Snow Sculptures

Back to Front: Christian, Robert
Jordon, Joseph, George, Joseph, Christopher, Kabimbetas,
John, Noah

Undercover Cop by George Chemaganish

Jack stood silent, unmoving, in the abandoned warehouse, waiting for the delivery, a moment that he had anxiously waited for years. Suddenly he heard the engines, and two transports clattered over the drainage grates that opened onto the street.

Conversation flew back and forth, in English and French, as the deliverers questioned their payment. Jack was the middleman, the package liaison, he got the phone call from above, the rough voice gave instructions and he carried them roughly. The unconsciously passed two suitcases to the drivers. Tonight would be the first time he would meet Joseph Anderson, the voice of the telephone, the head of the Quebec’s Organized Crime, the man that sought Jack to head the expansion into Ontario, the most sever of hostile takeovers.

Jack walks over to his boss to shake hands for the very first time. Joseph was a tall man, about forty-five years of age, he was wearing a nice suit, and he had a beard and a moustache. He puts his arm over his shoulder, walking along the ramp of the truck, explaining on how the deliveries being done. Joseph the leader of the Quebec’s Organized Crime rips out the lid of one of the boxes with a crowbar and pulls out a stuff animal. They were teddy bears in all sizes and colours of stuff animals. Jack was invited to a black SUV Cadillac where he and Joseph discuss the expansion to Ontario. In the car Joseph also talked about the deliveries and hoe they smuggle. Joseph shows Jack that the drugs are being planted in the stuff animals. He rips off the head and pulls out a bag full of white powder. The deliveries were a bit short and jack’s reply was “at least the delivery has been made”.

As they were getting out, there was a click sound on the door when it was opened and the police S.W.A.T teams came rushing in, ordering the suspects to stay on the ground as they point their weapons at them. The police roamed every part of the warehouse. Jack points the gun at Joseph and leans him against the car while he cusses him. There was a shock on his face and couldn’t believe that this was happening. The warehouse was being searched every part of the room ripping every box when they can get their hands on them. Most of all they ripped the boxes that were in the truck. They ripped every stuff animal’s head and take the Baggies. A few dozen men were arrested and most of them were Quebecois. Conversation flew back and forth from the suspects. The police found a ton of cocaine and they were taken for evidence. The suspects were taken to the station to be spoken to.

Every part of the warehouse was emptied by the police and also took the equipment that was used by the suspects. The department wanted answers from the suspects that were taken to the station. When everyone took off to the station, all of the sudden Jack has a flashback. He over heard a conversation between Joseph and a person that he has money in his safe in the office. Whenever he got busted he tells the guy to take it to put it in a safe spot. Jack hears the combination when Joseph gives the information to a guy who was in second command of the organization and it turns out it was his son “Charles”. Jack drives to a store to buy two large bags and heads to Joseph’s mansion where the money was located. When he got there he right away marches to the office to search for the safe. It was a large office with pictures on the walls and a desk in the end of the room. The room was well decorated and Jack looks behind every picture in the room until he finds the safe.

The was safe about two feet in height and the width. He opens the safe with the combination lock he wrote down and the safe was much larger in the inside. The only entrance was through that safe and he has to crawl in. He throws the two bags in and then crawled in. There was millions of dollars when he got in and he went on filling the bags as much as he can. When Jack finished filling the bags he zips the zipper and squeezes the bags to get them out from the only entrance in the room. There was about five million in the two bags and there was a lot more in the safe so the police won’t be suspicious if they ever discover the safe. He loads his trunk with the two bags filled with cash. There was a smirk on Jack’s face as he was driving away with the cash.

Jack drive home to a peaceful neighbourhood and pulls in to his house. It was a beautiful large home and his six-year-old daughter came running out of the house with a smile on her face. Behind her there was Jack’s wife walking to him and there were happy to reunite.

Back in prison Joseph was frustrated. After being in prison for a few weeks Joseph starts questioning to other inmates about the cop who was undercover. For a long time he didn’t get any information until one inmate walks up to him that he’s got information. The inmate was known as Kyle Lee. He was a short Asian guy with a lot of attitude. He gave every information that Joseph needs about his home, family, and his real name.

Joseph was given one phone call and he called his son Charles. He was told that there was a guy who busted him from the inside that he wanted him to be in charge of the expansion in Ontario. He wants his son to go to the mansion to get the money in his safe behind a portrait in his office. His son makes sure he’ll get the money but hopes that police haven’t found it.

When he got to the mansion and went to his father’s office he opened the safe and a few million dollars was missing inside the safe. He told the news to his father and his face turned red and bust out of anger. He tells him information about the cop who was undercover and tells his son to retrieve the money he has hidden. The police guard came to Joseph and takes him to his cell. Charles did what he was told to do, retrieve to money.

Lt. Jonathan and his partner were police patrolling in the city. He has no idea that people are after him. He and his partner stop to get some coffee. Lt. Jonathan went to get them inside while his partner smoked a cigarette. When Lt. Jonathan came out of Tim Horton’s, out of nowhere two black SUVs came in the corner and they were opened fired. They both took cover and started firing back. All of the sudden his partner gets hit and right away Lt. Jonathan called for back up and an ambulance over his radio.

While Lt. Jonathan was waiting for back up he already killed three men. As soon the people heard the sirens, they drove away. Jonathan was with his partner telling him to hang on and help was on its way. when the ambulance arrived the paramedics act quickly to save the Lt's partner "Christ" life. He was taken to the nearest hospital and have an operation on him. Lt. Jonathan notice that one of the suspects that he shot was still alive.

He went to get him and right away he knew his face while he was undercover. His name was Eric. He told Jonathan that they know that he took the money from the boss and that they're going to abduct his family. Jonathan wanted to know that who did Joseph sent to do his work. He was told that he sent his son and he wanted where he was. Eric was laughing in a creepy way and suddenly he died from losing so much blood.

Right away Lt. Jonathan left the crime scene and drove to his house to check his family. When he pulled in to his driveway he got out of the car and ran inside with fear on his face. His entire house was a mess and he searches every room in to look for his family. He yelled for their names but there was no answer. All of the sudden he received a phone call from Charles.

Jonathan wanted to know who was calling him and a voice said that he has his family. Jonathan right away knew who he was. It was Joseph's son. Jonathan threaten Charles if he hurts his family. Charles wants the money that Jonathan stole for exchange for his family. Jonathan wanted to know where they could meet. Charles wants to meet in the warehouse tomorrow at 6:00p.m but if he doesn't bring the money and he's late Charles will kill his family.

Jonathan couldn't really think what to do because he was alone in this situation he's in. He couldn't go to the police for help because it was illegal what he did for stealing the money and not telling the police department for finding the documents. Jonathan only hopes he could find some friends that he works with to help him get his family back and not giving the money back.

Over night Jonathan made plans how he would save his family. He also went to the police department to get some weapons without people noticing. He emptied the two suitcases and filled it with books. Jonathan was dead tired when the sun rose up. He took some rest and fallen asleep. He woke up a few hours later and it is now 4:00 p.m.

Now he was getting ready to got to the warehouse and kill every person who's there. He was driving along the road and there it was the warehouse where his family are held captive. He drove inside the gates and then into the warehouse. He got off his car and opened the trunk to get the two suitcases. The warehouse were filled with guards down and top. There were about a dozen men waiting patiently for them to make the trade. Jonathan was asked to hand over the money and said that they'll make the trade the same time. Charles agreed the idea and they've made the trade.

Jonathan holds his family with joy and tells them that they need to leave right away. They get in a car and Charles tells them to wait that the money wasn't there. Jonathan's family were in fear and Jonathan looks up to them and tells them to drive away. Jonathan opens fire and hits to guards who were standing beside Charles. Charles takes cover and the rest of the guards were firing at Jonathan. He also takes cover and starts shooting back. There were bullets flying everywhere and Jonathan hit a few of Charles guards.

There were only four guards left and Charles left the warehouse. He started his car and tried to drive away. Jonathan killed the rest of the guards and ran after Charles. Charles was about to leave the perimeter and started shooting at the car and hit his tires. Charles car went flying in the air and he badly injured his leg. He was crawling out of the car and Jonathan walked right up to him.

Charles begs Jonathan to spare his life but Jonathan said that its not going to happen. Jonathan kills Charles and drops to his knees. His family walks up to him crying that he's all right and Jonathan holds them with joy. Jonathan and his family walks away from the warehouse holding his daughter in his arms and putting his arm over her wife's shoulder. They all walked home.

Unknown by Christian.N.C

The air was humid. Swamp flies covered the whole platoon. Everyone was sweating and tired of walking through the rough and heavy jungle. Some sort of sticky feeling in the air was all over the soldiers’ clothes. This is not what Kobe thought it would be like leading his team of 12 to an enemy base camp to take just a few pictures. No satellite or spy plane could take photos of the base though the thick Amazon canopy. Kobe’s team were sent to check if there were nuclear weapons being built and distributed somewhere in the jungle. It was not an easy place to find.

Kobe and his platoon continue to walk through the treacherous Amazon, then suddenly, all of the team could hear something in the air, but distant. They could only hear a muffled sound rumbling and growing louder. The crew started to get nervous. As the sound grew, one soldier said,

“We should start running like hell, Cap’n.”

“We don’t even know what it is, I say wait.” Kobe yelled to the crew.

The sound was loud now. It was clear that planes were about to fly over them.

“It’s planes! What do we do, sir?” said a terrified soldier.

“Do they know where we are?” whispers Kobe to himself.

Boooom! An explosion went off behind the team. Then another beside them, followed by another one in front of them. Bombs were going off behind and between the whole team.

“Run!” Kobe shouted to his team.

The soldiers were running through an exploding jungle. The fragments from the tress and shrapnel from the bombs flew in every direction. One dropped right beside them. It sent 2 soldiers airborne. Kobe could hear nothing but the loud ringing in his ears. His head shaken, Kobe slowly looks back to see his men. They were terrified with the look of panic in their faces. He realized that he had to get his men out of there.

Bombs blew up left and right. The sounds of the planes could barely be heard anymore. Kobe’s team didn’t know what to do. They were scared stiff because of all the bombs going off around them, miraculously, none of them went off close enough to give damage. With all his might, Kobe screamed to his team, “Follow me!”

Kobe made his way under an enormous tree that had fell from the blasts, long enough to cover the platoon; they hid.

“Where the hell are these things coming from?” said a soldier.

“I don’t know but I’m getting our asses outta here.” Replies Kobe.

He picks up his radio that was hanging from his left chest pocket.

“HQ, we’re taking heavy fire here! Send Hawks over now! We need reinforcements!” Kobe looks at his team.

“We lost 2 men. Hurry and get those jets down here. Over.”

Kobe and his team were prepared for the worst. A bomb hit, maybe 30 feet in front of them. The planes were still heard, and it sounded like they were flying away. Sadly, they circled around ready for another strike. Then they heard the sound of the 50. Caliber machinegun. A barrage of bullets were whizzing and zipping by the platoon. Then all of a sudden, an explosion filled the atmosphere. An enemy plane had been shot down and crashed in the jungle. Kobe and his men seen it and knew, reinforcements were nearby. They heard the whistling sound of a missile. The squad could see the sky because of the bombings; no more trees covered it. 2 planes flew across. Then they heard another explosion. It sent 2 of the planes plummeting for the ground, and then crashed behind the platoon. There were still 3 enemy planes in the air, but they flew back to wherever they came from. After that, the jets flew pass. A helicopter came and lowered a ladder for the team. One by one Kobe and his team went up into the helicopter. They went back to Headquarters, their mission incomplete and 2 of their men dead.

“After this I’m partying.” Said one of them.

They reached the base. It was located somewhere in Nevada. Once they got off the chopper and into the base, a man in a uniform orders all of them to the General’s office. When they got in there, the General was sitting on his big leather chair and wide glass desk. Computer screens were mounted on the walls. He took a puff from his cigar and said,

“He he, sorry about that. We didn’t know that we were sending you to a heavily protected area. I thought we looked into that place but…”

“You didn’t!” shouted Kobe.

“You put me and my men out somewhere in a jungle and you’re sorry. We almost got killed!”

“I understand.” Said the General.

“However, there’s still one more mission for you boys. Look, I bet you guys would really want to go home after what happened, right? Well, I’ll make you a deal. If you and you’re men can do this one last thing, you can resign, go home, and live in paradise.”

The team looks at each other.

“What is it?” said Kobe.

“Okay! We sent a team to infiltrate an enemy base camp somewhere in the Amazon. Kind of like you guys. Anyway, it didn’t work out. So…”

“Wait, wait. What do you mean?”

“Well, some of the got killed. The more lucky ones got captured. That’s why we want you boys to get them out of there. Hey, I’m not saying that it’s going to be an easy, but we can’t afford to lose those men, oh, and you boys of course. However, I’m sure you and your team can get it done. Right?”

“Yeah, we can.” Answers Kobe.

“Alright then. There’s a cargo plane on the strip that leaves in 0400 hours. ETA: 5 hours. Get ready and good luck.” Said the General.

Most of the team walked out the door when Kobe asks the General, “Can you tell me the names of the soldiers who’ve been captured?”

“I don’t see how that could be a problem.” Said the General, picking up a remote and pointing it at the wall of screens. A list of names appears.

“Okay, here we go. There is Sean Harris, Dan lower, Lieutenant Neil Stoker, Ken Johnson…”

“Ken.” Said Kobe, shocked for a second.

“Yes, do you know him?

“No, uh, I’m just saying the names out loud.

“Okay. And the last one is Captain William Hinton. Poor bastard. Didn’t look like he knew how to lead his men. But I’m sure you will. Alright now, get ready, your men are waiting.”

The time came for liftoff. They were boarding the cargo plane, it was meant to drop trucks and supplies, but not for this mission. Kobe was the first to board, then the team. Kobe seemed tense, and somewhat worried. One soldier asks,

“Sir, you alright? You seem worried or somethin’.”

“Oh, it’s alright, man.” Said Kobe.

“Just getting them butterflies, that’s all.”

“Really? Cuz’ I’ve seen you on a lot of other missions, and..”

“And what?” interrupts Kobe.

“I just want to get our men out of there, okay, before they die! All right!

I’m not going to let nobody kill him.”

“Him, sir?

“I meant them. Nobody is going to kill them!”

Kobe rests his head back and closed his eyes. He’s reminiscing. Two children were playing in a backyard, with the sun shining bright, green grass and trees glowing behind them laughing, holding toy pistols in their hands. Out of all the memories, he had to remember the one where they were holding pistols, so much for paradise. Then he crashed back to the seat, he opened his eyes and said,

“We got 2 hours. Let’s just get our job done so we can go back to our families. I just want to go home.”

The flight was dreadful, anxious with every second for death to creep on them. It felt like an eternity. However, these men were bloodthirsty, ready for revenge after what happened to them. In their minds, they thought they were going to run in the camps and start shooting everyone, but the pilot was ordered to drop the men off 20 miles away from the site to parachute down into Amazon in the night. So they jumped. One by one they tossed themselves into the darkness. No one can see each other so it was risky, but once a chute was pulled they could see the silhouette, and so they pulled them one at a time.

They all landed undetected, and so the walked, again.

“Man, I hope we don’t get blown to bits this time.” Said a soldier.

They walked mile after mile through the crude and horrendous jungle. Sweat dripped with first few steps, after that, they were soaked. They’ve only been walking for 20 minutes and already the Amazon has taken its toll. Some of the men were wheezing and had a hard time to breath. Maybe partying wouldn’t have been so good after all.

“Easy boys! Save your energy. You don’t want to be fighting these guys in your sleep. Or them fighting while you sleep.” Said Kobe, breathing hard also.

It’s long but we’ll get him, uh, them, them out of there.”

They had been walking for over an hour when they reached the camp undetected. Kobe puts on his night vision goggles that were strapped in his head. They all had it. They could see the camp. All around was surround by thick trees. There was a shack, a lookout tower, and one building that looked like a small elementary school. These buildings were made out of scrap metal and mud covered plywood overlapped on each other. The ground was muddy and dirty.

…

Keep Safe by Maude Dominique

I ran so hard as my mother told me to, ran till my lungs burst but I couldn’t make my body move fast enough. My legs seemed to move slower and slower as I heard my mother Janette screaming for help. I felt sorry for her, I just wanted to go back to help her escape. She promised me that this time we were going to run away and live by ourselves. I heard the arguing and glass breaking on the background.

“You can’t help yourself, you should go for help” Janette screaming.

“No I can help myself, I just need some time,” my father yelled.

“That is the same thing you always say when we fight.

“I can help myself, give me some time”

“Aren’t you tired of drinking?” asked Janette.

I heard the echo of slapping from my distance. I watched as my mother tore through the door and started the car. I ran to the road, my legs ached as I hopped in and we drove away. Mom always told me to put on my seat belt so I did, noticing that mom had not, but she was crying, so I remained silent. As we turned onto the highway she used her sleeve to wipe her eyes. When she looked up, the car was lit by the lights of a transports high beams. She swerved, and I heard the noise vibrate through my ears as I woke up in a cold sweat.

I was dreaming the very same accident that my mother and I had. My eyes were full of tears. It was the most horrible dream I ever had. Seeing my mother dying again made me don’t want to go back to sleep, I was afraid having the dream again. Nick started to toss and turn, he as he heard me crying.

“Melissa shut up! I’m trying to sleep here, Jeeez”

I’m happy when I dream about my mother but not the dream that I had, I hate to see her dying. It makes me miss her more. I think about her everyday, I wish I could take that day back and ask her to put her seat belt on. My family and friends are always suggesting me to move on and live like everybody else. I do always pretend that everything is ok with me, which is apparently not.

Nick reminds me of my dad except Nick does not have a drinking problem but he is a little bit abusive. We sometimes have fights but it goes by. Constantly, I think Nick will change someday which I have to give him some time.

“Good morning honey” Nick said in a good mood.

“Morning Nick, sorry for last night” I said back.

“Oh, it’s ok. Can you please make me a cup of coffee?” he said, kissing me on my forehead.

“Yes sure” I said.

I walked towards the coffee maker and poured a cup of coffee for Nick and me.

“Nick! Do you want breakfast?” I screamed.

“No thanks. I will pick up something on my way to work.” He said.

“Ok.”

“By the way I won’t be here for supper. Order something for yourself” he handed the money to me.

Nick is working in an accounting firm he sometimes came home late. He works so hard to support me. I have no job but I did apply some jobs I just stay home and wait them to call. I had quit my last job, they thought I was depressed or something. Nick and my friends took me to the hospital and the Doctor gave me depression pills that I didn’t take them at all. I just stayed home watch movies, clean, read, go to the Internet and call friends. I only went out when we need something or go shopping with friends.

The phone rang and I ran toward it. I don’t know who would call but I still answered it. I wonder who it was.

“Hello” I answered.

It was Alison she was calling from work.

“Hi, how are you?” She began to talk.

“I’m fine thanks. What makes you call me?” I asked.

“Well Melissa you know what friends do right? They got their friend’s back. It’s not that I’m trying to ruin your relationship with Nick but I saw him with some other girl this morning in a restaurant they were eating breakfast. I was going to pick up coffee and something to eat but I kept walking. I didn’t want Nick to see me. Please say you didn’t hear me from this.” Alison said.

I felt humiliated, I felt like crying but I made it stop by saying myself “why would I cry it’s just a guy?”

“Really, did you recognize the girl? Do you know her? What does she look like?” The words came out which I didn’t want to say them.

“No I don’t know her. I only saw her from the back, she’s a blond.” Alison replied.

“I am so out of here tonight. I will start packing now before Nick comes home from work. I will call you later.” I said to Alison.

“Alright Melissa, be careful ok. Try not to have a fight with Nick, call the cops if he touches you. Don’t be fallen sorry about him. If you need a place to stay come to my apartment, I will make you a room.” She said.

I hang up the phone and run upstairs to get a suitcase and pack my stuff. I have to do this before Nick comes home because we both know we are going to have a fight if I talk about this blonde girl to him. It would be better to not say a word and get out. I have enough of him, enough of the fights and waiting him to be changed.

I heard the door slamming. I didn’t have time to run away. I was going to do the same thing what my mother had done but safely.

“Melissa, I’m home.” He called on the background.

“What’s all this?” He asked.

He stared at the suitcase lying on the front porch door. I started to shake because of Nick I felt like he was going to hit something or me.

“I’m leaving Nick, I can’t do this anymore. There is no way this relationship is going to further, we always have fights and I heard something. I heard that you were having breakfast with some other girl in a restaurant this morning. That’s why you didn’t want me to make you breakfast?” I said to him.

He grabs me on my two shoulders really hard and shakes me and says “You are not leaving me! You’re not going anywhere.”

I was crying so hard. He pulls my hair and drags me to the doorway where my suitcase was and says, “unpack right now or else it’s going to be worst.

I had planned to call Alison and ask her to call the cops for me when Nick is in a deep sleep. Nick and I went to bed. I faced the wall and asked me to face to him I didn’t want to but I had no choice. I knew he would’ve done something to me if I didn’t listen to him. I turned around and he started to apologize.

“I’m sorry honey for how I reacted today. It won’t happen again.” He said.

“Ok” I said.

“Good night.” He said.

“Good night. “I said back.

I pretend like I accepted his apology but I didn’t. I was going to do the same thing tomorrow when he goes back to work. I was going to run away. He finally fell asleep I pretended to cough really hard to see if he was really sleeping. He didn’t move at all. I moved really slowly to not feel me going downstairs.

I grabbed the phone and started to dial Alison’s phone number, I heard him screaming my name and ran downstairs.

“What are you doing?” He said.

“Nothing I was going to try call Alison, we were going to go shopping together tomorrow.” I said.

“In the middle of the night?”

“I can’t trust you. You were going to call her to ask her for help right? Now you will make me not going to work tomorrow, I will stay here with you to make sure you’re not leaving the house.”He said.

“Now let’s go to sleep”

I follow him to the room and sleep. We woke up in the morning at the same time and for once he was making me breakfast. We just stayed home and barely talked the whole day. At the end of the day I have planned to go to the store and get something that wasn’t in the house so I can ask someone in the store to call the cops for me.

“Hey Nick, let’s go buy some popcorns and we’ll watch a movie” I said to him.

“Ok then let’s go,” He said.

We get dress and go to the car. I put on my seat belt on but Nick didn’t, I didn’t say something, just sit there silently As we drove by he asked me what we would watch tonight. I only said a scary movie. On the middle of the road I could recognize my dead mother standing there. I thought I was the only one seeing her but Nick did really saw her too. There was a truck coming towards us a bright light. It happened the same accident as my mother and I had. The very same accident. I felt like my mom was trying to help me.

Nick had a surgery that he couldn’t make it. I had the house by myself. I soon started to work and had a better life. I didn’t want anyone to step in my life anymore; I want to be single forever. I don’t want to go back that routine we had Nick and me. I want to live all by myself and I know I can do it and I can support myself.

Being There

Martha held the phone to her ear and counted the rings. One, two, three
“Hello?”
Martha began to cry at the sound of her brother’s voice.
“Shawn, I’ve lost my job and I’m coming home” Were the only audible words between the sobs before she completely broke down.
Martha stood in the doorstep of her childhood home. When their parents had past away the home was left to Shawn. She had always been jealous of her brother, Martha had to work hard to get everything she wanted and Shaun had everything handed to him. Martha could hear someone rustling to get the door and her heart sank to her stomach when she saw her brother. He looked emaciated, weak and pale. There were black circles around his eyes that showed he was exhausted. Martha tried hard not to cry but tears streamed down her cheeks and she struggled to say anything. Shaun just smiled at her and took her hand and led her inside the big house to the living room. Martha noticed that nothing had change since she moved out when their parents died. Shaun sat her down on the couch and sat be side her still holding her hand. Martha looked at her brother and hugged him tightly. She started to cry.
“Why haven’t you called me?” asked Martha.
“I tried a million times but I didn’t want you to worry about me” he said.
“Tell me about it. How long have you been like this?” she asked still examining him.
“It’s been almost two years now. I had Leukemia and it’s been gone for three months now. I had treatment every week.” He replied, smiling.
Martha felt as if the weight on her back was gone and she could breathe again. She couldn’t bare to lose her brother too. She had no one but him. It’s been three years since their parents died and she never visited or called him for three years and she felt really awful about that. She felt guilty for not being there for him when he needed her the most. She could feel anger building up, she was so angry at herself for not even thinking about seeing how he was because she was so caught up in her own life and forgot about him.
“How could I be so selfish?” She asked herself out loud.
“You’re not.” He said reassuringly.
“Yes, I am. I am a cruel person. I never even called to check up on you.” She said, crying even more.
“ Stop blaming yourself for my illness. Nobody could’ve done anything to prevent it. It’s gone now and you’re here, that’s all that matters.” He assured her.
“ I’ve missed you so much. I won’t leave you again and I promise to be there for you through anything.” She promised him.
“ Okay.” He said. “ I have another appointment with the doctor next month, It’s just to run a few tests and to make sure the cancer is in remission.” He said as if it was nothing important.
“ The house hasn’t changed one bit.” Martha said, trying to change the subject because she didn’t want to think about him dying.
“What is there to change? Mom was always good at interior decorating. I didn’t change anything so that I can remember her that way. There isn’t anything I would change about them.” He said with a big smile on his face.
It was a huge two story house with a master bedroom, 2 guest rooms and each room had a bathroom. The living room and the kitchen were both decorated with classic motif and furnished with antique furniture and the rooms were all very elegant.
The weeks past by so quickly and it was already Shaun’s appointment at the Hospital. Martha made breakfast and coffee, she waited for Shaun to get up and come down for breakfast. She waited for a good half hour before he came down into the kitchen, still in his Pajamas.
“ Good Morning” Martha said with a warm smile.
“ Morning” he said looking tired as usual.
Martha asked him if he was anxious about the visit to the doctor today. She told him that she would come with him if he’d like. She had to drive him anyways because she forbade him not to get behind the wheel with him like this.
“ I’m praying and crossing my fingers that it’ll be good news” she said worryingly.
“I hope so too. But, there is something you should know.” He said with a serious look on his face.
“ What is it?” She asked curiously.
“ Well, I have been thinking a lot about this and I think it’s for the best and I hope you will try and understand.” He said looking into her eyes pleadingly. There was a long pause.
“ Well, aren’t you going to tell me what it is before I go crazy trying to figure it out?” she asked, hoping it was nothing serious.
“ If the cancer comes back, I do not plan to get anymore treatment. I have to accept the fact that I’m dying from this cancer and all those treatments cause a lot of pain for me and I don’t want anymore of that. I really hope you can try to understand what I am going through.” He said looking away.
Martha felt like her heart shattered into a million pieces. Rage was building up inside her.
“ Why would you so such a stupid thing ?!” She said angrily.
“ Because I know that treatment wouldn’t change the fact that I’m dying. I don’t want to suffer my whole life. I accept the fact that my time is coming.” He said looking into her eyes again and trying to find some understanding. Martha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She looked out the kitchen window and she was a little girl playing with her brother and she felt a wave of sadness. It hurts to know that her own brother wanted to die. You’re going to leave me all alone?” she said sadly.
“It’ll be okay and you’ll have the house to yourself.” He laughed.
“It’s not funny! Why can’t you take this seriously?” she yelled.
“I hope you’ll see all of this from my perspective. My time is coming just like the time was came for our parents.” He said staring at Martha in the eye, unblinking. Martha broke the gaze and turned her eyes down to the clock and noticed it ways time for the appointment.
“We’re going be late for you’re doctor’s appointment. Go and get dressed. I’ll be waiting in the car.” Martha stood and attempted to shake off the anxiety of conversation, in the silence of the kitchen. She heard Shawn begin to climb the stairs, and suddenly heard a thump, lub,lub,lub sound. “Are you okay?” Martha shouted as she ran to the stairs to see Shawn huddled at the base of the stairs. She picked up the and heard three tones as she dialed for help.
Martha held her cup of tears she nervously bounded her knee, waiting to hear anything. A nurse in passing whispered “ You can see him now.”
“How are you feeling?” Martha asked quietly.
“I feel tired but I’m okay.” He said.
“What did the doctor say? Is it good news?” asked Martha, she was very nervous and she prayed in her head that it was good news. Shaun was silent for a moment and he finally said, “The cancer is in remission, it’s back and I have about a month left.”
Martha froze, unable to say anything she just let herself fall into his chest and cried. She felt like her heart was melting to her stomach. She begged him to get treatment but he shook his head and said it was too late to do anything.
Two weeks had passed and Martha never left her brother. She stayed by his side all the time. She didn’t want to miss all his last days of his life. Shaun was out in the pool and Martha sat on the patio. It was a hot sunny day, there were no clouds in the sky.
“What would you say if I invited you on a trip?” he asked still swimming in the pool.
“A trip? Where?” she asked surprisingly.
“Anywhere” he replied.
“Be more specific” she said still taken by surprise.
“Anywhere you want.” He said smiling.
“I can’t go anywhere I want. I can’t afford it.” She said looking sad.
“Don’t worry about that. So would you?” he said.
“Anywhere?” she asked with a big smile on her face.
“Anywhere” he said still smiling.
“I always wanted to go to Paris.” She said beaming.
“Paris it is!” he said happily.
“When can we go?” she asked him, feeling a wave of happiness.
“Now, let’s pack and get out of here.” He said, excited as she was.
“Wow. So sudden. Um, Okay then.” she said excitedly.
They were all packed in 20 minutes and headed to the airport. Fourteen hours later they were getting off the plane in the Paris airport. Martha couldn’t believe she was in Paris. It was her dream to go here with someone she loved and cared about but she never thought it would be her brother. She thanked him a million times before the got the their hotel. The hotel was beautiful and their suite was unbelievable. The room had 2 bedrooms and each had it’s own bathroom. The view was amazing and breath taking.
“Why don’t we head out for dinner?” Shaun asked.
“Okay, I’m starving.” Martha replied rubbing her stomach.
They were ready within a few minutes. Shaun asked the receptionist where the nearest restaurant was. The restaurant was only around the corner where the hotel was. Their hunger was satisfied and they couldn’t get over of how good the food was in Paris.
“Let’s go for a walk, if you’re not too tired.” Martha said.
“Okay. Let me get the check first.” He said looking for the waiter.
Martha waited for Shaun outside the restaurant. They headed towards the sound of music and people. The music was coming from the park and there were lots of people enjoying themselves. Martha and Shaun really enjoyed themselves too. They were singing and dancing. They took a break and sat on the bench. Martha could see Shaun was tired and she told him that they should be heading back now. They walked slowly back to the hotel.
“Thank you for a wonderful night.” She said to Shaun and he smiled. He hugged her and led her to their room.
The next morning they called room service for breakfast and they decided to go sightseeing. Like any other day in Paris, it was hot. Martha wore a sundress and Shaun had shorts and tank top on. They were out in the sun about four hours when Shaun decided to head back to rest for a little bit. It turned out that Shaun was really tired and they stayed in all day. Martha didn’t mind because she wanted her brother to get some rest. He was more important than anything else.
The following day they decided to visit Rome. There were on the early flight to Rome. Looking out from the window of the plane, Rome was beautiful. Martha was so amazed by the sight. Once they landed, they decided they would check in the hotel later and they left their baggage at a locker, they explored Rome. They went sight-seeing and took lots of pictures. They had supper at a small restaurant in the airport.
“I had fun today. Thanks for everything, Shawn.” Said Martha.
“No problem. I love to see you happy and having a good time.” Smiled Shaun.
They decided to call it a night. Martha went to get the bags and Shawn looked for a taxi. Shaun checked in the hotel. They went up and they were exhausted they just slept right away.
Martha was the first one to wake in the morning. She ordered room service for two and waited patiently for her brother to wake up. Few minutes he was rustling in his room and he came to sit with me in the kitchenette. Shaun looked pale and exhausted.
“Are you feeling okay?” Martha asked anxiously.
“I’m okay, I’m just a little tired. Don’t worry.” He replied.
“Okay.” Said Martha.
“What would you like to do today?” he asked while pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“I don’t think you should be going anywhere.” She told him looking worried.
“Don’t be silly. I’m fine, really.” He promised.
“Well, okay then. I would like to do a little more shopping.” She said.
“I’ll be waiting for you at the lobby.” He told her.
Like any other day in the beautiful city of Rome, it was hot and the sun was shining. They explored Rome and was amazed by everything. After a few hours of walking through the streets of the city, they found a little mall on the corner of a street. Martha bought a few clothes and some souvenirs. Shaun told her that he’ll be across the store they were in to the small shop. When Martha was done looking, she went to the cashier counter. She heard screams and looked what was going on. People were clustered in the small shop. She remember that Shaun went there and dropped her bags to run and see if he was alright. She was terrified just thinking that anything would happen to him. She pushed through the crowd and saw it was Shaun lying on the floor. He wasn’t breathing. Blood drained from her face and fell to the floor beside him. Someone in the crowd said they’ve called 911 and the ambulance should be here any minute. I heard the paramedics telling the people to back off and give them space. Martha was with Shaun the whole way and she prayed for her brother to make it. She sobbed in his chest begging him to breathe.They rushed him inside the hospital as soon as the ambulance stopped. I had to wait impatiently in the waiting room. After an hour, the doctor came and the look on his face meant she’d lost her brother. Martha broke down and her heart shattered into millions of tiny pieces. The doctor told her that his heart failed because of the cancer. He was gone. Martha never felt so lonely in her life. She sat on the edge of his bed in the hotel where he last slept. She just stared out the window for the longest time. She decided to start packing and made a reservation to fly home the next morning. She took her brother home.
by Amanda Swappie

Back to the Keyboard

Longing by Yvon Bacon et al

Jack was nauseous from the blood; there was so much blood as it gushed out of Noah’s hand. It was the same nightmare- they were children playing in father’s study with the antique swords from the wall. Their slow movements quickened and Jack’s blade fell to his brothers hand- the blood was horrifying and the guilt remained imprinted on Jack’s mind like the enormous scar on the back of Noah’s hand which stretched from his knuckles to his wrist.
Awoken by the buzzing of the alarm clock, Jack fell into his morning routine. He stirred out of bed and pressed the snooze button such ferociously that it sent the nightstand rocking. After his morning workout Jack spent a few moments in front of the mirror appreciating the muscles he worked hard to build, and then he showered and made his way to the bedroom again to gently and lovingly awaken Jackline, his wife of nearly a decade.
Jack loved his wife, but secretively his favorite part of his day was waking up Jojo, his 7 year old daughter, an image of perfection beneath the cast light of the window, she had a way of stretching with such exaggeration that It brought a smile to Jack’s face. She was his greatest accomplishment and he would never forget it.
By the time Jojo was awake, father and daughter made their way downstairs towards the smell of breakfast- this morning it was eggs in a basket and bacon, Jojo’s favorite, because it was her birthday.
“Do I have to go to school” cried Jojo
“Yes you have to go to school” said Jackline.
“But here is something you can show off to your friends” Jack said smiling as he opened the baby blue package of the Tiffany’s box and gently placed a heart cut diamond necklace around his daughter’s small neck.
Jojo yelled “oh daddy, I love it!”
“Happy birthday sweetie” replied Jack. “Now go get ready for school.”
Jack and Jackline sat in the front seat of the newly bought Hummer while Jojo hopped onto the back. Jojo bounced with anticipation, hardly able to wait to get to school to show here girlfriends her birthday present and make them jealous. Jack could not believe how the school Jojo attended had changed from the days when he had been a student there. The school was among the most prestigious in the country and had a growing population as more members of Silicon Valley become rich- so the school was perpetually under construction. Consequently Jack was unable to easily reach the entrance of the school with ease, and dropped Jojo off nearly a block away.
Jack was home. He pressed the remote button for the front gate and drove up to the two-story mansion he had inherited from his parents. He began to think of how he owed everything to his parents- his father had been a pioneer in the production of processors and after his death Jack inherited the business and overnight became the CEO of a multinational corporation. It was the ringing of his Blackberry that interrupted Jack’s thoughts as he pulled into the garage.
“Can you pass me that honey” Jack said to Jackline as he pointed to the device. Jack turned the device over with one hand as he put the vehicle into park with the other. “Hello” Jack uttered in his casual business voice.
“I have your daughter” said a gruff digitized voice. “If you ever want to see her again you’d better get 3 million dollars- you’ll get another call about the drop- and if you call the cops you will get her back piece by piece” and the phone was hung-up. Stunned, Jack let the phone drop from his hand to the floor.
“What’s wrong” Jackline compassionately inquired; sure her husband was overreacting to a deal gone wrong.
“Jojo is gone” were the only words Jack could utter before he broke down.
Perplexed by the ambiguity of the statement Jackline took a moment in silence before the severity of the situation hit he and she began to sob uncontrollably and repeat “how, we dropped her off… she was there… so close…not Jojo!” Jackline placed one hand on her husband’s leg to balance and then bent and picked up the Blackberry from the floor of the vehicle. Jackline yelled “ we have to call the cops”
“No, we can’t or they will torture her” Jack yelled panicked.
Lowering the phone, Jacline struggled to say “what are we going to do?”
Jack knew exactly what he had to do. He exited the vehicle and went strait to the bedroom, grabbed his briefcase and proceeded to the wall-safe that was located behind a family portrait. He looked at the image of himself and his parents, his wife and daughter and even Noah was in the portrait, he may have been adopted, but Jack always pushed for him to be accepted- even against his fathers wishes.
As Jack placed the last of the money into the steel case Jackline silently came into the room. She held an open, unmarked box in one hand and a blood stained heart-cut diamond necklace in the other. Before another word could be said the Blackberry began to ring.
Jack answered the call and placed the phone to his ear. “Tonight; the center of the Golden Gate Bridge, come alone”, were the only words uttered by the digitized voice before the call ended.
“I will get her back,” said Jack with complete determination in his voice as he placed his fathers black 9mm Glock in the inner pocket of his blazer.
Night fell and Jack’s anxiety over what he had to do grew, but he knew that he had to make the world safe for his family once again. The pillars of the steel structure hummed as he drove past each. The mayor had the instillation of surveillance cameras started as a precaution against jumpers. The center of the bridge was the only portion not to be supervised; but was also the only portion of the bridge that people never jumped from Jack supposed it was even too high for jumpers.
It was a large, black SUV, pulled into the emergency lane with its four ways on. Jack pulled up behind the vehicle, turned off the engine and patted his jacket pocket before he stepped out onto the vacant structure. The wind always intimidated Jack, it always had, even as a teen when he and Noah trained for track by running against its force.
The door to the SUV opened slowly and out stepped a tall slender figure. Dressed in black, including gloves and a ski mask, the broad shouldered man moved to the back of the vehicle and removed a pale shell of what Jack remembered Jojo to be. His blood boiled, but without a word he threw the briefcase towards the kidnapper, but because of the wind, it was carried into the empty traffic lane. The kidnapper abandoned his victim and focused on the cash.
The next movements would haunt Jack for the rest of his life, not because of the result, but because of the simplicity with which they came. For without thought, as the man in black turned away from Jack to pick up the briefcase, Jack slowly reached into his pocket and grasped the cold metal of his fathers gun and with surprising ease, raised the weapon and fired the clip of bullets into the back of the figure. This seemed to Jack to have happened in slow motion; however, the clip had been emptied before the masked man fell and slumped over the briefcase.
Instinctually Jack went to Jojo, lifted his daughter into his arms and told her “it’s all over, everything will be okay”. Then, without knowing why, Jack moved towards the body. Thinking back Jack would believe that this was to collect to briefcase or at times he would explain that it was to cause the man more harm. What Jack would never admit was the familiarity that he felt for the figure that stepped from the vehicle or how he knew those movements and the look of jealousy in the eyes. An understanding of what had occurred rushed to Jacks mind as he approached the figure and saw the scared hand grasping the handle of the briefcase.