tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50206911448290178082024-03-21T02:45:27.356-04:00Something to Leave BehindKonaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-20284299193050101562013-09-04T17:32:00.004-04:002013-09-04T17:32:35.421-04:00So, I've been a bit cagey on how I got out of there......Mainly because...well. Let me just say that this time, I did something so stupid...I'm a little afraid of everyone yelling at me for it. But what the hell, it worked and I wouldn't have made it out otherwise.<br />
<br />
That mist was rising faster and faster. The first hour it was slow. Two hours later it had made its way up about a hundred feet and was still gaining speed. I knew I had to act quick, otherwise any plan I had would be the only one I had time for. So.<br />
<br />
It wasn't really that hard to determine what to do. The Path was my only option. Forget being the only sort of interdimensional-esque travel technique I knew, it was starting to look like the only way I could even get down from the top of that building.<br />
<br />
But I tried it before. All it did was send me somewhere else in the world. And that mist was EVERYWHERE. No matter where I looked, all I saw was a dark cloud and all the unpleasant death it was sure to bring with it. And as I watched it...I saw things inside it. Twisted shapes. Writhing, twisting, changing. I could hear things in the back of my mind - screams, warnings, threats. And as it rose higher, out of the fog, a gnarled, withered hand emerged from it, reaching towards me, followed by another, and another.<br />
<br />
"Okaaay, fuck that noise." I recall muttering to myself.<br />
<br />
There was only really one thing left to try. I walked forward and straight off the edge.<br />
<br />
And yeah, at that point, I started to panic. There's nothing quite like hurtling down a several hundred foot drop to put things into perspective. Especially when the ground is covered in death mist. I didn't have any intention of coming into contact with it, though. Even as the voices in my head reached a crescendo of eager bloodlust, I had already opened a way into the Path, in mid-air.<br />
<br />
...What happened next was interesting. I made it onto the Path, sure, but I was now traveling horizontally instead of vertically. At the same speed. I was rocketing over the cracked streets, empty houses, and black leaves at a bird's eye view.<br />
<br />
And it hurt. Jesus christ it hurt. If anything, the pressure was worse at that altitude, at the speed I was going. Pain. I was pretty sure that was it - I was just gonna crash into the ground and die alone in this goddamn nightmare zone.<br />
<br />
Except then I saw that the street ended. All there was ahead was darkness. No ground, no...anything. Then before I knew it, I came into contact with it. And...I was floating. In a black abyss. The pressure was gone. But...somehow, somehow this place felt even less safe. I couldn't breathe- but I didn't need to. It still almost gave me a panic attack, but for some reason, most of my body just...sort of faded out. I was pushing up against something- something invisible. There was a dark street ahead. It looked familiar.<br />
<br />
It made me wonder. Does the Path have different networks, for these different worlds? Did my stupid Portal stunt allow me to get out of the pocket dimension's network and back to my own?<br />
<br />
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Because there was someone who wanted a word with me before I got away. His voice was everywhere...around me, IN me...I couldn't escape it.<br />
<br />
<b>You claim defiance of the Pale One, yet you use his gifts to escape me? What hypocrasy indeed.</b><br />
<br />
I wanted to question him. But I couldn't speak. All I could do was give him some of that defiance with every bit of willpower I had in me. I tried to...push back with my feelings, let him know I was pissed and not interested in taking his crap.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> And you believe yourself above the judgement of your betters. Such arrogance for a human. No matter. Take your freedom. It will not last. Nothing but madness and emptiness await you. </b><br />
<br />
And...with that, I was on the Path again. I stumbled, feeling weaker by the second - out the first alley I could find. I popped out in...Wellington, New Zealand, of all places. Lucky for me, because apparently health care is easier to get here than in my country - and because they speak english. If I'd been really unlucky, I coulda gotten dumped in the middle of Nowhere, Siberia.<br />
<br />
So...I'm recovering from surgery right now. I had severe internal bleeding. In short, not my most well thought out plan, but at least I'm alive.<br />
<br />
I need to get back to the States, but...I also need to look into some shit while I'm here...I dunno, I'll figure something out once I'm outta here.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-84579141032534592782013-08-26T01:57:00.000-04:002013-08-26T01:57:14.030-04:00So much to do, so little time. You'll get a full explanation about how I escaped from wherever I was later, as well as a recap of my current activities.<br />
<br />
Also, is it just me or do the blogs have an increase in gawkers who like hanging around criticizing people's actions in situations they themselves were not in? A+ guys, very helpful+supportive thing to do.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-81568984176745793652013-08-15T21:44:00.001-04:002013-08-15T21:44:14.710-04:00AHAHAHAHA I'M OUT! YES! I TOLD YOU I CAN WEASEL MY WAY OUT OF ANYTHING!<br />
<br />
SUCKS TO BE YOU YOG'CTHULWHATEVER! Bite my liberated, existing in reality ASS! Or DON'T, because YOU CAN'T DO SHIT TO ME ANYMORE!<br />
<br />
Ahahaha ooooh boy I hope I'm not crazy now.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-1558364361064777612013-08-13T03:04:00.001-04:002013-08-13T03:05:52.717-04:00Forget what I said about this place being safe.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some sort of weird black mist's rolled
into town. I say "town" about as loosely as possible, mind
you, because it's more like a bunch of wrecked buildings in the
middle of goddamn nowhere. At any rate, I'm not goin down there to
find out what the happy stuff is, I'm perching my ass up here where
safety is ambiguous, not non-existent.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
As for a way out. Well, I broke my clause and tried the Path,
once. It didn't work. All it did was take me somewhere else in
this...world? If it could be called such. It's mostly
just...barren. I can see some more buildings off in the distance a
couple different directions, but everything is so samey it hardly
even matters. I think wherever here is, it's somewhere relatively
un-Slender, because whatever that THING that “rescued” me is
wanted me out of harm's way for a time. It must've dropped me off
here. It only just occurred to me that I could not have eaten in at
least two months, so...Physics are on break out here, I guess.<br />
<br />
Okay I just saw something move down there. Yeah. I'm just gonna
be Batman for now.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing: Cosmic Entity #2 doesn't appear thrilled that I
refused his job offer. He's not been around in a while, and I think
this mist may be his doing, as well. Must be trying to pressure me.
Hey buddy, that's coercion and it's illegal in the US of A. Of
course, I say “he” when it's more like an “it.” Whatever.<br />
<br />
So that's its game. Leave me to die if I don't change my mind. I
don't know about you guys, but I'm not happy about my chances at
fighting monsters. At this point, I have enough experience with self
defense to not be scared of whatever masked knife wielding joker is
after me today. Hell, I did pretty damn good against those FBI guys.
I do not have a good track record with monsters, though. Whether
they be giant murderous trees or masquerading as businessmen.<br />
<br />
The mist is rising. Okay, June, think. There's nothing you can't
weasel your way out of.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-44047815392173241512013-07-28T03:02:00.002-04:002013-07-28T03:02:55.044-04:00I don't know where I am right now. I don't even remember the last time I tried to make contact outside Here. I don't even know whose computer this is, fuck.<br />
<br />
What I do know is, the only reason I'm not gone (and I have a pretty strong feeling the big man wants me capital G Gone by now) is because something ELSE has an interest in me.<br />
<br />
Even now, I feel it. Observing. Watching me. Trying to determine just how much use I am.<br />
<br />
Hey. Hey buddy. You see this?<br />
<br />
Fuck you.<br />
<br />
Fuck Slenderface and fuck all the members of your little cosmic entity social club. If I'm not gonna work for HIM, I'm certainly not working for you, either.<br />
<br />
Didn't I make it clear that I'm a player in this? I might play into people's hands plenty, but no one pulls my strings. If I'm to die, so be it. Many have died before me. Many will die after. But there will ALWAYS be people who fight back against you.<br />
<br />
For once, I understand Rhodes on something. <a href="http://letshaveourselvesachat.blogspot.com/2012/11/so-i-return-from-frankly-well-earned.html">He was pissed that you tried to dictate his role.</a> Well make a note of it, cause fucking unprecendented shit is going down - I agree with him. You motherfuckers don't have the right to pull us along for your own amusement, no less than the pale guy has any right to toy with us like prey. You're no more welcome than he is.<br />
<br />
Haha. I see. I can feel your doubt, you know. It'd seem this place, wherever it is, is closer to you than, well, Reality. I felt every inch of your curiosity, as well as the surprise you're feeling at me saying this. So you're finally HEARING me? Great to know.<br />
<br />
You can keep your assumptions about what I can and can't do. You think I'm desperate and bluffing, but I'm not. I'll get out of here. I battered down a hole in reality to save my friend. You guys are begging for an encore performance. I'm getting out of here, and I'm going to stop him, and I'll do it without your damn help.<br />
<br />
Find another patsy. This job interview is over.<br />
<br />
Oh hey, and you guys pickin' up from sweet ole Reality. I'm still kickin. And it may have been a while since you heard from them, but don't count Rise and Leon out just yet. Those two are a lot smarter than me.<br />
<br />
Stay sharp, Rae. I don't need to tell you this, but your dad is a bit of an asshole. No wonder he and Rhodes make for such good company.<br />
<br />
Alright, back to the waste.<br />
<br />Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-65500489607408798572013-05-16T15:08:00.004-04:002013-05-16T15:08:42.649-04:00trapped.little time to explain.<br />
<br />
we're trapped in atlanta. they know we're here. there's so many of them. we can't leave. they've practically put the city on lockdown.<br />
<br />
How the hell are they doing this!? Where the hell are the fucking POLICE! You can't just lock down a whole city when you're, I dunno, a weird cultist group! Why doesn't anyone NOTICE!<br />
<br />
leon is not taking it very well.<br />
<br />
neither am I. they've run us down like animals. we've lost them for now, but who knows when they'll find our cave.<br />
<br />
It's not a cave, it's a<br />
<br />
figure of speech.<br />
<br />
we need to get out. somehow. update over, need to keep watch.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-91256918301044949872013-04-30T15:53:00.002-04:002013-04-30T15:53:43.538-04:00This again? Really?Come on. We've played this game before. You and I know each other pretty damn well by now.<br />
<br />
It hurts. I won't lie, it hurts bad. Every part of me feels like it's burning up. But here's what you don't get, what you've never got. <i>It's just pain</i>. It can't kill me. And it won't break me. I don't pretend to know the reason, but you can't stay in my head. You don't take.<br />
<br />
But you're not really on the same level as me, are you? You can't get that. You're just gonna try to brute force it.<br />
<br />
Well fine, then. If that's how you wanna play it...Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-36145097565736534182013-04-20T00:52:00.001-04:002013-04-20T00:52:35.545-04:00i KNOW those masks. like leon said, they look just like mine.<br />
<br />
i modeled mine after a certain man's.<br />
<br />
a man who has been missing for over ten years.<br />
<br />
june, please be safe. only two years ago i would've written you off as dead, but you've taught me something in between then.<br />
<br />
the strength of belief.<br />
<br />
and i believe there is nothing He can do that can kill or bend june to his will.<br />
<br />
he will return. for now, though, i must get leon somewhere safe. the poor man's life is ruined now. but i will protect him.<br />
<br />
and ill make good use of zero's weapon until his heir reclaims it.<br />
<br />
but as to the masks.<br />
<br />
i want to believe that this is Him simply attempting mindgames. i thought that man was long dead. i still hope so.<br />
<br />
if he's returned, things are dire. and i don't know if i really can carry on.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-29087580238388579062013-04-19T22:17:00.001-04:002013-04-19T22:17:25.670-04:00WHAT TH EFFUCK IS THAT THING!<br />
<br />
It<br />
<br />
Okay okay, ern-<br />
<br />
So Konaa's been steadily getting better. He was up and about all of yesterday and I could hardly believe it. He was almost good as new. But...he said he couldn't leave just yet. According him, the "proxy" gang he was being tailed by was probably still crowding the district. Not only would trying to leave be dangerous, but he didn't want any chance of them finding out where I lived. Nice guy. Little heavy on the sarcasm, but everyone has their coping mechanism. Anyways, he said that there was someone he could ask to come help and that together all of our chances of surviving would double. Ah, I thought, a hitman. Haha, jokes aside, I read your comments and I know the whole mafia thing wasn't true. I didn't know how else to explain it then, but-<br />
<br />
Well I guess I still don't.<br />
<br />
We set up a routine of sorts. He went out for scouting trips to check out the area. Would come back to say it was still too hot. I don't know how he kept finding them, but none of these "proxies" seemed to be able to hide from him. For the most part, I stayed in from work, and everything was mostly normal.<br />
<br />
But two hours ago...well it all changed for the worse.<br />
<br />
There was some commotion outside. It was already dark and the streets were pretty empty. Emptier than they should've been at any rate. Konaa was out and about, but I heard some strange tapping noises. So, and maybe this was dumb, I went outside to take a look. There was a guy standing on the opposite side of the road. Tall guy, all gussied up in a suit, coat, and tie, bright red hair in a ponytail. He just gave me one hell of a creepy-ass grin and bowed, before strolling down an alley and out of sight.<br />
<br />
That's when I heard the footsteps. They were coming, en masse. At least ten of them - someone shoved me to the ground, hard. I heard a knife coming out of a sheath. Then I got slammed against the wall. Ow. It still hurts.<br />
<br />
Some guy was holding me, and another one seemed to be calling the shots. He asked me where Konaa was and I said I didn't know. He nodded to the guy holding me, and the guy puts the knife right up to my eye. I'm sad to say it, but I was ready to spill just about anything at this point. I really didn't want to lose one of my eyes. But all I could do was repeat that I didn't know.<br />
<br />
"You should never have hid him from us. Do it."<br />
<br />
I tried to wrench his arm back, but he was just too strong. These guys were serious. Psychopaths. He was really gonna stab me in the eye! But...I can hardly believe it, but sometimes a hero does come to your rescue in the nick of time.<br />
<br />
I heard some sort of shhhhing noise. Before the guy holding me knows it, there's a grappling hook stabbing into his arm. He drops the knife and yells. And here came the cavalry. Konaa, and he had a friend. I was a bit surprised, cause she had the same kind of mask the other guys did. But she was definitely not their friend, given the way she was going at them with those knives of hers.<br />
<br />
The fight itself got kinda blurry for me, I was still in a lot of pain and it was pretty dark. I just stumbled back, out of the way. But between the two of them they accounted for all ten of the thugs with only a few cuts and bruises to tell for it. Didn't kill em, I don't think, just knocked em out in some cases, Konaa had a taser he used on a couple, and a couple still standing ran away. Wow. They may be a pair of kids, but they're a lot tougher than they look.<br />
<br />
He gave me a thumbs up. But before he could speak, something happened, and I saw <i>that thing</i><br />
<br />
I didn't think anything of it. Just another man stepping out of the alleyway. But it wasn't a man. It was tall, and thin as a rack, and <i>it had no face</i>. It was just a horrible blank head. And those weren't arms- THOSE WEREN'T ARMS. It was a monster. A real honest to gods MONSTER. And suddenly I saw things, there were these black tendrils snaking out towards me, towards ME, I saw him, I heard something, I knew, he wanted ME. But<br />
<i> </i><br />
But Konaa knocked me aside. They ensnared him. He fought like a lion, even though he was crying out in pain. He'd dropped his taser and the knife he was using. They hoisted him off his feet. His friend started towards him, but he shouted out to stay back. Then he yelled out to keep safe, no matter what.<br />
<br />
And to look after me.<br />
<br />
He took the sword off of his back, and hurled it through the air. His friend caught it. The last I saw of him, he was grinning a pained, crazy grin, and he gave me a thumbs up. Then...he vanished into the darkness of the alleyway, and the thing went with him. His friend ran down. I couldn't even move. I was just stunned. Then she came back, shook her head. Then she just said to be ready to leave in fifteen minutes and ran off down the street.<br />
<br />
I packed my stuff. I don't have too much. Then I decided I should update the blog.<br />
<br />
I don't know what's happening, what's going on, but oh my god. He's gone. Whatever that thing was, that was what he was really running from and now, now it wants me too. What the fuck am I going to do...I'm sorry. If I coulda done anything for him, I would've.<br />
<br />
what am I gonna do.<br />
Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-59567000207136301562013-04-17T21:45:00.000-04:002013-04-17T21:45:14.849-04:00Um, hi.I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to say here. I honestly took one look at this blog and its associated works and stared at my screen for about five minutes. I don't have any idea what this is all about. Or rather, I do, and I'm shaking my head in disbelief. I guess that's not important right now.<br />
<br />
I'd rather not share names, those guys with the masks and the knives seem pretty ticked off at the guy asleep on my couch. I guess his name is "Konaa?" Hell of a way to meet a new person, seeing them stumble down the street at three AM, bleeding profusely, half-collapsed. And shouting not to call 911. Still think I probably shoulda ignored that one.<br />
<br />
As you've probably gathered, I'm completely unrelated to any of...whatever this is. I'm just an every day guy workin' 9 to 5, or so the saying goes. My hours are pretty flexible, in truth. But like I said, last night, maybe around 2:30 or so, I hear a lot of ruckus coming from upstreet. Trouble's not too uncommon where I live, so I got up to do what I usually do, close the curtains, doublecheck the locks, etc. What made me stop to take another look was when I caught a glimpse of some of those guys under the street lamp. They had some eerie masks on, and I mean eerie, pale white. Hoods, too, and packing sharp looking pieces of metal. Now THAT didn't happen every night.<br />
<br />
These guys shuffled back and forth down the street at top speed for about fifteen minutes. Then activity sort of dies down. Here's where I do something kinda dumb. I step out onto the street and start walking around. Call me stupid but I'm curious by nature, and I really wanted to know what the hubbub with the masks was all about.<br />
<br />
Well I scooted around for a bit, occasionally I heard some rapid footsteps, but then I came upon a back alleyway. Here we had a whole load of the guys, maybe 15 to 20, and their leader, too. Big fella. Wears the most melodramatic of hooded cloaks, too. He tells the guys, "Scour the alleys. Don't hesitate to break and enter, he certainly won't. Find. Him." Forceful voice. They hopped right to it. Now, these guys were clearly some kinda mob outlet. And it sounded like some poor guy had pissed em off. The masks, I figured, were just intimidation, and concealment. They'd just bothered to have a uniform standard.<br />
<br />
At any rate I figured it was dangerous to keep hanging around, so I made my way home fairly quickly. But not five minutes later I heard some hobbling down the street. I look up, and here comes a young guy, college student age I'd say, dressed like he's been living out of a dumpster. Number of oddities about him that came into vision as he started by. First of all, he had belt with some sort of weird pistol-like object with a bunch of cable attached, a row of knives, and a REAL gun, as far as I could tell. Stranger still was the katana he had strapped around his back. But what made it clear he wasn't just some odd cosplayer was the strangest thing of all - he was hurt bad. Bleeding from the shoulder, clutching his side, barely keeping himself up. I step out again. "Hey, buddy! You okay there? Want me to call an ambulance?"<br />
<br />
He almost skewered me with one of those knives, maybe I shouldn't've startled him. "What? No, no- Police, no ambulance, don't call 911..."<br />
<br />
That's when it hit me. He didn't want the cops or doctors? This was the guy those mobsters were looking for. He had injuries you couldn't go to a general hospital to treat without getting caught.<br />
<br />
I didn't know what to do. Sure looked young for the job, but I guess they get all sorts of types. Still, even if he's a criminal I couldn't just leave him there. That was when I heard more footsteps, some shouting. He whirled around, swearing. That's when I made up my mind. "Quick, in here."<br />
<br />
"Huh?"<br />
<br />
"I mean it, quick! Step in here!" I held out my hand. He hesitated a second, but grabbed it. I dragged him into the apartment, closed the door, and brought him up to my room. The masked guys passed by a couple times, but nobody ever tried to knock down my door, so I'd say we got lucky. I had a first-aid kit in my kitchen, and I'm certified, so I was able to patch him up. He had mostly cuts and slices, a pretty deep one in his shoulder. I didn't have any kinda painkiller on me, but he took it like a champ, I gotta say, a few winces and nothing else. Guy's got mad pain tolerance.<br />
<br />
He stayed the night. And looks like he'll be staying tonight, too. He slept all day, still haven't had a proper conversation though. He was up for a few hours a bit ago, and shoved his laptop into my hands, told me to make a post on his blog to tell people what had happened to him, before he went under again.<br />
<br />
So. Here I am. Geez, I hope I don't get in trouble for this. My curiousity's sated, anyway, and Konaa looks like he'll be okay. I was tempted to call the police more than once, but I haven't seen hide or hair of those masked guys, so I think we'll be fine. He seemed eager to get going, so I doubt I'll be entertaining him much longer. So to those whom it may concern, your friend's okay, but he took a beating.<br />
<br />
I hope this doesn't make me an accomplice, shit. I don't want nothing to do with the mafia.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-66590884554337093112013-04-16T23:33:00.000-04:002013-04-16T23:33:19.409-04:00no WAY. no HOW. am I dying like this. I will NOT. You hear me, you masked gorilla!?<br />
<br />
Still. I...can't really focus. lost too much blood. need to set a contingency.<br />
<br />
Rae, it's where we agreed on. I believe in you - you won't ever let this stop you.<br />
<br />
can't explain. take too long. moving again.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-90091423828123156032013-02-07T02:31:00.001-05:002013-02-07T02:31:47.059-05:00found it!june said i could use this blog if I wanted, so i will here, because i have had an experience that i wish to share. also, i do not have a phone. not all of us live off tens of thousands of dollars in inheritance. how many thousands in soda, june?<br />
<br />
firstly, i have received an email from the entities known as Nemesis Counter. how strange that dimension beings adapt so well to our messaging system. perhaps they don't, actually, which is why their messages are so garbled. mine simply read:<br />
<br />
"identified<br />
<br />
you are the catalyst's shadow"<br />
<br />
somewhat obvious. but i like it, somehow. i do not mind being june's shadow. his refusal to kill is one of the reasons i trust him so, but it also makes him soft. i can cover this weakness for him. i assure you, i am not soft.<br />
<br />
but that message was shortly after the new year. onto the main reason i made this post.<br />
<br />
i have been hunting for some old comrades of mine, who were enslaved to Him along with me for years. and together, we broke off our bonds, shortly before I began to contact june through this blog.<br />
<br />
two were dead. one has re-entered His service. my friend laura was the last. i did not hold out much hope that she would be safe. but i was eventually able to track her down to a city in the south. it was nighttime when i found her. i didn't think that it might be a bit suspicious to approach someone at night. its still hard for me to consider these things. the sorts of things normal people just know.<br />
<br />
it was at a dock. she fearfully brandished a gun at me. i wore my mask. she suspected i had relapsed. she did not understand that i wear it to shield myself. i tried to explain myself. she had become paranoid, and would not listen. she told me to leave. i told her i was looking for something of mine. a cassette tape. this is the true reason i looked for my friends. i would not have risked two of us being in the same place without good reason. this tape is important. but i will clarify that, later.<br />
<br />
she warily agreed that she would return it to me. i put down all of my weapons and stood back with my hands behind my back.<br />
<br />
that is when Obstruction held me to the ground. i heard a gasp from laura. so i was not betrayed. not fully, at any rate. clapping, Rhodes himself emerged from the darkness, flanked by jade. the maniac girl was practically slavering at the chance to kill me.<br />
<br />
"Very well done, Laura darling. She's such a slippery fox to catch, and here you had her laid out before us like a present."<br />
<br />
laura protested. "You said she wouldn't be hurt! You said you were going to protect me..."<br />
<br />
"Oh my dear, I am protecting you. Do you know what your friend has done to those like you? Like herself? Killed them. Slit their throats, split them open, tortured information out of more than one. She is violent and she is dangerous. I am restraining her for her own sake, you see. She will be much more at ease in the service of the Tall Man again, without all of these troublesome thoughts and without her new master."<br />
<br />
"not a MASTER." i spat out. "no one dictates my fate anymore. not you. not june. not HIM."<br />
<br />
"Now that's an interesting word. 'Fate'...What is fate?" he seemed truly contemplative, now of all times. "Was this all preordained? Are we merely puppets dancing on the strings of the cosmos itself? To wax eloquent, at any rate. I have wondered this many a time myself, whether my actions are truly my own, or if myself and June are mere pieces on a chessboard. Perhaps we are. But I tell you, I have no interest in being a pawn." he gave me his horrible, warm smile. "It's why I like you two so much, you know? You hate the idea of someone else moving your path just as much as I do. You're like me."<br />
<br />
i thrashed, violently, and was slammed harder into the ground for it. this is why rhodes is so dangerous. not because of any weapon he has. because he <i>knows</i> what will dig at you, undermine your ability to think clearly and plan against him. he is like june in one regard, perhaps: he too, understands people to an astonishing extent. june uses that skill to help others. rhodes uses it to tear them down. and you wonder why i am on june's side.<br />
<br />
"Now then." he held out a wad of bills to laura, who recoiled. "For your trouble, miss, a bonus."<br />
<br />
she shook her head, mumbled that there was no deal she'd made, that she had not sold me out for money. rhodes would not give up. "Come on, this makes no sense! It's done! Please take the money, Laura. I promised it to you, and I am a man who keeps his word. Don't make a liar of me."<br />
<br />
she made a mistake. "I don't NEED to! You ARE a liar!"<br />
<br />
his eyes...narrowed. those green, shining eyes had found new prey. "If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's a liar...and you dare to call me one? After I compromised myself for your sake! After I hid the true reason you agreed to my deal.."<br />
<br />
laura choked back a sob and pointed the gun at him. he was not deterred. i could do nothing but watch, obstruction's hand over my mouth. rhodes approached her slowly, arms out wide. "There were the five of you, then...the five who broke free. What a story! Through friendship and force of will, you finally defied your dark master and returned to the world of the sane! You were <i>free.</i> Oh, what a wonderful word, free. But...like every group of friends, there were...problems. Things left unsaid. Crawling, ugly thoughts hiding beneath your consciousness. Old grudges, never resolved, criticisms held back in the name of friendship. You were worse than usual, since let's face it, none of you were exactly stable members of society even after breaking free."<br />
<br />
He stared down the barrel of the gun, the grin of a predator closing in on a meal. "You didn't even provide anything substantial to the group, did you? It was Brandon who thought of the idea. Dylan gave you all the courage to go forth with it. Sharleen comforted those who needed it...you most of all. Rachel, ah, Rachel, your best friend, and one of the most deadly fighters you'd ever seen. She kept you all safe and alive. She fought on and on against anything that tried to hurt you. You did NOTHING. You were the load, the dead weight. You saw your friends, how incredible they seemed to be...And in your heart, you envied them. That envy, left to safely grow in the depths of your heart, began to morph into true, spiteful jealousy. That was how you grew to despise your saviors..."<br />
<br />
he gently pushed the gun down, and cupped a hand around her trembling, terrified face. "Oh, you of such an ungrateful heart! It is understandable that you would envy those more remarkable than you...And thus I don't blame these feelings you had. No, I blame you for how you acted on them. Mistrust. You were the first to leave. You broke the bonds of fellowship the five of you had, and perhaps made them grow to distrust each other, too? No, no, don't look away. You know I speak the truth."<br />
<br />
she was frantically whispering "no." as if he cared. i did my best to escape, to no avail. and rhodes continued, showing no mercy.<br />
<br />
"Your sins did not end there...Oh no. They only grew in scope. Not only did you break your sacred bond, you proceeded to actively betray she who was your greatest friend, to whom you owned your freedom. You came to ME. You asked for my protection. You did not trust her, when YOU were the one who broke trust in the first place. And now you stand here, and committed your last, greatest sin to date. You <i>lied</i>. To <i>me.</i> I know the truth, Laura, and I know your heart. It is as black and rotten as a heart can be." his words grew sharp, his sentences short and stinging. "You are <i>beyond</i> pity. Beyond mercy. Merely a parasite. You drain the life out of others to no benefit other than your own. Your friends are dead. Your last one is about to be. And it is all. Your. Fault. And in the end, you attempt to shove the blame on <i>me.</i> I have only ever told you...the complete and total truth."<br />
<br />
her tears were coming in droves, her body shaking like mad. i worked as fast as i could, edging a knife towards me with my elbow without obstruction noticing. he watched, passive as ever. but i was too late. what rhodes said must have been true, on some level. it always is. she had her secrets laid out in the open, in front of me. the last person she wanted to know them. she saw no other escape than the gun in her hand. i could only watch as she shot herself in the head. her body crumpled and fell, and there was silence.<br />
<br />
only for a moment. for rhodes' other side emerged, and he laughed, he laughed loudly and it rang out. "Ahahahahaha! Too easy! Too fucking easy! What a fucking dipshit teenager!" hand pressed to his face, he laughed seemingly uncontrollably, hunching over. "Sure, you ditched the group cause you were JEALOUS. But it's not like that's the only thing that happened! Try Dylan selling you all out! Rachel abandoning you! Hahahahaha! Fucking drama queen kids practically do my work FOR ME. You only got yourself to blame, idiot. If you hadn't decided to be such a pissy little brat and dare accuse ME of LYING, I wouldn't've had to tell Rachel all your deep dark secrets. In the end, I'm blameless...as always, hahahaha!"<br />
<br />
i got my chance. the knife found its way into my hand and i cut deeply into obstruction's leg. he grunted with pain and released me, and i dove forward, rolled, and threw my knife, aiming directly for the center of his twisted skull. he moved his head fast, not fast enough. it cut deeply into his cheek. he yelled, but i gave him no chance to retaliate, catching his swinging hand by the wrist and twisting it, breaking his fragile bones. in my fury, i beat him, and i do not regret it. i took some joy from hearing his cries of pain. but that fury blinded me to jade, who cut my arm before i could retreat. a pained chuckle came from rhodes.<br />
<br />
"See...? We're not too different after all, Rachel...you love my pain, just like I love yours...Some things never change, DO they?" standing upright, he stepped back, wincing. "But you got the drop on me...and I think I'm more interested in letting you stew on your late friend's fate than killing you. We're leaving. You can have the tape, too, it's my gift to keep things interesting."<br />
<br />
so he knew. i am hardly surprised. jade supported him and they retreated into the darkness. obstruction limped afterwards. i stood in his way, glaring into his eyes. i was ready to kill him for holding me back, but...what i saw in there made me stay my hand. he is nothing more than an empty shell. still, i challenged him. "you killed her every bit as she did. as he did." no response. and he left.<br />
<br />
i stood there for some time, holding my friend's hand. i remember that is how you show that you care for a friend. i remembered eventually how little point there was in doing that for the dead. i took her gun, and the tape. and i gently put her body into the bay. laura loved the water. i thought she'd be happy in there.<br />
<br />
this tape. it was our greatest weapon against Him. it produced a sound that repelled Him. brandon was a genius who spent years with the limited resources he had at hand, recording and rerecording different types of static from the television. he theorized that the interference caused by videos of Him went both ways, and that His power could be disrupted with the application of technology.<br />
<br />
and it did work. perhaps the reason brandon relapsed and i neared relapse is that it only temporarily blocked out his terrible presence in our minds. but it <i>worked</i>. how many things can you list which work against Him? i will give this to june. he can make good use of it.<br />
<br />
i do not know what to say about laura. just...please do not judge her. she was a good person.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-8819507593030763502012-12-04T15:14:00.003-05:002012-12-04T15:14:34.409-05:00Something's coming.Rae's ditched, for now. She said she had something of her own to take care of. I guess I don't blame her.<br />
<br />
No sign of Slenderman. Rhodes. Not even a single proxy. It's almost been like real, normal life...<br />
<br />
yeah, right. All I know about the situation is that things out there have plans for me. Whether they're tall and faceless, snakelike and abominable, or just cryptic and obnoxious, everyone seems to think they can move me like a piece. Did you forget? I'm a player now. So bring on your game. I'm pretty good at those.<br />
<br />I get the feeling...that the last stretch is coming. Don't ask me why. But this "game" is probably gonna be where me and Rhodes, or maybe me and Slenderman, settle this. It's been hanging too long now...I've been waiting for them to make their move, but if they don't, I'm going after them. And I WON'T lose.<br />
<br />
I haven't forgotten Nessa, Rhodes. I'll make you regret what you did to her, and what you did to every person you've ever harmed. I imagine that's a lot of regret forthcoming.<br />
<br />
And you, faceless shit. You, I'll kill, no matter what it takes me. You've destroyed so many lives, not just my own. You just exist to torment others - to turn them into toys, rob them of their dignity, their consciousness. If there ever was a purpose in life, destroying you is mine.<br />
<br />
So make your little schemes, and vague overreaching plots. Don't mean a thing to me. We'll see if all the pain you've caused is worth what you get in the end.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-84062642817851691612012-11-06T20:22:00.000-05:002012-11-06T20:22:05.109-05:00So I hear there's an election going on or something?But nobody's asking the question I want the answer to: What the fuck are YOU GUYS gonna do about these goddamn maniacs running around? Probably nothing's my guess. Which is exactly why I don't give a shit. I will be concerned with the economy once I've secured my future as one where I am not eaten alive.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(I'd also love to know their positions on secret divisions of the FBI meant to research a cryptid. wouldn't THAT make for an amusing debate)</div>
Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-87861693888816126262012-11-05T18:57:00.002-05:002012-11-05T18:57:37.950-05:00Christ, man.So, <a href="http://letshaveourselvesachat.blogspot.com/2012/11/so-i-return-from-frankly-well-earned.html">Rhodes is back. And he seems to know quite a bit about whoever it is that's been sending these messages.</a> Not three days after I say it's all quiet, suddenly we get a crowd again. Perfect. Is this because I came back..? Or does he just want to be noticed right now?<br />
<br />
Oi. Rhodes. I got a question for you. Since you don't seem to like these guys any more than I do, you mind sharing a little of the fun info here? What's "Nemesis Counter?" Besides some sort of vengeful shopping clerk? Who are these guys and what do they want with us? Surely you can at least give me some info here. I mean, don't you want me to raise some hell and make trouble for these guys, too?Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-5038950807930234492012-11-04T16:19:00.000-05:002012-11-04T16:19:04.392-05:00Goddamn technology. Sorry, I only just noticed that track in the last post was private. Made it public now.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-45464276566667359602012-11-02T17:24:00.000-04:002012-11-02T17:36:16.177-04:00Checking in, some rambling thoughts<a href="http://soundcloud.com/konaahirano/stlb11212">http://soundcloud.com/konaahirano/stlb11212/s-x8JKt</a><br />
<br />
(goddamn mp3 sites and their 10 MB upload limit. I have more to say than that, dammit!)Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-64820254360757333312012-10-24T02:07:00.003-04:002012-10-24T02:07:56.534-04:00identified<br />
<br />
you are the catalyst Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-42930474714362668602012-09-05T00:39:00.004-04:002012-10-07T23:51:48.957-04:00I really need something to pop up and remind me that this blog existsWhew, okay! Sorry, another blank stretch. It's been quiet all around though, hasn't it? Almost enough to make you forget there's a war going on. A war most people are completely unaware of. A conflict that is out of sight. An...<br />
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<a href="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110104141250/deusex/en/images/f/f0/DeusExInvisibleWarCover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110104141250/deusex/en/images/f/f0/DeusExInvisibleWarCover.png" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
...sorry.<br />
<br />
Well I'm a bad joke in, so you know things can't be TOO bad. The worst of it is that I haven't found Rae. Back to fucking square one with regards to that. I swear, if those suits locked her up again...<br />
<br />
That's a threat to be made another time. For now, onto another mystery.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks ago I received an email. The address was...weird. There WASN'T one. It was just a blank email. Subject line: "Pregame is ending"<br />
<br />
And then the body was this:<br />
<br />
"what measure is a man in the face of a million? you must sacrifice to succeed<br />
<br />
all that matters is winning<br />
<br />
and if your enemy wins the future you fear will come about<br />
<br />
decadence, despair, a broken man clad in red leading cloaked nobodies to bow before a faceless idol<br />
<br />
a single tower of fragile hope in a sea of blood, fear, and slime"<br />
<br />
Asshole. I'd JUST eaten.<br />
<br />
Believe me, even with the eerie lack of a return email I'd be condemning this one to the spam folder, but...Come on. With what we know, it's honestly stupid to NOT think of most strange things as supernatural in some way. So, I decided to humor Mr. Doom and Gloom and Apparently Chess and hit reply.<br />
<br />
Error. Fuck.<br />
<br />
So I thought about what the email said. Pregame. As in...warmups.<br />
<br />
...What I've gone through to get to this point was a warmup? Wow, great confidence booster, there. How many more times am I going to get horrifically maimed? I can't count on spatial rifts to appear and devour my hospital bills every single time!<br />
<br />
Okay. So what measure IS a man in a million? Well...enough. I'm not saying I'm some sort of philosophical expert here (I don't even have my fake degree!) but every single person I've run into, for good or ill, has been just as much of a person as the other. The only man I've ever met to escape that classification is Rhodes. He's not a person, he's a monster.<br />
<br />
But every runner and proxy aside from him all have very human reasons why they do what they do. And every person I've met who's lucky enough to not be involved- well, people talk about mindless sheep, but they've all got families, friends, people who love them for who they are.<br />
<br />
Life is unique, no matter where you find it. This is why I've sworn to never take a life. A vow I hope to uphold.<br />
<br />
So, assuming the email's author meant for me to do what I'd do, and not take the pragmatic but DOUCHE approach, all that I have left to sacrifice is myself. Eesh. Not that I'm saying this random eerie email is prophetic or nothin, but it's still enough to make me uneasy.<br />
<br />
All that matters is winning...Bullshit.<br />
<br />
The next part...I have no friggin' clue. The tower could literally be Hope, but that place is done. This is talking about the future. The only other thing I recognize amongst this is the guy in red. You know who. So, does he become some sort of cult leader in this...evil bad future? I dunno. Why is the Oracle delivering her prophecies in email format now? Did Delphi decide to go modern or something?<br />
<br />
I gave all of that a good thought for the next few days. Then another one popped up tonight. No subject, no address. Just this.<br />
<br />
"player or pawn<br />
<br />
be grateful<br />
<br />
not everyone has a choice<br />
<br />
choose now."<br />
<br />
Got a little forceful at the end there, with its first ever period. Okay, bossy email prophet. Here we go.<br />
<br />
I pick player. Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-8788927262564815262012-08-12T23:11:00.002-04:002012-08-12T23:14:30.320-04:00He fucking attacked me on the toilet.<br />
<br />
Well, I was in the right location to shit myself, at least.<br />
<br />
Steering this in a less gross direction, "he" is Slender Man here.<br />
<br />
I got out okay. Just barely. There was a loose pipe on the sink and...I threw it at him. It bounced right off his head. ...I almost giggled at the sheer absurdity of it.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I slid under his outstretched hand and was out the door. The station outside was empty, whereas there had been a few people lounging about earlier...and when I blinked, they were back. I looked around, and Slender Man was gone.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should start going in the woods...wait, no, even worse idea.<br />
<br />
And yeah, I checked the time, and that anon comment went up a few minutes before the attack. "Found you..." So, what, he didn't know where I was? Does that mean he didn't cause my disappearance? And did a post about me using the john really cause him to pick up the scent?<br />
<br />
Wait. no. Ew. POST OVER, PEOPLE, GO HOME.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-3850959044580494152012-08-12T20:27:00.002-04:002012-08-12T20:27:30.568-04:00I hate public restrooms.That will be all.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-24087475642112972422012-08-03T22:43:00.000-04:002012-08-03T22:43:07.342-04:00OH CRAP I SLEPT THROUGH JUNERight, cause THAT reference isn't gonna be dated at all.<br />
<br />
I understand that that things have been pretty quiet around here. Well, okay, I won't lie, things have been more silent than an order of monks who've just heard the worst holocaust joke ever. But it's not my fault.<br />
<br />
...Okay, it is my fault. Kind of. The first month, anyways, was definitely just straight up, me not posting. Nothing was happening. The FBI dudes took me to a hospital and pulled all the broken bits of glass out of me (fucking ow, did I forget to mention?), then set us lose in the streets again.<br />
<br />
Then...silence. No proxies. No Rhodes. No Sinatra. Nothing. Oh dude those last four sentences all started with No. ...erm, anyway. The underworld of monsters, maniacs and the people who they target has been a quiet one these last few months. Who knows why. Slender himself is supposed to go dormant for long periods of time. That could have something to do with it. Regardless, I haven't seen the stick for a while, now. Don't think for a second that we're in the clear, though. He'd love that.<br />
<br />
Let's just pretend that this isn't a Chris Nolan movie and we can just fast forward to the bits where stuff actually happens. Rae and I had managed to stay out of trouble, but...You know how it is. Sometimes you get a chance to breathe, so be sure to enjoy it, cause it won't last.<br />
<br />
A bridge. A big city. A river underneath. I grew up going in and out of Boston, and it was weird to be back. One thing's never going to change, though, and that's that it will always be too hot or too cold. I don't get how ANYBODY lives there.<br />
<br />
(Incidentally, if you're going to start that "Cambridge or Boston" bullshit, explain to me how a few yards of water makes one city two)<br />
<br />
The Charles has always been a bit of an unimpressive sort of river. Sure it's pretty and all but it's tiny and I certainly wouldn't want to swallow any of it, considering that MIT on it. Those undergrads probably release mutagens for lab reports. Still, it's something quite familiar from my childhood, and damn if it didn't feel good to see it.<br />
<br />
It was a cloudy day. Rumbling lightning. And there we were, on my bike, headed across the bridge into THE OTHER PART OF BOSTON THAT IS NAMED CAMBRIDGE. And who should be standing in our way but the psycho squad themselves.<br />
<br />
Nonplussed, I accelerated. I've always thought tire tracks would vastly improve Rhodes' suit. I certainly hoped he didn't expect me to stop for him. What's his problem, anyway? He just shows up and tries to kill us. Doesn't he have an evil scheme to be attending to?<br />
<br />
Rhodeskill was sadly not to be. One moment we were charging forward, the next, we just...stopped. I felt my bike crumple, just, fall apart, like it'd been held together with masking tape. And something hit me in the face, hard. Something invisible. some sort of wall.<br />
<br />
Dazed, I picked myself off the ground and looked up at his grinning face. "Red light! ...Get it?"<br />
<br />
"...Hilarious."<br />
<br />
I tried cutting his chest, but he slammed a foot on my arm. I saw Rae and Jade clashing to my side, Obstruction and Shift apparently just watching.<br />
<br />
"Does it feel nostalgic to be back here? This was where you first met one of us. Poor Ray. Not a very bright lad, but he was loyal."<br />
<br />
I'd forgotten about him, to be honest. It didn't make me very happy to remember, and he saw that, laughing. "The first person you couldn't help. The list went on after that, didn't it?"<br />
<br />
Jade fell back, with a cut arm. Rhodes frowned and snapped his fingers. Obstruction jumped to, slamming Rae against the railing before restraining her. The snake stepped down harder, maybe trying to get a gasp of pain out of me. I wasn't giving him it.<br />
<br />
"You know, June, this is getting old. All this dancing about, me showing up, you escaping because of some ridiculous coincidence..."<br />
<br />
"Okay, cool, leave us alone, then."<br />
<br />
He spread his arms wide like the ham he is. "Don't you GET it? You're not DOING anything! You can wander around and try to help anybody you run into, but you're fighting the fires, not the pyromaniac. Treating the symptoms, not the disease. What you never understood, and what makes me the one who'll win our little game, is that you can't always sit back and wait for your chance. The wise make their own luck, and CREATE the chance. Just countering His influence won't do anything. Ineffectual and pathetic. He probably doesn't even notice."<br />
<br />
Here he sighed, and looked at me with mock sympathy. "Aah, but I understand. The balance of power is not in your favor. I have eyes and ears everywhere, cats paws whenever I need them, and you...have a catatonic maniac, an overhyped piece of metal, and a bike. Oops. HAD a bike."<br />
<br />
I gritted my teeth. Somehow, he had a way of finding what I was brooding on and rubbing it in my face.<br />
<br />
"The fact is, there IS no way for you to stop Him. Redlight is back and, in my personal opinion, better than ever. That man won't be roused by your taunts, nor shocked just cause you did something so fucking stupid he never saw it coming. He's relentless, and this is ALL he has. So, you two have a bit in common. But two equal powers cancel out. You'll never get past him even if you ARE his equal, which I doubt." He shifted a bit, looking up into the sky. The grin was gone, and a musing look appeared on his face. "And he's nothing to the Big Man. Trust me on that. No, you've been doing nothing because there's nothing for you to do. I honestly think it's sad."<br />
<br />
And back down at me. "Don't you?"<br />
<br />
I replied, "TASER RELATED PUN!" and jabbed him in the leg, sending however the fuck many volts through his body. Idiot. Did he forget I had a hand free or something? Rhodes just loves his fucking hannibal lectures.<br />
<br />
That made him stumble back, hissing in pain. I got to my feet and flicked open a knife...But things never stay simple with me. It's like Rhodes and I are double weirdness magnets, all the way across the sky, and when we clash there's bound to be something else freaky that comes along.<br />
<br />
A pale mist fell over the area. There was a flash. The proxies were on the ground, grabbing their heads and screaming in pain- except Rhodes, who was on his knees, hat rolling away across the road, a vicious and desperate look in his eyes, and a grim snarl on his face.<br />
<br />
Rae was motionless, reaching for a mask that wasn't there.<br />
<br />
And I heard things. A crackling fire. My dad, telling me we'd do something about this, and failing to tell me just what. A child's laugh, a gunshot, a collapsing building...<br />
<br />
I turned around. He was there. Motionless, silent, stiff. Just ten feet away. The air stopped, the world almost seemed to vanish around him. There were leaves on the ground- where did they come from? - black leaves.<br />
<br />
And then a fell wind began to blow. Smelled like trees...and bodies. Rotting flesh. And he took a step forward. Just one. Behind me, the screams became uncontrolled howls, somebody was hitting their head against the railing, and I just stood there. My head was...empty. I thought how weird it was that after all the effort, he just needed to show up once, decide he'd had enough, and that'd be it.<br />
<br />
His arms spread. Were they arms? Too long. More than two. And they came forward. For me.<br />
<br />
I heard Mom. And Dad. and Vivian.<br />
<br />
It was like waking up from a nightmare. I snapped to. Nothing was different - screams, smells, memories - but I didn't feel like a zombie anymore. I was scared...terrified. But I didn't care.<br />
<br />
There's a world between being afraid and surrendering to your fear. Did I ever mention I'm bad at giving up?<br />
<br />
I started forward. He stopped. Just, stiff, still, like he usually is. For a second, then the arms started lashing out. I ducked one, sidestepped another, and ran right forward. They wrapped around my arm, my leg, my stomach, and those parts started to go numb, dead- I still didn't care. I hit one of the arms with the taser- and it felt like the air around me was static. Something...WEIRD happened when the electricity connected with him. A loud ringing noise almost deafened me, and he seemed almost as confused as I was.<br />
<br />
And it gave me my chance. One step, two, three, a leap forward, and I screamed with every bit of defiance and will to live I had in me, as I punched him right in his stupid blank face.<br />
<br />
All I know next is that I went over the rail. Down towards the water. but the arms were still around me. He was coming too. I vaguely wondered if he couldn't swim.<br />
<br />
Then I sat up on a mattress in a dimly lit room. I was in my perfectly dry clothes. My stuff was strewn about what seemed like a rundown ground floor flat. More than a little lost, I opened my computer.<br />
<br />
The clock said August 1st.<br />
<br />
Lost time. I've never lost that much time all at once. I don't understand what happened- where I went, what I was doing. All I know is that I've been gone for a month and a half. Rae's missing, and no activity from Team Rhodes. All there was was the previous post on this blog.<br />
<br />
Another weird thing - who brought me to that flat? I talked to the man at the front desk, and he seemed surprised to see me. Said the room had been payed for, but that he was drawing a blank on who gave him the money. He didn't think it was me, though.<br />
<br />
Mysteries. More fucking mysteries. I've had it up to here with em. For now? Just gonna try to find Rae again.<br />
<br />
I'm back, people. Let's roll.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-56241366099374890722012-07-19T02:40:00.001-04:002012-07-19T02:40:41.698-04:00cant<br />
<br />
findhimKonaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-42463934342286180332012-05-08T22:48:00.001-04:002012-05-09T22:05:56.616-04:00Destination: DefenestrationIt's one thing after another. Son of a bitch.<br />
<br />
Not a lot had happened since I ran into Redlight. I didn't have a lot to say. Actually, I could hardly move for a while. Rae had to help me get going, check out, get to the next town over. The irony of our role reversal was not lost on me, don't you worry.<br />
<br />
That bastard hit me right where it hurt. It was a simple mind game, but he got to me anyway. I haven't shook this bad since the first few nights of all of this..<br />
<br />
We checked into a hotel well enough, then I collapsed onto one of those ridiculously foofy beds for about eight hours. When I got up, Rae was seated on a chair nearby, looking out the window like some sort of sentinel.<br />
<br />
I decided to try and talk to her. "Uhm, hey."<br />
<br />
She turned her head towards me.<br />
<br />
"Sorry. About yesterday. I...erm..."<br />
<br />
She just shook her head and went back to watching the streets. So much for that. I sighed, got out of bed, brushed my teeth, showered, yadda yadda. We sat around for a few hours. Neither of us really had that much desire to go anywhere. Not to mention the fact that it was marginally more dangerous out in the open than it was in there.<br />
<br />
Or so we thought.<br />
<br />
There was a sudden commotion on the first floor of the hotel. We looked at each other for a moment, then dove for our weapons. I still didn't know if I was in any state to use them, mind, but better safe than sorry.<br />
<br />
We were a little slow on the uptake. Suddenly, Shift came through the wall and put my arm into a lock, holding it down. And then the door practically exploded off its hinges as Obstruction punched right through it, almost slamming into Rae. Jade came next, springing at Rae and slashing at her with that cleaver.<br />
<br />
And finally the general himself arrived on the field of battle. Rhodes strode through casually, arms folded behind his back. "Good morning, children. How wonderful to see you today."<br />
<br />
He snapped his fingers. Jade fell back reluctantly, her eyes flashing.<br />
<br />
The snake turned that fucking grin on me. "June, June, June...What am I going to do with you? What even is this pacifistic nonsense? You didn't have any trouble pushing me off a roof, or shooting Obstruction here in the arm. Your determination to never kill was impressive, certainly, but not even fighting back? That's just fucking retarded and you know it."<br />
<br />
His words hit right home. Exactly what I'd been thinking. I still had some defiance left in me, though. "Every step I take away from YOU can only be a good thing." I spat back.<br />
<br />
A soft laugh. "This isn't about that at all, and you know it. No...you're just scared, little man."<br />
<br />
A snigger from Shift. "You're just too fuckin' pussy to do what you gotta to survive. Morality ain't got nothin to do with it."<br />
<br />
Rhodes gave him a withering glare. "If you don't mind, I was talking..?"<br />
<br />
Shift shrunk back. "U-uh, right. Sorry, boss."<br />
<br />
Shaking his head, Rhodes looked at us and shrugged his shoulders. "So hard to find good help these days. Where was I? Oh, yes. You, June. This isn't about pacifism, or trying to be less like me...You just want people to like you."<br />
<br />
Dead silence.<br />
<br />
"Oh yes, I see what all this is about. Poor June, growing up around a bunch of people too stupid to tie their own shoelaces. Who needs friends, right? It's all about number one. But then...You found that once you fell into our world, you had people in the same boat as you. You had friends now. And having gotten a taste of that, you didn't want to lose it, no matter what."<br />
<br />
He strode forward, poking me in the chest.<br />
<br />
"This whole moralist bullshit is just a platform that you stand on to gain the popular vote. You want to be acknowledge, HAILED. Everyone, look at Konaa, he saves the day without taking a single life! Ah, but it's no good, is it? It's not like you've ever really accomplished anything lasting. But hey, you got quite a few followers. People sing your praises sometimes, even! Not like you need anything else, right?"<br />
<br />
I'd had just about enough of THAT. "Okay, wow, you are not on your A-game today. First thing - you're just wrong. I don't give a shit about what other people perceive of me. All I've ever wanted to do is what's right, from the very beginning. And second...You think this weedy hacker guy can hold me?"<br />
<br />
With that, I rammed my shoulder into Shift's chest, sending him into the wall with a crash. My victory was short lived, though - Rhodes lunged forward, stabbing me in the shoulder and leaving the knife embedded there. I stumbled back, gasping in pain.<br />
<br />
Rae tried to get to me, but Jade blocked her path. The sound of steel hitting steel rang out.<br />
<br />
Rhodes looked down at me, a wide, predator's grin on his face. "Let's see you do what's <i>right</i>, then! Eh!? Come on! Stop me without hurting me!"<br />
<br />
I stood there, trying to think of something. No good. Between my indecision and the pain I could barely function at all. The snake snapped his fingers. "Obby, give him a lesson about passive resistance. You know. How it's bullshit."<br />
<br />
Obstruction lumbered forward, swung widely at my head. I just barely managed to duck. Over on the side, Rae was doing a good job holding Jade off, but we couldn't take all four of them, especially not in this tight a space.<br />
<br />
And that's when Obstruction hit me right in the chest. Bam, there went all the air in my lungs. I went out the window...the closed window. To be honest, I don't remember the fall too well. Just kinda remember pain. I won't bore you with the details, but..it hurt. Bad.<br />
<br />
I opened my eyes. I was lying on a rooftop right near the hotel. The fall was about fifteen to twenty feet. Trying to move triggered a massive chain reaction of pain. I just lay there, cursing softly and wishing I hadn't regained consciousness. The sound of combat came from the street level - steel against steel, hurried steps, gasps.<br />
<br />
And then a loud yell - Rae's voice. I snapped out of it, tried to hoist myself up again. Pain. Could hardly think from it. Dagger to the shoulder, the impact, it was too much.<br />
<br />
But what brainpower I had left focused itself into one objective: <i>Get up.</i> It was like a voice in my head, my own voice, urging me on. Slowly, painfully, I sat up. There were shards of glass in my arms and back, I could feel them, digging in. Reaching up to the dagger, I pulled it out, wincing.<br />
<br />
<i>Keep going. Get UP!</i><br />
<br />
I put my feet on the ground.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>This is nothing.</i><br />
<br />
And stood up. With the pain still shoved to the back of my mind, I looked over the edge of the building. Rae was fighting down in the alley, she was bleeding from the arm<i> </i><i></i>and matched up against Rhodes' three stooges, while he stood at the mouth of it, watching. I saw the door they exited from, looks like Rae ran down the emergency exit.<br />
<br />
She couldn't take all three of them. Still drowsy with pain, I made a decision. No matter what the moral consequences of violence were...I won't play the pacifist while someone I care about is getting hurt. I drew my grappling gun, pointed it at Jade, who was in front, hacking away, and fired.<br />
<br />
The cable shot out and hit her on the arm holding the cleaver. Lucky shot. She stumbled, I hit the retract button and it ripped out, taking a small chunk with it. Jade screamed and dropped her weapon, falling over.<br />
<br />
I flung myself off the edge, landing right on Obstruction, which was enough to cause him to lose his balance and topple over. Face to face with the huge lunk, I couldn't help but wonder what his deal was. I'd never asked.<br />
<br />
I managed to snarl some sentences out. "Why are you working for this bastard? What's he got on you? You're killing people, asshole!"<br />
<br />
No expression change. He threw me off him without much effort, I managed to get back on my feet quickly this time. A laugh from Rhodes. "That won't do any good, he's never really been one for conversation. Wait- are you really trying to convert my men? Bahahaha! Not gonna happen~!"<br />
<br />
I backed up, closer to Rae. I was still grasping Rhodes' dagger, but I wasn't in any condition to fight. Was already swaying slightly, the pain catching up to me. Jade got to her feet, eyes furious, picked up the cleaver in her other hand. The four all stepped forward at the same time. With a sudden crack of thunder, rain began to fall. Shift ran forward, phased through us, became material on the other side, penning us in. I grimaced, and got ready to shove him aside. Footsteps rang out, and two masked men ran out of a side alley further down, standing in line with Shift. Mooks. Great. They had us completely surrounded.<br />
<br />
Click. A simple noise, but a poignant one, causing us all to stop in our tracks. Rhodes casually turned his head, to look down the barrel of a handgun, held by the same suit I ran into in Walker Alpha.<br />
<br />
"Freeze."<br />
<br />
"Oh, frozen, I assure you. And you are...?"<br />
<br />
"Agent Lones, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Step away from the teenagers, Rhodes."<br />
<br />
The snake laughed softly, looking Lones right in the eyes. "I don't hope you truly believe a <i>bullet</i> can kill me, Agent. But what is all this? A bit of a divergence from your usual policy, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
Lones didn't look fazed. "I have my orders. Last chance." Rhodes grinned wider, hand going for his knife.<br />
<br />
And that's when we heard it. A tune gently floating on the breeze, seemingly coming from nowhere. Everyone present froze. Rhodes gazed about. There was an expression of curiosity on his face- and uncertainty. I gestured at Lones frantically, trying to get him to run.<br />
<br />
Shift suddenly yelled out. "What the fuck!? Who-" I looked, but I could barely see anything, there was an intense fog. Two figures, one Shift's scrawny body, the other taller, lean, menacing. I recognized it instantly, not that the singing hadn't already tipped me off. Rae in particular was shaking like wild, acting the same way she had when I tried to get her to go to the hospital. Had she seen him before?<br />
<br />
Suddenly there was a sizzling noise and a horrible screech of pain. A mask fell out of the fog.<br />
<br />
That was it- I'd already gotten enough of the shit beaten out of me already, I didn't need an impromptu tattoo on top of it. I grabbed Rae's arm and we ran past the proxies, who seemed focused on the singing menace. Lones was smart enough to pack up and follow us. He directed us to a car, and we drove away. I thought Rae might freak out at the sight of those guys again, but she seemed pretty eager to get away from Sinatra back there. I couldn't blame her.<br />
<br />
Followup later. We're exhausted.Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020691144829017808.post-65478603308059340292012-04-29T01:34:00.002-04:002012-04-29T01:40:04.236-04:00I don't even know what to think right now. Whether to hate myself, hate him, hate the world...<br />
<br />
The days after my last post went up were peaceful. Rae still hasn't said a word to me that wasn't crazy-talk since I rescued her, but she's able to take care of herself. She eats without my prompting, which is a relieving improvement. Means I can actually leave her alone now and get some air. We'd been in the same place for a couple weeks. I was walking around the town, and...<br />
<br />
I must've been preoccupied. Thinking about what I posted last time. But before I knew it, I'd wandered into a pretty dingy part of town. And what's more: no one was around. That was enough warning for me, I started to leave right away. But before I could, I heard a sound. Almost like static. And then the sound of rubber soles hitting the pavement.<br />
<br />
A kid about my age skirted the corner, running helter pelter like friggin' Rob Lucci was on his tail or something. Didn't even give me a moment's notice but dove into an alleyway. If you needed any more hints about what he was running from, because apparently you're really bad at seeing patterns, I caught the sight of a crossed out "X" on his arm.<br />
<br />
I started forward, not really sure what I was going to do, but...He needed help, if he was running that desperately. I got towards the mouth of the alley when I saw he had stopped short, staring into the darkness. And I heard a voice.<br />
<br />
I suppose most of you aware of <a href="http://nightscream-evermore.blogspot.ca/2012/04/just-say-please.html">the proxy hierarchy reviving an old position?</a> I didn't believe it when I first saw it, talk about your unreliable narrators. But, <a href="http://measuredliveswithcoffeespoons.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-am-not-law.html">more reliable sources were soon to verify it. Redlight is back.</a> For some degree of "back." It's a new man, whatever they say, someone who's taken his title and signature love of camo pants.<br />
<br />
The voice was all too familiar. "Ah, a dead end, it seems...And who's your friend, Daniel? It would be awfully impolite of someone to... intrude on such a thing without introducing them first..." Looming out of the darkness, I saw <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02352349034061364150">a face I never expected to see again.</a><br />
<br />
That same man who fought to help us against his former master...Was back in the role of the puppet. I was angry. Maybe it rung too deep so soon after Elaine's death, but I was <i>mad</i> at him for having lost his mind again. "Get out here, traitor," I snarled.<br />
<br />
"Oh please, Reynolds." He stepped out into the open, almost giving Danny-boy a heart attack. "You've walked in on the middle of buisiness. I suppose if it pleases you, nobody can get hurt in this little confrontation..." He seemed to think for a minute, before straightening, snapping his fingers as if he'd come up with an idea. "You stay and listen, and I won't have this end with you standing in a river of Daniel's blood. What do you say?"<br />
<br />
What DO you say to an offer like that? I've survived bigger windbags prattling on than this douche, so if it saves a life, easy bargain. "Okay, sure. I always have time for a laugh. I'll hear what you have to say."<br />
<br />
Then he was gone for a second. Bastard used the Path or something to get in between me and the other guy. <br />
<br />
"Daniel, you want this to end nicely, correct? You're wasting both my and Mr. Reynolds' time now. Whatever you've been promised, it's not worth it."<br />
<br />
Daniel was shaking like crazy, eyes darting to the sides, before he gave up and stammered a "Fuck it!" out, and threw something at Spencer. Then he was gone. Good set of legs on him. The man in red caught the object easily- it was a floppy drive. Without looking at me, he murmured something. "... it's good to see you again, kid."<br />
<br />
Uh-huh. A nice try, but my heartstrings have gotten rather hard to pluck as of late. "...Don't try to bait me. I'm sympathetic, not stupid. What that thing there supposed to be?"<br />
<br />
"You always were a clever one." He gave a grin and held it out so I could see it. "So much trouble for such a little thing seems foolish to go through, hm...?"<br />
<br />
"Really, the things you'll do to get your porn."<br />
<br />
Spencer chuckled. "I don't pretend to understand the whims of those I work with, Mr. Reynolds. They also said you were a lost cause, but I disagreed, and so here I am. Have any idea why?"<br />
<br />
I folded my arms. "Enlighten me."<br />
<br />
He began to pace for a few seconds, before speaking in a slow, measured, almost comforting tone. "You're not someone that I want working against the cause, Mr. Reynolds. And you're definitely not someone I want as my enemy."<br />
<br />
I paused and thought. The dots connected almost instantly. The nerve of this guy. "You want me to sign up."<br />
<br />
A slight quirk of a smile from him. "Look at you, using your reasoning! An incredible feat, really. Impressive."<br />
<br />
If nothing else, that smug grin, on the face of a friend, trying to drag me down with him, set me off. Shaking with anger, I could barely spit the words out. "Even after everything you've done to me...After you took my parents, my friends, my LIFE..." I stepped towards him, ready to tear that fucking smile off his face with my bare hands.<br />
<br />
"You think I'd give that fucking <i>despicable </i>line of thought even a <i>moment's</i> consideration?"<br />
<br />
"Of course you wouldn't." The grin widened, ever so slightly. "That's why I supposed that I would attempt to at least show you the other side of things. You're a warrior, Mr. Reynolds. You have a <i>mind</i> at your disposal. And yet by this point it would seem most of my colleagues think that it's rotted due to disuse!"<br />
<br />
Oh, coming from those guys, that was rich. "Your 'colleagues' aren't exactly ones to brag when it comes to mental prowess. You're all fucking nuts, in case you hadn't noticed."<br />
<br />
"That's a rather big assumption to make." He paused for a second, gathering his thoughts, or so it looked. "Mr. Reynolds -Konaa, if you prefer- what is it exactly that you want?"<br />
<br />
Easy question. "Oh, not much. Peace of mind, your boss to fuck off and leave us all alone, you all thrown in a cell, some fries would be nice.."<br />
<br />
"'Us'... yes. Do you like to save people? Or does your desire for revenge continually overshadow your desire to keep people safe? You didn't have to assist the young man from earlier, and yet you did. He had no relation to you. In fact, you couldn't even be sure he was of 'your side'. And yet you jumped to his assistance..."<br />
<br />
He had a good point there, which I was sort of grumpy about. "...If you have a point, get to it. I don't particularly care for your opinions on the subject."<br />
<br />
Spencer gave a sigh. "Konaa, you're fighting a useless battle from your current position. You can only save so many. You can only fight so much. Even now, you're relying on nobody sending the best of their men to wipe you out; never mind the incredible turn of luck that He hasn't turned up to just rip you apart yet." He leaned back against the wall, hands sliding into the pockets of his jacket. "And though I wouldn't quite call your efforts pointless, they're certainly finite in nature."<br />
<br />
Bastard probably thought he was giving me earth-shattering revelations there. You really think I hadn't given all that consideration when I decided to really start fighting back? This wasn't some temper tantrum rebellion I'm planning here. I knew I was declaring war on a monster with powers beyond our comprehension from the get-go. And I've always known that I might meet my end because of it.<br />
<br />
"...Even if that's the case, so what? Just because something might be impossible doesn't make trying it mean any less. I'll fight until there's no breath left in my body. There's no way there can't be a happy ending at least for some of us. And if not..." I smirked. "I'll kick God's ass myself when I'm in the hereafter."<br />
<br />
Redlight tilted his head to the side. "There's always another way, you know. How many more are you going to protect, only to have them fall days, weeks, at best months later? And even then, how many have you infected with His image as you moved through their communities? I find it interesting that most seem to think that the two sides of this so called 'conflict' are all that different. We all want the same thing, correct? Safety. Security. And yet, you... that's not your main goal, is it? Mr. Reynolds, it seems to me that most have you pegged all wrong. When most simply want to live, you want to fight." Here he leaned forward, slightly, eyes gleaming amber. "You want power, Konaa. The power to save people. The power to protect people. And I'm someone that can give that to you."<br />
<br />
Okay forget what I said earlier, HERE was some serious nerve. He was honestly offering me a Deal with the Devil. Granted, what he'd said about the proxies and runners being alike rung a bit more true than I'd've liked. I've thought so myself, at times, that we do actually have a lot in common, goals and situation. But...<br />
<br />
I thought about it for a minute before replying. "...I was never one for taking shortcuts. That leads...to unfortunate circumstances. I know just what happens to people like you. You forget, I watched it happen time and time again. I'm not an idiot. But you guys are the biggest fucking morons I've ever seen." I laughed. Not a ha-ha laugh, really. Was more bitter than I'd intended. "You think you have security, but you're the most vulnerable ones of all! You let him into your head. He can take you out whenever he wants. You're like sick toys to him...We all are. But I do my best to lend my strength, to those who can't stand on their own." I jabbed a finger towards him. "<i>You</i> all erode your own people for release. That's what I can't forgive."<br />
<br />
Apparently unimpressed by my spiel, all he did was shake his head. "You're blind to that which is around you, not that I'm particularly surprised. I don't blame you, Mr. Reynolds. After all, proxies don't have the best reputation for being sane, and yet I'm sure that there's a few that come to mind that have been commended by the service, yet have Him no more in their mind then you do. It's a selfless choice -to be recruited if only to protect others- and yet it is one that is made time and time again." The light in his eyes seemed to glow even brighter. " That is because more people <i>live</i> that way. More people can be <i>saved</i>. Being on the other side, your side, is to leave your fate in the hands of others. To be on the other side is to take it into your hands once again. Resources, time, and above all else, a chance to utilize both of these things instead of being continually hunted; it's not a shortcut, but rather a logical step."<br />
<br />
I was quiet then, for a little while. Ran what he was saying through my head. He'd nailed a lot of things about me- I hate the idea that all I can do is run. I want to fight. I want to save every single person, even though I know that's impossible. I didn't want to hurt anyone again. Not after I'd seen what I could become through that. Was this a way to save people without fighting? To give up a few to save many? Utilitarianism, that's what it's called. Learned that back in Middlesex CC, Ethics. Never thought I'd be reminded of that class ever again...<br />
<br />
I strained my head thinking. Was there another way? Before long, though, I had my answer. Glancing up, I saw the grin on his face had widened to a disturbing length.<br />
<br />
I growled, began to unsheathe the sword.<br />
<br />
He actually looked SURPRISED, and let out a kind of shocked laughter. "Really, Reynolds? Not only are you going to turn me down, but also dig yourself an even deeper hole than you were in before?"<br />
<br />
I was done with jibes. I glared right into his stupid eyes. "If I did this...if I joined you, I would be betraying everyone I called a friend. Even if you talk about relative losses, and resources, it's too much. Even a single life sacrified is one life <i>too many</i>." The last two words came out stronger than I expected. Like I had more conviction than I thought.<br />
<br />
Again, he wasn't impressed. "Whatever side you're on, you're going to have to kill. It's an inevitability. You can build your own power, then protect those below you, instead of fighting a never-ending, losing battle. You will DIE, Reynolds, and there will be not one person left to mourn you. Is that the sort of world you want?"<br />
<br />
This time my response came back right away. "Whatever kind of world comes my way, it's won't be the one you people inhabit. We aren't mice. Every last person in this world has the potential to be someone great. I won't deal with you. Not only do you kill, you torture, maim...Anything to get your way. Sometimes, things ARE black and white. You're the bad guys. I'm the...decent guy." A bit peeved at this awkward end, I flourished the sword. "Enough talk. Put ya guns on."<br />
<br />
"I'm not going to fight you." He began to walk away, waving lazily over his shoulder. "I want you to remember that I chose to give you a chance, Mr. Reynolds. It's hardly my fault you threw it away."<br />
<br />
Now that I was committed to getting at him, I wasn't just going to let him walk away. I started after him, at which point he stopped and turned slightly.<br />
<br />
"Now, I wonder... will you fight for your beliefs to be realized, or will you die by them?"<br />
<br />
And at the head of the alleyway, lights shone through. Three pairs of glowing, amber eyes. They stepped forward, into the light. One belonged to the guy we'd just saw. One had an expressionless look, the others seemed to be terrified. They stumbled forward as if their own bodies were alien to them.<br />
<br />
"Do try to survive, Mr. Reynolds. At the very least, you'll make an interesting opponent."<br />
<br />
Innocent people, he'd Hallowed them...destroyed who they were, for what? To teach me a lesson? I called out angrily at the retreating man in red. "Is this what I have to look forward to being? A coward who hides behind dead souls? Pass."<br />
<br />
His voice had become brusque, condescending. "There are no cowards in this game, Konaa; there is only the powerful and the weak, the helpless and the players. I gave you the opportunity to be on the side holding the right cards, but it seems that you'd rather die the death of a foolish martyr." He sighed, and his lackies moved closer. "Give me a good show. Perhaps you'll prove useful yet."<br />
<br />
I lost my nerve. I had resolved to fight, after the bastard had mocked everything we were standing for. But...I couldn't fight these guys. They were just pawns, they didn't do anything wrong. The only thing they were guilty of was having awful luck.<br />
<br />
I didn't trust myself to fight them without hurting them bad. I felt my hands shaking, sweat on my brow. I couldn't. All that talk, and he just had to hide behind brainwashed teenagers for me to lose it. I turned, ran. They shambled after me. Stupidly, without really knowing what I was doing, I rounded a corner and ran smack into a dead end. They cornered me. I was frozen in spot. Part of me was screaming to cut my way out, but my arms felt like they'd turned to stone. Slowly, hesitantly, I backed up against the wall.<br />
<br />
And then there were a few swift, sharp noises. Whirring. Three knives, one embedded in each of the kids. Dead before they hit the ground. I slid down the wall to the ground, hugging my knees. And Rise stepped out of the shadows, silently appraising me, before shaking her head slightly and removing the knives from the bodies.<br />
<br />
I don't know what to say. I need to think, but nothing's coming.<br />
<br />
think I need to be alone for a while<br />
<br />
<br />Konaahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11554967179903099652noreply@blogger.com14