tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60543412134598932462024-03-12T21:18:43.140-07:00The Darkness of the Womb"If it was dark, it was the darkness of the womb."-Lynn WhiteRich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-16567277121349259472013-07-05T06:18:00.002-07:002013-07-05T06:18:28.642-07:00The Darkness of the Womb is now on sale at amazon<br />
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<br />
http://www.amazon.com/The-Darkness-Womb-ebook/dp/B00DGA768A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373030229&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Darkness+of+the+womb<br />
<br />
So buy it, why don'tcha? :)Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-44409813481194374212013-01-01T08:54:00.001-08:002013-01-01T08:54:31.259-08:00TO HELL WITH YOUR DUMBASS, ZOMBIE FLAG!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(Image taken from: spencersonline.com) </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you sure people are even in there?” Lou the
zombie, formerly Louis Federici of Little Falls, New Jersey, asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes,”
Jeff the zombie, formerly Jeffrey Eloy of Allentown, Pennsylvania said. <br />
He held his only eye out with his outstretched hand so he could see even farther
from the bushes. He stared at a lone cabin that stood completely in the dark. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since the viral outbreak occurred and the
undead began to outnumber the living, it’s been harder and harder to find a
decent meal. It was literally a zombie apocalypse since zombies were the ones starving
to death and dying off. Every human who wasn’t completely consumed by a zombie became
a zombie themselves, and thus the curse continued. If there could be any
comparison in human history to the zombie’s plight, it would be that of the potato
famine of 1845. Except instead of potatoes, zombies missed out on spleens,
flesh, and brains. There could never be enough brains for the zombie population.
Whenever something was seen as inventive or new, zombies said that it was the
best thing since sliced brains. A picture of a brain even adorned the zombie’s
international flag. It was international because zombies had taken over the
world, of course. How could they not? There were so many of them!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lou
licked his decayed, corroded lips just thinking about brains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m
starvin’, Jeff! Can’t we just go in there and get them already?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No!” Jeff ordered. His remaining seven teeth chattered
in his skull. Winter wasn’t kind to the zombie. Summer wasn’t either, as zombie
skin melted and festered underneath the odious sun, but winter was the worst.
During wintertime, you found thousands of zombies face down in the dirt. And
they weren’t napping or looking for worms, that’s for sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You
think I ain’t hungry?” Jeff barked. “The last time I ate was with you. But you
have to be patient, man. Those humans in there ain’t suckers. They can’t be if
they made it this long.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Zombies
took over the world over twenty years ago. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And you’re sure there are four of them in there?” Lou
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah. And a dog. It’s the dog I’m actually worried the
most about. When have you ever heard a dog be so quiet when zombies were around?”
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Never,” Lou said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They must have that damn thing trained to kill. Even
with a muzzle on, we’d hear it growling, right?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jeff stuck his eye back in his face, twisting it back and
forth like a light bulb. The last thing he wanted was to lose the only eye he
had left. A crow got his other eye. But at least he still had all of his limbs,
unlike Lou, who missed a right arm and part of his left knee cap. He never told
Jeff how he lost his arm or how part of his knee was missing, and Jeff never
asked him what happened. A zombie’s missing limbs was their own personal business.
That was one of the few things they actually still had and could call their own
in today’s society—secrets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m going in,” Lou said and he got up. Jeff brought him
right back down with him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now don’t be a damn fool, Lou. We’re going to wait here until
they go to sleep.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And how do you know they ain’t already sleeping?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because they haven’t started a fire yet. They wouldn’t
go to sleep in this kind of weather without a fire. They’d freeze to death. But
they’re trying to trick us and make us <u>think</u> that they’re not in there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I wish I had seen them go in there,” Lou said, shaking
his head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why? You don’t believe I really saw them?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, I believe you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because if you don’t believe me, then you can go look
for your own damn family to munch on.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, I believe you. I believe you!” Lou exclaimed. “I
ain’t saying anything against you. I’m just saying.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You ain’t saying nothing,” Jeff said. “So just shut the
hell up and stay down. “I tell you there’s a family of four in there, and I
plan to fill my belly up with them tonight. When they start a fire, that’s when
we make our move and not a second before.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But
what about the dog?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well,
I hadn’t really figured that out yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
truth was, though, Jeff <u>had</u> figured it out, and long ago at that. Lou
did have another arm, after all, and he really didn’t need it, especially with
Jeff looking out for him. As soon as they caught the people by surprise, Jeff
planned to push Lou on the dog and go after the family himself. He hadn’t
really gotten a great look at them, but he saw that two of the members were
little girls who couldn’t be more than ten years old. He saw the family running
through the woods earlier in the day and followed them the best he could,
dragging his dead leg quickly across the snow. When they went in the cabin, he
saw that they carried light. The father was a slim, bald man with a rifle on
his back, but Jeff didn’t see any more weapons with the family; though, they
could have always been packing pistols. That’s why surprise was imperative in
this situation. Hopefully, they hadn’t seen him following them as he kept close
to the trees. And thank Heaven, if such a place even exists (Note: whenever a
zombie mentions or even thinks of Heaven or an afterlife, they immediately
follow it with—“If such a place even exists.”), Lou hadn’t been with him at the
time when Jeff saw them. Lou, as good as he’d been as a companion, wasn’t the
best when it came to stealthy matters, as he was loud and bumbling, just like
most zombies. He had been down by the river at the time Jeff saw the family,
washing his rags. Zombies didn’t like to stink if they didn’t have to, and for
all of Lou’s faults, and least he was pretty clean. For a zombie, anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wait, what was that?” Lou asked suddenly, and Jeff heard
it, too. It was a rustling noise, but a bit farther off. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That wasn’t you, right?” Jeff asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, I didn’t move.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Crap,” Jeff whispered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It must be other zombies. Jeff hadn’t seen any out here
since he came so deep in the woods about a month ago and he didn’t think he <u>would</u>
see any zombies, either. Most zombies stayed closer to the cities as the last
bit of people hid out in the malls and warehouses, making their stand in wide
open spaces with lots of supplies. The forests were especially dangerous because
there wasn’t much wildlife left, and thus, not much food available. Only a true
survivalist would hide out in the woods, since most of the animals that hadn’t
already become extinct, either hibernated or flew to warmer climates in the
wintertime. It was a big gamble to stake out a forest, especially in the
winter, but Jeff had taken that bet, and it looked like he was finally going to
be rewarded as no zombies hid out in a forest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So who the Hell—if such a place even exists—were these
jerks? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jeff stood up and saw seven zombies shambling toward him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just great,” he said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I knew we should have gone in sooner,” Lou whined. “Now
we’re going to have to share with them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Zombies have no use for money. They deal in human flesh
instead. That said, zombies aren’t Capitalists in the flesh department. On the
contrary, zombies are more like Communists, as they get an equal share of human
flesh when they find it. It’s probably the reason that zombies are almost
extinct in the first place. It’s rare that a zombie would travel by oneself or
in low numbers like Lou and Jeff did, as humans had no problem wasting zombies
in low quantities. A zombie’s strength is in numbers. So it would only make
sense that the undead would share with the horde for that sense of protection.
But this is the biggest problem with zombie-kind and why they’re all dying off,
as they don’t starve as one, they starve as a group. So if one starves, then they
all starve, which was what was going on with zombie-kind from continent to
continent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s too bad that animals were now so hard to come by, as
animals weren’t half bad. Especially deer. Venison was awesome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It also sucked that zombie skin was so nasty and rough,
because they’d have an unlimited source of protein if they only ate each other.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hello,” the lead zombie said. His ribcage was fully
exposed as he wore no shirt, even in this cold weather. The undead behind him
were just as malnourished. Some of them were even children. Jeff didn’t know
that children even existed anymore. But then he remembered the two young girls inside
the cabin. Yes, they too would become zombies if he didn’t eat them whole,
which he intended to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hi,” Jeff muttered to the lead zombie, extending his
hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We saw them first!” Lou exclaimed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lou!” Jeff shouted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s alright,” the head zombie wheezed. He sounded a
million years old if not older. “We’ve been watching you for quite some time
and just wanted to know when you planned to make your move. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Soon,”
Jeff said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
lead zombie looked at Lou since he scowled so openly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why
are you so angry, young man?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because I’m starving!” Lou said. “Why do you think?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lou!” Jeff barked again. God—if such a deity should
exist—Lou could be such a child sometimes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey,” another one of the seven zombies said. “What do
you think this is, huh? We’re all starvin’ here. You can’t just have them for
yourselves, ya know.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There’s no need to be upset,” the lead zombie said. “So
let’s not raise our voices or cause a scuffle. Even if there is only one person
in there, we still share, you know that. That’s the zombie creed after all: ‘One
for you, one for me, one for every zombie!’” He laughed and began to cough. A
young woman with no breasts and clear, white eyes rubbed his back. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In truth, Jeff was just as peeved as Lou, but he held his
corroded tongue. Even though zombies didn’t eat each other, it didn’t mean that
they didn’t fight each other. They were once human, after all. And Jeff liked
keeping his limbs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So, what do you know about the occupants inside?” the
lead zombie asked. “My name is Jeremy, by the way, and these are my friends.
We’ve come from the city.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hi, Jeremy,” Jeff grumbled. “There are four humans
inside.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He neglected to mention the dog. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I see, and what’s our plan of attack?” Jeremy asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What do you mean, what’s our plan of attack?” the
hot-headed zombie from before asked. “We rush them and eat them like we always
do. There’s nine of us and four of them. The odds are in our favor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,” Jeremy said. “This one, what’s your name?” he asked
Jeff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Todd,” Jeff lied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Todd here is in charge of this mission. He found the
people first, after all. What do you think we should do about these people,
Todd?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I think we should wait until they light a fire,” Jeff
said, who was gaining more confidence the more he thought out this plan. It was
true that more zombies meant less food for him and Lou, but it also meant that
they didn’t have to contend with the dog and Lou could keep his remaining arm.
They just had to find a way to ditch these dweebs when this was all over. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You want to wait until they light a fire?” Jeremy asked
with fear in his jaundiced eyes. Along with a good sharp object to the skull, fire
was a zombie’s worst enemy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m thinking that’s when—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But then, it all happened in a flash. A low, dark shadow,
rushed through the night from the cabin. A second later, a zombie fell backward
as a dog bit into his arm. The dog didn’t even bark when it attacked. What kind
of dog <u>was</u> this?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Move, move, move!” The skinny man Jeff saw earlier with
the rifle, said, and he rushed out the door. He aimed his rifle and fired. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>POW! The gun popped. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just like that, the hot-headed zombie had black blood
spurting from his head. He went down like lead. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Take your positions,” the man said, and the wife and
their two little girls rushed out and stood side by side. The father fired
again with the rifle and the other three shot pistols.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They weren’t leaving the cabin. They were defending it! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of course, this had been their plan all along. Round up
as many starving zombies as possible and then shoot them like ducks in a
barrel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All Jeff heard was the zombie screaming on the ground as
the dog tore away at his arm and whipped it back and forth. The zombie’s rasping
call for help droned on and on as he died from fear and blood loss.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Somebody kill that damn dog!” Jeff screamed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the other zombies already retreated, staggering
backward as the family of four continued to shoot at them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Die, you undead scum!” the father yelled over his rifle
blast.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">POW!
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
daughter next to him, who was about at his hip, screamed it, too, as she shot
from her revolver.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Die, you undead scum!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two more of the zombies went down, including Jeremy, and
the blood spilled from their skeletal chests like lava.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We got to get out of here!” Lou screamed, and Jeff
seconded that notion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As soon as they retreated, the dog was off the other
zombie and right on top of Lou.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It tore into his backside and ripped his spine right out
with its teeth. Lou cried as loud as he could, but died almost instantly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jeff began to stagger away, but a bullet shot through the
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">END</span></div>
Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-54206761740548307652012-12-27T06:40:00.001-08:002012-12-27T06:40:29.429-08:00ZOMBIES, EVEN IN THEIR UNDEAD SLEEP, HAVE A DREAM, TOO!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We need to stop being treated like second
class citizens!” Evan Osgood shouted into the microphone. He stood in front of
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Evan himself had been up for the past five years. Shortly
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detached at the elbow after being forced to lift a rock on a farm that was too
heavy, and a crow stole his right eye. His once beautiful skin had suffered,
too. It turned green and stiffened considerably, becoming so tough one winter
that his right ear broke off when he banged it against a bathroom stall. But
ever since he started fighting for his brothers and sisters, he became
reinvigorated. He was a lighter, healthier shade of green now, and he barely
dragged his left leg anymore when he shambled. You could almost say he walked!
This fight for equal rights saved him from total deterioration. He should have
died (again) at least a year ago. The zombie’s life expectancy was only three
years max if they were kept in a safe and controlled environment, and a lot
less if they weren’t, mostly due to lack of self-preservation and maintenance.
But the zombie’s lifespan was getting shorter and shorter with this freedom movement.
Some were only lasting a few days before some punks came along and took them
back out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Too many of us are being set on fire or bashed over the
head with cinderblocks, just to see what would happen,” Evan continued. “But
we’re people, too, dammit; albeit, undead ones. Just because our hearts don’t beat
and our blood doesn’t flow anymore, that doesn’t mean that we don’t feel pain. I
mean, we don’t feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>most</u></i> of
it, sure, but that’s beside the point! What we’ve gone through over the past
twenty years is unjust and we’re tired of living in fear! Are you with me, my
brothers and sisters?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The audience groaned again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Evan wasn’t much of a public speaker, but he thought he
was doing a pretty decent job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stopped reading from the speech he had prepared almost instantly when he
realized that a number of blood stains made it unreadable. He should have
checked that pocket for blood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While
peering through the crowd with his one eye, Evan noticed that more than a few of
the attendants gnawed on each other’s arms and necks. Evan cringed, as this
wasn’t the best representation of zombie-kind. This was being televised, after
all, and people, both undead and alive, would be watching this. But he
certainly understood where they were coming from. Very few zombies only ate
animals like he did. Most devoured human flesh. But ever since their protest
began three years ago, Evan had coerced them to stop consuming humans
altogether. If they wanted to coexist with the living, then they had to stop
eating them. It was as simple as that. The thing is, animal flesh just didn’t have
the same taste as human flesh, and it’s been hard for many of them to switch
over. Heck, it’s been hard for Evan to switch over. Every day he thinks about
human intestines with some cocktail sauce. So biting one another was their
substitute. As much as zombies craved human flesh, they craved freedom even
more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know the hardships many of you have had to
go through to be here today, so I’m happy to see that so many of you are present.
I—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Go
back underground, ya worm eatin’ scumbag!” a voice shouted from within the
crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
police officers who stood at the foot of the stairs didn’t make a move. The
other officers, who were stationed all around the area, didn’t move, either. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Evan’s
eye darted past the officers’ backs in front of him and combed the crowd like a
hawk. He finally saw the problem. It was a man with a twirly, Hipster mustache.
He wore a long, colorful poncho that looked like a rug with a hole in it, and
he was alive. Very alive. The zombies shifted aside but their eyes grew wide
and hungry as he made his way through the crowd. Seven living people followed
him. They snaked their way to the front and held signs like “Go back to Hell!”
and “Eat dirt, not humans!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Some
of the officers formed a barricade in front of the steps, while others made a
perimeter around the crowd, but they still didn’t make a move. They had their shotguns—their
dreaded shotguns—ready and Evan grinded the few teeth he still had. He knew
that if anything went down, the cops would start beating the zombies, and not
the troublemakers. Over the years, Evan had seen the boys in blue literally
bash his people’s brains in with their nightsticks or run them over with their
cars. The cops didn’t want to be here, but they had to be, President’s orders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Stay calm, Evan</u></i><u>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stay calm</i></u>, He thought, but it was
hard to stay calm with this recent development. His unbeating heart wanted to
tear these humans to shreds, cops included, as he hated humans. All zombies
did. But his brain, his fully functioning brain, told him to stay focused on everything
that they’d worked toward these past few years. He knew that he was his
people’s leader, and that he had to stay strong for them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Evan
taught Zombie Studies at NYU and was also the founder of B.R.A.I.N.Z—the
Brotherhood Regarding Any Indecent Negativity toward Zombies. He had stood with
his brothers and sisters when they had been threatened with flamethrowers, and he
ambled right along with them when the cops sicked their dogs on them. It had
been a long journey, but a worthwhile one. He had even spoken to the president (that
delectable, juicy, blood-filled, Democrat) on a number of occasions. Together,
they fought to end the illegal necromancing trade that had been running rampant
for years, but the bill had been shot down. To this day, people in every state
were still allowed to bring people back to life and put them into cheap labor
to avoid breaking immigration laws. It had to stop, and no lousy protestors
were going to ruin it for Evan. Especially not one wearing a filthy poncho.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“My
brothers and sisters, let’s not be antsy,” Evan said, but it was too late. Three
hungry zombies who apparently had had enough of nibbling on each other, dragged
down the woman in the rear of the group and began tearing her to pieces and
eating what they could. The gushing viscera and bloodshed flew everywhere. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
group of humans didn’t even turn back to save her. Instead, they began bashing zombies
over the heads with their signs. These people had an agenda! The zombies went
into a feeding frenzy when they saw the carnage. They clawed and grabbed at the
people and the cops began firing their shotguns. But not at the living who
caused the problem in the first place. Oh, no, no, no, they started firing at
the zombies, blasting heads off at whim and shooting holes in them the size of
Kentucky. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“My
brothers and sisters,” Evan said, trying to calm his people down. “Brothers and
sisters!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But
the bloodshed continued no matter what Evan said. Zombies were killed with
impunity, and Evan saw red. Who was he kidding? Things weren’t going to change
between the undead and the living. As long as zombies were brought up from the
dead to work on farms or in the back of kitchens, then there would never be
peace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ahh, screw it,” Evan finally said. He pushed
the podium aside and lunged on top of the cop right in front of him. He chomped
into his throat and blood gushed. The taste of human flesh and veins filled
Evan with fire. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
this is how they wanted it, then this was how they were going to get it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
zombie apocalypse would begin today on November 14<sup>th</sup>, 2063. Evan Osgood
would see to it. His people would fight back and take over the world. He would
make certain of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
was their leader after all. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">END</span></div>
Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-31165695337485875352012-12-20T14:21:00.000-08:002012-12-20T14:21:07.058-08:00"Gorilla" Marketing this Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxs3oKnDrac/UNOPIYnF31I/AAAAAAAADHU/brM0v0S9Piw/s1600/248225_10102130665466209_305562968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxs3oKnDrac/UNOPIYnF31I/AAAAAAAADHU/brM0v0S9Piw/s320/248225_10102130665466209_305562968_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'll be rocking a gorilla suit this Saturday in NY to promote my book. "Gorilla" marketing, y'all. (Ah hur hur hur!) Come by. I'll be around Union Square and Strand. Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-66565371652695321222012-11-18T12:40:00.001-08:002012-11-18T12:40:36.612-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnoyMPnHS5U/UKlHUlBKgsI/AAAAAAAADCo/vArZzYIqGC8/s1600/red_gorilla_suit_costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnoyMPnHS5U/UKlHUlBKgsI/AAAAAAAADCo/vArZzYIqGC8/s400/red_gorilla_suit_costume.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
(Image taken from: gorillasuits.com)<br />
<br />
I'm going to be rocking this in NY with one of my DotW t-shirts soon. I'm going to be the "Gorilla Marketer"! (Terrible pun, right?). If you're in the area, catch me on the streets! Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-87639497948058469142012-11-16T03:16:00.003-08:002012-11-16T03:16:48.159-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YW7MiRCnEiA/UKYgRI7hNCI/AAAAAAAADCY/dYG_JeY_0jY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-13+at+5.11.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YW7MiRCnEiA/UKYgRI7hNCI/AAAAAAAADCY/dYG_JeY_0jY/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-08-13+at+5.11.53+PM.png" width="267" /></a></div>
New shirt designs will be available soon. If you want one, find <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDarknessOfTheWomb#" target="_blank">The Darkness of the Womb</a> on facebook and inbox me. Thanks for the support, gang.Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-8669903901307962822012-11-08T03:46:00.003-08:002012-11-08T03:47:28.776-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSobaekuAdU/UJubdBaW_3I/AAAAAAAADBE/Ezn16mn_aFI/s1600/ch13p1progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSobaekuAdU/UJubdBaW_3I/AAAAAAAADBE/Ezn16mn_aFI/s400/ch13p1progress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's some progress of the next chapter. I'm really excited about this one. This would be page 50 of the book, which is where the reader truly knows the trajectory of the book. It's wordy, but I feel necessary. Please spread the word. Thanks, y'all. Love you. Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-79554338617619010762012-11-04T13:51:00.002-08:002012-11-04T13:51:43.455-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I278nT9P1Wk/UJbjIaUjPcI/AAAAAAAADA0/8ztiuxo6XS4/s1600/rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I278nT9P1Wk/UJbjIaUjPcI/AAAAAAAADA0/8ztiuxo6XS4/s320/rich.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a shot that won't be used for the book. It's of Jeff Haunt's first encounter with his "mother." (Notice the quotation marks around the word, "Mother.") I can't seem to find my computer guy, but more comics will be up soon. Eagle scout's honor. Much love to the fans.Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-13529525485047172712012-10-22T13:52:00.000-07:002012-10-22T13:52:20.662-07:00Merch!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIQKuHnZbN0/UIWxulkRUXI/AAAAAAAAC_A/b4treGoPdbs/s1600/ch11p2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIQKuHnZbN0/UIWxulkRUXI/AAAAAAAAC_A/b4treGoPdbs/s320/ch11p2.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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Stickers, t-shirts, and cards are in. If you want some, let me know! And come back to the website soon. A new chapter is going to be put up today! Sorry for the delay. Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-62762902273262644042012-10-07T14:03:00.000-07:002012-10-07T14:03:38.764-07:00The Hallway of Tongues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-kUN5_8rqQ/UHHrptvHKJI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/Kyhck7CSZxQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-05+at+6.30.57+PM+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-kUN5_8rqQ/UHHrptvHKJI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/Kyhck7CSZxQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-10-05+at+6.30.57+PM+-+Copy.png" width="346" /></a></div>
Very soon, we're going to be following Marigold into the, for lack of a better name, "Hallway of Tongues." If you'll notice, this is the first fully colorized pic since the first chapter. That's because Marigold's finally entering the Internal Landscape that exists within each and every one of us. I was going for a Wizard of Oz style, where the real world is in black and white, and the Landscape is in color. It really pops. I hope you dig it!Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-3078908405117023782012-10-07T09:43:00.000-07:002012-10-07T09:43:02.380-07:00Love the Land, Or Leave It (Short Story)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kP1GgadbaTo/UHGw17AdAxI/AAAAAAAAC-A/8FYNAoeLty8/s1600/300px-Texascowboys2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kP1GgadbaTo/UHGw17AdAxI/AAAAAAAAC-A/8FYNAoeLty8/s1600/300px-Texascowboys2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Image taken from: en.wikipedia.org) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Daniel Cornshire could
tell the moment Jo-Jo walked through the door that he didn’t settle things with
the sheriff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He knew because his
brother’s thick lips wouldn’t stop trembling, and his shirt was soaked with
sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even had a soiled spot on his
trousers, right by the pistol he had holstered on his hip. This was not the
kind of task for one as feeble-minded as Jo-Jo, but what choice did Daniel
have?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, what happened?”
Daniel asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He didn’t ta-ta-take the money, Danny. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He knew</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he knew</i>?” Daniel asked, but he
understood exactly what his brother meant. It was the reason why he didn’t
deliver the money to Sheriff Heavensby himself. It was dirty money, stolen from
one of the banks under Heavenby’s protection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sheriff Heavensby, who
had taken control of Daniel’s late father’s ranch, would of course have caught
wind that one of his tenants was a wanted man; especially when that same man
was already an enemy of the Heavensby family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You ain’t mad, are you Danny?” Jo-Jo asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Naw, I ain’t mad.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But Daniel Cornshire <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> mad. He had been hiding out in an
abandoned shack just south of town since the robbery, and he felt closed in.
Things would have been so much easier if the Heavensby’s were simply wiped off
the face of the planet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It would also be easier
if the brothers didn’t have to worry about the land. Their recently deceased
father, Samuel Cornshire, made the brothers promise that Sheriff Heavensby
would never take the ranch. It was a family feud that spanned back to their
great-great grandfather, Artemis Cornshire and his rival, Reginald Heavensby.
The two men, the story goes, were once friends who settled the territory,
bringing in hundreds of western bound souls. An expanse of land divided almost equally
amongst the founding families began to change as more money started to pour
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acre by acre, Cornshire land was
lost to the Heavensby’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It started with simple
quarrels over a moved fence post, but the feud drew more sinister with forged
documents and backroom deals, forcing the Cornshires to yield more and more
property. Over the years, the Heavensby’s swallowed up the land, becoming part
of the local elite, while the Cornshire’s lost almost everything they owned. It
got to the point that the town itself was now called Heavensby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the Cornshire’s,
while not as educated and sliver-tongued as the Heavensby’s, were a proud and
resilient bunch. Unable to even the odds in court, the Cornshires resorted to
brawling, burning crops, and poisoning livestock. The bitter back and forth
among the families escalated over the generations into mutual bloodshed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years of hostilities left both sides
depleted, specifically with the sheriff being the last in the line of Heavensby
men. Being the smart one, he made sure that if he was going to be the last to
bare the Heavensby name (his attempts at having children with his wife had been
fruitless), then he was going to make the last of the Cornshire’s as miserable
as possible for killing off his kin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The last thing the
Cornshire’s owned after Sheriff Heavensby seized everything else from them was
a modest ranch at the outskirts of town, and before he died, Samuel Cornshire
would be damned if Sheriff Heavensby got that, too. In years past, the
Heavensby’s wanted the property to connect towns. However, Samuel, who never
indulged in any of the killing, refused to sell his ranch and what remained of
his family’s land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sheriff’s influence
over the town and managing to secure the water rights to the land forced the Cornshire’s
to pay him for use of the water or allow the land and livestock to die. Samuel
fought feverishly to prevent the sheriff from taking the land until the mayor,
who had ancestral ties to the Cornshire’s, said that the area was off limits as
long as the Cornshire’s could afford it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But once pa died,
Daniel wanted to leave. After both his mother and wife died from stray gunshot
wounds down at the market, he wanted to head out east. There was nothing left
for the Cornshire’s in the town of Heavensby. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Daniel’s brother,
Jo-Jo, wouldn’t have it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, Jo-Jo lived
his whole life by their father’s last words: “They can never have this land.
The Heavensby’s can rot in hell.” Daniel couldn’t leave his brother behind. He
worried if he was capable of taking care of himself, much less take care of the
ranch, and besides, he was the last bit of family he had left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please
don’t lu-lu-lu-look at me like that, Danny,” Jo-Jo said. “It’s not my fault. I
tried to give him the money. Honest, I did.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So
why didn’t you just shoot him then?” Daniel asked, palming the weathered grips
of his uncle’s old revolver. He hadn’t worn a piece before his recent bank
robbery, but now that he had one, he refused to take it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But
Danny. I couldn’t do that. You know I c-c-c-c-c-c—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daniel
put up his hand. He knew that when Jo-Jo got this nervous and couldn’t stop
stuttering, he wouldn’t be able to finish the sentence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,
what are we gonna do now then, Jo-Jo?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jo-Jo
nervously raised his eyes from the floor, fumbling with his holster until he
retrieved his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trembling and
sweating now, it was obvious that Jo-Jo never drew his weapon before, much less
shot a man, but it was in his hands now pointed directly at Daniel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey,
what’s the big idea?” Daniel asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mr.
Heavensby said if I t-t-t-t-took you in, he’d let us keep the ranch. He said
your bounty would be enough for the property’s deed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
are you talking about?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Behind
Jo-Jo, the door slowly creaked open, and there stood the sheriff, brandishing a
loaded shotgun in the doorway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now
that’s a good imbecile,” Mr. Heavensby drawled beneath his thick, blond
mustache. “You’re a wanted man, Danny. Your brother did the right thing.” He
looked around. “Kind of far away from the ranch, aren’t we?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daniel
didn’t say a word. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
sa-sa-sa-sorry, Danny.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’d
betray me, your own flesh and blood, to keep that dump?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now
don’t yell at the boy,” Heavensby said with a smile. “He’s doing what’s best
for both the ranch, and this county. We can’t have a criminal running around
freely. Now if I were you, I’d put my hands up away from that pistol you got
hidden underneath the table and come along peaceably.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daniel
didn’t move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Boy,
you do know that you’re a wanted man, don’t you? I can shoot you right here
where I stand if you don’t come along with me. It would all be legal, not like
a Cornshire would understand the concept. Is that what you want?” He took a
step forward, “Because I can deliver ya to your pa if you’re itching for it.
That ain’t a problem, and I have the protection of the law.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
step forward was his last. It was too late when he felt the cold steel of a .45
pressed against the base of his skull, courtesy of Joseph “Jo-Jo” Cornshire—the
one everyone always called, “The slow boy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
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table, face down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Was
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah,
Jo-Jo. Damn good! Pa would have been so proud of you. You really followed the
plans to the letter.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Probably.
But not to any of the Heavensby men, which is what dad cared about the most, so
stop feeling guilty. He was the last in the line and he didn’t have any kin.
But we’re still going to have to take a train out of here when wind catches
that the Sheriff ‘s missing.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jo-Jo
sighed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is
Sheriff Heavensby at least going to hell, Danny? Was it ra-ra-ra-really worth
losing the ranch?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hell
yeah, he is, Jo-Jo, and damn right it was worth losing the ranch. At least
we’re still alive and the Heavensby’s are all wiped out. Now c’mon, we have to
hide the bastard. You’re sure you brought him here alone? He didn’t bring his
posse?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,”
Jo-Jo said, staring at the body. “He sa-sa-said he’d let me keep the ranch if
we came alone. He wanted to surprise you and take you in hisself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daniel
Cornshire shook his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
mean take my dead body in.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
distant howl of a steam whistle echoed through the dust-coated window panes
behind Daniel’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes briefly
glanced behind his left shoulder, acknowledging the familiar sound.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,
come on. We gotta get things moving.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
ranch was important to Jo-Jo, but so were pa’s—and every other
Conrshire’s—last, dying words.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Heavensby’s can rot in hell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-38369844135274431822012-09-30T08:20:00.001-07:002012-09-30T08:20:45.603-07:00A new chapter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> I found that I needed to write a new chapter for the book to add more detail, so here it is. Please let me know what you think. Thanks, everybody for the love and support. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Orange, sparkling light
exploded across the crystal room like color through a prism. Logic materialized
in her throne. Her chest heaved and her head throbbed like thunder. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She
was still alive, but barely. The orb in her chest pulsed weakly, and her body
had withered to that of a centenarian. One thing was for certain—Her days as
Logic were numbered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With
slow, wheezing breaths, she closed her eyes and rested her head against the
back of her throne. Her scepter slipped through her fingers and clanked on the
crystal floor, the gold substance in its bulb depleted. If she didn’t die in
the next few minutes, then Instinct would finish the job; If, that is, he was
still alive. There was no telling how many casualties she caused when she melted
Imagination’s tower. There was only speculation. And hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But
the one being she was certain survived the incident was Imagination himself. It
didn’t matter if his plans had gone to hell or that she had gotten the jump on
him. Imagination was too crafty and too selfish to perish with her scheme. He would
have found another way out of his crumpling tower, even if it meant leaving the
family and Instinct behind to die. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
pained her to think that that bastard escaped, but he did. She knew he did. Destroying
him was her last valiant act to save the Landscape, and she couldn’t even do
that. She had lost. Sure, she didn’t see him escape after she disappeared from
his room like a wisp of smoke, but logically, Imagination would have gotten out
of there. No one knew that tower better than him, and he probably teleported
all the way to the bottom floor, using as much magic as necessary, even if it
meant wiping out his entire system. Like her, he must be totally depleted of
energy, too. But he wasn’t dead, that she was certain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With effort, she tried to push herself up. She wanted the
solace of at least <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seeing</i> that
eyesore of a tower disappear from the skyline, but she was too weak to sit up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She sighed. It rattled her chest cavity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Killing the baby really was the only way. Imagination had
gone power hungry. If he had taken the baby out of the Landscape…well, it
didn’t matter now. The baby was dead, right? Or at least, if the baby had
survived, then at least the mother was surely dead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">No,
it didn’t matter now. She did her best and didn’t have to think about it
anymore. She simply wouldn’t exist within an hour. She’d be nothingness, a
shadow without a body. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It didn’t bother her in the slightest that she wouldn’t
exist anymore and refused to believe that one could be “stuck” in eternal
darkness. She would simply lose consciousness and not be able to enjoy her
senses anymore. Thus was the fate of all people when the mind shut down. Why
Imagination felt, no, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">believed</i>, that
there was anything after life, she didn’t know or care. But why he had to
spread that nonsense onto mankind about an afterlife is what made her feel
slightly happy that that bastard now had no place to call his own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even so, she might have not made the wisest decision in
taking down his tower since it wiped her out completely. But it was all she
could think to do. Besides, she wasn’t worried about Imagination right now. She
was worried about Instinct. Did HE survive was the question? And if he did, how
much of the Haunt family survived with him? She shifted in her crystal seat and
her whole body ached. She wished she could just die already. She never minded
waiting before, but now, it was torture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When she closed her eyes again, the only thing she took
pleasure in was the slurping noise of Imagination’s sinking tower. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her sandpaper lips smiled. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Melting
his tower with pure logic might not have been the wisest move, but it was the
only move she could come up with. If she could do it all again, she would. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She welcomed the darkness that encroached upon her line
of vision. </span></div>
Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-82546801690419792002012-09-23T09:57:00.000-07:002012-09-23T09:57:03.708-07:00The new chapter is up in the comics section!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdVyoAOJjjI/UF8_LR4CdNI/AAAAAAAAC68/MaI_x27IcgM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-25+at+8.22.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdVyoAOJjjI/UF8_LR4CdNI/AAAAAAAAC68/MaI_x27IcgM/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-25+at+8.22.52+PM.png" width="196" /></a></div>
Chapter 6 is up right now. Come by and check it out. It's one of my favorites. <br />
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http://thedarknessofthewomb.com/comics.htmlRich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-31944339787145745362012-09-19T02:57:00.000-07:002012-09-19T02:57:53.817-07:00The Hallway of Tongues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P-rkFF7nOE/UFmW7QZZq1I/AAAAAAAAC6s/XkqHYJFu8FY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-09-19+at+5.02.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P-rkFF7nOE/UFmW7QZZq1I/AAAAAAAAC6s/XkqHYJFu8FY/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-09-19+at+5.02.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>I think this early pic speaks for itself. This is one of my favorite scenes from the book, and I think the author captured it well. This is awesome.Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-40055233536867584112012-09-16T18:18:00.000-07:002012-09-16T18:18:17.129-07:00Chapter 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9o_91ZjtrM8/UFZ6QdvfrnI/AAAAAAAAC6A/HrH33dHaJGs/s1600/7-again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9o_91ZjtrM8/UFZ6QdvfrnI/AAAAAAAAC6A/HrH33dHaJGs/s320/7-again.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The new comic is up on the site! Check it out <a href="http://thedarknessofthewomb.com/comics.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-83221297078110829252012-09-12T02:51:00.000-07:002012-10-04T13:45:20.434-07:00When dealing with rejection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDV8tl8bAu4/UFBaWqsZYFI/AAAAAAAAC5U/eUP7PB8fSwY/s1600/hhh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDV8tl8bAu4/UFBaWqsZYFI/AAAAAAAAC5U/eUP7PB8fSwY/s320/hhh2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Rejection sucks. I know. It's probably the reason I didn't ask about 80% of the girls I found attractive because I was afraid of being rejected back in the day. It's part of being in the guy club. <br />
<br />
But having your book rejected is even WORSE, mostly because you are actually putting yourself out there, with awful results.<br />
<br />
But oh, well, it's just part of the game. For all writers out there who happen to stumble upon this page, how do YOU deal with it? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Do you print out your rejection emails and keep them in a drawer like I do? I'd love hear what you do.Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-2699785822802203312012-09-09T08:32:00.001-07:002012-09-09T08:32:35.836-07:00The podcast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xc-WuIzoNI/UEy2SvtR2gI/AAAAAAAAC4E/STBcOJJNamo/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xc-WuIzoNI/UEy2SvtR2gI/AAAAAAAAC4E/STBcOJJNamo/s320/8.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>We're on chapter five now. Check out <a href="http://thedarknessofthewomb.podomatic.com/entry/2012-09-08T01_02_44-07_00" target="_blank">the podcast</a> if you haven't already. <br />
<br />
<br />
Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-78186118164154686552012-09-04T13:54:00.000-07:002012-09-04T13:54:24.000-07:00 section of the first chapter comic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDYsS7G0teE/UEZqBm144yI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/1eIk5S_RkbE/s1600/Chapter1pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDYsS7G0teE/UEZqBm144yI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/1eIk5S_RkbE/s400/Chapter1pic2.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>I love the explosion in this piece. It's so detailed. And again, if you haven't checked it out already, head on over <a href="http://thedarknessofthewomb.com/" target="_blank">the website itself </a>to see the rest of the first chapter. Thanks for the support.Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-20674988295867541472012-08-31T14:45:00.000-07:002012-08-31T14:45:42.137-07:00Excerpt From: We Can Be Heroes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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Here's the first chapter of a novel about Comic-Conventions that I never finished. I might put up more later if people show an interest. Please let me know what you think. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh, shit,” Chucky said, pointing across the street as we walked down the cold, congested New York City sidewalk, “The Maxx!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where?” I asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“There, man! What are you blind?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Chucky was right. A short guy who looked like he was about 300 pounds was dressed as The Maxx, which was a comic book character from the 90s. He wore purple spandex from head to toe and he lumbered across the street with his head down. He had these gigantic, yellow claws, probably made of ceramics, and he also had these enormous teeth jutting from his mask. They looked like they were cut from a lampshade (Way to stay true to character, dude). I’ve never seen anybody dressed as The Maxx before back home for the Cons in Louisiana. It was always Batman or Spiderman or, oh, God, Superman—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If</i>, that is, people were even cosplaying at all. There was no originality whatsoever back home and you could tell all the costumes people wore were store-bought. They were plastic and cheap-looking and ugly. Nobody took the time to stitch their outfits together or even pay top-dollar for some quality workmanship. It was all Party City bullshit. None of those assholes deserved to don Batman’s codpiece. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey, where’s Mr. Gone?” My friend, Stew, joked. He wore green goggles on his forehead, a black trench coat, black gloves, black boots, and a pasted on mustache. He also had a drawn in scar shaped like a half moon around his left eye. He emulated Cylinder #80 from our favorite comic book series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylinder 79</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t know,” I said as we neared the end of the block. “But we must be heading in the right direction. Look.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A stampede of colorfully dressed people ran across the street behind The Maxx as the light turned green. I saw at least one Flash, one Daredevil and three Deadpools in the mix of costumes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, that’s fuckin’ gay,” my friend, Phil said. “Looks like Deadpool’s gonna be the big character this year. Fuckin’ clones. There ain’t even a Deadpool movie coming out this year. What the fuck?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I nudged Phil in the side.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Chill with the ‘gay’ shit, dude. We ain’t back home.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We got to the end of the block and watched a brigade of taxis whiz by. This was our first trip to New York. We’ve been to the FanCon in Chicago a few times and even the big one in San Fran. We’re always dressed up as Cylinders #78-81. But we’ve never been to the New York Con. We’ve always talked about it though.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We would have missed this year, too, if we didn’t find out the producers and actors of the new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylinder 79</i> TV show were going to be here for a guest panel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Now, if you’re unfamiliar with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylinder 79</i>, I ain’t gonna hate on you (Though, don’t tell Phil, cause he just might). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Most</i> people never heard of it before it got optioned up for a TV Show on AMC a few months ago. But it actually dates back to the mid-80s. Terrence Steele left Marvel and founded Vision Storm Comics to create it. In a nutshell, it’s about these assassins that are manufactured in Cylinders and sent back in time to change history. It was kind of like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Terminator</i>, but edgier. And smarter, too (Though, its detractors will tell you otherwise—But don’t listen to its detractors. They’re idiots). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All four of us were ready to either boo uproariously, or cheer until our heads exploded when we got into the Cy’ 79 Panel. It all depends on the sneak preview they show at the Con. We shall see. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While we stood at the corner, a crowd surrounded us and a cute redheaded Asian girl with pigtails wearing a school girl outfit stood beside my friend, Stew. He nudged me in the side and threw his head in her direction. She looked over at me and smiled. I smiled back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are you guys supposed to be?” she asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Phil snorted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re Cylinders,” I answered, even though Stew could have answered himself. He always was shy around girls. “From the series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylinder 79</i>.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She nodded, shrugged and then smiled. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The yellow post at the other end of the street switched from having a red hand to a white figure with outstretched legs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, have fun,” she said as the crowd rushed across the street, pushing us along with it. I watched the curves of her butt move back and forth as she walked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chucky whistled and Stew nodded. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Much better than the swill we have back home, huh, fellas?” Chucky said. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll say,” I said. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She’s fuckin’ retarded,” Phil said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” We all said. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I took out our agenda as we crossed another block. A guy with a goatee and yellow earbuds took one look at us and shook his head. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fuckin’ asshole,” Phil grumbled as the guy walked away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do we have any time to do anything else besides the panel today?” Stew asked, rubbing his hand through his blond wig and scratching his brown hair, “The Panel is at 4:30, right?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Maaaaan, I ain’t sitting in no motherfuckin’ room for six hours,” Phil said. “The other panels before it are terrible anyway, aren’t they? What’s it say, Tom?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, they aren’t the best,” I answered. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, but the whole point of this trip in the first place was to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cylinder 79</i>,” Chucky said. “We gotta prioritize.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I agree,” Stew said. “It might fill up and then we came here for nothing.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Look, we’ll wait in line an hour before the panel,” Phil said, “And no sooner.” He pointed at my agenda, “I want to hit up that speed dating shit they got going on at one. We may even get this asshole laid tonight,” he said, throwing his thumb back at Stew.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shut up,” Stew said, “I got a girl back home.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You call that wildebeest a girl?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey! Watch it, asshole.” Stew balled up his gloved fists.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alright, alright,” I said, “Enough of that. And Phil’s right.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?!” Stew exclaimed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“About not sitting in the same room all day,” I said, though, Darlene <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> quite hideous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m always right,” Phil said. “Fuckin’ robots.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We crossed another street and neared the Jacob Javits Center. Since we left the hotel, we’ve basically just followed the crowd, as they were all migrating in the same direction. Maybe later, we’d check out some of the famous tourist traps in the city, but we don’t have time right now. It was 9:00AM and the doors were about to be opening. We would have left earlier, but Stew had a hard time getting out of the room. He kept rushing back and always saying that he forgot something like his wallet or his key card. Phil had to drag his ass out by the fifth time he did this. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So, we’re gonna check out Sega’s booth first,” Phil said. “Then we can walk the floor, dick around a bit, you know?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I want to stop at the DC booth,” Stew said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fuck DC,” Phil said. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You know what, Phil? You’re being a real asshole today.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“All right, all right,” I said, “Jesus, you’re all acting like a bunch of girls. We don’t have to stay attached to the hip all day if we don’t want to. We’re all adults. We can do our own separate things. God. You two are so catty.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, but we’re <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> doing that speed dating shit at one,” Phil said, and he wrapped his arm around Stew’s shoulder. “Lunch at 2 and then, stand in line for Cylinder at 3. That’s our day.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shrugged. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sure.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, I guess,” Stew said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chucky exhaled. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As long as we get good seats.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Stop worrying, dick cheese, we will. 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I don’t give a fuck.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We rounded the corner, our agenda ready, our tickets out when—</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A line, about as big as Jormagander was long, wrapped itself around the giant black building two times over.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My jaw dropped. Phil slapped Stew in the back of the head and Chucky said “Holy shit.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You dumb fuck,” Phil said. “You made us late.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s not MY fault. Holy jeez, this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">insane</i>!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sighed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, there go <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those</i> plans.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took out a pen and crossed out Sega booth from the agenda.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stew rubbed the back of his head and gave Phil a dirty look. We all fell in line. A massive group fell in behind us. This…was going to take awhile.</span></div>Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-26295489424564510392012-08-29T08:05:00.000-07:002012-08-29T08:05:44.375-07:00The comic itselfHey, y'all, if you haven't checked out the website yet, please do so. Oh, and here's a sneak peak of what's to come in the Marigold section.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NQHENKDsw/UD4vfkLBcCI/AAAAAAAAC2U/7EDrkD5Tucg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-26+at+4.12.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NQHENKDsw/UD4vfkLBcCI/AAAAAAAAC2U/7EDrkD5Tucg/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-26+at+4.12.12+AM.png" width="207" /></a></div><br />
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What do you think?Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-76638130634895510772012-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:002012-08-27T19:27:14.807-07:00The Website is up, baby!The website is finally up, baby. Find the website <a href="http://thedarknessofthewomb.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-74756617990410751022012-08-26T10:07:00.000-07:002012-08-26T10:07:00.826-07:00The Visitor<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEHfGpubdDA/UDpXZzYoUaI/AAAAAAAAC10/IGjSfBwmXVw/s1600/cutcaster-photo-801014712-Old-African-black-man-with-characterful-face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEHfGpubdDA/UDpXZzYoUaI/AAAAAAAAC10/IGjSfBwmXVw/s320/cutcaster-photo-801014712-Old-African-black-man-with-characterful-face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> (Image taken from: cutcaster.com)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Nghh, ughh. Mm.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Honey?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe cracked the bathroom door as he sat on the toilet. He saw his girlfriend squirming beneath the covers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Charlie horse again, babe?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She shifted and then clapped her hand to her forehead.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Mm…”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Do you need anything?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“No, it’s just…”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Honey?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“It’s just… Harold again.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She drifted back to sleep, making pained, guttural noises from the other room. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe closed the door and stared blankly at the wall.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus. Not again. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He hit the roll of toilet paper angrily. He wrapped it around his hand and wiped his ass. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe and Gladys had been going out for 9 years now. In a few days, he planned on proposing to her (And not chicken out this time). But now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this </i>had to happen? Oh, God. Their relationship had been mostly good with a few break-ups along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they always found one another back in each other’s arms, hoping they didn’t sleep around too much in the interim while they were apart. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But the one thing that was consistent in all the years Joe knew Gladys was that she was haunted in her dreams by a man named Harold.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">By her description of him, he was a tall, black man plagued with pockmarks around his nose. She couldn’t remember ever meeting him in real life. He had sunken in cheeks and greasy black hair, parted to the side. And his eyes were yellow with jaundice. But the part that scared Joe the most about him was his tongue. Whenever Harold talked—and Gladys said his voice was high and garbled like a chicken’s—a red centipede would wiggle between his lips.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe was tired of this crap. He thought it was over. But now, here it was again showing its ugly, pockmarked face.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The doctor said the frequent pain in her legs was merely a Charlie horse since she was always on her feet all day at the hospital. But Gladys believed otherwise, as it was the same pain she remembered having as a child. It was a stiff, cold feeling, “Like icy fingers pushing out from the inside.” </div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe shook his head. He cracked open the door again and saw Gladys still squirming beneath the covers. She was like a snake in the grass. He wanted to wake her but he wouldn’t<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>dare try <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not after the last time he did that. He still had the scar on his wrist as a reminder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two years ago, after some pleading, he finally convinced her to go to a psychiatrist. His name was Dr. Naviello. But that didn’t last long. After she went to a few sessions, she had to stop. Her dreams with Harold were getting ridiculous. She was having them almost every night.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But ever since she stopped seeing Dr. Naviello, Harold had vanished. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a miracle. The longest she had ever gone without him. It—</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Guuuuuuh. AHHHH!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Gladys?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe pulled up his pants and threw open the door in time to see Gladys rip the covers from her legs. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What’s wrong?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He ran to her but stopped and backed away.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Gladys?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even in the slim light, he saw that her eyes were piss yellow. She screamed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe watched her shaking foot and saw her middle toe flip down freakishly as if it were broken. He nearly vomited. A crevice went from her cracked toe to her knee. And then, in one sick motion, her leg split apart like a giant mouth. Joe ran back into the bathroom. He slammed the door behind him and locked it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gladys screamed. Joe covered his ears. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Oh, my God!” She shouted, “Oh, my God! Joeeeey!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bed posts banged against the wall in the other room and Joe stared at the door. He pawed the sink and stumbled across the small space. He slumped into the bathtub. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a tearing noise, like ripping paper and then, footsteps. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They were loud and heavy and they came to the foot of the bathroom door. Joe held his breath. He stared through the crazy shapes made by the shower’s glass door and waited until he couldn’t take it anymore. But when he stood up, the footsteps began to walk away down the stairs. He closed his eyes and heard the front door slam. He let out a sigh of relief but also cried.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let</i> her die. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And Harold was real.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He stood back up and crept out of the bath tub. He cracked open the door and on the other side was a single, jaundiced eye, staring back at him.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joe tried to close the door, but it swung open. Joe screamed, and the tall, black man with the pockmarks screamed with him. With Harold’s mouth wide open, his tongue, a long, red centipede, leapt out of his face and flew into Joe’s mouth. He felt it scrambling around his tongue. It clawed at his teeth and stung his gums. He couldn’t breathe as he fell backward into the glass shower door and banged his head. The last thing he heard was the sound of Harold coughing.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">***</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m tired. So, so tired. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope that poor girl’s alright. The last time I saw her alive she was only a babe. Her father was so nice to me. I worked for him for over 14 years, driving him around the city. He was a good man. Everybody cried at his funeral. And he loved that girl of his. He used to show me pictures of her sometimes. She had such beautiful hair. It was blond. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Damn.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The afterlife is cold and endless. The stars are close here and they sparkle like diamonds. I wonder if they’re angels. They gotta be something. They can’t just be stars. I won’t allow myself to believe they’re just stars. Not after being stuck in that poor girl’s body for all those years. That damn centipede.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It jumped in my mouth and followed me into the afterlife. It brought me to the girl. I don’t know why or how, but it did, and it wouldn’t let me leave. Not until it was ready. And it wasn’t ready for years.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But you want to know the strangest thing about all of this? I actually miss him. I’m happy that I’m free of him, as you didn’t feel like yourself with him in you, but at least he provided me with company.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, I’m all alone.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I can’t get that boy’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eyes</i> out of my head. He looked like he saw a ghost. And I guess that’s what I was to him. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A ghost.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I sure as hell wasn’t a man anymore. Hadn’t been a man in years. Decades, even. Who knows how long?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">God, it’s cold out here. I thought it would be warmer. It was a hell of lot warmer in that poor girl’s legs. But it was tighter, too. I couldn’t breathe. Not ever. It was hell.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All the same, I sure hope she’s okay. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t mean to hurt her. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was that damned centipede. I wonder where he is now.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I kind of miss him. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">***</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gladys lay in a hospital bed. Her lower body was beneath covers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She shifted and groaned. A heart monitor beeped by her bed. She didn’t know where she was.</div><div class="MsoNormal">As her eyes fluttered open, the area spread apart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in front of her like fog drifting. Behind her right eye, she saw what looked like a man looking at her. He felt like Harold but he looked like Joe. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Good morning,” a woman said. Gladys wiped her face.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What happened?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The nurse offered a small, feigned smile and walked by her bedside.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“You had an accident….with your legs. How are you feeling?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gladys shifted and squirmed. Her back itched and her legs were numb. But…she felt different for some reason. Like she just threw up and was completely empty. It was a refreshing feeling, invigorating.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I feel dizzy,” Gladys said.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“That’s normal. Are you in pain?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Yes. My legs.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">The nurse chewed her lower lip.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Well, there’s a morphine button by your bedside.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gladys padded around until she found it and tapped it a few times.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I don’t feel anything.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Give it time. You will. I’ll be back within the hour to turn you over. I’m going to need assistance.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gladys nodded and blinked. The warm embrace of sleep returned to her. She lay her head against the pillow and saw Joe again. He had his head down and looked sad. He opened his mouth and the centipede wiggled between his lips, just as it had with Harold. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just as it had with Harold.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And that was the last she ever saw of the centipede. It was the last she ever saw of Joe, too.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the remainder of that day, she slept. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And she didn’t have any more dreams. </div>Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-47182705086020610162012-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:002012-08-26T10:00:01.392-07:00Lord Imagination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNQhSfyMWMY/UDpVsyNN6bI/AAAAAAAAC1s/EDPeYz3xXWA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-25+at+8.22.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kNQhSfyMWMY/UDpVsyNN6bI/AAAAAAAAC1s/EDPeYz3xXWA/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-08-25+at+8.22.52+PM.png" width="245" /></a></div>Here's another cool picture from my book. I swear, my imagination has taken me to a lot of places. I don't know why I thought to make him to be a villain. Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-76268402950588752822012-08-22T05:56:00.001-07:002012-08-22T05:57:26.169-07:00God Knows What Lines the Devil's Pockets<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWlEJUMNDDk/UDTWuNAIsUI/AAAAAAAAC1E/52g_pqsaw0s/s1600/4wf2PEMO7j-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWlEJUMNDDk/UDTWuNAIsUI/AAAAAAAAC1E/52g_pqsaw0s/s320/4wf2PEMO7j-4.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(Image taken from:drawception.com) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Beelzebub’s eyes flashed once he realized the winning hand he held in his claws. All about him in the caves of Hell, flames erupted from hubcap sized craters in sporadic bursts. The fireballs sprouted from the cavernous floor like palm trees. The screams of the damned echoed in the tiny Poker room, which only had a single felt table in the center and some uncomfortable stools encircling it. This was the full extent of recreation in all of Hell, and only Big Daddy’s top generals could use it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Beelzebub rubbed his unctuous, black hair and leaned back on his stool as if he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didn’t </i>have three Kings and two tens in his possession. He remained as cool as a melting ice cap, which really wasn’t that cool at all, but it would have to suffice. He brought his cards close to his hairy, bare chest and made sure the flies circling his head couldn’t see them. They had terrible Poker faces. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m in,” Azazel said, cackling. He was sitting across from Beelzebub. He scratched his furry neck and clopped his right hoof as he threw down four poker chips. The souls trapped within them banged their fists against the ivory surface of the chips, screaming to be released. Azazel looked up at Beelzebub and smiled, revealing both rows of the baby fingers that were his teeth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He’s bluffing</i>, Beelzebub thought. He watched the fingers in Azazel’s mouth wiggle <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">outwardly</i>. They looked like strands of paper being blown by a fan behind them. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He should learn to keep his damned mouth shut when he bets. </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Whenever Azazel had a good hand, Beelzebub always noticed that the baby fingers would wiggle <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inwardly</i>, as if they were strumming a bass, rather than outwardly. Beelzebub had also always listened to the nervous clopping of Azazel’s right hoof. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your face may be saying yes yes, but your hoof, and your TEETH, don’t lie, boy</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ve got this in the bag.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I fold,” the god known as Ba’al grumbled, sitting to Beelzebub’s left at the circular table. The frog that was on his right shoulder puffed out his chest, while the cat on his left shoulder licked itself. “A lousy game I’m having today, huh, fellas? I’m going to go get a drink. You guys want anything?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m good,” Beelzebub said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll take one,” Azazel said, the baby fingers still wiggling outwardly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What about you, Pazuzu? You want anything?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Naw, I’m good, man. Thanks anyway,” Pazuzu said, sitting to Beelzebub’s right. He was rail thin and his right hand looked like he was waving while his left hand looked like he wanted to slow down traffic, as one hand was up in the air and the other was pointing downward. He hid his cards in his left hand, concealing them underneath the table. If Pazuzu had been better at Poker, the others would have forced him to take off his sunglasses and keep his cards where everybody could see them. But Pazuzu wasn’t the hottest pepper in the enchilada, and they let him play however he pleased. It was the least they could do. After all, Beelzebub and Azazel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did </i>get most of his chips at every hand. The only one at the table who didn’t bet against him was Ba’al, and that was only because he was the nice one. Beelzebub often wondered how Ba’al got to be a general in Big Daddy’s Army in the first place. He probably cheated on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other </i>things, he thought. Like his wife. Or his taxes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Suit yourself.” Ba’al said. He stood up and pushed in his stool. The cat on his right shoulder hissed and Ba’al swatted it on the nose. Once hit, it slapped its lips together as if it had a hair stuck on its tongue and shut up. Ba’al got up and scurried out of the room with his enormous spider legs. When he was gone, Beelzebub nodded at Pazuzu. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alright, so what’s it gonna be, Pazuzu?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Umm,” Pazuzu said, lowering his sunglasses with his scorpion tail to get a better look at his cards, “I think I’ll—um—I think—um—well, let’s see,” he pushed the human souls forward with his tail and then, took them back. Pushed them forward again, and then, took them back again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hurry up already,” Beelzebub said after a time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, hurry up,” Azazel whined, “I’m not even supposed to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">here</i> right now. I was scheduled to work twenty minutes ago.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What</i>?” Pazuzu said with his mouth wide open, “What are you doing here then?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are you, my wife? Come on, just play already. The sooner we get this game over with, the sooner I can get back to work.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beelzebub just shook his head. Azazel was such a flake. One of these days, Big Daddy was going to catch him goofing off and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then </i>where would he be?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You in or you out?” Beelzebub asked Pazuzu again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I fold,” Pazuzu said, dropping his head, “I didn’t have anything anyway.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He laid down his cards and there was a four, a five, a six, a seven, and an eight, mixed about, and all of them diamonds—a straight flush. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both Azazel and Beelzebub’s mouths dropped, but the latter cleared his throat, and the former nodded in recognition.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, uh, tough break,” Beelzebub said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What a lousy hand,” Azazel agreed, “Good thing you didn’t play it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When Ba’al scuttled down the stairs and returned to the room with a two bottles of fire, he looked down at Pazuzu’s cards and nearly dropped the drinks right there on the floor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Holy smokes, you have a—”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With Pazuzu’s head turned, Beelzebub cleared his throat even louder and Azazel shook his head while cutting his hand in front of his throat. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tell me about it,” Pazuzu said in response to Ba’al’s exclamation, “Not even a lousy pair of twos.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beelzebub saw Ba’al’s eyes flash in his direction for a moment, but then, he shook his head. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, that sucks,” Ba’al said while the frog on his right shoulder was making a bubble, “Here’s your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">drink</i>,” he said to Azazel, and when he gave it to him, his low-lidded eyes give an expression of, “Shame on the two of you.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Uh, thanks,” Azazel said, “I owe you one.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You sure do,” Ba’al said, sweeping up his chips, “Hey, Pazuzu, you want to get out of here? I foresee some more bad luck in your future with my infinite wisdom if you stay.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i>?” Pazuzu asked, almost whining, “Aw, man. Well, okay.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He scooped up his chips and they screamed as they fell into his pocket. He headed out with Ba’al, who turned his head only slightly to shake it again at them. Beelzebub could care less. This game had gone on long anyway. They started two hours ago after his shift had ended. Two less demons was a good thing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the two of them walked up the steps and disappeared, Beelzebub brought his cards close to his chest again. His eyes were slits. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I raise you,” he said, tossing in three more souls. They were of much higher value than the paltry ones he threw in earlier. There was a murderer in this pile, as well as his defense lawyer, and also a philanderer as well for good measure. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I see you,” Azazel said, smiling, throwing in three convicts, “And I raise you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i>,” he said. And he tossed in an extremely rare soul—that of a U.S. President.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even the flies around Beelzebub’s head stopped buzzing to take notice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is that?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The one and only,” Azazel said, nodding, “Old Hickory himself, Andrew Jackson. So, do you fold, or what?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beelzebub grew nervous, but steeled himself. Still, the damage had been done. His confidence faltered. He held the cards closer to his chest, not even realizing that he was doing it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Could he really have <u>that</u> good a hand? </i>Beelzebub thought, looking down at his own cards again. He recollected all the times he had played Azazel in games and wondered if he had ever been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> confident before? Dammit, he couldn’t remember! All the games they played in the past were a blur as he sat there, looking at America’s seventh president staring up at him, raising his dukes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But he had a Full House, dammit. A Full House! He just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> to meet his call, even if it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasn’t</i> a bluff. He made his decision just as he saw something that made his eyes pop out of his head. The first thing he saw was the form-fitting black Speedo walking down the stairs. Next, he saw the red torso with the six, six, six pack of abs. Finally, he saw the thick, black horns and black wings, and there was no escaping what he was seeing now. Big Daddy, standing nine feet tall behind Azazel, had his claws balled up into fists. He was not amused.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Azazeeeeeel!” He screamed, and Azazel jumped, “What did I tell you about playing games on company time?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Azazel’s baby finger teeth started to wiggle in disarray as he turned his head.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I, uh,” he stammered. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Just then, Beelzebub, realizing that his friend’s confidence was now shattered, pulled out one of his most prized possessions: His Henry VIII Poker chip. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I call,” Beelzebub said, tapping the crowned head on his chip, “And raise you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Azazel took a quick peek at the chip and then, looked back up at Big Daddy, who shot flames out of his spiked wings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dare </i>turn your head from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> to look at a Poker chip?” Big Daddy bellowed, his serpentine eyes burned like hot coals.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I uh, I,” Azazel stammered, and Beelzebub grinned just a teensy bit. Big Daddy crossed his arms over his incredibly buff chest and pouted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You know what,” Big Daddy said, “Save it. I’m tired of your excuses.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He pushed Azazel’s hands forward and looked at his cards. His pout deepened and his eyes grew lower and colder. The whole room felt about 30 degrees hotter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m going to make you a deal,” Big Daddy said, pulling the cards back up in the trembling hands of Azazel, “If you win this hand,” he said, “Hey, are you listening to me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Huh?” Beelzebub said. His eyes had been focused on Azazel, “Me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, you, dummy,” he said, reaching into a pocket on his tight-fitting Speedo. He pulled out three chips. “If you win this hand, I’ll give you these,” he said, and he flipped the chips in the air and when they stopped spinning on the table, Beelzebub nearly had a heart attack. Lying in front of him were the chips of Adolph Hitler, Pol Pot, and Saddam Hussein. They all looked up at him and scowled. Beelzebub looked up at Big Daddy next. And Big Daddy looked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pissed</i>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I—” Beelzebub said as he looked at the chip and then up at Azazel, whose complexion has gone from wood brown to milk white. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Silence,” Big Daddy said, looking down at Azazel with sheer contempt, “If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> lose, Azazel, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re </i>going to be taking the place of those chips.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beelzebub’s eyes darted over to Azazel, who swallowed a hard rock down his throat. The goat man then looked back up at Beelzebub—his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">friend </i>Beelzebub—and Beelzebub could read the fear on his friend’s face. He didn’t even have to see his teeth wiggle to tell how scared he was. The demon was depressed. Seeing this, Beelzebub had a change of heart. Having the big three evils that were sitting on the table would make him the top dog of demons in Hell. But he couldn’t do that to a friend. Not even one as lazy and as annoying as Azazel. Beelzebub laid his cards face down on the table and lowered his head to Big Daddy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I regretfully decline your offer, my Lord,” he said, “I’m sorry, but I feel—.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s either him, or you,” Big Daddy said curtly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A Full House,” Beelzebub said, flipping his cards over after he heard his ultimatum. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Big Daddy grabbed the cards from Azazel’s hands and flipped them over on the table, “A pair of fours,” he said, “Let’s go, Azazel.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And with a blast of black magic, Azazel poofed into a ball of smoke and ended up wobbling on the table in the form of a Poker chip. Beelzebub could hear his friend screaming as he pounded on the inside of the chip next to Hitler on the table. Not even in his wildest <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dreams </i>had Beelzebub ever imagined seeing one of his buddies in the form of a Poker chip. It meant that it could happen to anybody. Even him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No good, lazy bum,” Big Daddy muttered to himself, picking up the chip and shoving it into his pocket, “You’re going to have to cover his shift now, Beelzebub. Move!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, sir, right away, sir!” Beelzebub said with the image of Azazel still screaming in his head. He shot up from the table and rushed up the steps when he heard Big Daddy calling him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey,” Big Daddy shouted, and Beelzebub jumped.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, sir?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You forgot these,” he said, walking up the steps and handing him the chips he had won.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, yes, sir, thank you, sir,” Beelzebub said, the flies bowing in unison with him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t end up like him,” Big Daddy said, pointing to his own pocket.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, no, sir, I won’t, sir,” he said, standing at attention for at least a few seconds before Big Daddy spun his wrist around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,” he said with flames burning in his eyes, “Get moving!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, sir, right away, sir!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And Beelzebub ran up the steps to the seventh circle of Hell. He was sorry for his friend, but happy that he had a whole bunch of evil souls in his pocket and wasn’t a soul in somebody else’s, let alone Big Daddy’s. Beelzebub could hear his master walking up the steps behind him with the sound of his friend’s screaming coming from the bottom of his Speedo pockets. He wondered if the other Big Daddy up in the clouds had ever done a similar thing with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">His</i> souls. But he tried not to think about that right now. He had a shift to get to, and the last thing he wanted was to be late. He rushed out of Hell’s recreation room. He wondered what Big Daddy’s pockets smelled like. Possibly smoke. Possibly fire. But one thing was certain. He didn’t want to find out. </span></div>Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6054341213459893246.post-12494698290250691832012-08-22T05:45:00.000-07:002012-08-22T05:45:11.246-07:00What Imagination COULD have looked like<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq3PiEbZv5E/UDTTxpUoEUI/AAAAAAAAC0s/_ZHeEaBdiRQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-21+at+1.49.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq3PiEbZv5E/UDTTxpUoEUI/AAAAAAAAC0s/_ZHeEaBdiRQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-08-21+at+1.49.38+PM.png" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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This is an original drawing of Lord Imagination. I told the artist to make him look even uglier and THIS is what he came up with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EamoK5jHBi0/UDTUIjk-byI/AAAAAAAAC00/hWlmrkxtPRo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-21+at+4.57.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EamoK5jHBi0/UDTUIjk-byI/AAAAAAAAC00/hWlmrkxtPRo/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-08-21+at+4.57.19+PM.png" width="282" /></a></div><br />
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Well? What are your thoughts?Rich Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07330948553122919174noreply@blogger.com0