A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-six.

A day late but here it is!

Z is for Zombie Apocalypse.

Prepare your children
            show them where to hide, how to hold a gun.
Prepare your friends
            there is always strength in numbers.
Prepare your house
            buy plywood, nails, screws, sheets of metal, tools.
Prepare your vehicles
            install weapons, tricks, safe locks.
Prepare your body
            run, lift weights; it’s your life on the line.
Prepare your supplies
            buy guns, bullets, golf clubs, bats, chainsaws.
Prepare your food
            have water, canned meat, fruits, vegetables.
Prepare your mind
            shoot a gun, destroy a target.
Prepare
            they are coming.
Prepare
            it’s only a matter of time.
Prepare
            they will take over.
Prepare
            don’t be squeamish; this is for survival.
Pre-
            you’re out of time.
Be ready
            you’re next.

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-five.

Meant to get this out last night but time got away from me so here it is! I'll post Z later today :)

Y is for You're Welcome to Join.

“Go fish.”

“You have got to be cheating.”

“You can’t cheat in Go Fish.”

“I beg to differ. You clearly have the tricks needed to cheat in this fine game.”

“Fine game? Good Lord you sound like you’re from the fourteenth century.”

“Oh my dear Jade, how little faith ye have in me.”

I burst out laughing, pressing my cards to my chest so two of my roommates can’t peak; I wouldn’t put it passed them.

“Your turn, Evan.”

“Ah, yes. Brody, have any sixes?”

“Go fish.”

“Now he must be cheating.”

“You can’t cheat in this game.” Brody says with a grin that looks anything but innocent.

“Your face says differently.”

Brody sighs dramatically and picks up his beer, taking a sip.

“No dates tonight? We’re all lonely on this Friday night?” Evan says taking a handful of cheetos and stuffing them all into his mouth. Sometimes I wonder why we agreed to let him stay; then he walks around in a towel and I remember.

“Karri still won’t answer my texts; Craig’s a dick-wad that can burn in hell along with his new girlfriend, Tabitha.”

“Ouch,” Evan winces. “Don’t worry, Jay, I’m here for you.”

I smile brightly at him. “I know. Just keep walking around in a towel and I’ll feel better in no time.”

The two guys start laughing and I just wag my eyebrows at them.

“You too, Brody. You are both improving my mood every day.”

Evan leans over and rests his hand on my shoulder, smiling at me. I smile back and pat his hand before he takes it away. “Your turn, Jay.”

“Right,” I look down at my hand and tilt my head. I look over the cards and eye the two guys with narrowed eyes. “Evan, got any kings?”

He groans and pulls one out, slapping it onto the table in front of me. I cheer and pull out my king, making the pair and adding it to my pile.

“Alright, Brody this time. Got any tens?”

He too groans and I grin, making another pair.

“My last card. Evan, got an eights?”

“Go fish.”

“Damn it!” I pout and grab a card from the draw pile in the middle of the table.

The front door slams shut and we all jump, turning to look at the hallway. Ruby comes into view with Derek and they stop at the entrance, staring at us with eyebrows raised.

“Are you all staying home tonight?” Ruby asks in a voice filled with disbelief.

“Craig dumped me,” I say as if that explains it all.

“Kristine hates my guts,” Evan says.

“Shane is visiting his parents in Edmonton,” Brody says.

“Oh. So, you’re going to stay here all night?”

“If you’ll be here, then I’m heading down to Dixon’s.” I say shuddering slightly in my seat.

“We were going to.”

“What’s wrong with Derek’s place?” Evan asks.

“His roommates kicked him out.”

“Like completely so he’s looking for a new place?” Brody asks dread filling his voice.

“Yeah, so he’s moving in with us.”

Ruby’s smiling at all of us while we’re staring at her with total shock. Wow; she just assumed that’d be okay with us.

“No.”

“Jadey, why not?”

“I’ve had to listen to you guys go at it every weekend since we got this place! I refuse to listen to you guys every day!”

“We won’t be doing it every day.”

I snort and soon the other two with me start to laugh as well.

Ruby scowls and places her hands on her hips. “We won’t!”

I rub my eyes and look into her face. “No, you will.”

“Won’t!”

“I refuse to get into this argument; I’m too drunk as it is.”

“We’ll give you a week,” Brody starts. “If you guys can’t keep it down, since finals are coming up, we’re kicking you both out.”

Ruby gasps eyes wide and unbelieving. Evan and I nod along with Brody.

“That seems fair,” Derek says.

“Then welcome! You guys want to join?” I ask, gesturing vaguely to the table.

“Nah, all my stuff is in my car and I need to get it in here.”

“You can do that tomorrow. It won’t be going anywhere, just pull up a seat and grab a beer!” Evan says as he grabs another from the cooler at his feet. The fridge gets too far away once you’ve had a few.

Derek looks to Ruby and she just shrugs, turning and heading up the stairs. “Sure, I’ll join you.” Derek walks into the kitchen and takes the seat across from me.

“Derek!”

“What? I haven’t really met your other two roommates, just your sister. It’ll be a good bonding night.”

Evan laughs and slides the beer he had just grabbed to Derek before grabbing a new one. “Welcome to the game, bro.”

I hear Ruby huff in the background and stomp up the stairs, but at the moment, I don’t really care. I haven’t felt this good in a while.

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-four.

This poem is told from the point of view of one of my main characters in my novel I'm currently working on. Also, X is a tricky letter. Hope you enjoy :)

X is for Xavier.

First time I met her,
I knew in my soul,
she was my sister
in all but blood.

Our eyes connected
and we introduced
ourselves, before I
was dragged away.

Mother kept saying
"My apologies,
My King," while bowing,
clawing my neck.

Princess Adalyn
quickly got me to
play with her, saying
"this is my friend."

Mother was appalled.
King told us to go,
kids should be kids, as
long as they can.

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-three.

W is for Wedding.

She stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. She brought her hand up to trace her jaw, running pink painted nails across the bone, pressing a little harder on a bruise covered by makeup. She winced and smiled, looking into her grassy green eyes.

"It's finally time," she whispered and smoothed her hands down the white lace wedding dress her mother made for her. The only nice piece of clothing she ever received.

"Kyra?" Her mothers voice came through the door. "Are you ready?"

Kyra looked herself over once more, making sure the bruises were covered. A daughter of the Kings Royal Knights must always look immaculate. She walked to the door and pulled it open, smiling at her mother.

"You look beautiful, dear."

"Thank you, mother."

Kyra's mother took her arm and led her away from the room, heading outside towards her family's courtyard where the carriage awaited to take her to her new home. A tradition here in Toron for centuries, and one that helped girls like Kyra flee their fathers.

Her mother helped her into the carriage and Kyra smiled as she sat down and let her mother close the door. It was just her in the carriage and she relaxed back into the seat as it pulled away. She couldn't seem to stop smiling. The carriage took her away from her family where she'll be able start over, be who she wants to be.

It didn't seem like much longer before the carriage was slowing. She looked outside and gasped when she saw the carriage pulling around the courtyard of the castle. It stopped in front of the door and the driver opened the door with a bow.

Kyra stepped out slowly, unsure what was happening.

The doors opened to reveal the King. "Welcome, Kyra of Toreld," the King said and gestured her forward. She slowly ascended the stairs. "You are a sight for sore eyes," he laughs.

She smiles at him and curtsies when she reaches the top of the stairs. "Why am I here?"

The King grinned. "Your husband-to-be is visiting us today, and I wanted to make sure you got everything you wished for."

Kyra blinked. He wasn't from Toron?

"Come my dear," the King gently took her arm and led her inside the castle, directing her past rooms that she tried to glimpse into. They entered a study where the prince sat with another man, both holding a glass of scotch.

"Prince Coltrane," the King said and Kyra's eyes widened. "This is Krya of Toreld."

Coltrane stood up with a smile, placing his glass of scotch on the table beside the couch. "It's nice to meet you," he said and stepped forward.

Kyra studied his face, unbelieving that he was to be her husband.

"I suppose you think this is a joke," Coltrane said even as he held out his hand for her to shake. She placed her hand in his and he twisted it, bringing the back of it to his lips. She felt her face grow hot, even as a smile stretched her lips.

"It's nice to meet you," Kyra responded.

"You look lovely," he said, keeping a hold of her hand and using it to tug her towards the couch where he was sitting.

"I'm not sure I understand, though," Kyra said.

Coltrane laughed. "I'm not surprised. It's unusual for a Prince to choose a wife this way."

Kyra nodded.

"We have met before," Coltrane said as the King and Prince excused themselves to let them get to know each other.

"We have?"

"Years ago," he said. "It was when my first trip to Toron and you were there with your mother and father, at the ball held on behalf of our treaty being reassigned."

Kyra nodded slowly, trying to remember all those years ago.

"I knew how he treated you," Coltrane's voice was hard. "I wanted to take you with us then, but father forbade it, said you weren't worthy." His fist clenched around her hand and she brought her other hand to their combined ones and held his bigger hand in both of hers. He took a deep breath. "About a year ago I was told I needed to find a wife. I wanted you, told father I wanted you. He was furious." Coltrane laughed. "I said I wasn't the heir, I should be able to choose who I wished."

Kyra smiled and brought his hand closer to her chest, shifting on the couch to be closer to him.

"He didn't have an argument for that. It was a couple of months later when King Gerrit told me of this tradition and that you were on the list."

"Why did you wait so long?" Kyra asked.

"I wanted to make sure we had a place to go to, a home for us." He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her. "I wanted everything to be perfect for us."

Kyra leaned her head on his shoulder. "Just being with you is enough."

He clutched at her. "We'll have a proper wedding back home," he said. "Where you can choose the dress you want to wear, with flowers and whatever else you wish."

She laughed. "I don't want much."

He pressed a kiss to her head. "I'll still give you the world."

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-two

This turned into something I wasn't expecting. That's always fun :)

V is for Vase.

It's been in our family for generations. A gaudy ceramic vase, painted with navy flowers and chipped at its mouth. Mother cherishes it though. Says it's the only thing connecting her to her lost mother. Lost, she says, as if we can come back from the dead. Mother's arranging violets in them now, standing before the island and humming that new Maroon 5 song that's been playing on the radio. I'm curled on the couch, my astronomy textbook open on my lap.

"What do you think, Jade?" She asks, smiling down at the flowers.

"They're lovely, mother," I say and roll my eyes. What else am I supposed to say?

"Yes, I thought so too," she says. "One of Delaney's friends is coming over later. She can tell us what happened to your grandmother."

I clench my teeth together so I don't say anything. Seriously? Another one? The house we live in currently is where grandmother died five months ago. I know exactly what happened to her; she overdosed on her pain meds. I saw it coming; she loved those things. Mother is in denial still, says there was foul play.

"You'll be here, yes?" Mother asks.

"Of course," I say. Again, what do I say? Mother hasn't done much in these last five months. The house may be paid off but we still need to eat; the garden doesn't produce much this time of year. I don't think mother has noticed that I got a second job on top of university and my first one. But we're barely living; she took a leave from work a month ago, I need to pay for tuition and books and food. Some days I'm surprised if I can sleep.

I turn back to my textbook in hopes she'll stop the conversation and do something else while we wait for the lady to arrive.

A half an hour later she starts banging around in the kitchen and I see her trying to put out a spread of food. It's just us, Delaney, and the other woman; what does food matter? We're probably not even going to touch it.

I sigh and soon the main floor is filled with the scent of baking as I read. It feels like five minutes when the doorbell rings and I look up to see it's gotten dark outside.

Mother leads Delaney and a woman with long blonde hair, a gypsy type outfit on, and beads decorating her hair towards the kitchen table. Mother gestures me over and I close my book, standing up and making my way over.

"This is Willow," Delaney introduces and I smile and shake her hand before sitting down. The other three follow suit and Willow gets right into it, asking questions, talking to mother, and I feel like Delaney came just because mother hadn't met Willow before now.

"Let's join hands," Willow says and reaches out towards me. I grab her hand and take Delaney's when she extends it towards me. "This will make the connection stronger," she says.

Willow, mother, and Delaney bow their heads and I roll my eyes. Why must I be here? I could be studying on my rare day off. Willow starts chanting and I let my eyes wander the room. The windows are all closed, the curtains pulled to cover them. The tea mother made right before they came is going cold on the counter and the brownies lie forgotten on a plate.

I look over at Willow as she starts talking as if she was communicating with grandmother. Mother is staring at her with wide eyes and soaking in every bit of information.

"You are wasting your life, Scarlet," Willow says to my mother. "Live your life, if not for yourself than for your daughter, for my granddaughter."

Mother's eyes tear up as they've done in every other session we've had. If only she'd listen to the people that come.

Willow blinks and looks over at mother with a smile. "That's all she has to say."

Mother's brow furrows. "No foul play or who killed her?"

Willow tilts her head. "She overdosed. She knows, she expected it. That was her plan. Jade knows this too."

I nod when mother looks over at me. She studies my face before shaking her head. "That's not possible. Mother would never purposely leave us behind."

I want to groan. Seriously?

Willow smiles sadly. "I'm sorry, but that's what she says; what she has been saying for months now."

I nod. Please, mother, let's just move past this and live on.

Mother scowls and takes her hand away. "I see," she says before standing up and storming upstairs.

I sigh before turning to Willow with a smile. "I apologize."

Willow waves that away. "Not your fault," she says. "Thank you for letting me come into your home."

I smile. "Are you two going to head out?"

Delaney nods. "I was hoping Willow could show your mother what we know but she's in a very strong stage of denial."

I sigh and nod.

"Sorry, Jade," Delaney says and pats my hand that she still has hold of.

I smile at her. "Would either of you care for a brownie?"

They shake their heads as they stand.

"No thanks," Delaney says. "We'll leave you to your studies."

I walk them to the door, thanking them again as they leave. I sigh and lock the door behind them. I suppose it was too much to hope for. I turn around to see the vase my mother cherishes go crashing to the floor, water spilling onto the tile, ceramic chips scattering, and violets crushing. Footsteps drum from above before my mother appears at the stairs, flying down them. She gasps and falls to her knees beside it, tears streaming down her face. I watch her pick up pieces, trying to recreate it in her hands, cutting herself in the process and ignoring the blood that pours from her fingers.

"Maybe she'll cut herself too deep," the voice of my grandmother comes from beside me.

I tilt my head, watching mother cuddle the pieces to her chest. "It could happen, though two deaths in this house could be messy."

Grandmother laughs. "I'll protect you, dear."

I turn to her foggy form and smile. "I know."

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-one.

I had one line for this story in my head forever; it's nice to finally add more to it. Hope you enjoy day twenty-one!

U is for Underground.

The surface-dwellers call it The Underground. I call it home.

The Unicorn's Mane is as dark as it usually is, smog and sewage from above stinking the place we call home. Mud covers the streets, old brick buildings barely stand, lights barely work. The sun doesn't reach our ground, our skin. We're pale, the under-goers, but we're strong. We've survived every ball the surface-dwellers have thrown our way. The bar isn't as crowded as usual, many from our faction are out on a job, getting money from the leaches above. But Lyra still brings rounds, still smiles, still flirts with me, rolls her eyes at Zane.

"You don't see people in suits often," my brother, Zane, says.

I look up from loading my gun, raising an eyebrow at the man entering the bar wearing a suit and tie. "You know him?"

Zane shakes his head beside me as the man turns and heads in our direction. "What did you do, Constance?"

I smile at the man, ignoring my brother, once he stops in front of our table.

"You're Constance Lamki?"

"And who are you?" I ask.

"Roi Stadelman," he says. "I'm here on behalf of Gyrotronics."

My eyebrows shoot up beneath my bangs.

"We've seen your work," he continues and I can feel my brother staring at me, asking how do these surface-dwellers know of me. "We want you to come work with us."

"You do realize what I do, yes?"

He grins, quick and sharp. "Of course."

"Can I get you a drink, sir?" Lyra asks as she sidles up beside me.

Roi looks around then, notices the attention focused on him. He smiles and takes a seat in an empty chair at our table and nods at Lyra. "Whatever you recommend."

She smiles brightly then and walks away. She's a sucker for those that ask what she likes best.

"I'm not quite sure I understand how I could be of assistance," I say once Lyra's at the bar making her favourite drink.

"You seem to understand the network much better than any of our tech guys; it takes them days just to figure out you've been there, let alone what you've done," he stops as Lyra places a tall, dark drink in front of him. He thanks her and takes a sip, smiling at the dark rum floating across his tongue. I was the one that had introduced Lyra to this rum; she fell in love instantly. "We'd like you to work with us, create things the others never even thought of. I and my superiors know you're more than capable. We'd like you to give us your support."

I bite the inside of my lip, watching as he takes another sip. "I want to get power working down here again."

He nods. "Doable."

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're listening? Our home is huge. This area you stepped into, this is just our faction. There are ten other factions down here."

He grins. "And if you get power to them under Gyrotronics name, do you think they'd support us?"

I blink before a laugh bursts forth and I turn to my brother who is grinning at the man.

"I like how you think," Zane says. "Constance has been waiting for one of the companies to get the balls to talk to her; we're glad it's you."

Roi nods. "I came as soon as I found what faction you were in. It took our guys a little longer than I thought."

I grin. "When shall we start?"

A-Z Challenge. Day twenty.

A quick little poem for day twenty. Enjoy :)

T is for Time.

It's strange,
isn't it? How
humans are so
obsessed
with the concept
of time.
We need more
hours in a day,
days in a week.
We rush, rush,
stressing
to get everything done.
Rarely, do we stop
to breathe deep,
put down our phones,
daydream,
stare at the stars,
take time for ourselves.

A moment
to stop
and put away
the devices attached,
almost permanently,
to our hands.
Take a step back,
smell roses,
listen to the singing birds,
and just be.