James was like any other teenager. Yet he was lonely. His own exile sunk so deep into him that it pulsed through his veins. He had gotten used to it. Not in the sense that he didn't mind it but more like he tolerated it. But it was powerful. So powerful that the loneliness had become another person. Whenever he thought about it he could always rely on getting a laugh, that his own loneliness was his only friend.
It had always been that way since mom and dad died. Yeah he had his siblings but in reality mom and dad had been the only thing that kept the family together. When they left, friends almost instantly became enemies and enemies became strangers. James only then started to know the value and impact of a human life. He became depressed and disgraced about his life. All the memories of his happy family became macabre no matter how happy or innocent the moment was.
Then there was Terry. He had always been different. But now he was barely ever nice. He always drifted around and smiled never kindly but cynically. The neighborhood bad boy wasn't enough. He wore tattered white trash clothes, but acted like New York royalty even though they were in deep Georgia. He was around Sam a lot but whenever that was it always meant trouble. He was a charmer, a sinner, and a tough guy wrapped in a red and blue squared sleeveless shirt over a white tank top.
Martin was the dream child of every family. Mom and dad respected his success and independence but above all, they were proud of him. He only lived to please them, so when they were gone he was lost. Yet he was the oldest he had to take care of the family. He did that but he never could replace mom and dad. He could cut his hair like dad, and use the cleaver epigrams mom was infamous for but he was never mom and dad. When the left a piece of him left also.
Finally there was Samantha. She was the punk-ass, bird flipping, hair dying, body piercing, rebel girl that no one could forget. She always talked about this time being a new generation a new time, with new morals and new people. But then they left. She changed. She wore a dress for the first time in her life to their funeral. Even though she ripped it she meant good. I guess she always just wanted their approval but showed it in her odd way. Then after they left she wasn't the same. She hated everything and knew the only place she really belonged was with her family that she always rebelled against. They kept the house that used to be filled with so much joy. Even though now the house was saddened. The paint that had survived through hundreds of hailstorms started to fade and flake off the walls. It was as if the house was even crying. These were sad times.
November
It was cold. The snow was light this year but they were alone together, which made each flake icier and each wind harder. It was 7:12 in the morning and Martin was making breakfast. He of coarse wouldn't eat it; he had James be his culinary test rat.
"Here you go ham, eggs, bacon, and toast." Martin said as he handed James a picture perfect platter of breakfast goodies. James took a mote of breadcrumbs from the toast and a nibble from the bacon.
"This tastes horrible." James muttered.
"I know you don't like it but we were invited to the Nicholson's tonight. You have to at least try to eat this food." Martin uttered in response.
By this time of day Sam and Terry were already out making trouble for the world or in bed resting from an extremely interesting night. Neither of them knew, but it had become so retinue that it didn't matter to either of them.
"I feel sick" James mumbled
"You have to go to school. We both know you aren't sick so you have to go to school."
"You don't get it. I don't fit in there."
"Oh and I fit in at my job paying for this family? Look we both know we don't fit in but we have to at least pretend we are normal."
"But you don't have to"
"I don't care you are going to school" Martin interrupted.
"Fine have it your way!" James stormed out grabbing his backpack and slamming the door.
"Poor kid" Martin thought. An alarm buzzed catching Martin's attention prompting him to unlock a door in a garage and head down into the basement. He was met with screams and cries. This time the chloroform didn't work as well as it should have. Two figures were hanging from chains anchored to the ceiling both shrouded and obscured in the darkness of the dimly lit basement. Only one of them was awake and yelling.
"Shhhh, it's all going to be over soon." Terry said gently
"Why'd you take us here! Where are we!?" cried the awake captive.
"It's going to be over soon, just be quiet." Terry instructed
"You bastard! Where are we?! Why are you doing this?!?"
"We are good people. This won't hurt just let me give you this." Terry lifted up a needle and moved close to the prisoners. The awake captive savagely struggled but was too tired from screaming all night to do anything more than shake slightly. As Terry lifted the needle she spit in his face.
"You're a monster!!!" she shouted. Terry moved back slightly surprised by it. After getting his composure he wiped the spit from his face and tightly gripped the syringe. A crack ran down the syringe and the glass creaked.
"We are good people," Terry said calmly. Suddenly he rushed in inhuman strength and rammed her abdomen with his elbow. Her scream was muffled with her own blood. Terry regained his calm composure again and unlocked the chains letting her drop to the ground. He kept repeating, "We are good people" all the time while he dragged her to a hole in the ground covered by a heavy metal plate. With one heave he almost tore the metal cover from the ground making the steel locks crumple. There was a room down there but black blobs in her vision blocked all she could see. He lifted her face to his and repeated the phrase one more time before dropping her the fifteen feet to the hard dirt floor in the room below. He put the plate back on and pushed a box on top partially to make up for the locks but more to block out the screams that came. As the shrieks rang out he injected the other prisoner and took him over and restrained him to a table. He inserted another needle into a vein on his arm almost professionally. A red liquid ran through the needle and into a bag. Finally the screams died out and Terry left the room locking the door behind him.
"Damn, I'm going to have to get more locks" was the only thing he thought as he left the garage and headed to work.
Part Two
James
made the same drab trek to school that he did every day. It has a path of
solitary that he had embedded into his mind. He knew exactly the number of
steps and their timing, yet he pretended not to. Might as well act surprised by
the reality, was his simple philosophy. Yet at step 1459 at about 7:15 there
was a difference in his everyday journey. Normally he would wear a black hoodie
that kept his face hidden and blended into his worn dark pants. Basically he
was a lingering image of night. Of coarse this would make him extremely visible
in the white November morning. It may have been the fact that he was more
visible or it could've been fate maybe it was just something else. Yet no
matter the reason it happened. As I said at step 1459 at about 7:15 when he was
just about to take another step he spied a pair of feet start to walk along
side his. He thought it was just someone else and they would be gone soon but
when they didn't he decided to speed up. They followed. He slowed his pace;
they followed. The shoes were feminine and black, causing him to doubt even
more that someone was following him especially a female. Finally as his last
resort he looked up. To his absolute surprise there really was a girl walking
next to him. She was looking straight ahead clutching a few books close to her
chest with a red complexion on her face. Her long jet-black hair stood out in
front of the white background, in fact all of her features looked concrete and
definite against the wintry landscape. She was a few inches shorter than him
and was dressed in a black jacket that covered her neck to her knees.
Ironically James tried to take in every little detail about her, each inch each
centimeter of her frame to the extent that he lost track of his steps for the
first time. This of coarse led to him running straight into a pole. The
collision caught him by surprise pushing him onto his back and into the snow.
The girl gave out a soft giggle and walked over to where he laid in the snow.
"What
the hell are you laughing at?" James barked
"Well
you." Replied the girl
"Everyone
falls down, so what's so funny about me falling down?"
"Well not
everyone runs straight into a pole"
"Shut up"
"I'm
Taki," the girl said while outstretching her hand to help him up.
"I'm
James" James said as he took her hand to got up out of the snow.
"Nice
to meet you" Taki said with a cherry smile
"Yeah,
nice to meet you too. Its not every day that you meet a stalker" James said
"Hey, I
wasn't stalking you! I just thought since you didn't have anyone to walk with I
might as well walk with you. You sure have an odd way of thanking people," Taki
said as they continued to walk
"Thanks,
I guess. Well I really don't know you, so why don't you break the ice?" James
offered. Taki laughed again and told him about herself. She kept on talking
until James arrived at school. Even though it was the same route, the same
amount of steps, everything was the same except for her; James was smiling when
he reached school. It was a one-time occurrence since mom and dad died.
"I
have to go to class now so see you after school" James said
"Um. We
have the same classes together; you even sit next to me in sixth, third and
first." Taki admitted
"Oh,
sorry, um, I don't pay much in class" James said flustered
"What are
you waiting for? School is going to start soon!" Taki said as she grabbed his
hand and pulled him through the building to their first period. James blushed
and rooted himself having her comically run in place.
"Call
me Limdo" James said
"Ok,
Limdo, but who ever you are we have to get to class" Taki said as she finally
pulled Limdo along.
The day
passed for James as it usually did, but this time he was happy. It was just the
same exact as every other day, but he was aware of someone. The lessons weren't
the mundane babble that was often so dripped from the demagogues of pedagogues'
mouths. They were time periods to which he could think about something he cared
about. It was a strange feeling though. Mostly because it was alien to him, or
at least forgotten. He found it odd that he actually cared what she thought of
him, and even odder that he even acted differently. Unfortunately all he had was
his thoughts, his theories, and his fears. Now his loneliness wasn't alone. The
bell chimed and the torrent of students trying to escape started. James stayed
behind and gathered his books in the withered black bag he called his backpack.
There was a light tap on his shoulder prompting him to look up and see Taki's
face a mere inches from his. James was caught by surprise causing him start
back and almost trip over his chair.
"Great
my stalker is back." James said sarcastically
"Whatever,
Limdo, lets just head home." Taki said
"Wa…what
do you mean?"
"You know
home? It's a four letter word that is synonymous to house. And we are going to
go to our own ones respectively." Taki continued
"I'm not
that stupid, only close to it. I am just a bit surprised that well you want to
go home together, with me."
"Yeah you
are right, you are close that that stupid. Come on, let's get going." Taki said
as she pulled James through the war ground that was high school at 3:00.
Through the explosion of papers, the flinging of pencils, and the spontaneous
tackle of random people by random others in the desperate war to get out of the
building was all very new to James. Yet it seamed like it was Taki's home. She
knew maneuvers that only a veteran could even comprehend. Of coarse James could
barely keep up and found himself dragged half the time but somehow he smiled.
By the time they arrived outside, they had suffered only minor injuries from an
unexpected binder. But they survived. They could only look at each other and laugh.
They walked home together for the first time and talked. Just talked, it ranged
from politics to simple frivolous conversation and teasing. James was so
distracted that he didn't notice where he was going and comically ran into
another post. They both laughed and continued on their way. Yet James
directional ignorance fooled him again. He didn't notice that Taki was leading
him along the same rout that he used to return home, until she stopped at a
house a quarter of a mile from his own.
"Wait you
live here?" James asked confused
"Yeah, I
thought you knew." Taki replied
"But it
says this is the Grotski residence on that post." James said while pointing
"Yeah
they are my foster parents." Taki said
"Oh…sorry.
But wait, are you…never mind. See you." James said as he ran off.
He was
clutched by the irony of it all.
Part 3
James
held his house key in shaking hands. His movements came in convulsions as he
tried to insert the teeth into the hole. Finally after many vain attempts and
new scratches on the lock, the door was open. Before the door could close
behind him, James was barricaded in his room. His room was conveniently located
next to the furnace that always roared and moaned at the most opportune times.
It was freezing in the winter and scorching in the summer, and cramped year
round. The walls were covered in books and the ceiling was a collage of maps.
There was a blanket and an old pillow in the corner, which was generously
called a bed. Today he enclosed himself in a cocoon made of his blanket. He
thought. He vainly thought. He knew that he was going to go out and eat dinner
with the Grotski's as the end result yet what was going to happen between now
and then was a complete mystery. For the first time since Mom and Dad left, the
house would have outsiders. All because Terry got drunk, smashed, wasted or
stoned and decided that it would be fun to almost destroy a local shop. He
never really liked Terry but now he knew that he didn't have a single positive
thought about him. Then through all his thoughts of confusion and loathing, he
saw a book bound by red leather sitting on a pile of old books. The words "Simply
a Note Book" were scrawled on the front in a deeper crimson. Surely he
would've noticed such an odd and out of place book. This fact ravaged his
curiosity. Reaching out and grabbing it, he noticed a lock. This lock was
strange and complex yet small. It had three needle-sized holes with odd designs
written around them, each placed an equal distance from the others making a
triangle. They were small yet intricate. James quickly snatched a magnifying
glass that confidently lay near him and gazed at the lock. The swirling lines
and shapes all twisted together in the center where an indentation the shape of
a circle lay. Slowly James moved a shaking hand across the lock feeling the
grooves under his fingers. Just before he touched the indentation he heard the
chime of the bell. It was the Grotski's. James threw a side the book escaping
the trance that engulfed him and headed to the door. The night and so much more
had started
Mr.
Grotski was a short stubby and fat man with a halo of white hair surrounding
his bald dome of a head. His face was cherry and decorated with a few wrinkles.
If he had white whiskers he could've easily been thought of as Santa Claus. Yet
he had no whiskers and his clothes were a green sweater vest and tan dress
pants. So the fellow was just a large jolly owner of a local pawnshop. He was
kind to everyone despite his old age of 86. And was known through the town as
the Jolly Grotski.
Madam
Grotski was almost completely different in stature. She was tall thin and bony
and her hair was a whitened brown that was pulled back into a bun clearly
showing the widow's V on her forehead. Her long narrow face was stretched and
pulled with a long nose pointing from her face. She was garbed in black dress
making her look menacing and dark. Her voice was fast and slithered from her
tongue. As her husband had a nickname she did too. The Spider Lady was the most
common of them all.
No one
knew how they got married or even how the met. They were just known as the
oddest couple. They had no children of their own and no one inquired or even
wanted to know why so they adopted Taki and raised her. Not much is known about
the Grotski's, not much at all. Even Sam knew little about them with her
limitless connections and gossips throughout the town. The Jolly Grotski and
the Spider Lady and the girl they raised were welcomed into the home of the
Johnson's.
James
made the basic observations of as the three stepped through the thresh hold on
after the other in a small procession. First the Madam, then the Mr, and
finally Taki entered the house. James knew what was coming and still he felt
surprised when he saw her. Taki's eyes met his and a small cherry smile ran
across her face. While James's face turned a bright ruby.
"Oh
so this is where you live, stalki" Taki said to James after Terry Sam and
Martin started to show the Grotski's around.
"Yes,
it is. Now please..just... go.." James said flustered confused and
unprepared
"Nope,
I think I rather have you show me around. I rather have you show me this place
then that phychop-"
"Terry?"
"So thats his name. I
would think someone that threw a hammer at the shop would never be live with a
quiet guy like you. But still the other one looks so uptight. I wonder how far
that rod is stuck up his as-"
"Martin"
"Oh
yeah and then there is that one girl. I wouldn't be surprised if she just
kicked down a table and start to scream.. So unstabl-"
"That's
Sam, my sister. The others are my brothers" James said before she could
complete her third monologue.
"Oh,
I'm sorry. They are...are.. very nice..looking people." Take said
embarrassed
"If
I didn't want you to I would've stopped you but you are dead on." James
said as he stifled a laugh.
"Meanie"
Taki quickly sputtered
"Oh
come on. What did I do to, ouch! What did you do that for?!" James said as
he was suddenly caught by surprise by a light rap on the head.
"Silly."
Taki said as she stuck out the tip of her tongue.
"Hey
you kids stop messing around and get in here." A loud masculine voiced
yelled
"That's
the hammer throwing psychopath, lets hurry." James said as he led her to
the dinning room
The
Dinning room was rarely used in the Johnson house and only on occasions. This
just happened to be the one of the few circumstances that the room was used. It
was a medium sized room holding a fine table and walls draped with green
wallpaper. There was the occasional picture of a landscape, one here of a pond
another over there showing a mountain. The table was old and smelled of old
wood. It too was draped with a green. It all was very normal. Normal sized.
Normal decorations. Normal everything. The Grotski's took the three seats set
out for them at the end while the four others sat at the other end. Going from
12 o'clock clock wise you have The Spider Lady, Jolly Grotski, Taki, James,
Sam, Martin then Terry all perfect just like a normal dinner party. After some
small talk by Martin (mostly apologies and slight negotiation) the first
serving was brought out. Three delicate salads where placed in front of the
guessed. Now the only oddity was that the Johnson's did par take in this
coarse. The Grotski's noticed but didn't seam to care. The second then the main
and then dessert all came in only three portions. The Spider always just picked
and prodded the food as if it was poisoned. Mr. Grotski gobbled pleasantly and
healthily while Taki carefully cut and ate small amounts. Finally dinner was
over and Terry and Sam left the room and headed out in a wild blast and left
with the roar of motors.
"James
you are dismissed." Martin said professionally
"Taki
you go too, we have business to take care of" Mr. Grotski said
Blushing
James took her hand and started the tour. He didn't make it a second after he
showed her the door to his room before she grabbed his hand and rushed in.
James was befuddled and embarrassed as Taki examined and excavated the place.
He wanted to say stop but he just couldn't. Finally she picked up the red book
and gazed locked in a trance as well.
"What's
this?" Taki curiously inquired
"Oh
I..I think it's an old notebook but you see I can't open it because of that
lock" James replied.
"Its
too dark here, lets take it up into the light." And before James could do
anything again he was lead along up stairs against his will. As they crossed
the threshold where the debates took place they heard the words
"compensation" "lawsuits" and "sue". Both became
shocked and stopped, looking in to see a composed Martin looking at a piece of
paper the Grotski's held out in their hands.
"Five
thousand Dollars cash. That will start to cover the damages, then we want three
thousand more for the merchandise. And the-" Mr. Grotski suddenly stopped
and spied the book Taki held in her hands. His eyes widened and fell dull. He
was entranced in it.
"I
want that book." Mr. Grotski said dazed
"Nothing
else?" Martin said quickly taking control of the situation
"Nothing
just give me that book" He rushed over and grabbed the book. Stroking it
and feeling each part, mesmerized by every little inch of it. He ran his
fingers over the lock and then started to scratch the indentation. Suddenly his
body jolted back. His spine looked as if it was a jolting snake. Every inch of
his frame trembled and moved in an inhuman fashion. Then suddenly it stopped.
This attack was only visible for a few second but everyone was still extremely
shocked and worried, except for Martin. He just bridged his fingers and yawned.
"Now sir,
I hope you enjoyed your dinner. I'm sure James can show you to the door. Thank
you and have a good night." Martin said with a sly smile.
"Yes…yes
of coarse home.. Good night to your sir… Where are we again? Oh yes, the, the
Johnson residence." Mr. Grotski said in a daze. He quickly found his eyes back
to his newly found treasure and held it close greedily. James escorted them to
the door and wished them on their way. Just after the Mr. and Madam Grotski
crossed the threshold, Taki turned and looked James in the face and whispered,
"I think
something has started" and with a suave wave and a cherry good night she ran
back to her foster parents and headed home.
Part 4
James
awoke the next day as he usually did. At 5:14 he opened his eyes and waited for
the sun to hit his face through his only window. Today it felt different.
Usually the light beams were an annoyance to him, like an over playful and
rough puppy. Always lapping at his face warmly, and nibbling on all part of him
until he got up, but today they gently woke him and urged him awake. Then a
single tear ran down his right eye and feel onto his hand. He looked at it as
the new thing that it was. He examined it curiously, first looking up at the
ceiling spying no leak. He felt it, smelt it and even tasted the bitter water.
Then a convulsion of sadness took him. His back arched and he buried his hands
in his face. Tears flowed through his fingers and ran down his face. The sun
woke him just like mom used to, just like it had been before.
"Yo,
bitch baby! Get up, you're going to be late for that dumb ass retard academy
you call a school." Said Terry's brawling and surprising voice from behind his
door.
James got
up and did his normal preparations and headed out the door. There was a light
sheet of snow on the ground today. One that was like a glaze over the entire
town, one that had every inch like a snowy mirror that you could wipe away with
your finger. It was beauty if one could appreciate it. But not to many did.
Everyone that was awake at the hour were either coming or going. Too busy to
even notice the gentle art of nature, yet they were always ready to complain
about it, to whine at a rain, or pout when it hailed. James thought all of this
as he walked. Then he noticed, he was thinking. He was actually wondering about
the world around him. It was 7:13 and he didn't even have a clue of how many
steps he took. A small smile crossed his face and he just stood in place for a
few second letting the kind wind brush against his face. Suddenly a great force
knocked against his body. His body was pushed forward and started to lose
balance. Normally someone would just fall flat on their face, yet James tilted
his weight forward and held his body above the ground and did a total hand
spring turning him around to the unknown assailant. It was Sam. She was riding
her bike (or at least that is what it looked like through all the black paint,
stickers and "character marks" better known as when she tries to play chicken
with cars).
"What the
hell did you do that for?" James cried
"No, what
did you do that for? You're supposed to just fall flat on your face you nimrod!
What if it was someone else? Huh? What if some idiot moving to fast saw you do
that?" Sam said as she smacked James across the face.
"Sorry,
ma'am. I won't happen again. I promise" James said hanging his head.
"Good now
go on your way." Sam then quickly hopped on her bike and yelled back to him.
"And if
Martin asks you didn't see me" and she quickly speed off.
James
continued on keeping in mind to stay clumsy and normal. Then James felt a
sudden movement of air that came before a strike. Thinking quickly he assumed
it was Sam again trying to make sure. This time he thought quickly swerved
around and grabbed the hand right before it landed against his back. Yet it
didn't look nor feel like Sam's. He looked into the face of Taki. Suddenly he
turned red and stumbled with his feet comically landing on his back.
"What the
heck was that?" Taki said surprised
"No, what
the heck were you doing attacking me like that? I thought you were a stalker
not an attacker" James said defensively
"I didn't
touch you Meanie." Taki glared from above him
"Whatever,
are you going to help me up or just watch?" James commented holding out his
hand. Taki reluctantly helped him up and they headed on their way. It was just
like yesterday. Taki talked and talked away and James listened and commented
both just enjoying the other's company. Then James looked down and saw a series
of bruises on her exposed arm.
"What are
those?"
"Oh,
nothing…" Taki said as she franticly pulled her sleeve down and looked away.
"Is
something wrong?" James asked caringly
"Its all
your fault! You're the one that gave it to him, you're the one that turned him
into what he is now!" And with that Taki sprinted away leaving James confused.
He walked the rest of the way to school alone and arrived on time. He spent his
day thinking of her and what he did to hurt her.
Mean
while Sam was riding at full speed past people and even cars. Her hair was
pulled back because of the wind and shown red green black and only hints of her
natural blond color. She had a smirk on her face that made her complexion dark
and sinister. Then after an hour of speeding down streets she jerked her
handles sending the craft off road. Still she speed on now leading a trail of
dust behind her. Then after a few miles she slowed to a halt and took a leap
off her bike. About a hundred feet from her was a car by the side of the road
with a woman standing beside it. As she walked closer she could see that the
white car had a flat tire and the woman was trying to fix it. This was the
deserted outer rim of the city where few people came by and to be stranded here
was frightening.
"Need
help?" Sam called as she came closer
"Oh
thanks, I've been out here for hours trying to fix this damn thing. Do you know
how?" The woman said gratefully.
"Oh yeah
its easy." A few minutes later the car was ready to go and the flat was in the
back.
"Thanks
so much… Um, I'm sorry I didn't get your name." Said the woman
"Its
Kibou." Sam said with a cherry smile
"Well
thank you Kibou now I have to go do you need a lif-?" The woman was stopped mid
sentence when Sam struck her brutally on the head with the tire iron. Sam
raised the bloody instrument and whacked the bleeding head again and again. The
skull caved in exposing smashed brain matter. Sam continued to hit the lifeless
body until the corpse lay in a large pool of crimson blood.
"No I
have a ride," Sam said with a vicious smile on her face. Then a small crying
was heard. It broke the air softly and traveled to her ears. She looked in the
car to see a small baby boy strapped in his car seat gently crying. He was no
more than half a month old and already he was motherless. Sam dropped her sanguinary
tool and feel to her knees. A tear ran down her face but she quickly wiped it
away and started to work. Five hours later she was home and her rebel self.
Then she heard the report of the Channel Five news.
"Today
Mr. Lee Ann Carter was killed in a tragic car accident. Apparently her car swerved
on the ice roads on the outskirts of town and crashed into a ravine. Her body
was horrible mangled and was almost beyond recognition. Yet a suicide note was
found in her dashboard that confirmed her identity. Her child was found
abandoned by the side of the road with an identical note with it. The child has
been handed over to its father and is doing well."
And still
after seeing this Sam simple took another spoon of lick of her sucker and
casually changed the channel.
Part 5 (A)
The bell
bellowed at two times and just before the third James eyes had already scanned
the room eighteen times without once seeing Taki. He was still wondering and
fearing of what he did. Just then from the corner of his eye he saw the flutter
of her signature coal colored skirt as she walked by the doorway. James quickly bolted from the classroom
after what appeared to be Taki. He almost instantly realized his mistake when a
large heavy backpack slammed into his face hurling him back ten feet. Slightly
dazed he staggered to his feet and evaded the perils to get to Taki. He arrived
just in time to stop her from running in the way of the stampeding pep squad.
Quickly putting his arms around her stomach he pulled her out of the way before
she was trampled by the pom-pom carrying nazis. James suddenly blushed and
pulled his arms away. He then looked to see the frightened eyes of a different
person than Taki. He was confused, she had the same face body and clothes as
Taki and yet when he looked into her eyes he didn't see the vastness, the
spontaneity, and the wildness that he saw in Taki's. He saw a calm serine
place that echoed warmth and shyness.
But he didn't have time to think. He clasped her hand and quickly ran down the
hallways using what he learned last time to guide him. Feeling accomplished he
exited the building leading her behind him.
"I…
guess.. I saved you…this time around" James said smiling and panting after they
got to safety.
"Who are
you?" the other said in caution and fear
"What do
you me-" but before he could finish his sentence a force rammed against his
side knocking him over onto his back
"Who the
hell do you think you are trying to rape my sister you perv…. Oh its just you.
Still what are you doing pervert?" said Taki as she sat on top of James
"Wh…what?
I think…I think I'm seeing double.." James said confused
"I…I
think you're hurting him" said the other
"Oh this
guy? He's fine see." Taki said as she slapped James
"Ouch!
Get off, I don't like you sitting on me… like this" James said as he started to
blush wildly.
"What do
you mean "like this"?" Taki said inquisitively. James then raised a quivering
finger towards her skirt. Taki turned crimson and slapped James across the
face. The bystander let out a slight giggle that caught both of their
attention. A while later Taki James and the other called Minru were walking
down the street together. Taki explained to James that Minru was her twin
sister and that the Grotski's a while back, had adopted both of them. She wasn't
able to go to school or from home for the last week because of a horrible cold.
In fact Minru was just able to go to school in the middle of the day because
she just got better. James introduced himself and Minru and James soon became
as close as James was to Taki. For the first time all three of them walked home
together.
When they
were a few blocks from their house James remembered that morning and asked Taki
about the bruises. Taki quickly turned and grabbed Minru's hand.
"Lets go
or we will be late getting home," Taki said about the bolt with Minru.
"N.. No..
we have to tell him… didn't he give it to him?" Minru said timidly rooting
herself to the spot.
"Do you
mean the notebook? What's going on?" James said
"Yes it
is about the notebook." Minru said in a calm confident voice that wasn't like
her. Taki took a sigh and let out a small "ok".
"When you
gave him the notebook he started acing so odd. This morning…something
happened…" Minru looked into Taki's eyes and nodded. Both of them lifted up
their sleeves to show bruises and rope burns on their wrists.
"There is
more" Taki said. James was astonished and even more so when they revealed rope
marks and bruises on their ankles hips and neck.
"What
happened?" James asked hesitantly and almost afraid.
"He got
angry…and tied us up… He told us we were bad girls and laughed" Taki said with
her head hung.
"We were
looking at his book… he caught us and punished us." Minru said
"No, he
didn't punish you. He just hurt you. Punishment means that you did something
wrong. You didn't do anything wrong." James said with a fire of hatred anew for
the Grotski. The girls were surprised at his response and even more so when he
leaned in and hugged both of them. The girls moved their hands around his back
and tightened the embrace. Suddenly Taki and Minru felt tears on their
shoulders, than they heard a slight chuckle.
"Why… why
the hell are you laughing perv?" Taki said through the hug
"I'm so
sad… but I'm so happy that you two can make me so sad. I haven't felt anything
for a long time except for pain. And now I feel something, the numbness is gone
because of you… I'm so messed up" James said through slight laughs and tears.
"Ye..
yeah you are perv." Taki said
"Yeah
perv." Minru said gently
"I guess
I am stalkers, I guess I am" James said with a small laugh.
A few
minutes later all three stood at the Grotski house.
"Are you
sure we should do this?" James asked
"Yeah"
the twins said in unison.
Part 5 (B)
[Note: I'm experimenting with 2
parallel story lines centering on Minru. Minru A is almost like a shy girl Moe,
while Minru B is a creation around the opposite of Minru A. I hope you enjoy
this experimentation I'm doing and tell me which do you like more]
The bell bellowed at two times and just before the
third James eyes had already scanned the room eighteen times without once
seeing Taki. He was still wondering and fearing of what he did. Just then from
the corner of his eye he saw the flutter of her signature coal colored skirt as
she walked by the doorway. James
quickly bolted from the classroom after what appeared to be Taki. He almost
instantly realized his mistake when a large heavy backpack slammed into his
face hurling him back ten feet. Slightly dazed he staggered to his feet and
evaded the perils to get to Taki. He arrived just in time to stop her from
running in the way of the stampeding pep squad. Quickly putting his arms around
her stomach he pulled her out of the way before she was trampled by the pom-pom
carrying nazis. James suddenly blushed and pulled his arms away. He then looked
to see the eyes of a different person than Taki. He was confused, she had the
same face body and clothes as Taki and yet when he looked into her eyes he
didn't see the vastness, the spontaneity, and the wildness that he saw in
Taki's. He saw a dark fire that blazed deeply. It was a hellfire of rage and
anger pent up and compressed so that with the slightest bump it would explode
raining upon all in rang corrosive lava. But he didn't have time to think. He
clasped her hand and quickly ran down the hallways using what he learned last
time to guide him. Feeling accomplished he exited the building leading her
behind him.
He leaned over catching his breath and letting a
small smile come onto his face. He looked up to see a calm composed person. She
casually looked at her nails checking them at arms length and spreading each
finger to check for dirt and imperfections.
"You have five seconds to tell me who the hell you
are before you get up close and personal with my-" said the girl starting off
with a threat but then dissipated when she looked into James's eyes.
"Um…ah so… sorry I'm Minru and you are?" the girl
said after turning very red.
"Oh I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else, I'm
James." He said as he outstretched an arm for a handshake. The girl blushed and
held out her hand giving an unexpectedly strong handshake.
"Um… do
you know… Taki?" James said half hazard
"Wait are
you that James… Yeah she is my sister" Minru said coldly. At that moment Taki
spotted the two and headed over. Once she came closer she could feel the
tension and even small distain her sister held towards her.
"Hi, I
guess you've met Minru." Taki said in and unexpected cherry tone. The three of
them started to head home, each one talking to the others and sharing laughs
ideas and pleasant conversation. Yet behind all the simple chatter James sensed
that Taki and Minru was almost mentally fighting over something. He felt like
if he just raised his head he could actually see the storm that the two were
brewing a battle of wit and one played with intimidation and fear. Yet they
talked and acted so kind he just knew this couldn't be true. Soon they
approached the Grotski residence and slight good byes were said. Then right
after James turned his back, he felt a strong hand land on his shoulder and
hold him back.
"Just
don't leave us with him." Said Taki's quivering voice.
"Don't be
so weak you cry baby!" Minru said as she smacked her sister across the face.
This only made tears well up in her eyes and in one quick moment she grabbed
James and held him close sobbing into his chest. James starred daggers at Minru
as he gently cradled Taki.
"Shhhh…
it's all going to be ok." James said as he gently rocked back and forth.
"Now
tell me, what's wrong." Minru at this moment pushed up her sleeves exposing
numerous bruises. While James held Taki, Minru showed bruises on their arms
legs, hips and stomach, each one being deep dark and gruesome. So many thoughts
flew through James's mind all in the end leading back to the Notebook. It
intoxicated the eyes and in the small time James had got to look at it, it
almost encaged him in its sick beauty. He knew that one's like him had stronger
will, and that Mr. Grotski surely turned sick and his heart turned black not
being able to stand the horrific beauty of Notebook. There was only one thing
to do if he wanted to save his new friends. One thing alone.
Part 6
The
screech of a motorcycle rang out from the garage of 1423 West Martyr Street.
Martin looked up only momentarily from washing his "equipment" which was an
array of sharp knives scalpels and IV's, but then soon looked backed down and
gave out a small sigh.
"I guess
this means he's going out again today." Martin said under his breath.
Seconds
later the blurred image of Terry and his motorcycle shot out of the garage and
down the street. His loosely fitting clothing flapped against him while the
wind ran through his free hair pulling it back across his head. This machine
was known simply as "Charlie". It was old but it was well polished and painted
a dark black making it look like it was new. The metal on every part would
gleam in the sun light and blend into the night. You always knew Terry was
coming when you heard the roar of its engine, which sounded more like the
screech of dieing man than anything else. And Terry loved this. The fear, the
intimidation, the sleek body all of it was just another instrument in his
arsenal of terror.
At Le mar
and fifth Terry quickly shifted his weight making the cycle swerve 180 degrees
and halt. He let his mouth make a cruel smile that linked perfectly with this
seven o'clock shadow.
"You
aren't fooling nobody now get out of there before I have to go in and drag you
out myself" Terry hollered at a seemingly deserted patch of bushes and trees.
Then three figures came out of almost perfect hiding wielding pipes and chains.
These three men were more like dedicated vigilante justices against Terry. They
didn't really have a name for their group they just were set on trying to keep
Terry under control or at least slightly incapacitated. The three slowly
dispersed and surrounded Terry.
"You
really want to do this? I looked it up and this constitutes as self defense so
I don't have to pay for your medical bills." Terry said with a smirk as he
dismounted Charlie. Just as his feet touched the ground one of the men ran at
him swinging a chain. Terry quickly grabbed the heavy chain in mid swing and
with a single pull ripped it from his opponent's hands. The man gave out a yelp
of pain and fell to his knees. Just then the two others moved in with pipes
raised over their head.
"Too
slow" Terry said and he ducked and wrapped the chain around their legs tripping
them and knocking them out as their heads smacked against the asphalt.
"You guys
are making this too easy." Terry said as he mounted Charlie and screeched off.
This was just another morning for Terry. He rode on with no particular
destination in mind, just causing chaos and disturbing the peace. Hours later
Terry arrived home, splattered with dirt and mud.
"Yo,
Marty. Are you done with that one yet? I'm starving." Terry remarked as he
dropped himself heavily into a chair.
"Yeah,
just wait a second." Martin said at the counter as he squeezed a crimson liquid
over a plate of chicken and expertly cut French fries.
"Now dig
in," he said as he served the food
"Aw come
on! You know I hate this extra stuff. Just give me the plain thing." Terry
remarked angrily.
"You need
to start integrating your diet more. We all do, I know none of us like it but
we have to, ok?"
"Fine!"
Terry said as he stabbed the chicken with his fork and brutally ate the food.
"Sam! Get
down here, lunch is ready!" Martin called up the stairs
Soon
after Sam came down and made the same complaints as Terry only to surrender in
the end and ate the dish served to her ferociously.
"Did you
notice James and that one Grotski girl were really close last night?" Sam said
after they had finished.
"You mean
Taki? Well whatever it won't last long. The little idiot couldn't keep a friend
if one was surgically grafted to him." Terry commented
"Well you
shouldn't be talking down to him, it's because of him that we don't have to pay
for those damages you caused." Martin said
"What do
you mean?"
"He found
this one book and traded it to them for all the payments. It saved us quite a
lot of money. Martin said looking down at the remains of his food
"That
little brat did that? Well I guess I'll have to treat him with a little more
respect next time" Terry admitted
"What
book was it?" Sam said joining the conversation
"Simply a
Notebook, we should have it back soon." Martin said calmly
"Oh
really? He found that book? Well great! I guess I won't have to kill them after
all.
"Yeah
it'll do it for us." Sam said snickering
After
some other small talk the two renegades left leaving Martin to clean up after
them. While cleaning the dishes Martin looked out the kitchen window wondering
if things were going to change. And if anything would be different now that
James was reaching adult hood.
"He grew
up so fast," Martin said nostalgically
Later that day Sam wondered outside to see Terry open the
cellar doors beside the house and walk in. The old cellar used to be used by
Mom and Dad to store food but now it was abandoned, or so Sam thought. The old
doors lay on the ground and were covered in old dead leaves and grass almost
hiding it. And the two wooden doors were old and looked as if they were starting
to rot. Nonetheless Terry opened them and walked into the ground down the cold
hard concrete steps and disappeared from sight. Sam's curiosity was sparked at
this point and followed her brother stealthily. Terry pulled a cord that
illuminated the cellar room. Once barren it was now covered in tools. Along the
walls sickles, saws blades, wrenches and hammers were hanging on their own
hooks. Each one had a slight almost rusty discoloration about them. In the
center Sam saw to her horror a small boy strapped to a table. He was obviously
unconscious and didn't move. Terry let a sinister smile rip across his face as
he approached the child.
"Wake up
sleepy head" Terry said in a morbid tone as he poked the infant awake with the
end of a hand drill. The child slowly opened his eyes dazed and confused and
tried to look around. Second after this Terry raised the drill over his head
and jammed it against the child's hand grinding and tearing apart the flesh.
The boy screamed in terror and looked on as his hand was torn apart. His
screams were locked in this room and reverberated horrifically with each turn
of the drill. Terry eventually stopped and looked on as his prey suffered. He
repeated this gruesome task with the other hand and then threw the drill aside.
Carefully walking and searching the walls Terry picked up a scalpel and lazily
walked over to the suffering child. Holding the leg steady with one hand he
pressed the blade against the Achilles tendon drawing more blood from the wound
and driving the screams higher. After severing it completely he moved onto the
other leg and dropped the scalpel. Terry grabbed a pair of surgical scissors
from the north wall and with one quick movement jabbed it into the stomach of
his victim tearing apart his abdominal region. Up all the way past his ribs he
opened the little boy up. The child took one last gasp of air before lying
lifeless on the table. All the while Sam looked on in terror and almost
amazement at Terry's work. She felt sick and was driven to her hands and knees.
Letting out a gagging sound she emptied out her stomach in the corner.
"Like
what you see?" Terry said in a grim evil tone
"You're…you're
a monster." Sam said as she wiped a small amount of vomit from her mouth.
"Ha! Well
remember you'll be like this too. I know what you did with that one woman.
Don't pretend like you don't want to be able to make art like mine" Terry said
gesturing over to his victim.
"I'm not
going to be like you," Sam said in a quivering tone
"Say that
all you want. I know what you want." And with that Terry let out a
bone-shattering cackle as Sam ran from the cellar pale and tormented
Part 7 [The Kiss] (A)
"One"
"Two"
"Three"
the door of the Grotski residence was suddenly throw open as James, Taki and
Minru entered. The twins quickly lead the way to the study to find that the
door was locked and bolted shut. With a heave of his body James threw himself
against the door knocking it down. In the study lay the contorted body of Mr.
Grotski. In his hand he held the Notebook and in the other he held a lighter.
His arms were broken and twisted into two arching towers above his body. While
his feet were twisted backwards having one heel in the air and the other on the
ground while his kneecaps rested on the floor. His back was arched moving his
large frame in the air. Yet most odd of all was the look on his face. His face
was calm and composed almost meditated even though a stream of blood slowly
flowed from his cheek. James stood motionless as the girls stepped back. For a
second everything was still. No one could think or do anything but stand still
in horror of the image they just saw.
Then
suddenly everyone sprang into action. The girls quickly ran down to call the
police while James tore the Notebook from the cold dead fingers and stuffed it
into his jacket making sure not to look at it for long.
Five
minutes later the police arrived and a few hours later they were released from
their questioning. Martin was promptly waiting to pick James up and James knew
this. He turned around to face Taki and Minru and didn't say a word. He just
looked into their eyes very deeply and they understood that no one should know
about the Notebook. James turned and started to walk home with Martin.
The walk
was made without any interaction between them, but the mental preparations were
numerous on both sides. James pondered as to what he would be asked as Martin
thought of how to make sure that James never even remembered the Notebook
existed. A few steps from the door James broke the silence.
"You know
what is happening."
"Probably
but not nearly as much as you do" Martin replied casually checking his nails
for dirt
"Stop the
game. I'm not going to play it. Just tell me what is going on." James said
harshly
"Well
than where's the fun in that? I think this would be a marvelous learning
experience for you."
"I said
stop the game. For the last time I'm not playing. Just tell me what the hell is
going on and I won't have to hurt you." James said angrily as he lurched
forward at Martin
"Not so
fast" Martin quickly slipped a knife from his sleeve pressing the flat edge
against James's neck holding him back. From the corner of his eye Martin saw a
couple walking down the street towards them and quickly hid his weapon and
pushed James inside.
"Now this
is the end for today, if you want to learn more you're just going to have to do
it on your own." And with that Martin left and James was left alone with his
thoughts, so many unclear and unanswered
The next
day James woke up as usual and headed out as usual without delay. Then as he
went outside and locked the door behind him he turned to see Taki and Minru
waiting for him.
"Oh so
now you recruited another sta-" James stopped in mid sentence just then
remembering that they had lost the closest thing they had to a father.
"I'm…I'm
sorry for you loss" James said hanging his head.
"What
loss?" Minru said shyly
"Yeah,
its not like he actually loved us" Taki chimed in. James raised his head
awkwardly and smiled meeting the duel smiles of the twins.
"Now come
on,"
"Before
we are late for school" the twins alternated grabbing James's hands and pulling
him along. With a single smile James followed along.
For the
next two weeks the James only got closer to his new friends. They had almost
all of the same classes together walked to and from school with each other
every day. James even started to feel odd feelings for them, especially Taki.
Then one day Taki brought up the oddest proposition.
"Have you
ever noticed how dull your clothes are?" Taki commented to James
"What do
you mean?"
"Well
just look at yourself. So plain and well boring." Minru said
"I have
an idea! Let's give him a make over this weekend." Taki blurted out
"Great
idea," Minru said enthusiastically. But before James had time to object it was
Saturday and he had been tricked somehow into coming with the twins to the
stores in town. He was tossed into a whirlwind of dressing rooms and fabric. He
was confused and disoriented most of the time but he had fun. By the end of the
day he wore a black blazer an assortment of buttons draping his lapels and had
deep blue jeans that ended just before his heel. His tie was now a deep black
and had sown into the fabric just were the main tie was made, was a watch face.
Yet by this time it was only late afternoon and still there was time so still
there was "work" to be done. First he was their clothes model now he was their
clothing transporter, caring heavy bags from store to store following them on
their quest for a perfect style. All this time James was constantly fighting
and contemplating the feelings he had for Taki. The day started to end and the
trio headed home. They talked and joked on the long walk back and all the while
grew even closer. Then the start of a great accident occurred.
Unbeknown
to James, the twins decided to play a small joke to get a few laughs.
"Can you
excuse us, we need to go get something." Taki said
"In the
woods?" James asked as he pointed to the forest beside the rout they were
taking.
"Yeah we
will only be a second." Minru said as she and her sister walked into the woods.
Then after some time they were out of distance the prank began. Minru walked
back but now dressed as Taki. It was supposed to be a simple prank to get James
confused but at this moment it went wrong. The sun started to set as Minru came
out disguised. And the sunrays dazzled as they fell on her radiating her beauty
and trying James's control even more.
"Did you
have fun today?" Minru said trying her best to sound like Taki but not being
able to keep back the sweetness of her voice completely. James couldn't stand
it any long and stepped forward succumbing to his wants. He moved very close
and slowly wrapped his hands around Minru's body and moved his face close.
"I've
always felt this way about you Taki," James's said softly before pressing his
lips against hers. At this point Minru's body felt numb and fell limp in his
arms. Then almost like a shock a warm stream filled her body and she placed her
arms around his neck returning the kiss gently. It lasted only for seconds and
when it ended the only stood in silence before Minru ran off into the forest.
"You look
like you saw a ghost." Taki commented as she saw her sister
"What
happened?"
"Nothing…
he just asked what we were doing and I froze up and ran back, sorry," Minru
said looking at the ground
"Its ok,
we'll get him next time" Taki reassured. The sisters exited the forest and
headed back towards home. James acted normal as if nothing had happened which
surprised Minru. A while later the trio made it home and said last good byes
before they departed, it had been a full day.
When
James arrived home he went into a state of shock not unlike the one he had
gotten when he first learned that the Grotski's were Taki's foster parents.
Locked up in his room he searched franticly for anything that could comfort
him. Then he saw the Notebook, which he had thrown into a corner. It looked so
inviting so warming that he couldn't resist but to hold it close. As he picked
it up he noticed around his hand was a bracelet made from small loops of metal
making a small chain. And on this chain was a needle like object. James quickly
found his magnifying glass and looked at it to see it was engraved with lines
that looped and twisted and ran down the needle like water in a river. Without
delay James stuck the needle into one of the holes of the lock at random. It
fitted perfectly and a small click was heard after he twisted and pushed a
small amount.
He tried
to pull it out to fit into the other holes but as he did he felt the metal in
the lock move back. This vain attempt to open the Notebook only made him want
it more. The contents were at first interesting but now they were mesmerizing.
James just sat in thought for hours holding the book in one hand and fiddling
with the bracelet in the other.
Mean
while at the Grotski house Taki and Minru were talking about the day. Giggling,
laughing, making small witty comments all of this was just plain fun between
the sisters. A while later, Minru was left alone to her thoughts when Taki left
to take a shower. This was the dread of Minru. Now all she could think about
was the kiss.
"Was it really meant for her, or was it truly Taki's?
Does he really feel that way? Was it wrong to enjoy it? Do I feel the same way
toward him? What are these feelings?" all these thoughts pulsed through her
brain. With a quivering finger she reached up and touched her lips and tried to
remember the wonderful sensation when her lips met his. How warm and soft they
felt against hers, how gentle he was with his movement. How much love was in
that simple act, she didn't know and couldn't even imagine.
That night she lay awake and thought about the day
and ran each part over and over again. She couldn't escape how wonderful the
kiss was and how much she longed for more and enjoyed the small taste she was
given. It was so wonderful yet all she could do was hide under her covers
holding her pillow close and let tears run down her face. She could only think
about how wonderful the sensation was and how it might not have been meant for
her.
Part 7 [The Kiss] (B)
[Note: Hello reader! Yet again I'm experimenting with
Minru B. The story will start out the same but there is a BIG difference in the
rest of the part. I hope you enjoyed the rid of November and keep up while we
move onto December. I want to thank everyone that has read and gave me
feedback. I appreciate it a lot. Now to set this up, Minru is still going to be
the bad girl on the inside but is going to try to stifle it for James because
of…. Reasons you will find out if you read the part. Thank you and I hope you
enjoy]
"One"
"Two"
"Three"
the door of the Grotski residence was suddenly throw open as James, Taki and
Minru entered. The twins quickly lead the way to the study to find that the
door was locked and bolted shut. With a heave of his body James threw himself
against the door knocking it down. In the study lay the contorted body of Mr.
Grotski. In his hand he held the Notebook and in the other he held a lighter.
His arms were broken and twisted into two arching towers above his body. While
his feet were twisted backwards having one heel in the air and the other on the
ground while his kneecaps rested on the floor. His back was arched moving his
large frame in the air. Yet most odd of all was the look on his face. His face
was calm and composed almost meditated even though a stream of blood slowly
flowed from his cheek. James stood motionless as the girls stepped back. For a
second everything was still. No one could think or do anything but stand still
in horror of the image they just saw.
Then
suddenly everyone sprang into action. The girls quickly ran down to call the
police while James tore the Notebook from the cold dead fingers and stuffed it
into his jacket making sure not to look at it for long.
Five minutes
later the police arrived and a few hours later they were released from their
questioning. Martin was promptly waiting to pick James up and James knew this.
He turned around to face Taki and Minru and didn't say a word. He just looked
into their eyes very deeply and they understood that no one should know about
the Notebook. James turned and started to walk home with Martin.
The walk
was made without any interaction between them, but the mental preparations were
numerous on both sides. James pondered as to what he would be asked as Martin
thought of how to make sure that James never even remembered the Notebook
existed. A few steps from the door James broke the silence.
"You know
what is happening."
"Probably
but not nearly as much as you do" Martin replied casually checking his nails
for dirt
"Stop the
game. I'm not going to play it. Just tell me what is going on." James said
harshly
"Well
than where's the fun in that? I think this would be a marvelous learning
experience for you."
"I said
stop the game. For the last time I'm not playing. Just tell me what the hell is
going on and I won't have to hurt you." James said angrily as he lurched
forward at Martin
"Not so
fast" Martin quickly slipped a knife from his sleeve pressing the flat edge
against James's neck holding him back. From the corner of his eye Martin saw a
couple walking down the street towards them and quickly hid his weapon and
pushed James inside.
"Now this
is the end for today, if you want to learn more you're just going to have to do
it on your own." And with that Martin left and James was left alone with his
thoughts, so many unclear and unanswered
The next
day James woke up as usual and got ready for another semi-normal day. After he
had locked the door behind him he turned around to see Taki and Minru waiting
for him with smiles.
"Oh so
now you recruited another stalker fan-" James stopped in mid sentence
remembering the death yesterday.
"I'm
sorry for your loss" James said hanging his head
"Um…what
loss? I call it more of a gain." Minru said
"Oh you
mean that, well I'll call it more of a gain." Taki added
"Yeah if
you think about it, I don't think it is a loss that a guy that beat children
died a mysterious horrid death wouldn't you agree, James." Minru said with a
smile
"Well I
see what you mean now… Hey wait didn't Taki tell you numbskull, don't call me
James. Limdo is fine." James said as he playfully knocked on Minru's head.
For the
last two weeks of November James grew closer and closer two both of the girls.
They had almost the same classes together and walked to and from school every
day. James had grown to find out so much about both of them and could even tell
them apart by the very slight difference in their eye color. He started to feel
odd emotions for both of them, especially Taki.
Than on
the Friday of the last week Taki made an unusual proposition.
"Have you
ever noticed how up tight he looks in his clothes?" Taki said to Minru as the
three walked home.
"Oh yeah,
he looks like a lawyer that has chronic constipation. Just look at him so
stiff." Minru said as she poked his stomach
"Hey quit
it!" James said letting out a small laugh
"I have
an idea, lets take him to the mall tomorrow. I'm sure with our expert fashion
sense we could turn this train wreck around." Taki proposed
"Ouch,
that cut deep" James said jokingly but he knew she was right. He only wore a
fitting blue blazer over a black shirt and khaki pants. And Taki and Minru had
distinct styles all their own. Before he could officially agree he had been
tricked into going any ways. And so the day began. He was almost instantly
tossed into a whirlwind of textiles and products. Without control he was just
hurled around aimlessly in the complex. Venturing from outlet to outlet without
navigation or aim he enjoyed himself, even though he really couldn't recall
what happened. All he knew is that it started out with frantic window-shopping
and ended up with him almost locked in a changing room. By the end of his
jovial imprisonment he had a black long sleeve shirt under short sleeve shirt
with diagonal white and black bars.
Instead of khaki's he had normal blue jeans. And his normal tie was
replaced with a black one with a watch face sown into it. He almost looked like
he could completely hide his secrets.
Yet his
work had just begun. Now his job was to caddy the enormous parcels following
mindlessly almost slaving. For hours he took up this task gladly. He knew that
it was simple work compared to the reward of talking to the two twins. It
ranged wildly like before, and entertained both sides. James was even allowed
to give input on the products bought. All good things come to an end but the
time spent with the good things is what really makes you savor them, and James
knew this all too well.
Later on
in the day it was getting hot and the indoor air conditioning was broken. "God it's sweltering in here," James
remarked as he wiped beads of sweat from his head.
"Yeah it
is, it's like a sauna in here. How should we cool off?" Taki asked ambiguously
"Well we
could always change and try out some different clothes." Minru suggested
broadly.
James and
Taki looked at her almost surprised at the good suggestion. A little while
later the three were sitting in their own stales in cool summer garments and
the breezy privet AC of the store. A small smile ran across James face as he
thought about what was happening. He was simply having fun with friends and yet
the feelings were so complex from this simple thing. Pondering and pondering
James lost track of time and soon heard a light knock at the door. He quickly
scrambled to change shirts but the search was in vain. Frantically looking for
his original outfit was stressful but with the criticizing voice of Minru on
the other side saying that it was time to head out didn't help at all. Then as
James leaned over looking for his shirt he felt a gust of air, flow across his
bare back as the door opened. She had obviously lost patience and decided to
drag James out herself but stopped cold after a few steps into the stale when
she saw James's problem. She quickly blushed and tried to turn away but instead
tripped up knocking the door clothed and falling back onto James.
Then time
stopped. James stood paralyzed shirtless, holding Minru up in his arms. Her
body was accidentally pressed against his forcing him against the wall and
forcing him to gaze almost hypnotized into her eyes. Both had thoughts buzzing
through their minds but Minru left those thoughts aside and gave into instinct.
With a simple shift of weight she leaned in and hugged James making the embrace
no longer accidental but official.
She
thought to herself quietly how warm and comforting his heartbeat was. Even
though her eyes were closed she still started to explore his bare torso with
her hands. She took in even muscle every contour line and curve as she gently
moved her hand across his chest.
"He is so
strong and fit," Minru said to herself in the embrace
As she
explored James at first felt extremely uncomfortable but then remembered Minru
and relaxed letting her hands caress every part of his chest. This went on for
a few seconds and both of them felt amazing at the other. Minru wondered how
plain handsome James really was. As James felt surprised at how gentle and
comforting Minru really was. Than in a flash of a moment, Minru took James's
face in her hands and pressed her lips against his. At this moment a shock shot
through his body making every nerve numb causing him to loose balance. He fell
back onto the makeshift bench and Minru was dragged long still pressed against
him. It lasted only for a few seconds more, but that was all the time needed to
confuse James beyond comprehension and to delight both of them.
After the
kiss had ended, Minru quickly got up and ran out of the changing stall while
James was left with his thoughts…
A few
minutes later the three met up at the entrance and started off towards home.
Minru and James made the illusion of normalcy but Taki saw through.
"What
took you guys so long in the changing stalls?" Taki asked, as they were half
way home.
"Well-"
"This
idiot took forever to find his original clothes the dummy." Minru quickly said
cutting James off.
No
suspicion was really raised and the rest of the way home was normal. Yet the
event of that day constantly lingered in both of their minds.
When James arrived home he went into a state of shock
not unlike the one he had gotten when he first learned that the Grotski's were
Taki's foster parents. Locked up in his room he searched franticly for anything
that could comfort him. Then he saw the Notebook, which he had thrown into a
corner. It looked so inviting so warming that he couldn't resist but to hold it
close. As he picked it up he noticed around his hand was a bracelet made from
small loops of metal making a small chain. And on this chain was a needle like
object. James quickly found his magnifying glass and looked at it to see it was
engraved with lines that looped and twisted and ran down the needle like water
in a river. Without delay James stuck the needle into one of the holes of the
lock at random. It fitted perfectly and a small click was heard after he
twisted and pushed a small amount.
He tried
to pull it out to fit into the other holes but as he did he felt the metal in
the lock move back. This vain attempt to open the Notebook only made him want
it more. The contents were at first interesting but now they were mesmerizing.
James just sat in thought for hours holding the book in one hand and fiddling
with the bracelet in the other.
Mean while at the Grotski house Taki and Minru were
talking about the day. Giggling, laughing, making small witty comments all of
this was just plain fun between the sisters. A while later, Minru was left
alone to her thoughts when Taki left to take a shower. This was the dread of Minru.
Now all she could think about was the kiss.
"Why did I do that? Was it wrong that I enjoyed it?
It was my first was it his? If it was, was it my right to take it from him?
What if he doesn't like me at all?" all these thoughts pulsed through her brain.
With a quivering finger she reached up and touched her lips and tried to
remember the wonderful sensation when her lips met his. How warm and soft they
felt against hers, how gentle he was with his movement. How much love was in
that simple act, she didn't know and couldn't even imagine.
That night she lay awake and thought about the day
and ran each part over and over again. She couldn't escape how wonderful the
kiss was and how much she longed for more and enjoyed the small taste she was
given. It was so wonderful yet all she could do was hide under her covers
holding her pillow close and let tears run down her face. She could only think
about how wonderful the sensation was. How she had pressed herself against him
and how his masculine frame easily held her. How strong he had been and how
chiseled his entire body was. She knew that she was a fairly attractive girl
and the situation had been offered a few times before, but she almost forced it
upon him. And she liked it. Every single second she fell more in love with not
James, but what she saw in him. A strong loner that rarely smiled but if one
had the extreme luck to see the jewel of his grin, it was something always to
be remembered. It was smug yet warm in its construction and he manipulated his eyes
just so perfect as if to say, "I'm here for you". He was gentle and kind but
could be strong when he wanted to. She felt like a small schoolgirl falling
head over heels for a secret crush. She both loved and hated the kiss.
While all
this was swimming through Minru's mind all Taki was just wondering if James
liked his new apparel.
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