"At last." I cracked my knuckles, hovering my fingers above the keyboard. This novel was begging to be written, and I planned to be the one to do it. "Don't let the gem escape! Said Professor Goodsworth, fear struck in his eyes. I-I can't! It's falling too fast! Joey grasped air again and again, as the sapphire coloured diamond rolled closer and closer to the pit of lava beneath them..." I had a nasty habit of talking aloud when I wrote my stories. Anyone could be listening in, really, ears pressed to the door sucking on my every word like a delicious lollipop. Then again, this was the finale for my entire series, which had become madly popular among the people of America. Sure, other countries had bits and pieces of my fans, but I was occasionally swarmed with people knocking on my door asking if I truly was THE Angelia Grace Klempton. Which, of course, I was. Famous author of The Eternal Diamond. Yes, I know. I'm wonderful.
"Your efforts are futile, 'chosen ones'. Dr. H.P. Beck drawled from atop his futuristic circular panel. He held a remote control menacingly, and pressed it as deliberately as possible, sending a hoard of cyborg-"
Knock knock knock.
Blast! I was finally getting into the swing of things. Might as well answer if I'm out of it I suppose. The hardwood floors chilled my feet, which had been neatly tucked into my legs, emitting a skin-warmth that you wouldn't believe. What a bother this was, if it was my landlady again I would have to be firm in saying Please for the love of God do NOT disturb me.
However, upon opening the door revealed nothing but a line of white powder on the floor. Eugh, I don't think even my landlady would stoop to that level. I looked left and right down the hallway. Not a soul was to be seen. How strange. I knelt down to identify whatever this mystery powder was, and felt quite surprised when it was nothing but salt. Salt on a doorstep? The trends in youth were getting farther from normal every year that passed...
But I couldn't let this disable me from a long line of work ahead! Though I should clean up the mess. With a heavy sigh, I forced myself to peel my eyes away from my irresistible laptop that sat perched atop my wooden desk. What a lovely desk it was, varnish and all. I had gotten it from the thrift shop just down the road for a steal! Fifty dollars for something as attractive as that? I was definitely sold. With the thoughts of my desk swarming my mind, I grabbed a broom to sweep the mess away. I stepped through the doorway again, only to find that the mysterious line of salt was missing. Blink. Where did it go? Was there some sort of cleaning ninjas in this complex that I was unaware of?
How charming it would be to meet one of them. Oh, perhaps they watched my every move, swooning as Angelina Grace Klempton wrote her adored novel right before their eyes! Ah, the perks of a creative mind were simply luxurious. Though sometimes they led to horrible circumstances. How strange, that aroused a peculiar thought in my noggin... My, that only happened a couple years ago. How time flies when you're having fun.
But no matter! I had to conclude the Eternal Diamond before I lost this enthusiasm, or whatever was left of it. I slid on the floor, my eyes on my desk. Scampering inside of it, I worked my fingers almost immediately, grinning to myself as the words flowed on the screen.
"'You've done it again, Joey!' Eloise cheered, wrapping her arms around our hero and planting a wet, sloppy kiss on him. 'Gee willakers, Eloise! You sure are one spunky gal!' A little dazed by the kiss, Joey grinned as he twirled the diamond in his hands. 'Its Dr. Joey no-"
Knock knock knock.
For the love of all things sweet and cake-like! This was the final straw! Ugh, if this was a prank I would have to have a word with the culprit. Stomping towards the door, I swung it open violently.
"What?!" I snapped. A boy, in his late teens stood there, cowering. In his hands was an odd looking sort of bowl. Something clicked in my head. A ceramic bowl? Inside was a burning plant that reeked the smell of... Burning plant. I remembered I had read something about this plant while doing research for my novel, this plant was called sagebrush. As I looked at this man who trembled before my doorstep, waving the smoke towards me he proclaimed: "Be gone!"
"Excuse me? Get out of my house!" I bellowed angrily. The man jumped out of his skin, glancing in all directions frantically, as if he couldn't see me. The nerve!
"I'm not afraid of you!"
"Afraid? You should be terrified of what I will do if you don't scram!"
"Begone, evil-"
"LEAVE!" I thundered, slamming the door in his face. I huffed a sigh, still fuming as I marched to the kitchen. Maybe a snack would cool me off. I bit a large chunk out of an apple, chewing furiously. That man really had no respect for other peoples property! Humph! Honestly, I'd move out right now if I could! I had to admit I had a certain attachment to the corner store down the street, their ramen was simply supreme! There were no places available for sale anyway, what rotten luck. Well, I suppose I wouldn't find a house as nice as this even if I did try looking. It was quaint, and had a certain flair that I couldn't resist.
Hm. I suppose I should send that story to my editor, so it can be published. What a bother. I threw my apple core in the compost bag and sauntered back to my lovely desk. Sliding into my usual position I finished the very last sentence of The Eternal Diamond.
"'Maybe we'll be famous, Eloise. Somewhere out there lies a whole new planet we can explore. Just look at the stars and pick one, I'll take you there.' Joey wrapped his arm around Eloise's waist, staring off into the sky as she pointed to what wasn't a star, but a blue and green planet. 'I want to go to Earth, Joey.' She said with a lopsided smile." At last! I whooped in happiness. My novel was complete! Hoo, that took longer than it should have. I dragged the file into an e-mail, and clicked send. Now all I had to do was wait.
In the meantime I decided I would check up on the latest news on the web. A car accident, mother and daughter reunited after 20 years of the daughter going missing... Then something caught my eye.
"Demon haunting still at large!" The article read. Demons? I don't believe in such supernatural things. Nevertheless, I decided I would take a look, if only to kill time. I related the information out loud.
"Today, at Southwater Springs the spirit said to be haunting an antique house still seems to be angered. Many people have tried to ward away this spirit, only to end in failure. Mr. Daniel Longwatch reports that even old remedies, such as burning sage and lining the area with salt have proven to be useless. Daniel was put into quite the fright when he went to investigate for himself. Quote on quote: "That was the scariest s*** I've ever done. Please, don't go in there!" Mr. Longwatch provides this warning with his statement, so it should be known to the public to refrain from coming into contact with this house t any cost. More information will be spread as we find out more..."
What a bummer, I thought. Well, I had to admit I did enjoy the publicity. HmHm, I hope my editor enjoys my novel. I haven't been writing since the accident, after all. A bullet right through my eye and into my brain. The show must go on, I suppose.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
