)
“Um, I better not. Sorry. I have to get up early in the morning.” It was true but it was still a lame excuse. He smiled weakly.
“Right. Ok. I guess I’ll seeya then.” He immediately felt bad.
“Yeah, seeya.”
He just stood there as she drove off. He let out a long sigh and smacked himself. Hard. He started toward camp again.
Maybe, after a few things were cleared up, he could have friends, be in relationships. Maybe she’d still be here when he wasn’t a freak anymore. Maybe Tootsie rolls would start falling from the sky. He closed his eyes and let the sharp wind bristle through his hair. He probably wouldn’t get much sleep tonight, no matter how early he needed to get up.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A Fork in the Road...
OK. Here's the deal. I have two scenarios that could play out from here and i can't decide which one I should go with. That's where you come in! I'll put up a poll and you guys can tell me which way you want the story to go. this is a pretty awesome opportunity! I mean, how many times do you get the chance to decide what happens in a story you're reading? Right?
OK, I'll post the two paths and you can vote.
OK, I'll post the two paths and you can vote.
Ch. 2: Part 2
It had gotten dark fast. The moon wasn’t visible through the cloudy night; their only light streaming from the yellowish headlights.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Leo.”
“You got a last name?”
“Kosky.”
“Kosky, huh?” She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t know any uh those.”
“What’s your name?” Leo asked. He was a little surprised at himself. Should he care what her name was? Should he allow himself to?
“Lana Ricky.” She thrust her hand at him, her eyes still on the road. He took it and she gave it a good shake. Her hand returned to the wheel.
“Have you lived here a long time?” He asked, curiosity taking over.
“Just since I was sixteen.”
“You live by yourself?” Was it his business?
“Yes.” She glanced at him and he saw her face had taken on a guarded expression. Definitely not his business.
“Sorry. Just trying to guess how old you are.”
She still looked a little suspicious, but she answered anyway. “I just turned twenty-one.”
“Sorry.” He said again. He hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. She probably thought he was a creep. She sighed.
“No, it’s fine.” She smiled a little at him. She turned back to the road, then more quietly, almost to herself, she added, “You get a little paranoid when you been through things that I have.” Leo had a feeling sweep over him he hadn’t expected. He was suddenly angry at what ever had hurt her. Whatever had made such caution a necessity in her life. He crumpled his brow and bent his head to stare at the floorboard again. She looked sideways at him and snickered. He looked up startled.
“You ok?” she said, apparently amused at his seriousness. He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. She raised her eyebrows at him but let it go.
“Uh, where do you want me to drop you off at?” He looked up. They were back in the little town. Strangely, he was saddened. He liked Lana. She wasn’t fake. Her loud laugh and lack of tact were oddly comforting. He didn’t want to go back to his dark lonely camp and face his problems.
“Are you working tonight? At, uh, Larry’s?” Maybe he would take her up on her offer.
“No, I’m taking off for my birthday.”
“Your birthday’s today?” He asked with high eyebrows. Her face lit up in a sly smile. “I told you I just turned twenty-one, didn’t I?” He smiled back. His eyebrows furrowed. “Aren’t you going to Larry’s for your birthday? To celebrate?”
“Ugh. Hell, no. Why would I pay to spend a night in that dump? I try not to go there unless I’m getting paid.” This surprised Leo. There wasn’t that much entertainment around here besides the tavern. Maybe she would have friends over.
They were sitting in front of the conveniance store now. The clouds had cleared away enough for the moon to peek through. It was almost full with just a small fraction shaved off. She raised her eyebrows at him. It was time for him to go home.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just walk from here.”
“It’s kinda late. Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s not that far.” He grabbed the door handle. “Thanks.” He pulled on it and got out of the car. He bent his waist to look at her through the window, hands balled up in his pockets. “Happy birthday.” He smiled and shut the door.
He turned and started back towards camp.
“Seeya.” She called. His shoulders hunched involuntarily. This was stupid. Why was he being like this? It was pathetic. He hardly even knew the girl.
He’d only gone about thirty feet when her car pulled up along side him again. This time the driver’s side window facing him.
“Do you want to celebrate it with me?” She bit her lip. It was the first time he had seen her unsure of herself. He looked towards at the trees, towards camp. Wasn’t this what he’d wanted? But he suddenly wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea. Should he be making friends? Having relationships? Probably not.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Leo.”
“You got a last name?”
“Kosky.”
“Kosky, huh?” She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t know any uh those.”
“What’s your name?” Leo asked. He was a little surprised at himself. Should he care what her name was? Should he allow himself to?
“Lana Ricky.” She thrust her hand at him, her eyes still on the road. He took it and she gave it a good shake. Her hand returned to the wheel.
“Have you lived here a long time?” He asked, curiosity taking over.
“Just since I was sixteen.”
“You live by yourself?” Was it his business?
“Yes.” She glanced at him and he saw her face had taken on a guarded expression. Definitely not his business.
“Sorry. Just trying to guess how old you are.”
She still looked a little suspicious, but she answered anyway. “I just turned twenty-one.”
“Sorry.” He said again. He hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable. She probably thought he was a creep. She sighed.
“No, it’s fine.” She smiled a little at him. She turned back to the road, then more quietly, almost to herself, she added, “You get a little paranoid when you been through things that I have.” Leo had a feeling sweep over him he hadn’t expected. He was suddenly angry at what ever had hurt her. Whatever had made such caution a necessity in her life. He crumpled his brow and bent his head to stare at the floorboard again. She looked sideways at him and snickered. He looked up startled.
“You ok?” she said, apparently amused at his seriousness. He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. She raised her eyebrows at him but let it go.
“Uh, where do you want me to drop you off at?” He looked up. They were back in the little town. Strangely, he was saddened. He liked Lana. She wasn’t fake. Her loud laugh and lack of tact were oddly comforting. He didn’t want to go back to his dark lonely camp and face his problems.
“Are you working tonight? At, uh, Larry’s?” Maybe he would take her up on her offer.
“No, I’m taking off for my birthday.”
“Your birthday’s today?” He asked with high eyebrows. Her face lit up in a sly smile. “I told you I just turned twenty-one, didn’t I?” He smiled back. His eyebrows furrowed. “Aren’t you going to Larry’s for your birthday? To celebrate?”
“Ugh. Hell, no. Why would I pay to spend a night in that dump? I try not to go there unless I’m getting paid.” This surprised Leo. There wasn’t that much entertainment around here besides the tavern. Maybe she would have friends over.
They were sitting in front of the conveniance store now. The clouds had cleared away enough for the moon to peek through. It was almost full with just a small fraction shaved off. She raised her eyebrows at him. It was time for him to go home.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just walk from here.”
“It’s kinda late. Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s not that far.” He grabbed the door handle. “Thanks.” He pulled on it and got out of the car. He bent his waist to look at her through the window, hands balled up in his pockets. “Happy birthday.” He smiled and shut the door.
He turned and started back towards camp.
“Seeya.” She called. His shoulders hunched involuntarily. This was stupid. Why was he being like this? It was pathetic. He hardly even knew the girl.
He’d only gone about thirty feet when her car pulled up along side him again. This time the driver’s side window facing him.
“Do you want to celebrate it with me?” She bit her lip. It was the first time he had seen her unsure of herself. He looked towards at the trees, towards camp. Wasn’t this what he’d wanted? But he suddenly wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea. Should he be making friends? Having relationships? Probably not.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Art Work!
finally, I got those drawings up here! I did them like forever ago.
These are cell phone pics so please excuse the crappy quality. Best I could do. No, I don't have a digital camera. Thanks for bringing it up. *sniff*
Anyway, I want feedback on these of course. Same as everything on this blog. Love the feedback. The completely non-existent feedback. *sigh*
But not to worry! I have posted links to this site on many a Twilight fangirl discussion board (OK. well, actually only two).
and if you want to do some art related to the story (or not related) that would be super awesome! I'll try to post it if it's related.
So, yeah. Thanks
Ch. 2: Part 1
“You lookin for someone?” came a gruff voice from behind him. Leo spun.
“Um, yes. Who’s in charge? I mean, like, who’s your boss?” He was so out of his element.
“What do you want, kid?”
“I’m looking for work. You guys need any help around here?”
“Get lost, kid.” He obviously wasn’t getting anywhere.
It was an unusually bright sunny day. Leo had walked on the site of the nearest logging project, wandering like an idiot, having really no idea who to talk to. He stumbled out of the way of a truck hauling away a pile of timber from being loaded and into the path of a rather large man bent over a clipboard. He accidentally knocked the clipboard from the man’s hands.
“Watch it!” the man spat. Leo stepped back as the worker crouched to pick it up. When he straitened, the man’s eyes found the face of his disturbance.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” It seemed their little scuff hadn’t put Mr. Clipboard in a great mood.
Ok, it was time to buck up. He wasn’t going to get anywhere if he didn’t make himself known. He would act professional. Like he knew what he was talking about.
“Hello, sir. I was thinking that I might be able to find some work with you. I work hard and I don’t need much. This seems like a good working experience.” Like he knew what he was talking about; not like he was a pushover.
“I don’t think we need anyone right now.”
“Uh, okay. Thanks.” What was he doing? He was getting frustrated. He couldn’t even take himself seriously.
His brow pulled down over his eyes and he let out an exasperated sigh. This was stupid. He took his hands out of his pockets and left them tensed at his sides. He walked directly up to a logger discussing something with a co-worker.
“Who’s in charge?” it came out harsher than he meant it.
“The site manager’s in there.” But it did the trick. The worker pointed to a white trailer. Leo nodded once and headed in the direction of the trailer. He gave two sharp raps on the aluminum door.
“Come in.” came a call from inside. The manager looked up and raised an eyebrow as Leo opened the door. Leo nodded a greeting.
“I’m looking for work and I’d like a job.” His eyebrow hitched further.
“Do you have any experience with logging?”
“No. but I learn fast.”
“What hours would you be able to work?”
“Any time you want me.”
“It’s hard labor.”
“I’m a hard worker.” The manager let go of the papers he’d been fingering when Leo walked in and turned his body to face him.
“How old are you?” He asked as he crossed his arms. Leo hesitated.
“Seventeen.”
“You’re not from around here.” He hadn’t said it like a question.
“No.” The manager dropped his arms.
“Fair enough.” He finally let his eyebrow down. “Show up here tomorrow morning at 6:30. I might have something for you.” He reached out his hand. “Jonah Gooding.”
“Leo Kosky.” Leo took it and gave it a firm shake. Jonah smiled. Leo nodded once more on his way out.
As he left the site a small smile of accomplishment turned up the corners of his mouth. He put his hands back in his pockets. Clouds started to block out the sun.
He couldn’t afford to be discovered. He’d seen some workers wearing coats, though not all of them. He could get by. He’d work on keeping his wings in tight and hoped no one noticed two feathery appendages coming out of his back.
He followed the dirt road back to the blacktop. He didn’t mind walking. He had so much more energy since he’d received his sick joke from Mother Nature. This made him wonder. A lot of things made him wonder. His reflexes were sharper, his hearing more sensitive. His body was all together more resilient. His stomach rumbled. That was another thing. Why was he always starving? He had gotten used to his complaining stomach. It wasn’t that hard to ignore anymore. He couldn’t exactly splurge on a couple pounds of beef whenever cravings kicked in.
The wind gently ruffled the trees on either side of the road. It was very quiet here. Even on the highway there was hardly ever so much as a lone semi. He felt very alone here. But it was welcomed. He didn’t really feel like sharing his thoughts right now. At least his expenses were taken care of for the moment. It seemed such an insignificant area to have covered. He had so many things to nail down. But that’s how he had to do this. Just think about one thing at a time.
He heard the car coming up behind long before it reached him. At least he had felt alone.
“Hey, there.” A shabby, muted red two-door coasted slowly beside him. The girl from the pawn shop was leaning across the passenger side looking up at him, glancing out at the road in front of her periodically. As if there was ever any kind of traffic she needed to worry about. He gave her a quick glance as he kept walking.
“Hi.”
“Whatcha doin’ out here?” She asked and then without waiting for an answer “You want a ride?”
“I like walking.”
“Ya sure?” He looked down at her again and saw her squinting up at him through the light of the setting sun. She gave a friendly half-smile. He returned his eyes to the road. Maybe he was being rude.
“Uh, sure.” He stopped his stroll. She straightened back up to make way for him. He hesitated. Would she be able to see anything? Were they, his wings, very noticeable? He suddenly felt uncomfortable about being in such a tight space with someone else. The car idled beside him. She leaned over again.
“Are you coming?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry.” He said as he shook his head to clear it. He opened the door and ducked his head as he lowered himself in. She raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. He gave a weak smile. He stared at the floor board and tightened his wings against him, crushing them into the back of the seat.
The car lurched forward as she pressed the pedal down then screeched to a stop. She sighed. She pumped the acceleration and they jerked forward a couple times, the engine revving loudly in protest.
“Damn this car.” She cursed under her breath. Leo’s awkwardness intensified. His hands clenched in his coat pockets. She gave the pedal a few more pumps and they finally started consistently down the highway. Her face was hard and she was hunched a bit over the steering wheel in irritation. He shifted in his seat. She turned her head to see his uncomfortable expression and gave a loud laugh.
“Sorry.” Her shoulders relaxed and she slammed back into her seat, chuckling, her arms out straight in front of her grasping the steering wheel. “I guess I need a new car. Huh?” Leo’s mouth turned into a shy grin. Her eyes smiled at him. He was caught off guard. He’d never noticed how pretty her eyes were before. They were a greenish-tan around the center that faded into a light blue toward the edge. His smile widened into a more earnest one. He leaned his head back against the head rest.
“Um, yes. Who’s in charge? I mean, like, who’s your boss?” He was so out of his element.
“What do you want, kid?”
“I’m looking for work. You guys need any help around here?”
“Get lost, kid.” He obviously wasn’t getting anywhere.
It was an unusually bright sunny day. Leo had walked on the site of the nearest logging project, wandering like an idiot, having really no idea who to talk to. He stumbled out of the way of a truck hauling away a pile of timber from being loaded and into the path of a rather large man bent over a clipboard. He accidentally knocked the clipboard from the man’s hands.
“Watch it!” the man spat. Leo stepped back as the worker crouched to pick it up. When he straitened, the man’s eyes found the face of his disturbance.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” It seemed their little scuff hadn’t put Mr. Clipboard in a great mood.
Ok, it was time to buck up. He wasn’t going to get anywhere if he didn’t make himself known. He would act professional. Like he knew what he was talking about.
“Hello, sir. I was thinking that I might be able to find some work with you. I work hard and I don’t need much. This seems like a good working experience.” Like he knew what he was talking about; not like he was a pushover.
“I don’t think we need anyone right now.”
“Uh, okay. Thanks.” What was he doing? He was getting frustrated. He couldn’t even take himself seriously.
His brow pulled down over his eyes and he let out an exasperated sigh. This was stupid. He took his hands out of his pockets and left them tensed at his sides. He walked directly up to a logger discussing something with a co-worker.
“Who’s in charge?” it came out harsher than he meant it.
“The site manager’s in there.” But it did the trick. The worker pointed to a white trailer. Leo nodded once and headed in the direction of the trailer. He gave two sharp raps on the aluminum door.
“Come in.” came a call from inside. The manager looked up and raised an eyebrow as Leo opened the door. Leo nodded a greeting.
“I’m looking for work and I’d like a job.” His eyebrow hitched further.
“Do you have any experience with logging?”
“No. but I learn fast.”
“What hours would you be able to work?”
“Any time you want me.”
“It’s hard labor.”
“I’m a hard worker.” The manager let go of the papers he’d been fingering when Leo walked in and turned his body to face him.
“How old are you?” He asked as he crossed his arms. Leo hesitated.
“Seventeen.”
“You’re not from around here.” He hadn’t said it like a question.
“No.” The manager dropped his arms.
“Fair enough.” He finally let his eyebrow down. “Show up here tomorrow morning at 6:30. I might have something for you.” He reached out his hand. “Jonah Gooding.”
“Leo Kosky.” Leo took it and gave it a firm shake. Jonah smiled. Leo nodded once more on his way out.
As he left the site a small smile of accomplishment turned up the corners of his mouth. He put his hands back in his pockets. Clouds started to block out the sun.
He couldn’t afford to be discovered. He’d seen some workers wearing coats, though not all of them. He could get by. He’d work on keeping his wings in tight and hoped no one noticed two feathery appendages coming out of his back.
He followed the dirt road back to the blacktop. He didn’t mind walking. He had so much more energy since he’d received his sick joke from Mother Nature. This made him wonder. A lot of things made him wonder. His reflexes were sharper, his hearing more sensitive. His body was all together more resilient. His stomach rumbled. That was another thing. Why was he always starving? He had gotten used to his complaining stomach. It wasn’t that hard to ignore anymore. He couldn’t exactly splurge on a couple pounds of beef whenever cravings kicked in.
The wind gently ruffled the trees on either side of the road. It was very quiet here. Even on the highway there was hardly ever so much as a lone semi. He felt very alone here. But it was welcomed. He didn’t really feel like sharing his thoughts right now. At least his expenses were taken care of for the moment. It seemed such an insignificant area to have covered. He had so many things to nail down. But that’s how he had to do this. Just think about one thing at a time.
He heard the car coming up behind long before it reached him. At least he had felt alone.
“Hey, there.” A shabby, muted red two-door coasted slowly beside him. The girl from the pawn shop was leaning across the passenger side looking up at him, glancing out at the road in front of her periodically. As if there was ever any kind of traffic she needed to worry about. He gave her a quick glance as he kept walking.
“Hi.”
“Whatcha doin’ out here?” She asked and then without waiting for an answer “You want a ride?”
“I like walking.”
“Ya sure?” He looked down at her again and saw her squinting up at him through the light of the setting sun. She gave a friendly half-smile. He returned his eyes to the road. Maybe he was being rude.
“Uh, sure.” He stopped his stroll. She straightened back up to make way for him. He hesitated. Would she be able to see anything? Were they, his wings, very noticeable? He suddenly felt uncomfortable about being in such a tight space with someone else. The car idled beside him. She leaned over again.
“Are you coming?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry.” He said as he shook his head to clear it. He opened the door and ducked his head as he lowered himself in. She raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. He gave a weak smile. He stared at the floor board and tightened his wings against him, crushing them into the back of the seat.
The car lurched forward as she pressed the pedal down then screeched to a stop. She sighed. She pumped the acceleration and they jerked forward a couple times, the engine revving loudly in protest.
“Damn this car.” She cursed under her breath. Leo’s awkwardness intensified. His hands clenched in his coat pockets. She gave the pedal a few more pumps and they finally started consistently down the highway. Her face was hard and she was hunched a bit over the steering wheel in irritation. He shifted in his seat. She turned her head to see his uncomfortable expression and gave a loud laugh.
“Sorry.” Her shoulders relaxed and she slammed back into her seat, chuckling, her arms out straight in front of her grasping the steering wheel. “I guess I need a new car. Huh?” Leo’s mouth turned into a shy grin. Her eyes smiled at him. He was caught off guard. He’d never noticed how pretty her eyes were before. They were a greenish-tan around the center that faded into a light blue toward the edge. His smile widened into a more earnest one. He leaned his head back against the head rest.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Ch. 1: Part 4
His lack of camping experience showed through as he fumbled with the tent. The convenience store had supplied him with meals for the next day or two.
He’d have to do something about his dwindling budget. Could he find some work? He wanted to mix with others as little as possible, but he didn’t really have a choice. He didn’t want to steal from these people. Besides the fact that theft in the small town would lay suspicion on any strangers, it just seemed wrong to hinder anyone else’s life for his own sake. Even to eat. Who was he? He was a freak. No, he wouldn’t do that to this town. They didn’t deserve it. He’d have to get work. But he didn’t want to add unwanted attention – which was any – to himself. The pawn shop knew about the camping gear and if he went around looking for a job in town, they would know about it. He doubted they would react positively to a stranger living in the woods somewhere. It had to be someone’s land. Probably logging property. Maybe that was an option. He didn’t exactly know the qualifications for lumberjacks or whatever they were called, but maybe he could do something.
He’d made a fire rather easily. He and his friends back home used to set fire to stuff all the time. He shook his head. Maybe home wasn’t something he should be thinking about right now. It wasn’t home anymore.
He made himself comfortable on the ground beside the fire. Night had crept in slowly, dimming the sky til only the moon and the light of the fire told him his way around camp. He leaned back to look at the stars.
He hadn’t been flying since that first time. That had been stupid. Anyone could have seen him. He was a bit bigger than a bird. His wings ached to take flight. He left his shirt off while around camp and his wings were splayed over the ground on either side of him. But they yearned to be in motion. He brought them up and flapped once. The fire flickered spastically as the air blew across it. He sighed as he rotated his hotdog in the fire. Maybe if he went out far enough or went high enough, no one would spot him. He’d try another trip later.
After he’d shoved down six hotdogs, he put out the fire and crawled into his tent. He laid out on his stomach and snuggled into the sleeping bag. The one person tent was a little too small for his wings, so he couldn’t stretch them the way he wanted. They sloped lazily down his sides. He closed his eyes and listened to the wind rustle through the trees. He pulled in a deep breath and was asleep before his body let it out.
He’d have to do something about his dwindling budget. Could he find some work? He wanted to mix with others as little as possible, but he didn’t really have a choice. He didn’t want to steal from these people. Besides the fact that theft in the small town would lay suspicion on any strangers, it just seemed wrong to hinder anyone else’s life for his own sake. Even to eat. Who was he? He was a freak. No, he wouldn’t do that to this town. They didn’t deserve it. He’d have to get work. But he didn’t want to add unwanted attention – which was any – to himself. The pawn shop knew about the camping gear and if he went around looking for a job in town, they would know about it. He doubted they would react positively to a stranger living in the woods somewhere. It had to be someone’s land. Probably logging property. Maybe that was an option. He didn’t exactly know the qualifications for lumberjacks or whatever they were called, but maybe he could do something.
He’d made a fire rather easily. He and his friends back home used to set fire to stuff all the time. He shook his head. Maybe home wasn’t something he should be thinking about right now. It wasn’t home anymore.
He made himself comfortable on the ground beside the fire. Night had crept in slowly, dimming the sky til only the moon and the light of the fire told him his way around camp. He leaned back to look at the stars.
He hadn’t been flying since that first time. That had been stupid. Anyone could have seen him. He was a bit bigger than a bird. His wings ached to take flight. He left his shirt off while around camp and his wings were splayed over the ground on either side of him. But they yearned to be in motion. He brought them up and flapped once. The fire flickered spastically as the air blew across it. He sighed as he rotated his hotdog in the fire. Maybe if he went out far enough or went high enough, no one would spot him. He’d try another trip later.
After he’d shoved down six hotdogs, he put out the fire and crawled into his tent. He laid out on his stomach and snuggled into the sleeping bag. The one person tent was a little too small for his wings, so he couldn’t stretch them the way he wanted. They sloped lazily down his sides. He closed his eyes and listened to the wind rustle through the trees. He pulled in a deep breath and was asleep before his body let it out.
Artwork
Sup.
I have drawn some stuff for Leo. Just to clarify, I'm not an amazing artist or anything, but I do like these drawings. Hopefully I can post them soon.
I did find this pic online. I have no idea who did it or anything. I just thought it looked cool and it reminded me of Leo. Even the same hair color and everything. So, yeah. I thought it was cool.
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