#child doctor in salem

[riding-with-the-wild-hunt]

vetted fundraisers from today. please continue to give support to families like these in whatever capacities you can, they are suffering such unfathomable deprivation and grief.

july 18th:

Safaa, her husband, their baby son Amir, and Safaa's parents, who both urgently need medical treatment ($1,086/$75,000) - @safaamiroo, verified by @/90-ghost

Amira Alanqar, her two siblings, and their mother, who needs treatment for diabetes (Amira is solely responsible for her family after the loss of their father) (€14,484/€20,000) - @amira-world, verified by @/nabulsi

Ashraf Alanqar, his wife Widad Issa, and their little son Bakr (€8,974/€30,000) - @ashraf-family, verified by @/90-ghost

Wafaa Alnhal's family of 15, including four young children and a newborn (the family has already lost multiple members, including Wafaa's sister and teenage niece) (€34,690/€50,000) - @wafa-nahll, #171 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Widow Hadeel Abu Jiab and her family of 12, including three young children (Najwa who was orphaned, Samira who needs treatment for vision problems, and Almas who is in severe shock) and Hadeel's injured mother and brother (€2,814/€20,000) - @palestinianhadeel, verified by @/90-ghost

Salahaldin Hor, his wife Sundus, and their three young daughters, two of whom have been injured (€1,946/€40,000) - @salahaldinhor, verified by @/90-ghost

Islam Al-Najjar and his family (€15/€30,000) - @islamgazaaccount2, verified by @/90-ghost

The Ayyad family of eight, including a sick child who needs treatment to save her sight (CHF3,753/CHF60,000) - @basel-1995, @amanyayyad, #214 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Mohammed Atallah (needs urgent surgery after being shot with an explosive bullet) and his family of 11, including a toddler and a newborn (€3,205/€82,000) - @mohammed-atallah, verified by @/90-ghost

Ola Ahel, her four siblings, and their parents ($7,308/$20,000) - @olagaza, #205 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Yousef, a toddler who needs lifesaving treatment for a severe blood disease, and his parents (€4,080/€25,000) - @dima96yousef, verified by @/90-ghost

Nour Ashour, her husband, and their two little children, including Muhammad, who needs continuous treatment for disabilities relating to birth asphyxia (£55/£80,000) - @nourashour33, verified by @/90-ghost

Hala Daoud (needs vital treatment for multiple sclerosis) and her three children (€180/€17,000) - verified by @/frostedforestfairy (contact for more details)

Helping Tawfik Satoom continue his education ($902/$20,000) - @tawfiksatooom, #238 on the operation olive branch spreadsheet

Ahmed Alanqar, his wife Dina, and their four young children, one a newborn (€31,345/€35,000) - @ahmedabuyamin, #174 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Helping Siraj Abudayeh, his wife, and their three young children rebuild their treasured home ($6,972 CAD/$82,000 CAD) - @siraj2024, #219 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Shimaa, her husband Abdel, and their little daughter Juri (€386/€50,000) - @shimaashaban22, @abdelmutei, verified by @/90-ghost

5-year-old Nour, her three sisters (all suffering from malnutrition), their parents, and their grandmother ($373/$25,000) - @nourbader2019, verified by @/90-ghost

not yet vetted:

Salem Anqar, his wife Hadeel, their two little children, Salim's five siblings (three of whom are children), and their chronically ill parents (kr1,022 SEK/kr990,000) - @salemanqar

Mohammed Ayyad and his family of seven, five of whom are children (Mohammed lost his mother when she was not able to evacuate for medical care) (€11,473/€35,000) - @mohammedayyad

The Eleyan family of 18, including eight children, one a newborn (€3,185/€50,000)

Doctor Mohammed Shurrab, his wife, their child, and ten extended family members (€435/€100,000) - @684599

a small amount of your time and effort can have an immeasurable impact. please don't scroll past without engaging in some way, it really makes a difference

[prosolitude-alyaasabbagh]

Update 4/6/24 : My Child Magid got Hospitalized

I am writing this on the behalf of Firas Salem @firas-salem , I tried messaging him but I coudn't, I think he got shadowbanned AGAIN!! But I can't reach his phone right now He Needs Us More Than Ever!! Update 4/6/24 : My Child Magid got Hospitalized He suffered from severe Gastroenteritis, and it kept getting worse , vomiting and diarrhea .. His tiny body couldn't take it . The doctor said he lost almost 9 Pounds ! And blamed us for not bringing him sooner . We had to put him on IV because of dehydration.. my poor child is asthmatic as well so it took a toll on him . DONATE HERE

Please Pray for him Please DONATE here. Please Please Please Share . We Desperately NEED to get out !! I feel terrible!! I neglected my child and was busy providing and helping my sick parents and brother .. I hope no one has to go through this ! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE FOR US ! Forever Grateful . DONATE HERE. Verified Fundraiser by @el-shab-hussein

PLEASE SHARE.. The donations almost stopped .. and we need every € .. It helps us a lot !! Please help us regain visibility 🙏 Magid is almost a year and half .. I just realized that .. in my head time almost stopped during this terrible war. poor Magid is a sweet good natured kid .. sadly ever since he opened his eyes , all he has witnessed is the turmoil of war, displacement, diseases and shelters.

PLEASE HELP US .. SHARE .. DONATE .. PRAY THANK YOU !!

@nabulsi @sayruq @palipunk @northgazaupdates @palestine-info-uncensored @communistchilchuck @ibtisams @fairuzfan @fallahifag @vakarian-shepard @vakarians-babe @plomegranate @sar-soor @stil-lindigo @blackfashion @palestbaby @instagram @palestinecharitycommissionsassoc

[watermelllonarchive]

Blogs On Tumblr

These accounts have reached out and requested I share their Tumblrs and Go Fund Me campaigns. So once a week, I will try to post a list of blogs here on Tumblr that are documenting their lived experiences in Gaza. I'll be updating this post weekly but if you're seeing an older version, .

Posted: July 29, 2024; updated September 8, 2024.

Check my tag #on tumblr to see the latest

Check out these Tumblr blogs and Campaigns:

@siraj2024 - shares frequent updates from Gaza on his blog. There is a GFM for helping him and his family rebuild. (Link)

@alaakh99 - is a mother of two who has been sharing updates on the conditions she and her children are experiencing. She has a to raise money to evacuate. (Link)

@mohammed-atallah - is in northern Gaza. He suffered a major injury to the hand and wrist in February when going to pick up aid from a relief truck. His GFM is to afford surgery and to rebuild his home. (Link)

@israa-elazaiza - and her family are trying to evacuate Gaza. You can donate to their GFM (link.)

@amjadshiltawu - shared that his wife Suha lost her parents and siblings in the genocide. You can donate to their GFM to help them evacuate (link).

@marwanalhabil is fundraising to help his family evacuate Gaza. (link).

@ahmedabuyamin - Ahmed and his wife welcomed a baby girl this summer (2024). He is trying to get his children, his wife, and himself to safety. You can help them here. (Link)

@mahmoudkhalafff - Mahmoud is a doctoral student in Ireland whose family is trapped in Gaza. He is raising funds to help his them escape to safety. He shares his story here. You can donate to help his family here. (Link)

@tamer200333 - Mahmoud's sister Maysaa is suffering from advanced fibroids in her lungs and desperately needs treatment. You can donate to their Go Fund Me here. (Link)

@fahedshehab-new : Fahed and his wife Reem are parents of 5 children with the oldest being 14 and the youngest 18 months. They, along with Fahed's mother, are trying to evacuate and have a Go Fund Me (link)

@free-gaza : Doaa is a seamstress specalizing in traditional Palestinian agriculture embroidery. She has evacuated to Egypy but needs a sewing machine to re-start her business and keep this cultural practice of embroidery alive. (Link)

@abdullahgaza - Abdullah Salem Alhabil's family is trying to evacuate Gaza and his father, who is suffering from heart disease, is in need of an urgent operation. Their Go Fund Me can be found here. (Link)(Campaign has been verified by Operation Olive Branch master list line 81; Project Butterfly Effect line 625)

@supportmyfamily - Ahmed AlSaidi has recently started his Go Fund Me to evacuate his wife, children, and parents. (Link)

@rem096 - Reem, her husband, and their sons Malik and Hassan are trying to evacuate. They plan to move abroad and for her husband to pursue a doctoral degree. (Link)

@save-salam-family - Salam is raising funds to help family escape. She and her husband Ahmed have two young children. (Link )

@noor-y-ashour - The focus of Noor's campaign is her young son Muhammad. He is disabled and unable to walk. They are raising funds in hopes he can evacuate for medical care. (Link)

@aya2mohammed - Mohammed and his family (wife, 3 kids, and his parents) are trying to survive. Their tent burned down recently and the children have contracted scabies. (Link)

@yousefbanna - Yousef and his family are struggling to endure the war. He lost his home as well as his business. (Link)

@helplamyaafamily - Lamya, her husband Mohammed, and their infant daughter Hoor are raising funds to evacuate to Egypt. They hope to go once the borders are open (Link)

@ahedalshaer - Ahed is a dental student from Rafah. She and her family are raising funds to evacuate and for her to continue her education. Campaign verified by The Butterfly Effect Project, line 407. (Link)

@Mahmoud-Sharif - Mahmoud and his wife Soha are parents to 4 young children. The youngest child was born this August (2024). They have a GFM to evacuate their family (Link)

Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog is to archive social media (at this point just Instagram) posts from everyday (not journalist, celebrity, or large influencer) Palestinians in Gaza sharing their day to day life experiences (things we don't typically see on the news, how they are living). Though I share Go Fund Me accounts for creators whose content I post to this page, the core purpose of this account is to serve as a digital archive. I am not able to independently vet and verify blogs shared in this list but most have been verified by other Tumblr users.

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

Tokyo debunker masterlist

"another school environment where magic is involved? How innovative and not at all similar to past things she wrote. Anyway, I'm sure that with such a varied cast she won't focus on white haired boy... Even if just for a change of pace, right? RIGHT?"

Fics

Unexpected meeting

“Older brothers can be a bit overprotective but this one seems like jumping to conclusions”

Wingman (if you squint)

“I hope he didn't hurt his knees from jumping to wild conclusions so much…”

Let's go enjoy the sun!

Haru manages to get you help jabberwock’s fundraiser

•The years pass•

Sugar kisses

Even if the sweetness of candy doesn't awaken Jiro's memories you two enjoyed a good time.

People might react differently to finding out what will happen in the future and seeing themselves settled down.

Look into the future

Ritsu goes ahead in time 10 years and finds he gets married to his business partner

Melodies from the future

Jin uses incense that allows him to see the future.

Be careful with snakes!

"someone as tired as Haru looks like someone who would enjoy a slow domestic life "

A bun in the oven

Sho goes to the future and sees his days of cooking spicy aren't over yet.

The diabolical streamer gets married?? (No click bait)

The diabolical streamer is acting weird

The diabolical streamer might be peeking into the future too much are

Concepts

Future children au

How many kids would they have?

“Your dad likes opera? Who could that be?”

Rui is possibly the most happy at the child's existence

Your child can only say cryptic things

Leo acts as a sweet boyfriend on camera are

Won't say I'm in love

"refusal to admit one fell in love is so sweet"

Cat-astrophe in Darkwick

"How would the cast be as cats? That is cute. Just don't let any of them in, the cat hair sticks to the curtains"

Icy cool kittens

Cats mean like delinquents

Kitties as wild as nature

The meow-fia of Sinostra

The Nya-rtists of hotarubi

Obscuary’s monster catwalk

The doctor order a cat scan

Taking care of the purr-fect (Jin, sho, Yuri, Jiro)

The Salem to their Sabrina

The priest's little maneki-neko

It's Cat!honor student's birthday

The quiet place challenge?

Mc as a cat too

Best biscuit award goes to…

How noisy are they?

Yapping

Rough realizations of your death

"a love destined to not blossom because of death, my favorite flavor of agonizing love story. What do you mean she can still be kept alive? Hush, don't ruin my fun"

Only summer clothes

Or only your ex's coat

"someone let the poor girl pack some clothes or get someone to pick them up"

Jin wants to outdo his dad with gestures to his crush

Jin is still in love after the mc memory is deleted

How much do you lift, sho? *Twirls hair*

"I still don't understand why the writer got so giggly when she saw that scene but whatever"

Fica isn't the same as fico…

Meeting the family -ish?

[artbribery]

The Indigo Park mascots but they are siblings

lloyd is the big brother, the first, the example. has some self image issues. (gotta be perfect, gotta be the one who looks out for everyone) theatre club leader

next is salem, rebel big sibling who bullies everyone as is their right, (might be on the fight club, definitely on some band as the bass)

finley, shy middle child, he is there but he is quiet, he never comes out of his room unless it's for food. he is a good egg. might have an interest in jewelry making(with seashells). in the swimteam.

mollie as second big sister, all around artsy. she is real nice, the good child, rambunctious but listens. she in carpentry classes.

rambley as the smallest and shortest, the youngest who has something to prove (who of course has the biggest beef with his biggest brother lloyd because he is an affront and got the last rambleberry cookie that one time[it was actually salem] and beat his high score on games) the model train aficionado

the image that brought this was Lloyd holding both salem and rambley from the scruff so they don't run away when they need to go to the dentist/doctor

then child leashes on both of them with finley and mollie standing close by

[fandomtrashcan]

Hunter's in game detailed suit and Midnight Suns Lore Dump.

Hunter is Marvel's Midnight Suns protagonist and Road to Recovery co-protagonist. If you haven't played the game you might be a little bit confused about her background and what's going on behind the scenes so beware: big text ahead.

According to the game's lore, centuries ago, Hunter was born the only child of an ordinary man and a powerful immortal. When Hunter’s father fell victim to a plague, Hunter’s mother, the sorceress Lilith, was consumed by grief and ended up striking a deal with Cthon itself, selling her soul in the process and permanently corrupting Hunter when they were still a baby.

Hunter was raised in secret by Lilith's sister, Sara, also known as Caretaker. She was raised and trained as a living weapon since they were a child, destined to face their mother. This goes to the extent that they don't have a real name besides their title as Hunter.

When Hunter came of age, they fought against Lilith with the Old Midnight Suns, their former team. In the end, Hunter defeated Lilith but perished in the process.

Both were buried for centuries, until Lilith was awoken by Doctor Faustus working for Hydra, her devastating powers augmented and amplified by modern technology and magic. Hunter was resurrected as well, to lead a new team of Midnight Suns.

The new Midnight Suns are composed by Robbie Reyes, Illyana Rasputin, Nico Minoru and Blade, who had already been training for a while when the Avengers arrived to the Abbey so they could join forces against the upcoming Apocalypsis. Since then, the young Midnight Suns have found themselves sidelined and are not very enthusiastic about it.

Most of the action of Road to Recovery takes place in The Abbey, Hunter's ancestral home, and the present-day makeshift base of the Midnight Suns, located within a pocket dimension on the cursed grounds of Old Salem in Salem, Massachusetts. The Midnight Suns use Illyana's portals as a means to get out of the Abbey and reaching their missions locations. The Abbey counts with a Training Yard and The Grotto, a small lake that serves as pool for the Abbey's residents to relax. It's also surrounded by extensive patches of haunted land and forest.

In the game, Hunter is a customizable character. This version of the Hunter is female and identifies as such. Since the game dates don't make a lot of sense (Hunter is supposed to be 18 but mentions having been slaying demons for decades), this Hunter was born in 1690 and died in 1713 at 23 years of age, but has been going out in missions and hunting monsters since she was a teen.

[good-old-gossip]

“Here is the biggest tragedy. Even if this child survives, she was born an orphan.”

A baby girl was delivered an emergency cesarean section from the womb of her mother, who was killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.

The baby’s family, like thousands of displaced Palestinians, were seeking shelter in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. On Saturday night an Israeli air strike hit their residence, killing her father, mother and four-year-old sister.

Despite inadequate equipment, medical workers were able to stabilise the newborn’s critical condition by administering air into her mouth and gently tapping her chest.

The baby, weighing 1.4 kg, was stable and improving gradually, said Mohammed Salama, a doctor caring for her. Her mother, Sabreen al-Sakani, had been 30 weeks pregnant.

Following the air strike, she was transferred to an incubator at a nearby hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit with the words “The baby of the martyr Sabreen al-Sakani” written on tape across her chest.

At least 19 people, including 13 children, were killed overnight in intensified strikes on Rafah, Palestinian health officials said. Asked about the casualties in Rafah, an Israeli military spokesperson said various militant targets were struck in Gaza including military compounds, launch posts and armed people.

“Did you see one man in all of those killed?” said Saqr Abdel Aal, a Palestinian man whose family members were among the dead, grieving over the body of a child in a white shroud.

“All are women and children. My entire identity has been wiped out, with my wife, children and everyone.”

📸: Reuters/Mohammed Salem

[oceandirtcountry]

the most fun part about shipping is making kids, both for me and for the characters *ba dum tss*

Aurelia Rose: After kidnapping Ruby and Ben’s Necrofridgian child, doctor Animo planned to torment Ben by turning the two into ungodly abominations. However, he didn’t factor in how absolutely batshit insane Ben can get when maternal instincts of all things kick in, and Ben accidentally fries the machinery, splicing the Necrofridgian child with Ruby’s DNA and making her an identical genetic clone.

Due to her Necrofridgian DNA, Aurelia lacks the ability to make most facial features. Hence, she seems cold and distant from everyone but her close ones. In reality, she’s very close to her mother in talking about her interests.

She sports an upgraded version of Ruby’s Semblance that she dubbed “Freeze Tag”, combining the abilities of super speed from Ruby, plus the cryokinesis and intangibility from Big Chill.

The oldest of Ben and Ruby’s kids, and the biggest handful considering she can disappear at will.

She took her mother’s name, because Ben didn’t think it was right to name her after himself.

Kenny Tennyson: Kenny was conceived naturally, four years after Aurelia. Ruby felt like another one couldn’t be so bad.

Kenny is a splitting image of his dad, but is far more reserved and introverted. He doesn’t like talking to people, and takes a really long time to warm up to somebody—to the point where he doesn’t smack talk his villains.

He received his very own Omnitrix at age 10. An Ectonurite actually took host in the Omnitrix Ben built for him, but Kenny bonded with the visitor and has Ghostfreak as one of his favourite aliens. The Ectonurite, named Kasper, tags along and takes over Kenny’s fighting when he’s too weak to fight.

Kenny feels that violence is never the answer and will attempt to be as peaceful as possible.

After unlocking his dormant Anodite abilities, he swaps to battling with energy-based weaponry. By then, Kasper was appointed as his Plumber partner, so he ends up passing the Omnitrix to Charlie, his little sister.

He took his dad’s name as Ruby wanted to have one kid taking Ben’s surname as well, just to be fair.

Charlie Tennyson-Rose: Charlie was the wildcard that nobody was expecting. Basically, somebody forgot to use protection.

Two years younger than Kenny, Charlie is the bundle of joy that takes after her dad. At family gatherings, she basically talks with everyone, and resembles her aunt Yang more than Ruby or Ben.

Charlie is the only one to have an irrational fear, being flamingoes. Her dad has vowed to never bring them to the bird park.

Having no special abilities, taking after her dad’s lack of Semblance, Charlie runs her mouth giving logistic help to her siblings and other Huntsmen from the backlines while still training her fighting skills. Eventually, after Kenny hands her the Omnitrix, she dons the title “Charlie 20”, twice as good as Ben.

Her favourite transformation is Jetray, and like her dad, subjects it to overuse.

She takes both surnames because Ben and Ruby were running out of reasons.

Summer Cunningham: Wanting to distance herself more from the Schnee family name and paying homage to the greatest Huntress to ever live, Weiss let Cunningham’s surname take the spotlight. Summer is unable to wield the Ninja mask, much to her dad’s disappointment. However, her Semblance of Schnee summoning and some Ninja Earth attack allows her to influence her summons with Dust.

However, Winter spoils her rotten, and she’s probably the next candidate for the Winter Maiden powers.

Summer acts close to her namesake, being bright, bubbly and positive, but is really airheaded. Randy and Weiss have made sure that she’s really nice, but she very much doesn’t understand what it’s like to be middle class, spending money for her friends like water.

She’s the same age as Kenny, and the two have some odd feelings in between them that remind Ben of his own.

Randy has retired off the Ninja role post Salem’s death, but since he’s unable to pass it on to his kid, he decides to give it to Rex’s son.

Jake Xiao-Long: One of Yang and Blake’s twin son’s (which you shouldn’t ask me how they had him), Jake is about as stubborn as Yang. His Semblance is a bolster to this, leaving behind an explosive imprint of himself—he can leave clones, which he can detonate at will.

Yang starts to feel the real pinch of how her dad raised her, as Jake is as much of a crazy party animal, literally as a lion Faunus, and picks fights about every couple minutes. However, his heart (and hair) of gold means that he often does so to stand up for those he cares about.

He’s oddly closer with Blake, as she knows how to keep him in check as compared to Yang, who’s still working on keeping herself in check.

Ruby dotes on him because he chose a scythe that splits into twin sickles as his weapon of choice.

(it’s low hanging fruit. I have to name the kid Jake Long. He’s…it’s so…it fits…)

Sherri Xiao-Long: Sherri is a jackass. Coming off as quiet, shy and unassuming, she loves to play pranks on everyone, and nobody suspects her. Her twin brother finds her a little obnoxious, but they mostly end up being partners in crime as Sherri helps him sneak out of the house.

Her Semblance allows her to create a field of heat-induced hallucinations, the illusions seeming almost solid due to Blake’s cloning abilities being amped up.

A Panther Faunus, Sherri isn’t exactly lacking in the power department either, but would much rather not fight, and when she does, it’s with underhanded techniques and borderline cheating.

She longs to become the Ninja with all its fun gadgets and abilities, but she can’t.

Pietro (Junior) Salazar: Penny and Rex’s only son. Not wanting to burden their son with nanites, they made sure that he was nanite-free. It left him with Penny’s weapon-telekinesis abilities, which didn’t work as well until Randy offered him the Ninja mask “in secret”.

Now armed with an entire Ninja arsenal, Pietro whoops ass on the battlefield and keeps Bash, the heir to McFist’s company, from trying anything.

Pietro is calculative and tends to focus on the smaller things, and can seem hard on many people. However, he opens up to those he’s close with, which is extremely rare.

And yeah that’s it

[heavennumber2]

Fireflies

Agent Whisky/f!reader

Summary: the Statesman investigate a strange portal that appears in a forest in Montana. When you appear, you have no memory of who you are or where you come from. You must be here for a reason, right?

Rating: E (future smut)

Warnings: reader uses she/her pronouns, Whisky can be a bit of a dope, reader may have a small crush on Gingerale as writer is a shameless bi-girl, spoilers for the Golden Circle film. Smut in later chapters. Reader is a blank slate but is mentioned to have hair.

Note from writer: Whisky deserves a better ending. Those who suffer from trauma need help, not punishment. Open to all suggestions as I’m a new baby at this. Gimme love AND critiques.

Part One: What the Portal Gives

The Statesmen were aware of the portal. It was hidden in a small woodsy area in Montana next to deserted train tracks and a small highway. Gingerale had tested the frequencies, returning with “non- conclusive” results.

The portal started giving the forest small things: a cooking pot which seemed to be from the 18th century, a few necklaces that were identified as Chinese heirlooms. Then bigger things like a Honda Civic dated for 2025.

Then it gave the forest People.

That’s when the Statesmen stepped in. They had gathered and hospitalized three people so far, all from different times and places, all confused with no memory of where they came from.

The portal only gave when someone was looking. Like it was gifting specifically to someone.

The farmer down the road found the cooking pot. His teenage son found the car. The people were offered to investigators. One investigator found one of the three as a woman from Salem during the witch trials, which happened to be her master’s dissertation subject. The Statesman Agency was able to collect the next two- a doctor from an undetermined future and a little girl who refuses to speak.

Agent Whisky didn’t trust it.

He argued for hours with Champ when he was sent to investigate, finally agreeing to go when offered a sizable raise and a few extra bottles of 30 year aged whisky.

He was expecting a large obvious swirling pool of colors, horrifying and beautiful. He liked the old sci-fi shows he watched with his brothers but had no intention to live one out. These swirling pools of color always birthed monstrosities with multiple arms and drooling tentacles. At least these portals were obvious.

He grumbled to himself as he trudged down the path to where they were sighted. He was not interested in being eating by a slug like alien and would raise hell if that’s what the portal sent him. He spotted the portal after 20 minutes of walking and grumbling. He checked his watch at 9:14pm.

The Montana Lights, as the agencies began to call it, were simply that: lights. They seemed like they were dancing. He carefully stalked towards them through the woods, hand on his Glock, suspicious.

These little lights danced like fireflies, much like the ones he saw on his parents ranch as a child. He exhaled at their beauty; these tiny little fireflies pulsating and twirling- he could have sworn they were saying Hello. They felt so sentient, like each one had a silly friendly little personality. They greeted their reflection in his eyes, danced on his coat, played around the rim of his stenson.

Agent Whisky found he liked them. They reminded him of the best parts of his childhood. He opened and extended his palm where a few of them immediately gathered curiously, almost like they were smelling him. Little barn kittens, baby calfs, prancing fouls- this is what he would compare them to. He felt tears brim in his eyes from remembrance. All the animals him and his wife would raise- if she still lived.

It wasn’t threatening when they formed around him. If anything, he found it comforting. He extended out his hands to side and tilted his head towards the heavens he no longer believed in. These little lights grew brighter and brighter. He could have sworn a few of them kissed his cheeks and forehead.

Agent Whisky wept for the first time since his wife died. Arms out like the crucifixion, he wailed. The little lights held him the best they could without limbs to do so.

He felt them kiss him goodbye before they were swallowed by the air.

Agent Whisky didn’t want to move. He wanted to stay here forever and become a part of this forest, those lights, this air. The confusing influx of emotion did a number on his heart as it wasn’t sure whether to speed up from joy or slow down in sadness. He just let it be, let it pump the way it wanted to.

He swore he would have become a statue, a permanent fixture in this odd little forest, if he didn’t hear a gasp behind him.

His mind couldn’t recall any trained instincts but his body sure did; his hand shot down to the Glock on his holster and it was readied within milliseconds. He violently turned towards the sound, gun pointed, eyes focused.

There stood a woman. There stood You. Confused. Afraid. Shaking from the cold Montana air- or possibly the gun pointed to your head.

“Please,” came from your lips in a broken whisper, “I don’t know where I am…”

Your mind and legs gave out at the same time as you crumbled to the floor.

“Shit!” Agent Whisky cursed as he rehoused his gun and leapt forward to examine you. He lifted you up and brushed the hair from your face. He checked your pulse, your forehead temperature, searched your pockets for any identification.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and called for Gingerale.

“WHISKY! Where have you-“ came Ginger’s response.

“We got one. A woman. Pretty as a picture, possibly 30’s, no identification, pulse is tachycardic, she’s unconscious”

“Whisky. I’ve been trying to call you for hours. Tequila has been scouring the area for you, where the hell are you?!”

Agent Whisky paused, you still in his arms.

He checked the time on his phone.

5:17am.

He lost eight hours. How the hell did he lose eight hours?

Agent Whisky lifted you up like a macabre bridal carry and began the walk back to his car.

—

You awake to blaring lights. Disgusting rude fluorescent lights.

It takes you a moment to lift yourself and you realize it’s because of the IV needle in your arm. You’re in a hospital.

No, this isn’t a hospital. It feels more like a laboratory. It’s cold with bland white walls and a large viewing window to an ominously white bland hallway.

Three people watch you from behind the window, faces unreadable.

A woman of unnatural striking beauty in a lab coat, like she’s trying to subdue her radiance.

Two men in obnoxious cowboy hats, one older with a thick prospectors beard and another about your age with a mustache that belongs on a porn star. This is stupid. This is too stupid to be real.

You look down at your body and see you’ve been dressed in a hospital gown. You really hope it was the woman who dressed you, for comfort and for shame.

Once they see you’re awake, they speak to each other for a moment. The woman looks way too excited, the Prospector uncomfortable, and the Porn-stache has a look like he’d rather fight a lion than come into your room.

The woman looks at them both indignantly and seems to mouth “Cowards” before disappearing from the window.

You hear the door unlock and in she enters. Her hair is perfect, her skin smooth, the teeth in her smile bright. You start to feel a little subconscious. You suddenly can’t remember what you look like.

“Hi,” she speaks like she’s approaching a feral child, “I’m Gingerale. How are you feeling?”

Her name is what? Are you in a live action anime?

“Um” is all you can muster. You’re shocked by the sound of your own voice, almost like it doesn’t belong to you.

“Do you remember your name? Where you’re from?” She asks gently.

What a stupid question, you think.

“My name is,” and you stop.

How does someone forget their name? It has to be there somewhere in your head, swirling around, and if you can think longer, you might catch it.

“No one else could remember either,” she reassures you. You would probably like her if you weren’t so unsettled. “No one could remember their names or where they’re from. Do you think you can try to remember where you’re from?”

Oh lord do you try. You would love to give an answer that would fix the whole situation and make her smile and then you could go home to wherever you’re from but you cannot for the life of you remember.

The thought process is apparently showcased on your face and she grabs your hand to comfort you. You realize you’re crying. This is embarrassing.

“It’s okay,” she says. She’s so kind. She’s safety. Even with how stupidly beautiful she is, she puts you ever so slightly at ease.

“I’m sorry,” you croak out. “I can’t remember anything.”

You look at the window and see the two men surveying you suspiciously.

“The guy with the porn-stache pointed a gun at me” you say. Gingerale lets out a sudden snort of laughter which she quickly subdues. Due to the look on his face, you discern that they can hear your conversation. He crinkles his nose in objection but slowly hides his mustache behind his hand, tilting his obnoxious hat over his eyes.

“Oh I think he heard me,” you say to Gingerale, then raise your voice directly to him, “Sorry, Don Juan.”

His hat tilts lower. Gingerale seems delighted.

“I’d like to do a gentle experiment if you don’t mind,” Gingerale states calmly as she pulls rubber gloves from her pocket. She sees the slightly panicked look on your face and responds quickly.

“Oh this is just to remove the IV, we’re not doing anything invasive today. Don’t worry.”

Nothing invasive TODAY?!

She continues in a gentle voice as she goes through the procedure of gently removing the needle from your arm.

“I know this sounds odd, but I’d like to bring you over to a mirror. You see, you’re the fourth person to appear and all of you have some concerning similarities.”

She painlessly removes the IV and quickly bandages the bleeding prick wound. This woman has the hands of an angel.

“None of you remember your names,” she continues, “none of you remember where you’re from, what you do, what your life is”

You think for a moment because you must remember something. Your mind stays annoyingly empty of answers.

Gingerale removes her gloves and holds her hand out to help lift you from the bed. You take hers in yours and they are excruciatingly soft. Your legs are wobbly but manageable, and she allows you to lean on her a bit when you walk, which you don’t mind so much.

She gently guides you towards the other end of the room, which holds a long mirror on the wall.

“I want you to look in the mirror to see if you recognize yourself, okay?”

“Yeah, alright,” you respond. What an odd experiment. Of course you’ll recognize yourself.

You step in front of the mirror. What looks back at you sends you flying backwards against the wall in shock.

Gingerale tries to comfort you in shushes and encouraging words, “It’s okay! You’re okay!!”

No, you are not okay. This person staring back at you can’t be you. You think it might resemble you, small bits are slightly recognizable.

But everything else looks like it had been photoshopped by an expert.

No circles under the eyes. No blemishes. Your lips are plump with a soft color. Even your eyes seem made up. You try to wipe away what looks like a light eye shadow but it’s stays in place, like it’s been tattooed. The lip color won’t even wipe off.

Your hair is… perfect. Like you had spent hours in a stylists chair. It’s styled in that accidental perfection, like you just wake up beautiful. This can’t be real.

You pull your hospital gown back in a tight dress to examine the shape underneath. No stomach bulge. A perfect hourglass figure.

This is ridiculous. No one looks like this naturally. You don’t remember anything before the forest but you know deep in your gut that you don’t look like this. Your washboard flat gut.

“Do you recognize anything at all?” Gindgerale asks softly.

“I…” you stammer helplessly, still struck by the model mirroring your movements, “I think I recognize my eyes. Maybe the shape of my face a little.”

“Okay!” She encourages, “That’s good! The others remembered some pieces of themselves but they say most of the way they look feels different.”

“Yeah, yeah, this definitely feels different,” you respond, trying again to wipe away the stained color on your lips.

You turn to her, confused and panicked. None of this makes sense. The forest, the (handsome) man with the gun, your complete lack of memory, this body- none of it makes sense.

“Why am I here?” You feel yourself start to weep again, this is pathetic but so overwhelming, your breath catches and you’re desperate. “Why is this happening? Why don’t I remember anything?! Please… you must know something, anything!”

Without thinking, your hands grab Gingerale’s shoulders. She raises her hands as if to comfort you, but the bursting open of the door interrupts any response.

“All right, darlin’, I’m gonna need you to back away”

This fucking porn-stache cowboy. He strides in like he owns the place and steps into your boundaries, forcing you to let Gingerale go and back away. You defiantly look up at his eyes, dark black pools of authoritative might, and you almost quiver until-

You’re blinded with pain. Your head swirls with what feels like barbed wire or blades or chain saws or-

You can feel yourself screaming but you hear nothing but the whirring of blades. You feel them in your scull.

You desperately try to see beyond the pain, try to push yourself as far away from the people in the room as possible. His heat, his scent, permeates your space, his hands grasping your arms like he’s trying to shake you out of it.

You finally meet his eyes-

And you see it.

You see it all.

His past, his pain, his rage, the sadness in him slowly growing into blind hatred, all the people he will sentence to death…

You watch him speak to you, his face full of concern, his hand on your cheek like he knows you as a loved one. Then he freezes like he can see what you see.

Before you finally fall unconscious, you see the words in your mind, clear as day, clear as the fear on his face. It flashes and flashes, pulsating and bloody.

Meat grinder.

And you’re gone.

[a-shade-of-blue]

New Gaza fundraiser asks I've received (19-20 September)

20 September

Khaled Alsharif (@khaledfamily28, @khaledfamily92): Khaled and his wife have two children: Sarah and Khaled. The children are suffering from skin diseases. The contaminated water and the overflowing of sewage is spreading diseases and the children need poliio vaccines. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza.  (https://gofund.me/de258249) (vetted by @/gazavetters and is #51 on their vetted list) (€30 raised of €50,000 target, only 1 donation!)

Oday Akram (@odayakrams-blog): Oday is 19 years old and from a family of 8. He is the oldest child in his family. He was a uni student whose study was interrupted by this war. (https://gofund.me/955def0f) (vetted and promoted by @/gaza-evacuation-funds) (£1,425 raised of £41,000 goal)

Shahd (@shaahdgaza, @shahdgaza-2): Shahd is from a family of 8 and they’re all in Gaza rn. She has a 14-year-old child named Farah who is autistic and suffers from kidney failure and requires medical treatment. Her other children suffers from skin diseases. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/f6pexj-test) (vetted by association. Shahd is a friend of @/nurserehamo (her other account is @rehamyasirr and her campaign has been shared by 90-ghost)) ($922 USD raised of $20,000 goal)

Aya & Abdullah Mosbeh (@aya24abood): Their house was bombed while Aya, her husband Abdullah and their two-year-old child Yazan were inside it. Yazan is suffering from skin and respiratory diseases. Aya was a doctor but lost her job due to the destruction. Abdullah has also lost his brother Osama. (https://gofund.me/e0108461) (vetted by association. They are relatives of @aya2mohammed (vetted by el-shab-hussein and #166 on the verified fundraiser list vetted by el-shab-hussein and nabulsi)) (€146 raised of €50,000 goal)

19 September

Ayman Qandeel (@aymanqandil12, @aymanqandeel17): Ayman is a recent uni graduate with a degree in civil engineering. He is from a family of 7 and their house and business have been destroyed. They are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/40f526e8) (vetted and promoted by @/gazavetters and is #58 on their vetted list. @/gazavetters is made up of a team of vetted palestinians, for more info click here) (€117 raised of €50,000 goal)

Belal Salem (@bsalem, @savebelal-life, @save-belal-family): Belal has a young daughter. He is raising funds for daily basic necessities for himself, his wife and his daughter. (https://gofund.me/553f0402) (vetted by @/gazavetters and is #41 on their vetted list. @/gazavetters is made up of a team of vetted palestinians, for more info click here) ($50 USD raised of $20,000 target, only 2 donations in 11 days!)

Hany (@hanyfamily): Hany is an English teacher and has 3 children: Rose (7) ,Mohammed (4) and Wafa'a (3).Their house has been destroyed and they are trying to evacuate out of Gaza. (https://gofund.me/19584750) (vetted by association. @/hanyfamily are relatives of @/eslamfamily (shared by @/90-ghost, #175 on the Bees and Watermelons spreadsheet)) (€579 raised of €20,000 goal)

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 13 - 25 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 26 -29 July.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 30 July - 1 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6 - 10 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11 - 14 August.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15 - 18 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 19 - 21 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundrasiers from 22 - 24 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 25 - 28 August

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 29 August - 1 September

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 2 - 5 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 6-10 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 11-14 September.

Click here for my Masterlist for fundraisers from 15-18 September.

How does vetting and verification work? See post here. (also read comments regarding 90-ghost and why we trust the campaigns he has shared)

Click here for my Google Doc with my complete masterlist of all the Palestinian gfm asks I've received, updated daily (along with other verified ways to send aid to Gaza).

See post here for other verified ways to send aid to Gaza.

Don't forget your Daily Clicks on Arab.org, it's free!!! and Every click made is registered in their system and generates donation from sponsors/advertisers.

[riding-with-the-wild-hunt]

vetted fundraisers from today. please please continue to take the time to support campaigns like these, whether financially or through amplification. these families are placing their hopes in our care.

july 16th:

Doctor Mohammed Aldeeb and his family of four (€25,170/€30,000) - @moahmmedaldeeb, verified by @/el-shab-hussein

The Ayyad family of eight, four of whom are children ($25,102/$35,000) - @mayadayyad81, @aymanayyad82, @aymanayyad1, verified by @/nabulsi

Hanaa Jad Al-Haq, her husband Muhammad Hammad, and their little son Yousef (£2,720/£20,000) - @heno-mo, @yousef0hammad, verified by @/90-ghost

Helping autistic child Omar Jad Al-Haq recover and evacuating the rest of his family, one of whom is paralyzed from a stroke and needs treatment (kr21,145 SEK/kr200,000 SEK) - @omarasaadb, verified by @/90-ghost

Eman Salem, her husband, their four children, her widowed father-in-law, and her sick father (needs urgent surgery for gangrene in his foot) (€965/€27,000) - @emanfamily, @emansalem, verified by @/90-ghost

The Al-Habil family of of six, including three members who need urgent medical treatment ($6,208 CAD/$70,000 CAD) - @nohaibrahim-2024, @alhabeilfamily, @abeeribrahim2006, #240 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Hamsa Mohammad's family of five, including a newborn, a three-year-old, and her elderly grandmother, who needs urgent treatment for a broken pelvis and hand as well as heart disease (€5,854/€30,000) - @hmsamoh, @hamsamohammad, verified by @/nabulsi

17-year-old Muhammad Atallah (needs vital treatment after being shot with an explosive bullet), and his family of ten, including a toddler and a newborn (€2,697/€82,000) - @mohammed-atallah, verified by @/90-ghost

Mohammed Al Manasra (sole survivor of his family), his wife, their three little children, and their cat (Mohammed and his wife both need medical attention; Mohammed's foot is injured and will be amputated if not treated as soon as possible) (€28,827/€40,000) - @save-mohamed-family, #192 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

The AlBalawi family of 11, including several children and two chronically ill members (€24,756/€50,000) - @fatmasalahfamily, @bisanalbalawi18, @elbalawi, @yasminalbalawiigaza, verified by @/90-ghost

Ahmed Al-Nabih, his two brothers, and their mother (€11,301/€30,000) - @ahmedalnabeeh11, #218 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

Medical student Malak Dader, her five siblings (her teenage brother Moataz was killed), and their parents (two family members are sick with hepatitis) (€738/€25,000) - @malakabed, verified by @/90-ghost

Salam, her husband Mohammad, and their two little children (€17,643/€40,000) - @save-salam-family, verified by @/90-ghost

Munna Tashmali and her five children (this is the third time their home has been destroyed) (£3,774/£30,000) - @monashamali, verified by @/nabulsi

Muhammad Al-Habil, his wife, their three young children, and Muhammad's chronically ill parents (€11,286/€50,000) - @aya2mohammed, @alhabil, verified by @/nabulsi

Ahmed Alanqar, his wife Dina, and their four children, one a newborn (€29,184/€35,000) - @ahmedabuyamin, #174 on @/el-shab-hussein and @/nabulsi's spreadsheet

Evacuating Firas Muhaisen's family of six (including three children) and funding he and his sister's medical education (time-sensitive fees, needed by August 1st) ($3,130 CAD/$82,000 CAD) - @firasmuhaisenn, @nisreenameen, @hashem-fromgaza, verified by @/90-ghost

Amal Ashour, her husband, and their little daughter Maryam (€12,769/€30,000) - @amalashuor, @moatasim20101010, #175 on @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein's spreadsheet

not yet vetted:

Mohammed Ayyad, his wife, and their five children (€11,323/€35,000) - @mohammad1980ayyad, @m430235341

your contribution, no matter how small, can help save someone's life. please don't pass up the chance to take such an immeasurably valuable action

[cipheramnesia]

The Rob Zombie Halloween movies are not exactly good, but they have this little chestnut of an idea that's intriguing.

The original two Halloween movies hinge on the core premise that Michael Meyers is a kind of empty vessel which embodies evil. You have to buy into the idea a little, because if you don't, not only do the movies not work as well, but also the character of Dr. Loomis comes of as an unhinged, abusive monster of a doctor. Which feels like something Rob Zombie intentionally wanted his version to consider. Ultimately the movies are not successful, likely in some measure through studio interference, but this explains a good deal of decisions which put Zombie's Halloween at loggerheads with the original movies and the fandom.

The thing about Rob Zombie is that his fans are his worst critics, in that they don't want him to make anything except a carbon copy of House of 1000 Corpses or Devil's Rejects, and when he tries to do more interesting (and in the case of Lords of Salem, significantly better) movies, they piss all over themselves in outrage. When you combine his unusual take on Halloween with a stylistic departure as well, the movies has no chance.

The funny thing is, in retrospect, Zombie's changes are actually the better choice compared to the slavishly accurate recent Halloweens, or any of the sequels following Halloween 2. He gave Michael Meyers a voice, and a more complex history, and a human connection, and all these details which fans mostly hated, but which repositioned Michael from hollow monster to a person who was deeply failed by the world. And the thing of it is, there's nothing left to explore after Halloween 2, which means the only place to go if you want to be interesting about the character is a radically different direction.

That's what Rob Zombie did, his version wasn't supposed to be scary as a remorseless killing machine, but scary as someone who was formed into a terrible creature by the world deciding for him that he is a monster. You can see this most of all with how Malcolm McDowell portrays his version of Loomis as self centered, malicious, and incompetent by varying degrees. It's stating as loudly as possible to the audience hey, this person is terrible at helping people, he is awful and his characterization of Michael Meyers as "evil" is self serving and horrible. It's meant to make the audience step back and realize, no matter how terrible the things Michael does, he's a child and locking him up for his entire life is a fucked up thing to do.

Now, ultimately the films are a mess, and this little idea doesn't really hold together or develop. I believe it's intentional still, but winds up being incompatible with what, I assume through studio pressure, is a movie too close to the original Halloween to make room for a different approach. I couldn't necessarily recommend watching them, but as failures they're still interesting.

[thienvaldram]

My own for fun fleshing out of the idea posited by Jonathan Morris that the other voices Xoanon adopts in the Face of Evil are forgotten incarnations plucked from the Doctor's subconscious.

Specifically played by Pamela Salem, Rob Edwards, Anthony Frieze and Roy Herrick.

The First Xoanon Doctor (Pamela Salem)

This incarnation was posted on Earth by her request, as part of the Time Lords solidifying of the Web of Time as history, arriving in the era of the First World War. Upbeat and playful, she had a knack for outmanoeuvring her opponents even in spite of the cultural pushback against the form this incarnation took. She also often came across as anachronistic due to a lack of understanding of the culture of the era of this planet that she was assigned to. She, however, was occasionally prone to seeing humans more as interesting specimens than individuals in their own right.

The Second Xoanon Doctor (Rob Edwards)

Coming across as an eccentric but kindly Professor-like figure, wearing a scruffier version of a formal outfit. This incarnation took up teaching on Earth. He was heavily interested in the idea of luck as an external force and wore a clover on his lapel to represent that. He was prone to meddling in events outside his purview, but only subtly, within his remit as an agent of the Time Lords and thus often employed luck or what appeared to be luck as a ‘weapon’ of sorts in said situations, despite his pleasant exterior he was capable of doing almost anything if he thought it would benefit the ‘greater good’. He was the first incarnation to meet the Abbot.

The Third Xoanon Doctor (Anthony Frieze)

This incarnation lived for a long time, aging up from a child to an adult. He spent a lot of his time on Gallifrey, getting involved in the internal politics of the planet as an advocate for the Non-Intervention policy. He regretted the meddling his immediate predecessor was prone to, though he still returned to Earth to observe the planet and would occasionally intervene if he found a situation significant enough to warrant it. He was brash and abrasive, and had a superiority complex, but still was a kind-hearted person when the chips were down. He met his end in service to Gallifrey in the midst of a Time War.

The Fourth Xoanon Doctor (Roy Herrick)

A calmer, younger, mellower incarnation. This Doctor prided himself on his moral compass, whilst he still acted as an agent for the Time Lords, he treated the role as secondary to his interest in the planet Earth and its people. He was granted an official remit to travel across the Universe, rather than just the history of the planet he was observing, as a result of a great service to Gallifrey during his early life. He was also one of few early incarnations of the Doctor who contemplated any form of relationship with a human, though he ultimately never went through with it. Despite this, he still maintained a wide social network in the era to which he was assigned.

(Did an amateur artwork, also including headcanons for the 'eras' under the assumption of them directly preceding the Morbius Doctors from Forgotten Lives)

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue Ch. 39- Seeing the Light

Summary: Jo's anxiety takes it's toll on her as she and Lee converse over new upsetting information. EMERGENCY. A race against time takes place. Lee gets a clue. He also gets a huge wake up call and asks someone important a very serious question.

*Warnings* language, angst, anxiety, graphic depictions

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Orlando, Britt, Angel, Margaret

Salem, Massachusetts

March 15, 2023

The smell of maple sausage and pancakes filled every crevice of the haunted house while a morning thunderstorm rumbled on. Lee was cooking Jacob's favorite breakfast food in hopes that it would draw him out again and it was a good way to try, for they say spirits are attracted to things that they loved and are familiar with, such as the house itself. It was the only home Jacob had ever known and you knew that was the reason Lee wanted to spend some time here, hoping to see him again.

You both spent the past two days once again being hermits, wanting to spend as much time as you could with each other before Lee went back to work at the start of next week because then, you wouldn't see as much of him and it was going to drive you bat shit crazy. You were going to have to learn all over again to readjust to the long hours of a doctor's schedule. Although Lee was happy to have his career back in full swing, he wasn't much for celebrating it after the incident with Mr. Carpenter. He truly did feel sorry for the grieving man considering he knew what is what like to lose a child but he certainly didn't feel bad for socking the mourning monster straight in the jaw for his uncalled perverted comment to you. For the time being, you and Lee both thought it best to remain desolate for awhile with so many crazy people on the loose and this time you chose to do so at the home he shared with Jacob...even still.

Lee had kept his promise to you and made sure Ethan couldn't contact him via phone by changing his numbers entirely, both mobile and landline and only those he trusted were permitted to have it. You didn't know what good it would really do though since Elizabeth and Cyrus both worked at the hospital and could easily access that information....and now Lee would have to deal with both of them almost on a daily basis. He had even contemplated changing hospitals but you convinced him to not let them run him out of a place he had invested so many years in and so much time to. Was that the right thing to do? You weren't sure anymore. Everything always seemed to be one step forward and two steps back.

You had spoken to Gerry. Victor was not improving and he feared the worst for the Greek tycoon. What would Gerry and his brother do with that big old mansion all to themselves? For they knew they would inherit it and all the forestry of acres that a small town could be built upon. Gerry didn't even live in the main house. He resided solo in the guest house on the lake that was damn near a fortress all in itself. Anywhere there was water, one would find Gerry for he was an avid surfer and damn good at it.

They certainly would never sell the place since it was a Kiriakis legacy dating back as far as a century or more and Vic would surely haunt them from the grave if they tried, or most likely hell considering his mile long list of sins. You certainly believed in the afterlife now because of Lee's experiences but it actually all started when you met Dave.

Dave was someone you considered quite special in that area. He had a secret that only you knew because he didn't exactly enjoy it, nor was it something easily believed or accepted, but he trusted you, knowing how open you were. Ever since he was a child, he could see spirits and even talk to them and it wasn't always a pleasant experience. It could be down right terrifying as he sometimes would suffer with sleep paralysis in his adolescent years. Dave would be the first to tell you that monsters were real. He never knew why it was happening to him and the older he got, the visits lessened which led him to believe it was just the typical phase of imaginary friends, but when it didn't cease in his adulthood years, he then knew he had a gift of clairvoyance, one he didn't ask for, nor want and working in a hospital where people died all the time didn't help the problem. He would never leave there though. He was too much like Lee, so compassionate and loving of what he did for others. Now, if you could only get him to talk with Lee about it and vice versa, but...it wasn't your place to tell either of their secrets. Except about Liz...if Dave didn't tell Britt, you would. It was for his own safety and Dave could be pissed at you all he wanted.

You had told Britt you wanted to speak to her soon after the whole Cyrus surprise, but now you were sort of avoiding it because after your almost slip up with Dave of mentioning Jason in the present tense, you feared you wouldn't be able to keep it from her of all people, the woman Jason loves and she does him. The more you thought about it all, the more pissed you became at your brother. Britt deserved to know he was alive. She was hurting so bad and you couldn't even imagine such a pain, for if something ever happened to Lee, it would tear your soul straight from your body. Hence, your dream. You couldn't shake it, the feeling of despair in the pit of your stomach. Ethan, Liz, Johnny, Cyrus, even Mr. Carpenter...they all walked about freely to do as they pleased. Sure, you had Jason, wherever the hell he was, and Gerry or Luke, even Craig to handle them if it came down to it but you didn't feel much relief in that because it wasn't like they were standing guard at your door 24/7. All these thoughts raced through your mind while Lee sat to read the morning paper.

"Lee...maybe...maybe Landy wouldn't mind if we stayed with him for awhile since Luke will be there until he finds his own place?" you asked as you both sat at the kitchen table eating a breakfast appetizer, consisting of Lee's favorite cereal...grape nuts.

His crunching stopped as he gave you a befuddled look.

"Ok? baby...why would you want to stay there?"

"I..I don't know. For some...extra security I suppose? I mean...Luke...he has a gun and..."

"Jo...sweetheart. What's going on? Why do you feel we need protection? Besides, Landy only has two bedrooms and...you don't like guns."

"I..I know I don't and with good reason but...I like you being alive more."

"My girl...Jo Jo...is this about your dream again?" he asked as he reached across the table and laid his hand upon yours.

"Some yes...and just everything else...everyONE else. Ethan is going to lose his shit when he realizes, if he hasn't already, that he can't contact you and that means he's going to start coming around. He tried to run us off the road for christ's sake. In broad daylight, so I can only imagine what he'll do now."

"Baby, you wanted me to do something and I did. What else can I do? A civil protection order? It's a piece of paper with NO protection and there's no proof of anything he did except make a few unwanted phone calls to even get one granted. Ethan lives to break the law. It won't stop him but I'll do it if it makes you feel better."

"Damn it!!!" you shouted and grabbed your coat as you went out to the porch swing with Lee immediately following.

"Babe, hey, hey. We'll figure this out. He hasn't even been around lately. Maybe he really likes your sister and will move on. I know, I know, that's far from comforting but as we know, stranger things have happened. You gotta admit, they're a match made in Hea...Hell." he snickered as he sat beside you and smiled.

And of course, Lee made you smile. He always could even when you didn't want to.

"Yeah...I suppose you're right and...I kind of feel Mr. Carpenter is going to be more trouble than Ethan. Gerry texted me this morning. I guess he went to the police station raising hell about what happened but Gerry said no worries, that he handled it and it just looks like it was a revenge tactic over losing the negligence claim. Gerry also did some digging on him. He's been arrested multiple times for domestic violence with the mother and alcohol was always a factor. And get this...his daughter, Henrietta, that he is so upset over...she was a victim of it as well, but would never "tell" on him?. He has a son too who's always in trouble."

"Wow...it...it almost makes me think...."

Lee stopped and stared at you in thought for a moment.

"Lee? What is it?"

"Well...it's just that...Henrietta had meningioma. It's the most common type of primary brain tumor. Most cases are benign, which hers was, but it grew quite large and became life threatening....but the thing is....there's some studies that link head trauma with this type of tumor."

"Oh my god...do you think that her own father...could have caused that?"

"I don't know Jo. I suppose it don't even matter now."

"Oh yes it does because now we know what he's capable of Lee. He's a control freak and when people like that don't have it, bad things happen. I know the kind. And...how did he know so much about all of us? A lot of what he said wasn't exactly public information."

"Yeah, you're right. My guess would be he hired a really good P.I....or....Liz?"

"I really wish I knew where Jason is right now. He could literally make it all go away. I can't believe I'm even talking like this but Mr. Carpenter's angry, he's violent, and he drinks. If he knows all of that, he knows where you live. I don't like this Lee. God, when...when Lee, will it ever end???"

Lee watched as you angrily wiped your tears away and then his eyes fell. It was killing him inside to see you so distraught. Things were supposed to better now, not worse. You were supposed to feel safe with him, not afraid. You were afraid, yes...but not for yourself.

"I'm so sorry Jo." he softly and solemnly whispered. "I should have never attacked him. I just made everything worse, but...I..I couldn't help it. I'm not a confrontational person, you know that but when he began to say things like that about you....I..I just snapped."

You brought your hand to his face which coaxed his shameful eyes up to yours.

"Hey...I'm not angry with you. You did nothing wrong baby. I wanted to do the same thing for the way he talked shit about you. He is so incredibly wrong...and I...I tried to let it go because he's grieving but you know what? Knowing what we know now, I honestly don't think it's all about that. I truly think the man is deranged and I don't think he's going to just walk away, especially now that the police won't do anything. I think he wanted you to go after him, to try and show his unwarranted claims about you. But this is not your fault Lee. I mean, you certainly didn't know Gerry was going to do what he did. Hell, neither did I. Normally, he would have jumped at the chance to arrest you because he is definitely a law abiding citizen and cop."

"I appreciate what Gerry did. I really do but Jo...I still shouldn't have hit Mr. Carpenter. I let him pull me down to his level and I think it's exactly what he wanted, just as you said. I don't know Jo, who am I to judge him? I did some pretty fucked up shit when I lost Jacob and I just continued to do it all these years later. Look what I did to you?"

"The ONLY thing you will ever have in common with that man is the loss of a child. Your pain is genuine. His is like some kind of vendetta. I could see it in his eyes. There's something severely off with him and I'm usually spot on about gut feelings with people. Even Ethan. He completely rubbed me the wrong way when we met until you....I...I don't even want to talk about him anymore."

"Until I stupidly defended him? Telling you he was a good guy when I knew damn well what he was like and I kept all of that from you and I damn near lost you over it...."

"Lee, please stop punishing yourself... what he did to you...I understand it all now and...and......."

A familiar feeling rushed over you. Lightheadedness and warmth.

"Jo...baby??? Your nose..." Lee frantically said as his arm reached around you, securing you in place.

"What? Oh...oh gosh..."

You brought your fingers to your nose, in shock to feel and see the hot red liquid seeping out of it.

"Let me get you something, don't move."

"No, no Lee. I have a tissue in my pocket. It's fine. Really."

"No, it's not fine Jo. You said this happened at your mom's too. Baby, what's going on?" he direly asked as you dabbed away at the annoying and embarrassing leak.

"Tell me Jo. How long has this been happening?"

"Lee...it's just a nose bleed. You don't need to go all 'who's the doctor mode' on me."

"Don't. Don't do that. I WILL play the doctor card because that's what I am and I happen to love you as well."

You squished the kleenex against your nose and began to sob.

"I know" you squeaked. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't do that either. Don't be sorry. Come here sweet girl."

Lee pulled you into his arms, kissing your head as you continued to cry. "Here...lean your head back on my arm. I've got you."

You gazed up at him as he cradled you like a child and took over the tissue dabbing. His lips softly smiled as his shining sapphires danced inside your sunsets with such love and then he kissed the tip of your nose.

"Let me take you to the hospital. Just to be checked out."

"Lee, no. I am fine right here with you. It's stopping. I'll be fine. I'm just stressed, which is when it seems to happen."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Here's the deal. If it happens again, I'm throwing you over my shoulder like a caveman and you're going."

You couldn't help but to burst out in laughter.

"Well you could just do that anyways and take me upstairs instead." you said with a seductive grin.

"Ohhhh....so damn tempting...but no. Babe, I think you need some rest. Come on. I'll make some hot sleepy time tea and we can snuggle on the couch with a movie and our cold pancakes and sausage, yes?"

You giggled. "Cold is better than burnt. But, yes. That sounds good. The microwave will work. You do that and I'll do the tea. I haven't managed to burn water yet."

"Is that even possible?" Lee asked with a hearty laugh as he followed you to the kitchen, pulling a hoodie on over his shirt from being chilled by the outside rain.

"We're about to find out."

Lee let out a sigh and made the sign of the cross and then flinched with a chuckle as you playfully smacked his arm.

As the water came to a boil, you thought about how much you loved these sweet little moments with him and wished it could be like that forever. No more worries, just lost in each other like high school sweethearts. You used to think challenges made you stronger but that couldn't have been further from the truth now.

You poured two cups of the piping hot herbal liquid and took them to the table as Lee finished up plating the food. During the process, you felt something trickle down your neck and heard a clinking noise on the wooden floor at your now bare feet. It was your silver chained "forever" glass seashell necklace that Lee had given you and it was just enough to set your superstitions and stress levels into high gear.

"Noooooooo...no..no..." you squealed as you knelt down to pick it up.

"Babe?? What is it??"

Lee quickly set the plates on the table and rushed to your side.

In a soft, child like whimper, your voice stuttered out as your eyes gaped with oncoming tears.

"Your...my...neck...necklace...it...it...it's...it broke...it just...fell..."

"No, no baby, it's alright. Let me see it."

Your trembling hand allowed Lee to remove it and look it over as you stood anxiously biting your bottom lip.

"My girl, it's just the clasp. I can fix it baby, don't worry." he assured you in the kindest voice and stroked your hair.

"It's not the clasp! It's the small chain links beside it. They must have snagged on my sweater. It's broken Lee! It's some fucking omen and don't tell me I'm crazy after everything."

"Jo Jo, sweetheart, please calm down. I promise you I can fix it and..."

"That's not the point! It's a symbol of forever and now it's a sign that it's broken!!" you cried, now chewing at your nails as you stared at the jinxed jewelry.

"Josie, baby! Look honey, the glass didn't break. Forever is sealed safe and sound inside. Sit down and sip your tea. I'll go fix it right now alright?"

"O...ok..." you replied in a frightened whisper and did as he told you.

Lee had only been gone a few minutes but it seemed like hours. You swore you could hear the grandfather clock ticking from clear in the other room. What the hell was happening? You couldn't relax. The sound of your heartbeat was now becoming the prominent sound, thumping through your head. You picked up your ceramic mug with unsteady hands and without thinking, you took a gulp of the boiling brew. The scold to your tongue sent you flying out of the chair and the mug shattering on the floor.

"JO!!" Lee shouted and came dashing up the stairs from the basement to find you shaking and clinging to the kitchen counter with broken shards of the mug at your bare feet.

"Baby don't move!!"

You couldn't if you wanted to. You felt paralyzed as the pressure in your head pulsed like storm waves crashing on the beach. Suddenly, Lee was hoisting you up and moving you to a dry, hazard free zone when your nose began to bleed again and you fell limp in his arms.

"Jo baby!! Baby what's wrong???!!"

When you didn't and couldn't answer him as you stared blankly into his petrified eyes, he scooped you up and rushed you out to his car, placing you into the front seat and tilting it back, then he sped off.

"Baby, can you hear me??" Lee pleaded multiple times as your eyes fluttered to stay open. His voice echoed as if it were inside of a seashell and your hand was numb to the touch of his. You heard the train horn again and saw the bright light coming towards you and then...you saw Jacob again, smiling with his big blue eyes beaming up at you as he took your hand. Then the light went dark.

"JO!! Fuck...baby wake up!!" Lee frantically shouted as his fingers raced to your neck to feel for a pulse. It was there but faint.

"That's it baby doll, stay with me!! Don't you fucking leave me. Forever baby...forever. Do you hear me?? Breathe Jo....breathe."

Lee was now fighting his sobs as he struggled to drive but he knew he had to focus to get you to the hospital safely. He freed his android from his pocket and used the voice command to call Orlando.

"Ok google, call Orlando!"

"Showing results for Orlando, Florida."

"Not fucking Florida you stupid piece of shit!" Lee shouted and then swerved as he heard the loud bellow of a semi horn and looked up to find himself in the oncoming traffic lane.

Lee whipped back into line, trying to catch his breath as he just missed the truck by only a few feet.

"Shit...focus Lee!" he scolded himself and then remembered that he didn't even have Orlando listed under his given name.

"Ok google, call LANDY!!"

"Calling Landy."

"Come on, pick up, pick up Landy!!"

"Hey what's up Lee Lee the Bee Gee."

"Lando! Man, where are you?? The hospital??"

"Yeah, Lee? What's going on?? You sound..."

"It's Jo man...I'm on my way there. She...she just collapsed."

"Oh my god what?? I'm on my way down to the ER now. Where are you?? Is she breathing??"

"Yeah..yes....thank god. I'm about ten minutes away and....no. Fuck."

"Lee??!!"

"I gotta go man, there's a fucking train coming and I have to beat it."

"Jesus, Lee. You need to calm down and....L..Lee???"

Lee dropped his phone and put the pedal to the metal on his classic Dodge Dart as the gates were starting to come down.

"Not today train. You can't have her too!!"

Over the tracks he sped, luckily with no cars in his way as the gates missed his car by merely inches. He caught sight of the train in the distance, the large headlight blinding his widened eyes as it blared it's deafening ominous horn.

"WOOHOOO! We made it baby!" Lee reeled as an adrenaline rush flooded his body. "We're going to make it. You are going to make it. I love you, do you hear me???"

The tires slid as he whipped into the emergency room parking lot and then he came to a screeching halt at the doors, quickly abandoning his car as he carried you inside.

"HELP!! Help!" Lee called out to whomever would listen as he searched for Orlando.

"Lee!!" Orlando shouted as he came running out from a room he had being prepared for you. "Bring her in here!"

Britt rushed in as well as Lee gently laid you upon the bed, scared as hell to let go of you.

"It's ok baby. I'm right here Jo Jo...you keep breathing, do you hear me?"

"Lee, tell me what happened?" Britt asked as Landy began tending to you with another nurse.

"I...I...don't know. She...she had a nose bleed. She said...she said she had one before, about a week ago. I got it to stop and she swore she was fine and she seemed fine and then she just collapsed in my arms and..."

Lee bent over to lean on his knees as he himself was trying to breathe.

"Alright. Anything else you can think of? Did she mention any other symptoms? Did she take any medications?"

"No Britt. Nothing. She's...she's stressed out, that much I know. We found more things out, disturbing things about Mr. Carpenter and that's when she got the first nose bleed today and then...I don't fucking know. Her necklace broke and she became all anxious about it and the next thing I knew, this happened. She...she just stared at me. She couldn't speak. Britt, what if she had a stroke??"

"Ok..ok. Let's not think the worst. I'm going to order labs, a CT and start an I.V. and we'll go from there. Dr. Bloom, how's her vitals?"

"Her blood pressure is high. 175/80. Oxygen is normal. Pulse rate high, pupils constricting."

"Ok. Let's get her blood work and get her on some fluids, then take her down for the CT. Lee, I need you to wait in the waiting room please, while the nurse..."

"What?? NO! I'm not leaving her Britt! Let me help. I'm a fucking doctor for christ sake."

"You're not her doctor nor are you on duty and you're in no state of mind to assist. You're too close to this Lee and you need to give the nurse room to work without you hovering. You know the rules and how this works. She's in good hands. I'm sorry but you need to let us do our jobs and go collect yourself. You're no good to her like this."

"Fuck your rules Britt. She needs to hear my voice and know I'm here! You're too close to this too, so is Landy!"

"Look...Lee. I know how much you love her, I really do, which is why you can't be objective. I love her too and I promise you she will be taken care of and we will come get you as soon as we get her situated and know what's going on. Now please...go try and calm down, maybe call her mom."

"Lee. man. I swear it. I'll take good care of her. You know I will." Orlando assured him and gave his best friend a hug, which caused Lee to break down.

"I'm scared man. I'm scared to leave her. I've never been so scared of anything in my life. I can't lose her. I can't....just...just let me talk to her for one minute. Please."

Orlando smiled and nodded as he patted Lee on the shoulder. By this time, the nurse had the I.V. line all taped up to your wrist and was drawing your blood as he went and tenderly held your other hand.

"My beautiful sweet girl. If you can hear me, I need you to know that I will just be right down the hall. I swear I will never leave you. You're my entire world so you can't leave me either ok? I love you Miss Massachusetts, in ways you've never been loved, for reasons you've never been told, for longer than you think you deserved and with more than you will ever know existed inside me. It's always been you. And I'd choose you in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you all over again."

You heard him. Every word but you couldn't open your eyes or speak, but you did manage, with everything inside of you, to lightly squeeze his hand.

Lee cried and kissed your cheek over and over and then he placed one small soft kiss upon your lips as he whispered "forever" over them. He then reluctantly let go of your hand and sobbed all the way to the empty waiting room that he was very thankful for.

He paced about the large room, stared out the window for awhile and then he was startled awake by someone's touch.

"Hey. Lee."

"Jo??...Oh....sorry. Is she..."

"She's fine, awake and has been admitted for observation." Nurse Angel, his neighbor, told him.

Lee closed his eyes and sighed loudly in relief. "Angel...what...do they know what happened? Can I see her now?"

"In just a few minutes, I'll take you down. They're just settling her into a room. I'll let them tell you what they found. I just got on duty and heard what happened, so I came looking for you at Dr. Bloom's request. He said to tell you he had your car parked and he has your keys and he will be back to see you both when he finishes rounds."

"Oh...yeah...I..I forgot all about my car. God, I don't even remember falling asleep. What time is it??"

"It's 11 am."

"Jesus, it's been two hours?? You..you said she's awake. Did you see her at all? How did she seem?"

"Well...she was sitting up and definitely asking for you, so I'm guessing she is alright, nothing too serious. Hey, I heard all about your hearing the other day. Congratulations and welcome back. We've missed you something awful. It has definitely not been the same without you here. Don't let Mr. Carpenter get to you. He's just sad. That poor man. I guess that his marriage is on the fritz. He told me a lot about Henrietta and how close they were. I couldn't imagine losing a child. Dash means everything to me. Oh god...I...I'm sorry Lee, that was so insensitive of me to say to you."

"No. It's fine. So uh....Mr. Carpenter spoke to you about her...and..his marriage??"

"Oh...I...umm. No, no. He talked a lot to all the nurses. Trust me. I just overheard things. You know, the gossip and stuff. I just wish he wasn't hell bent on making you suffer. It's such a good thing you have Jolene to help you through it all."

"It's Josie...remember? and yeah...I'm pretty much his scapegoat it seems."

"Oh gosh, that's right. I always get her name screwed up. So, what do you mean by scapegoat? I thought they ruled out any wrong doings from the autopsy and that no one caused it?"

Lee gazed at her for a moment and something began to click regarding the conversation you and he had earlier about someone leaking personal information....and Angel knew more than she should because of Liz.

"Nah, it's nothing. I don't even want to talk about this really. Can I go see Jo now?"

"Well, if you ever want to talk about anything at all, I just live right next door. I miss seeing you. So does Dash. So, yeah, come on. I'll take you to her."

Angel then led Lee out of the waiting room and down the hall, lightly rubbing his back as she did so.

The minute the door opened, Lee's anxious eyes and yours immediately connected as he paused his steps, then he bolted right to your reached out arms, both of you crying as you held each other so tight for the longest time.

"My god, my girl." Lee gasped in and kissed you all over your head and cheeks as he held your face. "Are you ok??? Please tell me nothing is wrong. I've been out of my mind. They, they wouldn't let me stay with you and....god I love you so much, I...I don't ever want to feel that way again." Lee sobbed, his tears freely flowing.

"Heyy, shhhh. I'm here. You're here. All is right again." you whispered with compassion as you also held his face and then kissed his tears.

"I'm so sorry I scared you like that. I swear Lee, I felt ok and then all of a sudden, I didn't. I don't know what happened."

"Where's Britt? Did she tell you anything? Jo, I was so scared that you had a stroke. You couldn't speak to me. and you passed out and I drove like I never did before to get you here and..."

"Baby, try to calm down. I know what you did for me. Landy told me...and...I could still hear you Lee. Your voice is what I focused on. Britt was here yes. Obviously, it's no stroke, thank god. I'm getting my fluids with added electrolytes. I was moderately dehydrated and my blood work also showed that I have an iron deficiency."

"You're anemic? Makes sense Jo. Your diet has not been the greatest lately and then there's the blood loss from the nose bleeds. Is that....all...it is?"

"Well, of course it's my anxiety and stress too. Hence my blood pressure spike, but it's normal now. Good old Britt saying I need to reduce my stress levels and take my meds. Easier said than fucking done when she don't know how much worse they make me feel, nor does she live in my world of psychotic people. And to top that off, my mom is on the way and I'm stuck here for at least another day."

"Sorry baby. I called her earlier and left a message. I...I didn't know what was going to happ..."

"Lee, it's ok. I love you so much for taking care of me and everything else. You know you saved my life."

"If I had been alone...god, I don't even want to think about it....OR the train you tried to beat."

"Yeaaah uh that...well, I DID beat it. I had to try Jo. The rails were still lowering and I could see the train and..."

"Ok, ok, enough about trains...please. I get it though...I would have done the same for you. Love makes us crazy huh?"

"Mmmm yes it does. Come here."

Lee gave you a series of soft and short deep kisses and then moved up to sit beside you, placing his arm around you and pulling you to his chest as he kissed the top of your head.

"Welp...if you're a prisoner here for another day, so am I. You're stuck with me so don't even try to make me go, for it would be futile."

You peered up in his worrisome blues with a most critical look.

"I like being stuck with you. I don't want you to go. Ever."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom."

"You giggled and kissed him. "I guess I can allow that....and maybe to go sneak me some sugar."

"Nope. It's all liver and spinach dinners for you."

"BLECKKKK!!! Lee Pace, that's not even funny. They already brought me a tray of turkey, peas, peaches, wheat bread and...wait for it...prune juice that I haven't touched. Like...I'm pretty sure I'm not constipated....now that part IS funny."

"It was just a little bit funny to see you frown that cute ass frown that I thought I'd never see again. You know? Kind of like a prune." he chuckled. "I promise, I will make you better dinners when we blow this popsicle stand, but babes, you need to eat...for me please. Especially the juice."

"I just want to go now and lay in bed with you and eat your food. I already feel better and I have my own personal doctor...you."

"Yeah well that's the fluids giving you that boost. I don't want you here anymore than you want to be here, but I really feel it is best. I can lay in bed with you here. I'll probably take up the entire bed but you can lay on top of me."

Lee's grin was deviously adorable but quickly fell flat as your mother came bursting in with her anxiety and scarlet hair a fray.

"Josephine Leeann! What in the world happened sweetheart?? I didn't see Lee's message until in the middle of my hair appointment and I had to leave looking like this!"

"Mom...mom....calm down. I'm fine as you can see."

"You're not fine! You're in a hospital bed AGAIN! How can I calm down after what happened to Jay??"

Your heart sank. Damn your brother for doing this to all of you. DID he even know you were here? You just wanted to blurt it out that he was alive, but then she would just think that you were delusional and high on meds....and it would break her heart too. You decided that Jason would have to be the one to do that....once again.

"I know Momma. But I swear...ask Lee...I'm ok."

Lee took a moment and sat with your distraught mom, filling her in on everything, in which she then seemed to relax some after his gentle way of words. She liked Lee a lot and trusted him, especially knowing your dad had once been Lee's colleague and Jacob's pediatrician. You could see the respect in her eyes and that meant the world to you....because if Margaret March didn't like someone, they would know it.

"Thank you Lee. I tell you, my kids are going to be the death of me." she said, rolling her eyes with a soft sigh.

"MOM, don't talk like that."

"Well, YOU don't have to live with Megan anymore for one thing. All that damn smoking in the house that she thinks I don't know about and in and out at all hours of the day and night like a freaking cat. The girl can't even pick up a broom to earn her keep."

"She can sure ride one though." you snarked, making Lee lower his head to hide his smirk.

"Hilarious Joey Lee. You know, nothing's the same anymore. You're gone, Jay's gone, your dad's gone. Bo's gone and Megs only cares for number one. At least one of my sisters still comes around. Livvie was asking about you the other day. Oh, and Gerry called me about Victor too. He's not doing well. I...really want to see him...but...well anyways, I'm pretty much alone anymore."

Margaret paused. You knew she would feel guilty, like she was betraying your father all over again.

"I know Mom...but you're not alone. Our family is bigger than the state of Texas even though most are scattered all around. Olivia will always be there. I'll always be there. I'm sorry I haven't been lately though. I've just had a lot going on. I was at the house last week but you weren't home."

"Yes, I know. I found your note and your half eaten sandwich that Marmaduke was about to devour when I walked in. He needs a bath, which he hates by the way and I can't handle that big oaf. Smells like a horse's ass. What's with your car in the garage anyways?"

"Its... just temporary until..."

"Until I get my garage cleaned out and then she can store it there." Lee cut in with a hidden wink at you to save you from trying to think of something other than the truth.

"I'm so glad the two of you met Lee and that you're always there for my little girl, especially today and getting her here so quickly. It's such a bonus that you're a doctor too. Maybe you can get her to take her medicine for once so this don't happen again. Oh! I saw Amy on my way in. She says she'll be in to see you and Em is coming too. I suppose Gerry is around here somewhere. I don't know if I should go see Victor or not. I told Megan but, well you know how that went."

"I don't want her here anyways. I need to be stress free, remember?? Every time I see her face, all I want to do is..."

"Ok Josephine...don't remind me how my only daughters despise each other."

"Sorry mom. You should go see Vic. Maybe it would help him if he knows you're there? It's ok mom, to do that. I know what he means to you."

"Do...you really think it might help him? I..I mean, I really would like to go."

"Go mom. Don't put these things off. I have Lee here with me and it seems it will soon be grand central station here as well cause Britt and Orlando will be here too, so I'll be ok."

"Welllll....I....I suppose I could...just for a little bit...but I'll be back Joey. I love you." she said and came to kiss your cheek.

"Love you too Ma. If Vic is awake, tell him I hope he feels better soon and please don't tell him about me being here. He don't need to be worrying about anything."

"Come on Margaret, I'll walk you out and point you in the right direction. Be right back sweetheart." Lee sweetly smiled, then mouthed 'I love you' as he led your mom out in the hall. It made you so happy to see the growing bond they had because you knew how much he missed his own mother.

"Margaret...can I...talk to you for a moment?" Lee quietly said after he closed the door.

"Sure Lee. Is everything alright? Is there something you didn't tell me about Joey?"

"Oh no, all seems to be ok now...but...I...hmmm...I umm..."

"Lee? What is it? You seem awful nervous?"

"Whew." he softly sighed, then began. "Well, I'm sure you already know what Jo means to me. But I just wanted you to hear it from me. I love her...so very deeply and I...I had one hell of a wake up call today and it put some things into perspective. Like Jo said...don't put things off. I...I can't imagine a world without her in it, without her in mine. I just don't want to waste anymore time. But I do...want to waste it with her if that makes any sense. I guess...umm....what I am trying to say is..."

Margaret interrupted with a gasp. "Oh my...why Lee...are you....are you...asking for my daughter's hand in marriage??"

Lee stared at her blankly for a moment and then a huge smile formed on his lightly trembling lips.

"I....yes....yes I am."

@redeemer46

[j4m3s-b4k3r]

CREEPY Steve

2024 is the 50th anniversary of Stephen King’s first published novel, CARRIE. The story of a bullied telekinetic teen, who gets blood-soaked payback at her prom. Since then, he's written 65 novels, 200 short stories, and 5 nonfiction books. A freakish feat, almost worthy of one of his supernatural characters.

King’s first published story was when he was 19 years old. He continued selling short stories after graduating from the University of Maine, and while teaching English at a public high school, all later collected in NIGHT SHIFT. He's averaged more than a book a year since 1974. Many of his novels were initially released under a pseudonym, lest their sheer number dilute his ‘brand’. I became aware of King via the early movie adaptations of his books. CARRIE, THE SHINING, and THE DEAD ZONE. A great introduction, as those early films were all good, whereas most adaptations of his work are terrible, sadly. 

During one of the Halloweens in the covid era, Julia & I got into a CREEPY STEVE frame of mind. Watching the better film adaptations, and listening to audiobooks. Those narrated by Will Patton were faves, as he really brings the characters to life. The Bill Hodges trilogy - Mr MERCEDES, FINDERS KEEPERS and END OF WATCH - were all marvellous, and introduced the wonderful character Holly Gibney. Who then appeared in further stories of her own. 

There are 10 Stephen King short story collections, and all that I’ve read contain several gems. JUST AFTER SUNSET has the terrifying (yet somehow hilarious) tale of a man trapped and left for dead in a capsized porta-potty. DIFFERENT SEASONS contains the stories that inspired THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and STAND BY ME. Donald Sutherland starred in a great film entitled Mr HARRIGAN’S PHONE, taken from IF IT BLEEDS. Which also contains another great Holly Gibney story. 

ON WRITING: A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT, is an engaging book, narrated by the author himself. Part memoir and part how-to instructional. Reminding me of William Goldman’s ADVENTURES IN THE SCREEN TRADE, in that it can’t truly deliver the secrets to making the magic that it promises, but serves up entertaining & revealing autobiographical anecdotes instead.

We are now used to seeing vampires in contemporary settings, so some of the 1970s impact of SALEM’S LOT has been lost. But both the book and its movie adaptation have many indelible images. Such as a vampire child hovering at the window.. (an inspiration for John Ajvide Lindqvist perhaps?)

After listening to book after book of King’s, and loving their brilliantly observed characters, and wonderful dialog, DARK TOWER was conspicuous for not having the elements that are normally intriguing in his books. Maybe I’ll give this series another shot someday, as friends swear it gets better. 

We read THE SHINING and its sequel, DOCTOR SLEEP, watching & enjoying both movie adaptations. King apparently despises Kubrick’s version of THE SHINING - "The book is hot, and the movie is cold; the book ends in fire, and the movie in ice. In the book, there's an actual arc where you see this guy, Jack Torrance, trying to be good, and little by little he moves over to this place where he's crazy. And as far as I was concerned, when I saw the movie, Jack was crazy from the first scene.” 

After reading the book, I understand King’s critiques, and agree with his second point. Jack Nicholson seems already about detonate on his drive to the hotel. Whereas King’s Jack was driven to madness by the malignant spirits within it. However, Kubrick’s film is so indelibly stamped into my mind, that I cannot unsee it. Nor unlike it neither (sorry, Stephen).

“Plot is, I think, the good writer’s last resort and the dullard’s first choice. The story which results from it is apt to feel artificial and labored.” - Stephen King.

I work in storytelling too, but in my biz it’s the dullard’s choice all the way - everything plotted & discussed, ad infinitum. King apparently starts with the merest idea, then writes straight ahead, surprising himself as he goes. A magician pulling a string of goodies out of his own head. At his best, this approach produces stories that feel naturalistic, with surprising twists and turns. 

At his worst, it can be rambling, meandering and self indulgent. Especially when he struggled with addiction. Apparently, King was so out of control in the late 1980s, that he was confronted by an intervention after finishing the TOMMYKNOCKERS manuscript. A pity then that the editor wasn’t given more latitude in tidying up that waffling mess before it went to print..

Stephen himself agrees - “I mean, The Tommyknockers is an awful book. That was the last one I wrote before I cleaned up my act. And I’ve thought about it a lot lately and said to myself, “There’s really a good book in here, underneath all the sort of spurious energy that cocaine provides, and I ought to go back.” The book is about 700 pages long, and I’m thinking, “There’s probably a good 350-page novel in there.”

We enjoyed the screen adaptations of IT, CHRISTINE, 1922, THE MIST, and 11.22.63. After soaking in worlds King has created, on page & screen, it became clear that the recent NETFLIX hit, STRANGER THINGS, is merely glorified Stephen King fan fiction. By the end of the pandemic, we’d chewed through many stories, yet only a mere fraction of The King Catalog. 

King is thought of as a master of the paranormal, but his real genius is for the everyday. Some of my favourites King stories are his straight crime fiction, or stories about real life. Even his famous horror stories are grounded by settings in relatable blue collar situations.. The writer Peter Straub even compared King to Dickens: “Both are novelists of vast popularity and enormous bibliographies, both are beloved writers with a pronounced taste for the morbid and grotesque, both display a deep interest in the underclass."

How does a man who’s been a millionaire for decades, with a very recognisable face, keep an ear for dialog patterns of common folk? Does he wear a disguise, and lurk in truck stops, diners, dive bars, and greyhound bus stations, taking notes?

 “He's one of the first people to talk about real Americans and how they live, to capture real American dialogue in all its, like, foulmouthed grandeur... He has a deadly ear for the way people speak... …Surface-wise, King's work is a bit televisual, but there's really a lot going on." - David Foster Wallace

Lately, we’ve embarked on yet another quest to chip away at the KING oeuvre. Having already fallen in love with Bill Hodges & Holly Gibney, it was fun to watch the Mr MERCEDES TV series. Even though the filmmakers took liberties with the characterisations. Rather than the shy, smoking, middle aged, OCD woman of the novels, the TV Holly is a perky & cute 30 something. An autistic variation on the manic pixie dream girl trope. (sigh..)

Taken from a short story collection entitled EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL, the gripping movie 1408, starring John Cusack & Samuel L. Jackson, is the creepy story of a skeptical paranormal investigator, whose cynicism is challenged by spending a harrowing night in an actual haunted hotel room.

In THINNER a selfish fat lawyer is cursed into anorexia by a gypsy. Entertaining, in 'the guy deserves everything he gets' manner of a parable from the Twighlight Zone. It seems to have inspired Sam Raimi's DRAG ME TO HELL.

GERALD’S GAME seemed like a story written on a bet, or an author’s exercise - “write a novel where the protagonist never leaves their bed for most of the story.” To me it felt like it might have worked better as a short story. When King fails (for me, anyway) it's when there hasn't been enough editing.

King has apparently said that PET SEMATARY was his book that scared him the most, and it is extremely creepy, but for me, MISERY was even more terrifying. I'd already seen the film, and Kathy Bates’ Oscar winning performance, but the book is even scarier somehow. There’s nothing paranormal about this story. There is utter horror, but it is the worst kind that there is - the twists & turns of the human mind.

Despite, or perhaps because of, King’s great popularity, literary critics long damned him with faint praise. In 2003, when he received the National Book Foundation’s ‘Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters’, some became openly hostile:

"The decision to give the National Book Foundation's annual award for "distinguished contribution" to Stephen King is extraordinary, another low in the shocking process of dumbing down our cultural life… ..What he is is an immensely inadequate writer on a sentence-by-sentence, paragraph-by-paragraph, book-by-book basis." - Harold Bloom

Bloom is dead, so King gets the last word - “A lot of today's reviewers grew up reading my fiction. Most of the old critics who panned anything I wrote are either dead or retired".

In 1999, Stephen King was flattened by a vehicle while walking along a highway - "After the accident, I was totally incapable of writing. At first it was as if I'd never done this in my life. ...It was like starting over again from square one." As someone who was been flattened too (but in a very different way) one of the many inspiring things about King is how he recovered from that terrible accident, to do some of his very best work.

CREEPY STEVE is a one-man multimedia idea engine, keeping the publishing & Hollywood machines running. We are still enjoying poring through the King library (listening to THE INSTITUTE now) so if any of you have further recommendations, please let me know in the comments!

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OG post by: @firas-salem

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