Masaki, Reiki and Jasmine stood rigidly to attention as their master addressed them. Master Yamaoto stared at them, but it wasn't a stare of disgust, it was a stare of pride. His students had trained very hard that morning. 'My students...' he began, 'you've made your master very proud.'

These ninjas were in the prime of their youth, Masaki was fifteen, Reiki was thirteen and Jasmine was twelve; they were abandoned as babies but they were all found by Master Yamaoto at the base of his training compound. He took them in and raised them as his own, so they didn't so much look on him as a master but a father. 'Your progression amazes me,' he continued, 'never have I seen such excellence... in any of my young warriors.'

He sat down on a nearby tree stump. 'But...' he warned, 'you must not let yourselves become too cocky or else all that hard work shall be for nought. Now, go to the kitchens and get yourselves some nourishment.' They bowed before him and ran off to the kitchens.

As they walked toward the door, Masaki's stomach started to rumble. 'I wonder what the chef has for us today?' he asked.

'There's only one way to find out,' Jasmine replied as she opened the door. There was the chef, Soto, standing waiting to give the ninjas his speciality of the day. 'Ah...' Soto smiled broadly, 'my favourite ninjas have arrived.'

They greeted him with a bow and Masaki said, 'Hello, Chef Soto.'

'Have I got a treat for you today!' he said excitedly. He handed them a bowl of steaming hot rice and plates of sushi. Soto's sushi was a particular favourite of Masaki. 'When you have finished that,' he said, 'I have been baking one of my apple pies, it's cooling on the window.'

'Are they the apples from Kippet Valley Forest?' Jasmine asked with anticipation.

'You know it, Jasmine.'

'Yes!' Jasmine was extremely happy to hear it. The Kippet Valley Forest apples were the sweetest apples in the whole province. They walked towards their table and all the while Jasmine salivated over Soto's apple pie, they sat down. 'Did you hear that guys?' Jasmine asked excitedly, 'Soto made us an apple pie!'

'Yes Jasmine,' Masaki and Reiki answered.

'C'mon guys... show more enthusiasm here.'

Reiki began eating his lunch, making sure that he wouldn't have to say anything. Masaki had that pleasure.

'Well... it's just... err...' he stumbled.

'It's just what?'

'Soto's pies aren't that... special.'

'What do you mean, Masaki?' she asked as she raised a piece of sushi to her mouth.

'We get Soto's apple pies on a regular basis.'

'Yes... but this time he made it from Kippet Valley Forest apples.'

'Okay,' Masaki said. Jasmine became slightly annoyed, 'Look here, I will not hear another word against the pie.'

Masaki and Reiki didn't say anything, as they had each seen how Jasmine reacted when she got angry. It was something they cared not to see too often or be at the receiving end of. 'Anyway...' she said, 'how do you two feel training went for you today?'

'I think it went fine today,' Masaki replied as he munched on some rice. Reiki swallowed what was in his mouth, 'Reiki also think training go fine for him too.'

'Okay then,' Jasmine said. They sat quietly eating their food, well basically picking at it. 'Hey...' Jasmine broke the silence. Masaki and Reiki looked at her. 'Do you think that the author has lost interest in this story?' she asked.

'Why do you say that Jasmine?' Masaki asked back.

'Well, he gave us a big setup and now there's this mediocre middle bit.'

'You're probably right Jasmine, he'll probably just trail off until he writes an abrupt ending.'

'Author took on too big challenge,' Reiki said, 'not know what Japan like back then.'

'Too true, Reiki.'

They finished their lunch all the while passing judgement on my story... and I just like to remind them this is MY story here.

'Ooo, he sounds mad!'

Damn right, I'm mad Masaki! How dare you cast aspersions on my storytelling techniques; and you all shouldn't be breaking the fourth wall anyway.

'Jeez sorry.'

I can't spend the rest of this story fighting with you. Soto approached them with his pie in hand, 'So, you enjoyed my lunch?' he asked.

'Sure did,' Jasmine replied, 'now what about this apple pie you made for us?'

'I've got it right here,' he put it on the table and using a knife, he cut the pie into three pieces. Then, he gave each a slice.

'There you go,' he said, 'I gave you the biggest piece Jasmine, cause I know how much you like my pies.'

'I don't think Master Yamaoto would be too happy about that!' she joked. Soto smiled and walked away. They started eating their slices, 'Mmmm...' Jasmine said, 'this turned out be better than I'd hoped.'

Masaki and Reiki both nodded their heads in agreement as they ate. When they had finished, they took their plates to Soto and he took them of him. Job well done, he thought to himself. The ninjas walked out the door and raced to the top of the mountain where Master Yamaoto was still sitting on a tree stump. 'Oh, you have finished already,' he said, 'very well, let's get back to it.'

The ninjas took their positions. 'By the way...' Master Yamaoto said, 'I know you have been breaking the fourth wall again.'

'How did you know, sensei?' asked Jasmine

'I know all that goes on in my compound,' he stood up, 'plus I actually read what was going in the story.'

'But...'

'Silence, Jasmine,' he ordered, 'passing judgement on other people is... a bad thing. "A bad thing"?'

Sorry Master Yamaoto, I ran out of clever wisdom-like things to write down.

'Good night... Anyway my ninjas, let's get back to training.'

THE END

A Typical Ninja Lunch Break

Masaki, Reiki and Jasmine stood rigidly to attention as their master addressed them. Master Yamaoto stared at them, but it wasn't a stare of disgust, it was a stare of pride. His students had trained very hard that morning. 'My students...' he began, 'you've made your master very proud.'

These ninjas were in the prime of their youth, Masaki was fifteen, Reiki was thirteen and Jasmine was twelve; they were abandoned as babies but they were all found by Master Yamaoto at the base of his training compound. He took them in and raised them as his own, so they didn't so much look on him as a master but a father. 'Your progression amazes me,' he continued, 'never have I seen such excellence... in any of my young warriors.'

He sat down on a nearby tree stump. 'But...' he warned, 'you must not let yourselves become too cocky or else all that hard work shall be for nought. Now, go to the kitchens and get yourselves some nourishment.' They bowed before him and ran off to the kitchens.

As they walked toward the door, Masaki's stomach started to rumble. 'I wonder what the chef has for us today?' he asked.

'There's only one way to find out,' Jasmine replied as she opened the door. There was the chef, Soto, standing waiting to give the ninjas his speciality of the day. 'Ah...' Soto smiled broadly, 'my favourite ninjas have arrived.'

They greeted him with a bow and Masaki said, 'Hello, Chef Soto.'

'Have I got a treat for you today!' he said excitedly. He handed them a bowl of steaming hot rice and plates of sushi. Soto's sushi was a particular favourite of Masaki. 'When you have finished that,' he said, 'I have been baking one of my apple pies, it's cooling on the window.'

'Are they the apples from Kippet Valley Forest?' Jasmine asked with anticipation.

'You know it, Jasmine.'

'Yes!' Jasmine was extremely happy to hear it. The Kippet Valley Forest apples were the sweetest apples in the whole province. They walked towards their table and all the while Jasmine salivated over Soto's apple pie, they sat down. 'Did you hear that guys?' Jasmine asked excitedly, 'Soto made us an apple pie!'

'Yes Jasmine,' Masaki and Reiki answered.

'C'mon guys... show more enthusiasm here.'

Reiki began eating his lunch, making sure that he wouldn't have to say anything. Masaki had that pleasure.

'Well... it's just... err...' he stumbled.

'It's just what?'

'Soto's pies aren't that... special.'

'What do you mean, Masaki?' she asked as she raised a piece of sushi to her mouth.

'We get Soto's apple pies on a regular basis.'

'Yes... but this time he made it from Kippet Valley Forest apples.'

'Okay,' Masaki said. Jasmine became slightly annoyed, 'Look here, I will not hear another word against the pie.'

Masaki and Reiki didn't say anything, as they had each seen how Jasmine reacted when she got angry. It was something they cared not to see too often or be at the receiving end of. 'Anyway...' she said, 'how do you two feel training went for you today?'

'I think it went fine today,' Masaki replied as he munched on some rice. Reiki swallowed what was in his mouth, 'Reiki also think training go fine for him too.'

'Okay then,' Jasmine said. They sat quietly eating their food, well basically picking at it. 'Hey...' Jasmine broke the silence. Masaki and Reiki looked at her. 'Do you think that the author has lost interest in this story?' she asked.

'Why do you say that Jasmine?' Masaki asked back.

'Well, he gave us a big setup and now there's this mediocre middle bit.'

'You're probably right Jasmine, he'll probably just trail off until he writes an abrupt ending.'

'Author took on too big challenge,' Reiki said, 'not know what Japan like back then.'

'Too true, Reiki.'

They finished their lunch all the while passing judgement on my story... and I just like to remind them this is MY story here.

'Ooo, he sounds mad!'

Damn right, I'm mad Masaki! How dare you cast aspersions on my storytelling techniques; and you all shouldn't be breaking the fourth wall anyway.

'Jeez sorry.'

I can't spend the rest of this story fighting with you. Soto approached them with his pie in hand, 'So, you enjoyed my lunch?' he asked.

'Sure did,' Jasmine replied, 'now what about this apple pie you made for us?'

'I've got it right here,' he put it on the table and using a knife, he cut the pie into three pieces. Then, he gave each a slice.

'There you go,' he said, 'I gave you the biggest piece Jasmine, cause I know how much you like my pies.'

'I don't think Master Yamaoto would be too happy about that!' she joked. Soto smiled and walked away. They started eating their slices, 'Mmmm...' Jasmine said, 'this turned out be better than I'd hoped.'

Masaki and Reiki both nodded their heads in agreement as they ate. When they had finished, they took their plates to Soto and he took them of him. Job well done, he thought to himself. The ninjas walked out the door and raced to the top of the mountain where Master Yamaoto was still sitting on a tree stump. 'Oh, you have finished already,' he said, 'very well, let's get back to it.'

The ninjas took their positions. 'By the way...' Master Yamaoto said, 'I know you have been breaking the fourth wall again.'

'How did you know, sensei?' asked Jasmine

'I know all that goes on in my compound,' he stood up, 'plus I actually read what was going in the story.'

'But...'

'Silence, Jasmine,' he ordered, 'passing judgement on other people is... a bad thing. "A bad thing"?'

Sorry Master Yamaoto, I ran out of clever wisdom-like things to write down.

'Good night... Anyway my ninjas, let's get back to training.'

THE END

The Interview (Unfinished)

The room was big and empty apart from a table and chairs, on the table was a tape recorder and a man was sitting on a chair staring at the floor; he was obviously trapped in an overwhelming wave of guilt. Another man entered the room carrying a folder in his hands and sat down on the chair opposite him.

'I'm Detective Vanderbrooks,' he introduced himself but the man continued staring at the floor. 'You said to the policeman at the desk you wanted to confess to a murder?' he asked softly but however, he was half expecting him to be a fake as he had encountered many fakes during his interrogations. The man broke his stare, 'Yes…' he answered, 'I… I killed my wife.'

The detective switched on the tape recorder, 'What's your name?'

'James… James Sunderland.'

'And what's your wife's name?'

'Mary.'

'Can I ask why?'

'Well…' James began, 'Mary was diagnosed with an incurable disease and the doctors who saw to her could only guess how long she had left…'

'And how long did she have?' Vanderbrooks asked trying his best not to sound insensitive. 'They guessed six months or three years,' he replied, 'but they couldn't be certain…'

He stood up and lent against the wall. 'Do you know how it feels to have a knife cut through your soul, detective?' he asked, 'to know that your one true love will no longer be beside you when you wake up in the morning?'

'No.'

'Well that's how I felt but I knew that I must stay strong… for Mary.'

'She must have been very important to you?'

'She was; she was my everything.'

'I could only imagine the heartbreak you went through,' Vanderbrooks said. James regarded it as a very typical comment from a person who hadn't suffered a great tragedy, 'Yes,' James responded as he sat back down and stared at Vanderbrooks… he gave the detective a fixed, glassy, emotionless stare.

The New Assistant (Unfinished)

It was a normal day for Death, he sat at his fine oak desk and just sat back in the chair but he knew that he was scheduled to arrive at the scene of a horrific car crash where three people would be killed… sometimes he felt Fate was just so cruel in his motivations but it wasn't like he had the ability to change destiny, it was something that just is. The phone rang, Death picked up the receiver, 'Hello?' he asked.
'Death… God here,' God replied, 'I need to see you as soon as possible'
'Right away boss,' he put the receiver back on the hook. He got up and left the catalogue and index room, he walked down the stairs, grabbed his scythe and left his house. Soon, he arrived at God's office, he knocked on the door. 'God,' he announced, 'its Death.'
'Come in,' God said. Death opened the door, hung his scythe on nearby hook and sat down on a chair in front of God's desk, it was cluttered by paperwork. 'Now, Death,' he started, 'it has come to my attention that you are now starting to find it difficult to keep up with your workload.'
'Yes I am.'
'Well I have decided to give you an assistant, to help ease the workload.'
'Oh that's fantastic news!' Death said with a smile. If, however, you're one of those readers who like to point out inaccuracies in stories, I'll rephrase that. 'Oh that's fantastic news!' Death said, his eyes lit up; there… happy now?!
'But here's the thing,' God stumbled as he revealed the catch, 'your assistant… is going to be… a soul you're going to reap tonight.'
'Huh?'
'Fate tells me you're scheduled to appear at a car accident this evening, yes?'
'Yes, that's right,' Death answered, 'Fate told me that three people would die tonight.'
'Well, Fate actually changed his mind. He's going to have one person die in that car crash and her name is…' God began typing furiously on his computer, 'Martina Hix.'
'Is she a young girl?' Death asked, he was still repulsed by the idea of having to reap souls of the young, especially kids. God had pulled up the file on Martina Hix, 'Unfortunately yes,' He said, 'she's only 20.'
'Damn it.'
'I know how you feel about this but it can't be changed,' God sympathised, 'apparently, she was a never-mean-to-be sort.'
'I see,' Death kind of groaned at this, 'so I'm correcting mistakes again?'
'Looks like it,' God replied. Death got up from the chair, grabbed the scythe and stormed out of the office. Meanwhile back in our reality, Martina Hix was in her car and had set in motion the event leading to her demise. She was at a crossroads, the light was green but she checked both sides for any unexpected dangers. As she pulled out, a speeding car rammed into the side of hers; the collision was so devastating that it toppled Martina's car onto the side. She lay in heap with a broken neck and she felt her heart coming to a stop as she slowly closed her eyes.
'Er… Martina?' boomed a deep voice. Martina opened her eyes but could see nothing only darkness, 'Agh!' she screamed, 'I can't see!' However, she could feel that she was lying down.  'Here,' the voice boomed, 'take my hand.' The mysterious stranger helped her to feet; it felt weird though, his hand felt unusually… thin.
'Thank you,' she said, 'but I still can't see.'
'Hang on…' the deep-voiced stranger seemed to do something, 'there… how about now?'
'Yeah, thank…' Martina said but it instantly turned to a stammer when saw who was in front of her, 'you. What the…?'
'I know what you're thinking, all new souls think that. Let me introduce myself,' he said, 'I'm Death.'
'Okay, so I must be dead then,' Martina was trying to come to terms with what was happening. She then looked around her surroundings and looked at herself, she was now a skeleton. 'Agh!' she screamed, 'what's going on here, why am I a skeleton?'
'Well,' Death was trying calm her down, 'let's just go to my house and I'll explain it all over coffee, you do like coffee?' He asked that question quite calmly but could still sense Martina's reserve. Within moments they were standing outside Death's house… well, mansion really. 'Woah,' Martina exclaimed.
'I know,' Death said smugly. He fished a key from his pocket and opened the door; they stepped into the giant hallway and Martina gazed in awe at the sheer fantastic beauty of the main hall, 'C'mon into the kitchen,' Death urged her so she followed.
'Nice,' she said as she walked into the kitchen. Death made two coffees and placed them on the table, they sat down and Death tried to explain the situation to her. 'Well…' she said sternly, 'I'm listening.'
Death took a long sip from his coffee, 'Alrighty then,' he started, 'the situation is that you're my new assistant.'
'Assistant!?' she exclaimed.
'Yes,' Death tried to calm her down again, 'apparently, this was meant to be. This is all down to administration.'
'I find this cruelly unfair! My life comes to an end, and a violent end I might add… just so you can have an assistant!?'
'Look… if it was up to me, you would have gone on living but Fate made his decision.'
'But why me, I never believed in you or Fate!'
Death couldn't answer that question; he even wanted to come up with a guess to make her feel better but was left lost for words. Martina got up from her chair, 'Can't you even say anything to make me feel better?'
Death stared downwards. 'Right,' Martina said and left the room, Death then followed her into the living room. Martina had crashed down the sofa holding her head in her hands; she was still trying to absorb what happened. Death sat beside her and one of Martina's eyes fell on the floor. The dislodged eye was like a wakeup call for her.
'Okay then,' Martina picked up her eye and screwed it back in her eye socket, 'how will this assistant job work?'
Death became slightly happy when he heard that question; he knew that Martina had finally accepted the situation. 'Well,' he answered, 'we've got to get you a robe, c'mon'
'Like the one you're wearing?'
'That's the one.'
'Right then,' she said, 'let's go.' Minutes later, they were in the bedroom and Death went into his walk in closet where he found a robe for Martina. He later came out with a robe, 'Here try this one on,' he said and Martina took it. She pulled it on over her head and admired herself in the mirror; she kinda liked what she saw. 'Mmmm… I like it,' Martina voice had become deeper, 'hey, what's the deal with my voice?'
'Don't worry about it,' Death answered, 'it's like when a teenage male's voice breaks when he gets to thirteen plus it's also a requirement.'
'God's request?'
'Yep… He said it brings more "authenticity",' he said that in quotation fingers, 'to the role as does this.'
Death handed her a scythe and as she took it, she was feeling more like Death's assistant than ever. 'Okay,' she said confidently, 'I think I'm ready to start reaping now.' Death looked her up and down, he could see that she was ready to take on the challenge as she looked exactly like him, if not more so. Several days passed and Martina had now fit in to her new capacity as Death's assistant and even come to enjoy it.

Complaint against Mario

Tokyo, Japan

3:35p.m.

 
 

Narrator: We start this story at the worldwide HQ of Nintendo where Shiguru Miyamoto, the creatoor of Mario, is busy at his desk.

<BUZZ!>

Shiguru: Yes, Enichi?

Enichi: Sir, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are demanding to see you.

Shiguru: Oh God... send them in Enichi.

<DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING>

Shiguru: Ah guys... how nice to see you again, come in please, sit down please

Splinter: Thank you.

Shiguru: What can I do for you this time?

Splinter: My sons are very offended by your portrayal of turtles in your Mario games.

Raph: What are you anti-turtles or something!? I oughta take my sai and stick them up your--

Splinter: RAPHAEL! CONTROL YOURSELF!

Raph: Sorry, Master Splinter.

Shiguru: So, what do you want me to do about it?

Leo: Look, all we ask is that you be fair!

Shiguru: But Mario's been fighting turtles for over 20 years. You can't expect me to change just to suit you. Gotta stay with what sells, bitches!

Leo: But not only does he got after living ones, he goes after dead ones as well!

Don: That's pretty sick to me!

Mikey: Oh nice going guys you made Raph cry now!

Splinter: There, there...

Shiguru: Oh jeez... here Raph. Here's a Kleenex for you.

<RAPH BLOWS NOSE>

Mikey: Sonic at least saved turtles from Dr. Robotnik in Sonic 2!

Shiguru: So?

Mikey: So... can't you do something like that?

Shiguru: No!

Mikey: You suck, man!

Shiguru: Look... I can't change how the Mario games work, now go away!!

Leo: We want you to bring in a good turtle in the Mario games.

Shiguru: GO AWAY!!

Don: Raph was right... you are anti-turtle.

<DOOR SLAMS>

Shiguru: Whew...

<BUZZ>

Shiguru: WHAT!?

Enichi: Sonic to see you

Shiguru: What does he want?

The Descent Into Insanity

Bofe I start this, I would just like to say that this is a scene from 'Silent Hill 2' and I wrote in the 1st person and 3rd person narratives --

3RD PERSON NARRATIVE --
Coming out of the public rest stop overlooking the town, James walked to a wall and lent on it. He stared into the scenery and heard his late wife's resonating in his head; she was reading the letter he had recieved from her. 'In my restless dreams,' she began, 'I see that town... Silent Hill. You promised you'd take me there again someday, but you never did. Well, I'm alone there now, in our special place... waiting for you.'
Mary had died three years ago of a terminal illness and James had never been able to come to terms with the loss, now he gets this letter and has travelled to this town, certain that Mary was dead but with a small glimmer of hope that he'd be re-united with his lost love.
The main tunnel into town was blocked, there must have been some kind of accident, so James walked to his car and retrieved a map that was lying on the front seat. Studying it, he could see a path led into the town via the forest. He put the map in pocket and started walking the path.
The path was long and winding, James thought that he was lost and then he happened upon a large steel gate. He opened it and soon walked into a graveyard where he saw a young woman looking at tombstones. 'Excuse me, I...' he asked. The girl stood up in fright, 'I... I'm sorry,' she stammered, 'I... I was just...'
'No it's okay, I didn't mean to scare you,' he assured her, 'I'm kind of lost.'
'Lost?'
'Yeah, I'm looking for Silent Hill... is this the right way way?' he pointed in an easterly direction.
'Mmm yeah, it's hard to see with all this but there's only the one road, you can't miss it.'
'Thanks,' he said and turn to walk away. 'But...' the girl said, she was clearly rattled about something.
'Yes?' he said, looking back at her.
'I think you'd better stay away,' she warned him, James was puzzled by this.
'This... this town,' she continued, 'there's something "wrong" with it. It's kinda hard to explain but...'
'Is it dangerous?' he asked.
'Maybe...' she replied, 'and it's not the fog either. It's...'
'Okay I got it, I'll be careful,' he interrupted and turned to walk away. 'I'm not lying!' she cried. James turned around to face her, 'No... I believe you,' he said, 'It's just... I guess I really don'tt care if it's dangerous or not, I'm going to town either way.'
'But why?'
'I'm looking for... someone.'
'Who... who... who is it?'
'Someone... very important to me,' he put his hand to his forehead, 'I'd do anything if I could be with her again.'
'Me too... I'm looking for my mama, I mean my mother. It's been so long since I've seen her,' she said, 'I thought my father and brother were here but... I can't find them either.'
James took a step toward her. 'I'm sorry,' she said, 'it's not you problem.'
'No I...' he said, 'I hope you find them.'
'Yeah, you too.'
James walked away and came to another large steel gate, he opened it and went through.

1ST PERSON NARRATIVE --
Coming out of the public rest stop overlooking the town, I walked to a wall and lent on it. I stared into scenery and heard the voice of my late wife running through my head; she was reading the letter I had recieved from her. 'In my restless dreams,' she began, 'I see that town... Silent Hill. You promised you'd take me there again someday... but you never did. Well, I'm alone there now in our special place... waiting for you.'
Mary had died of that damn disease three years ago and I have never came to terms with it, now I get this letter and travelled to this town. I'm certain that Mary is dead but is there a chance that she's really alive... waiting for me?
The main tunnel into the town is blocked, perhaps there was some kind of accident? I walked to my car and retrieve a map lying on the front seat. Studying it, I could see a path leading to town via the forest. I put the map in my pocket and started walking the path into town.
It was long and winding, I thought I was lost and then I found a large steel gate. I opened it and went through into a graveyard and saw a young woman looking at tombstones. 'Excuse me, I...' I asked. The girl stood up in fright, 'I... I'm sorry,' she stammered, 'I... I was just...'
'No it's okay, I didn't mean to scare you,' I assured, 'I'm kind of lost.'
'Lost?'
'Yeah, I'm looking for Silent Hill... is this the right way?' I pointed in an easterly direction.
'Mmm yeah, it's hard to see with this fog but there's only the one road, you can't miss it.'
'Thanks...' I said and turned to walk away. 'But...' the girl said, she was clearly rattled about something.
'I think you'd better stay away,' she warned me, I was puzzled by this.
'Yes?' I asked looking back at her.
'This... this town, there's something wrong with it. It's kinda hard to explain but...'
'Is it dangerous?' I asked.
'Maybe...' she replied, 'and it's not just the fog either. It's...'
Okay I got it, I'll be careful,' I interrupted an turned to walk away. 'I'm not lying!' she cried, I turned to face her, 'No... I believe you,' I said, 'It's just... I guess I really don't care if it's dangerous or not, I'm going to town either way.'
'But why?'
'I'm looking for... someone.'
'Who... who... who is it?'
'Someone... very important to me,' I put my hand to my forehead, 'I'd do anything if I could be with her again.'
'Me too... I'm looking for my mama, I mean my mother. It's been so long since I've seen her,' she said, 'I thought my father and brother were here but... I can't find them either.'
I took a step toward her. 'I'm sorry,' she said, 'it's not your problem.'
'No I...' I said, 'I hope you find them.'
'Yeah, you too.'
I walked away and came to another large steel gate. I opened it and went through.

Death's Desire

Many people speculate, theorise even, that there is another plain of existence, another reality within our reality and most people would call them crazy lunatics but these ‘crazy lunatics’ are spot on… there is another reality within our own but in actual fact, it is Death’s Domain. In this place resides Death, or The Grim Reaper for those of you who are more familiar with that pseudonym, where he lives in a massive house complete with lounge, 2 bedrooms (in case a person dies during the night), sauna/Jacuzzi room (should he need to unwind after a very hard day’s reaping) and most importantly, the catalogue and index room.
In the catalogue and index room, there are literally millions upon millions of autobiographies have been written or still are being written (books have now gone out of fashion and most autobiographies are being typed out on computer, however, this turns out to be a nightmare as the wiring often gets tangled up and it would take quite a while to sort them out) and on a desk made from the finest oak, lies the ledger. The ledger contains the names of those soon to expire and need to be reaped. Nearly every minute, more and more names appear on it.
The job can get fairly monotonous and repetitive… y’know someone dies, reap soul, escort soul to Heaven or Hell and the cycle continuously repeats itself however, Death, somehow, manages to take some personal time to either sit back and relax, drink a nice hot chocolate, relax in the sauna or Jacuzzi or even just watch some TV or a DVD.
Death swung open the front door and plonked his scythe on a shelf he had screwed to the wall; it was a particularly hard day for him as he came home exhausted. He went up the stairs and into his bedroom where he changed out of his trademark jet black cloak and into a jet black robe and a pair of ahem… fuzzy pink slippers. Minutes later, he walked into his lounge and crashed down on the sofa in front of his 42” inch hi-def plasma screen television. For an entity with no visible means of support, he was doing very well for himself I mean, I’d like a 42” inch hi-def plasma screen television wouldn’t you?
Anyway… using his bony hand, he clicked a button on the remote and the screen flickered on then he surfed through the channels to find program he felt was suitable. Finally, he stopped on the E! Channel. An update was on…
‘Good evening, I’m Kathryn Jameson with the latest entertainment update. Carlton Edwards is getting back into the director’s chair after a two-year absence, his latest offering “The Scorpion’s Sting: The Blood of The Angels” promises to be his best film yet and he hopes it will become a blockbuster… ‘Death sat up; he had always been a fan of Carlton Edwards’ movies. The reporter continued ‘… The movie is only about three days away from its premiere at the Chinese Theatre’Death clicked the television off. ‘Hmm,’ he pondered, ‘I think its time to see Mr. Edwards.’ and with that thought in mind, he walked out of the room.
Carlton was arriving home from the studio; he was just doing a final edit on his film, and had arrived back at his apartment. Throwing the car keys onto the door side table, he walked into the lounge, opened his liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of Bourbon and a large glass. After pouring the drink and throwing a few ice cubes in it, he carefully crashed down on the sofa and turned on his TV with the remote.
He took a sip from his drink while surfing through the channels, nothing particularly interesting was on. ‘Nothing on, eh?’ asked a deep, booming, sinister voice. Carlton immediately sat up and swallowing hard, turned around slowly and saw a seven-foot tall figure in a jet black cloak carrying a scythe. Carlton screamed and jumped off the sofa, throwing the glass out of his hand.
‘Calm down,’ Death said hesitantly, ‘calm down!’
‘Oh my…’ Carlton exclaimed, ‘who are you?’
‘Are you really that clueless? I’m Death… The Grim Reaper’‘I suppose you’ve come for my soul haven’t you?’
‘Nope, I want to ask you a favour’
‘Sure… I must say, I expected you to have glowing red eyes not glowing baby blue eyes’
‘Oh yeah well, most films portray me as a menacing and deadly figure especially those “Final Destination” movies… as if I’d really be that petty, I should see the writers of those films and let them know about my extreme displeasure of my portrayal,’ Death seemed a bit angry, so Carlton decided that it would be best if he steered away from the eyes topic and dive straight in with the question… ‘What’s the favour you want me to do for you?’
‘Oh yes, I was wondering if I could attend the premiere of your new movie?’
Carlton’s jaw dropped… he was shocked that Death wanted to go to a premiere of a movie, especially his movie.
‘Wouldn’t you have reapings or something that night?’ he asked.
‘Well yes, but I always have someone to fill in for me’
‘And who would that be? You don’t have a clone of yourself, do you?’
‘Unfortunately no, God wouldn’t shell out the cash for a clone… He can be so cheap sometimes. My stand-in is a guy named Bob’
‘Bob?’ Carlton asked as he raised an eyebrow. ‘Yeah, Bob,’ Death replied ‘he’s a real natural and takes a pleasure in filling in from time to time’
Carlton felt they were veering off topic again and Death also had that feeling. ‘So, you want to attend my movie premiere eh?’ Carlton asked to re-adjust the conversation back to its original state.‘Yes… I need this, I’ve got to take a break from my work,’ Death said ‘you don’t know the repetitiveness of the job’
‘I don’t know, I don’t think your attendance wouldn’t go down too well with the crowd’
‘I suppose not,’ he replied ‘but I need to escape the monotony of my job y’know’
Carlton brushed his hand through his hair and then, starting to stroke his chin. ‘True, no one works harder than you,’ he mused, ‘okay, you can come as my guest of honour’
Death became excited. ‘Fantastic!’ he exclaimed, ‘what time shall I arrive at?’
‘Seven o’clock’
‘Will do… see you at seven then’ he said, and then he walked away and seemed to disappear. Carlton was unsure as to what to do next, so he went back to his liquor cabinet and got out the largest glass. He walked back to the sofa crashed down on it, poured the Bourbon into the glass, put the empty bottle on the table in front of him and then started drinking.
Three days had passed and passed rather quickly I might add… anyway, the big day had finally arrived and Carlton was excited, ‘Hello,’ boomed a familiar voice.
‘Look,’ Carlton said angrily, ‘you’ve gotta stop sneaking around like that’
‘Sorry… force of habit’
‘Hey, I like the outfit’
‘Thanks… I mainly wear this when I’m reaping the souls of celebrities or royalty,’ Death was wearing a jet-black robe with hundreds of diamonds and jewels sown into the lining, he was carrying a golden scythe too.
‘I’m not so sure about the scythe though’
‘But it’s my thing!’ Death whined.
‘Okay…’ Carlton said, ‘c’mon, let’s get going or we’ll be late.’
‘Coming,’ Death said, they both left the hall and Carlton locked the door behind him. They got into Carlton’s seriously expensive sports car, buckled up, pulled out of the driveway and sped off.Meanwhile at the Chinese Theatre, crowds of excitable fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars; several paparazzi were also in attendance to get that best selling photo for those glitzy magazines and the newspapers.
The first celeb to arrive was Ariel Heath-Kieldling, the female lead, wearing a beautiful diamond studded gown, it was quite a change from the character she portrayed in the movie but in any case, she bathed in the glow of flash bulbs and revelled in the cheers from the crowd. She smiled and waved to the crowd as she traversed the red carpet, trying to make the dress sway in the gentle breeze.
Next to walk the carpet was the male lead, Tyler Harrison. He also received the same attention from the crowd as Ariel did, except there were cries of ‘Show us your abs!’ from some certain female fans. Tyler was going to oblige but he was hurried into the theatre by his bodyguard.
Several other cast members walked the carpet and they did receive the same amount of cheering and attention from the fans but the crowd was faking interest.
Just then, the car of importance pulled up… Carlton got out of the car and then helped Death out of the car. They both walked the carpet and the crowd fell silent, they waved and smiled nervously to the crowd. ‘I told you your attendance wouldn’t be well received!’ Carlton said angrily through clenched teeth as they continued walking down the carpet.The paparazzi still took photos and could imagine what the headlines would say in the papers but however, Death was treated like a celebrity. His diamond and jewel encrusted cloak sparkled and twinkled as the camera flashbulbs popped. Inside the ushers helped them to their seats. Death, Carlton and the other stars took their seats in the VIP box.
‘Can you do something about your eyes?’ Carlton asked
‘What?’
‘Well, the lights will be going down soon’
‘Oh yes,’ Death replied and pulled his hood over his eyes.
‘Can you see through that?’ Carlton asked.
‘Yep,’ Death replied. The lights went down and the movie began. It began with a strange cult gathering and a ritualistic murder taking place, nothing gory was shown but the suggestion was there. Death was riveted. The movie then went to tell the story of how reporter Rachel Bradshaw, played by Ariel Heath-Kieldling, and New York detective Andrew Morris, played by Tyler Harrison, became embroiled in a mystery where it soon became apparent that the fate of the world was at stake.
When the movie finished and as the credits rolled, the audience gave a boisterous applause which gradually became a standing ovation. In that case, Carlton and his cast stars walked down to the screen and bowed.Afterwards, Carlton and Death arrived back at Carlton’s apartment.
‘Well…’ Death started as he got out of the car, ‘thank you for that’
‘What did you think?’ Carlton asked.
‘I loved it… I thought it was well directed and well acted’
‘Good’
‘Well I gotta go,’ Death said, ‘got a job to do and all that’
‘Okay’ Carlton got out of the car and shook Death’s hand. Death walked away.
‘I hope…’ Death said, ‘not to see you again too soon’
He said that in a sinister tone and looked back at him with intense, glowing red eyes. Carlton hastily searched his pocket and pulled out his keys; he ran to the front door and struggled to get the key into the keyhole. Eventually, he achieved this opened the door and slammed it behind him.
Death’s eyes went from red to blue and he quietly chuckled to himself and said, ‘Hah… gets them every time!’
THE END