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“Would you get your shoes off the table?” said Fisk. “I think its a little rude.”

“Nobody cares but you.” said Dahlia. She casually drew on the side of her sneaker.

He knew she was right. The sounds of the raucous feast echoed off the high stone walls of the great hall. Lords and Ladies, Knights and Peasants all celebrated jubilantly. Dahlia checked her watch. “The program will terminate in ten minutes.” she said. “What is so funny?”

He looked around the room once more with a smile and gestured to the table filled with food. “Cabbages and Kings.” he replied.

6.29.08.KM

Endymion was dreaming. He found himself standing in a clearing, deep in the woods, at the center of a fairy ring. Light pierced through the trees and laid in pools at his feet.

“You should feel lucky. Few are allowed an audience with Tellus.”

Endymion looked around. He was alone. “Who speaks?” he said, “show yourself.”

Quickly the moon filled the entire sky. It turned to reveal a face on its stygian side. It possessed jagged eyes and cratered teeth.

“Place your ears to the Earth,” the Moon proclaimed. “and she shall whisper to you the secrets of whats to come.”

6.28.08.KM

She was gone. It had been three weeks but Cannon’s could still smell her in his bedroom and on his clothes.

The first night he had tried to forget with bourbon, but when he could no longer stand and cohesive speech was impossible, all he could feel was the pain and all he could see was her face.

“I’m glad you stopped drinking.” said Lux “She wouldn’t have wanted that.”

“I know. I feel as if a veil was lifted from my eyes and for the first time things are clear.” said Cannon, “She changed the way I see the world.”

6.27.08.KM

Two men Shaun had never seen before stood in his front lawn. They had come to see his father.
“What about?” his father said. “Business,” the larger man replied with a sneer.

Shaun and his mother watched them from the porch. They were just out of earshot, but Shaun could tell his father was upset. Suddenly his father pulled out a pistol.

“Run and get the law man,” his mother said. “as fast as you can.” Fear filled her face.

Without hesitation Shaun was out the back door, running. He jumped the fence and instantly was on the road to town.

6.26.08.KM

In complete darkness Chinua stumbled forward, madly. Thick, damp vegetation scraped at his arms and face, tearing the skin. Suddenly the ground disappeared from beneath his feet.

He fell twenty feet down the river bank, striking his head on a large rock. Chinua slowly raised himself to his feet. A wave of nausea struck him briefly and he buckled over, vomiting into the river.

Deep rhythmic drums shook the earth and ran through Chinua’s bones. The powerful heartbeat of an immense primal beast. The Simai tribe hunting as one.

They would be upon him soon if he did not keep moving.

6.25.08.KM

“I just don’t know if I can do this anymore.” Adrian said.

“Where the hell are you gonna go?” said Marcus.

Haley stood off to the side skipping rocks in the dark water saying nothing. “I haven’t decided yet. I might go south, maybe to Mexico.” said Adrian. “Or east. See what I can find.”

A ferry drifted by. Haley thought it looked like a mammoth luminescent caterpillar inching its way across the Sound.

“What is it you’re looking for?” said Marcus.

“I don’t know, but I know its not here.”

Haley finally spoke, “Wherever you go. I’m going with you.”

6.24.08.KM

The crosswalk beacon flashed and signaled them to proceed. Jonathan had barely put his foot in the street before a car came careening around the corner.

“JONATHAN LOOK OUT!” yelled Patrick.

The white Prius screeched to a halt inches from his leg. The driver, a young woman, mouthed the words “I’m sorry.” She appeared shaken.

Patrick ran up an put his arm around Jonathan’s shoulder. “Man that was close eh?” said Patrick. “That woulda taken out your little bird legs and there would have gone your dancin’ career.”

Jonathan twisted free and punched Patrick in the arm. “Har har.” said Jonathan.

6.23.08.KM

A soft breeze danced across the tips of the long grass, flowing in waves lapping gently at his feet. He whispered forgotten words in his ancestors tongue and a great archway appeared before him.

“This is the way. Do not stop until you meet the great Northern Sea.”

His son stepped forward looking fatigued. “You must come with us father. I beg you.” he said.

“My place is here. There is a new chapter awaiting our people. You will lead them. They need you.”

Carrying only what they could, mostly food and clothing, they began their journey to the forgotten lands.

6.22.08.KM

Whitford sank deep into his chair and took a sip of scotch.”Danny was the most brilliant and gifted student I have ever had.” he said.

“She the one that completed the quantum physics proof everyone figured was impossible?” said Stedman.

“Yep. The Eckhart Principle. You should have seen the look on the Deans face when he walked into that room.” Whitford poured himself another drink.

“Where is she now?” said Stedman.

Whitford didn’t answer for a few moments. “I heard she was in Moscow doing research for the MacArthur foundation.” he said. “But now, it seems, Danny has been kidnapped.”

6.21.08.KM

“More sugar Mr. Barry Baum?” Penelope said. The small stuffed rabbit she addressed sat to her right. “Anyone?” She looked around table. Button eyes looked back blankly.

The tea began to cool. “I am definitely too old for this,” she said to no one in particular.

A large wall covered thick with ivy surrounded her family’s garden and most of their property. Penelope wasn’t allowed beyond this border. The rule was made the day she was born. She was now sixteen years old.

Craving adventure, danger and life, she bowed graciously to her imaginary guests then quickly escaped over the wall.

6.20.08.KM