Shannon's Beach

Shannon sat on the gleaming golden sands of the south beach of her own private island. She was outstretched on a folding bed chair, book on her flat stomach, hands folded on top with her margarita beside. She wore her large ultra dark blue-and-white rim sunglasses, fading out the intense sun above. The cool air passed over from the ocean before her, the smooth sound of low tides swept past.

Shannon felt as though she awoke from a long restful night, all the cares in the world faded with each passing moment. It was just her and her beach, the waters, her book of sappy romance and her margarita. She reached for it, leaning up to take another sip. “Mmm.” She mumbled, letting out a relaxed sigh. Her sunscreen caused her body to glisten in the sun’s rays. Her hair was a gorgeous mix of red, auburn and amber, eyes a sapphire blue. A few freckles danced across her face, appearing with the sun.

Whenever she was on the beach of her island, everything changed. Everything was different. Everything was simply...better. The book she read didn’t matter, the chair she brought, the drink she sat with, none mattered. Although, the sun was always bright, the wind was always soothing, the sand was always nice and hot, and the water was always the perfect temperature.

Sometimes she would stroll along the beach, grab some coconuts from the palm trees that ran all along the edge of the land. Shannon would see all sorts of critters that lived there, none would bother her, all were independent as she was. The monkey swinging from the trees inland, the crab crawling along the sands, or the hermit crab searching for a new shell. Sometimes Shannon would find a nice shell, and place it beside him, giving the hermit crab a new home.

She walked and walked, the sun spilling all along her beach, warming her skin and her life. The smooth breeze and waters calmed her nerves, soothed her mind so that she may finally return to the grind beyond her paradise.

“Shannon?”

She heard the call. That upsetting, disturbing call from beyond.

“Shannon!” Her boss yelled.

She woke to her computer, which went to sleep as she daydreamed about her island again. Frederick stared down at her with his greasy mustache and thick rimmed glasses, furrowing his brow. “You shouldn’t day dream at your desk. Back to work.” He growled as he walked away. Shannon looked around her, to her plain desk, her coffee, her mousey hair. Is this how I want to live? She thought. There must be more. She wished she could do more art on the side, which she hadn’t gotten a bite for in quite awhile.

RING RING

           It was her cell phone. “Hello?” She asked in a brittle tone. it was Callidan Forsythe, the head of Lore international. He saw her freelance work she had been working on for a couple of companies on the side for graphic design, and wanted to offer a full-time position when he saw her application. She completely forgot about that! She looked down the office lane to Frederick, knowing her path. “Yes, I will accept.” She said calmly, attempting to keep her excitement in check. Goodbye, customer service, she thought, Hello, my Island!

The Diamond in the Rough

Theo Cullins walked the old streets of Valia, his small town in the land of Khalhalla. It was a small mining and fishing village, with the vast Lake Jericho on the east docks, and the Krodar Mines to the west, in the edge of Mount Faito. He ran, whipping his stick about like a blade, round and round, swatting trees and swishing it through long grass. He was the age of eight, not yet old enough to join his father in the mines, or join his mother on the docks. He had short mousy hair, thin and straight like a pin.

He spent his time in the schoolhouse on the south end of town, the head of which truly disliked him, since he couldn’t keep his attention on the mathematics classes. He loved history, the study of knights and knighthood, the interesting life of royalty. He knew he could never be in such a live, but it was a joy to think it. He did find mining and fishing interesting, but he felt like he was meant for more.

“Say my boy, do you happen to have a shilling? I haven’t eaten for days.” Said a hoarse voice. As he looked to it, there was a man sitting on the ground by the inn. He had russet-brown skin and a long bushy grey beard. His clothes were ripped and dirty, as was his face and feet, covered in dry mud. He had a sweetened smile, with no lack of teeth, and small auburn eyes. Why, Theo did have a shilling. A few, actually. He trotted over to the man, holding out two of them. “Here you are sir, I have a bunch, so here’s two!”

“My, you’re kind. What’s your name, boy?” The man asked.

“Theodore, Theodore Cullins.” Theo thought to himself, the man seemed hungry. “Would you like a meal, sir? Kira, the owner of the inn makes a great beef stew, with all sorts of succulent meat, carrots, potatoes...come come!” Theo said. He had lots of time on his hands, and he wanted to do something nice.

“My, that’s very kind of you, young man.” The man said again.

“My parents always taught me to help others. Whether it comes back to me or not, doing nice things helps others be happy! What’s your name?”

“Mine, oh, I’m uh...Kael, Kael Grandin.”

“Nice to meet you Kael.”

“Say Theo, who’s your new friend?” Kira walked up while they chatted, she was a young woman with long wavy red hair and emerald green eyes, with quite a few freckles dancing across her face.

“His name’s Kael!” Theo said happily. “Two beef stews please!” Kira laughed and nodded, walking over to the kitchen. “So, what brings you to town? Do you live near here?”

“Oh, no, I’m not from around here. I travel a lot, I go to many cities.” Kael replied.

“Like where? Have you ever been to the capital?” Theo asked.

Kael’s eyes grew wide as dinner plates, but attempted to steel himself. “Oh, um, yes. I have, why do you ask?”

“It just seems like a nice place, I’ve only heard stories. The knights, the nobles, it all seems so fancy. I wonder what it’s like over there. I’m happy being here though, my family works hard but we live a nice life.”

“Has your family always lived here?”

“No, they’re all over the place. I have an uncle in Burmingham, an aunt in Fralen, grandparents in Grenda and Tranvale…” He paused, deep in thought.

Kael and Theo chatted for awhile, and ate their delicious stew. Theo questioned him about all sorts of towns, places, personalities. He was ever so curious, happily eating his stew while Kael ate as well. Kael seemed to cheer up gradually, asking him lots of questions about his family, his town, what kind of things he enjoyed and his favourite classes in school. “You remind me a lot of myself when I was your age, young man.” Kael said, nodding slowly.

“Are you staying here long? You seem to travel a lot. You know a lot about history, it’s my favourite class! I love hearing stories.”

Kael laughed, “As do I, young man.” Kael finished the last of his stew. “This stew is delicious, you don’t taste such fresh food in the capital. Thank you so much for offering this meal.”

“Hey, no problem! It’s the least I could do. What else would I spend it on, anyway? Might as well do something nice with it!” Theo said happily. They slowly got up, and strolled out together, thanking Kira for the delicious stew. “How long will you be around?” Theo asked again.

“I’m sorry Theo, but I’m afraid I must leave town for now.” Kael said sullenly.

“Aw, you can’t! Where are you going? I want to hear more tales of history!” Theo exclaimed.

Kael chuckled. ”I’m sure we’ll see each other another day, lad. You can count on it. I can always come here, can’t I?” He smiled sweetly, strolling out of the village, looking back with a sly grin.

Seeing his friend go, Theo realized it was almost time for his parents to return from their work. Rushing home, he got there right as they arrived. “Now, where were you young man?” His father asked with a chuckle.

“I met an interesting man! He knew all sorts of history, but he travels, had to leave town today. He likes switching areas a lot, apparently.” Theo said quietly, looking at the ground.

“Now now my boy, I’m sure he’ll be back one day.”

*****

One week later, a knock came to the Cullins’ front door. Theo opened it, seeing a large knight in blue-tinged full steel armor, the mark of the capital on it, a trident with a sun behind it.

“Theo Cullins?” The knight askedin a gruff voice.

Theo was taken aback. What would a knight want with me? he wondered. “Um, yes, that’s me.”

“I have a message from the king.”

“The king? Why would I have a message from him?” He had never known the king, nor seen him before. Had he?

“Don’t ask me, boy. I’m a messenger.” The knight held out a letter, marked with the king’s seal in wax.

Theo accepted it carefully, opening it. He read it carefully, eyes bulging, arms shaking. “Son, what is it?” His father asked.

“It’s...It’s…” Theo was speechless, barely able to say a word. after a moment of silence, he readied himself and read the letter aloud.

It was a joy having stew with you, young man.

You are kind to those who need it, and enjoy

some of the most important parts of our

kingdom, its history. Call it a hunch, but

I think I’ve found my heir. Let the knight

know your decision, and if it’s a yes,

come to the capital with your family when

you’re ready.

Sincerely,

King Grandia Authra IX, “Kael Grandin”

Heaven or Hell

I think I’m God.

I sat in my heavens, watching over the land. I brought light to all those that needed it, all those that deserved it. Fred, who opened the door for everyone. Sherry, who offered money to the homeless. Terry, who was polite to all that he meets. So many kind people, with dark, dark sides.

Sometimes I question what I did, Why I helped these people. they seemed so kind, so lovely, so polite, and yet, they were so dark.

Fred, you silly thing. He seemed like such a modest man, opening doors, yet he coveted every woman that passed. He has assaulted many, silently, in the dark of night, in the alleyways of night. Why would be deserve light, any forgiveness at all? Because he attended church, feels bad for what he does? I felt he did not deserve the forgiveness he desired, so I lured him into more darkness, more evil, so that he may burn with the rest.

Sherry, you fool of a woman. You offered money to them, but you stole from your company, you stole from your parents, jabbed them for money, yet giving nothing. Just because the homeless needed it does not bring forgiveness. I am those homeless people, watching you daily in your ways.

Terry, you horrid beast of a man. You were polite to all, yes. You said please and thank you, you asked questions nicely, you gave answers in the light of day. Yet when you arrived home, hated your family, yelled, abused and destroyed their lives. Did you believe I would save you from your sins? Did you think I would save your soul, shed light and forgive all that you really are, because you were sorry? No, I pushed you to more, so that you burn with them in the home I now reside.

Once I thought I was god, me, Lucifer, the lord of light. No, my friends. I do not believe I am God any longer.

I think I’m Satan.

Room of Darkness

Thomas awoke as he felt strong pulses from the world around him. He felt the pain of his connected one. Is it my fault? He thought. At least, he thought he was male. He had heard knocks on his room walls echoing a name, “Thomas”. He assumed it was his, as it was repeated many times, correlated with the knock. He was imprisoned in this room, he knew not for how long.

His I.V. gave him energy, unable to disconnect himself as he knew no other way to eat. What laid outside his room? It was dark, but he knew the surrounding area. He lived for what seemed like an eternity, dragging his hands and feet against each wall, each crevice, attempting to find a way out. He just knew of the I.V. he was connected to helped him live. What was out there? He wondered. The voices outside his walls talked of food, nature, water, countries, trinkets, all forms of things Thomas did not recognize, did not know. He only knew his room of darkness, his thoughts which gave him comfort, his thoughts that proved he was alive.

He felt he existed for a purpose. His purpose was to escape. He knew a way out, but could not get through; he was too weak. What am I supposed to do? Thomas thought.

Any time, I think, the female voice outside his walls said.

The female voice spoke of places, foods, extravagant things. Detailed descriptions would calm him, he could almost picture them in his head. He knew of texture, but not colour; they spoke of yellows, blues, greens, and reds, sometimes even violets and oranges. They intrigued him, he wondered what they would be. He only knew darkness, feelings, textures, and sounds. He dreamed of the outside world, wondering when his home would free him, when he could become a person of the outside as the voices were. Who were they? Where did they come from? Are they god? Thomas would think. He could feel their caress of the wall, he felt their feelings even in the darkness.
    It’s happening! The female yelled.

What was happening? His walls slowly closed in on him, slowly but surely. Then rapidly. He felt pain, squeezed by the walls of his prison. Is this the end? He thought. Surely, it was over. Only his imagination comforted him now, as he felt the room of darkness betrayed him. The exit he predicted showed an opening, he was drawn to it. He ran to it, barely escaping. His eyes opened, barely able to handle what came next. Intense white came after the blackness of night, a light he saw more powerful than anything he had ever experienced; the light of day, colours flew through his eyes, now in agony. He escaped his prison of darkness to view the colours of the world. Whites, greens, greys, blues and yellows and oranges and more. He could not breathe; a swift smack upon his back caused him to split up his breath, breathing air now, not liquid.
    “Congratulations, Mrs. Lown. It’s a boy!”

Thomas wondered what his new purpose would be, now that he had escaped his prison.