41.13: Chapter 11: Lexie's Story

You light up the world

Watch the bear try to whistle

Don't look to the past

Dance across the Universe

You were meant to be a star

"Carter?" I repeat.

"Alex, please come back!"

"I'm right here."

"He can't hear you." I turn to see my dad. "But you do have to go back."

"But what if I want to stay?"

He gives a soft smile and shakes his head. "That's not how this works."

He's right. No matter where I am--whether on another realm, or somewhere across the Universe--I know I'll have to go back to the Earth realm.

My memories start flooding back in a flash. I remember being spelled. I bring my mind back to the present and look at my dad.

"I can't go back," I say to him.

"Why not?" I hear both my dad, and a ghostly Carter say to me. I must be speaking, or mumbling, on the earth plane too.

"He's going to be upset with me."

"I'm sure he won't be."

"I'm not mad at you," Carter says.

I start to tear up a bit. "I'm pretty sure he will want nothing to do with me when he finds out."

"That's not true," both say.

"What the?" I begin to ask. "Did you see that?" Out of the corner of my eye, I see a bear with a whistle.

"Darling," my dad says. "There's no one here but you and me. You're not meant to be on this plane for long. You're starting to hallucinate. You need to go back and talk things through with Charles."

"Alex, please," I hear Carter's cry. "You light up the world. You are my world. I promise I'm not mad at you."

I turn towards the hologram of Carter. He looks so sullen. I promised myself I would never want to see him sad. I turn back around to see my dad one last time, but he's gone. He must have gone back home.

"This is all astral projection," I say to myself. "But how do I get back?"

I feel a hand on mine. I look to see it's Carter's hand. I look up. He's looking more real, and less of a hologram. He takes his other hand, and places it on my hip. He pulls me towards him, letting my hand go. Both his hands are on my hips, and my arms fly around his neck.

He lowers his head down so our foreheads are touching.

"Alex," he whispers. "I love you. Surely you must know that."

I sigh. "I love you too."

His lips press gently against mine. With my eyes closed, I can feel the energy around us shift. The bad energy from the spell is lifting, being replaced by the good energy.

I open my eyes to find Carter staring at me.

"Welcome back," he gives me a warm smile.

I smile back. "Where am I?"

"This is what my room looked like back in eighteen ninety-seven."

"It's so different than what it looks like now." I bite down on my bottom lip.

He takes his thumb and gently releases my lower lip from the grips of my teeth.

"I know Lacy had told me the spell would be the toughest for you to break, but how in the world could you ever think I would be mad at you?"

I take a deep breath. "I knew after you had your twins, and the loss of your son," I pause. "I just knew you didn't want to have anymore children. You didn't want to risk them becoming wolves."

"Did you think I wouldn't want you?"

I close my eyes and nod.

I feel him gently lift my chin. "Look at me, please," he whispers. I open my eyes and stare into his baby blues. "I have never wanted to be with anyone the way I want to be with you. I feel like we have this connection, me and you, like we're meant to be together always. Throughout time and space."

"We've been together a long time," I admit.

"We've traveled just about everywhere," he smiles. "Now we'll do it as a family."

He takes his hand, and places it on my belly. "This little boy or girl will have a great mom. And I have faith in your powers. You will do what it takes so they won't turn into a wolf on a full moon."

"Actually," I begin, recalling my conversation with my dad. "He or she might be powerful enough to not change on their own."

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Oh, really?"

"Carter, I have to tell you something else."

I tell him the story of what my dad, Lucas, told me.

"I always knew you were special," he smiles his perfect smile. "And Catherine? Does she know?"

I shake my head. "Not yet, but I will tell her before we go back to our time."

"We can go back anytime you're ready."

"Yes," I agree. I want to go see my little pup. "But first, I want to talk to Lacy."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"Why?"

"When you were unconscious, the bounty hunter came back after her. He wanted her to testify, but she was so frightened and ran off to Lachrymose Hills. She fell. Jeremiah and Catherine tried to save her in time, but they were too late."

I stay silent for a few moments. I listen to see if I hear any cries for help. No one is asking.

"She must be a peace," I finally say.

"She did live a very troublesome life, no thanks to the count."

"Agreed," I say before changing the subject.

I know now that no matter what obstacles come in our way, Carter and I will always find a way around it.

*****************

Stay tuned for the epilogue.

Topic: Colleen

Picture: Christopher

Picture Phrase Guesses:

1. Jingle bell rock

2. Light up 

3. Fired up

4. Santa Claus is coming to town.

5. Eh, I know it's going to be something clever I'll never get...and then on Sunday I will be berating myself for being stupid and not guessing that...

DJ

Chapter 11: 40.13 -- Lexie's Story

It's funny. I just seen Roman Holiday for the first time about a year ago. It was a very good movie. Bittersweet ending, but good.

 

While I like the lines:

Princess Anne: Do you have a silk nightgown with rosebuds?

Joe Bradley: I haven't worn a nightgown in years!

 

I'm going to stick with the line:

Princess Anne: I don't know how to say goodbye.

 

I think it will fit in with my story better.

 

As for wineries, I looked up local wineries. I've never been to one as I'm not a drinker. There's this one place in Parrish, FL, that looks like fun. I Googled the pictures. The winery is called Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery.

 

Chapter 11

 

 I awake to find myself roaming around outside. I would say that I'm dreaming, but I've been here before, I just can't pinpoint where I am. It's a bit foggy around, which means I must be in another realm.

"Alex," the familiar voice says to me.

"Dad?" I call and walk down the walk way.

The walkway turns into cobblestone, and I am approaching a cottage. I recognize it as our summer home from my childhood. My parents since sold that house years ago.

I stop and stare at the same wooden door with a small grid window on the top of the door. I watch as the door opens. My hands fly up to my mouth as I gasp. It only takes a few moments to register who is coming out that door. I run up to him.

"Dad!" I squeal. He grabs me and spins me around like I'm a child again.

"My darling Alex," he says. He puts me down. I take a look at him.

"How is this even possible?"

"Do you want some coffee?" He stares down at me. "Maybe some decaf tea."

I give him a strange look. Why is everyone so focused on giving me juice and tea?

"I know you must have a lot of questions." He looks around. I follow his gaze. "Come inside. We can talk more privately there."

"Are we not alone?" I whisper.

He smiles. "Come inside." He holds the door open for me.

I walk inside. The house is just as cozy as I remember it. There's a fire going on in the fireplace. There's no temperature where I'm at. I'm guessing it's just for show. I look up on the mantle to see all the pictures.

"I'll go make some tea," he tells me. I nod, and head over to the mantle.

I remember these pictures. I thought most of them were gone forever. There's a picture of the four of us around Christmas. There's a picture of myself with Amber when we were teens. And there's one picture of me with Carter. 

I have a brief flash of memory. It wasn't long after the day we met. We were at the Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery in Parrish, Florida. Just as I remember, the memory disappears, courtesy of the spell. There's one thing that the spell didn't take away. The conversations Carter and I have had.

I remember when he told me how he met my parents before they died. He has known me a very long time.

"Here we go," dad says, breaking my thoughts. He heads over to the nook area, and places a tray down on the table. There's two teacups, and a plate of cookies. I walk over to the table to sit.

"Sometimes we're not alone," he answers my question from earlier. "This is a realm, and sometimes some souls get lost here."

"Wait," I pause. "Am I?" The words fall on me.

"No," he quickly answers. "You're not dead. Although I must admit this is the first time a being alive has ever been here."

"Then how did I get here?"

He shrugs. "Maybe hearing my voice caused you to astral project onto this plane."

I'm recalling how I got here to begin with. "I used too much magic," I confess.

"You just have to get used to it. You will get stronger in a few months."

I give him a strange look. "Do you know something that I don't?"

He smiles and shakes his head. "I cannot tell you that. If I do, you may never break that spell."

I inhale sharply. "You know about that too?"

"I've been watching. You didn't even know," he breaks off. "I feel this is my fault."

I snort. "Now you sound like me."

"We are much alike," he sighs. "I have a confession to make."

I've never seen him like this. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I'm afraid you'll be mad or disappointed in me."

"Try me," I say.

"We are definitely alike," he mumbles. "You see, the count is not your father. I am."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't understand.

"Have you ever noticed how much Nancy and Catherine look alike?"

"I almost called Catherine mom."

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong."

I cock my head to the side. "What?"

He takes a deep breath. "When I met Nancy, I thought she was Catherine. Once I realized she really was who she said she was, I had to help her. She was in trouble.

"It seems that the count was stalking her for her child, for his child. This child was supposed to have been, not powerful like you, but powerful enough for the count to time travel."

"Wait," I interrupt. "What happened to the baby?"

"I brought her to an orphanage in the year nineteen forty-six."

"Then, if Nancy is not my mother, who is?"

"Nancy always loved you like you were her daughter, you do know that, right?"

I look down. "I know. I also know she was fearful of me with my powers."

"She just didn't know how handle the situation," he admits. "I should have been more considerate back then."

"And she knew that her baby was put in an orphanage?"

He nods. "It was the safest place for her, for the baby."

There's a few moments of silence. I'm taking it all in.

"I knew you were strong enough to stand up to the count," he continues. "My powers become minimal the longer I stay on earth, but I knew you would be powerful. You're not half human. You're half witch."

"Does this mean--

"Catherine is your mother," he interrupts. "She was so evil back then. She just kept a one track mind."

"Jeremiah," I say. He nods. "So if I'm half witch, what's the other half of me?"

"Angel."

"So is Amber half angel too?"

"No, she's not mine. I told Nancy I couldn't have children, so we decided to go to a fertility clinic."

"She's not even my sister," I say softly.

"She's still your sister in every way."

"Yeah."

"Hey, none of that," he pulls me closer into a hug. I didn't even realize I was crying.

I hold onto him. I always felt a connection to my dad, only now I know, he's my real father as well. He gently pulls away, and hands me a tissue.

"I don't know why I'm so emotional these days."

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Alex," I hear an echo of my name.

"He's calling you," dad says.

"But I'm not ready to leave. I have so many questions."

"I'll always be around when you need me." He smiles.

"I don't know how to say goodbye."

"Alex! Please! Come back!" The echoes shout.

"Darling," he says. "You have a lot to do. The longer you're up here," he pauses. "Well, it's not good for you right now."

I shake my head in disbelief. "I don't understand." I look up to see him fading.

"Please don't be mad. Know that I've always loved you, and had your best interest."

"I could never be mad at you," I tell him. There's more fog between us, and now I'm alone in the mist.

"I want to stay," I tried to say, but they died with the fog. I walk around, trying to find something, and then I make out something. It looks more like someone. I get closer to the dark figure.

"Carter?" I look at the foggy-like hologram.

"Alex," he says hoarsely. "Please come home." I turn my head in hopes to see the cottage one last time. There's nothing but fog.

I turn back to face Carter.

**********************

I'll finish the other half next time. It's been a mad crazy long week. I am exhausted!

DJ

Topic: Tyler

Picture: Colleen

Picture phrase guesses:

1. Fame

2. Insta-famous

3. Chilling

4. Zombieland

5. Zoned out

6. Out of touch with reality

7. Outside looking in

8. The Matrix

9. Blank screen

10. Tik Tok 

Chapter 10: 39.13 Write -- Lexie's Story

 

I was originally going to use Tiger Army as my punk band. But they're called Psychobilly music. Psychobilly is a combination of Punk and Rockabilly. It would be like if the Stray Cats did a collab with the Ramones at some point.

Topic: Irene

Picture: Christopher

Picture Phrase Guesses:

1.) Frozen

2.) Do you want to build a snowman

3.) It doesn't have to be a snowman

4.) Well, OK, bye.

5.) Frosty

6.) Blizzard

7.) Winter Wonderland

8.) Jack Frost

9.) I'm watching you

10.) Scout's honor

Chapter 10

It's only late September, but it is freezing here in Maine. Perhaps I've lived in Florida for far too long. It won't be long before Maine has their first frost. I've read about their weather. They expect some freezing temperatures that can start in late September.

I probably won't be building a snowman anytime soon. I can't stay too long in a time period that doesn't belong to me. I might be messing something up. In fact, it was pretty risky for Carter to have me meet his niblings Lora and Colin.

Then again, if I hadn't met them, I would have never found that time traveling spell. The spell that no one should ever have. I'm glad I changed the spell. My job is to go back in time to fix it. I can't imagine some meshuggeneh that might alter time to fit their needs. That would mean more trouble for me.

I can't let my mind wander. I have to save Carter. I take several deep breaths, and look over at my allies. We've discussed a plan a few times. I did explain that plans don't often go as follows, but it's always good to have a plan.

I'm going down to the sea of fire, I say to myself, quoting Tiger Army. The three of us head to the mansion. Now is the time when everything comes into full force.

 

I enter through the door. No one is in the lobby area. I open the doors to the living room. It's no surprise to me when I see the count with his minion and Lacy.

"I see you didn't come alone," the count says to me.

"Right," I reply. "Because I wasn't born yet, you expected me to be alone."

 

"Cute. But you know what I want."

 

"Actually, I really don't."

 

"My dear," he begins. "I'm a weak and dying man. All I want to do is time travel. I cannot do this alone. Not in this body."

 

"So, what do you want from me?"

 

"I want you to give me the power to time travel. I want you to heal my body."

 

"And I would like to see the Ramones perform at CBGB's, but I can't do the impossible."

 

"Ah," he chuckles lowly. "I believe you can. In fact, I believe I have enough motivation for you to give me what I want." 

 

He points over to my right. I look to see Lacy coming out of a hidden door with Carter tied up. She places him far enough so that I can't reach him. Then she's holding a gun to him.

 

"Those are not ordinary bullets in there," he says. I turn back to face him briefly before staring incredulously over at Lacy. "These particular bullets are made out of silver, and silver nitrate. One shot, and it will be a matter of moments before the liquid silver goes through his blood stream and kills him."

"Alex," I turn to Carter. He's weak. The rope he's tied in is bound with silver liquid and wolf's bane. I can smell the strong odor of the silver nitrate. "Don't do it. Don't give him what he wants."

"What did you do to him?" Jeremiah demands.

"A little something like this." I watch as he uses his hand to fly a stake into Jeremiah's heart. "That should have done the trick the first time around." 

Apparently, my father doesn't know that I changed Jeremiah's DNA vampire structure, though he should have guessed, since it is broad daylight. When evil people are desperate, they fail to notice changes. I mentally tell Jeremiah to stay calm. I'll be there to help soon. Though there's not much he can do. He's paralyzed until I can remove the stake.

"And you," I look back to see him putting a choke hold on Catherine. "I may be weak, but my powers are still greater than yours."

I'm frozen as I hear her gag. There's only so much I can do. I'm just one being.

"Now," the count continues. In a split second, I watch as Lacy shoots the gun.

"No," I cry out, but it's too late. She shot him in the shoulder.

Out of nowhere, I feel a sudden change of seasons in the room. One minute, it was drafty like fall weather, with a small fire burning in the fireplace. Now it's a summer inferno. I could feel the light forming throughout my body like a fire. 

I can feel myself floating in the air. Everyone around me takes a gasp, but I do not have the time to freak out. I have to save everyone.

"You," I pause, staring at the count. My voice is booming loud like a god. "The three of you will pay for your crimes."

I look to the fireplace, and call for a bounty hunter out of the ashes. I create the ultimate bounty hunter. Black smoke forms, and an ashy, burly man comes crawling out of the fireplace. "You will now spend an eternity down below."

The bounty hunter grabs the count and his minion. They scream, but through the ashy shadow, the bounty hunter smiles. He takes the two men into the fireplace with him.

I look over at Lacy. "Oh sis," I begin. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Alex," Carter says hoarsely. "She was spelled. Everything she did was under the influence of the count."

I look from Carter back to Lacy. I watch as she shakes her head and throws down the gun. She looks in shock. "What have I done?" She looks over to me. "I'm so sorry Lexie."

I slowly descend, and the white light disappears from my body. "Where's the antidote?"

She shakes her head no. "I might have been spelled, but I was aware of everything going on. I was a zombie. I was not in control. There is no antidote."

"Alex, darling," a familiar voice calls to me.

I look around to see nothing. "Dad?"

Catherine walks over to me. "Who are you talking to?"

I give myself a mental shake. "Never mind. What's important is to carefully remove the stake from Jeremiah." Catherine nods and does as I request.

"Can I help?" I look to see Lacy.

I nod. "Close the door to the living room, and make sure no one comes in." She bows her head, and does as she's told.

I hurry over to Carter. I open up his shirt. I can see the silver spreading through his veins. He only has a matter of minutes. I magically remove the bullet from his shoulder. The poison is still spreading. What do I do? I ask quietly.

"Alex, you can heal him." This time I know I'm hearing my dad speak.

"What? I don't understand."

"Trust me."

"How can I heal him?"

That light. Find that fiery light again. Place it on his shoulder, and you will heal him.

I inhale deeply. I try to find that light inside me I used, but it's faded.

"Think about what that count did to you. You almost lost your friends. You almost lost your family. He put you under a spell."

A spell I'm still under, I remind myself.

"For now, you have to get angry," he continues. "Aren't you angry for what he's done to you?"

I think about my dad's words. He's right. I'm pretty angry, though I'm more slightly annoyed having to go through this drama to begin with. All the events. He tried killing Jeremiah twice. He possessed Carter, and he tried to get me to do the very thing that goes against my principles.

The fiery white light comes back, and I place it on Carter's shoulder. I watch as his head snaps back. The light is healing him. Within seconds, he's healed, but now I'm dizzy.

I've used far too much power today. I go to fall, but Jeremiah quickly picks me up thanks to his vampire speed. Everything else fades to black.

©DJ 12.5.2020

Choices

Choices

Under a blood red sky
Or under a moonlit one
You can't put a limit on anything
However fast or slow you run

The more you dream
The less you scream
The farther you get
You'll never regret

Asta, can you call for help?
And help spread the word around
That life is what you make of it
Full of ups, and full to the ground

Rocking the kasbah
Is going to extremes
If you don't stay callm
You'll fall apart at the seams

The more you dream
The less you scream
The closer you get
You'll never regret

Written by (c) Diana Jillian, Saturday, 12/31/16

The List (Unfinished)

Pinching myself did not help me to wake up before. I'm almost afraid of trying to get up and do something.  I was sure I had woken up from a dream, but I could have been lucid dreaming.  If that's the case, I don't know why I couldn't wake up before.  Then again, dying from an illness is never easy, and your body could possibly go through things you've never done before.  What I'm looking around at almost seems real, although I cannot be sure.

I look around to see I'm in an unfamiliar room.  In all my dreams before, I was in familiar places--Well, except from falling from the sky and landing in the water.  I don't know why that happened--but this place is different.

The walls are a sky blue color, with white chalk drawings all over the walls.  They look like symbols of some sort.

I have a zephyr feeling when I turn my head to see Chase.

I asked him if this was another dream, and he told me no. He said something about being up, up, and away like the Superman saying.

When I asked him what he meant, he told me how I'm on a spirit mountain of some sort. It's like another realm, and how it'll protect me from the fake Cristi for the time being.

"Come on moon child. You're so far away tonight."

I hear Moonchild by Chris Cornell playing in the background.

+++++


DJ




















*****