tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73052246014847491052024-03-13T04:30:44.254-07:00things I know aboutWritings of where i have been, what i have learned and where I am going.Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-10074805412396137732013-07-15T06:28:00.001-07:002013-07-15T06:28:41.395-07:00<br /><strong>I am so very proud to tell you that Abduction is finally live
and waiting to be part of your e-reader library. Please join me as I
welcome the “beginning” of the story that will take you to the sequel,
Penance. </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/darrelday" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373890801070_4537" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/darrelday</a><br />
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Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-44050728409081166702013-04-25T09:38:00.000-07:002013-04-25T09:38:17.303-07:00Institutions; this is a fix??? A few days ago, tragedy struck in Boston. Horrendous and frightening, it seems that the world becomes more violent with every tick of the clock. Boston wasn't the start and nor will it be the finish, I am certain. The schools, too many now to list, {A sad fact all by its own self}, the theaters and libraries, the places we have always called "safe" have become the places to now fear. We have for so long considered certain places to be off-limits, so to speak, to terrorists and creepers and violence that goes beyond the norm. "Small-town, U.S.A., populations so small that we do not expect nor fear something like a mass killing to happen are no longer a safe bet either. Illinois and it's little towns of 600 people, is now on our front page. Families and young boys, shot and killed... a little girl wounded is just one part of the violence we are seeing today.<br />
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My wife and I packed up all we had, gave up a really good job, sold our beautiful home and moved to "small-town" Iowa Falls, Iowa thirty years ago. We left Omaha, Nebraska because the violence was too much and we did not want our daughters raised in such an environment. Small town, small violence occurring, we always felt. It was a good move and never did we regret it, but now time has passed and even the little towns are not safe from the world outside. I find myself looking at everyone that enters the place that I am at and thinking of the violence that has spread throughout the world. What a sad place we have come to.<br />
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That said, I will go to where this was taking me. As I was reading peoples comments, I was alarmed at the mention, time after time after time about the mental state of the offenders. Bipolar pops up every time someone shoots a person or stabs someone or causes harm to anyone or anything. Knowing that we are a "tag it or label it" people now, it seems simple to say that the offender Must be bipolar or he/she would never have done that. Even more disturbing was the huge amount of people that determined that "locking them up" or "Bringing back the institutions" is the way to fix everything. Those statements not only scare me but offend me. They are spoken by people who know as little about the institutions as they know about being bipolar.<br />
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I am and have been for a very long time, Bipolar. I have my issues and through my doctors and self-help, I deal with it as best I can. I have never wanted to kill someone nor have I ever had thoughts of blowing anyone up. I don't sneak around and hurt people and am probably a bigger threat to myself than I will ever be to anyone else. To say "institutionalize" people that suffer from a mental disorder is to say "lock up all the Arabs or South Koreans" because someone of the same nationality killed someone. "Institutions," as one commenter stated, "don't let those people out. They will make sure we don't have anyone running around that is unstable." Really??????? Hmmmm??? Then why are people, when they are caught and it is discovered they were in a mental health facility, running around?<br />
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Institutions are not nice places to go. It isn't like a resort or as if you are on vacation. Stories told and documented show that they are simply places to place a person that the rest of the world doesn't understand nor wants to. Many were closed down because of the practices they used on patients. To lock someone up because life wasn't or isn't perhaps as easy for them to deal with is cruel and will NOT save the world from people that hurt others. Do some need help to cope? Of course they do but the locking them up is just an easy way of saying good riddance.<br />
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Not every killer is bipolar and some lived next door to people for years and no one ever said "Oh look, he/she is bipolar. We better watch our children. We live in a violent world today and it doesn't matter what race, religion or mental status you are, there are killers from every walk of life. The world needs something but what the answer is, I do not know. What I do know is that locking up the people with issues will NOT fix the world. Please don't label those that suffer from disorders. It isn't going to change anything.<br />
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Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-17007478742645149722012-12-20T08:24:00.001-08:002012-12-20T08:25:20.432-08:00excerpt from the next segment of Witches of the Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b> Please enjoy this segment from the 3rd segment of my Witches of the Forest series. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Forest-Has-Ears-ebook/dp/B007B2AQVS">The Forest Has Ears</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/More-Forever-Prequel-Forest-Ears/dp/1470051788/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356020580&sr=1-8&keywords=One+More+Forever">One More Forever </a>are available now. </b><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I may
have found what I need to finish off a good nights drink. Which one of you
ladies wishes to be my bed mate for the night? I promise you will walk away,
let’s say, better educated.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both looked
at the man standing in front of them. He leaned on their table for support,
waiting for one of them to answer. Rachel shook her head and spoke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I prefer my men
to be able to stand up on their own. If you can’t make your legs stand straight
without support, I doubt then, sir that anything else on you will stand up on
its own either.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men sitting at
his table laughed loudly at her comment. His face turned red and suddenly there
was anger in his eyes. He moved around the table to where Rachel was seated.
The slap came quick and hard, knocking Rachel from her chair. She placed her
hand on the stinging cheek he had struck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Speak to me as if
I am a commoner, will you, wench? I’ll have you tonight and you will enjoy it!
Pick yourself up and come with me! That slap was just a sample of what I will
do to you should you say no!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah was already
standing when Rachel picked herself up from the floor. As Sarah reached to help
her, Rachel pushed her hand away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I need no help to educate this man in how to treat a
lady.” Rachel walked over to the man and smiled her face still red and stinging
from his hand. “Sir, I would be glad to go with you tonight. Let us leave this
place and find somewhere more, shall we say, private.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rachel, what are
you doing?!? You cannot go with this man anywhere!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go back to the
cabin and I will meet you there later. This gentleman and I have somewhere we
need to go. Trust me dear Sarah, I am a big girl and can take care of myself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah shook her
head and moved near to Rachel. Leaning forward she whispered. “Whatever your
plan is, please be careful. This is not our era and we certainly do not want to
draw attention to us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have already
done that, dear, but I will use caution tonight.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said,
Rachel took the man’s arm and walked out the door. Sarah, staying back out of
sight, followed them. They walked towards the forest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where is it you
take me to, wench?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like the feel
of the night air on me when I am taken by a stallion. You won’t deprive a woman
her pleasures, will you, good sir?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without an answer
from him, they entered the forest. Sarah stayed as close as she dared without
being seen. She watched as Rachel stopped in a small clearing. She kissed the
man deep, disgusting Sarah as she watched. The man stood, frozen by her kiss.
Rachel began to undress him, one button at a time, kissing his chest as she
did. Suddenly, the man’s eyes opened wide. There was a look of pleasure and
pain in his stare. He tried to push Rachel away from him without success. Fear
replaced the pleasure in his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Witch, I should
have known you were one of them by your enchantment. You lured me to your table
just to kill me!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ahhhh, you are
very wrong there, sir. You in fact, are the one that came to my table and
pushed yourself on me. That was the biggest mistake of your pathetic life. I am
merely protecting myself from what we call in my time, a predator.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your time, you
say? You speak as if you are not from here. What means of witchcraft is this
that I stand beside?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The kind you are
going to wish you had never approached, you bastard.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice rose as
he again tried to pry himself apart from Rachel’s hold. “I have the authority
to hang you, witch; you and your friend. I shall enjoy seeing you swing from
the end of a rope. Perhaps we will burn you alive, just so that I can enjoy
your death more!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel laughed and
moved her hand over his chest. “You sir, have no authority at all. You hang
people that are not even witches because you fear us. Now you can see what a
real witch can do.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man screamed
out in pain. It echoed through the forest. Sarah feared the scream would be
heard in the village. She lunged forward to stop Rachel for hurting the man but
was suddenly aware of the branches that had wrapped around her feet. She could
not move her legs no matter how hard she pulled. Moving her hand over the
branches, she tried to pull them apart using her magic. The branches did not
give.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the hell is
going on here? Release me at once tree or I shall have to use deeper magic. I
do not wish to hurt you but I must silence that man.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very bass voice
came from the tree Sarah stood beside. “We know what you wish to do, little
witch, but have trust in the forest. We are young and still learning our place,
but our strength is still present. We can keep his screams from leaving the
forest.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah watched as
the trees, half the size that the forest was in her time, folded together,
closing out the entire outside world. Rachel and the man she held tightly to
also saw the trees bending to form a canopy. As the trees sealed the three
inside, Rachel could not help but notice bare trees spread throughout the
forest. The branches, stripped of all of their leaves, stood above the trees
reaching towards one another. She loosened her grip on the man, just enough for
him to cease his yelling for a moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rachel, the trees
are speaking to me. Can you hear their words?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought you
might follow me here, Sarah. I do hear them speak but I don’t understand why
there are so many bare trees standing.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bass voice
rang out again. “Each of those trees was our brothers, our sisters and our
seedlings. We are just beginning to learn to bond together as one forest but in
days long ago, each tree held the soul of a witch within itself. When a witch
is killed, the tree that kept watch over the soul dies with her. Our strengths,
though growing as time passes and we learn of our abilities, have not been
enough to keep our brothers alive after the passing of a witch. What you see
before you is the number of witches that have been killed here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My holy saints,
there are so many trees that have died.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes Sarah, more
than we wish had died. One day, we will be a strong forest; a fortress that
will protect witches and their families. We will not die as individuals but
will rather, aide in each other’s ability and need to survive. This is what we believe
to be true.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is true,
exactly as you speak it, Guardian. This forest, in our time, you and your
companions, save my coven from an extremely powerful witch and her followers.
You will expand and surround where our cabin is in our own timeline. We owe our
very lives to you and your forest.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then it is good
that we meet now and learn all we can from your time here. Finish what you have
come here to do so that we may stand tall again. There will be no sounds
outside of our branches.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel began
scratching the man’s chest again. She moved her nails up and down, causing
blood to erupt from his skin. The man’s faced turned ashen grey and Rachel
could feel his body trembling. Sarah moved closer now, the branches unwrapping
themselves from her legs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rachel, we are
not killers. Please don’t do this or it may come back on us. There is no fight
in him and I think he understands what he must do. Resign from his post and
leave Salem forever. Do you hear me, witch killer? I am trying to save your
life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel raked harder, her hand trailing downward. She
reached his inner thigh and began to squeeze his skin. The man’s heart could be
heard pounding in his chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do as she says,
and you might even live to breed with some poor, desperate wench again. Tell me
no… and you will be a worthless gelding the rest of your miserable days. Do not
take too long to answer me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man looked at
Rachel and Sarah, the fear slowly replaced with anger again. He spit into Rachel’s
face as he tried to pull away from her. “You, witch, will be hung above a fire
so that I can slowly watch you both hang and burn to death. Then this forest
will burn until it is all consumed! You have made a costly mistake, wench! As
for your little friend, who apparently can do nothing, I shall enjoy her first
and then hang her beside your burning corpse!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah smiled as
the man began to push the tree boughs aside. He had not gone far when a huge
branch reached down and knocked him to the ground. The branch pressed its weight
fully against the man’s chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What would you
have me do to him, my queen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel looked at
the man and then at Sarah. “He is yours to do with as you wish, Sarah. I am
finished with this pig.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah walked over
to the man and reached out to touch him. “The only thing that would extinguish the
fires you speak of would be water. I think I will give to you that water.”
Sarah reached inside her dress and pulled her wand out. Making circles around
the man, a wall of water began to encircle him. It filled inside with the
overflow and began to cover his body. “You will not hang another witch, ever
again. Hold him there until he is finished drinking. Then dispose of him in any
way you wish, good tree. I too am finished with him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the trees
opened for the ladies to leave, the man’s screams were barely audible. “Curse
you dirty whores! I will see you in Hell!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees closed
and his voice was silenced forever. The two women walked to their cabin in
silence. They ate a small amount of food and then slept until morning. </span></div>
Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-6200897396519501832012-12-18T07:06:00.000-08:002012-12-18T07:06:11.323-08:00Inspirations...<b> This morning, as I stand outside and look at the sky, snow gently beginning to fall, I see the bare trees standing in my yard. My thoughts run rampant as I think to myself what a great story that would be. The story I am writing pops in to my mind and I decide to use this very scene in the story. I look out to the East, knowing there will be no sunshine this morning. The sky is lightly greyed, a color that screams "Snow" and the breeze moves my flag from right to left and then back to the right again. I pull my hood up to cover my ears and watch the smoke from my cigarette being swept away, disappearing into the air.</b><br />
<br />
<b> What inspires us as writer is often the very life that goes on right in front of us. The sound of a train at the end of town, it's whistle blowing to warn others of it's passing through town inspires me. A Nuthatcher hangs upside down on the huge naked Maple tree and makes it way to the goodies I have left in the bird feeder. The loud knocking of a red-headed woodpecker causes me to search the trees to find where it sits. My eyes settle on the bright red coloring of it's head, it's long beak pounding at the bark in search of breakfast. The train's horn fills my ears one more time, this time less loud, further away from me. </b><br />
<br />
<b> I am inspired and the yearning to sit and describe each and every sight and sound that I experience makes me excited. Writing is my passion and I feel alive when I am penning a new novel or telling you how beautiful my morning is. I wonder to myself what inspires other writers to sit and create a story. Is it a sound or a sight that brings your writing to life? Is it something from your past or present that gives you the thoughts you need to start anew or to add on to a story you are already writing? Some of my novels were started with something as simple as the snap of a twig as I walked through the wooded area that surrounds the lake.</b><br />
<br />
<b> Emotions are a great inspiration for me also. I may feel sad or happy or perhaps I wake unsure what it is I am feeling inside. The passion from a lover or the feeling of being alone will set my fingers into motion, creating exactly what I am feeling at that moment, in words transferred from my soul. Being in love or falling in love or remembering my first love always leads to a story of some sort. These are just a few of the things that inspire me. To speak honestly, I believe that simply taking in a breath and blowing it out is enough to inspire me to write.</b><br />
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<b> The tree that I looked at this morning, it's branches looking cold and naked, will be used in the next chapter of my newest short story. The witches will find it and it will come to life in the story. Now, I am ready to write. What does it take to cause the stirring inside of you that I feel when I have been inspired? Just morning thoughts to share with you. </b><br />
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<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-29172413525990554992012-12-11T13:13:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:14:47.324-08:00Journey to Salem Village; a Forest and a Queen<b>Good afternoon,</b><br />
<br />
<b> Today has been busy and filled with household chores and life in general. The temperature has continuously dropped and I am doing my best to stay warm. Snow is still on the ground though not as much as anticipated. that is not a bad thing at all.</b><br />
<br />
<b> I am working on the third story in the series of The Witches of the Forest series. I hope to have it finished and submitted by next week. It will be as the first two are, seven to eight chapters long. This story will begin in days after the battle between Rachel and her brother, Eli and bring you to exactly where One More Forever ended. I am looking forward to seeing where the story takes me. I will give to you the first chapter and then tiny excerpts from each chapter to keep your pallet hungry for more.</b><br />
<br />
<b> Please enjoy the first chapter of "</b><b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Journey to Salem Village; a Forest
and a Queen<span style="font-size: small;">."</span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Journey to Salem Village; a Forest
and a Queen</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes, control over our heart seems more evasive then
eternal life. For Rachel, keeping her heart in check had disappeared after
Jacob had been consumed in the fires. The child they had made together was lost
to the forest and the flames that scorched her body. Her mother had assured her
that she would have the children we so deeply wanted. Two daughters would walk
side by side, each doing battle with the evil that would be a part of their
lives for as long as they dwelled on earth. The loneliness that swallowed her
every thought grew with each passing day. She knew she would need to leave the
forest to find companionship. Jacob, her only true love, taken from her arms by
the very forces she sought to destroy, was gone forever. This was a time before
Ellie and Karen, only weeks after she had given her brother to the demon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving the
protective covering of the forest would bring to her a sense of vulnerability
she had not felt since the battle. Her powers would be lessened without the
forest to watch over her. The outside world was not prepared to deal with her
or any witches, for that matter. What is not understood was far too often met
with fear and aggressiveness. Better to erase them from the earth than to try
and understand what a witch truly was. She had neither the time nor the desire
to explain it to those that chose to pretend they did not exist. She would seek
out a man they possessed the qualities she desired for her child. Rachel packed
her things and then called for her coven to meet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took only a few
hours for them to assemble in the cabin in the middle of the forest. Trees
stretched out their boughs, touching one another until they had formed a tunnel
that led from the outside world to the cabin. Guardians of the witches’ cabin,
they stood ready to close and engulf anyone that was not part of the assembly.
With their proven power to crush anything or anyone, they wanted only to keep
the witches safe and were unafraid to sacrifice themselves to do so. They
watched as witches from all parts of the outside world enter their realm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel stepped
outside the cabin to greet her faithful ladies and gentlemen. As she reached
the edge of the clearing, trees, tall and strong, bent their heavy trunks
towards the ground. Each bowed before the Queen of the forest. Rachel blushed
as they touched the ground, creating a carpet of spruce needles, soft and long.
She knew her status within her coven but none the less, was still awed at the
forest itself giving reverence to her. She watched as each member of the
assembly came through the opening in the forest. Each of them had a special
gift that was theirs alone, save Rachel, who held nearly all of the gifts.
Together, they made up the strongest coven of good witches ever assembled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first to greet
Rachel was Debra. She could conjure up nearly any “witches brew,” as those that
feared them liked to call what she created. Her magic was vital should a witch
become ill, whether it was by nature or a spell. She was second in line should
anything happen to Rachel. She knew well her place and that she could only hold
the position of leader until a true Queen was found again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah, watcher of
children followed close behind her. Her soul was gentle and her care for
children of the coven was essential. She taught them the ways of the forest and
what they would be called to do. Alone, the children were weak but as a group,
they could stand their own ground against common enemies. Lila, keeper of the
water wand and Ella, keeper of the “Book of Laws” bowed to Rachel as they
entered the clearing. Timothy, keeper of animals of the forest, along with
Matthew, warrior and protector of the Queen, filled out the group. Though the
coven was over ten thousand strong, the eight that gathered in the woods this
day were the strongest and most knowledgeable of covens. Rachel led them into
the cabin and after serving all of them drinks, she stood before them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have gathered
you all here today for a specific reason. I am leaving the forest today, in
search of a mate. I know that sounds crude but I want to be open and honest
with you. This is something that I am compelled to do from within my soul.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7305224601484749105" name="_GoBack"></a> We fought side by side when we went against my brother and
we defeated him. During the battle, I lost a precious child that will never see
this world. There are things of this world that we do not understand and we
must bow to its laws as long as we take from the world. I feel there is someone
waiting for me this very minute and I must go to him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My Queen, how
will you find this stranger you seek?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Debra, I ask
myself the same question and yet, somehow I know the answer. I will be drawn to
him like hummingbird is drawn to sweetness. I will follow the essence that is
him and bring him back here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you think that
is wise, My Queen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel did not
answer the question. She stepped into the middle of the half circle that her
followers had formed. Reaching out, she took Debra’s hand and held it tightly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will watch
over the coven while I am away, Debra. You will be safe here, I pray, and you
will have these people that surround you as you protectors. I will…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But who will
protect you when you leave the forest?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel turned and
looked at Timothy, the man that kept a constant vigil over Rachel when she
slept. He had been faithful to her long before she had become Queen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will be able to
call on you should I find myself in peril, dear Timothy. My powers are lessened
when I leave the forest, but they are not gone from me. I will have the ability
to defend myself against the common enemy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not all are
common, dear lady and you; you are precious to this coven.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will call on
you if I need to, Timothy. I need you to keep watch over Debra and the others.
I entrust the witches of the forest to you. I know you will not let me down.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When will you
return to us?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel smiled at
Ella. “I wish I could tell you the answer to that. Hopefully, it will not take
long to find him. As much as I wish that it were Jacob that I was going to see,
the Gods and the forest have not ordained that for me. The child that would
have been ours together was taken from me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a scream
that came from behind them. The scream was so loud that it caused the trees to
pull back from the circle. A window shattered in the cabin, the glass spewing
razor sharp shards of glass into the air. Witches ran to find shelter from the
glass, some feeling the sting of its bite before they reached safety. Only
Angelina and Timothy stood in the clearing now. A shield crafted by witches of
long ago, held tightly in his hand, Timothy stood firm, the shield stopping any
shards from striking him. Witches cried out as the glass cut deep into their
skin. Blood ran down their arms and legs. Some hand the pieces of glass still
stuck in their skin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking out from
the protective burros they had found, the witches could see where the screams
came from. Angelina was standing near the cabin, her mouth agape, the scream
not as piercing as it was moments ago, still resounded throughout the forest.
Tears ran from her eyes as she began to sway from side to side. She shook as if
she were having a seizure, clawing at the empty air as if she were battling
some unseen foe. Timothy ran to her side and shielded her with his own body.
She went silent and collapsed in his arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glass all
settled to the ground and the screaming ceased, the witches slowly emerged from
their hiding places. They turned to one another and tried to help those that
were hurt the worst. Lila used her water wand to wash away the blood and glass
that had punctured the skin of the witches. She had been the least harmed by
the shards. Matthew lay holding his hands over a wound in his leg that bled down
his entire leg. Sarah and Ella worked together to keep the bleeding slowed as
Sarah made a mixture from the moss and pines of the forest. She placed it on
Matthews’s leg, pressing hard as Matthew writhed in pain. She saw the pain
registered in his eyes and wished she could stop the bleeding without the pain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This will hurt
for only a moment, Matthew. It will stop the bleeding and begin healing the
wound. I am sorry that I have to cause you more pain.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at her
and smiled through gritted teeth. He touched her cheek and Debra leaned in to
his palm. “Do what you need to do, sweetheart. I trust you with my life.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Debra and Matthew
had been lovers for many years. They met while learning the laws of the Wicca
when they were children. Ella had been the teacher for more years than most
knew. Her years were known to but a very few witches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel knelt
beside Angelina and laid the young witches head on her lap. Angelina was the
youngest witch in the coven and yet she possessed one of the most powerful
gifts; the seer that could forewarn or guide the coven by seeing what was to
come. She was still learning all of the elements of her gifts. One thing she
had learned early on in her life as a witch was that all things, past, present
and future were still governed by certain laws of the forest. What was to be
would be as long as the event was allowed to progress too far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Angelina, wake up
for me.” Rachel patted her cheeks and hugged her. “Wake up and tell me what you
saw.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angelina began to
stir. Her eyes fluttered open and shut, a look of confusion set into them. She
did not jump or jerk awake but rather slowly focused on Rachel and Timothy. Her
voice was soft and kind as it always was when she spoke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It came from out
of no-where, Rachel. I can sometimes feel the visions coming to me. This one
left me no warning at all.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s alright,
Angelina, you did nothing wrong.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angelina stood and
looked around her. Tears welled up as she watched her sisters tend to one another’s
wounds. “Oh my, I caused all of this, my queen. I am ashamed that I did not
have more control.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel hugged her
again, trying to give her comfort. “What has happened is done now. Their cuts
will heal with time. It is far more important that you tell us what you saw. I
need you to tell us what caused the scream.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The witches had
all moved to encircle Rachel and Angelina. They were all aware that the
scenario that had just erupted before them was brought on by a vision. Not
always did chaos precede a vision but they knew if it did, there would be a
battle of some sort coming. The coven was always ready to do battle to protect
the forest and its queen, though being ready did not always mean wanting to
fight. This, they did only to protect the world from the evil that lived right
in its midst.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will go to
the outside realm, Rachel. I saw you leave the forest and enter the filth that
abounds there. The man you seek waits for you to join him but there was a
darkness that surrounded where he is. Demons and creatures born in the
cesspools of a rotting society also wait for you. I am afraid for your safety
and think we should all follow you to your destination.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me what you
saw that made you scream in such a manner, Angelina. I need to know what I am
about to face.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A demon, not only
from Hell but earthly, will come to you. It will take on the guise of love and
friendship, but be warned, our queen, it will not be either. I saw it reach out
it’s horrible hand and grab you. It took you to a place I am know of and yet cannot
recall how it is I know this. I saw only a glimpse of where you go and that is
what caused me to scream.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angelina’s
breathing became labored and sweat poured from her skin. Her eyes rolled back
into the depth of their sockets, showing only the white of her eyeball. She stretched
out her arms and opened her mouth to speak. Timothy and the coven closed the
circle around Rachel, leaving Angelina on the outside of their protective ring.
Her voice echoed through the forest, causing trees to stand tall and shake the
snow from their branches. The ground was instantly turned white by the falling
snow. Coldness, such as can only be brought by a winters chill, made the forest
itself to shiver. The sisters and brothers of the coven huddled closely,
warming their queen with their own body heat. The voice that came forth was neither
the gentle tone nor sound of Angelina’s own speaking. There was no wind or
windows shattering this time; there was only the voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I speak to you
from a place forgotten by many and raised high on a pedestal by as many others.
It is a place that you travel too, queen of the forest. The trees are young and
still learning their place. The people are cold as the very snow that has
fallen at your feet here today. To find what you search for, you must be prepared
to fight for the right to conceive the child that is to be born.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel pushed
herself through the circle and reached out to touch Angelina. She pulled her
hand back from Angelina’s body and saw the frost that had appeared. She rubbed
her hands together to warm them. She wondered how Angelina’s body could cause
such a frost and yet no frost was on Angelina’s body. What evil or good was at
work here and how did it penetrate the forest. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You saw
something, Angelina. Tell me what it is I am to do battle with.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I speak for her,
queen witch, but do not worry; she is safe and well. Where you go, witches and
warlocks are hated and killed. The people will try and call out those they
believe to be evil. You must not reveal your true self to anyone except those
most trusted. They will know you as a queen and come to you. But remember this,
your enemies, both mortal and those of the enchanted, will also seek you out
and try to take your life. Though things have happened in your future, know
that should you be killed, all that was shall no longer exist. Be cautious and
do not linger longer than you must. Blend in and find this man who awaits you.
Be done with your task and return to your faithful coven. Do not allow any more
time to pass here. Go… and be safe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the voice
faded, the trees opened their tops, allowing the sun to enter the clearing.
Snow was melted and the trees drank the wetness in to their roots. Angelina
fell to the ground, her body suddenly shaking from the cold. Matthew knelt and
picked her up from the ground. He carried her in to the cabin and laid her on
the bed. He covered her with blankets to warm her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Timothy spoke
first. “I think that we have heard enough to know that you cannot pursue this “task”,
as you call it, my queen. To do so might mean your death and we cannot allow
that to happen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I agree with
Timothy, Rachel. You must fight this urge and stay here in the forest where you
will be safe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel looked at Debra
and Timothy. She pondered their words as she moved towards Angelina. She had no
doubt that their words could be true. She also had no doubt that she was going
to follow through with her intent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thank you both
for your concerns and I will not hide that I too have concerns. The fact
remains that there is a queen to born and I will be to the one to carry her
inside of me. If Angelina could see what was going to happen, then she has a
window in to where ever it is I am going to. We have the connection that should
allow us to communicate in some way. Should I feel the need, I will call on you
to help me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And if we cannot
hear you, Rachel, then what do we do?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will find a
way, Matthew. For now, I need each of you to play your part in keeping the
forest safe. The trees are where we are at our strongest and this is where we
are best protected. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will </i>go and I
will find the man I seek. To not do so, I am neglecting my duties as your queen.
I should therefore relinquish my power and my place as your queen to another,
more fit queen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no one
more qualified to be our queen, Rachel. You stand where you are not only by
your blood rights but because the forest has deemed you worthy to be our queen.
That is good enough reason for us. We will do as you have asked of us and await
your safe return.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, Matthew
and I will return to you all. Watch over Angelina and do not worry for me as I
will be fine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel gathered
her things and without another word, she walked out the door. The trees once
again bowed to their queen. Some reached their branches out and touched her
skin. Rachel felt the surge of energy given to her by their touch. She knew she
would be taking part of the forest with her. This gave her comfort enough to
follow through with what she needed to do. Debra had walked with her to the
opening in the trees. She watched as Rachel stepped out on to the cement. No
sooner had she touched her feet to the hard surface, a wind swept through and
began to blow her hair around. They both knew this was not a force born of
anything mortal. The winds began to sweep Rachel off of her feet. Struggling to
free herself, she reached out to Debra but failed to grab her hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will be fine,
Debra! The wind will take me where I need to be. Listen for me and know that I
love you all dearly!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As her words faded
into the wind, Rachel suddenly disappeared from Debra’s sight “Be safe, my queen,”
Debra whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the winds died
down, Rachel found herself standing in the middle of a town square. People
rushed by her, pushing her and knocking her to the side. Her surroundings told
her she was not in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her </i>forest any
longer. The trees were only half as tall as when she had left there. Some
things looked the same but the cabin was smaller. She walked to the door and
went inside. A fire was burning already and she warmed her hands by the heat.
She heard shouting outside the cabin. Glancing out the window, she saw four men
dragging a woman behind them. They shouted as the woman fought to free herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will die this day, Witch! We will string
your neck up and watch you die by the rope. Your body will be burned so that no
more of your kind can exist!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No-o-o-o-o-o-o,
please, I swear to you I am not a witch! Somebody told you wrong and I should
be free!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That will not
happen today or any other day, witch! The fire shall consume you and Salem will
be one less evil resident. So say I and all who witnessed your spells!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Rachel watched,
horrified at the sight before her, suddenly she recognized where she was. She
was now in Salem, Massachusetts, right in the middle of the witch hunts. The
year was 1692 and she realized she was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not
</i>dressed for this time era. She opened the closet and found it to be filled
with clothes. Dresses and under garments of the time line she stood in. The
door burst open as she was taking one of the dresses out to wear. She moved
back against the wall as the door was slammed shut.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, dear woman,
I know you are of good heart. Hide me from those men, lest I die at their
hands. I beg of you, save me!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel stared at
the young woman, clutching her daughters hand and pressing against the door.
Part of the teachings given by Ella was the accounts of the Salem witch Trials.
She knew the names of some of those accused and put to death. The age of this
woman caused Rachel to remember such a young woman with a child.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sarah, Sarah
Good?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The woman turned quickly to look at Rachel. She spoke in
a whisper now. “How is it that you know my name when I have never set eyes on
you before this moment?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me how you
knew to come to this home for refuge and I will answer your question.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I felt the
essence of one such as me. The home has an aura that surrounds it. Only those
gifted with the magic can see it.” She reached out and touched Rachel’s arm.
Closing her eyes, she seemed to breathe in the air surrounding Rachel. “Ah-h-h-h,
you are a powerful witch. I can feel your strength through mine own skin. I will
not allow them to come to you. Stay where you are, Witch, and pray for the soul
of my daughter and I.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saran opened the
door and peered out through the crack. Seeing that the crowd had vanished, she
grabbed her tiny daughter and exited the cabin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait, don’t go
out there! They are going to kill you and imprison your daughter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please come back in here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shush witch, lest
they know you. We need you to save our souls before they kill the entire coven.
Go back inside and wait for him. He will guide you to safety until your task is
finished. Be careful who you speak to and trust none but Johnathon. Close the
door now for they are returning.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel heard the
crowd returning, their words the same as before. “There she is, with her
accursed daughter. They will not elude us any longer.” She watched as they
seized Sarah and her daughter. “This time, Witch, you will stretch on the end
of a rope. Take the youngster to a cell while we hang her mother until the evil
within her is dead!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We will do as you
have spoken, William. Be assured this witch is dead before morning’s light.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rachel closed the
door and stood silent. She tried to take in all of what had just happened. She
wondered why it was here that she had to be. What was her purpose and how could
she help any of those accused of being witches. Mostly, she wondered when and
how she would meet this Johnathon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“William, the man
said,” she whispered to herself. “William Stoughton, one of the most
influential men of Salem’s witch hunts… I hope you rotted in Hell for what you
did here.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The loud slam outside made Rachel jump and
wrap her arms around herself. The sound of the floor door being released under
the feet of the accused was a sound she would never forget. Rachel sat in a
chair and cried for Sarah good and her tiny four year old daughter. </span><br />
<br />
<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-12147626489974359512012-12-08T08:00:00.001-08:002012-12-08T08:00:15.975-08:00<b>Good morning to all,</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> I received a message yesterday</b> <b>from a friend telling me she was very upset. She had received a review on one of her books that she felt was unkind. She felt the words were strictly critical and harsh. She asked if I would read the review and tell her how she should respond. I told her I would read the review but that I made no promises as to how I might answer her question. Being asked to review a friends works is a little bit like "Does this dress make me look fat?" Perhaps it is more likened too asking if someone likes you better with or without the beard "after" you have shaved it off. Better to have left the beard until you had the answer. At least then you would have the ability to shave it off, should the answer be "Without."</b><br />
<br />
<b> That said, I took myself to the review in question and read. As I read the words left there by a reader, I found myself thinking about critical versus <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_criticism">constructive criticism</a>. Before writing her back, I took a moment to look up both words. Was there a real difference in the two words? Defining constructive criticism gave me these words. </b><b>"Offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others,
usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly
manner rather than an oppositional one. In collaboration work, this kind of <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criticize">criticism</a> is often a valuable tool in raising and maintaining performance standards." I then looked up <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/criticize">criticism</a> and found this definition. "</b><b id="yui_3_3_0_1_1354977295877453">Definition</b> of <b>CRITICIZE</b>. <b>to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of ... Synonyms blame, censure, condemn, denounce."</b><br />
<br />
<b> Deciding there was a very definite difference in the two definitions, I went back to the review. I won't copy it as I don't want to expose my friend. The reviewer wrote that after reading the book, he had been left with mixed feelings. He wanted to scream out the wonderful places the story had taken him while wanting to scream at the author for the manner in which she took him there. The time line jumped around in such a pace that he could no longer decipher which era he was in. The suggestion that perhaps a rewrite, defining times and places might be best for this author. "After finding the need to go back numerous times and re-read pages to find where the character was, I skipped to the end, read and closed the book. I would be more likely to urge readers to purchase this book, if and when a rewrite was available."</b><br />
<br />
<b> Were his words harsh? Perhaps in the eyes of the author they might appear to be. Looking at the definitions of criticism and constructive criticism, I found no problem with the reviewers words. To construct means to build or put together, to erect that which can be entered. </b><b><b id="yui_3_3_0_1_1354979961557379">Definition</b> of <b>CONSTRUCT</b>. 1: to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements : build; also: contrive, devise.</b><br />
<br />
<b> I felt the reviewer followed the word constructive to the letter. The review praised her writing while at the same time, giving direction of how the book might be assembled differently. My response to her was as follows.</b><br />
<br />
<b> "__________,</b><br />
<br />
<b> After reading the review, I could find no issues with what he had to say. He was honest and gave you avenues to correct what he felt might hinder sales. The ability to accept criticism, even if it appears negative, is needed for a writer to continue on their journey. Viewing reviews as personal stabs at the writer will eventually destroy the writers desire to write and strip them of their means to write comfortably. If you take each review and make it a direct hit on you personally, you erase the opportunity to better yourself as a writer.</b><br />
<b> I feel this was a very constructive review and having never read your novel in it's entirety, I feel unqualified to question his evaluation of your book. Read the words he left for you and open your mind a bit. Get past the feeling of rejection and look to see what you can do to make this a better novel. He gave you, what I consider to be excellent direction to making this book the seller you want it to be. Remember that not all reviews will be good and not all negative reviews are Bad. Sort them out, be glad someone has chosen to read your works and move on."</b><br />
<br />
<b> We, as writer and readers, work hand in hand. I take each and every review as a good thing, no matter what it says. To be reviewed is to be read and that is why I write. Having the ability to take the good and the bad reviews is to have the power to maintain my desire to write and not allow words to discourage my writing. Constructive criticism can be one of the most powerful boosts a writer can receive. They do not say you have failed as a writer. They tell you you Are a writer and you have been read. What you do with the words from a reader defines where you are at with your comfort-ability in writing. You can allow them to discourage you or you can use them as a guide to where you are going.</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
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<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-31922381341703708442012-12-05T10:56:00.001-08:002012-12-05T11:00:30.831-08:00<b>Good day to you all.</b><br />
<br />
<b> As I widen my search for that seemingly ever elusive #1 best seller, I find the journey a learning experience. A bit like the first time you walk where you have never walk before, you learn where to step and where not to. You find and remember who has a big dog that only looks scarey and who has a little tiny dog, that only looks friendly. There are so many sites for writers and some of them are not "people friendly." Beware those they promise free as there may be underlying charges. Be cautious as to where you leave your credit card or information that may open doors for those less honest.</b><br />
<br />
<b> It is the time of year that people come from out of nowhere, hoping to deceive at least a few people. In your efforts to buy on line or in the stores, if it looks too good to be true or offers something normally high priced that is suddenly a "give away", perhaps do a check first. Google them or do a background; even the Better Business Bureau is not a bad idea. </b><br />
<br />
<b> As for the sites for authors, enjoy the reading, explore the places people take you too, but think about what you are doing before you do it. I am branching out and enjoying the talents I am finding. I hope you will follow me on this journey.</b><br />
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Mystery, thriller and suspense books in Promocave.</div>
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<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-2856631975746526612012-12-03T07:33:00.000-08:002012-12-03T07:33:09.816-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl5kzKRiYXFcsIqdEM8umivH5CYSgUeM4e1xO83W_L4B0uxSecd3YWULujxL7owuuRFpRl557w2wxQrvdRp9MDdULJg5yiO36bsAeTkVOMa11g-nzlXBK9iE0l8v0BTl5_fp9i7uu5XM/s1600/51+5ovHTeoL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl5kzKRiYXFcsIqdEM8umivH5CYSgUeM4e1xO83W_L4B0uxSecd3YWULujxL7owuuRFpRl557w2wxQrvdRp9MDdULJg5yiO36bsAeTkVOMa11g-nzlXBK9iE0l8v0BTl5_fp9i7uu5XM/s1600/51+5ovHTeoL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_222.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Good morning to all...</b><br />
<br />
<b> The weekend is over and Monday showed up without an invite. Five a.m. looks a lot like three a.m., or at least it did this morning. Continuing to write in my newest story and contemplating writing a short story, seven days/seven chapters, for Hubpages as I have done for a year or so. For now, I am posting an excerpt from the second story in the "Witches of the Forest" series. The title of that story is "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Prequel-Forest-Witches-ebook/dp/B007FT4WDA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1354547384&sr=8-8&keywords=One+More+Forever">One More Forever</a>" and it is available for purchase. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Forest-Has-Ears-ebook/dp/B007B2AQVS">Forest Has Ears</a> is also available on <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/darrelday">Smashwords</a> as well as all of my novels are.</b><br />
<br />
<b> Please enjoy the excerpt, perhaps enough to want to read the full story.</b><br />
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<h1>
Chapter Two</h1>
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<br /></div>
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Rachel ran through the forest as fast as she could. Imps
jumped in front of her to try to slow her advance. Tree branches reached out
for her, their tips sharp as a razor, tearing her clothing and leaving claw
marks on her back and neck. She tried to stifle her cries but some of the
wounds were deep and terribly painful. Each time she screamed, the imps honed
in on her sounds and tore at her a little more. She knew she needed to reach
the cabin soon but her body needed healing before she could go on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rachel saw a tiny bridge hidden almost completely from view
by shrubs and trees. The foliage encompassed the bridge as if it were
protecting it from peering eyes. She knew this bridge and of its powers.
Reaching the moss covered entrance; she quickly slipped underneath of it. A
brook ran underneath and her feet were instantly soaked as she stepped into the
clear water. Green, the color of grass, covered the underneath of the bridge.
The stones on the bottom were invisible beneath the moss that for hundreds of
years had kept it from the eyes of imps and demons. The light from the moon
shone down in to the water, reflecting off the rocks that covered the bed of
the brook. The movements of the water made it appear as if the moon were
dancing, changing with each ripple of brook. Rachel was safe as long as she
stayed under the bridge.</div>
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As she submerged herself in the cool waters, letting the
wetness flow over her wounds, she could feel them closing as they healed. She
felt her strength returning slowly. Lying on her back, the water fully covering
all but her head, she thought about her Mother. Rachel was only six when her
mother had taken her to the bridge the first time. She had fallen from a horse
and broken her leg. It was a terrible injury and the bone from her leg had
pushed through her skin, exposing it. Her mother had carried her through the
forest and set her in the brook. She watched as her mother moved her hands back
and forth in the water, slightly touching Rachel's knee each time. She heard
her mother whispering words but could not truly hear what she was saying. As
the bone began to move back under the skin, the pain subsided.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Watch what I do daughter, for one day, you may need
this water. There are things you must know before coming here alone.'</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Mother, I will never come here alone. I will have you
with me and father too."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"No!" Her mother's voice was suddenly sharp and
she sounded as if she were afraid. "You must never use this water for
anyone but yourself. Your father does not have the gifts that you and I do. My
gift was passed down by my mother as I pass it on to you."</div>
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"Are we witches, Mother? Is that why we have
powers?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We do not call ourselves witches, though some may say
we are. People fear witches and they would kill us if they thought we were
witches. We simply say we are gifted."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yes mother, but are we witches? I won't tell
anyone."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Many years from now, you will have family that enters
into a Coven. They will call themselves witches. One of your daughters will be
the leader of the Coven. She will call upon the trees to help her and the cabin
I have taken you too will be a safe haven for them."</div>
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"How do you know all of this, Mother?"</div>
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"I simply do. Remember this bridge because you will
come here one day, alone, and it will heal you and give you strength you need
to fight the evil that hides in the forest. There is great evil here but some
of the trees are your friend. Call on them if you are ever in need. Only the
dark forest harbors the evil ones. The cabin will always be protected and you
may hide in it when you need to. There is also healing potions and incantations
you will learn to use."</div>
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"But mother, why don't you just come with me?"</div>
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Rachel remembered the sadness in her mother's eyes. She had
looked away without answering Rachel but not before Rachel had seen her tears.</div>
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A stone splashed in to the water, bringing Rachel back to
reality. She jumped a bit when it hit the water. She looked in all directions
to see where the stone had come from. She could feel her body was almost
healed. The scratches and deep wounds were nearly gone now. Looking above her
at the bridges ramp, she saw a man staring down at her. Startled, she grabbed
her torn clothing and held them to her body. Her mind raced, searching for
answers to so many questions... questions she was asking herself aloud.
"How is it possible for him to see me? How is it he is even here?"</div>
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The voice was bass and intoxicating. The face, smiling down
at her was handsome. Cold black hair, fluffed in the front like the tail
feathers of a duck, eyes as blue as the ocean, that seemed to look directly in
to her soul. When he spoke, a gentle tone greeted her ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"If those questions are for me, then I will gladly
answer them. I can see you because I live in the forest, and may I say I was
enjoying your beauty before you covered yourself. I am here because your mother
sent me to you. I will guide you safely to the cabin, when you are ready to
go."</div>
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Rachel looked up at him; her eyes squinted as if she were
studying him. He reached his hand over the side of the bridge. Why she took his
hand, she wasn't sure but his voice was calm and she knew he could be trusted.
Standing, her hand clasped in his, she lost her hold on her clothing. As it
fell to the water, she heard him gasp. Trying desperately to reach her
clothing, she felt him pull her towards him.</div>
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"I have seen all of you when you were lying in the
water. You, with your auburn hair, like the mane of a beautiful animal and your
eyes, green as the emeralds that only rich men have, should be ashamed of
nothing. You have the curves of the finest hourglass and the body to rival any
Goddess. I am privileged to look on such perfection."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rachel was entranced by his words. He handed her new
clothing and she quickly covered herself with them. "I cannot waste time
talking to you. I must reach the cabin soon."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Then let us not waste any more time. I have a horse
that will take us there. Ride with me and we will battle the forest creatures
together."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without a thought, Rachel climbed on the stallion and
wrapped her arms around the man’s body. Leaning into him, she felt his warmth
cover her body. "And what do they call you, my handsome savior?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I am known by my friends and foe as Jacob. As for
being your savior, that remains to be seen. I too can be hurt by the evil that
dwells with in this forest."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without another word, he spurred his horse and they raced to
beat the sunrise that was growing closer with each passing moment. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-30372279899948485512012-12-01T22:34:00.002-08:002012-12-01T22:34:42.220-08:00<b>Hello to all... </b><br />
<br />
<b> I thought I would set in some excerpts of the first two stories in the Witches of the Forest series. They will give you a little insight as to what you can be looking for in the third part I have just started writing. The first excerpt will be from The Forest Has Ears. You can find the complete story <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Forest-Has-Ears-ebook/dp/B007B2AQVS">here</a>.</b><b><span class="url" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1354430001108376"></span> Please sit back and enjoy. Darrel </b><br />
<br />
<b>The Forest Has Ears</b><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The sky cleared almost as quickly as it had darkened. Karen
turned and went back in to check on Ellie. She was sitting up, leaned against
the wall of the kitchen. The only sign that she had been hurt was the blood
stain on her blouse.<br />
"Stupid, stupid me! If my head had been on right I would have seen that
coming, Ellie. I am very sorry."<br />
"Stop it, Karen. There is nothing we can do about it now. Thank goodness I
have a little bit of mom in me or I would have been dead for sure. Thank you
for the touch healing. That helps."<br />
"What are we going to do, Ellie?"<br />
"Right now, we are going to get out of here before that witch with a B
sends more of her flunkies to mess with us. We can't go where we were headed,
that's a given. Melody has eyes every-where. We need to find a safe place where
she can't feel us for a while."<br />
"Derek was a fool... A wonderfully, brilliant, handsome fool."<br />
"O.k., where are we going with this, Sis?"<br />
"He knew. He knew all along that one day being with a Wicca would cost him
his life. He knew and still he stayed."<br />
"He loved you. He always did, Karen."<br />
"And it cost him his life! What kind of exchange was that!? Seventeen
years of ducking and diving and hoping the next lightening bolt wasn't meant
for you. When we walked the right of passage into Marriage, he knew then. No
one has their broomstick break in half just from stepping over it. He said it
was because our Love was so strong. I knew better and so did he. It foretold of
his death even then. And still, he stayed."<br />
"You have to remember that a lot of things were different with you, Karen.
You were confirmed before you were ten years old. Unheard of. You were born
with five stars on your shoulder, for cripes sake! At the initiation, we
suddenly had a lunar eclipse. Your second Saturn return came to you before you
were thirty. Anyone else is 58 to 60 years old, Sis. That's fact! No one really
knew what it all meant. Mom and Dad maybe, but if they did, they didn't pass
the knowledge on. All we can do is survive as long as we can. You didn't step
out of the coven, remember? That was Melody and her followers. You tried to fix
the tear in the fabric and..."<br />
"And it cost me my husband and my children! What a price to pay for
something I should have walked away from years ago!"<br />
The lights began flickering again. Both ladies looked at the front door.<br />
"Karen, we need to get out of here. We can not stay any longer. Take us to
a safe place now."<br />
Knowing the lights were not because the house was old, Karen knew Ellie was
right. They finished loading the van and Ellie drove away from the house. As
she turned the first bend, an explosion happened behind them. In the rear view
mirror she watched as the house turned quickly to ashes. Quicker, she knew than
was normal.<br />
"Is it gone?"<br />
"Yes Karen, completely. Where are we going? Point the way."<br />
"There is only one place that Melody can't feel us. Head North to the
forest. We can find refuge there while we figure out what we are going to
do."<br />
As they drove, a car suddenly appeared behind them. Ellie watched it in the
mirror as it got closer to them. The car moved into the passing lane as it
approached.<br />
"I think we have company, Sis."<br />
Karen looked at Ellie and then through the back window. The car was like any
other car to the naked eye. To Karen, it shimmered and turned from silver to
copper color and back to silver over and over again.<br />
"It's more of Melody's girls. I can feel six of them. Keep driving and do
not look back, Ellie. Do not even look into your mirror."<br />
The car hit the back of the van. The van lunged forward as Ellie gripped the
wheel tighter. "Just hold it as best as you can, Ellie. Keep your eyes
glued to the road!"<br />
Karen climbed from the front seat to the back of the van. She glanced up front
and saw Ellie watching her. "Damn it, Ellie! I said keep your eyes on the
road. Do you want to die!?"<br />
"I am sorry... I am scared!"<br />
"Me too, but I need to concentrate, please!" Ellie turned her eyes
back to the road. She kept them focused on the highway in front of her, though
she wanted so to watch what Karen was doing. Karen kicked the back door of the
Van open just as the car struck it again. She grabbed the side of the door to
keep from falling out. A bright light came through the back door and struck the
floor. With a wink, the flames were extinguished. Karen stretched out her wand.
It was long, longer than the traditional wand. It was a foot long and covered
in every color that existed in a witches "tool kit." It was covered
in Gold instead of brass and the shine from it could blind a person. The driver
saw the wand first. Karen saw her eyes widen as she tried to back the car away
from the van. Karen smiled.<br />
Should have done that before you tried to kill us! Now it's my turn."
Flashes were coming from every window of the car. They were striking the van on
all sides and Ellie struggled to keep the Van on the road. Karen suddenly left
the van and in an instant was seated next to the driver. The girls in the car
began trying to hide on the floor of the car. Wands were being dropped and the
driver could barely keep the car on the road.<br />
"Don't you hate it when your leader forgets to tell you how nasty I am?
You girls should have stayed in bed this morning. Now, I have to get mean. How
shall we do this, ladies? Do you pull over and try to run or do we do it right
here? Trap you like you did my Love and my children."<br />
"It wasn't us, Karen, I swear it wasn't!!!!"<br />
"Then I guess you should have just said "No", Tara. Too late for
that though."<br />
As the car came to a screeching halt, all the ladies reached for the door
handles. As their fingers gripped the handles, they all heard the door-locks
snap down. "Now that wouldn't be nice of you if you left just when I was
about to start class, would it?"<br />
With a wave of her hand, the car began to heat up. The windows fogged over
quickly. Suddenly, Tara disappeared from the front seat. Karen turned towards
the back seat.<br />
"Tara is on her way back to Melody. She is going to tell her what happened
here today. Unfortunately, you 5 will not be joining her."<br />
"Please, please, don't hurt us!"<br />
"It will only hurt for a minute, Selena. Much nicer than you were to my
loved ones. And please don't deny it. I can still smell their presence on all
of you. Bye ladies."<br />
In a bright flash, Karen was back in the van. She watched as the car and all
inside, turned to ashes. She crawled back into the front seat.<br />
"Is it done, Sis?"<br />
"For now. Let's get to the Forest. We can listen from there."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b></div>
<b>
</b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-82574392812462940432012-11-30T10:22:00.002-08:002012-11-30T10:22:59.889-08:00 <b>Good morning to you all,</b><br />
<br />
<b> Today I am starting the third story in a series of six. The story will follow two short stories already published and available. The "Witches of the Forest" series begins with "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Forest-Has-Ears-ebook/dp/B007B2AQVS">The Forest Has Ears,"</a> which tells the story of a coven of witches that are at battle within the ranks. Karen and her older sister, Ellie, must fight to hold Karen's rightful place as queen. Her strength is in the elements and the forest is her strength and sanctuary. It was, at least, until Melody, a witch that believes she was born to be queen, steps in. The battles are fierce and the end...? </b><br />
<br />
<b> The second story in the series, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Prequel-Forest-Witches-ebook/dp/B007FT4WDA/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1354299385&sr=8-16&keywords=one+more+forever">One More Forever</a>, is the prequel to The Forest Has Ears. Karen and her sister have not yet been born. Their mother, Rachel, is queen of the Wicca coven and the forest is already her hiding place. A series of events, including a fierce demon that wants her dead and a very handsome helper that enters her life, draw her out of the safety she has always relied on. Rachel walks through fire and finds true love in the deepest part of the fires with in her home. Within the burning flames, she will conceive her first born and do battle to keep her alive.</b><br />
<br />
<b> The third in the series "A Newborn in the Forest" brings to life the birth of Rachel's second daughter. Born to be queen, she will come into the world fighting. She will fight as only a true queen of forest can do battle. I am anxious to write and watch as this story develops. I will be setting short excerpts for you to follow along also.</b><br />
<br />
<b> With that said, I believe I will sit back, smile and write a bit.</b><br />
<br />
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<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-8848244478051946652012-11-29T10:10:00.002-08:002012-11-29T10:10:42.948-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<b> Good morning to you...</b><br />
<br />
<b> As I begin this day, I turn my focus and things to come. I, like everyone I think, bought a ticket for that "Oh My God" so gihugic Lottery. I, like everyone but two people in America, did Not win the 450,000,000 dollars. Is that even a number??? yes, I know it is and it causes me to wonder why they don't draw say, ummmm, ten different times and split it up a bit. Even for myself, I think that number is ridiculously enormous for one or two people to win. Is that number going to be life-changing??? Hmmmm, is that even a question?</b><br />
<br />
<b> So going off of that, I think of things that I know would be life-changing. What or how would it change My life? It certainly would open up a few more hours to write, right? It would get me that little cottage that is a perfect set-up for inspiration. In fact, 450 million would be just enough to purchase the cottage and to travel a bit to places like the East coast in the Fall and the beautiful beaches that so inspire everything from a romance novel to a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Into-Abyss-Darrel-Robert-Day/dp/1475261381">suspense thriller.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b> My inspiration for writing more often than not, comes from the things I see when walking or surfing the Net for beautiful places to see. Castles and brick walk-ways, Forests and Wildlife, rain and the setting of a cabin on the lake are all calls for me to write. Oh, how I do love nature and all that it offers to the naked eye. These things, and the love of taking what is in my mind and making it a story, are the passions that burn within me. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Until-Death-Do-We-Meet/dp/1413767869/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3%20Until%20Death%20Do%20We%20Meet%20www.amazon.com">A romantic at heart</a>, I feel every word that I write and endeavor to create story-lines that transfer those burning embers to you, the reader.</b><br />
<br />
<b> Did I win the lottery this morning? Nope... but I was given an inspiration to write and write I did. You will find the very same inspiration and passion in every novel you read of mine. The appreciation for support in my writing is given in ways that words simply will not convey. Good morning and <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/darrelday">happy reading.</a></b><br />
<br />
<b> </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-25142908307641584162012-11-28T07:30:00.001-08:002012-11-28T07:30:47.727-08:00<b>Hello to you this morning,</b><br />
<br />
<b> I have been away for what seems like forever. Not away from writing or the Web but away from my blogs and connecting with you. Today, with a new found sense of direction and dedication, I am turning my focus on what I do best... writing. I have made some true accomplishments in the months that have passed and am looking forward to the New year and all it has to offer.</b><br />
<br />
<b> Where have I been since I last wrote about "things I know about," you may ask? I have been busy walking down new avenues and adding to the knowledge of what writing is and isn't. I have now published six novels and three short stories, two of which are a series ongoing. I have ghostwritten two novels, which has been a learning and growing experience for me. </b><br />
<br />
<b> I have walked a bit into the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ice-Changers-ebook/dp/B004V519MI/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2%20Ice%20Changers%20www.amazon.com">Sci-fi world</a> of writing and found it enticing. There is an entirely new and open genre in Sci-fi in my mind. Why? Because in the Sci-fi world, unlike my writings in the "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Penance-ebook/dp/B0056J6H8E/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1%20Penance">suspense-thriller</a>"genre, the sky, or perhaps I should say, the Universe is Not the limit. In keeping with reality, my fiction novels of suspense, no matter where I take them, still must follow a line that keeps them "real." Sci-fi, on the other hand can be as close to or as far from reality as the writer wishes it to be. It does leave a lot of room for expansion of the imagination.</b><br />
<br />
<b> I will be keeping you up to date with my writing and the things I learn about along the way. Where my books are and where they are going will be part of my writing. I do hope to see you around the writing Universe as I open new doors, close a few old ones and peek at what is behind Door # 3.</b><br />
<br />
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<b> Darrel </b>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-58474108833279350812012-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:002012-04-26T12:26:08.740-07:00Ghostwriting<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">I just finished a 243 page, 75,000 word novel in 5 weeks for a client. What a wonderful feeling to write this way. Thank you...</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> I am open for another story. Contact me @ boogieman_50627@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
Do you have a fantasy you want lived out in your own book? A novel written about you and your friends and family? A book inside you want brought to life? If you can think it, I can write it for<span class="text_exposed_show"> you.<br />
Need a love song written for that special someone... a wedding or milestone? If it is writing, I can do it.<br />
I have written books for other authors and have written over 100 love songs. I am the published author of 6 novels and have produced a C.D. of 13 of my own love songs.<br />
Contact me @ boogieman_50627@yahoo.com<br />
Prices vary according to word count.</span></span></span></h6>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-45957610034916553602012-02-22T11:31:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:31:02.960-08:00One More Forever... Chapter 7 and final Chapter.<strong>Rachel held her hands over her stomach as the fire came towards her. She wasn't sure how much Eli could hurt her and her baby girl. The fire ball hit her in the chest, knocking her backwards. She saw her fire strike Eli hard, tossing him outside the cabin. She closed the door quickly and turned to her mother. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I am fine daughter, you need not worry for me. Protect that baby with all that you have. We can kill Eli but we must be smarter than he is. It isn't as much about brawn as it is brains. If we stay one step ahead of him, we can be ready for anything he tosses at us."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Well, mother, he just tossed one hell of a fire-ball at me. How do I fight him and protect Karen at the same time?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "With your mind, Rachel. He can not read your thoughts but... we can read his. You are the stronger in mind. Use your gift to find where he is and what he is planning."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel closed her eyes and focused on Eli. She could see him brushing the flames from his body. She knew then that he could be burned. She saw him calling out to someone in the forest. He was coming back for her with friends. Five witches joined him as he neared the cabin. His hands were already filled with fire as were each of his witches hands. She listen as they spoke to him.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "It burns my hands, Eli. I can not hold this flame much longer."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Azelda, you whine far too much. I know it burns, you idiot, it is fire!!!! None of the others complain." </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "They are afraid of you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I guess you should have been more like them, then. You should have been afraid!" </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel watched him turn towards the witch. He thrust his hands forward as if he were handing off a ball. The flames that came from his hands were so hot they were blue. The fire struck Azelda in the face. She clawed at the fire, screaming, as her skin disintegrated. In an instant, Azelda's body was entirely consumed by the flames. Only ashes lay where a witch had once stood. Rachel cradled her belly and prepared for the very worst.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I am coming for you, Sister and this time I will not be pushed outside!!!!"</strong><br />
<br />
<strong> "What do I do now, Mother? He is powerful."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Absorb the elements around you, Rachel?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "What?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "The cabin and the trees are your strength so use them. Set them on fire and use the powers of everything that is good."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> As the front door opened and fire rushed inside, flames engulfed Rachel. She could see and feel herself burning but there was no pain. She saw her mother move in to the flames.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "What are you doing, Mother? Get out of here!!!!"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Absorb me, Rachel... take what power I still have and use it, Now!!!"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel breathed in the fire around her, feeling everything she saw. She watched as her mother was burned by the fire. She could feel her strength growing rapidly. "I love you, Rachel," were the last words Rachel heard from her mother.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I love you too, Mother and thank you"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Come on, witch, let's be done with this now!"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Yes, Eli, let's." Rachel raised her hands in the air, opening them wide. She swirled them in circles and walked through the cabin. A fire-ball struck her in the stomach and she winced in pain. She could feel a change inside of her. "Damn you, Hell Spawn, if you harmed my baby, I will make you burn slow and painfully!!!'</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> The cabin was now consumed by the fire. The wood burned hot as the flames rose high into the sky. Fire-ball after fire-ball assaulted her body, each being totally received by her body. The heat caused her hair to move above her head and her body was now more fire than anything human.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Come on, dear brother, come and get some of what I have!" Wind rose all around her as she tossed flames into the trees. "Forgive me, my loyal friends, but I have need of you today." The trees, as if they heard Rachel's words, bent in to the flames, allowing themselves to be fully devoured by them. Rachel walked towards Eli.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "You can not defeat me, Brother, for I have the powers of the cabin and trees and my mother with in me. You want what I have, Brother???? Here it is, all bundled up for you!" She felt another fire-ball strike her stomach, this one bringing with it severe pain. Rachel felt the burning inside of her. She fell to the floor, watching Eli move closer, like a hunter that had just shot a deer. The cabin was collapsing around her as she stood to face Eli. "Enough!!!!!," Rachel screamed out in pain as one last fire-ball struck her. "We are done here, Brother. I'll take your witches, if you don't mind." She pulled her hand back towards her and the witches felt themselves being pulled towards Rachel. Within seconds, they were gone, sucked inside of her being.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel walked to where Eli stood. She reached out and hugged him to her. He struggled to free himself but her hold on him was more than he could fight. "This is where you die, dear brother."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Eli knew she had won the battle but not totally. He too had won a battle. "I will die here, sister, but I have taken from you something even more sacred than life. I have taken your Queen from you. Feel your stomach and you will know."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel touched her belly and knew something had changed inside. She wasn't sure what but she knew that Karen was no longer with her. She squeezed Eli tighter and just as he was going to be absorbed, she pushed him to the ground.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "No-o-o-o-o-o, Witch, you are supposed to take me inside like the others! I will simply cease to exist if you do not! Damn you, Rachel."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I want no part of you left, Eli. Today, I take from you your One more forever. Now go back to hell where you came from!" Rachel pushed the flames from her body and watched as Eli was incinerated. The flames died with him. Now, only Rachel stood amongst the smoldering forest.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong> Final Chapter</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong> Rachel stood staring down at what remained of Eli. She bent down to scoop the ashes in to a container she found. She smiled as she sealed the top. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "No worries, little brother, you wont go to waste.You will be my payment to a nasty demon that has my horse. You wanted one more forever and you can spend it where you belong. Share it with the foul creatures of hell."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> The cabin still smoldered as Rachel walked around the forest. Trees that had once stood tall and green now lay on the ground or leaning against each other, dead or dieing. Rachel closed her eyes as she ran her fingers over a huge trunk that still burned slightly. She could feel the words coming from inside the tree.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Do not cry for us, Rachel. In our death, new life will come forth. We will be re-born and the forest will continue to give to you and yours a hiding place from the evil that is always nearby."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I need to go and save my father. I can use the embers from the fire and then, we will find another place to stay, away from cruel people that do not understand." </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> As she touched a cooled ember, she felt her mother's presence very strong. She looked around the debris and smiled as the image of her mother rose from the green branches on a live tree.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I know you have many questions, Rachel. There was so much lost here this day. The Sun fills the forest with it's warmth and lights your way back to your father.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I lost her, mother... I lost my baby." Rachel sobbed in to her hands as she felt the warmth of her mothers embrace.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "No, daughter, you did not lose her. The battle shifted time a bit and it was not Karen's time yet. You will have another daughter before Karen. She will be born of you and a mortal man. She and Karen will work together one day to rid the world of another dark witch. The cabin will rebuild itself and the forest will be stronger in it's rebirth. Go now to your father and make him well. I love you daughter and will always be here in the forest, should you ever need me."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Taking Jacob's horse, Rachel rode through the trees until she saw the demon. He blocked her only way out of the forest.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "So, you did live, did you, little witch?!?" He breathed in her fragrance and smiled. "You have gained in strength and I fear, a battle between you and I would only leave us both bleeding. What did you bring me to trade for your horse?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "If I had the time, demon, I would fight you and win but, time I do not have. Here is a container with the soul of my evil brother inside. Take it and make him your slave. This will satisfy both you and I. Do with him whatever you desire... he is my gift to you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> The demon took the container from Rachel. He held it to his nostrils and breathed in. "Ahhhhhhh, so deliciously evil." He opened the container and Rachel saw the image of Eli appear. The demon grabbed him by the throat and held him to his face. "Struggle all you want, slave, it will do you no good. You are mine now, a gift from your sister. I will use you for my slave and my pleasures. Pain like I will inflict will be like none you have ever known."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Enjoy him demon and dear brother... enjoy this forever from me." She took Lazareth and as she rode out of the forest, she could hear Eli's screams. She smiled and rode to the house.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Her father laid in the bed, exactly where she had left him. He smiled a gentle smile for her.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I am going to lay these embers on your chest, Father. You will be well soon and then we need to go away from here. I will tell you all about the forest when you are well. Mothers says to tell you she loves you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> It had been a little over 2 years since Rachel had fought in the forest. She looked out the window of the cabin in the forest. Beauty surrounded her as she cradled her baby in her arms. Ellie was beautiful and looked like her father. She would have her mothers powers but not as strong as if she had been born to two with gifts. She thought seldom of Ellie's father, a man who thought to control Rachel's powers for his own use. Where she sent him, he would never return from.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Night-fall came and Rachel stoked the fire. Though the forest protected her, the chill in the late Autumn air still made her shiver. As she watched the flames grow, Rachel saw the image of something inside the flames. Tears filled her eyes as she watched the hand reach out to her. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "You are as beautiful as always, my darling. The little one looks like you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I thought you were gone forever, Jacob. How can you be here?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "A gift from the forest and flames for what I gave that day. I can only be here for a short time."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Then we are wasting precious time talking. We could be..." Rachel smiled an inviting smile, "making a Queen, my Love."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Pulling her in to the flames, her clothes burned away by the fire, Jacob smiled. He kissed her lips full and laid her down. "Then let us make One more Forever, now..." </strong><br />
<br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
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<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-200257038672398322012-02-22T11:19:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:19:20.508-08:00One More Forever... Chapters 5 and 6<strong> Chapter 5</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Silence filled the cabin as the last wind slowed. Jacob took Rachel's hand and led her to the fire that was once again burning hot. The flames danced around, like a ballerina performing for a huge audience, spinning and rising high in to the air, then falling quickly back in to the fireplace. Only once did the flames reach out and touch Rachel's face, the sting causing her to pull away from the heat that now branded her cheek. Jacob touched her cheek and she felt a cooling sensation exactly where her face had been burning seconds ago.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
"We have no more time, Rachel. Eli knows you will get stronger with time. He can not wait or he risks losing the battle."<br />
<br />
"Where did he go?"<br />
<br />
Lizabeth spoke out. "He went to gather his witches to increase his powers. When he returns, the battle will be fierce."<br />
<br />
"She is right, Rachel. We must perform the ritual now. You need to trust in us that we will not harm you. There may be pain for a short time but the pain will only make you stronger."<br />
<br />
"Then let us get on with it. The sun will rise soon and my father will be visible. I only had the power to shield him while it was dark."<br />
<br />
"You can cloak him fully when the rites are finished. Before your mother died, she left instructions on how to give you full strength. Make the fire hotter, witches and bring the green branches to push in to the flames. Do not do that until I tell you or Rachel could be harmed."<br />
<br />
"I don't understand this. If I have a child, this Karen you called her, then don't we know that I win and go on to give birth? Why don't you and I just get together and make this happen?"<br />
<br />
Jacob looked at her, his eyes filled with both love and fear. He kissed Rachel deep and purposefully. "My darling Rachel, how I wish with all of my heart that we could do just that. In order for us to be one, we must first defeat Eli. I am going to ask you to step in to the flames."<br />
<br />
"What!!!!! Are you crazy? I am not stepping in to a fireplace that burns so hot I moved away from it's heat."<br />
<br />
"Rachel, you will not die. This is the way we coat our body and soul in flames. Your body will absorb the flames and you will no longer be able to be hurt by flames. This is a rite of passage that only queens and princesses can do. Any one else would die a very slow, painful death. Please, Rachel, time is running out."<br />
<br />
"Do not let me die, Jacob, I will come back to haunt you." Rachel stepped in to the raging fire, her feet burning as she pulled herself inside. Jacob and the witches watched as her body was completely sealed inside the flames. She cried out as the flames bit at her and coated her body with what felt like a hard shell. "It burns, damn you, it burns like the fires of hades, Jacob. I trusted you and now my whole body is engulfed in this fire."<br />
<br />
"Rachel, think about it. You are smothered in flames yet you still talk and move. They flames are simply melding in to you so that you can use them for your battle. Please do not leave the fire or all will be lost to us. Think of your baby daughter, waiting to be born and be a Queen."<br />
<br />
Suddenly, Jacob heard screams from the witches. He watched with unbelieving eyes at what he was witnessing. One by one, the flames struck out from the fire, grabbing each witch and pulling her in to the fire. He could see their body's melting, the skin from their faces, sliding away and falling to the flames below their feet. The rancid smell of burning hair made Jacob cover his nostrils. Rachel screamed out as she felt the witches burning flesh be absorbed through her feet. She could feel her body getting stronger with each witch.<br />
<br />
A storm now raged outside the cabin. Lightning struck the ground and trees. The forest seemed to close in around the cabin, keeping the lightning from striking to near the cabin. Burning bark could be smelled and trees were a lit with fire as they sacrificed themselves to save their princess. The wind began to push against the cabin door, trying it seemed, to push it open again. Rachel held her hands out and flames went from her palm to the door, spreading over the door, holding it closed. Lightning lit the sky so fiercely and constantly that the cabin appeared to have flood lights inside. Jacob shielded his eyes from a strike that touched the cabin wall, causing a huge spark to ignite near the base of the cabin wall.<br />
<br />
Rachel screamed out again, this time the sound was pure pain. Jacob tried to reach inside the fire but was pushed back against a wall. He fell to his knees as Rachel's pleading pierced his ears.<br />
<br />
"You promised me, Jacob-b-b-b-b-b-b. You swore I would not die but I feel my body dieing now. I trusted you and you let me down."<br />
<br />
Jacob searched his memory for something he might have missed from Rachel's mom. He could hear her voice talking to him, telling him how to save her daughter from death. Then... it all came back to him. He grabbed the green branches he had gathered from the trees. He began pushing them in to the flames, feeling the heat from the fire intensifying as the flames ate away at the branches. Like a starving animal, the fire tore at the branches engulfing them and leaving nothing but ashes in it's wake. As Jacob watched, his mouth opened wide and his eyes unsure what he was seeing, Rachel body melted in to the flames. He searched the flames and found... nothing. The flames had devoured her body. Jacob fell to the floor, tears pouring from his eyes.<br />
<br />
"I did what you told me to do, damn you!!!!! What the hell did I do wrong????"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Chapter 6<br />
<br />
<br />
Jacob slowly stood and faced the fire. The flames had died down and the only light in the cabin was given by the lightning that ripped through the sky. Trees were leaned over so far by the winds that their branches touched the forest floor. The smoke from the chimney swirled high in to the air, twisting and turning until it formed a face. Jacob watched as the image of Rachel's mother appeared. Her form complete, she descended to the ground and floated more than walked towards the cabin. Jacob reached to open the door but Alexis, passing through the door, was inside before he could open it. He stared at her, wondering how se had found the power to return.<br />
<br />
<br />
"Jacob, you did nothing wrong." Her touched was a strange mix of icy cold and warmth. She brushed his cheek and smiled at him. "Wait for a moment and you will see."<br />
<br />
"I don't know if we have a moment, Alexis. Eli will not grace us with time. He wants Rachel dead before Karen can be born."<br />
<br />
"I have seen Eli and he is still trying to gather his people. You must now do your part, Jacob." <br />
<br />
"What is my part? I thought that I had done all you asked of me."<br />
<br />
"You must now enter the fire yourself. Rachel waits for you inside. You need to go to her and create."<br />
<br />
"Create???? You think that I can simply go inside the fire and Rachel will open her arms to me as if we had been together forever?"<br />
<br />
"Rachel has matured and changed inside. She knows what she must do to bring Karen to life. My grand-daughter will one day fight for what is rightfully hers. What you do today will give to you one more forever though your daughter."<br />
<br />
"I am not coming back, am I Alexis?"<br />
<br />
"Jacob, you knew when you went to her in the forest that it was a one way trip. You can step away if you want and no one will ever know the difference. Time will..."<br />
<br />
"Yes, I know, time will go on ad all will be as it is except that Karen will never be born and the dark witches will win. I cannot allow that to happen, can I?"<br />
<br />
Jacob turned away from Alexis as the fire suddenly burst into huge, powerful flames, flames that reached out and began to pull Jacob into thier heated embrace. Jacob could see Rachel standing inside the flames, her arms open, waiting for his touch. Her auburn hair looked like the fire itself and her emerald eyes sparkled with new life. He could see the strength within her and knew that what he was about to share would be more than perfect compensation for his life. He stopped just before entering the flames and looked back at Alexis.<br />
<br />
"Does she know???"<br />
<br />
"No, Jacob, She thinks this is the start of she and you sharing forever. She must'nt know."<br />
<br />
Jacob turned back to the fire and walked inside the flames. Rachel stood before him, her body as he had seen it in the brook, perfect in every way. He took her in his arms and laid her down. Kissing her lips, Jacob felt the fullness of her being. <br />
<br />
"I prayed you would come to me. As soon as I was consumed in the fire, I knew you would come to me. We will make our daughter today and she will be a Queen one day. This is for our life-time, Jacob. Make love to me so that we can be one."<br />
<br />
"I do not need a life-time, Rachel, I just need one more forever. Today, I will have that."<br />
<br />
Jacob slowly covered her body with kisses. He tasted the sweetness of her skin and felt her moving beneath him. Her hands urged him down until reached the very essence of her loving. From streams somewhere in their private world to mountain peaks, Rachel climbed higher and higher until she could take no more. Her sounds pushed Jacob to places he had never before been too with any one. Her fingertips were like fire and ice, burning his skin before cooling it and then cooling it again, like ice being poured over hot embers. Together, the found their own heaven on earth. The blood she drew from his back took Jacob to the very top of pleasures. He moved his body until he was looking into her eyes. His weight fully against her, he pressed his face to her ear. As he felt her body tense, he felt as if he were drunk from her touch. Fully intoxicated by her letting go, Jacob to melded one with her. Moving her beautiful hair from her ear, he whispered... "I love you, my Rachel, and I shall love you even after I am gone away. Such completeness I have never known. I will be watching you from the forest and will be only a call away."<br />
<br />
Quietly, against Jacob's shoulder, Rachel cried. She realized what Jacob was saying to her. She clung tightly to his body, holding him with her legs. "Please, tell me there is another way. Tell me we can find a way for you stay with me, Jacob. I need you and I love you. Please, please, do not leave me alone. I am begging you."<br />
<br />
Kissing her tenderly, brushing her cheek with his fingertips, he leaned forward and gently kissed her eyes. "I am not leaving you alone, my love. You will have a daughter now and she will be at your side. In her, you shall have me and through her... I have one more forever. I love you, Rachel, now and forever."<br />
<br />
Rachel felt the weight of his body suddenly leave her body. She watched as Jacob faded out of sight. She reached out to try and hold him once more. Her hand passed through him and she sobbed. A voice echoed in the fire, a voice she knew brought with it death. She stood and placed her hand on he stomach. <br />
<br />
"I will not let him harm you, my precious gift. We will destroy the evil abomination and then, you my little baby girl, will be a queen."<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
"Where is she, witch. I intend to kill her and all of her kin!!!"<br />
<br />
Eli's hand,tight around Alexis' throat, she smiled at Eli. "You, my son, will be the one to die here. Rachel is already gathering her strength. It is more than enough to kill the likes of you."<br />
<br />
"Oh Mother, how can you wish for something so horrible for your own son."<br />
<br />
"You are Not my son. I only gave birth to you. I will see you die before you harm my daughter or my grand-daughter."<br />
<br />
"Not from where I send you, Mother."<br />
<br />
The flames flared in the fireplace. The heat was so intense, the hair on Eli's arms were seared off. Out of the fire, Rachel appeared. Her body glowed and the heat that was the fires, was now hers to command.<br />
<br />
"Hello, Brother... did you come to leave threats or die? I am prepared to end your miserable existence today."<br />
<br />
"Then let us not delay, dear Sister."<br />
<br />
Both their bodies began to glow brighter. Fire-balls filled both of their palms. The cabin was engulfed in flames, forcing them to go out into the raging storm. Lightning lit the morning sky as the fire-balls flew from their hands towards each other. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-61860863758161717652012-02-22T11:09:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:09:22.175-08:00One More Forever... Chapters 3 and 4 Chapter 3<br />
<br />
Rachel held to Jacob tight as the horse ran through the forest. The horse seem tyo know exactly where he was going. Eyes shined from with in the trees, watching their every movement. She wondered how long Jacob had lived in the forest. She only wondered for a moment for her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden impact of something striking her from the side. Rachel was tossed from the horse and before she touched the ground, she felt something slimy grab her by the arm and pull her in to a tree. Screaming, she watched as Jacob pulled hard back on the reins, stopping his horses run, and saw him leap from the horse and run towards her.<br />
<br />
<br />
"I am coming for you, Rachel. That filthy creature will not take you from me before we have reached our destiny!"<br />
<br />
"Hurry please, he is cutting in to my skin!" Rachel fought with everything she had inside of her. "You will not stop me this night, Imp! I am strong again!" Rachel held her hands together and closed her eyes. She whispered the words her mother had taught her and watched the electricity flow from palm to palm. The Imp cried out in pain as the shock carried from Rachel's palms to it's grotesque feet. The smell of hair burning was followed by the odor of skin that had been set afire. Rachel held her breath as the creature loosened it's grip on her. She fell towards the ground, waiting for the impact of hitting the forest floor. She was elated to instead feel the strong arms of Jacob cradle her body in his.<br />
<br />
"I told you I was coming, Rachel. I fear that your powers have been seen by the entire forest." Whistling loudly, Jacob turned to look for his horse. The sound of it's hooves striking the earth echoed through the forest. "We will not be stopped again by these foul abominations. Mounting his horse, Rachel still in his arms, he set her in front of him, high on the horses wither. "They will need to go through me to reach you now!" Opening his arms wide for a moment, Rachel was blinded by a bright light coming from Jacob's hands. The light made it appear as daylight in the forest. She could see Imps of all sizes disappearing in to holes in trees and in the ground. They shielded their eyes from the burning light, their hair smoking as they ran for safety.<br />
<br />
"What the hell was that!?!?"<br />
<br />
"You don't think you are the only one with powers, do you? We are nearing the cabin now. The trees their are friendly and will give us safe passage."<br />
<br />
The forest, though still extremely dense with tall Pine and Birch trees, took on a new appearance. The full moon shined through the tree tops, lighting the way to the cabin for Jacob. Trees bowed their huge branches to the ground, giving reverance to the visitors.<br />
<br />
"Why do they touch the ground with their branches, Jacob?"<br />
<br />
"They are giving reverence to their queen."<br />
<br />
Rachel stared back at Jacob, his face so handsome, she felt herself breathe in quickly. His eyes were now as dark as an Onyx stone, their shine, like a mirror she could look in to and that looked back at her. She felt her heart race as she stared at him. "I do not understand, Jacob. Is there a queen in the cabin?"<br />
<br />
Jacob's laughter was bold and echoed through the forest. "You sweet young child."<br />
<br />
"I am Not a child, Jacob! I am a woman and if you gazed as long as I think you did, while I laid exposed to your eyes, you would know that!!!"<br />
<br />
"I did not mean to offend you, Rachel. Forgive me. It suprised me that you did not know."<br />
<br />
"Know what, Jacob? Do not toy with me as I have a very low tolerance for games right now."<br />
<br />
"My dear, beautiful lady... they bow in reverence to you. You will be their queen one day. A queen powerful enough to chase the Imps to a far land and one day, call this forest your home. But that is all for another day, one more forever in time."<br />
<br />
They rode in silence until they reached the cabin. Smoke bellowed out of it's chimney filling the air with the smell of fresh burned pine. A single candle flickered in the window as Rachel pushed the door open. She was startled by a voice summoning her inside.<br />
<br />
"Please come in Rachel... we have been waiting for you."<br />
<br />
Rachel looked at the woman speaking to her. She was as beautiful as her mother was, with her dark hair and eyes, twinkling colors that went from green to blue and back to green.<br />
<br />
"Does everyone in this forest know me? Why do you know me and how did you know I was coming?"<br />
<br />
"The forest holds many secrets and powers, dear Rachel. Your mother told us of your coming." Rachel could see two other women standing near the fireplace, each so resembling the other that Rachel was sure they were twins. "We must get you warm and fill you with strength. You will need it before days end tomorrow if we are to save your father."<br />
<br />
"How..." Rachel began to ask a question and decided there would be no new answer. "I was hoping you could help me. I didn't know where else to go."<br />
<br />
"You are right in where you have come but the night is fading and we must prepare you for battle."<br />
<br />
"Battle??? I did not come here to fight with any one. I came here to save my father."<br />
<br />
"And save him we will, dear, but... tonight someone will die. We must be sure that it is Not you. Jacob, please take your horse to the shed and hide him. Peering eyes will be watching the cabin."<br />
<br />
"Who will die??? You said someone will die tonight! We have to save my father, please."<br />
<br />
"It is not your father that will die this night but if you are not ready to fight the evil that comes this evening, then you, dear lady, will die tonight."<br />
<br />
<br />
Chapter 4<br />
<br />
Rachel wondered what the woman's words meant. What was so evil outside that it could want her dead? She was only trying to save her father's life, not take over the world. There had to be something she was missing in the equation.<br />
<br />
<br />
"You ask questions of yourself that must be answered, Rachel. Before you can save your father, you need to save yourself."<br />
<br />
"Save myself from what? That is the only thing I want answered."<br />
<br />
A glow came from the fireplace, unlike any Rachel had ever seen. The flames seem to leap out of the fire and touch her cheek, burning and yet not hurting her. She stepped away from the fire but they stretched out further to reach her.<br />
<br />
"What the hell is going on?!?!?! Jacob, tell me what the ladies won't, please." She wrapped her arms around him and without thinking or knowing why, Rachel kissed his inviting lips. She held the kiss and felt him respond to her. He cupped his hand under her chin and kissed her once more. "Please Jacob, you will tell me, won't you?"<br />
<br />
The witches moved close to them. They stared at Jacob with fear in their eyes. "You must be careful, Jacob, or you might be banished from the forest."<br />
<br />
"Quiet, Lizabeth, I know what might happen but this young lady is walking blindly in to something that could kill her. Do you think that my being banished is worse than history being changed? I will tell her and I will chance losing the forest. She deserves to know and can not fight the evil if she doesn't understand what and why she is fighting it. Now hush and keep watch for intruders."<br />
<br />
The witches moved back to the fire as Jacob sat Rachel near the window where the candle burned. He stared out the window as if he were looking for something. Apparently satisfied, he turned his attention towards Rachel. Taking her hand in his, he began to speak.<br />
<br />
"You asked why the tree's bowed to you and I told you it was because you were a Queen. I wasn't sure how to answer you then and so I told you the first thing that came to my mind."<br />
<br />
"So you lied to me to shut me up, is that it, Jacob?"<br />
<br />
"If I am not allowed to finish this story, then I will not even start it. You must listen to me because your life and many other lives depend on what you do tonight and tomorrow."<br />
<br />
Rachel sat back in her chair, pulling her hand from Jacob's. She would sit and listen but she would also be angry while she did.<br />
<br />
"You are a princess in the world of witches. Your mother was our last Queen but you do not simply take her place. There is much more to the ritual than that. Before your mother was killed, she left..."<br />
<br />
"Wait!!!! What do mean "Killed." My mother died while trying to give birth to a baby boy. They both died in the room she was giving birth in. I saw them carry the baby boy out side, saw his grave and my mother's. My father was away at the time so I took care of the arrangements. The mid-wife did everything she could to save my mother but she couldn't."<br />
<br />
"Rachel, please listen to me. Those people that were at your house that day were not mid-wives. They were witches from a dark sect that needed your mom dead to move up in the ranks. The little baby boy was not dead. You buried an empty box. The witches took the boy and raised him up them-selves."<br />
<br />
Rachel stood and began screaming. She pointed her finger at Jacob and suddenly a burst of energy came from her hand. The burst knocked Jacob in to the wall behind him. He fell to the ground, his shirt smoldering where the power had struck him.<br />
<br />
"Oh my God, oh my God, Jacob... I am so sorry! I didn't know I could do that, I swear. you are just telling me things that can not be true!"<br />
<br />
Jacob stood up as the witches surrounded him. They touched their hands to him and made the burn mark disappear. "I told you she was reckless and would harm someone!"<br />
<br />
Jacob pushed Lizabeth's hand away and moved his face so near hers, her hair blew when he spoke. "Witch, I told you she would learn to control her powers but not unless she knew the truth. She is the only one that can insure us that her daughter will one day be Queen. Without her daughter, we will all perish. Sit down and loet me finish before it is too late!"<br />
<br />
Without another word, Lizabeth and the other two witches sat down. Jacob hugged Rachel to him. "You did not hurt me, Rachel, but you could have. That burst outside of this cabin would have cooked a hole through my chest. Let us not point those hands at any of us, alright."<br />
<br />
Rachel hugged him tight to her as she cried on his shoulder. She moved her mouth to his ear and whispered in to it. "Are you going to be the father of my baby girl? I hope that you are." She smiled as she pulled back to look at his face.<br />
<br />
"Rachel, I will tell you all of it when we are finished with the battle. Right now, you need to know who you are. The baby boy is not a baby anymore. He is old enough and strong enough to fight any witches except you. He could single handed kill each of us. We need you to make sure that does not happen. What we do in the next two days will determine if any of us exist after that. Your brother, Eli, is coming here now. The Imps told him of your arrival in the forest. Your mother tried to shield you from their eyes but her powers are much less now that she has gone to another plaine. We will fight him together and hopefully, we will win. If he wins, history will be changed and the witches of your daughters generation will not exist. Your daughter, Karen, will save us all from another witch that wants to rule all covens. She would plunge the witches in to darkness and turn the world upside down."<br />
<br />
Suddenly, a foul odor filled Rachel's nostrils. She covered her nose and looked around the room.<br />
<br />
"What is it, Rachel?"<br />
<br />
"Don't you smell it?!?!? It is like rancid meat or something. I can smell something burning too. It is making my stomach turn."<br />
<br />
Jacob looked at the three witches and shook his head. "Stoke that fire high, witches. He can not be allowed to enter here before we have finished. The fire will hold him off for a time but we must do the incantations now."<br />
<br />
"What, what are you talking about, Jacob? Who is here, Eli!?!?!?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, Eli is what you smell. You smell the evil that is his to command. He can not hurt us while we are inside here. He will try but for now, let's get you ready to fight."<br />
<br />
Just as Jacob moved towards the fire, the front door opened. A wind burst through the doorway and smothered the fire in the fireplace. A voice, evil, sounding older than time itself echoed inside the cabin.<br />
<br />
"Hello, sister... it has been forever since I saw you. I can not decide whether to spend some time catching up on old times,"...<br />
<br />
Rachel felt her breath being sucked out of her chest. She could feel the icy chill of her brother's touch. As if something hidden inside of her came to life, she lifted her palms to the doorway. Opening her arms wide, she shouted words she did not remember ever learning. "Let my passion for life act as a lever... take away this evil, give me One more forever!'<br />
<br />
The door slammed shut and the flames in the fireplace re-ignited. She felt her breath return and warmth cover her body. <br />
<br />
"Alrighty then," came a voice from outside, you are more powerful then I expected. I won't make that mistake again. I will be back, dear sister, and then... you can do me a favor and die."Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-75527249122715742612012-02-22T10:57:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:33:11.671-08:00One More Forever... Chapters 1 and 2. The Prequel to "The Forest Has Ears"<strong>The night would be upon her soon. Rachel knew she had to make it to the cabin before morning. She rode Lazareth harder than she should have but he was strong and would carry her until he collapsed, this she was sure of. She and Lazareth had been together since the day her father had told her he was dead. Refusing to believe it was so, Rachel had gone in to the stables where he lay. Closing her eyes, she had whispered words that her mother had taught her. Her eyes had filled with tears, thinking of her mother, gone for three years. Rachel had spoken the same words over her mother as she whispered in Lazareth's ear. They were strange words, spoken only in times long ago forgotten that her mother shared with her when Rachel was very young.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "You won't die, Lazareth. Papa only thinks you dead but I can feel your heart beat as if it were my own. Listen while I whisper words of life in your ear. Take them and feed your tired body." </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> She remembered the smell as if it were only a day gone by. The sweetness of the grass bales that laid near the stall was breathed in by her and Lazareth. The fragrance was like sweet clover after a gentle rain. The smoke rose from the grass and circled her head, pushing it's way into her brain through her nostrils. She leaned forward and breathed the smoke in to Lazareth's nostrils. With a few more words whispered to the horse, Rachel stood and watched. She saw his back legs kick out and caught the fluttering of his eye lids. Rachel reached out and while touching the huge horses mane she said aloud, "One more forever for you my friend." With those words spoken, Lazareth stood and shaking his head, he neighed loudly as if to say "thank you, I am alive." Yes, he would carry her tonight, taking her to the cabin, or Lazareth would die trying.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Darkness fell faster than she wanted it too. The Forest was only a stones toss away. She could already feel her body begin to tense as the first shadows from the trees stretched out to touch her. Lazareth tried to slow his pace but Rachel urged him on with gentle squeezes to his sides. She heard the soft spoken voice of her mother as she entered the forest.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I am here with you, Daughter. It has been so long since I have seen you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Not needing to speak aloud, Rachel answered. "Mother, I am sorry I have been away so long. Father needed me to help with the land. I must get through to the cabin."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Why the urgency, Rachel? Who is hurt? I know you would not travel through this forest at night with out cause."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "It is father... he is terribly ill. The people came and tried to destroy our home and father fought them. I used what powers I had left to try and help. I did little good. He was hurt and the injuries became festered. I need the powers with in the cabin to heal him."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> As she waited for her mother to answer, Rachel felt the sting on her cheek. She could feel blood trickling from the wound. She did not cry out for fear she would attract more of the forests keepers. Lazareth suddenly stopped, tossing Rachel head over heels across his head. She landed hard on the ground, feeling the rocky road beneath her.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Damn you, Lazareth, why did you stop?!?!?" Looking past his head, she saw them. There were hundreds of them. Tree dwellers, the size of a large dog, reaching down from the trees to touch her. She shuddered with fear as she watched their arms stretch in un-natural ways, their fingers elongated, filthy with tree sap and pieces of bark. Rachel pressed herself tight against the rocky road as their fingers missed her face by mere inches.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "What do you want here, young girl? Have you decided to call this your last forever?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel, now feeling her powers surge through her stood. She swiped away the fingers that reached for her. The imp screamed at her touch and moved back to the top of the tree. "I do not need to answer you to go forward. You have no powers as long as I am not afraid. Go back to the trees before I hurt you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Hurt us??? Not afraid? Perhaps we can help you with that. Your powers are weak and we are many."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
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<strong> "Please, I must get through before morning. When I am finished with my business, I will find a way to repay you for safe passage."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel watched as the imps, one by one, melded together. The creature before her began to grow taller with each meld. He was grotesque and the evil oozed from his lips. He now stood directly in front of Rachel and Lazareth. His voice alone made Rachel shake with fear, fear she could not afford to show.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I will take your horse as payment for passing. If you return and bring me something special, I will give him back. If you do not, then I will Eat him! Or you can try to pass without this deal and I will simply eat you both now."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel stared in to the eyes of the best friend she had. She knew that this creature could over power her at this time. She also knew, she had no choice. Putting her arms around Lazareth's neck, she cried into his mane. Somehow she knew that he understood her. "I will be back for you, my dearest friend. I love you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "You better hurry, little girl, I think I feel the sun rising."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel knew he was lying. She didn't have a lot of time to reach the cabin, but the darkness was still heavy in the air. With a glance back at Lazareth, she ran towards the cabin. </strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> One More Forever... Part 2</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel ran through the forest as fast as she could. Imps jumped in front of her to try and slow her advance. Tree branches reached out for her, their tips sharp as a razor, tearing her clothing and leaving claw marks on her back and neck. She tried to stifle her cries but some of the wounds were deep and terribly painful. Each time she screamed, the imps honed in on her sounds and tore at her a little more. She knew she needed to reach the cabin soon but her body needed healing before she could go on.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel saw a tiny bridge hidden almost completely from view by shrubs and trees. The foliage encompassed the bridge as if it were protecting it from peering eyes. Rachel knew this bridge and of it's powers. Reaching the moss covered entrance, she quickly slipped underneath of it. A brook ran underneath and her feet were instantly soaked as she stepped in to the clear water. Green, the color of grass, covered the underneath of the bridge. The stones it was made of were invisable beneath the moss that for hundreds of years had kept it from the eyes of imps and demons. The light from the moon shone down in to the water, reflecting off of the rocks that covered the bed of the brook. The movement of the water made it appear as if the moon were dancing, changing with each ripple of brook. Rachel was safe as long as she stayed under the bridge.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> As she submerged herself in the cool waters, letting the wetness flow over her wounds, she could feel them closing as they healed. She felt her strength returning slowly. Laying on her back, the water fully covering all but her head, she thought about her Mother. Rachel was only six when her mother had taken her to the bridge the first time. She had fallen from a horse and broke her leg. It was a terrible injury and the bone from her leg had pushed through her skin, exposing it. Her mother had carried her through the forest and set her in the brook. She watched as her mother moved her hands back and forth in the water, slightly touching Rachel's knee each time. She heard her mother whispering words but could not truly hear what she was saying. As the bone began to move back under the skin, the pain subsided.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Watch what I do daughter, for one day, you may need this water. there are things you must know before coming here alone.'</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Mother, I will never come here alone. I will have you with me and father too."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "No!" Rachel's mother's voice was suddenly sharp and she sounded as if she were afraid. "You must never use this water for anyone but yourself. Your father does not have the gifts that you and I do. My gift was passed down by my mother as I pass it on to you."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Are we witches, Mother? Is that why we have powers?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "We do not call our selves witches, though some may say we are. Witches are feared by people and they would kill us if they thought we were witches. We simply say we are gifted."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Yes mother, but are we witches? I won't tell anyone."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Many years from now, you will have family that enter in to a Coven. They will call themselves witches. One of your daughters will be the leader of the Coven. She will call upon the trees to help her and the cabin I have taken you too will be a safe haven for them."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "How do you know all of this, Mother."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I simply do. Remember this bridge because you will come here one day, alone, and it will heal you and give you strength you need to fight the evil that hides in the forest. There is great evil here but some of the tres are your friend. Call on them if you are ever in need. Only the dark forest harbors the evil ones. The cabin will Always be protected and you may hide in it when you need to. There is also healing potions and incantations you will learn to use."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "But mother, why don't you just come with me?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel remembered the sadness in her mother's eyes. She had looked away with out answering Rachel but not before Rachel had seen her tears.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> A stone splashed in to the water, bringing Rachel back to reality. She jumped a bit when it hit the water. She looked in all directions to see where the stone had come from. She could feel her body was almost healed. The scratches and deep wounds were nearly gone now. Looking above her at the bridges ramp, she saw a man staring down at her. Startled, she grabbed her torn clothing and held them to her body. Her mind raced, searching for answers to so many questions... questions she was asking herself aloud. "How is it possible for him to see me? How is it he is even here?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> The voice was bass and intoxicating. The face, smiling down at her was handsome. Cold black hair, fluffed in the front like the tail feathers of a duck, eyes as blue as the ocean, that seemed to look directly in to her soul. When he spoke, it was a gentle tone that greeted her ears.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "If those questions are for me, then I will gladly answer them. I can see you, and may I say, I was enjoying your beauty before you covered yourself, because I live in the forest. I am here because your mother sent me to you. I will guide you safely to the cabin, when you are ready to go."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel looked up at him, her eyes squinted as if she were studying him. He reached his hand over the side of the bridge. Why she took his hand, she wasn't sure but his voice was calm and she knew he could be trusted. Standing, her hand clasped in his, she lost her hold on her clothing. As it fell to the water, she heard him gasp. Trying desperately to reach her clothing, she felt him pull her towards him.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I have seen all of you when you were laying in the water. You, with your auburn hair, like the mane of a beautiful animal and your eyes, green as the emeralds that only rich men have, should be ashamed of nothing. You have the curves of the finest hourglass and the body to rival any Goddess. I am privileged to look on such perfection."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Rachel was entranced by his words. He handed her new clothing and she quickly covered herself with them. "I can not waste time talking to you. I must reach the cabin soon."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "Then let us not waste any more time. I have a horse that will take us there. Ride with me and we will battle the forest creatures together."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Without a thought, Rachel climbed on the stallion and wrapped her arms around the mans body. Leaning into him, she felt his warmth cover her body. "And what do they call you, my handsome saviour?"</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> "I am known by my friends and foe as Jacob. as for being your saviour, that remains to be seen. I too can be hurt by the evil that dwells with in this forest."</strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
<strong> Without another word, he spurred his horse and they raced to beat the sunrise that was growing closer with each passing moment.</strong>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-9942610663700847562012-01-03T09:10:00.000-08:002012-01-03T09:10:46.048-08:00Deep in the HeartDeep in the Heart<br />
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Author: Joseph Sandoval<br />
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“The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.” And that's where we are at tonight to see them. We got all the big stuff moved in this weekend and this new house of ours is starting to feel more like home now. In a few days, my in-laws should get here with the rest of our stuff and our dog and we can officially say that we are moved. But until then, I guess I will just have to start unpacking these mountains of boxes all over our house. Since I'm still unfamiliar with most of this town and its residents, I want to get an <a href="http://www.securitychoice.com/adt-home-security/Texas/A/Austin/">Austin Security Systems ADT</a> to help me feel a little more secure. I'm sure once I venture out and get more familiar with my new surroundings, I will feel more settled emotionally as well. As for now, I'm kind of enjoying this new, fresh start my family and I get to have by moving. New friends, new jobs, new schools, new malls, new experiences...bring it!Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-82255546626976005672012-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:002012-01-03T09:05:12.130-08:00The head or the heart... which should be the leader???A simple question asked here and yet not simple to answer. Should you follow your head or your heart in your daily decisions? Does the issue you are trying to resolve make a difference? Yes, the event or the situation we are trying to decide for does make a huge difference. You would not need nor would you try to listen to your heart concerning wall-paper or a new couch. These are things that are decided on with your head. Will it match the furniture? Is it going to be in my budget? Answers that will come from logical deduction and personal likes. <br />
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Other issues, such as love or moving away or moving on... they are much harder. Listen to your head when you are falling in love? That is like quitting smoking, cold turkey. When you sit and dissect feelings of love, you cut away sometimes the most important things. Perhaps you have fallen in love or feel yourself falling for someone on-line. People will for sure say "Please, think about it. You have no idea who this person really is. Use your head!" LOVE rarely allows us that luxury. Maybe we can use our heads{gentlemen, that is the one on your shoulders lol} sometimes when we are loving someone. We can cut and slice and make a list of all the why we shoulds and why we should nots. I think if one needs to do that, perhaps they really should use their head. But emotions take over our hearts often without any help from our heads. We only know that we feel emotions for this person. A desire and need to be with them and feel one with them. We may say, using our heads "They are so far away " or "they are so different" "It can never work", but our hearts tell us to follow a path that in all likelihood will end in hurt or loss. And for me, I am a forever romantic and follow my heart into places that my head KNOWS I should not go. <br />
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Why? I think because the feeling of falling in love, the very essence of being loved back in that way are too beautiful to pass by. As Garth Brooks so wonderfully croons to us... "I could have missed the pain... but then i would have missed the Dance." Decisions based on emotions can be tornadic and intense, but they can also be the beautiful experience you will ever share with someone. <br />
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Brains for yard work... Your Heart for Love. It truly is a subject that touches us all sooner or later. <br />
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Always, DarrelDarrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-4749790168838580002011-11-30T07:32:00.000-08:002011-11-30T07:32:57.722-08:00An orange twist on cranberry sauceGuest post written by Margaret King<br />
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I'm really over all of those classic Thanksgiving dishes. I've had them for so many years that it's like my taste buds have become numb to them or something! So I knew that for Thanksgiving this year, I would fix those same classic recipes, but with a twist here or there. I knew that I would have a mutiny on my hands if I didnÕt' fix any of the holiday classics for our family meal that I'm hosting.<br />
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I was online looking up a variation on cranberry sauce when I ran across some info on<a href="http://www.wirelessinternetproviders.net/coverage/Georgia/Duluth-internet-providers.html"> wireless internet providers Duluth.</a> After I looked through it some I decided to change over my home internet service to one of the providers I found.<br />
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I decided on fixing a <a href="http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/orange_cranberry_sauce.htm">orange cranberry sauce.</a> It sounds like those flavors will be so delicious together, so that's really what made the decision for me. Plus, the last thing that I want to do is make some cranberry sauce straight for a jar. I canÕt stand the thought of serving can-sized cranberry sauce along beside all of my homemade stuff!Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-54586575506725156402011-10-21T11:12:00.000-07:002011-10-21T11:12:06.633-07:00LuckyGuest post of the week by Bradley Guthrie<br />
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Some people are just born lucky and I am without a doubt one of those people. I am constantly winning raffle drawings, bingo games, and small amounts of money on lottery tickets. My dad swore that he had the same gift when he was growing and he often made trips to Las Vegas to see just how lucky he truly was. I think I felt like I was lucky the first time I won a raffle drawing for a diamond ring at one of the local jewelry stores back in my hometown. My mother suggested that I should put five dollars in the jar with my name on it and if I actually won the ring then she would let me do whatever I wanted with it when I reached the age of 18 years old. Moreover, I ended up winning the ring and ever since that moment I just had a feeling that no matter where I was, I had the best chance in the room of winning. This theory has actually proven to be right more times than not and anytime I get to put my name in the hat I never come away empty handed. Recently, I was telling my mom about a chainsaw I had won and she thought it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. She then told me about <a href="http://www.cabletelevision.net/verizon/">wireless cable television</a> and I thought I was lucky to hear this information. Now I am planning a trip to Atlantic City to see if I am as lucky as I really believe.Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-82896205337586285632011-07-06T11:31:00.000-07:002011-07-06T11:31:02.281-07:00Big Banks StinkThanks for the post from Sylvester Campbell<br />
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Do you have to deal with the big mega banks? Most of us do but most of us don’t like the levels of service we get from them. I was in my dentist’s office last week and couldn’t help overhearing the office staff complaining about the poor service they received from their bank. They were complaining about all the various fees that were now being charged to the business account for services. We all know that the new credit card laws reduced the amount of money that banks are making from credit cards and they are having to make up that revenue somewhere. One of the main areas the office staff was complaining about was the fees the bank charged to process credit card transactions. Since I had recently heard my brother who is a small business owner talking about researching options on <a href="http://bank-card-processing.com/">Bank-Card-Processing.com</a>, I suggested they might want to check it out. They did and liked what they found enough that I got a free office visit for my suggestion!Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-54019530399143341412011-05-26T11:42:00.000-07:002011-05-26T11:48:30.347-07:00Living in a New SpaceGuest post written by Nicole White<br />
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This week, I plan on taking my husband's mother to a<a href="http://www.hearingaidsbymiracleear.com/"> miracle ear free hearing test</a>, the doctor's office, and the mall. We recently moved to <a href="http://www.vets.state.ne.us/">Nebraska</a> to be closer to her, and I think that now was the perfect time to do so. Our kids are now out of the house and on our own, and we were both ready to move into a place without so much empty space. I think it's a really nice chance, and I'm glad we are able to end a hand to my mother-in-law. Over the years, she has been so good to the both of us, and she's always been so loving with me. She always made me feel like family, even before my husband and I got married. <br />
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My husband has had an extreme amount of work lately, so I'm trying to help my mother-in-law out as much as I can without him. Next week, I think that we are going to all go out to a nice dinner. My husband's brother is going to come with us, as well. It should really be a nice time.Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-32526821532866841112011-05-08T10:08:00.000-07:002011-05-08T10:10:18.879-07:00HubPages<strong>I have begun writing more on HubPages.com. There are ample reasons for being there but mainly, I can do what I love best...Write. There is an incredible number of very talented writers on the site. You are sure to find an author or two that you enjoy following their writing. I would like to think I am one of them. Please join me there for some relaxing and reading.</strong><br />
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</div>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305224601484749105.post-66350067216470245132011-04-25T12:32:00.000-07:002011-04-25T12:32:40.027-07:00Sometimes, going back is good for the soul.<strong>Easter Sunday... a day that in and of itself is so wonderful. It is a day that my family always celebrates together. A day of prayer and family and food and laughter that fills the soul with life. Each year, 100 plastic eggs, filled with yummies, are tossed all over a half acre of land. The "kids", ages 1 year old all the way to 35, run outside and search for the eggs with their names on them. They stuff them in their bag and with gihugic smiles, race across the fields to find more. I have watched and walked with my children for 30 years as they gathered eggs and ate candies until dinner was Not something they were going to eat. I love it, as do all my siblings and their children and grand-children. My parents, 78 years old and married 58 years, also watch and smile as the screeches and laughter fill their house. Could it get any better???</strong><br />
<strong> This year, I was given the answer to that very question. My youngest daughter, my niece and my nephew announced during dinner that there was to be a change this year. They had made up and were going to hide Easter eggs for the Parents and we would go find eggs this year. At first, we were all unsure of this idea. Not to be put off, the kids were insistent that we experience what They have experienced for 23 years. there would be the adults and "little" kids searching for eggs this year. We hid ourselves away behind closed curtains and drawn shades as the eggs were hidden across the acreage. Then we all headed outside and began looking for our own eggs, this time, our children watching US search. As I walked through the grass and picked up eggs, I found myself feeling younger by the minute. I smiled and called out "I found another one" as I dropped it in my bag. I stopped to pick one up, then opened it, as I had seen My daughters do for more years than I can count. They smiled at me and I smiled back. Not just any smile, but a smile that came from deep with-in my soul.</strong><br />
<strong> I sit here today, writing about the experience. It was 42 years ago that I had my Last Easter egg hunt for me. I can hear the voices of my children, their snickering at the fact that I had just walked by one of my eggs and not seen it. the sounds of their talking and laughter filled the air and my heart with joy beyond explanation. I laughed out loud and thought to myself what a wonderful gift these kids had given to us. For a moment, for just an hour or so, we were all 10 years old again. We were there, walking side by side with the kids that had given to us our youth back for the day. They had gifted us with something that far to often we lose somewhere along the path of life. I can not convey to you what it meant to me. I can not sufficiently describe the emotions that welled up inside of me as I broke open a plastic egg and ate the tiny candy bar that it held inside.</strong><br />
<strong> Today, I thank my daughter and my niece and nephew for loving us enough to give back something we don't get to hold very often. I feel the wetness of tears as I write. Not tears of sadness, tears of joy and of knowing that for just an hour or so, I was a kid again. A kid that went searching for an Easter egg... and found the egg filled with Youth. To Shannon and Becca and Mattie I say "Thank you" from the deepest and warmest parts of my soul. "God Bless You" always for this. </strong><br />
<strong> And to you, the reader, I say get out there and grab your youth. It is still there, tucked under a tree branch or ladder or blade of grass. Don't let it go to far away from you. It really is a fantastic feeling inside. </strong>Darrelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03558807311429084576noreply@blogger.com2