#'our lives are deep in the forest but this we know: one day we'll become the blue sky because the heart sings for the golden sun'

[enchantedchocolatebars]

(Continuing from the last part)

There's someone knocking on the door, it's Stacy's mom she tells there's a letter of Stacy's father. Seeing the family moment, Candace decides to leave.

As Candace walks home she trips over some boxes, she reads a letter saying that it's items for Flynn Fletchers Antiques. As she carries the boxes inside she sees one of them has a hole and something is shining inside it. Curious, she looks around to see if no one is home, Phineas and Ferb are in the garage building something, much to Candace annoyance. Candace goes upstairs, slams her door and opens the box. She finds a beautiful vintage metal jewelry box.

 She initially looks inside the unusually-deep box only to accidentally fall into it, which she realizes is a world in itself, she explores this world-in-a-box, one that is filled with living toys, crayons, tasty delicacies and visual beauties. She befriends the denizens and talks to them how she feels like she doesn't exist anymore in her family.

Candace: All summer long, I wanted my brothers to get busted. Now I finally got what I wanted, it feels like I don't exist anymore. My parents are proud of how much a good future they'll be having, but now I'm just seen as the annoying teenage sister.

The denizens sympathizes with her, they as they feel invisible too when their kid had left them in the attic for years, only to be shipped to America by a stranger. Candace promises to return, and it soon becomes a routine for her, (due to feeling like she doesn't exist anymore and how everyone else thinks she's the annoying teenage girl.) inside the mysterious jewelry box she's treated like a princess and feels appreciated. However, one day, she is about to leave for the real world, but then the leader of the denizens in the box (who also controls everything in the world in the jewelry box) locks the doors and windows of the castle in which she was staying for the afternoon.

Isabella, Buford, The Fireside Girls and Baljeet are hanging out doing their usual routine, Phineas and Ferb comes out of the garage asking them if they've seen Candace.

Phineas: Hey guys! Has any of you seen Candace?

Isabella: I heard she was staying at Stacy's house for a sleepover.

Ginger: Stacy said she isn't there and never made it to there sleepover last week.

Phineas: That's odd, she never misses a sleepover with Stacy.

Isabella: When was the last time you saw her?

Ferb: We were at the garage making a preasant for her. We meant to give it to her but we couldn't find her anywhere.

Phineas : Mom and dad won't be back for a while, so we'll send a search party.

Isabella and The Fireside Girls look for Candace at the mall, they ask Jeremy's boss if he seen Candace with Jeremy.

Manager: Haven't seen them. Jeremy has a day off of work today. I need him to work tomorrow. Our fry guy just defected over to Taco Tepee, again. (at Taco Tepee manager) You win this one, Cooks with Grease!

Phineas, Ferb, Baljeet, and Buford asks Jenny if she seen or heard from Candace, to which she says "no". They look everywhere in Danville but no luck in finding Candace not even any clues to where she is. They tried calling her but finds her phone in the living room.

They decide to look in her room, before they can search Baljeet notices the jewelry box, he asks Phineas where and when Candace got it, Phineas doesn't know, Buford attempts to open the box, but to no avail, Buford then shakes the box and is stopped by Isabella. He decides to poke it, and that's when it opened for a brief moment.

Baljeet: Did...did anyone else just saw that?

Buford: The jewelry box. ITS ALIVE

Baljeet: IT MUST HAVE ATE CANDACE

Now knowing what to do Phineas tells them to tickle the box, They then tickle it to open the lid, and then fall inside as well to find Candace. Once they're inside the box they find a beautiful forest, unicorns eating the grass, and a pinkish purple lollipop woods.

They then wander into a town in the world, only to find that none of the denizens notice or respond to them. They are then pursued by a candy-like policemen to a river of plastic balls, into which they fall after a long battle with the police. They float down the river but are then pulled under by a large metal-covered hand. The hand, they realize, belongs to a tall, handsome knight-esque hero figure who talks in an older form of Shakespeare-style English tongue. He repeatedly tries to warn the group away from pursuing their quest as he follows them through different, trying environments that the group overcomes, like a forest full of springs and a sea of lava. (except it was actually orange soda).

After facing many different obstacles (which most of them were harmless because it was mostly toys, gummy bears, or soda). The Knight figure sacrifices himself while the group makes their escape. They eventually end up at the home of a stuffed toy couple who takes them to her home to rest for the night, but then feeds them crumpets that are dusted with sleeping powder, which they presents to them as powdered sugar, as a trap to keep them away from finding Candace.

Buford, Baljeet, The Fireside girls keeps the stuffed animals distracted giving Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella a chance to escape they secretly follow the stuffed animal couple to the castle Candace stays in. Satisfied that they couldn't get to her, the stuffed animal couple leaves. After they left Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella sneak inside the castle.

That's it for part 2, what do u think happens next? Is there any parts you would like to change?

Sorry for the late reply to this.

Part 1.

I like it!

I love the references to "Destination: Imagination" and the inspiration you took from that movie.

Phineas and Ferb does give off a bit of a Foster's Home feel with the colors and creative ideas.

Not sure what's going to happen next, but I wouldn't change a thing in your story. ✅️ 👍

[ophelia-jones]

The Rendezvous.

Sep 1, 2010

Two weeks after the pandemic was declared by the CDC.

Three weeks before Rick Grimes reunites with his family and the other survivors.

The roads were jammed, and people were panicking and making things worse for themselves. Since the first time he'd seen one of the walkers for himself, Daryl had been fighting to get up north to check on Adalia. Phone lines had gone down days ago, and the safe zones the government was setting up were becoming the worst for spreading the disease. The military had bombed them as a last resort to try and stop the spread.

"We should be grabbing what we can get right now!" Merle bitched as they hiked their way through the mountain forest, finally less than five miles from Adalia's. "That gal ain't even gonna be there! Or if she is, she'll be one of them and you'll have to put her and those pups of hers down!"

Daryl reeled on Merle, pointing in his face and screaming,

"Shut up! Just shut the hell up!" before turning and stalking off toward Adalia's. With a deep sigh, Merle followed closely behind. As they came to the Rendezvous, they could hear sounds inside which were becoming all too familiar. "Shit, boy I told you there was no point in risking our asses! She's gone, Daryl, dead like we'll be if we keep following your feelings around," Merle yelled, tired and frustrated. Daryl readied his crossbow and nodded at Merle so he would open the door. As soon as the door opened they began to press out, stumbling and groaning. There were two of the old guys who were there every night and Henry, the cook. Merle and Daryl made short work of them and stepped inside, looking around for signs of anyone else. Merle began loading his bag with bottles of whiskey as Daryl checked the kitchen and bathroom. As he stood in the hallway, hoping this was good news, he heard something move in the office. His heart began to pound as he put his ear to the door and heard the sound of fingernails clawing at it. That sickening sound of jaws clicking and groaning came next as if the creature knew how close he was. Daryl rested his forehead against the door, closing his eyes.

"Please, no."

He drew a deep, fortifying breath and opened the door. It took him a moment to recognize the woman rushing toward him, mouth agape and hands grabbing. She was bloated and discolored, and it was all happening fast. It wasn't until after he put an arrow in her brain that he had a chance to see her and her once beautiful blonde hair.

"Sorry, Jenny," Daryl told her as he retrieved the arrow from her skull and wiped her brain matter off on his pants.

"Well, no news is good news I guess," Merle said as he peered around to see who Daryl had found.

"Let's go," Daryl growled as he pushed past Merle to the door. Less than a mile to go. The car was not in the driveway when they arrived at the house, and Merle cursed under his breath, complaining about Daryl's foolishness.

"Shut up," Daryl said sternly as he stalked up to the house. The door was unlocked, and the brothers worked quickly to clear the double-wide trailer. There was no one, living or dead, in the house.

"Well, what now, Romeo?" Merle snapped.

"I don't know!" Daryl yelled back, his face turning red as he did. He was pacing rapidly back and forth like a caged tiger when Merle spotted the envelope on the stove.

"She must've forgotten the stamp," Merle said sarcastically as he tossed it to Daryl. He held it in his hands, flipping it over and over before finally opening it.

Daryl -

The phones have gone out and so has the power. Jenny was bitten, and I had to lock her in the office to get away. I've never imagined anything like this.

There is a government shelter in Athens, I'm going to try and get the kids there. I hope you find this. I know you're alright because if anyone can handle this, it's those Dixon boys.

I guess this is it. You rarely know, do you? That the last time you see someone is going to be the last time. You brought me back from the darkness, I hope you know how much our visits meant to me. I wish I could have waited here for you.

Goodbye, Daryl Dixon. You were built to survive, go do what you do best. -All my love,

Adalia

Daryl crumpled the note up and turned and punched the closest wall, putting his fist through it. The shelters had been bombed. If she had made it there, there was no chance. If she hadn't made it, it was probably because they'd been killed before they reached it.

Some small part of him had out hope. He thought of her standing there on Christmas eve, bloodied and battered with that shotgun in her hands. He wouldn't stop hoping, but he had no way of knowing where she was now. Finding her was not really an option.

"I'm sorry, brother. I truly am. Now we gotta focus on taking care of ourselves. Grab what we can so we survive. Trust no one but each other," Merle said firmly.

Daryl nodded his agreement, unable to speak for a moment.

"Yeah. Yeah, let's go," he sniffed. Merle stuffed another empty bag with nonperishables and other necessities while Daryl waited outside, unable to loot this home although he knew they needed to. He lit up a cigarette, grinding the heels of his hands into his eyes as he tried to stop crying.

 

Three weeks later

[alj4890]

All Through the Night

A Choices: The Royal Romance Dark AU

A/N Picking up right where we left off in the prologue and delving deep into the Beaumont's part of this storyline. We will also begin to see what some of our other TRR characters are and how they affect this divided kingdom of Cordonia. This is a VERY long chapter since I went into both Beaumont's histories, but I couldn’t find a good place to end their beginning to this storyline, LOL. Hope it doesn’t ruin this for anyone.

@gkittylove99 ​​ @krsnlove ​ @kingliam2019 ​ @texaskitten30 ​ @yourmajesty09 ​ @mom2000aggie ​ @ofpixelsandscribbles ​ @twinkleallnight ​ @lodberg ​ @twinkleallnight ​ @amandablink ​ @neotericthemis ​  @mm2305 ​ @sfb123 ​ @iufilms​​ ​ ​ @tessa-liam @busywoman​ 

Masterlist

Part 1

Outside the Cordonian Palace...

"Home?" Drake asked as he fell into step beside Liam.

"So soon?" The prince smiled at him. "The night is still young. We could check out a club or two."

"Uh huh." Drake shook his head. "Nice try, but I know you, Liam. Where are we really headed?"

Liam's smile dimmed. "I thought about checking on Leo."

"Leo? Why?"

"I'm worried about him. That last argument he had with Father...he hasn't been in contact at all with anyone at home." Liam softly sighed. "He hasn't answered any of my calls or messages."

"Then why visit?" Drake's tone was filled with bitterness. "Some siblings leave without a second glance and don't care how much it hurts you in the process."

Liam winced at the reminder he had caused his closest friend. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to bring up memories of Sav--"

"She's dead now." Drake bit out.

Liam closed his mouth. He knew that wasn't true, but it was the only way Drake could deal with what Savannah had done. Ever since the Beaumont’s appeared that fateful night, the Walker's had been permanently damaged.

He didn't know if there was even a chance for a reconciliation between the two.

Clearing his throat, Liam returned to the subject of Leo. "I can't come down here without checking on him."

"Is he even here anymore?" Drake asked. "I thought he had left Cordonia all together after your father refused his latest petition."

"He did. But through new sources, I have discovered that he not only returned, but has been back for quite some time."

They walked on in silence until they stopped in front of a small townhome.

They stared at the façade where not a single light was on.

Liam checked the time. "Perhaps it is too late to call upon him now that he is part of the human world."

"We can always come back after sunset." Drake offered.

"You don't have to accompany me." Liam placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder. "I think I can manage to get around down here on my own."

"And leave you alone with not only a Nevarkis but also a Beaumont protecting the streets from your kind." Drake's eyes narrowed. "Fat chance."

Liam shook his head. "Olivia is not going to harm me. And--"

"You can't trust her. I know you think you're little bond you made with her as a kid will keep you safe, but she'll end up just like her family and betray you the first moment she can."

"She's one of my closest friends." Liam argued. "She would never--"

"And as for Beaumont, do you honestly believe he will not seek revenge for what happened to his brother?" Drake snapped. "I'm surprised he has waited this long to make a move."

Liam knew there was little use arguing when Drake fell into this state of mind. With a sigh, he turned away from his brother's current dwelling and began to make the long trek back to the Blackspire Mountains.

****************

Earlier that night, Ramsford...

So many memories...

Maxwell stood in front of the wall of weapons his ancestors had collected over the years.

His hand raised, trailing over the gold kraken near the hilt of his namesake's sword, the very one that felt like an extension of his own arm.

"Here you are." Bertrand grumbled. "We need to discuss the next Beaumont Bash."

The young lord had to summon all his strength to fall into the act that was necessary.

"You came to the right man." He spun around, his movements as smooth as silk. "What would you like me to do?"

"I'm leaving music selection in your hands. Savannah," Bertrand smiled softly, "will be handling the decorations. I will of course be choosing the menu." He held up his many lists of chores. "I want my wife's first ball to be praised by all who attend."

"This will be the Beaumont Bash to beat all the previous ones." Maxwell promised.

"I knew I could count on you." Bertrand hesitated. "Perhaps, is there a young lady you would like to invite?"

Maxwell fought to keep his carefree act in place.

"You know me." He shrugged with a dimpled grin. "It's difficult to find...someone right."

Bertrand patted his shoulder. "You'll find the right person."

Once he disappeared down the stairs, Maxwell allowed his smile to disappear.

The past year and a half had been difficult. Becoming this version of a party loving noble grated on his nerves. He wished that they could go back to what they once were...monster hunters.

The Beaumont Brothers had once struck fear in the Dark Kingdom. The very notion that they had been tasked to bring a creature to justice sent many of them scurrying into the far reaches of the realm. Yet, none could escape them for long.

At least...that was how it once was.

That one fateful encounter with the King of the Dark Kingdom made their entire world turn upside down.

*****************

2 years ago...

"Wait." Bertrand placed his hand on Maxwell's shoulder.

He did a few hand signals.

Maxwell nodded and slipped his sword out of its sheath. He briefly closed his eyes, using his other senses to zoom in on where the danger was. The woods along the outskirts of the Dark Kingdom could be treacherous during the daylight. At night, it was nothing but a death trap to the random lost hiker.

Sensing a presence a little to his right, Maxwell took a few silent steps forward.

Bertrand followed, guarding his back with a crossbow.

"Stop!" A female's voice cried out. "Please, my lords. Help me!"

The brothers froze at the sobs that followed that plea.

"She sounds human." Bertrand whispered. "Could she be lost?"

"This far up the mountain?" Maxwell countered. "Not likely. It's probably another vile fiend hoping to trap her next meal."

"Please." The voice was faint, sounding almost defeated. "Please help me escape."

Escape. That one word meant she was an innocent human, one that would most likely perish from the monsters that resided nearby.

Bertrand stopped Maxwell and stepped in front of him.

Parting the branches of a bush, they saw a woman sitting on the ground. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her face was buried in her arms. Her body shook with muffled cries.

"Will no one help me?" She repeated over and over.

Bertrand lowered his weapon then knelt before her.

Maxwell remained tense, ready to lop off her head if she even made the slightest movement to harm his brother.

"We can help you." Bertrand reached out and laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Who--"

The brothers jumped back when she lifted her face.

She was a Walker and not just any Walker: Savannah Walker, only sister to the crown prince's right hand, Sir Drake Walker.

The two were the only descendants left of a human family that once centuries ago had made a blood oath to the Rhys. Each generation served as a protector and companion of sorts to the reigning family.

Savannah wiped at her tears. She cautiously rose, then held her hands out to them. "Please. I know who you are and I mean you no harm."

Bertrand had yet to raise his crossbow. His jaw was slack as he gazed upon her.

Maxwell pointed his sword at her. "We received a message asking us to search for a missing human." His eyes narrowed. "Did you send that message?"

She nodded. "Forgive me for lying, but I knew you wouldn't come if you knew it was from me."

Maxwell cursed, his nerves notched to an eleven as his eyes scanned the forest for a possible ambush.

"Why do you need to escape?" Bertrand asked.

"Aren't you the prince's right hand girl?" Maxwell taunted. "No longer enjoying being a vampire's plaything?"

Savannah winced at his insults.

"That's enough." Bertrand snapped. "She needs our help."

Maxwell's jaw dropped. "Surely you don't believe her?"

"I do." Bertrand moved closer to her. "Tell me what is going on."

Maxwell looked up to make certain the sky wasn't falling. Had his overly cautious brother, the very one that made him train hours upon hours each and every day, just defend an enemy of Cordonia?

"Prince Liam demands nothing from me, other than the occasional donation of blood." She sniffed. "He is very kind, but I don't want to remain here." Her warm brown eyes held Bertrand's. "I want to live a normal life, have a family...one that isn't bound to live here."

Bertrand rubbed a hand down his face. She looked so desperate, so in need of reassurance that she could have that dream.

"You're bound by a blood oath." Maxwell reminded her with a shrug. "There's nothing we can do to help you."

"Please!" She jerked her hands back when his sword swatted them. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

"Maxwell Percival Beaumont!" Bertrand moved in front of Savannah. "Lower that weapon this instant!"

"Have you lost your mind?" Maxwell motioned toward the one that dragged them out of their beds. "Has she cast some spell over you? She's a member of the inner Dark Court. She probably has some signal that will have Constantine and his spawn out here to end us."

"I don't." She cried. "I could never do that."

Bertrand wrapped an arm around her. "We can't help you escape tonight. The blood oath will kill you if you break it without magic." He gently squeezed her close. "We'll find out what must be done and then rescue you."

"We'll do what now?" Maxwell jerked his brother away from her. "We are not prepared to face off against both Constantine and Liam."

"We'll find a way around them." Bertrand hissed. "Regina will know what to do."

"You're involving the witches now?" Maxwell's eyes grew incredulous. "You know they don't take sides."

Bertrand glanced back at Savannah. "I know. But we must try."

He returned to her and softly whispered the plan.

Maxwell watched as her eyes filled with tears again. She nodded, whispered a way to contact her and then impulsively kissed his brother’s cheek.

"Thank you." She squeezed his hand. "I must return before someone notices I'm absent."

She took off, stumbling through the brush, and disappeared from sight.

"We're really doing this?" Maxwell muttered.

"We are." Bertrand vowed. "She doesn't deserve to be imprisoned here for what her ancestors did."

"Everyone is in some type of prison thanks to our ancestors." Maxwell told him as he started back down the mountain. "Some of us just endure our life sentence better than others."

****************

A few weeks went by after encountering Ms. Walker. Bertrand summoned Regina and her coven to discuss how best to help Savannah.

The Guardian, as she was referred to by the younger witches, pondered this problem. Reassuring him that she would find a way, she rose to retire to a guest room.

"Just a minute, please." Maxwell held up a hand to stop her. "Your admirer must never know of this. He'll kill her as well as us if he thinks we plan on disrupting his castle."

Regina stiffened at the word, admirer.

It was no secret that Constantine had fallen in love with her. Years ago, the vampire had made her an offer of marriage. She had been tempted to accept, given that she had lost her heart to him as well. Then tragedy struck and her cousin and her husband perished in a plane crash, leaving their young daughter Madeleine, an orphan.

Regina had noticed that the little girl had inherited magical skills that could be molded into a powerful witch. Knowing that their talent would not be welcomed in the Dark Kingdom, she refused Constantine's proposal and remained in Cordonia. She had raised the young countess to be a witch that would do whatever she could to protect the innocent and needy.

Madeleine had formed friendships with two other noble ladies, completing the coven that would replace Regina on her death. Ladies Kiara and Penelope studied hard, yet were never quite as powerful as Madeleine.

And now the Beaumont’s were asking a favor.

Regina knew she owed them one. Hundreds of years earlier Percival Beaumont had saved the life of her ancestor, Kayden Vescovi. Without him, Regina and Madeleine would not be here today nor imbued with magic.

Madeleine slipped inside.

"Do you really think we can break a blood oath?" She sat down beside her relative. "Blood magic is tricky enough as it is. I can only imagine how much it will take from us to break."

Regina gently patted her hand. "We will do all we can to find a way. Our debt to the Beaumont’s must be repaid."

Madeleine nodded in agreement. "I brought some books along. I'll see if they have anything that can help us."

Regina watched her pixie like cousin slip out the door with a fond smile. It slowly firmed into a frown as she thought of what she had discovered before journeying to Ramsford.

Leo Rhys, former prince of the Dark Kingdom had begun visiting Madeleine in secret. 

She knew she would have to address that once she discovered the type of relationship Madeleine had with the young man. Now though, she was needed to solve this problem for Bertrand.

It took weeks of research, then having to wait upon a waning gibbus moon before a potion could be prepared. Once Regina had placed the bottle sealed with a waxed cork in Bertrand's hand, she had explained what must be done.

"Savannah must drink this and declare herself free from the Rhys' family." She explained. "Then she must force herself to turn her back on them and walk away. It will be painful for her, but she will survive."

"Thank you." Bertrand bowed. "I knew if anyone could help us, it would be you."

She gently squeezed his hand. "If you need me, do not hesitate to call. I will be here as fast as I can."

*******************

That night, the brothers slipped quietly through a gate into the Dark Kingdom. Savannah had told Bertrand that it was their best place to go undetected, given that the guard typically dozed off around the midnight hour.

"How often have you two talked?" Maxwell whispered.

"Everyday." Bertrand replied.

"Everyday?!"

"Keep your voice down." Bertrand ordered.

"She called to pester you everyday over this blood oath potion?"

"Not exactly." Bertrand slinked further into the shadows when they noticed a few people lingering around a town center.

"Then what have you been talking about?" Maxwell prodded.

He wasn't prepared to hear the answer.

"Marriage." Bertrand reluctantly replied

"Marriage? To whom?" His eyes widened. "You're going to marry a Walker?!"

"Yes." Bertrand narrowed his eyes. "She is kind and--"

"She's a Walker. A. Walker." Maxwell stressed. "Enemy to any and all monster hunters."

"She's not our enemy." Bertrand snapped. "For that matter, she says that Liam isn't either. He wants peace between our kingdoms."

"Oh well, that's a relief." Maxwell mocked, wiping his brow. "The word of a vampire is the one thing you can always count on."

Bertrand grit his teeth together to keep from saying something he might regret. He needed his younger brother's support and approval with this decision. He had never had a moment in his life since Maxwell's birth where he didn't have that. He would need it even more so in taking Savannah for his bride. He also hoped that Maxwell would become a brother to her since she was about to lose the only family she had ever known.

Regina had told him to stress to Savannah that breaking this blood oath could also destroy the bond she had with her brother, Drake.

He had done so over the phone, then wished he could be there to hold her as her heart broke over this hefty price.

With a shaky voice, she had remained determined to leave and marry him.

Creeping onward towards the castle, the brothers remained each lost in thought of what the future would bring.

*******************

Castle Rhys, that fateful night....

"Welcome home, my dear Sherry. And Rashad, how was your trip? Successful as usual, I believe." Constantine greeted the cousins warmly.

The two bowed and curtsied before relaxing again.

"It was very successful, your majesty." Rashad sat down in a chair catty cornered to the king's. "In fact, I was able to...."

While the pair talked, Sherry hurried over to hug Liam.

"Sherry!" He swung her into a tight hug. "I didn't think you were returning to us so soon."

"I missed home." She stepped back and grinned at Drake. "How have you been, Sir Drake?"

"Stop that sir mess and come here." He couldn't maintain his frown for long around her after pulling her into a tight hug. "The Blackspire Mountains haven't been the same without you flying about."

Sherry, formally Lady Sherveen Alcantar cousin to the Duke of Domvallier, Lord Rashad Kovak, was a fire-user. She and Rashad were direct descendants of King Dominic and his secret marriage to Sei Rhuka after the death of Queen Kenna. The fire users had decided to marry to protect the true heir to the kingdom and give him a family that would always be ready to fight by his side.

Like their ancestors the two cousins could transform into dragons and were known to fly above the clouds, away from curious humans.

Given their direct descent and blood relationship to each member of the Rhys family, their closeness had been encouraged with each and every generation. Sei had been the one to decree that every dragon born was to devote their lives to keeping their vampire relatives safe.

"Where's Savannah?" Sherry asked. "It seems like forever since I last saw her."

"Sav's been down lately." Drake explained. "Maybe she has been missing you and Rashad." He began to walk away, "I'll go fetch her."

Liam motioned for Sherry to sit with him.

As she lowered herself down, her gray eyes turned silver. A delectable smell seemed to waft from nearby. It fluttered her senses.

"Excuse me a moment, Liam," she pushed her jet black hair back and searched for the source.

It wasn't food she smelled, but rather someone. Possibly the one if she was to go by how her ancestors described finding the perfect mate. Her heartbeat accelerated as the smell became stronger with each step she took.

Then she noticed the guards' bodies lining the second floor hallway.

********************

Savannah said the words necessary after drinking the potion. Her insides became engulfed with flames, scalding her blood of any magic.

"AHH-" she clamped her hands over her mouth to muffle the agonizing scream while boiling tears slipped down her cheeks. A white hot mist began to float up from her skin.

"Savannah!" Bertrand tried to take her in his arms, but was burned upon touching a bare piece of her skin.

"Let's go." She managed to say through painful gasps. "We must hurry. It's almost--"

Her bedroom door flew open. A stunned Drake followed by Sherry walked into the room.

"Sav? What did you do?" Drake gripped his head. "Why don't I feel--"

Sherry stared wide eyed at Maxwell. She could feel the heat move over her body and pooling within her palms. One little flick of a finger would have fire burning within her grasp.

The one I'm meant for is a hunter?

But how could this be? They couldn't--impossible--how would they ever--

"I'm leaving, Drake." Savannah sobbed. "I can't take it anymore."

"What are you talking about?" He staggered against a wall and slowly slid down. "Why do I feel like you have died? That you've been taken from me?"

"I'm sorry." She knelt beside him. "So incredibly sorry."

He passed out from the pain pulsating in his veins.

"No!" Savannah tried to wake him up. "Drake please--"

"We have to go." Maxwell eyed the silver irises holding his own gaze. "Don't make any sudden moves."

Sherry merely nodded.

The three edged around her to the door.

"Who are you?" Sherry asked.

"No concern of yours." He bit out.

"But..."

She had to chase after him.

******************

It had happened in the blink of an eye. One minute, they saw the exit and felt elation at having succeeded. Then a sinister creature flew over their heads. It landed in front of them then threw its cloak back.

Constantine had found them.

"What did you do Savannah?" He snarled. "Why is your brother unconscious? Whatever you did also hurt Liam."

"Sir, I am so sorry. But I can't--"

"You haven't begun to feel sorrow." Constantine held her gaze, then reached out to torment her mind until she was beyond help.

Bertrand knew what was happening and jumped in front of Savannah, taking the hit of Constantine's frightening power.

He fell to the floor with a scream. Curling into a ball, he cried out for his dead mother and then for Maxwell.

Constantine slumped against a wall too, his powers surprisingly weak.

"Bertrand!" Savannah gently touched him and tried to snap him out of whatever nightmare Constantine had thrust him in.

It was no use. Whatever the vampire king had done, there was no clear way to help Bertrand.

"What did you do to him?" Maxwell demanded. "Tell me now before I kill you!"

"Do?" Constantine's voice had grown weak. "I got my revenge."

"No please!" Savannah pleaded. "There's bound to be a way we can end this amicably."

Bertrand’s screams turned to whimpers.

Fighting his own panic, Maxwell picked up his brother and began to back out of the room.

"Wait!" Sherry stepped forward. "I must--"

Liam appeared, causing the hairs on Maxwell's neck to rise.

"Savannah?" He stumbled forward, catching himself against a side table. "What is going on?"

"I'm so sorry Liam." Savannah whispered. "Please tell Drake I love him, but I have to live my own life. Tell him," she glanced back at the man sobbing in Maxwell's arms, "tell him I'm to marry Bertrand Beaumont."

"No!" Sherry shook her head.

It couldn't be. She had lost her heart, her very choice to choose another mate, to Maxwell Beaumont.

"Savannah," Constantine hissed. "If you ever return to the Dark Kingdom, I will kill you for this treason."

Tears continued to slip down her cheeks, her blood had cooled, giving her a new dose of strength to turn her back upon her king and leave all she'd ever known forever.

******************

Maxwell had struggled to get his brother down the mountain. Once back within Cordonia's borders, he had called Regina. No human doctor could help Bertrand. He hoped that a witch could reverse the effects of Constantine's vicious attack.

Regina worked tirelessly along with Madeleine to find a way to cure the young duke. The potions and spells they tried did little to bring him out of his fear.

Savannah never left Bertrand's side. She took care of him, fed him, tried to soothe him when he cried out. She did everything Regina suggested in between their treatments. Maxwell begrudgingly began to soften toward her when he saw that she truly loved his brother.

After a month of this, Regina finally sat Maxwell and Savannah down to offer them one final solution.

"I cannot bring him back." Her eyes were filled with sorrow. "Constantine's power is too strong. The damage is too extensive."

Savannah bit back a sob. "It's all my fault."

Maxwell silently agreed. If she had only accepted her lot in life like everyone else did.

"Bertrand made his choice." He mumbled, knowing he would want him to try and comfort her. "You were his choice."

She blinked back tears. "I won't give up on him."

Maxwell wondered. Hadn't she given up on Liam and Drake? And whoever that girl was with the silver eyes? Why would she remain with a mentally damaged man she had only seen once before and had a few conversations with?

Only monsters fell in love that quickly.

Was she--

"What I can do is give Bertrand a new mind." Regina leaned forward. "It will take years to make it permanent. You will have to slip him potions until the new memories settle."

Savannah and Maxwell sat up.

"New mind? So you can give him what he was before the attack?" Maxwell asked.

"I could, but I won't." Regina explained. "I'm afraid the knowledge of the Dark Kingdom would cause the new mind to never fully develop. His fears are forever tied to Constantine now. What he's seeing in his mind are you both, your parents, and even himself being tortured by the king and other monstrous creatures. It is a never ending slide show of agony."

Maxwell swallowed as stray tears began to fall down his cheeks. No wonder Bertrand screamed his name and their mom's. He thought he couldn't save them.

"Bertrand will never again be a hunter and he must never know that you are still one, Maxwell." She reached out and took his hand. "From the moment I begin the incantation, you all will need to live as a normal human."

"Whatever he needs, I'll do." He promised.

Savannah added her own fervent vow that she would give Bertrand that life.

Regina nodded. "Come. Madeleine and I will walk you through the potions you'll need to secretly give him. Tomorrow, we will begin the process."

******************

Within a month, Bertrand was back on his feet. He was pleased that he would be marrying his fiancée soon. He was content with the sparkling wine his duchy was famous for. He even took great delight in being a part of Queen Olivia's council.

And he believed his younger brother needed something to occupy him.

Maxwell managed to pull off his late nights out as partying instead of monitoring the boundaries between the two kingdoms. Olivia would join him as much as she could to help, but he preferred being alone.

He needed to prefer being alone.

And then, after a few months of proactive policing, he saw the silver eyed girl.

She was returning from an evening out with human friends.

He stepped out of the shadows, blocking her path.

His eyes darted over her, trying to discern what she exactly was. He could usually pick a vampire out of a crowd easily. Witches were not known to live in the Dark Kingdom. She could possibly be a human that Constantine and Liam preferred to feed from. But that didn't seem likely.

Those humans never left the Dark Kingdom.

He knew there were other creatures rumored to live up there. Werewolves could be occasionally heard at night. There were the elves who kept the kingdom wealthy. An occasional troll would slip out to attack a human. A few families of vampires from other nations had moved a long time ago to the only kingdom where they didn't have to live in fear.

And then there were the mythical dragons.

Maxwell had never seen one, save from renderings of King Dominic and his fellow fire user Sei.

The girl stopped, keeping about six feet between them. "Good evening, Lord Maxwell."

He blinked at the friendliness he could hear. "Good evening, umm..."

"Sherveen Alcantar, or Sherry.” She blushed over her stuttering. “ I prefer Sherry."

"Sherry." He repeated. "What are you doing down here?"

"I was meeting with some friends of mine." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "My cousin is business partners with William Sloane, do you know him?"

Maxwell gave a noncommittal shrug.

"Oh. Well, he was hosting a dinner on his yacht and I, um, went." She lowered her eyes.

"And what exactly was on the menu?" Maxwell asked.

Her eyes flashed at that condescending tone of his. "The usual a multimillionaire would have. Appetizers of caviar and shrimp. A roasted beet and pear salad. Lobster. Roasted parsnips and potatoes. Complete with a dessert of chocolate soufflé sprinkled with powdered sugar and gold flakes."

Maxwell merely quirked an eyebrow.

She huffed in irritation. "Anyway, there is something I think we should discuss."

"Savannah is not coming back. She's married to my brother." He informed her.

"No, that's not what we need to talk about." Taking a deep breath, she let the words finally be said. "You are meant for me."

"I'm what?" His eyes narrowed. "Are you a vampire."

"No." She shifted, raising one of her legs to take a shoe off. "But we are meant to be together." Her silver eyes began to glow brighter. "And I believe you know it."

"I--" was that why he there wasn't a day that passed where he didn't think about her?

She removed her other shoe, sighing at the relief she felt. "I'm a fire-user."

He snorted with surprised laughter. "Right. And I'm really a--"

His eyes widened when she produced a flame in her palm. Winking at him, she produced two more and began to juggle the fireballs.

"That doesn't mean--"

He fell backwards when she turned into a black dragon with silver tipped wings. Smoke curled out of her nostrils as she leveled a humor filled eye upon him.

He stared at the creature he believed was made up.

With a puff of smoke, she transformed back into a human.

A naked human.

"Don't stare." She ordered, pulling out a spare dress that she always kept close at hand from her purse.

He couldn't help it. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Once she was properly covered, she sat down beside him.

"What do we do about our destiny?" She asked.

He didn't know. His world it seemed had truly fallen apart.

******************

He tried to fight it. Maxwell didn't like the fact that he was intended for someone else without any say whatsoever. It seemed that a human couldn't fight the magic or whatever it was when a monster recognized you as their mate.

Sherry began to show up wherever he was whenever he left home. She'd spend a few minutes talking to him, then leave before he could deny they were meant to be.

It drove him crazy. There were times he wanted to accept it. Then there were times he wanted her to never return. Either way he couldn't stop thinking about her. He no longer saw any other woman as being attractive.

One day, he was walking through a park to try and clear his head. It hurt to no longer be able to discuss things like this with Bertrand. He needed his guidance in this. Of course given how he had fallen for Savannah, he probably would have encouraged Maxwell to be with a dragon.

Sherry appeared before him.

He bumped into her. His arms reached out and wrapped around her to keep her from falling down.

She took advantage of his momentum and kissed him.

He had frozen with the feel of her warm lips touching his. Against everything he had was and believed about the creatures that lived in the kingdom high in the mountains, he held her closer and took over the kiss.

Her soft hum of desire drifted up to his ears. Her fingers slipped into his hair. Their warmth was nearly burning. He jerked back at that reminder that she wasn't human.

Sherry's eyes were glowing again as she took deep breaths to calm down.

"Max, I--"

"I have to go." He sprinted away from her.

*****************

Months continued with seeing her like this. He actually found himself longing for her the moment they parted. He still fought against his growing attraction, but would succumb at weak moments to either holding her or kissing her.

Then he began to actually listen and talk to her.

After a year, he finally accepted that they were meant for one another. Once he did, they began to talk of a possible future together.

"Where could we live?" He asked. "I can't live in the Dark Kingdom. After my years of hunting, I'll be killed as soon as I step into the town square."

"I can live down here." Sherry rested her head against his chest.

"Can you?" He nudged her chin up to look into her eyes. "What about your duties to Liam? What about Rashad? Your bond, is it like Savannah's? I can't ask you to do what she did. She suffers daily with missing Drake."

"Mine isn't a blood oath, more of a way of life." She explained. "Liam and I are family." She gently caressed his cheek. "And he is so happy that I've found you "

"He knows?"

"Of course." Sherry laughed. "Liam, Rashad, and I have no secrets."

"And they're fine with you being with a man who hunts his kind?" Maxwell asked.

"We know you don't do it without provocation." She explained. "If you were a sadistic killer going after the innocent, then we wouldn't allow you to live."

"What about Constantine?" His eyes narrowed in concern. "Something tells me he wouldn't be so understanding."

"You're right." She lowered her eyes. "That's why I haven't told him."

"Sherry." Maxwell pulled her closer to him. "Would he hurt you if he found out? Like what he tried to do with Savannah?"

"I'm... I don't think so." She rolled away from him to look up at the night sky. "My discovering that you're my mate wasn't a choice like what Savannah did. And being with you won't hurt Liam."

"Are you certain?" He propped himself up on his elbow.

She sighed. "About us, yes. About the king, no." She finally shared what was worrying her. "Ever since the attack, King Constantine has been acting strange."

"How so?"

"He doesn't spend as much time with our people as he used to. He rarely leaves his chambers. He has begun pressuring Liam to either find a mate or arrange a marriage." Her brow furrowed. "He seems almost obsessed on making certain all possible enemies are destroyed."

"Enemies like me?” He asked. “Olivia?" 

"Yes." She wrapped her arms around him. "He has plans for Olivia. He fears she will extract revenge on him by killing Liam."

"I see." Maxwell rubbed his brow, trying to see a way out of this.

He didn't know if he could protect everyone.

***************

Now...

Maxwell searched his pockets for his cell. He didn't recognize the number but knew that whoever had this number was in need of his hunting services.

"Hello."

"Lord Beaumont?" A cultured voice asked.

"Yes." He hurried into his room when he heard Bertrand and Savannah talking a little ways down the hall. "Who is this?"

"Lorelei Lee." She replied.

"Lady Lorelei." He remembered her from his mother's stories. "How can I help you?"

"My daughter and her friend have got it in their heads to come visit Cordonia." She began. "I'm not certain how long they intend to stay, but I was hoping that I could retain your services."

"For what exactly?" Maxwell asked.

"Protection." She replied. "I have heard through certain channels that the dark prince is beginning to search for a bride." She took a deep breath. "We do NOT want our daughter anywhere near that vile creature."

"I understand." Maxwell replied. "I usually don't do personal security. With my brother retired," he grimaced at that, "it is left up to me to help protect Cordonia's borders."

"My husband and I would be in your debt if you could watch over her in the evenings." Lorelei cajoled. "I've heard that your brother is planning on extending his vineyards. We would be more than happy to invest in the production and distribution of his sparkling wine. Perhaps even let it be the only sparkling wine we serve in our hotels."

Maxwell rubbed a hand down his face. He knew his brother was anxious to succeed. Regina had told Maxwell recently that in order for the spell to be successful, Bertrand had to relax. Gaining not only an investor but also a permanent client would help relieve his troubled mind.

"Send me her information and picture. Call her and tell her that since our family is an old friend of yours, that I've volunteered to show them around. Find out where she's staying and when she plans on arriving."

"Oh thank you, Lord Maxwell. We--"

"I'll also need a contract prepared and signed for all that you offered." He added.

"Yes of course. I'll get everything to you at once."

He ended the call and tossed his phone down.

How had he gone from a monster hunter to a glorified baby sitter?

****************

Later the next day, along Beach Cove, Cordonia...

"This place is gorgeous!" Riley dropped her luggage and darted from room to room. "I can't believe we can afford something like this for our stay!"

Hana was puzzled as she turned about. The two bedroom beach house was not what she had booked for their stay. Knowing they would be here close to a month, she had gone for a plain, simple rental without any view whatsoever.

"This can't be right." She turned toward the agent. "We were going with the home on Fourth Street."

The agent shook her head. "You were upgraded by a Lady Lorelei Lee."

"My mother did this?!" Hana couldn't believe it. "Did she say why?"

"It was meant as a surprise and a sort of welcome she told me." The agent handed her the keys and told her to call of they had any other needs. "Enjoy your stay, Lady Hana."

Riley walked back into the entry hall as the woman curtsied.

"Hold up." Her smile held a lot of humor. "Was I supposed to be doing that this whole time?"

Hana rolled her eyes with a giggle. "No. It's just the custom here when one is related to a noble."

"That is so cool!" Riley dropped into a deep curtsey that made her wobble. "My lady."

Hana laughed while dragging her luggage further into the house. "I suppose I can't banish you to the kitchens since you now recognize my rank."

"I don't know." Riley pointed out the modern appliances. "I might be happier stuck in there."

"I can't believe my mother did this."

"Maybe this is her way of showing her support or make up for not showing it these last couple of years." Riley offered.

Hana paused outside the bedrooms. "I suppose that's one possibility. I would have preferred she simply tell am that instead of doing all this."

"Look on the bright side. Our videos are now going to be even more popular with this backdrop." Riley opened up the doors. "Which room you want?"

Both were master suites with a wall of windows looking out towards Cordonia's sapphire waters. The sun was beginning to set, adding a brilliant orange to the rich blue.

"I call the pink sands one!" Hana dashed into it, quickly throwing her luggage on the bed.

"Hey!" Riley doubled over laughing when Hana's momentum caused her to get tangled up in the straps and be buried under her bags.

The two friends had begun the tradition of claiming beds and rooms from their very first trip. Whoever's luggage touched a bed first, it was then hers for the rest of the vacation.

"Looks like I get the nautical theme." Riley hefted her bags and set them inside.

Her room was tastefully done in blues and whites. A bottled ship sat upon the dresser while a nearby table had an old map of the surrounding area embossed upon it.

She explored the large closet and bathroom, thrilled with the large shower with multiple shower heads to help ease the tension of a long day of filming.

"I don't think I'll ever want to leave." Riley called out. "You think we could just make this our new permanent base of operations?"

"We could ask, but I doubt we could afford it." Hana replied. "Besides, I thought you said all paths lead to New York."

"I say a lot of things." Riley giggled as she dumped her clothes on the bed. "You should know that better than anyone." She began to randomly toss her things in dresser drawers before losing all interest in this one tedious part of traveling.

She left her remaining pile of clothes and decided to check out Hana's room.

It was the same as hers yet themed more toward the beach. Riley bit back a smile at seeing Hana carefully unpack and hang her clothes one at a time. She didn't know how she had earned her friendship when they were so completely different.

She was truly grateful to have her as her best friend. No one encouraged or believed in her like Hana.

"Aren't you going to unpack?" Hana asked.

"I will." Riley paused when the phone on the nightstand began to ring.

Hana stared at it too in surprise. No one ever called them directly at the places they rented.

"It could be the agent." Riley told her as Hana picked it up.

"Hello?" Hana's eyes widened at the voice on the other end. "Mother! I don't know what to say. This is so generous to--who? Lord Beaumont?" She sat down on the edge of her bed. "He did? That is very kind of him, but we usually try and discover hidden gems for ourselves. I--no of course not!" Her head dropped. "I didn't mean to sound ungrateful--I mean--yes, but--yes mam."

Riley lifted an eyebrow when Hana placed the receiver down. "What's up?"

"Mother called upon an old friend of the family." Hana couldn't remember her ever mentioning this family before. "A Lord Maxwell Beaumont, brother to the current Duke of Ramsford, is going to be our guide around Cordonia during our visit."

"Whoa." Riley's brow furrowed. "The entire time?"

"Apparently." Hana's brow furrowed. "I don't know why she would insist on his company unless...oh no!" She dropped her head in her hands.

"What is it?" Riley sat down beside her and gently patted her back. "Hana?"

"I think she's trying to matchmake me to this Lord Beaumont!" Hana cried out. "She won't ever give me a chance to simply live my life as I see fit, will she?"

"He might actually be the kind of guy who loves showing off his country." Riley pointed out. "Even if your mother is hoping you two decide to marry, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Hana nodded, feeling her confidence return with Riley's reminder. "You're right. I'm certain I can rebuff any advances he might give."

"Don't rebuff him just yet." Riley teased. "We need to see the hotspots and he might be cute." She covered her face after Hana hit her with a pillow.

The pair fell into giggles once more as the excitement of discovering all that this country had took over once more.

They knew this would be a trip they would never forget.

Maxwell x Sherry moodboard.

[ashraful090]

The 60 Best Watches for Men 2020

The Esquire editors pick their favourite new and upcoming watches from big Swiss brands and under-the-radar newbies.The Esquire editors pick their favourite new and upcoming watches, including launches from Breitling, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Cartier.So named after the British explorer who discovered New Zealand, Rado's Captain Cook was first brought to life in the Sixties, and not aboard the ships of ponytailed colonists. And now, the archival piece is available in the enduring case material du jour – bronze – with a punchy forest green dial.

It's another set of features that sets the dive watch apart, and one that'll keep the Captain Cook in the good books: upon its release, Rado's dive watch was largely seen as one of the best in class. That hasn't changed much. And now, you can even get it on a Nato strap..It is a crying shame that Tag Heuer's Monaco – a watch that paid homage to the race track of Le Mans – was decommissioned for around 20 years. But following a re-release in 1998, it's slowly become one of the marque's marquee pieces. In 2020, they've managed to improve it still.

As part of a trio that made slight amendments to the current Monaco model, a black dial on black leather is as close to dress watch territory as a racing watch can park and better yet, the in-house Heuer 02 movement has enough juice for over 80 hours of action.Once upon a time, the industry wasn't centred in Switzerland. American manufacturing had a stake in the watch business too, rigging small town Main Street aesthetics with big impressive movements. Hamilton was at the forefront.

Now, it's re-released a 1968 archival piece for 2020. It's got impressive Swiss innards these days, yes, but in terms of what's on the outside, very little has changed. And that's a good thing. For all the opulence and extravagance of a diamond-laden automatic from the Jura, there's as much charm in an 'aw shucks' midwestern sensibility.A Rolex on the wrist is a serious investment. And thus, a serious watch. Though for all the commanding Wall Street presence of a big Day-Date, the industry's biggest marque is releasing watches that are a bit fun, a little bit more playful – watches just like the new Oyster Perpetual 36.

Quietly released just a few months ago, a tangerine dial on stainless steel is the off-duty Rolex collectors have long dreamt about, and better yet, it's no solo act: the Oyster Perpetual 36 sits within a larger collection of five watches in shades of candyfloss pink, forest green, sky blue and blood red.A Lange & Söhne is a connoisseur's watch brand. That's why it uses terms like 'rattrapante', confident that its clientele will know that it refers to a double chronograph that can record multiple time intervals at the same time. Taken from the French for 'catch up', it's a proper horologist's complication, the driving watch equivalent of a 600bhp V8 under the bonnet. And in the skilful hands of A Lange & Söhne, a piece of practical watchmaking becomes pure artistry, courtesy of a gold alloy that's said to be "considerably harder than platinum". We'll take their word for that.Without the deep blue sea, Oris wouldn't be able to make its big bold dive watches. And as such, the Swiss marque has a good habit of giving back to subaqueous charities. For its latest gesture: the Oris Hangang Limited Edition.

Released in tandem with the Korea Foundation for Environmental Movement, the Hangang Limited Edition siphons a section of its profits to a clean-up operation on the river of the same name – South Korea's second longest in fact. The piece is also as good as its intentions, with an automatic movement powering an emerald dial (inspired by the creeks of the Hangang's source) with an engraved caseback depicting the river's path across Korea.As one of the oldest watch marques in the whole wide world (if not the oldest, but that's up for debate), Vacheron Constantin is on the top shelf of Swiss watches. That's because they're known for wholly classic, hi-spec pieces. But that doesn't mean they're averse to New Things, though.

Case in point: the Overseas Self-Winding in pink gold. While previously gilding other models in rose gold, pink gold is defined by a smaller copper content, giving it a lighter blush and a subtle newness to the Overseas model. Factor in an impressive movement too (the splendid in-house caliber 5100) and here's a watch that plays to the well-worn strengths of Vacheron Constantin.

01

Apple Cyber Week deals: MacBook, Apple Watch, AirPods, more

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02

Apple Watch May Gain Breakthrough Health Feature, Patent Hints

Apple Watch Series 6 measures blood oxygen levels - will a future model monitor blood pressure, too? ... [+]

Apple

Since the first Apple Watch was launched, health and fitness have been front-and-center. So, the latest patents suggest a whole new capability may be about to be added: continuous blood pressure monitoring.

MORE FROM FORBESApple Reveals Its Highly-Anticipated Apple Watch Upgrade Is Almost HereBy David Phelan

Two patents have just been made public, as seen on Patently Apple, which indicate that Apple is working on adding this to the raft of features already on its smartwatches. The latest model, Apple Watch Series 6, measures blood oxygen level and can look out for atrial fibrillation and take an ECG reading. Several Apple Watches alert users if their heart rate is unusually high or low, offer sleep tracking and have a neat stress-reduction app called Breathe.

So, blood pressure monitoring would be a great next step. It wouldn’t quite be a first – Samsung has this feature in some of its smartwatches, but it has yet to be deployed conveniently or widely and requires calibration using a separate, standalone blood pressure monitor on a monthly basis.

The new arrivals are what are called continuation patents, which means the new ones are related to previous blood pressure monitoring patents which date as far back as 2014. In other words, Apple has been investigating this for quite some time.

The titles are, as is usual with this kind of thing, really catchy: "Electrical Coupling of Pulse Transit Time (PTT) Measurement System to Heart for Blood Pressure Measurement." Sounds like a real page-turner, no?

Some details of how the blood pressure monitoring might work on a future Apple Watch.

USPTO

The purpose of the patents is more interesting, including a focus on providing a continuous measurement in a non-invasive way, though the patents also suggest that two sensors will be required, only one of which would be the Apple Watch, with the other described merely as an electrode. The two together would be used so they are “processing the voltage levels to detect when a volume of blood is ejected from the left ventricle; processing output from a pulse arrival sensor coupled to the wrist-worn device to detect when a blood pressure pulse generated by ejection of the volume of blood from the left ventricle arrives at the wrist; calculating a pulse transit time (PTT) for transit of the blood pressure pulse from the left ventricle to the wrist; and determining one or more blood pressure values for the subject based on the PTT.”

All clear?

Well, that’s the point of these patents, to reveal enough for Apple to own the innovation without pinning things down too much.

MORE FROM FORBESApple Watch Series 7 To Have Innovative Features, Upgraded Design, Insider SaysBy David Phelan

Will the final feature, if it ever comes to fruition, involve multiple sensors, or could it, like the ECG feature in the Apple Watch, simply require a circle to be completed by the user touching a sensor in the digital crown with one hand while the sensor on the back of the Watch makes contact with the opposite arm?

The fact that Apple is considering multiple sensors reveals that this is a more complex operation going on here.

When will we see blood pressure monitoring in the Apple Watch? As with all patent applications, it’s impossible to say when, or even if, it will develop into a Watch feature.

But the fact that Apple has been working on patents in this area since 2014 tells you it’s put considerable resources into making it happen and the time could indicate that it will be in an Apple Watch sooner rather than later. As soon as Apple Watch Series 7, expected next Fall? Watch this space.

Follow me on Instagram by clicking here: davidphelantech and Twitter: @davidphelan2009

MORE FROM FORBESApple MacBook Air 2020 Review: Really, Who Needs The Pro?By David Phelan

03

The best Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals still available include $50 off the Series 6 and $20 off the SE

When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

• Cyber Monday 2020 Apple deals are still live, bringing some of the best prices of the year for highly coveted tech products like Apple Watches and AirPods.

• The $400 Apple Watch Series 6, released in September 2020, is $50 off at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target, while the $280 Apple Watch SE is down $20.

• Stores are offering deals on older Apple Watches, too, including $100 to $200 off the Apple Watch Series 5 at Best Buy, and $50 off the Apple Watch Series 3 at Target.

• Here are the best Cyber Monday deals we're tracking across the internet, all-day, every day.

The Apple Watch is the top smartwatch for iPhone users, combining heath and fitness tracking features with style and design. The latest wearrable tech can be expensive, but Cyber Monday has delivered deals on the newly released Apple Watch Series 6, along with older Apple Watch models, at multiple retailers.

Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have been offering discounts of $50 to $200 off the Apple Watch since Thanksgiving and Black Friday , and Cyber Monday might be the last chance to claim these deals during the 2020 holiday season.

If you're not sure which Apple Watch is best for you, we've broken down the features for each model in our Apple Watch buying guide, and reviewed each model separately. Business Insider's Apple reporter Lisa Eadiccio said the $280 Apple Watch SE is the best choice for most prospective buyers.

It's important to note that some color options and sizes have varying deals. We try to point out the best deals, but a color or size option you want may not be as low.

Apple's top $400 Series 6 model with all the bells and whistles is getting a $50 discount at the moment. It includes a fast processor inside and a new blood-oxygen sensor. This measures SpO2 levels to track your overall respiratory and cardiac health alongside the usual array of health and fitness tracking sensors and features.

You can read our full Apple Watch Series 6 review here.

If you're willing to buy a slightly older Apple Watch model for a deep discount, Best Buy is offering $100 off the standard Apple Watch Series 5 (now $329) and $200 off the version that uses mobile data (now $449).

The Series 5 is a model that Apple doesn't sell anymore, but it's still a great buy if you can get it for less than the Series 6. It's similar to the cheaper Apple Watch SE, but with an always-on display and advanced health capabilities like ECG monitoring that the SE doesn't.

But, you can easily argue that you don't really need the Series 5 or Series 4, as the more recent Apple Watch SE has similar specs and features, and its $280 retail price is already lower. Add in the $20 off deal we're seeing right now for Cyber Monday, and the SE becomes even more tempting.

You can read our full Apple Watch SE review here.

The Apple Watch SE is the perfect blend of features and affordability. This recently released Apple Watch is selling for $20 less than its usual price — which was already a bargain for all it offers.

And, if you're avoiding big price tags and looking for the core Apple Watch experience, the Apple Watch Series 3 will suit most people just fine. For a $200 retail price, it's already a good option for budget-conscious buyers. An extra $50 off sweetens the deal even further.

You can read our full Apple Watch Series 3 review here.

The Apple Watch Series 3 in aluminum is the perfect blend of style and functionality for an excellent price.

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at

[teeny-tiny-mousey]

How Cherry died- The story

This is my first time writing a story!

https://youtu.be/sIL2fuxlMkc- listen to this for the mood (thanks to @djstandsfordeadjockey for helping me find the theme song)

Key words: Reha is Starry's real name and Elisabeth is Cherry's real name. Both Starry and Cherry lived in Britain in the Victorian era.

Cherry changed their name to Cherry after they died. Mother is orange text, and Father is red text. Cherry is nonbinary, but when they were living with their parents, they were called a girl.

*Somewhere in Surrey, Britian* *the sounds of screaming and stuff being thrown can be heard inside one of the mansions* *there are doll parts, fabric, needles, and other things thrown all over the floor*

" How many times must we tell you this Elisabeth?! You follow what we say and when we say it! It's for your future! We know what's best for you! And that is to become a doll maker like me!"

"Your mother right! We want you to become famous like the rest of your family! You don't want to end up like the lower class or that Reha kid do you? You follow our rules and ideas and you'll never have to worry about anything! As long as you do what we say."

Cherry: " But I don't want to create anymore dolls! You've never once ask what I wanted to do or how I feel about this! You just pushed this into me because of my 'talent' and 'intrest' I showed when I was a baby! It's always about you, or money, or status! You even got rid of my only friend! I don't ever, want to create another doll for you or anyo-"

*Smack!!* *Cherry fall to the floor due to the force of the hit*

"Now you listen hear! WE know what's best for you! WE got a few of our friends to get rid of that freak because we knew IT would be a bad influence on you! And if we tell you to create those dolls you do it!....Maybe I should teach you a lesson you brat!" *grabs Cherry by the hair and drags them to a small room hidden from public view* *shoves Cherry into the room, closes and locks the door*

*from the other side* *muffled* "Now you will stay in there till we feel you've learned your lesson! And you can forget about dinner or any food for the time that your in there!"

*muffled* "Dear, don't you think this is a bit harsh? What about our reputation? People will start asking were she is! And if they find out what we've done, we'll lose everything!"

*muffled* "Don't worry my love. We'll just say she's visiting family for a short while! No one will ever know. And if they do somehow find out, we'll pay them to keep quiet. You know how desperate the lower class is for money."

Cherry: *slowly registers what happens and panics* *pounds on the door* *crying and yelling* Let me out! Please! You know I hate the dark! *pounding harder* Please! I'll listen and do what you say, just let me out! Mom? Dad?! Anyone?!"

*a few days has passed* *the door opens and the father walks in with a glass of water*

"Here. Drink this. Can't have you dying and ruin our reputation even more."

Cherry: *a bit weak from lack of water and food* *sitting on the floor* "Can I come out? I've learned my lesson, I promise. Just let me out! I'll do whatever you tell me too and never talk back!"

"....No. You will stay in here till I say otherwise. Now drink this so I can leave before I throw this at you!"

*Cherry quickly drinks the water and hands the glass back to the father* *The father walks out without saying another word and closes the door leaving Cherry in the dark*

*a few days later the father comes in, leaves a small bowl of water for Cherry on the floor, and then leaves and locks the door without ever saying a word*

*days turn into weeks and Cherry is getting weaker and weaker due to lack of food* *the water ran out two days ago, and no matter how much Cherry claws at the door, no one comes*

Cherry: *slowly clawing at the door, crying* Please...let me out... Anyone? *Cherry double overs due to the stomach pains* Ahh! *Cherry cries harder* Please! Let..me..out! *Cherry starts to get more and more tired* *sniffles* I should... just sleep for..a bit. Maybe that will...help..with...the pain......ya..sleep..sounds..like..a..good..idea. *Cherry slumps over*

*a few moments later, Cherry wakes up, but slowly realizes that they look different* Wha- *sees their body slumped over* No..nononono, this can't be! *Cherry starts crying* I can't be dead! My parents wouldn't let that happen! *cries harder* Nonono, this is a dream! I'll wake up soon, and everything will be alright! I just need to wake up! *tries to pinch themselves but it doesn't work* No! This can't, I can't be dead...my parents love me..right?*Cherry curls up in a corner and cries themselves to sleep*

*They woke up a few hours later and ran from the house* *It took a few weeks before Cherry accepted the fact that they were a ghost* *Cherry ended up wandering the alleyways for a bit before going into the forest*

*Unfortunately their body was never found as the parents had it and had it taken away secretly and burned* *They're parents never paid for their actions and has left Cherry with deep trust issues with adults, and a intense fear of small places and the dark*

*Cherry has never fully healed from their death and flinches at sudden movements or raised voices* *They always have some kind of light with them*

[miene-blaubeere]

After seven years we were finally leaving Hogwarts, a place that had basically been our home. Now that we were no longer students it was time to start organising our lives in the real world. However, there was plenty of time for that so now was are time to live a little more before adulthood took full effect. We had all decided to go to James' and meet up, we were most likely just going to end up frolicking around the local town. I apparated outside of James' house and knocked on the large door, after a short wait the door was opened to reveal the friendly face of Mrs Potter. Smiling kindly, she invited me into the house and told me that the other boys were up in James' room. As I made my way up I could already hear the loud voices of James and Sirius, I pushed the ajar door open further to see Sirius and James sat on the bed and Remus sat across from them in a comfortable, blue chair, all three of them roaring with laughter. I coughed, making my presence known, the three of them looked over smiling, "ah, how lovely of you to join us Miss L/N," Sirius grinned as I walked into the room making myself comfortable on the foot of the bed. I smiled and asked, " where's Wormtail then?" " Wormtail is currently MIA, none of us have heard a word from the guy since we got of the Hogwarts Express and promised to stay in touch." James said with a slightly bitter tone. Shrugging it off, we all just chatted catching up with the events of each of our lives, that is until a little more excitement was needed. Soon enough the four of us were heading for the front door, ready to cause a little marauder-like trouble. " No causing mayhem you four, you may have been able to get off lightly in Hogwarts but this is the real world, I do not want to hear that any of you have been arrested!" The voice of Mrs Potter could be heard from the kitchen, " don't worry mum, we'll be fine!" James shouted as the door closed.  We soon found ourselves in the local town, we were only just on the outskirts of the town so most of the area we were in was houses. The area was far too quiet for Sirius' liking so from his bag, which may or may not have had an extension charm on it, he pulled out his boom box. Down the street an influx of people could be seen making their way down a particular street, after closer inspection it was clear that this was a street party for the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II. " Oh I have the perfect song for this guys!" Sirius said with his signature grin. " Oh not this trash again," James whined, " Oh c'mon Jamesie, just because you're hung up on The Beatles doesn't mean you have to hate on this!" Sirius claimed as he set up the boom box as we got closer to the street party. " Excuse me Mr Sirius Black! Everyone will forever be 'hung up' on The Beatles as they are timeless and shall be loved forever!" James stated in a completely serious tone, myself and Remus chuckling at the antics that were going on in front of us. " Sure, sure, now listen to real music," as soon as Sirius stopped speaking out from the boom box the sound of God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols began playing and the guys and I rounded the corner of the street party, all eyes instantly going to us. Sirius put the boom box on the ground for a moment during the introduction to pull up the collar on his leather jacket, picking it up again as the lyrics began to play, Sirius singing along of course. Running down the neatly laid out tables covered in lovely foods, we were receiving some very unsavoury looks from the older people at the party who clearly understood the lyrics and the message they were putting forward. As we neared the end of the street Sirius leapt into the air and pulled down some Union Jack bunting. " That wasn't very patriotic," I breathed out, catching my breath from the running as we stood together, a couple of streets over from the party. The three boys all started laughing as they also caught their breath. We soon made it into the centre of town, shops dotted all around, muggles everywhere. The buzz of life in the area was exciting, especially because it was an experience I was experiencing with my best friends. We dawdled around for a while before entering a corner shop to look around in. After a short while of being in there a familiar song began to play on the radio, after waiting for the perfect moment all hell was let loose in that shop. "I see a little silhouetto of a man," I spoke out, " Scaramouch, Scaramouch will you do the fandango?" the boys shouted out and yet still be somewhat reserved. We continued singing, remaining calm and not going too overboard. With every verse however, we seemed to increase in our performance. As soon as that instrumental hit we went insane. Running around, shouting lyrics - the shop assistant looked pretty scared to be honest. Soon enough the music slowed down and we all stood there swaying side to side. Through the tranquillity of the song the instantly recognisable sound of police sirens could be heard. We all looked at each other with concern written across our faces, Remus dragged us all into a corner of the shop where the assistant couldn't see us and in a flash we were gone, Remus had apparated us away. " We're just lucky that I saw that that place didn't have surveillance cameras otherwise we'd all be screwed." Remus said as we all stepped away from each other. I looked around at where we were and it seemed we'd ended up on the other side of the town centre. " Yeah but you can't deny that that was fun Moony, I know you were having a great time," James smirked, " I never said it wasn't fun," Remus smiled widely. Before anyone could say anything else Sirius had shouted " Bingo!" Confused, we all turned to see what he was looking at, it turned out Remus had quite conveniently apparated us to the outside of an off-licence. Sirius was looking up at the shop rubbing his hands together. " Sirius I am not becoming a day drinker," I told Sirius pointedly, " C'mon Y/N it's 7, that's hardly day drinking," I rolled my eyes with a small smile and without replying I pulled Sirius' jacket, dragging him into the off-licence. I didn't miss the smirk that spread across his annoying little face. We each gathered some beers, I had never drank muggle alcohol before considering we were all fairly new to being eighteen.  After we bought the drinks, flashing the shop assistant our IDs, we made our way back onto the streets having a couple of drinks. Sirius got ahead on the drinking so he got pretty out of it pretty quickly, we stumbled down a street and before us stood a massive pair of gates with a sign on one saying 'SCRAPYARD' in front of these gates sat a banged up old car. Quickly, Sirius ran over to the car throwing open the door and jumping into the drivers seat. Remus, James and I looked at each other with confusion before approaching the drivers side window, Sirius was sat there trying to get the car started. "Padfoot, what the hell are you doing?" James laughed opening the door. " I'm getting us outta here!" Sirius whispered loudly, we all began laughing loudly as Sirius was obviously missing the key reason he wouldn't be able to get this car moving. " Sirius, do you know what one of the main components of a car that allow it to roll along is?" Remus chuckled, Sirius seemed to contemplate Remus' words. " Haha, look at the cogs going round in that little head of his!" James erupted in laugher causing more laughter to spill out of Remus and I, there was a loud scratching noise from behind us and a beam of light followed by a deep voice shouting 'Oi! Who's out there!?' In a flash James had yanked Sirius out the car and was dragging him down the street as we ran, " Oh there aren't any wheels on the car!" Sirius shouted as he got a better look of the outside of the car. Shaking our heads, we laughed as we darted around a corner, James grabbed onto me and Remus put his hand on James' arm and we were quickly apparated away once again. We appeared in a clearing in a forest near the town, as Remus and I sat down with a slightly sobered up Sirius, James went off to collect some wood to start a fire. We sat around for about two hours just chatting, light drinking and just having a good time together. " Okay guys, lets knock this up a gear shall we, who's up for a game of truth or dare?" Sirius smirked as the rest of us cheered. The game had lasted a while, Remus had revealed that he had never kissed anyone and James dashed out in front of a car as his animagus having a classic deer in headlights moment. Sirius then turned to me and asked the title question of truth or dare, I decided to go relatively safe with truth. " Okay then Miss Y/N L/N, you've never really revealed a special someone to us before so tell us, who's Y/Ns crush?" All the Marauders we watching me with an intrigued look on their faces, " Well..." James. " If you must know... It's James," I muttered, keeping my head down. With my head still hanging down, I heard the unmistakable cheering of James Potter. Hastily, my head shot up and I saw James running in out of trees. Coming to a quick halt James sat down right beside me and said, " do you really mean that Y/N?" " Of course I do, do you remember in fifth year when I got hit by a bludger in our Quidditch match against Slytherin?" I asked, James nodded, " yeah, and I stayed with you in the hospital wing at any moment I had free," James told me smiling bashfully. " Well that's when I finally made the connection of all my feelings, you were definitely more than my best friend at that point." I informed him, getting shy towards the end my head falling back down. I felt my head being pulled back and my face was a mere inch away from James', I found myself getting lost in the beautiful eyes that were behind his glasses, I didn't even notice our faces getting closer until I felt our lips connect. As the kiss deepened Sirius decided to open his big mouth, " okay guys calm down, there are young innocent eyes watching!" Pulling away from each other, we looked over to Sirius wear he was covering Remus' eyes. We all started laughing and I spent the rest of the evening secure in James' arms. Sirius. " My crush just happens to be you Sirius," I smirked confidently over at the person who had asked the question. Sirius looked briefly shocked but as usual he recovered quickly and worn his classic smirk once again, " well who could blame you darlin'?" and he was completely right, no one could blame me. It was inevitable really, after all the times Sirius had sort fooled around, the odd kiss here and there, the flirting, all of it never coming to anything. " Sirius, after all the times we've gotten close and I mean close did you really expect me not to feel something for you?" I said getting slightly annoyed at the cocky look on his face. His face seemed to soften as he shuffled his way over to sit beside me. " You say that you couldn't help feeling something for me because of how close we are however I couldn't help falling for you from every look you ever gave me." Sirius whispered into my ear, I turned my head to look at him and all I could see was a genuine look of adoration on his face. Slowly we both began to move in for a kiss however there was something suddenly blocking our lips from connecting, that thing was my finger on his lips. " If you think you're getting there so easily now you are sorely mistaken," I told him moving away from him completely, the sound of James and Remus laughing in the background was heard as Sirius wore a very disgruntled face. Remus. " Um... my crush is actually Remus," I mumbled looking over at the boy himself, the werewolf had gone a bright shade of red, not saying anything. My nerves began to increase as time began to drag out as I was getting no reaction from Remus. The space was basically silent, no sound other than the warm crackle of the fire and the rustle of the leaves on the trees as they blew in the wind. All on their own, my legs seemed to get up and just run away. Off into the forest I ran, not looking back. I sat up against a tree and tears just began to flow down my face. My sniffles filled the space I was in until I heard a snap from beside me, instantly my head went up and looked over to where the sound had come from and saw the sandy haired boy I had just admitted my crush to. Without saying a word he came over and sat down beside me with his knees pulled up against his chest like mine were. Neither of us spoke for a moment until out of no where Remus' voice broke the silence, " do you remember when you ran into the common room crying because some of the other girls were being horrible in third year?" I nodded, still not looking at Remus, "the other guys were busy being stuck in detention so it was just you and me and we had a long conversation about everything that was going on and it spiralled into just talking about all the random rubbish we loved," I finally looked up and caught his eye, " from then on my feelings for you only grew- and... um," Remus began to mumble as he didn't know what to do from there, effectively shutting him up I pressed our lips together. Shocked at first, Remus froze but soon began to naturally melt into it, before anything more could happen the sound of Sirius and James cheering could be heard, "FINALLY!"

[runfreeblogs]

The Beast By Jesyra Micca Hombre

"What's your name? did the monster catch you too?" said by Chloe

Isn't it obvious? anna replied.

I'm Chloe "she held out her hand to get to know her properly.

"I’m Anna "

"We have to escape here as soon as possible or the monster will eat us"

“And how can we escape it?

"Pull the rope that was tied to my hands I've already removed it".

Anna pulled the tie on Chloe’s hands so after that she was the one got released.

"This is our plan. We'll still pretend to be tied up while he's awake. Later when s

he's asleep, we'll slowly come out." Chloe said.

Anna just nodded. She looked closely at companion's face to see if she's going to trust her.

“How did you get caught by the monster? Chloe asked again.

"I got lost in the forest last night. I wanted to take a shortcut but I made a mistake and got stuck

here. I didn't know there was a monster here. He immediately hit me with a hard object on my

head so I fainted. Then I woke up. here. How about you? "anna replied.

“Like you I also want to find a fast way to get home because there is too much traffic on the

main highway. But my car is flat in the middle of the forest. I was shocked when someone

suddenly hit my head so I lost consciousness”.

They find time to escape as the monster begins to sleep.

The two women enter a huge cave in silence. They must get out of their dungeon or the demon

that abducted them and will eat them. They took small steps to the ground to avoid making a

sound. They had a chance to flee when they discovered the large room’s door had been left

open. They were able to escape danger by moving slowly. They walked slowly and cautiously,

keeping an eye out for the beast lurking in the distance.

“We’re about to get out, Anna,” Chloe said softly. “We can get out of this demonic place in just a

few steps.”

Anna simply nodded in agreement with Chloe’s statement, unsure of what she would say in

response. “Yes, you are right, but if we keep in this manner, it will take us nine hours. We haven’t even left

the house yet the beast will swallow us for the rest of our lives” she indicated what she was

referring to with a finger thumb.

Chloe sighed as she heard what her friend had to say.

There seems to be an emphasis on Anna’s comment, as though she is being irritated or

angered.

Despite the fact that they had only been together for two days and Chloe didn’t know Anna very

well, she attempted to make friends with her, despite her suspicions that she was being plastic

on her.

“However, this is the only way out. I do want to live for my family, and I’m sure that’s what you

want as well.” Chloe had just respond Anna.

Anna didn’t respond and just stared at it intently.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk; we’ll be out of here soon”

Chloe began to walk slowly, while Anna remained stationary and watched the woman walk.

Something clicked in her head, allowing her to quickly flee without having to walk slowly.

How many times has she thought about it. She thought that when she left Chloe the monster’s

attention would turn to her. She also doesn’t know it very well so it’s okay for her a to eat and kill

it by the monster. Anna has no friends so any good treatment Chloe has with her doesn’t matter.

She started living alone when her mother pimped her and his father left him. Anna has no one to

trust but herself. So when she met Chloe since the monster captured them, she didn’t accept

her friendship.

Many times she has known some people who she thinks are trustworthy but she was wrong.

She was a traitor to those who became her friends several times. So since then she has been

trust only herself because she thinks the people around her are enemies .

Deep inside ,Chloe even though this is how she interacts with her . she knows that Anna has

still a good heart.

Anna was well aware that she was a bad girl. She enjoys sabotaging other family members’

relationships, she also has a powerful propensity to discriminate against others, even though they do nothing to her and most importantly, she refuses to apologize, even though it was her

fault. All evil deeds she believe she are doing something positive. It’s just good for her.

She doesn’t care what other people say she just wants to hurt feelings. When she sees the

person who cried because of her, it seems that she has the courage to continue what she is

doing. Everything she went through when she was young she poured out on people who

showed kindness to her.

She was prepared to do this so that she could flee as soon as possible. As Chloe takes her time

walking. Anna dashed over to it as soon as she could. It made a significant noise, and Chloe

was taken aback. The monster with the terrifying appearance and large ears was startled and

turned to face the source of the noise.

The monster, on the other hand, quickly goes to Chloe who is now weak and asks for help.

Anna ignored her and the woman finally left the room. She even locked the door so that the

monster could not get out. She was still smiling and she was happy with what she had done

because she had saved herself.

She tried to look at Chloe, who was now being held by the beast, before leaving. She is now

weeping and pleading for her assistance, but Anna has humiliated her

When the monster’s ear tingled from hearing Chloe’s cries one after another, he bit it and

chewed it rudely. The woman’s blood splattered all over the monster’s face, which it then

sucked before devouring Chloe’s entire body. The monster even gave a stern look to Anna as

she watched. It lunged at her, but Anna bolted, hearing only a monster scream as she crossed

the road.

With a smile on her face, she walked down the long corridor for over an hour. She was not

angry with herself because she had made it through. She had no remorse for what she had

done, and she felt invincible. Anna saw the silver door in the distance. It appears to be the

escape from the location where she was abducted. When she exclaimed, “You’re the best girl

Anna!” she quickly flipped the door handle.

Her mouth stayed open after she screamed, and her eyes almost shot out in surprise. Her hair

went up all over her body and her legs trembled as she saw what she saw.

She mistook the safe spot for the hideout of another monster who had just abducted them. More

than a hundred creatures were now looking at her, and their bodies were clearly still sleeping.

Anna didn’t do anything else. She has no other choice but to face life because she is now

surrounded by monsters that are salivating and waiting to pounce.

It’s too late for her to escape. She looks like a mannequin because she didn’t know how to run

and get away from that place.

All the monsters in that room were already staring at her and any moment she was ready to be

ate . They also started walking on her spot so all she could do was close her eyes and wait for

the imminent death.

She regretted so much that if she had just listened to her friend that they would walk slowly and

at least they would definitely be able to escape safely. She didn’t think that because of her

greediness she would be even more humble.

It was too late for her to make amends for her behavior. She hopes she doesn’t scream. “I’m

hoping I didn’t betray Chloe. I’m hoping I don’t just become selfish “. Since she realized, she

knew that when the monsters comes out, their true ferocity comes out.

She started to be dragged by monsters who seemed to be fighting over who or what part of the

woman’s body they were going to eat. That room looked like a fiesta because they ate Anna.

She didn’t expect that she would die at that place because she was very confident in herself that

she could leave safely. While monsters feasting on her body, anna just cried because she had

done nothing.

Anna did nothing but shout and ask for help even though she knew vaguely that someone else

had helped her. Crying and shouting filled that room, the monsters were overjoyed as they

crushed the body full of blood and scattered the remains of the woman’s body

[chaoticcheesecakefox-blog]

Poem Details

| by

Connie Marcum Wong

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A Divine Cascade

Glist'ing drops Splashing into fine mist— I become one with the waterfall. Feeling joy As droplets kiss my face And enter my soul’s most sacred place. Crystalline, Anointing me with love, Sustaining all life forms on the Earth. Gratitude For each divine droplet; A cascading veil of purity. © Connie Marcum Wong Contest: Some Form of Crystalline sponsored by Nette Onclaud November 3, 2014

Poem Details

| by

Kristopher Higgs

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While You Sleep

While you sleep I tell you all of the things I keep inside throughout day. Now that you can hear but not listen I find them much easier to say. My hopes, my dreams, my fears, and everything in between Your subconscious hears so keen, or so it seems. My tongue is soft; I speak so sweetly Knowing your reaction will never greet me. Tonight will be different in what I want you to know. It has everything to do with what I can’t help but show. I hold no claim to any religion but you’ve given me a place for my faith. Somewhere it will never stale or lose its lavish taste. You’ve shown me something I can see, touch, and feel, And so before it I choose to kneel. I know I don’t say it but I miss you every day. Sitting, thinking of the perfect words to be my choice, Yet when you call I can’t find any of the right words to say. I’m just happy to finally hear your voice. Even just a moment is enough to sooth my heavy heart; Fearing the ends of conversations knowing we’ll have to part. I’ll never be too far from you, always within arm’s reach, And in your days of darkness I’ll be the light that you will seek. I’ll never let you leave too far from me, I’ll stay close behind you in this world; Secretly protecting what is mine, you will always be my girl. I only want the best for you so the best of me I will employ. Faithfully yours, I will always be your boy. I close my eyes and kiss your soft sweet lips And see the very best of you in loving bliss. I see past the physical which makes you attractive And focus on the things I can’t see in which I’m attracted. Your thoughts I’d love to hear them all. Of the things you speak disinterest never makes its call. My day will come, I know someday I’ll be the only one. And you I will pursue viciously, Because I’ve given you the greatest gift I can give, to love unconditionally. Yes our day will come, I know someday we’ll be as one. And you I will pursue viciously, Because I’ve given you the greatest gift I can give… to love unconditionally.

Poem Details

| by

humble b

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LOVE, ANGELS, and MUSIC

LOVE God is always love Forever seek the kingdom; Praise the creator Keep giving what you can give Please endure until the end ANGELS Beautiful Heavens Protecting the meek ones earth Watching over us Helping us to cope with life Comforted with hope and trust MUSIC When you find rhythm You find your hearts inner core Celebrate the times Make them better than before Reminisce and dance all night

Poem Details

| by

Connie Gildersleeve

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Intoxicating wordless Sound

Seeking the solace in its voice As it sings and serenades. Intoxicating wordless sound Carried along on air currents, Transforms wind to song. Mellow notes with breathless voice Plays like a lovers embrace. Deep earthy sounds perceived by ear. Romancing my heart through song, An alluring sound from the flute.

Poem Details

| by

Jeremy Street

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Cut By The Knife

I am young I am old I am soft I am bold I can laugh I can cry I can quit Still, I can try Days they pass Turn to night Then come dreams Lost in flight Can't change the world Can't stop the rain But if I could I would end all of the pain For I am one In all that exist Throughout the years Throughout the mist Yet here comes my chance Or so goes my life Caught by the windmill.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....Cut by the knife ~

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

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Princess Philomena 1

She who is the light and hope in love complete I kneel in your grace A story that really gripped me deeply as my mother told me with such pride in her voice Protectress of the most Holy living rosary she has preformed countless miracles A young virgin who was martyred at the age of 13 She willingly gave her life to the heavenly sacrifice daughter of light you shine heroic Blessed with the virtues of purity,obedience and humility the anchor of hope in deep dark despair I promised someone really dear to me precious in my heart with love to write this story She was the daughter of a prince stunning beautiful coming from a small state in Greece who her family became Christians in baptism she became the daughter off, light One day while in the city the family went for an audience with the great emperor, when he saw her he appeared possessed in his mannerism during the whole time within conversations Now her father was dazzled with his honor he willingly accepted his proposal of marriage her father and mother tried everything to induce her to yield to their demands she turned to them and said I never break a promise once made in the one she had made to Jesus saying her virginity belongs to him No longer can I dispose of it They tried everything in their power her father began attacking her in his own shame in violent rage and anger and her mother tried to induce her to yield they tried everything with her that was possibly know to them Until both her parents fell on their knees begging with tears that were overwhelming their eyes pleading with her to please take pity on them No was her answer final on the subject she had vowed herself to God and her kingdom is in Heaven She was brought before the emperor at the time he flew into a mad violent fit of anger mixed with rage influenced by the devil himself He flung her into the palace prison thinking to himself with pain and suffering and with great shame in her courage he constantly attacked her some which were almost fatal to her purity of blessing had it not been for the hand and grace of God Her prayers supported her those she made to the love of Jesus and to her most holy mother with her only son now being held in captivity 37 days in total always in a heavenly mist of light Our Blessed most Holy Mother supreme through the eyes of all women bride of our Lord the Father God the creator our Blessed Mother appeared in a vision this story continues on next write 3 chapters this all held me captive

Poem Details

| by

Ingrid Showalter Swift

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The Most beautiful Place

O Most beautiful of places like a whisper read me..if you read me...in hushed tones "Lace and fineness" not for me Sweet salty sea and a sand colored shore the lines are long..slender.smooth..an ever horizon upon which I rise the hills and valleys are silken paleness sheened by light a channel runs down the middle to a small perfect fount into which I dip my spirit and am purified baptized...cleansed of all earthly things I rest..but for a moment for there is a mysterious forest beyond plush..warm and verdant and beyond that..lies the source of all evil..and good I am Eve I am the garden... and you are my soul's seed..the forbidden apple that awakens I am the ocean ...come to rock me you turn me from stone to ice...from ice to rain...from rain to river...from river to sea...from sea to light...from light to dark...from dark to illuminati that I may forever rise and rise again upon your perfect pale shore and come to understand...the true value of all things

Poem Details

| by

Al Parry

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Hugs

Teenage Girls clad in the latest fashions, Do it whenever they meet, Grown men aren't afraid to show some passion, When their team's comeback is complete, They can say hello, they can say goodbye, And anything inbetween, If you open your arms and crack a smile, There is nothing that a hug cannot mean.

Poem Details

| by

Timothy Jacks

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SPECIAL FORCES

I ain't like nothing you ever heard before I tell you what when I get done we'll see if you still feel the same know im known, you know i spread all my love around and what you looking for drugs sorry i dont sell them U know where im from we do it all different kind of ways got some good friends still, then i got some old friends that aint worth a shit even though they say old friends are gold Well maybe if your an old friend of mine you could show me then sliver is refined new friends come and shine their lights on my dark path and they love me even though im a smart ass so stick around hell it ain't hell its a pretty nice town  Hillsboro, Tx Oh hold those doubts and false thoughts about me down in the valley in the shadow of darkness i walk with men, i talk with them some fathers  some a couple hardheads but they all good men or they would'nt walk with me we got a team boy we talking serious we furious, you feel our spirits when we put your ass in mental check

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

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Precious Gem

My rock that sparkles on arrival emotions swell inside warm dewdrops Leaving the gates open from my mind drawing from out of this dream golden a beautiful runway opens sparkling Sweetly flying to you my heart pure lights up within breathing deep loving Warmly sighs feelings so good loving somebody so special very hot beautiful who smiles dazzling lights up wrote in 9 syllable count a beautiful cloud that hangs 10 lines to represent something perfect

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

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Flying with the wind

Over the sea galloping upon waves in the swift uplifting rush of the tide Chariots of fire blush red the rose swept up by the whirlwind holding a breathless whisper Upon these foundations the rock stands sings out one bird of valuable beauty sweet music echoing deeply through the voice of a Heavenly choir Oh gracious gemstone you are the fruit of loves light who pierces the deepest crevices of one's mind In a castle of dreams fringed with gold bring me a bow of burning incense Fragrantly it blossoms in the mind Consuming divine fire I come and bow down to your Heavenly being (Unrhymed Quatrain) Co written by Maria Mc Laughlin and Liam Mc Daid

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

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Baptism Of Faith

A symbol of our creation is the birth of love One heavenly gesture complete encompassing one's heart In divine purity embraces the darkness with warm light within our spiritual being Unrhymed tercets

Poem Details

| by

Nina Mindova

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Sea impression

                                Wave a sea softened                  and a pain and a tenderness                   throw dreams in fascination                   of the blue.                   And let shave the waves of                   Your eternity , oh, weigh                    above me,                    oh,weigh a  coast of years.                    Carry far in azure, spiral                    ships,                    with bulging little abdomens,                    flutter with mahagony pinions                    and already in vain  expect you                    to stop the scales harbours                    with hot flames for You are                    open.                    Far away, far away ,far away,                    stretched string,                    heart and frank await the                    hymn of June.                    All sea sisters are dressed in                    mother-of-pearl garment                    embroidered of kiss of                    eternity                    In the morning hunts them                    fishermen and revive with                    breath of their man’s hands.                    In the evening girls wash

[chaoticcheesecakefox-blog]

Poem Details

| by

Connie Marcum Wong

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A Divine Cascade

Glist'ing drops Splashing into fine mist— I become one with the waterfall. Feeling joy As droplets kiss my face And enter my soul’s most sacred place. Crystalline, Anointing me with love, Sustaining all life forms on the Earth. Gratitude For each divine droplet; A cascading veil of purity. © Connie Marcum Wong Contest: Some Form of Crystalline sponsored by Nette Onclaud November 3, 2014

Poem Details

| by

Kristopher Higgs

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While You Sleep

While you sleep I tell you all of the things I keep inside throughout day. Now that you can hear but not listen I find them much easier to say. My hopes, my dreams, my fears, and everything in between Your subconscious hears so keen, or so it seems. My tongue is soft; I speak so sweetly Knowing your reaction will never greet me. Tonight will be different in what I want you to know. It has everything to do with what I can’t help but show. I hold no claim to any religion but you’ve given me a place for my faith. Somewhere it will never stale or lose its lavish taste. You’ve shown me something I can see, touch, and feel, And so before it I choose to kneel. I know I don’t say it but I miss you every day. Sitting, thinking of the perfect words to be my choice, Yet when you call I can’t find any of the right words to say. I’m just happy to finally hear your voice. Even just a moment is enough to sooth my heavy heart; Fearing the ends of conversations knowing we’ll have to part. I’ll never be too far from you, always within arm’s reach, And in your days of darkness I’ll be the light that you will seek. I’ll never let you leave too far from me, I’ll stay close behind you in this world; Secretly protecting what is mine, you will always be my girl. I only want the best for you so the best of me I will employ. Faithfully yours, I will always be your boy. I close my eyes and kiss your soft sweet lips And see the very best of you in loving bliss. I see past the physical which makes you attractive And focus on the things I can’t see in which I’m attracted. Your thoughts I’d love to hear them all. Of the things you speak disinterest never makes its call. My day will come, I know someday I’ll be the only one. And you I will pursue viciously, Because I’ve given you the greatest gift I can give, to love unconditionally. Yes our day will come, I know someday we’ll be as one. And you I will pursue viciously, Because I’ve given you the greatest gift I can give… to love unconditionally.

Poem Details

| by

humble b

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LOVE, ANGELS, and MUSIC

LOVE God is always love Forever seek the kingdom; Praise the creator Keep giving what you can give Please endure until the end ANGELS Beautiful Heavens Protecting the meek ones earth Watching over us Helping us to cope with life Comforted with hope and trust MUSIC When you find rhythm You find your hearts inner core Celebrate the times Make them better than before Reminisce and dance all night

Poem Details

| by

Connie Gildersleeve

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Intoxicating wordless Sound

Seeking the solace in its voice As it sings and serenades. Intoxicating wordless sound Carried along on air currents, Transforms wind to song. Mellow notes with breathless voice Plays like a lovers embrace. Deep earthy sounds perceived by ear. Romancing my heart through song, An alluring sound from the flute.

Poem Details

| by

Jeremy Street

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Cut By The Knife

I am young I am old I am soft I am bold I can laugh I can cry I can quit Still, I can try Days they pass Turn to night Then come dreams Lost in flight Can't change the world Can't stop the rain But if I could I would end all of the pain For I am one In all that exist Throughout the years Throughout the mist Yet here comes my chance Or so goes my life Caught by the windmill.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....Cut by the knife ~

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

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Princess Philomena 1

She who is the light and hope in love complete I kneel in your grace A story that really gripped me deeply as my mother told me with such pride in her voice Protectress of the most Holy living rosary she has preformed countless miracles A young virgin who was martyred at the age of 13 She willingly gave her life to the heavenly sacrifice daughter of light you shine heroic Blessed with the virtues of purity,obedience and humility the anchor of hope in deep dark despair I promised someone really dear to me precious in my heart with love to write this story She was the daughter of a prince stunning beautiful coming from a small state in Greece who her family became Christians in baptism she became the daughter off, light One day while in the city the family went for an audience with the great emperor, when he saw her he appeared possessed in his mannerism during the whole time within conversations Now her father was dazzled with his honor he willingly accepted his proposal of marriage her father and mother tried everything to induce her to yield to their demands she turned to them and said I never break a promise once made in the one she had made to Jesus saying her virginity belongs to him No longer can I dispose of it They tried everything in their power her father began attacking her in his own shame in violent rage and anger and her mother tried to induce her to yield they tried everything with her that was possibly know to them Until both her parents fell on their knees begging with tears that were overwhelming their eyes pleading with her to please take pity on them No was her answer final on the subject she had vowed herself to God and her kingdom is in Heaven She was brought before the emperor at the time he flew into a mad violent fit of anger mixed with rage influenced by the devil himself He flung her into the palace prison thinking to himself with pain and suffering and with great shame in her courage he constantly attacked her some which were almost fatal to her purity of blessing had it not been for the hand and grace of God Her prayers supported her those she made to the love of Jesus and to her most holy mother with her only son now being held in captivity 37 days in total always in a heavenly mist of light Our Blessed most Holy Mother supreme through the eyes of all women bride of our Lord the Father God the creator our Blessed Mother appeared in a vision this story continues on next write 3 chapters this all held me captive

Poem Details

| by

Ingrid Showalter Swift

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The Most beautiful Place

O Most beautiful of places like a whisper read me..if you read me...in hushed tones "Lace and fineness" not for me Sweet salty sea and a sand colored shore the lines are long..slender.smooth..an ever horizon upon which I rise the hills and valleys are silken paleness sheened by light a channel runs down the middle to a small perfect fount into which I dip my spirit and am purified baptized...cleansed of all earthly things I rest..but for a moment for there is a mysterious forest beyond plush..warm and verdant and beyond that..lies the source of all evil..and good I am Eve I am the garden... and you are my soul's seed..the forbidden apple that awakens I am the ocean ...come to rock me you turn me from stone to ice...from ice to rain...from rain to river...from river to sea...from sea to light...from light to dark...from dark to illuminati that I may forever rise and rise again upon your perfect pale shore and come to understand...the true value of all things

Poem Details

| by

Al Parry

|  

Hugs

Teenage Girls clad in the latest fashions, Do it whenever they meet, Grown men aren't afraid to show some passion, When their team's comeback is complete, They can say hello, they can say goodbye, And anything inbetween, If you open your arms and crack a smile, There is nothing that a hug cannot mean.

Poem Details

| by

Timothy Jacks

|  

SPECIAL FORCES

I ain't like nothing you ever heard before I tell you what when I get done we'll see if you still feel the same know im known, you know i spread all my love around and what you looking for drugs sorry i dont sell them U know where im from we do it all different kind of ways got some good friends still, then i got some old friends that aint worth a shit even though they say old friends are gold Well maybe if your an old friend of mine you could show me then sliver is refined new friends come and shine their lights on my dark path and they love me even though im a smart ass so stick around hell it ain't hell its a pretty nice town  Hillsboro, Tx Oh hold those doubts and false thoughts about me down in the valley in the shadow of darkness i walk with men, i talk with them some fathers  some a couple hardheads but they all good men or they would'nt walk with me we got a team boy we talking serious we furious, you feel our spirits when we put your ass in mental check

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

|  

Precious Gem

My rock that sparkles on arrival emotions swell inside warm dewdrops Leaving the gates open from my mind drawing from out of this dream golden a beautiful runway opens sparkling Sweetly flying to you my heart pure lights up within breathing deep loving Warmly sighs feelings so good loving somebody so special very hot beautiful who smiles dazzling lights up wrote in 9 syllable count a beautiful cloud that hangs 10 lines to represent something perfect

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

|  

Flying with the wind

Over the sea galloping upon waves in the swift uplifting rush of the tide Chariots of fire blush red the rose swept up by the whirlwind holding a breathless whisper Upon these foundations the rock stands sings out one bird of valuable beauty sweet music echoing deeply through the voice of a Heavenly choir Oh gracious gemstone you are the fruit of loves light who pierces the deepest crevices of one's mind In a castle of dreams fringed with gold bring me a bow of burning incense Fragrantly it blossoms in the mind Consuming divine fire I come and bow down to your Heavenly being (Unrhymed Quatrain) Co written by Maria Mc Laughlin and Liam Mc Daid

Poem Details

| by

liam mcdaid

|  

Baptism Of Faith

A symbol of our creation is the birth of love One heavenly gesture complete encompassing one's heart In divine purity embraces the darkness with warm light within our spiritual being Unrhymed tercets

Poem Details

| by

Nina Mindova

|  

Sea impression

                                Wave a sea softened                  and a pain and a tenderness                   throw dreams in fascination                   of the blue.                   And let shave the waves of                   Your eternity , oh, weigh                    above me,                    oh,weigh a  coast of years.                    Carry far in azure, spiral                    ships,                    with bulging little abdomens,                    flutter with mahagony pinions                    and already in vain  expect you                    to stop the scales harbours                    with hot flames for You are                    open.                    Far away, far away ,far away,                    stretched string,                    heart and frank await the