| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - July 26 2006 : 11:02:10 PM
Today was an exception. It was an exception, because it was the first time in months that Finn hadn't been with Challenger, by his side, studying about plants, animals, or what have you, in his lab. It was also the first time in months that they weren't in bed together, cuddling. And doing other things. Finn looked back on them with fondness. She enjoyed those days, but realized that she needed to get out of the house and live a little and take some fresh air.
She had told a very shocked Challenger that she was off to go hunt some raptor. She hadn't done so in a while, and felt that she was missing out since Veronica and Roxton had picked up the slack. "If only you could see your face," muttered a smiling Finn to herself. "It's nothing personal, but one can only be in that house for so long before one gets a little crazy." With that, she moved on slowly, crouched down, with her crossbow and arrow, as well as a knife by her side. She was breathing hard, remembering how it felt to be the huntress of such a mighty beast. Finn knew how to react to such a mighty animal. She was careful to move slowly, to breathe steadily, and to look carefully when she looked about. These beasts were smart and they knew it.
As she was walking, she started to hear a crackling of leaves in the near distance. Not sure of what it was, but hoping it was a raptor, she stopped, and crouched lower. She tried to hide behind some foliage, but was unsuccessful. With any luck, whatever this thing was, wouldn't notice her at first. However, knowing that she couldn't wait much longer before she was discovered, Finn drew closer to the sound. As she drew closer, she put an arrow in her crossbow and drew it back. She held it close to her, and walked slowly. As she drew back her weapon, she saw a woman on her legs, bending over something. This something looked like a body, but Finn couldn't be sure. Finn drew closer, but before she could advance, the woman started to talk.
"Did you know that I could hear you before you actually stood behind me?" asked the woman. She knelt now over the body.
"Veronica, what are you doing?" asked Finn, lowering her weapon and disarming it.
Veronica got up and turned around, brushing the leaves off of her knees. Behind her, lying on the ground, was Ned Malone. He had his eyes closed and looked to be sleeping. However, Finn wasn't exactly sure. In fact, she really wasn't sure about the situation at hand. Finn asked her question again.
"Oh, Malone and I were just walking about and he started chasing me and he hit his head on this branch here. That's all."
Veronica pointed to the branch above her. It was actually quite low, and if Veronica wasn't careful, she probably would have hit her head as well. Thankfully though, she was short enough to just barely miss it. Both women laughed.
"Oh, Malone. Poor guy," said Finn. "It doesn't look too bad. It looks like he'll wake up with a nasty bruise and headache though."
"Trust me, he will. Malone will do fine though. I think his body has gotten used to all of his bumps and bruises. So, I think it is safe to assume that he will recover, rather quickly."
Veronica asked Finn if she would help her carry Malone back to the treehouse, since they weren't far off. Finn agreed, clipping her crossbow on her waist, and took Malone's feet in her hands. What the girls weren't aware of though, was a raptor not too far off in the distance, eyeing them for his midday meal.
Carrying Malone didn't take the girls that long. It only took them a good twenty minutes to walk back to the treehouse, put Malone in the elevator, and bring him up. The hard part was trying to take him out and not bump into anything, while taking him to his room with Veronica. Thankfully, Roxton was there helping clean the dishes with Marguerite. Once he saw the two girls' dilemma, he quickly dried his hands off, and threw Malone over his shoulder, effortlessly.
"Veronica, it does not seem like the month is complete, unless I have to carry Malone over my shoulder. Do you mind talking to him about this?" asked a smiling Roxton.
"I would, John, but the month wouldn't be complete if I didn't have to go calm down Marguerite, because she was hysterical over something YOU did to her," retorted a smiling Veronica.
All laughed and went back down into the kitchen/dining area after setting Malone on his bed. Finn asked where Challenger was, and Marguerite told her that he was off trying to find some new plant or other to study. Of course, everyone knew that Challenger had found most of what their home had to offer. After some more small talk, Finn decided to go back out and hunt a raptor for tonight's dinner. They were low on meat and she was looking forward to trying to get some more.
"Do we have enough salt?" asked Roxton. "If Finn is to find a raptor, I want to make sure we have enough just so we can preserve the extra meat we don't eat tonight. I don't want to repeat what happened last time."
"We should," replied Veronica. "I made a point to go with Marguerite, since it was her turn. Again."
"It wasn't my fault!" said a shocked Marguerite. "I thought I got enough. And anyway, there were some lovely rubies that I had found. They could come in handy you know. We always seem to barter with some savage at some point during the week, and they may just value them."
Roxton and Veronica shook their heads and smiled. They all knew Marguerite's love for finding the different rocks that were displayed throughout the plateau. Veronica, not having anything better to do, went off onto the deck to watch Finn. It was always good to have someone watch, just to make sure it was safe to proceed.
She wasn't far off when Finn heard another rustling of the leaves on the ground. This time, she knew it was different from before. She crouched down again, this time behind some good cover. What she didn't realize, is that something worse stood closer to her than she would have liked. |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 24 2006 : 10:54:16 AM
Finn-
I have called the mighty Xma'Klee to write this letter to you, so that you know that what you went through was something real. It was not what you call real, but it was real nonetheless. I came to you so that you will let go of past regret and resentment that no human should ever go through. Please know, that while the others may not remember what happened, and while you and Roxton never were hurt in the traditional sense, it was still very real. I write this, so that you will know this. Please know that I will always be there for you and if you ever need a friend, please call on me.
No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.
-Malu
She sat, almost in tears at reading this letter. All this time, it was real in a way. While it wasn't in the physical world, it still existed and it was still there. Finn sat there for a long while, thinking about what she had gone through.
Xma'Klee came over and told her good-bye. He hoped that what the letter contained, was good news, and that was why she was crying. She said yes, it was good news. He nodded, saying good bye again, and was escorted by Challenger and Veronica.
Finn suddenly realized that Xma'Klee understood everything. She suddenly got up and ran over to Xma'Klee.
"Before you get on there, did you do it? Did you do all this for me?" asked Finn.
"I didn't. He did," said Xma'Klee.
She smiled, thanking him for the answer. She said good-bye one last time and backed up. She turned around and saw that Marguerite had a questioning look on her face.
"Sorry, can't... Not this time."
THE END |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 24 2006 : 10:39:27 AM
Finn woke up, with eyes wide open to take in her bedroom. When she didn't see Challenger in the room, she assumed he must be in his lab, working on some more remedies for her wound. Then she remembered Xma'Klee and realized that perhaps, just this once, Challenger would let the Shaman clean the wounds with special Zanga medicines.
She got up from her bed and went out the door in search of a face to talk with. She was feeling better today, and was hoping for someone to cheer her up.
"Good morning, Roxton!" exclaimed a happy Finn, almost walking straight past him.
"Good morning to you, too," smiled Roxton.
She almost kept going before she stopped and turned around to look at him. She let him walk a few more steps before she called out to him. She asked him to come back over to her so she could see something.
"I need to see something. Hell, I need to ask you something," exclaimed Finn.
"All right," said a weary Roxton. "Are you all right? You haven't caught something, have you?"
"It's not what I caught, it's what caught me. And you, for that matter." She poked Roxton's chest for measure.
Roxton looked at her with a confused look on his face. He didn't know what to make of this woman's morning antics.
"Are you sure you're all right? You look a bit flushed."
"No, no, no. Listen, unbutton your shirt for me. Please. Come on, do it!"
He complied, wondering what the hell Finn was talking about. He pulled it open upon her request, while she inspected his chest. She poked him some more and asked if it hurt at all.
"Yes, In fact it does. Each and every time you poke your fingernail into my stomach!"
He buttoned his shirt again and asked what was wrong with Finn.
"What do you mean? Don't you remember? The two of us were attacked by raptors! You first, then me!"
"Oh, I would never get attacked by a raptor. And if I did, I would never be the first, believe you me," scoffed Roxton, smiling.
"But it's true! Honest. The two of us, plus Challenger, were outside in front of the gate. You came down because Challenger and I were in trouble and a raptor came out, attacked you first, and then attacked me. You had some minor flesh wound and I had a big gaping hole in my chest!"
With this, Roxton recoiled, giving Finn a disturbed look.
"So early in the morning Finn. Please, save this for dinner, if you must. You really are OK. If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd ask you to take your shirt off, just so you could see that you are actually fine."
Roxton bid a fond farewell and walked off, laughing to himself. Women, he thought. Finn looked down her shirt to see if he was right. In fact, she was alright. She didn't even have a scratch on her chest. Then, she remembered that her chest didn't hurt when she got up.
"Weird," muttered Finn.
She walked off, going into Veronica's room, hoping to talk with her. She wasn't in there, but Malone still was. He was under the sheets with his shirt off. Finn could tell that he was naked under there, so she didn't walk any further into the room. She called his name, but he was so deep in sleep, that he couldn't answer her.
Finn walked out of the room and decided to go down into the kitchen. Maybe Veronica would be down there. Maybe Marguerite could be someone I could talk to, thought Finn. Nah.
When she got into the kitchen area, she saw that Xma'Klee, Challenger, Marguerite, Veronica, and Roxton were there, each sitting in a chair.
"Roxton was just telling us about your little tirade upstairs, Finn," said Marguerite. "Mind telling us why you were doing that?"
Finn was at a loss for words. How could she even start? She waked up and looked at Roxton's chest, only to find that what she had thought previously real, wasn't.
"But... Bu..."
"Don't worry, Finn. I understand. I'm merely an old man, and well... Roxton isn't," mused George. "I can see the difference, truly. I only wish you had told me; maybe I could have worked something out."
"You know, you could have Roxton every other Tuesday if you want, Finn. I really don't mind. I could use the break."
"Every other Tuesday, Marguerite? Don't you think that's a bit harsh?" asked a smiling Roxton. "I'd think she'd want me more than that."
"I wouldn't," interjected Veronica.
"Well, excuse me, but I'm not the one who bumps my head every chance I get, now do I?" asked Roxton.
"And you think that makes a difference? At least I can control him more."
At this, everyone laughed out loud, except Finn. She couldn't believe that none of this had happened. She looked down her shirt again, with much protesting by Marguerite and Challenger. Challenger got up from his chair and came over to Finn.
"Now don't worry, Nicole. Really. Just cover yourself up," said the scientist.
"But I did get attacked by a raptor! And Roxton, too!" exclaimed Finn. "That's why Xma'Klee is here. He wouldn't normally be here if something wasn't wrong."
Xma'Klee got up and walked over to Finn. He smiled at her and put his hand on her cheek in affection. He got out a letter from his satchel and handed it over to Finn to take.
"I want you to have this," said the Shaman. "I have been sent here to give it to you, so that you may read it and understand it."
She took it from him and started to open it. Before she could finish, she was stopped by Xma'klee, who told her to stop. She needed to read it by herself, for only she would understand what it said.
"In time, you may read it to the others, but you must read it by yourself for now. It is very important."
Finn didn't argue, agreeing that it would be best. She didn't know what was happening right now, and it would be nice to get away from everyone here. Finn walked away and went onto the balcony. She opened it up and started reading the letter. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 22 2006 : 9:09:04 PM
"Challenger, sir, may I talk with you?" asked Malu.
"I don't mind," smiled Challenger.
Both got up and walked a few feet away. Challenger kissed Finn quickly on the cheek before he got up to leave.
"How may I help you?" asked Challenger.
"I see that you feel some pain about Jess."
At this, Challenger was very uncomfortable. It had been a very long time, since someone, or even himself, had brought up his old love.
"How do you mean?"
"I know you have doubts about your relationship with Finn. You obviously love her very much; however, I see that you still withhold some of yourself, because of Jess."
"Please, I realize that Jess may still be alive, and she may not approve, but right now, I am here with Finn and I love her."
"But you still hold reservations. I just want to let you know that you can let it go and it is alright if you are with Finn."
Malu put his hand on Challenger's shoulder and walked back to the two women. When he did this, Challenger felt a surge of power go through his body. He didn't know what it was, but knew that whatever it was, was something that he couldn't ever describe to anyone, at any time.
Challenger walked back with them and sat next to Finn. He looked at her, lovingly, and put his arm around her. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and looked back at Veronica and winked.
"I think it is time to get back and let everyone know that we found Finn," said Challenger. "We have been here for quite a while, I think."
"I agree," said Finn.
"I second that," said Veronica.
All got up and looked toward Malu.
"Thank you Malu, for everything that you have done. You have truly helped me," said a blushing Finn. "I wish I could stay here with you longer, but I do need to get back."
She walked toward him and gave him a hug. She whispered in his ear to visit her often. She told him to always visit, so that they can talk. Finn told him that she needed someone else to talk with, to tell them her darkest secrets. The secrets she can't tell Challenger or Veronica...
Finn walked back toward Challenger, while George shook Malu's hand, one last time. Whatever happened between the two, Challenger knew it was something special.
Veronica nodded, regretting that they didn't have much time to talk with each other. Malu obviously was someone people could talk with. She would have loved to talk with him about her parents and her longing to be with them one last time.
Malu stood on the deck, while the three walked off to the stairs. He looked at them, knowing their secrets and deepest desires. He knew that he would visit them each again, in the future.
"Does the walker choose the path, or the path, the walker?"
Finn turned around to see if she had heard Malu speaking. But when she turned around, she didn't see him on the balcony. She looked around some more, almost saying something, but decided against it.
"I'm glad to be back," said Finn. "I really am."
"We're glad you are, too," replied Challenger.
"How's Roxton?"
"Oh, he is doing well. He has been sleeping a lot. He hasn't woken up, but I made sure that he was asleep, most of the time. I didn't want him awake, and doing something to his bandages."
"Oh, I see..."
There was an awkward pause when they got to the bedroom door. Finn looked in the room and saw Roxton, and then she saw herself on the opposite side of the room, with Xma'Klee and Assai.
"How am I?" asked Finn.
"Critical, but you are expected to recover. If you decide to, anyway. We need you, Finn; I need you. I cannot stand to live this life without you."
With this, Finn started tearing up. "Thank you," said Finn. "Thank you."
"Xma'Klee sensed that you might not come back from your dream world," said Veronica. "He had the two of us come and get you and tell you that we need you back, just in case. Obviously, you're fine, but still."
Veronica smiled and gave Finn a big hug. Both girls laughed, knowing the strong bond that they shared together. They would go to the ends of the earth and back to save one another.
"Come on, let's get you back into the real world," said Challenger.
They walked into the room, looked at each other one last time and took their respective places. Finn breathed in before she closed her eyes, George puffed, thinking of his lab experiments, and Veronica sat back down, hoping Malone would be there to talk with.
|
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 19 2006 : 11:26:33 AM
Finn looked at Malu again and then looked around the room, shaking. She didn't like the thought of not being with her lover for the rest of her life, let alone not having any children with him. Finn knew that if she wanted to have a life with him, she must look within herself first and let go of a past life that she will never live again. And while it is true that it will always be a part of her, Finn realized that she cannot make what happened before out to be bigger than it should.
"I don't know what to do," said Finn. "I don't feel comfortable anymore with you here."
"No, you don't," agreed Malu. "'Does the walker choose the path, or the path, the walker?'"
"Oh, another one of those, again!"
"Yes, another one. But it is true, these sayings. I would not say these things to you if I did not mean them. You have lived a hard life, you have never known what it is to live a loving life with those whom you love. You have that now. And it makes you feel uncomfortable at times. But you must remember that the past is the past and it is something you don't ever have to relive again. I am here to teach you that you can let go, and to let you see a life that may come true if you do let go."
"But I have let go, I don't want to see those images again," cried Finn.
"Not fully. You must realize that what you had was hard, but it is OK to let go. There is a part of you that does not want to let go, and it can affect the relationships around you. I sense that this Challenger man is very important to you. I see that this is a man you want to devote your life to. That is a wonderful thing to do with another human, but you must let go."
"He is important to me, I need him more than anything."
"Than go and live a life with him. I came so that I may help you let go and to show you another path to go down. It is important to do so."
Before Finn could speak another word, she heard some talking and shuffling in the background. At first, she didn't pay any attention to what was happening, thinking, perhaps, Marguerite and Veronica were fixing something in the kitchen. However, the sound came closer and she turned around to see what was happening.
She saw that it was Challenger and Veronica, walking towards her. Thinking she had some invisibility, she stared at Challenger, longing to touch him again and feel his breath on her neck. He looked back at her, completely enamored by the way she looked.
"Finn? Is that you?" asked Challenger. "Speak to me!"
"George?" asked a curious Finn. It took her several seconds to realize that he was actually talking to her. She flew up from the chair and sprang into his arms, laughing and crying.
"It's really you, Finn! Oh, how I've missed you!"
Challenger twirled her around while Veronica beamed, wiping away tears of joy for the two of them. He put her down and took her by the shoulders to take a good look at her. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was really her.
"It is you, it really is."
"I've missed you, Genius! I've seen things which I've never wanted to see again, but I think it's made me realize that I need to be in the here and now with the people I love. I need to be with you."
Finn looked over and saw Veronica. Before she could ask if it was really Veronica, both hugged each other hard.
"I missed you too, Finn," said Veronica.
They let go and all stood there, smiling.
"How, ah, how did you two get here, anyway?" asked Finn. "I'm confused."
"Oh well, it really is quite easy to explain," tried George.
"I went to get Xma'Klee," interrupted Veronica. "He sent us into your dream world to retrieve you. You may not be safe."
"I may not be safe? What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine, really."
"Isn't there someone with you?" asked Challenger.
"Well, sure, but he isn't evil. At least I don't think he is."
"I want to see him!"
"WE, need to see him," corrected Veronica. "Xma'Klee stated that if someone else is with you, they may be dangerous. May we see him?"
"Sure, I guess."
Finn took them over to greet Malu. Malu stood up and looked over to Veronica and Challenger. He smiled and shook their hands.
"Do not worry. I am not evil. I am here to help Finn with some private matters," stated Malu.
"How do we know?" asked Challenger.
"You do not. But, we can talk and you may get to know me."
They all sat down and stared at each other. Finn sat beside Challenger, Veronica sat on her own seat, and Malu sat on his own, all staring at each other.
"This is fun," stated Finn.
"Lots," agreed Veronica.
"This is uncomfortable, I agree," said Malu. "But do not worry. Xma'Klee and I go back a long way."
"I don't believe we told you who sent us," said Challenger.
"I heard you, and I know the name. He is from the Zanga village not too far from here. He is the shaman. Very good, he is."
They looked around, amazed. All knew that no one had told Malu who or what Xma'Klee was. It took them a minute to realize that perhaps, Malu was not a threat to any of them.
"I am not a threat, I come in peace," said Malu.
"OK," said a surprised, but delighted, Challenger and Veronica. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 17 2006 : 8:01:14 PM
After they walked down the stairs, they let go holding hands and started to look around. Challenger took two steps forward and turned around to look at Veronica.
"Do you suppose that Finn is still here?" asked Challenger. "For all we know, she could be off somewhere and not be here."
"For all we know, she may have gone back into her body and all of this was a waste," replied the blonde beauty. "We don't know. For now, we just need to walk around and see if we can find her."
"I suppose. I just want to make sure she gets back and heals. She is doing fine, isn't she?"
"Sure. But she would get better, faster, if we told her that we still need her. Especially you."
Challenger looked fondly at Veronica and cupped her face with his hands, smiling.
"You are a true gem, Veronica. Malone is a lucky man."
"You could be, too, if we start looking."
"I know, I know," sighed Challenger. "I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to find her. She couldn't have gone too far, could she?"
"No. I would think she would stay here. She is probably talking to that god, whatever he is."
"I do hope that she isn't in any danger. I'd hate to think what I'd do to the poor man, if I found him doing something I don't approve of."
"Chances are, he probably won't. Come on, let's start looking around."
"Alright. I suppose we could start in my lab. She is rather fond of that place."
"Oh, I don't know about that!"
Veronica smiled and laughed as Challenger gave her an odd look.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, let's just say she had other things on her mind."
This time, Challenger got what she meant and started to laugh as well. They started to move toward his lab when both heard voices out on the balconey. Both stopped and started to listen intently.
Challenger started to hurry forward, not caring if he was heard or not. Veronica barely grabbed his arm before he ran into a chair. He gave her a severe look, obviously asking what she just did. She told him to stop; she didn't want to sneak up on them and give the two a fright. She motioned for him to come back and stay there. The last thing she needed was for him to make a bigger scene in front of Finn than he should.
As Veronica stepped past George, he grabbed her arm and told her that they would both be walking toward them together. The last thing he wanted was for Veronica to make a bigger mess than should actually be necessary.
"Fine!" exclaimed both. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 15 2006 : 5:04:20 PM
Xma'Klee entered the room where Finn lay and hurried over. He motioned for someone to get him a bowl of water and some rags. Malone obliged running as quickly as he could down the flight of stairs.
"Veronica, I need you to come over here and sit down next to me," said the great shaman. "Assai, go get the great scientist."
"He's in his room asleep, I think. Or out on the deck," chipped in Marguerite.
"Thank you," said Assai, walking out the door.
"Ma-greet, leave," said Xma'Klee.
"Excuse me?" she said.
"I sense you have been here a long while. Leave."
"Do it. He's right," helped Veronica. "You smell."
Veronica gave Marguerite a sympathetic look, with a glint of laughter in her eyes. Marguerite huffed and puffed out the door, knowing both were probably right.
"I'll be coming back, I hope you know that!"
Assai came back in with Challenger, who was rubbing his eyes with his hands. Assai motioned to Challenger to sit on the other side of Finn.
"Where is Malone with the water?" asked Xma'Klee.
"He is coming," said Assai.
Several minutes later, Malone came up with the water and a towel. Xa'Klee told him to set it before her head and for Assai to sit there washing her forehead every now and then.
"Malone, you wait outside with Ma'greet. I do not want her coming in here."
"OK, Xma'Klee. Is there anything else I can get for you?" asked Malone.
Xma'Klee looked over to him and said no. Malone walked out and went to his room, waiting for answers when they would come.
"I am sending the two of you into Finn's dreamworld," said Xma'Klee. "I sense that there may be someone with her and it may not be good. Each hold her hand and close your eyes."
They did as they were told, feeling nothing at first. But after several minutes of nothingness, they felt a prick in their arms and heard Xma'Klee chanting.
Each felt a surge of electricity and then saw a bright light, lit against their closed eyelids. Then, they each opened their eyes and saw that they remained where they sat.
"I knew it wouldn't work," growled Challenger. "I will rip his head off."
Before he could do anything, Veronica told Challenger to stop. She told him that they were in Finn's dream world now. George looked around, saying that they weren't.
"Stand up," said Veronica. "You'll see."
He got up and moved a couple of inches and looked down. He gasped, almost stepping back and swaying into Assai. He bounced back before he could, and walked away.
"On the way home with us, Xma'Klee told me that he needed us to come into her world and talk to her, let her know that we are here for her," said Veronica. "We need to see if there is a god with her. He said that if there was, we must figure out if he is good or bad. If he is bad, we must battle him."
Challenger laughed, a glint in his eyes.
"And how do you propose we will do that? Throw a rock at him and see if he reacts?"
"No, he said that we would know."
"Oh, I see. We'll just ask him 20 questions and see. No, I intend to bring her back the old fashioned way. By taking her back with me and talking to her myself!"
With that he walked off, while Veronica had to run and tell him to stop. She explained that it wasn't the most conventional of things. But it was all that they could do. She also said that they were the only two who Finn had a real connection with. If it wasn't for them, she might be lost forever.
Challenger looked at her further. Veronica could see the sadness in his eyes. She never saw this side of him and she hoped she never had to again. She asked if he would cooperate, if not for herself, then for Finn. He relented and took Veronica's hand, both walking down the stairs. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 14 2006 : 11:59:20 PM
As Malone and Veronica embarked on their journey, V couldn't help but wonder if Finn would survive until the time that they returned with Xma'Klee. She hoped and prayed to God that she would, if only so that her pain might be eased by the Shaman, if and when she died. She shivered and then looked up to the sky for hope.
"Don't worry, she'll be OK," said an ever comforting Malone.
"I know," replied a teary-eyed Veronica. "I know."
"You know, I was thinking, would Xma'Klee perform that dream ritual that I volunteered for? You know, when you had to come in and convince me that it wasn't real? Maybe he could perform that and we could tell Finn to hold on. We still need her."
There was a slight pause before Veronica answered Malone.
"No, I don't think that would work. You'd only be telling her mind to get better, not her body."
"I know, but still. We would at least be able to say our last good-byes to her. You and Challenger could say something to her. It's just a thought, Veronica."
She looks at him and whispers thank you. Malone stops her and gives her a kiss on the forehead. "I couldn't ever live without you. You mean so much to me," he said. He kissed her on the forehead again and held her until she finished crying.
They walked on in silence, trying to beat the light that was dwindling with every step they took to the village. It was well after night fall by the time they got to the Zanga village. There were few up, save the guards, and those who were, gave the two visiters inquisitive looks. It was late and those visitors who arrived this late very rarely came with good news to share.
Veronica went straight to Xma'Klee and told him what had happened to Finn and Roxton. In the meantime, word had spread that both Veronica and Malone had arrived. By the time that Xma'Klee had packed some clothes and gotten his medicines, most of the village had come out and stood staring at them. Chief Jacoba, with daughter Assai quickly behind, demanded to know why they had come at such an hour. Veronica, once again, told the mighty chief what had happened to her friends and why the shaman needed to come. Jacoba ordered his daughter to go along and help the medicine man, but Veronica said there was no need for her to go. Assai insisted anyway, saying that it would be good for her to go, for moral support.
Veronica relented and told Assai to hurry and pack some of her things. They didn't have long and Veronica wanted to say good-bye if Finn was to leave them for good. They hurried once Assai was finished packing and kept on till dawn.
- - - - - - - -
"They are all running around! People are dying."
"Yes," said Malu. "They are."
Finn stopped screaming and fell to the ground crying as hard as she could. She curled up into a tiny ball, rocking back and forth. Malu sat there waiting for her to stop.
After a while, she stopped and he walked over to help her up. Before she stood, Finn looked up into Malu's eyes with a blank expression. Once on her feet, she saw that Veronica had left with Malone and that Challenger and Marguerite were still in the room. Challenger was sitting beside her with her hand in his and he was talking with her. Marguerite stood over him, telling him that he should go and get some sleep. Challenger was not paying attention to her and kept on talking about God knows what. Marguerite finally got through to him and he got up and walked out with a blank expression of his own.
"How long has it been?" asked Finn.
"I don't know. A while I suppose," replied the Samoan.
Finn walked around the room several times, her face red and bloated from the crying. She wondered why she had seen what she had seen. What she saw was not something she wanted to see again. Ever. She had millions of questions pulsating through her head, so many that it was hard to follow which ones she should ask Malu. She knew that these "dreams" needed to stop, but she wasn't sure how. Finn knew that by asking Malu to make them stop, they wouldn't. She concluded that if she stayed awake, than maybe she wouldn't go through the same pain.
"Will I get better, Malu? I want to wake so that I can see George again and feel him beside me. I miss his warmth, his touch, the way he talks. I need him beside me."
"That, Finn, is up to you. However, you need to heal emotionally, before you heal physically."
"How do I do that, Malu?"
"Do you want to know?"
"I'll find out eventually."
"Yes, you will. Come, let us go out of this room. It isn't good for you to be in here anymore."
She agreed and both walked out of the room. Malu led her down the stairs and out to the deck. They sat down, facing each other. Finn had her back to the railing, while Malu sat in front of her. She saw Challenger behind him and her heart gave a pang. How she longed to be in his arms again, together always.
"You will see him again, Finn. I promise you. But 99.99% of this, is up to you. I can only go so far with you," said Malu.
"You're almighty and powerful; you can change this. You're the one who came to me, remember? I didn't ask for this. I was perfectly happy where I was, before all of this happened," she said.
"Oh yes, me, the big and powerful one! I'm the one who brought you here. Like hell! Actually, you called out to me, if you really must know. It was a calling from your spirit if you would like to know. Most don't know that their spirit calls out to people like me. Your spirit called out to me, because you need help. You, Finn, need closure, and I am here to help."
"Closure? What the hell is that?"
"You have unresolved issues that you haven't fully dealt with."
She looked at him, confused at first. After several seconds of thinking, she realized why she had seen what she had seen earlier. She hadn't fully dealt with her parents death and how that affected her.
"What you went through Finn, is something that many people do not go through, yes. But that does not mean that we cannot get over it. We can. It is just a matter of letting go when it is time. And it is time for you to let go. That is why I am here."
"But I have gotten over the death of my parents. Hell, I was four years old. I was lucky in the sense that I was so young. If I were older, I would be really screwed up."
"You could be a few months old, not knowing your parents is hard, Finn. I do not fully know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: if you do not let go, you will never fully love yourself, the people around you, and the future of the kids you may have with your lover."
Finn smiled. "I'll have kids? Do you know what I'll have?"
"That is not the point. The point is, let go. It is all right if you let them go."
They stared at each other for several minutes before Finn had another one of her visions since Malu had arrived. This time, she saw a future without Challenger. She saw that she was still on the plateau with Veronica and Malone, and she saw herself later on in life, walking through the jungle, wrapped in a blanket. She was an old woman now, waiting to die to return to her lover.
Finn gasped again and opened her eyes. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 08 2006 : 11:12:09 PM
"So I'm having an out -of -body experience. That's what I'm having, isn't it?", asked Finn.
Malu nodded and sat down beside Finn.
"Please, do not worry, Finn. I am here so that I may help you," Malu replied. "I am here, so that I can help you let go of some things that you have been holding onto for quite some time."
"What are you talking about? I really don't understand. I'm sitting here, with my body not two feet away and you don't want me to worry! Geez."
She got up and started walking around the room, running her hands through her short hair, looking down at the floor. "What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I doing?" she would repeat to herself over and over; walking back and forth.
"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."
Finn stopped and looked back at Malu.
"Excuse me?"
"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. Do you know what that means, Finn? Can you possibly tell me that you have lived such a life, that you can tell me what that means?"
"No, I'm sorry, I can't. Maybe you can go ask someone else."
"Oh, I see. I see where this is going. You will tell me that I have no right to do this or that I have no right to do that. And then you will give me the tough girl act. Well, stop doing that, please. Because it will not work with me. I have lived this long and I do not need this sort of stupidity by someone who is perfectly capable of being smart."
"Me, stupid? Real clever. You know, for a dead guy, you sure are clever."
"Oh, I'm not dead. In fact, I never was alive. I was a creation of my people so that I may help them and to serve them. So I never was alive. At least not in that way. Come, sit down. I need to talk with you."
"No. I don't even know you."
"In a way, you do. But right now, I need you to sit down."
Finn reluctantly came over and sat beside Malu. He asked her to take several deep breaths, to calm herself down, and to reenergize. "I want you to close your eyes and tell me what you see," said Malu.
"I don't see anything. Should I?" asked Finn.
"Concentrate and tell me what you see."
Finn concentrated more, until she felt a wave of nausea come over her. She gasped and grabbed onto Malu for support. She gasped again and opened her eyes, looking over to Malu with questioningly.
"Tell me what you saw," said Malu.
It took the girl several seconds to regain her breath and calm down.
"I saw my family. I saw my mother and my father. And I saw them die," Finn said in a quivering voice. "Why did you make me watch this?"
"Demosthenes said once, 'Small opportunities, are often the beginning of great enterprises.' That is what I am giving you."
Finn started to cry, shaking her head.
"No, you're not. I am reliving pain and seclusion; something I've lived with all my life. This is no small opportunity. What you are doing is stupid."
"Close your eyes again and tell me what you see."
She closed her eyes again, not knowing what she might see next. What she was hoping, did not come to her.
She saw pain and distortion on her parents' faces. She also saw others running around, screaming, covering their ears with their hands. Finn started crying harder and harder with each new scene she saw. The insides of her eyelids were now a movie screen of horror and despair. She wanted desperately to open her eyes and see her friends again. But she couldn't open them and she couldn't make this stop. Finn stood up and started screaming.
- - - - - - - -
"Make sure Roxton has enough bandages," said Veronica.
"Thank you, I know what I am doing, Veronica," said Marguerite.
"Sorry, it looked like you weren't paying attention. Do you think that I can ask without a comment from you?"
"No."
Veronica laughed and looked over to Finn. She walked over to her and stared at her. She knelt down and stroked her hair, whispering to her to get better. Veronica remembered all the times the two of them spent together, talking and bonding. She still couldn't get over the fact that a raptor would do this. But then again, they were wild animals and anything can go in the wild. "Don't leave me, Finn. I need you just as much as Challenger does. Probably more," Veronica whispered.
Veronica undressed the wound and put it aside to throw away later. She made sure to get the other bowl with fresh water and started to clean the wound again. After doing this, she applied fresh bandages to her friend's wound and stood back up to walk over to Marguerite and gather the other discarded bandages. Veronica looked back over to her "sister" and remembered the first time they met. She could tell that Finn was a feisty one. Finn almost reminded Veronica of herself, only a little more feisty than Veronica probably was when the explorers first met her.
"Don't worry, V, both will do fine. Challenger said that they would," said Marguerite.
"I know; he said that," replied the blonde beauty. "When I was redressing her wound, it looked worse than it did when we first went down there to help Challenger out. I can't help but feel we should get Xma'Klee to come and look at it."
"We'd only be bothering him, Veronica. Isn't he off doing business with some neighboring tribe, anyway? I thought that's what Assai said when I last visited."
"He should be done by now. We saw Assai last week and she said that he left not long before we got there. She also said that it shouldn't take him more than a couple of days to do what he needs to do. A week at the most. So he should be back."
"Well, then go see him if you really think it is THAT important. Finn is a strong woman. She can handle it."
"She may be strong, but that doesn't mean she can't die from her wound, Marguerite. Sometimes I think you can be so dense at times."
"Me, dense? Why, you little brat! You twat!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are!"
Before either could start again with the name calling, both heard Finn scream out. The women ran over to her and tried to restrain her from moving much more than she already had. After thirty seconds or so, she stopped moving and went limp. In this time, Challenger and Malone had run up the stairs and stood, watching in horror, while the two women restrained the poor girl.
"What did you do?" demanded Challenger.
"Nothing," said Marguerite. "Veronica and I were just changing the bandages and suddenly she started to scream."
"We heard yelling before we ran up here," said Malone.
"No, you didn't," said Veronica, looking at Malone innocently.
"Well, somebody had better keep an eye on her," Challenger said. "And we shall also get Xma'Klee to come and look at her. She needs to be looked after by someone who knows what they are doing."
"That's what I told Marguerite, Challenger. I completely agree," said Veronica.
"Good. I am glad that someone else is thinking around here. Why don't you and Malone go get him, now. He should be back from his trip. Marguerite and I will stay here and look after these two."
All agreed that this plan worked. Malone and Veronica went off to their room and started to pack. It was going to be dark soon and they wanted to get to the Zanga village before it got to be too dark for them to see. They headed off into a jungle that felt strange and barren to them now. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 05 2006 : 11:10:10 PM
Finn woke up to much chatter and a dull ache in her chest. She looked down and realized that she had been bandaged across her chest and that the bandage was smeared in a crimson red, that undoutably was her own. She looked around the room and saw Roxton lying on a cot with bandages on his own chest; John seemed to be sleeping, as she quietly went out of the room and out to where the others were talking. Finn could hear Challenger raise his voice now and then, hearing her name from time to time; there also seemed to be a mention of raptors and an attack that had happened earlier. So that was what happened to me, thought Finn. She felt her chest and slightly winced at the dull ache it gave her. George must have given me one of his many new pills that he has invented, she thought again. Thank God, they work.
The others hadn't noticed Finn come in, but she sat down in an empty chair that was cast off to the side of the kitchen table near George. The chair had actually been on the floor, and Finn gathered that perhaps Challenger had thrown it down on the floor at some point or other during this discussion. Finn saw that Malone had also gotten up from his "nap", and laughed at what had happened earlier. She sat there, wondering how long it would take everyone to realize that she was there. She had already been sitting there a couple of minutes already, and was wondering if they were all just engrossed in the conversation so much, that they were in a world all to their own.
Finn decided to just wait and listen before she said anything; she always found it better to wait and listen whenever her George was ingrossed in a good conversation. And anyway, she wanted to hear what he and the others had to say about what had happened earlier.
"I don't like it. I don't like it one bit," said an agitated Challenger.
"We're all shocked George. Don't think we aren't, because we are," said Marguerite. "You should have seen the look on your face when you came out of the jungle with Finn's blood on your hands."
"Please, do not remind me! I am fully aware of what I did and I will not stand to be reminded every twelve seconds."
Marguerite gave a sympathetic look toward Challenger and looked away.
"Come on Challenger, she didn't mean anything by it," said Veronica. "Remember, Roxton was attacked too."
"I know. But I will not stand for this, either way. All I want is to find out who or WHAT did this to my beloved. She deserves this, more than me, probably."
"How can we find out who did this?", asked Malone.
"We can and we will!" roared Challenger. He slapped his hand on the table and looked away from the group.
Finn almost jumped from her sit when she saw him do that.
"Calm down," said Marguerite. "Listen, I know it is hard right now, for all of us. But, I think we all know that it is probably going to be hard to find the person or thing responsible for this. You know how common it is for raptors to hunt in groups when all are hungry. I wouldn't be surprised if this is all that it was."
Challenger looked back at Marguerite and reminded her of Dr. Gloop and his behaviorally altered animals that they'd encountered. All agreed that it was possible that this could happen again; however, it had been almost a full year since it had happened. Why now?
"I do not know why now. Didn't one of them survive or something? All I know, is that it seems rather fishy that those raptors would attack so close to the treehouse. Especially so close to the electric fence. That fence is on all the time," said Challenger. "None have come close enough anymore to be electrocuted. They have learned to stay away. You all know this; I shouldn't have to tell you this."
"You are right George. We aren't saying you're wrong," replied Marguerite. "We just think that, perhaps, it was just a freak accident. It didn't just take Finn, it also took John. Maybe we can build another electric fence every couple of yards, so as to protect ourselves better next time."
"Why don't we take a break at the moment? We could all use some fresh air, anyway. Come on Marguerite, let's go check on Finn and Roxton," said Veronica.
Both women got up and started up the stairs. Veronica asked Malone if he wanted to come, but he decided not to. Finn was surprised that, again, nobody had noticed that she was sitting there right next to them. They had to have seen me, thought Finn. I'm sitting right here. This is bogus.
"No, it isn't," said a man's voice.
Finn looked around and only saw Malone and Challenger in the room. She sighed, thinking that perhaps she was just hearing things. She had lost a lot of blood, she was sure of it. Finn heard it again, and this time got up from her chair and started to look around.
"You can't see me. At least not right now, anyway," said the voice again.
"Who are you?", asked Finn. "Hell, where are you?"
"I'm over here," replied the voice.
Finn turned around, behind her. She didn't see anything.
"No, no... I'm right here," he said again.
She turned to her left and again saw nothing. This time she knew that it was best to just ignore him until he showed himself to her. That is, if he is a real man.
"I am a real man. At least to you I am."
"Then show yourself. Games get real old in this house, when it gets to be annoying. So show yourself. Unless you are a coward," replied Finn.
"Oh, I am no coward. In fact, I only show myself to those who are strong enough to see me."
The man finally appeared behind Finn and tapped her on her left shoulder. She quickly spun around and tried to take him down with a quick kick to the leg. However, that didn't work and he grabbed her leg and an arm and quickly spun her around all the way to the floor before she realized what she was even doing.
This man was a large and portly man. He had tanned skin and was a rather handsome man to look at. He seemed to be in his thirties, although he had a certain air to him that made him feel older than he looked to be. He was also quick, not just in mind. Finn figured that perhaps he was Samoan or Hawaiian; she couldn't place him, so it was hard to tell.
"Don't.... Do.... That.... Again," he said, impatiently. "I do not tolerate humans doing that. Why even attempt it in the first place?"
"What are you doing to me?"
"Oh, I'm holding you."
"I can see that. But what do you want?"
"To help you." And with that, he dropped her on the floor. "Come upstairs with me. I have something to show you."
"Ouch! I can't. George is down here."
"Who cares?", he said, while walking up the stairs. "He can't see you."
Finn was puzzled by what he said and looked over to Challenger and tried to scare him. Nothing happened and she felt it odd that he would ignore her like this. Finn ran over to the stairs and tried to catch up with him. The man was already in the room looking over to the two women in the room.
"Don't worry, I already know who they are, Finn," said the man. "The blonde is Veronica, feisty, smart, athletic. The brunette is Marguerite, cunning, quick, and beautiful. No need to introduce me to them."
He smiled at Finn and looked back at them. Both were hovering over Roxton, changing his bandages.
"What is your name? YOU haven't even introduced yourself to me," replied Finn, quizzically.
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot. I am Malu. I am Samoan and a god to my people. Very few of them actually get to see me, so for you to see me, is quite an honor in my country."
He smiled again.
"Whoopee," replied Finn sarcastically.
"Why am I here, when I should be downstairs?," she asked.
"Look over to where you are lying," he said. "Look."
Finn looked over and saw herself lying on the bed that she had previously gotten out of. She looked back over to the two women and tried talking to them. She stopped when she finally realized that they wouldn't look over.
"Yes, it's sad isn't it? Nobody will look at you," said Malu.
"I don't get it. What's going on, I'm awake," replied Finn. "I know I am."
"If you were awake, you would be out of your bed. You aren't, you can see for yourself here. That's why I brought you up here and that is why nobody saw or heard you come down the stairs to sit with them."
Finn had to sit down before she could fully realize what was going on. If she could, she would have put her head in her hands, but with the bandage, it was hard to do. She looked back up at Malu and looked back in front of her. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 02 2006 : 12:06:10 AM
She looked around and thought she heard some rustling of the leaves. She turned slowly on her heels and looked about. Finn didn't see anything and that made her antsy. She stood up slowly, making sure she didn't make any sound. As her luck would have it, she lost balance, and when she regained it, a foot came down on a twig and it snapped. What happened next, happened so fast, that even on her death bed years later, she never did quite understand how it happened.
She snapped back around and saw George off in the distance. They locked eyes, smiled, but not two seconds later, George pulled out his gun, and shot at her. She ducked, falling to the ground, wanting to dodge the bullet she thought was aimed at her. Thankfully, it's true target was struck in the throat, and it feel down towards the ground, twitching. Finn turned around, and saw the raptor that was behind her. She also saw Roxton, right behind the animal, looking stunned, knowing neither had anything to do with the dead beast. She nodded toward George, who at this point was making a run toward Finn to make sure that both were all right. However, Finn, always on alert, heard more breaking of twigs and leaves.
"Of course," said Finn. "Stop George! STOP!"
Challenger halted in his steps, fell back onto his pack, and gave out a startled cry. Finn turned 45 degrees to her right, shot into the brush, with three arrows in succession. Roxton pulled his gun out and shot into the jungle on the left side of Finn, seeing that there was yet another raptor.
All waited about a minute before anyone got up or came over to each other. When Veronica yelled the all clear, Challenger got up and quickly pulled his pack off of his back and opened it. He reached in to find that the egg that was in there, was broken and had spilled over the rest of the contents of the bag. He groaned, but told all present that he was all right. He asked if Finn was all right, in which she replied that she was. Just a bit shaken, but nothing hurt.
However, before either could get back up and dust off, another raptor came running out of the bushes and ran toward Roxton. Before Roxton could react, the beast knocked him over and it started running toward Finn. Finn, yet again, got another arrow out tried shooting the damn thing. However, it jammed, and she was knocked over by the huge beast. The monster caused her to have a huge gash going diagonally across her chest. Thankfully, George was able to shoot the foul thing, before it could do any more harm to his beloved. He ran over to her and saw what had happened. He gasped, applying pressure to her wound. He tried calling for Veronica, who at this point didn't know what was going on. She had called Marguerite, who also had her gun at her side. He could hear Veronica and Marguerite screaming to Roxton, seeing if he was OK.
Challenger got up, stumbled to Roxton and looked down at him. Thankfully, Roxton seemed to have only minor cuts on his chest from the raptors claws. Challenger stumbled a few more feet and looked up. He had blood on his hands and a distraught look on his face. He tried calling for the girls to come down, but all he could do was mumble. Even he couldn't hear what he was saying.
Realizing that he would need help, and that there might be more danger down there, the two girls raced to the elevator to go help their dear friends. On the way, Veronica grabbed her weapons and put them in their appropriate places. She didn't want to take chances this time, when she was down there. |
| TheHideAway |
Posted - August 02 2006 : 12:04:15 AM
Finn could hear the breathing, and it was close. Altogether too close! What Finn realized she needed to do was to just calm down and focus on where it was coming from. It was something that she enjoyed doing from time to time, when she and Veronica would play their own version of Hide and Seek. One would pretend the other was some sort of dinosaur or other beast and would try to "hunt" them down. It could take them hours to play this game if they really wanted to. But they did it so that they could sharpen their hunting skills. It reminded Finn of that story where the man would hunt down humans and kill them. But she couldn't remember the name of it and it was something that was distracting her at the moment. She concentrated some more, and centered the breathing off to her right, a little ways off to her left shoulder. She turned to her left and could barely make out a faint, yellow, eye. Her stomach tightened, her breathing sharpened, and her heart beat erratically.
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. What she wanted to do, was to focus on the big predator and center her gaze on the mighty beast. She took her crossbow from her side, as slow as slow could get. She got a new arrow/bolt and cocked the bow. She also got out her knife and attached it at the front of the bow, right underneath the arrow, exactly like a bayonet. If push came to shove, she would have it for hand to hand combat, just in case. She opened her eyes again and looked back in where the raptor was. It was gone and she couldn't hear its breathing anymore.
"Damn!" she said underneath her breath.
- - - - - - - -
Veronica, still out on the balcony, watched Finn intently. She saw her stop and look around. Veronica grew concerned, but knew that whatever it was, Finn could probably take care of herself. However, she made a point to actually stay and watch. She knew that if she left, something bad might happen and she didn't want that on her mind for the rest of her life.
Roxton came up from behind and asked what she was doing. She told him, bringing him up to date on the situation at hand and pointing to where Finn was.
"Finn is a good girl. She can take care of herself. Anyway, we're right here. It's not like we can't get to her," replied Roxton.
"I know," said Veronica. "But something tells me she might be in danger. I just don't want something bad to happen to her."
"Would it make you feel better if I went and got my gun, Veronica?"
She looked at him and nodded her head. She wanted to take as many precautions as possible. If there was one thing she had learned, especially since Ned had come back from his adventures, it was to always trust her instincts.
He walked off to get the gun, when Veronica noticed that she didn't see Finn any more. She was clearly in front of her, not too far off, where Veronica could still see Finn. Even if there were some leaves covering part of Finn's body, she would have still been able to see her.
"V" waited 30 seconds before before she started to panic. Finn knew, that if she was close enough to the treehouse, to back up and get through the electric fence as fast as possible. It had been fifteen or so minutes since Finn left Malone to go hunt for this raptor that she was so eager to catch. Veronica watched her from above, so she knew that Finn was able to get back to the treehouse and get to the fence. She had even watched her do some flips over the fence, so if she needed to, she could jump over it. And she knew that she would, even if it was just to show off.
Roxton came back with his gun in hand. He looked to where he thought his friend was. He didn't see her. He asked Veronica if she was all right now.
"I don't know. I looked back when you left, but I didn't see her anywhere. She isn't where I know she is," replied an eager Veronica.
"All right, stay here. I want you to stay up here, and I will go down there to see what is going on. If you see ANYTHING, I want you to call out and point in the direction," said Roxton.
Again, Veronica nodded. |
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