My Thoughts…

Chapter 4
The Ominous Omnicron

‘So, you’re the Chosen one?’

Zeke opened his eyes and allowed just a slit of light to enter through. When the expected death blow did not come, he decided to open his eyes.

Zeke blinked, once, twice; and opened his eyes cautiously. What he saw only shattered what remained of his nerves. He had opened his eyes only to find a massive, crocodilian snout splattered in blood and two keen, watery-looking sapphire eyes gazing back at him with something that almost resembled curiousity. And it wasn’t just that that made him numb with fear. He was trapped. The only way out of the submarine was blocked by the creature in front of him - but even if he got past the creature, how would he escape? With the submarine this deep in the Pacific, Zeke knew that he would not be able to escape his watery grave – the minute he was outside, the water pressure would immediately crush him. Even now, the pressure was beginning to press in on all sides, wringing the submarine as if it had been no more but a fly.

Yet Zeke couldn’t move; terror, fear, and the dreadful fascination with the snout in front of him held him rooted to the spot, and all he could do was stare at the dark silhouette of the creature that now stood before him.

A loud splash was heard, and then the creature stepped forward into the light. Zeke lifted his head so that he might see his attacker before he died. Nothing, however, could have prepared him for the sight he would see.

The thing that now faced him was a creature from another place and another time. It was a stunning silver dragon, just over nine feet tall from head to tail.

Zeke stared, bewilderment flooding his eyes. The dragon had a black crescent moon on its forehead, and it was made all the more striking with the water glittering off its scales: now the silver dragon looked to be a rainbow of colours. It seemed almost harmless, until Zeke noticed the fearsome spikes that ran all the way down its back to its scimitar-like tail. A pair of fearsome horns poked out of its skull, and two massive, snow-white leathery wings stood folded neatly by its side.

‘Stare any longer at me, and I will rip your eyes out. I will not tolerate any mortal gawping at me. The Fates wanted you alive – but they had never said what condition they wanted you in.’

Zeke jerked and took an involuntary step backwards. The dragon had made itself heard without moving its jaws -

‘MORRRRTALLL! Do not ever call me dragon again. I will be known to all ONLY as the Omnicron.’ As if to punctuate its final word, the white dragon unfurled its wings to its full length and gave a full throated roar.

Zeke shrank back against the wall, furiously trying to figure out a way to escape this hellish nightmare. The entire world seemed to be going against him today, and he could drop dead any second now –

“Why do you mock me so? How could you kill my friends without a second thought and stand here now to mock me? What kind of a lizard are you?! Answer me, murderer!” Zeke bellowed, the events of the terrible massacre finally getting to him.

The cerulean eyes shone bright with mock exasperation.

‘So much for the smartest human in the world… I’ve eaten children that were more intelligent than the likes of you. If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so already. Your death would have to wait, however, for the Fates have something else in mind for you. Why the Fates would have chosen one of the most pathetic, insignificant mortals I have ever seen to be entrusted with this duty, shall forever be a mystery to me.’ The low voice growled menacingly. It seemed to be coming in the general direction of the Omnicron.

Quite suddenly, it hit him. The dragon – the Omnicron was using telepathy to communicate with him! But… why? Zeke wondered. How is it possible that dragons even exist? Where’s the evidence? How could I not have seen that before? But no, that isn’t possible! There is no evidence to show that they exist. Well then. Have I gone mad? Am I dreaming? …Is this what hell looks like? I shouldn’t be alive right now… Did I survive by mere luck? Or was I only chosen to survive? An involuntary shiver took hold of him. .. What then, must I do?

A low growl interrupted his furious chain of thoughts. ‘Enough foolish questions mortal! Look around you. I am as real as the water about your feet. And if you’ve forgotten, this place is falling apart.’

The azure eyes fixed on him coldly.

‘Now, Zeke, enough games. I will now do what I had come here to do.’ The dragon took a few steps towards Zeke.

Zeke backed up against the wall, confident that his untimely death had finally come.

‘Your efforts to search for Finem in the sea are futile. Only one thing will save this world now. But you will not live to know what it is, unless you make a choice right now, the Omnicron thought-spoke quietly. ‘Would you rather come with me and risk death, or will you stay here and perish?’

To Be Continued…

Chapter 3
An Apocalyptic Cult

“Don’t move. I’m not going to hurt you. All I want you to do is follow me back nicely and quietly to my car. Do you understand?”

Amberle now found herself staring at the ceiling with a gun pressed to her temple. The owner of the voice was a tall, hefty Asian looking man with a large, grotesque skull covered in snakes engraved on the right side of his face. It was all she managed to observe before she was roughly hauled to her unsteady feet.

”Nice and easy now… And don’t try to call out or escape. I won’t hesitate to hurt you if you do.” The heavily accented man threatened.

The man now had a firm grip on her wrist; the gun remained where it was, pressing painfully on her temple. Amberle staggered forward, and finally mustered the courage to speak.

“Who are you? If its money you want, I can go and get it now.” Her voice sounded alien to her own ears. I can’t escape, she thought. If the gun wasn’t on my forehead, I think… I think I just might be able to disarm him. Amberle remembered the time when Zeke had insisted she take karate classes, and she had done it, just for him, even though she hated the whole class. She was now a qualified black belt in karate, and she could probably take this guy down with the right timing…

“I’m not interested in any sort of money. All I’m interested in is you.” The stranger replied, walking her out of her own house.

“Who do you work for?” Amberle asked her heart pounding. They were now out on her front porch, marching hastily on the tiled ginger floor. Amberle glanced around desperately. The street was void of people. She was alone. If she was killed, no one would ever know who murdered her…

“You ask too many questions,” he curtly replied as he opened the door to his gleaming red Mercedes. “I work for the Boss.” he added after a pause.

The stranger then lowered his gun slightly to open the car door. Now! Amberle thought. That’s my chance! With a swift upward motion, her knee made contact with the man’s groin. As he howled in pain, she hastily knocked the firearm out of the man’s hands, and he released his grip on her wrist. Before he could react, she attacked again, landing an uppercut on his jaw (just for good measure) before following that with a rapid and powerful kick to his face. Righting herself, she then picked up the magnum revolver on the ground after brushing the hair from her eyes and unsteadily pointed it at the dazed man on the floor.

“Now if you value your life, you’re going to tell me who you work for, and why you tried to kidnap me,” Amberle said threateningly.

The man lay on the floor, wheezing painfully, the snakes on his cheek convulsing heavily so that the tattoo looked almost alive. Never underestimate your opponent, he thought. That was your first mistake. Managing a baleful grin, he looked up at the young girl that now stood before him. “I did… not expect such violence from a woman,” he admitted.

“Rather than have me tell you the answer to your questions, why don’t you find out yourself?” Unbeknownst to Amberle, as he calmly spoke, his hand reached slowly under his jacket and gripped the cold metal underneath. I have no choice. I must use it… The weapon that I said I wouldn’t use. Then, with a fluidity of motion born of years of practice, he pulled out the firearm from under his jacket and fired a shot at point-blank range.

Amberle felt a searing pain near her temple, and then the darkness came up slowly to swallow her. Zeke, I’m so sorry, she thought desperately, fighting against the darkness. But it was of no use. I wish… I wish that I could see Zeke one last time…

The man looked down at the crumpled girl. Indeed. You must never underestimate your opponent. That was your first mistake. Your second mistake, girl, was that you should at least have died with the zipper on your jeans closed. The Asian assassin then hoisted the girl and roughly shoved her into the Mercedes before revving up the engine. He glanced about a final time before checking his watch and entering the car himself.

Good. No one will ever know what happened here, he thought as he drove out of the quaint little neighbourhood.

It was a job well done.

To Be Continued…

Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn’t know what to do ! next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn’t know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That’s how God deals with us.. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can’t stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just! stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. T hat’s when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can’t stop trying to “make pancakes” for God or for others. Sooner or later we’ll get it right, and then they’ll be glad we tried…

I was thinking. and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, “I love you” can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them.
Even if you think they don’t love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

Just in case I haven’t told you lately… I LOVE YA!!!
Please pass some of this love on to others….suppose one morning you were called to God; do all your friends know you love them?

Never stop “making pancakes.”

When we are trapped in a corner and there is no way out, what would we do? What are we to do to save ourselves? But there is one thing I know that would happen during those times. We would start be negative about the outcome and would not think rasionally how to get ourselves out of it. During these times, we allow our insecurity out which would then control us. When that happens, we do not know what we are talking and what happens next doesn’t make things better but worst. We dig our own grave in the end.

I remembered a friend told me about insecurity. Everyone of us have them and it is how we handle it that makes us all diferent. I won’t say that all of us handles it well all the time for there are times like I mention above would happen. Once it happens, those who are strong will overcome it but for those who are weak, it would destroy them. Unfortunately in todays sociaty, it destroy us. Majority of us are mentally weak. We might not admit it but we are all weak. If we are strong, what is happening around us wouldn’t happen. What happen to our mental strength?

It is often we hear others saying that migrating to another country is a better start than staying here. Why? We are weak. We are avoiding the problems. How does all these issues starts? For example, snatch thieves. How did this started? Economy was bad at that time and everyone is desperate to have money to survive. There are many who lost their jobs. Instead of thinking a way yo survive, the easy way is to rob. That is an easy way but not the right way. We do not have the mental strength to tell us to save our money and spend accordingly. We do not have the mental strength to tell us to look for other jobs. Earning less that what we did isn’t a problem for we can still survive our basic needs which is what needed. But did we think that way? I don’t think so.

Besides that, what I see happen often in this world where people would use mental strength to attack the weak ones and cause thier insecurity to surface. What happens normally is we are afraid when we know there is someone better than us or can overthrow us. Once we are put together with the best people, we are afraid and our own insecurity would surface. When that happens, we do not think rationally but think of how to eliminate our opponent to stay at the top. There is a saying that “What goes up would come down.” We can’t always be on top. Example, Tiger Woods can’t be World No 1 all the time. Furthermore, Michael Schumacher can’t forever be No 1 in formula one. There would be time when we would be on top but there are times when we are below. It makes no difference for we are who we are.

As I was watching Apprentice Season 2 (I know it is over so long time ago), I only realize how people uses this to be top. Everytime one group loses and have to be send to the board room, the insecurity ones would normally defend themselves and not take responsibility of their mistakes. They would push it to others or let their judgement be blinded. In the end, they are the one who kill themselves. But many realise their mistakes once been told and they admit it. But what they did shows lack of leadership in them. There is a lot of things to be considered to be a good leader but the most important point is to be respected. If you are not respected, no matter how good you are, you can’t be a good leader. How can you lead if you are not respected. Who is going to listen to you and cooperate with you if they do not respect you. I realise this points as I watch the show.

When we are feeling insecure, we lost objective. We allow ourselves to be influence by others. We can’t think rationally but just do things according to our emotions or trying to make things right in a short time frame. In reality, this diesn’t help but make things worst. I’ve been there and it isn’t nice. For me it isn’t that bad for it is among friends. Imagine in working life, it is much worst. if I can’t survive this, how am I to survive when I go out and work? What I learn from observing in the show is to be quiet. Let others say what they want to say. Speak only when you are ask to speak. We have no control of other people’s mouth. They can say what they want but if it isn’t true, why worry. Show them who you are and what was said not true. That is the best way but it takes time and patience. As time goes by, things would settle on its own. Those who would try to attack again would be in vain.

Eventhough we do not like to do this to others and be done upon, sometimes it just can’t be help for it is a matter of survival. But when it can be help, try not to use it especially to those who are close to you like your family and friends. There is a saying, “It is better to make a friend than an enemy.” Instead of attacking thier weak points, try to help them. Help them slowly and not by pushing them into it. If you do it by force, no matter how good your intention is, all you did is hurting the other person. You may say this is the world, but we are the one who can make the difference. We are the future bearer of this world and we are the one who can make the difference. Do not tell yourselve that we can’t or its like that and nothing can be done. Once you say that, you are a loser for giving up before trying. It is hard but it can make a difference. I do not know how true it is bout Miss World now putting this as priority but this is the first step to tell us we can.

Let’s try to overcome our own insecurity at our own pace. It may be hard but tell yourself that you can and you can. Say is easier but by believing in yourselve, you amaze yourself how much more you can do. There are always risks to everything but why let it hinder us. Great risks brings success. It is true. If not mistaken, that is how businessman and investors make big money. Even when taking risk, know what you are putting yourself into and always prepare a safety plan where you can fall back on. Without risk, what is there in life that makes it more interesting and challenging =) It is risks that helps us to grow and mature as well.

Here’s A Refreshing Course…

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum.

The King of Hearts is the only king WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you!)

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer. So did the first “Marlboro Man.”

Walt Disney was afraid OF MICE!

PEARLS MELT IN VINEGAR!

The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs… but, not downstairs.

A duck’s quack doesn’t echo, and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles
resulting from the flush.

And the best for last…..
Turtles can breathe through their butts.

Now You Know Everything =)

Raveen has invited his friends over to his house in Klang for Deepavali on Saturday night =) I went with Leong, Churn Lern and Doris =) We met in campus first. I have to rush over there after church that night but it was worth it =) Chung Lern drove that night and he was such a gentleman ^_^ Our journey from Sunway to Klang was long. We took Kesas down to Klang instead of Federal. Since it was night, traffic was okay. Imagine during the day how jam it would be. It took us 30 minutes to reach Raveen’s house. When we reached there, we were just in front of his house but we missed it. If coming from the main road, we were to go straight but we came to a so called T-junction which isn’t really a junction for the road is slightly no parallel.

Finally we reach Raveen’s house. His house is huge. It’s like a mansion. The lawn is big and I think we can put a badminton court in there =) There was a lot of people there. Linoth and VJ was there when we arrived =) We sat down in the living room which is huge. We sat and chat and watch Back To The Future II, I think. We sat and watch and we were glued to the TV =) Raveen felt guilty for he can’t entertain us for there were a lot of guests. We told him its ok and we were hooked to the TV that night. When the movie finished in HBO, we switched to Channel V. They were showing America Next Top Modal. We watch it till end then we switched channels and not sure which channel to put. In the end, we put it to MTV. It was showing Boiling Point where Linoth was prank at the shop. We were waiting for him to appear on TV but unfortunately it didn’t. He was on the 20th minute but they stop at 12th minutes =) Too bad. Linoth don’t worry. More chance to come still ^_^

It was just then Raveen invited us in to eat =) The food was delicious. There was chicken curry, prawn sambal I think, mutton rendang I think and I can’t remember what the others are called =) The food was delicious but not spicy. It was so funy that nearly everyone on the table can’t take too spicy food which includes me =) In the end, all of us enjoy the food. Linoth was entertaining at the table. He took the prawn and say it was very spicy and pass it to VJ saying it is very spicy. Hahaha….That was so funny. He struggle to eat that time. He eat one mouthful and drink one mouthful =) Leong did better than Linoth eventhough Leong can’t take spicy stuff =)

After the meal, we went outside to sit. Raveen has this cute puppy hiding outside his house. The puppy which is a she, loves to hide. She was hiding and would come near to be pat. She was so cute. I can’t resist. I want to take her back and kepp her but my mother say no. Haih…doesn’t matter. Got to play with her that time =) Linoth tried to pat her. At first she was ok. The second time, she wanted to bite Linoth’s hand. Then Linoth was teased for disturbing the poor puppy when she wants to sleep that’s why she was cranky =) After hanging out a while longer, we all went back home. Before we go home, we wanted to go Cafe Flam in Pyramid but it was closed. Same goes to Q Bar. So we ended up in the mamak instead. This is what happen when we are all stingy. But it was a great night =) Thanks Raveen for the night and the food was delicious. Hope can have a chance to eat it again ^_^

When a piano is played with your soul, it sounds so lifely and wonderful. It is hard to explain. I do not know why but my heart would be captured by the music. It doesn’t really matter who is the player but when a person plays with their heart, the sound that comes out is different from those that just play for they have to play the song. So far there are only 2 piano player who has captured my heart. They are Richard Claydermann and Jim Brickman. The way they play the piano is so magical. The music that comes out make you feel like you have enter a magical world.

I do wonder how these two pianist produce such magnificant music? Their fingers are like magic for when they touch the keys, it produce music that takes you to a different world. Other than that, I came across another player but he is just a student in Monash whose playing just took my breathe away. He played duet for Monash Ball 2006. When I hear him play, his music touches my heart and I was hooked there till the song end. There isn’t many who knows how to appreciate this type of music.

I have a friend whom I go piano lesson with. I wouldn’t deny that she is talented and I always admire the way she plays. Her name is Wei Wan. I always feel bad for I cannot be as good as her. I tried hard but I can’t be as good as her. I even tried giving lame excuses as not to go for lessons as not to let her hear my lousy playing but failed. I do wish I can play like those who can produce beautiful music. Another friend of mine plays beautiful lively music in church which warms my heart. He is Raymond. I love the way he plays the organ in church. Besides him, uncle Ivan plays beautifully and lively in church. He was the one who got me interested in music. I always stood beside his organ when he plays in church. He was also the one who taught me to sing in the choir.

These are the few people that I know who makes beautiful music when they play either the piano or organ. I could not be like them but I’m happy that I can also play but not as magical as how they could. I wish I have a piano here with me for playing it keeps me cheerful. I’m not as good as those people but at least I can play the songs that I love which warms my heart.

Continue on what I discover about La La Mui or La La Zai? He seems to hate the name La La Mui but I would used it to irritate him at times =) But I do wonder? He is going to be a doctor but he has so much time to enjoy life. He is basically out every night with different different people. He must be a real genious since he doesn’t need to study that much to be a doctor. Or should we all be careful and not see him if we cherish our life? Hmmm…..

Got a chance to see him play Counter Strike and I admit defeat straight. I doubt I can even shot if I’m playing single with him =) He is so fast and expert. I think before I can buy all the things I need, he would have killed me. Hahaha….Yup, I’m that lousy in Counter Strike. But at least I do not suck that bad in Big Two (Chor Tai Ti). It was a surprise to see him playing that at the “Tong Soi” Shop in SS2 and sitting at the road side. That daring. Haha… But then chor tai ti isn’t that fun so decided to play “Asshole” which is similar to Tai Ti but the winner exchange cards with the losers. The maximum player for a deck is 6 players. You can try playing 4 players with 2 decks also to make it more challenging =)

It’s so fun to be La La Mui. Nothing to worry but just enjoy life and go out and play. Haih….How I wish I can be like that. But I can’t. Have to study for I’m not like him who can score without studying I think =) Haha…

I just met a friend for just 3 days. Haha…I just met him on Saturday night =) His name is Caleb but somehow his nickname was La La. Unfortunately he acted so sissy that I can’t help calling him La La Mui. It is also due to the phrase La La Mui which refers to girls who are a bit rough or boyish I think. So happen today wasn’t his day. He called Guoy when Guoy, me and How were eating the Brownie with ice cream in Dome. Here is the picture of the delicious Brownie =)

Caleb then waited at Pyramid with his two friends. It was hard to call out today. It seems that DiGi was having problems will early in the morning. I think it affect those in Klang Valley only. It was tough to call Caleb for Guoy’s and How’s phone was having connection problem where they couldn’t call out nor receive calls =) Haha…That’s why Celcom is still the best =) We then manage to meet Caleb and all of us including Maurice and Louisa went to Pelita in SS15.

We have drinks there and chit chat. But Caleb got the spotlight =)
He was tease non-stop till he got back to Condo. Haha…I think it is his day. He was willing to post for me to take his pictures without knowing what I’m going to do with them =) At least there are pictures to show how is this Caleb or better known as La La Mui. No matter what he says, he would be the main target. Even if he try to keep his mouth shut, he would also be targeted =) But he has a good heart I think. He treated me my drink so I should at least be happy and thankful =)

He isn’t a bad person but just nice to bully =) He would like to be a doctor but I pity his patients first. I would make sure I do not look for him when I’m sick. If I really do look for him, I think a second opinion is a MUST ^_^ To those that would go and visit him for treatment, please think hard before you go =) Hehe…Kidding…No one would know how good he is or is not till the time comes =)

Chapter 2
A Stranger Calls

The phone rang a shrill melody that echoed hauntingly around the empty house. It rang thrice before a young, slender girl with auburn hair trailing over her shoulders and nothing but a towel on rushed over hurriedly to pick it up. In the days to come, however, she would wish that she had never picked up that phone call.

“Hello?” She said as she struggled to put her underwear on.

“Do you know where Zeke Avalon is?” An unfamiliar voice rasped on the phone.

“Yes… but… Who is this?” Amberle replied tentatively, her pulse quickening at the mention of Zeke’s name as her slender body now strained to pull on a shirt. What does this guy want with Zeke? Zeke… you promised me that you’d come back…

“My name is not important.” The low, husky voice hesitated a moment, and then rumbled on. “An urgent message has arrived for Zeke Avalon, and I need to deliver it to him, face to face.”

“Well Zeke’s not here at the moment,” Amberle paused, uncertain as to how much to tell this stranger while at the same time hopping around, trying to yank on her jeans. “He’s-out-at-the-ins-tit-ute-to-day.” She paused, having finally pulled her jeans on. Then she saw that her fly was open and stuck fast. Damn. “Why don’t you call back later?” she asked hopefully, wrestling now with the stubborn zipper just below her slim waist.

The voice on the other end let loose a loud curse. “Don’t play tricks with me girl! I know that you’re lying to me. You know where Zeke Avalon is, and you will tell me now.”

“How do you know I’m lying? Have you even checked the institute? And why do you want to see him so badly?” She demanded back, clearly stunned, her jammed zipper all but forgotten. But Zeke told me he was in the institute today…

“Very well. I’ll tell you why I need to see him. It’s about the location of Finem. If we find Zeke Avalon, we find Finem. It’s as simple as that, lady.” The voice paused. “So tell me where he is, and no lying this time. We’re watching you right now, Amberle. Make the wrong move, and the Cruentus Nex* cult will make sure you pay the consequences…” The stranger left the threat hanging.

(* Cruentus Nex – bloody death in Latin)

“Look, you son of a bitch, I don’t know who you are, but you don’t know anything, and you have no right to go around threatening people like this!” Amberle hollered into the ear piece before hanging up and slamming the receiver back shakily. Just another prank caller, she thought. She hated to admit it, but she had been frightened by whoever it was on the other end of the line. Whoever it was had known her name… She shivered. The Cruentus Nex, huh? That’s a new one. There had been several of those types of calls this week, and all of it had been about Finem. Just what exactly has Zeke gotten himself into?

Amberle sat down on the plush, tan couch and gazed sadly out the window. It was raining again, with flashes of lightning She sighed, and the rhythm of gently blown autumn leaves increased their tempo as she drifted into a pleasant daydream.

It had been a night stormed by bitter monsoon rains, and the dark rolling clouds had blocked out the reassuring light of the full moon. Amberle and Zeke had both spent their evening in a restaurant chatting animatedly, for each had found the other to be extremely intriguing, and both looked on with some dismay at the thunderstorm that now howled wildly outside. They weren’t going to get home without getting drenched. Both of them had agreed to leave for Amberle’s house when the rain was but a drizzle.

Unfortunately for them, however, just a few minutes after they left, the rain intensified again, and both of them were shivering in minutes. Laughing at their own misfortune, they had then quickly started for Amberle’s house. Despite the cold, Zeke had insisted on offering his jacket to Amberle, but for his sake, she had refused. Minutes later, the jacket was draped around Amberle. She groaned inwardly – Zeke really was a sweet guy, but this whole thing wasn’t necessary…

Then, quite abruptly, the pair found that they had reached Amberle’s house. They had not noticed it before for each of them had been savouring the last few moments that they had together tonight.

Amberle hadn’t wanted to part company; nor evidently, did Zeke. So for awhile, the lonely pair just stood there silently on her doorstep, and Amberle began to feel… Well, she wasn’t quite sure what she felt. She wanted so badly to make it known that she loved him; yet she was afraid, afraid of rejection, and afraid of where it would lead her. She felt fevered, as though her body was not truly in her control; her mind was churning out vague and fuzzy thoughts that did not seem to make any sense. Slowly, her entire world seemed to narrow down to only Zeke.

Finally, the feeling grew so strong that, before she knew what she was doing, she was leaning into Zeke, who was now embracing her; his broad, warm chest next to her own and his hands loosely wrapped around her body, and twirled around her hair. Apparently, he too felt the same, and she vaguely noticed that the distance between her lips and Zeke’s slowly, sensuously lessened bit by bit for the kiss -

“Amberle!” her mom called, finally noticing that her daughter was home.

- that was never to come. They broke away rapidly, Amberle flushing bright red, still dazed from the intimacy. Deeply embarrassed at what they had been about to do, she had hurriedly said a goodbye to Zeke and trudged back into the house without even so much as a goodbye. Deep down, though, Amberle wished that the moment had not been so cruelly snatched away from her.

For it was the first time ever that she had wanted to kiss someone this passionately.

Randomly, a tendril of thought slipped almost unintentionally into her mind – she remembered Zeke telling her about the myth of the Omnicron, a legendary creature rumoured to be the guardian of life, death, and destiny. It supposedly lived somewhere deep in the unfathomable depths of the Earth. Only in times of dire need would the Omnicron decide to make an appearance… She smiled. Zeke was like her Omnicron, coming to her when she needed him most. Her thoughts drifted idly back to Zeke.

All of a sudden, she thought she heard the front door creak open, followed by the sound of soft footfalls on the carpet. Amberle stiffened. Abruptly roused from her daydreams, she listened intently. Her sense of disquiet was, however, quickly soothed by the familiar sounds of crickets chirping in the garden. I’m just imagining things, she reassured herself as she once again stretched out on the couch. There’s no one here but me…

Then she felt – not Zeke’s gentle arm, but a very real, very rough palm close vice-like about her mouth, snuffing out the scream that rose on its own accord as a silky voice hissed in her ear.

To Be Continued…