#Marathon COunty crash

[wausaupilot]

UPDATED: 1 dead in Marathon County semi vs. vehicle crash

Lanes are blocked in all directions as of early Friday afternoon:

Wausau Pilot & Review UPDATED, 2:28 p.m. – One person is dead after a two-vehicle crash Friday involving a semi tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle, according to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department. In a news release issued Friday afternoon, police said the crash was reported at about 10:25 a.m. near the intersection of Hwy. 153 and County Hwy. E in the town of Eau Pleine. One driver…

[eddies-whoreee]

Will you be continuing 'I can make you Scream?'

Ch.3 - The County Fair

Series Summary: There has been a recent string of your murders in your small town. Everyone, including you, is freaking out. You and your friends stay close together, as time goes on the murders get more and more closer to you and the people you know. Soon you find out that the killer is who you least suspect and everything is not what it seems. You find yourself in a situation that you never thought would be possible, how will it end?

CW : swearing, Tommy, and I think that’s it!!

Eddie drags you to the bumper carts, as you guys are waiting in line you feel a tap on your shoulder. You look back as does Eddie. "Hey sweetheart, see you downgraded to the freak" Tommy says with a laugh, you roll your eyes. "Fuck off Tommy this is getting real pathetic" you snap at him. "Oh, please the only thing pathetic is this beauty and the beast shit" he states gesturing at the two of you.

"You're the beast by the way" Tommy tells Eddie. "Hey, don't you have a girlfriend?" Eddie asks in a bitter tone. "Yeah? What about it" Tommy responds crossing his arms. "Why are you still worried about Y/n." Eddie questions giving Tommy a shove. You gasp slightly, Tommy is pulled back by someone. "Hey! Walk away or else" Steve tells him shoving Tommy out of line. Tommy scoffs fixing his jacket and walking off.

"You guys okay?" Steve asks worriedly. "Aww worried about me Stevie" Eddie replies with a smirk. Steve rolls his eyes, "more so Y/n" Steve tells him playfully shoving Eddie's arm. Stacey comes up hugging Steve from behind poking her head out the side of him. "He's a jerk" Stacey says with a huff. You all move forward in the line. As Stacey and Steve have their own conversation.

You can tell Eddie is more quiet that usual. "Hey Eds, you know if we were dating you would be a total upgrade, right?" You speak looking at him. His face lights up and a smile creeps on his face. "Ya think so? You know I'm a freak, and apparently a beast" he states in a playful tone. You wrap your arms around his waist looking at him, then his lips. "Those all can be good things" you state with a devilish smirk. His smile widens, "yeah, they definitely can" he replies as you lay your head on his chest. He gives the top of your head a kiss, breathing in your fruity shampoo mixed with your perfume. To him it smelled like heaven.

Finally it was your guy's turn after 15 minutes waiting. That may not seem like long but when you have two teenage boys with ADHD it's not fun. "Us against those dweebs" Eddie whispers in your ear, making you giggle. You guys get into your cart. You personally are scared of the bumper carts, you hated crashing in to people especially with Eddie, you let him take the wheel and he would crash into everyone. But you love seeing him having so much fun, how his face would light up and let out a devilish cackle when he bumped into someone.

"You guys are so dead" Eddie taunts Steve and Stacey. Steve rolls his eyes, "yeah all talk" Steve snaps back mimicking talking with his hand. You shake your head knowing what's to come. "Lord please help me" you mumble with a smile. The ticket guy makes sure y'all are buckled in correctly.

Then he walks back to the station before starting the ride. You tuck your head between your arms. Eddie was absolutely wild, total dare devil. It scared you but you knew he would die protecting you so it made you feel safe in a way. After about 6 minutes with Eddie crashing into Steve and Stacey every 2 seconds. It had you screaming and laughing. Eddie was having the time of his life.

When it stopped Eddie was panting like he ran a marathon. He threw his hands up and cheered. You untucked your head from your arms. "You are insane" you tell him with a laugh. Eddie unbuckles himself and you. He helps you up. "I'm never going on that thing with you guys again!" Steve says shoving you two playfully. "Hey! I didn't do anything, that's all Eddie" you exclaim pointing at Eddie. He laughs and nods, "all me big boy" Eddie state proudly. "You're an absolute menace" you tell Eddie, he snakes a hand around your shoulder. "You love it, sweets" he responds, you nod agreeing.

You guys walk past a couple rides before you gasp and grab Eddie's hand. Pulling him over to the Ferris wheel. "Eddie we have to go on" you tell him. He rubs the back of his neck and look down. "Why don't we do something on the ground" he debates. You scoff smiling smugly. "Is the Eddie Munson scared of heights" you gasp dramatically. "I am not!" He states looking at his shoes.

"You so are" you poke his chest. "I'm not! It just like it could get stuck" he mumbles lying straight through his teeth. "C'mon please, I don't want to go alone, wanna do it with you" you pleadingly ask. He looks at your puppy dog eyes and then the ride. He sighs rubbing his head. "Only because you ask so nicely" he gives in. You squeal excitedly jumping up and down. "thankyouthankyouthankyou" you speak out dragging him to the line. He smiles at your excitement.

You guys give your tickets and then get seated and tied in. You clap your hands happily, you turn to Eddie and he is holding on to the sides, looking like he's going to vomit. "Jesus take the wheel" he mutters. "You don't believe in God" you laugh out. "Right now I do" he tells you breathing out a sign. "Hey! Good luck man let's hope you don't fall" Steve yells out teasingly. "Shut up dude I'm gonna fucking kill you when I get down" Eddie shouts back at him. "If you do make it down" Steve yells back, laughing at Eddie's reaction. Eddie flips him off.

You put your hand on Eddie's lower thigh rubbing it soothingly as you guys are lifted off the ground. His eyes shoot down to your hand as his breath hitches. "It's okay just look at how pretty it looks from up here" you say admiring the sight of the fair. "Not as-" Eddie tries to speak out but you stop him.

"Please don't say 'not as pretty as you', that's really corny" you tell him and he laughs. "How'd you know" he asks, "you're like the personification of corny" you respond. He nods agreeing. "But it's really cute" you tell him. He gives you goofy smile, "ya think?" He asks tilting his head to the side like a confused puppy, you giggle and nod.

"Well then I'll keep being corny" he states, "good." You say laying your head on his shoulder. He smiles to himself, you admire the stars as the start to creep in. "You know it almost looks as if Hawkins isn't a shithole" Eddie speaks, making you laugh. "Yeah, it looks halfway decent up here, like there isn't animal feces and trash scattered everywhere on the streets" you say smiling. "Or an old drunk or crackhead yelling at you for 'spare change'" he mocks a old and creepy voice making you laugh. " 'it's for food' then you bring them food and they flip you off" you chime in.

"I always told you not to but you insisted" Eddie responds. "Yeah well a good 2 times out of 10 they took it and thanked me profusely" you state lightly smacking his chest. "You were always too kind for this town.. hell for this world" he says looking down at you. "The whole world?" You ask, "yep! So much you couldn't imagine or your little head would explode" he says mimicking a explosion. You giggle and snuggle into his chest.

"Remember that time in 5th grade, you made me and Steve go to the local park and pick up all the trash, you insisted, you said 'we are dying each day that we let the world go like this, one day there will be so much trash, it will run the world'" he recalls mimicking a high pitch voice. "Hey! I don't sound like that" you laugh. "No, much prettier."

He states leaning his head back. "You and your climate change and pollution" he says smiling at the memory. "You guys played along though" you chime in. He nods, "we were scared of being beaten" he speaks, you gasp dramatically. "I did not beat you guys" you deny, "you didn't exactly nurture us" he debates scratching the back of his head with a laugh. "Oh please! You and Steve were wild you needed to be tamed somehow" You state.

"Oh yeah? Who put super glue on Mrs.Dwight's seat in 3rd grade?" He asks, "who give a 3rd grader a F on a page about how much she loves her mother? I tell you she had it coming" you respond, both of you break out in a fit of laughter. The ride ends shortly after you 2 recalling old pranks and antic you did together. You guys exit the ride, laughing like fools. Stumbling and speaking gibberish trying to make coherent words but being stopped by laughter. Steve stands there brows furrowed confused and honestly concerned. He crosses his arms, "what are you two howling about?" He questions.

"You had a toupée because—holy shit!— because I wanted to be a hair stylist and you let me cut you hair!" You choke out pointing to Steve, trying to contain your laughter. Eddie is cackling as he falls to the ground holding his stomach. He bumps into you causing you to topple over sitting next to him dying of laughter. "Alright haha funny I was bald for 2 summers, it was hell!" Steve exclaims shaking his head as a smile appeared on his face. Eddie and you came down from your fit of laughter. Letting out wheezes, Eddie hops up still laughing a little helping you up. You guys dust yourselves off.

"Ooo, I want funnel cake" Eddie states, "duhh that a must have at the fair, let's go!" You tell him. "You coming?" You turn asking Steve, "uh, I'll meet up with you guys in a minute Stacey is pissed about something gotta see if she's fine" he replies frowning. "Ditch that bitch" Eddie calls out in a funny voice, you gasp slightly smacking his chest.

"Okay see ya" you say giving him a pitiful smile. He nods jogging off. You turn to Eddie with a smile, " 'ditch that bitch' really? I swear your like 4" you giggle. He shrugs, "she's always bitching, Steve is always stressed around her, I mean he sees her at school, then at the Family Video because god forbid she gets a job that's not with Steve, then she is up his ass everywhere he wants to go" Eddie rants shaking his head.

"Oh! And Steve better not go somewhere that's not his house without her or she'll have a fucking hissy fit like a fucking 2 year old!" Eddie exclaims. "Someone sounds jealous" you joke, "I'm tired is what I am, I just want my best friend back" he says with a grin. "Yeah, it's sucks but it's how life is gotta just wait it out" you sigh. "Wait it out?" He asks curiously. "There's no way, Steve and Stacey stay together till homecoming" you reply. He smiles and nods. Then your phone rings and it's your mom, you hand Eddie some cash and tell him to get the funnel cakes and meet you at the table. He agrees, you sit down at an empty table that's for the most part clean.

"Hey sweetie, do you know what time you'll be home?" She asks almost worried. "Uh probably another hour or so why is everything okay?" You question. "Just really worried the town curfew is in 2 hours" she says, "I know mom, but seriously do you think a curfew is going to stop a killer from slashing us in our homes? No one even listens to that anyways" you reply. She sighs, "just be home by 8 okay?" She states. "Okay I will bye mom love you" you tell her and she says the same.

As you hang up setting your phone down and putting you head in your hands that rest on the table. Someone pokes you on you sides, you shriek. Eddie comes up behind laughing. He sets the cakes down. "That not funny asshole" you say playfully slapping his chest. "Oh it is" he speaks sitting across from you. "I hate you" you playfully state a smile creeping up on your face. "C'mon you love me" he says playfully pinching your cheek. You swipe his hand away. "Oh look Steve's coming and he's alone!" Eddie happily exclaims. You turn you head seeing Steve on the phone walking up, indeed alone.

"Yeah? Well fuck you too!" He states angrily pressing the hang up button. You try your best not to laugh. So you just cover your mouth. "Trouble in paradise?" Eddie asks jokingly. "Paradise, my ass. She's a fucking bitch I swear, I can't deal with her anymore" Steve exclaims. "She calls her dumbass brother telling him I don't want to give her a ride home, which is true but she didn't even ask me! So he's tryna get all tough guy with me. Stupid cunt!" Steve yells lightly.

Eddie puts his hands on his shoulder, "it's okay, the time will come" Eddie whispers at Steve making him smile. "Guess you took 'ditch that bitch' literally" you say lightly laughing. "Fuck her and not the good way" Steve states making you furrow your brows. You push away your funnel cake as you are half of it and are full. "Sweets, you only ate a quarter of it" Steve says, "I'm full, plus mom is nagging me about getting home at 8, town curfew" you speak, obviously annoyed.

"That town curfew is great I'm mean all the Hawkins high kids in their homes, e-" Eddie begins to speak but Steve smacks him in the back of the head. Eddie furrows his brows looking at Steve and Steve shakes his head. Eddie just sits back. "You two are being weird anyways hurry up we have a thousand more ride we have to conquer!" You exclaim impatiently tapping the table. "Alright Jesus can a man enjoy his funnel cake" Eddie says. "Enjoy it but hurry up!" You reply smiling. Steve grabs your funnel cake and starts picking off pieces of it and eating it.

After about 6 more rides you guys are spent and ready to sleep. "You're going home first because Eddie wants to show me something at his house." Steve says getting in the car. You shrug to tired to even ask further questions. "M'lady" Eddie speaks open the door for you. You thank him when he enters the back seat. "Okay off we go" Steve says pulling out of the parking lot and onto the street.

You were asleep by the time you got to your house. You were woken up by a knocking sound. Your eyes flutter open. Eddie was holding you bridal style. "What are you doing?" You ask groggily looking around. "You fell asleep, tried to wake you up but you're a heavy sleeper" he responds. You hum, laying your head back down on his chest.

Not long after your mom asks who it is, Eddie responds. She opens the door and thanks Eddie for helping you in. He sets you down, "thanks Eds, you're the best" you tell him giving a kiss on the cheek. "No problem see you tomorrow" he says waving bye to your mom before leaving. Your mom closes the door and locks it. "When are you going to date him! I want grand babies!" She asks. "Ew mom slow down! I'm only 18 and you're already talking babies" you exclaim, furrowing your brows.

"But you do like Eddie, right?" She asks quirking a brow. You roll your eyes and turn away trying to hide your smile. "I'm going to go take a shower, byeee" you say jogging up the stairs to avoid the conversation. After a warm shower, you head to your room and pass out once you hit your bed.

[bagog]

Winded

Devon’s calved burned, their thighs screamed at them for rest, their feet ached. They had to be almost done, Devon thought, they were about to pass out. But over the next hill—still some distance away—was the finish line for the Ghertan County Memorial Day Marathon.

They’d been training for almost two years, wishing to do it for more than a decade, had wanted to try the half-marathon last year, but decided they would rather wait till they were in a condition to do the whole thing. Now, they were cursing themselves. Still it would all be worth it.

“Hgot---hhhone---hmohrhe—hpush,” they managed to get out. There was another person coming up behind them that helped push Devon a little harder. That, and the promise of what was waiting for them when they got to the finish line. Squinting, they could almost make out Patrick’s red jacket from here. Over the last twenty miles, Devon had learned to love the sight of that jacket. Their partner had been at every marker post, ready with a paper cup of water in hand, held out as Devon ran past. The first cup, Devon had managed to shout a ‘thank you’ behind them as they went by, but every cup after that, Devon hadn’t had the breath to spare. They were saving it all for the finish line.

There was the red jacket! Though Devon’s lungs were trying to crash out of their chest, their heart hammering with the exertion, they were more sure of their plan than ever. This was the biggest day of Devon’s life, and they were aiming to make it even better.

With a runner directly on their heels, Devon leaned forward and stagger-sprinted for the line, big cheers from the crowd bunched up on either side of the road. Big Patrick and his red jacket had pushed to the front of the crowd, holding out a paper cup and cheering wildly. Devon smiled—or tried, it was too much work—and took the cup. Before even stopping to catch their breath, Devon threw the water back. Most of it splashed their face, but they gulped anyway.

“Patrick, hwill hyou---GAK” Devon stumbled to their knees, a hacking cough stealing every breath as quickly as they could breathe them in. There was tickle in the back of their throat, and Devon's shoulders heaved with the attempt to clear it.

When their blurry vision cleared, there on the pavement was a gold hoop—a little wet, but sparkling under the sun.

“Heh,” Patrick touched their shoulder sheepishly. “Will…. You marry me?”

The surprise stole whatever breath Devon had managed to gasp out since coughing up the ring. And they found themselves smiling and tilting with a light head and trying to frantically answer ‘yes’ through heaving breaths.

Patrick gave them a moment, and they said: “Yes!”

[potatoes83]

Slice of life:

We had a naming ceremony today for one of our parks, a long time county commissioner, former council member, all around mucky muck. He has done a great deal to bring County money to our city and region. And he's always been a strong advocate of our city. He is, unfortunately, dying of a rather aggressive cancer. And the ceremony was really nice, good turnout, everything was set up well, and thank goodness it was outside.

Because it was so much. Like, I don't generally subscribe to the latest portmanteau words or social media turns of phrase, but in this case it's quite accurate; my social batteries are absolutely fucking drained. So many people, and when you do anything involving the county, for every one of you, there's 10 of them, associate vice assistant chairman of this, that, and the other, executive director for the southeast region, blah blah blah. Lot of people, lot of suits, lot of shaking hands and talking and all that sort of thing.

I can do it. I'm actually quite good at it, but it is just so unbelievably exhausting. And it's done, another one in the books, and quite successful, but wow. I feel like I just ran a marathon, and I feel like I was in a warehouse in a crowd of thousands, voices just rolling and crashing, echoing off the ceiling and walls. It is so blissfully, wonderfully quiet just sitting here in my living room. Aware that my back is a series of knots because of the stress of being around all those people. Ready to go up to bed and put this day out of its misery.

It's part of the job, I understand that, I recognize it, and hey, I make a good showing of it. Fake it till you make it, and all that. But definitely not my favorite thing. 🥔

[abcnewspr]

50 YEARS LATER, ABC NEWS STUDIOS DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLES THE CRASH OF URUGUAYAN AIR FORCE FLIGHT 571 AND THE DESPERATE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL FOR A STRANDED RUGBY TEAM IN THE SUBZERO ANDES MOUNTAINS

‘Prisoners of the Snow’ Features New Interviews With Five Survivors Who Tell the Inspiring Yet Terrifying Story of Their 72-Day Fight for Life

‘Prisoners of the Snow’ Airs Monday, May 22 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, Next Day on Hulu

ABC News Studios*

ABC News announced today ABC News Studios’ documentary, “Prisoners of the Snow,” which tells the unbelievable story of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 carrying a rugby team traveling with friends and family to a match in Chile. Of the 45 passengers, only 16 ultimately survived after the plane crashed in a remote location in the snow-covered Andes Mountains. With reporting by ABC News contributor Chris Connelly, the two-hour documentary features new interviews with five of the crash survivors, Nando Parrado, Roberto Canessa, Carlitos Páez Rodríguez, Eduardo Strauch and Roy Harley. They tell their story of fighting for survival over the course of 72 days in the freezing wilderness. “Prisoners of the Snow” airs Monday, May 22 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, next day on Hulu.

Through their chilling firsthand accounts, the five men share their story of determination and perseverance, which helped inspire the popular series “Yellowjackets.” From defying death in the plane crash and two avalanches to near starvation, they relive the unimaginable choices they were forced to make to stay alive by eating the bodies of their dead friends as their only option for survival. After 61 days on the mountain, Parrado and Canessa led the way to their miraculous escape and rescue. The program also includes interviews with mountaineers, adventurers and survival experts who have studied their experience, visited the crash site and followed the escape route explaining the incredible challenges the passengers endured.

“Prisoners of the Snow” is produced by ABC News Studios. David Sloan is senior executive producer. Muriel Pearson is executive producer. Erica Baumgart is senior producer. ABC News Studios is led by Mike Kelley.

About ABC News Studios

ABC News Studios, inspired by ABC News’ trusted reporting, is a premium, narrative non-fiction original production house and commissioning partner of series and specials. ABC News Studios champions untold and authentic stories driving the cultural zeitgeist spanning true-crime, investigations, pop culture and news-adjacent stories. ABC News Studios’ original titles include critically acclaimed documentaries “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” “The Lady Bird Diaries,” “Aftershock” and “The Murders Before the Marathon” as well as compelling docu-series, including “Killing County,” “Wild Crime,” “Death in the Dorms” and “Mormon No More.”

*COPYRIGHT ©2023 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of ABC. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.

[rustbeltjessie]

KxHxCxP

we weren’t kicked out of our houses / we were let loose / left to roam / left to haunt / the basements & garages / we didn’t run away from / our families we just sorta floated / like ghosts in the cabbage fields / corn fields / in the basements & garages / our parents didn’t hate us they just / sorta didn’t know what to do with our anger & sorrow & / lust so they left us to our own devices / or they were too busy with their own rage & sadness so we / tried to build our own homes / (in the basements & garages) / but we brought all that brutality / all that / destruction with us / cemented it into the fucking / foundation cuz our blueprints were a testament / to dysfunction / & we sang we’re a happy family / huddled / together sniffing glue & snorting speed / in our basement & garage-land / started bands that only lasted for one day / with distorted guitars / half-broken drum kits / & bassists with no / sense of rhythm / we fucked on sofas belching / stuffing & springs (these things hooked themselves / to our nerve endings & to this day / a damp whiff  of mildew / a sharp gust of gasoline turns us / the fuck on) / made plywood skate ramps in suburban driveways / skinned knees / broke bones / we drank cases & cases & / circles & marathons of Blue Ribbon / High Life / Milwaukee’s Beast / listened to d-beat records & slammed into / each other / it was all about slamming / the beer / the sex / the hardcore / anything that could bruise the blues out of us & into / someone / anyone else / sometimes we made jokes about suicide (we were only half / joking) / about the gun in the basement / the exhaust pipe in the garage / our laughter choked us / we didn’t so much wanna die / we wanted to escape / the crash-course trajectory of our town / get off the shit-job growing-old path  / get out of our basement & / garage tombs / we emerged into suburban dusks / a gang of filthy kids / we lurked in the downtown of boarded-up windows / spray painted slogans / baseball bats swinging we smashed trash cans & cracked / the skulls of nazi skins (anything to bruise / the blues) / we drove down county roads in the summer-dark / parked / in the middle of nowhere / we did it in cornfields while nighthawks swooped & hollered / their electric peent our mating / song / we wandered tiny old graveyards / spooked but too tough to admit it / got stoned in the fetid rows / of cabbage fields (see us comin’ thro / the fog into the fracture between night / & dawn) then back to the basement / back / to the garage / & yes that was all so long / ago it’s just a legend / a ghost / story / & here I am growing older despite / those teenage stabs at living fast & / I know one day I’ll die here / in the homeland / so / let it be known old friends / if you’re reading this / you sad drunk hoodlums better give me a viking’s funeral / build a raft of plywood & beer cans / use punk piknik flyers (torn from / basement walls) for kindling / douse it all with the gas can / nicked from the garage & flick your lit / cigarettes onto my corpse until whoosh / push the pyre out onto Lake Michigan / watch me burn the way we all did once / until I’m nothing but an after-image / seared behind your eyes / tell the next generation of kids about me / (& the one after that) so when they / creep out of the basements & garages / to haunt the town / they’ll see the red-gold flash of sunrise on the horizon / over the lake & say / it’s that old lady / that ghost girl / that legend / & say look at that motherfucker who finally / escaped the basements & garages

—Jessie Lynn McMains, from Wisconsin Death Trip

[two-wheeled-therapy]

This is it. This post, this day, the day I finally reach 100,000 miles on my 2011 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 ABS. We left Prescott with a plan to ride to avoid the interstates until that magic moment. I set up a route on the computer and downloaded itt o my GPS. Unfortunately, I didn't drop enough pins because it took us north first rather than east like we had planned. Fortunately, this meant that we would get to ride 89A through the mountain village of Jerome again. This time through, there was less traffic, but we still managed to get whoaed up by some cages. But we were fresh and ready and it was a good ride. We turned east on 260 and rode that a bit before turning north on 87. We were at the Clints Well store when I told the guys I had 11 miles to go. So it was suggested that I ride back 5.5 miles and ride past so it could be videoed (See previous post). The Quest was over, I made it. My bike and I have been joined for 100,000 miles. Hell yeah! Following our celebration, we continued north on 87 and picked up I-40 in Winslow. We would be humping the interstate for a while. Traffic was light but it was getting hot. While passing through Apache County, I saw what I thought was Dust Devil spinning by just ahead of us, so I grabbed my camera and tried to take a picture. But traffic ahead started slowing fast, braking hard actually. Vehicles were going to the shoulders and I noticed the West Bound lanes were behaving the same way. Looking over int he west bound lanes we saw the car that had just come to rest after tumbling over a couple of times. Without much thought, all three of us knew what the others were doing. There was a cut through just ahead, I activated the strobes I use while providing escorts for triathlons and marathons and Bob and John hit their hazards. Surprisingly, the traffic in the west bound lanes saw us and stopped to let us through the crossover and across all lane to run down the shoulder. We were all surprised with how fast we all dismounted and ran to the occupants of the car. With our trauma kits in hand we tried our best to keep them both still, though the young girl was too excited to sit still. The driver, a young 21 year old guy looked worse than he was. He was covered with blood, and likely had a bad concussion, but nothing more serious than that. Looking at what was left of the car, it was nothing short of a miracle. We helped the young man stop the bleeding and clean his wounds until the rescue squad there. We briefly talked to the responding deputy, packed up our kits, and rode off. As we rode off, I remembered the first time I became aware of what a Blue Knight was. I remember I was riding with my dad down the Merrit Parkway in Connecticut when a couple of Gold Wings went by us and they were wearing the Blue Knights Colors. I asked my dad what that meant and he said they were the good guys. If you're ever in trouble, my dad said, you want one of them around. They know what to do and will hep you through. Its funny, I've been a Blue Knight for over 10 years and never really thought of that conversation with my dad until we were pulling away from the scene of that wreck. As I type this the day after, it is 30 years to the day that my dad passed on. I'm not sure if that has something to with sparking that memory or not, but I hope he is proud of who I am, what I stand for and what I have become. I know I am proud to be associated with my brother and sister Blue Knights. OK, so we have a huge motorcycle milestone, a major crash, and the day isnt even half over. What else can we cram into this day? The rest of the day we spent dogging rain. Somehow we missed the hail storm that blew through. At one stop a guy said there were golf ball sized hail. I'm really glad we missed that. We finally turned off 40 and headed north on 14 towards the town of Madrid. Yes, that Madrid. For those of you not following, Madrid is the little town that has the little Diner in the move Wild Hogs. While Maggie's Diner isn't really a Diner, it's just the name of the

souvenir store in Madrid, that's why they call it Maggie's Diner, it is where they filmed the Diner scenes in the movie. By the time we got there, it was closed, but that didn't stop us from taking pictures there. Not only did that save us money because we didn't buy anything, there also was no one else there, so we were free to take whatever pictures we wanted. After our photo shoot, we backtracked a couple of blocks and had a fantastic dinner at the Mine Shaft Tavern. I had the Green Chile Burger and it and the fries were outstanding. Definitely Best Dinner of Trip, but the Cowboy Cafe still holds best Food of Trip honors. After diner we finished the ride in the growing darkness and checked into our hotel in Santa Fe. The internet there really sucked, like dial up slow, so I couldn't post. But today we have a little better, so I will end the day by catching up with yesterday's post and worry about today's tomorrow. Confused? Good . . . Me too! RIDE ON!

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

18, 19 & 24 for E?

18. "You're not gonna hurt me."

19. "I hate Halloween."

24. "I’m the tall dark stranger your parents warned you about."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warnings: murder, blood, violence, swearing

The curfew started an hour ago yet the streets were filled with trick or treaters. A part of her wondered if the parents who let their kids out unsupervised were sane, but then again, wasn’t she out as well?

The murders shaking up the little town had yet to stop, the seventh victim had been found.

Seven women, all drowned to death but it wasn’t before the killer had his sick fun with torturing them first.

Shuddering, Y/N wrapped her arms around herself, looking around for the reason why she’s outside. If it were up to her, she’d be holed up inside with a scary movie on and a big bowl of popcorn to satisfy her anxiety. His arm would be around her, easing the fear, and they’d steal glances at each other every so often until one of them would give up and steal a kiss.

Y/n’s ideal Halloween would have been just like that. Unfortunately, she agreed to go out for a movie date with her boyfriend and his twin who was in town for a night.

“AH!” She screamed as someone jerked her from behind, laughing and wheezing at the same time.

“You should ‘ave seen your face!!” Grayson cackled, falling on his ass from laughter and she frowned before looking to her boyfriend.

“I hate Halloween.” She rolls her eyes, standing by her statement as Grayson wheezes and Ethan chuckles.

“C’mon! It was funny!” Ethan opens his arms and while reluctant, Y/N embraces the opportunity to hold him close. He was her flame and she a moth who willingly played with fire.

“You scared me half to death.” Complaining, her words are muffled by his chest where she buried her face, all too embarrassed about the way she screamed and angry she’s so easily scared.

“As if anyone could hurt you when I’m around.” Ethan presses a sweet kiss atop her head, swaying her left to right. Gazing up at his face, she notices a beautiful smile adorning his plush lips and there’s a sense of pure awe washing over her.

Ethan is a man many would fall for. Many did. 

Charming, incredibly witty and intelligent, he owned every room her entered. He didn’t even ask for the attention, it was given freely and in abundance. His good looks attracted girls, his sporty hobbies attracted the men and no matter how many times she asked herself how he could have fallen for her - a social misfit, her brain never could form a believable answer.

“We’ll be late, love birds! Save the smooching for the bedroom.” Grayson teased, going ahead of the two. It was known he was definitely a Halloween fan and while horror movies scared him, Grayson insisted on watching one every year.

Walking hand in hand, Y/N and Ethan reminisced. It was easy to get lost in the autumn magic, the colorful trees around them and the dim light of streetlights making them wish they were alone to kiss without anyone giving them dirty looks. 

“I’m really glad you came with us tonight.” Ethan whispers, making Grayson shush him as result. The movie had started a while ago, nothing too interesting to keep Y/N’s attention. She had watched The Hills Have Eyes so many times before it just lost its appeal.

Moving her legs aside, Y/N had let a girl pass by, only to turn her attention back to Ethan.

“I’m glad you wanted me to.” Smiling sheepishly, she let him take her hand, watching him pull it up to his lips and press a tender kiss.

“Do you want anything? I’ll go to the bathroom quick.” He raises an eyebrow, expecting her to ask for a popcorn refill but she shakes her head.

“Just you to come back.” Her smile wide, Y/N pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips, even if he did shake his head and smirk at her instead of giving her a kiss she craved.

It was an unstoppable craving for Ethan ever since he first kissed her after Sociology. She was smitten, hopelessly infatuated by him.

“Count on it.” Pecking the tip of her nose, Ethan was quick to disappear, leaving Y/N with a growing unsteadiness within.

Minutes passed and she began to grow anxious. Nervously bouncing her leg, Y/N sighed, checking her phone a few times before texting Ethan who had not sent a reply.

Chewing on the inside of her bottom lip, she couldn’t even follow what’s happening on the screen, lost in her own thoughts and the possible reasons why he has yet to return.

Perhaps there was a line for the bathroom? Perhaps he just needed to take a dump? Maybe he decided to get her the popcorn anyway?

Whatever the reason may be, she was done waiting.

“Gray”, she whispered, getting his attention. “I’ll go check on E.” She stood up, catching a nod in acknowledgement before leaving.

She didn’t bother checking the entrance, heading for the bathroom straight away. She knocked on the men’s room, calling his name but there was no answer and her raging heart told her something’s wrong.

Instead of panicking, she figured she should call him again in case he didn’t hear the texts. Walking into the women’s room for privacy, Y/N had expected anything but what she found.

Her eyes noticed the blood on white tiles, contrasting like rubies in the winter snow. Her black boots were already in the puddle of the pungent smell of iron - the kind that one smells after rain had corroded the pipes. 

Shaky hands, tense body, Y/N dared to look ahead and toward the body of the lifeless woman who was very much alive when she moved out of her way earlier. She had her eyes open just as she did in the theatre, but there was nothing behind them - no happiness nor pair, no hope for the future.

And that’s when she found the culprit walking out of a stall.

There’s no remorse on his angelic, blood splattered, face nor guilt in his hazel eyes. The lips who showed her nothing but tenderness now formed a scowl she could never erase from memory.

“E-Ethan?” She stuttered in disbelief, looking to the knife he clutched possessively with his left hand.

“You really should have stayed and watched the movie.” Ethan sighs, too dramatically for it to be real. He step over the body as if it’s trash, nearing Y/N who stumbled back only to crash into a wall.

Breathing shallow and fast, she no longer felt tense but broken and shaken beyond what she believed to be possible. Her mind spins with every step he gets closer and there’s no strength inside her to run.

She always thought in a situation where it’s “fight or flight” she’d be able to run, but her body froze, remaining at the mercy of the one she thought loved her.

“You’re not gonna hurt me.” Her tone lacked conviction, but her eyes remained on him. 

Ethan could smell the fear on her. Even if she spoke valiantly, he’d see through her. Widen eyes, nostrils flared, breathing as if she had run a marathon? She feared him. And he liked it.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, love.” He drawled it out, lifting his arm until the tip of his knife pressed against her throat. “You see, she thought so too.” Ethan cranes his neck so Y/N could see the victim behind him only to snap his head back into position, making her gasp.

“Why? At least tell me if it was all a lie?” Her shaky voice entertains him and the way her carotid pulses only excites him. She’s a pretty girl, but she’s gorgeous when she’s scared of him. 

“What do you think?” He raises an eyebrow, a cunning smile spreading across his lips as her chin quivers. “I’m the tall dark stranger your parents warned you about.”

But before he makes the fatal cut, Ethan hears the sirens. It’s unlikely they’re for him, but he can never be too careful.

“I guess it’s your lucky night, love. Do clean up and head back. I’ll join shortly.” Nodding his head toward the door, Ethan steps back, bringing the tip of the blade to his lips. “And be quiet if you know what’s good for you.”

Pushing the heavy door, Y/N ran out, her legs finally serving her right. She ran past the theatre, straight to the register.

“Call 911!”

Her instincts told her not to. Her treacherous heart screamed at her to pretend she didn’t see anything. She wanted to. She really wanted to pretend, but as the guy asked questions why, she covered her mouth and held back a sob.

Shaking her head, she turned away and ran outside as the guy called the police regardless of her lacking response, aware she could be the reason why Ethan is apprehended.

And that should make her feel good, right? She should be happy? It certainly looked like he was the killer everyone’s been talking about, so why didn’t she feel good about it? Why did she feel sick to her stomach with the thought of never having his arms around her?

Perhaps she was just as mad as he is.

As the night went on, Y/N remained in her bed, terrified to turn on the news. But she had to. Something told her she had to.

‘The Beast has struck again, leaving the county police with yet another horrendous death on their hands. The cashier at the movies told us there was a girl running out of the bathroom, instructing him to call the police. It is unclear if the girl had witnessed the murder or just found the body, but as of now, no arrests have been made. The cameras were disconnected at the time of the murder and an hour after. According to the police, the footage of the witness and possible murderer is unrestrainable.’

“Fuck.” Y/N mutters under her breath. Not only did the news just tell Ethan she had called the cops, but they also confirmed he wasn’t even a suspect. That means...

“Knock, knock!” She heard the pounding on her front door, breaking her out of her thoughts. The voice is familiar, the one she once adored now making her question everything. 

“Open up and let’s have a nice chat!” 

[bboyplankton]

2019 Playlist

1. A$AP Ferg & MadeinTYO – Wam

2. Action Bronson & The Alchemist – Arnold & Danny

3. Action Bronson & The Alchemist – Descendant of the Stars

4. Akon feat. Skales – Control

5. Akon feat. Olamide – Scammers

6. Alex Isley – Colors

7. Amaal – Coming & Going

8. Anderson .Paak feat. Andre 3000 – Come Home

9. Anderson .Paak feat. Smokey Robinson – Make It Better

10. Ari Lennox – I Been

11. Ari Lennox – Up Late

12. Ariana Grande – fake smile

13. Ariana Grande – in my head

14. Arin Ray feat. Kehlani – Change

15. Arin Ray - ZZZ

16. Asiahn – Like You

17. Asiahn – NOLA

18. August Alsina – Forever and a Day

19. August Alsina – For You

20. Baby Rose – Mortal

21. Beyoncé, Jay-Z & Childish Gambino feat. Oumou Sangaré – Mood 4 Eva

22. Big K.R.I.T – Blue Flame Ballet

23. Big K.R.I.T – Energy

24. Big K.R.I.T – M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I

25. BJ the Chicago Kid feat. JID, Buddy, & Kent Jamz – Get Away

26. Blackbear – Sick Of It All

27. The Black Keys – Sit Around And Miss You

28. The Black Keys – Tell Me Lies

29. Bobby Sparks ii feat. Robert “Sput” Searight & MonoNeon – The Comanche Are Coming

30. Boogie – Live 95

31. Boogie feat. Snoh Aalegra – Time

32. Burna Boy feat. Jeremih & Serani – Secret

33. Che Ecru – That’s My Baby

34. Ciara – Greatest Love

35. Ciara – Set

36. Ciara – Trust Myself

37. City and Colour – Mountain of Madness

38. Col3trane, DJDS, & Raye – The Fruits

39. Conway the Machine – Half of It

40. DaBaby – Bop

41. DaBaby – Goin Baby

42. DaBaby – Suge

43. Daniel Caesar & Brandy – Love Again

44. Danny Brown – Dirty Laundry

45. Danny Brown – Savage Nomad

46. Dave East – Mama I Made It

47. Dave East – The Marathon Continues (Nipsey Tribute)

48. Dave East – Me & Mines

49. Denzel Curry – Speedboat

50. Devin Morrison – Bussin’

51. Devin Morrison feat. Dahvi – It’s Time

52. DJ Shadow – If I Died Today

53. DJ Shadow feat. Run The Jewels – Kings & Queens

54. DJ Shadow feat. De La Soul – Rocket Fuel

55. Doja Cat – Say So

56. Doja Cat – Streets

57. Dreamville feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Dreezy – Got Me

58. Dreamville feat. JID & T.I. – Ladies, Ladies, Ladies

59. Dreezy feat. Jeremih – Ecstasy

60. E-40 feat. Quavo Roddy Ricch, A$AP Ferg, & ScHoolboy Q – Chase the Money

61. E-40 – Imma Find Out

62. E-40 feat. Redman, Method Man, & Bosko – Keep On Gassin

63. Earthgang feat. T-Pain – Tequila

64. Earthgang feat. Kehlani – Trippin

65. Elhae – fXXX

66. Elhae – I.D.B.I.L

67. Elhae feat. Big K.R.I.T – Sanctuary

68. Emotional Oranges – Someone Else

69. Emotional Oranges – West Coast Love

70. Emotional Oranges – Your Best Friend Is A Hater

71. Eric Bellinger – iPod on Shuffle

72. Eric Bellinger feat. K Camp – Moist

73. Eric Bellinger – Run It Up

74. Eric Bellinger – The Sexy Song

75. Eric Bellinger – Spice

76. Eric Bellinger feat. Chris Brown & OG Parker – Type a Way

77. Eric Bellinger – Undress

78. Esperanza Spalding – Touch in Mine (Fingers)

79. Fabolous feat. Jacquees – My Mind

80. Fabolous feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Ooh Yea

81. FKA twigs – Mirrored Heart

82. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Killer Mike & Pusha T – Palmolive

83. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Soul Right

84. Free Nationals – Lester Diamond

85. Free Nationals feat. Syd – Shibuya

86. Free Nationals feat. Mac Miller & Kali Uchis – Time

87. Future – Crushed Up

88. Gallant – Céline

89. Gallant – Sleep On It

90. The Game – Born 2 Rap

91. The Game feat. 21 Savage – The Code

92. The Game feat. Anderson .Paak – Stainless

93. Gang Starr feat. J. Cole – Family And Loyalty

94. Gang Starr feat. Ne-Yo & Nitty Scott – Get Together

95. Gary Clark Jr. – I Got My Eyes on You (Locked & Loaded)

96. GoldLink feat. WaveIQ – Spanish Song

97. GoldLink feat. Tyler, the Creator & Jay Prince – U Say

98. Griselda – Freddie HotSpot

99. Gucci Mane – Move Me

100. Isabella – Tag

101. Jacquees – Fact Or Fiction

102. Jacquees – Good Lovin

103. Jaden – Got It

104. Jeezy – White Keys

105. Jidenna feat. GoldLink – Babouche

106. Jidenna – Sou Sou

107. Jidenna – Vaporiza

108. Jim Jones feat. Maino & Drama – My Era

109. Jim Jones feat. Cam’ron, Guordan Banks, Benny the Butcher, & Conway the Machine – To Whom it May Concern

110. Joell Ortiz – Jamaican Food

111. Joell Ortiz – Sip Slow

112. Johnta Austin – Breakin Rules

113. Justine Skye – Secrets

114. Kalin White – 4 sexonds

115. Kaytranada feat. GoldLink, Eight9Fly, & Ari Pensmith – Vex Oh

116. Kehlani – Feels

117. Kehlani feat. 6lack – RPG

118. Khalid – Paradise

119. Khalid – Talk

120. Kiana Ledé feat. Jenifer Lewis – Heavy

121. Kiana Ledé – If You Hate Me

122. Kxng Crooked & Bronze Nazareth feat. Tristate & L.A.D – French Connection

123. Kirk Brown – Vibes Up

124. Koffee feat. Jane Macgizmo – Blazin

125. Konshens – Back It Up

126. Konshens – Last Wine

127. Kyle Dion – Hands to Yourself

128. Kyle Dion – Spend It

129. Larry June feat. Premo Rice – Booty Girl Club

130. Larry June – Early Bird

131. Larry June – Organic Smiles

132. Layton Greene – Never Knew

133. Lion Babe feat. Leikeli47 – The Wave

134. Lion Babe feat. Raekwon – Western World

135. Lophiile – Late Ass

136. Lophiile feat. Jesse Boykins III – You’re Gonna Need It

137. Lophiile – You’ve Changed

138. Lucky Daye – Love You Too Much

139. Lucky Daye – Real Games

140. Lyfe Jennings – Baby

141. Mac Ayers feat. Uhmeer – Fears

142. Mac Ayers – Get Away

143. Mahalia – Karma

144. Mahalia – What Am I?

145. Mahalia feat. Ella Mai – What You Did

146. Marc E. Bassy – Crash and Burn

147. Marc E. Bassy – Where We’re From

148. Matt Martians – Movin’ On

149. Maxo Kream feat. Megan Thee Stallion – She Live

150. Megan Thee Stallion feat. Da Baby – Cash S**t

151. Mereba – Stay Tru

152. Moonchild – Strength

153. Murs, 9th Wonder, & The Soul Council - Sin

154. Murs, 9th Wonder, & The Soul Council – Unicorn Glitter

155. Nikki Jean – Driver

156. Nikki Jean feat. Lupe Fiasco – Mr. Clean

157. Papoose feat. DJ Premier – Numerical Slaughter

158. Pardison Fontaine – Money Machine

159. Pardison Fontaine – Under8ed

160. PJ Morton – Kid Again

161. PJ Morton feat. JoJo – Say So

162. Post Malone – I’m Gonna Be

163. Problem Child – Whole Heart

164. Quinn XCII feat. Yoshi Flower – Werewolf

165. Rapsody feat. Queen Latifah – Hatshepsut

166. Rapsody feat. D’Angelo & GZA – Ibtihaj

167. Rapsody feat. Elle Varner – Michelle

168. Raveena – Nectar

169. Raveena – Salt Water

170. Rex Orange County – Always

171. Rex Orange County – It Gets Better

172. Rick Ross – Fascinated

173. Rick Ross feat. Drake – Gold Roses

174. Rick Ross feat. Summer Walker – Summer Reign

175. Rick Ross – Vegas Residency

176. R.LUM.R – Happy

177. R.LUM.R – Lies

178. Roses Gabor feat. Sampha – Illusions

179. Rotimi – Love Riddim

180. Rotimi – Way Gone

181. Sabrina Claudio – Truth Is

182. Sammie – Issues

183. Sara Bareilles – Armor

184. ScHoolboy Q feat. Kid Cudi – Dangerous

185. ScHoolboy Q – Numb Numb Juice

186. Shal Marshall – Mas Forever

187. Shal Marshall – Splinters

188. Shwayze – Rich City

189. Sinead Harnett – Be The One (Interlude)

190. SiR feat. Smino – LA Lisa

191. SiR feat. Kadhja Bonet – New Sky

192. Slum Village feat. Dwele – Call Me

193. Snoh Aalegra – Nothing to Me

194. Snoh Aalegra – Toronto

195. Snoop Dogg feat. Swizz Beatz – Countdown

196. Snoop Dogg feat. Marknoxx – I Wanna Thank Me

197. Snoop Dogg feat. Russ & Wiz Khalifa – Take Me Away

198. Solange – Almeda

199. Solange – Dreams

200. Steve Lacy – N Side

201. Steve Lacy – Playground

202. Summer Walker – Wasted

203.��T-Pain feat. Tory Lanez – Getcha Roll On

204. Tayla Parx – Me vs. Us

205. Tayla Parx feat. Joey Bada$$ - Rebound

206. The Teskey Brothers – Rain

207. The Teskey Brothers – Sun Come Ease Me In

208. Tinashe – Feelings

209. Tobi lou feat. Erica Rene & Cam O’bi – That Old Nu-Nu

210. Tobi lou – Waterboy

211. Tori Kelly – Kid I Used To Know

212. Toro y Moi – Freelance

213. Toro y Moi – Ordinary Pleasure

214. Tory Lanez – Blowin’ Mine’s // Leah’s Introduction

215. Tory Lanez feat. Ludacris – The Fargo Splash

216. Trey Songz – Jill (Sumn Real)

217. Trina feat. Rico Love – Water

218. Tryezz – Walnut St. Dub

219. Tsu Surf – Killing Me

220. Tyler, the Creator - Earfquake

221. Tyler, the Creator – I Think

222. Umi – Sukidakara

223. Vedo – Do It Nasty

224. Wale feat. Jeremih – On Chill

225. Weezer – Happy Together

226. Willow – Time Machine

227. Wiz Khalifa feat. Young Deji – Gold Bottles

228. Xavier Omär & Sango – Cry & Lie

229. Xavier Omär & Sango feat. Billy Mercury – Keeping Me

230. YBN Cordae feat. Anderson .Paak – RNP

231. YBN Cordae feat. Meek Mill – We Gon Make It

232. Ye Ali feat. DCMBR – All About You

233. Ye Ali – Rehearsal

234. Ye Ali feat. DCMBR – Show Me

235. Ye Ali feat. DCMBR & Rainy Milo – Songs2Get2GetDrunk2

236. Yelawolf – Box Chevy 7

237. Yelawolf – Unnatural Born Killer

238. Young M.A. – Stubborn Ass

239. Zacari – Midas Touch

240. 2 Chainz – Threat 2 Society

[wausaupilot]

BREAKING: Child airlifted after being struck by vehicle in Mosinee

What we know so far about this developing story:

Wausau Pilot & Review A child was severely injured Wednesday and was airlifted to a hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Mosinee, according to emergency scanner traffic. Rescue crews were summoned at about 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 to to the area of Western Avenue and Hwy. 153 in Mosinee. As CPR was being administered to the child, additional support from Riverside Fire was…

[celestinaruns]

The joys, pains, and everything in between of conquering a 50 miler

Things I learned this week: telling people you ran 80 km in a day tends to get ta consistently shocked reaction, with the occasional person questioning your sanity.

That is definitely not a typo. 80 km, 12 hours, and nothing but love for every moment of it. While I only just got into ultra running this year, I fell in love at first... sign of debilitating pain that keeps me in bed cuddled up with a bag of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos and yet another season episode of The Walking Dead. And, like all firsts, this past weekend gave me a lot to reflect on.

This summer has been a busy one for my running endeavours. I have tacked on more long-distance races than usual and ran my first two ultras, just within three months of each other. When I ran my 50 km at River Valley Revenge in June, I was unprepared. An understatement, to say the least. Yes, I was familiar with what my body needs during a long run and made sure to put in all the mileage I could, but there’s a huge mental game to ultra trail running that I had entirely missed. I had had no idea just how technical trails could get and hadn’t realized that my trusty energy gels, a great pick-me-up in every road marathon I had run before then, were not going to do the trick here. My first ultra was less one of success and more one of learning lessons... the hard way.

I did learn them, though, and I applied them as best as I could. It was with that ambition that I registered for the 80 km event at River’s Edge Ultra. That, and the desire to go camping before snow hit, to be perfectly honest.

Okay, I could have just gone camping. It was mostly ambition.

The months leading up to REU were... great, really. I trained smart, put in the work, and modified my nutrition and running habits until everything felt just right. I had very few tough runs and felt ready to go--right up until the very last week when I caught a cold. Talk about shit timing.

My entire last week of tapering was out the window at this point as I tried to nurse myself back to health as quickly as possible. Dreams of crushing the 80k turned more into hopes of just finishing the 80k. Still, by some miracle, when Friday rolled around, all I had left was a little bit of congestion. There was some hope yet that I wouldn’t crash and burn and inevitably DNF.

I made my way over to Parkland County on Friday evening, grabbed my bib, and set up camp. It was all going smoothly, and with the peacefulness of the untouched ravines and quiet farmlands, I felt the calmest I had felt in the last week. Although there was a stressful day ahead of me, I was able to take some moments to enjoy the little slice of heaven that was so close to the city.

Despite that, sleep was restless and interrupted, as it usually is the night before a race, and I felt as groggy, rushed, and unprepared as ever as I tried to get all my gear on and double checked that I had everything in my drop kit.

Worst of all, though, it was cold.

It was supposed to warm up later in the day, yes, but the morning air was biting at whatever exposed skin I had--which was a lot, because for all of my planning, I hadn’t accounted for just how cold it would be in the dark. I had three headlamps and I had reflective bracelets and extra batteries. Clearly, I was aware it would be dark, just not experienced enough to bring any more layers aside from my bright orange reflective arm warmers.

But hey--reflective!

I huddled close to the bonfire before the start, right up until the last possible moment. Standing around in my shorts and singlet and my measly arm warmers, I was beating myself up for not thinking head. What a lousy start.

But I had learned from my 50k, hadn’t I? Ultra running took a lot of mental strength, and it was that reminder that pushed all of those negative thoughts out of my mind and replaced them with much better ones. The first loop is only 9 km. Move steady and you’ll warm up in no time. By the time the start was announced, I felt ready as ever.

The first and shortest loop went by in around an hour. I wasn’t in a rush, that had been my goal from the very beginning. No point in bursting out the gates, especially not with my congestion still sticking around. Still, that loop was all I needed. After that, I was warm and pumped up. One loop at a time, and I had no doubt I would be rolling into that finish strong.

The beauty of this course was that, with each loop, I got to make my way back to the race headquarters to replenish everything. I would get a chance to grab food, replenish my pack, and have anything I needed to be looked after by a volunteer. With a very over-prepared drop kit, all I really needed to worry about, as the racer, was making sure that I could take on those loops. All I had to do was focus on running. Throughout the day, the distances of each one passed through my mind, like a little reminder that I was inching closer to the end. 19 km, 19 km, 20 km, 12 km. Repeat.

I ate more during this race than my 50k, which is a very good thing. During ultras, it is recommended that runners eat an average of 300 calories an hour, and while during marathons I can pop back a gel, solid food is a much better option when you’re going all day. I discovered that pancakes and bacon sat great with my easily disturbed stomach, as did cherry cola flavoured Honey Stingers. Even after a 20 km loop with a brutal elevation gain, I felt mentally ready to take on the last leg of the race.

Managing to adequately calm myself down, I set out once more, power-walking my way up a hill as I popped back some Honey Stingers. My heart rate was slowing down to something more manageable instead of feeling like Hammy in Over the Hedge. I spent a little more time at the aid station this time, enjoying the hot food that was now ready--perogies and meatballs. I hadn’t had that much protein in one bite all day.

Physically, though, the exhaustion was catching up with me. Just 10 km to go, I could feel the shakiness creep into my legs and a heaviness in my stomach. Still, this was a mental game, and I knew I couldn’t give up--so I got some calories in my stomach, popped an Advil, and set out once more.

It wasn’t long after I set out on my last loop, unfortunately, that something started to feel... wrong. Now, with less than 12 km to go--now was when things went south. I was getting nauseous, my heart rate wasn’t lowering at all despite the fact that I had reduced my speed to a walk, and the sun shining directly above me was oppressively hot. I had forgotten to grab a cap, of course, because something had to go wrong today.

I made my decision surprisingly easily. With over 5 hours until cut-off, DNFing was no longer an issue. Heatstroke was. I continued to walk instead of run and hydrated smart, focused solely on getting my heart rate down and getting rid of my nausea. Soon enough, I made it to the river crossing.

You read right. River crossing. No, not in a boat.

The current was going strong and I was instantly thankful that I had gone through that lifeguard training in high school. I had to wade through the North Saskatchewan River over to an island... which was exactly what I needed, it turned out. The cold water was like an ice bath for my legs. I wasn’t 100% yet, but I was definitely feeling better. I kept up the walking, made my way around the island, got some water dumped on my head, and by the time I was back on mainland, I felt just a bit more ready to finish this baby up.

Only four kilometres to go.

It was a doable loop back, but with my runner’s brain not really keeping track of anything and my watch in power saving mode, I didn’t really know how far I was progressing. At least, until I hit a large downhill, said fuck it and barrelled my way down it like a ten year-old, then rolled into the finishing chute with that momentum, gunning it across the finish line.

I hadn’t even realized I actually finished until I stopped and glanced around. In 12 hours and 18 minutes, I had my first 80 km ultra under my belt--and I was out of it. It almost sounds anticlimactic, describing it like that, but I can tell you right now that there is no sweeter feeling than finishing an ultra. After being on my feet all day, the realization that I was done was absolutely heavenly.

In a daze, I stumbled around for a bit before taking my boyfriend’s genius advice to sit down after running around for 12 hours. I showered, ate some food, enjoyed hot chocolate by the bonfire, and chatted with other runners and race volunteers as the evening turned to night. Just your average day of camping, right?

While my sleep before the race had been restless and interrupted, my sleep after the race was restful and deeper than Sleeping Beauty’s. Endorphins were still keeping the soreness at bay Sunday morning, so I enjoyed the last of the peaceful views and grabbed some breakfast before packing up camp and driving back home to the city.

... with my prizes in hand, of course.

It is safe to say that the soreness has more than caught up with me now, as has the complete lack of sodium in my body. And yet, I can’t help but smile every time I think back on the weekend. I smile because I’m proud of myself for finishing that 80 km (and feel ready to finish one in sub-11:00 some day soon) and that I got to accomplish that at such a great event. It is one that I will be returning to as often as I can, whether it’s as a runner or volunteer. I smile because I got to do another ultra, because this time I felt prepared and was able to enjoy every minute of it.

Most of all, though, I smile because it was just another day that I had the opportunity to appreciate the nature that makes up my backyard (figuratively) and the people that make up the running community. With the cold weather setting in and my fitness turning more towards crosstraining instead of running for the winter time, I could not have asked for a better end to my long racing season. It has me excited to recover and take on more ultra running in the upcoming year... with even more ambition and dreams than before.

[naromoreau]

Hooked on you

Pairing: Sharky Boshaw x F! Dep

Rating:Nsfw, angst and fluff and smut

I'm dedicating this to the absolutely awesome @leavenopathuntaken for encouraging me with her amazing art and words.

Thanks to @absurdwanderlust and @deputyshitlordsantana for encouraging this shit.

__________________________

Well fuck. Of course all had ended tits up. Not that he’d other expectations, ‘cuz when it came to consider a scenario involving him and a chick like Dep, things just-- just didn’t work out. And it hurt. Worst than the well known kick in the nuts. Hell, he’d take an extra ration of those just so, so- Fuck. Just to get out of that emotional dry spell.

He ain't an idiot. There’d been something bouncing back and forth. Small, real smooth hints that made his heart thud and his mind spin at night when the memories wheeled around. But outta the blue, one day she just-- slow fade him. Nothing too obvious. Just the same show he already knew, the same sad song he’d already danced. Maybe he’s just overthinking it.

No. The little voice inside his head has it right. She’d been joshing with him, that’s all. Just pure teasing between friends and he’d swallowed hook, line and sinker. Like a complete moron.

It’s a matter of time now. I mean, it may be the end of the world or whatever but-- She’s gonna find someone. ‘Cuz she’s hella pretty and, and, not that he’d check her out or nothing, but yeah. She’s gonna find someone. And the thought just tastes wrong.

Why he had to fall for her like that? He ain’t a fucking teenager to keep believing that when push came to shove, she’d stay or say what he craved to hear. And fucking Christ in heaven, this time he’d been hit hard. Shovel on the head kinda hard.

“Thanks for coming with me, man,” she says, severing his brooding thoughts.

Even looking at her is downright painful, the dimples of that smile making his stomach twist in knots, and those eyes, man. Sparkling something that Sharky is never sure to grasp entirely. “It’s ‘aight, shorty, I got you.”

“I know  you ain’t a fan of the Wolf’s Den, so I really appreciate it.”

He ain’t a fan of anyone who throws glimmering mistrust in Dep’s direction, not after watch her bleed in his arms, clumps of sweaty wayward hair sticking to dusty cheeks, as the fear rends his heart to shreds. Not when it’d been real easy for her to just kick everyone to the curb and run away. It’s rude and just outright disrespectful. “Nah, it's cool dude, I can deal with the claustrophobia for a bit,” he lies.

She chuckles with her eyes riveted on the road, but the frayed smile tells Sharky she’s far from feeling fine.

“Dep?”

“Mmm?”

“Uh, I know it’s not my business but uh, you ok?”

White-knuckled grip at the wheel before she cracks a lopsided grin in his direction. “Sorta.”

He ain’t sure if it means he should or could pry or pester her further, or if she’s politely telling him to fuck off. So he shuts his mouth. Self-preservation at its finest.

“I mean yeah,” she continues after a few seconds, but her voice is all wavering now. It makes Sharky uneasy, “but I haven't seen Staci since I got him out of Jacob’s bunker and I don't know, I guess-- I guess I’m a little rattled to see him. It could’ve been me y’know?”

“Don’t say that, man.” Never say that, he wants to say, but his voice is harsh and--. He swallows, thick. Better to chuck that idea out the passenger window, ‘cuz thinking about a reality without Dep is just-- better not to amble in that direction.

The car skids to a stop outside Wolf’s Den, and they hop off making their way inside. He nods at Wheaty on the entrance. That guy is promising, real potential right there, and maybe he can stop by to check on his vinyl collection while Dep’s busy visiting her friend.

At his side, she fidgets, frowning and giving small exhalations as if she were preparing to run a marathon. Sharky cocks a brow. He’d never seen her looking so tense, not even after he rescued her from that flossy motherfucker’s bunker.

“Hey, chica, uh, want me to stick ‘round?” Sharky almost reaches his hand to brush the hunched line of her shoulders, closing his fist to thwart his impulse, ‘cuz touchy-feely is not a line of action he recommends to himself. Not now. Probably not later also.

“No, it’s ok. I just-- I’ll be fine.” She gives a gingerly squeeze to his arm and his brain takes it as a cue to send butterflies fluttering down in his gut. Out-and-out juvenile.

He gulpes and smiles in a silent acquiescing, trudging away from her, every line and wrinkle on his face twisting in flat-out dejection.

He doesn’t snatch his eyes away from the threshold until her footfalls fade in metallic echoes.

------------

He does a mental inventory of all the goodies Wheaty allows him to take back to his trailer park. Lotsa fun stuff to blast while melting peggies and swaying his fuckin’ pantless ass just to show them Seeds they can’t take him down. It’s been well past an hour and he juggles with the vinyls in his arms meandering through narrow corridors, skirting piles of supplies cluttering up on the floor, trying to reach the room Eli always assigns to them when they’re in the premises.

The darkness is uninviting, scrambling his sense of direction and time. And he’s hungry and hopes Tammy doesn’t appear around a corner ‘cuz she ain’t that nice. Then a muffled sob. A strained groan. Sharky joggles to the room closer with the door ajar.  Somebody is losing their shit and he can’t blame them. He’d be close to if it wasn’t for-- Whatever. But help your neighbor and all that shit, even though he ain’t the most adequate candidate for that stuff. He’s more than aware of that. When he gets real close, he sets apart two distinct pitches, and his heart leap to his throat recognizing one as Dep’s.

He should’ve taken a step back and get the hell outta there, ‘cuz it ain’t gentlemanlike to go snooping around in other people's business but Dep is there. And he needs to know she’s fine. He peers through the slight opening watching Pratt crying all over Dep’s shoulder, hands clinging to her waist borderline hysteric. He really feels bad for the guy, having spent a good chunk of a month tucked away in Jacob Seed’s personal rendition of hell.

But in the flick of a second his breath freezes in his lungs, the buzz of his blood roaring in his ears. ‘Cuz Pratt is kissing Dep and as much as it’s gut-wrenching to see he can’t tear his eyes away. Like a fucking masochist. Every swipe of his tongue and every second of shared breath stings deeper and deeper, until it’s too much and he forces his legs to unnail and wonkily take him someplace else. Anywhere but there. An ache rises under his breastbone, eyes chockfull with tears, arms tingling and dropping his cargo with a loud clunk on the floor. Breathe. Miraculously he reaches the familiar room with bed bunks and closes the door for good measure.

What the fuck had he been hoping for, really?

Like she’d just turn and say hey man, actually I’m into you? Real fucking stellar. Of course that Pratt fella had the upper hand. He has a real job and not a shady piss business, probably not one forced check-in at County Jail and they both even click in the age department. Not that he thought of himself as old but she’s almost twelve years his junior, not that that shit matters when he’s a complete loser in every aspect of that pathetic thing he dares to call life. He climbs to the upper bunk, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand, and just maxes out in seething silence. ‘Cuz it ain’t fair to her but that jealousy thing man, it seeps and twinges and soaks him all, making him clench his jaw and grit his teeth.

Sundry feels whirl up inside him, heels diggin’ in the thin ass cot and fuck, there it is, that feeling bursting under the surface. Fuck. The need to set some shit on fire, like he usually does when he’s crashing down. Down, down.

“Shark?”

He should’ve jumped and run away, but he’s three feet above the ground and has great value for his bone’s integrity.

“‘Sup Dep?” There’s a flickering wave in his voice. Shaky. Unwanted, definitely not convenient tears stinging his lashes. He oughta nip them right in the bud ‘fore she sees them and yeah. That’s not--

“Hey, are you ok? I just- uh, just wanted to know if you wanted to go and eat something?”

Yeah, no thanks. Just to sit there and watch them both-- His stomach rolls over, tight and heavy as lead. “I’ll pass, uh, not, not really hungry today, sh- man.”

Shorty. Sounds fucking outta place. Something born out of his shy-ass attempt to say more. Needing more but ending with less. And he’s waiting for her to jerk her hand in that particular, very Dep like way to say good riddance, you’re not worth my time. But she stays.

His stomach growls of hunger just then. Fucking traitor.

“So, uh, not hungry then?” She moves one pace closer to the bed bunk. Yeah. She's not falling into it.

“Nope.”

And she really needs to go, and leave him alone. Gnawing his misery. Regaining his breath that now is just scorching his lungs. And he doesn't see. Eyes closed under a warm forearm.

A gentle tug at the hem of his pants, makes him groan in his raw throat. “Shark,” she says with that mellow tinge, “what’s going on? could you just--?”

She won’t let that shit fly. ‘Cuz he knows her. ‘Cuz she’s Dep and Dep is a problem solver. He bites his lip. Blinking, once, twice. A blessed drag of his hoodie over sodden eyes, and he prays. Begs. That she just won’t notice.

“Uh, I’m, I’m kinda ragged up, Dep.”

“Seriously man, what’s going on? You’re starting to freak me out-- could you just-- come down here. Please.”

Dude, it’s cruel. ‘Cuz she really cares. It’s such an earnest pleading he finds his legs moving despite his own blockade. When was the last time someone acted like he mattered? Like they actually cared?

He’s down. And she’s sitting on the bunk studiously looking at the wall. Yeah. Allowing him the courtesy of pretend it’s all normal. ‘Cuz Dep ain’t stingy.

Sharky swallows. “So uh, here I am, what, uh, what do ya need, Dep?”

“You can just sit here, y’know? I don’t bite. What’s got into you?” She scoffs.

She gives something like a general glance in his direction. And he sits. ‘Cuz not doing it is just plain giving that’s something’s off. And things would be better if he just had a beer can in his hand.

“What happened,” she asks finally looking him in the eye.

His mouth goes dry. “I uh, I hit my foot with the uh, the pole of the bed.”

She gives a soft snort and let it pass. “I talked with Staci,” she says. Sharky would’ve prefer to being hit by the bat of a grimy peggie than trekking into that direction. “He’s in really bad shape, and I just-- God, Shark, you should’ve seen him, there’s no trace of the guy who used to steal my coffee in the mornings.”

He knows he should say something. But his words are swallowed by the yawning chasm in his stomach. He hums an agreement.

“And I just-- I was thinking, y’know? I’m barely holding my sanity here and it’s all because of y’all.”

She rubs a hand across his. The column of her neck cranes, cranes ‘til those green eyes pierce into quicksilver ones and he can’t hack that shudder. A wild one. She reaches an arm and runs experienced fingers along his jaw. That warm, indistinct thing curls in his chest. Adam’s apple bobbing with a hard gulp.

He sifts her face. Pent-up reactions lingering in the moment. Hooded eyes, tugged up lips. Suspended. She takes a deep breath and is the last thing Sharky can hear before--

She plunges.

Her lips are pressed to his, his fizz of thoughts lost in one stroke. He’s not expecting it when she opens her mouth. Breath goes shallow but his tongue dips, dips up and down. Circling. Greedy. Eyes closed, it’s too perfect to last. An unwanted flash before his eyes. Black beard, tan skin. Not his. Not him. Fuck.

He pushes her off.

“What the fuck Dep?” He hates it. Hates himself. He should just take it and be happy with it. He can’t. Giveaway blur on his eyes. “Ain’t you with Pratt or somethin’?”

“What?”

A sharp blow. More like a, like a real keen strike. Right to the face. But he’s right. And now he’s not sure if he should say it but he will ‘cuz Sharky’s mouth has a mind of its own.

“C’mon Dep, I uh, I saw you back there, I mean it’s cool, y’know? Don’t sweat it, but I’m uh, I’m not into steppin’ into another dude’s territory.”

He’s sure he’s doing right. Being a gentleman and all that shit. ‘Cuz he’s not that much of a fuckin’ asshole. No matter how much he wants it. Jump in and dive.

“You saw it?”

Her hand is gone. Flat, emotionless voice reverberating in the tiny space.

“Yeah.”

“And-- did you happen to hear what happened after that?”

“Uh, nope. I mean it’s not my business to be skulkin’ around to listen convos--”

“But it’s your business to take fuckin’ conclusions without all the information?”

“Uh--” Wordless, lame-ass response. Not much to say to not look like, like a goddamn idiot.

The line of her shoulders ease down, and she lets out a deep, heavy sigh. “It’s not what you think, Shark,” she says and he clings to that believe so he bites his lip, to not screw up his chances. “He was just-- It wasn’t nothing romantic y’know? I’m the first fuckin’ person he sees that actually knows him from before all this clusterfuck started.” She shakes her head, a crink around her mouth. Sad, gloomy smile. “It  wasn’t as much as a kiss, as uh, I don’t know-- cling to a lifeline I guess.”

She smiles, a hand finding his cheek again. He actually leans into it now, fears now flaky as she scoots closer. Warm thigh against his. “Y’know? There’s a-- a common practice in the department,” she says, thumb rubbing circles on his stubble, and he’s doing everything he can not to sigh like a fuckin’ damsel, “to always focus on the things you care right? Your family, your pet, whatever. You know who I think of every morning?”

He’s paying attention. For the first time he is. Brain nailed to her train of thoughts. “B-Baby Carmina?” he says, voice thick with things he doesn’t comprehend still.

She laughs. Clear, ringing bells kinda clear. “I love my goddaughter but uh, I think you’re playing dumb, dude.”

His pulse flutters. Quick. Escalating into speedily beats, palms damp. He’s all jittery and dizzy, ‘cuz she’s looking at him, sporting a vexing grin. “Uh, Dep? My chick radar is kinda rusty y’know but I’m-- I’m picking some signals here? Just uh, just tell me what to do.” The words roll in a whisper, mouth a dry mess.

“I’ll show you.”

She speaks with a sense of finality just to kiss him as soon as the last vocal fades in the air. Soft lips against his chapped ones. Soon her tongue follows, sweeping along every nook and cranny. Warm and teasing, wheedling low moans from him with every push.

He holds her. Closer. Tighter. It takes him a moment to daze off and click back. This. This right here. All he’d ever wanted. Fuck, it feels good.

He runs his hands down, fighting gravity to not fall back. ‘Cuz they’re sitting on a friggin bunk and he ain’t sure she wants to--

Fuck, she does.

Her hand slips past the waistband of his pants, under his threadbare boxers. Erection now throbbing between her fingers. He pulls her down, arms around her waist.

They fall in a panting heap. Muscles and curves pressing him right where they should be. Like a fucking puzzle. A perfect puzzle.

She slides off him for an instant, and he complains. A groan. But she smiles, shedding off her clothes and breath catches in his chest. He’s burning. Sweating like a pig in the summer. His threads are gone in a heartbeat, not thinkin’ about the beer gut he has come to terms with, or the other fuckton of things that could sour this moment.

“You sure ‘bout this, Shorty?” He asks, ‘cuz he has manners and, and not that his pulsing cock is pressing between her thighs already.

She dips down. Kisses him again. Slowly, sweetly, taking her time. “Are you?”

“You really askin’ me that question, amigo?” he says breathless, both hands making an arrow direct to his dick.

But it's not just that. He’d never wanted anyone like this. Not just a fuck. Not just the feeling of being spent but hollow. He needs the aftermath more than he needs the sex.

“Look, gotta be real honest with you, shorty ,” he says, feelings finally frothin’ out from deep-six within him, “‘cuz you uh, need to know ‘fore all gets weird. I just, I think I love you man.”

He doesn't know what he’s expecting from Dep. Cool, controlled Dep now staring at him, bare and on top of him. What a fuckin’ sight.

“I love you too Sharky.”

Certainly not that. Clean, direct answer, no shades or ifs. It feels weird. Like watching a familiar movie with a different ending.  A happy one. He smiles, white teeth through thin lips.

He shifts his body, mouth now roving over her collarbone and she arches. Soon he’s all over her nipples. Okay. He’s good at this. This is where he excels.

He sucks her breasts, touching the warmth of her skin, reaching to every place he can find. The drag of his lips is making her whimper, and his downstairs complain. Twitching. Impatient.

“Fuck, Shark,” she says dreamily, fingers squeezing his cock and lining him up to her entrance.

Slowly, she takes him in. Maddening tightness, slick and hot engulfing him one inch at a time. She eases down on his dick and he’s just about to lose his cool ‘cuz, ‘cuz he’s balls deep inside her.

“Oh, shit, shit, Dep, fuck,” he whines. He grips the side of her thighs, groaning deep at the back of his throat.

She hums, lazy smile tagging a long with a roll of her hips. Oh shit. It’s taking him a goddamn effort not to ram artlessly and let go. But he ain’t a selfish ass.

“You feel so good, Sharky,” she says, drawled words all low and throaty.

That’s his name, that’s his fuckin’ name right there. “Shit, babe, you’re the one to talk.”

Air is suddenly not reaching his lungs. He’s high of her, trying to find his pace, amidst overwhelming sensations. He rocks his hips, steady movements among the gut-twisting little moans she’s giving. At least he’s doin’ it right.

Dep’s bottom lip disappears in her mouth, and heat pools in his groin when her rhythm increases. There’s a blush spreading on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose when he thrust harder to meet her downstrokes.

“Fuck, Shark, yes!”

His fingers dig in her hips to find leverage, sinking heels on the mattress to rock faster, relishing the awe on her face and the blurry haze on her eyes. God, he loves seeing her like this. He’s not sure how long he can take it, his heart already pounding in his ears, head spinning under the delicious friction in every pounding. But sure as fuck he’ll try. She lunges forward, knees burrowed in the cot at the sides of his thighs and palms curled around his shoulders, regaining control, now actually fucking him into the mattress.

“Jesus, fuck, Dep--” he manages to stutter, “y’gonna be the death of me y’know?” He means it and it’d be a fuckin’ good way to go west.

She licks her lips, and he catches a faint smirk and pupils blow wide before he surges to meet her, hand cradling her head. Teeth clicking, tongues swirling desperately, steamy breaths puffing while he’s sure he’s about to break. His mouth trails off, going down the rim of her jaw, dappling her skin with bruises through hard sucks.

The pressure is unbearable, and he’s close, so damn close, feeling the sparks of searing hotness flaring up from his balls, fanning out ‘til his pelvis and his spine seem about to explode.

“I can’t- fuck, Dep, I can’t.”

She kisses him again as an answer, crying out the moment he angles his hips. The hug of her walls is too much, clenching around his cock, pushing him to the final inches of his climax.

“Dep, I’m ‘bout to--” He tries to pull off, but she keeps him pinned in place.

And if he needs more assurance, she roots her hips down, eyes locked on his. “It’s ok, Sharky, I want you to.”

And he loses it. Fucking Christ, he loses it.

He pulls her down, groaning, burying a final, heavy sigh against her skin. His body tenses, mind-wrecking spasms running along his dick and his balls and he’s dazzled by the popping lights under his lids. Sharky holds her, peppering her face with light kisses as the throbbing fades and the spurts stop, the buzz in his ears lowering to zero.

“That was good,” she says playing with a curl of his hair, draped on him.

“Fuckin-A, babe.” His words are still catching in his throat, a hand placed on her lower back.

He wallows in the moment. Just feeling, not thinking. Trying not to be surpassed by the little things he has never appreciated after the fact. ‘Cuz it wasn’t with her. Yeah. Soft breathing, quick heartbeat thrumming against his chest, the way her skin shines under a thin sheet of sweat. And sweet Jesus, that lavender scent.

“So uh, this means we’re like--together? As in, as in a couple kinda together?” He finally asks. He ain’t bad reading signals but now, he needs the assurance. The certainty. He needs the words leaving her mouth, one hooked to the other.

“Nah, you’re just hot and I wanted to jump your bones,” she says with a grin, “of course it means we’re together, as in a couple kinda together, you big oaf!”

Sharky finally relaxes, feeling the strain of the task and the raw emotions soaking in his bones. “Y’know shorty? Don’t get take this the wrong way but uh, I’m actually kinda beat down, so Imma take a shut eye real quick, ‘mkay?” And then he quickly adds, “please, don’t go.”

She laughs, pulling the blanket over them both and curls against him, warm and comfortable snuggled against him. “You don’t need to apologize, Shark and I’m not going anywhere”

He nuzzles the strands of hair splayed on her shoulder and dozes off to the soft rhythm of her breathing, coming to terms with the awesome reality tickling under his fingers.

[fixomnia-scribble]

And another just because

Tagged by: @chaotic-archaeologist

Rules:

Pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions. Tag 10 (or however many) people.

1. The West Wing 2. Good Omens 3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 4. CSI: New York  5. Midsomer Murders 

Who is your favorite character in 2? I have to chose between Aziraphale and Crowley?

Who is your least favorite character in 1? The pair of assholes who made Ainsley cry over dead flowers at her miserable desk in the Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue. Because many of us have known Those Guys in real life.

What is your favorite episode of 4? Anything with Danny and Don trash-talking each other

What is your favorite season of 5? I think the 4th, when they really     got into the flow.

Who is your favorite couple in 3? GSR BABY.

Who is your favorite couple in 2? Seriously?

What is your favorite episode of 1? Agh, just one? Let’s say…Bartlet’s Third State of the Union

What is your favorite episode of 5? I cannot possibly pick one out of all thirty-seven seasons. Except Cully’s Wedding was pretty amazing.

What is your favorite season of 2? There’s only been one!

How long have you watched 1? I started watching it in 2006, and have marathoned it at least twice a year since

How did you become interested in 3? OH FUNNY STORY. When I was first hired by the RCMP, I was sent on a three-week crash course in software, policies, etc. There were maybe four of us non-drinkers on the course. So one night I ended up hanging out with three female cops in their hotel room, eating pizza and watching CSI. When I say ‘watching’, what I mean is ‘yelling at the characters about scene protocol, bad science, and impossibly pretty, impossibly fast databases’. I had never watched it before and I was hooked. And that was also the week I started looking into going back to school for forensic science.

Who is your favorite actor in 4? Aw, Eddie Cahill. Six foot two of County Carlow with a New York City accent thick as a good steak.

Which do you prefer, 1, 2, or 5? Still West Wing.

Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3? CSI has more, so…that one.

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? Hm. Everyone’s so saddled with burdens! I’m not sure I’d actually want to be any of them entirely.

Would a crossover between 3 and 4 work? It can and it did, at least twice.

Pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple? Ed and Larry.

Overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5? Given that CSI uses crime stories to dive a deeply personal character drama, and Midsomer Murders is entirely story-driven with familiar characters, I’m going to say that Midsomer has the better storylines.

Tagging: in 2020 we tag our our darn selves.

[eltirajxumisto]

读书笔记 |《单词的历史：英语词源漫谈》趣词摘录

这是一本讲英语词源的书，书名的原文叫做《Midwives, marathons and mumbo jumbo: a dictionary of word and phrase origins》，点得很清楚，是一本关于「单词和习语起源的词典」，中文翻译成「单词的历史」反而让人误以为是个系统讲词源学的大部头。

作者: 马丁·H·曼瑟；译者: 崔峰；出版社: 上海译文出版社；出版年: 2015-5

其实本书只有240也，体例如词典，一个词一段解释，很快就能读完。不过从整体内容来说，有点枯燥无味，因此在读这本书的时候，免不了要从中摘录一些相对有趣的词条。

下面就夹叙夹议着列一列。

abracadabra （表演魔术��施魔法时所念的咒语）阿布拉卡达布拉

魔术师表演魔术时会使用abracadabra这个咒语。该咒语可溯源至希腊咒语abrasadabra。诺斯替教派、巴希理德学派、的教徒们在祈求神助时使用这一咒语。它也可能来源于abrasax，其最初是由希腊字母组成的咒语或护身符，人们相信它是有魔力的；从公元2世纪起，abrasax又被认为具有神性，且受到诺斯替教派的崇拜。这一咒语中包含了数字365，代表365重天，也表示重天中的精灵，它们是神的365个发散体。

另一种解释认为该词来源于三个希伯来词语：即Ab（圣父）、Ben（圣子）及Acadsch（圣灵）。

如果你念得够快，这个词就会变成：Wubba lubba dub dub!

aftermath 后果，创伤

该词指不幸或灾难（如战争、洪水等）发生后随即产生的余波、后果。该词的意思由 after和math的字面意思延伸而来。math 表示一拨收割后的草，因此 aftermath 表示同一季节内再度收割的草。

如果创伤是被再次收割的草，那我们的悲伤就如afteralliumtuberosumcutting

agnostic 不可知论者

我们很难准确地指出某个词是在何时由何人创造的，但agnostic是个特例。1869年，英国生物学家、达尔文进化论的主要倡导者托马斯·亨利·赫胥黎（Thomas Henry Huxley,1825—1895）创造了该词。当时他是形而上学学会（the Metaphysical Society）的一员。赫胥黎认为，人们无法证明上帝是否存在，所以他想创造一个单词以表示某人既不承认也不否认上帝的存在。他认为，只有物质对象才是可知的，所以把 a（希腊语中表示“不”的意思）与 gignōskein（希腊语中表示“知道”的意思）结合起来，创造了agnostic。赫胥黎原本用该词指认为上帝的存在是不可知的某个人，但在现代英语中它的意思略有变化，指怀疑上帝存在的人，或者更笼统地指对特定事物持怀疑态度的人。

基本上所有西方主流语言都是直接引用这个词。

antimacassar 椅背套

19世纪，润发香油被引进英国，其中含有大量望加锡油。据说此油的原料产自望加锡（Makassar，即现在印度尼西亚中部的乌戎潘当〔Ujung Padang〕）。该发油颇受欢迎，使得望加锡成为商标名。由于沙发椅沾上发油后易留下污渍，所以人们就发明了antimacassar（由 anti和macassar 组成）。antimacassar是一种装饰性布料，可以套在椅背上作吸油之用，从而保持椅子清洁。现今，一些住家、火车车厢和飞机内仍在使用antimacassar的纸制椅罩。

又是一个地名变名词的案例，还加上一层反转，还是德语里的Sofaschoner更简单易懂些。

atlas 地图册

在���希腊神话中，阿特拉斯（Atlas）是泰坦神族（Titans）的巨神之一。因为他企图推翻宙斯的统治，所以被罚以双肩扛天度其余生。地图绘制家墨卡托（Gerardus Mercaror,1512—1594）曾采用阿特拉斯擎天图作为一本地图册的扉页插图，该地图册于16世纪末出版。后来atlas就被用来指称地图册。

在建筑物中，atlas（复数形式是atlantes）指的是男像柱，它们被用作上横梁的支撑柱。而caryatids（复数形式是caryatides）指的是女像柱，源自希腊语Karyatides，指的是希腊城邦卡黎亚（Caryae）的月亮女神阿耳忒弥斯（Artemis）的诸位女祭司。

Atlas → Atlantes，特别的复数形式，不过atlases好像也是存在的。

atone 补偿

该词表示为所做的错事感到愧疚，并补偿过失。它源自 16世纪产生的一个名词 atonement，用以表达"at one"的状态（at-one-ment）——即与上帝保持一致。后来这种“协调”之意转而表示对错事进行弥补。

德语里表达类似含义的是一个长词：Wiedergutmachung，有修复的意思。

batty 疯疯癫癫的

batty 形容某人言行古怪或有点疯疯癫癫。该词可能源自短语have bats in one's belfry。人们认为安布罗斯·毕尔斯（Ambrose Bierce,1842—1914）在 20世纪初第一次使用了这一短语，指的是钟楼里的蝙蝠。每当钟敲响时，蝙蝠便会疯狂地乱飞，就好像一个疯子心神不安、胡思乱想一般。

类似的词还有batshit（极不合理的），可能源自apeshit（像猿猴一样因为愤怒或兴奋失去控制），以及squirrelly（可能源自松鼠般的不稳定）

beggar 乞丐

该词可能源��� 12世纪比利时神父兰伯特·伯格（Lambert Le Bègue）的昵称，即“结巴兰伯特”（Lambert the Stammerer）。他在列日（Liège，今比利时东部城市）创建了一个女修道会，修女们被称作Beguines。她们过着简朴的、半世俗的集体生活。会员无须立誓，并可拥有私人财产，还可随意返俗。后来又出现了类似性质的兄弟修道会，成员被称作Beghards。他们拥有共同财产，但不允许拥有私人财产，所以他们中有不少人靠救济金为生，无自尊可言。故而，Beghards 一词保留了下来，并变成了beggars。

所以说，beggar并不是源自beg，而是从一个人名变成了一个群体的代称。

blurb （印在书籍等护封上的）推荐广告

该词指简短的广告，尤指出现在书籍封面上的广告。它系美国幽默作家、插图画家吉利特·伯吉斯（Gelett Burgess,1866—1951）为推介他的新书《你是庸俗之人吗？》（Are You a Bromide？）而创造的。

20世纪初，美国小说的封面上通常会印一张美女照吸引读者。伯吉斯对此进行了恶搞，把一幅他称为"Belinda Blurb 小姐”的美女照印到了护封上，画中的小姐一副病殃殃、无精打采的样子。他这样做是为了希望“以她的封面为护封广告，以期终止此类广告”（blurbing a blurb to end all 封面为护封广告，以期终止此类广告”（blurbing a blurb to end all blurbs）。自此以后，人们便常将 blurb 一词同书籍封面上的广告联系起来。

看来腰封宣传真是一件历史悠久的事情。

boycott 联合抵制

boycott a person,organization,etc.指拒绝与某人、某机构等有业务关系。该短语除了具有“不同意”的含义外，也常指试图强迫他人、机构等接受特定条件的某种手段。boycott 一词出自查尔斯·肯宁汉·杯葛（Charles Cunningham Boycott,1832—1897）上校，他是一名土地承租管理人。

杯葛在退役后，受雇于厄恩伯爵（the Earl of Erne），管理爱尔兰梅奥郡（County Mayo）的地产。1880年，爱尔兰土地同盟（the Irish Land League）试图进行土地改革，倡议地主削减佃农地租，并声称凡拒不执行此倡议的地主应遭驱逐。结果杯葛因为拒绝减租而立即遭到驱逐。他的工人被迫离开他，商人拒绝给他供货，他的妻子也受到了���胁——他不得不携妻子仓皇逃往英格兰，以躲避迫害。英国历史上第一次“联合抵制”的事件就这样大获成功。

主要的西方语言基本都沿用了boycott，只不过在拼写上各有调整（并加上了动词词尾），如法语boycotter、德语boykottieren、意大利语boicottare、西班牙语boicotear、世界语bojkoti…可怜的杯葛上校。

browse 浏览

该词指随意浏览书刊杂志等。它源自古法语brost，原义指鹿、羊等动物食用的嫩苗、嫩叶和嫩枝。所以该词既保留了“吃叶”这一本意，又具有了“悠闲地择取事物”这样的比喻义，如浏览杂志中的段落，或慢悠悠地逛商店，试图找到有趣之物。

「悠闲地择取事物，试图找到有趣之物」，这个意象真是太棒了。

burgle 入室行窃

someone burgles a house指某人入室行窃。动词 burgle 源自名词 burglar，也就是说，burgle是个逆成词——即去掉已知单词的后缀以形成另一相关词语。比如，人们以为以 -ar,-er，或 -or 结尾的名词是由已知动词加上"doer"之类的词尾构成的，这就使 pedlar和editor 被误解为是由 peddle和edit 分别加上相关词尾衍变而成。

其他逆成词还包括 commute（commuter的逆成词）、diagnose（diagnosis的逆成词）和televise（television的逆成词）。

关于删出来的逆成词，还有哪些，可以参考这个列表：https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_back-formations

Busman's holiday 有名无实的假期

该短语指照常工作的节假日。据说在 20世纪初，伦敦很多公共马车的司机非常喜爱他们的马匹，为了确保顶替轮班的司机对马儿好一点，他们在休息日作为乘客，坐上自己的车子，以确保马儿被照管妥当。

对当代新媒体、广告等行业从业者同样适用，Mad Man's Holiday.

chortle 咯咯地欢笑

chortle指满意地笑或被逗得直笑。这是英国作家卡罗尔（Lewis Carroll,1832—1898）在他的童话《镜中世界》（Through the Looking Glass,1872）中造的一个词，由 chuckle（抿着嘴暗笑）和snort（哈哈大笑）缩合而成。squawk 一词也是由卡罗尔所造，现在亦广为使用，它是由 squeal（尖叫）和squall（哇哇叫）综合而成。既然把两种意思“压缩”成一个单词，卡罗尔便把这样的单词叫做 portmanteau words，portmanteau在当时是一款时尚的旅行箱。

造词大师刘易斯·卡罗尔，类似的还有slithy（lithe+slimy），现在「混成词」就叫做portmanteau，不过目前逐渐被blend取代了。

earwig 蠼螋

该词指蠼螋，它是一种小昆虫，身体尾部长着一对螯。该昆虫得名自古英语ēarwicga：ēare指耳朵，wicga 则指昆虫或甲虫。根据过去流传的迷信说法，这种昆虫会爬进梦中人的耳朵，然后又钻进人的大脑，故得此名。作为该词一要素的wig可能也与 wiggle（扭动，蠕动）有关。在其他语言中，这种昆虫也有类似的名词：如法语的perce-oreille，字面意思为“刺穿耳朵者”；德语的Ohrwurm，字面意思为“耳虫”。

「蠼螋」的读音是：chyu sou，两个典型的形声字。

eavesdropper 偷听者

该词指窃听者。eaves指屋檐，在阴���和排水管还未发明之前，屋檐能够使雨水滴到屋子之外。雨水所滴之处曾被称为eavesdrip，后衍变为eavesdrop。而檐下滴水之处靠近窗户，正是偷听屋内人说话的理想场所。

太形象了。

electricity 电

古希腊人已经了解了电这一能源形式。他们发现，通过摩擦琥珀可产生静电，吸引稻草和其他很轻的物质。该词源自英国科学家威廉·吉尔伯特（William Gilbert,1544—1603）根据希腊语ēlektron（琥珀）所创的electricity 一词。吉尔伯特以其在磁学方面的开创性工作，尤其是他的论文《磁论》（De Magnete,1600）而闻名于世，被称作“电力之父”。吉尔伯特也将 electric force（电力）、magnetic pole （磁极）等术语引入英语。

在奉行纯化政策西方语言里，对「electricity」这个词总要进行一番再创造。比如冰岛语里的rafmagn = raf（琥珀）+ magn（力量），等于把希腊语词根直译了一遍；匈牙利语的villamosság源自villám（闪电）；最有意思的是芬兰语的sähkö，1845年由物理学家Samuel Roos创造，源自动词sähähtää（短暂发出嘶嘶声）和säkenöidä（冒火花）的合成。

intelligentsia 知识阶层

该词指社会中对文化艺术、政治等感兴趣的知识分子阶层。追根溯源，它源自拉丁语intelligentia（感知力或理解力）。令人好奇的是，intelligentia是从俄语中借用而来的。它在俄语里指“俄国革命”前社会上的那些“有志于知识性活动”（Oxford English Dictionary 第2版）的一群人。20世纪的前25年，该词进入英语中。

俄语的原文是интеллиге́нция (intelligéncija)

laser 激光

激光能产生高强度光或其他形式的电磁辐射，在切割硬物、全息图、电信、手术等方面用途广泛。laser是一例首字母缩略词：起初它名为lightwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation（受激辐射式光频放大器），各单词首字母组成 laser。由于全称表述累赘而形成缩略词的其他科学术语还包括：AIDS（艾滋病），源自 acquired immune deficiency syndrome（获得性免疫缺陷综合征）；radar（雷达），源自 radio detecting and ranging（无线电探测与测距）；及sonar（声纳），源自 sound navigation ranging（声音导航与测距）。

一般能组成音节的缩写词能容易独立成词，比如NATO（North Atlantic Treaty Organization）、NASA（National Aeronautics and Space Administration）、GIF（graphics interchange format）、不过USA就没人念成u-sa；此外音节也可以组合，例如Gestapo（Geheime Staatspolizei），翻译也很妙：盖世太保。

loo 厕所；盥洗室

loo 为口头语，尤指英式英语中的厕所。在几种词源解释中，最有可能的有两种。其一，一个英国人试图发法语le lieu（地点）的音，have time off in lieu 中的lieu 常发音为loo。其二，它是Gardy loo的缩写形式。在还没有下水道的年代里，家庭主妇们把夜壶倾倒至窗外的街道上时会发出“Gardy loo！”的警告。Gardy loo 在法语中写作gardez l'eau（小心有水）。

loo = l’eau，没毛病。

mesmerize 迷惑，迷住

someone is mesmerized by something指某人为某物神魂颠倒，仿佛受了魔咒或被催眠了一般。mesmerize 出自奥地利医生、催眠师弗朗茨·安东·梅斯梅尔（Franz Anton Mesmer,1734—1815）之名，他是首位将催眠术运用于医疗的人。梅斯梅尔出生于奥地利，后来在维也纳行医。他认为自己行医之所以成功，源于他使用磁铁作为催眠工具。

尽管那些被他治愈的病人给予他莫大的支持，他还是被奥地利当局从维也纳驱逐出去，于1778年移居巴黎。在那里，他的治疗技��变成了时尚。

1784年，路易十六任命了一个科学委员会调查他。他们得出的结论是：梅斯梅尔是个吹牛皮的骗子。他不得不逃离巴黎，在瑞士默默无闻地度过余生。他相信他的成功是由于超自然力量的帮助，而今天，我们都知道这是因为他的催眠技术。

又一个人名进入词典的案例。

moron 蠢人，笨蛋

该词现主要是表达某人很蠢的一种粗俗的方式，它原本有精准的科学意义。1910年，在美国低能研究学会（the American Association for the Study of the Feeble-Minded）的一次会议上，美国心理学家亨利·戈达德博士（Henry H.Goddard,1866—1957）建议用此词指心理年龄在 8和12 岁之间、智商在 50和70 之间的精神不健全人士。该词源于希腊语mōros（愚蠢）。

这个词现在不够政治正确，某些情况下除外。

news 新闻；消息

该词指广泛传播的有趣或者值得关注的事件。常有人以为这个单词来源于指南针的四个方向：北（N）、东（E）、西（W）、南（S），因为新闻常常是从四面八方而来的。其实该词的来源并不复杂：中古英语中该词的拼写是newes，模仿的是古法语noveles 或中世纪拉丁语nova，意为“新事物”。人们之所以认为该词的来源与指南针有关，估计是因为有些报纸习惯在报头放上地球的图案，并在上面加上指南针的四个指向。

「这个单词来源于指南针的四个方向：北（N）、东（E）、西（W）、南（S），因为新闻常常是从四面八方而来的」，如果真是这样就有趣了。

nice 好的；美好的

恐怕没有哪个词的词义像 nice 这样变化如此之大。现代英语中该词表达赞同之意，有“好”、“美好”的意思。该词源自拉丁语nescius（无知的），13世纪传入英语，表示“愚蠢的”。其意思随着时间推移而改变：14世纪时，它为“放荡”、“好色”之意；到了15世纪，则形容“害羞的”；16世纪时，它又指“吹毛求疵”或“细微差异”：a nice distinction（精细入微的区别）和a nice point（敏锐地指出）等现代词组中仍保留了这层含义。直到 18世纪，该词才具有了现代意义。

Nice的意味今天依然很微妙，有点像微信里的微笑表情。

OK

该词用以表达肯定的态度。对其来源，众说纷纭，其中有两个主要的观点。有人认为该词代表oll korrect，是all correct的滑稽拼法，造于1938年。另有人认为Old Kinderhook的首字母缩写才是OK的来源，Old Kinderhook 即民主党人马丁·范布伦（Martin Van Buren,1782—1862）的出生地，后来也成了他的外号。马丁曾于1840年参加总统连任竞选，OK 俱乐部就是为了支持他的竞选而成立的。他后来落选，所以当然不 OK 了。

不管该词起源为何，它和它的变体 okay 已经深深根植于英语和其他语言中。正如斯图尔特·弗莱克斯纳（Stuart Flexner）在其著作《我听见美国在说话》（I Hear America Talking）中所言：“OK是最流行的典型美语。它短小精悍，琅琅上口。在美国，它每天的使用频率高达上百万次。世界其他国家的人不但自己用OK，也凭此判断那些说 OK的就是美国人。”

OK才是真正的世界语，连世界语里都有个词叫okej。

onomatopoeia 拟声词

该词指象声词，是模仿它所代表的事物或行动的词。如buzz（嗡嗡声）、crash（碰撞声）、hiss（嘶嘶声）、moo（哞）、sizzle （嘶嘶声）。模仿描写对象声音的诗歌也是象声的，一个众所周知的例子是爱伦坡（Edgar Allan Poe）的《钟声》（The Bells）：

Keeping time,time,time，

In a sort of Runic rhyme，

To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells

From the bells,bells,bells,bells.

合着一种北方神秘的旋律，

合着那悠扬快活的丁丁锳锳，

铃声流出那小钟般的银铃，

丁锳，丁锳，丁锳。

该词源自希腊语onoma 一词，由 onoma（名称）和poiein（制作）组合而成。

拟声词这个话题，本身就够写无数篇论文了。这里只说说几个新造的拟声词，比如乔伊斯在《��利西斯》里造的：tattarrattat，用来形容敲门的声音；60年代的《蝙蝠侠》电视剧，在战斗场景里，屏幕上会出现漫画风格的拟声词：wham!, pow!, biff!, crunch!, zounds!；漫画作家Don Martin经常自创拟声词，比如thwizzit，是表现「从打字机中拉出一张纸的声音」，粉丝们甚至还为此编了个字典，记录这些拟声词的含义。

palindrome 回文

该词表示“回文”，即顺读和倒读都一样的单词、短语或句子。它源于希腊语palindromos（再次跑了回来），其中 palin 表示“反过来再来一次”，dramein 表示“跑”。最早的回文是由古希腊人设计出来的。英语回文词的例子有 Hannah（人名：汉娜）、level（水平）、minim（微量水平）等。英语中最长的回文词是redivider（重新划分）。拿破仑曾说过：

"Able was I ere I saw Elba."

“在见到厄尔巴岛之前，我本无所不能。”

还有 19世纪的一组对句：

Dog as a devil deified.

Deified lived as a god.

魔鬼一般的狗被奉若神明，被奉若神明的它如神一般生活。

最长的回文故事有 66 666个单词，由爱德华·毕尔布（Edward Berbow）所作。它的开头是Al,sign it，“Lover！”，结尾是revolting,Isla.

这个回文故事似乎只是个传说，并没有查到类似的文本，另外这个作者似乎应该是叫Benbow而非文中的Berbow。

前面提到乔伊斯创造的拟声词tattarrattat，被《牛津英语词典》认定是英语中最长的回文词。《吉尼斯纪录大全》则认为是detartrated，一个化学术语的过去分词，意为「去除了酒石酸盐的」。

另外吉尼斯纪录还认定，芬兰语中的saippuakivikauppias（皂石供应商）是日常生活中使用的最长回文词。

除此之外，英语中还有两本「回文小说」，David Stephens于1980年写的《Satire: Veritas》，一共58795个字母；Lawrence Levine于1986年写的《Dr Awkward & Olson in Oslo》，一共31954个字母。此外，Demetri Martin还写过一首224个词的回文长诗：Dammit I'm Mad。

pandemonium 喧闹，大混乱

该词指喧哗吵闹的状态。英国诗人约翰·弥尔顿在《失乐园》（1667）第1册中创造了该词。弥尔顿用此词作为地狱首府的名称，而所有的邪灵都来到首府参加会议：

"A solemn Council forthwith to be held At Pandæmonium,the high Capital of Satan and his Peers."

“万魔窟是撒旦和其从众的首府，在那里将立即召开一次庄严的会议。”

该词源于希腊语pan-（全部）和daimōn（精灵）。

这个词本身就非常有庄严感。

posh 漂亮的，时髦的；高档的

有关它的起源主要有两种说法。第一种说法颇具诗情画意，认为该词源自英国人乘船定期往返于印度的时代，当时的印度还是大英帝国的一部分。为了避免强烈阳光的照射，一些乘客在往返时都要住在船的遮阴侧，即去时住在船的左舷边（port out），回来时住在船的右舷边���starboard home）。取这四个英文单词的首字母即为posh，指有地位、身份高贵的人才能付得起这样的舱位价格。虽然这种说法颇为流行，但缺少证据。第二种说法虽然不那么精彩，，认为该词源自过时的俚语单词 posh（花花公子或钱），最早可能出于吉卜赛人之口。

果然还是第一个说法有意思。

robot 机器人

该词指代替人类执行任务的自动机器，它出自捷克语robota（工作或奴役）。1920年，捷克剧作家、小说家卡尔·恰彼克（Karel Čapek,1890—1938）创作了戏剧《罗萨姆万能机器人公司》（Rossum's UniversalRobots），其英文版本于1923年在伦敦公演，剧名中的robot 遂进入英语中。剧中的人造机器人虽然没有生命，但却能熟练地操作机器。

形容词 robotic（机器人的或像机器人的）由美国科学家、作家艾萨克·阿西莫夫（Isaac Asimov,1920—1992）于1941年创造出来。

像中文中「机器人」这种翻译，在世界范围内很少见，不过冰岛语总能给你惊喜，vélmenni（机器人） = vél（机器）+ menni（合成词中表示「人」的含义）。

serendipity 意外发现珍奇事物的本领

该词指意外发现有趣事物的本领。1754年，英国作家霍勒斯·沃尔浦尔（Horace Walpole,1717—1797）创作了波斯神话故事《锡兰三王子》（The Three Princes of Serendip），从而创造了serendipity 一词。故事中的英雄们拥有如此才能：

"they were always making discoveries,by accidents and sagacity,of things which they were not in quest of."

“他们总能凭着运气和睿智，发现他们并没有寻求的东西。”

「意外发现有趣事物的本领」多么迷人的本领。

smog 烟雾

smog（烟雾）是由 smoke（烟）和fog（雾）组成的混合词。1905年，在公共健康委员会的一次会议中，H.A.德佛（H.A.des Voeux）博士创造了该词，用来形容伦敦烟雾弥漫。其他混合词还包括：binary（二进制数）和digit（位数）组成的混合词 bit（二进制位），breakfast（早餐）和lunch（午餐）组成的混合词 brunch（早午餐），camera（照相机）和recorder（录音机）组成的混合词 camcorder（摄像机），motor（汽车）和hotel（旅馆）组成的混合词 motel（汽车旅馆），以及transfer（转移）和resistor（电阻器）组成的混合词 transistor（晶体管）。

最近很火的Brexit、Megxit也是如此。其实和制英语中其实也有很多混成词，比如パソコン，就是パーソナル・コンピュータ（ personal computer ）的混成，ポケモン（ Pokémon）是ポケット・モンスター（pocket monster）的混成。

ventriloquism 腹语术，口技

该词指腹语，它是一种发声艺术，使声音听起来并非出自说话者的口腔。口技演员常手持一只玩偶，通过操纵玩偶使其张开嘴巴和移动躯干。该词的词源是ventriloquism，由拉丁语单词 venter（腹部）和loqui（说话）组成。过去，人们普遍认为，既然声音不是从口技人的嘴里发出的，那么一定是出自于其腹部。

一直没有搞懂腹语术是怎么练成的。

vitamin 维生素

该词指维生素，它是一种有机化合物，是保持身体健康和成长的重要物质。1912年，美国生物化学家卡西米尔·冯克（Casimir Funk,1884—1967）创造了该词。起初，冯克把它拼作 vitamine，由两个拉丁单词 vita（生命）和amine（氨）组成，当时人们以为维生素中包含了氨基酸。但后来人们发现，维生素中并没有氨基酸，遂去掉了vitamine 中的e。

还是喜欢另一个翻译「维他命」，当真是形神兼备。

以上。

[beckzorz]

PREMONITIONS 2 (5/8)

or, Adventures in Pursuit of a Seven-Year-Old Seer

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader Words: 2483 Summary: It’s been over a year since you met Bucky, and you couldn’t be happier. If only you could figure out why your precognitive niece is burying you in abstract crayon art… Warnings for part 5: Mild swearing, mild violence

Canisteo. Steuben County, New York. Population: 3,254.

Distance from the city: 300 miles.

Expected travel time? Five hours.

How long does it take you to get there?

Seven. Fucking. Hours.

A semi-trailer truck crashed on the highway an hour out of the city, blocking all three lanes and setting traffic to a standstill. You’re stuck in the same spot for almost forty minutes. After that, things pick up, but just barely. The cars inch along until, finally, you beak free of the bottleneck. With every minute that passes, you can’t help but imagine what horrors your family is going through. It’s an effort to unclench your hand from the wheel to change gears, adjust the heat, try to listen to the news…

Every minute is torture.

When you finally pass the “Welcome to Canisteo” sign, your heart leaps. Finally! You can swoop in, find your family, save them…

Find your family…

Main Street is quaint, almost disturbingly so. Light, colorful buildings with detailed facades line the sidewalk. The last snow was a week ago; what remains has gone gray and yellow. Weak winter sun streams in through thin clouds overhead.

You drive up and down Main Street, passing banks and restaurants and people wandering around during the lunch hour. No one is familiar. The sun on the snow is blinding, and you alternate between squinting and blinking.

After your second U-turn, you pull over. You peel your hands away from the wheel and go into park. Your hands are stiff, stiff with cold and terror. They tremble as you pull the key from its slot. You shove your hands between your legs and press your forehead against the steering wheel, vision blurring.

You’ve followed Gemma’s map. You made it to Canisteo. But what are you supposed to do now?

Well, sitting in your chilling car isn’t going to accomplish anything. You check the signage—yes, you’re good to park here—and stuff the map of Gemma’s drawings into your backpack. The bag is a solid weight on your shoulders as you wander through the center of town. Things seem as tranquil as they appeared at first glance. The restaurants aren’t too busy, the sidewalks are neatly paved, traffic is limited. After a lifetime spent in the city, the serenity is more disturbing than anything. Even if your neighborhood is relatively quiet, there’s still the hum of the subway, the cars and taxis…

This place feels halfway dead.

Every person you pass gives you a look, and you prickle under their stares. Sure, you’re a stranger. What of it? There’s no harm in city folk visiting small towns.

Your shoulders are around your ears by the time you duck into a cafe for a bite to eat. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon, and your gut is cramping. You force down a sandwich. Nausea curls at your gut as you eat—more wasted time! these twenty minutes might be the difference between life and death!—and you try not to cry into your tea.

If you get so hungry that you pass out, you’re no help.

But having eaten, you have to come to terms with the fact that even sated, you don’t know what to do.

What if Canisteo isn’t the right destination? There’s no message for you here, not that you’ve seen, and you have no idea how to grill the locals. Interrogation is a skill you don’t have, be it as a good cop or bad. You don’t know how to weasel information out of people—being honest is what you’ve been taught, what you know. How the hell are you supposed to magically discover the—lair? Hideout? Maybe they’re upstairs in this very building. Who the hell knows! You sure don’t.

You bite your lip hard as you stare down at your empty plate. You will not cry in a cafe. You will not.

“Are you alright, miss?”

You flinch and stare over at the older man looking at you from the next table. Your heart races. Why is he bothering you? Does he know? Is he one of them?

“Y-yeah,” you manage. You unclench your fists, force a smile. “Just trying to figure out where my brother got to.”

The old man nods and turns back to his bagel and newspaper. Your hands shake as you gather your things. Is the man watching you? Are the eyes you feel on you malign or concerned?

Are you even thinking straight?

You flee the cafe, not once looking back until you’re locked in your freezing car. From here, you can just make out the man at the cafe window. And all he’s doing is sitting there, bagel and newspaper in hand.

You sag in your seat, breath coming as heavy as if you’d just run a marathon. Through the windshield, Canisteo’s tranquility laughs at you.

Why did Gemma summon you here? What are you supposed to do?

Were you even supposed to come?

Hands shaking, you pull out your phone and try Bucky. You haven’t tried since the last call before you left, and he hasn’t gotten back to you. But it’s been almost eight hours. Maybe now…

“The number you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message at the tone.”

You let Bucky’s voicemail message finish before hanging up. You don’t bother leaving a message. What is there to say? ‘Hi, Bucky, I drove halfway to Canada because Gemma’s abstract art looks like a Google map and that definitely means I’m in the right place!’

Right. Because that sounds so convincing.

You bang your forehead against the steering wheel and stare mindlessly at the dashboard beyond. The plastic of the wheel is cold against your face. Focus, dammit. There’s no point in letting yourself get paranoid. Gemma’s never led you astray before.

Astray, no. Into trouble?

Your hand drifts to your side, where under your jacket and shirt a scar lingers. The one time Gemma had led you into trouble, you’d been shot saving Bucky’s life. You were fine, in the end, and you’d gotten a dream boyfriend out of it to boot. For whatever reason, the assassin had never come after you, and nothing like it had ever come up again.

But now?

Kidnapping isn’t the same as murder. But as much as you’d stopped the bullet, it was Gemma who’d put you where you needed to be.

Your breath catches. Slowly, you sit up, tension clogging your throat. That fateful night was well over a year ago, but revenge is a dish best served cold.

Is this kidnapping to do with last Halloween?

“Oh god,” you whisper.

The silence is deafening. Your heart thumps in your chest. No wonder Bucky’s been off the grid. Of course he’s been ignoring your calls. If there are assassins involved, he’d certainly try to keep you out of it. He was apologetic about you getting shot even when you were a stranger. Now that you’re dating…

Certainty settles over you like a wet blanket. If anything happens to you, Bucky will blame himself. And you aren’t about to let that happen to the man you love.

The man you love?

Your lips part and your eyes widen.

Well, shit.

Sure, you and Bucky have been dating for almost a year. You’ve teased each other, shared longing looks, and reached for each other in moments of distress. But neither of you have ever mentioned love.

Maybe you’ve told him you love his body, or his hair. Even his arm, with all it can do. But not him.

Hell, it took months for you to even put a label on each other. You can still remember the summer day you took Gemma upstate when Bucky first called you his girl.

Your throat burns; you clap a hand over your mouth. Oh god, why didn’t you realize it before? Of course you love him—he’s perfect. Funny, beautiful, smart, sexy… And he’s had nothing but respect for you from day one. Not like so many others, who roll their eyes at your boring job or wince at your cheekiness. Bucky just grins.

Before now, you’ve never really worried about his superhero status. By the time you see him after missions, he’s back to his usual fantastic shape. The things you’ve worried about are more mental than physical.

But now?

If you hadn’t been there, if Gemma hadn’t brought you to the right place at the right time, Bucky might have died last Halloween, gunned down in the street with his milk and his phone. Steve would have arrived too late. You… you never would have met him. Your heart clenches at the thought. You can’t imagine life without Bucky Barnes. He’s your everything.

You take your phone in hand again, your finger hovering over Bucky’s name. He might not answer now, but he’s bound to listen to your messages at some point. You tap on his name and press your phone to your ear, your jaw set.

“The number you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message at the tone.”

This time, you don’t hang up right away. Instead, you wait for the tone.

“Hi Bucky, it’s me. It’s, uh, around one pm. I know you’re busy, but I w-wanted—” Your voice shakes. What if this is the last message you leave him? What if he doesn’t feel the same? You swallow away your fear. “Sorry. I wanted to tell you I love you. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but no matter what happens, I love you. So damn much, Bucky.” Tears are pricking at your eyes. You’re sure you sound wrecked. “Please be safe. No matter what happens to me, please take care of yourself.” You sniff. “Bye.”

You hang up.

---

The next four hours, you drive around Canisteo and the surrounding towns. There’s no sign of Matt, Sarah, or Gemma, let alone any assassins. With every hour, your heart drops. Isn’t there supposed to be some special time window for finding kidnapping victims? You can’t remember it off the top of your head, but it’s been close to twenty hours.

What about Sarah’s morning vitamin? What about Gemma’s? It’s the middle of winter—are they warm enough?

Are they even alive?

You try not to consider that.

The sun sets around five, and you go back to Canisteo to grab dinner. Maybe there’s a villain at the convenience store. Maybe it’s the woman with the pink hat and bubblegum, or the skinny teenager with skin-tight jeans.

Probably not the teenager.

Hopefully not. No teenager should have to be involved with anything remotely connected to this—but then you think of Gemma, and what she is going through at age seven, and you can barely muster a smile for the cashier.

There’s a hotel five miles away, and you drive to it with a heavy heart. For all your determination at dawn, today has been nothing short of wasted. What good has your upstate adventure been? You haven’t found your family, nor even a hint of them. Bucky and Steve are on the case—what was the point in getting involved yourself? You’re no detective. You certainly aren’t a hero, either.

You check into the hotel. When you get to your room, you pull the curtains tightly closed and dump the contents of your backpack on the bed. Gemma’s folder, your laptop, some granola bars, and a water bottle is all you thought to bring with you. You don’t even have a toothbrush. And of course, you’ve forgotten about the granola bars until right now. Great. More money wasted.

You open your laptop and log into the spotty wifi. You put the rest of your things back in your bag and stuff it under the bed.

It’s been over four hours since you called Bucky. There’s no harm in trying again, right?

“The number you are tryi—”

You hang up. There’s no point in leaving another voicemail. He’ll get it eventually. You curl up on the bed with just the bedside lamp on and search Google maps for likely lair locations. A warehouse here, an abandoned building there… They could be anywhere, and you just don’t know.

You hate not knowing.

An enormous yawn cracks your jaw. You don’t know how you can be tired after everything that’s happened. Then again, terror is exhausting. And you’re no help to your family right now. Tears come again to your eyes—you’ve never cried this much in twenty-four hours—and you wipe them on the stiff pillowcase.

Then your phone rings.

You sit up so fast your vision blacks out. You feel blindly for your phone. Your vision clears as your fingers finally catch hold of your phone.

It’s Bucky. You answer in a flash.

“Bucky,” you breathe. “Oh my god.”

“Darlin’, what’s going on?”

Bucky’s voice fills your ear. Tension you didn’t even realize was there seeps out of you at the sound. God, you love that sound. You hold the phone with both hands, fingers curled around it as though Bucky could feel you holding onto him.

“Are you okay? Did you get my calls?” you ask.

“I’m okay, yeah.” He sounds exhausted. Has he slept since last night? “I saw you called. Didn’t listen to your messages yet, figured I’d just call back. What’s going on? Did the police get back to you at all?”

In the background, you can hear someone else talking. Steve? It’s impossible to tell.

“No,” you say. You bite your lip. “Do you have any news?”

“We tracked them upstate, but we don’t know exactly whe—”

“Finger Lakes?” you interrupt.

Bucky’s brief silence is tense. “How do you know?”

“Because Gemma left a map,” you say, gaining confidence as you continue. “The art she left me—it was a map, Bucky. A map to Canist—”

A bang on the door cuts you off. You stare in horror as the knob turns, gray plywood splintering against the dark rug.

“What’s going on?” Bucky demands. “What—”

“They’re here,” you gasp. You scramble off the bed and run to the bathroom, locking yourself in as the front door slams against the wall. Your hands are shaking so bad you can’t even tell if Bucky can hear your harried whispering. “I’m in Canisteo. No, the hotel near it—Gemma’s map is under the be—”

You scream as the bathroom door bursts open. A man in dark clothes and a scarf and goggles over his face rushes at you. The phone drops from your hands as you careen back, and you can dimly hear Bucky yelling at you through the phone.

The man grabs your neck and slams you against the wall. You see stars as your head ricochets. The man lifts his foot and slams it down on your phone.

The screen cracks. The line goes dead.

The man slams you against the wall again, and then you see nothing else at all.

[serahsanguine]

Vacation Series Pt. 2. Halloween Surprises Ch, 2

This is the second chapter of the second book in a two-part series

Book one. - pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3, pt. 4, pt. 5, pt. 6

Book Two. - pt. 1, 

All chapters can be found Here on Ao3

This Chapter Rating; NC-17 NSFW

Tagging; @skullsmuldon @today-in-fic @baronessblixen @peacenik0

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

Notes; The book referenced is an actual book for myths and legends in Martin County and thanks to Amber and Ian giving me the reference to write from. Everything that is in the ‘book’ related is actually how it is written in the book.

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

Chapter Two; Day Two -  Spooky Stories & Marvelous Myths

The sky was dark outside and the waves could be heard crashing into the shore. The smell of their escapades was still hinted in the air and the simmering embers of the dying fire crackling and hissing in the background. 

Mulder rolled over to find Scully’s side of the bed cold he sat up and looked around the room. He found the small light under the door of the suite. There was a sound of water running and the light being turned off. He lay back down and soon felt her weight cocooned into his body. 

“Are you ok?” he whispered to the top of her head. 

“I’m fine just needed a bathroom break.”

He chuckled and they fell back to sleep. 

Several hours later. 

Both Mulder and Scully were sitting in the kitchen Mulder was making pancakes and Scully was sitting on the kitchen island. 

“What time are The Lone Gunman due?” 

“Not until early evening, they have a story to wrap up.”

She took a sip of her coffee and admired the view of him naked wearing nothing but an apron. And smiled when she thought of the little marathon escapade against the kitchen table. Both vowed they would still eat thereafter doing what they had just done. 

“Thinking about earlier?”

He sat down placing a stack of pancakes in front of both her and him and a slice of toast as well along with fresh orange juice and coffee.

“How could you tell?”

“You have a look about you, you only have it when you’re thinking about either me or sex.”

“Describe it to me.”

He leaned over to her and brought his finger to her face and slowly caressed near her eye and spoke in a low voice. 

“You have a glint in your eye and your eyes change a different shade of  blue”

He moved his finger to the corners of her lips.

“The corner of your mouth turns up a little and you get little creases right here, a hidden smile and the look of affection and adoration.”

He placed his lips on her kissing her softly. He leaned back and sat back into his spot.

“And those lips tell me your in love and the happiest you’ve been in a very long time.”

“I do love you,”

“I know and I love you too.” 

They carried on talking and finishing breakfast, Scully went off to start getting ready for the trip Mulder had planned and if she was being honest it actually sounded nice. Visiting an old book store and browsing their books. She used to do it when she was younger, it was more for comfort back then peace quiet, especially when moving around a lot. The first thing she would do is go into town and find the nearest bookstore and sit in a quiet corner and she would instantly feel safe no matter the place, no matter the time. 

Mulder was cleaning up the pots when it had occurred to him that the only thing Scully had eaten was a half slice of toast. He was dismayed at her not eating but thought nothing more of it. Maybe she was just feeling a little under the weather from there journey yesterday. 

Several hours later they had walked into town managing to dodge the heavy rainfall that unexpectedly came up. They stood outside a cleverly named bookstore called Turn the Page Mulder could not help but smile at the pun. The bookstore from the outside was beautiful with dark brown stained wood bay windows with clear glass windows flanking it. With a display with purple silk and a few spooky Halloween children's books standing upright on display. The top banner above the window in black with white letters setting off the whole place. The door was the same wood as the window with small panes of glass at the top each spelling out the book store name.   

Mulder went through the door first and like any good bookstore, there was a little bell letting the owner know they had a customer. Mulder being the man he is went straight to the Syfy and New Article's section. Scully went to novels first before working herself around to the Science/ Medical book section. 

The bookstore smelled of smoked almonds with a mixture of old and new books. Scully ran her finger over the shelves and each sequential book. Some covers feeling smooth and designed to barely touched or new, and others feeling rough, scratchy well worn and well-loved. There were first editions and third editions mixed together with the low lighting making it brilliant for reading and looking. She went through the sections one by one all the way to the back of the store where she found the quiet corner filled with soft table lamps emitting a yellow-orange glow. There was also a range of different chairs some hard and tall some soft and cushioned but each unique in their own way. 

She could spend hours at a bookstore reading through every book and when she looked over at Mulder he also looked in his element. No more than 5 minutes later he was trying to get her attention but without disturbing everyone else, she walked over to him and he looked like a kid in a candy store all excited.

“Look Scully!” he whispered.

“What is it?” she whispered back. 

“It's a book full of myths and legends.” 

“We, and I repeat WE, are not going looking for an X-File while were are on holiday,” she said a bit more loudly then she meant to and quickly looked around feeling like a schoolgirl that had been caught shouting in a library at school. 

“You wound me Scully, but I promise we are not going looking for an X-File on our vacation.”

“Good! So why are you all excited about this book?” 

“It just fits the theme of this week don’t you think?"

She looked at him sceptically before taking the book out of his hands and reading the title of the book. ‘Ghosts and Witches of Martin county’. She had to give it to him, this is actually what she had been looking for when she had mentioned it to him a mere few hours earlier. 

She thought back to when she asked. 

*****

“Mulder I want to go look for a book,” she said pulling the blue T-shirt over her head as he just turned on the shower.

“Well it’s a good thing we're going to the bookstore later than, isn't it?”

She rolled her eyes at him even though he couldn’t see it. She could hear the water splashing the tub and flowing down the drain and imagined his naked skin,  water dripping in slow motion from him. Her tongue following each trail of water down to the apex of his legs, where he was thick, hard and oh so swollen with a little clear liquid seeping from his tip. 

“For?” 

She was brought out of her thoughts as she heard the tail end of what he had been saying, 

“What was that Mulder, I didn't quite catch that?” she shouted a bit louder so he could hear her over the running water. 

“I said, what kind of book are you looking for?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Hum, try me,” he shouted back. 

“I will tell you when you're finished,” she replied.

No more than five minutes later he stepped out of the shower his hair wet and going in all different directions and a beige towel wrapped around his lower half. He walked through the suite and up behind Scully kissing her on the neck.

“What is this book you are looking for?” he said in between kisses and she melted at his touch. 

“A book of old myths and legends of different countries, Ahab and I used to do it every year near Halloween since then my mom and I  have done it unless we have been away with work.”

“That sound like something a family should do,” he said sadly. 

 She turned him around so now she could look him in the eye even with the height difference both knew this was an I'm telling the truth and mean everything I say and you'd better believe me. Look

“Mulder, if you haven't learned by now YOU ARE my family,” she kissed him on the lips and rested her head against his beating heart. 

 “I believe you, but why am I only hearing about it now?”

“It just never came up, unlike something else I know,” she said as she grabbed his standing erection and he gasped but soon disrobed her of her newly put on clothes before making their way into town.

***

He lead her by the hand over to the quiet reading corner their fingers interlocked the whole time and he began to read the first myth/legend to her. 

They sat down, Scully’s back against his stomach with the book in one hand and his other hand wrapped around her stomach. And he started to read. 

“The title reads, The Devil’s Pocosin,”

“Sound interesting do read on. ”

“The Devil’s Pocosin - a thick, dark, hazardous swampy area was the reputed heaven of ‘evil spirits’ as well as the wildcat, the panther and the bear during the colonial and ante-bellum days. Yet those wetlands produced such an abundance of huckleberries that groups of pickers would take a chance in its thickets even with the deadly cottonmouth moccasin that inhabited them. People generally believed that the pocosin provided haunts for the devil and the ‘witches’ from nearby communities.” 

Mulder read in slow whispers into her ear if people wandered past they wouldn’t have noticed. They were in their own bubble. 

“Here they were said to gather and plot wicked schemes against the good people of the area. Jack - o - lanterns or will -o- wisps were often seen around the borders of the pocosin, enticing men into the thickets where they often became lost and wandered around until daybreak. No hunter would dare to enter the pocosin alone.”

Scully turned her head so she could talk to his face.

“Will you read me another before we have to go home?”

“Of course Scully.”

“Title reads, Spell broken by old iron stake.”

Scully snuggled in deeper to him.

“The southern concept of ghosts and spirits were generally of English origin. African slaves delivered in both animate and inanimate belongs possessed of ‘spirits’ and both the slaves and the colonists believed in witches. Early settlers in the American colonies almost without exception believed in human ‘ghosts’ and the witches used their magic powers in various ways. Most of the slaves used bags of various witches' concoctions; and lacking material means, they used witchcraft as a means of revenge, sometimes even the master of the slaves turned to the witches for advice in seeking revenge on his enemies. Most people are afraid of the witches and did not relish the idea of being ‘conjured’ by them. 

They were broke out of their moment when the heard an elderly man speak to them. 

“Hello Sir, Madam, I’m closing soon.”

Scully stood up and looked at the elderly gentleman with his light brown trousers and checked red and brown shirt. 

“Oh, I'm sorry sir we will be getting out of your way. ”

“Oh no dear you’re not in the way. It's been a long while since two people came in here to read in our quiet corner and actually read if you get my meaning.” 

Scully helped Mulder stand and then blushed at what the old gentleman had said. 

“How long have you owned the shop?” Mulder asked.

“It’s been in the family for three generations now. ”

“It’s a lovely little store” Scully replied.

“Thank you, ma'am, you can have that book you’re holding for free as a thank you for talking to me and letting me enjoy your company for a little while.”

“It’s too much,” Scully said as she tried to hand the book back to the shop owner. 

“Nonsense my dear,” he said pushing the book back to Scully, “Just come visit me every once in a while.”

“We will, we promise,” Mulder said softly.

“Now you two love birds best be going before it gets too cold.”

Both Mulder and Scully put on their coats and slipped out the front door. What the shopkeeper didn't know is Mulder slipped 20 dollars just underneath a book near the till on their way out.

It was dark when they stepped outside, there were puddles of water along the cobblestone path and roads. The moon and stars creating shimmers of white in the reflections of passing windows. The sky was clear and not a cloud in sight, Scully moved into Mulder's warmth as they walked to the little house they called home while they were here.