The List: Fourteen

No guesses this week.  The challenge this week really stumped me! LOL...

To catch up:
Chapter 1              Chapter 8
Chapter 2              Chapter 9
Chapter 3              Chapter 10
Chapter 4              Chapter 11
Chapter 5              Chapter 12
Chapter 6              Chapter 13
Chapter 7

Misty Minnesota Morning
"I See Dead People"
Incorporate a Simon & Garfunkel Song Title
"Sound of Silence"


Picture:

After a lot of research, it's a stone carving of the Roman God, Mercury.
You can find this stone carving at Penn Station.

If this was a misty Minnesota morning
I'd have been informed without warning
Misty Florida mornings are all I find

Fourteen

"I've been here all this time," I find myself say.

"No," he replies.  "Your nanny cloaked  you from me."

"Then how are you seeing me now?"

"You're willing it, I suppose.  Magic is a very funny thing sometimes."

I just stare at him.  I had so many plans, and I at least thought--Well, I guess it doesn't matter now.  I give a sigh and speak.

"I'm ready to go," I say.

Chase gives me a strange look.  "Go where?"

"To wherever it is you go after you die.  That's why you're here, right?"

He tilts his head to the side, picks it back up.

"Although," I say before  he can say anything. "Why did you save me back at the bookstore then?"

"What?"  I can see he's trying to play it off.

"My parents are scientists.  They would do anything to keep me alive.  I know about demons and monsters like vampires.  I know about angels, and I know about reapers.  You're here to take me, and I'm ready to go."

He walks up to me and wipes a tear from my eye.  I didn't realize I started to tear up.  I look down because I feel embarrassed about crying in front of anyone.

"Is that what you think?"  I look up into his eyes.

"Then why are you here?"  I look around and still see everything frozen.  "Why is everything still frozen?"

"We're in an in between world," he replies.  "One where time stands still enough for me to talk to you."

"You want to talk?"  I question him.  What is it with these guys and never wanting to say anything until months later.  "Don't you usually avoid me?"

"I didn't want to freak you out," he admits.  "I know the kind of person you are, Kalura.  I know of your plans.  I know about your list."

I shoot him a look.  "Have you been the one who has been sending me those cryptic messages?"

"No," he says as if he knows what I'm talking about.  Xander had no idea that someone else was sending me messages until I said something about it.  "And that's what I wanted to warn you about.  You're in danger."

I scoff.  "What's more dangerous than dying?"

"Take a look around you, Kalura."  I look around.  "Do you see those people walking around?"

I notice there are people walking around.  They seem like they're in some kind of a trance; they're not paying attention to me.

"You can believe in life and death," I focus my eyes back to him talking.  "You can believe in monsters and angels.  But you can't believe in an afterlife?"

I look away from him, and look back around.  "So what you're telling me is I'm seeing dead people right now?"

"It's more than that," he replies.  "It's what you don't hear."

"I hear sounds of," I pause in my words.  "I hear a sound of--"  I trail off.

"Silence," Chase finishes the sentence I couldn't think to say.

I look around some more and notice a few things other than how silent this in between world is.  I watch as the people are walking in a fog.  They seem lost, and they keep circling around a statue.  I walk closer to the statue.

"That's Mercury," Chase says to me.  "He was considered to be the Roman God that lead others into the underworld."

I look back at him.  "Are you telling me there's an actual underworld?"

"Well, it's more like how Shakespeare refers to it as purgatory.  These people are supposed to be in purgatory until they're ready to move on to the next phase."

"But they don't seem to be moving on," I find myself say.

"No one is meant to be on this plane for too long.  Only the crows, and the angel that used to stand guard."

"Where's the angel now?"

"My best guess is he was turned into that statue."

"Let me see if I can wrap my brain around this," I begin.  "There are lost souls, an angel has been turned to stone, and no one can get into the underworld, or purgatory as it's called."

"Yes," he replies.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you can help us."

"I can't help you?"

Chase looks at me with concern.  "Why's that?"

"Because I have no special powers," I start building a list in my head.  "Because I have about a month left of life in me if I'm lucky.  Because--"

"Because you are more powerful than you realize," he interrupts my list.

"No," I say in a weak tone.  "No I am not."

"Would you just humor me then?"  He looks at me with his green eyes.  "Please?"

I look away.  I don't even know what to say.  I've already tried telling him I don't know a thing on how I could help him at all.

"Why don't you just think of it as adding it to the list of things you want to accomplish?"

I look back at him because it reminds me to ask him.  "How exactly do you know about my list?"

"I'm an angel," he replies.  "I was sent to help you, believe it or not.  I have no intention of hurting you, nor do I plan on letting you get hurt."

"If you're here to protect me, then why do you need my help?"

"You will eventually see if you say you'll help me."

"Could you be anymore vague?"  I look at him in confusion.

"We can't talk here anymore," he says.

He gently grabs my head and kisses my forehead.  I close my eyes and open them to find myself in my own bed.

I get out of bed assuming everything that just happened, was all just a dream.

©Diana Jillian
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DJ

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The List: Chapter Index

The List Chapter Index



Chapter 1                               Chapter 13                               ...

Chapter 2                               Chapter 14                           ...

Chapter 3                               Chapter 15                             ...                           ...

Chapter 4                                                             ...                           ...
 
Chapter 5                                                             ...                           ...

Chapter 6                                                            ...                           ...

Chapter 7                                                            ...                           ...

Chapter 8                                                            ...                           ...

Chapter 9                                                           ...                            ...

Chapter 10                                                         ...                           ...

Chapter 11                                                         ...                            ...

Chapter 12                                                        ...                            ...

The List: Thirteen

Guesses posted next to titles...

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 19.9 Topic: 

The Fight of Your Life (Doris)

Bonuses:

Hard (2 pts) : Quote Eva Gabor (Dave)
"The only thing you have to know are your words."

Easy (1 pt) : Use the phrase ‘are you ready to rumble’ (Tyler)

Picture: Jessica

To Catch Up:

Chapter 1              Chapter 2                    Chapter 3

Chapter 4              Chapter 5                    Chapter 6

Chapter 7              Chapter 8                    Chapter 9

Chapter 10            Chapter 11                  Chapter 12

Chapter Thirteen:

Another month has passed.  This time I didn't get sick or anything.  Instead, I was catching up on the month I've missed while I was sick.  I found myself catching up on school work, and gradually working myself up to jogging again.  So far, I've been walking very briskly.

Smith says he doesn't mind walking, although I can see him jogging in place.  I hope to eventually get to where I once was.  It doesn't matter how much longer I may or may not have on this earth, I have to make the most of it no matter what.

You're in the fight of your life, I mentally tell myself.  It is important, Kalura, you do whatever it takes to get through this thing called life.  Are you ready to rumble?

Indeed I am. I won't go down without a fight.  There was a quote that says, "The only thing you have to know are your words."  If I keep having my faith, and I keep on fighting the fight, I should be alright.  Xander convinced me of that the day we were at the Dali museum.

He convinced me to give school another chance.  I told him I'd try, and that is why I'm walking the park today.  I thought I would at least see him here, but that's alright.  I suppose I'll see him later.  I keep on walking, and that's when I notice something is different.

It's almost as if everything has stopped.  The trees stopped blowing.  The squirrels stopped running around.  I turn to look at Smith, who is two steps behind me, and frozen apparently.  I'm not even sure what's going on.  I walk over to Smith to see what's going on.

"You are like finding a needle in a haystack."  A voice says to me.  I turn around to see Chase standing in front of me.

I think I know where this is going.

Written by ©Diana Jillian

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DJ

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The List: Twelve

Sorry in advance..I have no guesses this week!

18.9 White Lightning
Mention a Salvador Dali work of art
The Persistence of Memory (1931)

Visions of Eternity (1936-1937)

Include having something to do with a wedding.
Picture:

To Catch up:

Click here to catch up! :)

I'll post the link to the chapters here...So It's a link within a link. I'm a little tired this week!




THE LIST
Chapter Twelve

I've been pretty much sleeping for the past month.  I wouldn't exactly call it a coma as I was able to get up to use the bathroom, and eat, and shower; I was pretty much out of it for the duration of the month though.

The last thing I remember before falling asleep for a month was seeing Chase's face, which I believe it was a figment of my imagination.  Why would he have been there in New Orleans trying to help me?

He was the guy that referred me as the new wine, or new chick.  I can't recall right now.  I barely know the guy.  He also shied away when Cristi introduced me to her and Xander's group of friends.  He pretty much acted like I was the last person he wanted to see.  But that day, I know I saw him.

I had never seen eyes so green.  They were green and clear; almost like the ocean here on the Gulf.  His hair is a sandy-blonde color.  When you can see his eyes through his hair, you can see his green ocean eyes.  He also doesn't look very much like a hockey player.

He looks more like a surfer. Then again, all of Xander's hockey playing buddies look like they belong elsewhere.  There is one boy, Will, who looks like he's ready for the Marines.  He sports a crew cut, and he looks like he's ready for battle.  None of them make me feel the way I do when I'm around Xander though.

I know he's been here to the house while I was in and out of consciousness.  I know he knows my secret by now.  He can't be that clueless.  I'm sure Nora has said something to him.  I'm also sure he knows why I can never be in a relationship with him; we can only be friends.  If there is one thing I know after being unconscious for a month, I know I have to face my reality.

The truth is I'm seventeen and dying.  I thought I'd at least make it to eighteen, but it will be a miracle if I make it to new years the way I'm going.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia when I was twelve years old.  My parents were so sure they would have found the cure by now because that's what they do.  They're scientists.  Not all scientists have the answers that are out there.  It still didn't stop my parents from trying.

They even went as far to find folklore to help me.  Believe it or not, but there are actual monsters out there that you know nothing about.  They take on human form; they blend into society, and you would never know the difference.  My parents tried to give me the blood of a creature before.  It's been said to have healing abilities.  Sadly, the blood didn't work, and I was rushed to a hospital to get it pumped out of me.

They also tried using Nora for help.  Nora studies witchcraft.  Her specialty is in hoodoo.  Even her potions aren't powerful enough.  But they've been enough for me to live as long as I have.  So far, I've been on clinical trials for over a year now.  Chemo stopped working on me.  While my hair is growing, it's not growing as fast as hair would for a normal person.

My hair does seem a bit longer these days.  Maybe I only think it's growing slow because I was practically bald a year ago.  I know hair takes time to grow; I become impatient sometimes.  I give myself a mental shake and decide to get out of bed, only to find a pair of hands on my arms, trying to help me up.

I look up and notice a pair of aqua eyes staring at me.  I break away from his stare, and motion to him that I'm okay to stand alone.

"Hi," Xander says

"Hi," I reply

I look out my window, and notice it's early daylight.  I look for my alarm clock and see it's seven-thirty in the morning.

"What day is it?"  I ask.

"Thursday."

"Shouldn't you be in school?"

"I should," he begins.  "But I'm not."

"Xander--"

"Before you go any further," he interrupts me.  "I wanted to be here because I had a feeling you would wake up today."

"Why would you say that?"

He gives a look that tells me if he says anything, he might think I'll think it's preposterous.  But I know different.  I would believe anything in this day and age.

"I figure we have a whole day to ourselves," he says ignoring my question.  "Is there anything local you hadn't put on your list you want to see?"

"How do you know about my list?"

"I've been visiting you every day for a month now.  It's kind of hard not to notice these things."

I look around the room for a bit.

"Besides," I look back towards him.  "Nora, Ame, and Cristi had mentioned something of it before."

"Then you know I'm dying, right?"  I want to make sure he knows.

"Yes," he responds.

"Then I don't understand why you would want to be here."

"Why wouldn't I want to be here?"

"Because you have all eternity, and I have maybe a month or so left in me."

"Eternity," he exclaims.  "Why would you say that?"

"Because you have a very long life ahead of you.  Both you and Cristi do."

"Then you know?"

I look down.  "Yes."

"How?"

"My parents are scientists," I tell him.  "They would do anything to keep me alive.  If the reaper wants me, I can't stop him or her."

"Don't talk like that."

"It's the truth though.  I've been denying it for far too long now."  I look up at him.  "I just want to know one thing."

"What's that?"

"You and Cristi aren't the only ones, right?  There's more of you.  Am I right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I heard from Ame that students have been missing.  Cristi seems like she struggles with what she is.  I don't think she's capable," I trail off.  "And you seem normal."

"We get blood bags," he says softly.  I can tell he's embarrassed about this.  I decide to change the subject.

"The Salvador Dali Museum in Tampa," I say.

"What?"  I can tell I've thrown him for a loop.

"You asked me if there was anything that wasn't on my list I would like to go to locally.  I have been wanting to go to the Salvador Dali Museum in Tampa."

"Well, then, that's where we'll go."

"I'll get dressed and have the car pulled up."

"No need," he says.

"Why's that?"

"You get dressed," he begins.  "And I'll make the driving arrangements."

"Alright," I answer.

He leaves the room, and I'm left alone to get dressed.  I know Smith won't let me off the hook that easy.  He has a mission to protect me until my dying breath.  My thoughts are interrupted as there's a knock on my door.

"Come in," I answer.

The door opens and it's Nora.  She comes over to hug me.

"I'm so glad you're awake," she says to me.  "I worked my magic, and here you are.  How are you feeling, child?"

"I feel surprisingly well," I answer.  "Wait.  Just what kind of magic did you do?"

"Oh, it was nothing much.  Just a little something to heal you for awhile."

"Just promise me that when I die, you won't try to bring me back."

"You are not going to die," she tries to assure me.  "You're young.  You'll live a long time."

"No," I respond.  "Just please," I beg.  "Promise me."

"I promise."  She gives me another hug and goes to leave the room.  "I made you breakfast before you leave."

I don't even get a chance to ask her anything else.  She walks out of my room and closes the door behind her.

I head over to my closet, and put an outfit together.  It often gets cold in museums, so I'll need to wear something that will keep me warm.  I pick out a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt.  I have a long pink and white chevron-styled sweater I decide to wear as well.  I put on my socks and pink Converse, and I head over to my vanity dresser to work on my hair and makeup.  I head into the dining room for breakfast.

***

Breakfast was pretty much quiet, and now I'm sitting in Xander's car as we are on our way to the museum in Tampa.  I was surprised Xander managed to talk Smith into letting the two of us go alone, but for some reason, Smith trusts that Xander will help me if I need it.

I don't know why Xander has been around me all this time.  I've been trying to think if the roles were reversed, but I think I would probably do the same.  Then again, that's who I am in nature.  I wonder if I were an immortal creature, would my thoughts and feelings change?  That is something I will never learn the answer to.

I try to take my mind off all this morbid thinking by looking at Xander's playlist.  I notice the song, White Lightning and Wine is on there.

"You listen to Heart?"  I ask him.

"Yeah," he says.  "They're awesome.

"I had no idea you listen to old music like me."

"I listen to everything," he admits.

"Me too."

Our ride to Tampa's been pretty interesting so far.  We start noticing his playlist is playing a theme.  After White Lightning and Wine ends, The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks begins.

♪♫♫♪"Thunder rolls and the lightning strikes..."♪♫♪♫

We're getting a pretty good laugh out of it.  The song ends, and Thunderstruck by AC/DC comes on.  The song ends, and a new song comes on.  It finally has nothing to do with thunder or lightning.  The rest of the ride is all about the music and bands we like.  It turns out we have a lot more in common than I realized.

***

The museum is fascinating!  There are so many art pieces, it's hard to decide which one I like the best.  One that sticks out with me is a painting called The Persistence of Memory.  Maybe Dali had issues with time like I do now.  I observe it a little bit when another painting catches my eye.

I walk over to it and find it's called Visions of Eternity.  The painting looks warm and inviting.  It just looks peaceful.  The surrealism of the artwork is making me realize my own mortality, and every thought comes pouring into my brain again.

I feel a pair of hands rubbing up and down my shoulders.  I look up and see Xander with a look of worry on his face.

"What's wrong?"  He asks me.

"It just dawned on me," I find myself say.  I stare deeply into the painting.  "I'll be lucky if I live to see New Years.  I'll never make it to prom, and forget about my own wedding."  I stop speaking and look down at the ground.

"You'll live," he speaks.  "You'll live longer than you realize."

I give a faint smile.  "A month is the longest I've ever slept.  My body is starting to give out on me."  I turn around and look at him.  "Do you know what I never put on my list?"

"What's that?"

"I never put on there getting a boyfriend or falling in love.  I never put those things on my list because deep down, I knew.  And I didn't want to drag someone through my dramatic lifestyle, but here we are.  I've somehow managed to drag you in."

"But I want to be here."

"Why?"

"Because when you get a feeling inside that tells you someone is the right person for you, you do whatever you can to never let it go.  That is what I intend to do."

Before I can say any more, he leans in and kisses me.

***

Written 6/23/16 ©Diana Jillian





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http://thethinkywriter.blogspot.com/2016/06/xii.html

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The List: Eleven

Bending the Rules (????  Yeah, no idea who came up with the title)

Quote Steve Prefontaine (Jay)
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."


Incorporate a Blink-182 lyric in your blog (Irene)
"The angel from my nightmare"
Song: I Miss You


Picture:

3.) PIC SUBMISSION: BARB

Source: Gizmodo

To Catch Up:

THE LIST: CHAPTER LINKS

Chapter 1               Chapter 6
Chapter 2               Chapter 7
Chapter 3               Chapter 8
Chapter 4               Chapter 9
Chapter 5               Chapter 10

Chapter Eleven

Nora was right about her sister not wanting to keep the visitation for long.  We wound up taking the private plane from Saint Louis to New Orleans.  I was welcomed into Nora's family with open arms.  It had been awhile since I had seen them.

Nora's parents wanted me to stay, but I knew Nora wanted some alone time with them, so Smith and I set out down the streets, and now I'm in a book store with a coffee shop.  I decide while I have the time, I should probably try to get ahead on my school work.  I should be doing that, but instead, I'm starting over.

My computer somehow shut down in a way, I have to reboot the whole system.  It's going to take some time before it starts back up, and so I decide to look around for a book to read.  I stop by a book called The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler.  I remember watching the Noir film before, but never got the chance to read the book.  I decide to take the book to read it.

I head to the register to pay for the book, and I sit back down by my computer.  An hour later and half way through my book, I notice my computer is making a beeping noise.  I quickly mark the page I'm on with a bookmark and I plug my headphones into the laptop so I don't disturb the customers in here.  I look up from my little world and notice Smith is nowhere to be found.

I give a shrug and put my headphones on.  Chances are he's probably in the bathroom.  I put on my playlist and head to the school's forum to get my assignments.  I miss you by Blink-182 starts playing as I get a message.

It's from someone named AX_Turns0204.  I have a feeling I know who it is.  I have two options:  I could either answer it and engage in conversation, or I could ignore it and risk this person to keep on contacting me.  For some reason, I choose option A.  I open the text:

AX_Turn0204: Hey, Kalura!  It's me, Xander.
KR_Wise0717: Hello Xander.
AX_Turn0204: What's the R stand for?
KR_Wise0717: Rain.
AX_Turn0204: Oh.

I get another chime just as I was ready to x out of the website.  I figure I'll do my homework another time.

AX_Turn0204:  So, how come you're in New Orleans?

I gasp.  I was meaning to text Cristi and Ame about my plans for Saint. Louis, however I never got around to texting them, and I never even mentioned New Orleans.  Once we got on the plane, I kind of fell asleep.  I didn't wake up until we arrived in Saint Louis and by then, it completely slipped my mind.  Until now.

AX_Turn0204:  Cristi told me.  She was trying to get a hold of you, and when she couldn't, she got a hold of your cousin.  And when your cousin couldn't get a hold of you, she called your nanny, Nora.  I didn't know Ame is your cousin.

I look away from my computer and grab my phone out of my bag.  Sure enough, both Cristi and Ame were trying to call me.  I look some more and see I have a text message from a nine-four-one number.

KR_Wise0717:  Did you try to send me a text?
AX_Turn0204:  No.  I don't have your number.

I decide to change the subject.

KR_Wise0717:  Nora had a family emergency.  I decided to go with her.
AX_Turn0204:  And miss the homecoming dance.
KR_Wise0717:  There will be other dances.
AX_Turn0204:  I was going to ask you to the dance.
KR_Wise0717:  I was planning on going solo.
AX_Wise0717:  I was at least hoping you would have said yes.
KR_Wise0717:  You don't even know me though.

I don't even know why I just wrote that.  In all fairness, it is the truth.

AX_Turn0204:  But I'd like to get to know you.

I don't want to get into an argument with someone I barely know.  I've been going to school now for over a month, and yet he's barely said two words to me since I've been in school.  I get those odd stares and that's about it.

I hear another bleep in my ears.  I read on.

AX_Turn0204:  Haven't you been receiving my letters?
KR_Wise0717:  You mean to tell me that was you who was sending me all those cryptic notes?
AX_Turn0204:  I highly doubt asking you to meet me at a coffee shop and signing my name is cryptic.
KR_Wise0717:  So you mean to tell me you weren't the one sending me a note telling me what's on your list, and then placing them in my backpack?
AX_Turn0204:  Nope.  I've been putting them in your locker.  Number 214.
KR_Wise0717:  My locker number is 215.

There is enough silence on the other end.  There's so much, I can't help but to laugh.  At least I know it wasn't Xander who has been sending me those cryptic notes.  Although if it's not him, I wonder if I need to worry about having a real stalker on my hands.

I give myself a mental shake.  I have to cut right to the chase.  I start typing.

KR_Wise0717:  Xander.  We can never happen.
AX_Turn0204:  Why not?
KR_Wise0717:  There are personal reasons that I should tell in person rather than over a school chat room.
AX_Turn0204:  Okay then.  I'll wait.  When do you get back?
KR_Wise0717:  Sometime next week.

I shut off the computer before Xander can ask me anything else.  I unplug my headphones from the computer and I put on my iPod, which surprisingly enough, I Miss You is playing again.  I put my computer in my bag as the intro plays, and I stand up to look for Smith.

I think I stood up too fast because I'm feeling a bit faint.  I try to shrug it off as best as possible and continue looking throughout the store for Smith.  It's important that I remain persistent, and it's important to ignore the faint feeling.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."  I have to give my best at all times.  I think today might be a good day to bend the rules for myself a bit.  My head is spinning so fast.

♪♫♪♫Hello there.  The angel from my nightmare...♪♫♪♫

I feel like I'm on a wobbly bridge and I can't seem to balance.  It's like someone is jumping up and down, and I'm getting more nauseous by the minute.  I can feel myself collapsing but someone catches me.  I look up to expect Smith catching me, but it's not.

It's Chase, Xander's friend.  I must really be hallucinating.




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http://thethinkywriter.blogspot.com/2016/06/xi.html

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