Chapter 1

“You’ve got to know when to fold, know when to hold, know when to walk away, know when to run.”

They might not have been the exact words of the song, but they were running on repeat in my mind. I wasn’t in a good place, right now, and I think it was all of my own doing, although I didn’t know why.

Listen to What the Man Said

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 61 The Green Dragon in the Green Dragon

The BEE’s, Bearthwaite Educational Establishment, approach to discipline was an even deeper mystery to outsiders, for poor behaviour was virtually unheard of in a BEE class. The ‘We just leave discipline to pissed off mums, other than that we just make it up as we go, because the kids know very well how they are supposed to behave,’ approach didn’t really seem to be a viable discipline model to outsiders, but it was all that there seemed to be. As far as any could tell there wasn’t even a set of acceptable behaviour protocols or guidelines or an effective chain of command either.

This story was inspired by Teek’s story by the same name.

Timmy was sitting on the school bus on his way to his Middle School. Next to him, Betty, his bestest friend in the whole world was prattling about her afternoon tryout for the cheerleading squad. Timmy wasn’t really listening. Timmy was no Tiny Tim. If not exactly bigger than all the other boys in his class, he was taller than most. And if he was lean what was there was mostly bones, sinews and muscles. He very much resembled his father and grandfather at his age. Grandfather had played pro football. Unfortunately he had to retire due to injuries after one season. Timmy’s father had been the big football hero in the high school Timmy was to attend in a few years. The father had gone on to play college football, though only for one year.

After the intense confrontation with Seraphina, Akari was acutely aware of the need to elevate her training. Despite her ability to maintain control during the duel, she understood that she must be fully prepared if Seraphina were to push her even harder in the future. This realization fueled her as she returned to her early morning sessions with Instructor Kael, her determination unwavering as she strived to master the delicate balance between power and control.

Sometimes, you're in the right and you have to say so.

Sometimes – you have to argue! Because they are in the wrong.

Hope's Light

Chapter 11

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Eleven - Stand

I spent a few more minutes, there in the now-empty hall. Tsáyidiel remained quiet, allowing me space to think. While the idea of returning to give Krux the grief he so greatly deserved appealed, the entire quest to find the Apostle no longer felt as urgent.

Oh, I still wanted to know if this demon had information that could lead to my other friends, and also wanted to find out just exactly who he was to be saying things in my name. But from what Cassius had just told me, other priorities had become much more important.

And thus decision became action.

Dido went back to her 'panhandling' early the next morning. This time, she settled down outside the entrance to Farringdon Thameslink Station.

 
Synopsis:

Charlie was a middle-aged man with one great regret, that a wonderful woman he'd been friends with for years was not interested in him as a man. She moves cross-country to care for her ailing mother and Charlie is heartbroken. A new employee befriends Charlie who later makes an unselfish wish for his new friends happiness. Charlie finds he's been betrayed and has lost everything he ever dreamed of or has he? A story of the power of love and forgiveness.

November 16, Early Evening.

It had been three weeks since the debacle at the Paediatric hospital. As expected, that story ran for as long as the media outlets could justify it. There were so many pictures of me in tears floating around the official channels and even more online.

When I realized most people weren't treating my behavior as something awful, I was eventually able to stop worrying so much about it.