wingshooting

wingshooting [[Start|Intro0REAL]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) <==> With my left eye closed and my rifle trained towards the sky, I was bent on taking something home. My arms shook, straining like I was posing for a picture. A flurry of white, my trigger finger went down. I yelped at the recoil, dropping my gun and feeling weak in the knees. [[> |Intro2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) <==> The goose fell like a shooting star arcing across the sky, dropping like a fly from her flock, and I heard a thud before me. She found her resting place in a pile of her own feathers, body contorted, wings splayed around her. The picture of an angel. It was the most beautiful death I'd ever seen. [[> |Intro3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) <== "She didn't deserve to die," I looked at my feet, choking back a lump in my throat. <== "She was probably just trying to go somewhere. Or visit someone. Her friends didn't even stop to mourn, or anything." ==> "These things happen," my father said. <==> And bile crept up my throat, staring at the angel among deer carcasses, but I had no choice but to believe my father. [[>|Intro4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) <==> Even through dinner, over venison, I couldn’t get the image out of my head. In my bed, I looked to the ceiling, sweat beading at my temple. I laid awake that night, thinking. About that poor goose’s twisted neck, its pale feathers, its (text-colour:red)[[crimson insides.|Day1-1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) (text-style: "italic")["Good morning, beautiful Gispointley Peak!"] Is usually what's on the radio, during my routine walk to school. No matter where you go, you'd hear it. I walk down the street, cross the road, and I can hear it from my neighbor's porch. (text-style: "italic")["--May Boucher has been found dead this morning. Our condolences go out to her family."] There it is again. I hasten the rhythm of my steps, away from the white picket fences. Previous to this, it was always "May has been reported missing" or "We are continuing the search for May." Everyone was clinging onto what little hope remained, but now... [[>|Day1-2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I glance up at the trees as I walk the path. Spring is coming. Pink blossoms from the trees. [[>|Day1-3]]

At school, I sit at my desk, looking straight ahead to the cross hung above the blackboard. [[Front?|Day1-3-Front]] [[Left?|Day1-3-Left]] [[Right?|Day1-3-Right]] (if: (history:) contains "Day1-3-Front" and (history:) contains "Day1-3-Left" and (history:) contains "Day1-3-Right")[ [[>|Day1-4]]] (else:)[]

In between worksheets and lectures, I talk, and I eavesdrop. It's only routine. [[Mrs. Barnaby|Day1-3-Teacher]] [[Group of girls|Day1-3-Girls]] [[Beverley|Day1-3-Beverley]] (if: (history:) contains "Day1-3-Teacher" and (history:) contains "Day1-3-Girls" and (history:) contains "Day1-3-Beverley")[ [[>|Day1-5]]] (else:)[]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I walk home. My mom has made us dinner. I sit at the table and pick at my peas. The flickering television gives out a speech. //"Today, a gathering has congregated in respect for May. Our condolences go out to her family." // ==> My mom sighs in that way where she's trying to emphasize something. "What a shame. It would be terrible if something like that happened to you, Addison." My dad shakes his head. "Poor girl." [[>|Day1-6]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I do my homework, then I fall asleep, knowing that I'd just be doing the same thing again tomorrow. These days, it's just a cycle. I dream of nothing at all. [[Sleep. |Day2-1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) (text-style: "italic")["Good morning, beautiful Gispointley Peak!"] The radio drones. An older woman chokes back a sob within the frequencies. A relative, I presume, maybe her mother, even. (text-style: "italic")[ "--I didn't know why May would've just vanished. She seemed like she had it all together, really..."] There it is again. I hasten the rhythm of my steps, away from the white picket fences. [[>|Day2-2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I glance up at the trees as I walk the path. Spring is coming. Pink blossoms from the trees. [[>|Day2-3]]

At school, I sit at my desk, looking straight ahead to the cross hung above the blackboard. [[Front?|Day2-3-Front]] [[Left?|Day2-3-Left]] [[Right?|Day2-3-Right]] (if: (history:) contains "Day2-3-Front" and (history:) contains "Day2-3-Left" and (history:) contains "Day2-3-Right")[ [[>|Day2-4]]] (else:)[]

In between worksheets and lectures, I talk, and I eavesdrop. It's only routine. [[May's desk|Day2-3-May]] [[Group of girls|Day2-3-Girls]] (if: (history:) contains "Day2-3-May" and (history:) contains "Day2-3-Girls")[ [[>|Day2-5]]] (else:)[]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I walk home. The sun sets over the hills and the churches. My family's got the TV on again. My dad flips between channels. A laugh track plays. May's on the news again. ==> "See-- It's a good thing that you never stuck out like her," my mom said. "Those kinds of pretty girls, they only get into trouble." <== Today, it's spaghetti. I twirl my fork around and around again, endlessly twirling the golden strands. Maybe she's right. [[>|Day2-6]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I do my homework, drumming my pencil against the side of my temple. Excitement buzzes within me as I try to predict what'll happen tonight. It's something to look forward to. I look at myself in the mirror, combing my hair so it lays flat. My face is dotted with freckles and blemishes, pigmented in some places. My eyes are half-lidded. I look sleepy all the time. I've been this way all my life. Never been called pretty, or admired for my looks. I'm just plain. I'll probably never look as beautiful as Beverley, that's for sure. I'll probably never look as beautiful as (text-style:"shudder")[May.] (text-style:"shudder")[...] [[>|Day2-7]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I wake up and I don't want to go to school. (text-style: "italic")["--We continue the search for the person responsible for May's death."] I have the urge to clap my hands over my ears, just so I wouldn't have to hear about her anymore. [[>|Day3-2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Pink dots the trees that give me shade. Spring is here, but it'll be over sooner than I know it. The blossoms will eventually wither and fall, staining the path I walk with a murky brown. [[>|Day3-3]]

At school, I... [[Front?|Day3-3-Front]] [[Left?|Day3-3-Left]] [[Right?|Day3-3-Right]] (if: (history:) contains "Day3-3-Front" and (history:) contains "Day3-3-Left" and (history:) contains "Day3-3-Right")[ [[>|Day3-4]]] (else:)[]

I talk, and I eavesdrop. It's only routine. [[The news|Day3-4-News]] (if: (history:) contains "Day3-4-News")[ [[>|Day3-5]]] (else:)[]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) When I walk out of the school doors, I see Beverley waiting by the gate, just as she said. [[Walk past her|Leave1]] [[Go along with her|Smile1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) My eyes linger a bit on the empty desk in front of me. It's hard not to look when it's right in front of you. It’s been empty for around two months now. I know exactly why, but I tend to stray from the thought and shove it in the back of my mind. [[>|Day1-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) To the left, I hear girls chirping about rolling up their skirts. One of them peeps about getting away with just a little pink lip color. Spring, the time of year when the flowers are blooming and it’s just beginning to heat up again. The days are longer and brighter. I know they'll be flitting out and about getting into trouble. [[>|Day1-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) To the right, Beverley. White-blonde, almost translucent hair held up to one side by a characteristic pink barrette. Glassy, pale skin. Blue diamond eyes that seem to play and tumble in the sunlight. Most of all, that hypnotic gaze, paired with her smile like a string of pearls. I glance over. She’s diligently laying out her books before her, bible stacked on top. Her eyes are so annoyingly round and honest that I wonder if she’s ever done anything wrong in her life. [[>|Day1-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Mrs. Barnaby looks up at me from the stack of papers that's accumulating on her desk. ==> "Yes?" She says, with an edge of exhaustion. It almost makes me feel bad for even approaching her. <== "I just wanted to hand this in late," I say. ==> "Usually, I wouldn't accept this, Addison." She sighs, taking the paper. "But I know it's been hectic lately. This is all affecting us in different ways." <== I look away and nod silently. She's right. Everyone acts so strange, lately. [[>|Day1-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) ==> "It was so sudden, I don't know what to do," Emily frets. Jane says, "I really liked May. I'll miss her a lot." "My parents are never going to let me out anymore," Ruby cries. "Well, what do you think of all this, Addison?" <== I fall silent. I'm not sure what to say. In the meantime, Emily seems to continue. ==> "Hey, how do you think Beverley is doing?" She says, voice quiet. "She and May were best friends since elementary. The golden duo, those two. Inseparable." "Oh, geez. I don't know," Says Jane. "She must be really sad about all this." [[>|Day1-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Beverley sits by herself with her hands folded as if she were praying. The sunlight hits her just so. She's untouchable. "I'm sorry," is all I can offer to her. ==> "Don't worry about it," She dismisses me with a delicate smile. "It's not your fault." <== "Still," I say. How many times was she told "I'm sorry" today, I wonder? [[>|Day1-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) ==> "Do you have anything to say about May?" I'm met with a microphone. <== "I just don't care. She probably wouldn't have wanted this, don't you think? She probably didn't want to be looked at as some tragic figure." [[>|Day3-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) The girls are excitedly talking amongst themselves. ==> "Sam organized a party tonight. Wanna come?" "Sure thing!" <== All-girls school-goers are bound to be excited when a party has boys at it. They're trying to keep it quiet, but the whole classroom knows. ==> Beverley approaches with a sweet smile. "What're you all up to?" <== I see the rest of the girls go silent and look at each other for a moment. I say, "We're going to a party tonight. You should come." ==> She nods and says "I'll be there." [[>|Day2-3-Girls2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) As Beverley walks away, Jane turns to me. ==> "Do you think that was... insensitive?" "Yeah," Emma muses. "She must still be grieving." <== "Come on, you guys..." I say. "She must want to have fun, too." In reality, maybe I was just looking for an excuse to see her out of her element. [[>|Day2-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) When the clock strikes 12, I climb out of my window and into the frigid night. I hope my parents can't hear my footsteps against the floor-- They wouldn't want me out. I follow the instructions Ruby gave me a few hours ago. Down to the river bank, take a left at the stump, further into the forest... [[>|Party1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I know I'm in the right place when I hear giggling through the leaves. A soft light emantes from the trees. Our spot of choice is the rocky edge of a lake, lit only by flashlights and lanterns. Emily had said Sam was going to bring stuff, and she was right. A couple of spent cans dot the shore. I can make out a few of my classmates' faces. [[>|Party2]]

I scan the scene, unsure of who to talk to. [[Group by the tree|Party2-Boys]] [[Boy at the cooler|Party2-Cooler]] [[Group by the lake|Party2-Girls]] (if: (history:) contains "Party2-Cooler" and (history:) contains "Party2-Girls" and (history:) contains "Party2-Boys")[ Out of the corner of my blurry vision, I see a flash of white-blonde. [[Beverley|Party2-Beverley]]] (else:)[]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I approach the boy who's tending to the cooler. ==> "Hey. You want any of this?" <== I shake my head, seeing how the rest of the crowd is getting rowdy. [[>|Party2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) The girls are chattering amongst themselves, conversing with the boys. A couple of them are cracking jokes, trying to impress each other. ==> "May, May, May, it's all I hear nowadays... I'll tell you, she wasn't as innocent as she looked." David quirks his eyebrow. "I bet she makes a nice-looking corpse." <== A couple girls gasp and giggle. "Don't say that! Beverley's right there!" [[>|Party2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) A couple of my classmates are trying to climb the tree, shouting and hooting. [[>|Party2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) ==> "No, I'm fine. It's alright." Beverley's trying to reject a can of beer right now. "C'mon, try some, won't you?" "No use, Daniel. This girl's totally straight-laced!" Joann giggles. Upon seeing me, Beverley seems relieved. "Addison!" She says, then turns to the rest of the group. "Sorry to cut our conversation short, but I wanted to talk with her." She quickly grabs my hand then leads us both away. <== [[>|Party2-Beverley2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) "You didn't even let me say hi to them," I say. ==> She smiles. "Sorry." I could be imagining things, but her voice wavers a bit. "Do you mind if we sit down for a little? I'm feeling tired." [[>|Party2-Beverley3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) We end up sitting on the grass at the other side of the lake, the clamor of my classmates only an echo. It's just me, Beverley, and the crickets. ==> "Pretty lively out there, huh?" <== "You wanted to talk to me about something?" ==> "Not really... I just wanted to get away for a bit." [[>|Party2-Beverley4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) <==> In the heat of the summer, I was just eleven. My father took me hunting early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking. My days were never filled with ballet or tea-parties, even if I begged and pleaded-- That just wasn't practical, he said. He always took me out hunting as if I was his son that never was. The hike up the hill always made my shorts chafe against my sweaty thighs. My arms ached from carrying a rifle. [[> |Intro1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) "Why bring me along?" ==> "Well... I just..." Her smile falls. "I just wanted some company, away from everyone..." "You heard what they were saying, right?" [[>|Party2-Beverley5]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) About May. "I did." ==> "Hasn't everyone been a little strange lately? About her. Talking like they all knew her." "In reality, no one did. Not even me, maybe... that's why she's gone. I wish I could've known why she went away, or asked a little more. That way, she might still be here" [[>|Party2-Beverley6]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) ==> "It's strange, isn't it? How everyone talks about her. They wouldn't care this much if she was alive, right?" <== The light from across the lake is just enough to let me see the red in Beverley's eyes. ==> "I feel like people might only care about what I have to say once I'm dead." [[>|Party2-Beverley7]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) "Yeah," I say, hesitantly. "Me too." ==> "Ha-ha. I guess we're really birds of a feather." <== She stands up, rubbing the tears from her eyes. ==> "Tomorrow, I'm going to leave this stupid town. I'm gonna fly far away. Somewhere, anywhere but here. I'm going to go to a place where I can be free. More than the dead girl's friend... More than a pretty corpse waiting to happen." [[>|Party2-Beverley9]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I think I never liked Beverley-- Or, maybe it'd be better to say that I resented her. When she sits just to the right of me, I see her in the corner of my eye in the classroom. She's the one everyone wants to talk to. She's the pretty and smart one. She gets all the attention. She the one that everyone looks for. But seeing her now, fist clenched and trembling like prey, I don't know what to feel. In the back of my mind, I picture my finger over that rifle trigger and a flurry of white... [[>|Party2-Beverley8]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) She pauses a bit, then looks at me. ==> "You should come along with me, Addison." <== "I'll think about it," I say. ==> "I'll be waiting by the gate at the end of school tomorrow. You only get one chance, okay? If you say no, I'm going without you." <== I don't want to look at her, because I know I'll have no choice but to follow her if I do. [[>|Party2-Beverley10]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) ... She turns her back and walks away into the darkness. I walk back home, my feet feeling heavier than ever When my head hits the pillow, I try not to think anything other than [[sleep.|Day3-1]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) May was always in front of me. When my teacher gets to her seat during roll call, she pauses a bit. "Addison," she says after her pause. I raise my hand and say, "Here." [[>|Day2-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) The girls are lively as ever, buzzing with excitement, but it seems like they're whispering to each other instead of the usual cackle. They're trying to keep a secret. I know they're up to something. [[>|Day2-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) A couple girls surround Beverley's desk. Everyone always wants to know about her and May. It must be nice to have all that attention. [[>|Day2-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) A couple of people have set flowers on May's desk. The seat is empty as always. [[>|Day2-4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Nobody's moved May's desk since she left. Nobody's even touched it. It's a faint hint at the fact that she was really here, once. Just a distant memory. The news crew takes a picture of May's desk. [[>|Day3-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) The girls are talking to each other about the events that happened last night. They dissolve into laughter, waving their hands about. ==> "Shh, shh... quieter... The news people are filming over there" "They're real nosy, aren't they?" [[>|Day3-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Beverley is always poised like she's having a picture taken. Well, nowadays, I'm sure lots of pictures are being taken of her. The news always want to know about May, so they ask her. [[>|Day3-3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I glance at her just once and she meets my eyes, but I walk past her without another word. I try hard not to look behind me because I know she'll be there. Sad, maybe? Crying? Angry? Frustrated at me, and the world? Or maybe... relieved. [[>|Leave2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I smile at her and she grins back. We don't say anything. [[>|Smile2]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) My mom's cooked dinner for us. I can't really taste anything. ==> "You've hardly touched your venison, Addison," she says. <== "I'm just not hungry," I say. I turn my fork in my hand. Distantly, I hear the television go on about May again. I start to tune out, until-- [[>|Leave3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) She's taken my hand. We walk along the sidewalk, under the falling blossoms. My backpack weighs against my shoulders, but I feel freer than ever. [[>|Smile3]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) The sun is setting now, over the churches and the hills. "Do you know where we're going?" I ask her. ==> "Yeah," She says, distantly. "Just follow me." [[>|Smile4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) We walk until my feet hurt. We're going into the forest now, the twigs brushing against my calves. Overhead, birds fly in flocks. I wonder where they're going. I wonder what birds think, sometimes. Time and time again, they're hunted for their feathers. I wonder if people think they're more beautiful with lead in their wings, perfectly still, preserved forever, poised for a picture. [[>|Smile5]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) When the moon is high over our heads, we walk on. ==> "I wonder what they'll say when they realize we're gone." <== I don't answer, I only put my head down and keep walking. Left, right, left, right... [[>|Smile6]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) It's getting colder now. I'm barely dressed well for the occasion. My breath drifts off into the night like a ghost. "It's cold," I say, shivering. ==> "It is," Beverley says. <== Left, right, left, right... [[>|Smile7]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) She leads me to a lake, the moon winking into the water, completely still. ==> "We're here." <== She takes her shoes off at the edge of the lake. ==> "Come along." <== She wades into the water, and I know what to do. [[>|Smile8]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I step into the water, the cold biting into my skin. I don't feel it at all. We wade further in. I hear her shivering. She must hear my teeth chattering. I submerge myself into the water, face to the stars. I see a flock of geese pass me overhead. I reach out to Beverley, and I can't feel my fingers. I smile, I laugh, I shudder, my chest hurts. I feel beautiful. (text-style:"blur")[...] [[>|Smile9]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) I feel like Ophelia. (text-style:"blur")[I feel like Joan of Arc.] (text-style:"blurrier")[I feel like I'm going to fall into a deep] [[>|Smile10]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) // "...An ongoing search for a young woman by the name of Beverley Martin..." // My blood turns cold. I get up, stilted, and put my dishes in the sink [[>|Leave4]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) At night, I lie awake, eyes wide open. My clock tick, tick, ticks. Sweat collects at my forehead. Tomorrow, I'll walk down the path that I usually take. The flowers will litter the pathway. I'll hear the radio say something about Beverley, and I'll want to be sick. Tomorrow, I'll go to school. I'll sit and look at the cross above the blackboard. This time, I won't want to look to the front, nor the right. The girls will be sad, of course, but their gossip will pick up again as usual. And tomorrow, I'll be doing the same things again. [[>|Leave5]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) [[Sleep.|Intro0]]

(enchant: ?passage's chars, via (t8n-delay:pos * 30) +(t8n-skip:100s) + (t8n:'instant')) Although I close my eyes, all I see is pictures of white feathers, white hair. [[Sleep.|Intro0]]