#solid state drive caddy

[storagepartsdirect]

Maximize Your Computer's Performance with a Solid State Drive Caddy

Are you tired of waiting for your computer to boot up or load applications? Do you feel like your computer's performance is slowing down with each passing day? If so, it may be time to consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) with the help of a solid-state drive caddy. 

Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs use flash memory to store data, which means they can access and transfer data much faster. By installing a solid state drive caddy, you can enjoy lightning-fast boot times, quick application launches, and speedy file transfers. 

Continue reading as we explore the benefits of upgrading to an SSD with a caddy.

What is a solid state drive caddy?

A solid-state drive (SSD) caddy is a device that allows you to install a solid-state drive into a computer or laptop in place of the traditional mechanical hard drive. 

The caddy is a small bracket or enclosure that typically fits into the same space as the original hard drive, and it provides a secure mounting point for the SSD. Some caddies also include connectors or adapters that allow the SSD to interface with the computer's motherboard and power supply. Using an SSD caddy is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to upgrade the performance and storage device capacity of an older computer or laptop.

The Benefits of Using Hard Drive Caddy for Your Business Server 

Hard drive caddies provide a vast array of benefits when used in various computing and digital applications. 

Below are the advantages of having a hard drive caddy:

Enjoy more storage space - With this device, you can instantly increase your storage capacity and give yourself the space that you need for those larger projects. Thanks to its robust construction and fast connection options, it ensures quick access to essential data with reliable performance. In addition, the SSD Caddy offers users peace of mind knowing that their data is secured and stored in a safe place. 

Your drive is protected - Keeping your hard drive protected by using an SSD Caddy is a great way to ensure the security of your data. An SSD Caddy provides flexibility, convenience and durability while protecting your hard drive from potential damage. This caddy allows you to use both SSD and HDDs at the same time which makes transferring data super easy

Improves performance - By adding an SSD caddy to a computer, users can dramatically improve their speed and responsiveness by taking advantage of the high storage speeds afforded by the technology. 

Portability - An ssd caddy is an essential tool for individuals who rely on their laptop or system for work or entertainment, but also like to keep it portable. It provides a safe and secure way to house an additional hard disk drive without having to open up your system.

Choosing the Right SSD Caddy

If you're considering upgrading your computer's hard drive to a solid-state drive (SSD), selecting the right SSD caddy is an essential part of the process. 

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best SSD caddy for your needs::

Compatibility - Ensure that the caddy you choose is compatible with your computer's make and model. Check the caddy's specifications to see which types of drives it supports, as well as its dimensions to make sure it fits in your computer's drive bay.

Material and Build Quality - Look for caddies made from durable materials such as aluminum or high-quality plastic. Caddies that are built to last will protect your SSD and ensure a secure fit in your computer's drive bay.

Interface - Consider the interface of the caddy and make sure it is compatible with your computer's motherboard. Most modern caddies use SATA or SAS interfaces, but some older computers may require IDE or SCSI interfaces.

Size and Capacity - Make sure the caddy you choose supports the size and capacity of the SSD you want to install. Check the caddy's specifications to see what size and capacity drives it can accommodate.

Price - SSD caddy prices can vary widely, so be sure to compare prices and features before making a purchase. Don't be afraid to spend a little extra for a higher-quality caddy if it means better protection for your SSD.

By taking these factors into account, you can select the best SSD caddy for your needs and enjoy faster computer performance with your new solid-state drive.

Conclusion

Upgrading your computer's hard drive to a solid state drive (SSD) can greatly improve its performance and speed. Fortunately, a solid state drive caddy provides an affordable and easy-to-install solution that allows you to add an SSD to your computer without removing your existing hard drive. Overall, a solid state drive caddy is a smart investment for anyone looking to maximize their computer's performance and extend its lifespan.

[jolikmc-thoughts]

I need to stop assuming I know how to do things.

I thought I could upgrade a HP Compaq 8200 Elite Small Form Factor computer with a new hard drive and RAM. The schematics made it seem pretty easy. What I failed to realize is that there's a bracket thingy in there which houses both the hard drive and DVD drive… which makes it impossible to remove the hard drive without a bunch of █████. Even then, I'm not sure the solid state disk is going to fit in there properly since it's so damn small. I think I might need a caddy / an adapter for it.

Also? Whoever refurbished this computer played a dirty / smart trick. I ordered another 2x4 GB RAM sticks, assuming that I could pair them with the 2x4 that are already in there. Joke's on me, it has 4x2, meaning I need to order another pair of 2x4 sticks.

I hate messing with computers. I really do.

[postectech]

Second HDD caddy

Special casing for a hard disk or a solid state drive

Used to secure HDD or SSD into your device

Also serves as an enclosure for extra storage devices that one may want to add to your computer or network setup.

[edward-snowdenhands]

Tomorrow i get to tell the bossman that our new solid state drives don't fit in the computers bc the caddies that hold the hard drives into the computer are meant for traditional 3½" HDDs and not these new 2½" SSDs

[heychangbin]

The Camping Trip ║ Part Three

Summary: You hike through the gorge trail and catch lunch, have some heart-to-heart with billy before packing everything up and returning to the city.

Wordcount: 6239

Warnings: smut towards the end.

A/N: Last part of this trip!! thanks for coming along for the ride. 

You woke in increments, a low indistinct murmuring filtering through the haze of sleep, you hum at the feel of lips brushing feather light against the shell of your ear, the drag of a beard against the apple of your cheek, fingertips being ghosting up and down your arm, and a pleasant weight on your back. 

 "Billy…" the word laced with want and need, shifting your hips backwards to grind against him turning his murmuring to a groan as strong hands grip and still your movement. 

 “As much as I wanna tire you out first thing in the morning, I dont think it’s such a good idea.”

 “Whaddaya mean?” your brows furrow in confusion as you continue to try and grid against him. 

 Billy rarely ever turned down morning sex, even when he was overseas on a contract, if he had time to squeeze in a quick jerk while you two were on the phone, he’d take it.

 “It’s a ten minute walk to the showers,”

 That made you stop and turn to look over your shoulder, the foggy image of him tying up a condom coming to your mind's eye. 

 “That why you—”

 “Didn’t think it’d be a fun way to wake up”

 You turn to face him, the sheet pulling down and tight against your body with the movement and see that he’s dressed in fresh clothes, face washed and hair slicked back away from his face. Knowing him, he’s probably already been on his morning run 

 “You brought more than one, right?.” 

 He shifts and props himself on his elbows, body hovering over yours, lowering his head and pressing his lips to yours, his tongue coaxing your mouth open, your arms coming up to circle his neck as you kick your leg out of the sheet, hooking over his hip. Before the kiss could get too heated he pulls away, resting his forehead to yours, 

 “No more group trips after this.” he murmurs, his breath fanning across your face, "At least not the kind where we don't have solid ten inch walls between us and the rest of the world" he continues, making you chuckle as he lowers himself beside you, arms reaching out and bringing you close, hugging you to his chest for a moment, the gentle notes of sandalwood and spices from his cologne fill your nose while his fingers trace idle patterns on your arm. You feel your eyelids get heavier, your breathing evening out with every inhale

 "Breakfast is getting cold."

 His words pull you from the cusps of sleep and make you groan, bury your face further into the crook of his neck making him chuckle and squeeze your shoulder before pulling away and saying, 

 “C’mon, I’ll save you a cup.” before climbing out the bed and stepping out of the tent, leaving you alone.

 You roll onto your back and starfish across the blown up mattress for a moment, wiping and blinking your eyes exaggeratedly to dispel the last remaining dredges of sleep from them and climb out, stretching until your back gives a satisfying pop and reach for your clothes, changing into them quickly and slip into the flip flops that Billy insisted you bring. You reach for your phone bringing the screen to life and wince at the time, cursing under your breath as you put it to sleep and slip it into the pocket of your jeans. 

 Stepping out of the tent you rear your head back, bringing your hand up to shield your eyes, the morning is brighter than what you expected, making you squint and blink your eyes rapidly to help them adjust while you make your way to where Billy is standing, blue white speckled cup in his hand, talking with Frank, who looked like a lumberjack with his red plaid shirt, distressed washed out jeans, and dark worn boots, sans the mustache and beard. 

 Ten minute walk to the showers and everyone’s awake. You resist the urge to roll your eyes, knowing these guys, you’re pretty sure Billy, Frank, and Curt had gone on a morning jog together, maybe even a race. 

 “Where’s everyone?” you ask, when you come to a stop next to Billy, reaching for the cup in his hand and cradling it in your own, bringing it to your lips and blowing on it a few times, the palms of your hands soaking in the warmth that seeps from the aluminum cup before taking a generous gulp of the sweetened coffee.

 “Karen’s in our tent gettin’ her stuff to head to the showers.” Frank said, handing you a plate with toast and a couple of sunny side up eggs. 

 “Curt? Matt ‘nd Foggy?” you ask, setting down your cup and taking the plate form Frank, quickly breaking off a piece of bread and dipping it into the runny yellow center of an egg, half expecting to at least find Curt with Billy and Frank.

 You noticed the change in their faces instantly, their eyes hardening and the corners of their mouths turning down in a slight frown. You had seen that look on Billy's face before and it had a knot forming in the pit of your stomach, making you forget about the food in your hands. 

 After a beat Billy cleared his throat, his words somber as he spoke,  

 “Guy we served with reached out, ((seems to have run into some trouble)),” your eyes scanned the area, expecting to see Curt pacing along the treeline as he spoke into his phone. You’ve heard about some of the men Billy and Frank had served with, even met a few of them, knew that they weren't the type to come knocking on their door for a backyard BBQ, but the space was empty...emptier than it had been before you stepped into your tent last night. 

 “Curt headed out a couple hours ago, couldn’t get in touch with Reyes or Romano, Nelson offered to make a few calls to get Jameson out but was told that,” Billy paused, his face scrunching up in distaste before he continued, “that due to the severity of the crime and Jameson’s….particular skill set, the judge was….he’s withholding bail.”

 Your eyes widened, the piece of toast falling from your limp fingers onto your plate, you had met Jameson a couple of times before back when Anvil was in the stages of its infancy, he had been one of the few trainers Billy had hired alongside Frank, a mountain of a man, with an intense presence and few words, most of them used to give an insight of the devotion he had towards his little girl. 

 “What did he—”

 “He didn’t do it,” Frank interrupted, voice hard leaving no room for argument, “Whatever it is that they’re accusing him of, he didn’t do it. Jameson, he wouldn’t do that to his family, he’d—” he cut himself off, letting out a long huff, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, fingertips digging into the cartilage that never set right.

 People change Frankie, thought you’d understand that better than most, after Maria and the kids….your eyes jumped from Billy to Frank and back to Billy, who shook his head. 

 “Curt and Frank know the guy and they say he ain’t the type,” Billy says, hand reaching for the back pocket of his jeans and pulling out his phone, giving the screen a few quick taps and flicks. Dark eyes scanning the screen as a smile pulled at the corner of his lips followed by a few more taps, “and they’ve never steered me wrong” he continued, pressing the power button, making the screen go dark and returning it to the back pocket of his jeans.

 “Just put the boys on retainer, don’t worry Frankie, Jameson is gonna be in the best of hands.”

 Boys? You looked over at Billy, brow arched in question as you set your plate down. You knew of the lawyers that Curt had on hand for anything and everything to do with his veterans group, had spent a few afternoons helping him do some paperwork with them, and none of them were boys

 “Nelson and Murdock. ”

 “Still no Mick and Linda?” asked Karen as she made her way to where you were standing, hair pulled into a messy ponytail at the crown of her head, a soft looking green towel over her shoulder, and a blue mesh shower caddy in her hand. 

 “Curt hasn’t been able to get a hold of them yet, and it’s been a few hours since Jameson called” he said shrugging, picking a piece of toast from your plate and popping it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing it quickly, “from the looks of it, it ain’t a vet thing, but if they need to be brought on later we’ll give them a call.”

 That mean… “We should get going if we wanna get through a couple of these trails and catch lunch.”

 You groaned internally as you throw back the last of your coffee, setting down the tin cup on the table and turning to head back to your tent.

 “Want me to wait for you?” you heard Karen call, but you waved her off, throwing a quick, “i’ll catch up with you” over your shoulder. 

 *****

 The trek through the gorge alone was worth the four hour drive to the state park. You’d never expected such a place to be so near the city. 

 Stepping out of the entrance tunnel and onto the bridge was something else, the shades of green and yellow in the trees, the sun light streaming in overhead and the glistening walls of rock, you had been able to hear the roaring of the waterfall, had been fully expecting it, but seeing it, framed between two walls of rock, with scattered leafs and vines was breathtaking. 

 You leaned your hands on the top of the bridge wall, the stone cool and damp under your palms, the sound of the rushing water drowning out the noise of the passersby around you as you watched the water break at the bottom, joining the stream that continued gently down its course.

 Billy's hand a warm weight on your back as he said, 

 “Frank and Karen went on head, but we can’t fall too far behind if we wanna catch lunch.

 You turned to look at him, brown raised in question, “You made reservations? What kind of place takes reservations but is okay with you walking in in jeans, t-shirt and sneakers? Is it a local hotspot that's always full?”

 The corner of his lips pulled up into a smile, a mischievous glint in his eyes that would’ve gone unnoticed to someone that didn’t know him like you did. 

 “C’mon, we better get going if you’re gonna stop at every fall like this.”

 Every fall? “How many are there?” you ask turning to him fully

 “Nineteen.” The smile on his lips grew, crinkling the corner of his eyes as yours widened in disbelief.

 Better get movin’ then. You took his hand and tugged, continuing on at a leisurely pace, always mindful of the slick stone at your feet and the water that fell like soft raindrops, stopping for a moment to admire the cavern on the side of the rock wall, taking in the dozens upon dozens of erosion lines that littered its surface and the cascade in front of it before continuing on to the next set of stair that took you further into the gorge. At the top, nestled between two walls of eroded rock was fall number three, the water a brilliant white as it fell off the edge towards the bottom, beyond it a cluster of trees in shades of greens and light yellows, the sunlight streaming in making everything seem like it had an otherworldly glow. You reach for your phone, pressing and flicking the screen to bring up your camera, taking a couple of pictures, focusing on the white frothy water. 

 “Can’t get any better than this.” you murmur as you take one last shot of the fall before pocketing your phone, you catch the ends of a smile on Billy’s lips before he turns and continues to guide you through the trail. 

 You’re reaching the next set of steps when you feel your eyes widen and understand why Billy had chuckled, you had thought that the trail led you past the waterfall, not behind it, as you got closer the water got louder and the spray of the water grew, littering your skin in tiny drops that helped cool it, and when you walked directly behind it, you couldn't help but reach out and touch it, pulling it back almost immediately due to it being so cold.  

 You continued on to the next set of steps that lead you through a short tunnel, through it a wall littered with vines and tree branches that ranged from greens, to yellows and browns, and when you turned to continue down the trail it was made even more majestic by the stone walkway and the brilliant sun that shined down on the scene, reaching for your phone again to take a few more pictures.

 After a few steps you caught sight of the next fall up ahead and quickened your pace, taking out your phone and took a short video of the multiple small falls that cascade into the peaceful stream. When your finished you pocket your phone and come to stand beside Billy, ((whose)) fingers are tapping about the screen of his phone. 

 “Got your shot Warhol?” Billy asks as he pockets his device, making you roll your eyes at him. 

 “Yeah, I did.”

 You continue down the narrow walkway looking between the calm stream, the looming trees overhead and the mossy rock walls before turning onto the next set of steps that lead you higher above the gorge.

 The next stop was Glen Cathedral, and it was even more beautiful than the last stop you had made. The trees were high above the rock walls, the sunlight shining on a smattering of greens, yellows, browns, reds, and oranges. 

 You made it to the central cascade and the rainbow falls both of them breathtaking in their beauty, but your favorite had to be the view from mile point bridge, where you reunited with Frank and Karen, looping back together. 

 *****

 When Frank and Billy had said “catch lunch” you had expected to go off the trail into town, to a small secluded bistro with patio tables that served iced drinks in little mason jars and plating was worth a picture to add to your personal social media, you hadn’t thought that they had meant it literally. Which if you were being honest, was on you. 

 You’ve known Frank for a while now, knew that that wasn’t his style. 

 That’s how you found yourself in a charter boat, a spinning rod in your hands, line casted a few feet from the rear end of the boat, the round red and white marker attached to it bobbing with the minute waves.  

 If you were being honest, you didn't mind it, it felt nice to hold a fishing rod in your hands again, even if it wasn’t the one you had back home and it didn’t have your lucky lure, had you had it you were sure that you would’ve caught a fish by now.

 It was getting close to the 20 minute mark and all you felt on your line were tentative nibbles, while Frank and Billy had already caught several fish between them and Karen had had the bad luck of reeling too soon before the fish was properly hooked on her line.

 You know it’s a game of patience and tamp down the urge to reel your line back in and cast it again, especially when you see the tug on Karen's fishing line, Frank coaching her on how to feel if the fish is properly hooked to be reeled in. 

 Dave, the guy that took you out into the lake, checks his watch and mentions that your time with the boat is almost up. You hear Frank and Billy say that you’ve caught enough to make lunch for the four of you, to start heading back to shore. 

 You start reeling in your line when you feel a tug that makes you stop, when there is no pull you begin to crank the lever again, giving it a few full turns when there is a tug on the line again. 

 A nibbler, Instead of continuing to reel the line back in, you tug the rod back a few times, hoping that it entices the fish to actually bite the lure. After a few quick tugs, you feel the sudden pull, you plant your feet, pull the rod straight up and start to reel in earnest, ignoring the commotion behind you.

 It isn't long before the fish breaks the surface of the water, and when it does you feel your eyes widen in a mixture of shock and awe. It’s big, with silvery scares,  muddy yellow fins and light spots along it’s back and sides, you ((offhandedly)) register Frank leaning over the edge of the rear, holding out the fishing net to catch the large fish when it’s close enough, Karen’s hand fisted in the back of his shirt, holding him so he wouldn't fall, Billy coming up behind you and helping you hold the rod as you cranked the lever.

 Everyone gave a satisfied cheer when Frank slid the net under it and pulled it onboard, opening its mouth and pulling the hook out from the corner of its mouth. 

 “This is a whole lotta fish” he says holding it up and he’s right, the fish easily clears the foot long mark and is wider than Franks arms. You idly wonder how the sheer size and weight if it didn’t snap your fishing line as Frank sets it in the cooler with the other fish that had been caught while Billy gives the go ahead to Dave to head back to shore. 

 ************

 You reach the campsite, after making a quick stop at a store on the way back, Billy made quick work of cutting and cleaning the large fish you had caught, putting away the smaller ones in a ziplock bag, saying a quick,

 “Lunch tomorrow”  as he tossed the bag into the cooler

 “I thought we were packing up after breakfast?”

 “You really wanna drive 4 hours back to the city with fish in a cooler?” Billy arched a brow, managing to make it look questioning and judging at the same time.

 “He’s got a point there.” Piped up Frank from where he was crouched over, cleaning the burned out remnants of the fire form the morning and got to work starting a new one, Billy dunking the fish in a large bowl of water, running the edge of a knife along its’ body, scraping off the scales, while you and Karen were put on vegetable duty, cleaning and chopping carrots and potatoes, packing them in foil.

 It wasn't long before Frank had a fire going under the grill rack, moving and spacing out the flaming chunks of wood and turning it into a low flame.

 You, Karen, and Frank were sitting in your chairs, enjoying a beer as the veggie packs cooked on the rack, the skillet heating up beside them, when Billy made his way over with the prepped fish, placing two fillets at a time on the skillet, the pink meat sizzling as it was laid down. It only took a few moments for the aroma of herbs, spices, and a hint of lemon to waft into the air, making your mouth water.

 After a few minutes Billy flipped the fish, the top a nicely toasted brown, after a few more minutes and Karen was handing Billy the plates, Billy loading each one with a pack of veggies and a golden fish fillet. 

 Hints of spices engulfed your tongue after the first bite, forcing you to suppress a moan as you chewed,

 “This is amazing!” you say after swallowing your first bite, fork working on breaking off another piece.

 “You sound surprised, what? Didya think we were gonna have you eating beans out off a can?” 

 Your enthusiastic chewing stopped as you threw a sidelong look at Karen, who was also avoiding looking at Frank and Billy, her fork picking aimlessly at the food on her plate.

 “You really thought I’d feed you canned beans? I’ve made you dinner before!”

 “You’ve plated takeout Billy, that doesn’t count." You deadpan, before shoving another bite into your mouth, Billy’s eyebrows quirk in question while your words send Karen into a fit of laughter. 

 You ate the remainder of your meal and shared various stories until the sky began to turn and the air got chilly, making quick work of the clean up while the fire, that was fed every so often, was put out. After checking that everything was put away and the trash bag was out of reach from any potential midnight thieves (Frank, Billy and Curt had woken up to Matt chasing away a couple of raccoons), you say your goodnights and head to your tent with Billy at your side.

You go through your nightly routine, stripping your clothes, tossing them in the hamper and pulling your Anvil shirt on, then move to one of the small tables and pick up the things to brush your teeth before climbing into bed, Billy settling behind you a few minutes later, his arm going around your waist and pulling you back against him, his hand snaking its way under your shirt and resting on the skin of your stomach, thumb swiping across the skin under your sternum. 

 As you lay in bed, the faint sounds of crickets and the gentle sound of Billy’s breathing filling the empty space, you thought over the past couple days, the satisfaction you felt helping pitch up your tent, victory when you found your way back to your campsite, wonderment as you walked through the gorge, exhilaration when you reeled in the large trout, most of all amazed at the fact that despite the amount of years you had known Billy, there are still things to learn about him. 

 Your mind wandered to things you wished you had had time to do, like swim in a lake, chop down a tree, take a shot at building a fire yourself, sleep under the stars….

 “Bill?” you whispered into the dark, taking his wrists and squeezing, repeating his name a little louder. 

 “what is it?” he mumbles into your hair half asleep.

 “Didya mean it? What you said this morning,” you shift and turn in the circle of his arms until you're on your side facing him. “About next time, it just being us.”

 A slow smile spread across his face, his hand coming up to cup your face,

 ‘Yeah, I meant it, just us," he pauses for a beat, as if deep in thought before continuing, "or investing in multiple packs or earplugs."

 You snort, smacking him in the middle of his chest with the back of your hand,

 “Didn’t mean that,”

 “What did you mean then?”

 “Being out here, unplugged, it was fun, relaxing, and I wouldn’t mind doing it again sometime.”

 The corners of his lips pull up in a gentle smile, pushing the apple of his cheeks up and crinkling the corners of his eyes, 

 “I wouldn’t mind doing it again either.” he murmurs, leaning forward and brushing his lips against yours, humming when his tongue pushes past your lips and delves into your mouth, your hand snakes between your bodies, cupping him through the thin material of his boxer briefs, feeling him grow stiff as you squeezed and stroke his length, groaning into your mouth before sinking his teeth into your bottom lip and tugging as his hips move in counterpoint with your hand. 

 “Please tell me you brought more than the one condom.” 

 “Y-yeah, they’re—” a groan rumbles in his chest as you drag your hand along his length, your grip twisting as you neared the tip, “fuck, they’re in my….in my….if you keep”

 You slowed and slackened your hold on him, while seeing how long you could make Billy hold off releasing in your hand was your favorite game; it wasn’t what you had in mind for tonight. You pull your hand away and Billy throws the sheets off his body, climbing off the bed in the same motion, long legs carrying him to the hanging organizers in a handful of strides; hands reach in and riffle through one of the compartments, returning to the bed just as quickly and tossing the foil packet onto his pillow.

 He made his way between your legs, holding himself over your body, your arms going around his neck, hand threading themselves in the longer strands of his hair as he lowered himself and kissed you. His lips moved against yours with purpose as you dragged your nails against the back of his head, his hand slid over to your breast, long fingers cupping and squeezing the pliable mound, his thumb sweeping across the peaking bud, before he pinched and rolled it between his thumb and index finger, making you moan into his mouth. 

 His hand gripped and squeezed as it made its way down your chest, gripping the edge of your shirt and pulling on it insistently, pulling away from you and pushing it up and over your head, returning his lips to your overheating skin, kissing a trail along the column of your neck. You hissed in pain, back arching off the bed slightly, when you felt his teeth sink into the delicate skin of your collarbone, before moving on to the top of your breast, sucking it into his mouth. 

 He presses opened mouth kisses to every inch of skin as he continues downward, licking and nipping the inside of your legs as he settles himself between your thighs, making you hum when you feel his lips press against the apex of your mound and down along the folds.

 He teases you relentlessly, a long dexterous finger joining his ministrations, running up and down your lips, spreading the wetness that he’s working out of you while his tongue lightly flicks and circles  your clit. His tongue working you over harder when he adds a second finger, pushing them past your folds and pumping them into you, the pads of his fingers brushing against your soft walls, eliciting moans and groans from you, your skin turning feverish as you grip and guide his head over to where you need him, your hips undulating of their own accord. 

 You're a writhing mess when he works a third finger into you, pumping, curling, and massaging your walls, that coupled with the way his mouth is insistently working your clit has you hurtling towards your orgasm. Your hands fly to cover your mouth, muffling the long dragged out moan, your legs clamping around Billy’s head as you curl in on yourself. 

 You flop back down in a heap, feeling boneless and high, body jolting as Billy’s gives you a few final licks, and begins to lazily kiss his way back up.

 “Been wantin’ to do that since this mornin’” he murmurs, lips ghosting against the base of your neck before he nips the skin over your pulse point. 

 You wrap your arms around his shoulder, dragging  your fingernails across his shoulder blades, fueling the quiet rumble in his chest, 

 “Been wantin’ to do something since this mornin’ too.” you say against his temple, you drag your hand back and over his shoulder, laying your palm on his chest and give a hard shove, flipping him over and onto his back, and quickly climb over on top of him, a little too quickly. You let out a surprised yelp when your knee slips over the edge of the bed, the rest of your body following the momentum. You would have landed on your face had it not been for the strong arms that circle your waist and roll you back to the middle of the bed.

 “That usually works and is infinitely more sexy when we do it at home.” you say between heaving breaths. 

 Billy lets out a rumbling laugh, kissing the top of your head and saying,

 “Might be because our bed at home takes up half our bedroom.” he rubs the length  of your arms a few times before pulling back to look at your face, “You alright?”

 “Yeah, didn’t hurt anything, just my pride”

 He lets out another small chuckle, fingers brushing back a few strands of damp hair you can feel sticking to the side of your face “if you wanna try again, I’m all for it.”

 “Can’t imagine being sexy after that.”

 “Hey,” he pulls back, pushing your chin up to raise your head so you meet his eyes, “there’s nothing sexier than making someone laugh in the middle of sex.”

 His eyes are intense and you know he means what he just said, it makes your chest bloom in warmth, you stretch and press your lips against his, flicking your tongue against the seam of his lips as your hand reaches for the edge of his boxers. You can tell his erection has flagged a bit, most likely due to the scare of you falling, so you forgo the elastic and palm him through the fabric, pumping and  squeezing the shaft while deepening the kiss. 

 It isn't long before his hips are grinding into your hand, dick hard and dampening the front of his boxers. You pull away from him and with hurried hands push the underwear down, scooting down the bed to pull them off his legs and tossing them somewhere over the edge as you hear the crinkling and tearing of the condom packet, when you look back up, Billy is rolling the condom onto himself. You make your way back up and settle over his waist, lowering yourself onto him, running your wet sex over his harden length, his hands reach out and grip your waist, fingertips digging hard into the soft skin as his legs come up behind you. 

 There's a flush that spreads over his chest as you continue to roll your hips, his hands helping to guide the speed in which you move, when he starts tossing his head back and his hips begging to give aborted buck you lift yourself onto your knees, reach for his length and guide it to your entrance and slowly sink down. His eyes roll back and a low groan rumbles in his throat, while you bite your lower lip to stifle the moan that’s threatening to push past your lips. 

 Once he’s fully inside you, you pause for a moment, breathing deep and slow to fully adjust, you give a tentative roll of your hips making him hiss and grip your thighs, then another, and another and soon his hands are urging you faster, his own hips pushing off the bed and thrusting into you, his hands reaching up to squeeze and push at the swell of your breasts, leaving pink prints behind as it continues up to your neck. 

 You lean forward, palms splayed and fingernails digging into his chest as you continue to ride him, you're close to your second release, and you tell him as much between labored breaths. The hand that's gripping your neck brings you down, angling your head to the side and slotting his lips over yours, tongue pushing past your lips and turning it deep and filthy as he shifts your position, rolling you both onto your side, grabbing the back of your knee and hooking it over his hip and pistons into you with reckless abandon, making you reach your climax with a silent scream. Billy follows soon after, his thrusts becoming disjointed before stilling against yours a few moments later with a bitten off moan. 

 He props himself up on his elbows, his breathing was ragged as he held himself over you for a beat before dipping his head dragging his lips against yours slowly in a final kiss and pulling out of you, letting himself fall beside you on the bed.

 You struggle to keep your eyes open long enough for Billy to get rid of the condom and hug yourself to him but you tried anyway, forcing your eyes open until you felt the bed dip again when he climbs back on, settling behind you, pulling you against his chest and murmuring something that sounded like a goodnight against the back of your ear, only then did you let your eyes to slip close and allow yourself to drift into unconsciousness.

 -May 24 2015-

 Morning comes too soon for your liking, making you groan when you feel Billy pull away from you, he chuckles and presses a quick kiss to your temple and saying,

 "C'mon lazy bones, we got a busy mornin' ahead of us."

 "Or" you said, rolling over onto your back the bedsheet pooling around your waist, exposing your bare breasts, "we could lay here and just forget the world."

 "As tempting as that notion is, and believe me, it is very tempting, we both have morning meetings tomorrow that can't be rescheduled."

 You roll your eyes and groan, "thanks for the reminder."

 You love your job, you really do, Mr. Fitzgerald is one of the few decent men you had come to work for in New York, but that didn't mean the people he worked with were the same. You thanked your lucky stars that you only had to deal with the board members once every few months. 

 "And before you start with your Anvil pitch, I'll think about it when Mr. Fitzgerald retires.”

 Billy climbs on the bed again, arms braced on either side of your head holding himself over you. 

 "I’m just sayin’, I run a pretty tight ship at Anvil, you wouldn’t have to deal with ((half)) the bullshit you deal with working for Mr. whatever-his-name-is.”

 You chuckle, running your hand over his chest, “Mr. Fitzgerald and you know why I’m not jumping to work at Anvil”

 Billy’s head rolls along with his eyes and lets himself flop next to you, lifting his hand and gesticulating as he spoke,

 “It wouldn't be the same thing and you wouldn’t have to be my secretary, there’s always positions for trainers, HR, Jenson is still looking for a capable accounting assistant.

 “And before you go on your “i dont wanna ride anyones coattails” or whatever speech, I’m not involved with the hiring process, that’s all HR. and we have a strict unbiased policy.

 “So if you manage to get a position at Anvil, it’ll be all on your own merit. Nothing else, not cuz you’re sleeping with the CEO, not because you have nice legs, a great rack, or have a peach of an ass, it’ll be because you are more than capable for the position.”

 “I’ll think about it.” you say, meaning it more than you ever have.

 You shift to roll out of bed but stop when Billy doesn't move, you look up at him and arch your brows in question. 

 “While I have you here,” he pauses and you knew exactly where this was going,

 “Billy, it’s too early to have that conversation again,”

 He reaches for your hand, twining your fingers together and bringing it to his lips to place a soft kiss to the back of your hand, “I just wanna take care of you.”

 “You already do Billy, so much”

 “Right now, sure, but...this would be for the future, whatever it is, if somethin’...somethin’ happens and I’m—” you press two fingers to his lips, silencing him. you wouldn’t let his thoughts go there. 

 “I’ll think about it.” you say, reaching up and pressing your lips to the bridge of his nose, climbing over him and out of bed, reaching for your clothes and getting dressed. 

 *******

 Billy had been right to say you had a busy morning ahead of you. After a light breakfast of coffee and granola power bars and a quick trip to the showers, everyone got to work, picking up trash and putting away the nonessentials, packing them away in the back of the SUV.

 It was about midday when Billy started to work on getting lunch ready, laying down fish fillets on the skillet and letting them cook for a few minutes before turning them over, taking them off the pan and letting them rest while he repeated the process with the next batch. A few minutes later, he was handing out plates with fish tacos on them. And wondered, not for the first time, where Billy had gotten his culinary skills and why he had hid them for this long.

 You and Karen were coming back from tossing out the trash and washing the inside of the cooler, plates and the pan Billy had used a few sites over to find Billy and Frank had taken down and were meticulously folding the tents.

 A few minutes later, you were all piling into the SUV, Billy pulling out of the site and heading back up the dirt road you had taken back to the city.

---------

Gen: @juguitos @something-tofightfor @its-my-little-dumpster-fire @the-blind-assassin-12 @suchatinyinfinity​ @bts-smolarmy @elanor-of-imladris 

Billy Russo: @nananananananananananabatman @shinebrightlikeafanbase  @emyyjemyy

Wanna know what other adventures you and Co. are in for? inbox, dm me or add yourself here!

[heaslydaleena-blog]

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[amarantine-amirite]

Running After Darkness

"You OK?" Lauren asked. She looked at me from over her shoulder.

I wasn't OK. It bothered me that we are no longer allowed to walk to school, we have to take the school bus. I have no idea where the rule came from; it makes no sense whatsoever.

I'm not the only one who hates the changes, but most of the other kids on my side have bus bullies. I don't have this problem. I have something far more insidious. It was 20 blocks up and down hills from my house to the school. I got a meaty helping of exercise walking to and from school. That burned off my energy for the day so I can concentrate in class. Now that we can't walk to school anymore, I'm bouncing off the walls.

I joined the track team, hoping the running would burn off some excess steam. They consistently benched me because my hair was too short. After about a week, they kicked me off the team. They said it was because I didn't get liposuction, but I think they just made shit up.

All this considered, I still said, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine, just cooling off."

Lauren didn't buy it. "No, you're not,"

"How do you know?"

Just because I don't have bus bullies doesn't mean I'm popular. I don't think I've ever had a genuine friend. I thought Lauren was a real friend, I thought she was different. Nope, she was just as fake as everyone else. And this is when it hits me that she's just more of the same. "Because if you were, you would've cleaned out the garage."

I sat there in a mild state of shock. "What's that mean?"

Lauren pointed to the door. "It means go clean out the garage," she said.

See what I mean? A real friend would try and console me, not rope me into cleaning out the garage. Besides, Lauren, cleaning out the garage was your chore. Do your damn chores.

I put a bunch of stuff that still had some life left in it on the driveway so that I could sort it into "keep" and "get rid of" piles. When I got back into the garage, I found a box. I looked in the box and saw that it contained a CD caddy with about a dozen discs on it. I took a chance and put the top disc on my computer.

That disc had three photos and a video on it. The photos showed little girls wearing frumpy wedding dresses and flower crowns while holding candles. They had solid skin where the typical facial features should be. The disc also had photos of a dark image of a cemetery, a robed figure with eight arms, and a forest with missing person posters stapled to the trunks of the trees. All the posters had faded text, and they looked like they'd been exposed to the elements.

The video took the already creepy pictures and made it a thousand times worse. The video started with a shot of people joining hands using an Ouija board. They were chanting something in Latin. I couldn't quite hear what it was because the sound kept going in and out. Then it cut to the cemetery. The headstones went down like dominoes. Dirt got sucked into the holes.

Then it cut to a dead tree with pinafores hanging from it. The pinafores blew in the wind as flares and glowing dots started to drift towards the ground.

The video then cut to a flooded marsh with people in formal wear standing in the water. People walked through the water. The ghost girls with candles walked at both the front of the crowd and at the back. It didn't take long to figure out that the ghosts were driving the people like cattle.

Something interrupted the occult action on screen: a blue screen with a rainbow and a voiceover that says, "This program is brought to you from donations from viewers like you, thank you", followed by a shot of a solar eclipse. The video ended there.

What I saw floored me. That video left me more confused than I was before I watched it. Was this a movie? Did it happen? If so, when? Was this something recently filmed but with an old 16-millimetre camera or did this happen long ago? I have no idea, but I'm terrified to see what's on the rest of those discs.

@wordsnstuff

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New 12.7mm 2nd HDD SSD Hard Drive Disk Caddy Adapter Bay Slot for HP Probook 4530s SATA

New 12.7mm 2nd HDD SSD Hard Drive Disk Caddy Adapter Bay Slot for HP Probook 4530s SATA

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[jacksonhenry297]

Upgrading the DVD Drive of Your Laptop

If you start looking for laptops that are a few years older,  you’ll find that most of them have a DVD Drive. But in the current scenario, it’s hard to find one with DVD Drive as people now prefer to use a Hard Disk Drive or a Solid-State Drive. If you have an old laptop with DVD Drive, you may want to replace it. You can either replace it with an HDD or an SSD. Want to find out how? Here’s all you need to know.

If you are thinking that changing an internal drive of your system is complicated, then you are wrong. It’s effortless, and all you need is a screwdriver, a drive caddy, a tool to level the plastic, and a hot glue gun, which is optional. Once you have all your equipment handy, it’s time, to begin with, the actual procedure.

Place An Order for A Drive Caddy

A drive caddy is what you will be putting in the place of your DVD drive. The drive caddy fits your HDD or SSD, whatever you choose. You might wonder how you would find the correct drive caddy that fits in your system. While most laptops do not have all parts of the same size, the elements that are upgradeable, such as RAM, HDD, or DVD drives usually come with such connectors that can be used across several devices. All DVD drives mostly exist in a specific structure and size. Therefore, it’s easy to find a caddy and use it in the drive’s place.

Choose Between SSD and HDD

Now you will have to decide whether you want to use an HDD or an SSD to increase your storage capacity. Of course, what kind of drive size you choose is up to you. Still, we would like to advise that always for the largest capacity drive possible. If your drive has a functional storage capacity, it will have a fantastic backup space. Also, this will help save your data to prevent any loss.

Removing the Existing DVD Drive

Now that your external disk drive is all set, you’ll have to remove the DVD drive from your computer. Doing this task is not rocket science; you just need to follow the correct method and have some patience. Start by positioning any kind of towel on the table. Now place your laptop upside down on the table. Its lid has to be facing the towel. Look for the DVD locking screw, that you can find in the center of the laptop. A tiny DVD icon will indicate you the screw. Now, just unscrew it using a screwdriver and take the optical drive out.

Many laptops also appear with a button that you can push to remove any part of it. The process is similar to what you do to remove the battery of a laptop. In some incidents, you may also require a credit card or a plectrum, or maybe a fake knife made of plastic to help you remove the drive. You should not apply much force while doing so. After the drive is out, with the help of a screwdriver, slowly and carefully remove the drive fascia. Also, get rid of the locking screws in the drive. Keep them safe as they will be used for adjusting the caddy.

Inserting the Secondary Drive Into the Caddy

This is the easy part as most of the time, HDD or SSD comes ready to be slipped into the caddy. Your retailer may also give you a screwdriver. Make sure you check if there are any screws provided and if yes, keep all those screws safe as they will be used to secure the solid-state drive or hard disk drive into the caddy. These screws have to be smooth with the surface of the caddy, or else, it won’t fit into your computer.

Placing the Caddy Into the System

Use the fascia from the DVD drive you removed. The fascia has some attached clips that help keep the eject button at a specific place as required. Attach the caddy into the fascia. Use a hot glue gun if needed. Keep the laptop upside down on the towel, and smoothly glide the drive inside. Use the screws to secure the caddy correctly.

And that’s it, guys! Your new laptop storage is ready. But yes, do format it before using it. We hope you’ll try it soon to make your old laptop top-notch efficient.

Jackson Henry. I’m a writer living in USA. I am a fan of technology, arts, and reading. I’m also interested in writing and education. You can read my blog with a click on the button above.

Source-DVD Drive of Your Laptop

[bondwalker37]

Methods for Upgrading HDD and SSD on your laptop

Your laptops require updates on their operating system, external DVD drive, and other components regularly. A DVD drive is responsible for processing the reading and writing data between the optical disks. In the past few years, the latest technology has been removing DVD drives from notebook computers. But people who continue with their older laptops are still using a DVD drive that requires timely updates to function smoothly.

Nowadays, people are gravitating towards Hard Disk Drive and Solid State Drive, and the combination of both the drives extend the storage capacity. If you are also looking for a way to swap or replace the DVD drive with an SSD or HDD, then you will have to get a few components, such as a drive caddy (before buying this, make sure that you remove your optical drive and measure the thickness), Plastic Level tool and a screwdriver

Preparing your gears beforehand will help you manage everything easily. If you are a fresher in these tasks, then follow our complete guide below to swap the drive without any fuss. We have divided the procedure into five steps, and this is where you start:

Order a Drive Caddy

HDD caddy is a special case for HDD or SSD built from aluminum. The case has a plastic frame, from where you can connect the hard drive inside your laptop. This will act as extended storage for your device. Because the RAM, Hard Disk Drive, and DVD drive use common connecter from device-to-device, it becomes easier to replace them. You can purchase a good caddy on eBay or Amazon for less than $15. Additionally, caddies are equipped with SATA connectors, so if you slot them in, the replacement drive will begin to act as additional storage for your device.

Choose an HDD/SSD

Your next step should be to choose an SSD or HDD to replace it with the optical drive. Please check that the storage of the drive meets your requirements. But, we would recommend you to use a larger capacity drive than your current requirement as you might require it in the future and it will hold all your data safely for the most extended period.

Remove the existing DVD Drive

After getting your base ready for the whole procedure, it’s time to remove the DVD drive. The removal procedures are usually easy, but the older companies used a different algorithm which might give you a hard time removing the DVD drive. But the most common method uses these steps:

Place a towel on your table and keep your laptop on it.

Your laptop should be upside down with its head facing down the towel.

At the center of the laptop, you will find the DVD locking screw. Remove that screw from the slot.

Pull the optical drive or push the removal button, depending on the model of your laptop.

Use of screwdriver to remove the DVD drive fascia from the laptop. Please keep all the parts safe as you might require them later.

Place the HDD/SSD into the Caddy

This is the most effortless procedure of all. The drive caddy that you had purchased earlier might come with a screwdriver. If not, then use your own screwdriver to tighten and secure the HDD or SSD inside the caddy. Ensure that it is used through all the parts tightly; otherwise, the caddy will not slide back on your laptop.

Insert the Caddy

Begin with the fascia you had removed earlier. Attach the fascia back by pushing the catches on to the right slot. Make sure that you don’t break the catch. But, if you have already messed up, then you may use a hot glue gun carefully to attach the parts. Then insert the drive and secure everything with screws to keep all the pieces intact.

With this, you are now ready to use your device with new storage. Use it with the latest operating system on your laptop for a better experience. This extra investment for your laptop will prove beneficial to you.

I’m Bond walker . I’m a web developer living in New york. I am a fan of technology, a publisher of guides at Business Directory design, and programming. You can read my blog with a click on the button above.

Source:- Methods for Upgrading HDD and SSD on your laptop

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[barpurplewrites]

Lady of the Lamp

Welcome one and all to my House of Horror 2017! Thanks to @beastlycheese for the cover art.  We starting the month of all things spooky with a gentle little RumBelle ghost story.

Enjoy :)

-x-x-x-

“How much for the lamp, Jasper?”

Jasper Farr looked up from the receipt he was writing out for Gold with a distracted hum and frowned. His oldest business acquaintance was staring at the brass and teal glass ship’s lantern tucked in the corner of one of the stockroom shelves.

“Really old boy? Never took you as having a liking for the nautical.”

Gold gave an indifferent shrug; “I live in a town by the sea, it’s the sort of thing those with boats or aspirations of boats will buy.”

Jasper chuckled and pointed a long thin finger at Gold; “Oh don’t try that with me, you and I have been dickering for much too long. You asked how much, not about the provenance.”

Gold rolled his eyes; “Yes fine, I want it for myself not for the shop. I think it’ll suit the cabin.”

“Pay me ten dollars and we’ll call it good.”

“What? It’s not a reproduction is it?”

“You insult me old friend,” - Jasper leaned down and plucked a pair of thick gloves from a drawer and pulled them on to his hands before he strolled across the room to pluck the lamp from the shelf, - “This is circa 1916 to 1930, made in the USA, Perkins 8 brass lantern. There is a historical replacement of the burner, but other than that it is in original condition, even the teal glass cover is perfect.”

Jasper eased it away from Gold’s questing fingers. The other man cocked his head but did not complain; after all they both knew that denying contact with a desired object was part of the art of selling, a simple trick to heighten the willingness to part with one’s money. If that was the case why was Jasper bothering? Gold had to ask; “Aye, so why do you only want ten dollars for it?”

Jasper put the lamp down on the table between him and Gold and resumed his seat with a sigh. In the silent moment that followed he slowly freed his hands from the gloves and dropped them on to the table top.

“I’ve sold this thing a half a dozen times now. It’s always come back to the shop.”

Gold raised his eyebrows, but held his tongue. It wasn’t unusual in this business to see the same item a few times, but six was excessive. There was clearly a story here and Gold loved a good yarn. Jasper rested his elbows on the table and tented his fingers as his eyes took on a distant aspect.

“I first acquired the lamp from an estate clearance in your neck of the woods, a speck on the map called Castle Rock. A very normal event, Great Aunt passes away and the distant relatives just wanted the estate dealt with as quickly as possible. You take a job lot and hope there is a diamond in the dross.”

Estate clearances were a gamble that Gold dabbled with from time to time, usually only for a change of pace, or if he had a solid tip about a piece of value, but they weren’t a day to day event for him; he wasn’t set up to deal with a large influx of stock in the same way as Jasper.

“There were some nice pieces, and the lamp was a surprise find in a tea chest. I cleaned it up and sold it quickly for a healthy two hundred and thirty dollars. Less than two months later I was contacted by the relatives of the buyer, who requested my services in valuing the estate of the deceased.”

A common story, customers died all the time; “Old age?”

Jasper shook his head; “Oh no, the man in question was a healthy thirty or so. His death occurred a week after he purchased the lamp, the police investigation took some time, but it was finally ruled as death by misadventure. His hunting rifle had discharged whilst he was cleaning it, although quite how he had managed to shoot himself square between the eyes will remain a mystery.

“I didn’t even realise I had repurchased the lamp until I unpacked a crate of taxidermy the relatives begged me to buy,” – Jasper’s lip curled in disgust, - “Hideous things those hunting trophies, but there is a market for them as you well know.”

The twinkle in Jasper’s eye made Gold consult his mental catalogue; “Ah, that antler and horn mirror?”

Jasper nodded. Gold had a client who adored such things, so he kept an eye out for unusual pieces. The mirror was repulsive to Gold’s eye, but there was no accounting for taste, and he had made a pretty penny from the sale. Jasper cast the lamp a sidelong look and leaned back in his chair.

“The next three times I sold the lamp it came back within a few days. The usual reasons, the colour wasn’t right, my wife hated it, I changed my mind. I gave them a full refund, but couldn’t persuade them to buy anything else instead. I’d go so far as to say they couldn’t get out of my shop fast enough.”

Gold gave him a disbelieving look; “Not like you Jasper. You can normally carry coals to Newcastle.”

“I will assume that is your quaint British way of saying I can sell sand to the Arabs,” – He twirled his hand in acknowledgement, - “Usually I would be the first to agree, but in the case of this lamp’s brief owners my salesmanship failed me.”

Gold eyed the lamp. It looked perfectly innocuous, a nice example of early twentieth century craftsmanship. He could already see it sitting by his favourite armchair in the cabin. The brass had the warm patina of age that begged to be touched. He pulled his hand back before his fingers connected with the lamp, he hadn’t been aware he’d reached out. He covered his momentary confusion by drumming his fingers on the table.

“That’s four sales, what of the rest? Did any of them tell you anything more about the lamp?”

Jasper’s head had tilted, his eyes narrowed on Gold’s wandering fingers. With a small smile he picked up the thread of his story.

“The next purchaser held onto the lamp for six months. I had begun to think that I wouldn’t see it again, until one morning I found the lady curled on my doorstep. She was dishevelled; to be honest it looked as if she hadn’t taken care of herself for some time, and had spent several nights in the woods. She was babbling nonsense about spirits and haunting, claimed that the lamp had kept her imprisoned for months. I was concerned for my life when she started insisting I bought the lamp back from her. I did so and the second the transaction was complete she collapsed,” – Jasper paused and shook his head, - “I’ll never forget the look of peace on her face. I dialled 9-1-1 and the lady was taken to hospital. She had suffered a total mental break apparently, very difficult to care for her because she was terrified of being locked in an enclosed space.”

Gold chuckled; “Correlation is not causation, my friend. The lamp probably had nothing to do with the woman’s mental state, beyond some crazed fixation.”

“I would have said so as well if it had not been for the last purchaser.”

Jasper poked around in the desk drawer for a moment before pulling out a folded newspaper. Gold took it from him and snorted.

“A supermarket tabloid?”

“Just read the article, Gold.”

He scanned the lurid headline of the marked page and had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing out loud. ‘Blazing Ghost Destroys Ship!’ The text was as ridiculously fanciful. The unfortunate boat owner claimed the cause of the fire was a small female ghost who ignited his rum supplies. Jasper softly said; “Look at the picture at the bottom of the page.”

While the rest of the illustrations were artists impressions of the alleged ghost this was a real photograph showing the forlorn boat owner with his charred worldly goods. The lamp was visible at the edge of the image, and didn’t look to be damaged at all.

“It survived a fire? How much cleaning did you have to do?”

“Not a single bit.”

Gold dropped the trashy tabloid onto the table; “That’s a turn of good luck, but to my mind this Jack Sparrow wannabe was careless and made up this ludicrous story to defraud the insurance company.”

Jasper fixed him with a strange look; “Perhaps you are right, but what would this business be without the odd ghost story? Ten dollars and I’ll wrap it for you to take now?”

Gold wasn’t perturbed about Jasper’s brisk return to business; after all they both had appointments to keep and sales to make. He took the carefully packaged lamp and began the drive back to Maine, not sparing another thought for Jasper’s tall tale.

 The lamp spent a week in the backroom of Gold’s pawnshop as he made the necessary alterations to wire it for electricity. He was a devotee of aesthetics, but fond of creature comforts; reading by the flickering light of an oil lamp would only give him migraines, and in truth the teal glass would not cast the clearest light either way. He had a reading lamp for that, but he wanted this piece in his cabin, nearby as he spent his evenings in peaceful solitude.

His work on the lamp was interrupted by many things; mundane events like people coming into the shop to complain about their loan payments, or rent; the mayor storming in to trade barbs about the latest town council meeting; a desperate few slinking in to pawn what little they had of value to make it through the month. Gold dealt with them all as he had for years, bluntly, coldly, sarcastically and with indifference to threats or pleas.

It was the other events that were harder to explain.

The missing tools, the broken tea cup, the books moved around. Several times during the course of that week Gold wondered if there was some truth in the tale Jasper had spun about the lamp. When he caught himself asking thin air where his magnifying glass had gone, he laughed at his own foolishness.

“Getting old and a bit forgetful, that’s all.”

The lamp was finished by the weekend. Gold carefully packed it up and loaded it into his caddy for the trip to the cabin. He’d not managed to get away last weekend so was looking forward to the peace and quiet the woods offered. Nobody bothered him at the cabin; the whole town knew interrupting Gold while he was in the woods was more trouble than it was worth. There were rumours that he buried the bodies of his enemies up there, the Sheriff repeatedly said that there was no proof, but the rumour mill cared little for hard facts, and would never have believed that Gold was expecting two visitors for supper on Friday night.

 Gold unloaded the car when he arrived at the cabin, a quick check of the cupboards revealed that he was stocked up for the weekend. He smiled to himself and dropped his suit jacket on the back of the couch as he headed out to the deck. He stood and breathed in the crisp lake air. His removed his tie and cufflinks while staring out at the waves on the lake. Both items went into his waistcoat pockets and he set to work on rolling up his cuffs and undoing the top two buttons of his shirt. This small ritual of transformation helped ease the stresses of the working week from his tired muscles. He’d never intended to become a beast in business, but he’d discovered early on that for a man of his background a certain hardnosed attitude was expected. Over the years he’d learned to wear his cold, harsh persona as a second skin, but it had always remained a mask that he needed to shed from time to time. It was always easier to slip his skin here surrounded by nature and away from the world.

He lost track of time watching the clouds skim over the lake, it wasn’t until his cell beeped that he came back to himself and headed back inside to prepare for his guests. The lamp was still wrapped on the side table, for a brief moment he considered plugging it in now, but decided he would wait until he was alone after supper.

The knock at the door came just as he was placing the last plate on the table.

“It’s open come on in!”

Had anyone from town been a fly on the wall they wouldn’t have thought twice about Dove strolling into the cabin. The huge man was Gold’s muscle, nothing strange about him being there. The second person would have raised eyebrows.

“Mother Superior, Dove. Good evening, supper is ready.”

Gold being a welcoming host would have shocked an observer from town into a heart attack.

 When Gold came to Storybrooke the hard business man realised that this little fishing town was the perfect place to build an empire. Thanks to the state of the economy it had only taken him a few years to own a large portion of the place and have his fingers in a staggering number of pies. His better nature was not satisfied, there were people here in need and he had the power to help them. Nobody would take direct help from him, his business beast had driven away any chance of trust, but indirectly he could do much if he could find an ally. For a man of little religious belief Mother Superior of the local convent was a strange choice, which is why no one had every suspected that the convent’s charitable work was funded by the Beast of Storybrooke.

These suppers at the cabin followed a standard pattern. Polite conversation, exchanging the odd bit of gossip and then to work. Mother Superior fished a notebook from her pocket as Gold refilled her teacup.

“Thank you. The School Club are running well, we are going to need some new crockery. Sister Astrid had an accident.”

Gold chuckled, he liked the clumsy Sister, she was devoted to her work and good with the children, but she took accident prone to a new level.

“Not a problem, order what you need.”

The Club ran before and after school and provided a safe place for children whose parents work hours would have left them alone otherwise. Meals were provided so no child started or ended the school day hungry, and the nuns and staff were on hand to help with homework, or play games. The fee was a dollar a day, and nobody ever questioned how the nuns could provide as much as they did for so little.

Dove raised the next problem the town faced; “The cannery is cutting back it’s hours again.”

Gold grinned; “I can’t do anything about the fish stocks, but the library is ready to be renovated, it’s going to take a lot of work. It will keep people employed until the tourist season at least.”

“Speaking of the tourist season the cabins on the far side of the lake are going to need maintenance over winter.”

It wasn’t easy trying to keep a town employed, but the real estate Gold owned need upkeep, cleaning and security. He always paid above minimum wage, provided health benefits and kept the notice period to a bare minimum so when somebody found a better job it was easy for them to leave. These terms might have tipped people off to his charitably endeavours, but the occasional rant about employment laws was enough to keep the mask of Beast in place. Just as with the low price of the School Club, nobody looked a gift horse in the mouth.

The renovation of the library was a huge project that would provide employment for dozens of people. Once it was up and running those numbers would decline, but Gold had plans to offer adult education programs that would allow people to retrain when the floundering cannery finally went belly up. It would also be a place for older citizens to meet, providing company for those who might not have any otherwise.

By the end of the evening the three of them had planned everything they needed to. Over the coming days several people in town would be offered employment, and the convent would receive conveniently timed anonymous donations that just happened to perfectly fit the needs of some families. During the course of the next week Gold would see a brisk trade in people reclaiming their treasures from pawn, or paying off their overdue rent. Not a single one of them would suspect that the cold sneering landlord on the other side of the counter had had a hand in their change of fortune.

Mother Superior and Dove took their leave before it became too dark. They always approached the cabin via the trail through the woods that passed the grounds of the convent. Dove had joked more than once that should anyone see him in the woods it would only add to the rumours that Gold buried bodies up here, quite what they would make of Mother Superior strolling by his side was best left to the imagination.

In the empty cabin Gold drew in a slow, deep breath and finally fully relaxed. He decided to leave the washing up until the morning and fixed himself a scotch. It took a moment to choose a book from the shelves, book and glass placed on the side table by his armchair he finally unwrapped the lamp. It was a beautiful piece and his work to wire it for electricity hadn’t taken away any of its charm. He bent to plug it in and straightened up with a grunt, might be time to bite the bullet and see if Doctor Whale could recommend anything for his knackered ankle. It was a relief to drop into his armchair. He fussed with the lamp until he was happy with its placement, scotch in hand he flicked the switch and gave a contented sigh as the room was bathed in comforting blue-green light.

He frowned and put his glass down as the bulb burned brighter than it should have, before he could switch it off to check the wiring all hell broke loose.

Every appliance that was plugged in blew, lights exploded in a shower of glass and sparks. Gold swore and threw his arms over his head to protect himself from the shrapnel. The air was thick with the acrid tang of burnt metal and melted plastic, shards of broken glass tinkled to the floor, amidst the chaos Gold felt that there was someone else in the room with him. He forced his eyes open and was stunned to see the cabin still bathed in the blue-green light from the lamp. The biggest shock was the woman stood in front of the fireplace.

“Who the hell are you?”

She turned slowly on the spot to face him. The breath in his chest froze at the sight of her. In the eerie light of the lamp her skin was ghostly pale, her hair a dark shadow that fell over her shoulders and her eyes were an unnatural shade of brightest blue. It had been many years since Gold had shied away from a thrown punch, or an angry word, but under her penetrating gaze he felt fear. He leaned back until his shoulders were pressed against the leather of his armchair.

“You are not the man I thought you were Mr Drummond Gold.”

He blew out a shaking breath, the sense of a noose he’d not been aware of around his neck easing its strangle hold made his stomach clench.

“Who are you?”

He eyes softened and the blue-green light once again felt comforting rather than eerie.

“Where are my manners? My name is Belle.”

She gave him a quaint curtesy that he returned with a nod of his head.

“Where did you come from?”

He flinched as she moved closer, but her goal was not him it was the lamp on the table at his elbow. Her pale fingers traced over the company name embossed on the brass.

“I came from the lamp. I’ve never had so much power before. What did you do to it?”

Belle’s clothing suggested late Victorian, for a brief instant he couldn’t recall if electricity was around during that period. He gave his head a small shake, of course it was, it wasn’t like him to forget such a detail, but considering his current situation he decided not to beat himself up over his mental slip.

“I wired it for electricity.”

He carefully pointed at the wired trailing from the base of the lamp.

“Ah I see now. It’s wonderful, sort of tingly.”

The tall tale Jasper had told him about the lamp’s recent owners swam to the front of his mind; death, madness and property destruction had befallen them. He glanced around the cabin checking that the surge that accompanied Belle’s arrival hadn’t started a fire. There were wisps of smoke curling in the air from the fried electrics, but nothing that suggested a blaze was imminent.

“Are you going to drive me insane, or kill me?”

She cocked her head to one side and gave him a hard look.

“I haven’t decided yet. You are not a nice man in that shop of yours, but out here you are very different. A heart of gold beneath the mask of the beast. If you’ll forgive the pun.”

He laughed, jokes about his surname usually revolved around his dragon-like tendency to horde pretty trinkets and wealth. Her frank admission that she was giving thought to causing his demise was disturbing. He reached for his glass and took a gulp of scotch, not noticing the burn of the alcohol as he took another, and then one more to drain the glass.

Belle watched him patiently with a raised eyebrow.

“You look frightened. I’ve always found that a little knowledge can go a long way to ease fear of a thing, or of a person. Would it help if I told you my history?”

“Yeah, that, that might help.”

If nothing else if she was talking then chances were slim that she would kill him, of course hearing the story of a woman who had appeared from a lamp might be enough to snap his sanity; it was the lesser of two evils, probably.

Belle nodded towards the other armchair. Gold remembered his manners.

“Please sit down. Would you like a drink?”

Offering a spirit a spirit was oddly mundane given his current situation. She politely refused his offer and settled herself in the chair.

“I was born in Paris in 1898. I only have dim memories of my childhood mostly of my mother, a snatch of song, a hint of floral perfume, a ghost of a smile. She died when I was a child and my father could not bear to remain in the city where every turn reminded him of his lost love. We emigrated to the New World for a new beginning.

Father was an inventor, obsessed with the modern age, but equally enchanted with the mysteries of the past. He dabbled with the occult convinced that together the modern and mystic could bring mankind to greatness. I had an eclectic education, home schooled mostly by father, I was a rather odd girl, I did not have any interest in parties, or fashion, reading was my true passion; and became my undoing.”

Belle waved a hand toward his bookcases, “I see you are a reader Mr Gold. Are you familiar with ‘The Arabian Nights’?”

“Yes, I am. Aladdin and his lamp springs to mind.”

She gave him a small smile; “Yes, I can see why. Rest assured I am no genie, neither was the spirit I released from the lamp my father purchased from a dealer in obscure artefacts.”

The light dimmed as Belle’s eyes took on a sad cast.

“It was an old thing, the type of lamp that one would expect to see in the hands of the Founding Fathers during a Thanksgiving play. The dealer told father a tale of obscure rituals and black magic, but to me it looked nothing more than a household lamp. Father became distracted with his current invention and the lamp was left to gather dust in a corner of his workshop. It didn’t take long for my curiosity to get the better of me. I lit the lamp and came face to face with the spirit shackled to it.

“His name was Owen, and just as I have observed you from the confines of my lamp, so had he been watching my father and me. He was incensed by father’s lax attitude to my upbringing, he was a firm believer in spare the rod and spoil the child. Rather gleefully he told me of his plans to punish my father for his transgressions. I begged him to take me in his place,” – she snorted a bitter laugh, - “I was a naïve girl wanting to play the heroine like the brave princesses in my beloved books. Owen agreed, but I should have been more careful with my wording, I didn’t replace my father, I replaced Owen as the slave of the lamp.”

Gold turned his eyes to Belle’s lamp, it was nothing like the one her father had purchased. She caught his thoughts and softly said; “Our prisons are of our own making, are they not?”

He wondered what his lamp would look like, a bland modern thing, all sleek practicality; or perhaps an ostentatious over the top creation, showing off wealth and status. He was started out of his mussing as Belle resumed her story.

“I remember nothing of the magic that freed Owen and trapped me in his place. Intellectually I know how the spell was cast, but I have no memory of having experienced it first-hand. My father was broken by my disappearance. Trapped within the unlit lamp I could only watch him neglect his health in his deep mourning. The small signs I could give him brought him only further distress.”

The little mishaps in his shop this past week suddenly made more sense; “You broke the teacup in my shop.”

“Yes, it is a shame, I rather liked that set, but I was angry with the way you were refusing to help that desperate man.”

Gold thought for a moment to recall who had been in the shop before the cup broke; “Ah, young Mr Cooper. The jewellery he was attempting to sell belongs to his mother. His desperation is born from a gambling addiction. It is illegal to buy goods that you know are stolen.”

“And yet you did not report him to the police?”

“No, Cooper has steered clear of poker games for over a year. I hoped that without funds he wouldn’t be able to relapse.”

Belle frowned at him; “You could have been kinder about it.”

Gold gave a dry laugh; “No one would believe it if I tried.”

“You are not the man I thought you were, not at all.”

Sha had said that before, but this time Gold thought there was something hopeful in her tone, perhaps he wouldn’t die at the hands of a vengeful spirit.

“Is it the curse of that lamp that drives you to, erm, to punish people?”

“I was never a cruel or vengeful woman Mr Gold. There is a madness to seeing people when they believe themselves to be unobserved. I’ve witnessed all manner of cruelties and horrors in the dark of the souls that have owned my lamp. It is a terrible burden to bear, balancing the scales helps.”

Gold’s fingers twisted together in his lap.

“Oh Mr Gold, I think my story has scared you.”

With deliberate effort he forced his hands to relax and rested them on his thighs.

“I’ve never knowingly conversed with a killer before.”

The blue-green light flare with the flash of rage in Belle’s eyes. The fury faded and the light returned to a gentle glow.

“I am a killer. I tell myself that I am dealing in justice by punishing the wicked, but that is poor justification for spilling blood.”

She sounded sad and so very tired. Gold tried to put himself in her place; trapped in a supernatural prison, unable to interact fully with the world unless the lamp was lit, receiving only fear from those that she did appear to, hearing the worst of people. Gold knew a lot about the townsfolk, he made a point to keep informed, but his information came second hand he didn’t see what went on behind closed doors. Belle was trapped in the worst sort of solitary confinement, the world she was separated from always before her, tempting, taunting but mostly untouchable. It would be hell, a torture bound to send a mind spiralling into madness and vengeance. Could she even sleep to escape into her dreams?

“How long can you stay like this?”

He waved his hand vaguely at her hoping she understood the meaning he couldn’t find words for.

“I can manifest physically for as long as my lamp is lit. It sustains me in the way that food and drink does you.”

Manifest, that was the word. Not being able to eat or drink only cut Belle off further from the world. He wanted to do something for her, but couldn’t think of what. As he looked around the room an idea struck him.

“Would you like to read?”

Belle blinked at him, a look of complete surprise on her face.

“Nobody has ever asked me that. I would love to read, thank you Mr Gold.”

He got to his feet and limped across the room to offer her his hand. He felt a crackle of static as her fingers wrapped around his. Once she was standing he realised how small she was, she barely reached his chin and he was on the short side himself. When he led her towards the bookcases that lined one side of the room he realised that the light from her lamp was not bright enough for her to read the titles by.

“One moment.”

He hobbled across the room wondering if he should grab his cane from by the front door, he never bothered with it in the cabin, but it was strange revealing his weakness in front of a stranger. Then again Belle knew him rather well after her week of voyeurism. He left the cane and flicked the switch for the overhead light, hoping that the bulbs hadn’t been blown by Belle’s dramatic appearance.

She gasped at the sudden infusion of light into the room.

“Oh, I do like this electricity.”

Her fingers danced over the spines of the books that filled the shelves, each one a book he had read time and time again; here in the cabin he kept the well-worn paperbacks, the books he would read repeatedly with fresh pleasure each time because they were familiar, but always offered something new. Belle’s fingers traced slowly up and down a single spine; Gold shivered as if she had touched him. He covered his surprised inhale by shifting forward and craning his head to see which book had caught her fancy.

“Ah ‘The Sword in the Stone’. T. H. White is a little after your time I think?”

“So many of these stories were written after I, after I changed states.”

“You are welcome to read as many as you like. I can bring you new ones as well.”

She gave a soft laugh and turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.

“Are you trying to tempt my curiosity with stories Mr Gold?”

He held her eyes as he ducked his head; “It seems thematically appropriate, don’t you think?”

Belle slid the book from the shelf and turned on her heel, extending her hand to offer it to him.

“To adhere to our theme, will you read to me?”

Another shiver of static shiver danced across the skin of his hand as he took the book from her. He poured himself a scotch before he settled in his chair. The book in his hand was one his mother had bought him; an Armada Lion edition from the 1970’s, its cheap pages oranged with age and holding that smell that only old, well-read books ever have. Gold inhaled the scent deeply and opened the cover. He skipped over the dedication and took a deep breath and began to read.

“On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays it was Court Hand and Summlae, while the rest of the week…”

 Gold read for hours; read until the glass of scotch and its refill was long gone; read until his throat was hoarse and the moonlight competed with the blue-green light of Belle’s lamp. He finished the chapter and coughed as he turned the page.

“That will do for now Mr Gold.”

He blinked his tiered, grainy eyes and looked at the lady from the lamp who was curled up in the armchair opposite.

“You need sleep Mr Gold. Would you perhaps leave my lamp lit so I may read some more?”

“Of course.”

He folded the open book around his finger and rose from his chair. The creaking-crack of his ankle cause him to close his eyes in pain. The static crackle of Belle’s touch was the first warning he had that she had crossed the room to aid him.

“Thank you,” – it was a greater pain to ask, but he couldn’t help himself, - “Have you decided my fate?”

He held her strange bright blue eyes waiting for her to proclaim his life or death. She was right the fear of the unknown was unbearable, if he was going to the gallows he would do so with his eyes open and ready for the noose.

“You are not the man I thought you were Drummond Gold. Sleep easy I will not kill you as you rest,” – her lips curled into a smile, - “For is that not the nature of our tale, my Scheherazade?”

Gold watched as she pulled a ribbon from her hair and slid it between the pages of the book marking the place he had read too.

“We shall finish this tomorrow. Tonight, I shall avail myself of the familiar titles in your collection.”

He bowed his head, “My library is your library. Good night, my Sultan.”

He walked to his bedroom without looking back. The sensation of the noose around his throat was still there faintly, more like the whisper of a lover’s touch than the fatal grip of doom. The lady of the lamp was reading in his cabin while he slept and come the morrow they would talk again and he would read to her again, and he might stave off her judgement for another day. As he slipped into sleep Gold had never felt more alive.