tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49565001795412570032024-03-05T04:16:11.850-05:00The Nameless WritersThis is the posting page for writers who would like to ink a name for themselves in the vast expanse that is the literary kingdom. All work posted on this site is the exclusive intellectual property of the contributing author.
UPDATES USUALLY SUNDAYS.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12303496202120733724noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-40966643237183378112024-01-13T07:42:00.008-05:002024-01-13T07:49:19.158-05:00Blood Friar - Where is he?<p>[Posted by Ted H]</p><br /><br />Life has a way of getting in the way or regular writing. I attempted NaNoWriMo 2023 but after a few days I realized that other things like work and such were gonna be in the way too much to come close to 50K words. But I was still able to pound out the opening to a story, so I figured why not?<br /><br />--------------------------------------------<br /><br />[Blood Friar - Where is he?]<br /><br /> “Where is he?”<br /><br />John gave a slow blink, more as a stall tactic to wake up rather than needing time to think. It had been a late night on a tail job before he finally felt the embrace of his bed. He wasn’t certain for how long he managed to get some sleep before the pounding of the apartment front door disturbed him. He didn’t quite know the time but the color of the sunlight outside suggested it was still much too early in the morning. None of that mattered for Matthew, currently standing on the other side of the slightly ajar front door. <br /><br /> “Where is Blake?” Matthew reiterated his previous question. <br /><br /><div> “I don’t know,” John finally responded “Sometimes I never know. This is one of those times. Shit, just call him up or text him.” Matthew made a huff. “Think I hadn’t tried that already?” he asked. “Ah,” John responded, “And here I was thinking it was only me he ignored.” Matthew rolled his eyes and mumbled to himself. John considered his options, and upon figuring that he’d never be able to get back to sleep at this point, shrugged and opened the front door more. “Care to come in?” he asked with only a hint of sincerity and mostly sarcasm. He figured that if Matthew was calling out in person, then it was either about a job or how Blake had stirred up a hornet's nest. Either way, John wanted the details. <br /><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span> Matthew usually had better things to do, but after a moment to ponder, he gave a shrug and walked inside. “Any idea when he’ll be back?” he asked as he let John close the door and lead the way to the kitchen. “I don’t even know when he left,” John said, “Sometimes Blake is a total enigma, but he usually turns up before long.”<br /><br /> “Such close roommates,” Matthew commented as he took a seat at the kitchen table. “He has his odd jobs,” John responded, “And other...personal projects,” he gave a knowing smirk at that last part, “And I have my private investigator side hustle to keep myself occupied in between our big jobs.” As he talked, John searched for a clean coffee cup to offer Matthew. He already knew there would be coffee in the pot to pour; Blake was always very meticulous about having coffee at the ready, day or night.<br /><br /> “Is that what you were up to?” Matthew asked as he gestured to John’s attire. John glanced down at his wrinkled T-shirt and jeans he had slept in after his late night. Matthew, of course, was dressed very astutely in finely ironed dress clothes, complete with a vest that added to his college professor look. “Yeah,” he said half-heartedly as he poured a cup of coffee and placed it in front of his guest. “Some twenty-something girl hired me to check out her new boyfriend. Make sure he wasn’t hiding a secret family from her.”<br /><br /> “And she’s that paranoid, yet lazy, that she’d hire a private eye to make sure?”<br /><br /> “I don’t question it. I just take their money.”<br /><br /> “Say no more,” Matthew said with a grin as he glanced at his cup. “Is this cold?” he wondered. “Probably,” John answered, “We had a hotplate, but Blake broke it. I can microwave it if you’d like. I forget sometimes since Blake could chug it hot or cold.”<br /><br /> “How do you two function? You can’t possibly live hand-to-mouth.”<br /><br /> John shrugged as he pondered a cup of coffee for himself. “Oh,” he remembered “Neither of us use cream, but we might have milk if you need it.”<br /><br /> “This is fine,” Matthew quickly said, not sure if he should take any more chances with his drink. But curiosity got the better of him as he asked “No cream?”<br /><br /> “Well, I drink it black. Blake only needs sugar.”<br /><br /> “Blake doesn’t strike me as a guy who needs sweeteners in his drink,” Matthew observed with a smile.<br />“Depends on his mood,” John opined, “But I lose track of where he stashes his supply, so you’re stuck with cold and black.”<br /><br /> “There’s a poor taste joke in there.”<br /><br /> “Probably,” John said as he pulled his own mug out and emptied the rest of the coffee pot into it, then setting up a new batch. He didn’t want to hear it (again) from Blake if he left the pot empty.<br /><br /> “So,” Matthew said after a bitter sip of his cup, attempting to get off the topic of coffee “Did your night bare any revelations? Or was your client just a paranoid girl who needs to learn to trust?”<br /><br /> “Not quite ready to call a conclusion to this guy,” John conceded “Some people appear innocent but will always show you the truth if you watch them long enough.”<br /><br /> “And how much have you seen of him?”<br /><br /> “Some,” John shrugged as he said, “Last night he did a rare social night. Place to place, nothing crazy, but I did see him hanging predominantly with a female friend. Gonna have to look into that a little more before I report back to my client with a final analysis.”<br /><br /> “Sounds thorough,” Matthew commented.<br /><br /> “Well, I can half ass it and just say he’s got a female friend that she didn’t inform me about, or I can follow up and have a definitive description of those two to report back on.”<br /><br /> “Hope she’s the patient type.”<br /><br /> “As long as it takes,” John said, repeating the instruction his client gave him when she hired him.<br /><br /> “So, if you were to become suddenly preoccupied with something else, then your client wouldn’t mind the wait?”<br /><br /> Usually how it rolls in my line of work,” John said as he took a drink of cold coffee and put the mug down, “Which I assume is where you come in with why you’re looking for Blake.”<br /><br /> “Consultation,” Matthew said, “Requested by a cop, which you know means most people in our business shy away from for valid reasons.”<br /><br /> “A cop?” John asked, “You sure this isn’t a trap or a sting operation to get Blake arrested?”<br /><br /> “The cop has been looked into. I would never refer a client if it were suspicious. Besides, has Blake done anything where law enforcement would be looking for him?”<br /><br /> “I mean, not that I know, but Blake always maintains that there is no defense quite like plausible deniability.”<br /><br /> “Look, I don’t know about any current warrants for Blake, but *this* cop is not looking to arrest him...yet.”<br /><br /> “So, a cop needs help and you point him in our direction based on history?”<br /><br /> “No,” Matthew corrected, “This cop is asking around for help and asked for Blake by name. Enough people want nothing to do with the police and instead referred him, especially since he works with ex-police.”<br /><br /> Well then, I guess my reputation can help almost as much as it hurts.”<br /><br /> “Which now brings us back to my original issue,” Matthew said after another attempt to sip his coffee before pushing his mug away. “When will Blake be back?”<br /><br /> “When he turns up, I’ll pass along your ‘consultation’ message,” John reasoned, “He’ll reach out to you, and we’ll go from there.”<br /><br /> “No, this can’t wait,” Matthew said, “That cop is on his way out here now.”<br /><br /> “Well shit, I don’t know what to tell you.”<br /><br /> “Where could he be?”<br /><br /> “A number of places. Some of them we can’t just walk right into either.”<br /><br /> “What are the likeliest places?”<br /><br /> “Bed. But his coat hasn’t been tossed by the front door, so he sure as hell ain’t home.”<br /><br /> “He didn’t sleep in his clothes like you did after sneaking home while you were asleep?”<br /><br /> “He’d have been lured out by now by the smell of the fresh coffee I’m making.”<br /><br /> “Where could he have gone last night?”<br /><br /> “Bars, likely. Though not at any of the bars my target was frequenting last night, or at least not at the same times.”<br /><br /> “Where can we check real quick for him?”<br /><br /> “Real quick? How much time do we have, anyway?”<br /><br /> Matthew checked his watch and bit his lip. “This is fucking stupid,” John declared without waiting for Matthew to answer, “Tell this cop to come by when we find Blake.”<br /><br /> “He can’t just swing by Syracuse any time,” Matthew defended.<br /><br /> John groaned and rubbed his eyes. The two men sat in silence for a moment before John finally said, “I’ll meet him, then.”<br /><br /> “He wants to meet Blake,” Matthew countered.<br /><br /> “Did you explain to him that Blake is not a solo act?”<br /><br /> “Not exactly an apples to apples kind of partnership.”<br /><br /> “You know what I mean, though,”<br /><br /> “He asked for Blake. That’s the name associated with the paranormal. Believe me, if anyone ever requests John Praque by name, I won’t direct them to anyone else.”<br /><br /> “Well, unless Blake stumbles through that door in the next five minutes, we don’t have many other options now, do we?”<br /><br /> “Even when that man isn’t around me, I still get headaches from him,” Matthew complained as he stroked his bearded chin before finally relenting to John’s solution. “Fine, you’ll meet him in place of Blake.” He then looked around the kitchen. “Just not here.”<br /><br /> “What’s wrong with the apartment?” John asked, “We kinda keep it clean.”<br /><br /> “What if he wants cream in his coffee?” Matthew countered.<br /><br /> “True,” John admitted “Better head to Denny’s.”<br /><br /> “Seriously?”<br /><br /> “It also happens to be one of the most likely places to find a missing Blake,” John added.<br /><br /> Matthew nodded to that point. “Alright, then,” he announced as he rose from his seat, “I’ll advise the cop where to go and you can take it from there, assuming you don’t find Blake in the next hour.”<br /><br /> “Word,” John said as he remained seated and toasted with his mug before taking a drink.<br /><br /> “You are planning to change clothes, though, right?” Matthew finally asked.<br /><br /> “Why?” John asked, ignoring the wrinkled mess of his day-old attire.”<br /><br /> “Would it kill either of you to at least pretend to be professional?Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-13395226671003104302023-10-01T20:29:00.002-04:002023-10-01T20:31:10.886-04:00The 2023 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards[Posted by Ted H]<div><br /></div><div>The rule changes suck. Shortening the games for the sake of low-attention-span people who still don't care about baseball. Wanna shorten the games? Put a time limit on commercial breaks.<br /><br />Also the sponsor patches on every uniform is sacrilege, especially on the Yankees uniforms.<br />---------------------------------------------</div><div><br /> [The 2021 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards]<br />These are the awards you DON'T want to win.<br /><br /><br />The "AL Central Needs to Disband" Award<br />Awarded to the crappiest division in baseball<br />[Previous winners: 2009 AL Central, 2010 AL West, 2011 AL Central, 2012 AL Central, 2013 AL West, 2014 NL East, 2015 NL East, 2016 AL Central, 2017 NL East, 2018 AL Central, 2019 AL Central, 2020 NL East, 2022 AL Central]<br /><br />---The American League Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals---<br /><br />Formerly the "Orioles Would Rather Play in this Division" Award, I decided to rename it in honor of the division that is so awful that they've wont he award collectively more than 50% of the time. The AL East is a beast, and ever other division has the occasional off year, but the AL Central is so consistently bad that no one takes their champion seriously. Hell, the Twins have a legendary losing streak in the postseason. The Central was bad again this year, where the last place team in the AL East at times would lead the Central. That shows how good all 5 teams int he East were this season (until the Red Sox crapped out under .500 and died) but the Central leaders were so "Meh" that no one expects them to go anywhere in October.<br /><br />--------------<br /><br />The "What the Hell Happened to You?" Award<br />Awarded to the team that fell off the map when they were supposed to be contenders<br />[Previous winners: 2009 New York Mets, 2010 Seattle Mariners, 2011 Cincinnati Reds, 2012 Miami Marlins, 2013 California Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2014 Milwaukee Brewers, 2015 Seattle Mariners, 2016 Kansas City Royals, 2017 New York Mets, 2018 Washington Nationals, 2019 Boston Red Sox, 2021 Los Angeles Angels, 2022 San Francisco Giants]<br /><br />---The New York Mets---<br /><br />The Mets went the classic Yankees route this season where they threw ungodly amounts of money to put together a team to get them into the playoffs and World Series. They even retained the old Yankee manager Buck Showalter in hopes that he could continue a resurgence for Queens not unlike the mid-90s Yankees that went on to be a dynasty.<br /><br />Instead the Mets did what the Mets do and were a total mess.<br />Perhaps the Mets will learn why the Yankees changed up their skipper before that dynasty.<br /><br />----------<br /><br />The "Shut Your God Damn Mouth" Award<br />Awarded to whoever talked too much without backing it up<br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago Cubs, 2010 MLB Network, 2011 Carlos Zambrano (CHC), 2012 Boston Red Sox, 2013 Jordany Valdespin (NYM), 2014 Keith Olberman (ESPN), 2015 Boston Red Sox, 2016 Boston Red Sox fans, 2017 Yasiel Puig (LAD), 2018 San Francisco Giants, 2019 Brodie Van Wagenen (NYM), 2020 Houston Astros, 2021 New York Mets, 2022 Tim Anderson (CWS)]<br /><br />---Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox---<br /><br />Yes, Jackie Robinson himself shall win the award in back to back years. Reality caught up hard with Mr. Anderson. He went a whole calendar year without a homer, but he still strut around like he was any good. He faked his way onto Team USA for the WBC, and was exposed so bad that people played out of position at SS just to cover for his ineptitude in the lineup. But as bad as Anderson was in 2023, it could've all been ignored as far as this award is concerned if he simply learned to shut the fuck up.<br />But he couldn't.</div><div>And as I predicted last year, he indeed got his ass laid out. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsiAzZW-CL0" target="_blank">"Down goes Anderson!"</a> is now the only thing he will be known for (if at all) long into the future. And I'm all for it. In that moment, we all wanted to be Jose Ramirez.<br /><br />-----------------<br /><br />The "This Years Miracle, Next Years Indians" Award<br />Awarded to the team that made a surprise playoff run this year, and will fall short next year<br />[Previous winners: 2009 Colorado Rockies, 2010 Tampa Bay Rays, 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Baltimore Orioles, 2013 Cleveland Indians, 2014 Kansas City Royals, 2015 Houston Astros, 2016 Cleveland Indians, 2017 Minnesota Twins, 2018 Oakland Athletics, 2019 St Louis Cardinals, 2021 San Francisco Giants, 2022 Tampa Bay Rays]<br /><br />---The Houston Astros---<br /><br />The end is happening for the cheating Trashtros. They'll stumble their way into October, but the AL West is overtaking them. The Rangers made huge strides and the Mariners are proving their recent success wasn't a flash in the pan. Ego alone won't sustain the Astros like it's done for the Yankees and Dodgers. Those two have histories of actual clean success to fall back on. All the Astros have are trash cans and buzzers. The end is here, and all of baseball is rejoicing.<br /><br />-----------------------<br /><br />The "This Years Phillies, Next Years Miracle" Award<br />Awarded to a team that sucked this year, but can make a run next year<br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago White Sox, 2010 Chicago White Sox, 2011 Washington Nationals, 2012 Seattle Mariners, 2013 New York Yankees, 2014 Chicago Cubs, 2015 Detroit Tigers, 2016 New York Yankees, 2017 San Francisco Giants, 2018 Philadelphia Phillies, 2019 Toronto Blue Jays, 2021 Cincinnati Reds, 2022 Cincinnati Reds]<br /><br />---The New York Yankees---<br /><br />This is the easiest prediction in sports. The Yankees never finish below .500 and on their off years, they come back with a vengeance the following season. They barely avoided a losing season and instead barely continued their run of winning seasons (2nd longest in baseball history. In case you're wondering, the Yankees also own the longest winning season streak) So even if we only know that Judge and Cole will be back and the rest of the roster is up int he air, you know the Yankees will storm back ot the top of the division next season.<br />(But if Boone is still managing, God forbid, then everything I predicted is null and void)<br /><br />-----------------------<br /><br />The "AAA Team In Disguise" Award<br />Awarded to a team that might have better luck in AAA<br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nationals, 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011 Boston Red Sox, 2012 Houston Astros, 2013 Miami Marlins, 2014 Texas Rangers, 2015 Philadelphia Phillies, 2016 Minnesota Twins, 2017 Detroit Tigers, 2018 Miami Marlins, 2019 Detroit Tigers, 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2022 Oakland A's]<br /><br />---The Oakland A’s---<br /><br />Everything I said last year still stands this year about Oakland. But what sealed the deal is how they laid down and died for a perfect game pitched by an alcoholic.<br /><br />-------------------------<br /><br />The "Dull Knife in the Drawer" Award<br />Awarded to the biggest mental error this year<br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nati(o)nals, 2010 Barak Obama, 2011 Brian Sabean (SF), 2012 Derek Norris (OAK), 2013 Mark Pagnozzi (HOU), 2014 Michael Pineda (NYY), 2015 Arte Moreno (LAA), 2016 Buster Posey (SFG), David Price (BOS), 2018 Gary Sanchez (NYY), 2019 Brandon Drury/Teoscar Hernandez (TOR), 2020 Jo Adell (LAA), 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2022 Detroit Tigers]<br /><br />---The Entire Boston Red Sox Defense---<br /><br />It's been a bad bad bad year for the Red Sox. Little League home runs are always entertaining, and usually involve a certain level of ineptitude of the defense, but here the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuUvJK7Hfvk&list=FLFygSzvap7NIL2EwnLxOMwQ&index=10" target="_blank">Red Sox elevated the poor defense to an art form</a>. Everyone on defense messed up. Everyone. I've never seen a team field a defense full of designated hitters before. <br /><br />--------------------------<br /><br />The "Results May Vary" Award<br />Awarded to a player/team that didn't live up to the hype<br />[Previous winners: 2010 Stephen Strasburg (WAS), 2011 Carl Crawford (BOS), 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays, 2014 Boston Red Sox, 2015 Robinson Cano (SEA), 2016 San Diego Padres, 2017 Eric Thames (MIL), 2018 Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 2019 Bryce Harper (PHI), 2020 Mike Trout (LAA), 2021 Pitchers, 2022 Los Angeles Angels]<br /><br />---The Los Angeles Angels---<br /><br />Ohtani in a contract year. This was suppose to be the year the Angels pull out all the stops and finally get it together for a playoff push. And as usual, they start off alright and give hope. That hope is usually followed by a swift collapse. This year however they dragged out the hope to around the trade deadline. If this was a normal year where the Angels were out by July, they could've traded Ohtani and landed a serious haul for the future. Instead the Angels went all in and were buyers at the deadline.<br />Then the usual collapse happened. This time with added hilarity.<br />Trout got hurt (again) then they players they brought in turned into lemons. Then for added insult, Ohtani got hurt too (also again). The season wasn't over ear and he already cleaned out his locker, that doesn't bode well for any hope of retaining him when the free agency season begins. <br /><br />-----------------------<br /><br />The "Ozzie Kind of Crazy" Award<br />Awarded to the manager who had the most entertaining season to watch<br />[Previous winners: 2012 Bobby Valentine (BOS), 2013 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2014 Kirk Gibson (ARI), 2015 Matt Williams (WAS), 2016 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2017 Brad Ausmus (DET), 2018 Kevin Cash (TB), 2019 Aaron Boone (NYY), 2021 Aaron Boone (NYY)]<br /><br />---Buck Showalter of the New York Mets---<br /><br />I alluded to Showalter's time with the Yankees earlier. It is not a unique time in his career. Buck can come in and make a bad team good, even good enough to reach the playoffs, but those teams will never be great, and eventually they will regress back to bad. The Yankees were terrible in the early 90s and Buck turned them into a Wild Card team, then the Yankees fired him and brought in Joe Torre and the rest is history. The Diamondbacks then made Showalter their first ever manager and he took an awful expansion team and turned them into division champs in 1999. Then they sucked again in 2000 and Buck got another pink slip. He worked the same magic years later with Baltimore and they'd even get him into his first ever Championship Series, but the Orioles regressed to terrible and he wouldn't be retained.<br />And now the Mets. He came, he took them from bad to good, failed in October, then they regressed back to bad and he got fired.<br />The teams may change, but Buck Showalter stays the same.<br /><br />---------------------<br /><br />The "Go Stand in the Corner!" Award<br />Awarded to the most standout suspension of the season<br />[Previous winners: 2013 Ryan Braun (MIL), 2014 Alex Rodriguez (NYY), 2015 Jonathan Papelbon (WAS), 2016 Rougned Odor (TEX), 2017 Austin Romine (NYY), 2018 Ken Giles (HOU), 2019 Clint Fraizer (NYY), 2020 Joe Kelly (LAD), 2021 Coronavirus, 2022 Myles Straw (CLE)]<br /><br />---Domingo German of the New York Yankees---<br /><br />Crime: Being an Alcoholic<br />Time: GTFO<br /><br />What a crazy year for German. He just barely edged out himself for this award as well, when he was ejected for not washing his hands after using the bathroom. He then went on to pitch a perfect game, but that won't be the most notable accomplishment in his career. Already with a major suspension in his career for domestic abuse, the Yankees shoved his ass onto the restricted list for going on a drunken rampage in the clubhouse. He may or may not have tried to punch Aaron Boone, but we'll let that slide since a majority of Yankees fans also want to punch Boone.<br /><br />----------------------<br /><br />The "Just Retire Already!" Award<br />Awarded to the player on the wrong side of their prime<br />[Previous winner: 2015 Bartolo Colon (NYM), 2016 Alex Rodriguez (FA), 2017 Bartolo Colon (MIN), 2018 Felix Hernandez (SEA), 2019 Chris Davis (BAL), 2021 Justin Verlander (HOU), 2022 Nelson Cruz (WAS)]<br /><br />---Angel Hernandez---<br /><br />I almost revived my umpire award for this one, but Angel Hernandez has been doing such a bad job as umpire that even Joe West is getting offended. just go to youtube and type his name in and you'll be buried with results from just this season of missed call after missed call. And of course the number of times a player freaks out at his bad calls and get the ejection because on top of being a terrible umpire, Angel Hernandez has no desire to be confronted when players call him out on being terrible. Hernandez needs to go.</div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-40354108621614177642023-03-12T19:26:00.002-04:002023-03-12T19:26:16.609-04:00The Floor<p>[Posted by Ted H]</p><p>Well it's certainly been a while here, hasn't it?<br />I have no excuses. So instead enjoy something I cobbled together recently...</p><p><br /></p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>[The Floor]</p><p>Dancing like drunks<br />Spewing fire from the soul<br />Hand in hand to comfort<br />with you, together on the floor.</p><p>No words are ever needed<br />exchanging essays with our eyes<br />Just a slight squeeze to remind you<br />I'm here, with you on the floor.</p><p>Your world is spinning<br />Just hold on to me<br />Even if you won't leave him<br />Not alone, here on the floor.</p><p>They'll try to lift me from you<br />That betrayal in your eyes<br />I'll push off all aid and never <br />leave you, it's us on the floor.</p><p>I feel that you know it<br />We can stand all on our own<br />Is it fear that makes you stay<br />so prone, all on the floor?</p><p>Your hand slips from mine<br />Lifted by an other<br />But you stay so reassuring<br />to me, it's still us on the floor.</p><p>And yet I feel you fading<br />you're eyes won't look at mine<br />Have I served my purpose?<br />as company, just on the floor?</p><p>Blissfully walk away<br />Though I stayed here just for you<br />Contemplating unspoken truths<br />All alone, on the floor</p><p>No one left to help me<br />from this spot, on the floor.</p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-48585626779249768222022-12-11T12:37:00.011-05:002022-12-11T12:44:00.608-05:00Little Ghost - The Next Night[Posted by Ted H]<br /><br />NaNoWriMo 2022 was a crash n burn. How about an update on a more successful attempt from years passed?<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />[Little Ghost - The Next Night]<br /><br /> Back at the underground shelter, there were a couple faces that weren't there last night already mingling with Mike, Jamal and Bill. They barely reacted to the arrivals as they were engrossed in their own activities. Kristina found it nice and uncomfortable at the same time. Just a day ago she was the wide-eyed newcomer that everyone wanted to help break in, now she seemed to be just another regular. <br /><br />Mike was arguing about song lyrics with a skinny girl on a black and white striped hoodie that had sleeves that ran long to conceal her hands. He was back on top of the bunk like last night while the girl stood below him. She talked in a controlled, non-interested way to contrast Mike’s slowly escalating demeaner which at times even had him flail his arms around as he talked. The girl would crack the occasional smile and even said things intentionally wrong just to bring about the exaggerated reactions from Mike. Kristina couldn't help but laugh at how despite being around so long, Mike was forever locked into the psyche and oblivious mindset of an immature teenager. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><div><br /></div>Jamal was meanwhile regaling to a petite older woman a tale of a successful drive by shooting he had orchestrated. Kristina wasn’t interested in what Jamal had to say about the people he shot at, but the woman seemed locked in, yet her eyes seemed glazed over at the same time, almost as if she didn’t have a clue what she as listening to. Jamal didn’t seem to mind as he performed his tale for the woman, making finger-guns with his hands and pretending he was actually driving a car while sitting in the bed next to the woman. <br /><br />Bill was back at his desk in the back, turning through pages in a notebook and scribbling things down on the occasional page. Most of his business suit was gone now, save for a white undershirt he still wore and the pants. The jacket was now draped over the chair he sat in. Kristina marveled at his simple change in attire.<br /><br />“Uh oh,” Ricky announced as Kristina turned to see him watching her “You got that look.” <br /><br />“What look?” Kristina asked.“You’re trying to wrap your mind around something again.” <br /><br />“It’s just...” Kristina began as she looked down on herself. She wasn’t ashamed at what she wore: comfortable jeans, sneakers and a cute top that hinted at her cleavage yet give a more slimming look to the stomach fat that she carried. Not the worst set of clothes to wear around for eternity, but there were much better options for her, had she known that last night would be her last opportunity to dress. <br /><br />“There’s really no changing our clothes, it there?” she finally said to Ricky. <br /><br />“Afraid not,” Ricky said with a shrug and a comforting smile “Just be glad you didn’t die naked.” <br /><br />“You know, when I was a child, I just thought ghosts were always naked.<br /><br />“The afterlife would be so much more exciting that way!” <br /><br />“Who is she?” the striped hoodie girl asked, catching Kristina and Ricky off guard. Before with could answer, Mike interjected himself back in “That’s Kristina Car Crash. I told you before about the newbie.” <br /><br />“I wasn't paying attention,” she responded “Or I was and forgot 10 seconds later, like with everything you say.” <br /><br />“You’re lucky I was dead before you were born. I’d put you in an unmarked grave, I swear.” <br />“Ok, killer,” she said sarcastically as she walked over to Kristina “Car crash, eh? Sucks.”<div> <br /><br />“I’ve been told,” Kristina responded as the two eyed each other cautiously. <br /><br />“Don’t talk to her!” Mike called from atop his bunk after lying to face the ceiling “She’s a suicide.” <br /><br />“Fuck off, child molester!” the suicide called back. She turned to reveal two middle fingers from her sleeves while Kristina looked to Ricky. “Why shouldn’t I talk to her? Or is Mike just being a dick?” she asked. Ricky made a face and shrugged. “Suicides are...a touchy group,” he responded. The girl heard and looked back to them. <br /><br />“It’s a bunk rap, I assure you,” she said with a half-smile “All the harm was done to myself, what’s the problem with that?” <br /><br />“It’s an affront to God,” Kristina responded instinctively, then closed her eyes and regretted it. She didn’t want to lead on that she was religious, lest someone somehow determine that she wasn’t the same kind of evil soul they were. <br />“Oh, it’s another bible thumper?” the girl asked.<div> <br /><br />“No no no no no,” Kristina corrected quickly “I mean, my mom pushed a lot of bible stuff when I was little, but it was in one ear out the other mostly.” <br /><br />“Except the part about suicides?” <br /><br />“Well...” Kristina trailed off, trying to figure how to pull her foot out of her mouth this time. <br /><br />“If my suicide offends God, so be it. He didn’t seem to care much for me in life, so I don’t see why my death has to be on his terms.” <br /><br />“I...None of us here are in a position to judge, right?” Kristina finally relented. <br /><br />“Exactly!” the girl cheered “Emily Suicide. Pleased to meet you, car crash girl.” <br /><br />“It’s just Kristina.” <br /><br />“Was it a big crash? How many died with ya?” <br /><br />“Nobody else...I think,” Kristina turned to Ricky hoping her would bail her out or hijack the conversation, but he was just an interested in her answer. “My boyfriend, he lived, or at least that’s what I’ve been told.” <br /><br />“Who drove?” Ricky asked. <br /><br />“He usually does.” <br /><br />“Usually?” Emily asked with a raised eyebrow. <br /><br />“I don’t remember,” Kristina said “We were partying. I was drinking. The crash happened and the next thing I know I’m dying in the ambulance.” <br /><br />“So that’s how you got away!” Ricky said “Your Reaper was probably at the crash site thinking ‘Where the fuck did this bitch go?’ while you rode away.”<br /><br />“Ambulance buddies!” Emily announced “I died in one, too!” <br /><br />“I don’t remember much from the ambulance though,” Kristina admitted. <br /><br />“Oh fuck, I passed out before the ambulance part,” Emily said “I didn’t know what was going on until I looked down to see some black woman trying to bring my body back to life.” <br /><br />“You left your body in the ambulance?” Kristina said confused “How come I was in the hospital when I finally got up?” <br /><br />“It varies,” Bill clarified from his desk in the back “Just another variable that makes it a tough job.” <br /><br />“Cry me a river, Bill!” Emily spat “Don’t feel sorry for him. He gets to enjoy life. Eat, drink, smoke, fuck. You name it and Bill here, like every Reaper, still gets it.” <br /><br />“So unfair,” Kristina said as she and Emily shook their heads at Bill, who turned away from them as they giggled. <br /><br />They were still giggling when Clifford and Sammy entered. “There a joke I missed?” Clifford asked. “It wouldn’t be as funny a second time,” Emily said as Clifford shrugged and looked to Kristina. “How we feeling after an entire day as the dead?” he asked.<div><br /></div>“About as horrible as I felt yesterday,” Kristina responded. <br /><br />“Yeah, it won’t get easier,” Clifford said with a smile as he walked on to where Bill was. <br /><br />“Oh!” Sammy exclaimed with a smile “It’s my favorite ladies!” <br /><br />“He says that to every woman,” Emily assured Kristina “Like he thinks it’s still possible to get inside a girl’s pants.” <br /><br />“Old habits never die,” Sammy responded as he tailed behind Clifford and winked at the other woman “What’s up Frenchie!” <br /><br />“Salut!” the woman said in a sweet tone before she blindly returned her attention to Jamal who never stopped his story. “Frenchie?” Kristina questioned. “Aimee,” Emily said “Montreal girl. Doesn’t speak English.”<br /><br />“But she’s been chatting with Jamal...” Kristina said puzzled. “Jamal’s been talking to her,” Emily clarified “She’s just been interested in his retarded pantomiming.” Jamal gave her a quick middle finger.</div></div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-77330372563057003482022-10-16T20:44:00.002-04:002022-10-16T20:44:28.289-04:00The 2022 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards<div>[Posted by Ted H]</div><div><br /></div>Holy crap, hey there! Where was I? Let's not talk about it. NaNoWriMo is coming and I'm fully committed to failing that again.<br /><br />-----------------------------------------<br /><br /><b> [The 2021 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards] </b><br /><br /><b>These are the awards you DON'T want to win. </b><br /><br /> <br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">The "Orioles Would Rather Play In This Division" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the crappiest division in baseball </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 AL Central, 2010 AL West, 2011 AL Central, 2012 AL Central, 2013 AL West, 2014 NL East, 2015 NL East, 2016 AL Central, 2017 NL East, 2018 AL Central, 2019 AL Central, 2021 NL East] <br /><br /><b>---The American League Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals--- </b><br /><br />Most divisions this year were pretty competent, so the bar was higher. AL Central featured just one team above .500 while Cleveland was never really in much danger of losing own on the crown. Don’t lie to me and think that the White Sox actually stood a chance...<br /> <br />-------------- <br /> <br /><u><b>The "What the Hell Happened to You?" Award </b></u><br /><i>Awarded to the team that fell off the map when they were supposed to be contenders </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 New York Mets, 2010 Seattle Mariners, 2011 Cincinnati Reds, 2012 Miami Marlins, 2013 California Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2014 Milwaukee Brewers, 2015 Seattle Mariners, 2016 Kansas City Royals, 2017 New York Mets, 2018 Washington Nationals, 2019 Boston Red Sox, 2021 Los Angelese Angels] <br /><br /><b>---The San Francisco Giants--- </b><br /><br />I get it when a team wins an ungodly number of games in one season, that a certain amount of regression is to be expected. But going from well over 100 wins to a sad .500 team is another thing entirely. The Giants were expected to compete and not be on the outside looking in come October. The Dodgers were on another level this year, so no one blames you for not winning the division, but to not even crack a wild card spot when the playoffs have been expended to accommodate almost half the league is inexcusable in a one-year turnaround. <br /> <br />I know I correctly predicted that they’d regress to the mean this season, but 81-81 is below the mean and drilling to rock bottom. <br /> <br />---------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Shut Your God Damn Mouth" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to whoever talked too much without backing it up </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago Cubs, 2010 MLB Network, 2011 Carlos Zambrano (CHC), 2012 Boston Red Sox, 2013 Jordany Valdespin (NYM), 2014 Keith Olberman (ESPN), 2015 Boston Red Sox, 2016 Boston Red Sox fans, 2017 Yasiel Puig (LAD), 2018 San Francisco Giants, 2019 Brodie Van Wagenen (NYM), 2020 Houston Astros] <br /><br /><b>---Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox---</b><br /> <br />The dude previously compared himself to Jackie Robinson. That alone warrants a lifetime achievement award in this category. I should rename the award to the “Tim Anderson kind of retarded” award. <br />But it gets better. Every time someone crosses Anderson now, he cried bigotry and racism as why someone would call him out. Anderson is an overrated player who gets promoted because of woke politics and not ability, and he really needs to shut his God damn mouth before someone beans him with a pitch to the head or runs him over on the bases. He’ll deserve either punishment. <br /> <br />----------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "This Years Miracle, Next Years Indians" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to the team that made a surprise playoff run this year, and will fall short next year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Colorado Rockies, 2010 Tampa Bay Rays, 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Baltimore Orioles, 2013 Cleveland Indians, 2014 Kansas City Royals, 2015 Houston Astros, 2016 Cleveland Indians, 2017 Minnesota Twins, 2018 Oakland Athletics, 2019 St Louis Cardinals, 2021 San Francisco Giants]<br /> <br /><b>---The Tampa Bay Rays--- </b><br /><br />I feel bad here. The Rays are on a downward trend. The AL East this year was beastly (except the Red Sox) and the Rays hung in there. They managed to make the playoffs, but everyone knew they weren’t going anywhere. However, people see the Rays come up short year after year but they’re hypnotized into thinking that Tampa Bay will just flip the switch the next season and run away with the division. <br />No, that’s not happening. The Rays are cooked. The Yankees are the Yankees and the Blue Jays are gonna outgrow their rookies' mistakes...and now the Orioles are threatening. <br /> <br />----------------------- <br /> <br /><u><b>The "This Years Phillies, Next Years Miracle" Award </b></u><br /><i>Awarded to a team that sucked this year, but can make a run next year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago White Sox, 2010 Chicago White Sox, 2011 Washington Nationals, 2012 Seattle Mariners, 2013 New York Yankees, 2014 Chicago Cubs, 2015 Detroit Tigers, 2016 New York Yankees, 2017 San Francisco Giants, 2018 Philadelphia Phillies, 2019 Toronto Blue Jays, 2021 Cincinnati Reds] <br /><br /><b>---The Cincinnati Reds--- </b><br /><br />Well, I swung and missed last year with this prediction, so let’s double down! The Reds started off putrid to start the season, so the fact that they only lost 100 games this year is a testament to how they tried to rebound. Will they turn it around next season to threaten the playoffs? I’m not too sure on that, but of all the cellar dwelling teams this year, I feel the Reds can improve most of them all. They certainly can’t get worse. <br /> <br />----------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "AAA Team In Disguise" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to a team that might have better luck in AAA </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nationals, 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011 Boston Red Sox, 2012 Houston Astros, 2013 Miami Marlins, 2014 Texas Rangers, 2015 Philadelphia Phillies, 2016 Minnesota Twins, 2017 Detroit Tigers, 2018 Miami Marlins, 2019 Detroit Tigers, 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates] <br /><br /><b>---The Oakland A’s--- </b><br /><br />I’m convinced that the A’s are just stalling for their move out of Oakland and into whatever new city that they can get, be it Vegas or wherever. Until then the organization certainly doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to get out of last place. <br /><br />------------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Dull Knife in the Drawer" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to the biggest mental error this year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nati(o)nals, 2010 Barak Obama, 2011 Brian Sabean (SF), 2012 Derek Norris (OAK), 2013 Mark Pagnozzi (HOU), 2014 Michael Pineda (NYY), 2015 Arte Moreno (LAA), 2016 Buster Posey (SFG), David Price (BOS), 2018 Gary Sanchez (NYY), 2019 Brandon Drury/Teoscar Hernandez (TOR), 2020 Jo Adell (LAA), 2021 Pittsburgh Pirates] <br /><br /><b>---The Entire Detroit Tigers Defense---</b><br /> <br />Man, oh man, both teams are pretty special (ed) in this situation. The Twins try to run themselves into outs while the Tigers just plain forget how to baseball. Two bad teams always seem to entertain as much as two great teams. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jkaJKJdNVI&list=FLFygSzvap7NIL2EwnLxOMwQ&index=2&t=428s" target="_blank">Here’s a less insulting breakdown.</a><br /> <br />-------------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Results May Vary" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to a player/team that didn't live up to the hype </i><br />[Previous winners: 2010 Stephen Strasburg (WAS), 2011 Carl Crawford (BOS), 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays, 2014 Boston Red Sox, 2015 Robinson Cano (SEA), 2016 San Diego Padres, 2017 Eric Thames (MIL), 2018 Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 2019 Bryce Harper (PHI), 2020 Mike Trout (LAA), 2021 Pitchers]<br /> <br /><b>---The Los Angeles Angels---</b><br /> <br />Quick, name one player of note from the 2003-2004 Twins not named Santana. Aside from Twins fans, you likely failed. Santana was the only Twin that mattered back then, because he won all the damn time and single handedly won the AL Central every season. Sure, the Twins were usually bounced right away, but Santana won the games he pitched. The Twins weren’t good at all, but Johan was so good that he pushed his team into October all on his own. <br />So spare me your excuses when the Angels feature Trout and Ohtani and still can’t even sniff the playoffs. Once in a while, sure, but year after year of failure is a different story. Both are apparently “once in a generation” talent, and yet they still can’t win when it matters. The age-old excuse “Well, Trout can’t do it all by himself!” turned into “Well Trout and Ohtani can’t do it all by themselves!” How many more “Once in a generation” talents do this franchise need before they stop sucking? Or perhaps, Trout and Ohtani are a bit overrated. <br /> <br />----------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Ozzie Kind of Crazy" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to the manager who had the most entertaining season to watch </i><br />[Previous winners: 2012 Bobby Valentine (BOS), 2013 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2014 Kirk Gibson (ARI), 2015 Matt Williams (WAS), 2016 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2017 Brad Ausmus (DET), 2018 Kevin Cash (TB), 2019 Aaron Boone (NYY), 2021 Aaron Boone (NYY)] <br /><br /><b>---Joe Girardi of the Philadelphia Phillies--- </b><br /><br />Girardi has to feel pretty low. He gets fired from an underachieving Phillies team, and his replacement looks like Bob Lemon from 1978, leads the Phillies on a comeback and sneaks into the playoffs. Not the first time something like this has happened to a manager, but Girardi went back to guest spotting on MLB Network, where he can give live analysis of his former team winning without him. On one hand, who better to give commentary of the Phillies than their former manager...but on the other hand, what better way to be embarrassed than by having to talk about how much better your old team is without you. <br /> <br />--------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Go Stand in the Corner!" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to the most standout suspension of the season </i><br />[Previous winners: 2013 Ryan Braun (MIL), 2014 Alex Rodriguez (NYY), 2015 Jonathan Papelbon (WAS), 2016 Rougned Odor (TEX), 2017 Austin Romine (NYY), 2018 Ken Giles (HOU), 2019 Clint Fraizer (NYY), 2020 Joe Kelly (LAD), 2021 Coronavirus]<br /> <br /><b>---Myles Straw or the Cleveland Indians--- </b><br /><br />Crime: Attempting to climb into the stands to go after a fan <br />Time: “You’re a pussy!” <br /><br />I take you back to a weekend game in Yankee Stadium. Yankees trail the Indians (I will not acknowledge a woke name change) by a run when NY rallies late, capped off with a drive deep to left that the left fielder can’t handle, blow the play and lets tha Yankees tie and eventually win the game. In the moment, Yankee fans in left properly jeer the opposing player for running into a wall and blowing the game. Myles Straw takes exception and climbs the wall to yell at the fans. He is properly greeted with more jeers and an awesome bit of sign language trash talking that slipped passed the censors. <br />And if you think Yankee fans aren’t smart, then you don’t know Yankee fans. Come ALDS time, fans serenaded Straw from the stands with the verbal translation of what that fan hand signaled to him. <br /><br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU-_ldRgW8sSS7JfKjtf7eEVEjm3i9NsnELCl_dg47QPQ7FGRWiRG-5fe3BtllIP18nWiBB26K2ayvdRfWg3pjySgHkKmCzjHtUX-gjA78OsNPFIrC1HiBvGqBFCSieVn2L1Gln3DEPFJhpMiFJ0hz8UUjJlBQrlFNnhHMpL9i6DjstSem9cOq5Xk/s721/aslpussy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="721" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU-_ldRgW8sSS7JfKjtf7eEVEjm3i9NsnELCl_dg47QPQ7FGRWiRG-5fe3BtllIP18nWiBB26K2ayvdRfWg3pjySgHkKmCzjHtUX-gjA78OsNPFIrC1HiBvGqBFCSieVn2L1Gln3DEPFJhpMiFJ0hz8UUjJlBQrlFNnhHMpL9i6DjstSem9cOq5Xk/s320/aslpussy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>May he never outlive this. <br /> <br />---------------------- <br /> <br /><b><u>The "Just Retire Already!" Award </u></b><br /><i>Awarded to the player on the wrong side of their prime </i><br />[Previous winner: 2015 Bartolo Colon (NYM), 2016 Alex Rodriguez (FA), 2017 Bartolo Colon (MIN), 2018 Felix Hernandez (SEA), 2019 Chris Davis (BAL), 2021 Justin Verlander (HOU)] <br /><br /><b>---Nelson Cruz of the Washington Nationals--- </b><br /><br />2022 was a disaster for the Nationals, and Nelson Cruz was part of the problem. His power is gone and he never had any defensive usefulness. The Nats bought out his contract and he needs to take the hint. </div><br />Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-83268065372934238332022-01-16T21:16:00.004-05:002022-01-17T13:36:47.021-05:00Just Don't Say It<p>[Posted by Ted H]</p><p><br /></p><p>Not sure if this one was ever posted here before. Since I lack any content anyway, might as well post it now...Been a while since I shot a real poem anyway...</p><p>--------------------------------------------</p><p>[Just Don't Say It]</p><p><br /></p><p>One might make you happy<br />But the other will have you sigh<br />Run with who gets you soaring<br />Yet never lets you fly<br />But just don't say it, since it wouldn't be right.</p><p>And ask me why I'm wondering<br />We never seek what we find<br />I'll likely respond by musing<br />The universe was never so kind<br />But just don't say it, since you can't stand to fight.</p><p>Another will keep me secret<br />She didn't want the show<br />Check behind the façade<br />That she didn't want someone to know<br />But just don't say it, since it's still not alright.</p><p>Everything that you wanted<br />Sadly, I missed the hype.<br />Everything that I wanted<br />Too bad I was never your type<br />But just don't say it, since I'm lacking the sight.</p><p>And when I find my graveyard<br />One day when we're old<br />You should take a glance at the wall<br />Read the writing I wasn't told<br />But just don't say it, since it won't be alright.</p><p>Just don't say it, when we've both said goodnight.</p><p><br /></p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-14047100659590159022021-12-26T12:00:00.002-05:002022-01-02T22:21:33.639-05:00Blood Friar - Confession<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p>Oh, hi there. Been a while, eh? Career change and a wealth of other personal events all got in the way after the decent start I had to the year. This will be post #10 of 2021, making it only the 2nd year in the last five that I've managed to hit double digits. And seeing as how most of my updates were from the first few months, it's very disappointing to end the year on such a cold streak. I want to do better in 2022, but that requires more stability on my part. I'll work on it. In the meantime, lemme try to bust out some Blood Friar while trying to return an eye to older projects that kind of fell by the wayside.</p><p>NaNoWriMo 2022 was a disaster as usual. Promising start, but my aforementioned lack of stability got int he way of any regular writing time I could carve out.</p><p><br /></p><p>--------------------------------------------------</p><p><br /></p><br /><br />[Blood Friar - Confession]<br /><br /><br /><br />Father Drew glossed through his bible almost in a daze. It was nearing midnight and he was longing for bed, but he remained in his confessional booth awaiting anyone who needed him. It wasn’t common, but some weekends would bring a late-night sinner seeking to ease a burden. Even if one person a month managed to find their way to him to confide in, then he would willingly stand guard through all those otherwise quiet nights. <br /><br />Tonight, however, was more of a grind for Father Drew. The week had been long and the current night had a certain weight to it that draped over everything. He tried perusing one of his favorite books in the bible, Job, to keep himself entertained. He was considering how to incorporate Job into his next homily when he heard the heavy doors at the front of the church open and shut quickly. He shut his bible and waited. He had heard enough late confessions to identify someone based on how they sounded as they walked through the empty church. <br /><br />The echo of light taps quickly working their way down an aisle told Father Drew that it was a woman in a hurry. Before long the door on the other side of the privacy barrier open and someone sit down. “Good evening,” Father Drew greeted. The woman said nothing, but her heavy and nervous breathing was apparent. “Take your time,” he comforted. He recalled a time when a young man took over ten minutes to collect himself before being able to confess an otherwise negligible sin. <br /><br />“Forgive me, father...for I have sinned,” the woman finally began. She sounded rather young, but no child. “It has been...I don’t know, years since my last...I’m sorry...” <br /><br />“It is fine,” Father Drew stopped her “Do not worry about the length of time. The fact that you’re here now is enough for God.” The woman didn’t respond. Father Drew heard her rummage in her purse. He figured nerves were at play. “What weighs on your soul, my child?” he asked. <br /><br />A few moments passed. The sounds of rummaging in the purse continued until she must have found what she was looking for, allowing silence to take over. “I was there...” she finally started “At the massacre.” <br /><br />“The...massacre?” Father Drew asked, not liking what she might be implying. <br /><br />“St. Mercy,” the woman simply responded. <br /><br />“Oh, my,” Father Drew breathed. He wasn’t sure if any students from the school remained locally after all these years. “It was a tragedy,” he was able to muster “But despite the horrors of that fateful day, you must not forget that the Lord was with you even then, and understands the pain you and your classmates endured. You are not alone.” <br /><br />“God wasn’t there that night,” she said bitterly. <br /><br />“Night?” That didn’t make sense. The shooting happened in the early morning. <br /><br />“That monster...I see it in my mind even now.” <br /><br />“Have you sought therapy like other students have?” Father Drew suggested. He felt she needed the support of peers from that day more than guidance from a servant of God. <br /><br />“There is no therapy for this. I see him in my mind...as I sleep. Always...demanding...” <br /><br />“What can the Lord do to help ease this burden? How may I assist?” He dealt with survivor's guilt before. Not under the same circumstances as the girl, but he was determined to try whatever it took to help her. <br /><br />“I need forgiveness...” <br /><br />“It is not a sin to have happened to survive a shooting, child.” Reassurance. He needed to get through to her that he was the friend she needed. <br /><br />“No!” she cried out. He was getting worried at how unsteady her voice had become. It was subtle at first, but now she seemed to be on the brink of weeping. He quickly racked his brain for a way to calm her down. <br /><br />“I need to be forgiven for the life that I am taking.” <br /><br />“Whose life?” <br /><br />“Please, I’m so sorry. I can’t stand it anymore.” <br /><br />“Be strong!” Father Drew urged. He quickly wondered if any of the nuns were about in the convent. Perhaps one of them were close enough to yell for. Something about the woman’s voice screamed finality about what she was suggesting. <br /><br />“It’s all I see and all I hear,” the woman said between soft sobs “I’m so sorry.” <br /><br />“Just-” Father Drew attempted to plead. <br /><br />“It wants blood,” she spoke with frightening clarity. <br /><br />“What?” <br /><br />“Blood,” she said again. “Blood,” a final time, deeper and muffled. She had placed something into her mouth that was obstructing clarity. Father Drew had pushed aside the privacy barrier just in time to see the woman pull the trigger of a gun in her mouth and spray the remnants of the back of her head all over the wall behind her. Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-87979738179592510932021-10-27T12:00:00.003-04:002021-10-27T12:00:00.219-04:00NaNoWriMo 2021<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p> And the hopeless struggle returns for yet another go!</p><p>This year I'm bringing in the always reliable James Blake for another paranormal bloodbath called "Blood Friar" details to follow as the story gets written. I'm raring to go to get this beast started.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just for fun, with there being a bunch of Blake stories, here's a fun timeline...<br /><br />-[unpublished backstory that gets talked over in Demons Ascension]<br />-That One Night [Not a Blake story, but takes place in the universe]<br />-Demons Ascension<br />-Witches Shadow<br />-Pure Human<br />-Vampires of Pittsburgh<br />-Blood Friar</p><p>I bring that up because while Vampires of Pittsburgh is unfinished, certain characters and organizations are introduced in that story that will become reoccurring in Blood Friar. Not major players, but they'll be referenced.</p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-92122336635624433542021-10-24T18:56:00.006-04:002021-10-24T20:01:08.025-04:00The 2021 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards<br /> [Posted by Ted H]<br /><br />Well that was quite a vacation. Don't worry, NaNoWriMo is coming.<br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------<br /><br />[The 2021 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards]<br /><br />These are the awards you DON'T want to win. <br /><br /><br /><br /><u>The "Orioles Would Rather Play In This Division" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the crappiest division in baseball </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 AL Central, 2010 AL West, 2011 AL Central, 2012 AL Central, 2013 AL West, 2014 NL East, 2015 NL East, 2016 AL Central, 2017 NL East, 2018 AL Central, 2019 AL Central]<br /><br /><br /><b>---The National League East: Braves, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals---</b><div><br /></div><div> <br />In a year where the Dodgers win 106 games and have to settle for the wild card, it seems criminal that a team can win just 88 games and not only win a division but also not have to play the best team in the league in the Division Series. The Braves won their division while both NL wild card teams had better records. Meanwhile in the AL, the Blue Jays and Mariners missed the playoffs entirely yet would have easily displaced the Braves. <br /><br /> ----------------- <br /><br /><u>The "Steroid Accusation Rookie of The Year" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the slugger who is probably gonna get accused of steroids next, if not already</i><br />(I am NOT accusing the winner of steroids, just sayin...) <br />[Previous winners: 2009 Aaron Hill (TOR), 2010 Corey Hart (MIL), 2011 Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), 2012 Edwin Encarnacion (TOR), 2013 Chris Davis (BAL), 2014 Victor Martinez (DET), 2015 Nolan Arenado (COL), 2016 Brian Dozier (MIN), 2017 Justin Smoak (TOR), 2018 Christian Yelich (MIL), 2019 Baseballs] <br /><br /><br /><b>---Award Cancelled--- </b><br /> <br /><br /></div><div>MLB keeps messing with the baseballs so now anyone can go deep it seems. After 2019’s award, it seemed fitting to call it. <br /><br />-------------- <br /><br /><u> The "What the Hell Happened to You?" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the team that fell off the map when they were supposed to be contenders </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 New York Mets, 2010 Seattle Mariners, 2011 Cincinnati Reds, 2012 Miami Marlins, 2013 California Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2014 Milwaukee Brewers, 2015 Seattle Mariners, 2016 Kansas City Royals, 2017 New York Mets, 2018 Washington Nationals, 2019 Boston Red Sox] <br /><br /><br /><b>---Los Angeles Angels--- <br /></b><br /><br />I am so sick of hearing about “Just! How! Amazing!” Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are...but then they once again can’t even sniff the postseason. Every season I have to hear about how this team supposedly made strides and will compete for at least a wild card slot. I will continue to make fun of this crappy franchise/players until they finally see October. Ohtani will probably be hurt (again) by then and Trout will stink up the joint (like the only other time he made the playoffs in his career) but for the love of God, if you’re gonna shower those two bums with undue praise, at least have them lead this sorry team to the playoffs one time. Does MLB have to introduce an even more bloated playoff format to finally get this team in? <br /><br />---------- <br /><br /><u> The "Shut Your God Damn Mouth" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to whoever talked too much without backing it up </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago Cubs, 2010 MLB Network, 2011 Carlos Zambrano (CHC), 2012 Boston Red Sox, 2013 Jordany Valdespin (NYM), 2014 Keith Olberman (ESPN), 2015 Boston Red Sox, 2016 Boston Red Sox fans, 2017 Yasiel Puig (LAD), 2018 San Francisco Giants, 2019 Brodie Van Wagenen (NYM), 2020 Houston Astros] <br /><br /><br /><b>---The New York Mets--- </b><br /><br /><br />I know you’re in New York and you’ve got the Yankees to compete with, but let’s not try to bad mouth the few fans in the city you already have. OK guys? At this rate even the ones that come to boo you won’t show up and then Citi Field will be as empty as every Rays home game. <br /><br />----------------- <br /> <br /><u>The "This Years Miracle, Next Years Indians" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the team that made a surprise playoff run this year, and will fall short next year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Colorado Rockies, 2010 Tampa Bay Rays, 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Baltimore Orioles, 2013 Cleveland Indians, 2014 Kansas City Royals, 2015 Houston Astros, 2016 Cleveland Indians, 2017 Minnesota Twins, 2018 Oakland Athletics, 2019 St Louis Cardinals] <br /> <br /><br /><b>---San Francisco Giants--- </b><br /> <br /><br />Out of nowhere the Giants came by storm and took home the leagues best record and the NL West. Sure, it all fell apart in a thrilling NLDS, but that doesn’t mean the Giants aren’t for real going forward, right? <br /> <br />Yes, that’s exactly what it means. They might compete next year, sure, but not nearly at this level. They wildly outperformed expectations this season and they’ll regress to the mean next year. <br /><br />----------------------- <br /><br /><u>The "This Years Phillies, Next Years Miracle" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to a team that sucked this year, but can make a run next year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago White Sox, 2010 Chicago White Sox, 2011 Washington Nationals, 2012 Seattle Mariners, 2013 New York Yankees, 2014 Chicago Cubs, 2015 Detroit Tigers, 2016 New York Yankees, 2017 San Francisco Giants, 2018 Philadelphia Phillies, 2019 Toronto Blue Jays] <br /><br /><br /><b>---The Cincinnati Reds--- </b><br /><br /><br />More or less a nonfactor this year, Cincy made strides quietly and are poised to make a run of a not so closed off NL Central. The Cardinals needed a legendary winning streak to make the final playoff spot this year, so one or two appropriate additions can put the Reds into contention for sure next season.<br /><br />----------------------- <br /><u><br /> The "AAA Team In Disguise" Award</u><br /><i>Awarded to a team that might have better luck in AAA </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nationals, 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011 Boston Red Sox, 2012 Houston Astros, 2013 Miami Marlins, 2014 Texas Rangers, 2015 Philadelphia Phillies, 2016 Minnesota Twins, 2017 Detroit Tigers, 2018 Miami Marlins, 2019 Detroit Tigers, 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---The Pittsburgh Pirates--- </b><br /><br /><br />Yes, some teams lost more this season, but while the Diamondbacks had to contend in a division with two different 105+ win teams and the Orioles had to deal with FOUR playoff caliber teams, the Pirates were just lousy. And for reasons that’ll be highlighted soon, they lack basic fundamentals. Pirates baseball is going nowhere fast...</div><div><br /> ------------------------- <br /><br /><u> The "Dull Knife in the Drawer" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the biggest mental error this year </i><br />[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nati(o)nals, 2010 Barak Obama, 2011 Brian Sabean (SF), 2012 Derek Norris (OAK), 2013 Mark Pagnozzi (HOU), 2014 Michael Pineda (NYY), 2015 Arte Moreno (LAA), 2016 Buster Posey (SFG), David Price (BOS), 2018 Gary Sanchez (NYY), 2019 Brandon Drury/Teoscar Hernandez (TOR), 2020 Jo Adell (LAA)] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---The Entire Pittsburgh Pirates Defense--- </b><br /><br /><br />Oh Lord, this play will go down in history. Pittsburgh based “Urinating Tree” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7cE_J1yclI&list=FLFygSzvap7NIL2EwnLxOMwQ&index=6" target="_blank">puts it perfectly here</a>. <br />Matt Antonelli puts it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4-elqOnXtc&list=FLFygSzvap7NIL2EwnLxOMwQ&index=5&t=296s" target="_blank">a bit more eloquently</a>. <br /><br /> -------------------------- <br /><br /><u>The "Results May Vary" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to a player/team that didn't live up to the hype </i><br />[Previous winners: 2010 Stephen Strasburg (WAS), 2011 Carl Crawford (BOS), 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays, 2014 Boston Red Sox, 2015 Robinson Cano (SEA), 2016 San Diego Padres, 2017 Eric Thames (MIL), 2018 Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 2019 Bryce Harper (PHI), 2020 Mike Trout (LAA)] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---Every Pitcher in Baseball--- </b><br /> <br /><br />So, baseball has a “sticky stuff” issue when it comes to its pitchers. As elaborated before, a bit of the sticky stuff to help command and keep fastballs from going errant into a batters head isn’t a horrible thing. But baseball outright banned the stuff and suddenly we’re back to a previous issue. Now all pitchers seem to be lacking a bit and hitters are enjoying a field day at the plate. Remember when home runs were getting out of hand and you swore it had nothing to do with how the baseballs were made? <br /><br />It seemed like a nice little compromise. Let pitchers cheat just a little so no one has to admit that the balls are doctored in favor of home runs and more offense. But now that you won’t let pitchers have their slight edge, what can be done about the rampant home run gluttony that follows that you tried to explain away last time? Just fix the damn baseballs already!<br /><br /> ----------------------- <br /><br /><u> The "Ozzie Kind of Crazy" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the manager who had the most entertaining season to watch </i><br />[Previous winners: 2012 Bobby Valentine (BOS), 2013 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2014 Kirk Gibson (ARI), Matt Williams (WAS), Joe Girardi (NYY), Brad Ausmus (DET), Kevin Cash (TB)] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees--- </b><br /><br /><br />Managing in the Bronx used to come with a volatile owner with a short fuse for field managers, so Boone might be shocked to find that he’s the first Yankees manager in a long time to hang around long enough for the fans to get tired of his act long before management apparently. The fans loved Torre (winning 5 titles will do that) and while Girardi had his critics, he also had his supporters (and a title of his own) Boone has no titles and many fans already assume he doesn’t even make decisions on his own. The entertainment that comes with Boone is merely in watching him try to justify decision that clearly aren’t his own in regards to players he’s partially afraid to criticize otherwise. <br /><br />George Steinbrenner would have long ago fired Boone and traded away half of those analytics darling players.<br /><br />--------------------- <br /><br /><u> The "Go Stand in the Corner!" Award<br /></u><i>Awarded to the most standout suspension of the season </i><br />[Previous winners: 2013 Ryan Braun (MIL), 2014 Alex Rodriguez (NYY), 2015 Jonathan Papelbon (WAS), 2016 Rougned Odor (TEX), 2017 Austin Romine (NYY), 2018 Ken Giles (HOU), 2019 Clint Fraizer (NYY), 2020 Joe Kelly (LAD)] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---Anyone Suspended from the Coronavirus Rule--- </b><br /><br /><br />Crime: Stepping onto the field and potentially getting someone sick with a virus that has a >99% survive rate <br />Time: Wait, what? <br /> <br /><br />I guess brawls are a bad look for baseball, but the fans love it. But MLB announced that there would be penalties for players who enter the field during certain altercations...I guess that’s to limit the spread, but it’s stupid. These are the same people stepping onto the field during the game anyway. It makes no sense, but then again, no rules created for the WuFlu make any sense. <br /><br /> ---------------------- <br /><br /><u>The "Just Retire Already!" Award </u><br /><i>Awarded to the player on the wrong side of their prime </i><br />[Previous winner: 2015 Bartolo Colon (NYM), 2016 Alex Rodriguez (FA), 2017 Bartolo Colon (MIN), 2018 Felix Hernandez (SEA), 2019 Chris Davis (BAL)] <br /><br /><br /><b> ---Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros--- </b><br /><br /><br />Tommy John Surgery ruined any hope of 2021 for the 38 year old starter. Some guys come back from Tommy John...but Verlander isn’t quite young enough to redefine his pitching style. And he still hasn’t ruled out hanging up his cleats. TJ takes roughly a year just to get back on a mound, let alone pitch with authority. </div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-57812355485630378212021-04-25T12:00:00.001-04:002021-04-25T12:00:00.176-04:00Little Ghost - Mall Watching[Posted by Ted H]<div><br /></div><div>New day job brings crazy hours. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>[Little Ghost - Mall Watching]<br /><br /> They never found the right guy, and Starbucks was slow that morning, so they ended up at the mall sooner than they thought and watched the old people doing their laps before the stores opened. They sat on one of the benches by an exit where the elderly shuffled their way passed. There they remained, at times talking about random things of no consequence, other times remaining silent, and other times going into elaborate anecdotes from their lives whenever someone walked by that reminded them of something interesting. <br /><br />Sometimes someone would wander by to sit on their bench, and they’d oblige even if the person wouldn’t be affected by them remaining. They’d make a game out of having a one-sided conversation with the people sitting on their bench until they finally left for one reason or another. They stayed until the sun set and darkness reigned outside once more, finally leaving when the mall stores began to close up and there were no more mall goers to watch and comment on. Kristina found the whole day cathartic. She had a chance to decompress her mind from everything that had transpired onto her in the last 24 hours. <br /><br />As they walked through the Saturday night streets, and the late-night college student crowd as they bar hopped, Kristina let Ricky lead her in the direction she felt the fallout shelter was. “Were you scared?” she asked when they finally got away from the crowds. Ricky was in the middle of some thought when he looked to Kristina and apologized for not hearing her. <br /><br />“When you died. Were you scared?” she asked again “I was terrified as it happened.”<br /><br />“I was lucky,” Ricky said “I was high as hell so I didn’t realize I was dead. At first, I thought I was having an out of body experience. I mean don’t get me wrong, I was freaking out after the fact, but I guess I was lucky that I wasn’t aware of my death until it had already happened. How are you feeling now that you’ve had a day as one of us?” <br /><br />Kristina paused a moment. “There’s no getting used to this, is there?<br /><br />“Yeah,” Ricky said with a smile “What we are, it ain’t natural. That's what someone told me when I was in your shoes.” </div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-70753062424500218382021-03-14T10:10:00.002-04:002021-03-14T10:10:32.901-04:00Little Ghost - We're All Bad Guys<div>[Posted by Ted H]</div><div><br /></div><div>My little <a href="https://mlbsdobsession.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">side project</a> has become as obsessive as it's name suggests. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my first obsession...</div><div><br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>[Little Ghost - We're All Bad Guys]</div><br /><br /> “Oh, well, I was just curious,” Kristina said, not looking to verify that there was indeed someone that stupid that they’d reject going to Heaven. Her plan now was so stop talking and avoid attention, perhaps get Jamal and Mike to start arguing again, anything if it meant avoiding scrutiny. Her hopes were short lived, however. <br /><br />“So,” Cheryl said as she clasped her hands together and rested her face against them “What was it that clinched your fate?” <br /><br />“Hmm?” Kristina hummed, unsure what the question was. <br /><br />“Your unspeakable sin,” Cheryl elaborated “Your irredeemable crime. What action did you do that was so heinous that it merited instant rejection from the pearly gates?” <br /><br />“Oh, well...” Kristina trailed off. If she could sweat, she figured it would be pouring down in buckets right now. She wondered how effective she could play dumb to these people, or if it were easier to lie outright. What could she think of on the spot? <br /><br />“What makes you think I’ve done anything wrong in life?” she blurted out “I’m innocent, I swear,” she forced a smile for effect, getting a laugh from Sammy, but not satisfying Cheryl. The woman shrugged one shoulder and kept her eyes on Kristina. Did she know? Was Kristina making it too obvious? Was the joke a bad idea and now they’ll see right through her? <br /><br />“Oh, don’t be embarrassed,” Ricky assured her “We’re all bad guys here!”<span><a name='more'></a></span> <br /><br />“No way,” Kristina protested “You’re all so nice.” <br /><br />“Well, we can’t kill or otherwise touch one another, so that does lend to a peaceful gathering when a bunch of degenerates get together,” Sammy threw out from the bunk bed he had laid back down in. <br /><br />“Speak for yourself,” Cheryl quipped “I’m immaculate.” <br /><br />“Oh yes, hun,” Ricky teased “Jesus took one look at you and was so jealous that he denied entry to Heaven for your crime of outshining him.” <br /><br />“We’re all the worst, Kristina,” Clifford assured “So no one is in any position to judge. Take Jamal for example. He lost count of all the people he’s shot and robbed.” Jamal actually smiled and nodded, indicating that he had an achievement to be proud of. “Cheryl has her own body count, in a different way,” Clifford continued. Cheryl shrugged and put her hands up as she flashed a “It is what it is” face as she said “I guess all those abortions add up. I’m pretty sure the first one at eight months sealed the deal, but the four others that followed probably didn’t help. Who knew?” <br /><br />“Sammy is a very accomplished club goer,” Clifford said, to which Sammy threw an acknowledging wave out but didn’t get up “And by accomplished, I mean irredeemable rapist.” <br /><br />“Date rapist,” Sammy clarified, again not bothering to turn around. <br /><br />“My mistake,” Clifford said with rolling eyes “Now Mike here is a bit of a rapist, too.” <br /><br />“He’s just a kid!” Kristina said, louder and more indignant than she thought it would be. <br /><br />“A kid, yes. Harmless, no. Just ask his 2-year-old sister, or various stray animals, all of which were molested and buried in shallow graves in Colorado Springs.” <br /><br />Kristina was feeling sick. The group of ghosts that were endearing themselves to her were quickly turning out to be the worst of the worst. There was sympathy before in their constant flight from Reapers. Now she was pondering if there was a way to blow a whistle on them or shine a beacon into the sky to help them get caught faster. <br /><br />“Kristina?” Clifford asked, breaking Kristina’s train of thought “You ok?” <br /><br />“I, um, yes,” she mumbled. <br /><br />“I said it’s fine if you don’t want to share yet.” <br /><br />“Thanks,” Kristina said after forcing herself to wait a second so it wouldn’t be too obvious “It’s just been a really crazy night.” <br /><br />“Speaking of crazy,” Bill said “Get out. I’m tired.” <br /><br />“Ha, I’m tired too,” Kristina said. <br /><br />“No, seriously,” Bill said with no humor “I had a busy night. I’m tired. Everybody out.” Ricky, Jamal and Mike were already on their way out while Sammy was getting up but lingered. “I don’t get it,” Kristina said. “Reapers are physical, not mortal but still bound by physical limitations,” Clifford clarified. Sammy and Cheryl left and Clifford motioned Kristina to follow him out while Bill went over to the light in the corner to turn it off. <br /><br />Back outside, an overcast sky dimmed the light from the rising sun. Clifford and Kristina emerged with only Sammy, Ricky and Cheryl waiting. “Do we get tired?” Kristina finally asked. “We’re ghosts, honey,” Ricky said. Sammy was turned away but Kristina just knew he was rolling his eyes at her. “I don’t get it though, how can Bill even go down there?” <br /><br />“Bill lives there,” Clifford said, with the same patient demeanor he had since Kristina met him, even after all her inquiries “He can phase into the intangible like we are, but in order to do his job he needs a physical presence. That’s how working lights were even down there, Bill brought them in.” <br /><br />“Reapers are notorious shoplifters,” Ricky added “Lucky bastards. They get to live a life free off death and get to do all sorts of dangerous, and fun, and consequence free activities.” <br /><br />“Most of them do drugs,” Cheryl said, already bored of the conversation “Bill’s just boring. Don’t let him make the impression for you.” <br /><br />“Bill’s a good guy Reaper,” Clifford said “They tend to be the boring ones. The ones for Hell are the party ones. They know they’re going down no matter what, so they’ll enjoy the extra time they get. The Heaven ones try to behave.” <br /><br />“Oh, I thought Bill was you guy’s Reaper,” Kristina said, getting laughs from everyone. <br /><br />"No, no one runs from Bill,” Ricky said “No one ever runs from Heaven, remember?”<br /><br />“Yeah...” Kristina said, feeling stupid again for a multitude of reasons. <br /><br />“Well, you kids have fun,” Clifford said as he and Sammy started walking away. “Where to now?” Kristina asked. Sammy and Clifford looked at each other. “Nah,” Clifford said “Your orientation is over.” <br /><br />“Three’s a crowd!” Sammy said as he started walking again.” <br /><br />“But...” Kristina said, worried about being alone again. <br /><br />“It’s no big deal,” Clifford assured “Go and see the world as a ghost. You’ll come to enjoy being able to go anywhere and see everything without notice. Voyeurism is especially popular among us.” <br /><br />“Like, watching sex?” <br /><br />“Yeah, I guess. But really anything else. You can see people when they think they’re alone. See the real side of someone when they think no one is watching. You’ll learn a lot about them even their loved ones don’t get to see.” With one final smile, Clifford began walking away again. “Swing by later,” he called out, then jogged to catch up to Sammy. <br /><br />“You won’t be cramping our style,” Ricky said as he invited her to travel with him and Cheryl “No one should be alone on their first day dead.” Cheryl didn't object, but also didn’t seem too thrilled about it. Kristina was thankful, even more so when they walked in silence through the morning. It allowed her to play back the events of last night in her head. <br /><br />Between Bob, Charles and everyone in Bill’s shelter, she was put through the ringer of all sorts of characters in the afterlife. The only one who didn’t fit here was her. She knew she should have taken that ticket to Heaven, and now she didn’t know if or how she could get another shot. Maybe Bob would know, but she didn’t know where to find him. Worst of all she had no clue what might happen to her soul in the meantime. Could she be reaped by one of those Hunters? Would that send her to Hell? What if the others knew she wasn’t an evil person like they were? Would they abandon her? Turn her in? Kristina felt sick with not knowing. <br /><br />They made their way undeterred by any obstacle for a few hours, fatigue making no appearance to slow their progress. Ricky led the way while Kristina and Cheryl were side by side behind him. Kristina would catch Cheryl from the corner of her eye staring at her. She ignored it at first, but over time it made her more and more uncomfortable. “Can I help you?” she finally asked. <br /><br />“Does it bother you we’re all such terrible people?” Cheryl asked with a sly smile. “Well, you were all so nice to me at first,” Kristina said “It caught me a little off guard.” Cheryl laughed a fake laugh. “Does my abortion vagina offend you?” she mockingly asked. “Actually, it does,” Kristina responded “I was raised very Christian.” <br /><br />“Ooo, I think that’s the first honest thing you’ve said yet!” Cheryl cheered. <br /><br />“Leave her alone, bitch,” Ricky defended “Ignore her, Kristina. Some people never get over how unfair they think it is to be condemned to Hell.” <br /><br />“Abortion isn’t murder,” Cheryl barked “It’s arbitrary reasoning!” <br /><br />“I’m not having this argument again,” Ricky said after a groan “This is why I stuck to my own gender!” <br /><br />“Are you sure you didn’t die of AIDS, Freddy Mercury?” <br /><br />“Oh my, sassy!” <br /><br />“I don’t care!” Kristina called out “Live your life however you want, I’d never judge you for it. That’s God’s job.” the words flowed out of her mouth and she couldn’t stop now. “Well, you did live your life, and you were judged. So, tell me how it worked out for you.” <br /><br />“Mmmm, I like her,” Ricky laughed. <br /><br />“I’m in the same place you are, bitch,” Cheryl said “So how did your ‘holier than thou’ mentality work out for you?” <br /><br />“I can still get to Heaven. I don’t belong in Hell,” Kristina said, wishing she didn’t start to respond, but making sure she chose her words carefully when she realized there was no going back. <br /><br />“Oh lord, the denial!” Cheryl said with another fake laugh “DENIAL! There is no God for you anymore! You lost! You’ve been rejected! There’s no appeal! Get over yourself!” <br /><br />“When I go to Heaven, I hope you’re there to watch.” <br /><br />“And when you get dragged to Hell, I want a front row seat.” <br /><br />“Meow!” Ricky said to try and ease the tension “Calm down ladies. Kristina, no one in our situation ever gets to Heaven. It’s never happened, and it’s never going to happen.” He then shifted his gaze to Cheryl with a stern look on his face “But we’re all guilty of feeling a little hope of redemption, so don’t let anyone give you shit for it.” <br /><br />“Whatever,” Cheryl said as she backed off “You guys enjoy yourselves. I’m gonna go find a church where one of your priests are probably molesting a child, because that’s all they do in your religion. They fuck with kids and still think they’re better than everyone when they’re obviously going to Hell!” Cheryl stormed off, Ricky and Kristina made no effort to stop her. <br /><br />“Don’t mind her,” Ricky said “She’s been dead a couple years and she still thinks she did nothing wrong.” <br /><br />“I didn’t mean to-” Kristina started. <br /><br />“Like I said, you’ll be in denial at first. Some people just take longer to get over it.” <br /><br />"Will she be ok?” <br /><br />“It’s not like she can hurt herself or anyone else. We all just need to blow off steam. If anything, she might just move on somewhere else and we’ll never see her again. Most ghosts are very nomadic.” <br /><br />“Like how Mike was from Colorado, I think?” <br /><br />“Exactly! I’m from Florida. I never dreamed of coming this far north in life, but it’s not like the cold can bother me now.” <br /><br />“Never thought I could see the world like that.” <br /><br />“The world is your oyster now, bitch! Go exploring! Just not right away, I like you. Stay a while.” <br /><br />“Awe, I like you too.” <br /><br />“Really? I thought the Christians hated the gays?” <br /><br />“No! I have, er, had so many gay friends!” Kristina paused a moment. “That sounded a bit homophobic, didn’t it?” <br /><br />“A little bit,” Ricky said with a smirk. <br /><br />“I mean it though! I’m not one to judge.” <br /><br />“I’m teasing you, bitch!” Ricky said with a laugh “By the way, you’ll never guess who else from last night way gay.” <br /><br />“Who?” Kristina asked, puzzled “Clifford?” <br /><br />“No, not Cliff,” Ricky said “Though I wouldn’t have minded if he swung that way, you know, if we knew each other in life. No, Charlie is the other gay one!” <br /><br />“Shut up!” Kristina blurted “He’s so old though!” <br /><br />“Bitch, you don’t age out of gay!” Both laughed. “And get this!” Ricky continued “I died a year before he did.” <br /><br />“Really? I could swear he died in World War II or something,” <br /><br />“Your perceptions on exactly how old someone is gets totally jacked up in death. Little baby Mike? He died in the 90s. He’s an older ghost than most of us!” <br /><br />“This is so weird!” <br /><br />“Right? I don’t know the others so well. Cliff and Sammy wandered into town just last week. Like I said, we’re mostly nomads, going from place to place when we get tired of somewhere.” <br /><br />“I’m tired of being here,” Kristina said “Like right here. I’m bored. What is there to do when you’re dead?” <br /><br />“Well...” Ricky pondered “It’s not that early, but it’s the weekend, so we could try to find a house with a good-looking man sleeping in. We can see if he’d dealing with some morning wood.” <br /><br />“Oh my God,” Kristina laughed. <br /><br />“Then we can head to Starbucks and mock the white women getting an oversized drink after their morning jog. Then go to the mall and critique the girls trying on ugly clothes at Sears. Oh! Then we can watch the old people doing laps around the mall and take bets of who dies next!” <br /><br />“That last one sounds fun,” Kristina said “Well they all do, but I feel less guilty about the last one.” <br /><br />“Oh honey, the sooner you lose that silly shame, the more fun you’ll have in the afterlife!” Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-44981663423026492702021-03-07T12:00:00.002-05:002021-03-07T15:36:55.762-05:00Little Ghost - Orientation<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p>Situations at my day job have kinda taken center stage, but I'll still try to churn out some updates here...I've got some backlog remaining for LG before I have to worry about writing new stuff, though I'd love to sit down one of these nights and power out something...</p><p>Help<i> might </i>be on the way in the near future though...stand by...</p><p>----------------------------------------------------</p>[Little Ghost - Orientation]<br /><br /><br />“Kristina!” Clifford called from the back. The other ghosts occupied themselves in their conversation while Kristina approached Bill and Clifford. “Don’t freak out,” Clifford said “We’re all safe here.” Kristina nodded slowly, not sure what was happening. “This is Bill,” Clifford continued “He’s a Reaper.” <br /><br /><div>“In a room full of ghosts? Are you sure?” Kristina said. <br /><br />“Yeah,” Bill said “Not all Reapers are the same. I’m a regular kind. The scary kind the others are talking about are known as Hunter Reapers, or Predator Reapers. It depends on where you are. Some regions have their own variation for the title.” <br /><br />“I don’t understand. What’s the difference?” <br /><br />“You’ll know a Hunter when you see one. Trust me.” <br /><br />“This is a lot to take in.” <br /><br />“We figured,” Clifford said “It’s time we give you a proper orientation.” <br /><br />“Well, I got my new name figured out, apparently. Is that part of my orientation?” <br /><br />“Meh, I guess,” Clifford said “But let’s start simple. You are a ghost, officially known as a runaway.” <br /><br />“Oh God, there’s classifications of ghosts too?” <br /><br />“Sure. Three types. Temps, Waiting and Runaways,” Clifford explained “Temps are ghosts just long enough to find out they're dead. Then a Reaper will send them off to their final reward.” <br /><br /><br />“Like a ray of light in the sky taking you to Heaven?” Kristina asked, a sickening sense of dread surrounding her. <br /><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span>“Yeah, for the goody goodies, they get their lights,” Clifford said, drawing snickers from the others up front “Or you get dragged to Hell. One way or another, Temps are just that, temporary ghosts. Their fates aren’t so much predetermined as they are just obvious when they die.” <br /><br />“Who makes that call?” Kristina asked. Bill twirled his finger and pointed to the sky. “Oh, there are people. They let my kind know when and where they are when the time comes, within certain accuracy.” More snickering from behind. <br /><br />“Right,” Clifford continued “So next are the Waiting. Not all the dead have a clear-cut case for Heaven or Hell. Upon death they may find themselves within a certain...moral gray area that needs to be looked into. In the meantime, they hang out here while the jury upstairs debate their case.” <br /><br />“Are anyone here like that?” Kristina asked, causing more laughter before Bill finally shushed them. “No, and you don’t want to hang with them either. While their waiting for their final answer, they get Guardians to watch over and keep track of them. An Angel, and Demon respectively. You’re probably going to ask why they get those.” <br /><br />Kristina stayed silent a moment before admitting “Maybe.” <br /><br />“What you do after death still has impact on your immortal soul,” Bill said “Angels and Demons aren’t allowed to influence the living. When you’re dead, however, all bets are off. They each get one representative to try and tip the scales so to speak. It may prove to make the difference depending on how close one way or the other in the moral gray you fell on.” <br /><br />“Souls are currency, and Angels and Demons are just misers trying to add to their totals,” Clifford added “Plus while the Guardians don’t care either way about us Runaways, they’re not above blowing the whistle on us to a Hunter, either.” <br /><br />“Guardians always creep me out,” Cheryl said “And the morally gray fools should just be condemned to Hell right away like the rest of us.” Sammy and Ricky cheered their approval. “How long does it take to make a decision on them?” Kristina asked, fascinated by the court-like analogies. She briefly dated a law student, and they made court cases sound like the most boring thing in the world. <br /><br />“Not that long,” Bill said “But just long enough to screw yourself over if you let your Guardian Demon in your ear.” <br /><br />“Don’t be a Dante!” Jamal yelled out. “Who?” Kristina asked. “Alright, gather round!” Jamal announced with his hands outstretched wide. “We’re in the middle of-” Bill protested, but was cut off again by Jamal. “Shut up, Bill, this is better!” <br /><br />“So,” Jamal began “Like most of you on the run, I’ve been around. Well once upon a time I was on my way north from Brooklyn and left Bronx for some spread-out upstate neighborhoods. The way I figured; big cities means lots of people. Lots of people means lots of ghosts. Lots of ghosts means lots of Reapers. I wasn’t feeling that, you know? So, along my way, I come across some boys who were laying low in an underground rave scene not unlike this illustrious party palace we are enjoying at this moment. One of them was this cat called Dante. <br /><br />“Dante had just one Guardian. Him and this slick mother fucker Demon had already given the slip to the Angel and poor Dante was all emo about his dead girlfriend, who apparently was already in Hell. They actually had the idea to visit the bitch in Hell. I guess that’s good news that Hell allows conjugal visits, which is better than when I went to prison. <br /><br />“I didn’t stick around long after that. Like my girl over here said, they Guardians are creepy as fuck and this one guy looked like bad news. So I’m gone, but it ain’t that long before I find my way back, and I brought a whole bunch of crazy stories to share and people there got some for me to hear. It was there someone had an update about ol’ Dante. <br /><br />“When I left the first time, I figured that was it for him. Who goes to Hell, willing or not, and comes back? Dante did, that’s who. And what’s better, he was given the green light from above to head to Heaven. How fucking lucky can a cat like him be? Go to Hell, and still come back to get your lights. Shit, I was jealous as all hell when I heard that. <br /><br />“But get this, I was right though about him. I distinctly remember when I saw him that he were a fucking retard. I was right, too. Fucker comes back from Hell, gets the green light to go to Heaven, then the cocky son of a bitch goes and kills his brother, shitting all over his ticket to Heaven. Got his ass reaped to Hell on the fucking spot!” <br /><br />“How?” Kristina broke in “I though ghosts couldn’t interact?” <br /><br />“The Guardians can,” Bill said “Direct them to do something, it reflects on your soul in judgement.” Kristina suddenly remembered the hospital and the old woman’s room. She remembered Charles grabbing hold of the cords keeping her alive and threatening to pull them out. <br /><br />“Decide this woman’s fate...” echoed in her mind. <br /><br />“None of us have to worry about being a Dante,” Clifford said, pulling Kristina out of her own thoughts “Seeing as how our fates are already sealed.” <br /><br />“Not every Waiting you meet will have an accompanying set of Guardians,” Bill stated “Some are just serving their Purgatory sentence.” <br /><br />“You weren't kidding with the court analogies,” Kristina kidded. <br /><br />“That’s how most of those moral gray cases are decided; either you go to Hell or you get slapped with a set of years to remain on Earth before you’re allowed into Heaven.” <br /><br />“Of course, you can still screw over your chances at Heaven while serving Purgatory,” Clifford added “Isn’t death fun?” <br /><br />“Sounds like a blast,” Kristina rolled her eyes. <br /><br />“And we’ve reached the best and most interesting kind of ghost. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the runaways!” Clifford announced to the rowdy cheers of Ricky, Jamal, Mike and Sammy. “Runaways...” Clifford shouted to be heard “I said Runaways are bad dudes!” More cheers, this time with a shout from Cheryl. Kristina looked to Bill who was rolling his eyes. <br /><br />“Us Runaways were told to go to Hell, literally! But did we listen?” <br /><br />“Hell no!” Sammy and Mike said in unison. <br /><br />“Damn right!” Clifford fed into his crowd “When the Reapers and the Demons came to take us away, what did we say to that?” <br /><br />“No, YOU go to Hell!” Mike shouted, kicking his legs over the edge of the bed he remained in. <br /><br />“And when the Angels judge us for not deserving their Heaven, how do we respond?” Clifford asked, already knowing the answer. <br /><br />“Keep your paradise and shove it up your ass!” Cheryl enthusiastically responded. <br /><br />“And when the devil himself comes to claim us, we look him in his horns and say what?” <br /><br />“Fuck you, niggaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Jamal screamed as he jumped around, and pumped his fists in the air with both middle fingers extended. Soon Sammy and Cheryl sprung up and Mike jumped down as they joined Jamal and Ricky in bouncing about, flipping off the sky and shouting. <br /><br />“Wow,” was all Kristina could muster as she took in the excitement that had erupted before her. Clifford looked pleased with himself as he smiled at her and let the others carry on a little before he tried to quiet them down. “Jeeze, you guys are so loud, you’ll wake the dead,” he said, eliciting some jeers, but eventually achieving the quiet he requested. <br /><br />“Ok then,” he said “We are Runaways. We died, were sentenced to Hell, and either by chance or by cheat, we were able to evade our Reaper and strike off on our own existence in this world as fugitives. Hunted by Reapers with no hope of true safety or redemption. Doomed to run forever!” <br /><br />“There isn’t an end to this life?” Kristina asked. <br /><br />“Nope,” Sammy replied from behind “No bargaining, no begging, only running running running until a Reaper eventually gets you.” <br /><br />“On top of my first escape, I’ve had a few other foot races with a Reaper,” Mike said “And each encounter was way scarier than anything I’ve ever experienced in life. <br /><br />“You died at, what, ten? What scary shit ever happened to you?” Jamal asked. <br /><br />“Sorry Jamal,” Mike responded “We can’t all live through drive-bys and prison like you!” <br /><br />“Gentlemen!” Clifford called out “Not the time!” <br /><br />“So, runners, or Runaways, or whatever,” Kristina started, trying the get the conversation back on track “They only run from Hell? Has anyone ever run from going to Heaven?” The room became silent and Kristina immediately regretted opening her mouth. “Why would you run from Heaven?” Sammy asked first. “Yeah,” Mike added “You get the golden ticket and you run?” <br /><br />“I don’t know, stupid question!” Kristina defended herself. “Hey, relax,” Clifford said “She’s trying to grasp all this. She’s been dead all of a few hours, give her a break.” He then turned to Bill. “I’ve never heard of any such Runaways, but...Bill? What do you think?” <br /><br />“I’ve shown tons of people their lights,” Bill said “Most overjoyed, many speechless, and even some genuinely surprised that they earned it...But I’ve never had someone reject Heaven. I don’t even think there’s a protocol for it. But it is possible, I guess, otherwise there’d be no need for my kind of Reapers.” </div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-30729442326709391452021-02-14T12:00:00.005-05:002021-03-02T10:54:59.354-05:00Little Ghost - Kristina Car Crash[Posted by Ted H]<div><br /></div><div>Either I neglected it for the last few years, or I did it and forgot all about it, but last week I make sure to get the "Pure Human" collection post set up and added it to the header with the other complete works.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, this makes 4 updates in 2021, already halfway to what I was able to accomplish all of last year. Seems that my new years resolution is working out...</div><div><br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>[Little Ghost - Kristina Car Crash]<br /><br /> They entered the back yard of a one-story ranch house. It was a small yard with a garden in the corner and a blacktop half court with a basketball hoop on the far side. The trio stopped short of the court. “Just so you know, there’s a stairway of sorts here,” Clifford said “Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean you won’t drop down when you reach it.” <br /><br /><br />Kristina gave a small laugh. “Oh, don’t worry,” she said “I’m aware of a whole bunch of rules that I can’t understand!” Clifford pondered what she just said, then gave up after a few seconds and shook his head. “Let’s have mister expert over here go first,” he said as he referenced a smiling Sammy. “Sure,” Sammy said as he stepped forward “We wouldn’t want anyone to fall and break their leg.” <br /><br /><br />“That was the first time, and you lied to me where the drop was,” Clifford chided. <br /><br /><br />“It’s still freakin hilarious when a ghost cries out ‘Oh God I’ll break my leg!’ as he flails his arms in the air!” Sammy said with a laugh. <br /><br /><br />“So, what staircase?” Kristina finally asked. <br /><br /><br />“Just watch, honey,” Sammy said as he walked a few feet onto the court, then began descending into the pavement as if he were traversing stairs. “Right this way,” Clifford said as he followed. Kristina stuck close as Clifford disappeared into the basketball court. She lightly put her foot where both men began to drop and found her foot went right through like the court was merely an illusion. She crept her way down until only her head remained above ground. <br /><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a><br /></span><div>“This is so funky,” she said as she crouched down in place but all she saw was the darkness from compacted dirt and rock. She took another step, but stayed in darkness so she took a leap forward and found herself dropping into a snug little foyer with a large metal door at the end. The entire room was lit by a small portable light in the corner.<br /><br /><br />“What the heck is this?” she asked.<br /><br /><br />“This is a fallout shelter,” Clifford explained as Sammy took the liberty of walking forward and through the metal door. “Built in the 50s under the shadow of nuclear annihilation,” he continued “Until new owners didn’t want the bother and covered the whole thing up.”<br /><br /><br />“But why are we here?” Kristina asked.<br /><br /><br />“Because it’s safe,” Clifford responded as he nodded her to follow him through the door. Kristina readied herself and stepped through the metal door to emerge into another dimly lit room, this time larger than the foyer and filled with six other ghosts in addition to Clifford and Sammy. “Who dat?” one of them, an older black one, asked. “Out of town, I bet,” someone else, a young kid with half his hair shaved, said. “You from across the border in Canada? I think I’ve seen you before,” a third, gay looking man with hair slicked to the side, said.<br /><br /><br />“Her name is Kristina,” Clifford announced “Newbie. Car Crash.” Groans of understanding sounded in the room. “Car crashes the worst,” a fat man in a business suit said “Look on the bright side though, no rehab.”<br /><br /><br />“Uh...thanks?” Kristina said.<br /><br /><br />“Shut up, Bill!” the gay said “How old are you, honey?”<br /><br /><br />“I meant it when I said she’s new,” Clifford broke in “Give her a minute.”<br /><br /><br />The other ghosts eased off and muttered about themselves while Kristina took in the surroundings. The shelter area was cramped with two sets of bunk beds to one side of the room and empty shelving on the other. The younger ghost sat on top of one of the bunks with his legs hung over the side. The black ghost sat below next to a frail, middle aged looking woman who seemed like she smoked more than her fair share of cigarettes in life. Standing by the shelving was the gay one with an irritated old man who didn’t care much for Kristina. Sammy had walked over to the bed next to the two ghosts and laid out on it. In the back of the room was a desk where Clifford had gone over to where Bill was sitting.<br /><br /><br />“How are you doing, hun?” the gay one asked after Kristina had looked around for a moment. “I won’t lie,” Kristina said with an uneasy smile “I feel like I’m constantly on the brink of a freak out. Already had a few tonight already.” The gay ghost grinned wide at that. “I’ve been dead six years and I still haven’t calmed down. It’s been one big, constant, unending, fucking breakdown.”<br /><br /><br />“I look forward to mine,” Kristina responded.<br /><br /><br />“I watched my own autopsy. I was sobbing the entire time even though we don’t cry.”<br /><br /><br />“I was beginning to wonder about that.”<br /><br /><br />“You’ll learn,” he winked “I’m Ricky. Drug Overdose. Pleased to meet you Kristina Car Crash.”<br /><br /><br />“Car crash isn’t my name.”<br /><br /><br />“It is now!” Sammy shouted “All we have are conversations. No touching, no eating, no interactions other than stories and more stories. Cause of death as your last name skips the most obvious question when you meet someone new.”<br /><br /><br />“How come you two didn’t do that?”<br /><br /><br />“You died like five minutes ago, we had to acclimate you!”<br /><br /><br />“Ok, shut up!” Ricky said excitedly “So you know me, I take it you already know Sammy Fire and Cliff Pneumonia. Let’s see if you can tell how everyone else died!”<br /><br /><br />“I’m game,” Kristina said with a morbid interest.<br /><br /><br />“Ok, let’s start with the boring ones,” Ricky said as he gestured to the old man beside him who rolled his eyes. “This is Charlie Cancer,” Ricky said “Guess which cancer?” “Ummm,” Kristina pondered while she looked at Charlie “Old people don’t care about smoking dangers. Lung cancer.”<br /><br /><br />“Nope!” Ricky announced “Prostate cancer. Poor Charlie never got tested.” Charlie darted his eyes to Ricky before looking away again and muttering to himself. “Now me? If I had lived to be an old man, I’d get tested weekly, if you catch my drift.” He winked and Kristina laughed.<br /><br /><br />“So, Charlie has a ghost family of sorts,” Ricky said as he pointed to the woman next to the black man “Cheryl here also died of cancer, different kind, so that makes them more like cousins.” Cheryl gave a halfhearted wave. “She definitely looks like a smoker!” Kristina beamed. “No,” Cheryl said “I smoked like a chimney after my diagnosis though.”<br /><br /><br />“Such a misleading slut,” Ricky said “Skin cancer did her in. Now we’re done with boring cancer. Onto more interesting people.” The black man stood up. “Jamal Gunshot,” he introduced himself. Jamal dressed in an open button-down shirt with a white undershirt and jeans. “Was it a gang banger? Kristina said, half joking. “Nah, it was a cop.”<br /><br /><br />“Oh,” Kristina said, feeling guilty “I’m sorry.”<br /><br /><br />“I shot two of them before they bothered firing back,” Jamal said “So they weren’t exactly unjustified.”<br /><br /><br />“Why was there shooting?”<br /><br /><br />“Armed robbery. Shit happens.” Sammy and Jamal laughed.<br /><br /><br />“Now for the baby of the room,” Ricky said pointing up to the kid.<br /><br /><br />“I’m not the baby,” he responded “This girl died more recent.”<br /><br /><br />“She doesn’t look 15, Mike. So, Kristina, what do you think is the story behind Mike Truck.”<br /><br /><br />“Truck?” Kristina asked “He was in a truck crash? Does that make him my family of sorts?”<br /><br /><br />“Noooooooot quite,” Ricky responded.<br /><br /><br />“Skateboard incident,” Mike clarified “I was forced off the sidewalk and this 18-wheeler blew through a red light. I didn’t even have a body to look over.”<br /><br /><br />“Ok,” Kristina said “I’ll get the next one. Who is that guy?” She pointed to Bill by the desk with Clifford. Ricky shrugged “Don’t worry about Bill. You still gotta guess what drug I overdosed on.”<br /><br /><br />“Well not weed I hope,” Kristina said with a smile.<br /><br /><br />“I would hope fucking not,” Ricky said, smiling back.<br /><br /><br />“I knew a couple druggies,” Kristina said, looking Ricky over for the tell-tale signs, then realizing that track marks and such signs wouldn’t show up on a ghost. “Cocaine,” she finally guessed.<br /><br /><br />“Damn,” Ricky said “Was I really that easy?”<br /><br /><br />“Oh, I got it?” Kristina asked, very pleased with herself.<br /><br /><br />“Congrats, honey,” Ricky said “I’d hug you if, you know, we could.”<br /><br /><br />“But I love hugs.”<br /><br /><br />“Oh my God, I miss sex,” Ricky said with his face turning sad.<br /><br /><br />Charlie swore, then walked away and through the metal door to leave. “What’s his problem?” Kristina asked. “He’s been dead a long time,” Mike said. “No, it’s more than that,” Ricky corrected “He wasn’t alone. I remember two other ghosts he associated with years back.”<br /><br /><br />“What happened to them?” Kristina asked.<br /><br /><br />“They move on, disassociate from each other, or usually a Reaper happens and it’s all over then.”<br /><br /><br />“I knew a guy once upon a time,” Sammy said “Had a whole group he ran with, then a Reaper crashed their party and only he got away. If you thought you knew trauma before, try watching everyone you hang with get reaped and then you barely get away. It changes you. He didn’t last long before he went looking for a Reaper just to end it all.”<br /><br /><br />“Why would you go looking for a Reaper?” Mike asked.<br /><br /><br />“Is it still suicide if you’re already dead?” Cheryl mused.</div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-12288761522529697212021-02-07T12:00:00.001-05:002021-02-07T12:00:04.012-05:00Pure Human<p><i>Pure Human</i><br />by: Ted H</p><p>James Blake and his partner head to Albany to investigate the scene of a grisly attack on a family. Blake must find the paranormal origin to the creatures that slay in the night before the world is overrun with more. But with the signs of the origin all pointing away from the supernatural, just where does the line between human and monster lie?</p><p>-2015 National Novel Writing Month Winner</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-ungodly-hour-nanowrimo.html">Ungodly Hour</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-illusion-breaker-nanowrimo.html">Illusion Breaker</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-look-into-it-nanowrimo.html">Look Into It</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-day-drinking-nanowrimo.html">Day Drinking</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-dream-nanowrimo-update-5.html">Dream</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-ninja-nanowrimo-update-6.html">Ninja</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-to-albany-nanowrimo-update-7.html">To Albany</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/11/pure-human-time-stop-nanowrimo-update-8.html">Time Stop</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2015/12/pure-human-eating.html">Eating</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/01/pure-human-magdalena.html">Magdalena</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/01/pure-human-she-must-work-out.html">She Must Work Out</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/01/pure-human-it-came-in-through-woods.html">It Came in Through the Woods</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/02/pure-human-when-you-dream.html">When You Dream</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/02/pure-human-reaper-at-work.html">Reaper at Work</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/02/pure-human-nurse-gossip.html">Nurse Gossip</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/03/pure-human-dog-hunt.html">Dog Hunt</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/03/pure-human-i-think-i-found-fido.html">I Think I Found Fido</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/03/pure-human-embrace-eternity.html">Embrace Eternity</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/03/pure-human-breakfast-at-anins.html">Breakfast at Anin's</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/04/pure-human-apples.html">Apples</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/04/pure-human-common-sense.html">Common Sense</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/04/pure-human-charming.html">Charming</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/04/pure-human-clyde-vs-whitey.html">Clyde vs Whitey</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/05/pure-human-who-dat-is.html">Who Dat Is?</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/05/pure-human-couples-counseling.html">Couples Counseling</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/05/pure-human-big-men-on-campus.html">Big Men on Campus</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/06/pure-human-impure.html">Impure</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/06/pure-human-dr-watterson.html">Dr. Watterson</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/08/pure-human-melrose-theory.html">The Melrose Theory</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/08/pure-human-attempted-arson.html">Attempted Arson</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/08/pure-human-shadow-caster.html">Shadow Caster</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/11/pure-human-pecking-order.html">Pecking Order</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2016/12/pure-human-dead-on-mountain.html">Dead on a Mountain</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2017/02/pure-human-doing-thing.html">Doing a Thing</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2017/03/pure-human-to-gas-station.html">To the Gas Station</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2017/04/pure-human-born-from-nightmares.html">Born from Nightmares</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/01/pure-human-go-time.html">Go Time</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/02/pure-human-trick-plays.html">Trick Plays</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/02/pure-human-one-problem-at-time.html">One Problem at a Time</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/05/pure-human-let-me-in.html">Let Me In</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/05/pure-human-be-gone.html">Be Gone</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/07/pure-human-ethics-and-morals.html">Ethics and Morals</a></p><p><a href="http://thenamelesswriters.blogspot.com/2018/09/pure-human-closure.html">Closure</a></p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-11666993699633285812021-01-31T12:00:00.001-05:002021-01-31T12:00:04.240-05:00Little Ghost - Others<div>[Posted by Ted H]</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, 2021 is just more of the same from 2020.<br />Same year, new, even worse flavor.</div><div><br /></div><div>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div>[Little Ghost - Others]<br /><br /> She ran and ran and ran, not tiring one bit and too scared to stop. Charles would be on her if she stopped even for a second, or at least that was her belief as she ran. Without a sound, someone ran past her. Kristina sounded a desperate wail as she halted and was about to change directions when it registered in her mind that it was someone else and not Charles. A second figure, also not Charles went by after that and Kristina watched as they sprinted away until the second figure looked back and saw her standing, then called for his companion to stop. <br /><br /><br />Both males jogged back to Kristina while their eyes darted around. “Can they see me?” Kristina said to herself. “Why’d you stop?” the first man said. “Ummm...” Kristina tried to answer before the second man broke in “I don’t see anything. I told you it was probably a false alarm.” <br /><br /><br />“I wasn’t taking no chances,” the first man snapped back, then looked to Kristina “You gave us a scare, lady,” he said as he cracked a relieved smile. <br /><br /><br />“You can...” Kristina found herself at a loss for words “You can see me?” she finally asked. <br /><br /><br />“Sure as shit,” the man responded as he looked to his companion. <br /><br /><br />“We obviously see you,” the second added “We saw you running first, remember?” <br /><br /><br />“I ain’t ever see her before. You think she’s new?” <br /><br /><br />“Oh yeah, definitely new.” <span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><br /><br />“You sure?” <br /><br /><br />“As sure as I can spit through you.” <br /><br /><br />“Hey!” Kristina shouted for their attention “I don’t think you understand-” <br /><br /><br />“You die in the last 24 hours?” the first man asked bluntly. <br /><br /><br />“I, uh, I mean...” <br /><br /><br />“Less than 12 hours, I bet,” the second said “She still got that deer in the headlights look to her.” <br /><br /><br />“Not to mention that deathly pale complexion.” <br /><br /><br />“Well, that’s just natural for us.” <br /><br /><br />Both men laughed. <br /><br /><br />“I...Don’t even know what’s going on anymore,” Kristina said, tossing her arms in the air. <br /><br /><br />“Hey, don’t sweat it,” the first man said “We’re just having a laugh. We needed it after the scare you gave us.” <br /><br /><br />“You scared the shit out of us...metaphorically speaking, or course,” the second said. <br /><br /><br />“Only one reason ghosts run like that. We saw you booking it like a bat out of hell, we immediately thought Reaper.” <br /><br /><br />“That wasn’t a Reaper,” Kristina said with a nervous look behind her “I think that was the devil himself.” <br /><br /><br />“Jeeze,” the second man laughed “The dramatics with this one!” <br /><br /><br />“The devil don’t bother with being here unless it’s important,” the first man clarified. <br /><br /><br />“Thanks,” Kristina said “You’re the second person tonight to tell me I’m not that important.” <br /><br /><br />“Ha!” the first man exclaimed “Like I said, don’t sweat it! Name’s Clifford. The Napoleon complex beside me is Sammy.” <br /><br /><br />“I’m not short, you lanky prick!” Sammy said. Sammy wasn’t wrong, Clifford was well over 6 feet, making the average sized Sammy seem like a midget. Sammy still towered over Kristina. Of the weird cast of characters Kristina had been meeting so far tonight, she decided these two were far and away better company than Bob or Charles, even if they took some getting used to. <br /><br /><br />“How did you know I was a ghost?” Kristina asked, finally able to smile herself. “You mean besides the albino see through look you have?” Sammy snarked “Seeing you go through a fence without hesitation clinched it for me. Kristina closed her eyes and felt stupid. “Ok, sorry,” she said “It’s been quite a trip today and I’m still trying to find my center, you know?” <br /><br /><br />“Good luck with that. Some of us never do,” Clifford said with a wider grin. <br /><br /><br />“So, you’re also ghosts?” Kritina asked, immediately regretting the phrasing. <br /><br /><br />“Oh yeah,” Clifford said, waving his arm through Sammy’s chest like nothing. <br /><br /><br />“Get the fuck out of there!” Sammy yelled swinging his arms through Clifford for the invasion of space. Kristin laughed, thankful for that first authentic feeling of joy since this whole ordeal began. <br /><br /><br />“Sammy died in a nightclub fire back before they have required emergency exits or fire codes,” Clifford clarified “Or common sense to not smoke near combustible materials.” <br /><br /><br />“Fucker,” Sammy chided “You think that’s bad? Cliff here was a homeless who fell asleep during a polar vortex and died of exposure!” <br /><br /><br />“You could've left out the part where I fell asleep.” <br /><br /><br />“Yeah, but it adds such nuance to the tale!” <br /><br /><br />“So, what was it that did you in?” Clifford asked Kristina, ignoring his friend. <br /><br /><br />“Oh, uh,” Kristina felt nervous suddenly being put on the spot “Just a car crash. Wasn’t even driving.” <br /><br /><br />“Tragic,” Clifford said. Kristina shrugged. “Not much I can do about it now,” she said. <br /><br /><br />“True, true,” Clifford said “So what was your plan once you lost the Reaper?” <br /><br /><br />Kristina tried to think of something, but ultimately shook her head and shrugged again. <br /><br /><br />“Well, that settles it!” Clifford declared “You’re coming with us! We’ll show you around and introduce you to other runaways!” <br /><br /><br />“Your orientation of sorts,” Sammy added. <br /><br /><br />Kristina wasn’t thrilled about yet another person she just met telling her to follow them around, but she figured these guys meant well and could keep her away from Charles and perhaps even Bob. “Lead the way,” she finally said, forcing a smile. <br /><br /><br />There was a fair amount of walking they had to do, so much that the sun was finally creeping up in the east when the group reached a new residential area. Kristina had hung back while Clifford and Sammy led the way, lost in some back-and-forth discussion about sports and occasionally looking back to make sure Kristina was still following. <br /><br /><br />It was a surreal feeling for Kristina; the dawn of a day in which she would have no influence or impact on. Not that she contributed much to society in life, but now the world would truly keep turning without her. It made her sad, but she reminded herself that even the most renowned people of history had died and life went on regardless. It reminded her of a poem she read in high school. <br /><br /><br />“No one would mind, neither bird nor tree, if mankind perished utterly,” she recited from memory, causing a break in whatever conversation the men were having. It was the only line she recalled. “Oh boy,” Sammy mocked “We got another Ray Bradbury!” <br /><br /><br />“Bradbury didn’t write that,” Clifford said. <br /><br /><br />“Yeah, I totally read it from him.” <br /><br /><br />“The guy didn’t write poems! That’s a poem!” <br /><br /><br />“It was a poem in a story!” <br /><br /><br />“A poem he didn’t write!” <br /><br /><br />“He wrote it for the story!” <br /><br /><br />“No he didn’t! He used someone else’s poem!” <br /><br /><br />“That’s not allowed! That be plagiarism or something.” <br /><br /><br />“I bet he asked permission.” <br /><br /><br />“That’s not how it works!” <br /><br /><br />“Oh, so now you a literary scholar?” <br /><br /><br />“Do you two always argue about everything?” Kristina asked. Clifford and Sammy grinned at each other. “We ain’t got much else to do,” Clifford said “I sure hope you’re a conversationalist. Otherwise, it’s gonna be a long long looooong afterlife.” Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-23663525566038024242021-01-17T12:00:00.010-05:002021-01-17T16:13:25.525-05:00Little Ghost - Charles[Posted by Ted H]<br /><br />Today is January 17, 2021....Or December 48, 2020? Based on how the world still is, I don't think we're out of the woods yet...<div><br /></div><div>...Also check out my new side project, <a href="https://mlbsdobsession.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MLB Showdown Obsession</a>, if an obscure and defunct trading card game interests you...<br /><br />----------------------------------------------------<br /><br />[Little Ghost - Charles]<br /><br /><br />It took longer than she thought it would, and more than once she got caught up wandering into the maternity ward looking at babies, but Kristina eventually found her way to the ICU where she hoped Ryan was. She came across various people in conditions ranging from near death to recovering from surgery. Many different people, but no 20-year-old males from a car crash. Just to be sure, she doubled back to every room on the floor, but no luck. Eventually she gave up when she realized she was entering her third lap through the same rooms. <br /><br />The room she was in belonged to an elderly woman hooked up to oxygen. Her breathing was labored but her sleep was sound. Kristina approached her bedside slowly, not wanting to disturb her before she realized she wouldn’t be able to anyway. She watched the old woman sleep, heartbroken at this lonely woman alone and slowly dying, but then jealous. <br /><br />This woman had her life. She lived. She married. She had children. She had grandchildren. When the next day comes, that family will likely be here by her side again. Then back again the next day. And every day. Every day until the end. She’ll die surrounded by loved ones. People who care. She won’t die in an ambulance. She won’t die with a stranger fruitlessly trying to save her. She won’t die young with an entire life stolen away from her. </div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /><br />“God...” she scolded herself, realizing how bitter this night had made her. She didn’t have blood, or at least she didn’t think she did, but she felt her face would be red anyway from how embarrassed she felt for hating this old woman for the egregious sin of still getting to be alive. “Mom raised me better,” she said to herself as an opening door briefly let light into the room and someone stepped inside and closed the door. She assumed it was a doctor, or Bob, either or didn’t matter at this point. She had thoughts of just returning to where they were keeping her body and sulking around it until Bob tracked her down. <br /><br />The man who entered the room wasn’t Bob. Kristina would venture a guess and say it wasn’t a doctor either. He wore a sharp black suit that almost perfectly blended into the darkness. His long dark hair was gelled back and reflected the low light in the room brightly as did the pinstripe accents on the suit. He had a clean-shaven face complete with a smirk that said he was here on business, but he was getting some personal satisfaction from it as well. Being in his presence made Kristina feel uneasy. <br /><br />The man looked over the vulnerable woman as she slept with a hungry look in his eye. Kristina didn’t know his intentions, but she didn’t plan to stick around to find out. Despite being a ghost, she slowly backed away from the scene for the nearest wall to slip through. “Don’t run, little lamb.” the man said, making Kristina freeze. The man made no effort to move or even look away from the old woman, but somehow Kristina felt as if he were addressing her. <br /><br />“Creep,” Kristina said under her breath as she turned to walk away. “Why are you leaving when there are only so many of us who can offer you companionship?” he said. Kristina spun around and uttered “What the fuck?” The man smiled and finally turned to look at her, his dark eyes piercing into her in the dimly lit room. Kristina felt a shudder, as if her skin were crawling as she asked “Are you another Reaper?” <br /><br />The man tilted his head back and let off a short laugh, as if thinking of him as another Bob was a funny comparison. He did carry an air of prominence about him that Bob lacked, but Kristina didn’t like him. She didn’t like Bob, sure, but she disliked this guy even more. “I am no Reaper,” he clarified “Anywhere you go with me will be of your own choosing, I assure you.” <br /><br />“How do you know me...and where I was?” Kristina asked, more frantic sounding with the second question. “Souls like you are a beacon in darkness to those of my ilk,” the man said “And you are quite well known now, little lamb. Quite well known indeed.” He turned away from her and returned his gaze to the old woman. “Such a shame,” he commented “To be cut down so young while people like this can grow old with a wasted life,” <br /><br />“I can see your disdain, you know. The resentment. Do you know about her? Five children, only two she allowed to live to term. One abandoned with its father and the last used as a crutch for a government check. No family will weep for her. She hasn't got long, and she has no one love ones remaining to see her off.” <br /><br />“You don’t know that,” Kristina said “You can’t possibly know her.” <br /><br />“It’s my business to know. Now then, wouldn’t you say it would be just to deny her any more moments? Wouldn’t it be a service to humanity to end this wicked life early?” he had moved around the bed to where there were various plugs in a socket. He placed his hand around the cords and slightly tugged them, threatening to pull them out. <br /><br />“That’s not my call to decide.” <br /><br />“Oh, but it can be!” the man said excitedly “Your life was unfairly taken! Decide this woman’s fate and tip the scales of justice more even in your favor!” <br /><br /><br />Kristina wanted out. “I don’t know her! What will her death do about mine?” The man grinned and let his hand fall away from the cords. “I guess you have a point,” he said. Kristina decided enough was enough, an she had had more than her fill of this guy. She made for the door and even had one leg phasing through the door when the man spoke again. <br /><br />“I can give you Ryan. I know where he is.” <br /><br />Kristina stopped and brought herself back into the room. “He isn’t here anymore,” the man continued. “Are you the devil?” Kristina finally had the courage to ask. The man tilted his head back again, but this time didn’t laugh, seemingly more pleased with this comparison. “No, little lamb,” he said “You’re not *that* important.” <br /><br /><br />The man introduced himself as Charles and invited Kristina to follow him out of the hospital and to the parking lot where a bright red sports car waited. “I can’t ride that,” she said as Charles opened the passenger door and held it for her. “Yes,” Charles said “You’ll inhabit the space of the car. It’s fine.” She climbed into the undoubtedly comfortable leather seat she could not feel, then watched Charles walk around and enter. He revved up the engine, shattering the quiet night with a thunderous roar, then peeled out into the streets. <br /><br />“How can I phase through walls but ride here with no problem?” Kristina asked, still fascinated as the outside world blurred by. “It’s...technical,” Charles said, not bothering to look over “You wouldn’t quite understand the specifics.” This frustrated Kristina. She knew she wasn’t the brightest person in the world, but she knew when someone smarter than her was just ignoring her because they didn’t feel like dumbing down to her level. <br /><br />Charles glanced briefly in her direction and read her expression. “Let me put it this way,” he said with a sigh “Before ghosts and otherworldly being existed here, there was a certain set of rules already in place. A set of parameters that dictate how interactions work between the tangible and the paranormal. You and I just have to play by those rules.” For the most part, the explanation was going over her head, but Kristina seemed to grasp the gist on a basic level. She still was confused about being able to ride in a car while she could walk through walls, but she found herself appreciating the effort Charles made. <br /><br />They drove a convoluted way through some side streets before emerging on the highway. Charles was focused on the road, but seemingly interested in something other than navigating the streets. In a dark section of the highway, with no one around, he pulled over. Charles looked to Kristina with a pleasant and satisfied look on his face. “Right around here is where it all began,” he said as he gestured his head towards the road behind him out of his window. <br /><br />“What began?” Kristina asked, confused. <br /><br />“Well, ended, depending on your interpretation.” <br /><br />Kristina looked up and down the road and shrugged. “What began? What ended? I’m a little lost.” <br /><br />“The ambulance was moving pretty quick. Maybe it was a bit farther down the line...” Charles mused. <br /><br />It took Kristina a moment longer before her eyes went wide. “I...I died here?” Charles smirked. “Why would you bring me here? Why would you think I’d want to see this? Just...why? Why?” <br /><br />“Relax, little lamb,” Charles said “This is your new beginning. Revel in it! Your rebirth! Your new act! The power you can wield, it should excite you!” <br /><br />“I can’t open a door on my own anymore,” Kristina barked “What power could I possibly have?” <br /><br />“You think too narrowly.” Charles had a look of pure lust in his eyes as he gazed over to Kristina. Without looking, he shifted back to drive and took off back onto the road for his destination. A sick feeling overwhelmed Kristina. “Where are we going?” she demanded. Charles had been coy about that. <br /><br />“Ryan,” he responded. <br /><br />“Yes, but where is Ryan?” <br /><br />“Oh, I can’t ruin the surprise.” <br /><br />“But he’s alive, right?” <br /><br />“Very much.” <br /><br />Charles let his foot weight heavier on the accelerator as his fancy sports car picked up more and more speed. Kristina missed Bob, and that was an admission that surprised even her. Bob was creepy, but Charles was in a whole other league about it. She wasn’t sure if Charles wanted to fuck her or eat her based on his eyes, but she didn’t want to find out. <br /><br />Charles promised her Ryan, but now Kristina was questioning if that was just an empty promise just to keep her close by. “Not that I have a choice now,” she thought to herself “I’m stuck in this car going a million miles an hour.” <br /><br />A realization hit Kristina about her predicament. First, she gave herself a long slow blink for her thinking; Jumping out of a car isn’t such an impossible idea if you’re just a ghost. Next, she considered what Charles explained before about rules and her ability to ride in a car. She figured the easiest way out was to simply phase through the door and stand up out of the car as if it were stationary. It was a scary thought, even as a ghost, so she closed her eyes and swung her legs out and got up as if she were exiting a parked car. <br /><br />The roar of the engine was suddenly fading away quickly. Kristina opened her eyes and found herself standing in the road. She looked for Charles and saw bright red brake lights illuminate as the sports car screeched to a halt. Kristina took off without wasting another second, off the road, through a fence, through some woods, up a hill, through another fence and into a residential area. <span><!--more--></span></div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-91969669146152833682020-12-06T12:00:00.002-05:002021-01-14T19:11:43.853-05:00Little Ghost - Automatic Doors[Posted by Ted H]<br /><br />Fission Mailed on NaNoWriMo word count. Not surprising, but the whole point of this year was to get back in the saddle and fire up a new project. I'm gonna see how much mileage I can get out of LG while still finding time to continue my 3rd Blake novel.<br /><br />And I'm starting a new side blog that has nothing to do with writing...Advertising on the side (or wherever here there's room) coming soon.<br /><br />Also a friend of mine is trying to start an epic of his own. Should I give him space here to get the writing out into the world? YOU BET YOUR ASS I WILL!<br /><br />----------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />[Little Ghost - Automatic Doors]<br /><br /><br />“That’s not me!” Kristina bellowed as she collapsed to the ground, grabbing both arms and sobbing to herself, but no tears flowed. “Kristina,” the man tried to address her, but she wasn’t having any of it. “That’s not me!” she repeated “Look at her! That can’t be me!” She wasn’t sure she could muster any other words from her mouth. She wanted to say something else to make her case, but the same three words came to mind every time. “That’s not me!” she reiterated. <br /><br />The man put his hands up and backed to the wall away from both Kristina and her body. “Whenever you’re ready to get over your shock and move this conversation along,” he said as he folded his arms and leaned back. Kristina stayed where she was on the ground, eyes frozen open and unable to look away from the body. She hoped it would wake up, silently begged for it to get up. <br /><br />Time passed. Hours, maybe days. Perhaps weeks. Time no longer had meaning for Kristina. All she could do was look to her own body-no! Not her own body. That imposter was not her. She wanted this fake to wake up so she could demand to know why she did her face up to look so similar. She wasn’t going anywhere until she got answers. And if that man was waiting for her to cooperate with whatever game he was playing, then Kristina was going to make sure he would wait every second possible. <br /><br />The door swung open and a young man in scrubs shuffled in with a stack of folders in one hand and a coffee in the other. He was browsing a paper on top of the folders in his hand until he noticed the body on the table and tilted his head at it. He hastily looked around the room, seeing neither Kristina nor the man, and stuffed his folder stack under his coffee arm and used his free hand to replace the sheet over the corpse’s face. He then placed the folders on the nearby desk and headed back out the door, taking a quick moment before he left to look around the room one more time with an uncomfortable look on his face. <br /><br />“He couldn’t see me either,” Kristina remarked. <br /><br />“Can’t be surprising to yet at this point,” the man responded. <br /><br />“He didn’t see you either,” Kristina said, finally looking at something that wasn’t her own body or someone interacting with it. <br /><br />“Well, I can be unseen when I want to be. Makes my job easier.” <br /><br />A new worry flooded Kristina’s mind. “What are you?” she finally asked. <br /><br />“Oh, you’re finally curious about me as opposed to yourself?” the man said with a hint of sarcasm. He walked over to her in what appeared to be a rehearsed introduction. “I am a Reaper,” he said and was about to add more to that, but Kristina wasn’t interested. She was already bolting back out the door, much to the surprise of the man who obviously wasn’t prepared for that as his protest of “Oh, c’mon!” followed her as she ran. <br /><br />She could barely wrap her mind around the concept that she might, MIGHT be dead, but the idea that the man was a reaper was something she was not ready to test. She sprinted through the door, this time thinking nothing about how she could phase right through it, and down the hall and back for the elevators. She wasn’t sure if the elevator was on her floor, and her attempt to hit the call button resulted in her finger phasing right through the wall, so instead she headed for the stairwell. <br /><br />Phasing through another door and she headed up, the only direction available. Her breathing was frantic, made worse by the notion that she probably didn’t even need to breathe, plus the fact that this was the most she’s ever run in a long time and not only was she not winded in the slightest, but there wasn’t a bead of sweat from the effort. She used to sweat just watching other people run, and the fact that she now had unlimited stamina at the cost of her life was yet another nagging contributor to her current full-blown freak out. <br /><br />She was running too much to stop and read the signs for the exit, not that her mind was in any condition to try that, not with a reaper running around looking for her. After getting more than a little lost and running in circles at times on what she was sure was the ground floor, a realization hit her. She didn’t have to play by the rules of a physical world. She picked a direction and started walking right through the walls until, sure enough, she walked right out and into the main lobby. <br /><br />Judging by the darkness outside the glass doors, it was still night out, and the lobby was quiet save for the receptionist at the desk playing around with her cell phone. Kristina walked right up to the desk and got right in the woman’s face. Not a hint of notice until she suddenly looked up from the phone and her eyes darted around the lobby. Kristina was taken aback but pleasantly surprised. “Can you see me? At all?” she asked, but the woman said nothing as she quizzically looked around before shrugging and returning to her phone. <br /><br />Kristina sighed then resumed her escape by walking for the door. The automatic sensor triggered and the doors slid open, letting in the warm summer breeze. The receptionist glanced up briefly but otherwise didn’t react. Kristina stepped back and let the doors slide shut. The sensor noticed her, and the first actual interaction with the world around her excited her more than it should, and definitely calmed her frazzled mind a little. Then an idea popped into mind. <br /><br />She stepped forward again and triggered the doors. The receptionist again looked up, this time with a bit of concern in her eyes. A sly smile crept across Kristina’s face as she stepped back and let the doors start to slide close again before jumping forward again and making the doors fly back open. The receptionist dropped her phone and bolted up in her seat. “Hello?” she meekly asked. <br /><br />As entertaining as this was becoming, Kristina had to refocus on her escape. With the doors still open, she dashed out into the world, vowing never to step foot in another hospital ever again. Relief swept through her when she instantly recognized where she was. The name of the hospital eluded her, but the building itself was something she had driven passed countless times. She had her bearings, and was now confident she could get home. <br /><br />“Took a minute, eh?” an all too familiar voice sounded from the shadows “That’s ok, took me a while to navigate that maze my first time too.” <br /><br />“No!” Kristina shouted as she spun around, looking wildly for where the man was. <br /><br />“Calm down!” the man said with his hands raised as he approached from where he had ducked by the entrance “Listen, I’m not the bad scary Reaper like you know from your culture.” <br /><br />“Oh, so you’re the cheery fun-loving kind I’ve never heard of before,” Kristina responded sarcastically while keeping her distance. <br /><br />“Look, let’s just...Start over, ok? Hi, Kristina, my name’s Bob.” <br /><br />“Bob...” Kristina responded while remaining skeptical and distance. <br /><br />“Yes,” Bob responded “You died, unfortunately, and I’m very sorry. And now you’re running around as a spirit. It’s my job to help you move on beyond this plane of existence. <br /><br />“What do you mean?” <br /><br />“No, it’s good news. There are two options, and they don’t send me for people going to Hell.” <br /><br />“How can I trust you?” <br /><br />“Well, if you were slated for Hell, there’d be no need to explain things to you. You’d already be on your way down.” <br /><br />The logic seemed sound to Kristina, but it didn’t comfort her. Bob confirming her death, however needless in light of all previous evidence, was the straw that broke the camel's back for her. She aimlessly walked towards the curb and took a seat and placed her head in her hands. Bob stood silently behind her while she collected her thoughts. <br /><br />“I don’t wanna die,” she said in such a whisper she wondered if Bob even heard her. <br /><br />“I don’t make those calls,” Bob responded. <br /><br />“Whose call is it?” Kristina demanded. <br /><br />“Yours,” Bob said after a moment “Free will. Humans decide their own fate. When that fate leads to ones demise, us Reapers are called in to collect the soul and usher it to its ultimate fate.” <br /><br />“You knew I was going to die?” <br /><br />“I got the notification after you were already dying.” <br /><br />“Who notifies you?” <br /><br />“Now we’re talking about things beyond your understanding, even if you weren’t reeling from tonight’s events.” <br /><br />Kristina sighed, wanting to cry but no tears fell. “Can I just go back into my body?” she whined “I’ll go back in there and we can skip this whole reaping thing!” <br /><br />“Doesn’t work that way, I’m afraid,” Bob explained “But you’re in the bargaining phase, so I won’t hold it against you.” <br /><br />“This isn’t a joke!” Kristina yelled. Bob stayed silent at that. Kristina buried her face in her hands again and a sad wail escaped her throat. <br /><br />“This is a lot, I understand,” Bob said as he walked out in front “But the good news is, you won’t care in another minute.” He then looked to the sky and nodded. A ray of light descended to the ground from the overcast sky and Kristina stood up in awe of it. “It’s cliché, I know,” Bob said “But we surveyed the idea and most people find comfort in it.” <br /><br />“Heaven?” Kristina asked. <br /><br />“Yup,” Bob said with a nod “The big guy likes to call up the important souls himself, but it’s up to the little guys like me to assist the rest upstairs.” <br /><br />“So, you’re an angel,” Kristina reasoned. <br /><br />“Eh...” Bob shrugged “Reapers are a form of angel, maybe, but not really.” <br /><br />“Have you been to Heaven?” <br /><br />“No, but it’s my retirement package when my time as Reaper comes to an end.” <br /><br />“How does that work?” <br /><br />“Hey, don’t worry about me. Go on, get out of here,” <br /><br />“Oh, sorry,” Kristina said, turning back to regard the ray of light. It was a stark contrast to the night around it, and it gave off a welcoming energy that convinced Kristina that Bob wasn't lying about where it led. <br /><br />“Kinda cancels out the traumatic car accident, eh?” Bob said as Kristina stepped towards the ground where the light covered. Kristina chuckled as she recalled the car accident for the last time in her mind. Before she took another step, something sprung to mind and she stopped and looked back to Bob. “What about Ryan?” she asked. <br /><br />“Who?” Bob asked. <br /><br />“Ryan. He was in the car with me. Shouldn’t he be a ghost running around too?” <br /><br />“Well, if he died, yeah.” <br /><br />“He’s not dead?” <br /><br />“Probably not, but who cares?” <br /><br />“That’s not fucking fair!” <br /><br />Bob was taken aback by her tone. Confused, he shook his head and shrugged. “It doesn’t matter,” he reiterated. <br /><br />“He was driving,” Kristina said as she stormed back to Bob and glared up at him. “He got us into that accident. HE was the one drinking. HE is the one who got me killed!” <br /><br />“It doesn’t matter!” Bob argued back. <br /><br />Kristina looked back towards the hospital. She knew somewhere inside was Ryan, assuming he was brought in the same as her. Bob was saying something, but she wasn’t hearing him. She took off back for the hospital. “What are you doing?” Bob yelled “Just step into the light!” Kristina stole a look behind her and saw Bob looking up to the sky as the light faded and everything fell back into darkness. She ran towards the automatic doors as they opened, the receptionist jumping in her chair, and back into the hospital. Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-27205454834421373572020-11-22T12:00:00.001-05:002020-11-22T12:00:00.748-05:00Little Ghost - That's Not Me (NaNoWriMo Update #2)[Posted by Ted H]<div><br /></div><div>Well, family time happened for a week and I fell off a cliff in terms of progress, but I haven't given up. I'll still push through and pound out as many words as I can until December, even if this is another wasted year, I'll make it a productive one...</div><div><br /></div><div>Current status of my 2020 NaNoWriMo: 10,836 / 50,000 (39,164 words to go!)</div><div><br /></div><div>---------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>[Little Ghost - That's Not Me]</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{91}" paraid="376990857" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina bolted upright immediately after, screaming. She swung her legs over the table and jumped down, thankful her legs worked, and started sprinting. She told herself what kind of horrible dream she must’ve just had. It felt so real though, like she legitimately died. Her thoughts scrambled like crazy as she ran to a two-way push door so fast, she didn’t even register if it moved or not as she was into a strange white hallway, which completely stole her attention.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{95}" paraid="184210484" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There were white fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, but the whole scene seemed darker and hazier than it should have been. “Where even am I?” she asked aloud, taken slightly aback at how distant her voice seemed in her head. She tried to take in her surroundings, worried that her dream may not have been a dream after all. There was a gurney pushed to the side of the hall and a sign on the wall that had arrows pointed in both directions to various places like “ER” and “OR” with color coded labels that matched lines that were also lining the floor.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{99}" paraid="1233078010" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hospital...” she said slowly, gazing down at her hands and checking her body. Something was off. She knew she must’ve been in an ambulance, but she couldn’t place why she felt no pain when she distinctly remembered feeling differently before. She wasn’t the least bit sore, nor could she feel anything. She pinched her cheek, half checking for pain, half checking to see if she were still dreaming. Nothing. She raised an arm and started scratching at it with her nails, a nervous habit she could never kick, but now a useful test since it would always start to hurt if she scratched too long. Still nothing.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{103}" paraid="1042807480" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“They must’ve given me the good stuff. Capital M morphine!” she reasoned. It didn’t seem right, since she should be doped to hell, but it explained why her senses seemed dull and hazy and why her entire body was numb. The whole situation was beginning to get overwhelming and Kristina was pleased to see a nurse round the corner ahead and walk down a different hall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{107}" paraid="1595351389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Excuse me!” Kristina called, but the nurse paid her no attention. “Hey, wait!” she yelled and took off after her. She wasn’t sure how smart it was to run on numb, morphine legs, but she felt a breakdown creeping up on her and needed some reassurance on where she was and what the hell happened to her. The nurse made her way to an elevator and hit the call button.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{111}" paraid="1462426159" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Please, miss! Hold on!” Kristina cried as she sped up. The elevator doors opened and the nurse casually stepped aboard. “Wait!” Kristina screamed as she caught up and faced the nurse, who looked right through her. “</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW190889539 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Helllllo</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">!” Kristina said obnoxiously “A little help here?” The nurse didn’t even react as the elevator door began to slide shut. “Are you fucking serious?” she screamed as she stuck out her arm to stop the elevator door and keep the nurse where she was.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{119}" paraid="1384870885" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The door didn’t heed her either as it pushed right through Kristina’s arm and into place, allowing the elevator on the other side to start its journey. Kristina gasped and instinctively pulled her arm back and out of the door. She was speechless as she stared at her hand, slowly backing away from the elevator. Did that really just happen? No. Of course not. The elevator door was going to stop, but Kristina was so doped up on the morphine that her brain imagined the door closing. A simple lag of her brain.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{123}" paraid="980654279" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“But why didn’t that bitch answer me?” she asked aloud, questioning her own logic. That breakdown she felt creeping up was starting to crack through, and Kristina just wanted to roll into a ball and cry. She knew she couldn’t do that. She needed to figure out what was going on. She needed to get answers, then call mom, then she could have her breakdown.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{127}" paraid="327746886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I need to go back to bed,” she reasoned. Perhaps the doctors and nurses didn’t think she’d wake from her morphine nap so easily. Maybe they were planning to come back and wake her, then explain everything. She began to wander back the way she came, absent mindedly scratching her arm, so sure that things would make sense but worried that what she’d been seeing wasn’t quite fitting into place. “It must be the drugs,” she tried reminding herself.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{131}" paraid="1364517176" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hi there!” a voice called out behind her “You look a little lost.” Kristina spun around, overcome with relief. She saw an older man in a white coat. A doctor! “Lost doesn’t even begin to describe it!” she said with a huge grin. Finally, some answers, or at least some direction. “Well, I can imagine after what you’ve been through, Kristina.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{135}" paraid="1100611246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you my doctor?” she asked.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{139}" paraid="1029463498" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Uh,” the man began, then shook his head “No. Definitely not.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{143}" paraid="1760848074" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Then, how do you know me?”.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{147}" paraid="261047146" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It’s,” the man hesitated again as he dug his hands into his coat pockets “It’s a little complicated. Tell me, what do you remember?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{151}" paraid="74155530" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The man began walking and motioned Kristina to follow. “Um,” she began “I remember some kind of accident. Then I was lying in what I hope was an ambulance. And then I woke up in this place.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{155}" paraid="769797252" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The man nodded. “That’s a pretty accurate summary,” he said while cocking his head to the side. “Car accident,” he said “They had to pull you out. Wasn’t easy.” Kristina shuddered, remembering what little she could. “And now you’re walking around no problem?” the man added.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{159}" paraid="1712857190" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina wanted to say something quickly to that, but stopped and chose her words carefully. “Well, yes?” she said “I know you have me on some pretty strong pain killers, so I assume I’ll be in a world of hurt once they wear off...” The man raised both his eyebrows to that. “Well, what’s your fucking theory then?” she snapped, becoming both scared and annoyed at this man. “Are you even a doctor?” she demanded. He was wearing the white coat, but there were no scrubs or clean attire underneath. He was wearing wrinkly stained dress shirt and an </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">off-color</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> pair of slacks.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{167}" paraid="2092928651" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m not exactly a doctor, but trust me Kristina, I’m here for you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{171}" paraid="1267514864" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina slowly back away from him. “You didn’t imagine that elevator door,” he said “And that nurse didn’t notice you because she couldn’t see you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{175}" paraid="1322556287" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Stop it,” Kristina said, trying to muster some backbone, but instead feeling that breakdown creeping back up again. The man smirked as he removed his white doctors coat and casually tossed it at her. She put up her hands to block the coat, then cried out as it easily passed through her hands, arms and torso as it </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190889539 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">fell</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> undisturbed to the ground. The man chuckled at her response.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{183}" paraid="1030096078" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina opened her mouth to scream, but only a tiny whimper escaped. She grasped her torso, where the coat so easily breached through, and felt to make sure she was still a solid object. That man was talking, but Kristina wasn’t hearing him, sick in her own mind what felt like beyond an invasion of privacy. He had put that coat right through her. Right fucking through her! “Magic trick!” her mind flashed in desperation “He’s playing a trick. That has to be it!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{187}" paraid="932862342" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Kristina!” the man shouted, snapping back her attention to her “Listen to me very carefully. You were right about an accident, and the ambulance trip...”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{191}" paraid="827740639" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And?” she squeaked out, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">dreading</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> what she felt was the answer.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{199}" paraid="1860979322" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You didn’t make it,” he said in the most matter of fact tone Kristina ever heard.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{203}" paraid="1915520905" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW190889539 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Nooooooo</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">,” Kristina said as her </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">voice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> dropped and held that O sound. Gesturing about herself, showing how she was very much alive, she re-found her voice and protested “I’m not dead! Here I am. Do I look dead to you?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{215}" paraid="999591455" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re a ghost,” the man said as he shrugged and walked over to retrieve his coat and put it back on. “I’m not a ghost!” Kristina screamed without thinking. The man simply laughed and motioned for her to follow him down the hall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{219}" paraid="1074148060" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina didn’t want to follow. She didn’t want to be anywhere near this man. She wanted to run. Get home any way she could and crawl into bed and weep until this whole ordeal was repressed and she can move on in life. But instead, she followed, because she had no idea where to run anyway.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{223}" paraid="644880564" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She was led back the way she had come when she tried to chase down the nurse. Back to the swinging door she thought she had opened as she ran earlier, but now she wasn’t so sure. This time she wasn’t sprinting and was able to notice the sign over the door. The sign sank her very soul into the ground as she started to shake. The man pushed the door open and held it open for her. The door had a high-pitched squeak to it that Kristina did not remember hearing before. She stopped short and the man gestured with his head for her to get moving. Kristina closed her eyes and itched her arm as she took the final few steps into the morgue.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{227}" paraid="728455973" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Laying on the table Kristina woke up on was a body under a sheet. It was her size. The same short frame with a belly too large and breasts too small for her liking that she judged in front of a mirror every morning. All the rationalizing in her mind up until now suddenly had no explanations for what she was looking at. “That’s not me,” she whispered in pure denial.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{231}" paraid="1569120868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The man sighed and walked to the body, putting his hand on the top of the sheet. “No,” Kristina said “I don’t </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW190889539 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wanna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-” The man didn’t listen as he pulled the sheet off the face to reveal Kristina’s own face.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190889539" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190889539 BCX0" paraeid="{8f94b48d-7f7c-444e-a3f7-92cfe0fa5eb6}{239}" paraid="1345803372" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It looked exactly like Kristina, but it wasn’t her. Her face was different than this imposter’s. Her face wasn’t bloodied. Her eye wasn’t swollen shut. The side of her face wasn’t purple. Her face wasn’t cut up. Her hair wasn’t matted down with blood. That wasn’t her face. That face was dead. The person on the table was dead. That person on the table was supposed to be her. That wasn’t her face. That wasn’t her blood. That wasn’t her swollen eye. Those weren’t her cuts. That wasn’t her bloodied hair. That wasn’t her face. That wasn’t her corpse. That wasn’t her face. That wasn’t her face. That wasn’t her fucking face. That wasn’t her FUCKING FACE! THAT WASN’T HER FUCKING FACE!</span><span class="EOP SCXW190889539 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div></div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-45794429701051838272020-11-08T12:00:00.001-05:002020-11-08T12:00:00.647-05:00Little Ghost - Death (NaNoWriMo Update #1)<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p>Back in action! I can't remember I made a serious attempt at NaNoWriMo, but here we are. My chances of winning this year are about as good as Joe Biden's chances of not sniffing children like a creep (slim to none), but we can still enjoy the ride.</p><p>The first part I'm sharing isn't much, but it works better self contained for now. Sue me. More to come.</p><p>Current status of my 2020 NaNoWriMo: 5,002 / 50,000 (44,998 words to go!)</p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>[Little Ghost - Death]</p><p><br /></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{161}" paraid="738692707" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kristina's eyes were shut tight, but she knew what was happening. The shattering glass, the crushing metal, the screeching rubber, all jumbled into a chorus behind her own dire screams. Her vision was black behind her own eyelids, but she felt everything slow down. There was suddenly time. Time to recount, but no time to be coherent. In her rushing thoughts she wept how she was only 19. She was supposed to have a future. She was supposed to make a difference. It wasn’t fair for tomorrow to be taken away.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{168}" paraid="1130845733" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She wasn’t ready.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{172}" paraid="2133803258" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I don’t </span><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW97254824 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wanna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> go!” she shouted, either out loud or in her own mind. She wasn’t sure. Before she could tell, a darkness enveloped her as everything around her compressed. She tried to scream and open her eyes, but it was too late.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{180}" paraid="830570251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A spark. A jagged flash pierced her eyes from darkness and she struggled to see. She felt drowsy. Not drunk, but not sober. There were muffled voices. They couldn’t be understood, but Kristina inferred a frantic panic. Was it for her or themselves? She couldn’t recall where she was, or why parts of her were in agony while the rest could not be felt. There was fear in her soul as the flashing grew brighter and metal in front of her face was being torn away like it was plastic. The high pitch squeal it made as it was rending away overwhelmed her senses and she knew nothing more.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{184}" paraid="745026989" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{188}" paraid="923421466" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A rhythm in her ears that she could barely hear over the ringing in her own head.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{192}" paraid="1699804877" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{196}" paraid="708191532" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She tried to breathe in. It was a wet, slow and strained effort. There was something secured over her mouth and nose to help her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{200}" paraid="700851649" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{204}" paraid="2046340193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her vision was of cold steel above her. She felt the presence of someone beside her, more muffled voices, but she could not turn to see. She was held in place, and even trying to move was agony.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{208}" paraid="1634377713" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{212}" paraid="183065420" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She gasped for more breath, through the pain of trying, but felt there wasn’t enough air getting in.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{216}" paraid="1178721143" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{220}" paraid="450180503" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They rhythmic beeping was joined by lower toned alerts.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{224}" paraid="465451692" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{228}" paraid="296231382" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The parts of her body she could feel were fewer than last time, and in sharper pain.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{232}" paraid="809168900" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{236}" paraid="1485841911" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Where was she?</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{240}" paraid="2057221032" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{244}" paraid="1881541704" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She was moving, but the room was still.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{248}" paraid="313876969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{744469ce-7644-4cda-8516-4d625ce245d0}{252}" paraid="431361630" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The muffled voice close to her was talking quicker.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{1}" paraid="2041797616" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{5}" paraid="1468025513" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The sound of a siren from far away registered in her mind.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{9}" paraid="980250859" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{13}" paraid="1555003094" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The pain in her body was fading, but so was her vision.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{17}" paraid="1237162700" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{21}" paraid="1411560009" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A sharp sense of fear flooded her mind, tears welled in her swollen eyes.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{25}" paraid="1566210833" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{29}" paraid="1992461501" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She didn’t want this.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{33}" paraid="1788042996" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{37}" paraid="67872517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She didn’t want to be here.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{41}" paraid="317110073" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{45}" paraid="517398376" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She-</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{49}" paraid="73291635" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{53}" paraid="907100766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-wanted-</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{57}" paraid="2134432848" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{61}" paraid="1881111622" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-to-</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{65}" paraid="1280989220" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{69}" paraid="1207044981" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-go-</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{73}" paraid="631950119" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">*BEEP*</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{77}" paraid="1551944016" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-home.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{81}" paraid="641542239" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The beeping had stopped its rhythm and settled into one long unending note. It matched the ringing in Kristina’s mind and both sounds were fading into white noise. Her vision was fading away; the cold steel she looked upon was now becoming a white void. The fear in her heart replaced by a cold numb sensation that enveloped her being.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW97254824" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW97254824 BCX0" paraeid="{4593cdb9-a451-4191-8793-44766a93e246}{85}" paraid="159045265" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I want to go home,” a last coherent thought she tried to choke out, as she felt a single tear escape her eye and roll down the side of her face. And she knew no more.</span><span class="EOP SCXW97254824 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-12557358382050600662020-11-01T21:31:00.004-05:002020-11-01T21:31:26.739-05:002020 NaNoWriMo<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p>It's that time of the year again. NaNoWriMo. Kinda snuck up on me again this year, but I have a plan...kinda.</p><p><br /></p><p>This years journey will feature something that isn't James Blake or zombie related. Shocking, I know.</p><p>"Little Ghost" is what I'm calling it, and stay tuned for the story. As of writing, November has begun and I'm not gonna waste time/words on this update...</p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-45099349446324558172020-10-25T12:00:00.003-04:002020-10-25T12:00:01.397-04:00Exorcism Bath<p>[Posted by Ted H]</p><p>Oh goodness! Just in time for Halloween, its an update! Woooooooooooooooooooo!</p><p>James Blake returns for a little side adventure.</p><p>NaNoWriMo news upcoming...</p><p><br /></p><p>--------------------------------------------------</p><p>[Exorcism Bath] </p><p> <span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You have no power here!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{166}" paraid="514564712" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Blake sighed. It wasn’t exactly a common taunt thrown his way, but the theme was. Another demonic possession thinking it was invincible. The movies make it seem like exorcisms were much harder than they were supposed to be. He enjoyed explaining that the only real requirement for pulling demons out was being baptized and knowing the general tricks of the trade.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{172}" paraid="44515836" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The task was tedious, but the pay was always worth it. Family members always freak out in the presence of a genuine possession, also thanks to movies. The younger the possessed, the more they’d be willing to pay. So, when Blake received word of an 8-year-old girl taken by a demonic presence, he saw dollar signs.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{178}" paraid="2061951633" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This one however, was proving to be worthy of the high price tag Blake was charging. The usual tricks weren’t doing much good. It had been several hours, and that wasn’t the first mocking taunt little Alice was spouting with her deep and grating voice. Blake instinctively reached for a cigarette while he pondered what to do next. There was no rush, Alice was securely tied to the bed and not going anywhere.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{184}" paraid="2144228684" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The parents don’t want you smoking.” John spoke up from the seat he took in the corner. Occasionally he’d rise and assist Blake if a second set of hands were required, but otherwise he was kicking back on his phone and letting Blake work. Blake ignored him as he pulled out his lighter and ignited.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{190}" paraid="1910816810" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Blake...” John repeated. Blake rolled his eyes and threw his free hand in the air. “They didn’t want smoke in the kitchen,” he protested. “We’re still in the house,” John replied “Pretty sure it wasn’t a kitchen only rule.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{196}" paraid="386816886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Take a deep breath,” Blake said “Though your nose.” John chuckled and make no attempt to do that. The room reeked. Vomit everywhere; On Alice, on the bed, the walls, the ceiling and soaked into the rug. Even before the men arrived the room was covered and yet Alice had enough bile in the tank to produce regular streams throughout the exorcism despite not eating for the last three days.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{200}" paraid="2101965755" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“They won’t sniff a thing,” Blake said as he lit up. “They didn’t want you smoking downstairs,” John said “You really think they won’t have issue with smoking around their daughter?” Blake laughed out his first smoke. “I think second </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">hand</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> smoke isn’t the most pressing helth concern.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{210}" paraid="1044303187" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Am I being ignored?” Alice barked.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{216}" paraid="1909410392" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Of course not,” Blake said with a mocking smile “We were talking about your health. “My health is failing,” Alice said with her own mock smile “This pitiful vessel can’t handle me and all your parlor tricks merely hasten its demise!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{222}" paraid="1621445682" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh no, a ticking clock,” Blake said sarcastically. Usually he enjoyed some of the demons, some making it fun sport to see how long they can hold on before being forced out. But this one in particular was full of itself and its claim about Alice’s body giving out might not be a bluff. Blake was dealing with the type that give demonic possession a bad name where all the movies get their inspiration from.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{228}" paraid="792211682" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A fun secret of the trade Blake had picked up on early was that while most possessors couldn’t care less about the human they were taking over, they still couldn’t be bothered to drag the process out so long that the human might die; usually they get bored or get caught off guard and ejected early.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{234}" paraid="550431058" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alice, sadly, was currently infested with a stubborn demon that was ready to drag this out to the bitter end. “You know, I’m aware that possessing a dying girl is really painful for you too,” Blake said as he calmly smoked “So is there a reason you’re going above and beyond or do you just have an axe to grind?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{240}" paraid="943946029" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alice spit a combination of bile and blood out and started laughing. Blake rolled his eyes as he approached the bedside. He navigated his hand away from any snapping teeth and felt Alice’s pulse. “What are you doing?” John asked. “She could be better,” Blake answered “But death isn’t an immediate concern. I have time to make a phone call.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{246}" paraid="1236774271" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Both Alice and John stared in bewilderment as Blake walked over and took John’s phone then left the room. “Is he mocking me?” Alice asked. “Don’t involve me,” John responded “You have a problem with Blake, wait for him to return to bitch about it.” Alice bared her teeth and growled. “Kill him,” she finally spoke with a lower voice than before.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{d80fb4af-d7b4-4e26-a565-771a9dee8e5c}{252}" paraid="1656451162" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Excuse you?” John asked.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{3}" paraid="1047915598" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Take your gun and shoot him.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{9}" paraid="2053271746" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Gonna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> pass on that.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{19}" paraid="1010118740" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will make it worth your while.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{25}" paraid="1425288396" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m sure.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{31}" paraid="283738124" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You miss you sister?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{37}" paraid="1245469389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John hesitated. “What?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{43}" paraid="1361202971" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will replace myself in this vessel with her. All for the simple exchange for the miscreant’s life.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{49}" paraid="500414316" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John exhaled slowly as Alice smiled. “It is a simple choice to make,” she reiterated.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{55}" paraid="1206979268" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John smiled as a chuckle escaped him. “Yeah, no,” he said “I’m just messing with you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{61}" paraid="1874853182" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I am a demon of my word.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{67}" paraid="394334716" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Real reassuring. By the way...Which sister would you swap with?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{73}" paraid="55964019" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alice was silent.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{79}" paraid="206273337" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“There’s two of them down there, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ya</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> know. Which one would I get?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{89}" paraid="405254413" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The, uh...The younger one.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{95}" paraid="1950593056" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John rolled his eyes and laughed more heartedly as Blake returned. “I miss a joke?” he asked. “Don’t worry about it,” John said as he snatched back his phone. “Whatever,” Blake dismissed “Either way, let’s take a break. We got about half an hour or so before our new guest arrives. Imma go draw a bath. Alice growled as the men talked. “Don’t worry, honey,” Blake said with a smirk, “The bath’s for you. Let’s go, John, I need a hand.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{105}" paraid="1766654725" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John and Blake went to the bathroom where Blake began filling the bathtub, then John assisted him in going down into the garage and shed to gather various buckets and pales to also fill. They worked in relative silence, only interrupted occasionally by the concerned parents, until the doorbell sounded. The men finished up and walked down the stairs just as a Hispanic man holding a small bible was let in. He was in all black with a white priest collar.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{111}" paraid="1410175897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Father Jorge!” Blake said as the man bowed to the parents and shook Blake’s hand. “Hello my friend,” he said “I trust you are of your word?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{117}" paraid="892259257" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Would I lie to you?” Blake responded “I said I’d call you when you </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">could</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> do more than just spectate and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">here</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> we are!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{131}" paraid="276328772" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I thought you didn’t need to be a priest...” the mother started.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" paraeid="{b1a6a502-bb2c-4a50-ad22-5ecd984531d4}{137}" paraid="1370926659" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“True, but there are certain things a priest can do to help speed things along,” Blake said with a passing glance.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{53ee77e6-56bf-4582-af27-ee4bcb65c3a4}{21}" paraid="1037048848" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We could’ve just called the church to begin with,” the father said.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3285fde8-c3c2-4554-9878-92362f29c46d}{103}" paraid="1633914993" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No,” Father Jorge said “The church is very strict about these things. There is a whole vetting process and verification that needs to happen. Even after a freelance exorcism like Mr. Blake here is doing, they investigate. So officially, I was never here. I could get into trouble.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{28db64d7-910d-4702-a18a-862935cbb654}{221}" paraid="270610723" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“There are only five official exorcists worldwide,” Blake added “And none in the United States.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{55aaa1a3-148a-4455-b59a-55d170e4fd72}{151}" paraid="1251597147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Where is the clos-” the father began to ask before both Father Jorge and Blake in unison said “Mexico.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{186785d4-302b-469a-a373-c09f28fa3712}{240}" paraid="1646270274" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Speed is of the essence,” Father Jorge said with another bow “My presence here should be minimal.” The parents nodded without question. Blake rolled his eyes as he removed his trench coat. “Let’s roll!” he said as he slapped Father Jorge on the back and everyone went upstairs.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c058f6b8-753c-4eba-8fa6-5b4b749ad4d8}{127}" paraid="861487710" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At the bathroom, Blake gestured to the filled buckets and tub. “We need all this to be holy,” he said as Father Jorge nodded and placed his bible down to roll his sleeves up. “Follow me, John.” Blake and John headed back to Alice’s room while the parents watched Father Jorge bless the water.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7dfa5121-0c66-414e-aec8-467ea39e1d94}{209}" paraid="249973415" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Good lord it stinks in here,” Blake said as he walked back into the bedroom. Alice glared at them as they approached her from both sides of her bad. “Young lady, you need a bath,” Blake said with a grin. An inhuman growl escaped from deep inside Alice as bile began to run down from her nostrils.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5064785c-5763-4394-af77-929bd5528786}{134}" paraid="1461658600" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Get ready to hold her good, John,” Blake said as he began to undo one of Alice’s straps. “I got it, don’t worry,” John griped. “Like last time?” Blake said with a smirk. John rolled his eyes and didn’t respond. “Seriously,” Blake said “If what happened last time occurs, it’s </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">gonna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> be you all alone in the sewers looking for a possessed child.” John shook his head.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2dc8174b-2b79-4a00-ad4c-2ace8a0aeb00}{32}" paraid="1264098273" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will not be ignored!” Alice bellowed. Blake, without looking smacked her in the face with the back of his hand. “The adults are talking,” he chastised “All I’m saying, John, is don’t be afraid to use a full nelson.” They undid some straps and John used his full weight to hold the thrashing Alice in place. Blake finished releasing the restraints, having to cut the last one with his knife, and helped John lift her up and carry out of the room and down the narrow hall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d89483e8-3dd0-4321-a41a-aeefd046431d}{48}" paraid="1589716149" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh my God!” the mother exclaimed as the father held her back. Blake and John ignored them as they squeezed themselves into the bathroom where Father Jorge was waiting. Blake reached one hand quickly into the tub and flicked water onto Alice’s face. The effect was immediate and the water started to sizzle. Alice growled at it.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{139e107c-ee44-490d-8cee-30f928007efd}{216}" paraid="1516681076" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You know what this is,” Blake said “So imagine taking a bath in it. Leave the child, now.” Alice forced a mocking laugh. “She’ll drown before I leave!” she proclaimed. “Let’s roll that die,” Blake said as he and John lowered her into the water.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{70d2b95c-c90e-4f60-9ec1-aa3b3d772309}{128}" paraid="1647145831" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Immediately, steam exploded out and over as Alice thrashed and screamed in simultaneous multiple tones. John stepped back and prepared a bucket while Blake alone held her in the water, occasionally letting her breath before forcing her head back under. The water in the tub began to boil as John began to dump more holy water onto her, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">eliciting</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> new cries of agony.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0b4d4168-0477-4384-8ca6-597f9b7fa271}{44}" paraid="387368230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re killing her!” the mother screamed, straining to be heard over the wails and of Father Jorge blessing the next bucket in John’s arms. “Probably,” Blake said without looking. He raised Alice’s head towards him. “Still having fun?” he asked, then dumped her back under water without waiting for a response; The blackened teeth and soulless eyes of the girl telling him enough.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{599d5bb2-ee4a-42f2-81a3-60dda44790a2}{57}" paraid="1370202126" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Getting low on buckets!” John notified as Blake brought up Alice again for air. She forced a laugh out, but was otherwise exhausted and worried. “Then Father Jorge will bless the faucet,” Blake said with a sadistic smile. Alice quickly drew in a breath and spit blood onto Blake. “John, pour slow,” he said.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a9840a51-b71d-4896-9d54-6ec2949d1d82}{128}" paraid="2011568379" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John carefully held the bucket over Alice and began to pour the water out onto her steaming head. Blake then tilted her back and held her mouth open so the liquid went directly into her mouth. She had a death grip on his wrist and was spasming her legs as she desperately tried to cough out the water, but to no avail. It flooded into her nose and sinuses as she was forced to consume and swallow. John ran empty as blood began to spill out the sides of her mouth along with the excess holy water. Without waiting, Blake plunged her back underwater despite the growing sobs of the mother.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{849396d8-2a3a-475b-9008-39c32d7ef4a0}{167}" paraid="1946810859" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Blake pulled her out briefly. “Still here?” he asked as Alice desperately tried to cough for air. In the second he had to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">look,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Blake didn’t like what he saw so he resumed drowning the child. “Yeah? No?” he asked as he brought her back up to see no change. Back into the water she went as John readied the next bucket and dumped it as soon as Alice was brought up for air again. The holy water was cooking her skin and the bathroom was thick in the steamy haze it was creating.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d81713e8-c35b-40c7-ac26-6f5403540488}{87}" paraid="746723332" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Last one,” John announced as Blake brought the child back up yet again from the water. Then immediately motioned John to halt. The graveled bellows of a demon in pain were replaced by the higher pitched screams of a child. The black, soulless eyes were fixed to their appropriate shade of brown. The skin was still cooked from before, but it was no longer burning. Alice was exorcised.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{faa63220-5f36-4d84-af3c-8c4f9257a220}{104}" paraid="167612023" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Well that wasn’t such a chore, eh?” Blake proclaimed as Alice screeched for her mother, who in turn charged into the room and almost bowled Blake over in retrieving her waterlogged daughter from the tub. “Right,” Blake said as he reached in and unplugged the tub to let it drain, the once pristine and clear water now blackened from the blood and excrement inside. “I hope you have bleach,” Blake said as the mother left with Alice and the father walked in to survey the tub.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{352a48bb-0cc5-4918-809b-7b9a03bd1157}{179}" paraid="680310373" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Alice is burned and scarred all over from what you did,” he said, not doing much to hide his displeasure. “You got your daughter back, right? No one said it would be a painless procedure,” Blake said with a shrug. “How can we explain those injuries to others?” The father asked, not taking his eyes from the draining tub “No one knew she was...ah, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">possessed</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e5f8ca2c-f52d-4e6a-839c-eeb3d91b315c}{242}" paraid="553446707" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Just say she was messing around in the tub and turned the water too hot,” Blake said “Kids are stupid. It’s believable.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7a7c44cb-8f2c-4c15-9d91-cd69c343a8ce}{88}" paraid="1157247814" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The father tried to say something to that, but no words came out. He silently turned and went looking for his family. Blake stood up and wrung out the end of his shirt. The procedure had left him soaked. “Job well done, boys,” he said. “Should I dump this?” John asked as he held up the final bucket of holy water. “Eh...Do you want it?” Blake asked, looking at Father Jorge.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a29a31d6-a082-4d5b-804c-99d416a92123}{58}" paraid="416428740" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Father Jorge smiled and shook his head. “Where I am there is plenty,” he said “And I can always make more.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{db7fb419-aff4-4971-8225-35059eb8810b}{22}" paraid="75412682" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Fair enough,” Blake said as he looked to John. “Bring that to the car and see what we have to transport it with,” he said “Never can have enough.” John nodded and walked out and down the stairs while Blake followed Father Jorge who was wandering down the hall and peeked into the bedroom.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f40ab450-bb3f-4dcd-bf5c-07adbdbeb47b}{243}" paraid="1523381646" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Stinks in there, right?” Blake asked. Father Jorge either didn’t hear, or was ignoring. “So much pain and suffering in there,” he reflected out loud “A child’s room should only contain love and happiness.” He made a face of disgust, as the room offended his very sensibilities. “The darkness in there predates the demon’s influence,” he finally said with sorrow in his voice.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b4b217c0-27fe-4cde-93f8-07412d94ba85}{252}" paraid="1687045274" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Blake shrugged. “Can’t save kids from everything bad in the world,” Blake said “All we can do is fight a few of the monsters.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{195b8413-f87c-4ed5-ae2c-66aa875018bc}{145}" paraid="755868214" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We can,” Father Jorge reasoned “Not the same exciting and ruthless ways you do, but no monster is beyond fighting.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5bbfadd6-a7d0-4e02-9855-532c4b48a82a}{163}" paraid="973432523" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“This is where our oaths divert,” Blake said “I’m just paid to do a job. You’re looking to do pro bono good.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e234b653-1155-482d-8daf-15e184c7d675}{125}" paraid="1244750222" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Vow of poverty, my friend. Allows you to look towards the greater good over personal gain.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a6ef2af1-3b42-4209-85fc-ec6d4433a483}{227}" paraid="217906419" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Blake shrugged as both men made their way for the stairs. The father was waiting for them by the door. “Is it over?” he asked. “All over except for the therapy,” Blake said as he took up his trench coat and put it on.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5d2ded6a-f8bc-4594-9d11-941026790b1e}{14}" paraid="1822728616" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What if it comes back?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c85acad4-fc15-488f-a530-d78326348a1e}{195}" paraid="1710970446" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Demons usually do,” Blake responded while patting himself down to find his cigarettes “But Alice’s odds of getting repossessed are the same as anyone getting possessed; slim to none. But if you want reassuring, that demon will know better than to go after Alice knowing what happened in that bath.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{21870f16-e1ee-46b3-b5a0-f0a2f34f07f5}{67}" paraid="1191988101" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Father Jorge laughed, the father didn’t. “Look,” Blake continued “You paid for an exorcism. If Alice isn’t clean, I’ll come back free of charge and finish the job.” The father slowly nodded and Blake took that as his cue to leave. Father Jorge shook the father’s hand. “Alice won’t have to worry about any further suffering,” he said “You have my word.” He then followed Blake.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{18d05fdb-e2d3-47a6-9291-8c457b562d33}{198}" paraid="1689933229" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“See?” Blake said as he pulled out a cigarette and lighter “I can do nice things without pay.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c867cf95-44db-458f-942b-0b6b063b17b0}{95}" paraid="636076405" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I wouldn’t have believed it if I wasn’t standing there,” Father Jorge responded with a grin.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7844e740-37c8-4e68-99a5-8b697fc7a47b}{201}" paraid="1833233133" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Thaaaaaaaaaat’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ironic,” Blake said. Both men laughed.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{84b8578a-1a2f-465c-83e8-721b7d3457a9}{92}" paraid="1324011871" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">John walked up to them with an empty bucket. “We good to go?” he asked. “Yeah,” Blake said with a lit cigarette “They paid up front, so we good.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b41805c6-e4e6-4842-bcac-400ad6c30043}{77}" paraid="1028392590" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m going to say a proper farewell to the family and bless the daughter,” Father Jorge said. He shook Blake and John’s hands then quickly blessed them both, then walked back for the house. John and Blake set themselves into the car and John began to drive them off.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee206955-d56d-4590-a025-d8c14c84d01d}{30}" paraid="1507185357" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How do you know that priest?” John asked </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> soon as the house was out of view.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d3344d8-ae63-42fe-80d2-243fdd6e5e6e}{27}" paraid="1028405872" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Father Jorge?” Blake said as he rolled down a window and blew smoke “He’s one of those guys I ran into and found effective and interesting.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3c6b49fc-a3a7-4cf0-8c1d-8845a41e9cbf}{18}" paraid="1622455012" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Not a lot of priests lining up to associate with you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d7b51b61-5f1a-4062-b3c7-b17a592b2ca3}{127}" paraid="976306270" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Let’s just say he has a similar view like me when it comes to getting results.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4c8df6c1-abc2-4d86-ba43-dc6b2445ad31}{133}" paraid="1209555452" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You mean that philosophy of: Collateral damage be damned so long as you get the win?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b8ffbc1e-8d84-4260-9e2a-b661e730d504}{179}" paraid="2108796649" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Yeah,” Blake said as he chuckled “Something like that.” Blake continued to smoke his cigarette as they drove in silence. When he finished, he tossed the butt out the window and said “That mother is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">gonna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> die.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f2f2a65a-7502-4c6d-8f52-ec9b88f230d5}{175}" paraid="968162118" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Uh...what?” John asked.</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125b4abc-b7bb-462e-afdd-dc5594267849}{109}" paraid="1759704165" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Father Jorge just knew something was wrong with that kid even before the possession.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{51e77e60-08cc-40f7-8527-4885a7df5c2b}{155}" paraid="1128667201" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Why do I even bother running backgrounds on clients? Just use the priest.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5680696b-c76f-4e20-b7ec-f9694348f424}{132}" paraid="277059710" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We knew potential abuse going in. But he just knew. He read the room and he just knew.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{24910b6a-edc2-407a-9f5b-c0870862c63b}{30}" paraid="242191789" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, what, he just </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">gonna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> rampage?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f4a64c3-7d28-4f1d-a035-e98d30552d2d}{19}" paraid="1954705476" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh, he’ll do the usual avenues. See if he can get CPS involved, get the husband to notice in case he’s unaware. Those boring options.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5baf70e4-d429-484d-ac6a-d4b6628dad3c}{144}" paraid="754415641" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That’s a tall order for someone who just today met everyone.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{05f55584-e57d-42e4-91c6-9f05c1410906}{75}" paraid="1272803222" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Well, once the usual unreliable methods fail, and this is where the interesting aspect of Father Jorge comes into play, he won’t think twice of straight up murdering the offender.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{971284a4-5092-4451-a2d3-f436015479aa}{113}" paraid="1093628105" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“...He’s a priest though.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{f640c474-64e8-4943-9e64-da0bc851880e}{54}" paraid="162806302" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“With a utilitarian world view.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ddd62a1c-9fc9-4aa6-8c4c-5c127f792394}{45}" paraid="937928820" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh, Jesus. I feel conflicted on this.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9d6f57f8-e76c-4bed-9cd2-4b5b034b2e94}{132}" paraid="277255813" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Don’t. He’ll only act when he knows there’s no other options.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ef59821c-5377-4581-99b7-e4fea5f59bd6}{60}" paraid="1357736517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I still think killing someone should be avoided.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{203732be-5c76-444b-815c-899867bd3ac9}{196}" paraid="383878060" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Whatever, that’s his mission. Let him worry about it.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0c96e0e5-5a69-4eb6-ae34-8e6ac2174c63}{60}" paraid="322006815" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You don’t </span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW167495103 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wanna</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> get involved anymore? It is because of you he even suspects abuse.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW167495103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW167495103 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c76627a5-e6e9-47b1-a6da-64981c27c6f1}{116}" paraid="1683870720" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That sounds like pro bono work. You know that’s not our scene.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW167495103 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":720,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-17324711530362341292020-10-01T12:11:00.003-04:002020-10-12T21:00:52.375-04:00The 2020 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards<p> [Posted by Ted H]</p><p>WuFlu edition!</p><p>Yes, I am writing. No, it is not efficiently.</p><p>------------------------------------------</p><p>[The 2020 MLB Turtle-Wax Awards]</p><p>These are the awards you DON'T want to win. </p><p><br /></p><p>The "Rays And Orioles Would Rather Play In This Division" Award </p><p>Awarded to the crappiest division in baseball </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 AL Central, 2010 AL West, 2011 AL Central, 2012 AL Central, 2013 AL West, 2014 NL East, 2015 NL East, 2016 AL Central, 2017 NL East, 2018 AL Central, 2019 AL Central] </p><p><br /></p><p>---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p>Divisions this year played their season the same way Alabama handles their porn: keep it in the family, or “step” family aka AL East can only play against their fellow East division teams, or their step-siblings in the other leagues East division. </p><p> ----------------- </p><p><br /></p><p>The "Steroid Accusation Rookie of The Year" Award </p><p>Awarded to the slugger who is probably gonna get accused of steroids next, if not already </p><p>(I am NOT accusing the winner of steroids, just sayin...) </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Aaron Hill (TOR), 2010 Corey Hart (MIL), 2011 Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), 2012 Edwin Encarnacion (TOR), 2013 Chris Davis (BAL), 2014 Victor Martinez (DET), 2015 Nolan Arenado (COL), 2016 Brian Dozier (MIN), 2017 Justin Smoak (TOR), 2018 Christian Yelich (MIL), 2019 Baseballs] </p><p><br /></p><p>---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p><br /></p><p>Luke Voit led baseball with 22 dingers. This isn’t 1920. That’s not acceptable. </p><p><br /></p><p>-------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "What The Hell Happened To You?" Award </p><p>Awarded to the team that fell off the map when they were supposed to be contenders </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 New York Mets, 2010 Seattle Mariners, 2011 Cincinnati Reds, 2012 Miami Marlins, 2013 California Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2014 Milwaukee Brewers, 2015 Seattle Mariners, 2016 Kansas City Royals, 2017 New York Mets, 2018 Washington Nationals, 2019 Boston Red Sox] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---Washington Nationals--- </p><p><br /></p><p> I get it, I get it. Last year they started like crap and still turned out a title run. This year though there was attention. Everyone was looking at you to take that championship form and apply it to a fresh year to show your opponents what a defending champion looks like. The bar was even at an all-time low this season. Half the league makes the playoffs this time and you don’t even need to be .500 or better to get in! All you had to do was show up! </p><p><br /></p><p> ----------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "Shut Your God Damn Mouth" Award </p><p>Awarded to whoever talked too much without backing it up </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago Cubs, 2010 MLB Network, 2011 Carlos Zambrano (CHC), 2012 Boston Red Sox, 2013 Jordany Valdespin (NYM), 2014 Keith Olberman (ESPN), 2015 Boston Red Sox, 2016 Boston Red Sox fans, 2017 Yasiel Puig (LAD), 2018 San Francisco Giants, 2019 Brodie Van Wagenen (NYM)] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---The Houston Astros--- </p><p><br /></p><p> “We’ll show you! We don’t need to cheat to be great!” </p><p>How’d that work out for you? 29-31 record and all your stars having career low hitting seasons. You really need those buzzers and trash cans it seems. Too bad this year playoff participation requires a pulse of you’d be long eliminated. </p><p><br /></p><p>----------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "This Years Miracle, Next Years Indians" Award </p><p>Awarded to the team that made a surprise playoff run this year, and will fall short next year </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Colorado Rockies, 2010 Tampa Bay Rays, 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, 2012 Baltimore Orioles, 2013 Cleveland Indians, 2014 Kansas City Royals, 2015 Houston Astros, 2016 Cleveland Indians, 2017 Minnesota Twins, 2018 Oakland Athletics, 2019 St Louis Cardinals] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p><br /></p><p> Almost everyone makes the playoffs this year. Too easy to pick a crappy team to fall short in future seasons... </p><p><br /></p><p>----------------------- </p><p>The "This Years Phillies, Next Years Miracle" Award </p><p>Awarded to a team that sucked this year, but can make a run next year </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Chicago White Sox, 2010 Chicago White Sox, 2011 Washington Nationals, 2012 Seattle Mariners, 2013 New York Yankees, 2014 Chicago Cubs, 2015 Detroit Tigers, 2016 New York Yankees, 2017 San Francisco Giants, 2018 Philadelphia Phillies, 2019 Toronto Blue Jays] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p><br /></p><p> Again, the overloaded playoff roster this year means some team that normally wouldn’t make it but is clearly on the upward swing (Toronto) easily made the cut this year. Push. </p><p><br /></p><p>----------------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "AAA Team In Disguise" Award </p><p>Awarded to a team that might have better luck in AAA </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nationals, 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2011 Boston Red Sox, 2012 Houston Astros, 2013 Miami Marlins, 2014 Texas Rangers, 2015 Philadelphia Phillies, 2016 Minnesota Twins, 2017 Detroit Tigers, 2018 Miami Marlins, 2019 Detroit Tigers] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---The Pittsburgh Pirates--- </p><p><br /></p><p> Your entire division except you made the playoffs. Even the Reds and Brewers dug deep and churned out enough wins. Your other opponents this year were the always crappy AL Central, handing out wins to whoever wanted them. No Yankees, no Dodgers, no real challenges, and you STILL ended up as the only team to not even win 20 games...Good lord, man. </p><p><br /></p><p> ------------------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "Dull Knife in the Drawer" Award </p><p>Awarded to the biggest mental error this year </p><p>[Previous winners: 2009 Washington Nati(o)nals, 2010 Barak Obama, 2011 Brian Sabean (SF), 2012 Derek Norris (OAK), 2013 Mark Pagnozzi (HOU), 2014 Michael Pineda (NYY), 2015 Arte Moreno (LAA), 2016 Buster Posey (SFG), David Price (BOS), 2018 Gary Sanchez (NYY), 2019 Brandon Drury/Teoscar Hernandez (TOR)] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels--- </p><p><br /></p><p> Nick Solak of the Rangers hits a routine fly ball to right. Adell tracks it down raises his hand to catch, the ball comes down, hits the glove...then pops up and bounces right over the fence for a home run. Not quite Jose Canseco levels of terrible outfield glovework, but you still look like an idiot for essentially helping a ball in its journey to not be caught. Guess you can’t have Mike Trout patrol the entire outfield at once. And speaking of him... </p><p><br /></p><p> -------------------------- </p><p><br /></p><p>The "Results May Vary" Award </p><p>Awarded to a player/team that didn't live up to the hype </p><p>[Previous winners: 2010 Stephen Strasburg (WAS), 2011 Carl Crawford (BOS), 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays, 2014 Boston Red Sox, 2015 Robinson Cano (SEA), 2016 San Diego Padres, 2017 Eric Thames (MIL), 2018 Shohei Ohtani (LAA), Bryce Harper (PHI)] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels--- </p><p><br /></p><p> I think it’s time we officially recognize Mike Trout as the greatest player of all time...of people who will never be truly elite. Hear me out. </p><p>What’s the excuse this season? Half of all baseball made the cut for the postseason this time! Are you telling me that for all the amazing skill Mike Trout possesses, he still is unable to get a mediocre to good team over the hump? </p><p>There’s a reason why Derek Jeter was known as the best of his generation. He ALWAYS found a way to put the Yankees into October, if not helping them outright win it all. </p><p>Mike Trout will never be near the greatness of Derek Jeter. </p><p><br /></p><p> ----------------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "Ozzie Kind of Crazy" Award </p><p>Awarded to the manager who had the most entertaining season to watch </p><p>[Previous winners: 2012 Bobby Valentine (BOS), 2013 Joe Girardi (NYY), 2014 Kirk Gibson (ARI), Matt Williams (WAS), Joe Girardi (NYY), Brad Ausmus (DET), Kevin Cash (TB)] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p><br /></p><p> No ones job in in real danger or interest in a 2 month season. </p><p><br /></p><p>--------------------- </p><p><br /></p><p> The "Go Stand in the Corner!" Award </p><p>Awarded to the most standout suspension of the season </p><p>[Previous winners: 2013 Ryan Braun (MIL), 2014 Alex Rodriguez (NYY), 2015 Jonathan Papelbon (WAS), Rougned Odor (TEX), Austin Romine (NYY), Ken Giles (HOU), Clint Fraizer (NYY)] </p><p><br /></p><p> ---Joe Kelly of the Los Angeles Dodgers--- </p><p><br /></p><p>Crime: Throwing at cheaters <br />Time: 8 games, 5 after appeal </p><p><br /></p><p> People wanted retribution against the Houston Astros after the full light fell upon how they cheated to greatness...and got ZERO punishment. Enter the Dodgers, victims of not only Houston's cheating...but of Boston’s cheating ways as well from 2018. So naturally a few up and in pitches were expected. My objection is that this retribution was doled out by a member of the 2018 cheating Boston Red Sox. Seems fitting though that SOMEONE from that cheating team got a punishment, even if it was misdirected karma. </p><p><br /></p><p> ---------------------- </p><p> <br />The "Just Retire Already!" Award </p><p>Awarded to the player on the wrong side of their prime </p><p>[Previous winner: 2015 Bartolo Colon (NYM), Alex Rodriguez (FA), Bartolo Colon (MIN), Felix Hernandez (SEA)] </p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> ---China Virus cancellation--- </p><p><br /></p><p> With the number of people opting out of the 2020 season, it seemed unavoidable that there would be people playing instead that really shouldn’t. </p>Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-34310251648536583362020-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:002020-07-19T12:00:04.927-04:00Front and Center[Posted by Ted H]<br />
<br />
I have no idea how this poem wasn't posted yet. I searched the archives a few times and came up empty, so I'm just assuming that I never got around to it despite it being one of my older works that I'm pretty happy with.<br />So I guess I've found a good bit of filler for now...<br /><br />
Fun facts: "Fat Lady Rolling Down a Steep Hill" was published in some dinky lil book back in 2006 that you'll probably never find. I have a copy of that collection. About a year later, I authorized "Front and Center" to get a similar honor, but I didn't bother getting a copy.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />[Front and Center]<br />
<br />
Stand front and center<br />Yet turn around.<br />
Don't be reserved<br />Yet make no sound.<br />
Be steadfast and strong<br />Yet not overbearing.<br />Don't be so worrisome<br />Yet always be caring.<br />Try to keep loose<br />Yet always say 'mister.'<br />Don't stand in shadows<br />Yet do like your sister.<br />Never back down<br />Yet never fight.<br />Go find your friends<br />Yet stay within sight.<br />Go and seek love<br />Yet never forget,<br />If they're not approved<br />You shall regret.<br />Your whole life awaits,<br />Many paths to pursue,<br />Yet only make the choice<br />Preordained for you.Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-22063200547715928102020-06-03T19:52:00.000-04:002020-06-03T19:52:04.928-04:002020[Posted by Ted H]<br />
<br />
Truth really is stranger than fiction.<br />
<br />
In 5+ months, we went from:<br /><br />-A poorly written comedy: "Impeach THIS!" (Turns out, you need actual evidence and proof to convict a sitting president. Who knew?)<br />
<br />
-To a can't miss reality show: "America's Next Runner-Up" (Who wants to lose to Trump in the fall? Spoiler, it's the old white guy)<br />
<br />
-To a Sci-Fi thriller: "Corona" (Killer virus!)<br />
<br />
-To a true crime documentary "Cool Cats and Killers" (Who is that bitch Carol?)<br />
<br />
-To a crappy sequel of that hit thriller "You Have to Call it Covid Now" (Turns out the killer virus isn't so killer)<br />
<br />
-To a poorly directed porno "The Smelling of the Hair" (No one believes a movie where Joe Biden has sex)<br /><br />-To a bad police procedural "KneeCop" (It's COPS, but without proper training)<br />
<br />
-To a sequal to a movie no one liked: "BLM 2: Antifa Riot" (So let's take Black Lives Matter, pretend that cop was racist, and the hook is that the protesters don't know that a terrorist organization has hijacked their cause so they can riot and loot)<br />
<br />
And to think we still have half the year to go! To think such hits are on the way like "Trump: ReElected" and "Civil War 2: Less Civil, More War"<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, I've been trying to collect something legible to post. Maybe when the world calms down and I have a chance to collect my thoughts. Just thought I'd make some cheap jokes.Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4956500179541257003.post-53750235447325300292019-12-29T19:43:00.000-05:002019-12-29T19:43:45.288-05:00Dante's Divine Tragedy - The Funeral[Posted by Ted H]<br />
<br />
Let's end 2019 with an actual literature update on only my *checks notes* FOURTH post of the year...jeeze...<br />
<br />
...I know what my resolution is gonna be...<br />
<br />
The following is the entirety of what I was able to choke our from this years NaNoWriMo.<br />
I need to get my haphazard life in order...<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
[Dante's Divine Tragedy - The Funeral]<br />
<br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{151}" paraid="18481122" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dante was early. Too early. The parking lot was mostly empty, save for one unfamiliar car that likely belonged to the staff member. The nearby streetlights were off but the mid-autumn sunrise hadn’t yet broken through the clouds enough to illuminate too well. The lights inside were still dark and the building gave a very foreboding presence. Overall, it wasn’t a very inviting look for a funeral home.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{155}" paraid="174499131" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Despite borrowing a truck to drive over with, Dante still had the misfortune of getting his feet and pants all muddied up. It had rained pretty bad the night prior and as he crossed through a vacant lot on his way over to pick up the truck, he didn’t realize how much mud he was kicking up until it was already too late. He figured he had plenty of time to go home and change. He could even drive now to save time, but the entire process of getting dressed and reaching the truck had been especially laborious on his soul already. The notion of repeating any already accomplished steps of his task, complete with the emotion and dread that would accompany them, was unacceptable. He would continue as is.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{159}" paraid="1115261018" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dante approached the front door and tried the handle with little expectation. It looked empty, but the lone car discovered upon arrival suggested someone inside, and perhaps they neglected to lock the door behind them. The suspicion proved to be accurate as the door swung open and Dante was able to take refuge from the chilly morning air.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{163}" paraid="573972532" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Once the door closed behind him, Dante was subjected to a deafening silence that only an unfamiliar business could provide. The freshly vacuumed carpet (that Dante felt a pang of guilt for tracking mud upon) and the soft couches in the foyer seemed designed to suck away any background noise and leave you only to your depressing thoughts. Beyond, the room opened up to a small memorial </span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">fountain</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that was currently still and quiet. Dante didn’t like it, but was petrified to do anything that would break such silence.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{171}" paraid="1590031786" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Instead the silence would be pierced by the sudden flushing of an unseen toilet. Seconds later a nearby door would squeal open and a man would step out while still tucking his shirt in. He looked up and was taken aback at the sight of Dante standing there. “Hi?” Dante uttered, unsure on how to proceed. Wasn’t this man supposed to be expecting people? Did Dante have the right day? Was he off by 12 hours?</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{175}" paraid="548160304" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Um, we’re...uh, we’re not open yet,” the man stumbled his way through before finishing with his shirt. “Oh,” Dante said, collecting himself from his own abstract thoughts “It’s pretty cold outside though.” The man checked his watch and shrugged. “The Thompson </span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW254130248 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">service</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">?” he asked. Dante reeled mentally. He wasn’t ready to hear that that name from a stranger. “Yeah,” he eventually responded. “Well it’s not for another half an hour,” the man reasoned.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{183}" paraid="1010303030" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh,” Dante mumbled. He didn’t think this would be a problem.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{187}" paraid="364254806" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You didn’t bring anyone with you, did you?” the man asked.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{191}" paraid="1171105160" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No, just me.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{195}" paraid="922070909" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Well,” the man started after a sigh “The boss </span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW254130248 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">don’t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> like it, but he’s not in until noon. So as long as you’re quiet and no one else is following you, I don’t really care.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{203}" paraid="173001168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you,” Dante said with a forced smile.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{207}" paraid="1115683459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Right,” the man said as he turned to direct Dante “Thompson’s room is left of the fountain, end of the hall.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{211}" paraid="1527269195" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you,” Dante said again and started walking. The man stopped in front and offered a handshake. “Sorry for your loss,” he said. Dante looked to the hand and thought about how little time had passed between the toilet flush and the man leaving the bathroom. He ignored his hand and walked onward.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{215}" paraid="1496075292" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dante made his way through the silence, the thick carpet seeming to absorb his every footstep. The man did not follow as Dante made his left at the fountain and continued down the impossible long hallway. The immediately available room he was passing was for someone else, an older Jewish man by the look of the photo by the door, and Dante caught a glimpse of a body on display. He shuttered at the thought of something similar that awaited him at the end of the hall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{219}" paraid="1855776381" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stopping at the threshold to his destination, Dante closed his eyes and took a breath. There by the door was a sign similar to the room he had just passed, indicating with her picture that Susan laid within. The door was open, but Dante’s mind refused to process what was inside as a final attempt to stall. He did not want to do this, but knew the only way he could bring himself to it was if he were alone with here.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{223}" paraid="316514928" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Time was short; He knew that soon Susan’s family would be arriving. Her father especially, ever the punctual one, would stride in and ruin any hope Dante had at these final moments of privacy and solitude. He would march in, others in tow, and want exclusive charge of the day. He would delegate orders, he would nitpick everything in the room, and worst of all he would never stray from Susan’s side. Dante could not wait any longer. He afforded himself a second, deeper breath, and stepped inside.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{227}" paraid="2077744494" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The thick, dark carpet extended into the new room as well. The lights were on a low dim and the curtains closed, but Dante could make out where rows of chairs were set up all facing the coffin on the far side of the rectangular room. On one end of the room was a table set up with a multitude of trinkets that family members had set up as a sort of memorial with pictures of Susan all about. The coffin was flanked on each side by an </span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">entire garden</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> worth of flowers. The casket was open, but thankfully it was too dark to make out the obvious occupant.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{235}" paraid="2138755094" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dante switched the lights to a more appropriate setting and made his approach to the coffin with his head down and a knot in his stomach. At the foot of the coffin was a kneeler, but Dante made no attempt to use it; He knew there would be no getting up if he did. He finally brought himself to look down on the body of Susan. She laid peacefully in a light blue dress, not unlike one she used to wear years ago when her parents brought her to church.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{239}" paraid="713139672" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The silence became more overbearing with each passing second. He couldn’t find words to say as he looked over the body. An emptiness in his heart turning to immense regret. His mind replaying a flood of memories of their life together. Dante lost track of the time as he stood over the coffin. Cars driving up and voices outside snapped him back to reality. Other people were arriving and Dante didn’t wish to be noticed or approached.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{243}" paraid="1872726495" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m sorry,” he finally managed to choke out to Susan before he pulled himself away from the coffin and crossed the room.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{247}" paraid="1232473051" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The next half hour was a blur as family trickled in; the father and mother (arriving separately), aunts, uncles, cousins and several friends. None recognized Dante, or perhaps they just did not want to acknowledge him. Either way he was left alone as he sat in a large chair in the back corner of the room, farthest away from the coffin. He was left undisturbed, free to observe.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{251}" paraid="1348389261" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The mother cried a fair amount, mostly into the arms of her boyfriend. The father did most of the talking and handshaking as guests entered. Family and friends were mingling in groups, chatting and catching up. More than a few times Dante heard people utter that “it’s been too long.” People would occasionally stop by the coffin and briefly pay their respects, but then it was right back to their impromptu family reunion.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{4a51612d-38b4-4bdd-b9b5-8bbea2ceded0}{255}" paraid="1790662863" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Of all the conversations Dante listened in on, none of them involved Susan. There seemed to be an unspoken fear of bringing up her name, let alone how she died. She was an afterthought. If Dante were a blind man and sat down today with no knowledge of where he was, never in a million years would he guess that he was sitting in on a funeral. There was just too much positive energy in t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">he</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">air</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{afe6ee95-8e11-4255-9902-8767e0af76d1}{12}" paraid="1756829004" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The funeral service came and went and Dente was deaf to it all. He retreated into his own thoughts again. He seemed to blink and it was all over, people we filing their way out. At this moment he looked up and locked eyes with Susan’s father. There was a brief stare down before the father turned away and seemed to simply forget Dante. That was the only time any family noticed him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{afe6ee95-8e11-4255-9902-8767e0af76d1}{16}" paraid="1713680140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dante slinked his way outside and watched them eventually load Susan into a hearse. Then the procession began on its way to the cemetery. He had no intention of following. The woman being buried today was not Susan, just a facsimile of a girl he used to know. As the last car drove away and out of sight, Dante felt himself being overwhelmed by anger. He balled his hands into fists and closed his eyes tight trying to process the blunder he suddenly realized he just committed. Before today the last memory he had of Susan was when they were alive together. Now the last he knows of her is little more than a mannequin inside of a box. That particular image now dominated his mind, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">tainting</span><span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> all other memories of the woman he loved.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{afe6ee95-8e11-4255-9902-8767e0af76d1}{24}" paraid="219928956" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Loved.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW254130248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW254130248 BCX0" paraeid="{afe6ee95-8e11-4255-9902-8767e0af76d1}{28}" paraid="1679108612" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The revelation of that life he had now completely behind him, firmly in the past-tense, is what finally broke the damn in his mind. He dragged himself to the truck in the parking lot and climbed inside. There he sat, a complete wreck, head dropped onto the steering wheel, screaming and crying until there was nothing left to push out.</span><span class="EOP SCXW254130248 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
</div>
Ted Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00599634498269706373noreply@blogger.com0