"I'm so sorry, Fiora." Clement began to say. "It was my intention to help you as my own child and reclaim the throne. But I also wanted to help my son.""But you all would abandon me," "Not anymore." He replied. "I know I won't." "But father, what-""Her destiny is on the line. It is true that Helen ordered me to save you. It is equally true as well that I would have protected you whether I received any order from Helen or not.""Why are you saying all this, father? You would abandon your own son over a stranger's child?""Sif, what has gotten into you? A stranger's child?""That stranger's child was the kind king of the Central City." Said Clement. "I am sorry for whatever it is that you've become-""You made me this!""He didn't." Replied Fiora as a silent whisper. "You brought this upon yourself." Her eyes were red already from all of her tears."I am sorry for the loss of your mother, but would she ever want you to abandon Fiora after everything we've been through?""But father,
Some minutes later and Aiden was escorted out of the palace. He had no excuse to give other than series of apologizes. He was sorry she had to find out about his identity like that. Fiora could process all he'd explained except for one fact. He was going to be married to some daughter of Chief Makolo. She asked if they'd ever see each other again and he couldn't give a pleasing reply. That was when the royal guards arrived to take their master's son. In the blink of an eye, he too was gone. Just as Sif had left her.****The next morning, Fiora was back at the palace. She'd already met with Helen the previous day, and had been summoned to the palace at first light. Why? She didn't know. When she mentioned it to Clement, he confessed he had not the slightest idea what plan Helen had.On getting to the throne room, she arrived in and met Helen and her son in deep argument. Silently announcing her presence, she inquired if they'd wanted her excuse them but Helen shoved off the idea at o
Helen's eyes were swollen from all the tears she'd been shedding. She feared all of her nightmares were coming to past. Of course they were enough reasons as to why such thinking would torment and haunt her. Starting with why she had chosen Fiora to stand against Ropert, instead of her. It was so stupid and selfish of her. It wasn't that Helen was so much scared of Ropert, but if things hadn't gone fine, she would have no choice than to result to her last resort. By the next day, Ropert's death would be announced to the council. Yet, why had she trusted Fiora more and expected a better result from her?It was true. She was a weakling. Her brother insinuated it to her all the time. Same with her father, as well as Tobin himself. She feared that bastard was right about her all along and she wasn't fit to rule the kingdom.She heaved in a deep sigh, that soon followed with more tears. She was a failure. What she feared more was that her only son had to see her like that. What was worst
I grab my softest sweater, my favourite, and ball it up. I bend down, arranging my face into something I hope is friendly, then wrap his arms around it. He holds it while I walk away to the vault. I have the pills to arrange and store. On my return he is in the exact same spot, his arms still hugging a sweater that lies cold on his feet. I'm such a shit. He's in total shock and I'm arranging my wares. This is why he needs a mom, not some hopeless teen. I go back to him and pick him up just like I did in the old train. At first he is stiff but then he melts into my body, his arms limp, dangling like a doll. Without being aware of it my left hand rises to stroke his back. Then he begins to cry softly, wetting my shirt. I thought kids were supposed to cry loudly, not this guy apparently, he cries like an old man beaten down with sorrow.In this life you make me stable, then you pull every little thing from beneath my feet and are indifferent to the fact that I can no longer stand - until
Chantara was not aware of her vicinity. She was tired of what was going on. Then next, she was in a new scenery again. One that was indeed completely different that any one she had been in before. She wondered if her friends back home were trying anything to save her at all. She truly wished that they would.She missed Lucius most especially, and she then, wondered what could be wrong with poor girl Chrysanthe. But at least she knew that chrysanthe would be in good hands. That was more than enough for her and it would most definitely help her overcome what ever it was that she was facing. She was in a forest, the woods dark and yet, sunny. Scorching hot it was. A hug of browns, a shelter of extended limbs, seven resting beneath foliage hues, the forest is protective mother, the promise of holy sanctuary.A billion verdant wands of pine wave in arboreal air; for this place is magical, so much so that you can feel it from core to finger tips.From the rich brown earthen hues of the for
"Lucius! Lucius! She's gone, I can't find her." **** Hours Earlier:****They all gathered together in the room; Theon, Chantara, Lipa, Tina, flower girl and Honora and Lucius, as they all were discussing about what they intended on doing. The plan was still in the picture as they hadn't thought of what exactly to do yet."We need to start afresh," Lucius was saying, and they all turned to look at him. "Greatt is probably dead now, which is somewhat a good news for us.""And yet, Adelaide is still out there. Not so much of a good news." Tina said. "Exactly." Lipa said. "And so is Shadrack."."Perhaps our enemy is not Shadrack," Chantara, after a long while, finally said. They all looked at her, waiting for her to say more. "When we look at it from this angle, Adelaide said she received some orders because she had made some sort of deal with someone." She said, "Which means what exactly?" Tina asked.Both Honora and Theon said nothing and were mute, but mostly because of the awkward
Emotions are a form of biochemical bank account; positivity pays in and negativity is a withdrawal. We can give to one another in an emotional ecosystem when society is healthy, cooperative and kind. In a society of competition people start to take more than they give, health of brain and body deteriorates, society becomes more violent and unstable. It all links back to the biochemical bank account and the lead indicator of too many withdrawals and lack of deposits is stress. Emotions are vital to good health and good choices, without them the moral compass cannot function, yet without logic, without creative perspective taking, they can be as wild horses in need of a soul whisperer. So whisper to them, ask them what they are saying, then listen and learn.I am grumpy, I am. I've had a tough day and the grump monster has bitten his way through the bars. My grump-o-meter is off the chain. Sorry. My love-o-meter is however exactly the same as when I'm at my best. So please... space is
She was already scared, terrified of what had become of her. They all told her what she was capable of. But her powers were gone. How was it that she still had these powers still so strong?She took a moment to observe her environment. Then a voice spoke to her, or at least, she heard a voice in her head speaking. "Our island is our paradise. We'd be the same in a city. We love being together. We visit the mainland often and travel widely. One needs to bring fresh experiences to living. Variety is good. But, our island, that's home."She was now beginning to see this island clearly. It was the island that completely stood out from other islands. It was different from the green paradise of home, yet in that difference there was more beauty than the soul can absorb in words. It entered through the eyes, traveled to the soul and was of such great volume that the heart expanded."The island was home. The nature there was my kin. It is a beautiful thing to feel that you belong to a wider
"You're right. We don't know anything about her where about." I remembered how I wanted to discuss this with my mother. How I wanted to bring Tara home to her. But now, she was gone. Just like everyone else I'd known. Kedar, Tara. Nila. "You'll figure this one out. You always do." Mona comforted. "Thanks." I replied her with a smile. When she spoke, it sounded oddly creepy, as I just realized how very similar their voices sounded like. "You know, you remind me so much of Nila.""That was what father used to say.""Father? Old man Ayer?" I remembered how Nila had denied sir Ayer about being her father. But the fact that I never gave her a chance to explain herself bothered me the most. "Sir Ayer?" She called the name like it was an odd creature's name, something so unfamiliar. "No. He's not our father. Our father lived here, in Talot. So did Ragnila. You know, we were all happy together. Until one day, she just ran off with a lady friend, and never returned. She was a young girl, a
Life is so full of mysteries that each day, we uncover a tiny piece of them. The gifts it offers... the wonders of nature, the cryptic knowledge of time, the breathtaking view of the ocean and all of its divine beauty that unfolds beneath it.But not all that glitters is gold. All that is sometimes good, is also bad and dangerous to us, at one point in time.Raya Soldiers, a remarkable selfless young girl soon finds out about a mysterious piece of ornament, not the kind that was pretty and shinny and would make you the picture of loveliness at the dance party-it was similar to those kind that changed the entire life of a person. A simple gift you might say, but what happens when a simple gift turns out to be a hard nut to crack? This tale uncovers the true meaning to friendship, love, true strength and compassion. Sharpens the blurry image of the lives of three friends, redefines the reality they'd all chosen to abandon. And if all fables truly taught us a lesson, these three friends
•|•RAYA•|•"Yes. I hated it." Raya complained like she had been doing ever since they stepped foot outside the mall. It wasn't like she was the type to whine and whimper like a cry baby all the time. In fact, her own definition of maturity, was to always go with the flow. "You go with the flow. Just make sure you must have worked super hard, and if it doesn't work out, it's wasn't meant for you. Don't fret." It was her anthem and she made sure she recited it to all of those that were close to her. Sadly, Nora, her younger sister, had always been the victim of listening to her specific words of wisdoms. She angrily dropped the bags in her hands down on the floor and stormed off to lie on the nearest couch. "I hated it so much. So much that, that... it still bothers me tomorrow!" It wasn't as if she hadn't been approached by old men, delivering a special kind of religious visions to her. One time, a man that looked like he was in his late seventies had appeared to Raya, and predicted t
-OLIVIA-"So how do you want the news to go about slimcute?" Amber asks, her voice bringing me back to reality. The reality that I'd just got dumped by yet again, another Yoruba demon. Amber's father is one of the few richest people in the whole of Lagos and even Nigeria, making her a young, well successful lady. We're the same age, but twenty four looks so great on her that you would think she was just clocking sweet sixteen. Clear, smooth skin with baby cute face and petite stature-damn! I was always secretly jealous of her. Though she's older than I am with two months. She just had her birthday a couple of days back, and it was insanely amazing. I get it from some people that I talk with a UK accent, but since I've met her, I still have doubts whether she was Nigerian or not. She speaks like a real descendant of the queen Elizabeth's household. "Leave her first, she might be connecting with our lord." Lola replied, with her thick and manly voice. Everything about her was manly; he
"I can't believe that woman made us travel today?" Rachael complained from behind me as we walked out of the airport. Mum told her that she'd like for her to stay with her sister, Aunt Roselle, till she finally decides what to do with her like. Typical of her. "And it's so sad I get to stay with her of all people?" Aunt Roselle was nice in her own way, but was exactly mum's junior. Not just junior as a sister to her, but junior to her in every other way. She craves respect more than anything in the world, talks like mum with a weird fancy accent, eats like her, and loves operas like crazy! In a nut shell, she's mum's replica. "I mean, why can't I just move in with you?"Because we're bunch of dudes Rachael. Now shut up already.""So? I'm like a dude too. Only that I've got some nice female parts, like the boobs and-""Oh for godsake Rachael, would you shut up! You've been talking non stop for hours." I asked as politely as I could, or at least I pretended I acted politely."Well at le
Monsters are real. Ghosts are too. They live in and around us, and sometimes they win. For me, the demon that haunts me is nothing more than the tiny voice that whispers in my ear; "you'll never be happy again." How would I ever be?When I was a child, I was afraid of ghosts. Now that I'm a grown up, I realise what could be more scary. Me.I don't live inside the darkness. Because the darkness lives inside of me. I am my own darkness. I remember when I first heard the word, 'Agoraphobia.' That word was way too big for a thirteen year old naive girl. I despised the word so much that it haunted me for a long while. Until few months back when I realised that you can't drown your demons. Those bitches know how to swim.Agoraphobia from the dictionary means: a morbid fear of opened spaces. To the doctors it may mean: a disorder caused from stress and often triggers a panic attack when out in public alone. But to me?To me it was traumatizing. Because I knew what I had, had nothing to do
"Mr Bernstein," my boss was saying to me but sadly, I was not listening. I'd only just heard my name, and instantly, wished I could hit on a 'backward' button. "Do you agree?""Sorry?" Confused me asked, and Mr. Pitt let out a low growl. He did that a lot, creating a sound that resembled some hungry and angry wild NaGeoWild predators."If you do not comply to this, you can save yourself the stress and don't bother resuming tomorrow." He said, hinting no sign of emotion whatsoever."Wait, you would fire me if I don't join your secret illuminati club?" "Yes." He replied and even though I couldn't see much in his darkened room for an office, I saw his head shake as a nod. "Mr. Pitt, this is absurd. Completely." I panicked, because who wouldn't? Ever since my wife left me, my life had been a wreck. Not that I used to be wealthy, but that was the more reason I was broken. My job was the only thing that fetched me little incomes. Call it pride, but I chose not to depend on her for almost
That morning, I was over at Carolina's house—or hotel room. It was a rather weird drive to the venue but I stuck with her explanation. My home was not what it used to be anymore, and thus, far from safe. Hers on the other hand, was pure and off limit for demons. (Who'd believe that I'd be taking about demons so casually now).It wasn't one of those hotels with five stars. Or those with four. Or three. Or any stars at all.This was just a place where one stayed as long as they had their money. As you would have guessed, the building was a complete havoc. Whoever managed the hotel definitely cared less about beauty and attractive structures and decors. The vicinity wasn't even a conducive area to begin with. I hoped that would be my last visit. I prayed."So, I believe you've been well oriented the last time we spoke, huh?" Said Carolina, who might have not noticed me catching my breath. I was taking a moment to survey my environment and it turned out the hotel's outside was a facade.
"Mr Bernstein," my boss was saying to me but sadly, I was not listening. I'd only just heard my name, and instantly, wished I could hit on a 'backward' button. "Do you agree?""Sorry?" Confused me asked, and Mr. Pitt let out a low growl. He did that a lot, creating a sound that resembled some hungry and angry wild NaGeoWild predators."If you do not comply to this, you can save yourself the stress and don't bother resuming tomorrow." He said, hinting no sign of emotion whatsoever."Wait, you would fire me if I don't join your secret illuminati club?" "Yes." He replied and even though I couldn't see much in his darkened room for an office, I saw his head shake as a nod. "Mr. Pitt, this is absurd. Completely." I panicked, because who wouldn't? Ever since my wife left me, my life had been a wreck. Not that I used to be wealthy, but that was the more reason I was broken. My job was the only thing that fetched me little incomes. Call it pride, but I chose not to depend on her for almost