The Doom Seekers

                                                      The Doom Seekers
   

       The night sky lit up from the glowing amber's of the fire. There was a bright orange glow spreading out across the horizon creating a perverse halo all around the frame of the mysterious tall dark man. His smiled was slightly crooked, uneven on his darken face. His eyes darting back and forth as he opened the car door, tipping his hat. Within seconds he vanished from the smoldering remains of town.
       Bret and Ameila stood watching with great fear and a bit of awe as the stranger drove away. Without speaking they turned towards one another, with the fear of knowing that one day the stranger would cross their paths again. For now, the town needed to be rebuilt and this task would take all of the towns people that were left. Bret stood against the glowing amber's of the fire surveying the damage. After a minute of just watching the fire burn brighter and brighter, hissing it's anger at the smoldering frames of the buildings that were left, he turned towards the road that lead away from what was left of his town.
        The nape hairs on the back of Bret's neck prickled, standing up as a cold chill ran through the inner depths of his soul. Somewhere in the distances a cryptic laughter could be heard. Bret knew that somewhere, someday he and the tall mysterious man would meet again, and that day would bring disaster of another kind.
       Green rolling hills with beautifully enchanting meadows lay silent, stretching far into morning air. The dirt road seem to go on and on, winding down into the valley, quietly as the black Royals Royce traveled at a very slow and deliberate pace. A long wooden fence separated the churchyard from the immediate road way, but not from the keen eye of the traveler.
      Within seeing distances at the top of the hill, just a hundred yards away stood an old white washed church. It's steeple reaching high towards the heavens, almost touching the clouds that rolled by. Stain glass sparkling brilliant colors onto the green lawn on either side of the old church frame. Beautiful pictures from different scenes in the bible shown brightly during the day time. 
       Songs of rejoicing could be heard coming from the little church as angelic voices sang praises of faith and belief. The black Royals pull off to the side of the road just in front of the little white church.With the engine turned off, a silent darkness waited inside the vehicle for just the right moment to appear.
       Silently, the tall figure emerged from the black car ever so casually, stopping to lean against the warm automobile. His black hat covered most of his face eluding his true features. A long black coat hung on the thin frame dropping down to his mid knees.  A pure white cotton shirt draped over the slightly thinning shoulders and was tucked neatly within crisp black pants. His shiny black shoes rounded out his attire. His presences haunting to anyone that would gaze upon it.
       There was a quick light to a long thin cigar that lite up his facial features for one brief second. Swirls of whitish smoke twirled around in mid air racing upwards to quickly disappear, gone forever from view. His chalky face stood out in contrast to the glistening morning light as he just lean against the dark car. Grinning his cynical smile revealing his darken teeth behind those thin stream line lips.
      As another twirling of smoke escaped from his thin lips his voice breaking through the silence, eerie and full of evil, "Like blood to a vampire, so is the lusting of an ego to mankind. It's failure always ensures the victory." Feeling sure of the task that lay ahead he moved towards the church taking careful, deliberate steps always keeping his eye on his target.
      Dark red carpet covered the floor of the small, quaint church. There were two sections of wooden benches on either side of the auditorium with a main isle in the center which lead to the pulpit. From within the church building you could see the stain glass windows that lined the walls on both sides of the interior of the church. Each window represented a hand crafted composition of the heavenly credence. There were ten glorious, beautifully  design, reverent pictures which told an age old story of God and his promise to mankind.
        Inside this church sat about sixty or so members, singing the hymns that gave much comfort to their souls. Down in the front right at the pulpit stood a man, waving his hand up and down directing the members in song and praise. He was tall, about six feet in height and well built. His hair hung down just long enough to touch the collar of his button down shirt. His beard and mustache were trimmed very neatly and his round wire rimmed glasses hugged his nose and sky blue eyes.  
       Daniel peered out to the congregation over his wire rimmed glasses watching his fellow brethren sing songs of praise knowing that his message would be well received this morning. His sky blue eyes scanned over each member there as he watch with great anticipation, knowing their need to hear his message.
       From behind where Daniel stood, on the back wall hung an old rugged cross. One lone figure hung from that cross. Upon the head of the figure sat a thorny crown and a small reflection of sad eyes. The torso was covered with only a thin, shear cloth and there was a slash in the side of his ribs. Somehow this heartbreaking scene seemed to bring heart felt reverences and peace from all within the church.
      As he and his fellow members finished their prayerful song, Daniel stepped up to the podium holding on tightly to the good book in his right hand. He could feel the spiritual needs flowing forth from each and every member of the congregation. He was more than prepared to speak with powerful words, words filled with the holy spirit,          " My fellow believers, today I feel the spirit moving inside my soul with great purpose. Hear my words and know that his holy might and power is true." His voice shouted clearly and with strong conviction as he held onto the holy manuscript.
        Suddenly and without warning the doors flung open, rays of sunshine spread all around the tall figure as though surrounded by a glowing halo. Daniel was caught off guard as he looked to the back of the church, his eyes clouded by vanity at the interruption of his sermon. There in the doorway of his holy church stood a tall angelic figure. Daniel could do nothing for a few seconds except strain to focus on the figure as every member turned to see who the intruder could be.
       Whispers and gasps, muddled from each person as their own selfish, needful desires were quickly displayed. For Daniel, the leader of the church, his soul was filled with great pride as he stepped around in front of the podium speaking, " Come brother, celebrate our happiness with us. You are welcome here." he said waving for the tall mysterious stranger to join in their praise.
       The voice that spoke sounded a hundred times more powerful than anyone had expected it to, and deceit was it's name, "Yes brother, welcomed I am. For you have called me here and I have come to show you the way." The tall figure stood at the back of the church appearing to be dressed in all white, clean and holy by every means. He stepped forward ready to give his message to all who would listen. It was no secret to the stranger that all there would hear and understand his words.
       Daniel just knew that all of his praying and trusting in his beliefs had finally paid off for him. Before him stood an angel, his messenger had been sent to show them all the way. He had been steadfast in his patience, now his reward was at hand. Speaking with great pride Daniel replied," Come friend, share your words with us, for we all do his bidding. We are his faithful servants." 
      With an air of confidence the stranger strolled towards the podium all the while smiling at each person within the church and especially at Daniel. When he spoke it was as if the air was lighter and brighter with each word coming from his mouth," Yes, we all do as we are instructed, but do not let vanity cloud your judgement son." he said with a warning. There was a glint of fire within his eyes, a mask of angelic serenity to hide the truth.
       Only an unselfish believer would have seen through the mask, and only those who had no secret desires to further their own needs could have seen the darken teeth behind those extremely thin lips. " I'm ready to serve his holiness in whatever manner he would have me to." Daniel responded, feeling his soul swelling with pride.
      The dark stranger stood quietly, looking around at each member within the room. His smile appeared sincere, almost holy as he spoke, each word vibrating all throughout the church," I serve my master faithfully, without pride or boastfulness. Are you willing to do the same?" Twirling away from facing Daniel he pointed his long bony finger at the members raising his voice as he spoke again," We must all serve our master no matter what he calls on us to do."
       Raising his hands, he clapped them together as if he were praying, " We must stand up for what we believe in, for his will is the greatest power on earth and it is his bidding that I come to do." Then the stranger hung his head as though he was bowing in quiet reflection of what he had said, almost as if in a whispers he began speaking again, chanting over and over," Praise be his name, praise be his name. His will be done, his will be done."
      Each member of the church recited the chant, along with Daniel, "Praise his name, praise his name. His will be done, his will be done."
      It hadn't take too much time before the little community church converted itself to a compound. All of the believers within the newly formed compound moved about like a busy beehive. They each had a task to do and moved quickly to and from the inside of the old wooden building. All of them had begun preparing for the master's bidding. For weeks the stranger who had never exactly given his name or had said where he had come from continue guiding, praising and preaching the word of the master.
      Everything that he said and did only encouraged to pull Daniel and each person within the folds of the compound deeper and deeper into the web of deceit.Vanity and ego was feeding, spreading like flood waters leashed upon the earth. Soon all within the compound would be so consumed by his words that the master's will would certainly be carried out.
       Some fifteen miles further down the dirt road from the now existing compound was the picturesque little town of Pleasant Valley. Over the last few years several new businesses had come this way in hopes of gaining profit from this quiet, but growing community. Here in this quaint settlement was a sense of serene living, where a family still could have traditional values to grow with.
       Everyone noticed the black Royals Royce as it pulled up to the only hotel in Pleasant Valley. A traveler supposedly was looking for collectible historical articles. He had come here to investigate whether or not anything of interest was available. The strange man spoke with ease as he questioned the towns' people about different events in the local area. His knowledge of the history of the town and surrounding area was quiet profound.
        There was no doubt that this stranger had a genuine reason for being in town. His manner of slyness appeared to reveal honesty and his personality just drew you into him. Leland had arrived with few belongings, but no one seemed concerned about his personal affects. He ate at the hotel every night and always seem to find someone to strike up a conversation with. That small talk always led to the same topic, the compound outside of town.
       Behind every question was a motive for him. " So, who are all of those people up there in that compound?" he asked the waitress as she sat down his rare T Bone steak.
      "They're weird, not part of our town." Ethel answered him, glad to be able to inform him that no one in town thought of those people as part of their community. She stood beside him watching him cut into his steak, smacking her gum.
        Leland hated her hair style. That awful twisted up beehive hairdo. She looked like something from the fifties, too out dated for this day and time. He turned to gaze at her before speaking with his controlled tone, " Is there something else you need from me Ethel?" he asked, as he waited on her to move on to another customer.
        "Oh no. Just seeing if everything was okay with your food." she answered still smacking and cracking her gum.
       "Every thing's fine, thanks. I'll let you know if I need anything else." Leland responded as he waited on her to leave him in peace.
       "Shoot, those folks aren't normal." Earl shouted out in response to Leland's question. His over sized frame struggled to balance on the pivoting bar stool. Earl rearranged his ball cap on his balding head and continued his thoughts," Hell, ain't no tell'n what's going on up there with those folks. Some kind of cult is what I think." He took a big gulp of his beer and turned his attention back to the baseball game on the television.
      Leland sat at his table soaking up the conversation into his memory. After a few seconds he cleared his throat then spoke, as always his tone was even and quiet penetrating, "Well now, during my many travels I have come across several different cults. I have found that in most cases cults keep very close to their own group just doing whatever their leader requires of them." He paused long enough to chew another pieces of rare steak and a bite of red potatoes, then continued with his thoughts,"Has anyone spoken to any of those people in the compound yet? You know, to try to find out exactly what they're up to if anything." His dark eyes shifted easily around the room as one by one each person there turned to look at each other.
      It was Earl who spoke again, turning around on his squeaky stool, speaking as though he was the spokes person of this little group," Well shoot, we've really never thought much about them folks up there. They mostly keep to themselves, just the way we like it."
       " Ah, but for how long will they keep to themselves? Cults in the beginning do keep to themselves until it's time to expand. One can never know for sure what a cult is really like until the unspeakable happens." Leland said, pushing his empty plate out of the way with his bony fingers. There was no need to say more, for his statement would have the desired effect if he only gave it a few seconds to sink in.
       After having paid his dinner bill and tipping Ethel, Leland stood to his full height, pushed his chair in under the table and turned to head upstairs to his room. As he got to the stairs he stopped to interject one last thought, "It is your community after all. I guess you'll do what's best for Pleasant Valley and it's residents. We all have to protect our own. Well that's been my experience with cults, historically that is." With that the stranger known only as Leland disappeared upstairs to retreat to his room, out of sight of prying eyes.
       Sunshine broke across the horizon shattering bright rays of warmth with it. Small streams of sunbeams bounced off of the parade of vehicles that moved slowly up the dusty road towards their destination. There were ten trucks of various makes and models all lined up behind one another. Some were aged, old and rusty in spots while others gleamed from being newer models. Each bed of the truck and passenger seats were filled with able bodied men of different ages as well. In the beds of the trucks lay the guns, well oiled and cleaned, ready for the hunt or the fight.
      For weeks now there had been plenty of talk all regarding the compound. A town meeting had even been called to discuss what was going on up there in that newly formed cult. Everyone weighed in on what they thought was going on and what could possibly happen. Accusation had been plentiful and fear was in no short supply either.
       Leland had been invited to give his valued opinion on the matter since he was at present the only historical person around with cult knowledge. He was more than happy to assist the towns people in their needful ways. Behind every truth there can be a lie and behind every lie the truth is revealed. Leland knew exactly how to navigate his way through both of these philosophies.
        In the early morning on a beautiful Friday the compound was silent, calm with everyone sleeping inside. No one knew or had even suspected that the towns people of Pleasant Valley had developed a problem with their simple lifestyle. It was no surprised that as the ten trucks pulled up in front of the fence there was not one person from the compound to greet anyone.
        Most of the men unloaded from the trucks taking a rifle or gun of some type with him. They each leaned against the trucks, nervously waiting on the confrontation that would surely result from their actions. It had been Leland's information that had convinced the men to go and take a look at the compound and it's people.
       When everyone was in place Earl held up his bull horn speaking into it with his loud voice,"You inside the compound, come out with your hands up. We're here to talk to your leader. We know you have children in there, so come on out now with your hands up and no one will be harmed. Let the children go." he demanded.
       Inside the compound the people of the congregation had already been preparing for their Dooms Day. Daniel had preached many times that each of them should be ready to defend their home and their way of worship. Leland had come day after day teaching and preaching the warning of being prepare to fight the war if necessary for their master."They will come to destroy all that you have built and all that you believe." he had told them over and over again.
      Now, it was Daniel calling upon the members of the compound to take up arms in this holy war," Gather yourselves together and prepare to defend this place in your master's name. Have no doubts, stand fast with your faith, our master will protect us from all harm." he shouted, still holding onto his bible. Daniel knew that the time of the unholy believers had begun. It would be his congregation that would be the first line of defense in their master's name.
       Inside the old wooden church the members had gathered for one last moment of prayer. Each one of them had sworn to protect this church and the compound with their very lives. For the truth of the master would protect them all and not even death could part them from their master's promise. Faithful followers would always take up the cross when the enemy stood at the gate. Today would be one of those days.
      As the sound of Earl's voice traveled inside the the church, the ladies moved the children to the lower level of the church's structure for safety. The last warning had been given and the count down had begun. It was only a matter of seconds before the two opposing sides faced each other down.
       The first shot rang out breaking one of the stain glass windows, as shots were being fired from all sides of the wooden building at the same time. Bullets were flying from outside of the church as well from the inside. Window after window was shot out out by flying bullets. From somewhere within the church a fire started, wood blazing up in angry waves reaching high into the morning sky.
      One by one bodies began to hit the ground outside the wooden fence and screams of horror could be heard coming from the inside of the church. Plumes of smoke spiraled upwards toward the heavens as gun after gun from both outside and inside continued to fire. The earth began to turn crimson from the blood of the wounded or dead. Both parties had lost many of their own and yet no one could actually say why this had happen.
      Leland watched the chaos from the distance feeling proud that his master's will had been carried out. The plan had been easily planted and only took a little pushing. As always mankind would do the rest. The destruction had been great and now his task was completed. He smiled revealing his dark teeth behind those thin lips. He stood on top of the hill surveying his handy work speaking out loud," Ah, the master will be well pleased, always the feeding of fear and pride, blood lust for the feast. Master will be very please with this." His dark eyes gleamed as he tipped his black hat at the smoldering smoke from the burning church.
      Having no further need of this place Leland got into his black Royal Royce and sped away watching the bright orange flames shooting high into the morning sky in his rear view mirror. From outside the compound and within it's doors only the dead remain behind. The hell fires were burning brightly and the master was indeed please................
      Bret and Ameila stood beside the broken fence that had once separated the compound from the world's evil. Blood stained the grass and dirt as empty bullet shells covered the ground. Small trickles of smoke still rose up as there was only ash and burnt wood that once had been an old white washed church.
        "This is his handy work alright. His way is blood and death. These poor people, they never realized what he truly was." Ameila said. She was so sad and heart broken for the lost of so many innocent lives. Her hair whipped lightly about her face as she stood at the ruins recalling the near destruction that Leland had meant to cause on her own home town.
        "Doom and death, that's what he seeks and it is all that remains after he is gone. Ameila, we have to find him. We have to put a stop to the madness once and for all, we just have to no matter what it takes." Bret said, his voice so full of anger as well as sorrow. He looked at her taking her hand in his as he spoke again, this time with more purpose than ever,"We, you and I are the Doom Seekers. We seek his doom where  ever it leads us. We will always know where he has been because he always leaves behind death and destruction everywhere he goes. Ameila our lives no longer belong to us, but to all of those that he seeks to harm. There simply is no turning back now. We have to find him no matter what it takes.We have to finish this." Bret turned from the sight of the last known horror that Leland had caused.
      With Ameila beside him they would hunt Leland across this land, seeking to put an end to his pain and terror to those who were unsuspecting. From one Continent to another, where ever they had to travel, they would somehow end his evil reign.
       Somewhere a thousand miles away a black Royals Royce sat quietly in front of the hotel in an off beat city. A wicked smile appeared on the thin lips of the tall stranger as he spoke in his most even an reassuring tone,"Excuse me miss," He said to the young girl walking down the street,"Can you recommend a quiet place for an old tired traveler?" 

                           " He who brings the gift of light bears no evil."
              Be wise in your choice of masters, for one leads to the kingdom                                                    of heaven and one to the gates of hell.



C.J.Ayers
12/12/14

Curse of The Littles' White House

   
                  " Spit, spew, spittle and spittle;
                     The house of Mrs. Katie Little,
                      From where the ground groans
                            and children giggles,
                     Will yield no life from this stolen
                           land of we the Little's." 
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     The field was lush with the growing kudzu as it spread out from one end of the property to other end which looked to be as long as a football field. Thousands upon thousands of Jonquils grew dotting through the winding veins of the seemly never ending green plant.
     Almost right in the middle of the property sat the little white house. It appeared to be in rather good condition as there was really no man around to help tend to the much needed repairs from time to time. It was a two story house built from white washed wood with two tall columns on either side of the front porch.
     There was a small veranda that stuck out a bit on the front of the top floor where two large doors swung open allowing a person to come, stand and gaze out at the beautiful site beyond Claire Drive.
     We lived in one of the small homes on Claire Drive in the Lakewood area of Atlanta. For us our little home was comfortable even though we were a family of eight. The beautiful house that sat in the middle of that field was a site to behold when all of those gorgeous yellow flowers bloomed in the Spring time. It was like having our very own Tara right in our backyard.
     Mrs. Katie Little had lived in that white house for almost thirty five years now. Just two years ago she had taken on the extra responsibility of caring for her grandson David who was about nine or maybe ten years old. His father had been sent to prison and as far as we knew his mother was no where to be found. I remember that he was a quiet young child who kept to himself at school and at home. Every once in awhile David stood on that veranda up on the second floor looking out at so many of the children who lived on our street. We gather in that field playing among those yellow flowers and the kudzu not realizing that our world one day would suddenly change.
     In the spring time that piece of property was the most beautiful place I'd ever seen. The bright green kudzu grew wild and plentiful as did those gorgeous yellow Jonquils. How funny it was that every teacher in our school had more than their fair share of bright yellow flowers to decorate the classrooms come springtime. Every hallway within Capital View Elementary school was covered with Jonquils.   
     Growing up, those flowers were more plentiful than the children who attended the schools. As with everything in life spring time came and went as did summer, bringing about the change of yet another season.
     Fall had slowly eased it's way into our lives as the cool mornings came quietly to our neighborhood. As the second child of six I waited anxiously every year for the  Lakewood Fair Grounds to open. This meant that Halloween was only a few weeks away which would lead to dressing up in home made costumes and lots and lots of candy. At night the smell of burning fresh cut oak in the open pits in our neighbors backyards filled the chilling air along our street. It was one of the first signs that Fall had officially arrived.     
     No matter how much I tried to remember the smell of wood burning in those open pits, and the excitement of the anticipation of the fairgrounds opening along with the idea of going trick or treating, as a grown up my mind never fully seemed to be able to recapture those events. The sorrow for me was that I had not been fully prepared for what lay ahead. Only as we look back on our childhood can we see the sorrow and ugliness that others' do.
     It was nineteen sixty five and I was ten years old. This year my mom had agreed to let me, my older brother Bill, my younger sister Deb go trick or treating together. There would be three younger sibling that weren't old enough to join in our fun. Mom would stay behind so she could take them to a few houses close by, while we three older children venture out from house to house collecting all the candy that we could.
      Yes, yes, yes, Halloween had finally arrived and our whole school was buzzing with excitement. The Lakewood Fair Grounds had opened for our fall festival and soon the three oldest Griffin children would be out at the fair grounds having a grand time. Holy, moly,  we could barely keep our excitement contained all that Friday day at school. 
     For weeks mom had done everything she could to pull all of necessary items together for us to make our costumes. I loved being the Hobo, Bill went as a burglar and Debra as the star princess. We were set for a grand evening of collecting candy, playing games, riding the rides and having as much fun as we could possibly pack into one night.
     The sun had finally set and the three of us were finally out of the house and off towards the fair grounds. We had  an exact time that we could be at the fair grounds before we had to leave to begin tricking or treating. Life back then wasn't like it is now. People were different and parents didn't worry as much about crime as with today's society.
     There were at least four dozen children maybe more in our neighborhood all out and about in various costumes. Each of us ran excitedly down one side of the street knocking on each door waiting anxiously for whatever goodies was placed in our home made Halloween bags.
     As the sun finally dropped out of the sky and the thick heavy darkness took it's place there was a sense of eeriness within the neighborhood this year. Somehow it was as if every child that was participating in this Halloween knew that it would be our last time to trick or treat on Claire Drive together.
     By this time next year our whole entire neighborhood would be gone, including the Little's white house in the field behind our home. We felt a twinge of sadness that the friends we had today we no longer be around to play with us in our near future.
     Running from one house to another in our neighborhood was exhausting. Our whole entire community of neighbors consisted of one street with at least fifty house on it. There was always that one house, the little white house, way out in the middle of that dark, dark field that appeared to be so alone.
      That was quiet a long street to cover in just one night, but we were determined not to skip one single home. As our night began to wind down and the three of us headed towards our house again there was only one house remaining that we had not collected candy from and it was the Little's.
     Bill was the first to speak about going there, " Well, do we climb over the fence and head off for David's grandmother's house?" he asked walking a little ahead of me and Debra with his heavy laden bag slung over his right shoulder.
     " I don't know, maybe. Is it safe?" I asked struggling to keep my bag full of candy in my hand.
     " Are we gonna get in trouble with mama if we climb over the fence this late at night?" Debra asked.
     Bill stopped in his tracks stood for a minute then replied, "I can't say if mama will get mad, but we're trick or treating so that should include the Littles', doesn't it it?" Bill answered looking out at the field where the little white house sat. It was so dark out in that field, but we had crossed over it before and this night was no different, except it was Halloween.
     I looked at Debra, shrugged my shoulders only saying, "Okay, let's go. If one of us gets in trouble at least we'll all be in trouble together."  
     "Okay." Debra said agreeing with us.
     As the darkness fell on our community we headed out across our backyard to the fence that divided our yard from the beginning of Mrs. Little's property. 
     It wasn't very late at night, but the dark night sky and everything around us was all blackness and eerie. We had crossed over this property to get to David's house many times after he had come to live wit his grandmother. During the day the field seemed much different, but at night with little light to guide our way we tripped over the kudzu vines every other step.
     After several minutes of trying to get through the kudzu with our already heavy bags we stopped. Perhaps this idea wasn't the best one to have at the moment. Finally after several long seconds of reconsideration all three of us decided to turn back.
     For obvious reasons we were never going to be able to make it through all of that kudzu. The vines were just too thick and we didn't even have a flashlight to help us find our way and the moon just wasn't giving off enough light this night.This last Halloween with much sorrow in our hearts,  we had to abandon our hopes of one last trip to the Littles' for candy.
      As the night grew darker and later all three of us made it back to the fence, climbing over it and heading back to the back porch where mama had left a light on for us. Even though we were unable to have that last house of goodies in our bags, we were excitedly happy with the load of candy we had brought home. 
     Mama had fixed us hot chocolate to warm up our chilled bones. She watch with excitement as we showed her the various candy that we had collected. Her smiling face revealed her happiness for each of us.
     With our bedtime nearing and another Halloween in the "bag", Bill, Debra and myself sat on our living room floor looking at our bounty. Bill was wondering how we felt about not being able to go to David's house with a little remorse in his voice, "Sorry we couldn't make it to David's house tonight," he said.
     " It's alright, we tried anyway. It was just too dark". I replied, looking at both him and Debra as I wonder if anyone went there at all.
     " We tried. We can always tell him that next time we see him." Debra added.
     Bill and I shook our heads in agreement, "Yeah, that's right, we can." Bill answered.
     "You know David's in my class. If I see him Monday I'll tell him we tried to come by." I replied hoping that this would make everything better for David since he was such a loner.
     With that we put this event out of our minds and got ready for bed. Hopefully all would be well with us and David. None of us knew that tonight would be the last time that we would to have see David or his grandmother. Tomorrow would be the beginning to a whole new adventure.
     Time moved faster than we had thought it would. Our family like all of the others' on our street began the process of preparing to move as another Spring approached. March has roared in bringing with it the beauty of the yellow Jonquils and the lush green of the ever present kudzu.
      Once again the teachers at Capital View Elementary were overwhelmed with the yellow flowers. Mom and dad had already started preparing our large family for the inevitable move. 
     Every weekend for months our parents had loaded up the station wagon with a large cooler and all six of us Griffin children to head out to the new location of our home. We were moving to some place called College Park, Georgia. 
     From our present home to our newest housing location the drive took more thirty minutes along Interstate Eight Five. We watched every weekend as we traveled through the fast pace interstate to arrive at our new neighborhood, Surrey Trail.
     There was not much time to think about our last Halloween on Claire Drive. Since the selling our home to the developers of the new and up coming technical school much had changed indeed.
     The developers had come to our neighborhood asking all of the home owners to sell. The only thing that stood between what the developers wanted was the land on which sat the Little's white house. 
     After the developers had come, explained what they wanted and why, offer the money for each home, it was time every homeowner to think it over. All that remained was for Mrs. Little to agree to make the sell too.
     There was history with that piece of land that the developers wanted from Mrs. Little, but she wasn't of a mind set to sell. This house and all of the property had been hers' for such a long time. She had always planned to pass it on to her children and if not them then to David, her only grandchild, but things were about to change and perhaps not for the best, at least not for David and his grandmother.
    A fight was brewing and it was not going to be pretty. Lawyers were hired for both parties and so began the battle for the property that lay beyond our backyard fence.
     David Little had stopped coming to school in the late spring. At the time none of us on our street knew why, only that he had disappeared from our world. What we didn't know is that the fight for the land that belong to Mrs. Little had turn wicked indeed.
     It was late at night as we had just arrived back from our weekly trip to College Park. As the family settled down and readied ourselves for bed there was a knock on our front door. 
     One of our neighbors had come by to share the news with my parents regarding the completed sell of our entire community, including the property of the Little's.
     On a Friday afternoon in a heated courtroom fight the lawyers for the new technical school had proven that Mrs. Little was not capable of taking care of David on her own. Since selling her entire property would not only become beneficial for the community, it would also financially be beneficial for the care of David, her grandson. For this reason the lawyers of the school asked the court to rule in their favor of eminent domain thus forcing Mrs. Little to sell whether she wanted to or not.
     With the ruling in favor of the new technical school everyone in the neighborhood could move forward in moving to a new location of their choice. My parents had already decided to make the move and our new home was only a month or so away from completion. It seemed as though all of our neighbors were happy with the ruling, all except Mrs. Little.
    There is something very awful about being forced out of your home and for all of the children in the neighborhood there was a true sense of sadness for David. We never saw him again and as far as we knew there was no trace of what had become of him. This whole situation seemed unfair to those of us who couldn't see a bigger picture here.
    Mrs. Little vowed a curse on those that had force her hand at this move. For months after Mrs. Little had left her home and the property that she had known for thirty five years, every night at mid-night a light would appear in one of the upper rooms of the little white house. 
   More than once as the plows and equipment began to roll in to cut down the winding vines of the kudzu and Jonquils, there would be unexplained equipment failure. Several of the workers had fallen while working and had injuries, while many workers swore that they heard voices coming from the  little white house as they tried in vain to bring the house down. 
     For over two years the developers worked to get things in order so the new technical school could be built, but day by day something unexplainable happened further delaying the process. Each and everyday Mrs. Little sat in her car at the end of the long dusty road that led to where her house sat, watching with pleasure at what unfolded. 
     She had cursed the land that had been stolen from her and she had vowed that nothing would or could take her home from her.
     As the weeks grew and the days built up in numbers little to no work progress with the land or the house had been done. After four years of the light in the little white house showing up each mid-night without explanation and the work at a stand still, the lawyers of the developers suggested that the land and house be sold.
    Eight years after the heated courtroom fight for ownership of the the Little's land and home, the courthouse held a public auction for the property on Stewart Avenue known only as The Little's white house.
      It has been said that the land and house were purchased by a young man who said he was using his inheritance money from his grandmother. 
     Two years after the purchase of the Little's white house the strange light in the room up stairs was never seen again. Eventually the house was moved to the top of the hill at the further end of the property. From the upstairs bedroom window you could see Interstate Eighty Five in its entirety.  Every spring all of the surrounding land filled with bright green kudzu and Jonquils.   
       Strangely, whatout explaination it is said that  once again at the stroke of mid-night in one of the upstairs room's a light appears from nowhere. To date there has never been anyone in the house at midnight or in the morning to turn the light on or off, again and again.
      Many people in the area of Lakewood still say to this day that it is the ghost of Mrs. Little carrying out her spoken curse to protect the land from all except her grandson, David.
     Perhaps we will never know what the truth is, but then again, only the ghost of Mrs. Little and her curse know for sure.
 

************************************************
 
                       " Spit, spew, spittle and spittle;
                         The house of Mrs. Katie Little, 
                        From where the ground groans
                             and children's giggles;
                       Will yield no life from this stolen
                            land of we the Little's." 

 
The End ?

CJ






      

My Name is not Ugly

                           MY NAMES IS NOT UGLY

   There it was was once again, my high school. The building where I had endured so much ugliness, torment and bullying. All these years later somehow I thought that I might perhaps feel different about this place, but I didn't. 
     Well, there was no denying exactly how I felt about Collins High School, those painful memories burned deep inside of my sorrowed soul. Now, the only thing left at this second was to take a deep breathe and face these people one more time. With that thought in my head, I took a deep, deep cleansing breath and headed inside for the reunion. There was no telling who I would see and what they would think of me now, perhaps they might understand that my name is not Ugly, it is and always has been Cathy.
     The building looked exactly the same and strangely enough smelled the same too. I entered the cafeteria not knowing what to expect. It had been thirty years since I had walked these halls and truthfully I hadn't missed this place or these people. To say the least this high school, Collins High had not been the high point of my life. In reality it had been one of the hardest and most horrible places that I had no choice about being in.
     The band pounded out one of those old rock and roll tunes from the late seventies when rock-n-roll had been at it's high point in society. Not knowing what lay behind those heavy wooden cafeteria doors I paused for a second to whisper a little prayer,"Dear Lord, please keep me in check so that I don't lose it and punch someone in the face. Amen". Ah, that should cover just about everyone that could be there that I had bad feeling for, still.
     With my prayer intact and my courage wandering somewhere close by I headed inside to see exactly who showed up for this once in a lifetime event. The large room was decorated with colored balloons, streamers draped from one end of the ceiling flowing all across the room covering all of the ceiling titles. There were pictures of students from each grade level starting with the eighth grade class that graduated in  nineteen seventy six all the way through to the graduating seniors class of nineteen seventy two.
     How mortified I was to see my high school year book picture hanging from the ceiling where our graduating class of nineteen seventy four were gathered. Oh goodness, this was not how I wanted to spend my one and only reunion. Looking at that picture the only thing that I was grateful for was the fact that at least they had chosen a picture of me in my cheer leading uniform. That you Jesus for small favors. 
     So lost in my own world of reviewing those faces hanging from the ceiling I never noticed the first person who approached me as I continued to slowly wander around the room. His voice interrupted my deep thoughts, " Well, I'll be a monkeys' uncle. Cathy, how the heck are you doing?" he voice sounding familiar, but his face was lost to me as he continued, "Hey, you recognize me, right?" he asked looking as though he knew I would.
     Smiling at him I tried very hard to place the face in front of me. Nope, didn't know him from a stranger on the street. How could I tell this person in front of me that I had no clue who he was, um, let me think, nope, I honestly didn't remember him. So I said the only thing that came to mind,   " Oh my goodness. Look at you. Wow, you've aged so wonderfully. How the heck are you?" I stood smiling at this man as though it was only yesterday that we had talked to one another.
     Feeling very pleased with himself at the false fact that I actually remember him after all these years he simply continued, " I'm doing just great. I have my own business, computers and supplies. I have two sons both in college. And you, how are you doing?" he finally asked.
     " Oh, I'm doing just awesome myself. Married and have tow children and two grand girls." I answered hoping that I could find a table to sit down at and just watch the night unfold.
     " So, are you working these days?" the classmate with no name asked.
     I was feeling a little pinned in by this time, but answered his question anyway, " Not anymore. I recently retired from, um education. Now I'm a home body. You know cooking, cleaning, hanging out with the hubby and stuff like that."
     " Well, it's sure good to see you again after all this time. You know, I wasn't sure how you would do after high school." he paused for a second as he stood there with this sad expression on his face. Continuing he spoke as though he understood how this place could have affected me even long after leaving here, "There were plenty of people that weren't exactly kind to others'. Sometimes things like that can leave awful scars on a person. I never really understood what you went through till my youngest son had some problems like what you had to deal with. It's wrong for people to be so mean." He held out his hand for me to shake as though he was apologizing for all of the sorrow I endured.
     Looking at the man with no name, I smiled at him, "Well, sometimes people can under estimate what a person can handle and after all is said and done, sometimes the person that was held down will simple rise up and become a better person for what they experienced. I'm doing just fine these days, so in truth I won." 
     With that being the end of our conversation we parted from each other maybe feeling better about the past and the present and hopeful about the future. As the night continued I would meet up with many of the students that shared these halls with me. Many of them were people that I had enjoyed lots of good times with and many of them were only bad memories that I recalled from days long since passed.
     For those that I held special good feelings towards I would keep our reunion in my heart and always close to my soul. For those that I only had painful thoughts of I could wish for them a better future than the past they had left me with. Time moves on quickly for each of us and the memories that we take with us into our future days should be a constant reminder of how better to love ourselves and one another.
     The best thing that came out of that whole entire evening was the conclusion that my name never was, nor would it ever become Ugly. My name is Cathy and I carry it proudly with me every where I go. If I believed that I was indeed ugly, as ugly as some of those people tried to make me be, then I would have lost the true person that I am.
      My name is not Ugly, I am Cathy just as God always intended for me to be.


    


     
     

The Breaking Dawn

     Golden red shadows danced around the room illuminating a warm security within the den not yet felt by Katie. She sat in her over sized brown recliner wrapped in a country cozy blanket staring out into the darkness that now covered the earth. Her body warmed by the fire and blanket, she found no warmth inside her soul. The ordeal of having come so close to death left her spirit in a hollow state.
     Richard stood at the doorway of the den, hands relaxed inside the pockets of his camel colored pants, his thoughts reflecting back on the past week. He was sensing the emptiness in Katies' heart an it pained him to no end. Her smile so weak, but still showing a hint of sparkle. Her eyes had lost the shine and gleam that had once been so easily seen. It was this very loss, this change in Katie that worried Richard so much. Taking small steps Richard moved from the doorway crossing over to where Katie sat, snugly up under the thick warm blanket.
     A warm strong hand gently reached out to caress  her soft cheek, stroking it ever so lightly. Katie reached up with her left hand pressing Richard's hand closer to her face. Her eyes remained on the darkness outside of the picture window as she struggled to accept the love he shared with her flesh and soul. Turning tearful eyes to look at the man that had stood beside her through of the the past days events she spoke, " So many thoughts to separate, so many feelings of turmoil are locked inside of my heart and mind. I can't see through the darkness anymore. I've lost the light of my soul." The words whispered from her lips as the pain revealed itself all too well.
     The glowing from the fireplace accentuated the moisture in Katie's eyes as Richard squatted down beside her chair. He could feel the terror that still remained locked deep within her heart and soul. Speaking very softly as he too felt his own pain at having come so close to losing her, "The darkness comes from your fear Katie. A fear only you can define and then overcome. What is it that you really need to define and overcome for yourself?" He was asking a question that he already knew the answer to. Her fear originated from deeper wounds other than her brush with death.
     Katie touched the loving face of her beloved Richard, tracing his stern cheek and then his well defined lips. His bright green eyes reflected the light from the fireplace as his tan skin was warm and smooth. One tear gently rolled down her sad face spilling onto the housecoat. It was quickly absorbed as though it had never existed. In her mind Katie knew how much Richard loved her, and she understood just how much she was completely in love with him. Yet, the left over feeling of terror stepped inside of her inner most being, trying it's best to push those beautiful feelings of love out of the way. She was in a battle between needing to feel good about their love and feeling off guard.
     Sighing, Katie spoke, her thoughts betraying her own deep sense of control, "When I was down in the sub-basement, minutes, seconds from dying I touched John's soul." she paused as the tears filled her eyes recalling the memories of what she had experienced began to take shape into words. "For a moment, just a brief passing of seconds, I wanted to join John in death. It was at that moment I realized my own death was actually imminent. I could feel John beside me, so close to my body and I wanted to go be with him. You know beyond this world." Her voice cracked as she admitted out loud finally that she had allowed herself to welcome death.
     Richard was in pure agony for Katie. His dark eyebrows drew together as he realized for the first time just how affected Katie had become by her late husband's death. John had been the very light in Katie's soul. She had drawn her greatest strengths from him and his death had crushed the very fiber of her spirit. Until she had had to face death herself all emotions connected to John had been buried deep down inside of her, hidden far from her conscience being. Now Richard knew that the emotional struggle she had endure had finally surfaced. Katie had to deal with John's passing as well as with the idea of death as it pertained to her.
     "Did you fight to stay alive Katie, for yourself or for John's memory? Do you want to live? I mean really live or are you just waiting around to join your long lost husband at some later date?"  Richard asked, the words sounded harsh, more stern than he had wanted them to at this time. He also understood that this question had to be asked, for it was long over due.
     Katie looked at Richard and for the first time in days she smiled at him. It had been the first real look of happiness on her face since she had returned from the hospital.
 Speaking with much more assurance in her tone Katie answered his questions, "I had to live. I had to live in order to be the person that John knew I could be. He told me I had to fight. Fight for my life. There's no way I can make you really understand what happened in those few seconds before you found me." her voice trailed off as she remembered those unexplainable memories of terror.
     "What did you want to live for Katie?" Richard felt the lump inside his throat swell as though he now had two Adam's apples side by side. He somehow feared the answer to his question, but it was better to know if he had a chance at all at being a part of her life. Would they have a tomorrow at all he wondered as he waited for her to respond.
    " John showed me that by living on I kept him alive also. I know now that happiness for me is loving, and that included my memories of John. Even so I also have to move on that's what he wants me to do. Somehow I truly know how crazy this sounds and for days I thought that I was still feeling the affects of my trauma, but it was John's spirit that gave me the strength to fight for my life." Taking Richards' hands and covering them with hers , she kissed them ever so gently. " I know that I wanted to live for us. No more guilt, no more sorrow or locking myself away with the cases of others' sorrow and hardships. I was reminded in those horrible seconds in that awful basement that I practice law, I serve to protect others. The law is no longer my hideaway from a life long gone. John's spirit filled my soul and there in that dark place I was released from my guilt of John's death. We loved as long as life would allow us to and when our time together has ended so had my desire to love again, but I was wrong, so wrong." she whispered still holding both of his hands in hers.
     "What exactly did John tell you about love Katie?" Richard needed for Katie to empty her heart of all of the past guilt in order for her to really move on.
     Katie smiled as she leaned towards Richard lightly touching her lips to his. Then clearing her throat she answered his question, "That true love must be shared with the living. The memory of love with the heart always shares respect with those that need it. To love again is the only real way to share myself with others. Love never dies, it is passed on from one person to another and another until hopefully it has touched every soul that lives."
     Taking a deep breath Richard leaned in closer to her looking deep into her beautiful blue eyes,"Are you ready to come out of the darkness and love again, one hundred percent. Holding nothing back and allowing nothing to stand between us?" he asked.
     For a few seconds Katie looked out into the darkness of night. Pink, reds and purplish hues splashed across the darkening horizon. One small star hung onto the escaping darkness, twinkling brightly as though it winked at her from afar. Katie scanned the sky as a shooting star crossed in front of the window signaling the beginning of something new. The sorrow in her heart had finally broken free and the spirit of John's memory had been released. He would always be a part of her , helping to remind her of how to go on continuing to live and to love.
     Speaking with her own passion renewed filling the once empty space in her heart she spoke to Richard, "The breaking heart is like the breaking dawn. It saddens us to acknowledge the beauty will be gone, but the memory of that beauty inspires us to await the next experience once again. I have come out of the darkness and the breaking dawn will forever remind me how much I love you. I will love you as long as time will allow us to be together. " Standing up she put her arms around Richards' neck and spoke from the very depths of her heart, "I do love you Richard and for as long as I live I always will."
     Two figures stood with arms wrapped tightly around one another. The majestic colors spread across the peak of the horizon as the breaking dawn forever broke through the darkness of guilt, pain and sorrow. Like the breaking of dawn on each new day their passion would endure and burn brighter and brighter until their deaths allow them to do so no more.

CJA