October thoughts and feelings

Sit back and relax with your favorite hot beverage, forget the world, forget the summer and the winter, you are safe now.

            Rain trickled down from the overcast sky, fog floated peacefully over the land, a gentle breeze carried smells of wood smoke and baked goods. Up on the grassy hill sat a small bakery, the bakers moved quickly, unhindered by the sleepy haze of the day. The Autumn festival was fast approaching and the “Maple Hill” bakery was tasked with contributing pumpkin and maple related baked goods.

            The fog drifted down the hillside toward the heart of the town where the smell of fresh ground coffee, rain and freshly raked leaves all mixed into the air. Carts, wagons and old fashioned cars chugged along the road as pedestrians walked up and down the sidewalk. The people wore warm coats and scarves, they looked up at the shop windows as they passed by and sipped their hot coffee. The shops were bustling with Fall colors and treats of the season. The rain continued into the night, the people filed out of the shops and all headed to their homes. Warm lights began to glow from lanterns, street lamps and shop windows. The gentle rain speckled the shop windows and the raindrops reflected the light from inside the dimly lit stores.

            Night settled over the town and the sounds of owls in the distant forest, the light tapping of rain on the rooftops and the crackling of a wood fire could be heard in the town. Lights in the distance bobbed and shook as they traveled down the road leading out of the town. Fog cleared away to reveal the lights were lamps attached to a horse drawn carriage. The carriage was black and glistening with rain water, the carriage driver wore a long heavy coat, black leather cloves, boots and a wide brimmed hat. He sank down into his coat, pushing his neck more into his collar, like a bird pushing their head into their feathery body to stay warm. The horse was chestnut brown with a white diamond shape on its head. It had plane black leather straps attaching it to the carriage and overall was a healthy horse that wasn’t bothered by rain or chilly winds.

            The carriage rode out of the town and along the countryside. The road twisted along through a path that cut through wild country. To the right of the path was a slope leading down to a valley and a large field of green grass turning yellowish for the season. The sun began to rise over the field, its golden rays shining down and reflecting against the mist and the morning dew. The grass swayed gently in the breeze and the rain gave way to sun. The sunlight made the world sparkle and shine but since it was Fall the air stayed cool and pleasant. The morning air was fresh and clean, it awoke the spirit and invigorated the mind.

            Along the same country road, while the grassy field shined bright with swaying golden grass on the right, to the left was the base of a sturdy and ancient hillside. The hill stood overlooking the town and the surrounding forest. Old stone relics littered the cliff peaks, old stones from another age. The trees that lined the hillside were bright with autumn colors. The cool air had arrived and made the trees blush red and ignite with orange and yellow. This hill was almost the size of a mountain and was too big for anyone to live on but the sturdiest among the village would climb the hill and marvel at the view below. Standing on the top of the hill would let someone see the autumn forests and valleys for miles. An ocean of auburn, ochre and amber, colors of the fall all swaying and dancing like a field on fire. Surrounded by stone relics and staring at an amazing view, someone might wonder if the ancient people believed their hill was the highest or most important point in their small world.

            The world goes on though and while we all hate to leave the hillside and the sleepy town, we all must continue. Time flows like a river, taking us past many sights and experiences, we can only hope to truly enjoy these experiences while the sights are still visible. The road, not the river, takes us further into the world. This is when things get darker and maybe slightly more fun.

            The road twisted and turned, it flowed past a small village. This village is where the carriage driver stopped, but this is not where we will stop. The road took us further down into the forest, a forest of dark green pines, mossy oaks and sleeping beasts. The afternoon light was barely visible through the thick canopy of treetops. The fog was heavier and the sound of roaming creatures could be heard. The forest was dark and full of terrors but it was still day and the creatures of the night were asleep, dreaming of their next kill. The forest stretched on but in the distance was a glowing orange light, dull but distinct. The light was alluring and so it was followed. The light became clearer and more lights joined in. All the lights were floating in the air like spirits in the afterlife.

            The lights seemed to float in the darkness until it was revealed they were orange pumpkin lights hung from a solitary maple tree. A bright orange and red maple tree adorned with large pumpkin shaped lights. Each light had a tiny flame burning inside. The flames caste pumpkin shaped shadows out into the forest. At the base of the tree was a stone gargoyle with a wildly uncomfortable smile and its arms pointing to the right. To the right was a path leading out of the thick pine tree forest. The haze of the forest parted near the exit of the forest and the path led out toward a lively city full of bright orange, purple and green lights, dark colors and decorated with Jack-O-Lanterns. The city was full of carriages, old cars and people. The people wore black cloaks, gothic dresses, and bright green or orange with strange hats. Overall they seemed a little odd.

            The night fell over the city giving emphasis on the darkness of the city and the brightness of the lights. The warmth felt in the homes and cafes pushed back the creeping cold of the approaching season. This city was full of magic and mystery. It was they type of city where adventure or certain death could be waiting in alleys and pathways. From that point the path stretched on but we will go no further.

            It is not time to tell the story of the places beyond and the time has already passed for stories of what came first. This was not a story of villains or heroes, it was a story of a land and the sights inside of it. It was a story of nature, humanity, and pizza burps.

Where my Dreams take me - part 6 The New Day

Jack stepped through the charred doorway of his former Boss’ office. The office was untouched by flames and was just as flashy and awful as Jack remembered. “Jack my boy, such wonderful new powers you have. I think we can work out a deal. You keep working for me and I will forgive you for killing all of my guards” The Boss said calmly.

            Jack smiled, he grinned ear to ear as he walked forward slowly. “Deals? We are making deals now?” Asked Jack, his smile still wide and frightening. He slowly sat down on a crimson leather chair across from the Boss. Jack leaned over the Boss’ desk and looked him in the eye. “You will forgive me? Forgive me? FORGIVE ME?!” Jack said his voice jumped into a shout toward the end. Jack cleared his throat and brushed his hair back. “You should be begging me to spare your life and you sit here making deals? You should be asking ME to forgive YOU!” Jack said, his voice jumping as he barely contained his anger. “I would never make a deal with you, but I did make a deal with someone else. Someone who wants you dead just as much as I do” Jack said as he looked the Boss right into his beady dark brown eyes. “Who would have the nerve to send you after me? And while I am asking questions, where did you get that magic?” The Boss asked. He didn’t move from his chair, but he was slowly becoming uncomfortable.

            Death slowly appeared into view behind Jack. A floating cloaked skeleton holding a scythe appeared as a response to the Boss’ question. Then a second later Death was gone. Jack didn’t see Death but he assumed the Boss did by his changed expression. All of the color drained out of the Boss’ face when he saw the Grim Reaper.

            Jack stood up and lifted his hammer to strike but the Boss acted quickly and shot Jack point blank with his shotgun. Jack froze and his eyes went wide. He had come so far only to let his guard down for a second and to get killed by the same person and the same gun that killed Isabelle. Everything seemed to slow as Jack looked down to check for damage. As he looked down he saw the Boss was horrified instead of pleased. Green flames spilled out of Jack’s chest and stomach. The flames covered his torso instead of blood. Magical flames moved across Jack’s skin but instead of burning him, they were healing the skin. The flames that dripped to the ground burned a hole in the floor.

            Jack looked at the Boss and smiled “Death sends his regards” then launched forward and grabbed the Boss by the throat. Green flames burned brightly in Jack’s eyes as rage filled his body. Jack lifted the Boss up by his throat and hurled him through the back wall. As the Boss’ body soared through the air like a rag doll Jack lifted his hammer and then flung it forward. The hammer flew straight out and hit the Boss, then engulfed the Boss in flames. The Hammer and the Boss’ body dropped to the ground with a thud. Jack couldn’t see where the Boss landed because it was dark and also his body was sent out past the city limits.

            Jack jumped out through the hole in the wall down three floors and hit the ground. Jack landed on his feet and took off running. This part of Dark city was the section unlucky enough to be built on the edge of the Haunted Forest. Jack approached the forest, which was swarming with spirits and weird glowing eyes that looked on from every shadow. Jack didn’t want to go anywhere near that place. “Halloween night is almost upon us Jack. Halloween is when the Haunted forest grows restless and the spirits become visible and the monsters more aggressive” Death whispered. The Haunted forest was always dangerous, but the development of Dark city riled up the inhabitants of the forest and with Halloween approaching the spirits were even more restless.

            The boss was standing on the edge of the Haunted forest, too afraid to run into the forest to escape Jack, but too afraid of Jack to distance himself from the forest. Jack approached “Not dead yet? Good, more fun for me” Jack said as he walked closer, his hammer burned brightly as Jack approached. Jack lifted his hammer off the ground and held it up with one hand. “J-Jack please, I can bring her back! I can help you. Don’t kill me” The Boss said his human skin dripped from his face revealing red demon skin. Small yellow horns poked out from under his black hat and his eyes glowed yellow. Jack sneered and shot another blast of fire at the Boss.

            The flames burned the Boss’ clothes and melted away his human disguise.

The Boss stood five feet five and was now in his true form. He was still overweight but his skin was scaly and red, his mouth was a large gaping maw and his eyes burned bright like fire. “Disgusting” Jack muttered. The Boss pulled a black gem from his torn suit pocket. He smiled and held it up. “I saved this gem for supernatural opponents, it cancels magic. Since magic is holding you together right now, prepare to be torn apart. The Gem shot out a blast of energy at Jack. Jack threw his hammer at the blast and jumped out of the way. The Hammer and the dark blast collided and caused an explosion. Black, red and green flames shot over Jack’s head as he lay flat on the grass. The Boss was blasted backward into the Haunted forest.

            “He’s going to escape!” Jack shouted. “No, he is not” Death replied. The glowing eyes went out and the spirits that floated around the trees rushed into the forest. Everything that Haunted that forest seemed to move in on the Boss as soon as he landed. Screams echoed out of the forest accompanied by the sounds of bones breaking and meat being torn.

            It was over, Jack had his revenge, and the Boss was dead. Death appeared in front of Jack in the form of a young woman. She was very pale and slender, she wore all black and had long black hair that flowed into her black dress. She walked toward Jack and smiled “You have done well” She said with a kind smile. Death knelt down and picked up the Hammer with ease. “The stories this hammer could tell…” She said as her voice drifted off. Death stared at the hammer as if it was telling her all of its amazing stories.

            “What do I do now?” Asked Jack as he lifted himself up. “I want a peaceful life, I want to be done with this nightmare. Am I even human anymore? What was that green fire inside of me?” Jack added. Death sighed “The hammer’s magic kept you alive. MY hammer kept you alive. Now that you have given it to me, you are as mortal and human as before. Now you can go build your life. It is yours for the taking. Do as you wish with this freedom. The mountaintop, the autumn forest, maple town and even a black cat all wait for you in your future. The traveling and building is up to you” Death explained. “Thank you, Jack” Death added with a smile then vanished from sight.

            Jack felt sore, tired and hungry. Before he left Dark city forever he decided to pay a visit to Old Carl and see if he could make him some food for old times sake.

            Jack stumbled as he walked back into the city, leaving the sights and sounds of the Haunted Forest behind him. As he approached the city he saw a black cat with green eyes. It was just a kitten, it was lost and alone and rummaging through a garbage can for food. Jack walked up to the cat and put his hand out to pet it. Despite living on the street, the cat was friendly and trusting enough to let Jack pet him. Jack saw an old can of pumpkin puree in the garbage and smiled at the dirty logo of a pumpkin patch. The black cat bit down on the can but then reared its head back when it realized the can wasn’t edible.

            “Would you like to come with me? I’m homeless too” Jack told the cat. The cat mewed and began to purr. “Have you ever been to the mountains? I hear they are lovely this time of year” Jack said as he picked up his new cat and placed it on his shoulders. “I am going to call you Karu, if that’s alright” Jack said. Karu meowed.

            Jack and Karu walked through Dark city, toward the Lousy Dame bar. The rain had stopped, the sun was rising and Jack had a brand new life ahead of him.

Where my Dreams take me - part 5 Assault on the Organization

            Jack stood at the ground floor of the Organization’s base of operations. He decided to take the stairs up to each floor because he knew the elevators could be switched off and even unlatched. This was a defense that the Boss used to kill intruders stupid enough to trap themselves in a metal box when attacking a criminal organization.

            “Jack, I have another deal for you” Death said as Jack headed for the stairs. “I don’t want to make a habit of making deals with Death” Jack replied then stopped walking so that Death had his full attention. “I can enhance your weapon. Your killing hammer has seen so much death, it would be very easy for me to augment it with more power. Having extra power would ensure your victory to be sure. The deal is, I imbue your hammer with magic and when you have had your revenge, you give the hammer to me” Death said in a calm voice. “If I am going to retire why would I need my hammer? Its win-win again for me” Jack said. Then paused. Part of him didn’t want to give up his precious weapon for anything. Even though getting rid of it would shut the book on his old life, he still didn’t want to give up his hammer. He had the hammer since he was a teen, he carried it every single day of his life for the past fifteen years. If anyone came looking for Jack he wouldn’t have his hammer to defend himself with. Making his hammer stronger would make it easier to get revenge with less chance of dying, and giving up the hammer would truly mean he was done with his old life, he would be able to move on completely. He could think of his time in Dark city as a bad nightmare that he finally woke up from.

            “Why would you want this hammer? You aren’t trying to do me any favors” Asked Jack. “No, our deals are not meant to help you at all. I am getting something out of every deal. That doesn’t mean it has to negatively affect you though. As for why I want the hammer, lets just say it will be more valuable to me. I collect rare things. My favorite thing to collect are items that have killed large numbers of people, the dark aura on the weapon is stronger if it kills strong enemies. I see many things that you cannot. A hammer that has killed many, that becomes enchanted only to slay more humans and a demon is incredibly valuable to me. You wouldn’t even understand its true worth at that point. So, do we have a deal?” Death asked.

            Jack hesitated, Death answered the question but Jack didn’t feel comfortable giving up the last piece of his past. The hammer linked him to his past, both the good and the bad. It made him remember the awful things he did, but also let him remember Isabelle and the good times. Jack needed to survive this last fight though and agreed to the deal. “Yes, fine. You can have the hammer when this is over. After everyone is dead. The boss, Galore and anyone who was there the night Isabelle died.” Jack said. “Agreed!” Death replied.

            Without any more delay Jack rushed up the stairs. His heart was pounding, he felt like he was being pulled into the underworld with every step. Making deals with Death, challenging a demon to do battle, attacking his old place of employment. It was all a bit much for Jack to handle. Well except for the attacking the former place of employment, Jack was enjoying that.

            Jack reached the second floor and kicked open the door, he lifted his hammer up and green flames engulfed Jack’s weapon. Jack slammed his hammer down onto the ground and flames spread out along the floor burning up everything in its path. Guards, guns, tacky furniture, it was all consumed by the hammer’s magical flames. Death never explained how to use the Hammer’s magic and never even made of show of enchanting it, yet Jack somehow knew how to fight with his newly enchanted hammer.

“Satisfied with the results?” Asked Death. “Very” Jack replied with an evil grin.

With the second floor cleared out Jack could move onto the final floor where his Boss always sat. Jack was glad the Organization was located in a factory and not a skyscraper. Jack ran up the stairs to the third floor and blasted the door apart with his magical green flames. Galore Riggs and a group of guards stood waiting. Everyone had their guns drawn and Galore had an assault rifle. “Sorry Jack, I can’t let you go” Galore said. “The Boss is a demon, Galore. He killed Isabelle and he holds you like a prisoner. He holds us all. The only people who are happy in the Organization are the ones who never get tired of the killing, the drugs and the stealing. The rest of us, we die off. Galore, this is your last chance to change sides.” Jack said, being strangely diplomatic.

Galore laughed “You might be right Jack, but I am the one with the guns and the backup. You have one chance to give up. I am not backing down” Galore replied.

“I gave you a chance, I am actually glad you didn’t take it. You might not have killed Isabelle, but you did stop me from killing the Boss. You wont be stopping me this time” Jack replied as he lifted his hammer above his head. Bright green flames swirled around the head of Jack’s hammer as he lifted it into the air. Galore aimed his assault rifle at Jack and went to pull the trigger when one of the guards spoke up. “Uh, does that deal count for me too?

            Jack and Galore both let out an annoyed sigh at the same time. “Yeah, sure. Anyone who doesn’t want to die protecting the Boss and also wasn’t in the room on the night Isabelle died, can leave” Jack said as he held his hammer ready to strike. Four guards quietly left the room and shut the door behind them. When Jack heard the door click shut he swung his hammer in an arc, which made a flame shield. Galore and his remaining guards unleashed a flurry of bullets. Everything near or behind Jack was torn to shreds. When the dust settled Jack was standing unscathed. “Second thoughts?” Said Jack with a smile. One guard raised his hand but then was promptly shot by Galore.

            “You are a dead man, I don’t care if I have to take you apart with my bare hands” Galore said his voice full of rage. Galore began to unload another clip from his assault rifle as he walked toward Jack. He was determined to hit Jack at least once. Jack outstretched his hand and then turned his hand up with his palm facing Galore. Jack’s hammer began to spin in the air in front of Jack’s palm. The flames from the spinning hammer burned the floor and surrounding area. The hammer spun so fast it was actually blocking Galore’s bullets. Jack closed his hand into a fist and his hammer shot forward and struck Galore. The hammer hit Galore in the face, shattering his skull on impact, the hammer continued to fly forward and smashed open the metal door to the Boss’ office.

            Galore’s body slumped to the ground and the remaining guards tried to run for the exit. Jack’s hammer flew back to his hand. Then Jack spun his hammer around to make another fire shield but this time Jack took a deep breath in and then breathed out with all of his might. Jack’s breath blew through the flames causing a green flamethrower effect. Jack rotated in a circle torching everything and everyone in the room with his green fire breath. There were no survivors.

Where my Dreams take me - part 4 (out of 6) Awake

            Jack sat in the ‘Lousy Dame” Bar. With his Chicken fingers and fries getting cold and his beer and whiskey getting warm. He remembered it all, his work as an enforcer for the Organization, the organized crime in Dark city, his meeting Isabelle, their happy moments together, the life and promise of a future and one shotgun blast that ruined it all. Jack couldn’t remember what he did after Isabelle was murdered. He remembered he lived in the mountains, led a peaceful life growing pumpkins and raising an stray cat but he couldn’t remember how he got there. Everything between that night his love died and waking up one morning in a cabin was a blur.

            Jack clutched his head tightly with his hands. He tried to imagine what he did. Did he run home and drunk, did he murder everyone in the Organization, did he move to the mountains right away and build a cabin from wood he chopped down himself? None of it seemed real, he couldn’t remember doing any of those things. Just as Jack was in the middle of his crisis a tall thin man walked into the bar. The man was dressed in all black and wore a black cloak over his shoulders. His hood was down and besides the cloak he was wearing modern clothing. “Jack, you need to wake up” said the man. Jack looked up and saw the man. the bar was empty, not even Old Carl was there. The place was quiet, no music, no clattering in the kitchen, only silence. “Who are you?” Jack asked slowly.

“Death” Replied Death. ‘Death’ was a tall, pale, thin man in his early thirties wearing modern clothes, with white hair and pale gray eyes. “Yeah, sure. As far as everyone tells me I am death, not you” Jack replied. The man smiled and closed his eyes, then vanished.

            It began to rain again outside. Not the harsh pouring rain from before, but the light misty rain that somehow makes everything look nicer. Even Dark city at night seemed a little friendlier with this rain. Gentle rain pattered against the window. Mist drifted through the air. All was still and quiet except for the rain outside. Jack sat in silence as he listened to the rain outside. The quiet drops rhythmically hitting the street as the light of the city reflected off of the mist in the air.

            “What did you do that night?” Death asked. Its voice echoed through the room. Jack felt a pull on his heart as he started to remember. “I went back to the apartment. I was filled with rage and pain, I didn’t know what to do with myself so I drank until I passed out” Jack replied as his eyes began to tear up. “Then what?” Asked the voice again. “I kept doing that. I didn’t go to work and I barely left the apartment. No one came looking for me and I was too broken up to get revenge” Jack replied.  “Then one night you went Isabelle’s grave stone. You were drunk, you cried and you fell asleep. Then you dreamed of a happy life away from pain and suffering. You blocked out the pain and moved to a mountain top. That is where you are now, asleep in a graveyard. All of your memories of Dark city are real. But you never did move away, you stayed in the city you grew to hate and you let it grind you down. Maple town, the autumn forest and even that black cat all exist in real life. I gave you that dream. You dreams were just painful memories until I planted fiction into them. To give you hope. You can live that dream, peace and quiet far away from this Dark city. I can help you…but you must help me” Death said, its voice soft and reassuring at first but grew darker as it spoke.

            Jack woke up in a graveyard. He took a deep breath in and began to move. Gentle rain drifted down onto the graveyard, it was still night. Jack had tears in his eyes and his clothes were drenched from falling asleep in the rain. He remembered every second of his dream and the last words he heard from the voice of death. “What do you need me to do?” Jack asked in a shaky voice. “Kill” Said the voice of Death. Jack showed an evil smile and then lifted himself up. He looked down and realized he was leaning on Isabelle’s gravestone for support. “You are always helping me” Jack said allowing himself one last moment of sadness.

            Jack wore a green trench coat with the buckles undone, a gray long sleeve shirt, black jeans, black combat boots and black leather gloves. His dark brown hair was wet from the rain so Jack ran his hand through his hair to dry it. Jack’s hair was long and pushed back making him look like a maniac.  His green eyes shone bright with determination.  Jack picked up his hammer from the ground and held it in his hands. He was ready for revenge.

            Jack left the cemetery with a quick pace. He was headed downtown to the Boss’ main base of operations. As he walked down the street he kept noticing a face floating over his shoulder. It was the face of death, with a skeleton head and black holes for eyes. If you stared into the eyes of death you could lose your soul right there. Jack only saw this face in the corner of his eye and when he looked the face was gone. He knew Death was following him though. He couldn’t decide if that made him emboldened or nervous.

            “why are you helping me? You promise a future for me like in my dreams and the price is for me to kill the Organization boss and take revenge. That’s everything I want, what do you get out of this?” Jack asked as he continued his pace with his hammer held firmly in hand. The few people out on the street that night parted or crossed the street when they saw Jack walking through. “Your former boss is more than he seems. He is a devil who feeds off of the pain and suffering of men. I don’t get involved in the affairs of men but this needs my attention. Unfortunately if I wanted to fight him myself I would have to kill everyone around him. I am not allowed to take humans lives before their time. If their time runs out or another human cuts their time short, I take them then, not before” Death replied though its voice was calm, Jack felt a chill down his spine as Death spoke.

            “How am I supposed to fight a demon?” Asked Jack, wondering if he got in over his head. “Some demons are stronger than humans, some are not. Your boss is not. He is a lesser demon, with the strength of a human. He relies on guns and human weapons to fight. Do not let your guard down though. He might have a trick up his sleeve if cornered” Death replied.

            Jack walked quickly down the street as rain fell onto the city below. Thoughts of revenge, demons, death and Isabelle stole his focus. As he neared downtown he saw glowing orbs floating in the distance. Orange glowing orbs bobbed up and down by the edge of the city then floated off. Jack wanted to go follow them, they had a strange alluring nature. “Stop! You still need revenge, I cannot let you go dying now. Those lights lead people into the Haunted Forest every year. The closer it comes to Halloween the worse it gets” Death’s voice said. Jack stopped walking and shook his head. “I feel like I would know that. I did grow up here” Jack replied.

Jack’s memory was still fuzzy, probably because he was still drunk. Jack felt like he was still walking in a dream though. He was awake but he kept thinking back to his cabin in the mountains, it all seemed so real and the Dark city seemed like a bad nightmare that wouldn’t go away. “Will I ever see the cabin in the mountains again? Will I actually have that life?” Asked Jack. “Yes, rid the world of this demon you call ‘boss’ and I will make sure you get your cabin” Said Death.

Jack finally reached the base of operations for the Organization. It looked like an abandoned factory on the outside. Jack looked up at the top floor where he knew the Boss would be waiting. “Do I deserve a quiet life if I just keep killing? I would do anything for Isabelle but does killing in her name settle anything? Will it bring her back?” Jack said out loud. He wasn’t really asking anyone and knew she wouldn’t come back but he had grown tired of killing and yearned for the life of peace that he had in his dreams. “Your old boss is a demon. A literal demon and I choose you to kill him. If you walk away he will continue hurting people, making more victims and causing more pain. Your soul is stained from killing but that demon boss of yours raised you and put you on the path. So you are one of his victims just like all of the people you killed are victims of yours. I don’t need someone to think about this problem. I need a hammer, blunt crushing force. Now go!” Death explained. Death’s voice boomed when it said “Go”

Jack steeled his nerves. Now wasn’t the time for doubt or thoughts of warm beds and autumn days. Now was the time for revenge. Jack was an assassin, a hitman, an enforcer and all around psycho in his past life. Jack new it was time to bring that all back one last time. Jack kicked open the front door and broke off one of the door’s hinges.

Jack walked into main room, which looked like an empty factory, this was also part of the disguise. The main factory room was dark, the only light was from the street lights outside that came in through the large factory windows. The sound of rain echoed outside. the rain began to beat down harder, thousands of drops pelted the building and the strong winds shook the fragile windows.

Jack walked across the room to an old wooden door that looked like it led to an office or storage. The door opened and a guard wearing a suit and tie emerged from the doorway. He was sent to investigate the noise and found Jack standing before him.

The guard was shocked, he looked as if he had seen a ghost or maybe he was scared because he knew he was about to die. The guard saw Jack, standing tall with an insane grin and a fierce look of murder in his eyes. Jack had his hammer raised over his head and the guard pulled out a gun to shoot. Before a shot could be fired Jack slammed his hammer down onto the guards skull, smashing him into the cold concrete floor.

Jack walked into the base through the old wooden door. The inside of the base was all decked out with new furniture, metal doors, reinforced walls and stylish gold and marble statues. The first room had guards all with guns. Jack slammed his hammer down on the first guard that was by the door then threw his hammer at the guard across the room. A third guard drew his gun but Jack was able to grab a gun from the first guard and fire at the third. Jack’s hammer was lightweight enough that it could be thrown and swung quickly. Jack was an agile person and carried his hammer around ever day, so the crushing weight that it did have never slowed him down.

Jack had made it into the base of the Organization. His path for revenge wasn’t over yet. Jack readied himself for the battle ahead.

Hollow city

            The city was dark, mist lingered over everything and the light from the street lamps bounced off the fog and gave the whole city an eerie feel. Jake held still, he heard the distant sound of footsteps, then a scream and gunfire. The city had gone to hell and it was everyone for themselves. It started on Halloween night. There was the usual trick or treaters, loud parties and everyone was wearing a costume.

 Jake was on his way to his friends how to attend a small party of friends of friends. He wasn’t too excited because he only knew the one, Bill. He didn’t know Bill’s friends so he hoped it wouldn’t be awkward. Jake was dressed as a private eye from the old detective movies. Someone thought he was dressed as a pimp, this comment made Jake’s soul hurt.

            Once he arrived at the party he tried to mingle and not be the awkward stranger in the corner. The small one bedroom apartment was packed with people. The hardwood floor creaked as the group of strangers shuffled back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. “please tell me you have beer” Jake whispered to Bill. Bill just smiled, nodded then pointed to the kitchen. Jake did the awkward “Sorry for pushing past you but I need to get to the other room” Shuffle. Jake didn’t usually drink, but in situations like this, he usually had to have at least one bear before he could go out of his way to start talking to people.

            The night moved along and everything was fine. Then an explosion went off somewhere in the city. “Someone lighting fireworks?” asked one of the party members. Then the building rocked and shook. Everyone had to grab onto something so they wouldn’t get knocked over. Jake looked outside and saw thick fog roll in. the streets were empty and besides that one explosion, everything was silent. Then another explosion could be heard. It was certainly not fireworks. Jake moved past the crowd of people and walked down the stairs and outside into the cool night air. He needed to see what was happening, he didn’t know why but he just felt the urge to investigate. “Just because your dressed like a detective doesn’t mean you ARE a detective” He told himself. Still he was curious and if someone was hurt after an explosion it is important that someone be around to help out, in case the police or an ambulance hasn’t shown up.

            Jake walked toward the sound of the two explosions. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it. Before he could get anywhere near the explosion area, a tall slender man confronted him. Using the word ‘man’ loosely because this thing was man shaped but its skin was sickly pale with a green tint. It didn’t have eyes or a nose, just a large mouth full of rows of teeth. The slender man seemed to be wearing a suit, which was a weird choice for a monster. The creature lift his arm up and reached his hand out to Jake. The hand was slender, but bent weirdly and had long fingers with sharp claw like tips. Jake felt paralyzed with fear and the slender creature slowly walked toward Jake. It’s hideous mouth curved upward like a smile as he got closer and closer. Soon the slender man was just within reaching distance, it’s fingertips just barely touching Jake’s face. A shot rang out and the slender being stopped moving. It reached up to its chest and felt a hole. Someone shot the slender man. Jake turned and saw a cop. “Get out of here son, this is no place for civilians” the policeman said. Jake nodded at the cop and then turned back to get one last look at the slender man. But the slender man was gone. When Jake looked back at the cop he saw that the creature had moved in an instant and was now wrapping its long horrible fingers around the cops neck. The evil aura of the horrible slender monster now paralyzed the police officer. Jake picked up a large chunk of concrete, which was debris from one of the buildings, and struck the beast with the heavy chunk. The slender man recoiled and let out a hissing shriek. As soon as the policeman regained his senses he opened fire on the creature, shooting it in the head. The slender man shrieked and melted into the darkness.

            “I guess we’re even” Jake said. The cop was holding his throat and nodded slowly, the events of the last few minutes slowly sinking in as reality. “My names Bob” The cop said. “Jake” Jake replied. “Well Jake, I was going to investigate the explosion, maybe we should stick together” Said Bob. “I think so too” Jake agreed. So the two men continued toward the explosion area. They both were shaken by the encounter with the slender man, but they both knew they had to stay and help out anyone they could. Along the way, Jake found a crowbar. Since the cop didn’t have an extra gun, Jake decided to keep the crowbar as a weapon.

            The fog became denser the closer they got to their destination. The sound of fire crackling and smaller explosions could be heard in the distance, then sounds of screaming and gunfire. The two rushed ahead, as they were running a fireball flew straight at them. The two jumped off in different directions and the ball of fire exploded against the street. The two looked out from behind the cover of over turned cars and saw a enormous pumpkin headed creature in the center of town. The pumpkin head had a carved face like a Jack-o-lantern, the inside of the head was lit up by some kind of constant burning flame. The head slowly spun around searching for survivors. The body of the creature was just a long twist of vines. The head was attached to a center stalk and vines stretched out from both sides of the ‘body’ like arms. The twisted stalk went down through the road and deep into the earth where it grew roots. It looked like this horrible thing just sprouted up over night. The pumpkin head spun around and could shoot fire out of its carved mouth hole and it could make vines spring out of the ground and grab people. The whole thing was as large as the downtown office buildings. The worst part of this was at the bottom of the pumpkin monster was a little opening. This weird door into the vine stalk had monsters coming out and captured humans going in. Zombies, shadow creatures, more of those slender things, tall goblins and human sized pumpkin head monsters. The mobile pumpkin heads looked like a fiery pumpkin head had replaced a normal persons head, then the person was dressed in rags. It didn’t take too long before Jake figured out what was probably happening to the captured humans.

            “This is a nightmare. I need to check on my family and call for help. We need the army or something” Bob said as he got noticeably more nervous. “Check on your family first. Someone must have called in the army by now” Jake said. Bob nodded and turned to leave. Then quickly turned back around “Hey, you should head home too. Nothing we can do here. But in case you run into trouble. Take this” Bob gave Jake his gun. Bob was carrying more than one gun. As soon as he heard explosions in the city, he figured it was a good time to grab a second or third pistol.

            Jake was thinking about returning home, but he couldn’t remember where home was. He also couldn’t think of who he would even meet once he got home. Bob left Jake alone holding a gun. Jake just stared blankly at his gun then up at the monsters. Just one of these creatures almost killed Bob and Jake and now they are splitting up. Jake shook his head. “This can’t be real” Jake muttered. He looked up and watched the scene for a second more. Monsters were being created and pumped out of that giant plant, the city had fallen into chaos, buildings were slowly crumbling and fires were breaking out everywhere. On top of all that, Jake was so scared he couldn’t remember how to get home or even the names of his family. His memories seemed to get fuzzy the more he tried to focus on them.

            He stared off into space, feeling in a daze. Sharp pain throbbed in his head and went down his spine. Jake’s vision grew blurry and he collapsed. Every few minutes he was able to open his eyes and saw that a strange shadowy creature was dragging him off. The shadow monster had glowing purple eyes and its form would twist and change constantly. He looked up at the darkened sky and felt his body slide across the ruined concrete. Jake couldn’t even comprehend what was going on at this point. He was dragged into the large plant creature. the vines and stalk had grown around a patch of road, the round patch of road had circles and symbols painted on it. Jake was dragged into the center and the circle began to glow. Jake lay on the patch of road with half wide eyes and blissful ignorance. Red light filled the area and vines descended down from the ceiling. Shadows surrounded Jake and then the next moment, all went dark.

Elements of Fire

            Delia walked the lonely deserted streets. Rain poured down over the entire city. thunder rumbled in the distance. Each raindrop that hit Delia burned up and turned to steam. She had natural red hair, green eyes and light skin. She wore a mild orange jacket, a red shirt, brownish tan pants, orange scarf and brown shoes. She looked like she was dressed for an autumn day, as she dressed warmly and wore colors that might remind someone of autumn or fire.

            Delia stopped and looked up at the sky. Rain continued to fall, but her face remained dry. “It’s funny. We burn so brightly and we claim so much power, but we anything special?” Delia said out loud. A tall slender figure stepped out of the shadows. “How did you know I was there” Asked Kaji the fire element. He wore all black, jeans, boots and hoodie with the hood up and it was zipped up in the front. Underneath he wore a white t-shirt. He had bright red hair that stuck up and looked crazy and red eyes. “I can always tell when your near” Delia replied. “well to answer your question. We are special. We made this world, we let the humans and other animals live on our backs. So yes, we are” Kaji replied. Not sure how this wasn’t obvious. “Spoken like a true follower of Deus. “Oh how sad for us to be chained and burdened by the humans. We used to be so powerful. Remember how great chaos is?” Delia said doing a mock impression of Deus.

            “Your pitiful” Delia told Kaji. Kaji was smiling, but now his face turned into a sneer. “watch your tongue. At least we still remember who we are!” He yelled. Little sparks of fire jumped off Kaji as he grew angry. “who you used to be. All of the elementals are powerful, but we don’t do anything. Its been millions of years of the same argument, yet you call the humans petty. I wonder if we are special. All we had to do was just stay still long enough and the world formed by itself. We didn’t create life, we just have to not get in its way. We are giants among mice, but who is stronger, the giants who do as they please or the mice who hold on for dear life and build something out of nothing” Delia said. Kaji just stood and listened to her. “Your not going to sway me. I don’t care if the humans are determined. We should be the rulers, we should do as we please!” Kaji replied.

            Delia just smiled and turned away. “I am tired of this” She muttered. Kaji walked back into the alley. He was tired of the rain and the cold. “I was enjoying a nice hot beach and I went to hang out at a sauna. It was nice. Then I get ordered to keep an eye on you. I’m pretty tired of YOU” Kaji grumble. Delia stood in the rain started to laugh. “Yes, do as your told. For Elements that love chaos you sure take a lot of orders from Deus. Meanwhile the ‘uptight’ and ‘peace loving’ elements pretty much do as we please. Delia smirked. She loved messing with Kaji. He thought he was such a ladies man and despite other elementals being drawn to each other, Kaji and Delia were the exception. Their personalities clashed and they hated each other. Morana the water element acted like she hated Seigh, but secretly was just as much drawn to him as anyone else. Kaji and Delia legitimately wanted to kill each other.

            Kaji’s hands clenched into fists and fire burned all around his body. “You watch your tongue witch, or I’ll-“ Kaji began to say, but Delia cut him off. “You will attack me? Our battles end up being a duel, every time. I would love to take you apart, Dear Kaji, but I can’t” Delia explained. Kaji was very prideful and Delia was always digging into his ego, this created even more tension. “Just you wait, I will find a way to end you once and for all” Kaji threatened. Not able to stand Delia’s presence, Kaji vanished in a burst of flames. All that remained was a scorch mark where he stood.

            Delia disappeared too, shortly after Kaji left. In a serene forest setting, Terra sat on a stump, leaning forward to pet a chipmunk. Delia appeared in a whirl of flames and the chipmunk ran off. “Sorry” Delia said as Terra gave an annoyed look. “I must talk with you, I do not know who else to turn to” Delia said. “Sit down, whats the matter” Terra responded. “I think the chaotic elements are planning something. Kaji was spying on me and even threatened me like he knew something big was going to happen. This was not his normal kind of threats either” Delia explain Terra listened and nodded. “Yes, I see. I talked to Seigh earlier and he seemed concerned by Morana’s behavior as well. I tried talking to Aeolius to see if he heard anything from Zypher about what the chaotic elements are doing, but he wasn’t sure. Since Aeolius and Zypher are so close the both seem out of the loop. No one trusts either of them with sensitive information” Terra explained. Delia sighed. “those two love birds, its like their heads are always in the clouds” After saying this Delia and Terra were silent for a moment. Then Delia forced a cough and said “No pun intended”

            “I will watch for signs and will alert you and the others if I suspect anything further. The best we can do is wait and see. I just hope nothing happens. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Humans, light elements or even the dark elements. I wish we could live in peace” Terra said, then let out a sigh. Delia nodded then vanished in a puff of smoke. Terra’s mind was burdened with what might be but still she smiled and then resumed her attempt at befriending that chipmunk.