The Clearing

The story starts a few years ago with a father and son. The father was rich, stubborn and headstrong.

The boy was sick and needed the aid of a crutch to get along.

The father refused to have his son in a wheelchair. He said it would make him a weaker man. The father was determined that this disease was just concocted by doctors who only wanted his money and really didn't know how to cure the boy.

On a whim, the father decided he'd help the issue himself. He decided that a week up in the European mountains would clear up any ailment the boy had. It would make him strong! When they arrived at the remote location by helicopter the boy realized what was going on.

"Dad, why here, wouldn't I be better if I was resting somewhere?"

"Resting! I booked this trip for it's location! It has beautiful landscapes and tons of fresh air! The place we're staying at is just a quick walk up this mountain path. You can think about resting when we arrive at our Chalet."

"Okay dad."

"Here - you can carry your own bag."

The tarp bag was thrown at him. Thank goodness he packed lighter than he'd planned. He had the feeling that his dad was not going to go easy on him at all. He hated being the only boy in the family and he also hated being sick which only compounded the problem.

"Well lets get going!"

The boy looked up and saw the path and how it meandered through bushes and steep slopes. It was going to be a long walk with a crutch.

Fifteen minutes into the walk the boy was getting tired. He'd stumble over pebbles and carefully avoid puddles heading slowly upward. He'd get scratched against jutting branches and trip on larger rocks that would slow him down. He'd dropped the crutch a few times climbing when he made his way higher up and would have to go back to retrieve it. He could see the disapproving look in his father's face but continued forward.

Another twenty minutes later they had happened upon a clearing in the mountain path where there were all sorts of life-sized statues of mythical creatures. He asked his father if they could rest for a while before they continued on their way. Adding that it would make some interesting photos for mom when they got back home. The father agreed and they stopped. His dad retrieved the camera while the boy got to take a look around.

"Wow dad! This is sick! I wonder who made all these statues?"

The boy walked up to a stone Centaur and stared at the detail of the face. It was almost as if the creature was real! It was like something out of a history textbook of Greek mythological figures. He reached up and touched the statue's arm. It was just cold stone. Not real at all. There wasn't only the Centaur in the clearing, but Fairies and Elves, Dwarfs and magical creatures. There were at least twenty if not more creatures blending in with the area. Some of them were hiding behind trees and under bushes. It was interesting the way it was almost like time had stopped. Very odd!

The father snapped a few pictures while the boy wandered around the little area. The cliff nearby was very steep where the Centaur looked out. The boy walked out closer to the edge to get a better look down when he started to feel strangely weak and began sweating. His father glimpsed over at him and could see him become unbalanced quickly he rushed over and grabbed him before he fell the wrong way.

"What are you doing? You've got to be more careful!"

"Sorry Dad."

"Sorry! Listen boy! You'd be sorry if you fell off! That's a good fifty feet down. You could hurt yourself pretty good!"

"I said I was sorry!"

"Pick up your feet son, and mind where you're going! I'm going to put my camera away and we'll continue to the Chalet, it isn't too far away now."

"Yeah, okay." the boy mumbled. His father's anger really hurt him deep.

"Let's go!"

His dad was right, the Chalet, mostly hidden by trees as they got near, was now within view and it was just another five minutes before they made it to the stairs leading to the doorway. Up the ten agonizing steps they made it inside the Chalet. It was a huge place. He was happy to remove his bag from off his shoulder and sit down somewhere.

There was a little bench nearby and the boy went over to take off his shoes while his father called out: "Hello! Hello!"

Soon a lady appeared at the side doorway on the right and entered the room.

"Are you Mr. Duchene?"

"Yes, that's me and my son, Ryan."

"Pleased to meet you, I am your housekeeper, Anne. Please let me show you the way up to your rooms."

"Thank you. Come on, son!"

"Okay, Dad." Ryan slung the bag back over his shoulder, picked up his crutch and followed behind them.

There were more stairs; it was exhausting to get there but the room was big. There was a balcony where they could look out and see the clearing they had just been at with all the creatures down below. The style of their room was like a Greek retreat with long flowing curtains, marble tables and a light airy feel about the room. There was a nice bedroom with two big beds for both of them to sleep on and all the amenities of being away from home. Father, being a noted scientific genius, and having money allowed for some good things.

They had arrived early in the afternoon and now the day had edged a little closer to evening. They had gone to the lounge for dinner and were relaxing on the balcony afterward. Ryan was exhausted and yet he thought he could hear something. It sounded like music faintly on the wind. Too far away to tell what song they were playing. Melody was like a harp and flute.

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what, son?"

"Music."

"No, not really."

The music stopped.

"Never mind, it stopped."

"Are you tired son?"

"Yeah, I think I may just go to bed early."

"Alright. Close the door behind you if you're going and I'll see you in the morning - we have things to do tomorrow."

"What kind of things?"

"There is a small man-made lake nearby I thought we'd go fishing or on a boat trip if we can rent a vessel."

"Sure dad. See you in the morning."

He walked off the balcony and was closing the door when he heard the music again. He went to the bedroom as fast as he could and opened the window. He could hear the music a little louder now. He didn't know what they were playing but he could tell the sound was coming from the clearing below.

Ryan snuggled into bed when he had finished getting ready. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. He could still hear the music playing and it made him more relaxed and he was dreaming in no time.

He dreamed that he was at the clearing and the stone creatures were gone. All of them. Where had they gone? He could hear the sound of a horse approaching from behind him and when he turned around a giant white horse was leaping over his head like it could fly and landed in front of him. He awoke quickly with a start and covered in sweat. Ryan was disoriented - he didn't realize where he was. Looking over to the left he saw his dad in the bed beside his; sleeping.

Ryan looked at the clock on the wall. It was 4 a.m. and the sun was just rising making a deep purple/pink color to the sky. Ryan got up and looked out the window toward the clearing and thought he saw the Centaur in a different spot closer to the middle of the clearing. It moved! He could see the Centaur make it's way over to the edge where he originally stood. One brief moment Ryan could feel surprise; with the shiver of his skin, and excitement all at once as he thought he saw the creature look up at him and then freeze back to it's original position.

Was he seeing things?

He was up and awake early!

Perhaps he was seeing things. Perhaps not!

He quickly grabbed his clothes off the chair, changed while his dad slept, and made his way quietly out of the Chalet and down to the clearing. He must have did it in record time because he immediately found himself looking at the Centaur once again. He brought his watch and looked at the time. It was 4:30 a.m. and the sky was now a lighter pink and he looked up from his watch at the Centaur again. Silent.

"I saw you walking around...Are you real?"

The Centaur was silent and stone. Ryan with his crutch moved to the other side of the Centaur and looked at it's face again.

"I wish you were alive!" he whispered a little louder. "I wish you were all alive!" he shouted.

"And so we shall be!" said the Centaur, turning his head and smiling."Thanks to you Ryan!"

All the statues, like a rush of wind, began to sway, then stretch and then awaken a little at a time.

Ryan was about to fall over! "You! You're alive!" Ryan shouted!

"Yes, and we are so happy you can see us! It has been so long since anyone believed we were real."

"This is awesome!"

"Come, Ryan, leave your crutch behind and wander with us. I'll show you all kinds of great sights you won't believe your eyes!"

"I already don't!" Ryan laughed to spite his surprise. "I have to take my crutch with me though, I have something wrong with me and the doctors say - "

"Doctors? Put down your crutch and see - you are as good as new!"

Ryan did as he was told and was amazed that he could stand...He felt strong suddenly and could take a full breath of air without feeling pain. The crutch lay on the rock beside him and he stood tall and healthy.

"You're right I feel great!" Ryan looked around at where he stood. He was on the cliff again looking down into the valley below. Suddenly he felt dizzy like before and started to become unbalanced on his feet.

"Ryan!" a far off voice called out! "Get away from the edge!"

It was his father's voice he heard.

When he turned around to look, the Centaur and all the creatures they were frozen once more and his father was coming towards him.

"I'm okay Dad! The statues are alive! They talked to me!"

"What are you doing without your crutch!"

"It's just right here, but I don't need it Dad. I feel great watch - " Ryan took a step forward and his legs went from under him.

"Ryan!" His father grabbed him before he fell.

Ryan started to cry. "It was real Dad, the Centaur did come to life - look, just for a second I didn't need my crutch! I felt good...I -"

"I shouldn't have brought you here. Your mother was right. You are looking a little pale. Let's get you back to the Chalet. I better not catch you here again! Stay away from this place."

They made their way back up together, Ryan wiped his eyes and wondered what happened. Did he imagine it all? He'd find out for sure without his father. He would go out again later and see. He'd wait until night time and come out again.

He wondered how his dad knew where he was but had forgotten he was up early to take him fishing. He got scolded for getting up and leaving. It was 7 a.m. when they had arrived at the lake to go fishing. Ryan was miserable and silent and his father was the same. They fished in silence and never caught any fishes at all.

Later that night, while Ryan's father slept, Ryan got out of bed and quietly got dressed again and made his way down to the clearing. The statues were unmoving. He walked over to the Centaur and again looked at him.

"Was I imagining it? Did you actually move?" Ryan whispered. "Are you alive?"

At that moment the leaves stirred; the wind picked up and a voice said to him: "We are more alive than anyone could ever imagine!"

At that moment the Centaur and all the creatures were alive again. Some walking up to Ryan to greet him while others like the Centaur stood and shook Ryan's hand.

"Ryan, you are a shining star and you shouldn't have to suffer! Come with me - leave that crutch and that Chalet behind and let me show you a place that humans haven't seen for centuries! You'll be surprised how closely we are alike! Come! Hop on my back and I will show you!"

Ryan did. He was gone until early morning when they were back at the clearing again laughing and dancing around.

"Wow! That was so much fun!" said Ryan. "I could dance!! Yay!" Ryan leaped into the air.

"You've got to head back before your father wakes up and finds you here!"

"Okay, thanks all of you!" Ryan called out and with his crutch ran up the stairs to the Chalet where he slipped inside the door to the room and back into his bed.

Ryan's dad thought it was odd that his son was so tired the next morning but he didn't mind letting Ryan sleep. They had been up so early the day before. Ryan slept until 11 am and felt exhausted. He had to use his crutch to even get around the room but he remembered how much fun he had the night before that he made no complaints. The day passed and another evening came where Ryan slipped out again to the clearing to visit his new friends. Another day he slept in later in the morning. He told his dad it was because of the fresh air of the mountains.

A week later and Ryan's Dad was becoming concerned. Ailment or not, his son was very withdrawn in the times that they had spent together, not really talking about anything. He wondered if his son was maybe sicker than he'd thought. He was tired in the daytime, he would spend time drawing pictures of different creatures in his room and sleeping a lot. Perhaps they should leave and get some serious medical help.

Ryan was on the other hand enjoying his stay - he never let his dad know that he was down in the clearing. The things he was seeing made his heart leap just thinking about it. Flying through the air with a Pegasus, speaking with elves, playing with talking creatures that he didn't know the name for, but smiled at him as if they were happy he was there. In the daytime he was miserable wishing he was there! Why would he have to keep sneaking back to a world where he had to use his crutch all the time?

Then came the morning Ryan got caught in the clearing by his father. It was almost into the second week when early in the morning he was over by the path in the woods playing hide and seek when he saw his dad. The creatures were already hiding but when Ryan heard his dad start to yell he immediately hoped they hid well so he didn't harm them.

"RYAN!" The wood rang with his name.

"Shhhh, dad, I'm just taking a stroll in the woods."

"I thought I told you not to go here without me!" There was rage in his voice.

"I was feeling good and wanted to go for a walk."

"At 5 a.m.? No child is ever up this early...Have you been here all night?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me boy! I can tell you have been down here for a while. Where's your crutch?"

"I think it's over in the clearing there."

"What are you doing without it here?" There was suspicion in his voice.

"I forgot it."

"Is there anybody here with you, helping you?"

"Just me, dad."

"You walked that far without it? I don't believe it."

"You should believe it dad! Maybe that's why you don't see them!"

"See who?"

"The creatures! They're alive! You just have to believe!"

"You are sick! Not this talk again! We are not staying! You disobeyed me! We are leaving as soon as possible and I am going to give you to those doctors and they can fix you because now I think you are really sick that you are seeing things!"

"I am not seeing things! It's you that are not seeing things properly!"

"Get back to the Chalet right now."

"I need my crutch."

"You want your crutch, you go back and get it at the clearing and then get back to the Chalet because your bag will be packed and we are going to leave this place!" With those words Ryan's dad stormed back.

Ryan was crying when he reached the clearing for his crutch. The sun was rising higher in the early lightly peach pink colored morning sky. Ryan saw the Centaur in his spot before the cliff and ran over to it.

"I don't want to go!" he cried. "I'm tired of being sick!"

The Centaur stood silent in the sun.

"Please tell me I can come live with you in your world." he cried.

"Oh Ryan, of course you can! Are you ready to let go of this world?"

"There's nothing but pain here. They don't know how to cure what I even have! What chance do I have? I really want to stay with all of you!"

"Well then come and hop upon my back while there is still time and I will take you once more to my world where you can be happy and free."

With those words Ryan smiled and wiped away his last tear as the Centaur itself sprouted wings and took off from the cliff, into the air and far away.

Later that day when the authorities had been called from the local city to search the forest, there were whispers around the area of strange rituals from the ancient past in those very woods. Stories of mythical creatures and one story of a young boy who lived with them.

There was a picture of a relief carving made in Ancient Greece and when hearing about Ryan's disappearance the housekeeper at the Chalet, Anne, showed him the picture. Mr. Duchene looked at the picture - there was a Centaur rearing up on it's back hooves dancing and nearby was a boy that looked a lot like Ryan.

The Pirate Skull Mask

As a member of "the Dixon Street Gang" Justin was always coming to the group with something new to do. Today was going to be a special day full of activity! Justin could tell as soon as he woke up.

There was Chuck, Steve, Dana and Justin, they were all boys in the same group that hung around every year at the beach after school causing all kinds of mischief. They had been up and down the California coastline for the last 9 years of their lives and started the "Gang" only the year before when they'd come upon an abandoned shack and decided it was the perfect place to start a gang.

Justin had burst into the shack this particular sunny Saturday morning around ten with a brilliant idea.

"We should go look for treasure!"

The boys were startled and shouted at Justin:

"Ah, you don't know what your talking about - treasure! There is no treasure!"
"What the hell are you talking about!"
"Don't you know how to knock first before you come in?"

"Come on guys, there must be some treasure to find!"

"Uh, hello," said Chuck, "don't you think they'd have found it by now?!"
"How about you go!" said Steve.
"Nah, I don't think so, we just got here and I've got my game with me..."

"...Fine then, I'll find it myself." Justin walked back out.

Justin headed over to a part of the beach that he'd never been before. It was a nice day, sunny but not too hot and the water splashed on the heavy dark rocks nearby. Mist was flying all around Justin as he walked along. Looking down at a piece of bark from a tree imbedded in the sand he examined it closer - it wasn't a piece of bark at all but a skull! It was missing the jaw and the back of the head had been cracked off. There was no one around to see him pick it up and look at it. It looked old. It looked more like a skull mask. A skull mask! Justin knew he had found treasure!!

The skull mask was greenish and brown from having been under water for so long. Something must have released it from where it was hidden somewhere off-shore...In the depths. Perhaps not intended to be discovered. Justin was wiping off the sand particles and examining it from front to back.

"I'm going to put this thing on and scare the crap out of the guys!" he whispered sneakily and wiped off the sand and rinsed it off in the water nearby.

Justin dried off the skull with his t-shirt front as best he could and carefully slipped the skull onto his face so that the eye sockets were where he could see out of them. It smelled awful but the skull fit on his face.

He rushed back to the shack to share what he had found!

On the way there Justin felt funny. Maybe it was the smell of the skull that made him feel dizzy but Justin also began hearing ocean sounds as if he'd put his ear to a shell. He thought he could hear far away noises as he entered again at the shack.

"BOO!"screamed Justin.

The gang was just about to beat him up when he removed the mask.

"Guys! It's me! It's me!"

"Dammit Justin!"
"Hey! What's that on your face!"
"Cool!"

"Yeah, I found it on the beach! I told you guys there's treasure out there!!" Justin slipped the skull mask back onto his face.

"Sure, like you know where to find it!"said Steve.

"Actually I do." said Justin. Suddenly Justin's demeanor had changed. His voice sounded deeper and he seemed to feel confidence well inside him. He felt alive...Deliciously alive. A shiver went down his spine as he motioned them to come nearer.

"I bet where I found this is more treasure! I say we go there real quick and see what we can find! No harm in that, eh guys! I bet there may be even a map somewhere buried nearby..." Justin didn't know why he was saying these things. He had no idea why he was telling them this but they seemed excited now to find treasure.

They hurried to the spot where Justin had been not even 15 minutes ago. The big volcanic rocks sat like stone-gods upon the ocean. The waves crashed upon them and once again fell back. Justin looked around for a particular stone. He searched the shore and found it. The map was there! Soon he was easily racing toward it with "the Dixon Gang" in toe. They knew to follow along sometimes. He had the tide right now at his advantage because it was heading out as he made his way around to the far side of the rock where there was a crack on the bottom right of the rock that he stuck his arm into and immediately felt heavy paper in his hand. Parchment which was dry inside the hole. He was about to pull out the paper when Dana called out:

"You guys! The tide is coming in fast! We'd better get going if we want to keep from getting hurt any time soon!"

Justin felt nervous and could see the water start to rise as he lay there pulling out the parchment from the cavern in the stone.

"Okay go then! I'm almost out!"

The Gang took off running as Justin had just removed his arm from the hole and rolled over onto his stomach. With the rolled up paper under his arm and took off running with the rest of them toward the shore.

"WE DID IT!" they screamed. They clapped as Justin presented a well-preserved unrolled map. On it was the way to treasure! There was a sparkle in Justin's eye. He was a pirate and he had a great secret! Anyone who stood in his way was dead! That booty was his!

"Yes and now we must find my, I mean, the treasure and be millionaires!"

"Let me guess Justin, you can read this map too?" asked Chuck.

"Yeah, I might. Let me look here!" Justin looked at the map and checked the map coordinates and direction and reaching into his pocket to get his iPhone and calculate the nearest location to something similar nearby. Using the camera he took a picture of it and matched it to a similar coastline nearby. There were some cliffs with caves to the south! They were heading out before 3pm in that direction. He felt like a evil-hearted, corrosive pirate with the mask on.

They were at the caves by 5pm. There were so many different caves to choose from it was impossible to know which one to go to. Justin was confident! He pointed toward the one that looked like an ear. They made their way down into the cavern and not too far from the entrance there was a bridge. The water had dried to a trickle and they made their way across it to the other side. Rounding the corner they came upon gold! A great amount of it! Everywhere! Gold bars and rings and pocket watches and jewelry of all sorts.

"Wow Justin! How did you know this was here?"

"I-I-I didn't...I never knew about this place!"

"...No, but I did!"

Suddenly a ghoulish fiend floated out from the darkened shadows. A skeleton, wet with seaweed and scraps of what were once clothes. A hand came at Justin and grabbed him around the throat.

"Now give that back to me!" the headless apparition scowled as the other skeletal hand ripped off the mask from Justin's face.

Justin - like he had been suddenly awoken - jumped and screamed as he ran away. The skull mask was now a part of it's master once again. The pirate laughed and it filled the chambers with shrieks of laughter and that's when the rest of the Gang fled too. Suddenly the rocks began to loosen around them and everything began to crumble as they made their way out. The cave collapsed that very moment.

The sun was setting red in the California sky as four boys make their way back home for dinner. No one would believe them if they told that the story was true. So instead they created a nice fictional piece called: "The Pirate Skull Mask".

The Quest

I am waiting in the shadows at the top of the pyramid, and I crouch here as the stranger approaches. I am the Challenger. I am like the Sphinx of ancient times and if my opponent loses - he is MINE!

"Greetings!" I shout at the top of my bile filled lungs, but my voice gnarls with the remains of congealled blood and splinters of bones lodged deep in my throat, and instead of a greeting with enthusiasm, I speak with a snarling guttural growl as rivers of saliva roll out of my mouth and drip down my rotting sharp teeth. Manners aren't important though, because I know he'll never defeat me, the Challenger, for I have played this game for an eternity.

"Have a seat", my mind says evilly as I scuffle roughly to the table, "Ha-ha, don't mind if I do!" I jump over the playing table so that I am on the farther side of the table when I motion this stranger to be seated. As I sit here I realize how easy it would be to just kill this being without beginning the game, but I won't kill him - not yet - I'd rather defeat him right now than eat him.

"Hurry up!" My mind wales in impatience, being the Challenger is maddening every time I play, and I snarl at him with contempt. He is easy prey, I can tell because he is young, just like a baby in a playpen; defenseless. This opponent will be easily defeated by my extreme cunning and wit, so I have good reason to scare him a little. Taunting can be weakening to the strongest of men!

The game begins and I show him how to start: My glowing yellow cone game-piece hovers in front of my face and I grab hold and thrust it down into the circular mechanism that is in the table before us. He is looking at his glowing blue cube piece quizzically as if he doesn't know what he's doing - perhaps he shouldn't be here - oh well, his loss. Look at him shrinking away as I laugh. I laugh because I know I have won already and he will be my victory trophy! My opponent copies my movement and I stop laughing. His cube game piece fits into its holding square - and the mechanism glows and distributes out our gaming pieces.

This is easy, in a matter of seconds I have already destroyed two of his pieces and now I'm going for another one. Oh! He's starting to see how the game works - he's got one of my game pieces, well that was just a lucky shot. Too bad that it'll be the only shot he gets in.

Look! I just destroyed two more cubes, now he's totally under my power and I will defeat him with one mighty jolt from my - wait! What's he doing? He has lined up his cubes in a strategic defense and destroyed six of my pieces! This stranger is a lot more intelligent than I give him credit. Maybe I'll kill him now. Just one quick swipe with my claw-like hands and I'll tear his body apart...No, I'll finish the game. I may still be able to defeat him with one cone piece Hooray! I've destroyed two more cubes, that leaves him with two and me with one. Now even if he defeats me I know that there will be no way to get away from this place on the pyramid except downward, and I'll be able to capture him on the stairs and finish him off...NO! NO! NO!

This can't be happening! He's destroyed my cone! No one does that to me and LIVES! I am the Sphinx! I am the Challenger! I am the Master at this game! I will KILL HIM! I WILL, I WILL, I WILL!

What is that narrow plank extending from?! This whole place is glowing!! This has never happened before! Everyone loses at this point!! My opponent is jumping for the plank! He got it! He's getting away!! NO! COME BACK! I WANT A RE-MATCH! I WANT ANOTHER GAME! I WANT TO RIP YOUR LUNGS OUT AND MASH YOUR BRAINS IN! I HUNGER FOR ANOTHER GAME! I WANT TO DESTROY YOU!

PLEASE COME BACK!

Death of a Planet

My species are dying and I am the last one who can relate this story before I too pass away from this world as well. I am not a great writer by any stretch but I am the only one who can relay this. Whoever finds this will know of our mistakes and will hopefully find a way to stop destroying this world again. As for us - it is far too late. I must say here that dying now will not be a great loss for myself; as for the others - well there are no others to morn my death. There is myself and five other companions left here, I can't say if there are any more humans left in the world and if there are may they too find their peace. We will surely die around the same time for the solution to the problem lies with our demise.

This story I will now tell you will explain briefly what occurred. It is one that sprung out of greed and failure. One may not be able to understand this fully, because of not being here during this time, but this will give you an idea of what did happen.

The world had come very far in the way of peace and the thought of a nuclear war was brushed farther and farther away from our minds. The planet was starting to grasp the idea of a global community and there was a caring comradeship for all races of the world. For the longest time we were at peace - nobody could have asked for something as great as that! Even I myself was grateful for that; having spent years previously in a fruitless war for oil that harbored nothing but failure. I was the last of the peacekeeping troops to be sent home without being put into a body-bag first.

There couldn't be peace for very long, of course. It was becoming way too quiet and I believe the media (all hyped up for unrest), did not like the idea of nothing to write about, and instead started fear campaigns to keep people uneasy. Some newscasters were even posting "mocumentaries" (old news footage and bad acting) as truths to keep people afraid. The news papers had begun to discuss the environment, what had become of it and what should be done. In the wake of peace we had forgotten about the issue of environmental damage. The slow deterioration of the forests and the breaking down of the ozone - even the decrease of the animal population of the world. Once again we were looking for someone to take the blame for our problems.

During this time, the global economy was finally improving again, and even the smaller countries were getting sanctions that they needed to improve their communities, and health was improving overall. Many countries once ruled by tyrants were now ruled by the people. Everything was discussed and equally voted upon. The UN (United Nations) had become a great place of promising communication and it was there that the world had come to determine the new way of coming up with a solution for the problem of environment being raised by the media.

I was not there during the discussions, but the television broadcasters and the newspapers told of several heated arguments that arose during the meetings. It took over two months to come to a final and agreeable solution.

A lot had depended on how much of the forests could be salvaged. Many scientists of the world had come up with an idea that involved ways of cutting pollution by seven times the normal rate of methane emissions. People were hopeful once again until an organization that dealt with the animal population stepped forward to point out that the animal kingdom was still deteriorating rapidly. The cause was not of the pollution reductions but the fact that the air in certain areas had still to many deadly toxins and a strange disease they had just discovered was destroying 10% of the animal population. Ten percent doesn't seem like much but the organization known as Greenpeace had said that it was just the beginning of something so tremendous that the likelihood of being able to save the animals was becoming next to impossible. Now that wasn't good news at all. It was just a matter of time before it spread to humans. Again people began pointing fingers. It had to have come from somewhere! It had got to the point where people began to blame the churches because of their lies of salvation from evil, when it seemed that there was indeed something evil happening to the world.

At this time assassination attempts at the Pope had become more frequent despite all his protection. The pope had become very close to dying by the hands of even his own guards. People agreed that the Pope was giving bad advice from old morals that allowed for the breakdown of the rain-forests in South America because of the strong religious following he had there. Since birth control was banned in the Catholic religion many families were told to cut down the trees and use the soil of the rain-forest to grow their crop for their farming and houses. The bad thing about it was that the soil would only be good for a few years before it ran out of nutrients which forced the farmer to burn more trees to expand his crops. It seemed the people of the world were once again pointing fingers of blame at everyone but themselves. Governments began to refuse any explanations and people began to argue again. One thing was certain killing any figure heads or diplomats of the world would just be a waste of time and would solve nothing.

Again the UN had gathered together to discuss the problems of a decreasing animal population, decreasing rain-forests and the increase of disease. The cut back on polluters achieved nothing and resources were beginning to wear thin. It ws then that the UN decided that it was no longer just animals that were in danger - it was all humanity. It wasn't as though all the planet was going to deteriorate in one big final swoop; but slowly, and who knew how long it would be until the world was no longer safe to live on. So they decided on a new form of Greenpeace, not just for animals but humans as well (being that there are many different races of humans). This organization was to keep track of all animal that still existed on the earth and monitor any changes in statistics of existing humans on the earth as well.

The name of this new organization was called 'Soul Survivors'. Kind of corny, (if you know what corny means) but it was how we were to keep track of whoever or whatever was left. So this organization is where I come into the story. Five years after the establishment of this organization I became one of the members and I sit here in front of my laptop writing this all down for you, dear reader.

Now, I lied a little...Greenpeace is an organization for both animals and humans, but more for animals. Our organization runs parallel with Greenpeace and we helped each other when we could but the disease in the animals increased rapidly and now due to reasons I cannot go into full detail about, there are no more wildlife species - bird, beast or insect. It is a very quiet place without the animals. There was a serum for the disease made but but it could only be released back into the atmosphere through pure oxygenated air only. We would basically have to start the world all over again from microbes up. Not very promising for a future in my case and it's the reason there are only five of us left. The disease got out of control and people started dying. We have back up generators where I am but not for very long so I am writing this down now and I am preparing to release the serum into the atmosphere by converting the air to oxygen.

Before I die there is a lever I must pull that will begin the final sequence of events. We all will most definitely not be here to see what happens but we haven't got any choice. May the green world survive. May new creatures be formed that will roam this once great but small planet of ours and find it beautiful and not become greedy and change it for anything... May it stay forever green. Now I must join my brothers and kiss them all goodbye. Goodbye.

Hurrah! For the Dead Ride Fast!

"Is there a hundred miles between
Us and our bridal bed?
Eleven has struck on the clock I ween,
And dawn will soon shine red."
"Nay, look, my love, at the full moons face:
We and the dead folk ride apace,
So before day with darkness meets
You shall press your bridal sheets."

They ride, they ride, on either hand
Too fast to see or know them,
Fly hedges, wastes, and pasture-land,
The rocks resound below them.
"Dost fear, my love! The moon shines bright.
Hurrah! For the dead ride fast by night.
Don't fear, my love, the dead!"
"Nay, let them rest, the dead!"

They flew to right, they flew to left,
The hills, the trees, the sedges;
They flew to left, to right, to left
Townlets and towns, and hedges.
"Don't fear, my love, the moon shines bright!
Hurrah, for the dead ride fast by night -
Dost fear, my love, the dead?"
"Ah, let them rest the dead."

On, on they race by the moons pale light;
All things seem flying fast;
The heavens, the stars, the earth, the night.
In one wild dream flash past.
"Don't fear, my love - the moon shines bright.
Hurrah, for the dead ride fast by night -
Dost fear, my love, the dead?"
"Alas, let be the dead."

In a second's space came a wonder strange,
A hideous thing to tell;
The rider's face knew a ghastly change,
The flesh from the white bones fell.
A featureless skull glared down on her,
No hair to feel, no lips to stir:
She was clasped by a skeleton!
Yet the frightful ride went on....

Originally Published in "HORROR AT FONTENAY" by Alexandre Dumas translated into English as part of the Dennis Wheatley's Library of the Occult

~Vampyr~ CHAPTER ONE

Clara was sixteen years old. She had dark red hair she always styled away from her face and braided at the back to keep it from falling forward. The braid ended at the end of her back and was interwoven with blue ribbon. She wore faded blue jeans and a fitted black top and carried a black and blue duffle bag over her shoulder; which she held in place with her hand. Her long legs pushed her quickly through the crowded bus station, while her black Doc Martin shoes tromped in the odd puddle that remained from the earlier afternoon storm. The clouds were now beginning to break up and the sun struck through with bright beams of light. She hid her eyes as another burst of sunshine tried to blind her, and moved quickly to the doors leading underground to the subway below. She sighed, looking bitterly at the sky as she made her way down. She never cared for the sun and felt more in her element behind the clouds and out of the light.

She used to be so fair, innocent, unaware. Until she was made into a vampyr. That was so long ago. When Romania was still part of the Roman Empire. It was just bad circumstance, Clara couldn't have been in the worst place at the worst time. All due to a wrong turn on a road one afternoon.

The Seance

It was another Hallowe'en and midnight was quickly approaching. In the darkness of the wax museum they sat. A table was prepared for them with table cloth and candles and they were all holding hands. It was the same trick every year to summon upon the ghost of Harry Houdini, and I was one of many who came to see whether or not he'd return. The fact of the matter was that I was a "plant"; I was in cohorts with our so-called "medium" which without my help the trick wouldn't work. We had prepared beforehand all the apparatus: a tambourine on a nearby wax figure would shake with the help of a fishing wire; the fans placed in a certain direction and triggered to make it seem there was a cool wind that blew "Esmeralda"'s hair. Every year we had done this and managed to keep all who came to see convinced that she was a true psychic.

People who enjoyed the harrowing escapes of Harry Houdini knows he had believed there was a way to pass from one state to the next and escape eternal death just as he had escaped all the chains, straight jackets, torture chambers of his fame. Well, he definitely would be impressed with the way we were going to make it seem like he'd actually did it. We were going to make this seance into the greatest show they'd ever seen!

The electric lights were dimmed, so that only the candles at the table would light all our 15 faces from the darkness. The wax figures around us seemed a little spookier and a little more like people in the distant darkness. The medium asked us all to close our eyes and concentrate on the open darkness - midnight was getting closer. I could hear the breath of the person I was holding hands with on my right and feel her hand become cold and clammy while the man on my left had tightened his grip unconsciously. On my far right I could hear Esmeralda chanting. She'd practice different chants every year claiming they were all actual magic spells concocted by Sorcerers of the 15th century. This chant sounded like pure rambling and I had to keep myself from laughing as I listened.

She was now calling out for the "Oracle to the Other Side" to reach Harry Houdini. Behind her chair was one of her props and when she called out for a sign that Houdini was getting closer she used her foot to trigger the wire. The rusty tambourine jingled louder and louder as she began her incantations and rambling again. The woman on my right gasped at the sound of the tambourine and was now breathing through her mouth. I was starting to feel restless myself and my hands felt strangely numb. I was being gripped too hard by both my partners. My eyes were still closed and I attempted to wriggle my fingers loose. The woman was panting harder on the right and my arms were getting uncomfortable and cold. I could smell the cologne of the man on my left. He felt strangely close as if he was purposely trying get my attention. I was waiting for the next signal from Esmeralda and could feel the man getting closer, as if he was trying to kiss me. I hardly knew who this man was but he was starting to make me angry and invading my personal space. His lips were now close to my left ear.

I stood up, breaking the circle, and shouted: "I want this man to go away now!"

As my eyes focused I looked to my left towards - an audience! To my right a strangely large tank of water and directly in front of me - Harry Houdini! He smiled and I could smell his cologne stronger now. It wasn't the man beside me at all trying to flirt with me - it was HIM!

"Hush dear," he said, "The performance is not a shouting match! Now, give us a kiss."

He leaned towards me and began to kiss me passionately. I felt something in my mouth and as his tongue entered I realized it was a key! This was his trick of escaping! It was no wonder when he was searched there usually wasn't any keys to be found. Like Esmeralda, Houdini had an accomplice. The key was now in his mouth and he smiled back at me.

Nearby the announcer called out: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Madam et Monsieur, we will now watch as the Great Houdini performs his famous "Water Torture Tank Escape"!"

I realized where I was. It was the stage of the old Princess Theatre of Montreal! I was part of his final escape which I had recalled from history books he never completed. He was going to die tonight! Dear Lord, this has to be a dream I'm caught in, I must let people at the wax museum where I was. Maybe I'm the one in the trance! Perhaps I can return there and let them know what I am seeing. I looked over to Houdini who had quickly ran to the edge of the stage to take a bow at the footlights. His face lit up from below gave him a strange ominously pale look. He wasn't well I could see it. I felt faint and disoriented as if I was recalling a memory and feeling the hands of the people from the seance holding onto me. Was I to return to the seance? There was sudden darkness.