Stick Figureology

World History was a round robin story created initially by Taylor Smith in his Freshman year of high school. The notebook he had purchased for his World History class remained unused for the better part of the first semester, for he needed to take no notes. After a while of pondering, planning and a plane of plain, he came up with an idea. World History has been unofficially pronounced dead, much to the disappointment of the writers. Fortunately, in an attempt to honor this story, which lasted over year going writer to writer, it will be posted on Stick Figureology. Please enjoy.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Lucas Levine. That is how I normally introduce myself. Yet to the dropship pilot I am merchant01. In fact, I’m the first citizen of this barren town. The government built up a pretty fancy little establishment. Most buildings here are generic, empty warehouses fit for any business. This, in one of the grey, emotionless structures, is where I set up my general store.
I took the redeye flight here, so I’ve got all day to move in. My luggage is already at my house with my roommate’, whom I’ve yet to meet. I’ll save it for tonight.
This place is depressing: The false climate built to mask the desolate desert environment that previously dominated this region. It’s quiet, new, inhuman, a person only looks for someone they know. Unfortunately, nobody knows anyone here.
My store was already set up for me, though I moved some things around for personal amusement. Around noon I opened the store and sat quietly behind the desk. After a few hours, plenty of comic books – yes, a twenty-two-year-old enjoys comic books – and a couple thousand clicks of the second hand breaking the otherwise undisturbed silence, my shop door swing open.
Hours of planning, thinking, rehearsing, and best I could come up with was “Welcome.”

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlie

“Hi,” I whipped the gun out from behind my back and fired. Don’t worry, I didn’t hit him.
“…You just fired a gun at my head.”
“It’s just an air gun.”
He turned and looked at the wall behind him. “You left a hole in my wall…”
“……” What a strange person. I should probably say something. I think my staring is freaking him out. “I’m hungry. You haven’t eaten yet have you?” I plop the plastic down on the counter. “It’s meatball subs, so if you don’t like it, tough. I spent all my money for the day.” He’s looking at me strange. Maybe this was a bad idea. “Sooo…” No response. Time ticks by. I’ve finished my sandwich and he still isn’t talking.
Stupid. If you won’t talk I’ll just listen. Hmm… Not many thoughts either. Just one big blank. Oh wait! He’s wondering if he should pull the security switch!
“Hahahaha! Ok, I’ll go it you really want me gone that bad!” I turn to go.
“Hey, who are you?”
“Charlie,” I sang over my shoulder as I exit. “See ya’ later, Lucas!”

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Why do I always find the crazy ones? Crazy, sure, but I needed that. Too much quiet. She was kind of…no, you just got here, can’t think about that now.
“Speaking of which….” No response, no one here. “It’s time to lock up. Too bad, huh?” Does that eerie echo count as a response?
Long walk home, they haven’t set up the bus line. That’s a shame. The light’s on in my apartment, my roommate is home. Can’t be any worse than being shot at, though I think my pulse was racing before that.
After cycling through the possible personality types in my head, the most incompatible people thanks to Murphy’s Laws, I think I’m ready. I swing open the door, “Honey! I’m home!”

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

“Hey, Lucas!” I called through the door, “How was your day today?”
“Oh, the usual, except for the fact that I almost got shot in the face by some girl who walked into my store.”
“What?”
“A girl, almost shot me. She narrowly missed, I don’t think was trying to hit me.”
“Wow. Well, what else did she do?”
“She sat down and had a meatball sub. Then she left.”
“Oh, huh. Fascinating.”
“So how was your day, Damian?”
“Not bad, I almost got shot today too.”
“Yeah, but that happens all the time, doesn’t it? Being Head of Security for the city and everything.”
“These nomad attacks are hurting the economy. I wonder why they are attacking us in the first place.”
“Yeah, I wonder why too, but don’t worry about it. Once they find out how powerful we are, they’ll stop.”
I found this event quite interesting. We had just met, the only things we knew about each other was our names and occupations. Yet we were both talking like we’d known each other for years. Lucas seemed to have this aura around him that makes you feel comfortable talking with him. Anyway, back to the conversation.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Ha, fate! In your face! Finally, a normal roommate, or at least normal by my standards. Quite a pleasant conversation necessitated most our night, and welcomingly contrasted the over silence of my day.
I learned quite a lot about this man, trivial facts really. I’ve yet to invest the time to decipher this Damian fellow. He seems rather interesting though. Noble, mature, proud, he’s got a year or so on my and it shows, but not badly. Though what’s really going on in his head is beyond me.

Character: Judas

Man alive! That place has a stink about it, I’ll say. It’s not real, it’s not natural, and they don’t belong here. They’re smarter than we thought, they want to stay, I’ll give them that. “Yes? What is it?”
“…”
“A heavy sigh is by no means an answer, soldier.” The man, low ranking, had come into my tent with every intention to tell me something horrible, but obviously wasn’t strong enough.
“Sir, they’re more powerful than expected.” This statement was all I needed. I didn’t need to ask where the others were, or how the unconscious soldier in his arms was. All I had to say was that we’ll have to wait. This needs to be organized.

Writer: Kyle Davis; Character: James

Me and Corporal Thomas were walking down 5th Street when we spotted a general store.
“Thomas, want something? I’m getting a soda.” I said.
“No, Sarge, but Casey said he’d do anything for a decent bag of chips,” Thomas smirked.
“Ok, I’ll be right back, wait here.”
“Where else am I going?”
I walked into the store seeing a man with glasses hunched over a book, he looked up at us. I opened the door and slung my rifle.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

“That’s a pretty gun, sir, though as you may note, I recently added the ‘Don’t Shoot the Shopkeep’ sign.”
“Yeh, I noticed that.” Sounded happy enough, good thing he’s not stuck up.
“So, what can I do you for?”
“Staff Sergeant Desota. I’m looking for a soda and a bag of chips.” Hmm…let’s see. About my height, must be twice as big though. He’s proud, he’s got the respect that’s died in most commoners. So military man looks me in the eye, and shakes my hand. I point him to the ice cold cola in the back, and even resist rhyming his name with the beverage. The chips are at the counter.
While paying, though, is when it gets odd. He felt that I was the type to let know what was going on. I love this job. He was part of the military, so I had to ask.
“So, what’s going on with these nomads?”
“They attacked another two times. Both in the West.” Appropriately inserted dramatic pause. “There were several casualties, civilian and military, when a transport was bombed.”
“Wasn’t that on the news? I know my roommate mentioned something of the sort.” That meant nothing to him. Try again. “My roommate is Head of Security for the city.”
“Oh? I’ve spoke with him once or twice, perhaps we could arrange a meeting?”
“Perhaps.” I couldn’t think of anything else. “So that’s everything?” Then all of sudden my life snapped out of politics and government, into the all-to-real, behind-the-counter life of Monsieur Leville.
“I’ll be back. This time tomorrow? Talk to your roommate.” Almost back to drama there, for a second.
“Righto. Au revoir, good sir.”
The rest of the day went quite nicely. People seem to be warming up to the new store. One particular visit went something like this:

Writer: Matthew Unruh; Character: Old Man Fogtotter

Old man Fogtotter hobbled into the general store.
“You know, little boy, when I was your age we didn’t have fancy general stores, we shopped at beaver lodges, because those beavers had good taste in fur.” The little olive child behind stared at him with a mixture of confusion and Frenchness. “You know I went to French once, it was smelly.” The old man gummed, then added “Damnit,” for good measure.
The shopkeeper only watched in silence as the two continued to lock eyes. For a second, old man Fogtotter was sure he saw himself in the boy’s glasses; upon closer inspection he discovered that yes, indeed, he was in the boy’s glasses.
“You know when I was a boy we didn’t have no fancy glasses, or whatchamacallits. We just blunder about like fog totters.”
“Is that how you got your name?” The shopkeeper asked, in a most notable attempt to keep pace with the old man. Unsoundly however the old man hit him soundly, and quite ironically over the head with his pimp cane.
“When I was a boy we had manners damnit. We ain’t no sourpuss smarty mouth frogs like you sonsbitches.” The old man attempted to spit in effort to prove his point but only managed to launch his very will used dentures at the boy.
“Holy Eggnog!” The shopkeeper hollered, leaping clear. The teeth landed firmly in a pickle jar where they promptly sank.
“I was going to sell those pickles.” Was all he said dusting himself off.
“Sonabitch boy, you’re the mind reader. You should know what’s coming!” Old man Fogtotter gummed.
“Mind reader? You’re wearing a name tag! It says ‘HI, my name is Jean-Luc Fogtotter and I am old, please ship me back to Kansas if lost’.” The shopkeeper announced jabbing her finger at the old man’s chest.
“Sonsabitches feed you to a bear damnit. When I was young bad mouth little boys got fed to bears!”
“Bears? In Kansas! Yes and I’m an Englishman” hollered the shopkeeper rising in an attempt to possibly shove the man in his mailbox. The old man attempted to announce his thoughts when the door swung open…

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlie

“DON’T SHOOT THE SHOPKEEPER!!!!” I exclaimed as I burst into the shop and fired my water gun at Lucas’ head. Bullseye!
“Ahhh! Make the weird people go away!!” Lucas shouted as he clutched the sides of his head.
“No manners at all, damnit!” the old man hit him over the head with a cane. “Wooh! Ain’t you a cutie! And who might you be, girlie?”
“I’m Charlie, and it seems you just knocked my husband out with that cane of yours. ♥” Lying is fun. “I’m sorry, but could you please leave sir?”
“Damn! Just for them there manners, I won’t think nine times ‘bout it.” And he left, but not before fishing a pair of dentures out of a pickle jar. I peered over the counter. Wow! He got him pretty good! That cut could take several band-aids to patch up. Good thing I carry a box of Hello Kitty ones ♥. “*sigh* So much for lunch.” I went back to the door, flipped the lock and sign to “Closed” and went behind the counter. He had fallen so that he was on his stomach meaning I had to flip him over.
“Urg. God! You a lot heavier than you look!!” I pulled my box of band-aids and pack of tissues from my very large coat pockets. After a moment’s thought, I took my coat off, folded it and put it under his head. The floor doesn’t look too comfy.
* * * * *
“Ok, so you owe me 3 band-aids.” Is it weird that I’m talking to an unconscious guy.
Ugh. I really need to stop staring at people. Honestly, I didn’t mean to be staring it’s just I don’t often see sleeping people, let alone guy people! Crap!! I think I’m blushing! My face feels hot…Ok, time to do something else! I’ll go read his comic books.
* * * * *
It’s getting late and he still isn’t up. Damnit, these comics are making me sleepy. They’re really boring but I can’t stop reading them. Hope I don’t fall asleep.
~I’m asleep. Mom’s back. I must be asleep. They’re alive. The white raven crows, “Come back, come back.” I won’t go back. No more guild. No more evil hags on brooms. I’m an artist now.~

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Wake up! Why was I sleeping on the job? I see the girl asleep at the desk on my comics. Oh well. I remember now, the old man → water gun → cane… She awakes with a start. “You okay?”
“Bad dream…” She seemed troubled.
“You and me both. So, did you…?” I felt for the cut that’s making itself more noticeable to my brain by the second.
“Oh yeh. Are you alright? That guy was crazy.”
Idle chit-chat for some time, long enough for the sun to make it known that it’s done for the day.
“Uh-oh. I have to go.”
“Not unless you don’t want to…” Weak, man, really weak.

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlie

“…What?” Hold up. What was that?! Was that supposed to be a pick-up line? Nah! No response from him. He’s looking at the floor. “Well ya know, I can’t live in this store,” he still isn’t looking at me, “Actually, I guess I could, there is food and stuff here…” Maybe this is what its like for people I stare at. This is getting really uncomfortable, now no one is talking… I could disappear and fly out through the roof. Or I could just walk out… I should say something, he’s starting to look very dejected… My throats frozen and I’m already leaving the ground. I’m sorry, Lucas.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

I’ll look up. I know I should be looking at her. I start to – What the…!?
“…Wha….?” I look around. “Hello…?”
Sit. Uncomfortable. Dark. Nobody. Echo. She’s a magician. I didn’t know any came…Echo…Cool, echo…echo…echo…echo……

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

I was at the station when I heard the three words make me tremble every time I hear them.
“We’re under attack!” cried my lieutenant. “Damian, did you hear me? Let’s go!”
I pulled out my gun and cocked it, “Let’s do this,” and I ran to the gates. “How many are dead?” I asked.
“14, last we checked.”
“Damn it, where are they now, the nomads?”
“They are in town, killing everyone.”
“Get the entire police force ready, we’re in for a bloody battle.” My lieutenant ran to the intercom.
“Alert, alert! We’re under attack! All troops to the main gate, now!” When everyone had arrived, I gave the battle plan.
“Alright, men. First we’re going to need to get everyone to the shelters, keep them protected. Johnson, you and your team go east, Blake, you go west. After everyone’s safe we’ll take coveer and blow them to pieces. We’ll meet at the bunkers. Now go go go!” And they went.
I took my team north and evacuated everyone there, then I saw the nomads…
“Shoot ‘em down men!” We got all but two. And then I realized where they were going.
“Lucas…”

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlie

I didn’t hear the shouts at first. Too lost in thought.
It was a group of nomads. A big group.
No, don’t stop, just go by… No! Why could you stop there!?! They didn’t even try the door they just started smashing windows. Stay calm Lucas. Just stay hidden. I won’t let them get you.
“Hey!! Back Off!!! Thundra!” That got their attention. The bolt of lighting hit the nomad closest to me. His body caught fire and fell on the nomad next to him. That nomad also caught fire and spread it on to three others as he ran, screaming through the group. About half the group was in flames by the time gunfire started coming from the other end of the street.
What have I done? I have to get away. They’ll know I’m here. Th-they’ll come and-and-! As I flee I hear one word echo through my head. Magician. Ha…Magician sounds nice, gentle. Sorry, I’m not a magician. I’m a witch.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

“Goddamnit!” Mumbles, but it made me feel better. So did the shotgun in my hands. Why was hse here? Here in the city? at my shop? She must know magicians aren’t really celebrated, in fact, I thought they weren’t allowed. “Watch out, girl, be safe.”
I clutched a bottle of whiskey, jumped the counter, and stuffed a piece of cloth in the neck.
…Holy f**king eggnog…She’s more powerful than most her age. What am I saying? I don’t know what I’m talking about. But these bodies…
“Sir, are you unharmed?”
“Yes. Thank you. Just a little…taken aback…”
The soldier glanced at the bottle in my hand. “You did this?”
“Yeh. That was me. That electricity was a neon sign exploding.” I got you covered, don’t worry. “Is there any left? The nomads?”
“In the east. The gates are sealed now. There are very few insurgents left. You’re safe, sir.”
“Thank you, soldier.”

Writer: Mariah Currey; Storyteller Mode

“I’ve found her.”
“Where, dearie?”
“The desert.”
“Ahhh.”
“Shall I go and retrieve her?”
“No. Send Seifer. He’ll get our witch back…or not. Either way he’ll get the job done.”
“And the government? Should we take care of them?”
“No. As far as the government knows, we are only things of fairytales once more.”
“Yes ma’am.”

This is where you left off.

Writer: Emily McLaughin; Character: Justine

I knew it was late. I didn’t care. I had to clear my mind.
I grabbed my coat and headed out. Its happened numerous times this week and I’m getting bad vibes about it. Small mind shocks aren’t uncommon for me. It’s when I pass out from them that are considered serious. When they become serious, then I know something really really bad is going to happen.
I haven’t been able to get to sleep lately either. I’ve been worried that he has found it. That would explain the mind shocks.
As I turn the corner, I see lots of burned rubble. I pause for a second to see if anyone is around. It seems strangely quiet. There’s none of the usual sounds. It’s just quiet. I walk up to the rubble to see what was burned.
A red spot catches my eye. I walk over and pick it up. Cloth. Now I’m overcome with curiosity. I rummage through the rubble, keeping my eyes open for anything unusual.
I gasp with horror. A bone. I can barely stand to look at it. An animal or human was burned. Hard to say is it was already alive. As much as it horrified me, I had to find out if it was an animal or if it was human, so I pick it up and put it in my pocket for later.
I looked through the rubble a while longer, but I only found more cloth and bones. I can’t believe I have bones in my pocket that could potentially be human. I shuddered at the thought. I had to know. It might have something to do with my mind shocks.
I sighed, the only reason I went for a walk was to get away from them but it seems like the thought of them are following me around everywhere.
I get up and hope it’s just a normal walk home. Hmmm, the long route or the short route home? I turn right and things start to get a little more normal. I hear people talking from open windows and a cat scurries away.
Yet things get unusual when I walk an alley that seemed to be empty.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Did they go that way? I just saw them. Man, all these alleys look alike.”
All I can hear is my own footsteps as I run through the back alleys by my shop. It was so quiet, it wasn’t hard to hear the gunshots. All I found was empty shells and shadows darting off into the city’s hidden maze of side streets. What I’m finding now is a displaced manhole cover and a revealed escape route next to it.
“Ah…man…” Not tonight. I slipped the pistol into its holster under my jacket. Too many people.
Just then someone walked up.
“Nice night for a stroll, eh?” On closer inspection, she seemed even more on edge than I was.
“It’s quiet”
So was she. “Ha, yeh, I dunno, maybe everyone headed in early?” I sound like a creep. “It seems a little late to be walking about.” What does it look like I’m doing? Shut-up conscience.
“Maybe for most people. But not for me. But I probably should be getting home.” She started walking off.
“Yeh, me too. I hafta clean up my shop still. If you go by there, watch out for fire damage.”
She stops for a second. To think for a second. She leaves and its quiet again.

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Seifer

Touchdown.
Why don’t you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square/ Was fashion the reason why they were there/. Gonna have some fun before I start.
The silver-haired youth appeared in the deserted alley. Teleporting had left him in an evil mood. His ears pricked as he heard the steps of a girl.
They disguise it, hypnotize it/ Television made you buy it/. Not her. Not nearly strong enough.
He waited in the shadows until she had passed, then started following.
I’m just sitting in my car/ And waiting for my/. Not nearly strong enough, but… interesting.
She started running.
A chase!
Swooping out of the darkness, he grabbed the girl and threw her against the alley wall. “Little girls shouldn’t be out this late.” Seifer hissed as he stood over her. She gave a sort of chocked sob.
“What do you want…?”
“You have an interesting head. It might explode if you aren’t careful, though.”
“What are you going to do? Why are you here?”
“She’s scared that I will take her away from there/ Dreams and her country left with no one there/,” he sang. Seifer laughed with pleasure as the girl quivered, her large eyes fixed on him.
Mesmerize the simple minded/ Propaganda leaves us blinded/. Ok, that’s enough fun.
Seifer turned, his long hair swishing, to leave. He’d taken five steps when the girl spoke.
“You’re not going to rape me? Or murder me?” Seifer turned his head. She was standing now. A wicked smile crept over his face.
I’m just sitting in my car/ And waiting for my girl/. You asked for it.
In a blink he was to her and pushing her up against the wall. With a laugh, Seifer bent his head and hissed in her ear, “Not very smart. You sound like your disappointed.” He leaned against her and put his face on her neck. “I’m just sitting in my car/ And waiting for my girl.”
He let go and she fell to the ground.
“Too bad. You’ll have to stay disappointed because I’m not going to.” And he disappeared into the darkness.
“And you should know, it’s not very flattering to carry human remains in your pocket.”

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

“…I… can’t… breathe…” I whispered thorugh the cracks in the rubble. Footsteps? Thank god.
“Oh my God!” cried the voice. She began to pull the rubble away from me. I gasped for air. “Are you alright?” she asked.
I coughed. The lack of air had gone to my head, I was losing myself. “I…Lucas…noma…”
* * * * *
I opened my eyes slowly and breathed the first fresh breath of air in hours. “Where am I?”
“NARONAC Corporation HQ.”
“NARONAC Corporation?”
“Yep, a girl that smelled like dead bodies brought you here earlier. Said you needed medical assistance.”
“The girl…” I sat up, trying to remember what had happened. “What time is it?” I asked the man.
“3:00 pm, March 3rd sir.”
“What?” There was no way I could have been asleep for 2 days! “What happened, who won, did we defend the city?”
“Much was destroyed, but yes, your men drove them back.”
I sighed with relief, then suddenly remembered where I was. “What does NARONAC stand for anyway?”
“Nomads Attacking Residents Of New American Cities.”
Oh shit…

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Judas

“He’s here now?…Yes, thank you…Yes, I’ll be there shortly…That’ll be fine.” Click. Judas hung up the phone to meet the new arrival.
* * * * *
“We have a final attack still in us, Mr. Crane. And I realize that you are the Head of Security of the entire city. Now, please lend us a hand, and you’ll get to keep the other one.”
“What are you talking a-” Smack!
Judas smiled. “Speak up, I didn’t catch that.”
“I’m just a figurehead, I can’t-” Smack!
Smile.
He spat blood on the Nomad’s fine black shoes.
The smile shrank. Curled at one end.
Damian winced at the cracking his jaw made. Coughed. He was silent.
Judas raised his eye brow at the bloody straps cutting into the wrists and ankles of his prey.
Damian was silent. And bleeding.
“Your more resilient than others.” He quieted long enough for a well placed scream from another room. “I’m sorry, that must be disturbing-” A punch in the face “-for you, this’ll be better.” He pulls a remote from a pocket in his coat. The stereo clicks on. Sound reverberates off the crimson stained walls.
Rising up, back on the street. Did my time, took my chances.
“Ahh…I love this song. Don’t you?” Judas’ back is turned. He swivels sharply hurtling a screwdriver into Damian’s stomach.
So many times, it happens too fast. You change you passion for glory.
“Now, I understand you had a few screws knocked loose during your…nap.”
With a new strap hugging his neck, Damian choked on the handful of nuts and bolts being gently cascaded into his mouth, jostling his bloody gums.
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the cream of the fight
Judas cupped the bloodied man’s chin, titled the head back, covered the mouth. Cough. Spurt. Swallow.
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night.
The screws hurt the most going down. He didn’t scream. He didn’t talk. He wasn’t ready to fall. He thought.
Face to face, out in the heat. Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry.
“Maybe you’re not hearing me properly. Let me help you.” His switchblade clicked. He motioned towards his ear.
They stack the odds ‘til we take to the streets. For we kill with the will to survive.
Blood trickled down his neck. He could still hear. Still hear his heart trying to keep calm. Be quiet. Don’t anger him. He’ll give up. Quiet.
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s he cream of the fight.
“Those hands are pretty twitchy. Nervous? Hold still.” Judas smirked as his hammer drove bloody nails through bloody nails. “Hmm…I thought I had more than ten? Oh well.” Judas cocked his head to the right to examine the quivering heap.
And he’s watching us all in the eye of the tiger.
“Oh, here, I’ll be-”grunt“-needing this-” He pulls the screwdriver out. “I have myself some screws to drive.” He tosses up a hinge and catches it. “I hope you don’t…” he squints as he lines the hinge up with the sweaty elbow. “…mind a tune-up.” He placed a screw in the hole.
Risin’ up, straight to the top. Have the guts, got the glory.
“Normally-” twist“-electric drills-”twist“-work better.” Twist. “There we are. I hope you weren’t a runner, ‘cause those knees’ll hurt like a sonuvabitch in the winter.”
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop. Just a man and his will to survive.
Damian stayed silent. At least until the magnets.
* * * * *
“So that’s how we should do it, eh?”
Damian weakly nods.
“Thanks, you’ve been great.” Judas pulls out a pistol. Aims between his eyes and pulls back the hammer.
Damian spat a screw into Judas’ eye.
“Oh god!” The gun shoots up.
Damian snaps through the wrist bands he weakened with the nails he pulled out of his fingertips. With bloody stubs he unfastens the ankle latches.
Eye of the tiger…
He ducks and rolls under the swing of a jigsaw. He picks up the gun off the ground.
Eye of the tiger…
BLAM! Judas drops the saw from his holed hand. “Security!”
Eye of the tiger…
“I’m your god damn eye of the tiger.”
Eye of the tiger…
Pulls hammer back.
Eye of the tiger…
A stab in the neck. Damian drops.
The song fades out.
“What the hell took you!?”

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Amelia

“Sssorry, Master.” She stood there, laughing to herself, as the blood ran down the knife in her hand and stained the night gown that was as white as her skin. “It was so exciting I could barely break my enthrallment.”
“Call the damn surgeon so I can get the bloody screw out!” The girl laughed and kissed the blood clotted eyelid.
“The screw’s not in there. It fell out,” she said pointing to a screw laying in a crimson pool. “Don’t worry, it’ll get better, but you may have to wear an eye patch for a while. But if that doesn’t make you feel better, I called the surgeon. He’ll say the same thing though. Hahahaha! And we’ll all float on OK!” She would have begun dancing away if Judas had not caught her by the chin, forcing her to make eye contact.
“Did you kill him?”
“Don’t worry even if things end up a bit too heavy, we’ll all float on alright!” she laughed.
“Did you kill the bastard?”
“Nooooo♥.” Judas let go and grabbed the pistol from the floor. “No! Don’t kill him!” The girl shouted as she latched onto Judas’ arm.
“Why not?”
“I-I want to keep him. For a while at least…I want to make him eat his ear!” He threw the pistol away.
“Fine. You can play with him for awhile.” Judas said, pulling her to him.”
“Hehehe. Judas, Lucas, Judas, Lucas! Hey Judas, who’s Lucas?” He looked at her quizzically. “It keeps running through my head.”
“Maybe it’s a memory.”
“Sacrifice the liver!”
“Maybe you’ll remember your name next.”
“Amelia likes the name you gave her.” She said, tugging at her red hair.
“Indeed.”
Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Seifer

Thousands of feet in the air, Charlotte Tepid lay suspended in a gigantic black cloud that poured rain, snow, thunder and fire (although this rarely made it) on the city, in what might appear to be a comatose sleep. She was there and yet she wasn’t. Seifer stood (if you could call it that) next to her and stroked her hair.
“Just a shell,” he mused, “I could just take you back…like this… But what fun would that be?” He closed his eyes, smiled, and sighed. “I guess I’ll be going on a little mission to retrieve yourself.”

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

‘I miss sanity. I miss the days back home.’
Sirens cloud the air, mask the screams.
‘I miss when people weren’t afraid. I miss safety.’
You can hear gunshots outside the city gates.
‘I miss a time when choosing between life and death wasn’t as common as “paper or plastic?”’
All is fair in love and war. I grab the shotgun from under the counter. There are no vigilantes in a time of war, just heroes. I holster my pistol. There are written and unwritten rules of war; both are known, both are neglected. The only two weapons I own are armed, hugging my body. Sun Tzu wrote “The Art of War.” I never read it. I guess that’s why I’m leaving my paint brush at home. I slam back a shot, just one, to get me warm. I need to stay focused.
“-Zzzt! Attention. Attention citizens.” The intercoms echo through the city. “We are officially in a state of war. Please stay calm, and retreat to your basements.” The construction team designed virtually indestructible bomb shelters underneath the houses. There’s six, one for each district. “Certified, able-bodied citizens, please report to City Center for duty.” Strong, intelligent men and women were certified for battle just like this. “Attention citizens. We are officially in a state of war.” The warning stayed on a recursive loop for the next twenty minutes.
Gunfire cackles on the other side of the gate. The city is in lockdown, the streets are empty. In a second a thousand doors open. A thousand feet step hesitantly into the darkness. A thousand shaking hands clutch a thousand loaded weapons. A thousand reluctant martyrs scurry to City Center for direction.
I stand in the back of a large briefing room. They tell us who to shoot, who to save, who to fight alongside. They are in incredible numbers. Many will die. I don’t fear death, I just don’t want it to happen.

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Amelia

“Hello Silly man!” she said as he opened his eyes. The cell was dim and had the unmistakable smell of twelve-day-old-gore, contrasted with the pink hot air balloon floor moldings. Not to mention the sounds of Barbie Girl drifting quietly through the air.
“Wh-what…? Who are you?”
“Silly man should eat,” said the girl in the blood splattered night gown, from atop the small table.
The prisoner looked at the unappetizing piece of meat before him. It was white and looked almost like a misshapen donut with what looked like a very crusty dap of mustard on the side.
“You have to eat it all or I’ll have to kill you.”
“What is it?”
“If I told you,” grinned his pale-skinned captor, “it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun!” He must have been hungrier than he thought for he suddenly found his mouth vigorously attacking the white, lumpy thing on his plate.
“You’re not a nomad.”
“No.”
“Then-” swallow, “who are you?”
“Who indeed.” Replied the girl, now laying on the table upside-down. “He calls me Amelia, but – but – this one feels like she belongs in somewhere of not this. A cloud, cloud, cloud,” she rolled off the table. “He says I just showed up, three days, three days, it was Tuesday, but, but, I – I don’t know. I’m here but I’m there. I am he as you are he as you are – No! He, he, Judas! Judas, Lucas, Judas, Lucas!” The girl was pacing the room, raving. The prisoner was beginning to back away when she suddenly lunged at him and grabbed him by the collar.
“Bird man, who is Lucas!?! I remember to remember, but I forgot.”
“Lucas…? Your not-?”
“Ahhh!” The girl moaned. She grabed a gun lying on the floor near by and pressed it to his forehead. The girl stood there, still for what seemed like an eternity as the sweat broke over his body. Then she lowered the gun.

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

I run silently through the labyrinth of corridors. Does this place have an end? I look up. A vent. I pull the trigger on the gun and the grate comes down. I jump into the vent and begin crawling through the abyss.
Talking.
“He escaped!”
“It would seem so. He killed a guard and got passed Amelia.”
“Well then find him you blithering idiot!” He sounds the alarm. Guess I’m going out gun’s blazing. I crawl a little ways then drop through another grate. Two guards ahead, they haven’t heard me yet.
I look for something other than the gun, don’t wanna waste bullets. A crowbar. Perfect.
THUD! THUD! 2 down, who knows how many to go.
I see the exit, finally 5 guards. Damn. This should be fun. Using the crowbar I hoist myself up onto the plumbing in the ceiling. I crawl to the guards.
“Hello, boys.” 2 shots, 2 guards down.
“Get him!” They open fire, only to hit the masses of pipes surrounding me. Water sprays everywhere. I’ve got one shot left.
I drop onto one of the guards and break his neck. Another guard comes at me with a club. Too late. I duck and roll under him and break his legs. The third guard shoots my left arm. CLANG!
“Son uva bitch.” One shot and he’s down. Finally, I run out the door.
Then I remember the screws. My stomach churns.
“Oh, God.” I fall back into the barren desert and drop.
“God help me.”

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Amelia/Seifer

She’s close.
Even in a labyrinth such as this the girl escapee’s waves were easy to follow.
* * * * *
The girl lifted her nose to the air. There was something new here.
“Stranger?” she called.
“Tag, you’re it,” Seifer said as he appeared behind her, “It’s time to go home now. Back to the shell you left.
“Hmm…” thought the girl, “No.”
“No?”
“No. I like it here. Judas won’t be happy if I just leave… No, I don’t think I will Big Brother.”
Seifer laughed at this. “Big Brother! True and not true. Are you sure your sweet little mind is as fluttering as you thinking?”
“It thinks so it must be true. The mad cat can see I’m also not all there, Big Brother.”
“Tell you what,” said Seifer putting his arm around Amelia’s shoulders and leading her down the hall, “I’ll go talk to this Judas. We’ll have some fun and then leave.”
“Fun is good if the good be fun and the bad be chocolate.”
“Well said.”

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Shit! I’m in panic mode now. Adrenaline coursing through my veins like NASCAR on crack. I try my hardest not to shoot a comrade. I’ll pull off to the side to catch my breath.
Been hiding in the alley too long. It’s day, but the sky is black with smoke. My god, I’ve taken so many lives. It’s hard to breathe, I’ve been bleeding steadily for the past hour. I’m covered in blood, mine or not, my whole body hurts, so it’s impossible to tell where the bullet hit.
I can’t see the shop any more. Jesus, I just saw a guy explode next to me. Being a hero is harder than I thought. I’m running through the streets, running through smoke, through fire. I’ve plenty of shells, the shotgun is definitely seeing action. I feel invincible, I feel like I’m already dead.
The intercoms are saying that they’re being driven back. Saying that we are winning. Say that to the corpses lining the streets. I’ve run out of ammo for the big gun long ago, ony the pistol now. I’m terrified, I’m weak, I’m sick, I gotta get up. Gotta go kick ass.
A building bursts out at me. Cough on debris, dodge the bodies. I’ve been operating on autopilot, now I gotta start thinking. Where am I? I’m lost in thought. Turn the corner. Gunfire! We exchange lead kamikazes until he falls. There’s blood spattered on the wall behind me that wasn’t there before. Shit! I’m in panic mode now. Pull to the side to catch my breath.
I stumble out of the alley. This area is clear. I’ll head to the main gate, everyone will be forcing them outside the walls. Everything has gone quiet. Guns fire and bombs explode and people shout all in silence. I’m dazed. Unflinchingly, I tread further. One arm grips my stomach, the other flicks up occasionally to fire at a straggler. I’m a straggler. Is there a starry-eyed war-hero-to-be hunting me down? I’ve reached the end. At the gates. All out firefight. I’ve got backup now. I try to stay alive. But all this blackness is saying that I’ve failed.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Judas

“Motherf___ing…sonuvab___h…f___ing tries to escape… I’ll f___ing hunt the go___mn motherf___ing ba___rd…Show who he’s f___ing with…G____MNIT! AMELIA! Where the f__k did she go!? Crazy a__ b___h.” Judas paced about the bloody chamber, bandaging his hand and pulling a screw out of his eye. He wasn’t thinking clearly, he was notorious for keeping his cool. Never had so many things gone wrong. Never had he had to face this magnitude of defiance. “JESUS, f___ing freak! …not even I could keep the f___ing screws down…sonuvab___h…Where is that traiting–” KNOCK! “Oh…” Thud “Wait–” Crash! “What!?” Scream!
Judas approached the door where the noise was coming from. That room should be empty. A pool of stink, fear and blood seeps from behind the door. His hand is on the knob. He feels something – someone – evil on the other side. He raises his gun. Swings open the door, gun pointed. Nothing. A broken, traumatized guard dies at his feet. He sees the other two spread up and down the hallway… “Oh god…”
The other door swings open. “So you’re the little rebel causing trouble.”
“What the f___” He spun.
A whisper in his ear, “What you said about the girl wasn’t very–” Judas swings and smacks the unknown mouth. He then sees the dark figure in the middle of the room cradling his jaw. It looks up with pure evil.
Judas jumps sideways to evade a blur of dark. A hundred punches delivered between the two in less than a second. The bolted torture chair catches Judas when he went flying. He tore the chair up and flung it at the intruder. A swinging arm deflects the metal chair, then delivers a blow to the gut.
Judas’ mind races, “Jesus, this guy is fast. He’s strong, but not quite as strong as me. So f___ing fast though.” A battle of the empowered raged. The room was decimated, Judas was launched into the next. Judas caught the man on his rebound. He had a second to act on account of underestimation. With his good hand, he clutched the stomach. Lifted the speed-demon off the ground, twisted him horizontal and slammed his fist into the surprised face. His fingers, his palm, his wrist buckled, splintered, smashed on the target. The intruder was on his feet before he hit the ground. He was on the other side of the room before the first drop of blood fell from his nose.
“GAHHHH! F__K!” Judas screamed at the bloody mass dangling from his fractured forearm. The lump dropped dead to the floor, indistinguishable as the hand it had once been. Never had so many things gone wrong. Never had he felt such pain.
Might as well go out swinging.

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Seifer

Seifer laughed. “It’s called karma, Mr. Judas. That wasn’t very nice of you to interrupt me.” The crazy man lunged at him. Seifer grabbed him by the neck and threw him against the wall. “Although, I suppose I deserved this,” he said as he placed his fingers on his throbbing nose, “for underestimating you.” Crack! went the broken cartilage as it was forced back into place. “That stings!” Seifer said lightheartedly.
The raging creature came again at him, swinging his still intact fist, roaring. Seifer ducked, swiped Judas’ feet, knocking him to the ground. He stomped his foot down on Judas’ chest, breaking a rib or two.
“You’re really not much fun anymore…” Seifer remarked as the man gasped for air. “Maybe I should just–” Judas suddenly reared up, sinking his teeth into Seifer’s leg. “Shit!”
Seifer brought his fist down on Judas’ side. He grabbed Judas by the hair and slammed his head into the wall. “THE POWER (slam) OF CHRIST (slam) COMPELS YOU!!! (slam) DO YOU BELIEVE IN THAT BULLSHIT, JUDAS?!?!” He released his hold on Judas’ hair and let him fall to the floor.
“I’m done playing. Farewell Judas,” smiled Seifer as he cocked his head to shoot him down with Judas’ gun.
“Noo!” cried Amelia as she flung herself over the shuddering form of Judas, attempting to get back up. “Don’t kill him, Big Brother, don’t kill him!! Please!!” Tears.
“He’s not the devil you came here for, Charlie. Now move before I decide to take you back dead.”
“You can’t! Don’t do –”
“It’s ok,” said Judas, now crouching.
“No, it isn’t!” wailed Amelia, “You can’t leave me alone!”
“I don’t think I was meant for you. Perhaps it’s that Lucas.” He kisses a tear from her eye. “Charlie, huh.”
Judas sprang at Seifer, catching him off guard. He sank his teeth in to Silver Hair’s shoulder and received a belly full of lead.
The body fell to the floor with a thud and the room was silent except for the splash of tears on the floor.
“You killed him, Big Brother, you killed him…”
“Little girls shouldn’t see such things,” he took her hand and led her out of the room.
“What now?”
“It’s time to go home.”
“Where’s that?”
“In the clouds.”
“To get there?”
“You go to sleep and I’ll take you,” said Seifer, turning to her.
“Sleep will be welcome,” the tear stained face said as he closed her eyes with his finger tips and spelled her mind to sleep.
* * * * *
Seifer cradled in his arms a form of pure energy as he walked towards the body suspended inside the clouds.
“Time to get up Lazy Mary,” he said and laid the form on Charlie’s chest.
As the two combined, soul and body, the tangible being’s eyes flashed open. Eyes of nothing, eyes of light… A cry sprang from its mouth. There was a ripping noise and feathers shot from her back and became wings. The angel rose into the air and stared at Seifer.
“You’d better go, Angel, before your time runs out and your feathers leave you to let you become her again.” Already several of the billions of feathers had fallen out. Until they all fell out the creature would not truly be Charlie.
The winged being cried out once more before soaring off.
“If you don’t hurry.” he said softly, “he might not make it…Maybe I’ll go see the girl with the bomb in her head…”
* * * * *
And the angel flew over the desert toward the city and as it went, feathers fell and lent life to the barren earth. The green sprouted forth and made an emerald road to the city. The black clouds and smog turned white, then to rain as the sun broke through. In a swarm of feathers, the winged being landed in the field of blood of death. With the enemy defeated, the victorious lay wounded and dying as the dead lay cold.
“Save us!” they cried as they gathered around her. They came around the being but would not touch it, would not come within arms reach. The aura of the angel kept their mob mentality at bay.
Howls of pain and plea slowly began emulating from the crowd as the angel moved through it.
“Help, please…”
“Angel of Mercy…”
“Mercy, mercy!”
“The pain! Give me death!!”
“Angel of Mercy.”
“My children. Please!”
“It’s the end of the world.”
“No, no!”
“God has condemned us! This is the end!!”
“Angel of Mercy, do not forsake us now!”
For the first time the being’s lips broke. The noise that escaped from it was not human but it clearly meant Silence!
The angel fell to her knees and lifted the body of a seemingly dead man into her arms. Holding him to her, she stroked her hair and whispered something inhuman in his ear.
Come back Lucas. You’re not allowed to go yet.
When there was no response the sound grew more frantic. Still no response. A wail broke from the throat of the winged girl. Feathers dropped like an avalanche onto the body, melding into it. The angel tightened her embrace, waiting.
Finally, a moan broke from the man’s mouth. A cry of joy rang out from the winged creature, who ascended into the air, still holding the man. Her tears mixed with the falling rain and bathed the citizens with a miracle. As the angel flew away, the wounded were healed, the bullets pushed from their flesh by tissue repair, and the dead were at peace. Damage was repaired, the city was being healed also. Buildings pulled themselves together and sleep descended on the people.
Her wings were nearly gone by the time the girl laid the man in his bed. Then, lingering for only a moment, quickly flew for her body’s own home.
It wasn’t until the body collapsed on its bed and the last feather had fallen out, that Charlie lapsed into sleep.

Writer: Emily McLaughin; Character: Justine

It has been a few days since the announcement of war. In my weak state of mind I haven’t gone out since. Not just because of the war, but also because of the monster in the alleyway that attacked me. He has to have a connection to my mind shocks. Why else would he attack me??
I’m crazy with panic and confusion right now. I have been for a while. I’ve been forced to read fiction books constantly in a desperate attempt to keep the one thing that is most important to me right now. My sanity. I can’t accept reality right now.
The mind shocks are really bad right now. Before the war was announced I thought they were bad, but now I’ll be lucky if I stay conscious for an hour much less a day. My eyes start to water.
I don’t know what to do. I feel completely helpless. Oh shit!!! It feels like my brain is on fire! No! I will keep conscious. Losing…
* * * * *
I slowly open my eyes… I can’t do this. I just can’t. Oh… but I feel so weak. I hate that feeling above everything else. Like I can’t manage anything and I’m no better than crap. I get up and look in the mirror.
My face is tear-stained, my hair is one mat, and I’m as skinny as a rail without much muscle. I turned away ashamed.
I can’t just lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. I grab a brush, I haven’t brushed my hair since I went out on my walk and ran into… I shiver. I don’t want to think about that… thing.
* * * * *
“I feel a lot better. Sometimes I can’t believe how pathetic I can be,” I said aloud as I stuffed the last bite of the sandwich in my mouth. I stood up and sighed. To make these shocks stop I’ll have to get to the source of it and it’s not here.
I reluctantly opened my closet door and slowly took out my coat. Damnit, if only I had a gun. I’ll have to find some other weapon.
I walk into my room and look around, but the best I could find was a glass bottle, hardbound books, and a nutcracker. I smile at the thought of hurling myself at someone with a nutcracker raised above my head.
I walk back to the kitchen and grab a steak knife. I’ll just have to be careful with it in my coat pocket. I shivered at the thought of it stabbing me through my jacket if I lean down to pick something up.
I walk up and rest my hand on the door. Ever since that one night I’ve had sort of a phobia of going out. That monster, or whatever it was couldn’t have been human. It left you numb when you looked and it felt joy at others’ misfortunes.
No. I can’t think back to then. I will not see him, the chances are very slim to run into him again. I took a breath of air and turned the door knob.

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Seifer

“Hey there! Is this a bad time?”
Thunk!
“Well, I guess it is, seeing as how you’ve decided to take a nap. I’ll come back later.”
S: – picks up unconscious girl
– lays girl on couch
– exits stage left (through door)
Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlotte

If there was once a war, I have no recollection of it. Things seem at peace, quiet. Even though I feel certain I have slept for days, all I can do is lie on my bed and contemplate.
I dreamt. I dreamt of being loved. Of flying. Pain and suffering. Oh god, I’m getting cheesy… It may sound dumb but I feel… new. Like my internal dimensions have changed parallels. I feel like Charlotte.
There were feathers on my floor when I woke up. Actually there still are.
I think I should go to work today. If you can really call it that. Painting pictures in the park all day isn’t exactly…
I want to see him. Lucas. I miss him. It’s getting bad. But, I don’t think I could face him… It’s funny, in a way. I feel like if I think about him too hard I might just pop into being there! Since I woke up, things have been different. I feel very strong, like my magic has grown, but also very small and fragile, like a child…
If I go see him I’ll have to find something new to shoot him with, that’s for sure!

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

Is this…? What is this? The calm after the storm? I guess that makes sense.
Ugh, sit up. My room looks the same. I thought I was dead. I couldn’t feel my heart beat, my lungs pump, or the blood in and outside my veins. I just couldn’t feel. I had actually accepted death as my fate. I was mistaken. Disappointed? …No. But confused.
Out my window, order is restored. It’s too smooth, too good to be just city maintenance. But that’s what they’ll tell people. That’s what people will believe.
* * * * *
At work. Yes, I went to work. Yes, I died less than 24 hours ago. I got better. At first I thought it was war sickness, everyone talking about angels. I thought people lost it. I didn’t put thought on that feather I found. I should’ve. I guess I, this city, has a guardian angel. I wonder if I’ll ever see her…

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Nameless Soldier

This desert seems so vast now. I am so alone. The pain in these bullet holes is going numb. I’m so lost, dazed. The heat is slowly destroying me.
This desert used to belong to us. We lived here first though we lost the war. They won at our own game, it is theirs. And we wander the deserts alone.
The war is over…

Writer: Mariah Currey; Character: Charlotte

I think it’s time to leave my house. It’s not a house though. It would seem like an abandoned apartment would be nonexistent in this new, store bought city. A city made from a mold, like a sand castle… I need to focus.
* * * * *
In the park the air has change. Light hits space as if it’s being filtered through an orange strainer.
Is it fall? I miss the promise of fall rain. It’s been bright here, far too bright. The false climate doesn’t suit me. It only simulates what a human needs. Like a capsule with no taste.
There is only a small market for an artist in this city. People who want portraits mostly. So when someone sat down in my chair, I thought nothing of it until –
“So why did you come here?”
Wide-eyed.
“Did you think they would forget you?”
Frozen.
“Or is it something else? ‘And those witches came down into the desert and mated with the devils…’ Did you come looking for your devil, Charlotte Tepes?”
* * * * *
It’s amazing how mazelike the alleys of this city are. Easy to get lost. I wouldn’t run like he wanted me to. That made him mad. Maybe if I had I could have flown away but I chose to fight instead.
I wore white and lace today. Now it’s ripped, and red with blood.
I’m so tired. I gave up long ago but he keeps on. Sick. You’re sick! I want to scream. But I know he’ll just laugh and go at me harder. I’m so tired. I just want to sleep.
The orders must have been dead or alive. How long have you been here? You were biding your time.
I can’t feel anymore. Just numbness in my body. He aims to kill me. I can see it. I’m so tired. And cold. Cold… Warm?… What is this? Something building up inside. Some kind of new heat. An almost unbearable heat! What if I –
* * * * *
Light. Light. A figure crumpled against the wall, but it’s not mine. Run!
And now the panic comes.
Fever, fever. Sweat. Racing heart but I’m going too slow. Limp along. Enough time to get away but what now? I don’t want to leave here yet!! I want to see him again!
Haze. Haze and mist. Where am I?! Put me down!! It clears and I can see the door of the shop. I wasn’t anywhere near the shop before! I don’t care. Have to get there. Vision slipping. Fainting fast. Please be there! It’s so late. Please be there!!
The floor is warm. Sorry. I got blood on the door and the linoleum. I just couldn’t stand anymore. Arms. Can’t open my eyes. Was there a noise of alarm? My ears can’t open any longer. Floating. Or is it just being lifted?
Swirl of a dream. Carried to a home. Can I keep it? They wouldn’t let me have the bird so I left the box in a tree… Laid down. Warm sheets and careful hands. Had my clothes been so ripped and bloodied that I needed new ones? I’ll trust his judgment. A shadow. A shade over my face. What are you…? Kiss. Warm and gentle. Another. And another.
What are you doing, Lucas? Why are you doing this? You’ve been an adult several years and I’m barely legal. Cradle-snatcher. No longer a caregiver. But when were you ever? That first day… What were my intentions? Did I plan this moment from the start? Lonely in a new city. Been alone for months. Looking for companionship. Why do I continue to deny it? Maybe Seifer was right. Maybe I did come to find my devil…

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

Is it over? I don’t know how many times I’ve asked myself that question. But then I keep waking up. Every couple hours I get up and walk a little further.
But I won’t last forever.
I’m losing my sanity. The water was sucked from my body a long time ago. Eventually, I will die from thirst.
But I can’t give up. Not yet. I have to protect them. The people of the city. Lucas. Somehow, he seems to have some lingering importance. Like there’s something going on here that’s bigger than any of us. Like a secret, buried so far into passive memory that it cannot be released.
Lucas. Why are you so significant? What is it that makes you special?
I really have no idea. But I will find out.
* * * * *
Gotta keep going. Have to stay strong. Have to stay awake.
Light. The beating of wings.
I must be dreaming. An angel in the sky. It’s not possible. But there’s a voice in my mind. My almost deceased mind.
Follow me, Damian. Follow the song.
A hymn. I’ve heard it before. Stowed away in my memories. When have I heard it before?
Follow the song, Damian. Trust in yourself.
Myself? What about you?
Follow me…
* * * * *
Where am I? It looks like a garden. An oasis. I guess the angel was right. Was she real? Did I really follow the song to this heavenly place? I guess I did.
Water. I hear water.
It tastes so sweet. I’ve never been so happy to taste something so plain as water.
It runs down my esophagus. Lathering my every muscle and joint with its cool, relaxing presence. I feel revived. The demon is back
And he wants revenge.
* * * * *
I rested for a day.
I ate the best apples I’ve ever tasted.
And the coconuts. The coconuts, whose milk made me feel more alive than I’ve ever been.
But I know I have to leave.
I have to find him. The man who ruined my life. And the man who will eventually save the world.
Lucas.

Writer: Taylor Smith; Character: Lucas

This is a point where most people would sit back and figure out their life. What am I doing? Well, I’m sitting back, but I’m not thinking. No, that stopped long ago. Now I go on impulse and instinct. And I ramble.
Sunken deep in a chair, across the room from the bed and the most beautiful creature. Glass in one hand, to keep me warm, my head in the other. All I’m analyzing anymore is the carpet pattern, I can’t look up.
All that she can do, has done is incredible. Do I even deserve –
She could have said no any time, she didn’t have to take care of me, didn’t have to save my life. That means she must –
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Tell her everything, all this jumble. Unload this precious cargo from your renegade thought train.
Tell her everything.
She lifts her head slowly. Awake. How long have I been sitting here?
“Good morning, sleepy head.”
I can’t.

Writer: David Kersbergen; Character: Damian

I can’t.
I can’t see or hear anything.
The desert is not forgiving.
I’ve been walking aimlessly for a hell of a long time. My sense of direction was lost after I left the oasis. Though my instinct tells me where I should head, one cannot rely on instinct to live. I’m going to need something much more powerful. Luck.
* * * * *
The thirst is unbearable. The hunger and exhaustion are just as bad. Not to mention my now robotic joints. Those screws didn’t feel too good coming out either. I’m a goddamn wreck.
I gotta get back.
I gotta find Lucas.
* * * * *
The night is cold. Strike that, it’s freezing.
I’m gonna hunker down. I’ll start walking again in the morning. If I wake up…
* * * * *
“Oh my god…”
I know that voice.
“Captain! What the hell happened, sir! We searched for you for days!”
Johnson. Thank God. If there is one.
“C’mon cap’n, let’s go, we gotta get you to the hospital.”
“…rrm…Johnson…where…Lucas…”
“Don’t talk, sir. You’ll outdo yourself. Just rest.”
Rest. Good idea.
Sleep….
* * * * *
“Damian, Damian?”
“Uuhhh…” 5 more minutes dad, 5 more minutes…
“Wake up!”
“What?!?!” I’m up! I’m up!
“Thank god. We thought we lost you.” Johnson.
“Johnson? You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. How long was I out?”
“You’ve been asleep for almost a day, sir.”
“Wow. That’s the longest I’ve slept in my life.”
“You’re lucky to be alive, sir. Most people don’t survive long in the desert for very long.”
“I wasn’t alone.”
“Sir?”
“Johnson, I know this sounds crazy, but I think I have a guardian angel.”
“Actually that’s not as crazy as you might think, sir. In fact, everyone’s saying it was an angel that rebuilt the city.”
“Wait, what?”
“I think you need to step outside, sir.”
I get up slowly as Johnson leaves the tent. I walk to the door. I open it. At first, nothing seems out of the ordinary. But then I remembered. The city wasn’t supposed to look ordinary. It should be in ruins.
“It looks like nothing happened…”
“Now you see what I meant, sir?”
“Yeah… Yeah, I see what you mean now…”
Looks like I’m not the only one with a guardian angel.

Unofficial Ending of Part One