down the road to get to Philip and Jake.

They soon pulled into the parking lot at Trayton Memorial Hospital. They rushed in and came to the administrator’s desk. The woman behind the desk looked up and was surprised to see a blonde girl with thick turquoise eyeshadow standing with another girl with hot pink spikes and three silver hoops in each ear. “Where’s Crow?” Cornelia demanded.

“Who?”

“Excuse my friend,” Taryn replied, “she means Jake Massengill.”

The woman searched through some files and said, “Yes, here it is. Jake Massengill, ER 1.”

“Thanks.” both girls replied as they went to find Phillip and Jake.

They passed the OR waiting room on the way to ER 1. Taryn suddenly stopped and looked in; Cornelia did the same. They saw Phillip, along with Jake’s parents and his sisters. His older sister, Marnie, was playing with little sister Jeanie when they saw the two girls. Jeanie jumped up and hugged Taryn; she hugged her back. “Where’s Crow?” Cornelia asked.

“You mean Jake.” his father replied. Cornelia rolled her eyes.

“Jake’s in surgery,” his mother replied softly. 

Taryn gasped. “Why?”

“He was shot in the head. The bullet is out, but they need to close a hole in his brain.”

“And if they don’t?” Cornelia asked.

“He’ll die.”

Taryn and Cornelia both gasped. “No! He can’t die! He’s our friend!” Cornelia shouted.

Jake’s father hung his head. “I just hope my baby will be alright.” his mother sighed.

Suddenly, a doctor wearing a mask over his nose and mouth walked in. He removed the mask and asked, “Is Mr. and Mrs. Massengill here?” The two stood and nodded. The doctor smiled and said, “Your son is out of surgery. He made it through.” The parents laughed and hugged; Taryn and Cornelia group hugged with Marnie and Jeanie. “He is in Recovery 4,” the doctor replied as he escorted them to Jake’s room.

Jake was laying in the bed with a bandage around his head. He was awake, and he smiled as he saw his family and friends entered his room.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “A Demon in My View” Rachel

I was reading an old magazine when I heard Nicholas scream. I threw the magazine down in a panic and ran for his room. I was shocked with what I saw after I ripped his door open. The closet door was in shambles; the door itself was barely hanging on its hinges. His posters of The Hulk and Spider Man were ripped off of the cream-colored walls and lying in shreds on the wooden floor. A strange light was illuminating from the closet, which frightened me enoug to prevent me from investigating the closet. I called Nicholas to make sure he was okay. He did not answer. I began to panic and called his name again. No answer. I began to fear he had been kidnapped or he had run away. I ran back to the living room.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Play Writing: “Silent Murder” Act 5

Act 5

Narrator: How did Will die, you ask? It was the heart-broken ghost Jaqueline. She couldn’t bear seeing her love be re-enacted. Sadly, the tale of Will and Catherine is not an isolated case. The cycle has not been broken. Every couple that has moved into the mansion has experienced the loss of one of the lovers. But Jaqueline’s power has grown, along with her bitterness, now she-

Jaqueline: I’m here, and I’m here for you! *evil laugh*

End of Play

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “A Demon in My View” Nicholas

I looked up at the sound of my mother’s voice behind my door. I didn’t say anything. She then walked into my room with the babysitter right behind her.

“This is Nick. Nicky, darling, this is-”

“I know who he is,” the babysitter interrupted quite rudely.

I could tell she didn’t want to be here. Strangely, after my mother left, the babysitter introduced herself as Rachel.

“There’s a monster in my closet.” I stated bluntly.

“There is?” Rachel asked in a tone that made me feel like a three year old.

I nodded. “What does it look like?” she asked in her little kid voice as she opened the closet door.

I flinched at the sight of the open door before answering. “It is green and evil.”

“Will it come out now?” she queried.

“Not when a grown-up is around.”

“Nick, I’m seventeen. I am not an adult yet.”

“It only appears when I am alone.”

“So, how do we get rid of it?”

“It is best to keep the door closed,” I walked up to the closet and shut the door. I returned to the bed and picked my basketball off of the floor. “If you would excuse me, I want to play by myself.”

Rachel nodded and left me alone. I dropped the ball, sat on the bed, and looked at the closet. A shiver ran through my spine. The moment of silence was spooking me. All of a sudden, a loud roar filled the room. Light flashed before my eyes, and I felt a breeze come out of the closet. The breeze suddenly grew into a strong wind that whistled and roared around me. Planks of wood were ripped from my closet door and thrown around my room. I let out a cry of terror.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Play Writing: “Silent Murder” Act 4

Act 4 Setting: Cellar Time: Midnight the next night

*Catherine is sitting on the floor. Will enters.*

Will: Sorry I’m late. I had to get away from my father. Catherine: It’s okay. *pause* I have to go upstairs. I’ll be back soon. Will: Okay.

*Catherine exits. Hears Will scream.*

Catherine: Will!

*Rushes to the cellar only to find him dead*

Catherine: Oh Will. *cries softly* 

*Sees the dagger*

Catherine: How can I go on without you?

*Brings dagger to her chest*

Catherine: Oh happy dagger, my breast is thy sheath. There rest, and let me die. 

*Kills herself*

End of Act 4

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “A Demon in My View” Rachel

I was driving home from my friend’s house when my mom called me on my cell phone. I had answered it, placed it on speaker, and set it on the seat next to me. “Hello?” I answered.

“Rachel?”

“Yes Mom, it’s me.”

“Hey hon. Um, I just got a call from Michelle.”

“Your friend with the nine-year-old?”

“Yes. Um, she asked me to ask you if you could come up and babysit Nick.”

I sighed. “I guess I could.”

“Thank you Rachel! Thank you. Are you on your way home?”

“I was. Now I am going to Michelle’s.”

“Thank you again, sweetheart. She will be very happy.”

I mumbled an okay, love you, bye before closing my phone and turning around at a gas station and driving towards Michelle’s house. I was highly vexed with the situation I was in. I did not want to babysit period. I wanted to go home and crash on the sofa with a quart of Rocky Road ice cream and MTV. School was rough on me; not even my favorite French class could save me. I had a boatload of homework and a project to do in Math, but I had no choice. Being the type of girl who is willing to please, I had to do it for my mom. I sighed as I turned onto Michelle’s driveway.

She met me at the door, flooding me with thank you’s. “I just have to do a little shopping, so I will not be long. Little Nicky is in his room.” She escorted me to his room.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Play Writing: “Silent Murder” Act 3

Act 3 Setting: Catherine’s room Time: Midnight

Catherine: Who are you? Jaqueline: I am the ghost of this mansion. This is my home. Catherine: What happened to you?

*flashback”

Jaqueline: Four years ago, I was living a happy life with my boyfriend James.

*James enters cellar*

James: Sorry it took so long. I had to distract my older sister. Jaqueline: That’s okay.

*Father is watching through the window, talking to Suzanna*

Father: Glad you could make it, my dear. Suzanna: Why did you need me? Father: I need a favor from you. Kill the useless wretch of a boyfriend my daughter has. Suzanna: What’s in it for me? Father: Five million dollars for your services. Suzanna: You have a deal.

*shakes on it*

*end flashback*

Catherine: Wait! If she was sent after James, what happened to you? Jaqueline: I became depressed after his death. So depressed, I got my father’s dagger and killed myself. Now, I cannot rest until I find him. Catherine: That’s so sad! Jaqueline: Every time I see a man, my dead heart beats for him.

*Jaqueline cries*

End of Act 3

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “A Demon in My View” Nicholas

It was January 23, 1994, four days after my ninth birthday. That’s when my life changed for, well, I cannot say the better because it caused my insanity, and yet I cannot say for the worse and I am not sure why. I was sitting on my bed that was covered with the denim sports-print comforter that I enjoyed then and now think it to be quite ridiculous. I remember I was very quiet and twiddling my thumbs. My mother had told me that a babysitter was coming because she had to go shopping. I oddly felt anxious about my mother leaving. I knew this was strange of me. Was it becasue of this babysitter that I did not know of, or the fact of the monster in my closet? Yes, there was a monster in my closet at nine years old. It was green, scary, and it always roared in my ears. This time though, it seemed as though the monster was plotting something...something that would hurt me...change me...torture me...forever.

[dustytrunkrelics]

Play Writing: “Silent Murder” Act 2

Act 2 Setting: Upstairs hallway Time: 6:00 p.m.

*Catherine walks down the hall, muttering to herself. Will walks in from another room. They bump into each other.*

Will: I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t see you there. Catherine: That’s fine. *pause* What’s your name? Will: William. Catherine: I like your name. Will: Thanks, I guess.

*pause*

Will: I’ve got to go now. Catherine: Okay, see you later then? Will: Okay, I guess.

*Will exits*

Catherine: Ahh, he’s so hot. Jaqueline: Just like James.

*Catherine looks at Jaqueline and screams*

End of Act 2

[dustytrunkrelics]

Chapter Story: “The Heartsmith” Chapter 2: Lenore

This story is based off of the comic “Hearts for Sale” by Miyuli. Please check out her artwork and give her a follow! http://miyuliart.tumblr.com/

The first story I want to tell is about a young woman that the other three are connected to. She often stands on the street with a basket of hearts, giving them away to every man, woman, child, and even animal that she founds. I often see her with a smile on her face and a bubbling laugh.

This woman’s name was Lenore.

Lenore has always been a dear friend to me. Every day, she comes to visit me. Usually, she brings a cake or some bread for me and tells me stories about how her day has gone and what has happened. I will sit, eat whatever she has brought, and listen to her stories. I love hearing them. Besides that they are often amusing and heartfelt, I can tell that they warm her heart. Her heart is always warm and happy when I see it. However, I could tell that there was something missing in it. I could never quite put my finger on what she was needing. I mentioned to her that her heart needed something, and she has said that she has felt the same way. We soon found what she was missing in the form of a knight.

It was the day before Christmas when she met him. From what she told me, he was handsome, kind, and had fallen in love with her the instant he met her. The months following that fateful day were full of love and happiness for Lenore. When she would visit me, her heart would be glowing with love. I remember one day where I smiled and told her, “Love. That is what you were missing in your heart.”

She agreed.

Their love, however, came with its challenges. Since this man was a knight in the king’s army, he would often be away. He and Lenore would write to each other every day. Lenore would show me the letters from him and would be giddy with happiness as his letters would elaborate on how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. Several of these letters even went on to suggest that he wanted to marry her. When she would see these, her heart glowed so much, I could have sworn that it was the sun.

Unfortunately, this was not to last for my dear Lenore.

After a year of courtship and letters, I started to notice minute but concerning changes in her heart. She still visited me like normal, but I could tell that she was trying to hide something from me. One day, I finally made her show me her heart. What I saw absolutely shattered me.

The poor thing was dull and lifeless. The vibrant glow that had lit it up was gone. When I picked up the pieces and examined them, I noticed that they were worn on the edges, like they had been pulling apart for a long time. I looked to Lenore and stated, “Tell me what is going on. Please.”

It was then that she finally told me. After that one happy year, her knight’s letters began to be far and wide. He didn’t write to her as much as he used to, and when she did get a letter, he didn’t say much in them. She was worried about this but was trying to keep an open mind and a positive outlook. I sighed and shook my head at this. She always hides her feelings to keep up her positivity, and it is obvious to me when I repair her heart.

Even though her heart was chronically hurt with hiding her emotions and was worsened with worry over her love life, the repair of it was surprisingly easy. Once I strengthened and stitched her heart back together, I warmed it back up with the love from my own heart to bring its glow back. I returned her heart to her, but not before taking her hands and making her promise to fix the issues with her knight. She promised before quietly leaving my shop.

Four months went by without a word from Lenore. This worried me greatly. She didn’t come by my shop, and I no longer saw her with her basket on the street. I wanted to visit her home to check on her, but I became constantly busy with people needing repairs and check-ups. I was grateful for the busy days, but these days would succumb to nights of tossing and turning, worrying about my dear friend.

One fateful night, midnight to be exact, I was yet again awake when I heard banging and wailing at my door. Immediately, I jumped out of bed, raced to the door, and flung it open. It was my worst nightmare come true. My precious Lenore was on her knees at my door, one fist in mid-strike and the opposite fist clutching a satchel to her chest. Tears were streaming down her face, and she was shaking almost uncontrollably. I helped her to her feet and guided her to a chair, carefully sitting her down. I looked her in the eye and said the first thought I had:

“He left you, didn’t he?”

She gave a nod and began her wailing again while shoving her satchel into my hands. With trembling hands, I opened the satchel, already having an idea of its contents. Sure enough, it contained her shattered heart. I gently poured the pieces onto my workbench and examined them. Each piece felt hard and jagged like rocks. They also felt cold and were completely dark. Tears came to my eyes at the sight, but I needed to stay strong for Lenore. Leaving her heart on the workbench....