megkana209

[megkana209]

"Do you have the figures I ask for" prince ailign asked from the mesoning of the royal space craft.

"No Sr." First officer replied.

"Gey it to me quickly. I need to see the list of all the candidates." Ailign replied.

The first officer saluted and walked back. Only returning moments later, a tablet in hand.

"These are all the females we have on record who have been reported as compatable to use. These are the ones who have had contact with one of our own. Is there anything else you need from me sr.?" First officer responded.

"Thats all I need thank you soldier." Ailign replied.

"I don't see why your bothering with this?" A female voice called from behind.

"Mother." Ailign said as a greeting. "You know why I'm bothering with this.

"Ow yes your announcement was something. Denouncing your engagement to zela and choosing a female that the people get instead. But you know you don't have to go through with this. I can talk to zela again. We can work this out you know I only want full blooded gtandchildren." Vora relied.

"It's too late for that and I've made up my mind mother. Beside captian rogas wouldn't appreciate me stealing his new future mate." Ailign said.

"Why you handed zela over to that man is beyond me. Surely there's another in the royal family who is more worthy of one of the last females." Vora said.

"There's no one more valiant the caption rogas. He won an impossible battle on planet frez I don't need to remind you. He won that female not me. I haven't done anything note worthy yet." Ailign replied.

"You don't have to do anything splendid to win zela your my son." Vora said. "And you certainly don't need to for some human female. Don't go through with tradition. There's no need to fight."

"No I will choose the best candidate and fight if I have too. You are right about deserving somethings." Ailign replied.

"I would say be careful but you don't need it." Vora said as she walked around her son, one hand sliding around his shoulder.

"Just make it a quick death. Our soldiers deserve that much." She said as she continued down the walkway and through a long corridor. Ailign looked out toward his soldiers milling about on the deck. He was their prince and commander, and he would take the best female he could find on short notice.

He had broken off his engagement to zela only to find himself now without a future mate. He had two options to wait for the next generation or to take an alien mate from the human candidates. Earth a planet they found only a few centuries after searching for a possible solution to their shortage of female problem. Earth, a tiny planet in the galaxy but one with a species with potential reproductive possibilities. Cloning hadn't worked, for what ever reason the offspring if clones couldn't perform the mating ritual. Countless other species also failed either in genetics or in appearance to be viable candidates.

Ailign of of the proud mech race, who enslaved planets across the universe. One of the most powerful species genetically and technologically. Many other species offered up their females as tribute but the mech race could not reproduce with them.

All except the humans and the noi people could the mech choose from. Ailign was inclined to choose a human female soley for the reason of appearance and genetic superiority of future offspring.

Ailign scrold through the list, making it through a few hundred before stopping at a strange face. Megan. She was planner than some of the other candidates but there was something about the curve of her mouth and tilt of her eyes. Yes this was her, this was his female. He had chosen, now all he had to do was uphold his honor as prince and fight for his mate. A royal custome sense the old times. He was ready.

[megkana209]

The grumbling sound penetrates the small space. The deap groan something alien, like a deap clicking whine. Jake moves ungodly fast to the next room and I hear a crash.

"What are you doing here?" Jake bellows

And next I hear a strange alien language respond from an even deeper bass voice.

"No!" Jake yells and more crashing sounds insue.

"Help" I weakly call, but I know now the strange intruder is not a friend but another alien species like Jake.

I try to move again but I can barely twitch my finger tips, what ever was in my drink still gripping me in it claws.

"Help" I weakly get out again. More crashing sounds.

"I'll kill you for this!" Jake bellows and more alien words answer him.

"Jake" I watch the walls continue to melt as I placidly wait for my faite. The seconds ticking by as punching and grunting noises continue on.

I weakly scream as Jake's body gets thrown into the room. The perpetrator finally shows his face as another strange beautiful alien male.

He glances at me only for a second then puts his attention back on Jake. Jake fumbles on the ground for leverage to get back up finally finding purch on the half crumbled night stand underneath him.

"You wont." Jake heaves out. The strange alien intruder pulls out two robes that quickly melt and extend into golden blades. Inkining out like water to form deadly weapons.

"To the death then." Jake mumbles and this time I see the response come from the introduces mouth. But this time he answers in English. "To the death." He breath out in his deap voice.

Jake lunges for the man, blade out and slashes, pushing him back out into the halway out of my line of sight. I hear clash of blades, and scraping of furniture as it gets destroyed or pushed out of the way. I realize then that a whimpering sound was coming out of me as I waited.

"Jake" I call. Something was wrong with me. My body was heating up and my vision getting burry again.

"Jake". I call again. But it had gone silent in my home now. Where were the neighbors? Why wasn't anyone calling the police from all the commotion? My head was still swimming.

More silence.

"Jake" I call one more time but it wasn't Jake who answered me this time but the stranger.

"Jake is dead." Was all he said. The footsteps then thay sounded towards me were like needles in my heart. Terror bloomed again in my belly as I waited for the stranger to enter my bedroom.

He entered then and I peered at the now bloody figure. He was wearing blue jeans and a white cotton shirt, now smeared with Jake's blood.

"Why are you here!?" I whisper, terror still gripping me.

His eyes never left me as he assessed my situation. Those black on black eyes.

"You shouldn't be this conscious." He mearly reply and he moves to the incense hanging from the walls and blows, filling the room with more smoke.

He takes a deap breath from each hanging ball of incense in the room. My head begins to swim more and my vision winks in and out.

"What....  what's in that." I blirrily get out.

"Something that'll help this process." He replies.

"What... process." I reply.

"This" He says as he grabs my arm and slices at my palm with his sword. I yelp out in pain as he then moves to slice his own.

Muttering. Muttering was happening was the next thing I realized as I blinked back into consciousness. Muttering in that strange alien language. Someone was holding my hand. I look down to see the white blue bahemieth of a hand holding mine. The sheets crumpled underneath. Blood was flowing blood from our hands. I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating or not. And then there was another hand. One at my groin.

"Stop" I wimper and I try to move. Succeeding a little this time. The drug Jake feeding me wearing off.

"Stop" I repeate. What sounded like cursing then flowed into my delirious ears.

"Stop moving" He crawled out "this process is important." He started moving his hand faster at my groin. Violating all I had.

More Muttering in that alien language and I blinked out of consciousness again. In my dreams I could feel a lifting sensation. I was floating high apon a stream. Crashing, crashing into an ocean of blood.

I woke with a start. Blood was streaming out of the stranger palm and into mine. I was hallucinating I had to be. Moving, he was moving inside me, now completely bare. I moved my hand to push him off me but he was too large, and I was too weak.

"It's almost done. Don't move!" he grawled at me again. I whimpered and cried then. The blood floating into the air and making its way into my palm. Blue light shown out of the stranger.

"It's almost done" He repeated more quietly this time as he started to move faster, the tempo increasing until it finally came to an end.

He got off of me at that oint and my vision cleared to see those eyes peering at me again.

"Were mates now." He said and I fainted back into oblivion.

[megkana209]

I awake to the smell of strong incense. My head pounding a peered around the room. I was in my room, but the lights were dim and there were incense balls hanging from the ceiling, plums of smoke waffling from them. The smell raked against my senses. The next thing I noticed was my arm hand cuffed to the bed. My vision blurring in between seconds, the drugs still having an affect.

"What. What's going on?" I ask bewildered.

"Your awake" I hear Jake's voice come from the hallway.

The footsteps grow louder as he makes his way back towards me.

"Let me go." I demand in a broken voice.

"I can't do that megs." He stops for a moment to speak but then his footsteps resume. "There's something about me. Something I haven't told you yet." Jake calls.

"What could possibly warrant you tieing me up?" I wimper.

"This" Jake says and he makes his way into the door.

I don't understand what I'm seeing for a moment. It's Jake but his eyes are all black, like two pits void of hope or laughter. A dark that sucks away the light in the world, but in my haze they also seemed to hold little speckles of lights.

"So you got some Halloween contacts. Cool Jake...... Not let me go... please." I say

"There not contacts Megan. Listen to me. I'm not the same species as you." He's now peering over my limp body on the bed, still barely able to move.

I start crying this is a nightmare from he'll. My best friend lost his mind, and now he was making me play this sick game with him.

"Alright what are you then some sort of wearwolf or alien?" I mutter out. My head nods off in between words, and Jake with his strange eyes comes closer and grabs my head holding it in place.

"That's exactly what I am megs. I'm not from this world." Jake wispers. "And I had a mission. To find my mate for reproduction purposes." He says with an all to serious face for a sick joke.

"A... what the fuck Jake... I don't care what you are... just.. let.. me.. GO." I yell out the last word feebably.

He let's go of my face then and begins pacing the room. He was shirtless, in nothing but those well fitted jeans. I look down and notice I'm wearing nothing but his shirt. Terror fills my belly as I try to wiggle my body to no avail. "Jake" I begin to cry. "Jake.... I love you.... why are you doing this." I cry out.

"Shhh. Shhh. Shhh. Baby don't cry. Itll all be over soon. I've chosen you megs. I'm taking you with me. I won't hurt you. Don't cry." He stops his pacing and makes his way back to me, to hold my face.

"I'll begin the mating ritual now, and then we can be together on my world." He starts.

Then something even stranger happens, his skin begins to morph, like little chips flipping over on the self and his features change to something alien. His nose with the slight crook becomes straight, his skin a nice caramel, becomes blue white, his cheek bones now more defined. The scariest thing of all was that he grew in height to a monstrous level.

I cry harder. I couldn't tell if I was hallucinating from the drugs or if my worst nightmares had become real, the monstrous creature in front of me couldn't be Jake.

"Don't cry megs" the creature says "I'm still me I'm still jake. This is the real me."

He was beautiful in a way, a strange alien way. But he was just that, not human.

"Help" I croak out. "Heeelp" my voice only rising so much from the drug. The ability to speak a struggle in itself.

"I'll begin now." He mearly says.

He reaches for me, then there was a crash at the door. I loud bang thay rings in my ear. Jake looks up from me, and then makes a weird crumbling sound. The same sound resounds from the living room. My head spinning I pray. Pray that what ever is in my living room is friendly.

[megkana209]

"Jake what's my surprise?" I ask questioningly.

"What goes perfect after a night of fun?" Jake asks me.

I lean over the side of the car and rest my head on the door, letting the sound of the road lul me.

"A nap." I reply.

Jake laughs "no you dork. Cake."

"Your keeping me up for cake?" I ask

"Not just any cake. But cake from your favorite bakery." He replies.

"You didn't. Did you drive all the way to wellington to buy me a chocolate cake?" I reply with a bit more pep in my voice.

"Ow I did. And not just chocolate cake banana caramel as well." He replies.

"OH my gosh Jake youre the best!"

Jake pulls the car into my parking lot and puts on the breaks, the old Chevy engine finally taking a rest.

"Come on let go inside and dig in." He replies.

The moon was full on that cold winter night. The streets frosted over and well lit by the street lights. Jake opened my door as I grabbed the cakes in the back, the surprise revealed.

Inside we sat comfortably on the couch nibbling at our desserts. Jake humming as he ate I sat and looked at him. Really looked at him. His long angular nose, framed well by high cheek bones and a full mouth. His eyes left his cake and peirced into mine.

"Checking out the goods." He says with a smile.

"Just wondering where that ego comes from." I reply.

"From my dashing personality. You can't tell me you have gotten swept up in it yet." His eyes twinkle with mischief.

"And what if I say I have?" I prod

"Then I'd say your a lucky lady because I just so happen to have been swept up too." Jake leans in and I freeze.

His eyes open and he stares down at me on the couch.

"I like you megan." He says in a husky voice, and something in me snapped.

I lunge for him not caring that cake is still in my hand. His lips are soft I notice as mine reach his. He set down his cake and takes me in his arms, the kiss so passionate I fear ill faint.

I break away for a moment "are we just drunk?" I ask half delirious

"I'm not drunk are you drunk?" He asks me.

"I am very drunk but I am also very, very much wanting this to happen." I reply.

He looks up at me and takes me in his arms again and kisses me softly.

"I very very much want this to happen too." He replies.

"Should we go in the bedroom?" I ask completely ready to be taken away.

"So eager" He teases.

"Jake I'm serious" I reply and his teasing smile turns to a soft one.

"Not yet megs. Let watch a show first. Settle down a bit." He replies.

I pout but comply, snuggling up to his warn frame. He grabs the remote and flicks on a trash t.v. show. The sounds already starting to lul me to sleep. I eventually nod off on Jake, only waking when I notice his comforting presence missing.

"Jake" I call out.

"I'm in the bedroom." I hear a reply.

"What are you doing in there I thought we were sleeping on the couch." I grogily get up from my spot.

I hear foot steps as Jake rushes out "ow no no no I have one more surprise for you sleepy head." He says

I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him, still groggy from sleep.

"A sexy kind of surprise?" I ask.

He tilts my head up and greedily devours my lips. My breath coming hot and heavy in seconds, our bodies coming closer together.

"Yes a sexy kind of surprise." He rasps out.

I grin at him like a loon. This man. This sexy man was going to be all mine tonight. After all these years of loving this person it was finally happening.

"OK player. I'm game. Let's go." My turn towards the bed room but Jake stops me.

"Just a second there. We have to wait a little longer for this surprise. Let me get you a drink first." We with that we make our way towards the couch again, jake pouring me a drink in the kitchen.

"Here you are." He says

"This is my last drink Jake. I've had enough." I reply.

"No worries."

After a few sips of my drink my head begins to swim. "Jake I think I had too much." I say

"Take just a few more sips and let's head to the bedroom." He says

"One more." I take a giant swig but it only make my head swim more. "I don't think... was there something in that....."

"Shhhh" Jake says

The room is spinning at that point. The walls melting into each other. "Jake?!" I croak out.

"Itll all be over soon beautiful I swear." Jake replies. I try to get up but Jake forcefully pulls me back down.

"Ypu won't pass out for long with those much. Don't worry I promise I'll take care of you." Jake says

I begin to cry as my body goes numb and my head continues to swim.

"Why?!" I cry out.

"You'll know soon" Jake says.

[megkana209]

Today is the day of the concert. The concert me and Jake have been waiting for. Jake asked me to put on something special for our dinner before and Emily swears it's because he plans on asking me out. Butterflies form in my stomach as I stand before my wardrobe trying to peice together something that will nock his socks off.

"Damnit Megan you should have borrowed something from Emily." I talk to myself.

Emily was notorious for slutty outfits but I wasn't even sure if Jake would go for something like that either.

After much deliberation I finally decide on a sequanced and fitted blue dress with obsidian earrings.

"Well if he doesn't like this he can go to he'll. Yeah Megan your worth more than your clothes." I finally tell my reflection.

A knock comes at the door and I hurry to answer it.

Jake is even more handsome than usuall in fitted blue jeans and a nice button up shirt. The blue of his shirt showing off his stunning blue eyes.

"Is this too much?" I ask, waving to the dress.

He smiles at me "No I'd say it's just enough for our night." He replies.

"Good. I wouldn't want to look too good for you." I replied.

"That, is impossible." He replies with a wink.

"Ow and now I feel like you just called me ugly." I reply.

"I didn't say it you did." I hit him in the stomach again.

"Come on we better get going" I mumble.

"I'm sorry I won't tease you anymore. I want tonight to go well." He says in an apologetic manner.

"Then call me pretty." I goad, not really expecting him to comply.

"You look very, very pretty tonight megan." He replies.

My heart half stops for a moment as I gaze up at him in shock.

A half smile form on his lips. "Don't look so surprised I always think you pretty. Now let's go." He grabs my hand and leads me out from the apartment hallways down to the parking lot. His old Chevy waiting.

The restraunt for dinner was a fancy sort. Twinkling bar lights out on the patio and fancy painting on the wall. Jake ordered a fine wine and we laughed and joked about our work and we ate over our meals.

"Nicholas did not say that." I rely to his joke.

"He did! He said only guys in stockings does it for him. I thought he was joking but he showed me a photo." Jake relies.

"I did not think he was gay! He has such straight guy vibes." I laugh.

"I know I thought so too. Hes always going on about football. But his partner is very straight vibes too! Well besides the stockings." He laughs.

"Well I'm happy for him. I'll have to get him to show me a photo. I always love to see happy couples. And stockings cant be the weirdest fetish out there. At least its not feet." I smile.

"You like it when i rub your feet." Jake replies.

"Yeah but thats not a fetish is it?" I reply suspiciously.

Jake clears his throat "Speaking of happy couples. We should hurry and finish our food or we'll be late for the concert." Jake starts to shovel his food in his mouth and I do the same while maintaining my suspicious glare.

"Your so not getting at my feet again if it's a fetish of yours." I say in between mouthfuls.

"Come on megs you love pleasing me." He mumbles out.

"Nope. Nope. Not this Jakey sorry." I replied with a smile.

"Fine. It's not a fetish." He smiles back. "There all done, now let's go."

Jake gets the check and we make our way to the concert.  

The concert is beaming with life all around. A crowd already formed outside making their way in.

"We got here a little late." I say.

"You should have shoveled your food faster now come on let's go!" Jake grabs my hand and we rush toward the crowd.

The concert onside is loud, the opening band already halfway over. Jake comes around with drinks in hand and we indulge in the splendor of alcohol and good music. Getting up from our seats and dancing a little as the booze kicks in. My hand goes to his dark hair as he spins me a little in the tight space. I feel his shoulders as he brings me in for a more intimate shuffle.

"Jake tonight is really great." I beam up at him.

"It's not over yet megs." He replies. Spinning me around a couple more time. The couple behind us complain and we take our seats.

"But it is over the concerts about finished." I replied.

"I have one more surprise for you at your apartment." Jake says into my ear. "In fact why don't we go there now."

My cheeks heat and I simply nod my head Jake smiles and we go to leave our seat. Rushing through the crowds apon crowds of people chatting and swaying.

"Whats this surprise jake?" I ask

"Uh uh. You have to wait Missy. Come on let's go." He replies.

We jump in his Chevy and make our way back to my apartment.

[megkana209]

Jake looked at me with his puppy dog like eyes for the fiftieth time that day.

"Don't say it" I grumble.

The smile on his face broadens as he lunges ahead.

"Really don't say it you dork." I smile back at him.

"Your the dork you like John Mason. The lamest comedian in the city." He beams back.

"I told you Jake I don't like him. How many times do I have to tell you." My voice sounds out Jake with an infassis.

"And I told you megan" He retorts back. "I saw you laughing your stupid head off at that awful joke He told. The one about the seaguls wasn't it."

I let out a long frustrates sigh. "It was so awful it qas good what's wrong with that." I replied.

"And there we have it an admition that you like him!" He responds with a smile.

"Ow shut up." I smile back finally conceding.

We continue our walk down the ally toward my apartment after baked good down the road, a ritual we've started on Wednesdays and Fridays after work.

I work as a manager at the local factory and he works on the floor.

It's not my dream job that I had always aspired to do but it paid the bills until I finished college. But Jake, he somehow made working the floor seem like fun, always full of jokes and smile. I asked him one day why he seemed so happy at a crap job and he just replied its about the people. I told him the people are crap too but he just smiled.

The lights illuminated the corners of the streets as we continues our way down. Passing by neatly manicured shrubbery and little well maintained houses before we cane up to my apartment building.

"Finally here. It freezing outside." I complain as I reach for the key in my bag.

"Don't be like that Megan the cold is fun. You get to wear all the best looking clothes as you always say." He replies.

"I feel like you just called me fat." He laughs at my flat statement.

"Hey I didn't say it you did." He replies. I smack him in the stomach before making my way inside. He grips his stomach with an exaggerated groan.

"Emily he is coming over by the way." I start but Jake cuts me off.

"Noo. I thought tonight a was just going to be me and you." He replies

"Why do you dislike her so much. I don't understand it. It's like these days you only wanna see me." I reply still putting away my things, and starting to head over to the couch.

"It's not that I only wanna see you, it's just that Emily. Really?" He replies

I laugh "again why do you hate Emily so much?" Hw joins me on the couch and I place my feet on his lap.

"Massage please." I smile at him as I move my feet.

"I don't hate Emily. She's just so... I don't like the way you are with her." He begins massaging one of my feet.

"And what way is that? Fun? Come on she lightens up the mood it's always nice to have her around." I replied.

"Fine I will tolerate her tonight but next time it's just us promise." He replies.

"I promise my handsome friend. Now we better get the booze out or we'll be subjected to her nasty taste."

Jake jumps up from his seat and begins to get the glasses when a knock comes at the door.

"That's her" I call too busy scrolling through my social.

"By all means I'll get the drinks and open the dooor." Jake sarcastically calls.

"Your the best" I replied and I hear another sigh and I smile.

The night continued on with drinks and laughter. Emily soon being too drunk to even form whole words, let alone walk straight in her high heals.

"I'm telling you, you guys should deffinatly date. Yall have this freaky connection it's like I never see one without the other." Emily slurs out.

Jake smiles but remains calm as he replies. "Thats because Megan has a condition that I have to look over. She needs my constant surveillance.

I look at him in-between sips of my wine. "And what condition is that jakey?" I ask questioningly.

"You can't stand being away from handsome men for too long." He replies

I let out a laugh

"Yes Jake that is exactly what is wrong with me. And no Emily we've never dated were just friends." I replied.

"Ow my gosh I love this song" Emily suddenly starts as one of the top hits little Mike's comes on. "Du du du. Jake come dance with me." She drunkenly announces as she grabs his hand.

"Ow no I can't." He goes on and shoves her hand off.

"Come oooonnnn." She starts

"Here Emily I'll dance with you." I grabbed her hand and we start to sway at the sound of the music. Jake laughing his head off at Emily who can barely stand. After a few minutes of slow swaying I lead her to my spare bedroom.

"OK Emily you've had enough it's time for bed now." I coo

"Nooo we just started dancing."

"No I think it's time for bed" Jake intersects. "Come on I'll help too." Jake takes her other arm as we lead her too the bed. The two of us gently laying her down on my barely used lilac sheets and soft blue confetor.

"I have work tomorrow." She barely gets out.

"And a cup of coffee will be waiting for you in the morning." I console.

Jake and I head off back to the living room.

"I should get some sleep too. We have work in the morning as well." I start.

"I know megs but give me just thirty more minutes. We can watch trashy t.v." Jake replies.

I smile up at his tall handsome figure.

"OK one episode of live island." I smile up at him.

"What ever you want." His hand goes to my hair as he fiddles with a strand.

I feel a blush gently rise to my cheeks.

"One episode." I replied.

"Just one." He concludes.

[megkana209]

Ch 2

"Cassie I have a few things I didn't get done on my shift" my coworker points to a stack of papers left on the desk by our main computer. "Just some new orders and X rays."

I nod my head in a silent confirmation that I was listening. Good the voice was going to leave me alone during the day time today as well. I used to exclusively work the night shift as the night time always scared me while sleeping but sense the voice appeared I began picking up day shifts not wanting to have a crazy conversation with myself during my work hours. I admit I'm a bit of a scary cat during the night, always feeling something was out to get me, so when the voices started I felt my fears confirmed. Most night now I anxiously cower near my husband before sleep takes me.

"Now let's go count the narcotics so I can get out of here." Connie prattle on.

"Ready to get home to jeff?" I asked genuinely curious. "Ow yes you know how he can be the big baby. He can't survive without me. I have to go home and cook him a meal before I can relax." She laughs a little at her own situation. "You got lucky with your husband being a chef I'll tell you. That lemon chicken you brought us last time was spectacular. Tell him thanks again."

I took the keys to the narcotic box and smiled at her gingerly. "If I tell him thanks one more time he'll think he has to cook you a feast to keep his biggest fans praise going lol. But seriously you should come over one night and we'll do just that."

"I'd love that" she replies simply in-between firing off narcotic numbers.

With my keys in hand I set off to begin my medication round, humming joyously to myself. Today would be a good day then. "Hello Tim, marcus." I call down those long yellow halls. They great back with a simple wave of the hand and a smile on there face. Ow yes a good day and one I will spend theorizing again on my down time.

I have a list of clues and theories for my mystery speaker. All of which seem silly and uninventful but I soldier on, determined to catch him and prove the paranormal as real, and myself not being crazy.

"Cassie we have a problem over here. Someone's complaining of pain." Rachel my cna calls out. "Coming" I reply pulling myself from my own thought as I lock my cart and begin my way to my patient. "I'm already ready to head home" I mutter to myself.

"Rachel do you ever have night terrors?" The day had slowed immensely and the two workers had taken there spots at the nurses station to begin their paper work for the day. "Not particularly" she replied bored and playing on her phone.

"I've been getting these waking dreams that have been freaking me out lately. I'm afraid my anxiety is going to go through the roof if they continue." I reply. My computer screen humming as I click away the hours charting.

"Havr you tried anything for your anxiety? You know go to the doctor or just light up a good Ole joint. Cannabis helps me with my anxiety"

"Rachel! We are in the health care field!" I laugh aloud "you'll loose your job."

"Let them fire me ill get a new job in a second and then I wouldn't have to deal with our good old friend frank anymore." She smiles.

Frank is one of our biggest trouble patients. He has a habit of not only sneaking off into the female residents rooms but harassing the staff as well.

"Cannabis is a no but maybe your right maybe I should go see a doctor, but you know me I hate doctors."

'Doctors won't help you anyways' my male voice said into my mind.

My fingers fumble on the key board, dread and shock coursing through me momentarily. I gulp but continue my conversation.

"My dude, there's nothing wrong with seeing the doctor. Don't be a chicken lol. You don't get poked with a needle everytime you go."

I scowl but continue on with my work, ruffling through a few more order papers.

"Night terrors could be a sign of some repressed shit though Cass. You may need to work something out."

"Ow I'm working something out." I mutter back.

[megkana209]

Ch 1

I lay there in my bed listening to the crickets gentle song. It's a normal summer night, quite and uneventful in the outskirts of Kansas city. We'll it's almost a normal night, by most standards anyways. The dishes are done, laundry put away, cats are fed, everything is right and we're it should be, except for this voice in my head.

"So what shall it be tonight poetry or a good story?" The voice reverberates through my skull. A gentle baritone masculine voice. Not my inner voice at all.

"And when are you planning on letting me sleep tonight?" I reply back in my mind, my own voice. The one I have control of.

"Come to think of it I think I'm going to keep my promise and ignore you until you tell me your name." I add a moment of silence later. My body snuggling further into the covers, making a point only I will register. Hopefully.

"And as I told you I'm merely a figment of your lonely minds imagination. Made up for your need of a friend after that horrible day at work weeks ago." He replied sardonically.

As if a bad day at work could make me go this crazy. This was one theory of mine, that I had literally gone crazy. The first night the voice came to me I was so surprised and scared I grabbed my bedside old bat and did five rounds throughout my house to look for intruders. The voice taunted me a little throughout my terrifying experience. He also reassured me I was safe but the sarcastic taunting is what stuck with me. I now have a security system, and a plan to see a psychiatrist if this doesn't end soon.

"OK figment of my imagination. I am Hella good at making poetry apparently. Maybe that'll be my next job." I smile to myself. "But I think my brain is tired of it maybe a story."

The voice grumbles in my head, the sound reverbating from one ear to the next. "Fine. I asked you what you prefer and I'll give you a story. This one is about a girl who tries to threaten a not so giving man."

My eyes go from one bunny on my sheet to the next, counting the surrounding flowers. "Ow I'm shaking. This man wouldn't happen to only be a voice would he?" I challenge back.

"Close your eyes now and listen. I think you'll like this one." His voice goes gentle in my mind.

"I just hope she wins in the end. She has to be daring." I snuggle now fully for comfort into my bed, readying for a sleep full night as he begins his story.

"Your horrible at being quite and listening by the way." His voice breaks out in the middle of his boring story.

"Maybe if you added some adventure I wouldn't feel the need to interject." I reply.

The next day I wake blerry eyes and groggy from another night of listening to the voice. I might have only listened to about thirty minutes of the story before I passed out but that's besides the point. I still woke tired from several nights of less sleep then planned.

"I should just go to sleep earlier I swear." I mumble to myself, pulling back the sheets and slipping on my slippers.

"Do you want some pancakes cassie?" I hear my husband call out from the kitchen.

"Sure" I call back in a less than enthusiastic voice as I begin to make my way downstairs to our kitchen.

I emerge to the smell of grease and sweet bread in my favorite robe and bed tossed hair.

"Did you sleep well today?" My husband's considerate voice asks. He's been concerned for me these last few weeks as my sleep schedule has prevented me from sharing a bed, and instead opting for the spare bedroom.

"Like a lamb." I lie as I sit at a bar stool at the island overlooking the stove top. "I'm more concerned about those pancakes then my sleep." My husband Aaron wourles around hurriedly and peers down at the now slightly burning chocolate pancakes.

"Crap!" He exclaims as he begins flipping again. I smile at him as I stretch out my stiff joints.

"I'm going to get ready for work while you continue flipping." He hmmms back at me in response.

I'm a nurse working at the Mayfield nursing home. My second home really it feels like. For someone who has always felt a stranger to there family many of the residents there began to feel like one. At least a little bit.

Ready to go to work I deseand the flight of stairs to my breakfast and awaiting husand. Hes already flying about grabbing for his keys and wallet in his black work shirt and pants. Stove off and door open to let out the smell of cooking.

"I have to run or I'll be late." He greats as he kisses my cheek. "A plates on the kitchen table for you." I hug him goodbye and finish my own work ritual. 

[megkana209]

Happiness is finding people you can love who can love you back.

[megkana209]

I think the best thing about being a ghost would be that my inner thighs wouldn't touch.

[megkana209]

"You've tied yourself to somebody already my dearrr. See here thissss string can not be brokennn now, and I'm afraid you ooonly get one." Hissed the voice above my head.

It was black here, void of any and all colors. The only source of light luminated from the string tied to my middle.

"I choose who to tie it to? Not fate?" I ask in bewilderment.

"You chooooose." Hissed the darkness at me.

"Then who are you?" I ask still not sure of myself or where I was, reaching out outstretched arms to try and catch the voice.

"The thing you wish to blame for choosing wrong." Giggles rang out all around me until they eventually faded in the distance.

I was alone now, but not lonely.

Only ready to follow my light.

[megkana209]

The fireflies broke through the darkness like little glimers of hope through the turbulence of my emotions. With every one i watched burn out and fly back into the woods i felt a little more of my hope die with it. I sat there and watched them for a moment as what had earlier transpired still filled my inner thoughts and worries. What are we going to do? How long did I have to decide?

We were sitting at the back of my old cottage when I broke the news to him.

The foliage surrounded our little spot, picked out by the back porch, a canipy of greens and browns. It was one of our favorite places to sit and be together. We often found ourselves getting lost in the simplicity of silence and each other's touch. Like a place only meant for us, to hold our deepest secret and love.

As I quietly sat there I did just that, a gentle touch on the thigh to let him know I was there and thinking of him. He leaned into my touch and I placed an arm around him, giving him a gentle squeeze. I would enjoy this moment and let it calm my inner turmoil. I had too if I was going to be strong enough to lead us. He was waiting for me to respond, for me to tell him what I knew. The silence persisted as I continued to focus on those damndable fireflies.

They were coming, the townspeople had found out about what we were to each other. A salesman had come around back to search out the residence to sale his latest wares too and caught us holding each other dearly. So locked in our embrace and heated kiss it took us a moment to realize what had happened, to late to chase him down and try anything to fix what had been seen. I was half hoping that the man would go about his way and not report us to the authorities. That if I went into town I'd be able to find the man and pay him off with what little we had. I was neither lucky nor quick enough. I waited there on the outskirts of town, hiding out behind a tree and some bushes as I waited and listened. Looking for signs of the scoundrel sale man being about, and no sooner then a few hours pass did I see the badged figures quickly making there way across town. Hurriedly people scurrying about and collecting in groups, seemingly bursting with fervent gossip. I couldn't take not knowing for certain the situation and started my way to the back of my good friend Charles astabloshment. I knocked quietly on the large weather worn brown door.

"Charles. Charles, I need an ear." I was now peaking into the back of the building and whispering my desperate plea into the lonely hallway. I could hear quickening footsteps draw near, and the sound of exuberant huffing that could come from no  other man then my very dear and very large friend.

He burst through the adjacent door and huffed out, "John you can't be here. What airen it is you needen to say i aint hearin it. I want no explanations. The whole towns out there lookin for you. There preparing the ropes for you and yours now. Yer gots to get now." His burley face was ripe red from the quick jog and explanation. He practically shoved my body out of the door frame as he made his way to shut it back, my backwards step being too slow from the shock.

The whole town knew  and they were coming to right our wrong. Or at least it felt like something wrong to them, but to me there couldn't be anything more right. None of that mattered in the eye of the collective morality. It took a moment longer to right my mind enough to quickly make my way back home. My legs carried me across the halfway hidden pass, a long journey into wild nature and slippery creeks to make it back to my cabin, and back to Luke.

A lonely frog now jumped across the damp ground, making its way to the underbelly of my cabin. It plunged its self into that unknown darkness without a second of hesitation. It never stopping long enough to fully register the possibilities of that plunge, or a better route. I found myself wishing for this little frog to show a happiness on the other side. That he was glad at his decision to leap head long into that unknown. That he didnt make the wrong decision. I knew my own route now, the only route that would ensure the least amount of pain. Ensure that they wouldn't take this last dignity from me and my beloved. Even if it broke my heart.

With a shaking hand, I grabbed onto his knee again and rested it there for a moment as I composed my words. The sounds of the forest buffering my own paralyized tongue. I wanted to convey the situation in the most gentle way possible, to ensure that the hurt he felt afterwards would be as little as possible. All I wanted was to protect him.

He immediately sensed my distress and worry from my prolonged silence and persistently shaking fingers.

"John. What's wrong? Did you find the bugger and ring him good?" Luke asked, now his own worry showing in his tone.

His quivering voice finally broke me from my silence. "No. Hes done gone." I now stroked his knee with roaming comfort. "He's gone and told everyone Luke. The town knows and they're making their way here now. It's the noose for us." My voice went flat as I struggled against that strong current that threatened tears. I pulled at my resolve with the strength of what felt like a thousand men, and a thousand men more as I let go of his knee and left my post. I made my way inside the cabin in search of the object i needed to get us through to the other side.

"Where ya goin John?" Luke quickly got up from his spot and followed after me. "John! We gotta go. We can make it to zadia before sun up." Luke pace increased as he tried to catch up to my long strides, the floor boards creeking loudly from the hurried steps. It was easy to tell when lukes foot steps started verring off somewhere behind me as he began mumbling to himself. I ignored his prattle and continued my way, knowing exactly where what I needed was, too focused on the task at hand to pay him mind. My legs feeling heavier as I went on.

I quickly reached our little empty room that had nothing but a dresser and bed for furniture. I bent down and retreived my desired object, pulling back our old green and blue quilt from the bottom of the bed. Even though our room was pretty bare Luke still had a way to make it feel special and like home. Perhaps this was from all the found memories collected by this small space, or maybe it was from all the the artistic things he enjoyed bringing in the house and sharing with me. I wasn't entirely sure which it was or if both, but I knew it was thanks to his presence that I cared.

"Zadia always did have a nice waterfall near by. Sure would enjoy a dip with ya." I called out to luke while balancing my tool on my knees after weighing it carefully in my hands for a moment. Luke stopped walking a moment as he considered the words I had spoken after my long silense. "Gots good ponds for fishin too." His steps continuing once again.

"If they knows then we gotta get out of here quicken. Gotta go now John. I'll grab the money and let's leave. Itll be new and clean. Recken well like it just fine." His mumbling died down as he made his way to another part of the house, off to collect what little things he thought he needed to have before journeying.

"No need Luke. Come inside the bedroom with me." I called already done with waiting for him to reach me.

Luke came inside the room and found me sitting on our little bed with the old riffle in my hands. The old riffle that had been handed down to me by my family, a long time friend. He stopped cold in the doorway, his hand reaching out to it for support as understanding lit his face. It didn't only take on the look of heart ache but broke entirely, his hand going to his chest and squeezing the fabric there, a soft cry escaping his cracked lips.

"What ya goin do John? Fight the whole town? It may be useful if they get near, but if we leave now they won't get us" Luke cried.

"Won't be needen to fight the whole town."

"Exactly John. No points in bein a stubborn mule. Aint no winnin this fight. So grab what bullets we gots for the journey."

"Ya aint gettin it luke"

"No" he simply pleaded. "No John, no point in that thing if we stay. We can escape. We can leave now! I dont know why yer worryin bout it." Another cry broke out after the last word, and his face looked to the floor.

"We aint goin nowhere." I simply replied.

I waited for a response but got none in return. His head didn't move from looking at the ground, only seeming more firmly held there in place. His entire body seemingly being more firmly held into place.

We had never before spoken of a plan for if we were caught. Only both knowing the tales of others in the past. Men strung up or worse from lands not too far from our own.

A low swqeek sounded as I got up from the bed and made my way to him. His body moving away from me instinctually as I neared him, finally breaking from its ice, ever so ready to escape the feeling of intrapment.

"Go on to the back now. Let's have a sit and chat." This time when I reach for his hand he allows me the contact, and we quietly make our way back out to the back.

The tears started flowing from his gentle eyes, and I tried to find something to comfort him.

"Why aren't we runnin John? I need to get goin." The desperate need for escape now weighing down on his strength, but I knew he wouldn't leave without me. My words kept him trapped like a spell on a newborn babe. I felt awful for it.

"Just sit and chat a moment. Theres no veiw like this." I said, but what I really wanted was to say something more.

I searched my limited vocabulary for something to make him feel the extent of what he meant to me. Of how he made me feel, and that all of that meant something in the grander scheme. That emotions like that couldn't not make a difference when they made all the difference to me. But I couldn't find the words, couldn't express myself in a way that pleased me. So I simply held him tight as he weaped, holding his face to my half bare chest, hoping the warmth of my body would convey all I meant for me.

"Do you remeber the time you came round looking for me at Pa's after I kissed you the first time." He asked between sobs. I nodded my head yes over his own, knowing he'd understand the movement.

"I thought you were gonna kill me that day. Said a prayer to the good lord he'd take me in after you were done beating me." He then moved his sleeve to wipe at some tears, leaning out of my embrace.

"I did have my gun with me." I smile to myself at the memory. The clear fear and shock on Luke's face at the initial site of me, dirty from a hard days work and the look of hungry anticipation in my eyes as I neared him.

"The look of a man straight from the devils lands you had. Nothin right about that look." Luke replied still wiping at his tears.

"I mearly wantin to kiss you back." I remembered the anticipation of giving my response to his advances after long consideration. The anxiety and passion from deciding to give into my desires. When I had finally made my way to his house at the first site of me luke flat out ran away and I had to chase him down. Like a lion claiming his prize I tackled him to the ground and staked my claim on his mouth. My body grew hot as i pinned his body with my own in that field of wild grass. The passion of that night still gave me goose bumps to this day. He was mine and I was his, and I vowed to do right by him that day.

Luke grabbed my face then and gave me a loving kiss. I could feel some of the moist liquid on his face still from his lips.

"You aint regrettin me are ya?" He asked me.

"No" I simply responded, and I meant it. With one last gentle kiss I broke the sweet moment.

"It's time now." I grabbed my gun and stood again from my spot. My hand pressing down on his shoulder in a firm manner, ready to lead him to the trees.

"John. John we still have more time. I still wanna remeber things with you before.. I don't wanna die john." Tears began flowing again as he pulled back from my hand.

I grabbed him hard then and pulled him from his side into the woods, the riffle in my other hand.

"You think I wanna do this?! The town will get you worse Luke. Aint no other way... i aint handin you over to that mob." My face held a stoney resolve as I held onto my plan, leading him out further into the woods where i planned to give him a proper burial.

"Theyll torture us and then hang us for the buzzards. Aint no dignity. Nothin but pain." Tears of my own now streaked from my eyes, and he shoved hard against my hands again, fighting desperately to break free of my grip.

"I aint wanntin this, I aint wanna die! John we can run!" He yelled now desperately clawing at my hands.

"No! They'll be bringing dogs and horses Luke we can't run."

My grip on his overalls was starting to slip, so desperately was he fighting against me now. Too afraid of the end.

"Yer as squirley as ever." And with a grunt I shoved him down to the ground. He grabbed hold of my own overalls and pulled my body down with his, causing us to roll in a tangle of limbs. My own weight and muscle won out in the end, pushing his hips down to the ground with my leg, using the momentum of our tumble to my advabtage.

"Don't fight me Luke. You knows aint no other way." The tears now streamed down my face and planted onto his own skin. Lukes unpinned arm reached out then for the gun, and I held it out at a further distance. His body convulsed like a mad man, as I held him there, pinned under my  weight. We started in a tussle and now we're going to end in a tussle. The irony of the situation stung me deeper.

"Luke. Luke... I love you." The tears continued to flow, mingling with his own on that tanned skin of his. My love barely noticed as I moved my arm, pointing the barrel towards him. His eyes were locked soley on mine as we wittnessed eachothers desperate moments. His face crumbling into hopeless desperation, the mirror to my own agony. "I love ya so much... Wait for me..."

The sound of the gun being fired venerated in my head, stunning my senses for a moment. I should have leaned further away from the shot but I couldn't back away from Luke in the final moments. Blood now drenched my weary form making it hard to stand up from my crouched position. Blood was everywhere I realized as I held out my hands, bairing witness in full extent of my hideous act. Something in that shot didn't only numb my sense of hearing, but it seemed to numb my soul as well. So quite I felt in comparison to the ringing in my ear.

One step, I needed to take one step, start on the task at hand and finish what needed to be done before the towns folk reached my cabin.

I make my way back, heading straight for the shed to get my shovel. Luke would have a proper grave, deep enough in the forest for no one to notice. I prayed that one body would be enough to quench the peoples blood lust. I slung open that old door, so worn it was practically falling off the hinges, my hand taking a moment to roam over one of lukes old markings.

Luke would sometimes do small things around the house. Small things that would make it feel more like a home. One small thing he always enjoyed doing was widdeling an old wood block or two, engrossing himself in the beautiful natural curves of the wood. He'd always say that it spoke too him, spoke of what it wanted to be turned into from its curves. I'd often come back to a new project he had started, a half finished pigeon, set aside on the porch, or a new engraving in our maple dresser.

When i reached out and took hold of the shovel i noticed something amiss, looking down i discovered a new mark left by luke. He had etched out little swirls around the handle leading the way to a few small leaves, so superficial they were barely noticeable in my callused hand. Luke must have not wanted to engrave too deep to save himself from my furry, knowing better than to tamper with a tool. A tool we didn't have the money to replace.

I immediately threw the shovel back to the ground, flinging my arms as hard as I could muster. The shovel hit the ground hard and bounced back into a deeper part of the shed, further obscured by the darkness. Hating everything, hating the world I lived in, cursing myself, i screamed.

"Ahhhhh! Goddammit! Goddammit! Why'd ya do this!" I screamed into the nothingness of my existence. Screamed at the invisible hate that caused my misfortune.

"Luke.... luke... whyd ya have to place your mark here... why now... why do I have to bury you with your own beauty?"

It took awhile to collect myself again. To pick myself up, shove down the flury of emotions, but I did. I made my way back to the man I loved and began to dig. The ground was dense and wet, fighting me back with a tumble of dirt, a large stone I had to shove high above my frame. The mechanical process of digging lulling me into a numb state, glad for the motion in these final moments. I felt even more glad when my body began to sting from the pain of muscle exhaustion, wishing for more pain when it began to numb again.

I wasn't aware for how long I had been digging for, only aware when i neared completing, the hole appearing to be the right size. Only taking the time and care to measure it properly with the shovel to ensure my desire of a peaceful sleep for luke be granted. Once i was satisfied i began my climb out of that tomb, the earth breaking and crumbling under my weight as i attempted to pull myself up, trying to shove me back down into that hole. My body slid silently, my legs and arms holding firm, mixing the dirt with lukes blood down my front. The earth felt like it wanted to take me down with luke, knowing we belonged to rest together. "I can't now." I replied to the earth, bracing my hands on top of that soft mound as I pulled again.

At this point I still hadn't looked at Luke properly. I wanted to finish digging the hole, finish my required task before I allowed myself that grief and self loathing.

Looking at him now I was glad at my earlier decision. His face was blank, all expressions taken by death himself on the ride to the afterlife. But it was still that familiar face that I had gazed at for many years now. I took his hand in mine and let the tears flow once more. His hand and mine both covered in dirt and blood, laced for the last time. I bowed my head in respect to that death.

"Goodbye Luke. I'll see you soon." I whisper at our hands, and shove his body down the hole. The next few hours went quickly. The numbness taking me over once again, eternally tired of this tug of war. Luke was buried and I made my way back to our spot.

Enveloped in the naked quite of my inner self I waited. Your brown and soft wood carries a tune I'm not ready for. Their cries carried on and hushed by my own perception. Feel the grain as it speaks of my soon demise, wondering if this is what you saw through your eyes. This wood will carry on my story as not its victim but its rebel. Knowing that those around me could not control my destiny. 

As their cries come closer and the light of their rage and aversion can be seen on the coming trees. One last motion sets me free.

[megkana209]

I walk into the next room to search out the source of the swishing noise, muffled by some sort of containment.

The floors boards have been replaced by clear glass with swirling water inside. I did not change the floors in my house. I wonder when they were changed and by who's authority.

There at a curve in the floor, bowing up I see a fish. Not just any fish but one that is almost the size of myself. I shine my light on it and it comes alive, swimming joyously around and into my light. There in the corner of my eye I notice one other moving figure in the floor. It is another fish obscured by shadows, swiring around in menacing waves. He is smaller then the first fish and seems to be hugging a corner in the room, trying to hide from the light. When I shine my light on him he goes completely still, appearing dead to any who would view him.

My two fish.

[megkana209]

"Hey its good to see you. How are you doing?" she smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

You stand there a moment, silent expectation in the air, ready to hear my response to your polite introduction. I feel for the lever that will send you on your way. Feeling around my square cranium, the cold metal biting at my finger tips. Squares dance around on my face as I wait for the response to be chosen at random.

"You too!" The words dance on the screen.

I guess we're all just slot machines.

[megkana209]

The thing is standing there in the corner. Can you see it? It's darkness consumes all hope of sleep.

Its sitting there waiting for you to let your guard down so it may just touch your mind.

It is a creature or nightmares, come to fill it daily quota. I lazily open my eyes and peer around the darkness of my room, afraid and yet curious of it nature. The shape and position almost changing constantly. I see it there inching closer as I feel the pull of that hazy slumper grab me. My fear diminishing with comforted familiarity.

He's reaching for me. Ready to take me on another journey.

[megkana209]

Awake/sleeping cat