by Saless
Chapter 7
Mike half expected Sean to be right; to find themselves on the other side of an optical illusion. That was not the case.
They now found themselves in a forest of gargantuan trees. They looked behind them and there was a hole showing Mike and Jill's apartment. "Well, either we've really lost it, or this is no illusion." Mike said in awe.
"No, this is real." Jill agreed. She looked around and saw only trees in every direction. There were no signs of civilization at all. "Where are we?" she wondered aloud.
"Veltare forest, according to the book." Sean replied. "The main characters take refuge here when they're chased by bandits."
"Are those the main characters, or the bandits?" Mike asked in alarm, as he pointed to a group of people running through the forest. His question was answered when several armed men came into view, hot on their trail. "Never mind."
"Uh, I think we'd better get back through the portal." Sean suggested fearfully.
"Why?" Jill asked. The bandits were nowhere near them.
"Well, the main characters get away from the bandits by blasting them with powerful magic that they really don't know how to control. They end up destroying half the forest. I don't think we want to be here for that." Sean replied. Mike and Jill looked at him in surprise and then grabbed his hands and they all jumped back through the portal.
Back in Mike and Jill's apartment, Sean quickly dropped the book on the floor hoping that would close the portal. It did, but not before a blast of hot air shot out of it and knocked them all down.
"What was that?" Mike groaned as he tried to extricate himself from the tangle of limbs.
"That was probably just the very edge of the blast I was talking about." Sean replied.
"I told you it'd be dangerous. It's a good thing Sean knows that book so well!" Jill said.
"Yeah, if we do that again lets pick a story that's a little less violent." Mike agreed.
"And why would we do that again?" Sean groaned as he took off his quiver and set it and his bow down next to the recliner. After sitting down he said, "I don't know why I let you guys talk me into that, but we're not doing it again!"
"But what if you start dream walking again?" Jill asked.
"I haven't the last two nights, why should I now?" Sean replied.
"If you don't have control of this…whatever it is, you might. Wouldn't you rather have control over it so it doesn't control your life?" Jill asked pointedly.
"She's got a point Sean. It might be more dangerous to leave it alone than to explore it." Mike agreed.
Sean shook his head wearily. "You two are going to be the death of me. But not tonight! I'm going to go home, talk to Erica, and crash."
Mike nodded. "That's probably a good idea. We can try again tomorrow. Jill and I will work on coming up with a better book to use."
Sean just groaned and collected his book and archery gear. Jill gave him a hug and they said goodbye to their friend.
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Mike asked after he'd left.
"Yes. I think his ability is developing still. First he was doing it in his sleep, now he does it when he reads or watches a movie. Who knows what will happen next? If he doesn't get control of it now, he may never." Jill answered.
"That's assuming he can get control of it." Mike pointed out.
"I'd rather assume that he can. It's bad enough he's developed this strange ability." Jill replied.
"I wonder where it came from." Mike mused.
Jill shrugged, "I doubt we'll ever know. It's not like there are experts on mystical phenomenon out there we can consult." She said with a laugh.
Sean was glad to be back in his apartment. He dumped his archery gear in the closet and dropped his book on the kitchen table. Booting up his computer he thought about everything that had happened. He was surprised that Mike and Jill weren't running away from him after that trip. Why are they sticking around when it's obviously dangerous to do so? he thought as he logged onto his IM.
SeanDreamer has logged on
Erica378 has logged on
<SeanDreamer>: How are you?
<Erica378>: Okay. The work load is insane, but with my study group I'm keeping up. How about you?
<SeanDreamer>: Nothing new. Had dinner with Mike and Jill again.
<Erica378>: Good. I don't want you hiding away by yourself all the time!
<SeanDreamer>: I won't! ;P
<Erica378>: I love you!
<SeanDreamer>: I love you, too!
<Erica378>: How are your classes going?
<SeanDreamer>: Okay.
<Erica378>: Argh! Getting details out of you is like pulling teeth!
<SeanDreamer>: Now that you mention it, I haven't finished my homework yet.
<Erica378>: Really? That's unusual for you.
<SeanDreamer>: Mike and Jill did keep me pretty busy over the weekend.
<Erica378>: True. Make sure you get it done!
<SeanDreamer>: Will do.
<Erica378>: I'd better go. I'll talk to you tomorrow!
<SeanDreamer>: Tomorrow then. Bye!
<Erica378>: Bye!
SeanDreamer has logged out
Erica378 has logged out
Sean sighed as he turned off his computer. He hated lying to Erica like that, but she would never believe the stuff that was happening. If she couldn't see it or touch it, it wasn't real to her.
After taking a quick shower Sean grabbed his book and climbed into bed. He figured he'd need the help relaxing to get to sleep tonight. He was just getting into the book when a portal appeared next to his bed. In it he could see the blasted forest and the heroes of the story camped out in it. He gazed in wonder at this scene of devastation. The elf of the group, Kelna, seemed to be looking right at him. She strung her bow and knocked an arrow as she approached the portal. Sean stared in shock and couldn't move. Kelna drew her bow back and fired and Sean dropped the book as he fell off the bed trying to get away from it.
When he stuck his head back over the bed the portal was gone. Sighing in relief, he climbed back into bed and carefully put his book aside. No more night time reading for me! he thought. Once settled back under the covers he turned over to turn off the light and stopped with a shiver of dread. An arrow was imbedded in the wall right next to him! If he hadn't fallen out of bed it would have skewered him. After several tries he managed to yank the arrow out of the wall and tossed it across the room. He lay there nearly hyperventilating for several minutes before he turned off the light.
Sean got very little sleep that night, as the sight of that arrow flying right at him played over and over again in his mind.
To Be Continued…
Comments
Was itintentional or not?
So the pace is picking up! And is coming along nicely, at that.
Apparently, Sean did know the plot of the book, at least a little ahead. Can you say "Boom"?
Jill, you ought to know: the Multiverse LOVES proving people wrong. I am half sure that wizard from Princess the Troothsayer's kingdom will make an appearance sooner or later.
And that book's protagonists are a wee bit hostile, don't you think? Maybe it is because they are jumpy, or maybe because they will be revealed as villains in the end, or maybe *insert your WMG*
And really, Erica is a Wild Card now. We don't know an awful lot about her so...
Faraway
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
I'm glad to finally get to
I'm glad to finally get to this point as I know it was rather slow to start. It's a bit confusing for me, though, because I'm keeping six chapters ahead! So where I'm at things were already moving along nicely. I also almost quoted one of the characters in a comment before anyone else but me heard them say it! ;)
The other problem I have is that I already know sooo much about what's going to happen in the future of the story, and I have to be careful not to spoil it for everyone. The trials and tribulations of writing a daily story when you've already been plotting the story out for a few years! ;)
Thanks Faraway!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
I miss Kittyhawk..however that's not why I'm commenting...
One thing bugs me...okay two...why does Erica always log on 2nd..and why don't they just talk on the phone??
Oh and I still miss the Kittyhawk story...but that's just me LOL
Good read so far..
Hugs
Frank
Sean's not fond of
Sean's not fond of telephones. As for who logs on first, no reason! ;)
No need to miss Kittyhawk, I'm working on Part 7 now and hope to have it up tonight, hopefully!
Thanks Frank!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Surely there can
be no question about what Sean must do now,He needs to tell Jill and Mike just what nearly happened to him and then go back to the portal... it does seem that just sitting there and hoping everything will turn out all right, Might not be very good for Seans health... So maybe being a little more proactive might turn out to be a more sensible course of action for Sean
After all if arrows can come through the portal what's to stop Kelna following?
Kirri
A good point!
A good point! Next chapter will have more on that.
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Could He
Open portald to worlds created within a book, or is it a pocket dimension he creates>
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Ah,
now that is the question! ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Bullying at work!
Hi Saless, I'm not to sure about the bullying Sean is experiencing and why Sean put's up with it as he has admitted he doesn't like his job?
Sean also appears to be very non agressive and timid, will his character emerge where he can defend himself or will it go the other way where he becomes a shy princess?
Your story is moving faster for the better, looking forward to Seans emergence which ever way it goes.
LoL Rita
Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!
(Mark Twain)
LoL
Rita
There are reasons why Sean
There are reasons why Sean is the way he is, but he will be going through some changes as things progress.
Thanks Rita!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Sorry!
My computer got screwy there for a minute, and double posted. Argh!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Bullying at work again
I didn't catch what country this story takes place in, somewhere in the U.K.? I don't know about labor laws there but when I lived and worked in the U.S., if another employee so much as said a threatening word or dared to make any kind of physical contact that was not invited or welcome, it could be grounds for immediate termination of that employee. Of course that depends on the boss believing you, and the perceived severity of the offense, the number of times, etc.... if you were not satisfied with your boss's actions in your defense you'd go to the Labor Board and could file a complaint and lawsuit against any and all parties involved... Does Sean have no such protection at work against this bullying that now is actually getting physical?
This story takes place in
This story takes place in the US. Sean could probably get something done if he tried, but he's too used to being bullied. He'll come around eventually.
Saless
P.S. Is there any particular reason you were guessing the UK? Just curious!
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
I mentioned UK
because so many stories here are set there, (maybe I'm beginning to see British writing style where it doesn't exist. I've already adopted "winding me up", "brill", "cuppa", "bum", "taking the piss" and others into my thinking, if not my actual oral vocabulary, hehe....) I also thought maybe U.K. because I know the U.S. labor laws strictly forbid any kind of verbal or physical abuse at the workplace, with serious penalties for violations.
At my (ex)place of employment in the U.S. we had to attend a meeting all about it, we were told ALL companies were being required to have this special "harassment meeting" - we were given specific examples of what constitutes harassment and it ended up with saying that it basically boils down to, ANY non-work-related contact, even speaking to another employee about anything not related to your work can be considered harassment if that person sees it as such. Any kind of physical contact would most likely result in immediate termination and possibly an assault charge. In other words, lay a hand on anyone for any reason and you're outta there right now, that's it, period.
So, I thought maybe it was set somewhere with less stringent laws relative to abuse/harassment in the workplace, and I only guessed UK because of the high number of stories set there, and my not knowing if they are as strict.
Ah,
that explains it! There do seem to be a lot of stories in the UK here, don't there? I know what you mean about adopting words and expressions from the UK, I do that, too! In fact, I've suspected for a while that it may have affected my writing to some degree, which is why I was curious. ;)
I suspect that your previous employer was especially strict, but it's true that if you can prove/corroborate it, your employer would have to do something about any harassment. The hard part is proving it, or finding someone who will/can vouch for it.
Thanks!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
Twigged
That's another one I like. :) I'd love to visit the UK, but as I only speak American-style English and Spanish, I might have a communication problem.... :p Just kidding you know... "two countries separated by a common language", and all that. LOL. My ancestors on my Father's side went to the U.S. from England, and supposedly Wales is the farthest back we can trace them.
My ex-supervisor told me that all companies were being required to take the harassment meeting but in thinking about it further, I'm not sure if he meant all in the state or just all the branches owned by our main office/owner. That may have been the case. I have some stories to tell about some nasty coworkers but I guess I should not do it here since this is supposed to be comments on the story so.. guess I'll have to start blogging. hehe.
Anyway, thanks for writing these great chapters, I am looking forward to the next one.
Yes, twigged is good! ;)
Yes, twigged is good! ;) Thanks, it's convenient that I post everyday then!
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America