#Rick is ready to adopt her if she have family problems

[butterfly87676]

Happy birthday to Arianna!!!

Cordelia and Rick family made you something as a gift from them

AHHHH

CALLING ALL THE SEA BEAST FANS!! CALLING ALL THE SEA BEAST FANS!!! Arianna Wallen Litvin (My OC for The Sea Beast) is turning 27 in 2 weeks and guess what... YOU'RE INVITED!!

If you can't read cursive here's what it says

You are invited to, Ariannas 27th birthday. June 8th, 1804, at 5:30 p.m. CDT Location: Castle Whiterock Formal Dress code We hope to see you there.

YIPPIE YIPPIE YIPPIE!!!

it's on a saturday! If you can draw, draw urself in an outfit tagging me (for those who cant draw you can just find dress to wear to the party on Pinterest or smth!!!!)

EVERYONE IS INVITED!!! even jacob. i cant wait to see all of you there :33

[vipers-hat]

OC Basics

Tagged by @risenlucifer. Thank youuuu :3. Gonna follow suit and do all the FC5/ND kids

Name: Junior Deputy Nicolette Harper Raylan Alias/Nicknames: Nic, Rook, Wrath Gender: Female Age: 29 (c. 2018) Zodiac: Pisces Abilities/Talents: Sniping, Persuasion Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Isabella Raylan (Mother), Thomas Marlow (Father, estranged/denounced), Earl Whitehorse (Stand-in Father) Lincoln James “LJ” Raylan (Older Brother), John Seed (Husband), Sharky Boshaw (Husband) Jace Seed (Husband in one ‘verse), Cal Raylan, Lennox Boshaw, (Sons), Willa Raylan, Ariadne Raylan, Charlie Boshaw (Daughters) Friends:  Grant Lyons, Alice Riley, Rick Cain, Matt Rook, Eli Palmer, Adelaide Drubman, Mary May Fairgrave, Jerome Jeffries, Grace Armstrong, Sydney Crane, Thomas Rush, Roger Cadoret, Faith Seed (No Cult AUs only) Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 5′3″ Scars: Wrath on her chest, a mark on her forehead from the scufffle with her father when she was 15 dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “Little Toy Guns” - Carrie Underwood, “America’s Sweetheart” - Elle King, “Problem” - Natalia Kills, Human - Rag’n’Bone Man, “White Flagg” - Bishop Briggs

Grant Lyons

Name: Deputy Grant Emmerson Lyons Alias/Nicknames: Cowboy, Pride Gender: Male Age: 36 (c. 2018) Zodiac: Pisces Abilities/Talents: Explosives/bomb diffusing, Survival Skills Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Rose Lyons (Mother), Rhett Lyons (Father), Matthew Rook (Husband), 5 Kids Whose Names Escape Me at the Moment Friends:  Nic Raylan, Rick Cain, Jerome Jeffries, Grace Armstrong, Earl Whitehorse, Staci Pratt, John Seed (in no cult AUs only) Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual (leaning towards preferring men) / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 6′0″ Scars: Various scattered ones on his body from having a building come down around him during an ambush in his time in combat Overseas.  dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “Blood on My Name” -  The Brothers Bright, “Behind Blue Eyes” - The Who, “Problem” - Natalia Kills, Human - Rag’n’Bone Man, "Survivor Guilt” - Rise Against, “I Am Strong” - The Empty Pockets

Name: U.S Marshal Rick Cain Alias/Nicknames: Cowboy, Marsh, Sloth, “Your Man With the Fitting Last Name” Gender: Male Age: 42 (c. 2018) Zodiac: Leo Abilities/Talents: Stumbling into trouble, denial, hating Cameron Burke Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Eric Cain (Father), Marsha Cain (Mother), Joel (Little Brother) Friends:  Nic Raylan, Grant Lyons, Earl Whitehorse, Joseph Seed (formerly) Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: starting to switch to salt and pepper Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other: hazel Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 6′0″ Scars: One on a knee when he fell in the garden as a kid dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “Fuck This Shit I’m Out” - The Theme Song, Totally Fucked - Jonathan Groff, “Someone That I Used to Know” - Darren Criss, Matt Bomer, “Battle Cry” - Imagine Dragons, “Smalltown Boy” - Orville Peck

Name: Jason Seed Alias/Nicknames: Jace, “The Champion” in the Herald AU Gender: Male Age: 36 (c. 2018) Zodiac: Leo Abilities/Talents: Persuasion/Manipulation, Technology Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Old Man Seed (Biological Father), Mrs. Seed (Biological Mother), Joseph, John, Jacob (Brothers), Ian and Hannah Jabonski (Adoptive Parents), Nic Raylan / Valerie Holm (Wife, depending on verse) Friends:  Nic Raylan, Sharky Boshaw,  Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 6′0″ Scars: Emotional only dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “Hey Brother” Aviici

Name: (Former) Deputy Cole Crawford Alias/Nicknames: N/A Gender: Male Age: 35 (c. 2018) Zodiac: Libra Abilities/Talents: Hand to Hand Combat, Handguns Alignment: lawful / neutral true / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Elizabeth Crawford (Mother), Unknown Father Friends:  John Seed, Jacob Seed Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 5′11″ Scars: One on his arm from when a home improvement project went wrong dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “The Self Preservation Society” - The Pearly Kings

Name: Callan Earl Raylan Alias/Nicknames: Apocalypse Baby (as a child), Cal, Simba, The Shepherd Gender: Male Age: 18 (c. 2035) Zodiac: Pisces Abilities/Talents: Archery, Persuasion Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Nic Raylan (Mother),  John Seed (Father), Willa and Ariadne Raylan (Little Sisters), Lennox Boshaw (Half Brother), Charlie Boshaw (Half Sister), Carmina Rye (Girlfriend, Future Wife), Nick and Kim, Joseph Seed (Uncle), Ethan Seed (Cousin) Friends:  Tommy Stone, Sydney Crane, Bean Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 5′ 7″ Scars: Has one on his shoulder from the Bear Fight his uncle told him to participate in that he’s still not sure was totally a hallucination, lines up with one on his chest from his fight with Ethan dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them: “We Are One” - Cam Clarke, Charity Sanoy, “Into the Unknown” - Panic at the Disco, “Bad Liar” - Imagine Dragons, “Come Back to Me” - David Cook

Name: Security Captain Sydney Crane Alias/Nicknames: Syd, Cap Gender: Female Age: 34 (c. 2035) Zodiac: Aries Abilities/Talents: Negotiation, Hand to Hand Combat Alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true Sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience Languages: English Family: Tina Crane (Mother), Leo Crane (Father), Mila (Daughter), Thomas Rush (Ex-Husband, got back together), Roger Cadoret (in one verse) Friends:  Kim Rye, Nick Rye, Roger Cadoret, Nic Raylan, John Seed Jerome Jeffries, Grace Armstrong,  Sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual (leaning towards preferring men) / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other Relationship Status: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating / it’s complicated Libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent Build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy Hair: white / blonde / brunette / red / black / other: Eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other Skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other Height: 5′2″ Scars: Small, scattered, from her time on the Train dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword or bow || summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future Five songs that remind you of them:  “We’re Not Gonna Fall” , “Used To” - Daughtry, 

[getreadytosmash]

Honey, it ain’t home

Note:PLEASE be aware that this fic contains child abuse/neglect and death as well as implied transphobia and know that I do not regret hurting my kids feel free to toss fish and squid at me UwU

“(Wake up, scum)!”

The voice range into Skaar’s cage and eventually a small grey child sat up and stared back to the cage master. Green on black eyes almost seemed to light up the darkest corner of his cage. Shrinking back from the yelling was never a good thing, so the slave was sure to crawl forwards until he was enough in the light that made the cage master nod with satisfaction.

“(You have a fight later),” They knocked a hand against the cage, red skin pulling back into a smirk when Skaar flinched back and bore his fangs without thinking. The stone of his skin stood out far more than any other slave here. “(Make sure you’re in top condition, the King will be watching).”

No one knew where he came from. No one cared. 

The mention of a king got a flinch from him then and Skaar was careful to not say anything that could have potentially set the master off. The last time he had been too loud and the electrified whip across his back - bright flashes he had barely had the time to comprehend before something flew across - left Skaar screaming as wrong coloured blood dripped out of his back. 

Greyskin and wrong eyes with wrong blood. He looked every bit like the monster that they all said he was. 

The cage was going to open soon. Skaar could see his sword being brought out, the shocking prods with dazzling and painful light as well as a bucket of water to dunk his head into and to wash away the old blood from the before fights. He was kept away from the smooth feeling of Earth and solid cold metal was all he could live and sleep on until he was forced out into the ring. Skaar didn’t know why they were so certain on this, but any idea of asking was immediately followed by the fear of what could come for such a thought. 

He would fight and he would kill and then Skaar would scream when he was hurt over and over. It was a hellish life and the only time the grey-skinned monster felt better was when he was asleep and the planet felt like it rocked him to sleep. 

The rattling of his cage startled Skaar and he looked up to see the Cage Master banging the pain stick, a smirk on their face as they leaned against the door, water splashing from the bucket in their free hand. Fear cradled his heart and if he wished that someone would save him, please. 

“(Let’s get this over with, killer of killers. The less I have to touch a monster, the better.)”

~~~~

Rick screamed, and he hated the fact that it took only eight hits of the cane to do this to him. Sure, he had grown past six, but it still stung his pride far worst than it did physically to know that he was giving Sister Maude what she wanted. He didn’t want to scream for her, listen to the lecture she always gave or the way his back pulled and stretched around his caning injuries later on.

He didn’t know what he had done wrong this time, but it always seemed to be something. Sometimes he was too messy, too loud, just too much for anyone and that was why he was alone. Sister Maude said these things and Rick had nowhere to go so he was stuck here, grunting in pain as cold words were the only thing to soothe him.

“Time after time I warn you about this happening, Richard.” Sister Maude’s scowl could be heard clearly, even though Rick couldn’t see her at the moment, or at least didn’t want to. “You start these fights for, what? Attention? To cause more problems for the poor sisters? Answer me!”

The cane came down much lower than it usually did, and the fourteen year old shrieked when the cane hit much lower than it usually did. Pain rushed up his back and Rick fought to not scramble away. Trying to run would only mean that a worse punishment would follow. “N-no!” 

When it finally ended, Rick bit back any last noises, not wanting to give the nun anything else to tell him off over. Besides, it was better that it was Rick on the receiving end of these punishments instead of anyone else. Usually he had it coming, whether it was because he was too loud when trying to learn a new song on the guitar his father had left for him or when he was trying to take away any attention from the younger kids here. No one deserved to be yelled at or made to feel like nothing and Rick had been here long enough that he was used to it.

Besides, it was like Sister Maude always said, Rick had nowhere to go and no one wanted a fourteen year old anymore, he had to keep the younger kids safe so it was up to him to make sure that they got adopted or at least taken to a better place than this. God knew he would want that. 

“You won’t be given dinner tonight.” Sister Maude spoke and Rick felt a roll of nausea when he heard that. He already hadn’t eaten for most of the day. “You’ll go straight to your room and if I or any other Sister, must hear that horrific strumming, your guitar will be removed. Am I clear, Richard Jr?” 

He wanted to run. Run away and never come back, sink into the ground where his parents were and never come back up.

“Yes Sister Maude.”

~~~~

“Brian, please.”

Aunt Rebecca’s voice is hushed, like she doesn’t want Jennifer to hear her and Uncle Brian arguing. Or at least, her aunt arguing. Uncle Brian doesn’t seem to really wanting to argue back, which was odd and silly since Jennifer always liked to debate stuff, like when her and Dad would have a mock argument over the pros and cons of eating sugary pancakes for breakfast vs the gross healthy oatmeal Dad always wanted her to eat. 

“No Rebecca!” Uncle Brian’s voice was much more harsher and Jennifer was in bed, safe and sound, but she still tensed up and tried to not flinch. Bruce was sleeping on the floor in his own makeshift bed and she didn’t know if he was secretly awake too. “Every time we come here, I have to stand around and see what the hell Elaine lets her kid do, it’s disgusting, she should be ashamed of herself along with Morris.”

“Brian-” 

“We only come here because I want you to be happy and apparently what makes you happy is coming to see my family, bringing that wretched monster-” Jennifer’s heart clenched and she fought to look at Bruce. “And to remind me of everything I’ve been through? Isn’t that inconsiderate of you?”

She wants to tell Uncle Brian that he’s wrong. That Jennifer is a really good dancer and she can argue well and her hair is finally long enough to go into those pretty long braided ponytails. Aunt Rebecca was the best aunt, who took her and Bruce to the cool museum and one time that beach and aquarium, but Jennifer knew she wasn’t allowed to talk about that part to Uncle Brian ‘cause she knew that he wasn’t going to be happy about them going to such a cool place without him. 

Jennifer secretly thought that everything should have been done without Uncle Brian and they would all be for the better. Aunt Rebecca and Bruce wouldn’t have those awful bruises anymore and Bruce wouldn’t think that he was a monster. But Dad always got this weird look on his face and would glance at Mom and she would just turn away, scowling into the window and not smiling for the rest of the morning or afternoon. 

“We aren’t going to come here anymore.” Her uncle’s hushed voice drew Jennifer’s attention away form her thoughts again. “I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to see all of these reminders of being a fucking child again.” 

Aunt Rebecca must have tried to say something, because there was an odd noise before he kept on talking. “It’s sick. I feel sick looking at Elaine’s kid in those dresses. Everything here is sick and I have half a mind to know what’s causing it-”

His voice came closer then, like Uncle Brian was reaching for the door handle and wanting to come into her room. Jennifer pulled her covers up higher and she didn’t miss the hitching noise that came from the floor. The only thing that stopped her from calling out to her parents was when Aunt Rebecca’s voice rose somewhat. Not a lot. She never yelled as a choice. 

“Okay, okay.” Her voice sounded soothing now. “We’ll leave first thing tomorrow and- and you won’t have to come back here. I’ll make something up to Elaine and Morris.”

“Or you. I don’t want you coming here either, Rebecca. I need you with me.”

“...Okay.”

The voices faded away more from her door and Jennifer blinked in the dark. She didn’t feel tired anymore though, instead, Jennifer felt wide awake and like she had just missed a step of the stairs or like she was standing on a tall bridge, ready to fall at any moment. She wanted to say something, but Bruce had curled up further into his bed and Jennifer didn’t want to wake him up just in case he had been able to fall asleep. 

She didn’t think either of them would be able to sleep again if one of them said something. 

~~~~

The plumes of smoke rose into the air, forming from such intensive heat that Thad was shocked that it didn’t go anywhere further. The summer day was hot, the kind where you wanted to sit with some ice cold lemonade or to run as fast as you can through New Hampshire trails with friends laughing and chasing you, eager to win the game. 

Momma- Mom was waiting back at the farm where Mr Thomas was gonna show Thad those frogs by the river after he had helped her out with some chores Mom had shooed him away from, claiming that he was young enough to not have to worry about helping out so much. Thad wished that she would let him help, let him be useful enough around the house, especially now.

He had always liked red and orange and yellow. Warm colours, colours of war that Dad had always said fit Ross men. Aunt Betsy would always smile at these colours falling from the trees before threading her fingers with Uncle Jeff’s hands. 

These warm colours blended and danced together, threading into the sky in a swirling blaze that could bring tears to anyone’s eyes, even a man’s. 

The heat caught Thad strongly and even though he was standing far away enough for it to be safe, the heat still made it hard to breathe, like the air itself wanted to take everything away. 

But it already had done that, just not to Thaddeus. 

The roaring of the flames mixed with the odd ringing in his ears and while Thad couldn’t feel the energy to rub at them, he still winced slightly at the sound. The ringing was joined by a horrible screaming, the kind of screaming that you only heard once and never wanted to hear again ever. 

Henry was nearby, screaming and tearing at the ground and himself. He was strong for a ten year old, only a year older than Thad, due to the boxing lessons he took up. Thad would watch him sometimes and the sun on his face would only flush him further as he laughed and watched Henry hit the heavy sandbag. Henry offered to teach him some stuff and Thad found himself eager for it. 

Only now though, Henry didn’t seem to have any of that same easy-going assurance. His voice was raw from screaming for the past hour, struggling from where Mr Thomas has rushed over when the explosion hit and had immediately taken Henry into his arms, holding tight to ensure that the ten year old couldn’t run into the flames.

Henry wouldn’t look at Thad. Green eyes were glassy with terror and tears and he screamed harder towards the flame, directing Thad’s attention over to it.

He didn’t want to look. But Henry’s father was in the plane, the centre of fire, and he had finally stopped screaming himself. Thad looked and felt his chest clench with..something. He didn’t want to know what, didn’t want to give it a name as he stared into bloodshot and burning as his previously white skin went all sorts of hues of red and black, charring and burning and rotting away.

He stopped struggling and he stared and he gaped and Thad thought he would have screamed if he could. 

Mr Thomas screamed at Thad to get away and later on, his aunt and uncle and mother and Mr Thomas would fuss over him. Dad would slap him on the back and tell Thad that this was a lesson in shirking his duties for personal reasons. Thad would be sick and he would dream of burning red hues and charred skin for the rest of his life. He would look into a mirror one day and see the same horrible hues and blackened eyes staring back at himself.

For now, Thad stared.

~~~~

“God dammit, Robert,” Daddy’s voice was high and dizzy and Bruce maybe would have sounded the same way if he could talk right now. “What did you make me do?”

Mommy was on the floor and red coated the ground around her and tinted the top of her dress and Bruce wasn’t anywhere near her because Daddy was too close and Daddy would do the same to Robbie and he felt sick and he felt that feeling where he got angry and something made him want to scream and run but his legs felt too buzzy like the tv static and he couldn’t run there was nowhere-

“Look at me!”

The voice sounded like a monster now and Robbie stared up with wide eyes, glassy and wet and his chest heaved with everything bad in the world. Daddy had blood on his hands. 

He looked like he wanted to have Robbie’s blood on his hands too.

He felt sick. 

Robbie’s head didn’t feel like it was working right now and that was never a good thing when Daddy was staring and looking so angry. His green jacket was tainted now and Robbie was only glad that he didn’t have the same rushing feeling of the monster in his head - the other monster that wasn’t him - wanting to scream and hit Daddy back. 

“You made me do this. You made me into this.” Daddy snarled and he stunk of his drinks and Robbie couldn’t even flinch back without his head hitting into the car. “I could have been better, Robert. Rebecca was going to fix me. She was making me better and then you came along and it was all just a giant fucking reminder that I can never have anything good.” 

He stepped forward and this time Robbie’s head did smack into the car. He didn’t wince though, he had been hit harder.  

Daddy’s chest heaved and Robbie wished that a sorry could fix this all. He was sorry he was born and made Mommy feel like she had run away, sorry that he made Daddy so unhappy. But his head felt like it was full of cotton and thoughts slid away and feelings took their place of screaming grey static. 

Robbie’s eyes fell onto the green jacket Daddy wore, right where green was tinted with the red and they stayed there. 

He wished Daddy could say sorry for taking Mommy away though. 

Daddy loved Mommy, but he didn’t seem to care about the fact that Robbie loved her too. 

Mommy didn’t move from the ground. She must have been cold there and Daddy didn’t seem to know what to do about that. He stepped away, covered his mouth and paced for a little while. Robbie heard sirens and Daddy screamed into his hands, a muffled and agony filled noise that made Robbie flinch back again, a hollow bang following it easily. 

“You...” Daddy sounds hoarse now. The bad scary when he came into Robbie’s room sometimes, standing near the big monster and he would stare for an hour before leaving again.��“You aren’t going to let them know it was me because it wasn’t, okay? It was you, it was always you!”

Stepping closer, Daddy seems to loom over him, the same way the scaled monster in Robbie’s room does. 

“You made me into this because that’s what monsters do. Rebecca...Rebecca loved you for some deluded reason and she wanted you to live so-” Daddy laughs wetly and Robbie wonders what’s so funny. “So you’re going to live. Live with what you did to me and her and you will never forget this, no matter what-” 

And then he leans down and Robbie stares into brown eyes that are dilated and he notices a smear of blood on Daddy’s cheek. “You’re heartless Robert. You kill everything near you, monster, but I won’t let you kill me.”

He stepped away then and the sirens were closer and Robbie felt like static grey and blood tinted green were all that he could feel and see. A small sob finally slipped out of him.

Robbie wished that he wasn’t the only monster, that maybe Jen or the monster in his head was real so they could be here and share a hug or try and help him take away some of that awful feeling in his chest.

He reached out a finger and caught it in the stiff pinkie of Mommy. She was still warm and even though Robbie wanted to hug her, he resisted that urge.

This was good enough for a monster like him.

~~~~

“No! Put it down, Phil!” Sam stared in horror and horror was the correct word right now because his brother was currently holding his most important book, the one that Mommy had given him before she left. 

She was going to be back soon, it had only been a week, but until then Sam had thought it would be good to keep the book she had given him safe, especially since she would want to read it with him when she got back. It was all about sharks and their different habitats and Mommy liked it when she could have fun talks with Sam afterwards and even about who would win in a shark fight to the death. 

But now, in his big brother’s hands, Sam feels his worrying problems push themselves to the front of his mind and he feels like it’s harder to breathe when he doesn’t have the book.

His brother wasn’t nice at times, the bruises up his chest and arms and the missing tooth proved that, Although Mommy and Dad said a lot that it was an accident, right? And Phil was nicer when Sam agreed that it was an accident. Phil didn’t mean to play so roughly, or to push Sam about hard enough for him to get hurt, but it still sent thrums of panic up his back to see his book in Phil’s hands. 

“Why should I?” Phil was already taller than him by lots, despite being thirteen. He grew a lot over the summer and that only served to make him so much more scary when Sam was still eight and waiting for his own growth spurt. Sam tried to keep it to himself, but maybe Phil knew, especially when he got this weird smile on his face when he stepped closer and Sam had to look up. 

“Mommy gave me-”

“Mommy gave me!” Phil copies him and he makes his voice so much higher than it needed to be and Sam’s face feels hot and awful at it. “Do you hear yourself? All this talk of being some sort of big boy now and you’re still too stupid to know that Mom isn’t coming back.”

“She is!” Sam argues back and he feels his chest clench already, panic and bad ideas forming at the words. 

What if she wasn’t coming back? What if she got hurt and couldn’t and-

What if she didn’t want to come back?

Phil seems to catch some sort of look on Sam’s face and his smile turns ugly and Sam wants to back away and run but Phil still has his book and the last time he did that, his brother had grabbed him by his then-long hair and had yanked hard enough that Sam had a headache for hours. It was part of the reason why Sam had gotten Momm- Mom to cut it all off. 

“She doesn’t want to come back and why would she?” Phil stepped closer and jabbed a finger into Sam’s chest, ignoring the small cry of pain. “Dad just sits on his ass all day and only gets up to yell at us now, nothing I do ever seems to be good enough for him or her and don’t even get me started on you!”

Maybe he shouldn’t ask, but Sam’s chest feels so tight now and he knows he should try the breathing exercises Mom tried to show him, but he can’t right now. Everything is piling up more and more, like the dishes in the kitchen that are starting to smell. 

“What about me?”

“You, Sam Sterns, are a freak.” Phil practically spits the word and Sam tries to not flinch. “You’re annoying and talk so goddamn much so no wonder Mom wanted to leave when you’re always causing problems over being scared of everything or wanting to look different and I’m so fucking sick of sharks!”

He swore and Sam stared with wide eyes, but a wail escaped him when Phil seemed to reach the height of his anger and ripped out pages of the book. Sam reached over for it but Phil shoved his hand into Sam’s face and roughly shoved him away, ripping more pages out and chucking them into the mud.

His book was ruined. The pages were too torn up now and dirty to read and nothing would fix it. Tears rose to Sam’s face and he shoved a hand into his mouth to bite down on the oncoming sob from his book being ruined. The hurt in his chest grew and he felt like screaming and he was shaking now, hands reaching down to touched the ruin pages and his fingers shook as he touched muddy ruined words. 

He didn’t want to say anything else, not when breathing was so hard right now and his face felt flushed. Phil just stood over him and he knew that he was going to have worse. 

Later that night, after a trip to the medial room, Dad didn’t even bother asking how Sam broke his wrist. The mud and tears and ruined book seemed to be enough for him.

[ilguna]

☼ adopted (Maggie Greene) ☼

summary; Maggie and Glenn offer to adopt you, since you’re like family, anyway.

warnings; nothing

wc; 1.1k

——-

Brushing your hair back from your forehead, you continue on your way to go inside of the prison. You’d just gotten done with killing the walkers down at the fence, which you had been doing for hours.

It was an easy task, one of the few things you were willing to do. It makes you sound picky, but you didn’t want to be caught doing stuff you didn’t know about, because you were afraid of accidentally messing up something.

Everyone understood that and respected your choice of admitting to it. You’re glad they didn’t think it was a big deal. They just gave you the easier tasks, so they could go on and do the harder stuff that you couldn’t do.

So, when you reach the prison, you might have to go and find Maggie or Carol to help them make lunch. They teach you how to cook whatever Daryl brings home, and in return, you get to learn that skill.

At least they’re lowering you into it slowly, and not making you do it all by yourself. But you might be doing it yourself once you get a hang of it. Which is fine, you’re not complaining.

After a while, any task can be labeled as easy.

You begin to whistle as you enter the dark hallway, it echoes off the walls, repeating it back to you. But your eyes mindlessly search the walls for nothing in particular.  

Perhaps for the blood stains that seemingly appear out of nowhere, not even asked of them. They just exist, especially after some of your friends died here, the ones you met on the road.

The entire hall is a creepy place to be in, people have died there. Including T-Dog, back when the place had accidentally been flooded with walkers. When he was trying to save Carol, he ended up dying, but his corpse wasn’t really found. So, they made a mound of dirt in the field and calling it good.

There wasn’t much they could do with the problem. Nobody, but he needed a burial. Carol made a cross and placed it at the head of the grave. Not the first grave out there, and you have a definite feeling it won’t be the last.

Walking out into the open, you continue your way over to the cells. Your whistling comes to a slow and eventually stops altogether. You don’t want to wake up Judith, that would be a mistake. It should be either her nap time or time for her afternoon bottle.

You don’t really know, you’re not the one who normally takes care of Judith, that’s what Beth does. Even though Rick should be doing it on his own now, even if he’s the leader, making time for his kids should be one of the top priorities.

You wish your parents were still around to do that. The closest thing you have to parents is the entire group. And if to narrow it down a bit, Glenn and Maggie, mainly because they kind of just stuck to you.

You’re the three that are always doing something together, for example, like at the fence, although that wasn’t really with either of them, that would be one of them. But, there’s also the fact of going to make lunch, and scavenging for food.

“Maggie?” You call out, it’s fairly quiet, but still loud enough to hopefully catch her attention.

“In here,” Maggie says back, you follow her voice to see that it’s her cell.

Pushing aside the sheet, you go inside to see that Glenn is also in there. It looks like Maggie is patching up a cut on his arm. It’s small, which is good, nothing too deep to hurt him or cause a scar.

“Oh, what happened?” You ask, frowning as you lean against the cement wall.

“Carol nicked me on accident. She didn’t realize I was walking behind her,” Glenn explains, you nod.

“I’m ready to help you with today’s lunch, Mags,” you smile at her, and she laughs.

“Well, it Carol’s got it today unless you want to help her,”

Thinking about it, it’s not a bad idea. Just so it’d get done faster, but then again, Carol is really good at cooking. Especially from scratch when she has nothing to work on.

A useful skill, however, your mind is telling you to take a break.

“Not really,” you shrug, Maggie nods.

“Good thing then, cause we have to talk to you,” Maggie stops bandaging his arm and instead switches to packing everything up.

“Okay,” you chime, not moving from your spot.

“It’s completely up to you, and know that it won’t hurt our feelings if you say no,” Maggie says, you nod again, deciding not to say anything because it isn’t really necessary, “But since we spend a lot of time around each other anyway, and we know what happened to your parents…”

Oh my god, you think.

Glenn sighs, realizing that he has to pick it up. Geeky and awkward.

“We’re offering to adopt you,” Glenn puts quotations around the word ‘adopt’.

Maggie laughs at how blunt he was, and Glenn cracks a smile too, knowing that he could’ve put it a little lighter.

Holding your breath, you think about it for a moment. It’s not like much will be changed anyway. You won’t even have to call them mom and dad because, well, quite frankly you’re not really over your actual parents.  

A smile spreads over your face too, and Maggie notices the change. Soon her own face holds a grin.

Walking over, you hold out your arms for a hug, to which they comply easily. Glenn complains playfully about the pain in his arm, but that’s it.

“Yes,” You whisper, Maggie hugs you tighter.

This could be your chance at a new family. It hurts to even think about leaving behind your ‘old’ one, but, shit happens. And you’re lucky you even came out with Maggie and Glenn.

Hopefully, they stay forever.

[tripiispooks]

In any rpg's type game I play I always try to make this one character.

This one character that is:

Probably belongs in Devil Wears Prada

Can't hear you over my designer [usually weapons]

Will walk into a place and say it smells like bitch in here

Her resting face usually says it for her

Yes, her, it's always a she

Dares people to vibe check her

'Like go ahead, do it, I dare you,'

Has a mean laugh

I mean it could be someone told her a terrible joke or pun and she laughs and its sounds so mean like she just watched someone trip or something, but it's just a joke a friend told her

Will vibe check higher ups/people "more powerful" than her

Rich and a bitch, but not spoiled

Her family got rich, and she, through hard work, and values it

Cant stress enough how rich she is

Like she should be a snob and such, but she will spoil her friends rotten

Her friends are her family and she would do anything for them

Debt? What debt??? Its been paid hun

Too expensive? 100k??? that's lunch money

But anyone else...not her problem

Is a weird combination of the mom friend and the rich wine aunt

She's ride or die for her makeshift family

But she is professional above all else

All I can think of is the line that the sniper says from TF2, 'professionals have standards'

And Thomas E. Ricks' quote 'Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet'

Think CEO woman with heels that can kill just as much as her words

Judgy side eye

Will look at her companions discretely like they're the camera in the Office

Will come unhinged when it come to dogs

Itty bitty baby pupper needs to be protected at all costs, even if said cost is her reputation because she needs to pet the dog and/or save its life, can she adopt it? Shes going to sure try

That dog will be living the life of luxury

Two games where I have one:

In SWTOR (which I have been on a huge kick):

Always a sith warrior

Because its irony (my si is a chaotic bastard that will throw down at a moment's notice, gives my sw a headache)

And perfect fit for destroying Baras in front of the dark council

Always a pure blood

That is tol and slightly beefy and only wears all black

This one has really bad respiratory issues where she has to wear a half mask at all times, sure she could get a surgery done, but...aesthetic...

Because Malavai quinn deserves to have a boss that actually benefits the empire

That isn't crazy

That isn't some power hungry sith

Sure shes power hungry, but shes a professional above all else

Should she be and Imperial???

If she didn't have the force she would have already been a general or super high rank

Or even a chiss imp

I think Thrawn would like working with her

Best friends with vette

Married to Quinn

Knew Baras would force him to betray her and was already 2 steps ahead and won Quinn over and had the whole betrayal turned a set up for Baras

Vette annoying Quinn? Oh, that's just her spying and snooping for the SW

What do you mean you found a listening device? Didn't you know SW bugged her own ship after she got rid off all the listening devices and trackers that Baras rigged

Would vibe check the emperor if given the chance if she feels the need to

Has an akk dog, yes its name is Vengeance and yes its nickname is smooshy

Skyrim:

Head of the thieves guild

And dark brotherhood

And archmage

Owns everyhouse and the three homesteads

But prefers the severin manor

Always imperial with dark hair and brown eyes

No qualms with stealing right in front of people

Or killing

'Take me to jail? Haha, here's the bounty money' drops a bag of coins and leaves laughing

Shes the dragonborn that took out Alduin, miraak, harkon, literally every person that posed a problem, not threat, just problem

Who's gonna check her? Akatosh?? She'd check him

Was a vampire but found it tedious and got cured

Hates the thalmor and kills them at every opportunity

Laughs at the Stormcloaks because Ulfric is a thalmor agent, has proof, and thinks its laughable that they want to take on the aldmeri on their own

Best friends with Serana and they talk trash on everyone

Two rich bitches

Was ready to check both Serana's parents

If she could adopt Serana she would

Also besties with Teldryn

He says she the sanest of his clients but that's a fat load of lies, it's more to convince him, also she pays way more

married Ghorbash the Ironhand (seriously in love with him because she took him on as a follower and they have the same love of travelling and the stuff he said made her swoon)

They adopted Hroar and the girl from windelhm

Herr family primarily stays at the homestead south of whiterun with the lake near by, she likes it because of Riverwood and the lake, plus whiterun the most stable hold to live near despite the homestead being part of a different hold

Send help to Tamriel when her, Serana, and Teldryn are in the same room

The amount of shade flying at everyone is lethal

Ghorbash loves to watch, though gets caught off guard by some comments

Meeko protection squad, her kids adopted him so he's safe and loved

Might draw stuff about these two ladies

[tonks32]

Inktober #5 - Family

Castle and Beckett from my AM series fanfic. 

  It was mass chaos in the Castle household. The clock was striking eight in the morning and Beckett nor kids weren’t close to walking out the door. All thanks to the alarm that didn’t go off. Usually, her internal clock would wake her, but they had been out late the night before celebrating the release of Castle’s latest novel.

  Beckett slapped the two pieces of breath together squeezing half of the jelly onto her white blouse. “Damn it.” Now she had to go run up the stairs to change.

  “That’s a bad word, mommy.” Brianna kindly pointed out.  

  The Lieutenant glare at her daughter. The five-year-old had insisted on dressing herself this morning and as a result she was wearing her shirt, not only backward but inside out along with mismatched shoes. “I know sweetie.” Beckett bent down to help Brianna turn her shirt right side out. “Mommy is just having a rough morning. Did you let daddy do your hair?”

  The girl averted her eyes for a moment, “Yes.”

  Beckett arched a brow in response, “are you sure about that?” Her daughter needed to take a lesson from her brothers on the art of lying. Especially if no attempt was even made in the first place.

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t think so.” Beckett soothed Brianna’s wild wisps of hair, “please let your dad brush your hair while I finish lunches.”

  “All right.” Brianna huffed before shuffling out of the kitchen as if her feet were weighed down by cement. There was no doubt that she got the Castle's dramatic flair.

  “Boys you have two minutes to get your butts down here before you lose your video games privileges for a week.” The sound of scrambling feet came from the floor above and the familiar sound of the boys’ laughter flowed down the stairs. Thankfully, they were both properly dressed. “Daniel, where is your jacket?”

  The boy in question looked startled in the realization that he didn’t actually have it on. For so long he had to wear long sleeves to cover up his bruises that wearing a jacket or sweater was almost like an extension of his skin. Daniel was still adjusting to having a normal life. “I left it upstairs.”

  “Go get it.” Beckett softly instructed finally completing the three lunches. “Is your basketball gear in the car?”

  “Yes,” Nate assured.

  “I’ve got to change my shirt. Make sure you three are waiting by the door.” The instruction was half-muffled as she darted up the stairs. There was a near collision with Daniel at the landing. She was quick to steady him on his feet. With his impaired eyesight, it was very easy for Daniel to run into things. “Sorry honey.”

  Daniel took a moment to collect his balance, “I’m good.” He assured with a smile.

  Over five minutes later, Beckett was jogging back down the stairs trying to rework the buttons of her fresh blouse. Her three kids and husband were waiting for her ready to go by the front door. Beckett slipped into her coat with the help of Castle. “What time are you done with your book singing?”

  Castle gently pulled his wife’s braid from her collar. “If my meeting with Gina today, hopefully, five. Mother will pick up the kids, get them something to eat, and take the boys to their basketball game.” As a parent there should be a reset button to help with these types of days. Coordinating two careers and three children after school activities were enough to cause lots of gray hairs. At least he had a great partner to weather the storm of parenthood with. “Which I’ll meet you at.”

  “Sounds good.” No matter how rushed their mornings might be, Beckett always made sure she stopped to give her husband a proper goodbye.  She pressed her lips to his and the three children surrounding them groaned in unison. “Don’t let Gina beat you up to much.”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  They didn’t even make it a foot out the door before Beckett’s cellphone came to life. A quick glance at the screen left her no choice but to answer. “Espo I’m on my way out the door … What do you mean? Is she okay?”

  The tone of her voice stopped Castle halfway down the porch steps. He has known her long enough to realize her serious cop tone. Whatever happened needed her attention even though she hardly hit the pavement anymore. “Kate?”

  “I’m sorry, Rick.” Beckett pocketed her cellphone. “Lanie needs me down at the morgue ASAP.”

  “Say no more.” Castle mentally adjusted schedule. “All right kid-os say goodbye to mom. You guys are stuck with me as your driver.”

  Nate let out a disgruntled sigh. “aww man.”

  “Hey!”

  A smile crossed the boy’s face before giving his mother a hard hug. “Have fun catching the bad guys.”

  Beckett had to kneel down to receive Brianna’s goodbye in the form of a kiss. “Bye.” Daniel snuck in a kiss as well.“Love you.”

  “Love you too mom.” Daniel darted off after his sister as soon as the last word was out of his mouth.

  Beckett found herself stunned into a stupor.

  “Mom?” Castle softly echoed a smile working across his face. “When did that start?”

  “Just now.” They had urged the blonde-haired boy on a few occasions that now they were officially his parents he could call them mom and dad if that’s what he wanted.  Beckett never pushed it being content that Daniel worked past his apprehension of calling them by their first names. Plus, she never wanted to make Daniel feel like she was trying to take place of his birth mother. So, hearing him call her mom with very little hesitation told her that Daniel was starting to finally realize that this was truly his family and they weren’t going anywhere.  Beckett proceeded to sit and start to cry.

  Castle did the only thing he could and gathered her against his chest.

  After glancing over his shoulder, Daniel looked at Nate, his small brow furrowed. “Did… Did I upset her?”

  Nate looked himself. ���Nah she’s happy.”

  “But she’s crying. I didn’t mean to make her cry.”

  Nate heard the panic in her brother’s voice and placed a reassuring hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “Sometimes people cry when they’re happy. I think it’s defiantly a mom thing. She cried buckets at Alexis’s wedding.”

  Castle wiped the tears from his wife’s face. “You’re such a great mom, Kate.”

  “You’re not mad?” The question was followed by her searching for the answer in his blue eyes. “That he called me mom and you not dad?”

  “Far from it.” He had no problem waiting until Daniel reached the same comfort level he had for Beckett. They had made a lot of progress with their adopted son over the last two years and they still had a long road ahead of them. “It makes sense though. You were the first loving parent he had ever known in a long time. He felt safe with you from the very beginning.”

  “I love you, Rick.”

  “Love you too.” He helped her back on her feet and stole one more kiss, “I’ll see you at the game tonight.”

  “And Rick.” Beckett waited until she saw his smiling face, “You’re a great dad.”

[bethgreeneishopeunseen]

Just because Rick is no longer to be in the show doesn't mean he's gonna die. Maybe the writers' are gonna simply write him off without killing him off like how they did with Morgan in like seasons 1 & 3. But trust me, I think once Rick leaves TWD, it certainly won't be the last of him ;) We still have a bunch of missing footage in season 5, 6, 7, and probably 8 too. We all know that he's involved in the aftermath of "Coda". Plus, we still have Judith, the remaining Grimes family. Whaddya say?

I agree that Rick’s departure doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll die. Morgan left the show, and he did so by transferring over to Fear. I don’t think that’s what will happen with Rick, it’s just an example of the wiggle room that the writers have. In regards to Judith, I think she’ll still be around, though her exact fate also depends on what happens to Michonne. In an earlier ask about the Rick news, I theorized that if Beth could adopt Judith if something happened to Rick and Michonne (x). (I’ve seen speculation that Danai might be getting ready to leave TWD and focus more on her Marvel role.)

In regards to the missing footage, it will be very bittersweet, because we’ll see many characters who have died (Tyreese, Noah, Sasha, Glenn, Abraham, Carl, and Rick?). Seeing those characters again will entice viewers to check out Beth’s flashbacks alone. Not to mention the huge draw to find out what happened. All of the missing footage, specifically from season 5 as it was the most documented, should have come out by now. There’s a theory from Team Acceptance/Rejection that TPTB originally planned a big arc for Beth but decided to scrap it at the last minute, offscreen. The problem with that is that Emily was supposedly released from contract over three years ago. Laurie Holden went through something similar where she was originally told that Andrea would become the leader of Woodbury, but that changed last minute (x). And she’s made her ire over Andrea’s treatment clear. Even more people were confused and infuriated by Beth’s senseless “death”. I don’t think Emily is a naturally angry person/the kind of person to hold grudges. But I think that by now she would have said something, if only to give fans closure. AMC is a notoriously cheap network. They tried to fuck with Breaking Bad’s last season and had also cut into TWD’s budget in order to have more money for other Mad Men (x). That missing footage has never been officially acknowledged, which includes the missing 800 walkers from the MSF (x), and there was no indication that it was used. Movies and tv shows can film extra material that doesn’t go into the actual product purposely. This is usually done to prevent spoilers, like with the Deadpool 2 trailer versus the actual movie and the season 5 trailer versus the actual Terminus arc. The missing footage didn’t prevent the spoiler of Beth’s “death”. And I agree with you that Emily has likely been filming here and there in seasons 7 and 8 as well. There’s more documentation that filming took place in seasons 5 and 6, but filming techniques improved and more has been done in the studio and on studio grounds. If Emily wasn’t need for 7 and 8 filming, she could have picked up a more involved role in film or in TV until her return, whenever it is. You can read more about the missing spoilers here: x.

[yuniesan]

Girl Meets Season 6 - Episode Four – Girl Meets Old Friend

Synopsis: The Journey from High School and into College will test everything Riley knew about her life, her friendships and her love. What life lessons will she learn in her first year of college?  

[1] [2] [3]

A/N: I managed to ignore most of Tumblr and finish this.... but I miss Tumblr.... but Infinity War spoilers are out there and I’m trying so hard not to look for them.

Episode Four – Girl Meets Old Friend

 Riley’s third class of her first week was her writing class, she was excited because that meant that she was going to be able to write more than what she had before. One of the best things about the class is that it was a two-part class, so they were required to take the second one in the spring and in that class, they were supposed to write a novel. This was also the only class she had with one of her friends. Zay had decided to take it with her because it would satisfy a part of his minor requirements, and they talked about how they could both write the next great novel, but she knew that it was also something they could take together while everyone else took other classes. Maya, Farkle and Smackle had a history class together, Lucas had a class with Zay and Farkle in statistics, Smackle even had a class with Sam, but for Riley this was her only class with anyone she already knew.

“I’m so excited,” she said bouncing on her chair. Zay was sitting next to her and he looked at her and smiled, it was good that he was having happy moments, but she was still worried about him. She couldn’t help but worry, she worried about everyone it’s who she is.

“Stop bouncing around though,” he said trying to keep her down. “We’re only freshmen in a class full of upperclassmen.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she said to him looking him in the eye. “We’re students just like everyone else here.”

Zay nodded at her, he was going to say something but was interrupted by someone nudging at Riley’s side. When she looked up she came face to face with another familiar face, one that she wouldn’t have imagined she would see again. Or at least for a long time.

“And here I thought that you would have gone to NYU,” he said, and Riley jumped up.

“Charlie,” she said as she looked into a familiar pair of blue eyes, his hair was longer than the last time she had seen him and he had gotten taller which put him in the same eyeline as Lucas. At the thought of Lucas, she was reminded of something that happened the last time she had seen Charlie during sophomore year.

“Well, well, well,” Zay said looking up at the two of them. “If it isn’t cheese soufflé.”

“Seriously I hate that nickname,” Charlie said before sitting down in the seat in front of Zay. “I really should have fought against it.”

“You wouldn’t have won,” Zay said to him smiling. “Maya is kinda powerful when it comes to making sure nicknames stick, why do you think she still calls Lucas Ranger Rick.”

“Anyway,” Riley said trying to change the topic from Maya’s use of nicknames, it was a running joke with Maya at this point. She had told Riley that she wanted to keep going with the nicknames because it meant that those people meant something in her life. Riley had a few nicknames, so did Lucas and Farkle, they had been the ones who had been around her the longest but lately Smackle has gotten a few and so has Zay. “What are you doing here?”

“I go to school here,” he said looking at her. “I mean that should be the obvious part.”

Zay laughed for a moment before holding back after she glared at him, “I meant why this school?”

“Well it’s close enough to home that I can visit but far enough away that I don’t have to be there, plus it meant that I could get away from my sisters, they’ve become holy terrors from the moment they heard I wanted to go to college.”

“Must be nice to be annoyed by siblings like that,” Zay said with a starry-eyed look on his face. Riley knew that he was an only child but the last time she had talked to Zay’s mother, before the she left for Texas with Lucas, she had told Riley that they were planning to adopt so that Zay could have a sibling and their family could grow. Zay’s mom wasn’t ready to have an empty nest, but it seemed as if she hadn’t told Zay just yet.

“Somedays it is but being the only boy in a house full of girls tends to get old fast,” Charlie answered Zay’s query with a smile at both of them. “Plus, I needed something new for once and this was the best place to try that out.”

“Do you have a major yet?” Riley asked him, she wanted to ask about his girlfriend but with Zay’s recent break up she wasn’t sure if he could handle another couple around him.

“I’m going to be a lawyer, ever since I joined the debate team in high school I realized that I’m good at arguing with people, plus I remember arguing with Friar a lot, although I didn’t win that one. Anyway, I’m majoring in criminal justice and history since the school doesn’t have a pre-law program, but pre-law is useless as a major according to my advisor.”

“Oh, we’re in the same program then,” Zay said perking up, this meant that he had someone to work with it was a good distraction Riley thought. She wanted him to be happy and not dwell on the past. “Why are you in this class then?”

“I wanted to take something that would help me with my writing, plus fiction is fun since my only other option was to take a class in math and I’m trying to avoid that right now. Also, who knows I could write a big novel and get enough money to pay for school.”

“Sounds like the dream man,” Zay said laughing before slapping Charlie on the back.

Class started soon after that, giving them very little time to talk as the professor talked them through the syllabus, the expectations of the class, and a million other things. They were in fact the only freshmen in the class, but no one treated them any differently, they were all there to fulfil some kind of credit requirement and that’s what mattered. They had been paired off in groups, the professor put the three of them together with upperclassmen but encouraged them all to work together until the end of the semester. They were only writing short stories, the big project being left off until the spring.

When class was over Zay ran off to his next class which was across campus, leaving Charlie and Riley behind on the steps of the building that housed the English and Com departments. Riley laughed as Zay waved at them before his footing missed a rock and he almost fell onto the grass. She was glad his spirits were up, but the worry over her friend still lingered and she wondered how he was dealing because he wouldn’t talk to anyone about the break up.

“So,” Charlie said pulling her out of her own thoughts. “Why not NYU?”

“I looked at a bunch of schools but in the end, I settled on this one because I liked the programs better. I guess I also got lucky because everyone else sort of followed me,” she said smiling thinking of her friends. “How about you? Where’s your girlfriend?” she was genuinely curious about where his relationship went since she had last seen him.

“I already told you why, but mostly it was cheaper than going away, and I didn’t want to burden my parents especially with how big our family is,” he said with a smile but he looked at the ground and she knew that something was happening in his head.

“I’m guessing you don’t want to tell me what happened with your girlfriend,” she said to him. It wasn’t a question it was a statement of fact and she knew it.

“Why do you and Friar work so well?” he asked her without looking into her eyes.

“Well we talk all of the time, it’s our thing we need to have those important conversations,” she said remembering the day they had gotten together. “I mean we have our problems, what couple doesn’t but in the end, we talk about them.”

Charlie sighed before walking towards the grassy area in front of the building and sitting down, she followed him because she knew that he needed someone to talk to. For some reason understanding people had become second nature in some ways, but even she missed things, everyone missed things every once and a while.

“Tell me,” she said as she sat down on the ground next to him, letting the sun warm her skin, never really looking at him because he wasn’t looking at her.

“She broke it off,” he said with a sigh. “Actually, she cheated on me with one of my teammates from the soccer team, I had found them one day after a game making out behind the bleachers at one of our rival schools.”

Riley felt powerless all of a sudden, there were so many broken hearts all around her and she couldn’t do a thing. “I’m sorry,” she said to him.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he ran his hand through his hair, it was weird to see it so long but it suits him. “I guess I need to live with the fact that things like this happen, but it happened months ago and it still hurts.”

“Well you have a friend right here if you need one,” she said even though she knew that Lucas would have a problem with it but she would deal with that when she told him about it.

“Are you sure,” Charlie said he eyes wide and she knew that he had been thinking the same thing.

Riley couldn’t help but laugh out loud, everyone knew her so well, they knew Lucas so well too, it was strange but in the end it was nice to have people around who understood her world.

“Yes, I’m sure, and I’ll talk to Lucas because we promised a long time ago not to keep secrets from one another.”

“If you say so,” he said before getting up off the ground and brushing the grass off of his pants. “Wanna go get some lunch?”

“Sure,” she said before shooting off a quick message to Lucas to join them. She didn’t warn him about Charlie being there, she wanted to find a way to introduce them to each other as her friend Charlie not a guy who may want to date her. Charlie knew that her relationship with Lucas meant the world to her, they had talked about this before, even though they haven’t seen one another in a while.

The two of them got their food and sat down at one of the empty tables and started talking, but after five minutes she felt him before she saw him. Lucas was a presence that she couldn’t ignore it was weird how attuned she was to him but she loved it so much as well.

“Hi Riley,” he said kissing her on the cheek before sitting down. “Gardner.”

“Be nice Lucas,” she said but when he smiled at her she was thrown for a bit.

“Don’t worry Riley,” he said with a smile. “We actually ran into each other in the dorms a while ago, but I told him not to say anything for now.”

“Uh why?” she asked looking between the two of them. “This isn’t a giant prank is it because I will kick you into next week if it is.”

“It’s not,” Charlie said to her giving her a smile. “We talked and said that we were going to try and be nice to one another, I mean there was a time when we thought that we could be friends so we’re going to try for that now.”

“So why not tell me that Charlie was here,” she said turning to Lucas.

“Because I knew that you needed a surprise of some kind,” Lucas said with a smile. “I know you want us all to be happy but sometimes you don’t get any surprises at all because you’re the one always in control of everything. So, I wanted you to have something that was out of your hands.”

“So, you’re okay with me and Charlie hanging out?”

“It’s fine Riley,” he said taking her hand and holding it against his chest just above his heart.

“I need to get away from all of this fluff,” Charlie said rolling his eyes. “Trust me Riley, after all of this time I realized that I don’t feel like that for you. It’s probably just so school boy crush, but what you two have I know is one in a million, so take care of it.”

“Actually,” Riley turned to him. “It’s not, it just takes a lot of work to get to where we are, and finding that one person who will make it worth it.”

“Well that’s a little too romantic for me right now,” Charlie said with a smile. “But I guess if I’m around you long enough I might find that too, if the track record with your friends is anything to say about it.”

At his words Riley felt awful because the one person who hadn’t had a good ending in a relationship was currently pushing himself to be happy around everyone. Charlie walked off soon after leaving Riley and Lucas alone, the two of them talked about their day before Riley went off to her next class. As she was walking home later that day, she found herself looking at a person sitting on a bench by themselves. It was still light enough out for her to see that it was Zay, but he wasn’t moving, he was just sitting there staring out into the distance. She sat down next to him and he didn’t acknowledge her presence, instead of saying anything she just sat there with him and waited.

“You know,” he said after the sun had set on the horizon. “I’ve been debating about whether I’m alright with any of what has been happening. I’m not struggling with school, it’s only the first week, but I’m struggling with my own life.”

“Do you blame me for any of this?” she asked him because she wasn’t sure what to think anymore.

“No,” he whispered. “I’m grateful for the time I had with Cassie, but I feel like a teenage romcom where I know this is supposed to make me stronger and the next person I meet will change my life.”

“But it still hurts, and life isn’t a movie.”

“Yes, but I need to go through this, and maybe whoever comes along in the future will give me something even more special than first love,” he smiled at her but his tears made it bittersweet. “I mean we can’t all have an epic romance.”

“We can, we just have to want it as much as the next person,” she said before taking his hand and holding onto it, it felt the same as when she held onto Auggie. Somehow Zay had become a part of her family. “Zay, remember no matter what you don’t have to go through this alone.”

“I won’t,” he said to her as he leaned back onto the bench. “I have you guys, I have my family, but somedays I think I just like finding myself looking out into the distance and thinking about the happy times.”

“I feel like we should have chocolate cake and ice cream, and watch extremely horrible movies,” she said trying to cheer him up.

“I wouldn’t mind the cake, but considering the last time something happened in our group that involved ice cream, well I might want to stay away from that,” he said before letting go of her hand and hugging her she was surprised by the sudden contact.

“I promise I won’t push it into your face,” she whispered.

“Okay, but can we go to your room, I don’t want the guys to know I feel like this.”

“It wouldn’t make you less of a man Zay,” she said to him before putting her arms around him and holding onto him for a little while. “But if that’s what you want we can do that.”

“Thanks Riley,” he said smiling at her. “No rom coms though.”

“How about I know exactly what we should watch then,” she said as she pulled away standing up. “Let’s go.”

When they got to her room, with two bags of ice cream and chocolate snack cakes, Sam was sitting on her bed staring out into the room like she didn’t know what she should be doing. Riley smiled and asked her to join them. They ended up watching the Maze Runner movies, because there’s very little if no romance at all in them, even though Zay swears that they messed up too much of the books, while Sam screamed out that Brenda was supposed to be immune. Riley wasn’t sure if she should yell at the movie like they were, so instead she filled up their drinks and handed out the last of the ice cream before it melted.

It was the first time she really hung out with her roommate, and while she still didn’t know a lot about the girl, she knew that they would be good friends if Sam could accept a random movie night without question. The three of them had passed out on the floor in front of the small television that was in the room. They had somehow built a fort around themselves and were under it without a care in the world.

“We should do that more often,” Sam said the next morning as they sat down for breakfast. It was only ten to eight but they were all happily eating eggs and pancakes. Zay wearing one of Lucas’s hoodies that Riley had stolen from him during senior year.

“I second that,” Zay said before shoving food into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten an entire bag of cake and ice cream the day before.

“I’m fine with it, but next time not on a school night, and we need more pillows,” Riley said, her back felt sore from being on the floor.

That’s how they ended up with Thursday night movies, just the three of them, or when one of the was feeling especially down they would get together. Charlie joined them the week after, because he found out his ex-girlfriend had a new boyfriend, Lucas joined them after that. Maya usually went to the city on the weekends to spend time with Josh, while the geniuses had started going to club meets on the same night. It was strange to be in a room where Maya wasn’t, but her best friend hadn’t complained about it so Riley let it go, making sure to add some Maya time to her week for days when she was on campus.

[gimmetheheadcanons]

Sinners & Scapegoats 1/?

A/N: This is a multi part Richonne fic. It is an AU mystery drama (with romance) and I began a while ago but decided to come back to only recently (and finally post). I will be posting maybe twice a month until it’s done - so heads up there. Let me know if it is worth continuing. (Trigger warnings, contains violence and racial slurs).

1.     Prying eyes

 Rick Grimes’s job was a job.

It was supposed to be a career, something with a purpose beyond the practical nature of a pay check. Protect and serve the community, there was no greater honor for a man of his caliber than being a deputy sheriff in a county full of fools apparently. Nothing more satisfying than chasing petty bike thieves all over town. Or breaking up a ‘salacious’ Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party that was misidentified as an ‘illegal kegger’ by a preachy passer-by. And to finish of this day of dunces, the most dignified activity of all! Once again, calling in at the request of anonymous white folk, unaware that the phrase ‘suspicious activity’ was not an umbrella term for any and all things any person with a ‘darker complexion’ may be doing.

In this case it was the nefarious action of a thirty something years old black woman in a casual, loose white blouse, ripped denim jeans and brown open toed sandals, putting up a couple of posters which needed immediate police attention. Thank the Lord for the ever vigilant residents of Winter Oaks Avenue!

“Oh for Pete’s sake.” Rick muttered under his breath, furious with himself for even taking the call from Diane at dispatch when he should have known better. Had he not been on his way out of the office he wouldn’t have. But here he was, once again at the beck and call of small-minded racists, trying to work out how best to handle this situation without offending this probably innocent woman or enraging the majority of the town’s voting pool in an election year. The Powers that Be at King’s County Sherriff’s Department would undoubtedly fail to thank him for once again “pandering to the so called PC culture of ill-informed progressives instead of serving the good folk of this county, the ones with real concerns about the increasing crime rates”.    

Ah yes, the things that go bump in the night. Rick grimaced to himself as he looked at the well lit and virtually empty street. There was no mistaking this woman for a dangerous trespasser and yet somehow, in this community – with that head full of dark dreads at least, she was. Rick glanced down at his wrist watch, it has just gone a little past seven. The sun would be gone in an hour or so and Rick wondered where this woman lived and if he could be so lucky as to have caught her just as she was about to finish up putting up the last of her posters before retiring for the day – none the wiser about the nastiness of her neighbors.

Fifteen minutes had passed and Rick just sat in his vehicle with the key still in the ignition. He simply observed the situation, each moment toying with the idea of just driving off. Just give it another minute, he told himself, then he could finally get his ass home to his family – and on time for dinner for once. It was another ten minutes into his ‘minute’ when Rick realized he had been caught by the woman. She was peering back at him from across the street, a curious frown visible on her face, even from this distance and Rick knew had no choice but to get out and face her.

Even if it was just for the purpose of damage control.

Be the change you wanna see.

After a long, tired sigh, Rick put on his wide brimmed sheriff’s hat and made his approach adopting a casual non-threatening strut which hopefully would signal his intent to talk and not escalate the situation. As expected, there was a flicker of blinds from several of the homes he passed. The skin on the back of his neck, accustomed to the fieriest of Georgia’s summers, burned with intense dislike and discomfort. He ignored the rows of narrowed eyes peering from behind the slits, instead firmly keeping his gaze on the perplexed woman he was about to approach.

“Evening ma’am.” He greeted her with a friendly yet still somewhat carefully crafted smile.  

She wouldn’t grace him with the same, her response was firm, respectable yet wary. “How can I help you officer?”

Rick maintained his smile, upholding it against the scrutiny of her heavily lashed dark eyes. “Actually, I was hoping I could help you.”

If she could roll her eyes, Rick knew she would have. Scoff at him and rightfully tell him to state his real intent. But this was King’s County and Rick could sense the tension in the air as she carefully contemplated her next move. Rick wanted to make it easier on her, feeling the burden of the situation and knowing he was responsible for it.

A little less forced and a lot more friendly, he attempted to disarm her cautiousness with old fashioned, gentlemanly charm, the kind his dear grandmother taught him to embrace. “I was just on my way home when I saw you and thought; Hey now Rick, what better way to earn them shiny stars pinned to your shirt so handsomely than to assist this young lady on this fine evening.”

He was careful to introduce himself using his Christian name, trying to distance his true self from the uniform he wore. Yet he could do nothing to shield her from the truth. Her expression, still every bit as guarded signaled to him the realities of the world she lived him. She was tall, taut and terribly beautiful even in her indignation.  

The woman replied almost instantly in a Northern accent betraying her as a newcomer. “I’m almost done so no need to bother yourself. Thank you for your time Officer.”

Dismissed but not defeated, Rick pushed forward. “You sure?” He asked because he knew he couldn’t walk away. Not with an audience as enthralled as Romans spectators, ready to rate this performance with a devastating signalling of their thumb. No, he could not leave her, not to the lions.

“Am I under arrest?”

“Excuse me?” Her bluntness surprised him.

“If not, I’d like to be on my way.” She was smart enough not to move until he gave the okay. Rick felt increasingly uncomfortable with the choices he was being presented him.  

“Look, there is no need to worry. Like I said, I was on my way home when – ”

“I heard you.”

Again, Rick was surprised. She cut him off mid excuse – mid lie. Despite her disinterest in his self-serving speech, Rick still foolishly believed he could walk away from this interaction smelling like roses. Sincerely and softly, he made his final mistake. “Then what’s the problem ma’am.”

Then, finally, came the scoff he deserved.

“I could ask you the exact same thing. Which one called you.”

It was enough to render Rick speechless. The jig is up, the measured tone she spoke with could not hide the fury behind her words.

“Which of those disrespectful racists, cowardly peeking from behind their blinds called you.”

Rick did his best not to flinch at her use of what would be deemed the real hard R in these parts. He swallowed hard, truly hating this place and the people in it.

“I just wanna know how I can help with these posters.” He tried again, wanting to so desperately distance himself from the truth. He was their tool, but he could also be here for her. If he could just stop her from tarring him with the same brush. “Maybe even show a taxpayer like yourself that I take my job seriously.”

She wasn’t the problem, Rick wanted to tell her but at the last minute deciding to keep his mouth shut.

She hesitated for a moment, not speaking again but Rick got the message loud and clear.  

You expect me to buy this bull?

Please do, Rick’s eyes begged.

The desperate look in his eyes may have done the job as she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Fine you’re gonna protect them. I get it. But I need to know for real, am I being arrested?”

It was a sincere worry and Rick knew he could no longer disrespect her by dodging the question. He shook his head and continued to offer further clarifications on his part. He took a step closer, careful not to spook her but also trying his best to create some privacy before confessing his truth.

“It’s an election year.” He whispered.

“Honestly it’s a pain in the behind trying to be that extra police presence.”

“An election year.” She repeated, a frown forming on her face as she processed the meaning of his words.

“Yep. The bosses got a burr in their saddle about it. So unless you have a baby I can kiss or a hand I can shake – I’d like to do my job and help with those posters, if you don’t mind that is.” Rick’s charm finally worked, he could tell by the relaxed look on her face as she nodded in agreement.

Grateful for the reprieve, Rick nodded courteously before helping her gather her bags, papers, and stapler to move onto the next row of bare lampposts. She had every reason to continue to hold him at arms length for what almost transpired this evening, yet past experiences and perhaps a kindness in her heart had told her that Rick was one of the good ones.

Or at least he was trying to be, her slightly raised eyebrow revealed as they walked, side by side, still somewhat uncomfortably.  

“So, what are we dealing with, a runaway pup or –

“A ‘fly out of the window of a speeding car’ teddy bear.”

“Ah an exotic pet.”

She managed to crack a smile for him and Rick’s heart fluttered slightly.

They decided to set up at the first of the lampposts, the joke acting as a much needed ice-breaker and allowing them to work quickly in perfect coordination; Rick passing her the sheets of paper and her carefully using the staplegun.

The teddy bear photo was printed in black in white, a small scruffy looking thing being held in arms of a toddler with big eyes and an even bigger grin on his face. Underneath, a description typed out with love and desperation – Help Mr. Bear come home to Andre.

“He belongs to my son. He’s three and I really need it back.” There was a real grief behind her words, her dark eyes not watery but not very far from it.

“I get it.” Rick said staring at the side of her face as she turned away from him. “I really do.” He repeated, careful to just be expressing empathy from one parent to another and internally reminding himself of his own commitment as a father and husband. “He can’t sleep without it right?”

“Something like that.”

“Right. Well let’s get this street and the next done, so you can get back home in time for tuck in time.”

“Thank you, Officer.”

“You’re welcome Ma’am.”

Things were going well and soon this watchful stranger was replaced by incredibly interesting company. 

Pulling a face of mock disgust at the proper way he continued to call her Ma’am, the woman finally just told him her name. It was one he’d never heard before but liked the sound of anyway. Michonne from Manhattan. An art teacher and painter looking to find new inspiration in the Deep South. A mother. The new owner of the Old Kent Farmhouse, self-renovating the crumbling place after the death of the owner and looking to make a home here in this town. Rick listened to her talk and was surprised to see how animated and easy going she was. Deep within him, he felt the shame rising up again from their initial introduction. Her hostility had been understandable, his behavior had not. Still, he was glad he took the call and glad it was him that got the chance to meet this charming woman with the most infectious smile.

She asked him about this town and Rick told her that despite all its faults, it was home and he hoped it could be hers to. She responded optimistically and Rick fought back the urge to apologize for what he knew she had already figured out about the people that lived here. Instead he told her tales about his own son Carl, now twelve years old but still somewhat sentimental about his favorite childhood toy – a dusty blue, stuffed elephant called Frump. He made sure not to tell her about his wife Lori, who had won the stuffed toy at the summer fair when they were seventeen and still in love.

If his job was just a job these days, then his marriage was one too. It was exhausting knowing what waited for him when he arrived home later. For weeks now, his wedding band pinched at his finger uncomfortably, from the weight gained from the drive-thru burgers he ate in his car as he agonized over the state of his marriage with his bachelor pal and partner Shane Walsh. Today, however, he had made plans to make it home for dinner and face the problems head on. Instead here he was, cherishing a few moments of casual conversation about his day that dazzled Michonne but would’ve drained Lori.

And to Rick Grimes, Christian, Father, Husband – this was was devastating.

Still, they got talking and Rick had almost gotten away with it.  

That was until reality came crushing down in the form of the always delightful Ed Peletier, marching up the street like a bull. Red in the face and practically foaming at the mouth, Ed did what Ed always did.

“Sheriff Grimes.”

Rick managed a curt nod in response for a man he so openly despised. “How can I help Ed?”

“I’d like a word.”

“Sure thing, as soon as I finish up with Michonne here. She’s new to town. Michonne, this is Ed Peletier – local entrepreneur of sorts.”

Read between the lines you redneck asshole. Rick begged, hoping that by revealing Michonne’s status as a homeowner and a part of this community, the information would be enough to put a muzzle on Ed.

Ed however was predictably impatient, after darting a brief but filthy look at the hand Michonne had courteously extended, the gruff man continued to completely ignore her and keep his wild eyes on Rick, whose own hands were itching to punch the man.

With a resigned expression and a quick apology, Rick handed back the posters and followed Ed across the street to the front of his house. There they were met by Carol Peletier, Ed’s patient wife, standing at an open door with a concerned expression on her face.

“Evenin’ Carol.” Rick called out, a genuine warm smile on his face. As much as he despised Ed, he pitied Carol. A small, fragile looking woman with graying hair beyond her years.

“Hello Rick.”

Pleasantries aside and out of Michonne’s earshot, Rick turned to the man who dragged him away from her. “What do you want Ed.”

He dropped the friendly act in favor of a venomous look, bearing no good will for Ed Peletier and the company he kept in this town. 

“I wanna know what you’re playing at Grimes.”

“Families live here. Children.”

Rick could barely maintain his composure, his head tilting at the implication of Ed’s words.

“You have a job to do. Get rid of her.”

“Now on what grounds would that be Ed?” Rick asked. His voice now a low, menacing growl. Ed’s blue eyes were bulging out of their sockets at the audacity of Rick’s question. All too familiar with her husband’s temper, Carol Peletier, placed her hands bravely onto Ed’s arm, holding him back for his own sake.

Rick scowled, frustrated at the woman’s gesture. Carol had no business protecting a man who put her in the hospital on more than one occasion. Despite their struggles, Rick couldn’t even imagine ever laying a hand on his wife. Still, despite the help offered to her, for a reason only known to her – Carol Peletier remained the dutiful wife.

It was a heartbreaking reality Rick had come to accept.

Carol’s actions worked, the brutish looking man was reminded that Rick Grimes was not a friend of his and if given the excuse, would be more than happily fire six warning shots into the thick head wearing that Braves’ baseball cap. Breathing heavily and polluting the air with whiskey fumes, Ed made his next move.

“She don’t belong here.” Ed finally spat out, unable to put things anymore delicately than that.

“She’s passing through.” Rick said firmly, his eyes unblinking and angry. He remained as calm as possible, knowing he wouldn’t have to do much when it came to Ed Peletier. Sooner or later, he’d be hauling his fat ass into that patrol car and back to the station. It was a dance that was all too familiar to the three figures standing at the doorway of the Peletier residence.

Ed was never a measured man and Rick’s challenge made him foolish enough to continue shooting his mouth off. “She’s loitering! Her and that garbage she’s pinning to our lampposts.”

Ed’s bellowing was drawing an audience from his young daughter, Sophia. The girl was the same age as Carl but with a sadness in her eyes that aged her the same way it did her mother. The shouting was enough for a curious and concerned Michonne to abandon her things, cross the street and walk towards the Peletier’s house.

“Is everything okay?” Michonne asked, politely leaning in over the fence stopping at her waist.

It was an innocent enough query and the woman never entered the property but as far as Ed was concerned she had crossed a line.  

“It’s your job to do something about shit like this. Fucking negroes encroaching upon our domicile like this! Disturbing the peace! It’s not decent I tell you!”

Rick snapped at the slur. “Decent? Like your wife-beating, racist, drunken ass would know the meaning of the word!”

And that was all it took.  

The situation escalated in mere minutes. Ed, ready to swing a fist at Rick, only to be intercepted by his quick thinking, self-sacrificing wife. The small woman clung onto her husband’ ham of an arm for dear life, causing him to explode in further fury and her at the receiving end of a closefisted hit from the free hand. It would have been enough to stop there, for Ed to realize he made his point as Carol fell back toward the open door, into their hallway and onto the hardwood floor – taking their poor daughter down with her. But in the eyes of Ed Peletier, any act against him was unforgivable insubordination, something he could not let go unaddressed.

Rick and Michonne were no longer on his radar.

Within seconds, he began shamelessly pounding on his wife with everything he had, completely disregarding the fact there were witnesses standing a few feet away, one of them being an officer of the law.

In between a flurry of violent, merciless kicks and punches, Ed managed to call his blameless wife a stream of obscenities, ignoring the desperate screams coming from his terrified young daughter and the shout to desist from Rick.

It took a full minute for Rick to finally pull Ed off of Carol and away from Sophia. Furious at how much damage Ed managed to inflict, Rick didn’t hold back when he had the chance, roughly shoving the bastard’s face into the gravel of the footpath outside the house. Ed struggled under Rick’s weight, choking on the stones and dirt he was getting a mouth full of. Still full of rage, he continued to make threats against his wife who was covered in red welts and bleeding from a bust lip and cut eyebrow.

Rick expected to see Michonne still standing at the gate, shell shocked at what just occurred before her or at least in angry tears at the racial slurs that were being hurled in her direction. Instead, Rick was surprised to see, she was knelt by his side, stone faced and strong – helping secure Ed as he put on the handcuffs.

She had his back during the struggle. Leaping into action the way only a trained protector would. She told him she was an art teacher, Rick thought briefly, curious to know the rest of her story once all of this was over. 

Ed, unlike Rick, did not appreciate Michonne’s proximity to his sweaty, dirt covered body. Despite being cuffed and beaten, he managed to turn his head just enough to spit violently at Michonne’s chest and face.

In that moment, all Rick saw was red. His weapon was drawn in an instance and threateningly pressed against the back of Ed’s neck.

Michonne jumped up and away from Rick but he could barely register the look of shock on her face at the way events escalated. It was Sophia and Carol’s screaming, however, that he found harder to ignore.

The mother and daughter were pleading with Rick – for Ed’s life. Tears streaming from their face and their anguished cries of “Please, please, please! Jesus Christ – oh God, no please” drawing a crowd. Suddenly, the street was flooded with residents. Curious murmurs turning quickly into panic. But Rick couldn’t see the faces of the community he swore to protect. He could only hear their voices.

“Someone do something!”

“Someone call the police.”

“He is the police.”

“What is happening Honey?”

“Who is she?”

“Rick.”

Her voice, in a sea of buzzing white noise, it cut through to him and for a brief enough moment, Michonne brought him back. 

Suddenly, Rick was surprised more by his own actions than the reaction of the people around him. Ed was scum but he was handcuffs. This wouldn’t be self-defense but a coldblooded murder. 

“Rick.” Her voice again but this time in his own mind, gently trying to remind him of what had promised her. 

He was one of the good ones. 

That thought was enough to finally sober Rick’s mind. The deafening drumming inside his skull stopped, rage no longer pumping blood and adrenaline to his trigger finger. In between deep breaths he managed to calm himself enough to place the gun into its holder.

Ed, who had been as stiff as a corpse finally relaxed as Rick stood up. Carol threw herself onto her husband’s cuffed body, sobbing still, her eyes never leaving Rick – more afraid of the man protecting her than she was of the man who hurt her for years.  

For a while, no one spoke. They stood there, processing what just nearly happened.

Finally, Sophia stepped forward.

“Leave.” She said looking Rick in the eye. “Before I call the police again.”

Again.

Rick couldn’t hide the surprise on his face. So it wasn’t any of the people gawking or some ignorant prejudicial neighbor from across the street who had called the station; it wasn’t even Ed, an out and proud white supremacist – it was this small, fragile, eleven years old girl. 

“Please.”

She wasn’t begging him. Trembling slightly, she straightened her shoulders to face down a man with a gun, a man she admits to having called in the first place.

But why?

Rick wanted to ask, but it took a quick look at the deep purple older bruises on Carol Peletier’s exposed shoulders and the evil the mere presence Michonne had brought out in Sophia’s father, for Rick to realize the answer for himself.

She was trying to protect them, including Michonne. 

The crowd was growing, neighbors having knocked on other neighbors doors regarding the drama Rick knew they deep down had been expecting – but probably with Michonne as a tragic player not a baffled bystander.

Distracted by the righteous anger beginning to bubble up inside him, Rick decided to address the prying eyes.

“Alright folks, now that Ed here’s calmed down a bit I’m sure you can all agree there are more interesting things that await you inside your own homes.”

“I think we’d just like to know what all this commotion is about Sheriff Grimes.” A familiar voice asked.

Rick felt a twitch in his neck, but replied as calmly as possible to the elderly man with questioning eyes sitting under a dark set of eyebrows and sunhat. “Ah I’m sure you all already do, Dale.”  

Dale let out a sad sigh, showing some humility and awareness. Rick had run into him on previous call outs to this neighborhood. He knew the retired educator to be a good man, taking it upon himself to help out Carol on occasion - administering First Aid or giving her a car ride to the hospital. That said, the same couldn’t be said for the rest of these vultures.

“You heard me first time people. I won’t say it again. Clear out. NOW!”

Rick stared down the residents, knowing very well this would find a way of getting back to his superiors but frankly not giving a shit.

“Right now, let the officer do his job. Come now, time to get out of this heat and back to our couches.” Dale’s mild waves had the power to disperse a crowd far quicker than a water canon and Rick was grateful for the powers of the former school principal.  

The elderly man was about to make his exit when Ed piped up again.

“Where you going you old Jew bastard?” He cried out, flailing on the floor like a sea lion. “You all saw what he did, he’s not a cop. He’s a thug. You’re my witness!”

“Oh Edward, you were a bully in school and you’re just a bigger one now. Don’t make things worse for yourself.” With a disapproving glare and a sigh of disgust, Dale Horvath returned to his own home, a couple doors down from the Peletiers.

Relieved the excitement was drawing to an end, Rick let out of a sigh, he turned to Michonne, who during the uproar had returned to the guarded state he met her in. She was however gently tending to Sophia, her arms protectively around the girl’s shoulders. 

“You okay?” He asked and she relaxed, reassuring him with a small smile.

“You okay?” She asked him back and he did the same.

Rick then turned to the little girl in Michonne’s arms, knowing he too needed to somehow comfort her. “I’m sorry.” He told Sophia, truly meaning the words. “But I’m taking your father in. I have to and I think you agree.”

The girl glanced down at her mother’s battered body, lain over a man who continued to curse under his breath about being betrayed by his own blood.

“Mom.” She said weakly. “Please.”

When Rick began to approach Ed, Carol didn’t start up her screams in defense of her husband. Her daughter’s plea had rendered her speechless. Michonne stepped forward, carefully placing her arms around Carol’s shoulders and with gentle words coaxed her away from the toxic man she had married, instead steering her toward the daughter that needed her. The three women, then stood by, letting Rick do his job. Neither his daughter nor wife were treating Michonne with the same revulsion Ed had, instead grateful for the cover and calm she provided them with.

Rick knew it was a sight that in the future would cause daily bitterness to the prick he had just dragged up from the ground and that warmed his own heart significantly.

Heading to back to his police cruiser with Ed Peletier in tow, Rick Grimes felt a burst of optimism. Maybe things could be different in this small town full of stone throwers. Perhaps some honest to God good could be done, by those willing to commit to acting on their conscience. Something to shock the small minded, their stale sermons and suspicious stares.

Rick took one last look at the trio of women in his rear view window. The sun was almost gone, but as he drove away the white of Michonne’s blouse remained visible in the amber rays. Striking as a knight’s armor, Rick thought, affectionately thinking back to her noble quest for a lost bear.  

“That bitch made the mistake of her life tonight.”

Ed Peletier said from the back of the car, spewing his hate like the last rings of smoke coming from a defeated dragon. His intoxicated, blood shot eyes reflected back at Rick’s calm blue ones but there was no need for a response as Ed slunk back into the seat looking smaller and more wretched than he’d ever looked before. Nothing but a pain parasite, severed from its source of strength.

It had finally happened.

He was finally done counting the times he had to let this man go back to hurting that family all over again.

Rick told himself this lie with little else to fear.

But with all things concerning this town of his, this job of his and this frequently disappointing life he was committed to – Rick Grimes’s optimistic outlook would be a premature one. Just over the horizon there waited the all too familiar failure of busted jaws, and broken promises.  

In a month’s time they’d end up in back in this place.

And the month after that, Rick would be praying to be back here once. Back to a time where things weren’t all that bad – dealing with bruises instead of a bloated, lifeless body. 

[orbemnews]

Lots of people moved out of New York and California in 2020. Here's where they went “We thought about leaving Seattle the past couple years, but we weren’t ready,” said Jenkins. But when the pandemic made remote work more of a reality for him and they realized they could live anywhere, they packed up and moved to Idaho. “The weather is a big improvement. The traffic is better. It is very welcoming. People are strangely friendly.” Contracts from moving van companies Atlas Van Lines and U-Haul show that people who chose to move to a new state headed away from the population centers on the coasts, with New York and California losing the most residents in 2020. And NAR’s report found newly untethered remote workers left big cities for the suburbs. “New York and California had much higher outbound activity,” said Barry Schellenberg, Atlas Van Lines president. “It could be the cost of living, tax rates or the political climate, perhaps.” This pattern is expected to continue into 2021, according to NAR. With more people deciding where they live based on their own personal needs instead of their commuting time to work, it could mean long-term growth for suburbs and smaller cities. “People want to migrate where they want to go and a lot more companies are allowing employees to work remotely,” said Schellenberg. “Very large organizations have broadcast to their employees: You don’t need to be close to the office anymore.” A ‘land rush’ in Idaho Idaho topped Atlas’ list for states with the most inbound moves, meaning more moving trucks were arriving in the state than leaving it. Also in the top 10 were North Carolina, Maine, Alabama and New Mexico. “The Boise land rush, I call it,” said Jenkins, a consultant aerospace engineer who relocated to Idaho In November. “I’ve never seen so much construction. Not just houses. Schools. Roads. Hospitals. Churches. It is exciting.” The pandemic had accelerated Jenkins’ shift to remote work, allowing for a quality of life move that they had been considering. The Seattle protests last summer against police brutality and systemic racism, which turned into violent clashes with the police, pushed them further. “It was a tipping point,” he said. They inked a deal on a new construction home in June and moved into a rental in Idaho in November. They expect to move into their new home this April. Barbara Dopp, an agent with Keller Williams Realty Boise, said that her team had their best year ever in 2020 and half their sales were to buyers coming from out of state. “I had people calling me, primarily from California and Washington, and they would say, ‘I just have to get out,'” Dopp said. “We are a conservative state and people are attracted to that.” She said buyers coming to Idaho were looking to get away from changes in taxes, local ordinances or the curriculum taught in schools — and they were seeking more safety, she said. “Their perception was that it wasn’t safe to walk their streets, that things had changed and they weren’t going back,” she said. Rick Halstead, who also works in the aviation industry in Seattle, and his wife Julie also left Seattle for Idaho as a result of the pandemic, protests and what he described as a steady decline in their quality of life. “The pendulum of the political environment really swung in the past 10 years,” Halstead said. “There were more and more protests, which would snarl traffic. Opioid problems. Homelessness. Crime. It was encroaching where we lived.” Over a couple weeks in June, a curfew was placed on their neighborhood for safety reasons, police helicopters circled overhead and then, Halstead said, there was a shooting. “It didn’t feel like home anymore,” he said. “Arriving in Idaho has felt like going back 15 years. You get the sense in our neighborhood you’d be okay leaving the doors unlocked. We’ve met more neighbors in three months than we met in our old neighborhood in seven years.” The couple now work remotely permanently and sold their 20-year-old home in Lynnwood, a Seattle suburb, for $630,000. They bought a new construction home that is 600 square feet bigger for $429,000 in Meridian, Idaho. “It’s bigger, brand new and the house payment is $1,000 less [a month],” said Halstead. Most surprising, he said, his health is improving. “I just had a physical and my blood pressure was a lot lower,” he said. “I haven’t done anything different but move here and it went down by 20 points. I feel a lot less anxious. I kind of felt like I was always looking over my shoulder.” The Southeast is another draw Tennessee was another top destination among people looking to relocate last year, according to a report from U-Haul, which tracks the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving over the course of a year. Texas and Florida, which had a lock on the top two spots since 2015, came in second and third, respectively, last year. “I’m seeing a lot of people from California move to Tennessee because they’re attracted to our lifestyle,” said Jeff Porter, U-Haul Company of Nashville president. “Tennessee has no income tax and is very business friendly. There are plenty of jobs. People and companies are taking note.” Edward Hill and his wife, Margaret, moved out of their one-and-a-half-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood and bought a home in Nashville in May. The couple had become concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their health and mobility in the city at the beginning of March. With both of them shifting to remote work full-time, they left on March 11 and initially went to his family’s home outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. They had considered a move to either Virginia or Tennessee to be near family. By May, they had decided to make a permanent move to Nashville to be closer to Margaret’s family and to support her work in the music industry. “Normally we wouldn’t have moved last year,” Hill said. “We would have renewed our lease, but the pandemic just gave us the boost to get out of there.” Because of the pandemic they haven’t gone out much since buying their new home. But they have a lot more room to live, a yard for their dog and there is good fishing — Hill’s passion — nearby. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than Brooklyn. “The mortgage is half of what rent was in Brooklyn,” Hill said. “Definitely a lower cost of living here.” Leaving big cities for the suburbs While large cities lost the most people during the first seven months of the pandemic, many residents that left didn’t go far, according to NAR’s analysis. Between March and October of 2020, most Manhattanites moved to Brooklyn (33%), the Hamptons (29%) and Jersey City (8%), according to NAR. Similarly, most San Franciscans moved to a county within 60 miles of their previous home. Suburban counties topped the list of places gaining the most people, while cities saw the biggest losses. Williamson County in Texas, a suburban area outside of Austin, saw the biggest migration gains in the country during the first seven months of the pandemic, according to NAR. Another county with a large influx was Suffolk County, New York, home to the tony Hamptons. In contrast, New York County (Manhattan) and Texas counties Travis, Harris and Dallas Counties (home to the cities of Austin, Houston and Dallas, respectively) lost the most people. Atlas Van Lines, a large provider of corporate moves, saw a dramatic drop in companies relocating employees last year and a rise in the number of people doing it on their own. The rise of remote work brought on by the pandemic is a major reason for the shift away from big urban centers, according to Schellenberg. But despite the rollout of vaccines and optimism about a return to work, Schellenberg expects that shift to continue as many companies permanently adopt remote work. “The pattern [in 2021] will be similar to what we saw in the past year,” Schellenberg said. “People will be moving away from coastal areas where there is a higher cost of living and going to places like Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee.” Source link Orbem News #California #Heres #Lots #moved #NewYorkandCaliforniasawanexodusin2020.Here'swherepeoplearemovingto-CNN #People #success #York

[dipulb3]

Lots of people moved out of New York and California in 2020. Here's where they went

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/lots-of-people-moved-out-of-new-york-and-california-in-2020-heres-where-they-went/

Lots of people moved out of New York and California in 2020. Here's where they went

“We thought about leaving Seattle the past couple years, but we weren’t ready,” said Jenkins. But when the pandemic made remote work more of a reality for him and they realized they could live anywhere, they packed up and moved to Idaho. “The weather is a big improvement. The traffic is better. It is very welcoming. People are strangely friendly.”

Contracts from moving van companies Atlas Van Lines and U-Haul show that people who chose to move to a new state headed away from the population centers on the coasts, with New York and California losing the most residents in 2020. And NAR’s report found newly untethered remote workers left big cities for the suburbs.

“New York and California had much higher outbound activity,” said Barry Schellenberg, Atlas Van Lines president. “It could be the cost of living, tax rates or the political climate, perhaps.”

This pattern is expected to continue into 2021, according to NAR. With more people deciding where they live based on their own personal needs instead of their commuting time to work, it could mean long-term growth for suburbs and smaller cities.

“People want to migrate where they want to go and a lot more companies are allowing employees to work remotely,” said Schellenberg. “Very large organizations have broadcast to their employees: You don’t need to be close to the office anymore.”

A ‘land rush’ in Idaho

Idaho topped Atlas’ list for states with the most inbound moves, meaning more moving trucks were arriving in the state than leaving it. Also in the top 10 were North Carolina, Maine, Alabama and New Mexico.

“The Boise land rush, I call it,” said Jenkins, a consultant aerospace engineer who relocated to Idaho In November. “I’ve never seen so much construction. Not just houses. Schools. Roads. Hospitals. Churches. It is exciting.”

The pandemic had accelerated Jenkins’ shift to remote work, allowing for a quality of life move that they had been considering. The Seattle protests last summer against police brutality and systemic racism, which turned into violent clashes with the police, pushed them further.

“It was a tipping point,” he said. They inked a deal on a new construction home in June and moved into a rental in Idaho in November. They expect to move into their new home this April.

Barbara Dopp, an agent with Keller Williams Realty Boise, said that her team had their best year ever in 2020 and half their sales were to buyers coming from out of state.

“I had people calling me, primarily from California and Washington, and they would say, ‘I just have to get out,'” Dopp said. “We are a conservative state and people are attracted to that.”

She said buyers coming to Idaho were looking to get away from changes in taxes, local ordinances or the curriculum taught in schools — and they were seeking more safety, she said.

“Their perception was that it wasn’t safe to walk their streets, that things had changed and they weren’t going back,” she said.

Rick Halstead, who also works in the aviation industry in Seattle, and his wife Julie also left Seattle for Idaho as a result of the pandemic, protests and what he described as a steady decline in their quality of life.

“The pendulum of the political environment really swung in the past 10 years,” Halstead said. “There were more and more protests, which would snarl traffic. Opioid problems. Homelessness. Crime. It was encroaching where we lived.”

Over a couple weeks in June, a curfew was placed on their neighborhood for safety reasons, police helicopters circled overhead and then, Halstead said, there was a shooting.

“It didn’t feel like home anymore,” he said. “Arriving in Idaho has felt like going back 15 years. You get the sense in our neighborhood you’d be okay leaving the doors unlocked. We’ve met more neighbors in three months than we met in our old neighborhood in seven years.”

The couple now work remotely permanently and sold their 20-year-old home in Lynnwood, a Seattle suburb, for $630,000. They bought a new construction home that is 600 square feet bigger for $429,000 in Meridian, Idaho.

“It’s bigger, brand new and the house payment is $1,000 less [a month],” said Halstead.

Most surprising, he said, his health is improving.

“I just had a physical and my blood pressure was a lot lower,” he said. “I haven’t done anything different but move here and it went down by 20 points. I feel a lot less anxious. I kind of felt like I was always looking over my shoulder.”

The Southeast is another draw

Tennessee was another top destination among people looking to relocate last year, according to a report from U-Haul, which tracks the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving over the course of a year. Texas and Florida, which had a lock on the top two spots since 2015, came in second and third, respectively, last year.

“I’m seeing a lot of people from California move to Tennessee because they’re attracted to our lifestyle,” said Jeff Porter, U-Haul Company of Nashville president. “Tennessee has no income tax and is very business friendly. There are plenty of jobs. People and companies are taking note.”

Edward Hill and his wife, Margaret, moved out of their one-and-a-half-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood and bought a home in Nashville in May. The couple had become concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their health and mobility in the city at the beginning of March. With both of them shifting to remote work full-time, they left on March 11 and initially went to his family’s home outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

They had considered a move to either Virginia or Tennessee to be near family. By May, they had decided to make a permanent move to Nashville to be closer to Margaret’s family and to support her work in the music industry.

“Normally we wouldn’t have moved last year,” Hill said. “We would have renewed our lease, but the pandemic just gave us the boost to get out of there.”

Because of the pandemic they haven’t gone out much since buying their new home. But they have a lot more room to live, a yard for their dog and there is good fishing — Hill’s passion — nearby. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than Brooklyn.

“The mortgage is half of what rent was in Brooklyn,” Hill said. “Definitely a lower cost of living here.”

Leaving big cities for the suburbs

While large cities lost the most people during the first seven months of the pandemic, many residents that left didn’t go far, according to NAR’s analysis.

Between March and October of 2020, most Manhattanites moved to Brooklyn (33%), the Hamptons (29%) and Jersey City (8%), according to NAR. Similarly, most San Franciscans moved to a county within 60 miles of their previous home.

Suburban counties topped the list of places gaining the most people, while cities saw the biggest losses.

Williamson County in Texas, a suburban area outside of Austin, saw the biggest migration gains in the country during the first seven months of the pandemic, according to NAR. Another county with a large influx was Suffolk County, New York, home to the tony Hamptons.

In contrast, New York County (Manhattan) and Texas counties Travis, Harris and Dallas Counties (home to the cities of Austin, Houston and Dallas, respectively) lost the most people.

Atlas Van Lines, a large provider of corporate moves, saw a dramatic drop in companies relocating employees last year and a rise in the number of people doing it on their own.

The rise of remote work brought on by the pandemic is a major reason for the shift away from big urban centers, according to Schellenberg.

But despite the rollout of vaccines and optimism about a return to work, Schellenberg expects that shift to continue as many companies permanently adopt remote work.

“The pattern [in 2021] will be similar to what we saw in the past year,” Schellenberg said. “People will be moving away from coastal areas where there is a higher cost of living and going to places like Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee.”

[lady-adventuress]

Books I Read in 2017

Alphabetical list here, reviews under the cut in chronological order:

Almond, David: A Song for Ella Gray

Bardugo, Leigh: The Grisha Trilogy, Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom

Cline, Ernest: Ready Player One

Cloonan, Becky, Brendan Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl: Gotham Academy Vol. 1-2

Cluess, Jessica: A Shadow Bright and Burning

Coulthurt, Audrey: Of Fire and Stars

del Duca, Leila and Kit Seaton: Afar

Dragoon, Leigh and Jessie Sheron: Ever After High: Class of Classics

Flores, Chynna Clugston, et al.: Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy

Gaiman, Neil: American Gods

Gaiman, Neil and Chris Riddell: The Sleeper and the Spindle

George, Madeleine: The Difference Between You and Me

Gilmour, H.B. and Randi Reisfeld: T*Witches #1-10

Hale, Shannon: Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World

Hicks, Faith Erin: The Nameless City, The Stone Heart

Jensen, Michael and David Powers King: Woven

LaCour, Nina: We Are Okay

Larson, Hope: Chiggers, Mercury

Lubar, David: Sophomores and Other Oxymorons

Riordan, Rick: The Trials of Apollo #1-2, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2-3

Shea, Lisa: Ever After High: Once Upon a Twist: Cerise and the Beast

Stewart, Cameron, Brendan Fletcher, and Babs Tarr: Batgirl Vol. 1

Stoker, Bram: Dracula

Sugiura, Misa: It’s Not Like It’s a Secret

Turtschaninoff, Maria: Maresi

Weir, Andy: The Martian

West, Hannah: Kingdom of Ash and Briars

I also listened to a lot of audiobooks as I was working this year, but since I have terrible audio comprehension, I stuck to books I’ve already read and know I like:

From Tamora Pierce, Alanna: The First Adventure and the Trickster series, read by Trini Alvarado. The Protector of the Small series, read by Bernadette Dunne. The Immortals Quartet, Sandry’s Book, and The Will of the Empress, Full Cast Audio narrated by Tamora Pierce. All of them were good, but I especially loved hearing the Trickster series and all of the Full Cast books. I absolutely recommend them. Immortals was my favorite.

From Eoin Colfer, the Artemis Fowl series, read by Nathaniel Parker. I liked it a lot. It’s nice being able to hear the accents and remember that Artemis is actually Irish.

T*Witches #1-10, by H.B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld. Twin witches who were separated at birth meet at age fourteen and must learn magic to protect themselves from their evil uncle. This is a series from my childhood that still holds up in a cheesy nostalgic way. I always found the attempt at teen slang baffling, but at its core the story is still about family and girls supporting each other and trying to do the right thing. Excellent and complicated relationships between both biological and adopted families, excellent and complicated supporting characters.

Dracula, by Bram Stoker. An ancient vampire brings death and evil to England while a group of mostly-bumbling protagonists try to stop him. It’s hard to read a book like this without being influenced by the cultural interpretation, but one thing that really threw me off is the importance of characters that seem to get really downplayed in adaptations. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the book, but I did enjoy how ridiculous parts of it was.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World, by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. A fourteen-year-old girl tries to make new friends while keeping her squirrel tail and superpowers a secret. I love Shannon Hale’s children’s books. Squirrel Girl had the charm of her Ever After High work, surprisingly without being as over-the-top. Doreen isn’t the type of protagonist I tend to relate to and I always get a little weirded out with anthropomorphized animals, but the book was fun and funny with distinct voices and an appropriate amount of camp. Also, footnotes.

The Difference Between You and Me, by Madeleine George. The closeted popular girl and school outcast are on opposite sides of school politics, which causes problems in their secret relationship. I feel like there are tons of fanfictions like this, so I was glad when this book didn’t run into the overused tropes. Unfortunately, it didn’t really have much in the way of conflict at all, which was surprising when it seemed like every single character’s opinions were meant to be deliberately polarizing. I thought that situations and characters were set up really well, but none of it really came together in a satisfying way.

Chiggers, by Hope Larson. Graphic novel. A girl navigates summer camp drama and befriends the girl no one else likes. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Hope Larson, but I couldn’t like this book even though I was trying to. It felt like nothing was happening for most of the story, and I’m not sure what was accomplished in telling it. The elements of magical realism were interesting, but it wasn’t enough to carry the story, and neither was the mundane drama. There wasn’t enough time to invest in the characters.

Mercury, by Hope Larson. Graphic novel. A girl’s experience with a mysterious gold prospector affects the life of her modern-day descendant. The story was thought-provoking, even if it took me a while to get into it, and the magical realism was well-integrated. I don’t love Larson’s cartooning style, but I thought it was much more readable than Chiggers without sacrificing its uniqueness.

The Nameless City, by Faith Erin Hicks. Graphic novel. A boy befriends a native girl in the city his people conquered. Hicks’ visual storytelling skills are excellent, and I love how her characters and expression can be both subtle and cartoony. The story was thoughtful and deals with political realities in a way that doesn’t demonize or alienate anyone. Jordie Bellaire’s color palettes are beautiful.

Unfortunately, the sequel The Stone Heart doesn’t quite live up to the first book. The art is still excellent, but the pacing and plot seemed less well-planned, especially since the story now seems to be heading in a more predictable direction. There’s a third book forthcoming, so maybe that opinion will change.

Batgirl Vol. 1: Batgirl of Burnside, by Cameron Stewart, Brendan Fletcher, and Babs Tarr. Trade paperback. A college student tries to reinvent her vigilante identity while dealing with being the personal target of a mysterious villain. This was definitely not a bad book, but it also didn’t feel like a Barbara Gordon book. If you’re writing for characters with decades of history, that legacy deserves to be respected, and I’m not sure Stewart and Fletcher accomplished that in the writing. Separate from preconceptions, the plot was solidly set up with good dialogue and distinct characterization, although I thought Barbara’s arc had a weak resolution. Tarr’s art is great, though, and I can definitely see why this series is so popular.

Gotham Academy Vol. 1-2, by Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl. Trade paperbacks. A girl investigates a haunting at her school, which is connected to a mysterious summer experience she can’t remember. Kerschl’s character acting is excellent, and the relationship between the protagonist Olive and her ex-boyfriend’s sister Maps is immediately compelling. The cast is well-rounded and interesting, and I enjoyed reading a comic set in a superhero world without being a superhero book. Plot elements are set up from the first issue, and the story is a lot of fun overall.

A Song for Ella Grey, by David Almond. A modern version of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth is told from the perspective of Eurydice’s best friend. Almond is an excellent writer, but I felt like this was a story that didn’t need to be retold, especially with his addition of a tragic unrequited queer romance. The protagonist doesn’t have any agency within the storyline so it felt like a series of events happening in sequence rather than a narrative. I did think the formatting shift at the turning point was interesting, but the myth dragged unnecessarily in order to fill the length of the novel.

The Trials of Apollo #1: The Hidden Oracle, by Rick Riordan. The Greek god Apollo is sent to earth as a teenager as punishment for his arrogance and is bound to the service of a young girl. It’s hard to enter into the Trials of Apollo series without prior knowledge of Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus, and even as a fan of the other books in the universe, I had a hard time engaging with Apollo as a protagonist. The narration fit the character well, though, and Riordan deals with serious subjects without resolving anything prematurely. I liked that each chapter was introduced with a haiku rather than a title.

The second book in the series, The Dark Prophecy, is similar in tone to the first. I would say the biggest change is the addition of Leo and Calypso from the prequel series to finish off the classic trio of heroes. That dynamic was interesting, and I also really enjoyed the appearance of my favorite Percy Jackson character.

We Are Okay, by Nina LaCour. A girl deals with grief over her grandfather’s death and reconnects with her best friend during winter break of her first year of college. It was a slow start and I had some trouble keeping up with shifts in the narration, but I ended up liking this book a lot. The writing is atmospheric and captures the protagonist’s thoughts well. The setup for the mystery is subtle and doesn’t take focus from the characters.

American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. After three years in jail and his wife’s death, a man takes a job that involves him in a war between old and new gods. I really like Gaiman’s writing, and Shadow is a protagonist that is engaging despite his relative passiveness. Even so, I wouldn’t say this was a book I actually enjoyed all that much, and plot twists were well-developed to the point that they weren’t particularly surprising or satisfying. I’ve seen a lot of stories modernize gods, so Gaiman’s treatment didn’t seem as unique as I’d been led to believe. That being said, maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read it earlier.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor, by Rick Riordan. A teenager resurrected as a Viking warrior goes on a quest to retrieve Thor’s hammer. This series in particular seems to depend on pop culture references, so while I liked the writing, I wonder if it will stay as relevant as Riordan’s other books. I did really enjoy the cast and the expansion of their backstories, and this book sets up what seems to be more of a crossover with the Percy Jackson series.

Book three, The Ship of the Dead, was also really fun. The closing of The Hammer of Thor was a little misleading in that the crossover elements were limited to the beginning and end of the story as usual, but by this time the characters are more than capable of standing on their own. It seems like this book is the last of the series, and it managed to close out the plot pretty well.

Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, by Leigh Bardugo. Six teenagers are hired to break a political prisoner out of a foreign country. Not only is this an excellent heist story with a really detailed plot, but each of the characters are fully developed and they all have their own arcs throughout the books. Bardugo’s cast is inclusive and intersectional without feeling like she’s checking off a list and the writing is witty with clear voices. Both the characters and plot drive the story. I can’t say enough good things about this duology.

The Grisha Trilogy, by Leigh Bardugo. A teenage soldier discovers an elemental power and becomes part of a plan to overthrow a corrupt monarchy. This trilogy takes place before Bardugo’s Six of Crows books, but it was disappointing in comparison. I really disliked the protagonist, and there was a lot of focus on a frustrating romance, to the point that it overshadows the interesting worldbuilding. The plot dragged in places, despite being too thin to fill three books. Even so, there are a few really great supporting characters that almost made it worth it.

Sophomores and Other Oxymorons, by David Lubar. After a successful freshman year, a teenager’s overconfidence causes problems at his high school. This is the belated sequel to Sleeping Freshman Never Lie, which is one of my favorite books. Sophomores seems more self-referential and has a subplot that doesn’t seem to fit the tone as well, but for the most part it had the same witty charm that I loved about the first book. Of course, the best part of the series is still Lee, the female lead.

Maresi, by Maria Turtschaninoff. An abbey novice discovers her calling when a new girl with a troubled past arrives. This book was originally published in Finnish, I believe, but I think it must have lost something in the translation. The narration is distant, and even though parts of the world are described, it was hard to picture any of the setting. Overall it didn’t really hold my interest.

Kingdom of Ash and Briars, by Hannah West. After gaining magic powers and immortality, a girl becomes responsible for ensuring peace throughout three kingdoms. I really didn’t like this book. It treats the female characters poorly, especially the antagonist, and although the plot is ostensibly about duty, it’s heavy-handed, relies too much on tropes, and is really obviously motivated by romance. A lot of this can be overlooked if it’s ironic or just done well, but it never came together and ended up being very frustrating.

Of Fire and Stars, by Audrey Coulthurst. As she enters an arranged marriage, a princess has to hide her magic and her attraction to the prince’s sister. Even though the two protagonists are supposed to have equal weight, I ended up almost actively disliking one of them. The plot isn’t terribly engaging, but because I couldn’t get behind one of the characters, the romance couldn’t carry the novel for me. It wasn’t bad, but I wish it was better.

Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters, by Shannon Hale. A commoner-turned-princess takes an unattractive job to teach court manners to three royal sisters. This book is the third in Hale’s Princess Academy series and it is just as excellent as the first two. The plot is set up well across multiple books, and Miri is an excellent and flawed protagonist who is capable without overshadowing the other characters. The romantic plots don’t feel forced and the narration accomplishes a lot of interesting worldbuilding. Another book with girls supporting one another despite not necessarily understanding each other.

The Martian, by Andy Weir. An astronaut is stranded on Mars after an early mission evacuation and must survive until he can be rescued. I was skeptical about the premise, but everything is well thought out and clearly explained, without sacrificing either reader engagement or scientific accuracy. The protagonist has a great voice, but as soon as the perspective shifts away from his first-person mission logs, it’s easy to tell that Weir isn’t a very experienced writer, since the other characters and third-person narration are not nearly as well-defined. Overall, though, it was still a good book.

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline. A high-schooler who is desperate to escape a dystopian future dedicates his life to solving a virtual reality puzzle and becoming the heir to a video game empire. There were two things that I really disliked about this book, the first being the protagonist, who seemed like a terrible person for most of the book. The second is that, despite being ostensibly a celebration of pop culture (and especially 80s pop culture), the overall viewpoint seemed really rigid and judgemental. The writing was fine, and there were some really interesting puzzles, but in the end I felt like it was male nerd entitlement in novel form.

Ever After High: Once Upon a Twist: Cerise and the Beast, by Lisa Shea. The daughter of Red Riding Hood and the son of King Charming are forced into the roles of Beauty and the Beast in order to escape their midterm exam. Cerise and Dexter seem like an odd pair, which sometimes works in the Ever After High universe, but didn’t really here. Part of this I think is because this book is written for an even younger audience than the original so the characters lost a lot of their nuance. The only part of the story that surprised me was almost immediately negated by a soap opera-worthy plot device to prevent the status quo from changing.

Afar, by Leila del Duca and Kit Seaton. Graphic novel. A girl tries to fix problems caused by her newfound ability to project herself into different worlds, while keeping her younger brother out of trouble. There is a lot of visual worldbuilding here, which I thought was very well done. Plot wise, it felt like the protagonist’s arc was maybe just the first act of a much longer book, but the characters were solid all around.

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy, by Chynna Clugston Flores, Rosemary Velero-O’Connell, Kelly Matthews, and Nichole Matthews. Graphic novel. The ensemble casts of Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy work together to free their teachers from a girl’s attempt to relive a disastrous birthday. I think this book is set up more for fans of both series, and since I’ve only read a little of Lumberjanes, I felt like I was playing catch-up for some parts. I did really like the parts that showcased the Gotham Academy characters, though. I felt like the art was missing the lushness and texture of what I remember of the regular series, which was disappointing.

Ever After High: The Class of Classics, by Leigh Dragoon and Jessi Sheron. Graphic novel. The children of popular fairy tales learn more about their parents by using magic to relive parts of their high school experience. This book was very disappointing compared to other parts of the franchise. The art is minimal and flat compared to the webseries, and all but one of the anthology-esque stories felt like retreading old ground. I also really disliked the narrative hoops the audience was expected to jump through just to keep anything significant from changing.

It’s Not Like It’s a Secret, by Misa Sugiura. After moving from Wisconsin to California, a Japanese-American girl struggles to build a life she is happy with while keeping secrets that could ruin her family. This book was a bit surreal to read because specific parts of it were identical to my high school experience, while other parts were completely foreign. Still, the writing is solid and thought-provoking, and I liked that there is no easy answer to the protagonist’s problems.

A Shadow Bright and Burning, by Jessica Cluess. A newly-discovered sorceress takes on the role of a prophecized savior in a fight against enormous apocalyptic monsters. I found it a little difficult to get into the characters, especially since there is only one girl in a large group of boys and the gender difference is a large part of their interactions. I disliked the romantic subplots, which seemed to take over the narrative, even though the worldbuilding and political aspects of the plot were really interesting.

The Sleeper and the Spindle, by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell. A queen postpones her wedding to deal with the sleeping curse that threatens to spread from the kingdom next door. The story begins as a mix of archetypes from Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, but Gaiman’s atmospheric writing elevate it even before the surprising finale. Riddell’s illustrations and other visual choices for the physical book are beautiful and tell the story meaningfully. Highly recommended.

Woven, by Michael Jensen and David Powers King. After his murder, an aspiring knight goes on a quest with a spoiled princess to stop the universe from unraveling. This book had an interesting premise, but its execution filled me with rage. Although it pretends to have dual protagonists, the princess is treated horribly by the narration without any kind of self-awareness. She is given a thin veneer of fighting ability but no agency in the story and is constantly being rescued without payoff. The writing and pacing also seemed flat. Overall extremely frustrating, especially because of the hints of interest.

[hannahindie]

At the End of All Things: Chapter 3

Characters: Dean x Jo, Sam x Amelia, Bobby x Ellen, Kevin, Ash, Charlie (brief mention), Cas Word Count: 2,147 Warnings: None really, unless you count having to leave the Impala behind. A/N: This is an AU/Crossover between Supernatural and Walking Dead. I’ve brought some characters back from the dead since it is an AU, and it’s going to be chock full of ships. I’ve always wondered how the Winchesters would make it in a world full of walkers, and what Rick’s crew would think of them, so this is my take on it. If you would like to catch up on Chapter 1, you can do so here, and Chapter 2 is here!

My dear, sweet @trexrambling beta’d this for me: “Dean's reaction is my reaction.” (In case you were wondering, the reaction was confusion and speechlessness lol)

As always, tags are at the bottom, and if you would like to be added please let me know!

Dean gave one last long look at the Impala before sliding the garage door shut and locking it.

“You sure you want to leave Baby behind?” Dean turned to see Jo standing at the edge of the driveway, her hand resting gently on her stomach. He smiled at her, enthralled by the way the sun shone off of her hair.

“She’s too loud and heavy. If we had to off-road it, she’d never make it. It’s too dangerous.”

“For Baby or for us?” Jo asked, laughing.

Dean closed the space between them and pulled her into him as he kissed the top of her head, “Would you judge me if I said both?”

“Only a little. I won’t tell anyone.”

They turned and made their way towards the town center, their fingers laced loosely. Today was the day. The day they risked everything for the slim possibility of finding a cure. Dean had begun to have second thoughts, but when he had walked outside this morning and saw those that were leaving saying goodbye to those staying behind, their faces full of hope, he had realized it was for the best. It may have been a wild goose chase, but at least they were trying. None of them had survived this long to just not try. As Dean and Jo approached the makeshift town square, he saw Sam leaning over one of the tables as he studied a map.

“Sammy, everything ready to go?”

Sam nodded, “Yep. We’ve got the quietest cars gassed up and packed. Garth is checking a few last minute things so we can stay in touch with Kevin. I’m going to make one more perimeter sweep, make sure the fences are secure, and I think we’re pretty much ready to head out.”

Dean clapped Sam on the back, “Great, man, sounds good.” People were beginning to fill up the square, their voices low as they gathered to say their last minute goodbyes. Bobby and Ellen were slowly making their way towards them, and Dean watched as Bobby slung an arm around Ellen’s shoulder and pulled her closer. She laughed at whatever it was he whispered in her ear, and Dean wondered if they should stay behind. He would give anything to watch them live out their lives safe and sound, and this mission almost guaranteed that that wouldn’t happen. As they approached him, Bobby caught his eye and grinned. He’d never listen to Dean; the only man he’d ever known to be more hard headed than his real father was his adopted one.

“Well, son, it’s about time. You sure you wanna do this?”

Dean nodded, “Yea, I’m sure. You?”

Bobby shrugged, “About as sure as I’m gonna get.” He looked over the crowd that was gathering and grunted, “Wish they’d just let us sneak outta here, I ain’t good with goodbyes.”

Dean chuckled, “You and me both, old man. You and me both.”

Bobby narrowed his eyes at Dean, “Watch who you’re callin’ old, boy. I can still kick your damn ass.”

Dean threw his hands up as if surrendering, “I don’t doubt it.” He looked around and saw Sam off in the distance, checking the fences one last time. Amelia was alone off to the side, leaning against a tree. He caught her eye and she stared at him silently. He gave her a tight lipped smile, but instead of returning it, she pushed away from the tree and walked towards where Sam was looping back around. Dean looked at Ellen and she shrugged; none of them ever knew what Amelia was thinking, and though they all tried to include her, she did not make it easy.

“Heyo Deano, I got Kev all set up. That equipment is as tight as the mini skirt on a White Snake groupie.” Ash hopped up onto the picnic table, his feet on the bench, and leaned back as he looked at Dean.

Dean stared at Ash for a moment, unsure of how to respond, “Umm...thank you, Ash, for that colorful and...confusing description.”

“No problemo. I left some instructions for him in case something went wrong, but I don’t think he’ll have any problems. It’s on a backup battery in case the the power grid goes down, and I got ‘em set up with a generator that is just for emergencies, so, they ought to be square for awhile. Are we gettin’ this party started or what?”

“Yea, we’re just waiting on Sam to get back from his last perimeter sweep and it’ll be time to go, I think.” He watched Cas go down the line of women he was constantly surrounded by, giving each one of them a hug and a kiss, and Dean had to bite back a laugh. If anyone had told him that Castiel, Angel of the Lord, would be high as balls all the time and into...whatever it was you wanted to call what he was into, he would have laughed in their face. He sauntered over and stopped next to Dean, who raised his eyebrows at the former angel. “You good?”

“Oh, yea. I’m great.” He stretched, “I need a break, anyway. You know how tiring it is to make love to that many women every night?”

Jo glanced over at Dean, a smirk on her face, “Well, Dean? Do you?”

Dean shook his head, “This is a trap, isn’t it? It’s a trap. But no, Cas, I don’t know. I would guess that it’s probably a hard time.” Jo snorted at his perfectly timed pun, and Dean elbowed her gently in the arm. “Shut up. Sinner.”

The rest of their little community were making their way over to where the main group was as Sam and Amelia made their way back towards the picnic tables.

Bobby leaned in close to Dean and whispered, “They’re gonna expect a speech. Give ‘em what they want so we can get the hell out of here, huh?”

Dean inwardly groaned. He was not much of one to give a speech, but Bobby was right. As he looked out over the crowd, their eyes were all on him. He wasn’t sure if he could say they were filled with hope. He was sure that most of them realized this was probably a dead end endeavor, but what he saw was trust. It didn’t matter the outcome of this, in the end.  What mattered was that they trusted him, they trusted in their family, and that was enough to fully convince Dean that what they were doing was right. Sam slowed to a stop at the back of the group, Amelia attached firmly to his side, and nodded. It was time.

Dean took a deep breath, looked at Jo, then back out to the crowd standing in front of him, and began.

“As you all know, we are heading out today to follow a lead that Garth and Ash received about a cure. Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that I think it’s a slim chance...the world that we knew has been gone for a long time, and for someone to still be working on a cure...well...it’s unlikely. But I think we all also know that Dick Roman is a tenacious bastard, so if anyone survived the hellscape out there and is working on a way to flip the switch, it would be him.” A quiet wave of laughter swept through the crowd, and Dean felt Jo squeeze his hand in encouragement.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen out there. It’s dangerous, and we’ve got a hell of a road to travel to get to Roman’s lab, nevermind getting inside. We may not even find anything. But I can’t sit by, knowing that there’s even a slim chance, and not even try. Some of you I have known for a long time. Some of you I’ve just met. But as far as I’m concerned, every single one of you are a part of my family, and I will do anything I can to keep you safe. We will do anything.”

A cheer rose, and Dean felt a faint flush creep across his cheeks. Sam smiled gently at him and gave him another nod, prompting him to keep going.

“Thanks to Ash, we have a way to keep in touch with all of you, and I know that you are going keep our homes safe. We are leaving you behind so that our little community can thrive. Remember to help those that you might find, and to use your best judgements. Hopefully we won’t be gone long, and we’ll be back before you know it. Now, I’m going to quit yapping so that we can get moving. Thanks for everything you do, and we’ll see you soon.”

Everyone cheered again, then moved in to give those that were leaving one last goodbye.

Dean reached out and grabbed Kevin’s arm as he was passing, “I need to talk to you.”

“Sure thing, man, what’s up?”

Dean stared at Kevin for a moment, surprised by how grown up he looked compared to when they first met, and smiled at him. Kevin’s brows knitted in confusion, “Are you okay?”

Dean nodded, “Yea, I’m fine. Uh, listen, thanks for staying behind, taking care of everything. I know you didn’t ask for that when you tagged along with us.”

Kevin shrugged, “I’m used to saving your asses, so this is nothing.”

“Yea, yea yea…” Dean paused as he slipped his hand into his pocket, “I need you to do one more thing for me.”

“Sure thing, Dean, anything.” Dean removed his hand and slipped a cool, metal ring into Kevin’s hand. Kevin looked down with wide eyes as he took in the smooth silver key, then looked back up at Dean. “Are you sure?” It came out as a whisper.

“Yea. I can’t take her with us. She’s not built for travel like this, and I don’t want to lose the keys. I locked up the garage this morning, she should be fine...just...keep an eye out, alright? I don’t know what’s going to happen out there...and I need to make sure someone knows where she is and will appreciate her. It might be the end of the world, but my baby deserves more than just sitting somewhere, rusting. So...keep her safe.”

Kevin looked back down at the keys, then carefully tucked them into his pocket, “I know the perfect place for them. You better come home, though. I don’t know enough about cars, and I need someone to teach me.”

Dean gripped Kevin’s shoulder tightly, “I..uh...I’m proud of you, Kevin. You’ve had a lot of shit thrown at you, and...well, you’re a lot different than when we met. What I’m trying to say is...just take care of yourself, okay?” Kevin nodded, unsure of what else to say, and Dean pulled him in for a quick hug before clearing his throat and straightening his jacket. “Alright, well, enough of that. We’ll be back soon. Baby better be in one piece when we get back.”

He stomped off and Kevin’s hand wandered back down to his pocket, his fingers tracing the outline of the key ring through the worn denim of his jeans. The moment Dean had handed him the keys, Kevin realized just how serious this was, and he was terrified this was the last time he’d see any of them. He slowly walked the rest of the way to the town center to join the crowd that were migrating towards the gates.

By the time Dean made it to the front gate, everyone had loaded up in their respective cars but him. He climbed in next to Jo and looked through his open window to the small crowd of people standing by the open gate. Charlie stood next to Kevin, her bright red hair shining beautifully in the sun. She waved at him, and Dean threw his hand up in return. And for a moment, he wondered if they should have brought her along. It was hard enough to leave everyone else, but Charlie…

He felt Jo’s hand slip over to his knee and squeeze gently, “You ready?”

Dean nodded, “Yea. Yea...let’s do this.” He started the car and rolled slowly through the gate. If all went as planned and they could drive most of the way, it should only take a couple of days to navigate the blocked roadways, then maybe a couple of days to locate the building and Dick Roman, and then a couple of days back. In all, the trip shouldn’t take more than seven days, ten if they were unlucky.

The creak of the gate closing behind them was almost deafening in the otherwise quiet neighborhood, and Dean took a deep breath.

There was no turning back now.

Read Chapter 4 HERE.

If you like what you see, check out my masterlist!

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At The End Of All Things: @jellersquad @babeonthebike 

[anotherfandomwriter]

Our Little Secret (Rick x Reader)

Word count: 2,278

Warnings: Cursing.

“Imagine you're Negan's adopted daughter, and you're dating Rick without him knowing.”

(This is a request from @mrsnegan25. I hope y'all enjoy it!) _____________________________________________ As sunlight poured into the room, my eyes slowly creaked open. The room was silent except for a light snore coming from behind me. A tired smile graced my lips and I turned to see Rick Grimes, the love of my life, sleeping like a rock. The corners of my lips pulled back in admiration of his peaceful state; rarely did anyone ever see Rick Grimes in peaceful mode. I didn't want to wake him, but I couldn't resist brushing my fingers across his stubbly face. He stirred in his sleep and it wasn't long before his bright blue eyes met mine.

"Good morning," I greeted warmly, running my fingers through his hair.

"'Mornin'," he replied in a deeper voice and with a sleepy half-grin. "Sleep well?"

"Absolutely," I nodded, slipping my hand down his bare chest. "Best sleep I've had in a long while. It was lucky that I could sneak out last night." He took my hand in his, gently pressing his lips to my knuckles.

"Glad to hear it. What's your plan today?" He asked, looking hopefully into my eyes.

"Well, I don't think my dad's planned to plunder anyone for today," I joked "As far as I know, I'm free."

"Really?" He cheekily scooted closer to me. "Well, since you have so much time on your hands," he suggested slowly as he slid his hand under my shirt, "why don't we take advantage of it?"

"Can't argue with that," I seductively threw back at him. His lips slowly but hungrily melded against mine, but before we could get any further the baby monitor went off. Rick sighed, rolling away from me. "I'll be back."

"Hey," I said softly, putting my hand on his shoulder. "Let me get her. I haven't seen her in a while, you know." He smiled at me and nodded with a "thank you."

I quickly pecked his lips, and went straight to Judith's room. I had met Rick at the Hilltop whenever one of the returning groups tried to kill Gregory. I was sent to make sure they got the job done, but Rick’s group took care of that. Seeing him covered in another man’s blood didn’t help my first impression of him, but that quickly changed whenever he looked up at me and nonchalantly said, “What?” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing, and he immediately softened up. I had to tell him who I was, but that didn’t change his opinion of me, and the rest is history.

to see her standing in her crib. "Hi, baby girl," I greeted with a big smile. "Good morning!" She stuck out her arms, wanting me to take her, and I quickly obliged. "Ooh, someone's getting so big," I giggled as I placed her on my hip. "Let's go make breakfast. Daddy needs to get ready." We made our way into the kitchen, and I started getting the food ready. I set Judith down as I started making the food on the stove so she wouldn't get burnt. Before I finished, I noticed Michonne walking out of the gates with a rifle. I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering where she was going and what she was doing.

Two strong arms suddenly made their way around my waist, and a stubbly chin rested in the crook of my neck. "Smells good," Rick murmured. "You didn't have to do this, y'know."

"I'm making up for whatever my dad does," I answered, leaning back on him. He tenderly pressed his lips against my cheek. "Where's Michonne off to?" I curiously asked.

"Practicing," he replied, pressing a kiss behind my ear. A cheerful squeal came from behind us, and we looked down to see Judith begging her father to pick her up. "Hey," he smiled warmly, scooping the little girl into his arms. "How's my baby?" He asked, kissing her nose and making her giggle, wrapping her little fingers into his curly locks.

My heart fluttered at the sight of them. This was the closest thing I have to a family of my own, but it still hurt to think that they were still under the power of my father. I shook the feeling, and went to the bottom of the stairs to get Carl. "Carl!" I called. "Food's ready!"

"I could smell it from up here," he answered, coming down the steps. "Thanks, (Y/n)." He pounded my knuckles as he went straight for a plate. We sat and ate quietly for a while. I asked how everyone was coping--especially Maggie--and they asked me how Daryl was doing. I knew things weren't exactly easy for the time being, and I hated telling them the truth about Daryl's living conditions. I admitted that I sneak him rations at times, which made them seem to feel a little bit better. I told them everything I knew about when they would come to collect and what they wanted. Not one of the Saviors knew about my frequent visits to Alexandria, and I intended to keep it that way.

Suddenly, we heard the sound of trucks and motorcycles coming from the gates. My heart fell as we ran to the window. Sure enough, there stood the silhouette of my father and his beloved Lucille.

"Carl, go take Judith upstairs," Rick commanded quietly. He quickly obeyed, taking his sister out of sight.

"What's he doing here so early?!" I whisper-yelled.

"I don't know," Rick shook his head. "Luckily, we already have the rations set apart." He turned to me, placing his hands desperately on my shoulders. "You don't need to be seen here. You'll get into a world of trouble if they see you."

"Rick, "I can't leave you all here to deal with them by yourselves-"

"It's okay," he reassured me. A hint of panic laced his tone. "It's gonna be fine." "You're shaking," I sighed, looking down at his quivering hand on my left shoulder.

He scrunched his face in frustration but shook it off and looked straight into my eyes. "It's gonna be fine. If you can, come back later. Okay?" I sighed, pressing my lips into a firm line and casting my eyes to the ground. "(Y/n)," he pleaded, placing two fingers below my chin.

I looked back up at him, trying to hold back tears, and nodded. "Okay." Rick pulled me into a tight embrace, kissing the top of my head. We pulled slightly away from each other, and smashed our lips together. I held him as tightly and as long as I could. Seconds later, we released each other, and with once final glance I went to Rick's room to grab my stuff, and he went to the gate.

As I gathered my things, curiosity got the best of me, and I went straight to the window, watching to see what my dad was planning. Arat had told the troops to "move out," and my dad was enjoying Rick's misery which made my blood boil. The Saviors started going through houses and storage areas without hesitation. What puzzled me is that Rick said they'd set aside half of what they had. My dad said he'd take only half. This was totally pushing it. The other problem was getting out of the house. The Saviors were everywhere, and they all know who I am, and would tell my dad in a heartbeat.

Awesome.

With my bag strapped on my back and the hood of my jacket up, I decided I'd make a run for the back when the coast was clear. I didn't see anyone near the house, and I prepared to run. My plan was cut short by glass breaking and a gunshot and I jumped back into the room, hiding under the bed. I heard Carl's voice shouting at whoever was trying to raid the house, then Rick's voice, then my dad's voice probably shooting his mouth off like he usually does.

My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for it to get quiet again. Once the noise died down, I got up from my hiding place and looked out the door.

The coast was clear.

I held on to my bag, and ran straight out the back door, sneaking my way behind the houses and out of the Saviors' sights. The hardest part would be the gate. Luckily, it was still open. I slinked my way around the back of the house I was behind, then lit it for the gate. I effortlessly made my escape, and made my way home as quickly as I could. _____________________________

A pounding on my door made me jump from my bed. I quickly got up and answered it, already knowing who it was: my father, Negan.

Now, he’s not my biological father. My father was bitten in the beginning of the outbreak, so we were left to fend for ourselves. Unfortunately, she was fatally wounded in a hit and run for our supplies by a small group of men. Luckily, she made sure I was hidden and they never found me but I had to watch my mother die and put her down afterwards. For nearly a week, I was on my own living on scraps and minimal amounts of water after those men had taken everything. Then, a miracle happened: Negan, Simon, and two of his men found me there. The two men were intent on raiding the area, raping me, and killing me. In that moment, Negan felt a soft spot for me and told them to back off, then offered to take me in as his own. I owe my life to him; anytime he asks me to go on runs, I am more than willing.

The only problem now was whether or not I could keep Rick and I's relationship a secret.

"Hiya, (Y/n)!" My dad greeted with a theatrical smile, walking right in. "Whatcha up to?"

"Hey, dad," I replied. "I've just been here all day. What'd you do?"

"Oh, you know, I was just itching to go see those sorry shits down in Alexandria and take our stuff."

"Early?" I blatantly asked.

"Sorry?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"You said you'd be there in a week, and you usually keep your word. You went back early."

"So?" He snorted. "They were already prepared. They're those kind of people." He sighed, shaking his head. "Turns out, that sick girl didn't make it."

"Maggie?" I asked innocently.

"I guess," he shrugged. "Couldn't take the stress, and she just keeled over."

"How awful," I trailed off. I knew the truth, but I did not want him to find out.

"Tomorrow's a scavenging day. Are you gonna lead the evening group?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Me? I thought Dwight was your main pick for the scavenging."

"Awh, Dwight can't find shit whenever he goes on a run. You on the other hand? You get the mother-load!" He smacked my shoulder in praise. "Makes me proud to be your old man. I knew I saw somethin' in you when I found you."

"Thanks dad," I said gratefully, smiling up at him.

"You're the best, sweetheart," he winked, ruffling my hair. "I'll leave you to whatever you were doin'. Just be ready to go tomorrow evening. Oh, and don’t tell Dwight what I said, okay?”

“It’ll be our little secret,” I agreed, playing along.

"You make me proud, kid." With a final award-winning smile, he shut the door. I quickly gathered what I needed to go back to Alexandria, and made my way back without being seen. ________________________

"Rick?" I called, entering his house. I stopped and looked around, noticing how empty it was. It was almost as if they had just moved in. "Rick, are you here?"

"In here," he called from his room. I walked through the halls and to his room to find him on the floor setting out blankets like a pallet. He headboard was still in place, but the mattress was gone. "They took our mattresses." "I can see that," I acknowledged, looking apologetically down at him. "What else did they take?"

His focus remained on making the pallet. "Half of our medical supplies, and all of our guns."

"All of them?!" I raged. My nostrils flared in anger. "He promised he'd only take half!"

"(Y/n), it's fine," Rick insisted, shaking his head.

"Rick, it isn't fine! That's unfair! He's a man of his word!"

"Carl threatened him and his men with a pistol," he calmly explained, "so he took our guns and ammo away."

"He doesn't do that!" I argued, pacing around the room. "You know what? I'll make him promise! Yeah! I'll go back there and make him keep to his word!" Tears pricked my eyes as Rick stood up and made his way toward me. I turned my back to him, continuing to rant. "After all, I am his daughter. He'll listen to me! He wouldn't go back on his word if I were involved!"

"(Y/n)," Rick sternly grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face him. I leaned back a bit so I could look straight into his eyes. "You can't. He'll figure it out somehow, and we'll be in far more danger than before." A sob escaped my lips as I buried my head in his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Rick," I bawled. "I'm so, so sorry. You people don't deserve to live like this. It's unfair!"

"It may be, but you know what?" He gently grabbed my chin, looking me dead in the eyes. "We'll survive. We've made it this far, and we're not giving up now."

"I still wanna help," I offered with a watery smile. "I can brings few things for you guys whenever you need them."

"Of course," he agreed, nodding his head. "But we can get through this, all right?"

"I know you can." He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, then dipped down to capture my lips with his. I ran my fingers through his curly locks as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. After a while, we pulled away and pressed out foreheads together. "Tell me what I need I do," I whispered.

"Stay with me tonight," he softly answered. “It’ll be our little secret.”

I quietly giggled, pecking his nose. "Okay."

I do love my dad, but sometimes he takes things a little too far. With the Alexandrians, he's definitely gone overboard. It hurt my heart to think that my own people--whom I don't wish to claim at this point--would hurt these people that have come into my life and that I have ended up loving and caring for dearly. Without another word, Rick and I got under the blankets. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, and his nose pressed against the back of my neck. It didn't take long before we both drifted off to sleep. ____________________________ I loved this request idea! Thanks again to the person who sent this in! If you have a request, don't be afraid to send them in!

Also, be sure to check out my current Negan x Reader series:

This Is It (Negan/Group x Reader)

Just Say It (Negan/Daryl x Reader)

Breathe (Negan/Group x Reader)

I recently posted the third part, and as long as you guys keep enjoying them, I've got a fourth one on the way! Thank you all for checking out my stuff! Until next time! -LGN

[letthesleepingdoglie]

The Long Road - 05

Title: Connections

Part: 05 of 12

Rated: T 

Gotham City

April 1 st , 2006

7:35 PM EST

“Pleeeease?” Dick said, doing his best impression of a puppy as he looked up at his father. However, it was a tactic doomed to fail. His father crossed his arms and simply said, “No.”

Dick frowned, crossing his own arms and tapping his foot impatiently as he glared up at his father. “Why not?”

His father sighed, kneeling down so that his head was level with his son’s. “I’ve already told you. It’s too dangerous for someone your age. You need more practice and training.”

“But Dad! Cousin Johnny says Uncle Rick let him do it when he was my age!” Dick said, pointing over at his aforementioned cousin. His dad shot a quick look at his junior namesake before turning back to Dick. “Dick, you’re not ready yet.”

Dick pouted and looked away, unwilling to meet his father’s gaze. His dad placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving him a quick shake. “Tell you what. After the show tonight, we can talk to Mom. If she says yes, I’ll start showing you the moves you need to know.”

Johnny smiled as he made his way over to where his little cousin stood, placing a hand on Dick’s head. “Don’t worry about it squirt,” he said, ruffling Dick’s hair. Dick laughed as he tried to escape his cousin’s grasp.  Johnny caught him in a quick hug, bringing his little cousin against his chest.  “You’ll get your chance sooner than you think, squirt.” Dick smiled up at him, his eyes full of adoration.

From across the lot where they were waiting, the rest of the Flying Graysons stood at the back entrance to the big top.  Dick’s mother called over to him. “Dick! We’re up!”

Dick raced over to stand next to his mother, peeking in through the tent flap to gaze at the audience arrayed in the stands. His mother peeked in behind him, whispering to her son. “It’s a full house tonight.”

His father came over, kneeling beside his wife and son. “Just think son. You get to perform in front of all of Gotham tonight. And when it’s time for the finale, you’ll be sitting in the best seat in the house.”

Dick could only smile as his family gathered around him, waiting for their cue to enter.

He watched as Jack Haly, the ringmaster, wound up the audience. There was a rhythm to the way he spoke, drawing in the audience’s attention and building up their anticipation for the act to come.

His mother leaned in close, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Time to fly, my little Robin.” Dick smiled back.

“And now…” Jack Haly spoke from his elevated position in the center of the big top. He pointed to the entrance with a flourish, “Ladies and Gentlemen…. The Flying Graysons!”

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

July 19 th , 2016

14:59 EST

Barcelona, Spain

“Happy Birthday Tim.” Dick said into his phone, leaning against the entryway of his room. Despite the fact that he was still in pain over Wally’s loss, the smile on his face was genuine. Being a big brother to Tim always made feel just that much better about his life.

Several thousand miles away, in his room at Wayne manor, Tim smiled as he received his adoptive brother’s greeting. “Thanks. I’m glad you called.”

“I wouldn’t miss saying Happy Birthday, self-imposed exile or not.” There was a pregnant pause his Dick’s statement hung in the air. He realized it probably wasn’t the best topic to be bringing up at the moment.

“Bruce throwing you a party?” he asked, trying to fill the silence caused by his faux pas.

“Yeah.”

Dick smiled. While he would be the first to admit their father was not the best at showing his feelings, anyone who knew Bruce well knew that he tried. Every year that he’d lived at Wayne Manor, Bruce and Alfred had planned some great celebrations for him.

It was the small things that showed Bruce cared.

“Cassie coming?”

“No, er,” Tim started. “She still doesn’t know our secret identities.”

Dick nodded as he processed Tim’s words. He knew how difficult it was to have a relationship with someone, romantic or otherwise, when they didn’t know your real name. That hadn’t been much of an issue with Zatanna, since Bruce had allowed him to tell her in the aftermath of her father becoming Dr. Fate, but he still remembered how furious Artemis had been when it finally dawned on her that she’d been going to high school alongside him for months.

“She’s…” Tim trailed off, as if realizing he had revealed something he shouldn’t have.

The part of Dick that lived for embarrassing his little brother, and pretty much all of his friends too, came alive for the first time in months, scenting an opportunity.

“Yes...?” he pressed eagerly.

There was another pause.

“Tiiiim…” he called into the phone in a sing song voice. “What’s Cassie doing for you?”

“We’re going out on a date tomorrow. Barb told her it was my birthday, and she got all excited.” Tim blurted out finally, knowing he had been caught. “Aha!” Dick couldn't resist barking out a laugh. “Does that mean what I think it means? You still got the… package I gave you?”

He heard Tim spluttering, and could practically feel him blushing through the phone.

Dick knew for a fact that Tim had hidden the little silver foil packets in his bedside drawer, one of the few places where Alfred didn’t clean, and therefore didn’t check. He probably shouldn’t have enjoyed ribbing his little brother so much, but it was just too much fun.

Besides, Tim didn’t have to suffer the agony of having “the talk” individually, first with Bruce and then Alfred, like he had. Even now, almost 4 years later, Dick shuddered as he remembered how awkward that particular conversation had been.

“I’m just kidding Tim.” Dick laughed. “It’s you and Cassie. You two are like the sweetest and most innocent couple I know. I know nothing frisky is gonna happen.”

There was a pause as Tim cleared his throat. “So, what are you doing?” He asked in his best conversational tone. Dick recognized that Tim was rather unsubtly trying to change the subject away from his love life, but he didn’t mind.

“Not much,” Dick shrugged. “Just practicing for our performance later tonight. I’ve been rehearsing with a couple other trapeze artists: two brothers named Boston and Cleveland Brand, and Boston’s wife Lorna. Another guy named Raymond, and and a girl named Raya.”

“Boston and Cleveland? You’re kidding me.” Tim laughed. “Why would anyone name their kids that? Do-”

“I already checked, and no, the Brand brothers don’t have a sister named Miami, or another brother named Pittsburgh.” They both laughed.

This time, it was Tim’s turn to break the silence. “Things ok?”

“Alright, I guess.” Dick said. “It usually takes a while to work well with a new trapeze artist. We could use a bit more practice, but it should be fine.”

When Jack had first introduced the three of them, the two Brand brothers had welcomed him cautiously, unsure of what to expect. It had only taken one practice session up on the wires for Dick to prove to them that he knew what he was doing, but performing well solo and performing well as part of a team were two completely different things.

Still, the brothers were willing to give him a chance. Boston in particular watched him closely, trying to get a sense of where his group’s newest member had picked up his skills.

“I meant with you.” Tim clarified.

“Yeah.” Dick sighed. “I don’t know yet. How’s the rest of the Team?”

“They’re good. Connor, Megan and Gar left for Mars in the bio-ship almost a week ago, so they’ll be there soon.  Most of the Team is working on the assignments Aqualad gave them right before you left. Although…” Tim trailed off again, and this time Dick could tell it was more serious.

“Yeah?” he prompted.

“Batgirl’s trying to track you down.”

“You’re kidding me.” Dick said, slumping back against the frame of his door and pinching the bridge of his nose. “Has Bruce said anything??”

“No.” Tim replied.  “She’s been trying to keep it quiet, but I know she’s been checking Zeta tube logs and surveillance reports in her spare time. I saw her talking to Artemis the other day. Your name definitely came up. She’s already approached Aqualad too.”

“Great…” Dick said, deflating slightly as he considered this turn of events. Kaldur wouldn’t give him up, and since M’gann and Connor were currently on Mars, he wouldn’t have to worry about them searching for him. For the moment, anyway.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about Barbara trying to find him. On one hand, he wanted another chance to talk things through with her, since she had been his best friend for years. On the other hand, he wasn’t sure where things stood with her, now that things were over between them.

“You know, if she finds out you’ve been talking to me…” Dick warned.

“Can’t be worse than the blow up I got right after you left.” Tim said. Dick wanted to ask him about it, but Tim continued too quickly for him to ask. “Don’t worry about me, Dick. I can handle Barbara.”

“Famous last words.” Dick snorted. “But thanks.” He let out a sigh of frustration. “I don’t know what I’m doing here Tim. I came out here to be alone.”

“And now?” Tim asked.

“Now I’m just lonely.”

“Well,” Tim said, trying to be supportive. “The past is what makes us us. Starting over from the beginning doesn’t really seem like the worst thing in the world to do. Besides, whenever you’re ready to come back, the Team will be waiting.”

Dick breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing his brother be supportive was unexpectedly reassuring.

“Thanks Tim. I’ll catch you later.” he said, ending the call.

Boston called out to him from the employee entrance to the big top. “Hey Dan, you ready?” It was time for their final practice run of the day before their show that night.

He pocketed his phone. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

———————————————————————————————————-

Dick relished the sensation of flying as he spiraled through the air and caught Boston’s outstretched hands. It had been years since he had felt the simple joy and physical exertion that came from swinging on a trapeze. Up here, he could forget his problems and just relish the feeling of flying through the air once again.

The routine they were currently performing was much simpler than the one he’d performed as part of the Flying Graysons, but given that he’d only turned up two weeks ago, Dick didn’t mind. The routines Boston had developed prior to Dick’s arrival had given the flying roles to Lorna and Raya, with Boston, Cleveland and Raymond doing the less glamorous but equally important job of catching.

Once Dick had arrived, some simple changes to the lineup had allowed him to participate, but Boston assured him that he was coming up with a new routine that would take advantage of the fact that they had a new and very capable flyer as part of the troupe.

As easy as the performance was by his standards, Dick felt content as he dismounted the bar and Raya hopped on, ready to perform her finale with Lorna. The finale was one of the few portions of the routine that Boston had left Dick out of, since they already knew it was a crowd pleaser.

The entire group stood and bowed on the platform to thunderous applause at the end of the night, before jumping one at a time into the safety net in order to dismount. It was much quicker than climbing down the ladder again.

With their set done, they all regrouped at the performers entrance.“Good job guys.” Cleveland said to everyone as they began to disperse. “See you all tomorrow.”

Dick waved goodbye and started to head off, but noticed that Boston was following along with him. “Hey Dan, you got a minute?” Boston asked as he caught.

“Yeah, sure.” Dick nodded as he walked. “I was just gonna head over to the cafeteria and grab a bite to eat before I turn in.”

Boston fell in beside him. “I’ll walk with you.”

Dick wondered what the senior circus performer wanted. Every conversation the two of them had had since they were first introduced was related to their performance. Apart from practicing together daily, they hadn’t really interacted socially.

He could feel Boston’s eyes on him as they walked. “You’re John Grayson’s son, aren’t you? You’re Dick Grayson.”

Dick froze in mid step, unsure of himself. Briefly, he thought about playing dumb, but Boston had said the name with such certainty that Dick knew it would be a futile effort. He turned and nodded warily. “How did you know?”

Boston shrugged, gesturing at back at the flat top. “I knew you reminded me of somebody, and I thought I recognized those moves. I can’t believe it took me this long to put two and two together.”

“I didn’t know that you knew him.” Dick admitted as they continued walking. In the back of his mind Dick knew his dad had been born and raised in the circus, just as he had, but it just hadn’t occurred to him that other members of the circus community had known him.

“Hell yeah I knew him.” Boston said enthusiastically. “Your Uncle Rick too. Even met you once, back when you were a little kid.”

“Wow.” Dick said, stunned by the revelation. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t remember you at all.”

“Yeah, you were young. Barely even a toddler.” Boston looked up at the sky, a faraway look in his eyes. He clamped a hand on Dick’s shoulder and lead him away from the cafeteria and towards the street. “Forget the cafeteria. Come have dinner with me and my family kid, we’ll talk.”

They took a cab to the apartment that the circus was renting for Boston and his family. Dinner had been home cooked by Lorna, and turned out to be a very enjoyable affair. The food was good and throughout dinner Boston’s 7-year-old daughter Sophia kept climbing about, jumping between two empty dining chairs while her mother and her uncle watched.

Dick felt a pang of sadness in his gut as he realized that it felt like he was watching his family, all together again.

After dinner, as Cleveland played with Sophia while Lorna looked on, Boston and Dick sat together at an empty table while the former spoke earnestly about his relationship with Dick’s family.

“I met your dad about 30 years ago, when I was 16. Our parents,” Boston said, motioning between Cleveland and himself, “died young, so Cleveland and I were living with our grandpa. He was back stateside at Hill’s Circus, doing motorcycle stunts.”

Dick nodded along as he listened.

“Your dad and your Uncle signed on with Hill’s Circus for a few seasons. They needed a couple more guys for the Trapeze act, so your dad taught me and Cleve the ropes. Taught us everything we know, and here we are, years later.” Boston laughed. “I’d like to think they did a pretty good job.” “What happened after that?” Dick asked earnestly. He’d never met another trapeze artist that wasn’t a family member before his return to Haly’s two weeks ago, so the fact that the first one that he met had been friends with his dad felt serendipitous.

“Your Uncle Rick got your Aunt Karla pregnant there, and they left to try and find better opportunities. Your dad went along with him. I know they tried a couple of different shows. Your dad met your mom a couple years later at the Cirque Romanes in Paris. Eventually, they ended up at Haly’s and, well, you know the rest.”

Boston looked from Dick over to his daughter Sophia, who was laughing cheerfully as her uncle threw her up in the air before catching her with a flourish.

“I managed to see them every now and then. Managed to make it to both their weddings too. They were like the older brothers I never had, you know? They looked out for us.” he said quietly.  “I didn’t hear what happened to them until much, much later. We were touring in Europe at the time.”

Boston looked back over at Dick. “I know your parents would have been proud.”

“I’m not so sure.” Dick replied tiredly.

Boston gave Dick a friendly pat on the shoulder. “How could they not? You’re better than the both of them combined.” He sighed. “I know you’ve had it rough kid. Losing your family the way you did… Hell, I’m surprised you’re still able to climb up there and do what you do.”

Dick wasn’t sure what to say.

“It doesn’t take a genius to see that you’re running away from something.” Boston shrugged again as he stood up. “All I’m saying is, if you want somebody to talk to, my family and I are here for you.”

“Thanks.” Dick said, standing up as well. He walked towards the door, intent on heading back to his bunk at the Circus. “That means a lot to me.”

Boston nodded as he walked Dick out. “Now that we know where we both come from, we should start talking about changing up the routine.”

Dick smiled as he waved goodbye, thinking of some Flying Grayson routines that they could incorporate into their performance. “Actually, I’ve got some ideas about that.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Get some rest. You’ve earned it.”

[pruittwrites]

Aunt Alma Dilla’s Christmas Poached Pears

“It was the recipe that won the war, Aunt Alma Dilla’s Christmas Poached Pears! One day I’ll tell the story of that, but y’all don’t have time to hear it so late, so I’ll save that for another day.” Walnut Macaroon said to hilarious laughter. The southern comedian finished his set, retired to his dressing room, and then to his hotel.

He laughed into the air as the first snow of December fell. “Aunt Alma Dilla, if they only knew how true that comment was.” He didn’t think anymore about it, as he kissed his bride of many years. Walnut changed into his wintergreen pjs, and went to bed.

The next morning however, he was reminded of the line by his oldest boy Ray. “Dad, you’ve been in show business fifty years. I’ve been your manager now for fifteen, and there’s one thing I have to know. What’s this story you keep hinting at over Aunt Alma Dilla? Why hint at it if you’re not going to tell it?”

Walnut smiled an odd smile, and set his coffee down. “Well son, it’s like this, I’m a comedian, I make my money telling funny stories. An while Aunt Alma Dilla’s story is precious, it’s not exactly funny. I’m afraid people wouldn’t understand, or be interested, but I mention her every Christmas season, out of respect, love, and gratitude.”

Lina Macaroon took her husband by the hand. “It’s also a very personal story for your Dad, including why he mentions her every Christmas. Perhaps this Christmas, he’ll share the story with all of you.” Ray looked at them both, knew that was as much as he was going to get today, and went back to his scrambled eggs.

They finished the tour, and everyone made their way home for Christmas. Ray and Ida, and their now grown sons flew in from Nashville. Clovis and Mae drove from Cleveland. Bobby, the Doctor flew in from Boston. Clovis’ son Rick, June, and their twins Roy and Mike made the trip from Virginia. Bobby’s girls, Ann and Jan came in from college in Atlanta.

It was a beautiful Christmas visit. A gorgeous tree, wonderful food, Christmas movies, and a lot of fun. Lina, after the last Elf saved Christmas, turned off the tv. She looked at her husband, and said “Now.”

He smiled, nodded, and told all the family to gather round. A comedian has two voices, the stage voice, and his everyday tone. A storyteller mixes a little of both, and Walnut was a storyteller extraordinaire.

The year was 1942, and war raged over Europe. A lot of families were separated by a greater purpose. One of those was a young woman named Alma Dilla. She was a scared twenty year old girl who wanted to fight the Nazi threat. Finding herself successful, she made it overseas to serve as a secretary in the military. She worked in the office of General Harry Jagger.

Paperwork hadn’t been Aunt Alma Dilla’s idea of defeating the third reich, and she found herself very depressed. It lasted for months, and worried General Jagger. He was a Grandfather himself, and had a granddaughter, Emma, very much like Alma Dilla.

His granddaughter was stationed in another part of the world, and he missed her. Alma Dilla became an almost adopted member of the family. He did his best to try and cheer the girl up, even running several potential candidates through the office as possible husbands.

Aunt Alma Dilla rejected every one of them. She wanted to marry, and have kids like everyone else, but marriage, had to mean something. It was more than just a wedding, just like serving to her, was more than signing papers.

The General had fought in the first war, and he knew better. He had once been cut off without supplies for two days. Now, his office was in charge of the supply line. They made sure the guns, ammunition, food, and gear got to the front. General Harry Jagger knew firsthand the importance of what they did.

He also knew not to try to talk the stars out of a young person’s eyes. Jagger tried to assign her the most exciting work available to him, which were supply list for agents in deep cover. He wouldn’t just have her copy them down, Jagger would add small comments as to how these may help an agent behind enemy lines.

Some things he knew, some he assumed , and others he outright guessed. He never lied, he would simply say, “Eleven replacement canteens are needed, they had been damaged beyond repair.” Then he’d make a comment like, “I wonder how many were broken over the heads of the enemy trying to escape.”

It worked for a little while, but by September, she was over the imagination of the General. Then, as can happen, a quiet teapot boils over with excitement.

General Jagger got a telegram from the White House. Aunt Alma Dilla rushed into the General’s office, and almost, almost mind you, failed to salute first.

The telegram explained that the General, a secretary, and three other men would leave for a classified location in two days. The General was to learn more when Captain Jackson arrived. Alma Dilla was grinning from ear to ear.

When the Captain showed up, The General took note of something. The first smile was at why the Captain was here, but the second was at the Captain. There wasn’t anytime to focus on it. The business at hand was too important.

“General, do you remember Fritz Schuster? I believe you knew him in college. You went to the same university.”

The General frowned. “I remember him Captain. How does he factor in this?”

“He’s our objective. If we can secure what he knows, we could win the war. To do that, you’ve got to convince him to join our cause.”

The General walked to the window. “Whatever problems between us, I can’t believe he would work for the Nazis. Fritz is a stubborn, hot headed, and honorable man.”

The Captain took out a photo. “He’s not working for them willingly. Fritz Schuster is doing what is necessary to save his son’s life. The SS are holding Johann Schuster as a bargaining chip.”

General Jagger looked at the picture. “Just like him, he has his Dad’s eyes. I can’t ask a man to give up on his child Captain. I hope you have another plan.”

“Actually General I do. I’m not asking Fritz Schuster to risk his family. I am asking you to risk the possibility of ever seeing yours again, if we fail that is.”

Captain Jackson showed him the plans. “We meet in Vienna for two days. If we succeed, we get Schuster and his son out and safely to London. If we can’t, then everybody loses.”

“The Germans were given papers with your picture on it. They say you’re an art dealer with stolen merchandise the Germans really want. They know you as a Belgian art dealer, called Lucas Alles.”

“Although they assume it’s an alias. They don’t know you’re working for us, they just think you’re a dishonest crook. They never trust anyone. They don’t care, they just want the black market art they think you have.”

The General rubbed a suddenly very tired forehead. As he shook the Captain’s hand he sighed. “Running from Nazis. What a way to spend a Christmas.”

Aunt Alma Dilla finally figured out an excuse to get into the room. “General can you sign these requisitions? If we’re leaving soon, we’ve got to keep this place going without us.”

“Whoa young lady, you’re not going. It’s a dangerous mission, and I’m not about to risk your neck too. I’m sorry but you’re staying here.”

The two of them stood there, sizing each other up. Each trying to anticipate the other’s move. General Jagger knew she wouldn’t try tears, or anger. There was one tactic, and he thought he was ready for it, he wasn’t.

“General, you didn’t ask, I’m volunteering. I chose to serve my country, and I’ll do so wherever I’m needed, and the fact is you need me. You’ll need someone to act as your granddaughter, and who else knows you well enough to pull it off with little notice. Just call me Emma.”

He could have made a big deal about her listening in, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Besides, he knew, if he didn’t agree, she might get killed trying to follow on her own. “You know the risk. It’s a suicide mission. It’s crazy.”

Her eyes gleamed.“It is, but, isn’t it exciting! Besides, someone has to make sure you’re safe General. You need me.”

“Captain, Alma Dilla, let’s get something clear. If I do this, I’m in charge. I’ll run the operation, not my Chief Of Staff, or a Captain that wandered in from Washington. Dismissed, both of you.”

He managed to hold his laughter til they were both out of the room. “That Captain doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. I hope I do, I hope Fritz will understand.”

Their cover was pretty bold. The old saying about hiding in plain sight was still true. Alles’ letter told the SS that he would go as far as Vienna, but not Berlin. If they wanted his merchandise, they’d meet him halfway.

Aunt Alma Dilla would be his granddaughter Emma. Captain Jackson would be his Secretary, Miles Charron. The General decided not to take the other two men, even though the Captain disagreed.

“Captain, if we take them with us, it will give the Germans an excuse to be even more suspicious than we can afford them to be. I’m supposed to be a salesman, a greedy, unscrupulous man who is willing to do business with anyone. That kind of man wouldn’t purposely risk traveling with a crowd. It makes him a bigger target that way.”

“With all due respect General, it’ll be a lot easier to get the Schusters out with them, than without them. I can only shoot so many at one time. So can you. Why make Alma Dilla do all the work herself?”

General Jagger smiled. “No deal, and you’re going to be surprised Mike. That girl would hit Hitler in the nose if she got within a hundred feet of him.”

The Captain was already impressed, but not ready to admit it. “What if she only got within five hundred feet? What would she do then.”

“We can’t let that happen. She’d shoot him between the eyes. I won’t let anyone hurt that girl, not even inadvertently by making her kill him.” The General let his eyes linger on the Captain just long enough to make him a little nervous.

The trip to Vienna went as smoothly as it can when walking into a vulture’s nest. Fritz was being housed at the same inn that Lucas Alles was to meet the SS agent, Major Sauer. Johann was being held somewhere close, but no one knew where.

Fritz was introduced as a “dinner guest” of Major Sauer. If he recognized the General, he didn’t let on. The Major quizzed Lucas about art throughout the dinner. The General’s college courses came in handy, thanks to his tutor.

When the coffee was served, the Major suggested having it on the terrace. A messenger arrived with a message from Berlin. The Major excused himself.

“You almost botched the question about Michelangelo. You always struggled with the dates. Why are you here Harry?”

“To get you and Johann out. I know I’m not the one you would have chosen, but I hope you’ll let me try?”

“Harry, if it would save Johann, I’d even accept help from my cousin Hans. You’re a little better, but not by much. What’s the plan?”

While they were talking, the Captain and Emma were strolling through the garden. The General had surprised them both by hinting to Sauer that they were engaged. Now they had to act like it.

“I wonder why he said that Emma? It’s difficult enough faking an accent God and my Momma didn’t give me. What about you?”

“I don’t mind. It was the General’s way of trying to push us together Captain. He’s been hinting at it ever since you showed up. I don’t know why, you’re too busy to worry about all of that.”

“Love can get in the way can’t it? Usually ends up complicating things. Of course you’ve probably dealt with all that before as beautiful a woman as you are.”

“If I had Captain, you wouldn’t know it, not until I wanted you too. Right now, I’m more interested in what’s happening on the balcony than anything else.”

The Captain tried to hide his bruised ego.“Well you’re very level headed. My guess is the General is making his pitch to Schuster. We’ll know soon enough if he accepts.”

After coffee, the General asked Emma and and her fiancé up to his room. He was in his pajamas and robe when they got there. “Relax you too. The engagement gives me an excuse to have you both here. Captain, you’d be the odd man out otherwise.”

“The Germans understand a pretty girl and a young man. Fritz said yes. He has no idea where Sauer is keeping Johann. Mike, I know you’ve got contacts in the village, I’m guessing those two agents I wouldn’t let you bring. Have them work on our exit plans, and the next time I give an order, listen.”

The Captain smiled. “Yes sir. I’ll signal them at midnight. Once we have the Schusters, what’s your plan?”

“You’ll know when I’m ready, both of you will. In the meantime, this art expert is going to bed. I suggest you both get some sleep as soon as you can. They’ll be very little on this mission.”

The General wasn’t able to follow his own prescription. Harry tossed and turned most of the night. He kept dreaming of a young German girl, and another Captain. One who broke his heart by marrying another man. As well as disappointing her family by sacrificing a prestigious future.

At four in the morning he gave up, and found himself in the garden, but wasn’t the first. Fritz was walking too. “They let you roam without your escort Fritz?”

“They know I won’t leave without my son. I can’t sleep knowing he’s in danger. Who is keeping you up?”

“We both know the answer to that. Do you still blame me? I did everything I could? I was going to ask her that night.”

Fritz frowned. “Blaming you was easier than admitting that it was never your fault to start with. Nadia loved, and loves Eric. Even if you had proposed first, she would have still turned you down. She’s happy with him.”

Nadia was a genius. She could have won the Nobel prize, instead she married an actor. They can barely afford clothes, but they’re rich in laughter. My sister made the right choice for her, even if I did not approve.”

“Thank you Fritz. It did work out for the best. I found out a year later that the true love of my life was born a few miles from me. Nadia and I weren’t made for each other. She and Eric, and me and Rosemary were.”

“Is that formula of yours as dangerous as they say? Could it give them the edge to win the war? Do they have any of it already?”

“The Nazis are greedy, any advantage they see, they’ll try to take. It’s nothing life threatening like some of their pursuits, at least not directly. It’s could enhance the German machinery, honestly I don’t know how much it would enhance their efforts, but they believe it will.”

“They asked, I said no, and they kidnapped my boy. Now I’m stalling to keep him alive. So far, they have nothing.”

“Fritz I’m working on a rescue, but I’ll need your help. It’s dangerous, but I need you to strong arm Sauer. Tell him the only way he gets your formula is if he brings Johann here tomorrow night. He’ll threaten you, but as long as it’s not written down, he’ll cave.”

Schuster agreed, and the General hurried back upstairs. He woke Aunt Alma up and gave her orders for that night. Then he went to the Captain’s room and gave him orders too.

That morning at breakfast, the General went into his act. He told the Major that he owed his party a special Christmas gift, and as they would be traveling Christmas, tonight would be a holiday celebration for the family. He asked the Major, and his guests to join him for a feast.

The Major, amused at what he viewed as a pompous and comical man, agreed. He even offered a driver to take the man and Emma shopping for supplies. This was also his way, he thought, of keeping his eyes on them.

The General put his all into the charade. They bought a goose, cranberries, and all of the fixings, including walnuts and pears. Aunt Alma Dilla whispered to the General about a recipe idea. He smiled, nodded, and after collecting a few ingredients of his own, they left the store.

The Major decided to see how far his patsy would go to sell his goods. He offered them a tree, and decorations taken from the village, if the man really wanted a festive Christmas. The General just smiled, and set his two “soldiers” to cooking, decorating, and preparing.

While this was all happening, Fritz asked to speak with the Major. “If you want my formula, you will bring my son here tonight. I warn you sir, I know who I’m threatening. Now know who you are threatening. I am a man who is willing to either rescue his child, or die beside him. It is your choice.”

The Major smiled. “Herr Schuster, I would personally prefer the latter, but my superiors want what you know. I don’t believe we need you. Still, it would be good for me to present what you know to them.”

“All right. I will bring your son tonight for the party, and after you will give me what I want. Otherwise, you and your son will meet your end together, just as you asked.”

Mike helped Emma with both the kitchen and the decorations. General Jagger watched the two of them. Either they were very good actors, who remembered they were supposed to be engaged, or they had discovered something else. How wonderful everyone looked in the light of Christmas, despite the situation.

When Fritz rejoined him by the stove he pointed at the couple. He wasn’t surprised either. Fritz whispered to Harry, his voice low, and his spirit high.

“Christmas started with a life in the balance. The Christ faced danger even on the very first Christmas. An yet, love was born anyway. Miracles happen, even in a war torn world, we just expect them more this time of year. I pray we all see one of those a few days early.”

“We will my friend. Now help me with this walnut dough. She says it has to be kneaded very well. Oh, stir that gravy too please.”

Hours passed, and everyone went to get ready for the Christmas feast. Johann arrived, just as Fritz came back down the stairs. He was cut up, and weak, but alive. Father and son shared a hearty hug before he helped him clean himself up.

Once in the room, Fritz filled Johann in on what he knew of the plan. They hurried back down as fast as they could. The General was telling an old French Christmas story about a lonely nobleman all alone at Christmas.

“The Man had no family, but through a series of noble acts had become rich, wealthy, and influential. Yet, just as at the orphanage he had had an empty room, now as a Duke, he had an empty castle. He expected it would remain that way, until he heard shouting one morning from the grand hall.”

“His servant was rebuking the cook for having accidentally dropped his ruler’s platter of food on the floor. The Duke dismissed the man, and reached down to help the woman up.”

“As soon as he saw her eyes, he knew it was to be a wonderful Christmas that year, and for happily ever after. Love has a way of gifting itself at Christmas. They would never be alone again.”

Fritz and Johann nodded. Aunt Alma and Mike found themselves smiling at each other. Even the Major smiled. Fritz told a story about teaching Johann how to ride his first two wheeler on Christmas Day. Two hours later, Johann was riding successfully, but not before both being covered in mud from a few early attempts on a wet Christmas afternoon.

Aunt Alma, careful about the names and places involved, told how the Christmas gift of some lumps of coal, rescued some ancestors from a harsh winter a few generations before.

The Captain told a story about a young soldier, in the last war, who had to choose whether to stay in a safe post, or risk it all on a special mission. The theme of each story, Christmas, love, and hope, seemed to fill the atmosphere of the inn.

The innkeeper’s wife played songs on the organ. They all played Christmas games, and soon it was time for the feast. Naturally pessimistic, and distrusting, the Major waited til someone else had tasted each course. Everyone ate heartily. The Major found that the man, and Emma were good cooks.

He especially loved the two desserts, walnut macaroons, and Aunt Alma Dilla’s Christmas Poached Pears. The macaroons were the European kind of pastry, not the coconut ones we are used too. Aunt Alma made sure everyone in the inn had plenty to eat.

The General didn’t give her a bullet to shoot Hitler, but he did give her the means to slow down his men. General Jagger had been a soldier in the first war, but that wasn’t what had gotten them this far.

It was the monotonous, consistent, system he had learned to keep the supply lines filled. It wasn’t only memorizing the number of rifles, canteens, or anything else. It was knowing what went with what, and when to get it there.

It was important to combine things at the exact quantities, to get from point a To point b, at the appropriate time. They didn’t have to fire at, or kill the soldiers. They just had to get them from being awake, armed, and alert, to lethargic, asleep, and minus their guns.

The General didn’t try to drug one piece of food, he drugged it all. Especially the desserts, the macaroons, and the poached pears. He gave the antidote to himself, and the others ahead of time.

By midnight, Major Sauer and his men were tied up, unarmed, and passed out cold. Fritz, Johann, and the Captain dressed in German uniforms, and set out for the train station.

The Captain had planned to meet his two men that had followed at the station. The ones the General had said not to bring. They were all to ride, switch trains a few times, and eventually leave Austria. They saw the plan needed to change when they arrived at the station.

Four Nazi soldiers were guarding the men. They had been searched and captured just a little while before the group made it there. The soldiers were a regular patrol, and the men had seemed out of place that late.

The Captain had thought they were home free, and would be safe by Christmas. Now, it was two days before Christmas. How would they rescue his two men, as well as get out safely?

The General smiled. “The same plan will work here.” Jagger had insisted Alma bring a jar of heavily laced pears, and some macaroons with her.

He reminded the Captain that he and the Schusters were wearing German uniforms. He suggested an early Christmas gift to the soldiers at the station. They didn’t have the time for it to take full effect, but it could lessen their reflexes just enough. So, they gifted to the men, waited, and were re-gifted with very sick and collapsing soldiers. Men who were easily overpowered, and tied up.

“We can’t board the train now. The Major will recover in enough time to wire ahead to the next few stations. Once he finds these men here, he won’t be far behind.”

That’s when Aunt Alma started smiling. “The mountains. We run the car into a tree near the mountains, pile the soldiers in the back, and they’ll think we escaped on foot. They’ll think we were afraid to take the train.”

Deciding they had little choice, they went with it. Each prayed the early morning train would leave before the Major and his men were free. The recipe Aunt Alma had cooked up was so strong they had already changed trains by the time the Major was untied.

The General, Fritz, and Johann made themselves scarce, to give the couple time together. Aunt Alma asked the Captain about the story he had told about the soldier. “Were you talking about you in the story?” He shook his head no.

“It was about my Dad. He had to choose whether to accept the promotion he was offered, and work stateside, or go over seas with his squad. He kissed my Mother goodbye, and boarded the boat.”

“She was wearing the same dress when he got off the boat after the war. It wasn’t traditional, but it was the dress she later got married in. He would tell that story every Christmas. What about you? Who got the lumps of coal for Christmas?”

“My Grandparents in Tennessee. They were very poor, just starting out, and it was a very cold winter. They were new in town. A stranger left enough coal on their porch to heat their place all winter.”

“I was named after my Grandmother, Emma Almadilla, so I wasn’t lying when I gave the Major my first name. I never went by it because she didn’t. Everyone always assumed my middle name was two words, so I never corrected them.”

“I like both names. Though I rather enjoyed walking with Emma. I wonder if she’d like to take a few more walks with me? Maybe down a certain aisle Miles and Emma were scheduled for?”

When the Schusters and the General returned from the dining car, they saw the shared kiss. “What is this, the Mistletoe Express?” The couple blushed slightly as the General laughed. “Fritz told me it would happen when we made England. I told him it wouldn’t take that long.”

Fritz gave a mock bow.“I admit my mistake. Love sometimes only takes one look to decide a lifetime. My guess is that look happened long before Johann and I met them. That’s the only reason you outguessed me Harry. You’ve known them longer.”

“This does not matter, you helped me gain my family, that is what means the world to me. Thank you for the best Christmas gift a Father could receive, the life of his child.”

The little squad made it safely back to England, happy as could be. The Captain and Aunt Alma Dilla married, and invited the General and the Schusters To The wedding. Aunt Alma introduced Johann, and the General’s granddaughter to her younger sister and brother. Two more weddings occurred in the spring.

Aunt Alma Dilla made her two desserts, minus the General’s additives, every Christmas. When my Mother married a man named Walter Macaroon from Louisiana, she nicknamed me Walnut even before Momma called me Junior.

“So you see son, Aunt Alma Dilla’s recipe didn’t just help win the war, she won a battle of hearts for our whole family. I owe her a lot, and I think about her every year.”

“She was supportive when I got the crazy idea of being an entertainer. Fritz and the General had told her the story of Nadia and Eric. She said it didn’t matter if I were ever famous.”

“Even when my parents were concerned, she convinced them to let me try. She said that as long as I stood for what I believed, earned an honest living, and loved my family dearly, I’d be okay. Even if that living was small.”

“That advice took me through a whole lot of slender wallets and bologna sandwiches. She never saw my wallet or my waistline reach where they are now, but she saw me grow into someone who still treasures her, and those words.”

Ray smiled. “Why don’t you share that story? You don’t have to be funny all the time?”

“I do share it, with the right audience. See son, I’m not harvesting laughs with this recollection, I’m planting memories.Ones that will last for generations.”

“An hopefully, help them grow into people who are willing to risk everything for what’s right. That’s a recipe for happiness all year through. Merry Christmas Son.”

from Aunt Alma Dilla’s Christmas Poached Pears