Mari Miniatt's Blog, page 7
September 18, 2011
#SampleSunday Chapter 16 - Patriarch
Only a tease, the first 300 or so words.
Another memory. Steopa rolled over on the bed as it formed in his mind. He never dreamed. Only memories would fill the daytime.
"What should I do with you?" Pavel, Steopa's father said. He sat down at the table opposite of Steopa. He poured two glasses of vodka. "I should take you outside and beat your butt."
"Sorry, Father," Steopa said.
"Sorry. You are lucky Jurgis did not castrate you."
Steopa slumped down in the chair. This memory, he thought. Why this one?
"Father, we had too much to drink at the dance and we-"
"Jurgis and I have been hoping that you and Anna would like each other, but we did not expect to find both of you at the hunting cabin this morning. And not what you were doing, either."
"Father, I-"
Pavel pushed the glass over to him. "Drink."
Steopa curled his fingers around the glass. Pavel downed his shot.
"We have plans for you. You have to go to university. You have to come back here and take over for me. Do you want to ruin it by getting Anna pregnant?" Pavel pointed to the glass. "Drink."
Steopa sipped the vodka. He coughed. Pavel chuckled. "We are in a precarious position here. My father came here to help build the church and stayed. To the villagers, we have always been the outsiders. And now that Lithuania is no longer and we are Russians, there are people here who view us with distrust. If the others find out what you and Anna were doing in the cabin, the rumors will be devastating."
"That was not my intention."
"It does not matter what your intention was, that is not what the villagers are going to think. Especially if that new priest hears about this. I forbid you to tell him about you and Anna in confession."
September 15, 2011
Envy
I originally was going to post this a year ago, but hid it.
I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day. Amazing when you start to write a lot, coffee shops seem to become your second home.
But in walks a woman that I do not like. The feeling is mutual. I will not go into why we do not like each other, let's just leave it at we are very cold to each other.
I'm sitting alone with my netbook. She comes in with her boyfriend. First, she flaunts him. Personally, do not care. I'm married. They take the table right behind me, in the nearly empty shop. Then she starts talking about her job. That is part of the mutual coldness. She worked for another place, prior to us working together. She never let anyone forget how we did not match her "old workers."
She really is bragging it up. I am trying to ignore her. I have this really intense scene I have to get done. So I put on my headphones. She talks louder. At this point I want to leave, I don't want to deal with the child like behavior, but the writing is spurring me on. I stay. She goes to the bathroom.
Another friend comes in, I have not seen her in awhile. I tell her about my writing. The first one comes back, and talks up her job again. My other friend turns to me and asks me AGAIN about my novels.
I know she knows. But I realize she is asking me so that miss cold can hear about it. Miss Cold stands there for a moment.
"You write?" she asks.
Hadn't I been sitting at a table writing? "Yes, two books out now."
Miss Cold's face falls. She goes over to her boyfriend. "We have to go!"
They leave. My other friend says. "Someone is jealous."
Really? Jealous of me? What?
But I have been guilty of envy too.
Sometimes when I hear about a writer getting a #1 selling ebook on Amazon, or when I hear one that quits their job to write full time, because they are making enough in sales. Sometimes when one is becomes a media darling and everyone talks about him or her. Sometimes, I get jealous and I get mad.
I try not to, but it's human nature. So what do I do? I ask myself why can't I be happy for them. Because for that moment they are doing something that seems out of my reach.
Despite the good reviews, my books don't sell. That should be enough to make most people quit, but I don't. Because there is more than money to writing. A point I have to remind myself when I start to feel that green eyed monster appear.
I have a dedicated, small fan base. I have had fan art done for me. I have met so many interesting people that I never would have both online and in real life. I have had fan letters. I have wrote and published two books.
Someone read that paragraph now and is getting mad.
Remember writing is not a competition (unless you are entering a contest). It is a way we express ourselves. I didn't write the Coiree Series to become famous. Sure that would be a great perk. But I wrote it because I had to. I shared it with the world because I knew others would like it. Not to become a media darling.
Go back to the real reason you are creating. Because you have to. And when you feel that little monster start to rise, remind yourself what makes you unique as a creator. Work on that, success will come.
I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day. Amazing when you start to write a lot, coffee shops seem to become your second home.
But in walks a woman that I do not like. The feeling is mutual. I will not go into why we do not like each other, let's just leave it at we are very cold to each other.
I'm sitting alone with my netbook. She comes in with her boyfriend. First, she flaunts him. Personally, do not care. I'm married. They take the table right behind me, in the nearly empty shop. Then she starts talking about her job. That is part of the mutual coldness. She worked for another place, prior to us working together. She never let anyone forget how we did not match her "old workers."
She really is bragging it up. I am trying to ignore her. I have this really intense scene I have to get done. So I put on my headphones. She talks louder. At this point I want to leave, I don't want to deal with the child like behavior, but the writing is spurring me on. I stay. She goes to the bathroom.
Another friend comes in, I have not seen her in awhile. I tell her about my writing. The first one comes back, and talks up her job again. My other friend turns to me and asks me AGAIN about my novels.
I know she knows. But I realize she is asking me so that miss cold can hear about it. Miss Cold stands there for a moment.
"You write?" she asks.
Hadn't I been sitting at a table writing? "Yes, two books out now."
Miss Cold's face falls. She goes over to her boyfriend. "We have to go!"
They leave. My other friend says. "Someone is jealous."
Really? Jealous of me? What?
But I have been guilty of envy too.
Sometimes when I hear about a writer getting a #1 selling ebook on Amazon, or when I hear one that quits their job to write full time, because they are making enough in sales. Sometimes when one is becomes a media darling and everyone talks about him or her. Sometimes, I get jealous and I get mad.
I try not to, but it's human nature. So what do I do? I ask myself why can't I be happy for them. Because for that moment they are doing something that seems out of my reach.
Despite the good reviews, my books don't sell. That should be enough to make most people quit, but I don't. Because there is more than money to writing. A point I have to remind myself when I start to feel that green eyed monster appear.
I have a dedicated, small fan base. I have had fan art done for me. I have met so many interesting people that I never would have both online and in real life. I have had fan letters. I have wrote and published two books.
Someone read that paragraph now and is getting mad.
Remember writing is not a competition (unless you are entering a contest). It is a way we express ourselves. I didn't write the Coiree Series to become famous. Sure that would be a great perk. But I wrote it because I had to. I shared it with the world because I knew others would like it. Not to become a media darling.
Go back to the real reason you are creating. Because you have to. And when you feel that little monster start to rise, remind yourself what makes you unique as a creator. Work on that, success will come.
September 14, 2011
#WerewolfWeds The Hag - Chapter 6 Part 1
Please check my #WerewolfWeds page for an overview of this. Thanks.
The next day, while Steopa laid in his stupor, Teodor took some of the money that Amanda and him had been saving. They left the base, very careful that they were not seen, and went shopping.
As they walked down the line of shops, Teodor noticed for the first time, the amount of children on the street. Just like the bums that begged for change, it was easy to ignore the children as well. As Teodor and Amanda went into a clothing store, he saw Gunner across the street.
Gunner sat on a bench, slightly bend over. Another younger child from the night before, sat next to Gunner. Gunner straightened up and replaced a shoe on the younger one's feet.
Teodor turned his head away. This was not right, he could feel that. Not the fact there were kids on the street, but fact there were so many of them. Even when Leningrad was being bombed, there were not that many children on the street. Or perhaps, this is the first time I really see them, Teodor thought.
They bought some clothes and changed in a public bathroom at the bus station. At the station, Teodor noticed at least two more children. These two begged for money. Teodor walked by them and dropped a dollar in the one kid's hand.
Afterwards, they stopped at a butcher shop and bought couple of steaks. The hard part was finding a place to eat them, without anyone seeing them. They ate behind a movie theater.
They found The Pit. Inside, Bilge put a pitcher of milk on a table. Trucker shoveled cereal into his mouth. Trucker's head snapped towards Teodor and Amanda as they entered. Trucker jumped off his chair and ran towards Amanda. He put his arms around her and gave her a tight hug.
"What's that for?" Amanda asked, smiling.
Trucker didn't answer, he held on to Amanda. Bilge chuckled. "Trucker, you should let her breath."
Teodor ruffled Trucker's hair and walked over to the bar. "Are you glad to see us?"
"Surprised," Bilge said. "Most people that come in here for a night's work, don't come back."
"That sucks," Teodor said.
Bilge smiled. "Not really. Most of them I wouldn't want back."
"What do you want us to do?" Teodor asked.
Amanda sat down with Trucker. Trucker looked his age, right now. The tough kid act dropping as fast as the regular kid came into focus. Teodor smiled.
"I need to do some shopping for the bar," Bilge said. "I could use some help."
"Sure, whatever you need."
Bilge looked over Teodor's shoulder. "Amanda," he said. "Can you stay here with Trucker? Watch the place?"
Amanda laughed at something Trucker had said, she nodded her head. "Sure."
"Great. We are going to go get some supplies," Bilge said. He motioned Teodor to follow.
They left out the back way. Teodor climbed in the passenger seat. The small cab held two bucket seats. Bilge got into the driver's seat. The truck smelt new. Yet, the wear and the tear on the inside, made it look like it had been used quite a lot.
"That band last night almost wiped out my beer supply," Bilge said as he started up the truck. "And my distributor can't come by for two more days. So we are going to his competitors."
Bilge pulled carefully out of the parking area. "Where are you and Amanda staying?" he asked.
"We have a place," Teodor said.
Bilge watched the road intently for a moment. "Trucker followed you two last night. He told me that you went into an old factory."
Teodor did not answer.
"You two are on the streets, correct?"
"Sort of."
"Winter's coming, that place is gonna be colder than a witches tit in a steel bra. When we get back, I have something that will help you out."
"What?" Teodor asked.
"I do own the entire building," Bilge said.
Bilge drove down to an old area of warehouses along the river. He pulled in front of one. On the side of the building was the sign "Gwendoline Spirits." Bilge got out of the truck.
"Come on," he said. "I need another strong back."
The door to the warehouse opened. An old man walked out. He nodded to Bilge.
"How you doing today, Mr. Sansard?" Bilge yelled.
"Okay," Mr. Sansard said. His voice hushed and forced, as if he had a stroke.
"Your daughter in?" Bilge yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, Carol's in the back." Mr. Sansard stared at Teodor.
"This is one of my helpers." Bilge yelled. "Teodor Navarro."
"Navajo?"
"Navarro," Teodor said. "But you can call me Teodor."
"Teodor?"
"Teodor."
"Teodor." Mr. Sansard said, with a sharp nod. He still had not taken his eyes off Teodor.
"We are going to see Carol, now." Bilge said. He opened the door.
When they got inside, and closed the door behind them, Teodor recognized Mr. Sansard from the photo at the Pit. He looked much older than he did in the photograph. Teodor shook his head. "Who was that?"
"He used to run this place," Bilge said. "Now, his daughter does."
They walked along a concrete floor, with two white stripes painted on the floor, marking the walkway. Pallets of liquor bottles lined one side. A walk in cooler hummed. The whole place smelt of stale hops, old alcohol, and gasoline.
Bilge walked ahead to the office in the back. It looked as if it had been built as an after thought. A middle aged woman sat inside, her head in one of her hands, as she worked an adding machine with the other hand.
"Carol?" Bilge called, as they got closer.
Carol looked up. Her gray streaked black hair fell over her face for a moment. She reached up and quickly did it up in a bun, securing it with a couple of pencils on her desk.
"Bilge!" She said, pushing the last pencil in. "What can I do you for, today."
"I need beer," he said.
Carol nodded and left the office. She wore stained jeans, and blue T-shirt. "You have a helper today."
"This is Teodor. His girlfriend and him are working at the Pit, now."
"You guys can do better," Carol said, winking at Bilge. "Give me your list, I'll see what I have."
Bilge handed her a piece of paper. "Where is everyone?" He asked.
Carol took the paper. "Most are out on deliveries. There's no trucks coming for a few hours. Take a seat by the office."
"You sure you don't want help?" Teodor asked.
"No, honey." Carol said. "My insurance company is quite certain about that. Besides you are too cute to be running a forklift."
Bilge chuckled.There were folding chairs by the office. Bilge took a seat, stretching his legs out in front of him. Teodor sat down on the next one. Carol started up the forklift.
"I wish I could use this place more often," Bilge said. "The Sansard family have had this place even during prohibition."
Teodor only half listened. Mr. Sansard came back into the warehouse, carrying a white bag from a take out place. He stopped for a moment when he saw Teodor. But then continued on. The old man started to get on Teodor's nerves.
The next day, while Steopa laid in his stupor, Teodor took some of the money that Amanda and him had been saving. They left the base, very careful that they were not seen, and went shopping.
As they walked down the line of shops, Teodor noticed for the first time, the amount of children on the street. Just like the bums that begged for change, it was easy to ignore the children as well. As Teodor and Amanda went into a clothing store, he saw Gunner across the street.
Gunner sat on a bench, slightly bend over. Another younger child from the night before, sat next to Gunner. Gunner straightened up and replaced a shoe on the younger one's feet.
Teodor turned his head away. This was not right, he could feel that. Not the fact there were kids on the street, but fact there were so many of them. Even when Leningrad was being bombed, there were not that many children on the street. Or perhaps, this is the first time I really see them, Teodor thought.
They bought some clothes and changed in a public bathroom at the bus station. At the station, Teodor noticed at least two more children. These two begged for money. Teodor walked by them and dropped a dollar in the one kid's hand.
Afterwards, they stopped at a butcher shop and bought couple of steaks. The hard part was finding a place to eat them, without anyone seeing them. They ate behind a movie theater.
They found The Pit. Inside, Bilge put a pitcher of milk on a table. Trucker shoveled cereal into his mouth. Trucker's head snapped towards Teodor and Amanda as they entered. Trucker jumped off his chair and ran towards Amanda. He put his arms around her and gave her a tight hug.
"What's that for?" Amanda asked, smiling.
Trucker didn't answer, he held on to Amanda. Bilge chuckled. "Trucker, you should let her breath."
Teodor ruffled Trucker's hair and walked over to the bar. "Are you glad to see us?"
"Surprised," Bilge said. "Most people that come in here for a night's work, don't come back."
"That sucks," Teodor said.
Bilge smiled. "Not really. Most of them I wouldn't want back."
"What do you want us to do?" Teodor asked.
Amanda sat down with Trucker. Trucker looked his age, right now. The tough kid act dropping as fast as the regular kid came into focus. Teodor smiled.
"I need to do some shopping for the bar," Bilge said. "I could use some help."
"Sure, whatever you need."
Bilge looked over Teodor's shoulder. "Amanda," he said. "Can you stay here with Trucker? Watch the place?"
Amanda laughed at something Trucker had said, she nodded her head. "Sure."
"Great. We are going to go get some supplies," Bilge said. He motioned Teodor to follow.
They left out the back way. Teodor climbed in the passenger seat. The small cab held two bucket seats. Bilge got into the driver's seat. The truck smelt new. Yet, the wear and the tear on the inside, made it look like it had been used quite a lot.
"That band last night almost wiped out my beer supply," Bilge said as he started up the truck. "And my distributor can't come by for two more days. So we are going to his competitors."
Bilge pulled carefully out of the parking area. "Where are you and Amanda staying?" he asked.
"We have a place," Teodor said.
Bilge watched the road intently for a moment. "Trucker followed you two last night. He told me that you went into an old factory."
Teodor did not answer.
"You two are on the streets, correct?"
"Sort of."
"Winter's coming, that place is gonna be colder than a witches tit in a steel bra. When we get back, I have something that will help you out."
"What?" Teodor asked.
"I do own the entire building," Bilge said.
Bilge drove down to an old area of warehouses along the river. He pulled in front of one. On the side of the building was the sign "Gwendoline Spirits." Bilge got out of the truck.
"Come on," he said. "I need another strong back."
The door to the warehouse opened. An old man walked out. He nodded to Bilge.
"How you doing today, Mr. Sansard?" Bilge yelled.
"Okay," Mr. Sansard said. His voice hushed and forced, as if he had a stroke.
"Your daughter in?" Bilge yelled.
"Yeah, yeah, Carol's in the back." Mr. Sansard stared at Teodor.
"This is one of my helpers." Bilge yelled. "Teodor Navarro."
"Navajo?"
"Navarro," Teodor said. "But you can call me Teodor."
"Teodor?"
"Teodor."
"Teodor." Mr. Sansard said, with a sharp nod. He still had not taken his eyes off Teodor.
"We are going to see Carol, now." Bilge said. He opened the door.
When they got inside, and closed the door behind them, Teodor recognized Mr. Sansard from the photo at the Pit. He looked much older than he did in the photograph. Teodor shook his head. "Who was that?"
"He used to run this place," Bilge said. "Now, his daughter does."
They walked along a concrete floor, with two white stripes painted on the floor, marking the walkway. Pallets of liquor bottles lined one side. A walk in cooler hummed. The whole place smelt of stale hops, old alcohol, and gasoline.
Bilge walked ahead to the office in the back. It looked as if it had been built as an after thought. A middle aged woman sat inside, her head in one of her hands, as she worked an adding machine with the other hand.
"Carol?" Bilge called, as they got closer.
Carol looked up. Her gray streaked black hair fell over her face for a moment. She reached up and quickly did it up in a bun, securing it with a couple of pencils on her desk.
"Bilge!" She said, pushing the last pencil in. "What can I do you for, today."
"I need beer," he said.
Carol nodded and left the office. She wore stained jeans, and blue T-shirt. "You have a helper today."
"This is Teodor. His girlfriend and him are working at the Pit, now."
"You guys can do better," Carol said, winking at Bilge. "Give me your list, I'll see what I have."
Bilge handed her a piece of paper. "Where is everyone?" He asked.
Carol took the paper. "Most are out on deliveries. There's no trucks coming for a few hours. Take a seat by the office."
"You sure you don't want help?" Teodor asked.
"No, honey." Carol said. "My insurance company is quite certain about that. Besides you are too cute to be running a forklift."
Bilge chuckled.There were folding chairs by the office. Bilge took a seat, stretching his legs out in front of him. Teodor sat down on the next one. Carol started up the forklift.
"I wish I could use this place more often," Bilge said. "The Sansard family have had this place even during prohibition."
Teodor only half listened. Mr. Sansard came back into the warehouse, carrying a white bag from a take out place. He stopped for a moment when he saw Teodor. But then continued on. The old man started to get on Teodor's nerves.
September 11, 2011
#SampleSunday Chapter 15 - Patriarch
Again, only the first 300 words or so.
Sasha greeted his brother with a long embrace on the steps of Teodor's house. They went inside with Jimmy and a couple of Teodor's sons.
"Misha?" Teodor asked as he sat down on the steps of his porch. "He never leaves his home."
"That is why I am concerned," Steopa said. He reached over and took the bottle of vodka out of Teodor's hand.
"Yeah." Teodor leaned back on his elbows. "I can tell. What is going on?"
"I cannot put my finger on it. We have a vampire, Adelind, that uses magic. She made a drudge out of a local football player, and he is the one sending the hunters after me. And now the coiree..."
"What's that?"
"I never told you about it."
The screen door opened behind him. The twins, Jamie and Chuck, walked out, followed by Jimmy. Jamie pointed to the old factory.
"We're going across the street," he said.
"Why?" Teodor asked.
"We want to show Jimmy around."
"Yeah, they are going to show me some werewolf things," Jimmy said.
"Really?" Teodor shook his head. "I don't know, are you sure this is a good idea?"
Chuck shrugged. "Nothing is going on in there, except Rebecka and Trucker being computer geeks. And the other two vampires are talking in Russian, ignoring us."
"Still, be careful."
They left. Steopa opened the vodka. "Thank you for letting us come here tonight."
"No problem. It's crowded, but then it's always crowded here."
A small car pulled into the driveway and its motor shut off. Andi got out of the passenger seat, while Silvia got out of the driver's side. Andi ran over to Chuck and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Then she pulled her handbag's strap over her shoulder and walked up to the porch.
September 8, 2011
Trollhunter
Have you heard about this movie? If you have, you must keep up with horror and movie blogs. If you have not, you are missing out on a very interesting film.
The hunter and the film makers.Trollhunter is about a group of student film makers that are investigating poached bears. A few leads point them to a man named Hans. They think he is the poacher. They find out he is a hunter, not of bears.
A lot of comparisons are made of this film and Blair Witch Project. The biggest similarity is the hand held, found footage setting of the film. But unlike the motion sickness and claustrophobic style of Blair Witch. Trollhunter takes in the scenery. The characters are more professional in their filming style. If you watch this film you won't need motion sickness medicine.
It is labeled horror film. After watching it, I felt as if I had watched a fantasy wildlife documentary. The reason is because Hans is not hunting the trolls because he is looking for glory. He is hunting the trolls because it is his job. A dirty, smelly, ungrateful job.
Hans, the troll hunting civil servant.As you follow the students and Hans on his nightly hunts, you find out about the trolls. The movie treats them as large (in the case of one, large hill sized) mammals. Hans hunts them, but he also respects them too. In one scene, he retells a story that shows a dark chapter in his life. He agreed to let the students film him because he wants his job to end and the public to know the truth.
Why doesn't the public know? Because the government is keeping trolls a secret. No reasons are given to why. You can assume public safety, or protecting an endangered species, but you never know the real reason. Han's boss, Finn, is a bureaucrat. Not evil, but willing to do anything to make sure the public never finds out about the trolls.
Is it a horror film? There are some scary parts. A few horrible deaths, mainly goats. You can watch this film with the lights off, you will not have to worry about nightmares.
The middle head is the only real one, the others grow in later.There are a few funny bits. My favorite was the Polish "painting" service that is hired to help cover up the truth about the trolls. They are the only people that speak English in the film. The short scene they are in is one of the funniest. Especially if you have ever been in a situation where you had to rely on incompetent people to help you with a job.
I do recommend this movie. If you are a fan of fantasy, or large monsters, or just want to see some amazing shots of the scenery in Norway, buy this movie. It is well worth it.
The climax of the movie and also it's poster .
September 7, 2011
#WerewolfWeds The Hag - Chapter 5 Part 4
Please check my #WerewolfWeds page for an overview of this. Thanks.
A loud thud shook the wall in front of Teodor. Amanda yipped. Something scraped the wall outside, like a rake drawn across concrete. Teodor barked and howled. Amanda joined him. She started to salivate, her hackles raised.
The scrapping stopped. A soft voice, probably too soft for the children to hear, but Teodor could make it out with his wolf ears, began to sing. He did not recognize the language. It seemed guttural, more feeling than words. A feeling that would have made a weaker wolf piss themselves. A song about fear. Children cried and hugged each other.
A long scrape across the windows, leaving four long scratches in the non broken windows. Teodor followed the scratches, barking and growling as he went.
Outside Teodor saw Steopa move. Steopa ran up the outside wall and tackled something. His arms moving in a wide arch, as if he only had a general idea where his target was. Steopa did get his arms around something, briefly. His coat became pressed to his body. But then he was thrown back. Steopa swore. A long, loud curse in Lithuanian.
Some of the children screamed. Amanda howled. Teodor sniffed the air. He could feel the presence move away. Amanda stopped howling. Teodor barke and yip at the window. He could follow it, if he was outside.
Gunner stepped away from the huddled group. "Is it gone?" He asked.
Teodor tilted his head. When ever humans spoke to him like he was a dog, he had to stop himself from answering. He whined at the window. Gunner pulled a lever to the side. The window opened outward. Just big enough for Teodor to climb through. He scratched at the wall as he scrambled out. Amanda followed closely behind. The window slammed shut behind them. Steopa stood up, still covered by shadows. He glanced back at Amanda and Teodor then ran.
It headed back to the city. Steopa took the lead. Vampires could always outrun a werewolf. Teodor had to stop, he could no longer feel what ever it was that had come to the work farm building. Amanda ran ahead, but then she turned back and whined. Teodor shook his head. Amanda changed back to her human form.
"Nothing?" She asked.
Teodor changed. "Yeah, nothing."
Amanda stamped her foot on the ground. "What the hell was that thing?"
Teodor shook his head. He put his arm around Amanda and pulled her close. "I wish I could tell you." he said, kissing her cheek.
"It was after those children." Amanda growled.
"I know."
"Why?"
"Because they're children with no adults around. Easy prey."
"That's horrible."
Teodor nodded. "Horrible, but true. There are some that would prey on the children only because of that."
"Would you?" Amanda asked. "Have you?"
Teodor shook his head. "Why do you think I was cast out of my pack? They didn't care. I did."
"Sorry." Amanda said, she lowered her eyes. "It's just those kids, are on their own, they have no one."
"But themselves."
"Yes," Amanda said. She shivered. "Let's go back to our clothes.They did. As Teodor pulled on the boots. Steopa stepped out of the shadows. His face unreadable.
"I had it," he said.
"I saw," Teodor said, finishing lacing his boot. "Could you tell what it was?"
Steopa shook his head. He opened his overcoat. Across his chest were four deep furrows. They were now pink and healing. "It raked me."
Teodor studied the marks. The space between them was much larger than a span of a normal hand.
"It felt like iron," Steopa said.
"We saw nothing," Amanda said. "I didn't smell any iron."
"But that doesn't mean anything," Teodor said. "We couldn't smell anything, but those children."
Steopa looked over the large field. "It did have arms, and a head. I would say it was like a human."
Teodor felt somewhat relieved about that. Amanda stared at Steopa for a moment.
"You don't think it was from the base, do you?" she asked.
Steopa shook his head. "There is nothing there, but me."
"Iron? Iron fingers, perhaps?" Teodor asked.
"Possibly."
"That sounds so familiar."
Amanda rubbed her head. "I think I need to lay down."
Steopa buttoned his overcoat up. "Yes, we all should rest."
As they began to walk back to the old base. Teodor caught Amanda taking one last look at the work farm building where the children were staying. Teodor gave her a small hug, using one arm.
"It will be alright," he said.
He caught Steopa giving him an odd look. Teodor shrugged. He knew that he was only saying that to reassure Amanda. But part of him also wanted those children safe as well.
A loud thud shook the wall in front of Teodor. Amanda yipped. Something scraped the wall outside, like a rake drawn across concrete. Teodor barked and howled. Amanda joined him. She started to salivate, her hackles raised.
The scrapping stopped. A soft voice, probably too soft for the children to hear, but Teodor could make it out with his wolf ears, began to sing. He did not recognize the language. It seemed guttural, more feeling than words. A feeling that would have made a weaker wolf piss themselves. A song about fear. Children cried and hugged each other.
A long scrape across the windows, leaving four long scratches in the non broken windows. Teodor followed the scratches, barking and growling as he went.
Outside Teodor saw Steopa move. Steopa ran up the outside wall and tackled something. His arms moving in a wide arch, as if he only had a general idea where his target was. Steopa did get his arms around something, briefly. His coat became pressed to his body. But then he was thrown back. Steopa swore. A long, loud curse in Lithuanian.
Some of the children screamed. Amanda howled. Teodor sniffed the air. He could feel the presence move away. Amanda stopped howling. Teodor barke and yip at the window. He could follow it, if he was outside.
Gunner stepped away from the huddled group. "Is it gone?" He asked.
Teodor tilted his head. When ever humans spoke to him like he was a dog, he had to stop himself from answering. He whined at the window. Gunner pulled a lever to the side. The window opened outward. Just big enough for Teodor to climb through. He scratched at the wall as he scrambled out. Amanda followed closely behind. The window slammed shut behind them. Steopa stood up, still covered by shadows. He glanced back at Amanda and Teodor then ran.
It headed back to the city. Steopa took the lead. Vampires could always outrun a werewolf. Teodor had to stop, he could no longer feel what ever it was that had come to the work farm building. Amanda ran ahead, but then she turned back and whined. Teodor shook his head. Amanda changed back to her human form.
"Nothing?" She asked.
Teodor changed. "Yeah, nothing."
Amanda stamped her foot on the ground. "What the hell was that thing?"
Teodor shook his head. He put his arm around Amanda and pulled her close. "I wish I could tell you." he said, kissing her cheek.
"It was after those children." Amanda growled.
"I know."
"Why?"
"Because they're children with no adults around. Easy prey."
"That's horrible."
Teodor nodded. "Horrible, but true. There are some that would prey on the children only because of that."
"Would you?" Amanda asked. "Have you?"
Teodor shook his head. "Why do you think I was cast out of my pack? They didn't care. I did."
"Sorry." Amanda said, she lowered her eyes. "It's just those kids, are on their own, they have no one."
"But themselves."
"Yes," Amanda said. She shivered. "Let's go back to our clothes.They did. As Teodor pulled on the boots. Steopa stepped out of the shadows. His face unreadable.
"I had it," he said.
"I saw," Teodor said, finishing lacing his boot. "Could you tell what it was?"
Steopa shook his head. He opened his overcoat. Across his chest were four deep furrows. They were now pink and healing. "It raked me."
Teodor studied the marks. The space between them was much larger than a span of a normal hand.
"It felt like iron," Steopa said.
"We saw nothing," Amanda said. "I didn't smell any iron."
"But that doesn't mean anything," Teodor said. "We couldn't smell anything, but those children."
Steopa looked over the large field. "It did have arms, and a head. I would say it was like a human."
Teodor felt somewhat relieved about that. Amanda stared at Steopa for a moment.
"You don't think it was from the base, do you?" she asked.
Steopa shook his head. "There is nothing there, but me."
"Iron? Iron fingers, perhaps?" Teodor asked.
"Possibly."
"That sounds so familiar."
Amanda rubbed her head. "I think I need to lay down."
Steopa buttoned his overcoat up. "Yes, we all should rest."
As they began to walk back to the old base. Teodor caught Amanda taking one last look at the work farm building where the children were staying. Teodor gave her a small hug, using one arm.
"It will be alright," he said.
He caught Steopa giving him an odd look. Teodor shrugged. He knew that he was only saying that to reassure Amanda. But part of him also wanted those children safe as well.
September 4, 2011
#SampleSunday Chapter 14
Only the first 300 words or so.
Something made him edgy; his fangs grew. The hair on the back of his neck rose. The sun had not set, yet Steopa shook the stupor off him. He moved his hand. The dirt rolled off him and Rebecka. In the back of his mind he could feel another of his descendants coming closer to the city, but that would not set off his fangs.
Rebecka jerked awake. "The coiree!"
An image of the coiree forced itself into Steopa's mind. He could smell burning stone. He heard a high-pitched drilling noise. Rebecka grabbed his hand. Her eyes tinged red. He felt a pain, as if a drill bored into his head.
"Someone is trying to get to the coiree," he said.
He jumped up, pulling Rebecka as he did. The red and orange sunlight drifted down the stairs. He shielded his eyes as he ran up to the ground floor. Through the large broken window, he could see the clouds had turned red due to the sunset.
Steopa shook the dirt off his coat. "The sun is setting. We should be safe."
Rebecka made a strange noise behind him. He turned. She held her hand up, shielding her eyes from the sun. The top of her hand looked as if it had a bruise. Steopa moved to block the sun. She lowered her hand. The bruising disappeared.
"Does that happen to you?" she asked.
"No. Are you-"
"I'm fine. It felt strange."
She moved. A small beam of sunlight hit her face. It seemed to bruise where it shone on her cheek. He reached over and touched the area.
"It doesn't hurt," she said.
Steopa studied the mark. It was not a bruise. She had tanned, but only where the sun had touched her. "You still surprise me," he said.
September 1, 2011
Perun
WARNING RUDE LANGUAGE AHEAD!
While I am on the last legs of getting Patriarch ready for publication. I thought I would whet your whistle by introducing you to some minor characters.
The first is Perun.
I have talked about my wildman before. If you are reading my werewolf story, you have read a bit about him. But who is he? What is he?
Perun is a leshy. Or at least that is what he tells you. Wildman, greenman, are similar types of characters. So what is he doing in a vampire story. He is a friend of Steopa's and they could not be more opposite.
Perun = Life. Steopa = Death. But they get along. Perun says the most inappropriate thing at the appropriate time. Steopa is careful with what words he choses. Steopa might get tired of Perun's uncouth behavior. Perun gets annoyed with Steopa, because he will not relax. They understand each other and respect each other.
That is enough from me: Here is Perun.
What is your age?(laughs and smiles) I have no f---ing idea.
What is a leshy?Mak calls me a Lord of the Forest, that is close. I protect the woods I live in. Some think we are demons. Really! How could a demon want to protect the living beings? If you are lucky you can find one of us in any forest.
Some humans think we control the wild. Actually, the woods want us to keep humans out. The humans that want to harm the forest. Unfortunately, we can be harmed, by the same crap the woods can be. So there aren't many of us left.
Family?(smile disappears) Many, but most are gone. My last wife died in 1943.
Wife? You marry?Of course. I love women. But once in awhile, I find one woman that is extra special. Its a marriage, but nothing like the humans do. A simple little ceremony with me, her, and the woods. And then the children of course. I've been lucky to have a few.
Do you keep in touch with your family?Most are dead.
Favorite music?Anything I can dance to! I play a drum and sing. But it has to be the music that hits your heart, you know. The Native Americans have their drum songs. The Sami have yoiking. That is the music I can get into. Music is magic.
What do you like to drink?What do you got! (giggles) Steopa brings me good vodka. I get beers from the college kids when they party in the woods. I love drinking. But never get drunk. Steopa says I am already. (laughs) In the past, it was common for a woodsman, or a hunter to leave me a little something. No one does anymore. And they wonder why the woods don't feel comfortable. Serves them right.
What do you do for fun?I like to F---. I love women! And if we can spend some time alone. Best time in the world. I like to drink. I like to dance.
What kind of people do you dislike?Any ass that thinks they can rape this land and not make amends. They are killing their mother. Ungrateful f---ers.
What do you think of Steopa? Of Rebecka?Steopa. He's a good guy. When we first met, he was annoyed with me. But we see eye to eye on many things. I wish he would enjoy himself more. I am glad he found Rebecka, everyone needs a mate they can be with. She is perfect for him. Nice tits too.
How do you feel about the events in the novel?Not enough of me! About time for some of this bullshit to come to the surface.
And his "theme song"
Example of yoiking, by Jonne Järvelä from Korpiklaani.
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While I am on the last legs of getting Patriarch ready for publication. I thought I would whet your whistle by introducing you to some minor characters.
The first is Perun.
I have talked about my wildman before. If you are reading my werewolf story, you have read a bit about him. But who is he? What is he?
Perun is a leshy. Or at least that is what he tells you. Wildman, greenman, are similar types of characters. So what is he doing in a vampire story. He is a friend of Steopa's and they could not be more opposite.
Perun = Life. Steopa = Death. But they get along. Perun says the most inappropriate thing at the appropriate time. Steopa is careful with what words he choses. Steopa might get tired of Perun's uncouth behavior. Perun gets annoyed with Steopa, because he will not relax. They understand each other and respect each other.
That is enough from me: Here is Perun.
What is your age?(laughs and smiles) I have no f---ing idea.
What is a leshy?Mak calls me a Lord of the Forest, that is close. I protect the woods I live in. Some think we are demons. Really! How could a demon want to protect the living beings? If you are lucky you can find one of us in any forest.
Some humans think we control the wild. Actually, the woods want us to keep humans out. The humans that want to harm the forest. Unfortunately, we can be harmed, by the same crap the woods can be. So there aren't many of us left.
Family?(smile disappears) Many, but most are gone. My last wife died in 1943.
Wife? You marry?Of course. I love women. But once in awhile, I find one woman that is extra special. Its a marriage, but nothing like the humans do. A simple little ceremony with me, her, and the woods. And then the children of course. I've been lucky to have a few.
Do you keep in touch with your family?Most are dead.
Favorite music?Anything I can dance to! I play a drum and sing. But it has to be the music that hits your heart, you know. The Native Americans have their drum songs. The Sami have yoiking. That is the music I can get into. Music is magic.
What do you like to drink?What do you got! (giggles) Steopa brings me good vodka. I get beers from the college kids when they party in the woods. I love drinking. But never get drunk. Steopa says I am already. (laughs) In the past, it was common for a woodsman, or a hunter to leave me a little something. No one does anymore. And they wonder why the woods don't feel comfortable. Serves them right.
What do you do for fun?I like to F---. I love women! And if we can spend some time alone. Best time in the world. I like to drink. I like to dance.
What kind of people do you dislike?Any ass that thinks they can rape this land and not make amends. They are killing their mother. Ungrateful f---ers.
What do you think of Steopa? Of Rebecka?Steopa. He's a good guy. When we first met, he was annoyed with me. But we see eye to eye on many things. I wish he would enjoy himself more. I am glad he found Rebecka, everyone needs a mate they can be with. She is perfect for him. Nice tits too.
How do you feel about the events in the novel?Not enough of me! About time for some of this bullshit to come to the surface.
And his "theme song"
Example of yoiking, by Jonne Järvelä from Korpiklaani.
August 31, 2011
#WerewolfWeds The Hag - Chapter 5 Part 3
Please check my #WerewolfWeds page for an overview of this. Thanks.
Steopa walked to the building and entered through an open door. Teodor and Amanda both paused. She glanced at him. Teodor sighed.
"Yeah, we better." He whispered.
This time, they undressed, placing their clothes under a large rock in some overgrown bushes. They changed. Not stopping at the hybrid wolf and man form. Teodor and Amanda changed to wolves.
Amanda's light fur shined in the moonlight. She padded into the entrance. Teodor followed close behind. Inside Steopa waited for them. Teodor heard the children. Steopa pointed down the hall. Amanda put her nose to the ground and sniffed. Teodor followed.
The sound of a radio became louder as they came closer to the double doors. Along with the general chatter and smell of stale food, the smell of drugs. Teodor's heart sank. These were kids, what were they doing with drugs? He thought. Amanda whined.
Teodor approached the open door. On one side of the large room, kitchen equipment sat rusting. Opposite of the kitchen, the kids gathered around a stage. Some of the kids on the stage slept.
Teodor realized, even though he was calling them children, the ages seemed to be from around six to some that were young adults. The older ones passed a joint to each other. Two were off to one side, preparing a needle for use.
A largest group of children sat around the radio, listening to the music. A young girl laid on her stomach drawing on a piece of paper with piece of burnt wood. The girl next to her looked up and grinned.
"Doggies!"
All heads, that weren't asleep or in some sort of chemical high, turned to look.
Amanda tentatively took another step into the room. One of the older boys stood up, grabbing a baseball bat as he did. "They look like wolves," he said.
A girl about ten or eleven took a step towards Teodor and Amanda. An older girl grabbed her. The younger one shook her off. "My parents raised dogs," she said. "They aren't growling."
Teodor wagged his tail. A wolf would never do that, but he wanted to put the children at ease. Amanda sat down and looked around the group of children.
The brave young girl walked to Amanda, holding out her hand, palm out. Amanda leaned forward and sniffed it. The girl slowly moved her hand and pet Amanda's fur. She smiled.
"It's okay," she said, "They're tame."
The kids rushed over. Teodor had many hands reach out to pet him and ruffle his fur. Some of the older ones came over and joined in. The one that held the bat walked over and stood to the side. Teodor watched him.
If that boy had been a wolf, he would have been the alpha male. He had the stance of a leader. But there was more to it. He also was looking out for the rest of the children. The boy stood back for a reason. Teodor moved away from the groping hands and walked up to the leader. The boy with the bat regarded Teodor for a moment, then reached down and gave him a quick pat on the head.
"Tache," The boy with the bat said over his shoulder. "Open that can of stew."
"Wait, what?" A skinny, black haired boy asked.
"Just do it."
Tache went to the back of the room and came back with an open can of beef stew. He handed it to the boy with the bat. The boy placed it on the ground in front of Teodor.
Teodor sniffed it. Even in his human form he would not eat this. The meat was over cooked, there were more potatoes than anything else, and the chemicals almost made his nose burn. But he wanted to put the kids at ease, so he stuck is muzzle in and ate a few large bites.
Amanda joined him. She glanced around with her eyes at the kids as they did so. The boy with the bat, laid his bat down and ruffled Amanda's fur.
"They seem tame," he said. "If they come back tomorrow, we should have some meat for them."
"Why Gunner?" an older girl asked.
The leader, Gunner, stood up. "Because having them around would be a good idea. They could warn us."
The girl bit her lip, but nodded.
Most of the children had their turn petting Teodor and Amanda, the crowd dispersed around them. Teodor sat back and scratched his ears, he looked around at the same time. He found Trucker. Trucker slept on a large coat by the stage. He looked like the little kid he was, not the tough acting punk that had led them to The Pit.
Then he felt it. Something approached. His fur rose, unconsciously. Some of the children moved away from the windows, he could smell the fear on them, like a large stick of cinnamon. Teodor padded over to the broken window and sniffed the air.
What ever it was, had no smell. He whined. Amanda came over to him. She clawed at the windows. Behind them, Teodor could sense the children were becoming more frightened.
"Tashe, Jazz," He heard Gunner order, "Make sure the doors are locked.
The other two boys ran out of the room. Teodor made out the shape of Steopa moving along the yard outside. By his slow, almost cat like movements, Teodor could tell Steopa was looking for what ever this thing was.
Gunner had picked up his bat. There was a scuffling of feet behind him. Some of the older children were rousting the ones that were asleep. Trucker woke up protesting. Teodor glanced behind him. All of the kids were now in a large huddle in the middle of the room.
"Stay away from the door and windows," Gunner said.
Tashe and Jazz ran back in the room, slamming the doors behind them.
It was still out there. Teodor could feel it, but he couldn't see it, or smell it. The growl formed without him realizing it. It was the only sound in the room, other than the shallow breathing of the children behind him and Amanda. Steopa had even paused on the lawn. The world went still.
Steopa walked to the building and entered through an open door. Teodor and Amanda both paused. She glanced at him. Teodor sighed.
"Yeah, we better." He whispered.
This time, they undressed, placing their clothes under a large rock in some overgrown bushes. They changed. Not stopping at the hybrid wolf and man form. Teodor and Amanda changed to wolves.
Amanda's light fur shined in the moonlight. She padded into the entrance. Teodor followed close behind. Inside Steopa waited for them. Teodor heard the children. Steopa pointed down the hall. Amanda put her nose to the ground and sniffed. Teodor followed.
The sound of a radio became louder as they came closer to the double doors. Along with the general chatter and smell of stale food, the smell of drugs. Teodor's heart sank. These were kids, what were they doing with drugs? He thought. Amanda whined.
Teodor approached the open door. On one side of the large room, kitchen equipment sat rusting. Opposite of the kitchen, the kids gathered around a stage. Some of the kids on the stage slept.
Teodor realized, even though he was calling them children, the ages seemed to be from around six to some that were young adults. The older ones passed a joint to each other. Two were off to one side, preparing a needle for use.
A largest group of children sat around the radio, listening to the music. A young girl laid on her stomach drawing on a piece of paper with piece of burnt wood. The girl next to her looked up and grinned.
"Doggies!"
All heads, that weren't asleep or in some sort of chemical high, turned to look.
Amanda tentatively took another step into the room. One of the older boys stood up, grabbing a baseball bat as he did. "They look like wolves," he said.
A girl about ten or eleven took a step towards Teodor and Amanda. An older girl grabbed her. The younger one shook her off. "My parents raised dogs," she said. "They aren't growling."
Teodor wagged his tail. A wolf would never do that, but he wanted to put the children at ease. Amanda sat down and looked around the group of children.
The brave young girl walked to Amanda, holding out her hand, palm out. Amanda leaned forward and sniffed it. The girl slowly moved her hand and pet Amanda's fur. She smiled.
"It's okay," she said, "They're tame."
The kids rushed over. Teodor had many hands reach out to pet him and ruffle his fur. Some of the older ones came over and joined in. The one that held the bat walked over and stood to the side. Teodor watched him.
If that boy had been a wolf, he would have been the alpha male. He had the stance of a leader. But there was more to it. He also was looking out for the rest of the children. The boy stood back for a reason. Teodor moved away from the groping hands and walked up to the leader. The boy with the bat regarded Teodor for a moment, then reached down and gave him a quick pat on the head.
"Tache," The boy with the bat said over his shoulder. "Open that can of stew."
"Wait, what?" A skinny, black haired boy asked.
"Just do it."
Tache went to the back of the room and came back with an open can of beef stew. He handed it to the boy with the bat. The boy placed it on the ground in front of Teodor.
Teodor sniffed it. Even in his human form he would not eat this. The meat was over cooked, there were more potatoes than anything else, and the chemicals almost made his nose burn. But he wanted to put the kids at ease, so he stuck is muzzle in and ate a few large bites.
Amanda joined him. She glanced around with her eyes at the kids as they did so. The boy with the bat, laid his bat down and ruffled Amanda's fur.
"They seem tame," he said. "If they come back tomorrow, we should have some meat for them."
"Why Gunner?" an older girl asked.
The leader, Gunner, stood up. "Because having them around would be a good idea. They could warn us."
The girl bit her lip, but nodded.
Most of the children had their turn petting Teodor and Amanda, the crowd dispersed around them. Teodor sat back and scratched his ears, he looked around at the same time. He found Trucker. Trucker slept on a large coat by the stage. He looked like the little kid he was, not the tough acting punk that had led them to The Pit.
Then he felt it. Something approached. His fur rose, unconsciously. Some of the children moved away from the windows, he could smell the fear on them, like a large stick of cinnamon. Teodor padded over to the broken window and sniffed the air.
What ever it was, had no smell. He whined. Amanda came over to him. She clawed at the windows. Behind them, Teodor could sense the children were becoming more frightened.
"Tashe, Jazz," He heard Gunner order, "Make sure the doors are locked.
The other two boys ran out of the room. Teodor made out the shape of Steopa moving along the yard outside. By his slow, almost cat like movements, Teodor could tell Steopa was looking for what ever this thing was.
Gunner had picked up his bat. There was a scuffling of feet behind him. Some of the older children were rousting the ones that were asleep. Trucker woke up protesting. Teodor glanced behind him. All of the kids were now in a large huddle in the middle of the room.
"Stay away from the door and windows," Gunner said.
Tashe and Jazz ran back in the room, slamming the doors behind them.
It was still out there. Teodor could feel it, but he couldn't see it, or smell it. The growl formed without him realizing it. It was the only sound in the room, other than the shallow breathing of the children behind him and Amanda. Steopa had even paused on the lawn. The world went still.
August 25, 2011
Maundbury - A nice little town.
I was sitting at my computer when a post on G+ rolled by. "Anyone want to make a horror setting?"
I was intrigued. A few moments of quick conversation, and then this address appeared. http://maundbury.wikia.com/wiki/Maundbury_Wiki
A little place to make into a horror setting.
What is Maundbury? Behind the scenes is a community created horror setting. Some rules were laid out: From the wikia:
"Maundbury is an experiment in shared worlds fiction: an open-source, crowd sourced Gothic Horror setting for use in fiction and gaming. Maundbury is a small New England town. The current year is 1968. Anything written or created for the Maundbury setting must be set in this year or before. Feel free to create histories, small settings (mansions, graveyards, churches, etc.) town personages past and present, etc. Try, when possible, to incorporate the work of other authors, but feel free to deviate as needed. Any original written content at the Maundbury Wiki is free to use in whole or in part, provided credit is given to Maundbury Wiki."
So that means, anyone can come and add an entry, or a picture to the town. With the understanding that anything they share, could be used by other people. Which is the point. We are creating this place so others can be inspired. Either to add to the town's strangeness or maybe make up a story that fits the town.
To the readers: This place is getting creepy. We have a haunted forest, strange faceless beings, lawmen that rule with iron fists, a couple of cults, ghosts, eccentrics, and a top notch beauty salon. And it is growing.
Right now it is in its infancy. But if you would like to check it out, please do.
To get you started here are some of my favorite entries:
Shelly Chrisfield-Tanner
Telemark Forest
Greyhaven Port Hunting Party of 1944
Jacqueline Stoddard
I was intrigued. A few moments of quick conversation, and then this address appeared. http://maundbury.wikia.com/wiki/Maundbury_Wiki
A little place to make into a horror setting.
What is Maundbury? Behind the scenes is a community created horror setting. Some rules were laid out: From the wikia:
"Maundbury is an experiment in shared worlds fiction: an open-source, crowd sourced Gothic Horror setting for use in fiction and gaming. Maundbury is a small New England town. The current year is 1968. Anything written or created for the Maundbury setting must be set in this year or before. Feel free to create histories, small settings (mansions, graveyards, churches, etc.) town personages past and present, etc. Try, when possible, to incorporate the work of other authors, but feel free to deviate as needed. Any original written content at the Maundbury Wiki is free to use in whole or in part, provided credit is given to Maundbury Wiki."
So that means, anyone can come and add an entry, or a picture to the town. With the understanding that anything they share, could be used by other people. Which is the point. We are creating this place so others can be inspired. Either to add to the town's strangeness or maybe make up a story that fits the town.
To the readers: This place is getting creepy. We have a haunted forest, strange faceless beings, lawmen that rule with iron fists, a couple of cults, ghosts, eccentrics, and a top notch beauty salon. And it is growing.
Right now it is in its infancy. But if you would like to check it out, please do.
To get you started here are some of my favorite entries:
Shelly Chrisfield-Tanner
Telemark Forest
Greyhaven Port Hunting Party of 1944
Jacqueline Stoddard
