The artist in thee
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Lately, I've been writing the cheesiest idea I've ever had the patience to run with. Since the Escapist is so very meta, I assumed it would enjoy a bit of fiction about itself. But not just any fiction, but romance. Cheesy, cheesy romance.
However, it's seen so much revision and changed scopes enough time that it's become something horrible and altogether headache-inducing. So, we'll start with part one, and see how it goes from there.
Story continues in part 2, found here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/18.72805.3349460].
Given enough interest, this will continue in the future. Hope you enjoyed reading.
However, it's seen so much revision and changed scopes enough time that it's become something horrible and altogether headache-inducing. So, we'll start with part one, and see how it goes from there.
No society should work like this one does. We don't like to be woken up early, yet we all require alarm clocks of ourselves. We get tired, cranky, weak, and angry when we do not get enough sleep, yet every basic service has the expectation to not close until very late and open very early. We waste away our short lives working day in, day out, only to complain as we get home that life is too short as is. Thus, here we are, gluttons for our pivotal and self-defeating routine.
Although I'll admit to being bitter about being woken by an alarm clock. That's probably what it was. Freakin' alarms... I managed to turn my head just in time to see the alarm launch from its base. The bright orange glow of the clock-face flew off into the dankness of the early morning sun. I got up, taking a pair of steps after glowing 5:00 AM before tripping over a shoe. The helicopter veered to dodge a wall, and I slammed into the carpet. Damn it... I got up, and chased after the little bastard while the sheets on my bed shuffled. I managed clip the spinning plastic propeller, and the helicopter veered dangerously low before getting in a vicious crash. However, instead of an explosion and the smoke alarm going off, it just stopped. I managed to flick the off switch and return the alarm-i-copter to it's base. To launch again tomorrow at 5 AM...
No society should work like this one does...
The rustling sheets folded over to reveal a cat, which blinked blearily at me. I scowled at him,"What?" He mewed, and sauntered off to go preen on one of the dressers in the living room. "Yeah yeah." Freakin' alarm clocks.
After a brief shower, breakfast, and another scowling exchange with my cat, I got dressed and headed out of the door. It was already 6 AM at this point, probably later, so I didn't really have time to sit around and do nothing. The apartment complex I live on isn't nearly as rich as I'd like. Which means it's kinda cheap, but clean enough. The big city isn't exactly the kind of place you can get local apartments for cheap and still be really nice places. I passed the elevators, stepped outside and looking across the city. Most people would complain about having a eighteenth-floor apartment, but I liked it most mornings. The view of the city was breath-taking, even with the lights muted by the rising sun.
I took the steps one at a time, knowing better than to rush on metal steps. The morning dew itself was enough to make the trip hazardous, and with seventeen flights until the bottom, one trip could easily kill me. To death. I made it to the bottom level, on the second floor, and hopped the rail. Catching the rail as I fell, I slowed myself and fell the remaining ten feet to the concrete. I bounced off of my formal shoes, and adjusted my tie as I straightened. Wearing a suit was hot enough with a bunch of flights to conquer, but I was used to it.
"Morning, Nuke." The man dressed in a big coat said, rising from his ratty mattress in the alley.
"G'morning Caime. How's life in the wild?"
"Not as wild as you'd expect. Even with petty crimes happening day in, day out, the mods do a good job of keeping the real threats from getting too threatening."
"Yeah, curse the mods for doing their jobs."
He shrugged.
I waved to him, needing to take my leave, "If you ever feel like getting another apartment, I have a couch if you don't mind getting attacked by my vicious cuddle-kitty."
"Manveru?"
"That's the one, gotta run. See you, dude."
"Later Nuke. Take it easy."
The cafe was crowded when I walked in. Considering it's the biggest in downtown Escapist, and smack in the middle of the city, there's no surprise it gets so much foot traffic. I navigated the mess of tables and chairs on my way to the counter, and was greet by the cashier. Erana was always to work earlier than me, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what time she woke up in the morning to be at work. She never looked tired, was always chipper, and almost never cussed at our customers. Perfect candidate for the morning shift, more so than me, I'd imagined.
I slipped into the employee room, waving at Puppeteer Putin from across the room. We'd been dating off-and-on for several years, but he ended up leaving me in favor of a woman. I didn't have long to get over it, since Puppet was still my boss. Azrael Karina was a beautiful match for Puppet, and they're happy, so I was happy for them. And only jealous sparingly. "Morning boss, Kari."
"Morning Nuke." The both chimed, almost in perfect sync. Puppet continued, "I know I had you on the schedule for today, but I remembered something I had to do today. So you're free to take the morning off. If you want, you can take Erana's afternoon shift."
"Alright, I'll talk to her about it."
"Cheers, Nuke."
Erana was quite bubbly, cheery, and happy when we talked. I couldn't keep my conversation on business. It took about fifteen minutes to manage to bring up the topic of the afternoon shift, but it didn't go anywhere. Erana wanted to keep it, and we had managed to gather a big line of customers. I bought my drink, waved goodbye, and settled into a booth. Before too long, Aeryn settled into my booth across from me. I smiled warmly, the motion coming to my lips before my brain could even accomplish anything. We were both really flirtatious, and it made for some interesting dinner discussions. She was a tease, but then again, so was I. "Nukey!~"
"Heya Aer."
"Hihi.~ How's my favorite Nukey?"
"Same as he was yesterday," I replied, making eyes at her over the table. She countered by rubbing my leg under it. Like I said, teases. "Although I'm surprised you're up so early."
"I could say the same for you, Nukey. What time did I leave your apartment, two AM?"
"Later."
She smiled at me, "Same time tonight?"
"For another night of teasing? I'll opt out, thanks."
She slipped out of the booth, "Your loss." I watched as she left, gliding out of the cafe. I took another sip. The cafe was cool and dark, and the tinted windows kept the morning sun out wonderfully. My eyes sunk, and I drooped in my booth. Time drifted by, and I jolted awake suddenly when I heard Puppet's voice over me. "Hey hun-buns. If you're that tired, go back to your apartment. I could come with you, if you'd like."
I turned my head to look at Puppet, and was greeted by LaCoil instead. "Hey sexy, where's Puppet?"
"Putz was never here, and my impression was horrible. I can't believe you fell for it."
I eyed my drink, yawned groggily, and felt her slip into the booth next to me. LaCoil was probably the biggest flirt of the cafe's locals, rivaled only by maybe Aeryn. It made it worse that she was among the mod group. I looked at the umbrella deposit by the door, and the banmop sat comfortably on it. I yawned, and leaned again on the table. LaCoil played with my hair, and I was probably going pass out again at this rate.
When I did wake up again, there was a light poking on my side. I glanced over, "Hey Erana, what's up?"
"I've decided to take you up on your offer. Think you can start working at 1 PM?"
"Sure," I said, lifting my wrist to my eyes. The watch face told me 12:53 PM. "Dang. Looks like I'm getting straight to work."
"Sorry Nuke," Erana chimed, "but I was going to tell you as soon as you woke up. You never woke up, so I had to wake you up." She smiled sweetly, and draped her barista apron on my shoulder. "So, get to work."
I put it on, wondering why I didn't wear my green tie. "Get to work, get to work."
She smiled once last, and disappeared out of the door.
The shift is particularly banal, but I saw a few faces I'm familiar with. I was surprised to see both Shivari and Amnestic come into the restaurant. Even moreso to see they were a couple again. "Hey you two. I haven't seen much of you two lately, much less together."
They were all smiles, "Heya Nukems."
"You two seem happy, I'm proud of you."
Shivari smiled, "Thanks Nuke. What about you?"
"Eh, you know how it is."
Amnestic arched an eyebrow, "Then you haven't asked LaCoil out yet?"
"Uh..." I said, staring at the counter, and rapidly changing the subject. "What can I get you to drink?"
The conversation got more business oriented, and I got them their drinks.
The end of the day came fairly quickly, and I was surprised by a visit from Aer. I was just finishing dinner when she came in. She settled at the table, and passed a smile my way. "What did you make me?"
"Steak and vegetable stew."
She smiled as I set the bowl down for her. I fixed another bowl and sat down. We spent the dinner over flirtations. Plates made their way into the sink and us into the living room to watch a movie.
By the end of the night, Veru was curled up on my lap, and Aer was asleep on my shoulder. I yawned, turned off the television, and fell asleep on the couch, still in my business suit.
Although I'll admit to being bitter about being woken by an alarm clock. That's probably what it was. Freakin' alarms... I managed to turn my head just in time to see the alarm launch from its base. The bright orange glow of the clock-face flew off into the dankness of the early morning sun. I got up, taking a pair of steps after glowing 5:00 AM before tripping over a shoe. The helicopter veered to dodge a wall, and I slammed into the carpet. Damn it... I got up, and chased after the little bastard while the sheets on my bed shuffled. I managed clip the spinning plastic propeller, and the helicopter veered dangerously low before getting in a vicious crash. However, instead of an explosion and the smoke alarm going off, it just stopped. I managed to flick the off switch and return the alarm-i-copter to it's base. To launch again tomorrow at 5 AM...
No society should work like this one does...
The rustling sheets folded over to reveal a cat, which blinked blearily at me. I scowled at him,"What?" He mewed, and sauntered off to go preen on one of the dressers in the living room. "Yeah yeah." Freakin' alarm clocks.
After a brief shower, breakfast, and another scowling exchange with my cat, I got dressed and headed out of the door. It was already 6 AM at this point, probably later, so I didn't really have time to sit around and do nothing. The apartment complex I live on isn't nearly as rich as I'd like. Which means it's kinda cheap, but clean enough. The big city isn't exactly the kind of place you can get local apartments for cheap and still be really nice places. I passed the elevators, stepped outside and looking across the city. Most people would complain about having a eighteenth-floor apartment, but I liked it most mornings. The view of the city was breath-taking, even with the lights muted by the rising sun.
I took the steps one at a time, knowing better than to rush on metal steps. The morning dew itself was enough to make the trip hazardous, and with seventeen flights until the bottom, one trip could easily kill me. To death. I made it to the bottom level, on the second floor, and hopped the rail. Catching the rail as I fell, I slowed myself and fell the remaining ten feet to the concrete. I bounced off of my formal shoes, and adjusted my tie as I straightened. Wearing a suit was hot enough with a bunch of flights to conquer, but I was used to it.
"Morning, Nuke." The man dressed in a big coat said, rising from his ratty mattress in the alley.
"G'morning Caime. How's life in the wild?"
"Not as wild as you'd expect. Even with petty crimes happening day in, day out, the mods do a good job of keeping the real threats from getting too threatening."
"Yeah, curse the mods for doing their jobs."
He shrugged.
I waved to him, needing to take my leave, "If you ever feel like getting another apartment, I have a couch if you don't mind getting attacked by my vicious cuddle-kitty."
"Manveru?"
"That's the one, gotta run. See you, dude."
"Later Nuke. Take it easy."
The cafe was crowded when I walked in. Considering it's the biggest in downtown Escapist, and smack in the middle of the city, there's no surprise it gets so much foot traffic. I navigated the mess of tables and chairs on my way to the counter, and was greet by the cashier. Erana was always to work earlier than me, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what time she woke up in the morning to be at work. She never looked tired, was always chipper, and almost never cussed at our customers. Perfect candidate for the morning shift, more so than me, I'd imagined.
I slipped into the employee room, waving at Puppeteer Putin from across the room. We'd been dating off-and-on for several years, but he ended up leaving me in favor of a woman. I didn't have long to get over it, since Puppet was still my boss. Azrael Karina was a beautiful match for Puppet, and they're happy, so I was happy for them. And only jealous sparingly. "Morning boss, Kari."
"Morning Nuke." The both chimed, almost in perfect sync. Puppet continued, "I know I had you on the schedule for today, but I remembered something I had to do today. So you're free to take the morning off. If you want, you can take Erana's afternoon shift."
"Alright, I'll talk to her about it."
"Cheers, Nuke."
Erana was quite bubbly, cheery, and happy when we talked. I couldn't keep my conversation on business. It took about fifteen minutes to manage to bring up the topic of the afternoon shift, but it didn't go anywhere. Erana wanted to keep it, and we had managed to gather a big line of customers. I bought my drink, waved goodbye, and settled into a booth. Before too long, Aeryn settled into my booth across from me. I smiled warmly, the motion coming to my lips before my brain could even accomplish anything. We were both really flirtatious, and it made for some interesting dinner discussions. She was a tease, but then again, so was I. "Nukey!~"
"Heya Aer."
"Hihi.~ How's my favorite Nukey?"
"Same as he was yesterday," I replied, making eyes at her over the table. She countered by rubbing my leg under it. Like I said, teases. "Although I'm surprised you're up so early."
"I could say the same for you, Nukey. What time did I leave your apartment, two AM?"
"Later."
She smiled at me, "Same time tonight?"
"For another night of teasing? I'll opt out, thanks."
She slipped out of the booth, "Your loss." I watched as she left, gliding out of the cafe. I took another sip. The cafe was cool and dark, and the tinted windows kept the morning sun out wonderfully. My eyes sunk, and I drooped in my booth. Time drifted by, and I jolted awake suddenly when I heard Puppet's voice over me. "Hey hun-buns. If you're that tired, go back to your apartment. I could come with you, if you'd like."
I turned my head to look at Puppet, and was greeted by LaCoil instead. "Hey sexy, where's Puppet?"
"Putz was never here, and my impression was horrible. I can't believe you fell for it."
I eyed my drink, yawned groggily, and felt her slip into the booth next to me. LaCoil was probably the biggest flirt of the cafe's locals, rivaled only by maybe Aeryn. It made it worse that she was among the mod group. I looked at the umbrella deposit by the door, and the banmop sat comfortably on it. I yawned, and leaned again on the table. LaCoil played with my hair, and I was probably going pass out again at this rate.
When I did wake up again, there was a light poking on my side. I glanced over, "Hey Erana, what's up?"
"I've decided to take you up on your offer. Think you can start working at 1 PM?"
"Sure," I said, lifting my wrist to my eyes. The watch face told me 12:53 PM. "Dang. Looks like I'm getting straight to work."
"Sorry Nuke," Erana chimed, "but I was going to tell you as soon as you woke up. You never woke up, so I had to wake you up." She smiled sweetly, and draped her barista apron on my shoulder. "So, get to work."
I put it on, wondering why I didn't wear my green tie. "Get to work, get to work."
She smiled once last, and disappeared out of the door.
The shift is particularly banal, but I saw a few faces I'm familiar with. I was surprised to see both Shivari and Amnestic come into the restaurant. Even moreso to see they were a couple again. "Hey you two. I haven't seen much of you two lately, much less together."
They were all smiles, "Heya Nukems."
"You two seem happy, I'm proud of you."
Shivari smiled, "Thanks Nuke. What about you?"
"Eh, you know how it is."
Amnestic arched an eyebrow, "Then you haven't asked LaCoil out yet?"
"Uh..." I said, staring at the counter, and rapidly changing the subject. "What can I get you to drink?"
The conversation got more business oriented, and I got them their drinks.
The end of the day came fairly quickly, and I was surprised by a visit from Aer. I was just finishing dinner when she came in. She settled at the table, and passed a smile my way. "What did you make me?"
"Steak and vegetable stew."
She smiled as I set the bowl down for her. I fixed another bowl and sat down. We spent the dinner over flirtations. Plates made their way into the sink and us into the living room to watch a movie.
By the end of the night, Veru was curled up on my lap, and Aer was asleep on my shoulder. I yawned, turned off the television, and fell asleep on the couch, still in my business suit.
Story continues in part 2, found here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/18.72805.3349460].
Given enough interest, this will continue in the future. Hope you enjoyed reading.
Excellent idea! Fortunately enough, I happen to have a lot of time for drawing this weekend. I think I'll try that.Fightgarr said:That's a cool style. You should see if you can incorporate some of your own drawings into it. Maybe have one of the characters from your D&D setting and a small amount of background with that sort of style. I think it could be really cool.Zemalac said:Recently, while reading Wired, I came across these really neat portrait things. What they'd done was, they'd taken a picture of each person they were talking about in the article, and made the photo very artistic-looking: edged with brush strokes, all in the same color, etc. I really liked the style, so I set about duplicating it.
Also: Atrix Wolfe piece, very awesome. I especially like the rider's armor, though I'm not sure what that blue-edged thing on his head is. Whatever it might be, it looks cool.
I went back to my roots last weekend and went searching for a decent BIF shot (bird in flight). I was lucky enough to get right underneath a passing cormorant.
Then I attached Mr Bowtie to my bike for a competition entry (The Amazing Adventures of Mr Bowtie). He wasn't impressed with the 140mph thrashing he got!! A guy with an R1 was kind enough to loan me his bike for the background of the shot
I've been struggling for inspiration recently though. My months photography in New Zealand in December can't come soon enough.
Then I attached Mr Bowtie to my bike for a competition entry (The Amazing Adventures of Mr Bowtie). He wasn't impressed with the 140mph thrashing he got!! A guy with an R1 was kind enough to loan me his bike for the background of the shot
I've been struggling for inspiration recently though. My months photography in New Zealand in December can't come soon enough.
I ride as much as I can. I can't get enough of the adrenaline. A power to weight ratio of 660bhp/tonne is pretty addictive (probably because it's stupidly dangerous on modern roads!). Just recently I've started packing my camera into a rucksack when I go for rides.Fightgarr said:
The shot above was taken at my usual mid-ride smoke break point, also a favourite place for other bikers to stop for a breather.
im kind of good at drawing but im better a pomes heres a good one
written on the wall where the slashers are punished is a pome where i am mentioned
by the way of word my name is spoke and now is time for my slashings to be punished
and one more
spoke by hand and heard by none
the nightmares of the madman run
into the head of the sane man now gone
he lay on the ground next to the madman now sound
written on the wall where the slashers are punished is a pome where i am mentioned
by the way of word my name is spoke and now is time for my slashings to be punished
and one more
spoke by hand and heard by none
the nightmares of the madman run
into the head of the sane man now gone
he lay on the ground next to the madman now sound
hi peeps!
here's something i whipped up just then.
i'm in a wee bit of a vampire phase, if it isnt obvious.
here's something i whipped up just then.
i'm in a wee bit of a vampire phase, if it isnt obvious.
Great background. You're very good at making eyes look very earnest. I wish I had a better word for it than that, but 'earnest' is the only word that comes to my mind when I look at those eyes. One problem I see, I know you're trying to draw attention to the face but the composition gets a bit sticky when you highlight it like that. If you gradiate the highlight out on the upper chest it should work to disperse the composition.Emilie Diabolica said:hi peeps!
here's something i whipped up just then.
i'm in a wee bit of a vampire phase, if it isnt obvious.
Well, after lurking here for a loong time, I worked up the nerve to put up something I did for my creative writing class. It was an assignment on unreliable narrators.
There will be probably be some errors in this at first, but I'll go through and fix them in an edit...
EDIT: All the errors should be fixed.
Stupid word processor...giving custom things for (...)s, "s and 's.
Grrr.
Any comments or feedback you have would be great.
There will be probably be some errors in this at first, but I'll go through and fix them in an edit...
EDIT: All the errors should be fixed.
Stupid word processor...giving custom things for (...)s, "s and 's.
Grrr.
Today is a glorious one! The doctors have agreed that I'm doing just fine! That means I get to go back home! Ah, that sounds so wonderful. It's been so long since I slept in my own bed at night. No disrespect to the docs, but they wouldn't know what kind of mattress felt right if it walked up behind them at night and stabbe - no.
I'm not supposed to think like that anymore. I'm better. They all said so. I just need to take deep breaths...whoooooo...aaaaaaaah...happy places. I need to think of happy places. Like Mother's house after she baked a fresh batch of her warm cookies. And she'd bring them out to us on the tray, all goey and melty, and we'd sit and eat and eat until we were almost sick.
Oh good, the taxi is here! Now where did I put that paper? I know I had it somewhere...it had my apartment on it...aha! Sneaky paper. Hiding in my coat pocket. I can't stop a smile from spreading across my face. I'm still giddy over the fact that I am allowed to be home, truly Home again.
I get in the cab, and tell the nice man where I need to go. He seems kind of edgy...I wonder why? Everyone said that it would be fine for me to leave. Doesn't he know that? I should tell him.
"Hey, mister? I just got let out today! I'm all better! Can you take me home now please?"
That seemed to make him feel better. When he starts the car again, the vibrations go all up and down my body. It's like magic again. I can't remember the last time I felt them. Or the freedom of being out in the world again! Everything is so bright and wonderful! I could just get lost in the brightness and all the colors, people, things to see!
Oh! We're already home! The nice doctors gave me some money to pay the driver, I know they did...there we go! It was in my jeans. The driver takes the money I give him, and does something to it. Wait, he's giving me money back? Is...is that how it works now? It looks like he gave me more than I gave him, too...I think I'm going to like this new world!
After I get out of the cab, I take a deep breath. The old scent I remember the street having is still there, but a few new smells are mixed in, too. A green roof place is across the street...it smells like the funny drink some of the big, huggy people the doctors used to call in had all the time. And there is one of those funny wheely carts that a man stands behind and makes food appear out of. They always did seem magical. Maybe I should find out how he makes it happen tomorrow.
The old creak I loved so much is gone from the door. I guess the landlady fixed it. Shame...I looked forward to that little noise it made when it swung. It was like the door knew I was there and wanted to say "hi." At least the stairs still have their little squishiness in them. They feel like little trampolines! Step, sink, rise. Step, sink, rise. They know exactly what to do when something happens. No uncertainty in them. I like that. Maybe I can be like that soon. That would be nice. I could go out and not be worried that I'd screw something -
"Oof!"
Heh. Silly me. I kept climbing when the stairs ended. I really should focus more on where I'm going. That was a little embarassing. I hope nobody saw that. Oh no...Mrs. Landthrop's door is opening...she must have heard me fall. When she sees me, she gasps.
"Oh, you're back! I was wondering if I should keep your room or let someone else move in, but your brother kept paying for it, saying you'd be better. He'll be so happy to hear you're out. You know, you should call him. Oh right! Before I forget, are you okay? I heard you stumble there. Those stairs always have been a problem. I should fix them soon."
She always did tend to babble on, in her own little world. I learned to tune her out long ago, but when she mentioned my friends, I had to correct her. I don't want them to be punished for my clumsiness.
"No, no. They're fine. The stairs, I mean. I was just thinking of something and forgot to pay attention. And I should call Benny. He'll probably want to make sure I'm getting settled in."
When we get to my room, she unlocks the door, and hands me my keys, as if I'm a new renter. I wave goodbye to her as she walks back down the hall to her room, and I enter my abode with a sense of relief. Closing the door, I turn and look around my sanctuary. Everything is just as I left it, only much dustier. It looks like I need to earn my way back home. I'm okay with that.
I gather all the cleaning stuff that I have in the apartment, and get to work. Everything must be cleaned. That was something the doctors said. If it's clean, it's good. Clean room, clean mind. Dirty room, dirty mind. I need my mind to be clean. I take my coat off and put it on the door hook. Time to work. It takes the rest of the day, but I get it all clean and fresh.
As I survey my work, I notice the sun has gone down. No! I can't miss my shower! I need it! But if the sun is gone, that means my time is over! I have to be in bed now! If I'm not, then the nurses will - wait! They aren't here! I get to make my own rules again! I'm...I'm going to shower in the morning! Yes, in the morning! I take my shirt and jeans off, and toss them to the side of the bed. It's a little messy, yes, but I think I deserve to ignore it right now. Especially when the bed is...so...soft...
What a great night! I didn't wake up once! And this morning, the sun and a birdsong woke me up, not the alarm the doctors use! Let's see...what shall I do today? I could call Benny...but I don't really want to. Not yet. Maybe I'll go look for a job. That sounds like something normal.
But first, it's time to shower! I walk to the bathroom, strip down, and step in. The water is cold as it always was at first. I have to hide under the stream until it warms up. At last, it is tolerable. I step back under, and get my hair all wet. When I do, I grab the shampoo bottle and squeeze the bottle. Nothing is happening...why is nothing coming out? I shake the bottle, and I can't hear anything in it move. I hit it against my hand, and it hurts. The shampoo has turned into a solid thing! Hah! I suppose I should have checked yesterday. Oh well. At least the water is nice and warm. It's still cleansing, even if it...is that blood? Going down the drain? It...it is! AH! Where'd I cut myself? How? I can't see any cuts or scratches on my body!...wait...it's almost dried into my skin...when did that get there? Why is there blood there? I don't remember doing anything...I'm done showering. I'm going to just dry off and get dressed. Then I'm going to eat breakfast. With a newspaper. Yeah, that sounds good...I'll just finish drying off, get some fresh clothes, and...my shirt has blood on it.
I'm...I'm just going to deal with that later. I already have a plan. I'm going to eat breakfast and read the paper. That's the plan. I need to stick to my plan. Plans are good. I'll wear these pants...and this old shirt...good. Now, there has to be some kind of food left in those cabinets. Yes! I never did open this box of Frosted Flakes.
And there's some papers I never got to read! The day is getting better all the time!
While the flakes fall into the bowl like stale snowflakes, my eyes drift over to the paper, which has curled up quite a bit. All I need now is some milk! I open up the door, and the smell almost makes me pass out! Years of neglect have turned the once tasty contents into a big...pile of goo and slime. It?s worse than the day our toilet overflowed when I was ten! The stink didn't go away for months!
I...I don't know if I should eat anymore. That smell made me very nauseous. But I do need food if I'm going to have a good day. Mom always said that.
"If you don't eat when you get up, your brain never starts. And then you just lay around all day, not doing anything, and your family will not like you."
She always sounded mad when she said the last part. And Dad was never happy when she told me and Benny that.
Oh well. I suppose I need to eat. I wouldn't want to make Mother unhappy with me, even if she is a long way away. Mother always knows. When I pull the chair back, it squeaks, loudly. Even though nobody else is around, I blush. Making loud noises is embarrassing. When I sit down and pull the chair back up to the table, I am much more careful. This time I pick up the chair and move it forward. Instead of a screech, it just thunks. Much better. While I much on my dry flakes, I open up the crinkly, curly paper. Like always, I want the comics. They are the only part of the paper I read. The little people on the pages make me smile. Reading them will be just like old times - wait, that's not what I want. I want new times. The old times are done. I'm past them. I need to move on...maybe if I look for a girlfriend instead of reading the funnies. Yeah. That sounds nice.
I flip past the comics, which makes me kind of wish I had read them. But two pages after them, I find the section I was looking for. I think. "Obituaries" means that the people there are single, I think. That sounds right. Geeze, some of these people are old! Why are they looking for someone? I suppose they deserve love, but still. Aha! This girl looks nice. Erin Lissel. What a nice name. I wonder where she lives...there we go! Erlingwood Hills Cemetery, plot 34-J. Huh. I didn't know you could live in cemeteries. I wonder if she's rich. Rich people can do odd stuff whenever they want. Where's the phone number...I should probably call to see if she's okay with me stopping by.
I pick up the phone, and it still has the buzzy dial tone. Benny really did pay for everything. I need to thank him soon. I dial the number that is on the paper, and after it rings four times, a man picks up the phone.
"Erlingwood Hills. How can I help you?"
"Oh! Uh, hi! I'm calling for Erin Lissel? She should be at plot uh, 34-J. Can I come see her?"
My voice is shaky. I hate when it is shaky. But talking to new people does that to me. I don't know why, but -
"Of course you can. It's an open cemetery, you know. Just come by between 10am and 5pm."
"Thank you! I'll be there!"
As I hang up the phone, I?m still shaking. But this time, it's because I?m happy.
I get freshened up, and put on a suit and tie that I found in the closet. The cemetery isn't that far away, so I decide that I'm going to walk there. Every step I take has a little bounce in it, that's how happy I am. It only takes me ten minutes to arrive, and I pick up a map of the place when I walk in the building up front. After I look at it for a minute or two, I figure out where Erin is.
She lives next to the tall fence, about a minute's walk from the entrance. But when I get there, I am very confused. She lives underground. And I cannot see a door anywhere. I suppose rich people can be very odd indeed. Oh well. I sit down on the grass next to her big stone thingy, and just talk to her about my life. I tell her all about how the doctors let me out yesterday, and how life is strange out here now. The grass is a little wet, and it soaks through my pants, but I don't care. Erin is listening, and it would be rude if I stopped my story just because my butt got a little wet. I talk for hours, going on and on about what I've done in life. I have done a lot, after all. I graduated from high school, I was part of a debate team, I went all across the state, debating and debating. I never lost. No matter how the other side argued, they usually ended up saying something like "No! Please, for the love of God, stop! Stop!" And I would drive one final point home and win. But the doctors said I'm not supposed to get in debates anymore. Maybe they're right. It was often stressful.
I talk to Erin for a good three hours, sharing every thought I have, and she listens to every word I let out of my mouth. She?s a wonderful listener. She doesn't pry, but lets me talk and connect my thoughts naturally. What a wonderful woman. How is she still single? As the sun sets, I realize I haven't eaten since breakfast, and my stomach feels like it's folding in on itself.
I get up, not wanting to leave this new woman, and I promise her that I'll come back tomorrow to continue our talk. All the way home, I can only think of her, the way she must look so calm and peaceful. Back at my block, the man with the cart is still selling food, so I follow the smell across the street to him. He has a menu stuck on the front, with different kinds of food on it. I think a Chili dog sounds nice. When he gives me the food, I hand him one of the paper moneys that the taxi driver gave me, and again I get more back! Smiling, I open the door to the apartment building, climb back up my lovely squishy stairs, and plop down on the sofa to eat.
While I munch on my treat, I think about Erin again. I just cannot get her out of my head. The more I think about the day, the more I feel like I need to meet her, face to face. You know what? I'm going to! I've made up my mind! I know there is a shovel around here somewhere. I will meet her tonight! I'll just set my alarm for midnight, and...just...wa...it...
The alarm jolts me awake. It takes me a minute to remember why I set it, too. When I wake myself up, I begin my search for the shovel I remember I had in my apartment. I think I left it in the hallway closet, because I didn't want to bring dirt in here...aha! I did!
With my tool in tow, I sneakily run back to the cemetery, and my lovely Erin, who waits for me. The thought of her smiling face awaiting discovery makes me run even faster through the night. This time, it only takes me five minutes to arrive at the gates. They are locked, but I will not be stopped by the padlock and chains. My love cannot be impe...is that the right word? It cannot be blocked! I force my shovel between the chain and gate, and pull as hard as I can. The chains break, and slip off the part, letting me push the gate wide open. I am so close. Erin, I am not long away!
As soon as I get within five feet of her marker, I jump and land on the shovel, pushing the blade deep into the dirt. I lose some focus, and dig as fast as I can, in anticipation of what lies beneath the dirt. My arms ache, but my love for her keeps me going. My legs begin to shake, but I force myself to remain strong. For her. My lovely Erin. Suddenly, the shovel clanks. My heart skips a beat, and I realize I've almost reached her. I can't wait much longer! I need to see her! I ignore my condition, and fling dirt off of her home. At last, I get to a concrete slab. There are many cracks in the slab, and I put the shovel in one and jump on it. The crack widens. I jump again, and pull the shovel towards me. The concrete gives a loud crack as it splits apart, and reveals the wooden door underneath.
I can't have much time now. That was a very loud noise. I shove the concrete pieces off of her door, and pry open the wooden frame. Erin, my lovely Erin, smiles at me so widely it seems she has no lips. She is beautiful, with many angles set into her body, from her cheeks to her chin and all the way down her body. She is much thinner than I first thought, though.
I hear her whisper,
"Take me home, lover. Get me out of here."
"At once, my dear," I tell her, as I gather her in my arms and climb out of the pit I have made. I carry her in my arms as I walk quickly. I cannot run now. It would make her upset. And I want my love to be happy. With my angelic Erin lightly bobbing in my arms, I make my way back to my apartment. In the door, up the squishy steps, and into my room, I am barely quick enough to get in and close the door ever so lightly before Mrs. Landthrop can investigate my somewhat clumsy return.
I turn back to the room, and my newfound love. Erin. She is laying on the counter, as pretty as you can imagine, and telling me to come to her. I shed my overcoat and shoes, and heed her call. I kiss her, and it ignites my mind. More than the stuff the doctors gave me. She tastes older than I would have guessed, which tells me that she knows what she is doing. And, even though she seems dry at first, it does not take long for her to wet her lips and return my passion. I tear off her unusually thin clothes, and strip out of mine as well. She goes stiff as I pick her up, and carry her back to my bed. At first, it seems like she does not want to go through with it, but I back off for a minute, and she changes her mind again.
She collapses onto me, and it is not long before I can break through her, and the sudden slip makes me gasp. She is quite rough, and almost hard inside, but I keep going, reminding myself that making love is not just for my sake. As she slides up and down, it seems to get easier, and less painful for me. She still has the wide smile on her face, and she throws her head back, and leaves it hanging in pleasure. It is not long before I am also overcome with joy and the feeling she creates. I release, and she falls on top of me, spent. I slide out of her, and clean up. That is the first time I notice that I?m bleeding. I suppose that is what made it easier for me, so I simply wrap myself up and climb back into bed with her.
She is very cold. I think she needs some more blankets. I?ll go get her some. I?m sure she?ll appreciate the effort. I come back with two more thick comforters, and crawl back up to her again. At last, it is time for me to sleep next to my soul mate. My wonderful Erin. I shall never leave her.
I woke up in an odd way today. Odd because it was very very hot. I rolled out of bed, and when I looked back, my Erin was still laying there, sound asleep. I rolled her onto her back, and she was still smiling while she slumbered. What an angel. I kissed her again, and woke her up. She needed to shower. It's not good to skip your shower for too long. I carried her into the bathroom, and put her in the tub. Not to be proud, but I don't think she can walk anymore! Hehe! After I put the water on, I walk back out to the den. I am still wearing my underwear from last night, but I?m not going to change until I get showered myself. I kind of like the smell she left on me. You know, when I think about it, Erin has a very strange smell. It's kind of musty, like an old attic.
...She's been in there for a long time. I should probably go check on her. I really hope she's still okay. When I open the door, I am shocked at what I see. My lovely Erin is...falling apart!
"Nooooo!"
I scream, as I run to her. I can't believe she's coming apart! Why wasn't I here? I should have been in the shower with her, to make sure she was okay! This is my fault! I turn off the water in time to hear a knock on the door. It must be Mrs. Landthrop. I yelled too loud. Now she is going to find me in here. I don't care. I need to put Erin back together. Her...her skin is falling off?I need a glue stick. Or a stapler. Something to hold her together! But even as I start to get up, an ear falls off her lovely face. It's obvious now that I cannot leave her. If I did, she would melt completely. I get back in the tub, and kiss her gently, holding her head in my hands. That's when I hear a scream. Mrs. Landthrop has come in, and she saw me and my lover. I try to tell her it's okay, that the shower has made Erin unhappy, but she just screams some more and runs out of the bathroom.
Let her go. I must keep my Erin from falling into any more pieces. I go back to kiss her, but as I do, her jaw falls off. This is not what I wanted to happen! I can't just sit here any more! I get up, and fly through my apartment, searching for my stapler. After what seems like an hour, I find it, and run back to the bathroom. I pick up the fallen half of her smile, and put it back on her face. When I have it lined up again, I use my stapler to stick it back in place. Now it won't fall off anymore. But as soon as I think I've solved a problem, four more happen. An arm falls off, a finger, a toe, a leg. I keep putting things back on her, but nothing is working. I cannot give up! I will make her stay together! Even as I frantically reattach things, I hear lots of footsteps. People come into my apartment.
It?s the police.
"Oh thank God," I say.
"Help me! She won't stay together!"
When the first policeman sees us in the bathtub, he turns and throws up. I don't know why he does that. Erin needs help. I'm about to tell him that when one of the doctors shows up again. He has a needle with him.
"Please, don't use that yet. I need to fix Erin first. Please..."
I'm crying as I beg for time. With a sad look on his face, the doctor promises me they will help her. I turn back, excited to tell Erin this, when I feel a pinch, and then warmth floods my body.
At least...Erin...will be okay...
I'm not supposed to think like that anymore. I'm better. They all said so. I just need to take deep breaths...whoooooo...aaaaaaaah...happy places. I need to think of happy places. Like Mother's house after she baked a fresh batch of her warm cookies. And she'd bring them out to us on the tray, all goey and melty, and we'd sit and eat and eat until we were almost sick.
Oh good, the taxi is here! Now where did I put that paper? I know I had it somewhere...it had my apartment on it...aha! Sneaky paper. Hiding in my coat pocket. I can't stop a smile from spreading across my face. I'm still giddy over the fact that I am allowed to be home, truly Home again.
I get in the cab, and tell the nice man where I need to go. He seems kind of edgy...I wonder why? Everyone said that it would be fine for me to leave. Doesn't he know that? I should tell him.
"Hey, mister? I just got let out today! I'm all better! Can you take me home now please?"
That seemed to make him feel better. When he starts the car again, the vibrations go all up and down my body. It's like magic again. I can't remember the last time I felt them. Or the freedom of being out in the world again! Everything is so bright and wonderful! I could just get lost in the brightness and all the colors, people, things to see!
Oh! We're already home! The nice doctors gave me some money to pay the driver, I know they did...there we go! It was in my jeans. The driver takes the money I give him, and does something to it. Wait, he's giving me money back? Is...is that how it works now? It looks like he gave me more than I gave him, too...I think I'm going to like this new world!
After I get out of the cab, I take a deep breath. The old scent I remember the street having is still there, but a few new smells are mixed in, too. A green roof place is across the street...it smells like the funny drink some of the big, huggy people the doctors used to call in had all the time. And there is one of those funny wheely carts that a man stands behind and makes food appear out of. They always did seem magical. Maybe I should find out how he makes it happen tomorrow.
The old creak I loved so much is gone from the door. I guess the landlady fixed it. Shame...I looked forward to that little noise it made when it swung. It was like the door knew I was there and wanted to say "hi." At least the stairs still have their little squishiness in them. They feel like little trampolines! Step, sink, rise. Step, sink, rise. They know exactly what to do when something happens. No uncertainty in them. I like that. Maybe I can be like that soon. That would be nice. I could go out and not be worried that I'd screw something -
"Oof!"
Heh. Silly me. I kept climbing when the stairs ended. I really should focus more on where I'm going. That was a little embarassing. I hope nobody saw that. Oh no...Mrs. Landthrop's door is opening...she must have heard me fall. When she sees me, she gasps.
"Oh, you're back! I was wondering if I should keep your room or let someone else move in, but your brother kept paying for it, saying you'd be better. He'll be so happy to hear you're out. You know, you should call him. Oh right! Before I forget, are you okay? I heard you stumble there. Those stairs always have been a problem. I should fix them soon."
She always did tend to babble on, in her own little world. I learned to tune her out long ago, but when she mentioned my friends, I had to correct her. I don't want them to be punished for my clumsiness.
"No, no. They're fine. The stairs, I mean. I was just thinking of something and forgot to pay attention. And I should call Benny. He'll probably want to make sure I'm getting settled in."
When we get to my room, she unlocks the door, and hands me my keys, as if I'm a new renter. I wave goodbye to her as she walks back down the hall to her room, and I enter my abode with a sense of relief. Closing the door, I turn and look around my sanctuary. Everything is just as I left it, only much dustier. It looks like I need to earn my way back home. I'm okay with that.
I gather all the cleaning stuff that I have in the apartment, and get to work. Everything must be cleaned. That was something the doctors said. If it's clean, it's good. Clean room, clean mind. Dirty room, dirty mind. I need my mind to be clean. I take my coat off and put it on the door hook. Time to work. It takes the rest of the day, but I get it all clean and fresh.
As I survey my work, I notice the sun has gone down. No! I can't miss my shower! I need it! But if the sun is gone, that means my time is over! I have to be in bed now! If I'm not, then the nurses will - wait! They aren't here! I get to make my own rules again! I'm...I'm going to shower in the morning! Yes, in the morning! I take my shirt and jeans off, and toss them to the side of the bed. It's a little messy, yes, but I think I deserve to ignore it right now. Especially when the bed is...so...soft...
What a great night! I didn't wake up once! And this morning, the sun and a birdsong woke me up, not the alarm the doctors use! Let's see...what shall I do today? I could call Benny...but I don't really want to. Not yet. Maybe I'll go look for a job. That sounds like something normal.
But first, it's time to shower! I walk to the bathroom, strip down, and step in. The water is cold as it always was at first. I have to hide under the stream until it warms up. At last, it is tolerable. I step back under, and get my hair all wet. When I do, I grab the shampoo bottle and squeeze the bottle. Nothing is happening...why is nothing coming out? I shake the bottle, and I can't hear anything in it move. I hit it against my hand, and it hurts. The shampoo has turned into a solid thing! Hah! I suppose I should have checked yesterday. Oh well. At least the water is nice and warm. It's still cleansing, even if it...is that blood? Going down the drain? It...it is! AH! Where'd I cut myself? How? I can't see any cuts or scratches on my body!...wait...it's almost dried into my skin...when did that get there? Why is there blood there? I don't remember doing anything...I'm done showering. I'm going to just dry off and get dressed. Then I'm going to eat breakfast. With a newspaper. Yeah, that sounds good...I'll just finish drying off, get some fresh clothes, and...my shirt has blood on it.
I'm...I'm just going to deal with that later. I already have a plan. I'm going to eat breakfast and read the paper. That's the plan. I need to stick to my plan. Plans are good. I'll wear these pants...and this old shirt...good. Now, there has to be some kind of food left in those cabinets. Yes! I never did open this box of Frosted Flakes.
And there's some papers I never got to read! The day is getting better all the time!
While the flakes fall into the bowl like stale snowflakes, my eyes drift over to the paper, which has curled up quite a bit. All I need now is some milk! I open up the door, and the smell almost makes me pass out! Years of neglect have turned the once tasty contents into a big...pile of goo and slime. It?s worse than the day our toilet overflowed when I was ten! The stink didn't go away for months!
I...I don't know if I should eat anymore. That smell made me very nauseous. But I do need food if I'm going to have a good day. Mom always said that.
"If you don't eat when you get up, your brain never starts. And then you just lay around all day, not doing anything, and your family will not like you."
She always sounded mad when she said the last part. And Dad was never happy when she told me and Benny that.
Oh well. I suppose I need to eat. I wouldn't want to make Mother unhappy with me, even if she is a long way away. Mother always knows. When I pull the chair back, it squeaks, loudly. Even though nobody else is around, I blush. Making loud noises is embarrassing. When I sit down and pull the chair back up to the table, I am much more careful. This time I pick up the chair and move it forward. Instead of a screech, it just thunks. Much better. While I much on my dry flakes, I open up the crinkly, curly paper. Like always, I want the comics. They are the only part of the paper I read. The little people on the pages make me smile. Reading them will be just like old times - wait, that's not what I want. I want new times. The old times are done. I'm past them. I need to move on...maybe if I look for a girlfriend instead of reading the funnies. Yeah. That sounds nice.
I flip past the comics, which makes me kind of wish I had read them. But two pages after them, I find the section I was looking for. I think. "Obituaries" means that the people there are single, I think. That sounds right. Geeze, some of these people are old! Why are they looking for someone? I suppose they deserve love, but still. Aha! This girl looks nice. Erin Lissel. What a nice name. I wonder where she lives...there we go! Erlingwood Hills Cemetery, plot 34-J. Huh. I didn't know you could live in cemeteries. I wonder if she's rich. Rich people can do odd stuff whenever they want. Where's the phone number...I should probably call to see if she's okay with me stopping by.
I pick up the phone, and it still has the buzzy dial tone. Benny really did pay for everything. I need to thank him soon. I dial the number that is on the paper, and after it rings four times, a man picks up the phone.
"Erlingwood Hills. How can I help you?"
"Oh! Uh, hi! I'm calling for Erin Lissel? She should be at plot uh, 34-J. Can I come see her?"
My voice is shaky. I hate when it is shaky. But talking to new people does that to me. I don't know why, but -
"Of course you can. It's an open cemetery, you know. Just come by between 10am and 5pm."
"Thank you! I'll be there!"
As I hang up the phone, I?m still shaking. But this time, it's because I?m happy.
I get freshened up, and put on a suit and tie that I found in the closet. The cemetery isn't that far away, so I decide that I'm going to walk there. Every step I take has a little bounce in it, that's how happy I am. It only takes me ten minutes to arrive, and I pick up a map of the place when I walk in the building up front. After I look at it for a minute or two, I figure out where Erin is.
She lives next to the tall fence, about a minute's walk from the entrance. But when I get there, I am very confused. She lives underground. And I cannot see a door anywhere. I suppose rich people can be very odd indeed. Oh well. I sit down on the grass next to her big stone thingy, and just talk to her about my life. I tell her all about how the doctors let me out yesterday, and how life is strange out here now. The grass is a little wet, and it soaks through my pants, but I don't care. Erin is listening, and it would be rude if I stopped my story just because my butt got a little wet. I talk for hours, going on and on about what I've done in life. I have done a lot, after all. I graduated from high school, I was part of a debate team, I went all across the state, debating and debating. I never lost. No matter how the other side argued, they usually ended up saying something like "No! Please, for the love of God, stop! Stop!" And I would drive one final point home and win. But the doctors said I'm not supposed to get in debates anymore. Maybe they're right. It was often stressful.
I talk to Erin for a good three hours, sharing every thought I have, and she listens to every word I let out of my mouth. She?s a wonderful listener. She doesn't pry, but lets me talk and connect my thoughts naturally. What a wonderful woman. How is she still single? As the sun sets, I realize I haven't eaten since breakfast, and my stomach feels like it's folding in on itself.
I get up, not wanting to leave this new woman, and I promise her that I'll come back tomorrow to continue our talk. All the way home, I can only think of her, the way she must look so calm and peaceful. Back at my block, the man with the cart is still selling food, so I follow the smell across the street to him. He has a menu stuck on the front, with different kinds of food on it. I think a Chili dog sounds nice. When he gives me the food, I hand him one of the paper moneys that the taxi driver gave me, and again I get more back! Smiling, I open the door to the apartment building, climb back up my lovely squishy stairs, and plop down on the sofa to eat.
While I munch on my treat, I think about Erin again. I just cannot get her out of my head. The more I think about the day, the more I feel like I need to meet her, face to face. You know what? I'm going to! I've made up my mind! I know there is a shovel around here somewhere. I will meet her tonight! I'll just set my alarm for midnight, and...just...wa...it...
The alarm jolts me awake. It takes me a minute to remember why I set it, too. When I wake myself up, I begin my search for the shovel I remember I had in my apartment. I think I left it in the hallway closet, because I didn't want to bring dirt in here...aha! I did!
With my tool in tow, I sneakily run back to the cemetery, and my lovely Erin, who waits for me. The thought of her smiling face awaiting discovery makes me run even faster through the night. This time, it only takes me five minutes to arrive at the gates. They are locked, but I will not be stopped by the padlock and chains. My love cannot be impe...is that the right word? It cannot be blocked! I force my shovel between the chain and gate, and pull as hard as I can. The chains break, and slip off the part, letting me push the gate wide open. I am so close. Erin, I am not long away!
As soon as I get within five feet of her marker, I jump and land on the shovel, pushing the blade deep into the dirt. I lose some focus, and dig as fast as I can, in anticipation of what lies beneath the dirt. My arms ache, but my love for her keeps me going. My legs begin to shake, but I force myself to remain strong. For her. My lovely Erin. Suddenly, the shovel clanks. My heart skips a beat, and I realize I've almost reached her. I can't wait much longer! I need to see her! I ignore my condition, and fling dirt off of her home. At last, I get to a concrete slab. There are many cracks in the slab, and I put the shovel in one and jump on it. The crack widens. I jump again, and pull the shovel towards me. The concrete gives a loud crack as it splits apart, and reveals the wooden door underneath.
I can't have much time now. That was a very loud noise. I shove the concrete pieces off of her door, and pry open the wooden frame. Erin, my lovely Erin, smiles at me so widely it seems she has no lips. She is beautiful, with many angles set into her body, from her cheeks to her chin and all the way down her body. She is much thinner than I first thought, though.
I hear her whisper,
"Take me home, lover. Get me out of here."
"At once, my dear," I tell her, as I gather her in my arms and climb out of the pit I have made. I carry her in my arms as I walk quickly. I cannot run now. It would make her upset. And I want my love to be happy. With my angelic Erin lightly bobbing in my arms, I make my way back to my apartment. In the door, up the squishy steps, and into my room, I am barely quick enough to get in and close the door ever so lightly before Mrs. Landthrop can investigate my somewhat clumsy return.
I turn back to the room, and my newfound love. Erin. She is laying on the counter, as pretty as you can imagine, and telling me to come to her. I shed my overcoat and shoes, and heed her call. I kiss her, and it ignites my mind. More than the stuff the doctors gave me. She tastes older than I would have guessed, which tells me that she knows what she is doing. And, even though she seems dry at first, it does not take long for her to wet her lips and return my passion. I tear off her unusually thin clothes, and strip out of mine as well. She goes stiff as I pick her up, and carry her back to my bed. At first, it seems like she does not want to go through with it, but I back off for a minute, and she changes her mind again.
She collapses onto me, and it is not long before I can break through her, and the sudden slip makes me gasp. She is quite rough, and almost hard inside, but I keep going, reminding myself that making love is not just for my sake. As she slides up and down, it seems to get easier, and less painful for me. She still has the wide smile on her face, and she throws her head back, and leaves it hanging in pleasure. It is not long before I am also overcome with joy and the feeling she creates. I release, and she falls on top of me, spent. I slide out of her, and clean up. That is the first time I notice that I?m bleeding. I suppose that is what made it easier for me, so I simply wrap myself up and climb back into bed with her.
She is very cold. I think she needs some more blankets. I?ll go get her some. I?m sure she?ll appreciate the effort. I come back with two more thick comforters, and crawl back up to her again. At last, it is time for me to sleep next to my soul mate. My wonderful Erin. I shall never leave her.
I woke up in an odd way today. Odd because it was very very hot. I rolled out of bed, and when I looked back, my Erin was still laying there, sound asleep. I rolled her onto her back, and she was still smiling while she slumbered. What an angel. I kissed her again, and woke her up. She needed to shower. It's not good to skip your shower for too long. I carried her into the bathroom, and put her in the tub. Not to be proud, but I don't think she can walk anymore! Hehe! After I put the water on, I walk back out to the den. I am still wearing my underwear from last night, but I?m not going to change until I get showered myself. I kind of like the smell she left on me. You know, when I think about it, Erin has a very strange smell. It's kind of musty, like an old attic.
...She's been in there for a long time. I should probably go check on her. I really hope she's still okay. When I open the door, I am shocked at what I see. My lovely Erin is...falling apart!
"Nooooo!"
I scream, as I run to her. I can't believe she's coming apart! Why wasn't I here? I should have been in the shower with her, to make sure she was okay! This is my fault! I turn off the water in time to hear a knock on the door. It must be Mrs. Landthrop. I yelled too loud. Now she is going to find me in here. I don't care. I need to put Erin back together. Her...her skin is falling off?I need a glue stick. Or a stapler. Something to hold her together! But even as I start to get up, an ear falls off her lovely face. It's obvious now that I cannot leave her. If I did, she would melt completely. I get back in the tub, and kiss her gently, holding her head in my hands. That's when I hear a scream. Mrs. Landthrop has come in, and she saw me and my lover. I try to tell her it's okay, that the shower has made Erin unhappy, but she just screams some more and runs out of the bathroom.
Let her go. I must keep my Erin from falling into any more pieces. I go back to kiss her, but as I do, her jaw falls off. This is not what I wanted to happen! I can't just sit here any more! I get up, and fly through my apartment, searching for my stapler. After what seems like an hour, I find it, and run back to the bathroom. I pick up the fallen half of her smile, and put it back on her face. When I have it lined up again, I use my stapler to stick it back in place. Now it won't fall off anymore. But as soon as I think I've solved a problem, four more happen. An arm falls off, a finger, a toe, a leg. I keep putting things back on her, but nothing is working. I cannot give up! I will make her stay together! Even as I frantically reattach things, I hear lots of footsteps. People come into my apartment.
It?s the police.
"Oh thank God," I say.
"Help me! She won't stay together!"
When the first policeman sees us in the bathtub, he turns and throws up. I don't know why he does that. Erin needs help. I'm about to tell him that when one of the doctors shows up again. He has a needle with him.
"Please, don't use that yet. I need to fix Erin first. Please..."
I'm crying as I beg for time. With a sad look on his face, the doctor promises me they will help her. I turn back, excited to tell Erin this, when I feel a pinch, and then warmth floods my body.
At least...Erin...will be okay...
Any comments or feedback you have would be great.
Exactly, the impossible to draw is very possible when simply described in words. Sometimes words say more than pictures. Sometimes words are really hard to draw godammit.Zemalac said:So, the rider has a lunar satellite perched above his skull? ...Interesting. I'll have to get my hands on these books you're talking about.
Also: I took your suggestion, and drew this.
That looks good, those patterns are totally sweet. I love the splatters. There's something a little awkward compositionally. Maybe if it was less centered; maybe if it was off the right, or even if more white space was added onto the leftern part.
Anyway, I have a new work as well. Its the completed version of that model portrait I did a few days back.
Thanks ^^Fightgarr said:
Yeah, this was done really quickly so i didn't bother with perfecting the highlights.. think i'll do that now though... I'll repost it if it gets any better hehe
EDIT:
and here it is!
all of you...
what dyou think? any improvement?
It's Soul Cody!
I got a bit bored at college, as I tend to do and scribbled a little picture of my character, Lady Cadaver, otherwise known as Cody Avvers in her spirit-released form.
I've still got a pretty wretched cold, but honestly if I do things like this because of it (Because I can't honestly recall what made me draw the train-drivers hat) then I won't question it.
[EDIT]:
Oh, forgot to mention, the background looks white, but it's a PNG. file, there is no background, for proper effect, try and look at it with different coloured background if you can (this can also be said for the majority of my images.)
[EVEN MOAR EDIT]:
I decided to make one with a typical plain background with my general style of framing.
http://freakshowcomics.deviantart.com/ This is the account I use as a portfolio of sorts. Knock yourselves out