Scott Bryan's Blog, page 35
October 25, 2012
Bite of Story Thursday
Night Children: Dark Threats
Chapter Eight : Present Day
Despite her better judgment, Annabelle sped towards Kelli. Just as she stopped beside the girl, something heavy swung down from the broken ceiling and kicked her through a wall. Pain lashed her back as plaster and brick tore her pale skin.
An eight-foot tall gorilla-like man in a tattered suit and top hat swung in front of her. The large man had a gold D embroidered on his lapel, the symbol of his rank as Dominic’s chief enforcer and one of the Seven Tyrant Lords. He smelled of alcohol and cheap cigars. Mister Hyde dropped to his oversized feet and leaped towards her with a large leer plastered across his shaggy squat face. “I jus’ don’t understand how you remain alive when you fall for the oldest trick in th’ book.”
She moved out of his path, sped behind him and ripped at his left ear. His foul, tainted blood gushed as he let out a painful howl. She knew he’d heal when he reverted back to Jekyll, but it was worth it.
Her skin had already healed from the earlier blow, but her clothing was torn in several places. He was four times her size, and deadly. She swallowed her fear.
Annabelle taunted him while speeding around his bulk. “And I don’t understand why you still go around with that ridiculous hat.” She dodged his massive trunk-like arms. “It’s the twenty-first century. You’re so out-dated.”
“I’m younger than you, brat!” He bent down and ripped up three floorboards. They cracked at his strength. “If you were a proper vampire like the Master, you wouldn’t get caught like this.”
He swung them at her, smashing the wood into a wall. Splinters flew everywhere. She dodged the impact but wood chips gave her new cuts.
“Oh but Edward, I am a proper vampire.” She focused inwardly, just like Grandmother Laila taught her, and allowed her body to soften into a thick crimson mist.
“Never call me that!” He threw wood and brick through her form but nothing connected. She focused on her true shape, mentally pulling her wispy body back together as the objects tried to dissipate her form.
He shouted obscenities at her with his thick, cockney accent. “The name Hyde is feared around the world, brat. Use it with respect.”
She laughed at him. “I’ll call you by your first name, Edward, because bullies deserve no respect.”
Chapter Eight : Present Day
Despite her better judgment, Annabelle sped towards Kelli. Just as she stopped beside the girl, something heavy swung down from the broken ceiling and kicked her through a wall. Pain lashed her back as plaster and brick tore her pale skin.
An eight-foot tall gorilla-like man in a tattered suit and top hat swung in front of her. The large man had a gold D embroidered on his lapel, the symbol of his rank as Dominic’s chief enforcer and one of the Seven Tyrant Lords. He smelled of alcohol and cheap cigars. Mister Hyde dropped to his oversized feet and leaped towards her with a large leer plastered across his shaggy squat face. “I jus’ don’t understand how you remain alive when you fall for the oldest trick in th’ book.”
She moved out of his path, sped behind him and ripped at his left ear. His foul, tainted blood gushed as he let out a painful howl. She knew he’d heal when he reverted back to Jekyll, but it was worth it.
Her skin had already healed from the earlier blow, but her clothing was torn in several places. He was four times her size, and deadly. She swallowed her fear.
Annabelle taunted him while speeding around his bulk. “And I don’t understand why you still go around with that ridiculous hat.” She dodged his massive trunk-like arms. “It’s the twenty-first century. You’re so out-dated.”
“I’m younger than you, brat!” He bent down and ripped up three floorboards. They cracked at his strength. “If you were a proper vampire like the Master, you wouldn’t get caught like this.”
He swung them at her, smashing the wood into a wall. Splinters flew everywhere. She dodged the impact but wood chips gave her new cuts.
“Oh but Edward, I am a proper vampire.” She focused inwardly, just like Grandmother Laila taught her, and allowed her body to soften into a thick crimson mist.
“Never call me that!” He threw wood and brick through her form but nothing connected. She focused on her true shape, mentally pulling her wispy body back together as the objects tried to dissipate her form.
He shouted obscenities at her with his thick, cockney accent. “The name Hyde is feared around the world, brat. Use it with respect.”
She laughed at him. “I’ll call you by your first name, Edward, because bullies deserve no respect.”
October 24, 2012
Picture Sharing Time
Time for more Halloween pictures! If you know the artist, please let me know.
Who is on the Wolf Man's shoulder?
By j0sh 3000 (This one inspires my inner writer)
by John Ostrander. (This one really inspires my writing!)
Who is on the Wolf Man's shoulder?
By j0sh 3000 (This one inspires my inner writer)
by John Ostrander. (This one really inspires my writing!)
October 23, 2012
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Sybil
SYBIL
Here is a cool pic from online. No clue what it is or who did it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can give credit. There is no picture at this time of Sybil or the rest of the Falabranwyn. Hopefully that will change someday.
Name Origin
English for "wise old woman".
Physical characteristics: Sybil shares characteristics of the other Falabranwyn. She has long silky black hair and black eyes that seem to go deep into a person's soul. She has a pale completion and thin body. She stands about five and a half feet tall. She wears a cloak that seems to be made of black feathers. When in bird form she appears as a crow or raven, depending on her mood. Either way she becomes a black bird with eyes that seem almost human.
Personality:
Sybil is quiet, responsible and sad. She seems to possess unknown knowledge of future events but refuses to share. She exhibits leadership qualities to other members of her shape-shifting race.
Abilities: All Falabranwyn can shape-shift to appear as ravens or the larger crows. They have prophetic abilities as well, often receiving visions of future events. They don't all get the visions or dreams at once and some like Sybil get more. The Falabranwyn can blend into the shadows and not be seen when they wish. They cannot be heard, seen, smelled if they want to disappear. They have no scent at all. This is a protection against vampires discovering them. As a senior member of their race, Sybil is well trained in all theses abilities.
History: Not much is known about the enigmatic Sybil. Close to King Alar, the first leader of the Falabranwyn, Sybil always believed the 'Prophesy of the Younglings' that Alar gave on his deathbed after the Exodus War. Sybil was very young during the war and still remembers the Farnalla Exodus. She was tasked with watching one of evil Lord Domi's wives, Eliza Pratchet. Sybil became a friend to Eliza and warned her of many things. After the Foresight family arrived in the New World, Sybil watched the children close. She and several Falabranwyn warriors flew to Annabelle and Roland's defense on multiple occasions. Annabelle and Roland spotted Sybil leaving Eliza's cabin right before they rescued Blandia Blackburn from the Salem Trials and before the first Battle of Jorgantown. She has begin training Aisling, a fledgling Falabranwyn.
Here is a cool pic from online. No clue what it is or who did it. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can give credit. There is no picture at this time of Sybil or the rest of the Falabranwyn. Hopefully that will change someday.
Name Origin
English for "wise old woman".
Physical characteristics: Sybil shares characteristics of the other Falabranwyn. She has long silky black hair and black eyes that seem to go deep into a person's soul. She has a pale completion and thin body. She stands about five and a half feet tall. She wears a cloak that seems to be made of black feathers. When in bird form she appears as a crow or raven, depending on her mood. Either way she becomes a black bird with eyes that seem almost human.
Personality:
Sybil is quiet, responsible and sad. She seems to possess unknown knowledge of future events but refuses to share. She exhibits leadership qualities to other members of her shape-shifting race.
Abilities: All Falabranwyn can shape-shift to appear as ravens or the larger crows. They have prophetic abilities as well, often receiving visions of future events. They don't all get the visions or dreams at once and some like Sybil get more. The Falabranwyn can blend into the shadows and not be seen when they wish. They cannot be heard, seen, smelled if they want to disappear. They have no scent at all. This is a protection against vampires discovering them. As a senior member of their race, Sybil is well trained in all theses abilities.
History: Not much is known about the enigmatic Sybil. Close to King Alar, the first leader of the Falabranwyn, Sybil always believed the 'Prophesy of the Younglings' that Alar gave on his deathbed after the Exodus War. Sybil was very young during the war and still remembers the Farnalla Exodus. She was tasked with watching one of evil Lord Domi's wives, Eliza Pratchet. Sybil became a friend to Eliza and warned her of many things. After the Foresight family arrived in the New World, Sybil watched the children close. She and several Falabranwyn warriors flew to Annabelle and Roland's defense on multiple occasions. Annabelle and Roland spotted Sybil leaving Eliza's cabin right before they rescued Blandia Blackburn from the Salem Trials and before the first Battle of Jorgantown. She has begin training Aisling, a fledgling Falabranwyn.
October 22, 2012
Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! This is a hop created by I am a reader not a writer.
It involves over four hundred blogs! Click here to see her blog and the main page with a list of all the participating blogs and the prizes she has to offer!
As for my part in all this:
Post a comment and one lucky soul will win a copy of my short story, NIGHT CHILDREN: DARK THREATS!
" type="text/javascript">That's right, you can win a great story featuring Mister Hyde, the Invisible Man, witches, Nazi werewolves, vampires, zombies and my two favorite children of the night, Annabelle and Roland!
Just comment below and the winner will be announced on the 31st. I can only ship to Canada and the US.
What are you waiting for?
How did the last book signing go?
It was on October 12th and it was fair. I was at Starry Night Book's booth at the Benson Grist Mill Pumpkin Walk. Trouble is it rained heavily and the crowds just wasn't there. There was a couple sales over the weekend though.
Here's to next time!
Here's to next time!
October 18, 2012
Bite of Story Thursday
Here is a preview of something I'm currently working on, Book Two in the Annabelle series. It's called DARK CHANGES (formally called Dark Trials).
Remember, this is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Anyway, sit back and enjoy...
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Night Children: Dark Changes
Chapter Seventeen: Chester
Annabelle realized two things at that moment. She realized she and Thomas had it wrong. There wasn’t just one vampire in town, or even one group. There must’ve been more. Some of them were children, just like her. Before she could reflect on this her acute senses noticed the other thing.
Another vampire was in the alley now. The shadows started to shift, revealing the creature. Annabelle couldn’t tell if it was the same shadow creature as before or a different one.
Chester the ghoul apparently didn’t serve this particular vampire because he screamed, “No! The Destitute!”
“Chester, don’t leave. I still have questions.” She didn’t follow as he stumbled through the darkness and into the street where the alley let out. She let him go. Time to get answers from this creature once and for all.
“All right. Tell me, who you are. Chester called you the Destitute. Is that your name? Are there more of you?”
If any humans walked into the alley, Annabelle figured they’d be treated to an interesting sight; a little girl in curls, facing a formless creature of nightmares without appearing the least bit scared. The truth was Annabelle could feel her legs tremor with fear. She couldn’t let the Destitute realize it. There was too much at stake.
It just regarded her. No answers were forthcoming.
“Fine. Then lead me to your home. I want to learn about you.” The creature still remained motionless.
“I’ve come to London to find my brother. He looks thirteen and he’s a vampire like me. He’s with a man named Reginald Worthing. Another vampire. Have you heard of him? Have you seen them?” Still no answer.
“You’ve got to answer me. Say something. Anything,” she began to plead, “Please. Have you seen or heard of them? Are there more of you?”
As if in answer to her last question, other shadows formed to become another creature. She knew it was a vampire, but that was all. It looked exactly the same as the other.
“There are more of you. Now answer my other question. Have you seen my brother?”
The Destitute looked at each other, then started to shift back towards the shadows. Annabelle moved with superhuman speed towards the creatures but in a blink of an eye they were gone, melted away. She tried to listen for the creatures’ escape but they made no sound.
She yelled to the empty air, “No!”
Remember, this is from the rough draft so it does not reflect the final product. Anyway, sit back and enjoy...
---------
Night Children: Dark Changes
Chapter Seventeen: Chester
Annabelle realized two things at that moment. She realized she and Thomas had it wrong. There wasn’t just one vampire in town, or even one group. There must’ve been more. Some of them were children, just like her. Before she could reflect on this her acute senses noticed the other thing.
Another vampire was in the alley now. The shadows started to shift, revealing the creature. Annabelle couldn’t tell if it was the same shadow creature as before or a different one.
Chester the ghoul apparently didn’t serve this particular vampire because he screamed, “No! The Destitute!”
“Chester, don’t leave. I still have questions.” She didn’t follow as he stumbled through the darkness and into the street where the alley let out. She let him go. Time to get answers from this creature once and for all.
“All right. Tell me, who you are. Chester called you the Destitute. Is that your name? Are there more of you?”
If any humans walked into the alley, Annabelle figured they’d be treated to an interesting sight; a little girl in curls, facing a formless creature of nightmares without appearing the least bit scared. The truth was Annabelle could feel her legs tremor with fear. She couldn’t let the Destitute realize it. There was too much at stake.
It just regarded her. No answers were forthcoming.
“Fine. Then lead me to your home. I want to learn about you.” The creature still remained motionless.
“I’ve come to London to find my brother. He looks thirteen and he’s a vampire like me. He’s with a man named Reginald Worthing. Another vampire. Have you heard of him? Have you seen them?” Still no answer.
“You’ve got to answer me. Say something. Anything,” she began to plead, “Please. Have you seen or heard of them? Are there more of you?”
As if in answer to her last question, other shadows formed to become another creature. She knew it was a vampire, but that was all. It looked exactly the same as the other.
“There are more of you. Now answer my other question. Have you seen my brother?”
The Destitute looked at each other, then started to shift back towards the shadows. Annabelle moved with superhuman speed towards the creatures but in a blink of an eye they were gone, melted away. She tried to listen for the creatures’ escape but they made no sound.
She yelled to the empty air, “No!”
October 16, 2012
Who's Who in the Annabelle Universe? Isaac
ISAAC
I have no idea who did this pic. It's a standard werewolf pic from the web. No picture of Isaac exists at this time. Hopefully that will change someday. If anyone knows who did this picture, please let me know. This comes closest to Isaac, except the tongue is too long.
Physical characteristics:
Isaac can turn into half man half wolf shape as well as full wolf shape. In his half form he is seven feet tall, muscular and big. He has a snout and extended jaw as well at the pointed ears of a wolf. His legs are shaped similar to wolves and his feet are large paws while his hands are human shape with sharp claws. He has a red 'D' shape scar on his left breast. His fur is black and very shaggy. He has black hair and eyes in his human form and amber eyes in werewolf form. After the human boy called Thomas shot him, he is missing a shoulder.
Personality:
He is a bully. He treats his younger brother Cam badly. He always fights the werewolf Clancy for control of Dominic's personal werewolf pack. Angry and resentful after Thomas wounded him. Thirsts for revenge.
Abilities:
Isaac has the standard werewolf abilities. He can transform into a half-wolf half-human form or all wolf form. In both forms he's stronger, faster and has better agility and enhanced senses. He can access his enhanced abilities and sharp nails and teeth even in human form. As an Alpha Wolf, he's immortal. He seems to age slowly, perhaps a year per one-hundred human years.
Known History:
Little is known of Isaac and Cam's life before they became werewolves. The werewolf Clancy bit both of them and brought the brothers to Dominic, the vampire lord. Isaac turned jealous of Clancy's status as pack leader of Dominic's personal guard and got into many a scuffle over control. In the latter part of the 1600's, the pack was sent to capture vampire children Annabelle and Roland Foresight. Their mortal friend Thomas wounded Isaac with silver shot, blasting away the werewolf's shoulder. Isaac would have died but Cam rescued him. Isaac saw it as a sign of weakness and punished Cam for decades after. Isaac resented Cam for the rest of his life afterward and abused his brother even more fiercely. Isaac made it his personal vendetta to kill Thomas for his injury. We know from other stores that Isaac met an early death that his younger brother blames Roland for. This is a story yet to be told.
I have no idea who did this pic. It's a standard werewolf pic from the web. No picture of Isaac exists at this time. Hopefully that will change someday. If anyone knows who did this picture, please let me know. This comes closest to Isaac, except the tongue is too long.
Physical characteristics:
Isaac can turn into half man half wolf shape as well as full wolf shape. In his half form he is seven feet tall, muscular and big. He has a snout and extended jaw as well at the pointed ears of a wolf. His legs are shaped similar to wolves and his feet are large paws while his hands are human shape with sharp claws. He has a red 'D' shape scar on his left breast. His fur is black and very shaggy. He has black hair and eyes in his human form and amber eyes in werewolf form. After the human boy called Thomas shot him, he is missing a shoulder.
Personality:
He is a bully. He treats his younger brother Cam badly. He always fights the werewolf Clancy for control of Dominic's personal werewolf pack. Angry and resentful after Thomas wounded him. Thirsts for revenge.
Abilities:
Isaac has the standard werewolf abilities. He can transform into a half-wolf half-human form or all wolf form. In both forms he's stronger, faster and has better agility and enhanced senses. He can access his enhanced abilities and sharp nails and teeth even in human form. As an Alpha Wolf, he's immortal. He seems to age slowly, perhaps a year per one-hundred human years.
Known History:
Little is known of Isaac and Cam's life before they became werewolves. The werewolf Clancy bit both of them and brought the brothers to Dominic, the vampire lord. Isaac turned jealous of Clancy's status as pack leader of Dominic's personal guard and got into many a scuffle over control. In the latter part of the 1600's, the pack was sent to capture vampire children Annabelle and Roland Foresight. Their mortal friend Thomas wounded Isaac with silver shot, blasting away the werewolf's shoulder. Isaac would have died but Cam rescued him. Isaac saw it as a sign of weakness and punished Cam for decades after. Isaac resented Cam for the rest of his life afterward and abused his brother even more fiercely. Isaac made it his personal vendetta to kill Thomas for his injury. We know from other stores that Isaac met an early death that his younger brother blames Roland for. This is a story yet to be told.
October 15, 2012
Picture Sharing Time
More Holloween pictures! If you reconize who did these pictures, please let my know.
October 11, 2012
Bite of Story Thursday
Night Children: Dark Birth
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Big Bad Wolves Thunk!Something big hit the carriage from the left and it whined in protest. The wheels temporarily lifted off the ground, causing everyone inside to crash against the right wall. A screech escaped Annabelle as she watched two large hairy man-monsters smash into the right side of the carriage. Like a ship fighting the ocean waves, the carriage rocked to the left. The horses bucked and neighed in panic as the four werewolves attacked. She flinched as their sharp claws scratched down the sides of the carriage.The slobbering snout-like face of one of their attackers glared in the window. Covered in thick black fur with a red D shaped scar cut into his left breast, the strange beast-man snapped at Annabelle. In a blur of white, Eliza was at the window. She punched the werewolf with enough power to smash a piano. The beast fell to the earth and immediately sprung back to its elongated clawed feet. Annabelle couldn’t resist the temptation to watch out the window. She marveled at the incredible speed the creature had on two legs as it ran beside the carriage. It appeared to be seven-feet tall. Another attacker began to pull itself along the carriage. Built similarly to the black one, it was covered in brown fur. The monster growled as Annabelle pulled back the quilt. She scrunched her nose as the beast’s musky smell assaulted her. Long pointed claws reached through the window. Any minute the werewolf would pull itself inside and begin its campaign of murder.
---------------
For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Big Bad Wolves Thunk!Something big hit the carriage from the left and it whined in protest. The wheels temporarily lifted off the ground, causing everyone inside to crash against the right wall. A screech escaped Annabelle as she watched two large hairy man-monsters smash into the right side of the carriage. Like a ship fighting the ocean waves, the carriage rocked to the left. The horses bucked and neighed in panic as the four werewolves attacked. She flinched as their sharp claws scratched down the sides of the carriage.The slobbering snout-like face of one of their attackers glared in the window. Covered in thick black fur with a red D shaped scar cut into his left breast, the strange beast-man snapped at Annabelle. In a blur of white, Eliza was at the window. She punched the werewolf with enough power to smash a piano. The beast fell to the earth and immediately sprung back to its elongated clawed feet. Annabelle couldn’t resist the temptation to watch out the window. She marveled at the incredible speed the creature had on two legs as it ran beside the carriage. It appeared to be seven-feet tall. Another attacker began to pull itself along the carriage. Built similarly to the black one, it was covered in brown fur. The monster growled as Annabelle pulled back the quilt. She scrunched her nose as the beast’s musky smell assaulted her. Long pointed claws reached through the window. Any minute the werewolf would pull itself inside and begin its campaign of murder.
---------------
For more check out Dark Birth at your local online store. Links to Dark Birth on the web can be found on the Store Page on this blog or you could just go here, Dark Birth on Amazon.
