Posts Tagged ‘ Chapter ’

New Chapter Organics 40+ Every Man II Multivitamins Tablets, 96-Count

February 16, 2011
By

New Chapter Organics 40+ Every Man II Multivitamins Tablets, 96-Count

  • Whole Food Multi Vitamins + Herbs + Minerals formulated specifically for the needs of every man and every woman
  • Supercritical saw palmetto, nettle root, and pumpkin seed oil work together to promote overall prostate health and normal urine flow
  • Three-a-day formula is easy-to-take, easy-to-digest, and can be taken anytime – even on an empty stomach!
  • Three-a-day formula is easy-to-take, easy-to-digest, and can be taken anytime ? even on an empty stomach!
Every Man II is an organic whole-food multivitamin formulated specifically for the needs of men 40+.

List Price: $ 75.95 Price: $ 41.01


The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs--Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant--to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain

  • ISBN13: 9781594869723
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Putting more than 30 years of groundbreaking research to work, renowned scientist Judith Wurtman, PhD, and her colleague, Nina T. Frusztajer, MD, present a clinically proven 12-week program that uses the power of carbohydrates to help you to: Activate the appetite-suppressant function of serotonin to stop weight gain  Regain control over emotional overeating and cravings Lose up to 2 pounds of real weight—not water—per week Maintain a healthy lifestyle The Serotonin Power Diet is the

List Price: $ 15.99 Price: $ 3.17


Advocare Slim Appetite Suppressant BRAND NEW IN BOX SHIPS SAME DAY!!!!!
US $24.95 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 20:30:33 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Related New Appetite Suppressant Products

Nine Ways (Revised AGAIN) Chapter 4

January 21, 2011
By

After thinking I knew my way to the lunch room, turning down an unknown hallway, getting lost and then having to ask someone for directions to the cafeteria, I finally arrived at my destination. It was so much different than the lunchroom in Powell. All of the tables were small and circular, and every clique was sizably smaller than what I was used to. The thought about where to sit was daunting. I looked around and I could hardly pick out more than twenty faces, and I couldn’t imagine going up to any of them and asking them to sit with them.

Begrudgingly, I scooted my way up to the lunch line to purchase world famous Bosco sticks. I cringed as I stood in the lunch line. All around me, kids were talking about topics I may or may not have been interested in. My heart felt a pang of nostalgia as I saw a group of boys laughing and talking animatedly. They were the picture perfect replica of Dalia, Riya, Lacey and I just a few short weeks ago.

Despite what anyone has ever said, when you live miles away from your friends, your relationship can never be the same. Emailing, phone calls, and letters don’t replace the true wonders of spending actual time in space with your friends. As I waited for the group of boys to finish paying, I glanced around the lunch room. I wondered if I would ever be able to fit into one of the cliques here as well as I had in Ohio. My eyes kept searching and searching, but no matter how far they swept, I didn’t see one person who I could imagine myself getting close to. Sighing, I picked up two Bosco sticks and a bottle of water and gave the lunch lady a five dollar bill.

As I waited for her to fish through the change compartment and retrieve my designated amount of change to give me, I had one of those empowering thoughts. The kind where, in your head, you tell yourself that you only have one life; one choice, one opportunity at this life. You tell yourself, I’m going to make a difference in this place. I’m from Powell, Ohio, and I’ve been through experiences that these people could benefit from. I have view points and morals that could help educate these people. Where I’m from, the student body is diverse. Here, I have only come across one African American. I have to make a friend so that I can show them what Ohioans are like.

My thoughts were interrupted by the lunch lady sticking her gloved hand right out in front of my face and jingling the change in the palm of her hand.
“Here you are, dear,” she said.
“Oh,” I said. “Thanks.”

She smiled at me, and I walked away from the lunch line, looking around for potential friends. I started for the first table I saw. I didn’t notice the crowd I was about to join arms with at first, but after I saw myself face to face with several boys laughing obnoxiously with their shoulders hunched and their heads face down, I back-traced. There was no way I would be able to spend an entire half an hour listening to boys talk about nothing but facts and insults which would have a strong school-base to them. Not to mention the fact that I would feel dumb for not knowing any of the underlying facts. I didn’t know these particular boys, but I did know their type. Somethings never change no matter where you go, and school cliques are one of those things.

“Jeanah,” I heard someone call. I turned my head and saw Rob, the nice boy who walked me to history class. “Do you want to sit with us?” He motioned towards a table with two other boys, and three girls at it.
“Yeah,” I said smiling. “Thank-you.”
“No problem,” he said, smiling amiably back at me.

I sat down in the seat across from Rob, next to one of the girls. When I set my tray down, everyone was staring at me, but not in an obtrusive way. The girl I was sitting next to had this smile on her face that seemed truly genuine. It didn’t seem like she had a reason to smile. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in my life who smiles as much as she did.

“Everyone, this is Jeanah. Jeanah, this is everyone.” Rob laughed at his fake introduction. “No, I’m just messin’ with yah. That’s Riley,” he said pointing to the smiliest girl I have ever met. She had brown curly hair and braces on her teeth. “Next to her is Ellie, then Jessie. They’re twins,” he added unnecessarily. They both gave identical shy smiles accompanied by little identical waves. They both had light blond hair, blue eyes, and wild freckles all over their face. I smiled back at them, thinking that they were probably the type of twins who were inseparable. I knew if I had a twin, or even a sibling, I would not be eating lunch with them at school. But, they were adorable, so I’m glad they did. “That is Ryan,” he said, motioning towards a bulky boy with a shaved head and strong muscular arms.

“Sup?” Ryan said in this impossibly low baritone voice that made my throat hurt just thinking about how deep it was. I laughed at him and managed a curt,
“Not much.”
“And finally,” Rob finished. “That’s Justin.” Justin looked equally as shy as the twins did, but he had this quality about him that made me think that inside, he was just as loud as the rest of us.

I was surprised at how blatantly nice they all were to me. There was that small town charm radiating out of these crazy people again. Right when I sat down, I was included in their conversation as easy as it was for me to pull my purple sweatshirt on that morning.
“We thought we’d save you from a terrible fate,” Riley said sarcastically, glancing at the table of boys who I almost dined with. Even sarcastically, Riley had this gorgeous smile.

“And I am eternally greatful,” I said.
“Yeah. They’re nice boys, don’t get me wrong,” one of the twins said. I didn’t keep track of who was who, and quite frankly I didn’t think it mattered. “It’s just… you want to get into a better crowd, Jeanah.” I loved the way she said my name at the end. It tied the sentence together, and made it feel that much more personal.

We took short eating intermittence breaks in between our conversation, but when the conversation was going, I learned so much. So far, I learned that Ryan played Football; one of the twins, Ellie, I thought, did ballet while the other one, Jessie, took tap; Rob always had straight A’s; Justin had no life outside of video games and finally, Riley had been to forty six out of the fifty states in the USA. The exceptions being Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Rhode Island. But most importantly, I learned that even nice people can fall into the majority trap.

“So wait,” Ryan said in his reverberatingly loud tenor voice. “I just don’t understand how you,” he spat, “could have gotten expelled. Not that you’re not cool enough to be, it’s just you’re not rebellious enough.” Everyone else around the table joined in on our conversation.

“You would be surprised at how rebellious I am,” I said sarcastically but with a tone that suggested I was being totally serious.
“No,” Rob said skeptically. “What’d you do? You gotta tell us.”
“Let’s just say,” I said with a big toothy grin. “It was totally unexpected.” The people at my table gasped.

“I can’t believe it was so bad that you had to move over two thousand miles away!”
I smiled to myself. There was nothing wrong with making yourself seem a little more interesting to those who don’t know you. After all, seldom do you ever get chances to be whoever you want to be in a new place.

After the bell rang, I stood up, said goodbye to my new lunch buddies who openly invited me to sit with them every day now. Before leaving the tiny lunch room, I looked back at the table where I almost sat, and I saw him. My neighbor. Blending in with the boys I almost befriended.*

Aurora – Chapter 1

January 21, 2011
By

Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, just as promised :P
Thanks for the comments guys! ^.^
But, just to clear things up, the story is supposed to have a modern dialogue, but it’s being based on Medieval times. Lol. Sorry about that Andrew T :S
And I’m really sorry about not finishing the last chapter of my first story D: I won’t let that happen with this story. I promise.
The next chapter of this will be posted next Tuesday night, so it will be on here Wednesday, just as I said in the last article thing o.0
:D
Enjoy, everyone!
- Ginger
****
“He talked to me, you know. He even kissed my hand. I’m sure he doesn’t walk around out there, randomly kissing girls’ hands,” I chatted to the cow, Rena, who mooed in response.

“But that doesn’t mean he likes me or anything. Heck, I’m just some girl who lives with her mother and sister in a house that was technically bought just because my mother brought pleasure to a rich man.”

I sighed. Rena nudged me with her nose. She was a good friend, even if she was just an animal. I patted her head a few times before grabbing a pitchfork full of hay. I sat it in front of her, and then filled her trough with water. Sometimes I wished she could talk back. Just so I could get advice or something from her.

“Rena, do you think I’m stupid for thinking that I might be in love with the Prince? Even if he kissed my hand?” I asked, hoping she’d say no.

It pleased me when she shook her head a bit. Though, that could have been because she was trying to get the hay apart. Still, I took it as a no. So at least the cow doesn’t think I’m stupid for acting foolish about the whole thing that went down with the Prince.

“Princess Aurora Durelli. Why don’t I have a middle name, Rena?” I said abruptly, the thought tearing through my mind like a twister.

All my years of living, mother had never mentioned my middle name. Not once. She called Elizabeth by her full name, middle name included, but had never done that with me. It was just Aurora Delia.

“Is there ever a time when you don’t talk to animals?” Elizabeth asked, giggling with amusement.

“No, not really,” I told her, laughing while a blush spread across my cheeks.

“What were you talking about?”

“Oh, nothing. Just stupid stuff. Hey, do you know what my middle name is?”

Liz was walking toward Rena when I asked the question, but had stopped dead in her tracks. She looked at me guiltily. I wondered what that was about. She wasn’t answering, though. She was just looking at me like she knew something and was ashamed of it.

“What is it?” I asked suspiciously.

“Uh… Well, Aurora… I-I don’t know what to tell you. You’ll just have to ask mother about it,” she stuttered.

I looked at Elizabeth more closely than I ever had before. She looked a lot like mother. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a petite nose to go along with her small framed figure. Our father was blonde, too, but his hair was a darker blonde, almost resulting in a very light brown. He too had had features like Elizabeth.

Me, myself, looked nothing like them now that I thought about it… With a dark shade of brown, yet light at the same time, I had always thought I’d inherited my hair color from an elder member of the family. My nose was more rounded, not pointy like the Delias’ noses, and it wasn’t as slim as their’s either. My body, unlike most of the Delia women’s bodies, was fuller and more luscious.

My pulse raced as I slowly put a few pieces together. I had never felt like I fit into the Delia family. I don’t have a middle name, as far as I know. And I looked nothing like other family members of the Delia’s. I mentally slapped myself for not realizing earlier.

“I’m not really a Delia, am I!” I exclaimed to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked away, a scowl sketching into her beautiful features. Oh, my goodness!

“Elizabeth! Why didn’t you tell me before?!”

“It wasn’t my job to tell you! And you weren’t supposed to figure it out, Aurora!” she yelled in anguish.

I suddenly felt bad for blaming her for not telling me. I shouldn’t have raised my voice at her. No matter what, I’d always be thankful for having a sister like Elizabeth. She always protected me, no matter what. She was one of the best sisters a person could ask for.

I walked to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. I squeezed her tightly before releasing her.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.

“It’s fine. But, Aurora, you know I’ve always thought of you as a real sister. And I’d never do anything to disrupt or change that,” she sobbed.

“I know, I know.”

I rubbed her arm for assurance.

“I need to have a talk with Meredith,” I announced.

“I didn’t tell you.”

The funniest look crossed Elizabeth’s face. I couldn’t help but laugh at her worried expression. Of course I wouldn’t tell mother that Elizabeth told me, because in all honesty, she didn’t. I guessed and she hadn’t denied it. In my book, that wasn’t telling me.

“I know, Liz.”

I left Elizabeth with Rena. I was going to end up having a long chat with Meredith. I needed an explanation, and I would get it. And I kind of really wanted to know what the heck my real name was. My middle name included.

As I rounded the corner of the house, I saw Him. The Prince was standing by his horse, talking with Mother. The King’s men surrounded him on both sides. Meredith didn’t looked pleased with the conversation they were having. I continued walking. I needed to talk with Meredith, but not right now. I’d wait until the Prince and she were done talking.

“STOP!” the Prince yelled.

I didn’t know if he was talking to me or not, but I stopped anyway. I turned to look at him. He was talking to Meredith. She had turned her back to him and headed down the road. At his words, though, she had halted.

The Prince had his back to me, so I kept watching. He ran to her, grabbing her hand. He looked as if he were pleading with her. She was shaking her head at him. I inched closer, trying to hear what he was saying.

“Please, Meredith. Reconsider. I honestly believe he’s in love with your daughter. She already said no, but as long as he has your consent, he can have her. Don’t make me force her into this, because I will,” he was saying in a low voice.

“I’ve told you once, and I’ll only say this one more time Erik: It is her choice. If she chooses to go then so be it. If not, then she shouldn’t have to. I will not give you my consent. Much like you let your people have their choices, I let my daughters make their own choices. I’m not denying that you won’t force her, but I didn’t really think you to be one to force someone into something. If you shall force her, then may the Lord have mercy on your poor soul,” Meredith growled back.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t force anyone into something they wouldn’t want to do. But things are changing, aren’t they? It’s time I started acting my role,” he said to Meredith, then turned to his men and spoke to them, “Get the girl. She is to ride with us back to the castle. There, she’ll be dressed and accounted for. The marriage shall take place tonight at the palace.”

The men who had surrounded the Prince took off ‘round the house. They hadn’t been talking about me. I hadn’t told anyone no. And Elizabeth was the only other daughter Meredith had.

Sitting on his horse, rested beside the Prince, was a man built almost the same as Erik. He wasn’t as gorgeous as the Prince, though. And his hair wasn’t really the prettiest shade of blonde, but he was still nice looking. His face was twisted into a mischievous grin as he looked at the Prince with relief.

“You owe me big time for this, John,” the Prince muttered, the disgust evident in his voice.

“I know, but this is real, Erik. I have to have her. She’s my One, whether she realizes it or not,” the man, John, mumbled back.

“Yeah, yeah.”

The Prince turned toward the house. His eyes roamed the perimeter, finally resting on me. I was frozen in my spot, still in shock of the conversation I’d overheard. He smiled at me, one in which I couldn’t return.

Instead, I shook my head at him. I could tell disapproval was written all over my face. I did feel disappointed in him. I had heard such good things about him, and what just happened was completely out of context. And they were taking my sister from us!

I turned away from him, wrapped my arms around my waist and walked toward the door to the house. Before going in, I glanced back at the Prince. He was still looking at me, the smile gone from his face. His mouth was slightly open, as if he couldn’t believe that I hadn’t smiled back and had shaken my head at him. His eyes brows furrowed.

I got to see the men that had traveled around back to get Elizabeth haul her onto the back of a horse with the man who’d wanted her, just before I‘d closed the door and made my way to the window. I watched as Meredith continued walking down the road, not offering to look back at Elizabeth as she called out to her.

Tears were rolling down Elizabeth’s face while she still screamed to Meredith for help, yet she wasn‘t thrashing about or even trying to fight with the men. The Prince was still standing with his eyes locked on the now closed door. He seemed to be frozen in place. John nudged him with his elbow, but Erik didn’t move.

Elizabeth quit calling out to Meredith, realizing that it was no good. She turned toward the house, her eyes focusing in on me standing by the window. She shut her eyes, and mouthed “I love you, Sis”, to me. And that was all it took.

Something inside me busted. I didn’t know what it was, but I suddenly felt outraged. Prince or not, he had no right to force Elizabeth into a marriage she didn’t want. And I was going to let him know about it.

I threw my shoes off, jerking the door open in the same motion. I flew out the door, making my way to the Prince. I didn’t stop until I got in his face. I was breathing hard, but I spoke solemnly with conviction.

“Let her go.”

“Are you telling me what to do?” Erik asked in confusion, waving off the guards who had started after me.

“Yeah, I am. You might be the Prince and all, but that shouldn’t give you the right to push Elizabeth into a marriage that she doesn’t want. And I, for one, am not going to stand around and let you do that to her.”

“How are you going to stop me?” he challenged.

Seeing red, and without thinking beforehand, I drew my hand back and then let it fly at him. My palm connected with his jaw, leaving a trace of red. Erik rubbed the spot I had slapped. His eyes grew wide. The guards he’d waved off earlier now came at me, holding me back from the Prince.

“How dare you slap me! You little – ” he said, getting cut off before finishing.

“Yes. How dare you, child?” Meredith mused.

“Me? How dare you, Meredith! How dare you let your child be taken away without a fight! How dare you walk away while she was yelling for you! And how dare you not tell me that I’m not really a Delia!” I screamed, caring less about all the sobbing I was doing.

I got the pure pleasure of seeing Meredith shocked. Rarely was she shocked. Her eyes, now visibly fuming, turned on Elizabeth. She started walking furiously toward Liz.

“She didn’t tell me!” I screamed at Meredith.

“Then who did?” she asked, stopping a few feet away from Elizabeth.

“I figured it out on my own. It wasn’t too hard. Especially since one: I have no middle name. And two: I look absolutely nothing like the Delia’s.”

“Humph,” was all Meredith replied.

“Tell them to let me go!” I demanded of the Prince.

“Hmm. Can you control yourself?” he asked curiously.

I rolled my eyes at him. Control myself? Yes. Stop from slapping him in the face again? Maybe. Let them take Elizabeth from me? Definitely not.

“Of course I can,” I sneered in annoyance.

“Release her,” Erik ordered his men.

The men jerked their hands away from me as soon as the Prince told them to. Although, one of them shoved me more than let go of me. I fell forward, grabbing the first thing I could to keep myself balanced. Erik caught my elbow, straightening me up.

“You do realize the penalty for laying a hand on the Prince, correct?” he asked after I jerked my arm from him.

The penalty back home would have been the dungeon. For life. Here, I had noticed, things were a lot different. I took a wild guess at what it was.

“Death?”

“Yes,” he replied, as if it was the most simple answer.

“So, what? You’re going to kill me now? For slapping you? Because you challenged me? Oh, Erik. You were asking for it. You shouldn’t have asked how I was going to stop you. But if you must kill me, do it for a good reason. Not something as stupid as hitting you. And if I’m going to be killed, I’d rather it be off with my head,” I told him as calmly as I could manage.

He didn’t reply. Instead, he just stared at me incredulously. Heck, I would have done the same thing. I just told him to kill me. And I told him to kill me in a calmly manner. That makes it that much worse.

“You’re crazy,” he finally muttered.

“Maybe. But at least I’m not going to make someone do something against their own will.”

A shadow crossed the Prince’s face. His eyes glazing over a bit, he turned from me. Without a single word, he grabbed Elizabeth from the horse she still sat on. He stood her up on the ground, releasing her and nudging her my way.

Relief washed through me. I opened my arms for her, in which she ran to in return. I hugged her so tightly I could hear her gasping for air. When I let go and she stepped back, the Prince grabbed my arm and jerked me to him.

“What the heck? Let me go!” I screamed at him, kicking and wrenching around.

The guards were on me in an instant. Two of them grabbed my arms, one grabbed my waist, and the others settled with my still kicking legs. They were squeezing me so tight that I’d have bruises later.

“Elizabeth can stay here. You, however, have to come with me. Get it? She stays; you go. It’s that simple,” Erik growled at me.

I glanced at Elizabeth. Her tear soaked face radiated grief. I could see in her eyes that she wanted me to stay. She would have gladly went, as long as that meant I got to stay here. I didn’t want that, though. She was a beautiful girl, and she needed to live the rest of her life; carry on the Delia line.

I, on the other hand, had nothing to stay for. I wasn’t a Delia; I couldn’t carry on the bloodline. For all I even knew, I could just be some random orphan child that had the poorest family around. I had nothing. And I would trade myself to keep Elizabeth from being taken away.

“Fine. She stays; I’ll go,” I finally agreed.

“No, no, no, no, no, no,” Elizabeth sobbed.

I watched as she dropped to the ground, Meredith catching her. She sobbed and sobbed while mother tried to comfort her. I turned back to the Prince. He had no expression on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Done,” he said as he turned from the crying scene and mounted his horse.

The guards sat me on the back of a black horse. None of them offered to ride with me, but they did hand my bridle to the Prince. Elizabeth, still crying, didn’t watch as we sat off for the palace. I wanted to wave to her. To say goodbye. But I couldn’t.

Instead, I kept my mouth shut and head turned forward as we rode down the long winding roads to the castle.

Serene: Chapter Fourteen

January 21, 2011
By

A/N: Vitamin Water… it does everyone well. This is what keeps me going when my brain is fried to a crisp.

Chapter Fourteen

“What did you say?” Justin asked his eyes wide with true horror for the first time in his life. The fact that Kirill could blow his entire idea out the door with a few simple words really rattled his cage. He couldn’t let Serene suffer because of his bad actions. Killing Blake may not have been the best idea but it had gotten his point across quickly. Though, he feared that Tom would make his point across by killing the only one he ever loved.

“I don’t think that my friend stuttered in any way. May’ve you need to clean out your ears before you try and ask us another question.” Edvard smirked as he stared at Justin with loathing.

Raeni stood up quickly, her eyes filled with anger and disgust. “Edvard, hold your tongue, you sickening piece of shit! Kirill, you of all people should know exactly what Justin is going through, so don’t act like you haven’t got a damn clue! Stop being a dick and try to act your age as well as your status as a member of this council.”

Kirill looked as if he had just gotten slapped across the face a couple of time. Whatever Raeni had made him think of got him to quickly shut up because he didn’t speak again right away. “That was out of line.” He whispered, clouds of memories swirling within his gaze.

“You speak of something you know very well of, sir. If it was not for these people here witnessing, I would have to show you how much of an ass you really are. Maybe I’d even give you a couple points so that if, by some slim chance, you find another girl like—”

“Hold your god damn tongue before I cut it off and shove it down that shy, innocent throat of yours. You shall not speak of things you know nothing about. So I suggest that do more research before you bring up a topic like that.” Kirill’s voice was flat because the subject Raeni was about to touch was too sensitive for him to even think about.

“Both of you shut up,” Jereni said angrily. “When you two go at it, you sound like a married couple. Kirill, you do need to approach this situation like the council member you are, otherwise feel free to be judged.”

Nikkita kicked up her feet onto the table in front of her. “This is taking up too much of my precious time. I could be doing many more valuable things so if everyone going to bitch and cry about things that have passed, I’m out.”

“You can’t leave!” Aleksandr stood furiously. “Then this would have been a waste to even show up here. The council cannot be incomplete when it makes its decision. It’ll turn into chaos if you leave!”

She smirked and closed her eyes contently. “That’s what I’m going for.”

“Now Nikki, why don’t you stop acting like such a hard ass and focus on what is in front of you, not the future.” Viktor said abruptly.

Nikkita almost fell off her chair as Viktor spoke to her. Never before had someone challenged her like this. Usually people tended to avoid and be frightened of her, but this was the first time in about three hundred years that someone had put Nikki in her place. It was easy to say that shock was covering her face and while she tried to regain perfect balance, Edvard’s deep chuckle echoed through out the room.

“That a vay, Viktor! Finally ve get to see the Nikki shut up; always speaking ‘er mind and out of place.” He said, his eyes glowing with utter amusement.

Nikki stood up, furious that Edvard even dared to talk about her that way. No one made a fool of her and lived to speak about it. “What the fuck did you just say, you bastard?” She asked her voice coated thick with danger. There were ideas bursting into her head, helping her decide the best way to silence the mother fucker before her. The first one was stringing him up by his toes and plucking out each vertebrae one by one. A second idea that ran into her head was castrating him while he remained conscious. Oh, that would be fun. Torturing was her specialty and she considered it play time. Nikkita made the saw movies look like they were made by Disney compared to what she was capable of.

When Edvard stood up, shadowing Nikki by his height, chaos was at the brink of breaking. Jereni and Kirill shot up from their chairs and went in between the two hot heads. Jereni pushed Nikkita back as she mumbled in Russian to try and calm her down. She couldn’t let a fight break out between the two council members. That would show the vampire community just how broken their leaders were. There would be blood shed between Nikkita and Edvard in the future, but she couldn’t let it happen now. Later yes, but in front of the to-be King and citizens, it was wrong. She didn’t have a choice.

Kirill pulled Edvard back away from Nikki, putting much need space between the two. “It’s not worth it, brother. Don’t waste our breath on the bitch.” He muttered discretely, turning Ed’s face in a different direction.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Nikkita screamed as attempted to walk towards Kirill. Jereni stopped her from getting closer and started cursing in her native tongue. This was getting out of hand and everyone could see that.

Aleksandr stood up, eyes glowing with anger. Pointing to Nikki, he growled, “You sit your boney ass down at your end of the table. And you two,” he pointed to Edvard and Kirill, “Sit your asses down at the opposite end of the table. Don’t talk to each other and don’t speak until you are worthy of saying something intelligent.” While everyone sat back down in their proper seats, Alek adjusted his shirt before sitting back down in his chair, looking satisfied.

Dimitri glanced down the line of chairs before clearing his throat. “Now that we have no distracting, Justin,” He nodded to the future king, “Please continue with what you were speaking of earlier and this time, no interruptions shall be made. I think the time of being uncivilized is finished.” Glancing at both Nikkita and Edvard, he sat back calmly.

Justin nodded his regards to Dimitri, surprised that he had spoken out but happy nonetheless, and turned his fully attention the composed council. There was only one opinion to convey to them and that was to go save Serene. He’d be damned if she’d be left there in the filthy hands of the slayers. For God’s sake, there was a fifty percent chance that she carried his child. What kind of father would he be if he left the mother of his young die in the hands of evil?

“Council, I know all of you are respected among the community and I have no doubt that your opinions matter greatly, but there is only one answer here. I will not leave the girl to die, period. If you don’t like my decision, then it’s just too damn bad. I’m going after her and I won’t come back until I have her safe in my arms.”

There was a brief pause of silence as it overtook the entire room. Justin scanned his eyes over the council who sat in front of him, standing strong and proud. The silence shattered when a low, deep laugh filled the room.

“If you leave to go after the girl, don’t bother coming back at all.”

~*~*~*~

I could feel the hard platform I was laying on against my back. The atmosphere around me was too cold not be the inside of a freezer. I knew that goose bumps covered my entire body as I lay motionless. I didn’t understand the feeling I was getting from my surrounds because my head started to throb whenever I tried to comprehend my bearings. The pain I was experiencing from my head was nearly unbearable. There was the constant pounding as if a sludge hammer was being beat against the back of my head. I felt dizzy and if I tried to open my eyes, the feeling spiked to an overwhelming sensation. Where was I? Was I even alive? How could one person feel so much pain and not be dead?

Gently turning my head to the side, I felt the cold surface underneath me touch the bottom of my ear lobe, and cause me to shiver. The bitter chill swept down from my ear to my toes within a fraction of a second. The hair on the back of my neck and my arms stood up straight and made me quiver with fear. Panic was growing rather rapidly inside me and it spread throughout my whole body. I began to feel numb from the icy temperature and it was scaring me shitless. There was no way I could still be alive could there? Utter silence greeted me and I’m pretty sure that if a pin was dropped, I’d be able to hear it. Where ever I was, life was dead.

I tried to peep my eyes open but the lids covering them seemed to weigh a thousand tons. I urged myself with as much will strength as I could possible muster to try and crack open at least one eye. They were still too heavy. Racking my brain for any other ideas I could find, I found nothing. Yeah, I had to be dead. I couldn’t move, I sure as damn couldn’t speak, and I think my ears had been cut off at some point while I was knocked out.

Had I been knocked out? Being KO’d was significantly different from being killed. Life was a precious thing and so apparently you didn’t treasure it as much as you should have.

I was talking to myself. Wow. Could I be any more pathetic? Yeah, probably.

My brain realized that life was important but I guess it didn’t convey that to the rest of my instincts fast enough. With that thought in mind, I tried again to make my eyelids open up, even if it was just a tiny bit, it would work. No, it didn’t work.

GOD! What was wrong with me? I couldn’t be dead! I knew that death was always a possibility in every situation but shit! I didn’t want to die, not now. I was too young.

You are never too young to die.

A crash suddenly got my attention and the noise rung around me. So, my ears apparently did work. A harsh grunt followed the smash and I was glad that I couldn’t move. I heard footsteps shuffle towards me and the noise of fabric sliding across a smooth surface grew louder and louder. Memories splashed into reality and I started to remember what had happened before my knock out. I couldn’t be dead if I was hearing things around me… could I?

I started to remember my conversation with Justin on my cell phone. Whoever had abducted me hadn’t done a where clean job. They had forgotten to acquire my phone which had been in my pocket. It had taken him so long to answer and I remember fearing that he wouldn’t pick up. Then, I had been relieved as his voice went through the phone line. Just hearing the low, muscular tone of his voice was enough to make my heart stutter. Justin had been worried and I could tell by the dread licking his vocal cords. I wanted to reassure him that I was alright, but that would have been a flat out lie in itself.

Then… something had grabbed both my ankles and another set of hands forced the phone out of my fingers. I remembered being dragged against my will against the cold, hard stone floor. I drug my nails into the ground, trying to halt whoever was pulling me to their destination. My shrill, high pitched scream followed soon after and I remembered feeling particles of dust going under my nails as they scraped across the floor. It had been painful but at that point, I was desperate for anything to try and stop this person from taking me any further. I knew it had been a futile effort.

A sharp, strong ache laced its way from the back of my head. I felt some kind of warm liquid ooze down the back of my neck, traveling down to the rest of my body parts. I had felt the trail it left behind on my skin too. Now that I remembered it, I figured out what the warm liquid had been. My blood. The sharp pain that I had encountered had probably been a blow to the back of my head, where the soft spot was located, where the most trauma could be inflicted.

“Is she dead?”

“She better not be! Or your life will fallow hers!”
The second voice seemed familiar to me but… I couldn’t picture in my head whom it was. I didn’t try to move or even open my eyes because I wanted them to think I was still unconscious. The more they believed her blacked out the better.

There was more shuffling around me and then a loud bang when metal landed on metal. Once again, I was glad that I didn’t flinch and take their attention away from whatever they were doing.

I felt a razor-sharp point prick my skin abruptly. There was a tiny bit of pain but nothing let my head injury before. Then after a minute or so of the pointy object piercing my skin, it was yanked out. Fire shot up my arm where the point had been ripped out and I tried my hardest not to scream. Holy God.

“Hey, be careful with that needle, shit, you almost ripped her arm open.” The second voice barked, irritation lingering in the tone.

“Yeah, whatever. Don’t forget that she’s a vampire. They’re scum.”

“The only person who is scum in this room is you, so shut the fuck up and do your job.”

Grumbling went on around me and I was glad that whoever was defending me did. I felt the tickle of my blood dance down the inside of my arm and onto the surface I was laying on. Hopefully the wound would close so my valuable blood didn’t rush out. My baby needed nourishment.

Oh dear god… my baby. Was the little one’s heart still pumping inside of me? The memory of being yanked across the stone floor filled my mind. Had my lovely one been hurt? Oh please…I prayed that my offspring was unharmed. I couldn’t imagine losing my child. If that happened… I would never forgive myself. I would kill myself if my baby had died.

Wouldn’t my body know if I had lost the baby?

I wasn’t sure on that answer, but I continued to pray that my child was strong and healthy. There was no way I was letting it be harmed. Just the thought of my child being injured made me sick to my stomach.

I noticed that silence had once against surrounded me. Where had the two people gone? I hadn’t heard a door close. Where they simply just being silent?

Someone shifted around and my vampire ears picked up the soft swoosh of fabric rubbing against another type of fabric. Then a clank of metal against plastic rung around her. A soft drop of liquid hitting against a flat object was what I was able to pick up next.

“Oh… oh my god…”

“What?”

“The vampire… she’s pregnant.”

I gulped and forced myself to open my eyes. Bright white lights greeted me saying, “Hello! Welcome to the world of blindness, mother fucker!” I couldn’t see worth my life because only intense illumination was visible. When the white blindness began to fade, I saw Jason standing off to the side of me, and along with another person I didn’t recognize.

Jason’s eyes went wide as I sat up straight. They held fear but there was nothing that I could have done differently. I needed to get out and my instincts were willing my body to move and function. The man beside Jason was holding a strip of plastic in his hand and the end of it was blue. I realized that I was in a room with two slayers, one who knew me, and one who didn’t.

The man holding the plastic strip gasped as I sat up. Dropping the thing, he grabbed the knife and stepped toward me.

“NO!”

I’m Yours – Chapter One

January 21, 2011
By
I'm Yours - Chapter One

*** HEY! I’m back, and I’ve got something new for you all! It’s a new story, and here’s the basic background of it:

Kylie Rochester is a 22-year-old workaholic. She loves her job, her friends, and her boyfriend. Her life seems perfect…until she catches her boyfriend of over a year cheating on her with another woman. At the beckoning of her best friend, Kylie spontaneously buys a Greyhound ticket (deathly fear of airplanes, you know) to sunny California–the other side of the country.

On the two-day bus ride, Kylie finds a friend in Jason White. Jason is an aspiring musician with incredible talent, and while his presence annoys Kylie at first…she soon warms up to his friendliness and charm.

Kylie knows it’s way, way too soon to even consider falling for someone new….so why is she so attracted to Jason? And could someone with the potential to take the music world by storm want her, too?

Okay, there it is. So here’s chapter one–tell me what you think. I’m not including a poll because SOME people vote way too many times, so instead just leave me a comment and tell me if you want me to continue. It starts out a bit slow but it’ll get better, I promise!!! Thanks!!!

P.S. Picture is of Kylie :) ***
_______________________________

It was well past two o’clock in the afternoon, and I was still hard at work when Emma Posey, my best friend and fellow editor at D&G Publishing, poked her head inside my office. I looked up to see a wry grin making its way across her pretty, pixie-like face. “Hey, you crazy workaholic,” she teased lightly. “Think you could spare an hour to have lunch with your best friend? I’m starving, and a tuna croissant from Benny’s is calling my name.”

Benny’s was the charming little café less than a block from our office, right in the heart of New York City. The tuna croissant sandwiches really were delicious. “First of all, I’m not a workaholic—I just happen to love my job. Since when was that a bad thing?”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Since it prevented you from taking a break during the day, Kylie,” she replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I hardly ever see you even leave to use the restroom. You’ve got to get out of this office once in awhile, Ky.”

I sighed. “I get out,” I argued, but I knew it sounded weak. “I’m just busy. Rebecca sent me her latest manuscript less than a week ago, and you know how I like to be on top of things. Besides, I’m not really that hungry. I had an apple and some Ritz crackers about an hour ago…”

Emma’s hands flew to her slender hips. “An apple? Ritz crackers?” she did not look amused, and finally shook her head firmly. “You know what? As your best friend for the past five years, I am officially revoking your rights to say no. You’re coming with me to lunch, and you’re going to enjoy it. Rebecca and her manuscript will still be here in an hour.”

I hesitated only a moment before laughter bubbled up inside my chest. “You’re right, Em,” I said, standing and using my hands to smooth the wrinkles from my charcoal gray pencil skirt. “You’re absolutely right. Let’s go to lunch; I’m famished.”

Emma gave a satisfied nod. “Told you,” she teased, linking her arm through mine as we left the office that had become like a second home to me. “Apple and Ritz crackers, my foot. No one can say no to Benny’s. Robin was telling me that the chicken noodle soup is delicious, I was thinking I might try it with my sandwich…”

I listened to Emma ramble with a half-smile on my face. It felt good to be in the open air, among other people. It was true- I did love my job, but sometimes I got a little too caught up with reading manuscripts and consulting budding authors. Thank goodness for best friends like Emma.

Fifteen minutes later, we had our food and were sitting at a table near the window. I was content to eat in silence for a moment, but Emma would have none of that. “You need a vacation, Kylie,” she told me in a firm voice. “When I told you that you work too much, I wasn’t kidding. Don’t roll your eyes at me – you know I’m only looking out for you.”

I sighed, staring down at my half-eaten tuna croissant. “I know you are, Em, but it’s not that easy to just pack up and leave for a week. I have too much to do, and I probably wouldn’t even enjoy the vacation, because I’d be thinking of all the things waiting for me back home.”

Emma’s dark, perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose. “No offense, Ky, but D&G Publishing is not going to crash and burn without you.
We’d manage, and I’d be happy to take a few of your responsibilities while you’re gone. Don’t look so worried—I’m just asking you to think about it. A few days away would do you a world of good.”

I allowed myself a smile. “You’re a good friend, Emma,” I said, and meant it to my very core. She was always looking out for me. “I promise I’ll give it some thought. Maybe I can get away for a few days next month.”

Emma nodded, at least temporarily satisfied. We then went on to talk about her latest crush: the guy next door. Literally. He was gorgeous and friendly, and although Emma was one of the most outgoing individuals I knew, she totally clammed up each time he was around. The situation caused her immense stress, and I was ever-grateful for my steady, stable relationship with Andrew Fleming.

Andrew and I had been together for over a year, and he was truly a blessing in my life. He was affectionate and kind, as well as successful and good-looking—Emma liked to think of him as a total hottie, but I preferred the term classically handsome.

An hour later, I was back in my office feeling pleasantly full and incredibly rejuvenated. Seeing the manuscript piled on my desk, I smiled wistfully to myself. Back to work.

*****

Lately I’d been working past seven o’clock in the evening, but when six o’clock rolled around, I was ready to go. I wanted nothing more than to cuddle up with Andrew and relax for the rest of the evening.

As I waited for the elevator to reach my floor, I dialed Andrew’s number to ask if he was in the mood for Chinese from our favorite little place downtown. Nothing hit the spot like ham-fried rice and honey-seared chicken after a long day at work.

No answer. I opted against leaving a message for him to call back, and decided to surprise him with the food instead. Then we could snuggle together on the leather sofa in his cozy apartment, talking and kissing and laughing…I smiled in anticipation. On nights like this one, it was nice to have someone waiting for me at home.

Forty-five minutes later, steaming bag of food in hand, I knocked softly on Andrew’s front door. Waiting only a moment, I turned the handle to let myself in—Andrew assured me I was always welcome at his place, and that knocking was unnecessary.

The apartment was very quiet. “Hello?” I called out, dropping my purse and the bag of food on the kitchen table. “Andrew, I brought food from the Chinese Dragon, are you hungry? Extra honey-seared chicken, your favorite.” I made my way down the hallway towards his bedroom.

The door was tightly shut, but when I’d reached it, I could hear the sounds coming from inside as clear as day. Moaning. Loud moaning. My stomach felt suddenly sick, and although I had a feeling what I was about to see, I turned the handle and pushed open the door.

Sure enough, Andrew was lying flat on the bed, totally naked, of course, and on top of him was an unfamiliar yet beautiful woman. Also naked. They were locked in a passionate embrace, moving together in rhythm, and moaning in unison. It was no wonder he hadn’t heard me come in.

Unable to control myself, I gasped loudly. That, of course, got their attention, and the woman rolled off his lap. She attempted to cover her nakedness, but not before I caught glimpses of her disheveled hair and toned body. She was pretty…very pretty.

Andrew leapt off the bed in an instant, having the decency to step into his boxers as he hurried towards me. “Kylie,” his voice was utterly frantic. His image grew blurry through the veil of tears in my eyes. “Kylie, baby, don’t back away from me. Please. This isn’t…”

I blinked and hot tears cascaded down my cheeks. I ignored them and glared fiercely at Andrew. “This isn’t what, Andrew? This isn’t what I think it is? Because I’m pretty sure you’re wrong—this is exactly what I think it is. You’re sleeping with another woman behind my back,” I shook my head and a bitter laugh escaped me. “How long has it been going on, huh? How long have I stupidly thought you were in love with me, and only me?”

Andrew gazed helplessly at me, lifted his hands, and then dropped them again in defeat. “It’s just that…baby, you’re always working. You hardly ever leave work before seven or eight, and I was just…”

Another hollow, bitter laugh erupted from my trembling lips. “Lonely,” I finished for him, and then nodded. For an eternally long moment we stood there, not looking at each other. My feet felt glued to the carpet. “How long, Andrew?” I asked for the second time. “I need to know.” I didn’t want to know, but I knew I needed to.

Andrew sighed, plowing his fingers through his hair. “Awhile…a couple, um, months, I guess.” Months? It was worse than I thought. I stumbled backwards, shocked, and Andrew reached for me once more. “Baby, please. I love you. You’ve got to believe me. I’ll do better.”

I shook my head furiously, fresh tears spilling down my face. “I can’t,” I replied, wanting desperately to be away from him, but knowing that once I was, it was really, truly over between us. “This is way more than I can handle. I’m done. Good bye, Andrew.”

“KYLIE!” Andrew yelled after me, but I ran. I ran and ran until I’d made it to my car, at which point I dropped my head against the steering wheel and sobbed harder than I ever could’ve thought possible.

How could I have been so stupid? So naïve as to think Andrew supported me in my work—even if it kept me a little later than most? Of course he didn’t mind my being gone, not when he had another woman keeping him company.

Then he had the nerve to say that he loved me. Right. It was almost insulting to hear the words I’d once cherished.

It was a good ten minutes before I managed to catch my breath and turn the key in the ignition. My hands shook as I dialed Emma’s number on my cell phone.

She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

Her calm voice and that one, little word was all it took to send me into hysterics all over again. “I think you’re right, Em,” I sobbed. “I think I do need a vacation.”

Emma gasped loudly. “Sweetie, what happened? Where are you? Kylie, you’re scaring me,” she paused for the briefest of moments while I cried. “No, don’t answer that yet. I’m coming over. If you’re not home, get there. I’ll be over in five minutes.” And with that she disconnected the call.

I dropped the phone, crying even harder than before. I didn’t even want to be in the same city as Andrew Fleming. I needed to get out. Desperately.

Desperately, and soon.
________________________

Hope you like it so far!!! Let me know :D

Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Bosnia and Herzegovina

January 12, 2011
By
Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Bosnia and HerzegovinaEnlarge Image

In fifty three (53) earlier articles, I republished all the preliminary parts and 45 chapters – profiles of Asiatic and African countries, featured in the Amnesty International 2010 Annual Report which was released a few days ago. Titles of and links to these articles are available in the latest of the series:

AI Report. Confusing Chapter on Turkey Fuses Real Data and Islamist Lies about Fake Group Ergenekon
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162262)

The entire series of articles will be completed with few chapters focused on European countries, starting with the following:

Oppressed Turks, Romani and Macedonians Ready to Secede from Pseudo-State Bulgaria. AI 2010 Report
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162263)

Shamefully Biased Chapter on Romania Disregards Oppressed Hungarians, Other Minorities. AI Report
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162297)

Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Moldova
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162299)

Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Macedonia
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162301)

Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Albania
(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162473)

Amnesty International 2010 Report. Chapter on Montenegro
( http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/162474)

In the present article, I republish the chapter on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Profile
Head of state: rotating presidency – Željko Komšić, Nebojša Radmanović, Haris Silajdžić
Head of government: Nikola Špirić
Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes
Population: 3.8 million
Life expectancy: 75.1 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f): 17/12 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 96.7 per cent

The country continued to be increasingly divided along ethnic lines. Progress in prosecution of war crimes cases committed during the 1992-1995 war remained slow. The authorities continued to fail to address the situation of women who were raped during the war by not providing them with adequate access to justice and reparations.

Background

Relations between members of the three main ethnic groups – Serbs, Croats and Bosnian Muslims (Bosniaks) – worsened dramatically. Some senior politicians used increasingly nationalistic rhetoric. In some instances this took the form of public, verbal attacks on state institutions, including on the independence of the justice system. Some politician made statements denying certain war crimes had ever taken place, even though the courts had passed verdicts on them, and convicted those responsible.

On several occasions Serb representatives boycotted state institutions, paralyzing their work. Talks facilitated by the international community to strengthen the state institutions and amend the constitution ended in failure in October. In response to the economic crisis the authorities announced a reduction in the social welfare budget. This disproportionally affected the most vulnerable
groups and was met with public outcry.

The international community continued to maintain its presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). In March Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko replaced Miroslav Lajčak as the High Representative – head of a civilian peace implementation agency created by the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement. The High Representative also acted as the EU Special Representative.

The EU continued to maintain its peacekeeping force with approximately 2,000 troops as well as a police mission with approximately 150 international staff.

In October, BiH was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2010 – 2011 term.

International justice

At the end of 2009, seven war crimes cases concerning BiH were pending before the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (Tribunal). In addition, three cases were on appeal.

The Tribunal started the trial of Radovan Karadžić in October. He was charged with two counts of genocide. The first was related to crimes committed between 31 March and 31 December 1992 in a number of municipalities in BiH, which included killings, torture and forcible transfer or deportation which aimed at the destruction of Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Muslims as ethnic or religious groups. The second covered the killing of more than 7,000 men and boys in July 1995 in Srebrenica. There were five counts of crimes against humanity, including persecution, extermination, murder and deportation of non-Serbs. The indictment also contained four charges of violations of the laws or customs of war such as hostage-taking and spreading terror among the civilian population.

Radovan Karadžić boycotted the proceedings from the beginning by repeatedly refusing to appear in the courtroom. In November, the presiding judge appointed a lawyer to represent him in his absence. The trial was adjourned until March 2010 to enable the court-appointed lawyer to prepare for the case.

In July, the Trial Chamber of the Tribunal convicted Milan and Sredoje Lukić of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the burning to death of at least 119 Bosnian Muslims in Višegrad in 1992. The charges had included murder, persecution, extermination and torture of the civilian population in the Višegrad area during the 1992-1995 war, and Milan and Sredoje Lukić were sentenced to life and 30 years’ imprisonment respectively. However, despite extensive evidence already collected by the Tribunal, the charges related to war crimes of sexual violence had not been included in the indictment. Since its creation in 1993, the Tribunal has prosecuted only 18 cases including charges of war crimes of sexual violence related to the war in BiH.

Justice system

Witness support and protection measures in all courts in BiH were inadequate. This meant that in some cases victims, including survivors of war crimes of sexual violence, were not able to access justice. War crimes prosecutions continued before the War Crimes Chamber (WCC) of the State Court of BiH. By the end of the year, the WCC had delivered 39 final verdicts since its creation in 2005. There were 57 cases pending at trial and appeals panel stage.

Some war crimes trials of low-level perpetrators were also held in the local courts in both of the semiautonomous entities of the country – the Federation of BiH (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS) – as well as in Brčko District. However, the capacity of the courts and prosecutors of FBiH and RS to prosecute war crimes cases remained inadequate.

In December 2008, the authorities had adopted a State Strategy for the Work on War Crimes in an attempt to address all outstanding war crimes cases. In the absence of a centralized case file database, there had been varying estimates of between 6,000 and 16,000 war crimes case files open at different stages of prosecution registered in all jurisdictions.

However, implementation of the strategy in 2009 was extremely slow and obstructed by a lack of political will. Verbal attacks on the justice system and denial of war crimes by some senior politicians in the country further undermined the country’s efforts to prosecute war crimes cases.

In October, the State Parliament of BiH rejected the extension of the mandate of international judges and prosecutors working in the WCC. Following the move, several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, expressed serious concerns about whether the justice system of BiH was ready to prosecute war crimes cases in accordance with the highest international fair trial standards, without the support of these international judges and prosecutors.

On 14 December 2009, the High Representative used his special powers to overrule the State Parliament’s decision and extended their mandate.

Discrimination

Survivors of war crimes of sexual violence

The survivors of war crimes of sexual violence continued to be denied access to economic and social rights. The authorities failed to respond to the needs of those survivors and did not provide adequate reparation, which would have enabled them to rebuild their lives.

Many women who were raped during the war continued to live in poverty, and were unable to find a job as they still suffered from the physical and psychological consequences of their war-time experience.

Provision of psychological support for survivors was inadequate and many of the women could not access the healthcare system. They were also discriminated against in access to social benefits compared with other groups of victims of war.

Minority rights

On 22 December 2009 the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that the power-sharing provisions in the Constitution of BiH violated the right to free elections and prohibition of discrimination by not allowing members of minorities to stand for election to the State Presidency and the House of Peoples of the State Parliament.

In 2006, Dervo Sejdić (Roma) and Jakob Finci (Jewish) filed a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights claiming that their right to be elected to the political bodies of BiH and the principle of prohibition of discrimination were violated by the Constitution of BiH. They were both well-known public figures and intended to run for election to the State Presidency and the House of Peoples but were prevented from doing so as the Constitution of BiH restricted the right to be elected to those bodies only to the members of the three “constitutive nations” of BiH (Bosnian Muslim, Croats and Serbs).

Enforced disappearances

Progress in identifying the whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearance during the 1992-1995 war remained slow and was obstructed by the lack of cooperation between the authorities of FBiH and the RS.

According to different estimates, the whereabouts of between 10,000 and 12,000 people remained unknown. In addition, some 3,000 bodies which had been located and exhumed were still unidentified. Exhumations conducted by the Missing Persons Institute continued at different locations.

In August, the body of Colonel Avdo Palić of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina was identified. He had been subjected to enforced disappearance in July 1995, allegedly by members of the Bosnian Serb Army.

According to media reports the body was exhumed from a mass grave in Rogatica in 2001 in RS, but it took almost eight years to identify it.

The state authorities failed to create a database of missing persons and to open the Fund for Support to the Families of Missing Persons, both of which were envisaged by the Law on Missing Persons adopted in 2004.

In the absence of adequate measures by the authorities to address the issue, some relatives of victims sought justice before international human rights institutions.

In 2009, the Advocacy Centre – TRIAL (ACT), an NGO based in Geneva, lodged five individual communications to the UN Human Rights Committee on behalf of the relatives of victims of enforced disappearance in BiH. The NGO alleged multiple violations of human rights due to the lack of investigation, criminal prosecution, reparations and effective remedy following the disappearance of their relatives.

ACT submitted an additional 16 complaints to the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of the relatives of the disappeared.

In October, the Union of Associations of Families of Missing and Captured Persons of RS filed 78 cases with the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of the families of disappeared Serbs. The Union alleged that the authorities had failed to respond to their continuous enquiries about the whereabouts of their relatives despite previous rulings of the Human Rights Chamber of BiH which had obliged the authorities to do so.

Refugees and internally displaced people

Fewer people returned to their pre-war places of residence in 2009 than in 2008. According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, as of September 2009, only 758 refugees and 216 internally displaced people had gone back to their pre-war homes.

The majority of the returns occurred to places where the returnees were in the ethnic minority. Many people, including survivors of war crimes of sexual violence, remained unable to go back to their pre-war places of residence. Many of them feared for their safety as the individuals who had perpetrated war crimes against them or members of their family continued to live in their pre-war communities and often occupied positions of power.

Discrimination in access to economic and social rights such as employment, health services and education continued to prevent many returnees from going back.

Counter-terror and security

The authorities of BiH continued to violate the rights of some individuals who had settled in BiH during or after the war and who had subsequently been granted BiH citizenship. As a result of decisions by the State Commission for the Revision of Decisions on Naturalization of Foreign Citizens, some of them lost their citizenship and deportation procedures were initiated against them.

Seven people were placed in the immigration deportation centre in Lukavica awaiting deportation to their countries of origin. If deported, they would be at risk of torture or the death penalty. The authorities continued to imprison these individuals on grounds of unspecified national security.

Imad al Husein remained imprisoned in the immigration deportation centre in Lukavica where he had been held since October 2008, despite the fact that no criminal charges which could justify the detention were brought against him. An appeal on the revocation of his citizenship was ongoing before the BiH judiciary and before the European Court of Human Rights.

Conditions for detainees in the immigration deportation centre in Lukavica were inadequate. During the process of revocation of citizenship, people spent several months on average in detention. The facility at Lukavica was envisaged to provide temporary custody for a few weeks only, and lacked the capacity to respond to the rights and needs of persons detained for a longer period of time, such as dietary requirements during Ramadan or a room set aside for conjugal visits.

Torture and other ill-treatment

In the majority of cases the authorities failed to take measures to tackle ill treatment by the police and in prisons. The existing complaint mechanism was ineffective and the number of investigations by prosecutors into allegations of ill treatment remained very low.

The State Ombudsmen issued a report in September which stated that the conditions of detention across BiH were below international standards. They cited inadequate hygiene and material conditions as well as lack of access to health services for detainees. The authorities failed to address the situation in the Zenica Prison Forensic Psychiatric Annex, where patients with mental health problems lacked adequate medical assistance.

Individuals convicted in the State Court continued to serve their sentences in prisons in FBiH and RS, as there was no BiH state prison. This caused discrepancies in their rights and material conditions while in detention.

Amnesty International visits/reports

Amnesty International delegates visited Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, September and October.

“Nobody listens to us and nobody cares”: Women still waiting for justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUR 63 / 005 / 2009)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: “Whose justice?” The women of Bosnia and Herzegovina are still waiting (EUR 63 / 006 / 2009)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review (EUR 63 / 007 / 2009)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: No justice for rape victims, 21 July 2009

Note
Picture: Bosnia and Herzegovina ethnic map
From: http://www.roebuckclasses.com/maps/placemap/europe/bosethn.gif

Living as Kahnerian – Chapter 5

January 11, 2011
By

Two weeks later Langer and Jezier returned empty handed. Zerian was pacing and yelling at Kandin. “What do you mean they aren’t bringing any of them back?”

“My lord, they have news for you and they need to explain in person. They didn’t tell me what news it was.” Kandin responded.

“When is their shuttle docking?” Zerian continued to yell.

“Twenty more minutes.”

“They better have a pretty damn good excuse.”

“I agree my Lord.”

Zerian continued to pace around the command room trying not to destroy the electronic equipment within the room. He wanted to pick up a chair and throw it across the room. He wanted to rip a few throats out and his inner animal cheered at the idea.

He glared at the door when he heard it open. “Start talking.” He roared.

Langer threw a pile of pictures onto the table. “Five of the houses are completely destroyed and the family members were executed. Men, women and children all killed. Their corpses weren’t even buried. We didn’t bother looking for the male who is in hiding and had no children. Two of the most promising houses were still standing but there was nothing left. It looks like they fled and went further into hiding. We followed their scent and two of my men stepped on a mine. They live but barely. They are with Saxxer now. We brought the wounded back here but we think we know where the families fled to.”

Langer pulled out the map with Marta’s writings. “This is where the rescue team found the crashed ship. They buried it in a mountain side. The two remaining families are both heading in that direction.”

Kandin and Zerian looked through the photos. “Any ideas as to who executed them and why?”

“The ammunition and execution style is consistent with the rebels.” Langer dug through the photos and pulled one out. “The one male, female and their children were unclothed when they were executed. My guess is they found out they were not human then went after all of them.”

Zerian roared out in anger then went to the intercom. “Helkin, Norzin and Pallow get to the command room”

Zerian paced the room again waiting for Helkin, Norzin and Pallow. When they appeared they came over to the table and looked at the pictures. “Do any survive?” Pallow asked.

“A few we think.” Langer replied.

“I have a list of questions. First, if the rebels did this to them because they are Kahnerian then there will be no chance at peace if we attend the meeting with them present. Find out if they will be present. We will need to increase security if we still attend. Second, does the old ship still have a working communications device? Third, if the families are heading to the ship for shelter then I think they are in search of finding us. If they fear humans are hunting them, then they will turn to us for help. After these attacks we can’t show up unannounced or they will shoot first and ask questions later.”

The men all looked at each other before they took turns answering.

“I agree with the theory they are trying to find us.” Kandin added.

“I know the emergency beacon worked when they found the ship. Let me do a quick search to see about the communications device.” Pallow went to the computers behind them and started searching.

“We can do a quick modification of our systems to contact the old ship if they still have a working system. Let me work with Pallow to see what we can use.” Norzin replied.

“The rebels will be present at the peace meeting and they know we will be there. They may plan on an ambush.” Helkin answered.

“They executed children! These are monsters who would kill us in front of the world. If we attend we need to demand a limited number of rebels.” Langer added.

“But we can’t tell them we know they killed Kahnerians then the world will demand proof which will lead to chaos if they knew we’ve been here for years.” Jezier added.

“Can we attend by video or hologram?” Langer asked.

“I will ask.” Helkin replied.

Zerian was looking through the pictures and threw them back down. “I want their heads. I want to track down the rebels in the area and destroy them. They can’t threaten us or attend the meeting if they are all dead.” He seethed.

“If the rebels are hidden where there are no witnesses then we have the technology to vaporize them where they stand. It would be political suicide if there are witnesses though.” Kandin replied.

“I agree they need destroyed my lord. This planet would be better off without them.” Langer said.

“We could even make it look like their government did it.” Jezier commented.

“Let me think on it. We are here peacefully but this crossed the line.” Zerian responded. “I do not want the Abettors or Marta to know about this. The stress will be too much for her, I’m not going to risk it.”

“My lord, it’s already 5 o’clock.” Kandin said.

Zerian cursed in another language then left them to find their answers. He needed to pull himself together before he got to her room. She’s able to easily read his moods and she shouldn’t get upset. He hadn’t seen her yet today so she would already be suspicious. Zerian cursed to himself again when he noticed her door was open. She was waiting for him. He was an hour late getting her. He took a deep breath and shook away the reality of today.

He stepped through her door and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed staring at her dangling feet. “I apologize for being late. Today has been a very busy day for us.”

Marta smiled at him. She saw the stress in his eyes but also saw he was trying to hide it from her. He doesn’t like her to worry. She will let him have his way and play along with him. “I was beginning to think you forgot about us?” she teased him.

“That would be impossible.” He smiled gently at her. She was a good distraction for him.

She walked over to join him at the door. “Let’s go make magic in the kitchen.” She said.

“You make the magic, I only do the lifting.”

“Are you going to ask or did you forget what I had to do today?” Marta asked as they walked together.

“Ah, yes. How much have you gained this month?”

“5lbs, exactly in the middle of growth charts! Everything is perfectly normal.”

“Excellent. That makes me very happy.”

“He took my blood work again, but he hasn’t commented on anything. I’m sure he’ll tell me in the morning if I am anemic or not.”

“What’s on the menu for tonight?” Zerian asked as they entered the kitchen.

“Your favorite, Mizaine.”

“You make the best Mizaine, I’ve ever had.”

“It takes an hour to cook, so after I get it in the oven I will work on the side dishes. You won’t have to sit here for an hour if you have other stuff to attend to.” Marta said as she started cutting the root vegetables and preparing the meat.

“I may do that.” Zerian said simply. He knew she said that for his sake. She was too perceptive. “Were you well today?”

“Yes, the nausea medicine is starting to work well.”

“What did you do today?”

Marta smiled at him. “I read through the little computer thing you gave me to learn more about the Kahnerian home world, the people and the customs.”

“And what did you learn?”

“That there is not a shred of clothing in any picture. For the most part the females are not near as hairy as the males, though some of them could rival you in the hair department.” Marta shivered at the image.

Zerian laughed at her response. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” He said as he ran a hand down her upper arm. “When are you going to loose this?” he said as he tugged at the chain on her top.

“Don’t get your hopes up!”

Zerian laughed even harder. “You obviously need to study more. By the time these babies are born…” Zerian stood behind her and put his hand on her belly before whispering in her ear. “I want you to behave completely as a Kahnerian. I want our daughters to never know embarrassment or shame for what they are.”

Marta leaned into him before replying. “Maybe I wouldn’t feel so exposed if I had as much hair as some of the women, but I feel completely vulnerable.”

“Why do you feel like that?” He whispered as he kept her back pressed against him.

“No more barriers I guess.”

Zerian inhaled her scent and smelled her desire building. He too desired her, but this wasn’t the right time. “I will figure out a way to permanently separate you from those clothes. We could start slow and you could try loosing just the top.”

Marta shook her head. “Around you I would feel comfortable. I might get over my embarrassment with Abettor Mathew, but not the other Abettors. Human males don’t think like that.”

“Would you feel better if I told you they were all impotent and chemically castrated? We couldn’t have a normal human male serving the women without taking precautions.”

Marta’s jaw dropped as she spun around to face him. She close enough their stomachs touched each other. “I knew it had to be something like that. My best guess was you picked all gay men.”

“Only about half of the men are gay. Once they leave here it will take a year for the drugs to leave their system, but they should return to their normal sexual lives. Our drugs alter the brain chemistry as well so that they no longer desire something. The human drug is cruel, allowing someone to still have desire but no way of releasing that desire.”

“Okay, I admit that actually helped.” Marta replied surprised at herself.

“Good. Now you can give me your top now or I will take it from you when you get back to your room.” He said firmly.

“What, you’re moving straight to tough love? What happened to letting me work gently towards this?” Marta said as she turned back to finishing up the Mizaine.

“You obviously are going to need tough love as you put it. I figure it will take me six months to get you to loose the skirt at this rate.”

“It’s only been three weeks! Give me a break and put this in the oven.” She replied as she finished putting the crust on the top. Zerian grabbed the dish and put it in the oven for her. “I need the two large pots hanging over the island placed on the stove as well then you are free to leave.”

Zerian chuckled to himself as he fetched the pots for her. “Trying to get rid of me?” he asked as he held her hips so she couldn’t turn away from him.

“Maybe. You’re really going to take my top from me tonight?” Marta pouted at him.

“Yes.” He said firmly then chuckled at her pout. “You will thank me later.”

“I don’t see that happening.” She scowled at him.

“I promise you will. I will be a few doors down so push the intercom button and say my name if you need me.”

“I should let your dinner burn.”

He chuckled again. “But you won’t. Now be good and I’ll be right back.”
***
Zerian walked back to the command room in a much better mood. His head was clearer so he could focus on the issue at hand without his anger controlling his decisions.

“Do we have any answers?” He asked as he entered the room.

“The images and logs indicate there is nothing wrong with the ships internal communication system. Norzin left to figure out a way to hack into that ships communication system.” Pallow answered.

“Good, what do we know about the Peace meeting?”

“The governments don’t recognize the rebels as a formal participant within the peace talks so the rebels are only allowed to send two people. If they take more, they will be killed on site. The governments don’t trust them at all and believe they are planning some kind of an attack at the meeting. Five official Kahnerian representatives will be allowed at the meeting and we can have a full security detail. The two leading governments will also have full security present. That was the official word. Unofficial, every government wants the rebels gone, but they have been impossible to kill. The governments are looking bad but not having the rebels under control and the people are tired of innocent lives getting killed.” Helkin answered

“So we are free to kill them as long as it remains anonymous. Do we know where they are?”

“My lord, Jezier, Kandin and I have been working on that. They keep their bases in these cities.” Langer pointed to three cities on the map. “Many civilians surround them, so we can’t vaporize. But we can still remain anonymous in stealth mode. Even a Kahnerian wouldn’t hear us coming. If we take thirty soldiers we could take out all three bases in one night.”

“Kandin, Jezier, do you think we can do this while remaining anonymous?” Zerian turned to ask them.

“Yes, our army is superior in every way. In stealth mode, we are invisible and no one can hear us. We can go house by house setting off silent bombs, taking out any we see in the streets. We might not get every one of them, but we can quickly cut their ranks.” Kandin replied.

“Helkin and Pallow, do you agree this is the best course of action for us and this planet?”

“Yes, my lord.” They both replied.

“Good, I’m glad we all agree because I want their heads.” Zerian responded. “We need to move quickly if they are tracking the other families. Langer, will the army be ready to leave by morning?”

“Yes, sir. I will notify Norzin that we will need every shuttle.”

“Very well. Marta is making Mizaine and it should be done in fifteen minutes. I need to go make sure she is not trying to carry anything.” The men chuckled at him as he left through the door.
***
After dinner Marta was still pouting when they walked back to her room. “Does it have to be tonight?”

“Why not tonight?” Marta didn’t have an answer to that question. “Will you be ready tomorrow or the day after that?” Marta scrunched up her nose as she looked up at him.

The answer was no. She didn’t know how to be comfortable with her nudity.

When they got to her room she went straight inside and walked over by her bed. Zerian followed her. It fascinated him how much this bothered her. ‘This is for her own good.’ He thought to himself. ‘Plus I want to watch her beautiful naked form.’ He quirked a smile as he thought that.

“Alright fine! Take the damn thing.” She sighed as she unfastened the chains then placed the top in his hands.

“You’re beautiful. Stand tall and be proud, you are Kahnerian.” Marta gave him a weak smile but had a hard time looking up at him. Zerian cusped her chin in his hand and brought her face up to look at him. “Please don’t be shy. Not with me.”

“I will try, but you are pushing my limits.”

“Isn’t that how you felt with this green cloth draped on you, but now you wear it without hesitation?”

She looked quizzically at him before she sighed in defeat again. “I see your point.”

“Good now lie down so I may kiss our daughters goodnight.”

“You’re very pushy tonight!” she retorted as she leaned back on her pillow.

“Yes, I am.” Zerian bent over her and ran his hand over her tiny belly bump before leaning down to kiss it. He said a small prayer then kissed it again. “May I kiss you goodnight as well?” he asked.

“Wow you’re actually going to ask and not command an instruction at me tonight.” She mused.

Zerian moved his mouth so it was only inches from hers. “Was that a yes?” Marta swallowed hard and nodded. Zerian chuckled as he smelled her intoxicating desire permeate the air. He brushed his lips over hers taking in her scent before he pressed his lips to hers. He took it slow and gentle judging her response as he went. His lips parted hers and his tongue found hers. He groaned as she sucked his tongue into her mouth. Her hands came up and tangled in his hair as they kissed each other. Zerian’s head was spinning from the scent she was giving off. He had to slow this back down if he was going to make it out of her room. He broke his mouth free and grabbed her wrists. He couldn’t hide his desire from her it was out there for the world to see. “Goodnight Marta.” He said as his hand ran through her hair.

“Goodnight Zerian.” Marta breathed.
***
“Good morning Marta!” Abettor Mathew called in the morning. “Look at you. I am proud of you for embracing your Kahnerian side.”

“Thank you, I am trying. It’s not easy.”

“I’m sure it’s not. I’ve increased your iron today. You are on the borderline of being anemic. Some people get sick when they take iron supplements so let me know and I can increase your anti-nausea medicine. You are only taking the minimal dosage of that so it’s not a big issue if I need to increase the dosage. I suggest you take it on a full stomach.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know. I was wondering when I get another ultrasound?”

“You can have one anytime you want to see the babies, but you won’t need one until twelve weeks. That’s when I will do my first set of measurements. After that I would like to do one every month so I can accurately document the growth of the babies. I have no data for Kahnerian twins.”

“Do you mind if I come down this afternoon? I want to see their little heart beats today.” Marta beamed a smile at him.

He smiled back at her. “That will not be a problem. I will come get you after lunch.”

“Thanks.”

After Marta ate and took her vitamins she went back to studying her history. She focused her research on pregnancy, childbirth and child rearing. She was relieved to know that the pregnancy and childbirth were exactly as she had learned. Though the Kahnerians didn’t believe in drugs because they believed it slowed the labor and stopped the connection between the mother and child. There was an ancient birthing technique that the female used to control the pain and stay connected to the child. She would know if the baby was in trouble.

Marta was in the middle of learning this technique when her lunch was delivered. The Abettor barely noticed her sitting there without a shirt on. She laughed to herself about that as she grabbed her sandwich off her plate and went back to studying. She watched video’s of the technique in practice and she was shocked at the amount of people surround the female in labor. She remembered Zerian telling her it was a celebration but she didn’t picture a room full of twenty people urging the woman along. As the labor progressed, Marta was relieved to see the party leave the room. When it was time to push, only the female and her mate were present. She had never seen anything so intimate or beautiful in her life.

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” Abettor Mathew said quietly beside her.

Marta startled at his voice. “Yes, it is.”

“I didn’t want to interrupt you when you were at the best part of the video. Are you ready to go see your babies?”

“Very much.”

“Good. Are you going to have a Kahnerian birth?” he asked as they walked.

“Yes” she answered quickly. “I mean I hope to learn the technique by then. That was so beautiful it’s a far cry from the human screaming or in a drugged out bliss during the birth!”

“Yes, it is very beautiful what the Kahnerians are able to do and I’m sure you will learn it quickly.”

Abettor Mathew led her through the second set of doors into the doctor’s office looking exam room. Marta sat on the table and leaned back while he rolled the Ultrasound machine over by her.

“Let’s see those babies.” He said as he squirted the gel on her belly and spread it around with the wand. “There they are.”

Marta wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek when she saw the little babies kicking around. “Why does it make me cry every time I see those precious little heartbeats and those kicking little legs?”

“Because you are a mother and that’s what mother’s do.” He said gently as he measured their heartbeats. “Their heart rates are perfect. One is 153bpm and the other is 156bpm.”

“They are so tiny but I clearly see their arms and legs.”

“Yes, and two more short weeks will be at the end of your first trimester and the beginning of monthly measurements.”

“Good.” Marta touched the screen as the babies continued to kick around. “Thank you for letting me see the babies.”

“My pleasure. Besides, I get to record the heartbeats. It makes me look like I’m doing my job.” He joked.

Marta laughed at him. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

He helped clean her off then walked her back to her room. “Do you see any harm in practicing the birthing techniques?” she asked

“I’ve studied it and it is all perfectly safe. I would prefer you waited until you were out of your first trimester. We will all breath a little easier when you are out of your first trimester.”

“I will wait.” She looked up and saw Zerian coming from her room.

He rushed over to them. “Is anything wrong?” he asked urgently.

“No my Lord. Everything is perfect.” Abettor Mathew answered.

“I just wanted to see them today. See those little heartbeats and watch them kick around.” Marta’s eyes filled with tears again.

Zerian pulled her into his embrace. “Why are you crying if nothing is wrong?” he asked gently.

“Because I’m a mom. I get to cry at these things.” Marta sniffled and she smiled at Abettor Mathew under Zerian’s arm.

“Come back anytime Marta.” Abettor Mathew said as he excused himself back down the hall.

Zerian kept his arm around her as he walked her back to her room. “Please don’t cry.” he whispered as he lifted her and put her into her bed. “Even if it’s happy tears it breaks my heart to see you cry.” He brushed her tears away with his hands.

“They’re so perfect. I am overwhelmed that in six short months they will be out here in our arms.”

“Yes, it will go by quickly. Besides being weepy how are you doing today?” he asked as he continued to brush away tears and brush her hair back from her face.

“I’m good. I watched a Kahnerian birth and it was so beautiful. Abettor Mathew said I can practice learning the technique in two weeks when I am officially out of my first trimester. Will it be hard for me to learn?”

“No, for you I don’t think it will be difficult. I thought I would come her and find you still pouting over me taking your top away from you, but you haven’t thought about it at all today have you?”

Marta’s cheeks blushed. “Not really, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let you take my skirt away. That’s a whole other story.”

Zerian chuckled at her and ran his hands over her shoulders. “How about I won’t pressure you about the skirt until the hair on your legs has fully grown in?”

“That’s only a few weeks away!” she exclaimed.

“Calm down. I said pressure you, not take it from you. I know letting go of the skirt will be difficult for you.” He focused his face on her arms as his hands kept running over her shoulders and upper arms. “You’re hair is so incredibly soft. It feels like silk. Why did you ever shave it off you silly woman?”

Marta wrinkled her nose up at him. “Because I thought I was a hairy human!” she retorted.

“But instead you find out you are a perfect Kahnerian.” He mused.

“How is your day Sir Zerian?” Marta mused as she changed the subject.

“Stop that.” He touched her nose with his finger then went back to running his hand over her arms. “My day has been busy. I had a break so I thought I would see how you are doing. You won’t need to cook for us tonight. My officers and I are all on duty right now, but if I get done at a reasonable time do you mind if I come back to visit.”

“I would like that. Don’t forget to eat!”

Zerian chuckled. “I won’t. Why don’t you study more on the roles of a female during mating, child birth, and child rearing? I will quiz you later.”

“Is mating the term for sex or the term for marriage?”

“Both, study about it then I will answer your questions tonight. Be good today and I will be back.” Zerian kissed her lips gently then smiled at her as he ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’m really starting to like that.” Zerian tapped her computer with his finger. “Study”

“I will.” She called as he walked quickly from her room.
***
Kandin started speaking as he heard the door open. “The first team has scouted city A. They are making their final attack plans now. They count one hundred fifty rebels. The second team has scouted city B and the farms that surround the city. They found two underground bunkers that they are working into their plans. The third team has scouted city C and moved onto the farms. They say there are not many rebels within the city. They are searching for hidden bunkers.”

“I want every attack to happen at they same time so there is not a chance from the rebels to warn the other two cities. The third team needs to hurry.” Zerian responded.

“Yes my lord, we have three hours until darkness falls.”

“How many rebels in city B and C?”

“Over three hundred in city B, most are within the bunkers. The bunkers appear to be command centers. City C has fifty rebels unless they find more among the farms.”

“Five hundred should be enough to slow them down and allow the government to take control of the rest of them.” Zerian stated

“As long as they are not completely incompetent.” Kandin replied dryly.
***
Marta sprawled out on her bed and typed in her search criteria, ‘MATES’. Her cheeks blushed three shades of red as images of lovers caught in very intimate embraces appeared on the screen.

Definition: Sexual Partner, Love Partner, Bonded. Mating is done with the objective to provide love, support and offspring. Mating is a long process that is best done in seclusion for a long period of time.

Males use their inner animal to choose their mates. Once a female mates with a male she becomes his alone. Mating is primal and instinctive. In order to avoid blood shed between males, females are kept away from other non-mated males and males who are in a new matings.

Females are expected to give themselves completely to their mates and males are expected to protect and support their mates. The greatest achievement of a mating is producing offspring. There is no greater honor for either mate than to raise and love their offspring.

“Okay” Marta breathed out. “So sex is mating and mating is marriage? That’s actually pretty old fashioned. Why would that be? They don’t seem to be the old fashioned type. What does it mean I’m supposed to give myself completely? Completely how?”

Marta went back to her computer to learn more.
***
“All teams are ready Sir. At your signal.” Langer called in.

“Stealth up. Being captured is not an option. Our anonymity is the most important thing about this job. Radio silence now, go, go, go.” Zerian called.

“May luck be on our side.” Kandin said as the radios went silent.

Zerian nodded at him.
***
Females must learn to tame her mate and feed the males appetites. Instincts are powerful to overcome and the male may become feral during the first few weeks of mating unless his partner is prepared. It is the female’s role to rein him in and help him control it using her own instincts. It is a partnership.

She looked back at the photos and now understood why they showed the images. She saw the pictures in a new light and she studied them like she was studying the rest of the information.

Females can use the Nah Denh to call her mate to her and use that power to guide and control his feral nature that hides below the surface. Once she calls to him she unleashes his restraint and very little can stop a male once he is summoned to her.

Marta blushed as she realized how hard it must have been for him.

It’s instinctive for Kahnerian’s to touch each other when they are next to their mates. A male’s touch may be seen as sexual or possessive in nature. A female’s touch may be seen as sexual or nurturing. These are instinctive and are rarely thought about as they happen. It is normal for them to touch each other in public places without hesitation. It sends a strong signal to non-mated males to stay away from the female.

“What does that mean? He’ll come up and put his hand on my butt?”
***
“City A is destroyed sir, all team members are accounted for.” Jezier responded over the radio.

“Good, meet at the rendezvous point.” Zerian responded.

Forty minutes later team two called in. “City B is destroyed along with three bunkers. Two innocent lives were lost. All team members are accounted for.” Langer called.

“Good job, meet at the rendezvous point.” Zerian responded.

“Two innocent lives is not bad considering how many rebels were in city B.” Kandin said.

“It’s acceptable.”

Sixty minutes later team three called in. “City C is destroyed. We were ambushed and had to kill ten innocents to escape their hidden bunkers. All team members are accounted for, two are severly wounded.” Pallow reported.

“Very well, the others are at the rendezvous point waiting.” Zerian responded.

“Langer, team three is on their way. They have two wounded.” Zerian called to Langer.

“Understood sir, we’ll call back when we take off.”

Zerian looked at Kandin. “I know. We should never have been ambushed. When they get back here each of them will do full report outs.” Kandin responded. Zerian kept looking at him with a hard look. “It was Pallow’s team. If they missed the bunkers during the surveillance then he will be punished for his performance.”

Zerian nodded then turned back to the computers to see the physical locations of his shuttles. A short time later Langer called back stating all teams were present and they were lifting off maintaining stealth mode. They would be back to the sanctuary in four hours.

“Call me when they arrive.” Zerian said as he left the room.
***
Zerian gripped the door way as her scent of desire filled his nostrils as he opened her door. His gaze met hers and he saw her gulp. Marta instinctively crouched onto her hands and knees watching him. “You make it difficult for me to come in here.” He whispered fighting for control.

“I’m sorry. I…” She pointed to the computer. “well…my imagination got the better of me.” She blushed as she watched him slowly approach her.

“You can relax, I have better control than most.” He came to her side and ran his hand over her hair. “Pallow, Jezier and Helkin would have pounced on you the second they opened that door. They are good officers but have little control over their animal side. You need to remember that.”

Marta nodded and blushed even more. “I apologize. I don’t seem to do anything right. I ask to cook you dinner and I didn’t realize I was offering myself to you. I perform the Nah Denh with you near me and apparently it’s how a female summons her mate to her. Now, I lose control of myself which apparently you clearly can smell. I’m so embarrassed.” Marta looked away from him and sunk down into a sitting position.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You are learning, you didn’t know any better.”

Marta shook her head at him. “But I know how it impacts you. That is embarrassing. We are in such a weird situation. I’m carrying your children but I’m not your mate. I feel close to you but I don’t know what I am supposed to do around you. Nothing in this damn thing explains this kind of relationship.”

“Marta, please stop worrying. You are not being judged. We are taking this slowly figuring it out as we go along. Some aspects of our relationship are like a mating. I’m protective of you and our children. I won’t let the officers around you.” He sat down beside her and took her hand in his.

“I don’t want to disappoint you or embarrass you by doing something I’m not supposed to.”

“I will teach you and that’s why you are studying. You have a grace period where no one expects you to know better.” He smiled at her.

“Okay, I will try not to be so hard on myself. So can I ask you questions about what I read today?”

“That’s why I’m here. Ask away.”

“A sexual relationship is a mating and a mating is a marriage. Correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why is that? You have no hang ups on nudity or sexuality.”

“Do you mean why don’t we have wild and carefree sexual relationships?” Zerian asked clarify her question. Marta nodded. “Because we never try to prevent conception! We have very low birth rates so we never try to prevent it. It’s against our laws to prevent pregnancy. We’re talking about the survival of our race here. If you are willing to have a sexual relationship with someone then you are willing to raise children together. Humans tend to have high birth rates so they actually need to prevent and control pregnancy. It’s a very strange concept for us.”

“That makes since.” Marta agreed then thought of another question to ask. “Do you have a mate back home?”

Zerian smiled at her. “No.”

“Have you ever had a mate?”

“Yes, but they never resulted in children so it was easy to dissolve the relationship.” Zerian watched her confusion. “I am told I am not easy to live with.” He smiled wryly at her.

“Do you mean you are over protective?” She smiled at him.

“And very possessive. I won’t let any males near my mate.”

Marta shrugged. “Why would that be a problem? Kahnerians are very instinctual. You’re only preventing problems.”

Zerian smiled at her. “That’s how I see it as well.”

“This is my hardest question to ask for tonight. What does it mean when it says a female must give everything of herself to her mate?”

“Well, let’s say I came home riled up and needed to unleash the pent up anger, frustration or what not. It would be your duty to help me unleash it in a focused manner. Human females tend to use sex as a weapon. Something they give and take depending on their mood. For Kahnerian’s it is much more powerful than that and a female would never leave her mate suffering.”

“So you’re saying I can’t say no?” she asked appalled.

“No, that is not what I am saying. You always have that right. I’m not explaining this well. I am saying Kahnerian’s use much more than their physical bodies when they join together and a female has the power to help her mate. Marta you create an incredible power within you when you perform the Nah Dehn. That power will help your mate. It’s hard to explain but it will be very natural to you when the time comes.”

Marta sighed. “I don’t know if I understand any better.”

“Someday you will. It’s instinctual.” He said gently. “Do you have anymore questions for me?” His hands were running over her arms tracing little patterns.

Marta shook her head. “Not tonight.”

Zerian ran a finger over her forehead and between her brows. “I see you are concentrating on something so I will let you work through it. You can ask me more when you are ready.”

“Thank you.”

“Zerian, you are needed in the command room.” A voice was heard over the intercom causing Marta to startle.

“Crap!’ She exclaimed softly as she clutched her chest.

“Are you okay?” He asked as he studied her face.

“Yes, just a little scared by a voice booming into the room.” She tried to smile at him as she slowed her breath.

“Don’t stay up too late reading please. I need to go.” Zerian said as he rose to his feet.

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Good, now lie down so I can kiss you and the girls goodnight.” He smiled at her.

“If you insist!” She sighed playfully.

Zerian laughed as he leaned over to kiss her belly then he came up and kissed her a long slow kiss. “Sleep well.” He whispered.

“Goodnight.”

Marta turned out her light after Zerian left her room.

Secrets of His World – Chapter 4

January 2, 2011
By
Secrets of His World - Chapter 4

I found this picture on the Internet and I instantly thought of Damien.
He looks a lot like how I pictured Damien. Just pretend he has green eyes the color of a summer leaf lol. I’ll look for pictures of Erin and Jason and post them with the next few Chapters. I’ll probably even look for a picture of Jess and Rachel(Emily’s mom). Maybe even Beth, too. (:
I hope you guys enjoy!
~Ginger

****
Emily woke up the next morning and turned her alarm clock off. It felt like she didn’t sleep at all that night. She kept tossing and turning. Many times throughout the night she would wake up screaming.

She had to find out who Clarissa is. Why Damien had went on a date with her. Why he hadn’t told her about Clarissa.

After she had taken a shower and ate breakfast she left for school. It had been a quiet morning. No one had been home at her house. Her mother had left for work and Jess was gone to who knows where.

She hadn’t seen or talked to Damien since their fight yesterday. She didn’t even see his car this morning.

Emily pulled into her parking space at school and got out. She was going to be early today. Usually her and Damien would take their time and talk a little before they left for school and had only a few minutes to get to class when they arrived.

Today she had taken a shower, eaten breakfast alone, and rode to school by her self. She had twenty minutes of free time. Emily took her time walking to the school building.

She was just opening the doors when she spotted Damien. He was standing next to a locker with some girl. The girl was a little shorter than Damien. She had long blonde hair and long legs. She was super skinny and wearing ho-ish clothes, which was a really short skirt and a tight white shirt. You could even see her red bra through it.

Damien was smiling at her and talking up a storm. Emily tried not to pay much attention to him as she passed. He looked at her once and then quickly turned his head.

Emily was getting furious all over again. She stopped at her locker to get her History book when someone bumped into her and made her drop her books and slam her locker shut. Her notes and other papers went flying everywhere.

“Oh, shit! I’m sorry!” the guy exclaimed.

Emily sighed and opened her locker back up.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it,” she told him without at him.

She started picking the papers by her feet up when a tan hand shot out in front of her. She looked up and noticed the guy. It was Jason from her Chemistry class. She had had a crush on him once.

“Let me get it,” he told her, smiling.

“No, that’s okay. You can go on with your business. I can get it,” she said, returning his smile.

“No, no. This was my fault. I’m picking it up, not you.”

Emily straightened up and watched Jason picking her things up. He was six feet tall and slim. Jason had brown hair and blue eyes. He was the quarter back for the football team. He had never noticed – let alone talked – to her before.

He gathered all her papers and gave them back to her. She thanked him and went back to rummaging through her locker. She noticed he was still standing there leaned against the locker by hers, watching her.

“You know, I’ve lived in this town for almost seven years now and I’ve never seen you before. What’s your name?” he said after a moment of watching her.

“Well, I’ve noticed you quite a bit and my name’s Emily Lovett,” she replied.

“Emily Lovett…” he trailed off.

Emily looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was still watching her with a smile on his face. He was devastatingly handsome when he smiled. She smiled a little herself and then shut her locker.

“We have Chemistry,” he said while she put her books in her bag.

“Really? I wouldn’t say that. I mean, I barely even know you,” Emily joked.

Jason laughed and then shook his head.

“You’re funny Lovett. Anyway, I had better get to class. I’ll see you in Chemistry.”

“Alright. Bye,” she said.

She turned around to head for her History class when she nearly got knocked down. Damien was standing behind her and was looking at her. He almost looked mad.

“Can I help you with something?” Emily asked rudely.

“No. I was just wondering if I could have my book back,” he told her. He sounded lifeless.

Emily blushed and felt guilty for being mean to him. She turned around and opened her locker back up. She got his Literature book out of her locker and handed it to him. He tried to take it but Emily held on.

“Damien, we need to talk,” she told him.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he insisted.

“Yes there is. Why didn’t you tell me you had a date with some girl named Clarissa?”

“Because it isn’t any of your business. And how did you even find out about that?”

“I went over to your house yesterday to apologize and your dad said you were out on a date with some girl named Clarissa. And you’re right. It isn’t any of my business. Sorry I even asked,” Emily said angrily.

She let go of his book and took off for her History class. She heard him call her name once, but she ignored him. She had tears running down her cheeks. She stopped outside of the class and wiped her face.

When she was in class and it started she hardly listened. The teacher called on her to answer a question and she didn’t know. She didn’t even get embarrassed for not knowing.

She spent the whole class thinking about Damien and Erin and Jess and Jason. Jason said he would see her in Chemistry, which meant he was looking forward to seeing her. At least someone is looking forward to seeing me, she told herself.

She spent half the day just thinking about different things. She tried to get her mind off Damien and on to something else. Most of the time she preoccupied her self with thinking about Jason.

It was now fourth period and she would be going to her Chemistry class. That means she’ll be seeing Jason. She grabbed her book from her locker and went straight to class.

When Emily entered the room the first person she saw was Jason. He looked at her and smiled. She walked to her normal seat, which was by a girl with dark hair and dark skin. Everyone called her Liz the Wiz because she’s smart.

Emily sat her bags down, only to have them picked up by a tan hand. She looked up to see Jason standing there holding her bag.

“I think you should be my partner for the day, don‘t you?” he said.

He turned around without letting Emily answer. He walked to his seat and sat her bag and book down by his seat. Jason motioned for Emily to come over and sit by him. She smiled and took her seat.

“So, what’s the deal? You’ve never noticed me and you never talk to me and now you’re making me sit by you and everything,” she said.

She raised a brow at him when he shrugged.

“I never noticed you before, like you said. But I noticed you this morning and I think I might want to get to know you. Besides, I think I never noticed you before because you were always hanging around what’s-his-name. I only go for the lonely girls that have no one,” he joked.

“I see.”

“Do you really?” he asked mischievously.

Emily laughed at him and then said, “Nope.”

“Niiice.” He sounded cute when he extended the I in nice.

“Yes, yes indeed.”

They were both silent for a moment. Emily tried not to look self-conscious while Jason was looking at her. He smiling while he watched her fiddle with a curl.

“So, who are you sitting with at lunch today?” Jason asked her.

“Casper the Friendly Ghost. You?” Emily joked with him.

“Oh. Yeah? I think I might want to sit with Casper, too, if that’s okay with you.”

She smiled at him and said, “I don’t mind. You might want to ask Casper, though. He doesn’t like guys that flirt with me. He’s very protective.”

“Well, well then. I guess I’m going to have to kick some invisible butt in orders to sit with a beautiful girl. I don’t mind doing it, you know.”

Emily and Jason both laughed at that. He’s funny, cute, and charming, Emily thought. Damien had made her laugh, too, but not like Jason did. There was something about Jason, though, that made her want to hide a little. Something that made her nervous.

Emily hardly ever got nervous. She was a very outgoing girl. Sometimes even outspoken. Only someone she really liked – like Damien – could make her really nervous. And here was Jason Grove, making her as nervous as a kitten.

They spent the whole class talking about the most random things and laughing. Emily had just enough time to finish her paper before the teacher took it up. Jason only got twenty of thirty questions answered.

“Looks as if I’m going to get a low grade on that one,” Jason mumbled as the teacher took his paper up.

“I got all of mine done,” Emily bragged.

“Well not everyone can be as smart as you.” Jason laughed.

Emily blushed and then hid behind her hair. She turned toward the class to listen to what Mrs. Jones had to say. She was telling them what their homework was.

When the class was dismissed Emily noticed that Jason stayed in his seat. She looked at him as she gathered her things. He was watching her again.

“I think I’m going to walk with you to your locker to put your books up and then spend lunch with you,” he announced.

“Alright. You’d better hurry and come on then,” she told him.

He grabbed his book off the desk and walked Emily to her locker. She put her books up and went to shut her locker when Jason put his hand in the way.

“Do you mind if I keep my book in your locker? It gives me a reason to hang around you,” he teased.

Emily giggled a little and then nodded her head. She opened her locker up and pushed her books aside to make room for Jason’s book. He laid his book in her locker in front of the picture of her and Damien.

Even though Emily was sure he hadn’t meant to put it there, or didn’t know, she felt sad. She missed Damien and his laugh and his jokes and the way he looked at her sometimes. She missed everything about Damien. Emily moved his book over a little so that it was no longer blocking the picture.

Jason held out his arm for her to take. Emily put her arm through his and they left for lunch. On the way there everyone was staring at them.

Jason was popular. More popular than Damien, even. People at their school would think they were dating with the way they were acting and talking and holding on to each others arm. She didn’t mind though.

They were in the lunch line when she heard Damien’s voice. She looked behind her and there he stood. He was wearing a black button-up shirt and tight jeans that hugged his hips and thighs, making his butt look nice, Emily added mentally.

He was with the blonde bimbo he was talking to earlier. He didn’t seem to notice Emily was even in front of him. Damien just kept talking and smiling and making the bimbo laugh.

“That’s Clarissa Hamilton,” Jason whispered in Emily’s ear. Emily looked at him.

Emily wasn’t one for using people, but it looked like she was going to have to. She could feel horrible and guilty about it later. She decided she was going to use Jason for all he’s worth. Emily was going to try to make Damien jealous.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” she whispered to Jason.

“No. Do you have a boyfriend?” he whispered back.

“No. Do you want a girlfriend?”

He thought about that for a minute. He never took his eyes off Emily. Then he busted out laughing.

“Sure would, but only if it’s you,” Jason told her.

She smiled. Phase one of her plan was done. Now on to phase two.

“Great! Would you like to go out tonight or something?” she asked him enthusiastically.

“Yeah, I’d love to. How about I pick you up after school?” he insisted.

She knew Damien was listening. He wasn’t laughing with his little bimbo anymore. She took a chance to look behind her at him. He was staring at the floor with his eyebrows puckered in the middle.

“Not right after school. I’m taking a friends fiancee out to show her around. She’s new here. But I can meet you somewhere at the Mall afterward,” Emily told him loud enough for Damien to hear her.

“Perfect! I’ll give you my number and you can call me to meet you somewhere when you guys are finished.”

“Great.”

Emily smiled and continued through the lunch line. She and Jason gave each other their phone numbers. Jason kept telling her jokes and she would laugh at them. It was a lot easier than she thought, but she knew that’s because she wanted to laugh at and with him and not just pretend to.

Jason was actually quite funny when he was on a roll. When they took their seats and had started eating Jason was telling her a story about himself when he was younger. She laughed so hard that she almost choked on her pizza. And as a result of that she laughed even harder with Jason joining in.

Every few minutes she would look at Damien. He would be looking at her every time she looked. She would then turn her eyes back to Jason and start telling jokes. Damien didn’t look happy about that.

“You know, Lovett, I’m glad I bumped into you this morning,” Jason told Emily on their way to dump their trays.

“Me too,” she said truthfully.

“Anyway, I’ll walk you to your next class and then I’ll see you after school sometime.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Emily gabbed his hand and pulled him toward the cafeteria door. He was laughing at her the whole time. When they were talking while eating he had said she was the most enthusiastic girl he’d ever met. Probably because I’m using him, she had told herself. It was mostly just pretend. Some of it wasn’t though.

There was an aura about Jason that made Emily ecstatic. Something about him that made her want to jump up and down with excitement. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was definitely something there.

After Jason had taken her to her locker and then walked her to class she started getting really nervous. Her next class was with Damien. And Erin. She would have to sit with Damien, who didn’t like her much at the moment. And she would have to see Erin, who she liked, but had a fiancee and is the father of her sisters baby.

Emily wondered if Erin knew about the baby. What if he didn’t even remember sleeping with her sister Jess? She would ask him about that later.

“I guess I’ll see you after school at the mall. Bye,” Jason said, kissing her on the hand.

“Bye,” she replied.

As much as she didn’t want to, she had to go to Literature class now. She sucked in a deep breath, let it out, and then walked in to the classroom.

Stolen: Part 1: Chapter 3 The First Attempt

January 2, 2011
By

It had been nearly three days since Courtney had worked up her plan. Matt was still in the holes and probably would not get out for at least another week and that was if he was lucky. Daron was none to happy that Matt had intruded on his disciplining a second time. Courtney had to get him out.

At lunch Courtney snuck past the guards and outside. Her legs pumped with adrenaline as she ran towards the wholes. When she got there she could not find Matt any where. He was not in the wholes! That meant he was in the dungeon and Courtney would have to wait.

Turning around sulkily Courtney ran straight into Matt. He was sweaty and covered in muck. His brown hair was a knotted mess. He was a disaster. Except, for his eyes. They sparkled as much as ever at the sight of Courtney. The gold in them seemed liquid.

“Courtney!” Matt sounded exhausted, “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you!” Courtney was surprised, “How’d you get out?”

“I didn’t. They let me out. I was looking for you but you weren’t on the work dock.”

“Oh. Well, I have a plan to get us out of here. We need to,”

Matt cut her off. He kissed her on the lips. It was all he could think to do to show how much he loved her. He loved her for who she was on nothing else. He did not even remember how he knew what love was. One of the older kids must have told him when he was younger.

Courtney felt like she could fly. It was just a brief second, but it felt like ages before she could breathe. She could hardly recall what she had been saying. When she could breathe again she finished, “climb the fence.”

Matt looked into her eyes with love and compassion, “So what’s your plan?”

Courtney told Matt everything up to going to the police. He did not like the idea anymore than she did but he was going to have her back no matter what.

“Look Matt, I got 15 lashes three days ago. I can’t take it anymore. I have to get out of here,” Courtney finished.

“So when are we going to follow through with this plan?” Matt asked business like.

“How about now.” Mistake number one, “It’s the perfect time. They’d never expect it. Especially from me.”

“Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”

Courtney was so excited. She knew they could make it. They were alone and ready to make the dash of their lives. They knew the risks. If this did not go right they would be taken separately and forced to live a life of beating, starvation, and torture for the rest of their long drawn out lives.

They walked hand in hand onto the working dock. They stopped in front of the towering doors that led out front. Leaning into each other they kissed. With springy free legs and grins on their faces they dashed through the doors. A loud, terrible ringing sounded in their ears as alarms sounded.

Courtney looked over her shoulder to see Daron and his posse of guards running after them. Mistake number two. Her legs tangled together and she fell on her face. Matt pulled her to her feet and they shot off.

The fence towered over them like a skyscraper. Matt lounged at it and began to climb. Courtney followed close on his tail. When they neared the top Matt put his hand on the fourth to last wire. Mistake number three. The electric volts shot through his body.

Courtney stopped climbing as the fence began to shake rapidly. Suddenly, Matt fell to the ground. Courtney jumped down not caring how she landed. She looked into his eyes. They were smoky, but he could still see her blurry figure. Tears began to stream don her cheeks as she saw his head ooze.

“No!” Courtney breathed, “I’m so sorry Matt.”

Her heart felt ripped. It was just a bloody organ, but she felt it was disappearing as she looked into Matt’s eyes. Some part of her that was vitally needed was gone. She felt as if she was nothing, as if she could not live. At least, not the way she had lived. Without him she was a lilac with no root, a book with no pages and a singer without a voice. She was nothing.

Courtney crouched beside him to check his pulse. Nothing. She shook him and hit him to try and wake him. Nothing. He was still warm, to warm. The electric volts that had passed through his body had fried him. Courtney wailed.

She had failed him. Matt was gone and there was nothing she could do. He had died in this horrible place. He never had a chance. The freedom he had so longed for had not been found. At least not in life. It was her fault. She had made him came with her. Made him clime that stupid fence. He had trusted her.

Daron had made his way through the group of kids and guards towards Courtney. He looked at her then at Matt, to the fence and back to Courtney. “Look at what you’ve done Courtney. I know this was your idea, and because you’re too stupid to think Matt is dead! Oh well.”

Courtney looked at him disbelief. Was Matt just another animal? Did Daron even care about any one? Were they all just worthless bugs?

“He wasn’t my hardest worker. I’m just glad it wasn’t you. I need you, were as Matt, Matt was worthless to me. He was dirt Courtney! I thought you were gold, but I guess you’re not. You’re lower than dirt! You killed him. Remember? Not me,” Daron lectured as he pointed to her, Matt and himself, “It wasn’t my idea to climb that fence, now was it? No Courtney! It was yours!”

Courtney looked at Daron with disbelief. Was Matt just another work animal? Did Daron even care about any one? Were they all just worthless bugs?

“He wasn’t my hardest worker. I’m just glad it wasn’t you. I need you, were as Matt, Matt was worthless to me. He was dirt Courtney! I thought you were gold, but I guess I was wrong. You’re lower than dirt! You killed him, remember? Not me,” Daron screamed as he pointed to her, Matt, and himself Matt, “It wasn’t my idea to climb that fence, now was it? No Courtney, it was yours!”

Daron put everyone back to work and left Courtney to there to weep. Her heart no longer wanted freedom, but Matt. She tried CPR, but it was too late.

“If a doctor can do it after an hour why can’t I after only a few minutes?” Courtney screamed to the sky, “one, two, three,” kiss, “one, two, three,” kiss.

She tried a dozen times before she realized it was no use. She gave up. She wasn’t a professional. She couldn‘t get a professional and no one would help her. They called her trader and said, we told you so.

Courtney threw her head back and cried to the sky. Her long, black, matted hair clung to the sides of her face. Her eyes sodden red, she bled internally, “Why’d you take him away? Why? He doesn’t deserve to die! Please? Please bring him back! Why didn’t you take me instead? You should have taken me! It was my stupid plan!”

She fell over him crying. She knew he could never come back. She lay there, hoping, that he would understand. She whispered over and over, I’m so sorry, until a guard came and took her to her room.

Courtney no longer thought of it as a room, but a jail cell. A place were she should stay for the rest of her life. Stay there as a punishment for Matt’s death. It was a life sentence, for murder.

That hole day and night Courtney grieved. She did not go to the factory or to any meals. When she was supposed to be at dinner Daron came and too her to the wholes. She did not fight, for she did not care weather she lived or died. There where not only old bones, but Matt’s body as well. Right away she became sick of the stench and vomited.

Daron laughed and launched a shovel at her, “You killed him, you bury him.”

Courtney knew she had to burry him or he would end up like the others, rotted and stomach churning. She dug and dug, each shovel full with pain and anger. She lay him face up, straight, and closed his eyes. She crossed his arms over his chest and threw the first handful of dirt in as she said a prayer. She wanted him to have the most proper funeral as possible. Then she used the shovel to finish her painful job. About three hours later Daron came and put her on a double shift.

“Basically, a hole day of work has been lost, Courtney,” Daron scowled.

Courtney went out onto the work floor and began. Kids were shaking their heads. They hated her. They thought she had done it purposely.

WACK!

Suddenly a water jug hit her in the head. Several more followed along with snide comments such as, “How dare you, what’s wrong with you, all you wanted was a day off,” and, “You’re heartless!”

Courtney was waiting for Matt to come and save her, and then suddenly she remembered he could not. She ran to her station. Her eyes widened as for what she saw was unbelievable. Matt was there working. He turned and smiled. Courtney ran to him and hugged him, but he did not hug back.

This is impossible! You’re dead! You died yesterday, on the fence!” Courtney was amazed.

“Uh, we decided we weren’t doing the escape until tonight,” Matt whispered confused, “and you shouldn’t fall asleep on the job. You’re lucky it’s just us two around.”

Courtney stopped hugging Matt. It had all been a dream. He was never dead. Did this mean he was going to die if they tried to run. She couldn’t be sure, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. Having her heart ripped out again would be unbearable.

“You’re not dead,” Courtney sighed, “Oh Matt, we can’t climb that fence,”

Matt interrupted her, “Not so loud. Do you want us to get caught?”

“Sorry,” Courtney whispered, “but the fence is electric. We’ll die.”

“What?”

“You have to listen to me Matt. I had this dream and, and,” Courtney stopped and looked down at her feet.

“What? Courtney, tell me?” Matt pleaded.

“You died. If it would really have happened, I don’t know what I would have done.”

They talked and argued over plans. One would come up with a plan but it would quickly be excluded by the other.

“We could use rubber or wood on our hand and feet. Electric volts don’t go through those kinds of things,” Matt tried to be convincing.

“No!” Courtney quickly objected, “We are not going to clime that fence unless the electric volts are gone!”

“What, so you want to blow the power or something!” Matt said angrily.

“Yes, that’s it! We’ll blow the power! Matt you’re a genius!”

She Will Be Loved – Chapter 41 – Part 4

January 2, 2011
By
She Will Be Loved - Chapter 41 - Part 4

Katniss- Beau is amazingly dark and funny. So these chapters are kinda long and hazy but they foreshadow events to come. Seth tries to be.

Sunay- Because of you, I wrote two chapters and everything worked out the way the I wanted. Thank you so much for that. ( :

Jasmin- True…and I am sorry if they are short. : O And this is really late! Oh gosh!

Chally- Hear him out first before we kill him off.

Abby- Gosh……

Abc123- Yeah I guess it is :D
—————————————————————————–
Chapter 41- (Insert Title Here)

My head rolls all over my neck. I am trying hard to sleep but I do not want to. Finally I do and when I wake up, I am in a fuzzy, sticky bed. For a minute, I think it’s home so I run from the bed and open the door. But it was nothing but very lit outside. There he stood with his back to me. I must have scared him because he jumped when he turned around. He put out his cigarette.

“What happened to your shirt?” He pointed and I looked down. All I had on was my pajama pants.

“It’s too hot for it.” I say, squinting my eyes. He peered inside. “Can we go for a walk. When I can’t sleep, daddy takes me for walks.”

He stared at me blankly and decided against whatever C he about to do. “Fine, grabbed your shirt and a jacket.”

I pulled back on my pajama shirt and grabbed my red jacket. I cuddle Herb inside my coat. My squishy alligator slippers made a soft squeak noise. I tried hard not to wake up anyone. He eyed me up and down. He opened his mouth to protest but then a car pulled up.

“Ha!” A fat man stepped out of the car. “If you think we’re bringing your son to this important match, you’re crazy! Especially with him dressed like that. Leave him with Luce, Beau!”

“I don’t want to stay Luce.” I grabbed onto Beau’s belt buckle since I couldn’t reach his hand. He pat my head and pulled me close. Luce appeared at the doorway.

“Hey there, Frank. Off to steal my man away from me again?” She didn’t even smile. I don’t think she was being nice.

“Well, yeah! It’s a woman’s job to take care of the young!” Frank kicked the gravel beneath his feet. “This is why I don’t have kids.”

“Yo, fattie, get in the damn car and let’s go.” Beau twisted Frank around with one hand. “The boy goes or I don’t. It’s simple as that.”

“Wait, Beau, are guys going to be-”

“Just go back to sleep! I don’t need your damn nagging right now! Take care of Dylan and try any funny stuff, you’ll pay.” He placed me on his lap and slammed the door. “Okay, more strange people are going to get it, right? We don’t want too many people to see you. So, wear this.”

He pulled a red baseball cap over my head. I stared at the back of my hands again. I still see the freckles. Trying to figure out the possible things I could do with them. All this thinking makes me tired.

“Use to be mine.” He smiled and I leaned back on his chest.

I tried to pretend it was daddy but he smelled too much of beer and cigarettes. And another stench I couldn’t really put my finger. So, then I pretended it was mommy. But she doesn’t have manly arms like this. So, I decided to stay awake and watch the many houses we go. We stopped at a corner store got me some snacks. As we drove to wherever we were going, I stuffed my face with pretzels and soda. Beau pat my head. He shaved off all of my curly hair. I don’t mind. I felt much cooler without my bush. An old country song comes on. Frank starts to sing along and Beau switches the radio off.

“Frank is an example of failure of life.” Beau whispered in my ear. I nodded gulped down the cold soda.

“This is my first time ever really drinking this kind of soda. Makes me feel bubbly.” I smiled.

“Wait,” Beau looked at his drink. “Aww, Frank! You got our drinks mixed up. You trying to make the kid drunk?!”

Beau placed a different can in my hand. It didn’t taste the same and I didn’t like the flavor. But there was no way I was going to argue in front of the two men that hand joined us.

“We’re here!” Frank parked and the two men jumped out. “Make sure you bring home to bacon, guys. What about you Beau?”

“I am not spending it. I need for a little roadtrip.”

Roadtrip?

“I am going to…to buy this girl I am seeing-”

“Frank, what woman wants to date a pig like you? Take-out for a date isn’t every girl’s dreams.”

“Well, you hit Luce up like she is punching bag. Now you got kids, do you want them to grow up to be like you!”

“Heck no.” He shook his head. “Imma teach them right. And besides, Luce talks and nags too much at the same time. She is quite rude as well.”

“Right,” Frank shook his head. He looked like he was going to say something else but we started walking.

The carpet looked to be have half an inch thick. It had lots fuzzy stuff and grime on it. That’s what happens when you don’t vaccum your carpet for months. The walls are painted a thick green. So thick, it was thicker than carpet. I find it kinda sad but the room we went into next was beautiful. It had lots fish tanks, books, a pool table, a poker table and some art stuff. The chairs were sturdy wood. I wanted to go and see the fish but Beau held me in front of him. Three men walked out and smiled.

“So, you bring your kid to fight for you, huh?” The leader spoke first. “I hope he is any good at poker.”

“Don’t worry,” Beau whispered in my ear. “This is just for fun. They just like being that way.”

I nodded and asked, “What’s poker?”

~Leslie’s POV~

I watched as Sam ran around in his underwear and a baby blue T-shirt while being chased by Darcy and Gracie. He shakes his butt at them and runs off with their dolls in a clear bag. I would have stopped him but being four months pregnant makes things difficult for me bend over. Heather sits outside the room while Graham and Spinner paint. We’re trying hard to act normal. Praying that we’ll see our son again. Graham smiles and he looks so pretty in the windy sunlight. Sam runs in between my legs. He sticks his tongue and runs away. Without looking where he was going, he bumped his head into the wall. He bawls and I pick him up by his arms. His feet rests on the sides of my bump. He sobs into my neck. I walk with him up and down. Heather lets me hold him and pretend for a moment. I am driving myself insane this way. I rub his back until he slowly stops crying and drifts off to sleep. Gracie runs into Graham’s arms. Darcy runs to her mother. We’re all quiet. I place Sam in Travis’ unmade bed. I pull the sheets over him and kiss him. Everyone watches me. Travis was never like that. For one he was always in yellow.

“Aunt Leslie, when we will get to play with Travis and Dylan again?” Darcy smiled at me.

Gracie looked down at Graham. Of course we couldn’t tell them.

“They went on a little trip. They’ll be back.” Spinner explains, tugging on Darcy’s blue ribboned ponytails.

Huge lumps go to my throat. I run off to my bedroom to cry privately. I think I am secretly driving myself crazy.

~Graham’s POV~

The next few days past like nothing. While my dad worked on a heavy case, I took Gracie out to the tennis field. She had decided on being a tennis player. She was already one in my eyes. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail, I watched as it swished with body movements. Behind her smiles, I can see the curiosity and sadness of this situation. She hit the ball back and forth to me.

“It is just that someday’s I forget about him. Like he never existed and Leslie smiles more these days.”

“Sometimes it’s just easier to forget about the pain. The police has not even found anything yet. And it’s not like I am pursuing them. I am sure Travis is safe.” I smiled and passed the ball back to her. “My dog days are over.”

“I am glad. I just don’t want her to go crazy and use Sam as a replacement.” She stood there and looked up at me. “I am so sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” I scratched the back of my head. She could Sam as a replacment but I am afraid that Spinner spends too much time for Leslie. More than I do. What if, this time around, she leaves me for him?

“Many times during lunch, Dylan would ditch Travis for that table where the boys traded snacks. Travis would sit by himself and when I tried to sit next to him this man grabbed my arm really hard. Travis did even stick up for me. He just gave me this dark look and so I said to him I hope you disappear because you are such a pain. But I didn’t mean it, I was just offended.”

“Hey, do you remember that man’s face?”

“Of course I do. I saw him in the courthouse once too. He does the mail there. I use to eye him funny because of what he did. I was going to tell you so you could beat him up but then I thought about what he did to my arm. He could probably do that to you too.” Her words rushed out of her mouth like it has been hiding there forever.

“I will hurt anyone that even tries harms you, Gracie. No matter how small or big.”

She ran into my arms. I have not seen her cry since ever. But then I remember, those are fake smiles.

“I want to see mommy. I miss mommy and her hair.”

“I know isn’t she here now but maybe when things are better-”

“When are they going to get better? Doesn’t mommy want to see me anymore?”

Then I remember the sweet little pink room my mother worked so hard on. People can change. It takes a lot to forgive someone. And I know now what my mother feels like everyday. The missing feeling and no child to run into your arms. Lonely. The only thing that keeps you up and straight.

“I am so sorry you had to got through that. But if you really want to forgive her then I’ll take you to see her.”

“You’re the best.”

“I’ll do anything to see you smile.”

“Then bring my nephew home.” A little quiet chuckle left her mouth. I could tell this smile was real.

Leslie’s POV

“When I was little, I use to love shopping with my mom. I use to sneak off to look at toys.”

The person I get stuck with to do this with is Spinner and Sam. People in the store have stopped every ten minutes to look at Spinner and Sam’s hair. Apparently, Sam got all of Spinner’s genes. Sam apparently wanted a little purple mohawk on his head that matched Spinner’s. Of course, they showed off their looks in the baby store. Mothers all over gave me that look. That look that says I pray for you because that husband of yours is just trouble. Of course Spinner likes to put on a show and smiles like we are any other normal couple in the store while Sam runs off to get into baby strollers. He is trying to pick the best one. Color and structure wise.

“He still likes them. But it’s time for a big boy one.”

Sam shook his head and continued his search.

“I hear Graham is taking Gracie home.” He smiled at me. “That’s pretty neat.”

“Yeah but now I am stuck with you.” I muttered.

“That really hurts. I am going to run off into the corner and cry.”

I laughed, “I was just kidding!” I pulled him back. One of the workers looked at us dirty. I let go of him.

“You know what? Screw them, Leslie. It’s not like anybody is playing twenty dollars on a pair of shoes your kid is going to outgrow. You see Sam? He is wearing the same shoes I use to wear. Parents spend billions of dollars on clothes and for what?”

I laughed and agreed.

“See look at her husband. He is only going to last like what? Two months? Rasing a baby isn’t easy.”

“Maybe for you and Heather but I had the best baby in the whole world.”

We looked for Sam but he was no where to be seen.

“Yeah but I don’t. Be right back.”

I walked around for a few minutes when I saw Spinner dragging Sam over. He cried and kicked.

“See what I mean?” He laughed picking up Sam. “You know how many black eyes I got from him?”

“He is just in his toddler period. Happens to the best of us.”

“Yeah but when Travis was two, he was walking and talking. He use to sleep half the afternoon.”

“Because you use to tire him out.” I giggled. “And one time he lost my favorite hat at the beach. He was so disappointed.”

“Well, he needed it. What are uncles for, eh?” He smiled. “And you use to dress him in yellow mostly.”

“But you make an even better as a dad.”

“True.” He nodded and Sam finally relaxed. “Hey you want to go get something to eat and blow this dump?”

“I thought you would never ask!” I laughed.

“Before we go I have one thing to say.” He passed me Sam and went to the front of the store. “Excuse me everyone! But while you pay like over hundred dollars in this stupid store with poor serivce, I have something to say! I heard the baby store like five blocks from here is giving away free stuff because they are closing down!”

I laughed and he pulled me out of the store. We waited and surprisingly, a lot of people left.

“Is that even true?”

“Yeah and plus that was revenge for making you be unhappy.”

“Why thanks Spinner. You’re the best.”

“I know I am.”

~Graham’s POV~

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” We stood in front of the gate.

I watched her as she looked up at the house.

“If you can forgive mommy for hurting you then I can forgive mommy for hurting me.” She bit on her bottom lip. “Besides, you need a mother right now.”

I nodded and I watched her reach up for the doorbell. When my mother pulled open the door, I watched as they hugged. Before I knew it, I found myself in her arms too. I hate it when Gracie is always so right.

~Leslie’s POV~

Seth tried to make me laugh by pretending he was a soilder coming home to his wife. It wasn’t working. Even though he got the outfit and the hat and everything. I just didn’t laugh.

“What’s wrong? Graham will be very mad if I don’t please you with joy and happiness.” He was hanging off one of the columns that held his house up.

What if I were to stand on it? Would it break? Does that classifiy me as fat? I began to laugh. Something not even funny but it is something Travis would say. I know my son more than I do myself. Seth smiled at me.

“My parents went out of town for a few days because they are trying to deal with him not ever coming home.” Seth frowned. “But oh no! Graham goes fishing with his buddies because that is real fun.”

“Of course, how come you didn’t go with them?” I giggled.

“His friends don’t suit me. Besides John has ran off somewhere with Valerie.”

“Was that suppose to happen?”

“I don’t know. We can’t play with the hands of time. They are listening!” He held his big ear and leaned forward. I laughed again.

“Yeah, yeah very amusing but what if you had two comedians at once!” Beau grabbed Seth and placed him on the floor. “Are you trying to harm the baby? She should be sitting down.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you be too busy getting drunk and beating up girls.” Seth sat down next to me. “Besides, why do you care?”

“Well, look at you! Just as big as a watermelon. How much longer?” Beau ignored him and looked at me.

“Three.” I tell him, looking him straight in the eye. I am not really scared of him anymore.

“Hmm, is it a boy or girl? Oh wait! That’s right! Idiot and son of idiot were deciding to name him Thomas right? You remember that night right? When I took a precious thing from you into the night and killed him? You’re not getting your son back until you open your eyes. Then we’ll kill him together and get rid of this baby. Then, we’ll be together. Forever.”

Seth stood up. “What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to give her nightmares! She is crying!”

I was not crying. I stood up. Face to face.

“It won’t work on me.”

“You know, baby, you are just turning me on with all this hot talk. Heck if you weren’t pregnant with idiot’s baby then-”

“The last time I checked, my name is Graham.” Graham stood there with his arm crossed.

“The last time I checked, I should have killed you when I had the chance.” Beau nodded his head and looked at me. “Idiots these days.”

“Come on, Leslie, we’re going inside.” Seth tugged on my arm.

“We should have called the authorities. You just claimed the to the kidnapping both boys.”

“Oh no,” Beau walked away. “I pretended. But let’s face it, there is something deeper here. You afraid of her. Did you know that Leslie? He is afraid, you’ll leave him.”

Beau leaned closer to Graham. He had confidence as he said, “You should like a child. Remember. Leslie likes men, not boys.”

Graham’s expression was gloomy. What did he mean by that?

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Local Events, Concerts, Tickets
Events by Eventful