#shiny metal trinkets hahaha

[finsterhund]

Me, looking at antique brass padlock keys:

This is the greatest thing ever. Treasure. Beautiful. I want seven hundred. I want to hoard them amidst piles of hoarded linens and blankets and pillows in my nest. My nest that is bundled away inside a nook. I am perhaps a monster critter or a large highly intelligent bird.

[shortsandperks]

Sky Before The Sea

Before Reading

This was a story that I wrote from my English Class, and to be honest my writing is a work in progress. I’m trying to get better, so please note I’m not an award winning author, and there will be mistakes... Anyways hope you enjoy my story!!! (Feel free to send my writing prompts/tips/or fan fiction prompts:)

Prologue

 “Hmph..” I was breathing heavily as I ran through the blustering wind, with rain slapping against body. My bleeding wounds were being soothed by the rain with a stinging sensation. I dared not to look back into the abyss, as I heard low grunts in the opposite direction. My hands were numb and there was no feeling in my toes, but the only thing which felt alive at that moment was my consciousness.  

I’m trying to remember what happened before any of this...

-

“THEA!,” my father yelled, pounding on my door. His footsteps creaked on the rotting floor, as he leaned towards the doorknob, “Are you up? We need to get to work!”

Swiftly moving off my bed, I slipped into my house shoes and tied my apron around my neck. Putting my hair into a bun, as I ran down the stairs to the kitchen. The smell of fresh baked goods hit my face as I opened the door. Eyes watering at the sight and smell of cookies and muffins, I was caught off guard and unaware of my surroundings.

 “OOF” I tripped over a bag of flour which was on the floor, making the whole kitchen dusty, flour fell slowly like a winter's day. *cough* *cough* I picked myself up from the floor, looking at the white cloudy mess of flour everywhere. “Okay, the cookies should be done soon Thea-”, my father stopped in mid words, examining the white cluttered kitchen. “I can explain papa”, grabbing a wet cloth I start to wash the counter. “I le-leave for one moment a-a-and oh you make this little mess, oh Thea!”, my father chuckles and wipes tears from his eyes.

“You're not mad?”, I give a confused look and arched my eyebrows. “Of course not… I’ve gotten used to your clumsiness, you're just like your mother dear”, he grabs me close and gives me a short and soft hug. Just thinking about my mother made my cry, she was the nicest person I knew and she just disappeared without a trace. Like houdini she mastered the best magic trick, yet the worst decision ever was faced. The closest thing I have to her is an amulet which my mother passed down to me with an engraving of my name, Thea. Slow droopy tears started to roll down my cheek, wiping my tears on my father's apron I held on closely.

“Okay, we should really clean this up now” my father loosened our hug, and kissed me on the forehead. Hours passed by quickly, and by the time it was past supper time, we had sold most of our goods. The sky was sapphire blue with sparkling stars, I peered out the window and flipped our sign to CLOSED. In a town like ours, everything is basically the same, so if something seems misplaced, then for sure it is. I could barely make out who or what is was, hiding behind a tree across the street. Before I could even open the door and take a better look, my father called me up for supper.

Before I knew it the clock had struck midnight, I was like a baby wrapped up in my blanket all cozy. Lately, I hadn’t been able to sleep well because I’ve been having the same weird nightmare. It starts the same each time, where I’m panting, sprinting, and confused in a jungle. I see one mysterious boy running alongside me. I still don’t know where I am or how I got there, but every time it felt so real. I end up tripping over a log each time, knocking myself out, ending the nightmare and coming back to reality. Some nights I sleep, or I just stay up until I see the warm sunrise and fluffy cotton candy clouds.

 But this night was different, I had a sudden urge to go up to the attic. Sometimes I do go up there, without my father knowing of course or he’d be really mad at me. I’m not exactly supposed to go up there, because it’s where we keep my grandfather’s old trinkets and things. I quietly creep on the edges of the floor, trying not to make a sound as I head up the stairs towards the attic. The darkness consumes me as I step into the abyss, reaching for the light switch. The light is burnt out, I reach out to find a flashlight, and I turn it on.

CLICK

Spontaneous creations and pictures are in every nook and cranny. I view slowly, as I shine the light in one specific corner. I notice a slightly crumpled piece of paper sticking out from under a briefcase, a colour of golden yellow. Carefully removing the paper, I examine it thoroughly and notice an encrypted language, which looked quite familiar somehow. On the other side is a faded map, and more encryption at the top. Taking a closer look I start to feel a weird tingly feeling, like as if someone was watching me.

CRASH

“Grab her.”

-

 I smell seawater and hear seagulls calling other birds. It’s pitch black and I’m stuck in a bag, feeling the waves rock me back and forth. Nausea starts to rise in my stomach, but I’m too scared to fall back asleep. I rub my eyes feeling a wet substance...blood, my nose is bleeding and it’s all over my hands. Wiping it on my nightgown, I hope to see light once again.

THOOMP

“Hurry, bring the boat up on the sand! We don’t got all day.”

I’m guessing that we’ve made it to shore, yet I still feel uneasy.

“What’s in the bag, sir?”

“It’s the *Addon, idiot”

*What the hell is an Addon? Is that code for something?...What are they going to do to me?*

I felt the wave of nausea once again, all these thoughts had mixed in with my anxiety making me blank out once again.

-

THUMP

“OUCH! WHAT THE HELL?” I abruptly scream, as I’m woken from my slumber.

“BE CAREFUL CHARLES, REMEMBER THE ADDON IS IN THERE!” I hear a loud slap on someone's face, who I’m thinking was this Charles guy.

“IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE PUTTING DOWN A BAG, HOW COULD YOU HANDLE LOCKING UP ONE PERSON!?”

“NO...no sir, I won’t let you down again. You rest I’ll put her in the cell.”

“If you say so…. I have to go check the boat that just came in anyways, there’s another bag to take care of! Hahaha,” I heard he’s feet drop into the sand, as he turned in the opposite direction and walked away, “Don’t mess up or your life is on the line.”

 I hear clinking of keys being fumbled in his hands, and a squeaky door opens up. Seamlessly, I feel the bag being ruffled with, and a rope being untied. Soon I see a little hole becoming bigger, from the top of the bag. A man peers in and swiftly grabs my arm with a firm grip, tugging me out of the bag.

 “OUCH!,” his tight grip is suffocating my arm. He looks at me for a second, shakes his head, and drags me to the shiny metallic cell.

CLING

 A forceful push sent me right into the cell, I didn’t even try to fight back. I knew if I did, that there was a chance that I would've just been killed. With a pleased smirk on his face, he leans in to lock the last lock and says, “Wow, you really are weak.”

I was infuriated. When he was just about to back up from the cell, I reached out and managed to grasp onto one of his arms, pulling him down.

 “What did you say,” I felt as if my stare was burning through his soul, while my hands felt utterly warm. He looks as if he’s gasping for air, managing to point with his other hand to his wrist, which I was holding tightly. His skin looks burnt. There is smoke escaping from my hand, I loosen and let go to see his wrist looking very shriveled. Staring at my hands, my right hand is red and smoky while my left looks normal.

“AHH DEMON!” He scrambles to the ground, crawling towards the sea.

SIZZLE

“AHHHHH”, he dips his wrist into the cold sea, to subside the pain. Just watching and seeing his wrist, made me want to puke. I leaned against the bars in the cell, examining both hands once again, watching how both looked normal now, like nothing had even happened. I’m curious if this is another dream of mine, or if this is really real...if i actually did that…

TWEET TWEET

 I open my eyes slightly, to notice that I was still locked up, but not on the beach anymore. I was in the Jungle...I think. Surrounded by humongous trees and tons of bird nests. I see multiple tents set up around me in a circle. The camp looks deserted. I don’t hear or see anyone. The only thing I witness, is the sound of my breathing. My stomach feels empty like a bottomless pit, I feel tight and claustrophobic. When all is peaceful in the camp, the silence is broken by a rustling in bushes nearby.

 Pitter Patter.

 The sound of tiny footsteps shatter through the Jungle floor, leaving barely a sound. They sounded closer every second, I was confused and alone. What could this mysterious sound be?  I had no clue as to what was going to jump out of that bush.

 It was a boy, tall with jet black hair and brown eyes. He was dressed in tan clothes, with a sword buckled to his side. Cautiously he jumped around and through the campground, he was swift on his feet.

 Before totally leaving, he made a quick run through of each tent, searching for any goods. I could see him twitch his nose, searching for food. He was clueless that I was just watching him.

*Oh..no...don’t sneeze Thea...hold it in...Thea-*

ACHOO

 A loud sneeze echoed through the perimeter, the boy shifted and turned around smoothly. Looking frantically for the source of the sneeze, he says “bless you.” He tests the wind current, with his fingers and points towards the mountains. Ironically, there I am, in the way of where he was going. Yet he does not acknowledge my presence, and simply walks by. Was he pretending I wasn’t there? Or did he just not care?

*How can he not see me? Am I just delusional or something?*

 I ponder. How is it that he didn't see me? I grasp my amulet tightly around my neck and I’m holding it like a warm hug. A light rain starts to begin, the sun melts away and so does the happiness inside of me. I feel very broken inside, I had nowhere to run to. Many hours passed, even though I didn’t know the time, my stomach told me it was time for supper.

-

I hear footsteps, stomping loudly as a group of men come into view. They were carrying machetes pointing towards the ground, they had smug and arrogant looks on their faces. I wanted to scream at them, but I knew that would not end well. I had to keep myself in a sane mind set, without going overboard. The only thing keeping me in line, was an urge of calmness which came from my amulet.

 “Wonder what’s going to happen to this one here, eh?” A man pointed at me and laughed with his group. A figure came through and out of the group, he cracked his knuckles looking eager.

 “Nothing, you scum. We actually need someone to be useful around here.” He punched him in the stomach, kicking him to the ground. They all huddled around my cell, looking down upon me as if I was a peasant and they were the royal family.

 “Look at this dirty little rat! Is that what we should call her? How could she even be an Addon?” One of the men spoke aloud to me, and laughed with his friends. “If anyones the rat, then it would be you! You can’t just keep people in cages! It’s just plain wrong!” Without thinking I responded back in an annoyed tone. I watched as his face went from jokingly to angry. Luckily, I was in a cell, so he could not get to me. I slowed my breath and came to a calm state, as he brushed off the comment I had made. Pulling him back from trying to hurt me, they headed to their separate tents.

 Darkness had fallen, the stars shone down on me. Hunger took over my being, and I felt an oozing liquid on my lip. Touching delicately with my hands, I see blood on my fingers. Using my nightgown I smear the blood on it and dry off of my hands. Even in the darkness, I noticed multiple rips and dirt marks upon my night gown.

Rain, began to pour. I was not even the slightest cold. Funny as it was, I never really got cold and I never knew exactly why. The drops of the rain hitting the trees was a very relaxing sound. I started to fall into a deep sleep. The usual nightmare started. I was running through a jungle, similarly it looked like the one I was in right now. But this time the figure beside me has a slightly familiar and blurred face. My mind traced back to the the many faces, that I had seen on the island and back home. Multiple people come to mind, but I was awoken soon enough.I wake up to my cell being shaken and wobbly. .  

CLUNK

I banged my head on the ground, I don’t know for how long I had been lying there. I rubbed my eyes and stretched, the world was blurry at first. My eyes settled on my surroundings, I looked around the find someone staring at me.

 “AH-”, my mouth was covered in mid screaming by the stranger. “Don’t speak and most importantly don’t scream”, his voice was sharp and quiet. He reached for my hand, helping me up from the ground. I had two choices, follow this mysterious boy or sit back in my cell. Of course I’d rather find some place else to survive. So I held onto his hand  tightly, as he guided me to his hideout. He had instructed for me to close my eyes, I guess he thought that I might betray him.

“You can open your eyes”, his voice sounded a little worried, yet pleased. I could sense he was a little tense, lately I could sense people's emotions. It was like I was emotionally connected to some certain people, including my father and this strange boy. I settled into one of the many treehouse that were there, and washed up in the nearby waterfall. The sun started rise, another day had gone by on this weird island. I dried off, still in my nightgown on the rocky beach. Heading back to the treehouse, I embraced the exquisite nature.

 My father had loved to be outside with me, which hurt the most, because he was so far away from me. I didn’t even know if he was still alive or if I would ever go back home. “Sorry, I was just cleaning off-” I stop myself in my tracks, my feet sinking in the mud. There are five guards, one holding the mysterious boy by his collar, holding him up. Their backs are facing me, I cover my mouth and move into the bushes. The guards look back to see who was talking, luckily I was already hidden. Grasping onto my amulet I calmly breathe, making my way through the bushes as quietly as I can.

 They start leaving, swinging the boy over their shoulder, leaving the campus quickly. Without thinking, I run onto the grassy area where they had been, and climbed to my treehouse in which I was staying in. I noticed that they had trashed every house, including mine. Luckily, I had not left anything valuable in my room. On the way out of the campus, I noticed an extra area, it was a shed. Peeking inside, I noticed a bow and arrow. Obviously I had never used one, but my mind and heart said that I could do it. You don’t know until you try it!

 Strapping the bow on my back and the satchel bag full of arrows, I head down the road which the guards had taken. It was my choice to go after the boy, after all he did save my life. Following leftover footprints in the wet mud, I took a quick break to have a sip of water from a stream. As I drank, I felt close to nature, like it was there to protect me, as if we were one. Touching the water gracefully, I waved my hand in the current, closing my eyes I concentrated on the water. Taking breathing moments, I opened my eyes to find water floating above me. Astonished and shocked I lost concentration, the water bubble broke splashing my entire body.

SPLOOSH

 I was soaked, but had to keep going on my journey. I felt attached to him, I felt like we had bonded in the limited time given. I recreate the past experiences of how, I had done two unimaginable impossible things. First burning a man's arm, and then controlling the shape and form of water. Staring into the big treed jungle, I brace myself for what could be up ahead. Not too far away in the wooded area, I could hear shallow and low voices.

“Yah, you think you're so brave! Ha not in the slightest! You're just step 1 of our plan, and soon we won’t need you anymore.”

 Strategically I start to aim my arrow, pointing it towards the ground for safety. I hide behind a tree, to get a better shot from far away. Aligning my arrow with one of the noticeable guards, I start to pull back the bow string. I concentrate hard on the arrow, watching it hit my target.

SHOOM

 Piercing his heart, he falls to the ground. I draw back another arrow, shooting the second guard in the head. Both lay dead on the ground, I scurry past and hide in the bushes farther ahead. I make out a net hanging high, someone is up there. I scoot through the bushes farther, until I see a clean image...it's the boy…

 Two guards arise from the shadows, finding the two guards dead on the ground. One guard stays standing by the hanging net, while the other inspects the shot guards. Trying to pull the arrow out, I hesitantly aim and shoot him. He falls to the ground, from his knees to a face plant.

THUD

 The other guard rushes over from his position, looking around the area. He’s emotionless yet aggravated. I take a moment to listen to the call of nature, the sound of birds high and animals growling.  

 Grasping my bow I align my aim and pull back. My eyes are focused on the rope which hold the net together.

PEW

 Slicing through the rope, the net breaks open. The cause of the boys fall made energy circulate my body, I sprinted faster than ever before. Like there was an electrical current passing throughout my body.

WHOOSH

I was fast enough and somehow I was stronger. I run back with him in my arms like a newborn baby. I lean him down and he wakes up astonished. I wink and usher him to the way out. He gave me a look of gratitude.

 “We’ve got each others back, always?” I question as we run out, passing the dead bodies. We both give a grim smirk. He speaks quickly as we run into the distance, “yeah.”

*GUN SHOT*

 “AYOFF” I fall to the ground, I had been shot in the shoulder. It stung for a moment, but I quickly propped myself up and kept running. The feeling in my arm came back quickly, like it had already healed. I couldn’t explain what happened on this island. But I still felt strange, my past memories fluttered around my head. I felt like I was in my nightmare, like I had been seeing the future and this was my destiny. It was our destiny. To never stop running.

-

THE END

         *Addon:

An Addonexus is a creature of lore that is originally human at birth but if they are born on the day of a solar eclipse and when the Halley's Comet is in the sky they become gifted with abilities.

They can heal very fast.