Crooked Wings Productions

The Prophecy - Chapter 2

2009-05-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Chapter 2 of my story The Prophecy is up and running. And I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that I have been working on a new episode in the Night Heroes series. It should be out really soon. And there's less than one month to go for half days, so new updates are on the way. Also, I have been writing Confessions, and I have many chapters finished, all that is left are the pictures to go with it.

You can read The Prophecy here: http://myrivia.blogspot.com/

The Prophecy & The Sims

2009-04-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

Summer is approaching, days have started to get longer, the sun is shining, temperatures are rising.... So now that March is behind us, we can almost officially declare that summer has come again to our little island. The only thing that I'm going to miss this summer is not living at the beach, although you never know where I might end up. What I know for sure is that I am going to be down at the beach everyday, and every night like always, so it won't make much difference where I will be sleeping, as long as I know that most of my waking hours will be down by the sea.

Now I am anxiously waiting for mid-June to come, so that I will start working half-days, and then I can get back to my Sims. Retirement wasn't good for me. I kept missing my little virtual friends, and wanting to get back to them.

My novel as far as it goes, is finished, and I know that it's not something that's going to be published. For it to even be considered by editors, it has to go through so many cuts and edits, that it won't look like my work at all. I do not want to compromise my style for the sake of publishing. Maybe someday I will get back to it, and see what can be done, but for the time being, I've decided to leave it as it is, because I am quite happy with it, and I do not want to change it for something that might never happen. What I have decided to do is to start posting it to a blog. I have written that novel under a different name, actually it's an anagram of my name, Leann Rio, and that's how it will appear on my blog. So if any of you will receive comments, or anything from a Leann Rio, just know that's it still the same old plain me :-)

The link to that blog will be http://myrivia.blogspot.com/. Feel free to visit and leave your comments. The first chapter is already up and running.

Warning! There are no Sim pictures in this blog. I wish I could compliment the story with Sim pictures but it's too complicated for me to take the pictures to go along with the chapters. But if there's anyone out there, with a lot of imagination, and an even lot more time on their hands, who think they can do the pictures, feel free to contact me :-) Also, this is a Young Adult's novel, so there are no age restrictions on it.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

2009-02-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, so finally I have come around to writing this. I've been putting this off since December, hoping that things will change, but the more time passes, the more I know there's not going to be a way out.

So today, with a broken heart, I'm officially declaring my semi-retirement from Sim writing.

I have been trying and trying to find the time to sit down and load the game, and take some pictures, but it's impossible. There's so much going in my life right now, and my free time is being taken up with my novel, and my other writings. I wish I could find the time to really enjoy playing the game, and creating stories with my Sims, but in real life, not all wishes can come true.

I am not going off into full retirement only for one reason - I am hoping that when June rolls around, and I will start working half-days again, maybe I will be able to squeeze in some time for my game during the afternoons.

I am still writing these stories - in fact Night Heroes is almost finished, and I'm still writing Confessions; I will never stop writing, it's the games that I have no time for. I will leave what I've already put up, in the hope that someday I could come back to them. I will still keep following your stories when I get the chance, and giving feedback as always.

So for the time being, farewell my friends, and most importantly, thank you all for your support, and for reading my stories, and for leaving me comments.

Maybe we will meet again in June.

xxxx

Lorianne

December news

2008-12-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

Right! I'm really proud of that. I managed to write 50,000 words in one month - well, a little over 53,000 to be more precise. The novel is far from finished though, but I am trying to keep the pace, and write a little everyday, and finish it by the end of 2008.

Of course once that is finished, I know that it will be far from ready to share. There are many plots that go nowhere, plots that change their course halfway, names that have been changed and stuff like that. During the new year, I will editing, and re-writing it, and probably it will be a totally different story from the one I wrote, when it is finished. And even then, I have no idea what I am going to do with it.

My original idea was to write this story for the Sims, but then as I was writing, I got carried away, and I know that there is no way that I will ever be able to take the pictures to go with the story. Apart from being too complicated, I simply do not have the time for that. Maybe someday, I will re-edit it for The Sims, who knows?

What really matters is that I wanted to write a novel, and I have. And I don't care if it's good or not - I did it!!

------------

Now, for my Sims Stories news.

I have taken some time off from my Sims, because Nano Wrimo has taken up a lot of my time. And now I simply have to find the time to come with another update. I am finding it very hard at the moment, because with my real life, and my new job, I really do not have time to play the game, and take the pictures. I have kept on writing the stories though. Night Heroes is almost finished (and that's my next goal), and Confessions is a work in progress that is coming along beautifully. Now if only I could just squeeze in some time to take those pictures....

Oh, for those glorious summer days, when I work half days and can spend the afternoons at the beach, or blissfully playing my Sims!!!!

NaNo WriMo

2008-11-01T07:12:00.001-07:00

So see y'all in December! xxx

Cast of Characters

2008-10-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have just added a video with the cast of characters in the story Confessions of a Snow Queen. I have done this so that one can easily keep track of all the different characters that will be introduced from time to time, (and so that I can also keep track of them and the timelines)

The video may contain spoilers, as you are told what is the role of each character in the story. Not that it will spoil much of the story, but I still feel that I should warn you about it.

I have put the characters in order of appearance, as they appear in the story, and have included the characters that appear up to Chapter 4. I will be updating this with every chapter, or as needed.

Anyway, if you would like to check this video it is here: http://crookedvideos.blogspot.com/2008/10/confessions-of-snow-queen.html

I'd love to know if you like this format, or if you would like me to put the character list in another format.

Confessions of a Snow Queen - Chapter 3

2008-09-26T14:12:00.001-07:00

Chapter 3 - Brandon

Chapter 3 of this series is finally out. You can read it by following this link:

http://confessionsofasnowqueen.blogspot.com/2008/09/chapter-3-brandon.html

Also, I must add that I have finally redone all my lost Sims, all that is left is to move them into the new neighbourhood that I create specifically for the stories. So hopefully I will soon be able to continue with my updates.

Update on my progress.

2008-09-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here's how things have progressed so far:

After I reinstalled everything like I told you, I discovered that I had lost my neighbourhood with the Sims in it. So I rebuilt my Sims from scratch.

Then I moved my Downloads folder back into the game, and spent an entire evening re-installing all the lots. Stupid me, now that My Documents is on the enormous D drive, I decided to just go ahead and install every single lot that I had. When I tried to load the game, it simply would not load. It froze on the screen [this usually happens when there is bad CC in the Downloads folder]. I took a look at the Downloads folder and discovered that there were almost 13,000 CC objects in it.

I almost despaired, as I knew it was going to be impossible to find that 1 corrupted object. So I decided to use the Delphy Downloads organiser from MTS2, and sort all downloads into folders. Then I moved out all the hacks (although the game was working well with them before), the objects, and basically all that I left were the walls, floors, hairs, makeup and clothing, since I had read somewhere that a bad file from those does not prevent the game from loading. Anyway, the game loaded, and I was relieved. I moved the hacks folder back, and the game still ran.

Friday night I received Apartment Life in the post, and so I installed it yesterday, and decided to give it a try, using just the Maxis objects from the base game, EPs and SPs only, no CC, except for hair, clothing and makeup. I moved a couple into an apartment, and it played well.

So today, being Sunday, I decided to play some more, and so I moved more characters into the same apartment, and spent the whole day blisfully and happily playing. [And I must say that I love this EP]. Anyway, at around 6pm, I stopped to eat, had a shower, and at around 8pm I decided to play some more. But somehow the game would not load. Being the total idiot that I am, I thought that AL must have gotten corrupted somewhere, and thought I'd unistall it and reinstall it. I moved the neighbourhood to my backups folder, but that's about all I did. I unistalled the EP and reinstalled. It loaded perfectly, but then I discovered that I had forgotten to take out my Downloads folder, and when I uninstalled that disappeared forever from my hardrive. AND I HAVE NO COPY OF IT ANYWHERE.

So now that the game is running smoothly again, I have to redownload everything again. I decided not to download much objects this time. Downloaded houses usually come readily furnished, so that should cover it for me, and then I will download the CC accordingly as I need it for the stories. But obviously I do need the skintones, clothes and hairs.

Luckily I had a lot of full sims and I extracted them, and so got the skintones back, and as for hairstyles I mostly use hairstyles from XMSims and Rose Sims, so I've already downloaded all that I would need. Now I'm on a download spree for clothes. Liana Sims have got really amazing clothes, and so I think I will be settled for a few updates.

As for the rest, like special effects makeup, specific CC etc, I will be downloading everything as I will come to it per chapter. I don't want to lose anymore time trying to remember what all the 13000 downloads I lost were.

I've got my fingers crossed now, and hopefully I won't mess up again.

Lost everything - yet again

2008-09-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

AAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

That was me screaming at the top of my lungs. Ok here's what happened step by step:

1. A few months ago I bought a new laptop, specifically designed for gaming, so I can play The Sims 2 happily on it.
2. On inspection I discovered that the 250GB hardrive was split in two with only 35GB allocated for C Drive
3. To save space I installed The Sims 2, EPs and SPs on drive D
4. The Downloads folder would still go in My Documents on Drive C
5. I downloaded an organizer and organized all my downloads - after 3 days I managed to do a decent job of it
6. I removed the Downloads I won't be using yet, and played with a few downloads
7. But lately I needed more CC, and so I decided to do a search on the internet on how to overcome this space problem
8. I found out that I could move my whole My Documents folder to drive D
9. I did so, and tried to load the game. But the game would not even get to the splash screen
10. I moved all the important stuff to a backup folder, unistalled the game, and reinstalled everything
11. After two days I was ready to play again.
12. BUT NOW THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WHERE I HAVE ALL MY STORIES CANNOT LOAD
13. So basically that means that I have lost all my sims, houses etc, and will have to redo them again.
14. I have one update for "Confessions" ready for upload, and I had just taken the pictures for the next episode of "Night Heroes", but since I had not yet moved the latter to my usual folder, I seem to have lost these pictures, because when I looked in the storytelling folder of that neighbourhood it was empty!
15. So now there will be an update for "Confessions" soon, but there will be some time before the rest comes, because I have to recreate ALL the Sims from scratch, move them into houses, refurnish (I hate this part). And I only have one week left, and half days at work will be over, and I will be working till 5pm again, and what's more I have just been promoted at work, so that means much much less time for my Sims. But I will try to do in the shortest time possible.

In the meantime, please bear with me at this most annoying and stressful time (creating lots, and furnishing them is stressful for me!).

Episode 4

2008-09-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Night Heroes - Season 2 - Episode 4

Ok, everyone so it's been a while since I updated this story, but finally Episode 4 of the second season is online. It is a short chapter, but I hope that you like it. I had to keep it short, because I've been working on a longer chapter for my other story, and taking the pictures really takes a long time - and I'm running short on that at the moment.

To read this chapter follow this link: http://nightheroes.blogspot.com/2008/09/season-2-episode-4.html

Chapter 2 - The Beginning

2008-08-04T11:16:00.001-07:00

This is Chapter 2 of this series, and it is titled "The Beginning". This chapter is about Donna's childhood, and her making friends with Paula, and she also talks about her views on love... when she was twelve years old.

To read this chapter, click here:
http://confessionsofasnowqueen.blogspot.com/2008/08/chapter-2-introduction.html

Night Heroes - Season 2 Episode 3

2008-07-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

Here it is finally - Episode 3, of this season. I must apologise for taking so long to update, but I lost my neighbourhood, and I had to re-do the whole thing. Luckily, my Sims were still saved on my computer, so I didn't have to do them too. But I lost the houses, and everything, and that always takes a long time. Although this time, I decided to just go with downloaded buildings, otherwise it would take forever.

I hope that you like this episode too.

You can find it here: http://nightheroes.blogspot.com/2008/07/season-2-episode-3.html

CONFESSIONS OF A SNOW QUEEN

2008-05-13T03:23:00.000-07:00

This is a new series that I will start uploading to my blog. I wrote a few of these a few week ago, and was going to post them to the Me, Myself and I blog. But after a while, I started seeing the Sims pictures in my mind, and I decided why not? After all, I've always wanted to write my auto-biography :-)

This story is about Donna, but it is based on real-life experiences. Obviously the names have been changed, and some situations have been altered to protect the identity of the persons involved.

Here is the synopsis of the story:

Donna Jones - a beautiful, independent woman. She lives in Claryton, a beautiful seaside town, with her two best friends Jessica and Sharona, and her cat Whisky. She does not want to be tied down, and enjoys her life as a single woman. Her friends admire her "love them, decieve them and leave them" attitude, and this has gained her the reputation of the Snow Queen. No man will ever get close enough to break through her ice shell. And no other person, for that matter.

Now, at 28, Donna has broken more hearts than she can count. Her Snow Queen reputation has become a legend, and she is a hero for every heartbroken woman, and men are baffled by her coldness, and sometimes outright cruelty. She is the most independent woman they know.But the past has a way of haunting us when we least expect it. And alone, Donna is being tormented by the bitter-sweet memories of her life. To the world, Donna may be the coldest woman ever, but she can never lie to herself.

These are her confessions.

The first chapter is already online - it's titled "The Snow Queen", and you can read it here:

http://confessionsofasnowqueen.blogspot.com/2008/05/chapter-1-snow-queen.html

Night Heroes - Season 2 Episode 2

2008-05-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

So here is the second episode of this season. I've had to take some time to upload it, because I don't want to install Photoshop on my new laptop, because I don't want my Sims game to run slow by installing lots of stuff on it. So Photoshop is still on my pc, that I transferred back to my mother's house. So I had to transfer all the pictures to that PC, edit them on Saturday, but then I had to transfer them back to the laptop, because the PC is not connected to the internet anymore. After I finished uploading, I realised that most pictures were wrong, because when I was copying them back to the laptop, I had chosen the option not to replace files with similar names. Aaaahhhh!!! Well, maybe next time, I will be more careful ... hopefully.

In the meantime, I hope that you all enjoy this update, which can be found here:

http://nightheroes.blogspot.com/2008/05/season-2-episode-2.html

Night Heroes

2008-04-08T02:58:00.000-07:00

So, I'm finally back with another update.

As you all remember, a few months ago, I finished Season 1 of The Pact. But that story is not over - not for a long time...

Today, I bring you the first Episode of Season 2.

But not to confuse anyone ... I have changed the story's title - it is now called 'Night Heroes'. The reason is this: Season 1 revolved mainly around the pact that they had made as kids, but now as I was writing the rest of the story, I realised that while that pact might be affecting their lives in the future, it does not really have anything to do with the rest of the story, and so I decided to change the name to Night Heroes, which is a more appropriate name. Why? You'll find out in time :-)

I hope that you enjoy this Season, like you liked the first one.

To read it, click here: http://nightheroes.blogspot.com/2008/04/season-2-episode-1.html

The Lady in Black

2008-02-20T14:19:00.001-08:00

I have finally posted this short story called The Lady in Black. This was a story that I had written for Halloween, but I never got around to posting it in time, because of numerous computer problems. Well, finally it is here, and I hope that you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The Lady in Black

2008-02-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

The first time I saw her was in November – the winter that I had moved to Sunset Creek. I had wanted to get away from the hustle of the city, to get lost in this small forgotten town.

I was a writer – I had just graduated from college, but I was not looking for work. All I wanted to do was to write in peace. But I lived in a household where peace and quiet had not yet entered its dictionary. My sister, who was 20 was always bringing her friends over, and having parties to celebrate this occasion and that. After my father had left us, my mother had remarried, and now I had two younger brothers, one of them was eight and the other was five, and they were constantly running around the house, shouting curses at each other, as they starred in their own Western movie. It was impossible to get any writing done

On the other hand, there was my girlfriend. She was constantly urging me to stop this foolishness, and to find a real job, so that we could get married. I could not even get a page a day written with all this constant nagging. And I have not mentioned my step-father who was always complaining that I was wasting my time, when I should be helping with the odd-jobs around the house.

So that winter, I took a decision. I packed a few clothes, my laptop, and two packets of cigarettes for the road, and headed off to Sunset Creek, in spite of the “I will leave you” threats made by my girlfriend, and the “You’ll kill yourself out there” warnings by my mother. I rented a small cabin, and soon settled in. The year was 2003, and everything was innocent back then.

On the first day, I tried to write something, but the writer’s block I had hit was bigger than I thought.

On the second day, I had to stop for a while, because I had run out of cigarettes. I went down to the local convenience store, and bought two packs of cigarettes, a bottle of wine, and some bread. I saw the strange looks the other customers were giving me, but I didn’t think twice about it. I was a stranger in this small community, and I didn’t wonder that they would look at me this way.

As I was browsing through the goods, the old owner gave me a scrutinizing look, as he said,

“How come you’re staying here, lad?”

“I wanted to get away from the hassle of the city, and spend some time in quiet to finish my story.”

The old man laughed a croaky laugh, the kind that old smokers often seem to emit, and then said,

“Oh, you’ll find plenty of stories down here, lad. Plenty of stories, waiting to be told,”I smiled, paid for my customs, and left the store.

I went back to my cabin, and sat down at my laptop again. And that night, I saw her for the very first time.

I was feeling somewhat tired from writing – my back hurt for staying hunched at the table for such a long time, and my eyes were burning too. So I lit a cigarette, and starting walking slowly down the lane. I arrived at the park, and wandered slowly inside.

And by the fountain, I could see the silhouette of a woman.

I walked cautiously up to her, and when I was almost behind her, I said,

“Good evening. It’s such a lovely night, isn’t it?”

She turned around then, and looked right at me. If I live to be a hundred, and then some more, I will never forget those eyes. They were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. And there was such a sad, haunting look in them. I think that I had fallen in love with her right from that moment.

She smiled softly, and said,

“Yes, it’s always beautiful when there’s the moon shining. It gives such light, and yet everything remains hidden in shadows. I love this play of light and dark.” I stared at her, and I was feeling like I couldn’t move. There was something in her voice, that was compelling me to stare and just listen. After a while she went on,

“You’re the writer, aren’t you?” I laughed softly, as I said,

“Well, the writer with the writer’s block, actually.” She smiled softly.

“Who knows, maybe you’ll find a story in this dead town.”

I laughed along with her, and started walking slowly in pace with her along the park.

At the gates, she suddenly turned around and faced me, and said,

“Will you meet me here again, tomorrow evening?” I nodded enthusiastically. There was no need to ask me. This strange lady in black had some hold on me, and I could not bring myself to be pulled away from this strong magnetism.

Suddenly, without warning, she turned her arms around my neck, and kissed me.

I gave in completely. That kiss was like nothing I had felt in all my twenty-five years, and I wasn’t the one who stopped it either.

The next day, I couldn’t concentrate on my writing, or on anything else. I just sat in front of my cabin, smoking one cigarette after the other, and thinking about those captivating grey eyes of the lady in black. I couldn’t wait for that night to come, and when it did, I was beside myself with excitement.

I arrived at the park, and she was already there, dressed in black just like the night before. I walked over to her, and without saying a word, I pulled her into a kiss. I had thought of nothing else all day, and I couldn’t control myself.

That night, she took me to her house, and we made magical love the whole night through.

In the morning, I woke up in her bedroom. I looked to her side of the bed, but she wasn’t there. I walked slowly around her house, but there was no sign of her. I let myself out, and went back to my cabin, stopping along the way at the convenience store to buy more cigarettes and bread.

That night, I went back to the park, and she was there once more. And for the second time, she took me to her house where we spent the whole night making love to each other. And again, when I woke up in the morning, she was nowhere around. This story kept going for about two weeks – we would meet at the park, make love, and she would disappear in the morning.

I would spend the whole day doing nothing except thinking about her, and her eyes, and the way she moved in my arms – and waiting for the night to come.

After two weeks had gone by, I met her as usual in the park. She kissed me softly, and asked,

“So how is your writing going? Have you written your story yet?” I smiled, and shook my head.

“No, I haven’t done anything yet. I just can’t. All I seem to want to do all day, is think about you. I’m seriously in love with you.” She smiled, and sat down on a bench. I sat down beside her.

“But you came here to write, didn’t you?” I nodded my head. “And that’s what you’re going to do.” I stared at her, but she went on. “You can start by writing my story.”

“Your story?” I asked.

“Yes, the story of my life.” I shrugged.

“All right. Tell it to me, and we’ll see what we can do about it. Maybe you should start by telling me your name first.”

“Jenny. Jenny Malone. I was the second daughter of Mayor Randolf Banks. We were what you would consider high society. My mother had died when I was a little girl, and I had been raised by my father. He loved me, but for him his status was more important then my happiness.

Well, when I was seventeen I met Tommy, Tommy Malone. He was a hand at the ranch, and he was the most gorgeous boy I had ever seen. Despite his tough appearance, Tommy was such a sweet boy.

We started meeting secretly, and soon we were in love.

It was a love beyond anything you can imagine.

Tommy’s best friend, James Calhoun tried to talk Tommy out of it, by telling him that I was way out of his league, and that my father would never hear the end of it.

Anyway, this is a small community, and word soon got around that Tommy and I were seeing each other.

As was expected, my father was furious. He called me one night, and said that I was forbidden to ever see that Malone boy again, and grounded me. The next day he fired Tommy.
But that was not going to stop me, or Tommy. We had promised each other that nothing could ever get in the middle of our love for each other. So I started sneaking out at night to meet him. And then we decided to get married secretly and elope together.

So one night, after the whole community had gone to bed, we went to the pastor’s house. He knew about us, and he was willing to marry us, as long as we disappeared the following day. He knew how cruel and ruthless my father could be. We got married that night, and we stayed together in the barn till it was almost dawn. Then Tommy said that he will go and pick his things, and come for me after my father had left.”

She paused for breath. I was feeling very touched by this story, and I was having a sense of doom. Every inch of my body was telling me that this story did not have a happy ending. I put my arms around her, and held her close to me, as she went on.

“My father was up already, and waiting for me. He demanded that I should tell him where I had spent the night. I told him that I had been with Tommy, and that he was not going to stop us now, because we were married. Needless to say, my father was furious. He told me to stay in the house, and picking up his shotgun, he stormed out of the house.

I knew what he was going to do, and so I ran after him. I tried to stop him, but he didn’t even listen to me. He went straight to Tommy’s house, where he was packing his few belongings in the carriage, and shot him. Tommy fell down, and my father walked away.

I ran to Tommy. He was still breathing. I tried to help him up, but it was to no avail. He smiled at me, and said, “I love you Jenny.” And he died right there in my arms. I was blinded by the rage now, and I felt my whole body was about to come apart with the pain I was feeling.

I ran straight home, and found my father in the drawing room.

“You killed Tommy!” I screamed. He looked at me solemnly and said,

“Sure thing I did. Now maybe that will make you think twice about running off with the hired help again.” At that moment, I lost all reason. I picked up the shotgun, and shot my father in the head. He fell dead almost immediately.

“That’s for Tommy!” I screamed.”

I looked at her. She was crying.

“I’m sorry you had to go through so much,” I said. She stood up.“Come with me, I’ll show you where he is buried. I go there every single day.”

And she led me out of the park, towards the cemetery.

We stopped at a cheap grave. I looked at the inscription on it. It read.

Thomas Malone

1902 – 1920

18 years old.

I stared at the grave.

“1920?” I asked. “But that’s over 80 years ago.” She smiled at me, and nodded her head.
“Oh yes, it’s happened a very long time ago. Long before Sunset Creek became a Ghost Town.” I stared at her.

“A Ghost Town? It looks pretty much inhabited to me.”

“Yes,” she answered softly. “By the ghosts of the people who roamed this land in bygone times.”

And with those words, she started walking away. I called after her.

“Jenny, wait. This doesn’t make sense at all.” I started running after her, and I saw her climbing up some steps. I followed her, but by the time I got there, she was nowhere to be seen. I slowly climbed the same steps, and looked down...

... at the inscriptions of the grave.

Theodore Banks

1880 – 1920

40 years old.

Jennifer Malone

1903 – 1920

17 years old.”

I stared at that grave, unable to believe what I was seeing. I ran out of the cemetery, straight to my cabin, without looking back once.

As soon as I got in, I lit a cigarette, and took a swig from the bottle of whisky lying on my counter. And I started packing my things. By the time I had finished, it was dawn. I got in my car, and started driving away from this place. Within a few minutes, I had arrived in front of Jenny’s house.

But what a different house, than the house full of light that I had visited every night for the previous two weeks! It was all run down, and looked as if it had been abandoned for more than 50 years, save for the rats and rodents that had made it home. I got out of the car, taking one last look at it for the last time.

“You’re leaving?” I heard someone asking.

I turned. It was Jenny.

“No one stays long here. I don’t blame them. No one wants to live among the dead.” I didn’t feel afraid anymore. I turned around and asked her,

“What happened after you killed your father?” She shook her head sadly.

“I couldn’t live without Tommy anymore. And I knew that the whole town was going to blame me for his death, not to mention condemn me for killing my father. So I put the shotgun to my head, and pulled the trigger. That’s all I can remember – that is until, I found myself roaming this land again. No one knows what happened that day, no one knows the truth.” I stared at her.

“Is that why you can’t find rest?” I asked. “What would you know about rest? You came here looking for a story, and now you have found a story.”

I walked away, without looking back, and I got back in my car, and slowly drove away from Sunset Creek.
As I had reached the edge of the village, the old man from the convenience store stepped in front of my car. I breaked, and he came over by my window.

“If you ever need to find another story, now you know where to look for it. There are a lot of stories here, waiting to be told.”

I gave him an unsure smile, and drove away.

* * *

When I got back home, I went up to my room, switched on my laptop, and started writing without pause. Within three weeks, I had finished my novel.

Six months later, everyone was raving about the new bestseller by Alex White, called Sunset Creek. I had turned Jenny and Tommy’s story into a bestselling novel, and although I wrote on the title page that this story was based on true events that have happened almost a century ago, I never said where I had learned them. Up until today, that is.

That was three years ago. I’m rich and I’m famous now. I’m getting married next month. I have my own life now, and I don’t need anything.

And yet, when I look out of the window on moonlit nights, I can’t help thinking about Sunset Creek, the little ghost town where everyone is still living their lives just like they did a hundred years ago.

And almost every night, I dream of a pair of beautiful, haunting grey eyes that seem to look right inside my soul, and read my most inner feelings. Who knows? Maybe someday I will go back to Sunset Creek. After all, there are still a lot of stories there, waiting to be told …

A Secret Place For Refuge

2008-01-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

I have just posted an essay called "A Secret Place for Refuge" on my ramblings blog. This was an essay that I had written some years ago, and it is based on true facts which happened around ten years ago. I have changed the names of the places, and the names of the people, but other than that everything that I wrote there really happened.

You can read this essay here: http://mycrookedmind.blogspot.com/2008/01/secret-place-for-refuge.html

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T01:01:00.000-08:00

The Pact - Season 1 Gran Finale

2007-12-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

I have just posted Season 1: Gran Finale. I had promised you that there will be something else after I finish Season 1, and here it is - a video that recaptures the beautiful (and sad) moments of this first Season. To watch this video, click on this link:

http://crookedvideos.blogspot.com/2007/12/pact-season-1-gran-finale.html

I hope that you enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the stories.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 20

2007-12-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

The final episode of Season 1 is now online. This is the last episode for this season, but more will follow, I promise. There are so many things left thing to happen. I'm already halfway through Season 2, in writing. And so, when I finish the buildings, and take the pictures, I will be putting the second season online too.

In this last episode, things are at their best for these six friends - but will things always remain like this?

2 Poems

2007-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

I have posted two more poems to my poetry blog. The first one is a poem called 'That's What Friends Are For" that I wrote in the year 2000, and I had written it in memory of my best friend who had passed away two years before, and the other one is called "Where Are You Now?", and I wrote this one in 2003.

Episode 19 is online

2007-12-07T13:23:00.001-08:00

Well, I finally managed to get this episode online. It wasn't the episode itself that gave me trouble, or the pictures. But I just couldn't find the time to sit down and upload it. I've been busy with Christmas shopping, decorations, catching up on some of the movies I have waiting in line - and building the beach resort, and the beach house for the next season. But finally it is up.

In the last episode, we left David and Michelle on their way to Tyrone's garage. And now in this episode we find an interesting exchange between the two guys.

NEW POETRY BLOG

2007-11-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

I was going through some old stuff at my mother's house this evening (actually I was looking for the incense burner, which I can't find anywhere), and I have come across an old file filled with poems that I used to write up until a few years ago. I had never shared these poems with anyone, except with an old friend I used to have, who had shared his poetry with me. I was undecided what to do with them - but then I thought that maybe I should share them on my blog.

So I have created a new blog, called Crooked Wings Poetry, where I shall start posting my poems. In this blog, I will also post my favourite poems by famous writers. I have posted two favourite poems today, the first one is "I Remember, I Remember" by Thomas Hood, and the other is "Sea Fever" by John Masefield. I think that these two are really my favourite two.

From my original poems, I have posted two. One of them is called "Sunday Morning", and the other one is by far one of my very favourite poems. I wrote this when I was 16, and every time I read, it still brings a tear to my eyes. Ok, enough of that sentimental crap. That poem is called "Memories Between The Pages", and you can read them here:

http://crookedpoetry.blogspot.com/

Episode 18 is now online

2007-11-22T12:46:00.001-08:00

So Episode 18 is now up too. Only two more episodes till the end of Season 1! I can't believe I've almost done it. Well, there's still the pictures to be taken, but I don't think that I will have much trouble with those - I hope!

In this episode, David is going to remember something that had happened a week before Danny's death. And that will be the last revelation - at least for this season. Now you will also understand why I gave the story that title. This memory is very important, because somehow the WHOLE story revolves around that day. Right from its start, till the very end, which will be ... well, even I don't know at which season I would have arrived by then. lol

This episode has taken me some time to get the pictures right, because I couldn't get David and Michelle to interact in the way I wanted them to. Then I asked my friends over at SimTales, and they pointed me in the right direction, and within an hour, I had taken the pictures I needed. I can never thank you enough! That will be so helpful in the future.

New blogs

2007-11-19T05:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is not an update on my story. But I thought I should let you know that from now on this blog will serve only to tell you of the latest updates. Because I have created a new blog for my story The Pact. The reason that I did this is that this story has so many chapters that the side was starting to look cluttered. Besides that, when I get to write more stories in the future, it will become even more unsightly. So I've created a new blog for the story. I am not going to move the first 17 episodes though, that will take too much time. They are still going to be hosted, but the link for them is through the story's blog, which can be found here: http://www.nightheroes.blogspot.com

I've also created a blog for the story Camie Stewart, but I only did it to be able to remove the links from the side of this blog. Because I am going to leave that story here too. To read the story Camie Stewart, visit the blog: http://www.camiestewart.blogspot.com

Oh, I've also added little synopsis for my stories on these blogs :-)

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 17

2007-11-17T12:04:00.001-08:00

I walked on, not quite knowing where I was going, or what was going to happen. It’s not everyday that one gets to remember a past they didn’t even know they forgot – that’s already a tremendous experience to go through. And discovering that someone with whom you had shared so many happy moments was dead – and has been dead for quite a while, while you did not even remember him, was the scariest knowledge one could acquire. Add to it the discovery that it was your brother and his friends who were there with him while it happened – and be thankful if you do not go crazy. I had come to the edge of the town, which was not very far off, and I could see the park Mandy had spoken of.

I walked, and when I almost reached the middle, I saw a person lounging out on a bench. I immediately recognised him as Tyrone. I walked over.

He opened his eyes, and looked up at me.“You came? Even after what you learnt today?” I smiled at him.

“Tyrone, I promised you I will come, and a promise is a promise.” He sat up, and I sat down beside him.

“Did they remember too?” I nodded my head.

“They remember everything. We saw Danny’s picture, and immediately we all remembered our childhoods, each other, and the days we spent in the woods.”

“And what about that day? Do they remember it too?”

“Every single detail.”

He sighed.

“They must really hate me more than ever now. They know it was my fault, and probably they want to kill me too now, especially David.”

I shook my head.“No, Tyrone. No one has blamed you. They both blame themselves for what happened that day. But it was no one’s fault Tyrone. It was an accident. You shouldn’t have been playing with guns, but I’m sure that the thought of someone having an accident never crossed your minds when you started that stupid game. David and Steve should stop blaming themselves, and so should you.”

He looked at me and smiled, as he took my hand.“Thanks Michelle. You’re a real friend. We have really got off on the wrong foot. It was always the same between us, since we were kids. We were both stubborn and determined to have our way, and we were always arguing. But deep down, we loved each other like real best friends.” I smiled at the memories, and said,

“And that’s the way it’s going to be. I don’t know what my brother’s reactions are going to be after all this, and whether or not he will stay with Mandy. I don’t even know if David and I will be together anymore after this. I don’t know if I will ever see David or Mandy again in my life – but I can promise you one thing. I will always be your friend, no matter what.”

I stood up, and he got up after me. He turned me around and hugged me tight.“I want that too. Now that the past has been dealt with, and we both know who we are, we can look to the future. And I promise that no matter what silly arguments we shall have, you shall always remain my best friend for life.”

We stayed there for another fifteen minutes, talking about all that happened in these past few weeks, and then I got up again.

“I have to go now. I have to go and check on my brother. I don’t know if Mandy is still with him, or if he sent her away, so I need to go back to see if he is all right. And I have to call David too.”

I went home, and I saw that Mandy was there, with Steve. He still looked shaken, and was still crying. I walked over, and asked him how he was feeling.

Mandy stood up and took my hands in hers.

“Michelle, the question is not how your brother is feeling. The question is how you are feeling?” I shrugged as I sat down.

“I’m ok, I guess. Maybe it hasn’t yet sunk in, because I wasn’t there to share that terrible experience with them, but I’m feeling much better than I have in weeks. At least now I know the truth, and I know everything that’s going on – and whatever happens, there will be no more mysteries.”

She smiled at me, and asked about Tyrone.

I shrugged, and said, “Tyrone is the same as always, I guess. Feeling guilty, confused, messed up – but ready to start over again.”

At that moment my cell phone rang. It was David.

“Michelle, please can you come over to my place? I need to talk to you. I need to show you something, and tell you something else. I just remembered it, and I don’t think any of you guys have remembered it yet. But I think I know the reason why we all ended up here together.” I hung up, and looked at Mandy and Steve.

“David says he has just remembered something else, and he believes it’s the reason why we all found each other after all these years.” I made sure my brother was feeling better, and that Mandy was going to be there to look after him, and took my brother’s car and drove to David’s house.

The Pact - Season1: Episode 16

2007-11-15T10:58:00.001-08:00

We all looked up at that moment. I looked at David and Steve, and there was a different look in their eyes now. It was as if they had suddenly remembered something long forgotten. Mandy must have noticed it too, because she asked,

“You remember now, don’t you?” she asked. I nodded my head. I remembered everything clearly now. Mandy had been telling the truth. David, Tyrone, and she were the children that we used to play with everyday in Sherwood – together with Danny. I looked at David. He was staring straight ahead, as if lost in thought. It was a moment before he spoke.

“Danny. How could I forget?” I also remembered who Danny was, and I started to ask David.

“David, Danny was your…” He looked at me, tears in his eyes.

“My twin brother,” he finished. “How could I forget? How could I forget what happened that day in the woods? How could I forget my own brother?” Steve seemed to find his voice at that moment.

“I forgot everything too,” he said as he looked at David. “I don’t remember being sick afterwards, but I don’t wonder. But now I remember everything else that happened. No wonder I had that terrible nightmare the first time I met you.” David nodded in agreement.

“That’s why I’ve been having nightmares too, every time I met Tyrone. I did not remember, but I guess my subconscious did. They were not just bad dreams – they were terrible memories.” Mandy looked at them, and did not say a word. But I didn’t know what they were talking about. No one had ever told me what happened when my brother got sick, and now I wanted to know.

“What happened that day in the woods? What made you so sick Steve, and what caused you to run away and have your accident David?” David looked at me and shook his head.

“I wasn’t running away. I was going to get help, and in my haste I must have fallen off my bike and hit my head. Do you want to know what happened that day Michelle?” I stared at him. Tears were streaming down his face, as he said the next words. “I killed my own brother that day.” I looked at him, shocked.

“Danny is dead?” David merely nodded his head, as he kept crying.

“You didn’t kill him Dave,” replied Steve. “It was an accident. It was not your fault. The fault was entirely mine. I was the one who talked you guys into doing that stupid thing, and I was the one who brought the gun.” I was totally shocked to hear all this.

“Steve, what are you talking about? What gun? What accident?”

Steve looked at me, and I could see that he was crying too now.

“That day, on the 19th of May, eight years ago, you girls did not come to the woods. Mandy had some chores to do at home, and you went to the market with mum. So I starting talking the others into having some bad fun, and shoot bottles. At first they wouldn’t agree with me, but in the end they gave in. So I ran home, and stole dad’s hunting gun. At first it was fun. We set up some bottles, and we started shooting them, seeing who could shoot the most.

Soon we ran out of bottles, and sat down on the grass laughing. I still remember Danny’s happy look on his face, because he was the one who had shot down the biggest number of bottles. Then Tyrone saw a bird in the trees, and he wanted to shoot it. We all said no, but he leaped up and picked up the gun. He took aim at the bird. I remember I was shouting for him not to shoot the bird, and to stop, and so was David. And then…”

And Steve burst into tears. I looked at them in amazement.

“And then what?” I blurted out before I could stop myself. David looked up, and said,

“And then I got angry at Tyrone for wanting to kill that innocent bird. So I ran up to him, and pushed him hard so he won’t shoot the bird. Tyrone fell over, and the gun flew from his hands.

As it hit the ground, it suddenly took off, and the bullet hit Danny in the chest.

I remember running over to him, seeing him lying there, and I got on my bike, and rode off to get help. And that’s the last thing I remember…

… I had saved an innocent bird, and killed my own brother.”

He had to stop talking, because the tears were almost choking him now. Both David and Steve were crying like little children whose balloon had just burst at that moment. Mandy sighed.

“I've talked to Lynn, and she had spoken with some of her professors about you, and they all said the same thing.That must have been what caused the memory for block both of you - the guilt. You both have been blaming yourselves for Danny’s death. Steve blamed himself, for getting the idea and bringing the gun, and David blamed himself for pushing Tyrone. Your minds could not deal with the guilt, so it shut those memories down. Your parents took you away, and you could not remember. Now Tyrone was a different case. Tyrone stayed there in Sherwood, and he was forced to remember everyday. And he blames himself as much as you do, because he feels it’s his entire fault for wanting to shoot that bird. That’s probably the reason why he’s so messed up today. And that’s why he couldn’t be here today. You guys have just relived that memory, and it’s obvious it’s been very hard for you. Tyrone has had to live through that memory every day for the past eight years, and he just couldn’t go through it one more time. ” I looked at her, and asked.

“So what happens now?”

She looked up at me, but before she had time to answer Steve got up, and said,

“I just want to go home. Maybe we’ll talk about this in the future; maybe we won’t even see each other again. But right now, I want to go home. Please Mandy, can we go?” Mandy looked at us. David spoke up.

“I need to go too.”

So there was nothing else for me to do except stand up too.

“I promised Tyrone I will go and speak to him after this. I will go right now, if you can tell me where to find him, and then I’ll go home.” Mandy nodded her head.

“There’s a park not far from here, on the edge of town. Tyrone will be there.”

We all walked out of that place together, and then we all went our separate ways. Together we had just been to hell, and back, and now we had to find a way to go on with the rest of our lives.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 15

2007-11-12T13:53:00.001-08:00

We arrived just a few minutes before eight. Mandy and Steve were already there. Steve was looking really surprised at all this – and I couldn’t blame him. Steve didn’t know that there was anything wrong with his childhood. He simply thought that he had lived an entirely different one. We found a quiet spot in a corner, and Mandy started speaking.

“I knew from the very first time that Tyrone met you David, that this day had to come. And now finally it is here. It is time you all learnt the truth about what happened on the 19th of May, eight years ago. You guys were eleven years old, and Michelle was ten. But the first thing that you have to know is that you have not always lived in the same place where you actually think that you grew up. All of us, including Tyrone and me, were born and grew up in a little village called Sherwood.” She paused. I nodded my head. I remembered Sherwood quite well. I looked at David and Steve. David was looking at her with a blank look in his eyes, and Steve was shaking his head in denial.

“I know that now. When Lynn told me that someone wanted to speak to me about my childhood, she told me that we had not always lived in Lenton, but that we had been born in a place called Sherwood. She showed me some pictures of the house, and of the village, but I cannot remember any of it. I can’t. All I remember is this island.” We looked at Steve. He was still shaking his head.

“That cannot be true. I have never even heard of that place. And my sister here will tell you that we never lived there, right, Michelle?” I shook my head.

“No, Steve. It’s true. We have lived in a place called Sherwood, before moving to America. I always remembered that. Something happened to you, and you were sick, and our parents decided to move away. You got better afterwards, but you forgot Sherwood.”

“But our parents always agreed with me,” he said.

“That was for your own sake, Steve. Whenever I mentioned Sherwood, they too denied we had ever lived there. I was beginning to think that something was wrong with me. But do you remember when you had that nightmare this summer? I was so scared, because it reminded me of when you were sick. So I called up mum, and she finally admitted that we had lived in Sherwood.” Steve shook his head.

“I can’t remember it though.” Mandy spoke up then.

“Michelle, what do you remember of Sherwood?”

I tried to cast my mind back to those early days of my life. I thought that it was going to be easy to remember, but now as I sat there trying to think about it, I discovered it was harder than I had imagined. It seemed like I too had forgotten most of my childhood there.

“I remember … a little house. Playing with Steve in the attic. I remember a small market behind our house. A brook. A swing in the backyard… And I remember the woods, where we used to play as kids.” Mandy smiled.

“You don’t remember much. But you remember enough – if you remember the woods. Do you remember if you went there often?” I nodded my head.

“Everyday. Me and Steve used to go there everyday, and play with our friends there. In winter we used to go after school, and in summers we stayed there all day long. Our friends used to sleep over at our house sometimes.”

“And do you remember who those friends were?” I shook my head.

“I don’t. I know they were boys, and only one of them was a girl.” I stopped, as I suddenly remembered something clearly

“Yes, I remember now. There was that girl, another boy, and the other two boys I think were twins.” Mandy looked up at me, admiringly.

“You do remember well. But do you remember their names?” I shook my head again. I could not remember one more thing about Sherwood.

“Michelle, that girl was me. And Tyrone and David were there too.” We all looked at each other at that statement. “I know this is sounding too incredible to believe, and it is incredible. But try to imagine how me and Tyrone felt, when we moved to this island, and we started meeting our old friends from Sherwood one by one – those friends who had been taken away to a different place years before. First Tyrone started dating Lynn, and we discovered David was her brother. Then I found myself in Steve’s class, and working on the same projects – and finally when Michelle came over, she started dating David – and when Tyrone met her, and discovered who she was – he really thought he was going crazy. How could we all end up here, together again after all these years?” I was looking at her in amazement. The other two were looking at her in wonder. It was obvious they were not remembering any of it. I myself couldn’t remember the names of those friends. David suddenly looked up.

“And how do we know you’re not lying to us – and this isn’t some sort of game that you and Tyrone are playing?” I suddenly remembered something.

“Wait. We are not all here. There was another boy, right? What about him?” Mandy looked down sadly.

“Yes,” she replied. “One of the twins. I have a picture of him right here. Maybe if I show it to you, it will help you remember.” And with those words, she reached in her bag, and took out a picture, and handed it to us. The three of us crowded around that picture.

It was a picture of a blonde boy who looked like he was around ten years old. It was a little yellowed with age. The boy was standing in what appeared to be the woods, winking and waving at the camera, a charming smile on his face, and shining through his blue eyes.

We stared at that picture – and then suddenly just as if we had been practicing that moment, all three of us said in unison,

“Danny.”

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 14

2007-11-05T04:58:00.000-08:00

Mandy looked at me and said, “Thank you for giving me some time to sort things out. I know you gave me a week. But the things I needed to sort out were with Lynn, and they took less time than I expected.”

“With Lynn? What does Lynn have to do with all this?” Mandy smiled.

“It’s because of David. Whatever I have to talk to you guys about concerns David’s forgotten past, and his nightmares. Lynn knows exactly what’s been causing those nightmares, because she remembers everything that happened when they were kids. But I needed to know if it would be all right to take David back to his childhood.”

“David wants to remember. All summer he’s been talking about how he wants to remember his childhood, to feel like a complete person.”

“Yes,” Mandy replied, “but David doesn’t know what has caused his mind to erase those memories. It was a most terrible experience, Michelle, and I wanted to know if it would be safe for him. And Lynn agreed that he can’t keep on living his life in this confused state he is living now, so she agreed to me speaking about his childhood in Sherwood.” I looked up startled.

“Sherwood? David grew up in Sherwood?” This was news to me. Mandy nodded.

“Yes, Michelle, David grew up in Sherwood, like you and Steve, and just like me and Tyrone. That’s where everything began. And that’s what I’m taking you all back to tonight. I’m taking you all to relive your childhood, and unfortunately David and Steve will have to relive one terrible ordeal that Tyrone has been going through everyday for the past eight years.”

I was speechless. In the end, when I found my voice, I asked,

“So what are you proposing?”

“Tonight we’re going to meet up in some quiet place, just the four of us, and I will tell you everything that I remember. I have only two hopes – that David and Steve will remember too – and that it won’t be too much of a strain on them. I have already told Steve to meet me at “Lion’s Den” tonight. All you have to do is tell David to meet you there too, and you’ll know everything, Michelle. And maybe together we can find a way to understand that one thing which neither I nor Tyrone could ever begin to understand.”

“And what’s that?” I asked.

“Why. The reason why we all had to meet up here on this island after all this time.” I was about to ask her something else, but at that moment I saw David walking up.

“I’ll go now. I’ll meet you at “Lion’s Den” at 8 tonight.” I nodded my head, and stood up. I walked over to David.

“How are you?” I asked. He shrugged.

“I don’t know, Michelle. I love you, I really do. But I can’t help feeling betrayed by you.” I felt the tears coming in my eyes at his words, but at that moment there were more important things in play, than just our relationship. So I asked him immediately,

“David, can you meet me at “Lion’s Den” tonight at 8?” David shook his head.

“I can’t Michelle. Not tonight.” I was stunned at his reply, and asked him why. He answered, “It’s Lynn. She has told me that there is someone who knows about my past – about my childhood – and my memory block, and that someone wants to speak to me tonight. I have to keep that appointment Michelle, it’s very important to me.” I smiled.

“I know. That person is Mandy.” He looked surprised. “Believe it came as a surprise to me too – especially after I found out yesterday that Mandy is Tyrone’s best friend. It seems like somehow my brother and I are involved in this thing too. Mandy wants us all to meet her at “Lion’s Den” tonight at 8. This is not about you and me David – this is about all of us – and our pasts.”

“I don’t understand. What do you and your brother have to do with my past?” I shrugged.

“I don’t know David. And that’s what I intend to find out tonight.”

“All right,” he replied. “I will pick you up after my last class, at around 7.”

I kept on dragging through that day like a zombie. Time had never moved slower in my whole life. But finally it was 7, and I met David near the gates, and got in his car. He was as nervous as I was about this whole thing. I looked at him, as he sighed, put the car in gear, and pressed the gas pedal. The car slowly made its way out of the school gates, and towards “Lion’s Den”, where we had our appointment with Fate.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 13

2007-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

The next day I woke up as confused as can be. Now things had gotten more complicated than ever. It was not only Tyrone who was holding some secret from both Steve and David; it was also my brother’s girlfriend Mandy, who also happened to be Tyrone’s best friend. And to complicate things further, it seemed like I too was involved in whatever it was they were hiding – or whatever game they were playing.

I did not really feel like getting out of bed, but I knew that I could not hide away forever. I decided to try to go through the usual routine as much as was possible, and try not to think much about things. But it was easier said than done. I went to my first class that morning, but I couldn’t concentrate much on what the lecturer was saying. My mind was constantly on Mandy and Tyrone, and whatever connection there could be between us and them, except for the obvious ones that we already knew about. I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not even notice that class was over and everyone had gotten up. I checked my timetable, and saw that I had History of the Theatre next. I knew that it was going to be useless going to that class. All that the lecturer did was talk and talk, and we had to listen. I knew I was not going to be able to understand one single word that morning. So I decided to skip class, and make up for it by reading the text books later. I went to the cafeteria, and sat down at a table. As I was sitting there lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice that someone had come up to my table, and had sat down in front of me. So I was quite startled to hear Tyrone’s voice saying,

“Good morning, Michelle. How are you feeling?” I looked at him angrily.

“How do you expect me to feel Tyrone?” Tyrone sighed.

“I know it’s really an awkward situation, but believe me, it’s not as difficult for you as it is for me. I never wanted any of this to happen. In fact I came here to this island, because I wanted to run away from it, and forget it ever happened. But it seems like the gods have had other plans for all of us.” I looked at him questioningly.

“Tyrone, can’t you just talk straight for once? Please tell me what is going on.” But Tyrone shook his head.

“I can’t Michelle. Believe me, I can’t. It’s been so difficult for me all these years. Your brother and your boyfriend have dealt with it in a much different way than I have – they forgot. Somehow their minds have erased that terrible memory. But I have had to live in that same place – and I could not forget. This is the only way I can try to deal with the guilt, Michelle. By not talking about it. I’m never going to forget what happened, but I can at least pretend it never happened. Talking about it will make it so real.”

“I still can’t understand what you are talking about.” He gave me a half-hearted smile and said,

“You will very soon. Mandy is coming to speak to you at the end of this period, and she is going to explain things to you. She wants to talk to you and David and Steve about it. She has wanted to do it for a long time. It was me who has stopped her all this time. But now I can’t fight things anymore – this day had to come. But please try to understand, and tell the others too that I won’t be there – not because I have something against them – but simply because I can’t relive it again.”

“Be where?”

“Mandy is going to tell you guys to meet up someplace to talk about things. I can’t come there…” At that moment, Mandy walked up to our table. She looked at Tyrone and said,

“Tyrone, I need to speak to Michelle. It’s your choice if you want to stay or not.” Tyrone shook his head.

“I can’t.” He took my hand in his, and as he smiled to me, he said, “Tonight, when all you guys will be discussing our past, I will be somewhere else on my own. It’s a place I often go to when I need to be alone. If you would still want to talk to me afterwards, you can come and find me there. Mandy will tell you where it is.” I smiled back at him, and as I squeezed his hand, I said,

“I will, I promise. I’m sure everything will turn out just fine.” He didn’t smile then, as he said,

“I hope so Michelle, for all of you. Tonight you are about to go back to Sherwood, and I hope the experience won’t be as hell for you as it was for me.” And with those words, he let go of my hand, and walked out of the cafeteria. Mandy sat in his place. I looked at her and asked,

“So what’s going on?”

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 12

2007-10-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

The next morning I woke up late, and feeling groggy. My brother wasn’t at home, and when I tried to call David, his mobile phone was switched off. Then I remembered that at that time, he was in class. I had a shower, got dressed, and caught the bus to Claryton. I had to speak to Tyrone one last time. The night before I had made a real mess of things, and now I needed to make everything alright again. When I got off the bus, I thought maybe Tyrone was at University that morning, and I nearly turned back. But then I figured that while I was here, I should at least give it a try.

I stopped a man, and asked him for directions to the street that Tyrone where said his garage was. It was not very far from either the bus-stop or David’s house. In my mind I was thinking of what I was going to say to Tyrone. I really needed to apologise for my behaviour last night, and if Tyrone didn’t want to see me anymore, that was fine by me. Whatever had happened between him and Steve was in the past, and I had a whole future to look forward to. I couldn’t let one obsession ruin it all for me. So I was going to apologise to Tyrone, and tell him that I was ready to move on, and not interfere in things which didn’t concern me anymore. However, not in a million years would I have been prepared for the scene that followed.

I arrived near the garage, and the door was open. So I walked slowly towards it. My heart was beating fast in my chest, because although I knew what I wanted to say, I still didn’t know what his reaction would be. I entered the garage slowly, and I heard him talking to someone. I moved closer to see clearly, and I had the surprise of my life. The person he was talking to was my brother’s girlfriend Mandy. What was Mandy doing here? How did she know Tyrone? They didn’t see me, and I stayed there and watched the whole thing.

“But you kissed her!” she was saying. “I still can’t believe that you kissed here. You must be out of your mind Tyrone.” Tyrone looked at her angrily, and said,

“Mandy, for the millionth time, it was just a kiss. Why is everyone making such a fuss about it? We were both drunk, and it just happened. It didn’t mean anything. There’s no need for anyone to raise this storm over one lousy, boozy kiss!” I couldn’t agree with him more. At that moment, though Mandy went on,

“Haven’t you thought about David? Or about Michelle herself, for that matter? Haven’t you any considerations for anyone at all?” Tyrone looked at her in exasperation, and said,

“No I didn’t think about David, or her, or anyone at all – simply because I wasn’t thinking. Aren’t you listening to me Mandy? That kiss just happened – it wasn’t planned, and neither I nor she wanted it to happen.”

“David must have been so hurt when he found out. Don’t you feel the least bit sorry about that?” Tyrone shrugged.

“I don’t want to think about that, Mandy. He never thought about me being hurt, when he banned his sister from seeing me. So why should I be considered about his feelings?” Mandy looked at him, a surprised look on his face.

“Tyrone, David doesn’t know who we are. Michelle doesn’t know who we are, and neither does Steve. But we do know who they are, and that changes everything.”

“Why should it? Mandy, I’m sick and tired of living my life this way. We should leave the past where it belongs – in the past, and move on. What happened has happened, and nothing can ever change that. But we cannot base our every action on what happened eight years ago in the woods.” Mandy took his hand.

“Can you move on Tyrone? Do you honestly believe that you can forget the past, just like that? I do agree with you, that before we moved here, I too wanted to start a new life, away from anything that happened back there – and that’s why I moved here with you – to forget, to move on, to build a new life. But we never planned on this, did we? Maybe with just David around, it was co-incidence. Then it was Steve – and now Michelle was the missing link. It’s too obvious Tyrone, something needs to be done.” Tyrone laughed.

“Yeah, I can just go up to them and say Hi sorry for causing you so much trouble, but it was destiny, it was fate. I’m your blast from the past – that past that none of you can remember. Don’t be silly Mandy, we cannot do anything except live our lives the way that we had planned when we moved to Lenton.” Mandy shook her head.

“That’s all changed Tyrone. When we moved here, we never expected this. We wanted to get away from the past, and yet it was thrown back right in our faces. We have to tell them the truth together.” Tyrone shook his head, and looked mighty scared.

“No, Mandy, no way. I’m never going back there again. It’s already too bad having to live with the memories everyday – but going back there again, speaking of it again, reliving it again? No way am I going back.” At that moment I couldn’t take it anymore, and spoke up.

“Go back where Tyrone? What is it that you two are hiding from us?” They both looked up surprised to see me there. Then Tyrone looked down and didn’t answer. It was Mandy who spoke.

“Michelle, what are you doing here?” I didn’t answer her, instead I just said,

“Just answer me Mandy. What are you two hiding from us?”

“It’s too complicated to explain right now, Michelle. But we need to talk about it sometime.”

“No Mandy,” I demanded. “You tell me what is going on right now. You’re my brother’s girlfriend, and he really loves you, and yet, you and Tyrone are hiding something from him – from us – from all of us. I want to know right now, what is going on?” Mandy let me finish, and she remained calm as she said,

“I know how it looks Michelle, but believe me I love your brother as much as he loves me – maybe even more. I have always loved him. And if I haven’t told him anything yet, it’s because I love him. But I think that you have a right to know the truth, and I’m sure that Tyrone will agree with me.” I looked at Tyrone.

He looked at me, and said in a pleading tone,

“Michelle, please let it go. There is nothing to know. Mandy is my best friend, we’ve grown up together, and decided to come to Lenton together. She met your brother and she fell in love with him. I met Lynn and fell in love with her. But I never really became friends with her brother and decided to stop seeing her. You met David when you came here, and you fell in love with him, and it seems like you became really good friends with Lynn. And I’m happy for all of you believe me. You all have your happy lives, and I’m sure Lynn will meet someone whom she deserves more than me, and who will make her happy. You can all live your lives, but please keep me away from them. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain to Mandy. She’s my best friend, and she got involved with your brother, but I want to stay away from you guys, that’s all.” I looked at him in surprise.

“But why? What have we ever done to you? What is it that scares you so much in us?” Mandy was about to say something else, when he stopped her by raising his voice and saying,

“Stop it, Michelle. LET IT GO! I don’t want to have anything to do with you or your friends anymore. Can’t you understand that? I told you last night not to come and look for me anymore.”

I got really angry at his words, and said,

“Tyrone, I only came looking for you to apologise for what happened last night. And I was ready to let go, and to forget everything, and anything that might have happened in the past. I was ready to forget you. But I can’t just walk away – not now that I know that you and your friend here have been playing games with us all this time.” Mandy came between us at that moment, and she put her hand on my shoulder and said,

“Michelle, no one is playing games with you. But things have been happening that might be just a little hard to understand, unless you know all the facts. Go home now, and I will find a way to make things right believe me. I want to make things right, without hurting anybody, especially your brother. Give me some time – a few days maybe, not more than a week. That’s all I’m asking for.” I looked at her and said,

“Ok, one week. But that’s all you’re going to get. If by the end of this week you are not going to explain to me what’s going on, I will have to tell Steve about everything that I heard here today.” And with that threat I walked out of the garage – feeling even more confused than before I had walked in.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 11

2007-10-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

I called a cab, and Tyrone insisted that he rides in the same cab with me, to make sure that I got home safely. I was too drunk and confused to protest, and so I agreed. When I got out of the cab, Tyrone got out too, and was going to walk me to the door, when suddenly David and Steve appeared out of the darkness. I was too surprised to react, and just stood there, while they both stared at Tyrone and me.

“Michelle, what the hell is going on?” asked Steve. I tried to defend myself by saying,

“I’m 18 Steve, and I can take of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.” David came over to me, and said angrily,

“Yes, you’re right. It seems like you can take care of yourself all right. And you don’t care that you tell lies to everybody. You told me that you were too tired to come out with me tonight. I got bored at the party, and called you to see if you wanted to hang out somewhere. Your mobile phone was switched off, so I called at home. And I got your brother instead, and he said that you were out, and you had told him that you were with me. He got pretty worried about you. So I drove over here, and we kept calling you all night. Geez, we were so scared something had happened to you. And then you drive up here with this ... this... jerk.”

“Who are you calling jerk, you freak?” Tyrone shouted.

“Stop it, you two.” I said. “David, it’s not what you think, really. And Tyrone, please don’t make it any worse.”

“So he can say what he wants, and I can’t do anything?” Tyrone asked. David went over to him.

“That’s right. You can’t do anything, because you’ve already done enough. You can’t just go about ruining the lives of everyone around you. Why the hell can’t you leave me alone?”

“Well,” Tyrone answered angrily. “For the record, I didn’t ask your girl out – she came looking for me. And I am the one who ruins people’s lives? It seems like you are confusing me with yourself here, because I somehow recall that it was you who made your ex-girlfriend’s life a living hell, with your obsessions, and it was you who made your sister choose between the two of us. And guess what, this girl here seems to be destined for the same ending, hanging around with you.”

“Stop it, you two,” Steve cut in. “Tyrone, go home. This isn’t the place, nor the time for this. David, calm down. Let him go. Your problem is with my sister, not with him. Let him go.” At that moment, Tyrone came over to me, and said angrily,
“This is all your fault.” I was surprised and hurt.

“My fault? Why?”

“I told you to stay away from me, and you wouldn’t listen. You had to come and find me tonight. If you want to find answers, go and ask your parents. But don’t bother me anymore. I don’t want to see you, or any of your friends again, do you hear me?” And with those words he stormed away.

We walked back into the house. Steve left David and me alone in the living room. As soon as he was out of earshot, David asked,

“So are you going to tell me what that was about?” I looked at him, not knowing where to begin.

“David, it’s not what you think, really. I only met Tyrone yesterday morning in the cafeteria. I just wanted to find some answers at all costs.”

“Answers to what?” he asked.

“Well, for one thing, it seemed strange what had happened to you because of him. And then when I mentioned my brother’s name yesterday, Tyrone acted so weird, and… and… well, scared. And I wanted to find out what had happened.”

“Well, and did you?” he asked. I shook my head.

“No. He doesn’t want to talk about it. We just spent the night drinking and dancing, and talking about everyday stuff, but he didn’t want to talk about anything that might have happened.”

“Dancing and drinking? Is that all that happened?” I looked down.

“Well, we did kiss, but it was a mistake, really.” David was obviously shocked and hurt to hear this.

“Oh God,” he said. “You kissed?”

“David, I drank too much Tequila, he drank too much beer – it was a mistake really. It just happened, but we both know it was a terrible mistake. I’m really sorry, David. I love you.” He looked at me and shook his head,

“I don’t know Michelle. I really trusted you, and you lied to me, and you kissed him. Do you do that often, fraternize with the enemy?”

“He is not the enemy, David. Please stop thinking of him as the enemy. Don’t you realise how much that hurts your sister?”

“And you think that by kissing him, you have done my sister a favour, don’t you?” I shook my head.

“I told you that was a mistake. Neither me nor Tyrone meant for it to happen. And I’m really sorry.”

“I don’t know Michelle. I guess I’d better be going. You need to sleep.”

“David, please don’t go like that. Can I call you tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. I’m too mixed up right now to know what I really want.” I was crying by now, as I said,

“So am I David, believe me. I am too mixed up to think clearly. I don’t know what’s going on, and I want to find out, and no one wants to help. I will go and find Tyrone tomorrow, and I will make things right about what happened tonight.”

“Why? Why do you want to see him again?” I shook my head.

“I don’t. I made a terrible mess tonight, and now I have to clean things up. But I am telling you, because I don’t want to lie to you anymore. You have a right to know where I will be, and with whom.”

“We’ll talk about that later, because right now, I don’t think that I can take anymore.” And with those words he walked out of the house, leaving me to cry myself to sleep on the sofa.

What was happening? Why didn’t anyone want to give me one single answer? What didn’t I remember? Will David forgive me, and still want to be with me? Will Steve be ok, if I stayed with David? All these questions kept swirling in my head, together with the Tequila, and I felt like I was on a roundabout that wouldn’t stop. I wanted to get off, but I couldn’t. Sounds and words were mixing together, and I couldn’t see clearly anymore. The last thing I remember thinking before falling in a sleepless dream was, “I’ve been on this ride too long. It’s time to get off. Please make it stop.”

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 10

2007-10-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

The taxi pulled up in front of this nightclub. I looked out of the window. It seemed like this was quite a popular hang-out spot, judging from the amount of people, and considering this was a weekday. I paid the driver, and got out. I started walking inside. I also guessed that this place was frequented by the usual crowd, and it was not often that someone new came here, because as I was walking inside lots of people were looking at me in wonder.

I didn’t know anyone in this place, but I slowly started looking around, hoping to see Tyrone and his gang. But they were nowhere to be seen. In the end, I gave up my search, and decided to just go and buy a drink. As I was approaching the bar, I suddenly spotted Tyrone sitting alone at the bar. I wondered why he wasn’t here with his friends, but I was also glad that I had found him. I walked over to him, and greeted him,

“Hi Tyrone.” He looked up surprised.

“What are you doing here?” I shrugged.

“I’ve heard about this place, and decided to come down to check it out.” From the look he gave me, I know that he didn’t believe me.

“Alone?” he asked.

“So what? You are here alone too.”

“Yes, but my friends wanted to go to this end-of-summer pool party, and I didn’t want to go.”

“Same here,” was my reply.

“Ok, nice seeing you,” he said as he turned away from me. I wasn’t ready to give up so soon, and so I moved closer to him, and said,

“Now that was very rude of you, you know.” He turned to me again,

“Why? I just don’t feel like talking to you, that’s all. I think I have a right to choose not to speak to someone, don’t I? After all, this is a free country.” I was getting a little angry by then, but I tried to keep cool.

“Come on, don’t go all lawyer on me now. You are here alone, and so am I, so why can’t we just order a drink, and try to be friends?” He shrugged, and so I called the barman, and ordered a Tequila for myself, and a beer for Tyrone. When the drinks came, he turned to me, and asked,

“So how did you know I would be here? I never mentioned where I hang out.”

“I didn’t know. I heard about this place, and I decided to come down here tonight.” Tryone frowned.

“Listen, if you want me to stay for at least this drink, you can at least try to be honest with me. You came here to see me. Otherwise, you would have gone out with your boyfriend tonight, or you could have come down here with a friend. But you came here alone, and it’s obvious that your intention is purely to talk to me.” I sighed and said,

“Ok, you’re right. I found out from Lynn – I wasn’t asking, though. She mentioned that you come down here, and so I decided to come too.”

“But why?”

“To find some answers,” I replied. He looked at me quizzically. “Oh, come on,” I said. “This morning you seemed fine, and I thought you liked me. You even invited me to hang out with you and your friends. And then when I mentioned my brother’s name, you went all cold on me. I want to know what happened between you and Steve.” He looked down.

"Michelle, nothing happened. At least not recently. But it’s a long story. And I don’t want to talk about it.” I tried to get him to talk about what had happened, but he refused to speak one word about it. In the end, he got off the stool, and said,

“Listen, you are here tonight, and alone, and so am I. Maybe, for this one night, we can hang out together, and try to have fun. But don’t ask me about that anymore.” I knew that I needed to win Tyrone’s trust, if I was going to get him to talk, so I said,

“OK, let’s party then.” The night went on, and although we didn’t speak of that incident again, we talked about a lot of things. I learnt that Tyrone had moved to Lenton one year before, just around the time that my brother had, and he had come down here with his best friend. At first I had thought that his friend was one of the guys that he usually hung out with, but when he said, “She looks after me,” I realised that she was a female. He never mentioned her name, and I didn’t like to ask. He also said that he had bought a garage, so that he could tinker with his motorbike in his free time, and that was the place where he spent most of his free time, when he wasn’t at University, or out partying. He said that his garage was in Claryton too, and I was surprised to find out that it was quite near David’s house. At that moment, I thought how hard it must be for Lynn, to pass by his garage everyday, knowing that he is so close, and yet she cannot talk to him.

We drank a lot of tequila and beer, and we danced all night. For a short while, I forgot the reason why I was here, and I was really having a wild time with Tyrone.

“This place is great, isn’t it?” he shouted over the music.

“Yes,” I shouted back. “I’m really having a great time with you.”

And I hugged him, and we continued dancing, and drinking.

By 4am, I was totally drunk, and exhausted, and so Tyrone said,

“Come on, let’s go upstairs on the roof, and chill out.” We sat down at a table, and I smiled.

“This has been a really great night – probably the best in my life so far.” He smiled back, and said,

“I’m really glad that you have enjoyed yourself tonight. But listen to me now, this was just one night, ok? There will be no more. Don’t try to find me again, promise?” I was stunned.

“But why?” I asked. He shook his head.

“Don’t ask why. You’ve had one wild night with me, and now from tomorrow you can go back to your perfect life, and enjoy everything you have. You don’t need me to mess things up for you.” I sighed.

“If only you knew how perfect my life was! No one is going to mess up my life, because my life is already messed up. Too many questions, not one single answer. Too many people acting weird, no one wants to say why. I feel like I’ve suddenly been dropped into some reality show. Everyone is acting strange lately, David, Lynn, my brother, you. It seems like everyone I meet is somehow involved in this thing, and yet when I ask, everyone seems to hide away and avoid answering. I just wish I could wake up, and find out this is all a dream. Everyday, I am waiting for someone to come up to me with a mike and a camera and telling me that this was all a setup, and it’s only been some freak reality show.” Tyrone sighed at my words,

“Yeah, tell me about it. I’ve been feeling like that ever since I moved to this island.” I looked at him, puzzled.

“Why Tyrone? Can’t you at least give some answers?” He looked at me seriously,

“Michelle, you don’t really remember anything, do you?” I was getting more and more confused now, and I asked,

“What is there to remember? Is there something I should know?” He gave me a half smile, as he said,

“You’re really lucky, you know. You guys were taken away, and you forgot. And yet, I had to stay, and remember every single day. Don’t ask anymore. Just know that you are really lucky not to remember anything at all. Think of tonight as an adventure away from your boyfriend, and then from tomorrow pretend you never knew me, and live your life.” I shook my head, and stood up.

“No, Tyrone. I can’t live my life the way that I want to. Besides this thing between you and Steve, there is something going on between David and Steve, and I know that someday soon I will have to choose between them. And it’s not fun. I see Lynn hurting everyday, and I feel sorry for her. And yet I can’t help thinking that soon I will be in her situation.” He stood up, and came over to me. He put his arms around me, and said,

“I believe that everything happens for a reason – or at least my friend from Sherwood believes that, and she keeps telling it to me every single day. This is an advice from a really messed up guy, but try to take it: Live your life one day at a time, and try not to think about things that much.” I looked into his eyes, and at that moment I knew that he was being totally honest, and he was saying that because he understood exactly what I was going through.

Suddenly, without us knowing how, our lips touched and we were kissing each other. I know now that probably it was all the Tequila and the beer that made us do it, but at that moment as we were kissing each other, I had this feeling that Tyrone was right, and there is a reason behind everything. Somehow, it’s all part of the big picture, and yet at that moment, it was too dark to see things clearly. Tyrone pulled away, and looked at me in wonder, as if he too was asking me what we were doing kissing each other.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“Don’t be. It just happened, all right? Maybe it’s the drinks, maybe it’s what we talked about.” He smiled, and said,

“Come on, this night has gone too far now. Maybe it’s time we went home.”

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 9

2007-10-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

I spent the rest of the free period trying to work on my assignment, but I couldn’t concentrate. Tyrone’s behaviour had really left me in a daze. He had seemed so nice at first, and really interested in getting to know me, but when I mentioned my brother’s name and the fact that we had lived in Sherwood, he had looked at me as if he hated me. No, that was not right. He had looked at me as if he was afraid of me. But why? What was so wrong with Sherwood? Everyone seemed comfortable with mentioning it, but terrified of having anything to do with it. I decided to ask Lynn about it. I couldn’t ask David, that was sure – and I couldn’t ask Steve either, because if something had happened between them the previous year, he wouldn’t have liked the fact that I had spent over an hour chatting with Tyrone. But Lynn would know. Lynn had been dating him, and he said that she had been special, therefore he might have confided something in her. So I picked up the cell phone, and texted her to meet me in the grounds after that period. I knew that David had another lecture right after this one, so I could talk to her freely.

We met, and as we sat down on the grass, I said,

“Lynn, guess who I just ran into at the cafeteria during this period?”

“Who?” she asked.

“Tyrone,” was my reply. She looked down.

“Tyrone is history. I don’t even like him anymore. So I don’t really want to hear anything about him.” I reached out, and took her hand.

“Relax. I’m not going to say anything to David about it. David is my boyfriend, but you are my best friend. And you can trust me. I can understand you, believe me.” She looked up, and her eyes were filled with tears.

“I don’t understand. Just because there were some strange going-ons between him and my brother, I don’t understand why he won’t even talk to me anymore. I mean, at the beginning, he said he wanted to keep on seeing me, behind my brother’s back. And so we did for a while. And then all of a sudden, he said he didn’t want to see me anymore, and wouldn’t explain why. And this year, I’ve met him a couple of times in the corridors, but he really makes it too obvious that he is trying to avoid me.” I was surprised at this, but answered,

“Maybe it’s because of what happened between him and David. I didn’t know who he was when I saw him. I just stared at him, because he looked familiar to me. Then we got talking, and I realised who he was. Believe me, when I told him I was dating your brother, he didn’t have any nice words to say about him.”

“But why? He said he hates him, didn’t he? That definitely means that I stand no chance with him.” I nodded my head.

“He did say that he can’t stand him, but the reason is because he broke you two up. He said that you were the only girl he ever cared about. And I think I believe him.” She looked at me with shining eyes.

“Really, he did? Then why doesn’t he speak to me anymore? He’s even changed his cell phone number.”

“I don’t know, but something weird happened while I was talking with him. At first, he was telling me how he would like me to go meet him and his friends – again behind David’s back. But then, when I mentioned my brother’s name, he got kind of scared, and told me not to go, and left.” She looked at me in amazement.

“But why?” I shrugged.

“I don’t know. I was kind of hoping that you would tell me if something happened between him and my brother last year.” She shook her head.

“I don’t know. He never mentioned anything. He does have a friend called Steven, but he’s not your brother, because I’ve known him since we were kids, and I often met him when I used to go with Tyrone to ‘The Shack’?”

“’The Shack’?” I asked.

“It’s this really cool club downtown, where Tyrone and his friends hang out.” At that moment, I made an important decision. I was going to go ‘The Shack’ that night, and try to get Tyrone to tell me the truth.

So that evening, I showered and got dressed, and was ready to go out, when the doorbell rang. I went to answer, and it was David. Luckily, my brother was not home.

“Hi,” he said. “Let’s go somewhere really cool tonight.” I lounged on the sofa, and pretended to look tired.

“I don’t really feel like going out tonight. I was going to go to bed early. I had a really tiring day at school today, and I’m exhausted.”

“What’s the matter with you?” David asked surprised. “There’s this really cool party at my uncle’s resort, and I thought you would love to go there and have fun.”

“I really wish I could make it. But I’m really tired. But you can go, and have fun.” He tried to reason with me, but I would not budge. I really hated lying to David like this, but I wanted to find out the truth at all costs. And I tried to persuade him to go to the party – that way he would not find out where I’ve been. In the end, I managed to persuade him to go, even though he said it won’t be the same without me.

After about 30 minutes, as I was ready to go out, my brother walked in. He asked where I was going, and I said I was going out with David to his uncle’s party, and ran out before he could ask anymore questions. My brother knew me too well, and he would guess I was lying. I called a cab, and told the driver to take me to ‘The Shack’, and I was off, planning to find out whatever had happened between Tyrone and Steve. Little did I know how different things were going to turn out that night - and that that night was going to be the night that was going to change our lives forever.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 8

2007-10-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

One morning, I was in the school’s cafeteria alone, because everyone else had classes, and my lecturer had not showed up. So I took my books with me, and was trying to work on an assignment. Suddenly, I looked up and my heart skipped a beat, as someone walked through the door. It was a guy who looked around my age, with black hair, and piercing black eyes. I had never seen him before, but somehow I felt drawn to him. It felt as if I knew him somewhere, and at the same time, it felt like a déjà vu – just as if I had seen him walking through that door a hundred times before. As I was staring at him, he saw me looking at him, and stopped in his tracks. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, and I was not surprised to see him walking over to my table. He stopped in front of me, and asked me if he could sit down. I nodded, but before he sat down he went to get us a drink.

As he sat down, he looked at me, and asked,

“Where do I know you? You seem so familiar.” I shook my head.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen you before. But that’s why I was staring at you, when you walked in – because you too seem somewhat familiar. Anyway, my name is Michelle.”

“Hi, Michelle. I’m Tyrone.” My heart stopped beating for a few seconds, as I stared at him – so this was Tyrone! He didn’t notice my shock, because he was looking at the books spread out on the table.

“Hmm, “Experimental Theatre”, “History of the Theatre”, “Performing Arts”, “Theatrical Makeup”, he mumbled as he shifted through the books. “So you’re majoring in drama?” I nodded, and then asked,

“And you, what are you majoring in?”

“Law,” he said. I stared at him. He didn’t seem to portray the image of the lawyer in the least bit. He must have noticed my amazement, because he laughed and said, “It’s strange, isn’t it? I don’t want to do it. But my father was a lawyer, and he wanted me to study law. So I am studying law. I’ll tell you a secret. I’m not studying law to become a lawyer – I am doing it, so that if I ever get caught breaking the law, I will be able to defend myself, if I won’t find an attorney who will take my case.” I laughed along with him.

“Seems like the perfect plan,” I said. We spoke for a while about the way we had spent our summer. I had thought that my summer had been perfect, but when Tyrone started speaking of the wild things that he did together with his friends, I knew that my summer was really tame. As I listened to him, I found myself becoming more and more fascinated by him. I could easily understand why David was so drawn to him, and his lifestyle.

“Your life sounds really exciting,” I said.

“Hey, you’re welcome to join us anytime you want. I could give you my cell phone number if you want, so if you want to drop by I could tell you where we are.” I smiled at him, and answered,

“Thanks Tyrone, I really appreciate your offer, but I don’t think my boyfriend will like that very much.” He rolled his eyes.

“Ok, you don’t have to lie to me. I’m not asking you out on a date. I’m just telling you that you could hang out with us if you want.” I laughed, and said,

“I’m not lying. I would really love to hang out with you guys sometime, but I do really have a boyfriend. His name is David, and he is a second year Medicine student. I do believe that you know him, and his sister Lynn.” He looked shocked at my statement.

“But David is with Ellen,” he stammered. I shook my head.

“Not anymore. They broke up last April. We’ve been together since June.” He looked at me, and said,

“Excuse me for being so blunt? But what do you see in him? He doesn’t seem your type at all. He’s so boring, and he doesn’t even know the meaning of having fun.”

“That’s so not true. David is not the same David that you knew. He’s changed a lot – you were really a bad influence,” I laughed. “Did you know that he even owns a motorbike now?” Tyrone looked surprised.

“No, I didn’t. Are you sure we’re talking about the same David here? I mean, he used to go berserk, if his sister came for a ride with me.” I nodded.

“Yes, he’s changed a lot. You wouldn’t believe it.” Tyrone shrugged.

“I still can’t stand the guy. I mean, he was ok at first, but then when I started dating Lynn, he did everything he could to break us up, and he succeeded. I know it’s a bit far-fetched for me, but I really liked that girl. I had never felt that way about anyone else before, and he had to interfere.” I felt it was my duty to stand up for my boyfriend, so I said,

“He loves his sister a lot, and he wants her to be happy. But there were other things that made him do that.”

“Yes,” he said bitterly. “Anyway, it’s up to you. If you want to waste your life with him, that’s your decision. But my offer to hang out with us is still open.”

“Tyrone, I can understand your anger towards him, and I don’t blame you. And you know, I just might take you up on your offer.” He smiled, and seemed to relax. We talked about other things as well, and then he asked,

“I’ve been wondering about something. You have this really great Texan accent. How come?”

“That’s where I come from. I’ve only been here a few months. Have you always lived here?” He shook his head.

“No, I used to live in England. But last year, me and my best friend moved over here. I needed to get away – I always felt suffocated in that tiny village – and my best friend decided to come here with me. I had read about Lenton, and how life here is one great party all year round, and believe me, after living for 18 years in a small closed-minded village called Sherwood, this really seemed like the promised land.” I was totally hit, by his last statement.

“Sherwood, you said?” He nodded, and laughed.

“Come on, don’t even pretend you heard about it! It’s really a tiny village lost in the middle of nowhere.”

“I know. But I’ve not only heard of it – I used to live there when I was a kid. And they were really great days, when we used to play in the woods behind the stream. But then my parents moved to Texas, and that’s where we’ve been living ever since. That is, until me and my brother Steve decided to move here.” He looked up, and there was no mistaking the shocked look on his face.

“You and your brother who?” he exclaimed. “The woods behind the stream? Oh God, this isn’t happening!” I could not make head or tail of it, so I asked.

“What isn’t happening? What’s wrong? And my brother’s name is Steve.” He got up quickly, and said,

“I gotta go. This is too freaky even for someone as crazy as me… And I actually don’t think you should hang out with us, either… Erm, your boyfriend might not like it… Gotta go. Bye.” And with those words, he walked away, leaving me as stunned as could be.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 7

2007-10-12T04:49:00.000-07:00

I am very sorry about the lack of pictures in this update. But I have been really busy, and I did not have time to take the pictures. I just wanted to get this update up.

The next morning, at breakfast, I asked my brother how he felt. He shrugged,

“I don’t know what happened last night. I’ve never had a dream like that. I sometimes do have bad dreams like everyone else, but that dream last night, it felt so real. I’m sorry if I scared you.” I smiled, and tried not to show him how worried I was.

“You did scare me, the way you were screaming. That’s why I came to your room.” He looked at me seriously.

“What did I scream?”

“I could not really understand that much. But I do remember you saying, Stop, Help and Please. Probably you were dreaming that someone was chasing you, or hurting you.” I was careful not to mention the fact that he had screamed David’s name. He shook his head.

“No, I don’t think so. But I really can’t remember anything. But thanks anyway, for staying with me. I thought I was going to feel stupid this morning for being so scared last night. But yet, something from that dream is still with me, and I can’t seem to relax this morning.”

After my brother went out, I went to the phone, and called my parents in America. I spoke a bit with my dad, and then my mum came to the phone.

“Hi,” she said. “How are my two little kids doing out there? Still with your boyfriend?”

“We were doing really great, until last night. I’m still with David, and Steve is seeing a girl called Mandy. But mum, I’m pretty worried about something.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“It’s about Steve. Mum, last night he had one of those nightmares.” I heard the hesitation in my mother’s voice, as she asked.

“What do you mean? Everyone has nightmares every now and then.”

“But this was just like one of those nightmares he used to have when he was a kid,” I replied.

“What are you talking about, sweetie?” she asked. Now there was no mistaking the worried tone in her voice.

“Mum, please be honest with me. I’m really worried about him. You have been lying to me all these years, but I really don’t want anything to happen to Steve. Steve did have terrible nightmares when we were kids – I remember them.” She sighed,

“I didn’t think you would remember. You were so young. But yes, Steve did suffer from a terrible thing, but now he’s ok, and he’s been ok for a long time.”

“What happened mum?” I asked. She didn’t answer, so I asked again, “Mum, we did live in Sherwood before Texas, didn’t we?” She was crying softly now.

“Yes, we did. And something terrible happened to your brother over there. We moved away, because the doctors said that it might help him to forget. And it did. And that’s why we had to lie to you – we were so afraid that if we mentioned that place, or anything that had to do with it, it would trigger your brother’s memory, and he’d be sick again.”

“What happened to him, mum?” I insisted.

“No, Michelle. I’m not going to tell you. We never told you what happened when you were a kid, to protect you. And it’s better if we keep things this way. If what you say is true, and your brother is suffering from those nightmares again, he’s going to need you to help him. Just take care of him, and don’t ask unnecessary questions.”

“But how can I help him, if I don’t know what’s wrong with him?”

“Michelle, the only thing that can help your brother is that he does not remember Sherwood, or anything that happened there. You just make sure that he keeps on having fun, and studying the music that he loves, and try to keep him away from anything that might remind him of those days.” She paused. “And Michelle, I’m really sorry that we lied to you and made you believe a fantasy, but believe me, it was for your own good. I love you two too much to let anything happen to you. Me and your dad were happy in Sherwood, but we had to sacrifice that for your best interest, so please do try to understand.” I knew I was not going to get anything else out of her, so I changed the subject, and started talking about life in Lenton.

The summer days kept going by. Steve spent a lot of time with Mandy, and I was all wrapped up in David, and I spent the mornings with Lynn. Steve didn’t have another nightmare all summer long, and I never spoke of them with him. Even David seemed to relax, and he never mentioned his forgotten childhood again, and I never brought the subject up – neither with him, nor with Lynn. It was the perfect summer – and I was not going to let anything else ruin it. We were always out, partying till the early morning hours, and then sleeping it off at the beach the next day. Everything was the way it should be. We were young, and we were living our lives the way they were meant to be lived.

And suddenly it was fall, and school started. The first month of school passed without any incident. I started my drama class, and though it was hard, I loved it. Lynn had started studying Psychology, and she seemed to love the subject. Steve and Mandy were in their second year in Music, and that made them really happy. And David – he too started his second year in Medicine, but he was still unhappy about it, and trying to find his way. Steve and David rarely met – in fact, I tried to make sure that they didn’t meet, because I was afraid that something might happen to my brother or to David. It was after about a week from Steve’s nightmare, that David confided in me, that he had had another nightmare, and this time without meeting Tyrone. I didn’t tell him about Steve, but I resolved not to let them meet for a while, until I had figured out what to do.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 6

2007-10-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

The summer days went on. My brother had been right, summers in Lenton were definitely the best in the world, and I knew that no matter what, this is where I wanted to live for the rest of my life. After that day, Lynn and I became really great friends, and so while David would be working at his uncle’s resort, we would hang out together. And David and I became inseparable. We were totally in love with each other, and everything was just perfect. One day, while we were cuddled together in the hot tub, David held me close to him and said,

“I really don’t know how my life would have been if I had never met you. I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I haven’t known you that long, but I really feel like I have known you forever. And I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Seriously David, I have felt the same way about you ever since our first date. I honestly feel like we were meant to be together.” He squeezed me closer and said,

“I thought I was in love before, and I guess in a way, I was. But it never felt this way. I think about you all the time, and I miss you so much when we’re not together. And I’m really glad that you and my sister like each other. Because you know, even though I love you so much, I would never hurt my sister by being with someone who doesn’t like her. After all, she broke up with Tyrone because of me, and although she was hurt, and angry at me, she did what was best for me.”

“Lynn has really become my best friend. I’ve had friends before of course, but I have never had a best friend that I felt so comfortable with, as much as I feel comfortable with your sister. She’s fun, she’s always laughing, and she’s a really great friend.” He smiled at me.

“What would you do if your brother won’t like me?” I smiled.

“My brother is so happy for me right now, that believe me, I think he would not say anything, even if you happened to be his worst enemy. He won’t like you, only if he thinks you’re going to hurt me.” He kissed me softly, and said,

“I can’t promise you that I’m never going to do something to hurt you, because people hurt each other all the time, especially the ones that they love. But I can promise you that I will always love you, no matter what.”

“Ditto,” was my reply. “Anyway, why don’t we go out together some time this week, you, me and Steve? That way, you two can meet, and maybe you will become friends with him. He does hang out with a friend from University, who lives next door to us, Damian – but he’s so boring, poor thing. I think that Steve needs to have some fun, and he needs a friend like you.” David agreed, and so that evening, I went home to tell my brother the news.

As I was running in all excited, I heard voices coming from the living room. I walked in and my brother was sitting on the couch, and sitting next to him, was a beautiful girl with curly hair, all dressed in red. She looked up as I walked in.

“Hi,” I said. She smiled back, and Steve smiled too.

“Michelle, this is Mandy. And Mandy, this is my sister Michelle.” She came over and shook my hand.

“So finally we meet. I’ve heard so much about you – and all good things believe me. Your brother adores you.” I made a face at him, and then asked.

“So you’re his girlfriend? She blushed, and answered.

“Well, we’ve known each other since last year. We had the same classes, and we did some assignments together, and we became friends. But now we met again over the summer, and yes, we are kind of dating.” Steve sensed her embarrassment at my question, so he said,

“Excuse my sister for being so blunt. But she’s always like that, so direct at everything.”

“That’s ok,” she said. I sat down opposite them.

“And it’s even more than ok for me. Because now I have met your girlfriend, so you owe me one. I want you to meet David.” I turned to Mandy. “David is my boyfriend,” I explained. Steve seemed really happy at this proposition, and agreed at once.

So the next day, we went out together, the three of us at this bar. David and Steve seemed to like each other, and we were having a good time together. At first the conversation started about our lives in Texas, and Steve talked about his life in Lenton, and the summer job at the resort. Then somehow our conversation turned to school. “

So you study Medicine?” Steve asked.

“Yes, that’s what I started out as, and I guess that’s what I’ll keep on doing this year. What are you studying?”

“Music,” replied my brother. David looked surprised.

"Music? Wow. Do you play an instrument?”

“Sure I do. I’ve played the piano since I was a kid, but I prefer string instruments.”

“My sister plays the guitar too. And I play the drums.” This was news to me.

“Really?” I asked. “You never told me that.” He blushed.

“Well, I’m not really that good. It was more like a hobby to me. But lately, you know, I’ve become to really like them even more.” A thought suddenly occurred to me.

“Steve, your girlfriend says she was in your course. Does she play an instrument too?”

“Yes, she plays a lot of instruments, but like me she prefers string instruments. That’s why we had assignments together, because we shared a lot in common.”

“Wow,” I laughed.

“Aren’t we one happy musical group? I don’t play any instruments, but I have taken voice lessons for a long time now, and I like singing too. Maybe some day I would do a really big musical.” Steve smiled.

“Some day you are going to write a really big musical.” David looked up quizzically.

“My sister doesn’t know how to write music, but she can write some really good lyrics.” I blushed, and at that moment I wished that my brother had not said those things about me, because I was rather embarrassed at that, and I had only shared my lyrics with him, and no one else. David was surprised.

“Wow, you will have to show them to me. It’s not fair that your brother gets to see your artwork, and I don’t.” I knew I couldn’t get away from this, so I promised to show them to him some time soon.

The rest of the evening progressed pleasantly. And on the way home, I asked my brother what he thought of David.

“He seems like a good guy, and he seems like he’s really in love with you. I like him, but there’s something else.”

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “But all evening I’ve had this weird feeling that I’ve known David for a long time. There’s something so familiar about him.” I nodded in agreement.“That’s the way I felt about him, the first time that I met him. And to be honest with you, while you went to the restrooms, he said the same thing about you. Maybe that’s because, even though we didn’t know it, we all shared the same interests, you know.” My brother smiled, and he said that that was probably it.

But that night something really strange happened. I was fast asleep in my bed, when I heard a scream coming from my brother’s bedroom. I ran to his room, and I saw that he was tossing and turning in his sleep. At first I thought it was just a bad dream, but when he screamed again, and started sweating out, I knew this was not just any nightmare. My mind flashed back to those last nights in Sherwood, and I was scared. I was so afraid my brother was going to have a relapse. I moved cautiously towards the bed, to try to wake him up, when suddenly he started screaming,

“No, don’t. Don’t do it. Stop! Make him stop! …” I quickened my step, when suddenly Steve’s next words made me stop in my tracks. “DAVID!” he screamed. “What did you do? Run … help… now … please, no, please.” I ran quickly, and shook him awake. He was sweating terribly, his heart was beating fast, and tears were streaming down his face.

“Steve, wake up!”

“What happened?” I asked. He stared at me, dumbfounded,

“I don’t know. I guess I had a nightmare.”

“Yes,” I said. “What did you dream?” He shook his head.“I can’t remember anything. All I know is that it was a terrible nightmare. It felt so real. I’m afraid to go back to sleep.” I got him a glass of water, and stayed beside him, until he calmed down. He looked at the bedside clock.

“It’s three am. I have to sleep. But I’m so scared. Michelle, will you stay with me tonight?” I nodded, and cuddled in the bed beside him. But neither I nor he got much sleep that night. I could feel him tossing and turning, while I had too many thoughts running through my head. Steve’s reactions had been so similar to those in Sherwood, that I was scared. And why did he mention David’s name? Did it have anything to do with what happened in Sherwood? But what if Lynn was right, and our life in Sherwood never existed, and I had imagined it all? Was I the one who was going crazy? I resolved that the next day, I was going to call my parents, and ask them for the truth.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 5

2007-10-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

After that day, neither me nor David talked about our childhoods for a while. We had been true to each other, and now that we knew the weird secrets that we both had, we left them behind us, and enjoyed our lives together as any normal “new” couple would. We spent the days at the beach, and the nights either partying out somewhere, or else taking long strolls in the park or by the beach. Those days were heavenly, and I wished they would never end. I knew that I was falling in love with David, and I’m sure that he felt the same way about me too. But even though we never spoke of the past again, the fact that we had shared that secret with each other made us bond together even more. It was not only as if we had something in common, but it seemed like fate had worked to bring us together to understand each other.

A few weeks after our first date, David drove me to the park, and he told me that he would like me to meet someone very special, and very dear to him. When we arrived, I heard a female’s voice greeting him, and I turned around. And behind me, I saw a beautiful girl with dark hair, dressed in blue. It took only one glance at her, and I recognised her at once. It was the same girl that was with David in the pool that first day I met him. I had thought that she was beautiful that day, but today I realised she was even more beautiful up close. She smiled at me, and her eyes smiled too.

“So this must be the Michelle that you never stop talking about, right?” she teased David. She turned to me, “Hi, I’m Lynn, this idiot’s younger sister. Geez, what do you see in him?” And she laughed.

“Just because you’re too bitter to appreciate the beautiful things in life, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is,” he teased back. She laughed, and took my hand in hers.

“Don’t take any notice us of. We’re always teasing each other. “ I smiled and I said,

“I have an older brother too, so I know what it feels like to be seen as the worthless, baby sister, while big brother thinks he owns the world,” I laughed.

“Hey, you’re siding with her. That’s not fair. I thought you loved me,” said David.

“Well, us women have to stick together to protect each other against alien species like you,” Lynn answered. At that moment, David’s cell phone rang.

“Oh yeah… sure… right now? … Ok, I’ll be there soon… no, no, we’d better finish it today, because I need to be free tonight… yes, with my girl. Ok, see you in 30 minutes.” He turned to us. “That was Uncle Phil, he needs me to run down, and help him finish setting up for that engagement party they have tomorrow. I’d better run, because if I don’t go now, he might keep me there all evening.”

“Do you have to do it?” Lynn whined. “You’re always running errands for Uncle Phil.”

“They call it a summer job. I need the money, and you know it. Anyway, I’ve got to run. Will you two girls be allright on your own?” I smiled, to assure him that I will be ok, while Lynn said,

“There goes big brother again. Of course we’ll be all right. We’ll have so much fun together talking about you. I guess Michelle is dying to hear all the gross details about her boyfriend.” David walked to her, and tickled her as he said,

“Don’t you dare!” And laughing to himself he walked away.

Me and Lynn ordered a coffee, and we sat down at a table to drink it.

“You really seem close to your brother,” I said. “I noticed that from the first time I saw you at the pool with David. In fact, that day I thought you were his girlfriend.” She smiled.

“Yes, David and I are very close. We’re not just a brother and sister, we’re also best friends, and we tell each other everything… Well, almost everything, anyway, because I think that there are some details that I won’t tell him, and that I wouldn’t like to hear from him either,” she winked as she said this. I laughed,

“Of course, and I’m not going to tell them to you either. I can understand you two, because like I said, I too have an older brother, Steve, and there’s the same age gap between us, like between you and David, and we’re really close to each other. In fact, that’s why I moved here to Lenton this year, because I spent last year alone in Texas, while he was here, and I was lost without him.”

“Didn’t you have any friends over there?” she wanted to know.

“Oh, yes, I did. But none of them were like Steve. I don’t know what I would do if I ever had to fight with him, or lose him, or something.” Lynn nodded.

“That would be hell. A few months ago, me and David had a big fight, and I cried for days, because it was the first time it ever happened, since we were kids. In the end, we made it up after about two weeks, but I never want to go through that hell again… So,” she changed the subject, “you really like David, don’t you?”

“Oh yes,” I said. “I love David, he’s amazing. He’s everything that I think about, and every day seems brighter, just because I know that I’m going to see him, or hear his voice on the phone. Honestly, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And I don’t know if you can understand me.” She suddenly looked sad,

“I can. I’ve felt like that once. But it’s over now.”

“What happened?” I asked. “It was the reason why David and I had that fight. I met this guy Tyrone, and I really fell in love with him. And I’m sure he felt the same way about me. But David would not let me see him. He was going through a rough time, and … oh well, I know I can’t see Tyrone, so I’ll just have to accept things.” I looked at her.

“Lynn, David has told me all about Tyrone, and all that he has gone through. So I know. And he has also told me about his childhood … well, that he doesn’t remember it, anyway.” Lynn looked uncomfortable.

“And who does? We all think we remember our childhoods, but then we think hard, we realise that’s it’s only fragments that we remember, and we don’t really remember it at all.”

“But David doesn’t remember any of it. And he would really like to know what happened. He feels that if he had to know he would be a complete person.” Lynn shook her head.

"Michelle, I really like you, and I really would like to be friends with you. But please, do not ask me about David’s past. If he wants to know it, he is free to go and search for it anywhere that he likes. But I’m not going to be the one to destroy my only brother’s sanity. My god, I can’t imagine what he would have been like today, if he hadn’t forgotten. So please, don’t ask anymore.” I nodded my head.

“I understand. You know, my brother, he suffers from the same thing. When we were kids, something bad happened to him – I don’t know what, because I was never told – and he was really, really sick. And then gradually, he forgot all about his childhood. And many times I believe that it’s better like that for him. Although sometimes I would like him to remember, so that I would at least know that I am not crazy.” She laughed.

“What do you mean? My brother doesn’t remember his childhood, but that doesn’t mean I am crazy, because I do remember it.”

“It’s different for us. David doesn’t remember his childhood, and he feels that gap, and he accepts that. Steve, my brother, doesn’t remember his childhood, but he has made up one in his mind. So it’s like this – we were kids at the same time, grew up together – but we remember a totally different childhood from each other.” Lynn looked serious.

“Are you sure it was your brother who forgot his childhood, and made up a new one? Couldn’t it be you?” I looked at her in amazement. This thought had never crossed my mind.

“Wow, I never thought about that. But you know, that does kind of make sense, in a weird way. Because everyone agrees on Steve’s version of our childhood, and they all dismiss mine.”

“Are you sure you remember everything about your childhood?” I shook my head.

“No. I only remember that we lived in England, not in America, and I have some flashes like you said everyone has. But even my parents never confirmed with me that we had lived in England. I don’t remember anything bad happening to me when we were kids – I just remember it happened to my brother.”

“Maybe that is what you want to remember. While you were going through whatever it was, your mind started building this whole fantasy childhood, and you thought your brother was the sick one, not you. And maybe you believe you lived in another place, because you don’t want to associate Texas with what happened to you.”

“I don’t know, I’m really confused now. Do you think that could be what really happened?” She shrugged.

“I don’t know. I’m just thinking of all the possible scenarios. I’m going to major in Psychology, you know, and they’ll be teaching me how to do this thing.” I laughed.

“Oh, you shrinks, you’re always making people believe that they are crazy, so you could get money out of it. Always trying to find hidden meanings when there aren’t any.” She leaned over the table.

“Michelle, joking aside, I’m going to tell you a secret. I do not want to make money out of it. I do not even want to work as a shrink. But after what happened to my brother when we were kids, I was always fascinated by the way the mind works. And I am taking this course, so that maybe one day I could be able to help my brother, without him suffering much.” I looked at her in amazement. There was so much love in her voice.

You really love your brother a lot, if you are willing to sacrifice your career just to help him get better.” She nodded.

“I would even give my own life for David. You cannot understand, because you don’t know anything about us. But after what happened to us when we were kids, I think I would die if something ever had to happen to him. Maybe someday, when I’ll get to know you better, I will tell you the truth about us, but for now please understand that I cannot trust anyone. It’s for David’s sake.” I nodded in agreement.

“Lynn, we just met, and I cannot expect you to trust me. I haven’t even known your brother that long, anyway.” She smiled at me again, and then laughed her ringing laugh again, to break the tension of the moment as she joked.

“Of course, when I become a famous shrink, I will try to fix your mind too – but that’s going to cost you, because honestly I don’t think there’s much hope for you considering the fact that you actually like my brother.” I looked at her surprised as to why she was saying this, when I saw her laughing and looking over my shoulder. I turned and David was standing there, a wide grin on his face.

“Seems like you too have gotten along really well, haven’t you?” he said as he pulled a chair next to us.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 4

2007-10-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

Two days later, the phone rang, and it was David. He apologized for not having called me the previous day, but he had been really busy, and was very tired in the evening. I was so happy that he had called, that I couldn’t let him know how I had waited for his call all day the day before.

“Anyway, I was wondering if you are free tonight?” Of course I was – I would be free anytime for David. So I said yes, and he told me he would come and pick me up about 8.

He drove to the park, and at first we walked aimlessly about. We talked about a lot of different things, but I could sense that David was nervous about something, and didn’t seem his normal cool self. It was as if there was something on his mind, and he couldn’t quite figure out how to say it. He finally led me to the swings, and as we were sitting down, he said,

“Michelle, I really like you – I mean, really, really like you. But there is something that I have to tell you about me, before things go any further.” So this was it.

“What?” I asked.“I’m so afraid that you would run away, or see me as a freak like Ellen did, when I tell you. But I’d rather tell you now, and then if you decide to leave, I will understand, even though I would really like you to stay.”

“David, whatever it is you have to tell me, and whatever I decide to do, I promise you I will not think of you as crazy or a freak. After all, everyone has strange things going through their minds as some point or other, don’t they?” He took a deep breath, and started his story,

“Remember how last time I told you about that guy, Tyrone, and how my life had changed since I met him?” I nodded. “Well, that wasn’t the proper order things happened. I started changing quite some time after. At first, there was something else.” I looked at him, and he went on, “At the beginning it was great hanging out with him. But then after a few days, the nightmares started. I would wake up screaming at night, sweating terribly, and afraid to go back to sleep. At first, this happened about once a week, but then they started occurring more frequently, until in the end it was every night. I don’t remember any of my nightmares, except for this one particular detail. I see Tyrone in the dream, holding a gun in his hand, except it’s not really Tyrone, it’s a boy of about eleven. But I just know it’s Tyrone; you know how dreams are. And I also know that somebody has just died. It’s terrible. And it’s always the same dream.”

“So you think this Tyrone is a killer?” I asked. He shook his head.

“No, I’m not saying that I have a sixth sense or anything. But there is something else which I haven’t told you. When I was younger, around the same age as the Tyrone in the dream, I had a terrible accident. I fell off my bicycle, and hit my head. I was in a coma for more than a week. When I came back to, I had lost most of my memory. My mother took me to a psychologist, but they realised that it was not because of the accident, but it was rather my mind shutting off some terrible experience. They knew that when I fell off the bike, I was running away from something, and so they thought it would be better if I did not remember.”

“So what does Tyrone have to do with your accident?” I asked.

“Well, I don’t know. But I somehow feel that seeing him triggered off something in my mind. And that boy, and the gun, and the nightmares, they have something to do with my forgotten past. Anyway, I tried to avoid him for some time, and the nightmares seemed to stop. Then when I met him again, I was back to screaming at night. So I decided to stop hanging out with him. But during all this time, I had started changing, and Ellen, my ex, could not handle the situation very well. She was always little Miss Perfect, and now suddenly there was something wrong with her boyfriend, and she could not accept the fact. And the rest of our story, I told it to you last time.”

“But you said you broke up because you wanted different things, and not because she thought there was something wrong with you.” He sighed,

“Yes, that’s true. But somehow, I feel that all this change that had come over me, was somehow all tied to my childhood – the childhood that I had forgotten, and that I can’t remember, but that Tyrone had somehow triggered off.”

“But are you happy with this new life now?” I asked.

“Yes, I am. Happier than I’ve ever been. There are only a couple of things that are bothering me. The first one is Tyrone. When I get back to University in October, he will be there, and I’m afraid the nightmares will start all over again. And the other thing is that now that I want to be me, like you said the other day, I need to know my past. I need to know who I am, and where I am coming from, to help me understand better. But I’m also afraid that my past is too dark, and I would not be able to handle it.”

“Can’t you ask your parents?”

“I’ve tried once, but the only answer that I got, was that if they had felt it was for my best, they would have told me about it long ago. The fact that they never told me, just proves that I’m better off not knowing. But I don’t know if they’re right. And my sister Lynn holds their views too. So I guess, I have to find out things on my own.” He stopped talking, and we were silent for a few moments. Then he got up, and started walking around the park again.

I followed him, until he sat down on a bench. He remained silent, and would not even look at me. I could understand his pain right at that moment, and I wanted to assure him, that everything was ok.

“David, I am not going to run away from you. If you really believe it’s better for you to remember your past, then I’m going to support your beliefs. I just want you to be happy.”

He smiled at me, and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

“You’re amazing, Michelle. And you can’t understand how happy you have made today. Thanks for understanding.” I sighed.

“Isn’t it ironic? You don’t remember a past that you have lived, and I remember a past that everyone insists I have never lived.” He turned to look at me, a confused look on his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I have all these vivid memories of my childhood, but everyone insists they never happened. My brother says he doesn’t remember any of it, and my parents tell me that I’m talking nonsense. No one seems to remember Sherwood, and that’s strange, because I was ten around that time, and so I should know better than to have imaginary friends by then.”

“Sherwood? I thought you were from Texas!”

“That’s what everybody says. But I know that I was ten when we had moved to Houston. Before that I remember us living in a small village in England named Sherwood. My brother doesn’t remember any of it, but I have even researched the internet, and I know that this little village does exist, and I could recognise some of the landscape too, although I should imagine that some of it might have changed in the past eight years.” He laughed uncertainly.

“Wow, we’re two of a kind. It’s funny how fate sometimes has a way of setting these things up, doesn’t it? So you remember everything that happened there?”

“I used to, but not anymore. By the time I was twelve, I had gotten so much used to everyone telling me that it was all in my mind, that I started believing it too, and so the memories started fading away. But sometimes, I really have some strong memory, like I would be shopping in a supermarket, and somehow remember the open-market that was held in the street behind our home. Or maybe on days like these, when I am in a park, I somehow have flashes of the woods near our house there. But I can’t remember much of it. Maybe I have dreamt it all, or only lived there in another life,” I laughed. He looked at me seriously.

“Or maybe they have tried to erase your memories for some strange reason. Did anything strange ever happen there?” I was tempted to tell him about Steve, but I figured it would not be fair to him, since he was not present. I shook my head,

“Not to me, but to my brother. But I’d rather not talk about it now. It just might do him worse you know."

“Geez, you sound just like my parents.” I nodded my head.

“That’s why I can understand you. I don’t know what happened to my brother, but I know that probably he’s better off like this. Not unless he wants to know. I said I would support you, only because you want to remember.” We held each other like that for a long time, without saying a word, both of us lost in our thoughts. I was thinking how strange everything was so suddenly – so many people with strange childhoods that they can’t remember – or with imaginary childhoods – and all these things seemed to have happened around the same time, because Steve was the same age as David.

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 3

2007-10-12T02:52:00.000-07:00

I had a shower, changed, and headed back to the resort. It was a quarter past eight when I arrived, and my heart skipped a beat as I realised that David was already waiting for me outside the restaurant. He gave me a friendly hug, which I returned, as he said,

“I thought you were not coming.”

“I’m sorry but the bus was late,” I replied. He smiled and said,

“That’s ok. What matters is that you’re here now. You look even more beautiful than you did this afternoon.”

“Thanks. You look, well, just about the same, I guess.” He smiled his gorgeous smile again, as he said,

“I hope that’s good. Anyway, what would you like to drink?”

Shortly afterwards we were sitting at a table talking. David was a second year Medicine student. He had one younger sister, the one that I had seen that afternoon on the beach. He still lived with his parents in Claryton. He had a car just like everyone else around these parts, but he also had a motorbike, which was his pride and joy. I was having a great time with him, and I was wishing this night would never end. There was something about David that made me feel at ease. It was as if I had known him for a long time, and not just met him that afternoon. There was something so familiar about him, but I could not imagine what it was. Soon the conversation turned back to his ex-girlfriend.

“Well,” he was saying. “Everyone thought that we could be together forever. In fact, like I told you we were voted as the Couple of University last year. Things were not that great any more between us. But we decided to play the part, at least until the end of the year. It was not always so, mind you. The first two years were great, but then we seemed to have become stuck in a rut. Our relationship was going nowhere. We both wanted different things. She too was studying medicine, but while she seemed very keen on becoming a doctor, I knew I wanted something different. I just didn’t know what. But instead of trying to help me to realize my dreams, she was always pushing me further into becoming a doctor. I know that one day, I will discover what it is exactly that I want to do. But for the time-being, I’m too confused to know where I stand.”

“Why?” I asked surprised. “All you have to do is sit down, and imagine how you would be happiest, and try to pursue that dream. I mean, I’ve always dreamt of the limelight, and although I never dreamt of University, when I decided to come to Lenton to be with my brother, I decided to major in drama, so maybe one day I could become the Somebody I always dreamt I would.” He shrugged.

“It’s not always been this way for me. I really wanted to become a doctor, and I was quite keen when I first started. But like I told you, around April, things started to happen to me, and I suddenly found that I had changed a lot.”

“What things?” I asked.

“Well, it all started when this guy, Tyrone, came to live near us. He came from England, and I had never seen him before in my life, although he seemed somewhat familiar. At first, I liked the guy, and Lynn, my sister seemed to like him even more than I did, so we all started hanging out together. He was a really wild guy, and it I was considerably attracted to his lifestyle. Since meeting him, I changed a lot. Before I was always this proper guy who followed the rules, and did everything that was expected from me. But suddenly I started having all these feelings, like I was missing out on something. I did not want to go to church anymore on Sundays. I did not want to dress in tie and shirt anymore. So me and Ellen started arguing a lot. And the final straw came when I bought my motorbike. She screamed so much at me, and told me that it was either she or the bike. And I chose.” I was speechless.

“You chose a load of chrome and steel over your girlfriend?” I exclaimed.

“It was not just the bike, Michelle. It was my whole future. I suddenly realised that I was living the kind of life that everybody else wanted me to live. And now I want something more. I want someone beside who has impossible dreams, but is not afraid to follow them. I need to be wild for a while. Does that sound crazy?” I shook my head,

“No, David. That doesn’t sound crazy at all. It sounds like you want to be you.”

The night went on wonderfully. We spoke of a lot of things, and I discovered that David and I had a lot in common, although somehow I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his story. But I didn’t want to push him, I wanted him to tell me everything in his own time. When we got out of the restaurant, he pulled me close to him, and wrapped his arms around me.

“I really had a wonderful time with you tonight, Michelle.”

“Me too,” I replied, as I hugged him. He returned the hug and said,

“I’m really glad that you have moved to Lenton, and I think I’m very lucky that I met you today.”

“Well, thank God for beach balls, then,” I laughed.

He smiled, and moved his face closer to mine, and as our lips touched, a shiver went down my spine.

I knew this guy was special, and I was so happy that I wished our kiss would never end. But finally he pulled away, and said,

“Well, it’s getting late, and I have to get up early tomorrow, to help my uncle with some stuff at the resort. But I really want to see you again, if you do.” I assured him that I felt the same way, so we exchanged phone numbers, and he drove me home.

When I got home, Steve was still up, because when I walked in the bathroom I found him there. He turned to me and smiled,

“So how did my little sister do on her date?” I beamed, and it was obvious to him that I had had a good time.

“Oh Steve, he’s perfect. I really like him. He’s got my phone number, and he’s promised to call. I really hope he does.”

Steve came over to me, and hugged me,

“He would be insane not to. Any guy would have to be insane to let a beautiful girl like you slip away.” I laughed as I hugged him back.

“Steve, I’m so happy that I have moved here with you. We’re really going to have the time of our lives. I can feel it.”

The Pact - Season 1: Episode 2

2007-10-12T02:07:00.000-07:00

I was sitting by the pool one hot July afternoon, when it all started. We had not been living in Lenton for long, but I was already getting used to life on this little island. Steve had gone shopping in the city, with our next-door neighbour, Damian, and afterwards Damian was taking him sightseeing. They had asked me to go along with them, but I figured that if Lenton was going to be home, there would be more that enough time for sightseeing, and that could be left for winter. It was summer, and I was going to enjoy as much of it as possible. Lenton was beautiful – an island surrounded by the most beautiful ocean I had ever seen. The temperature was almost tropical during the day, but the summer evenings were not so hot, because there was always a cool breeze blowing from the ocean. That afternoon, it was almost heaven, feeling the sun burning hot on my skin, and hearing the happy shouts of the people around.

Suddenly something knocked me on the head. It was not a hard knock, but it startled me. I looked around, and rolling beside me I saw a beach ball. I looked all around to find its owner, thinking that it probably belonged to some kid, who was now feeling too shy to come and get it. When suddenly, running towards me, I saw the most gorgeous guy I had ever seen. He was tall, and had a really good build. He had short fair hair, and he was tanned all over. He came over to me, picked up the ball, smiled at me, and said,

“Hey, sorry about that. I hope you weren’t hurt.” I smiled back.

“That’s ok. I wasn’t hurt at all.” He smiled again, and was about to say something else, when another guy called him from across the pool.

“Hey David, come on.” He looked at him and then looked back at me.

“Right, see you then.” I smiled back at him, and he ran towards his friends. I kept looking at him. My heart was beating fast, and I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind. There was something about him; something which I had never felt towards any other guy before. He joined his friends, and they resumed the game, that had obviously been interrupted when their beach ball had hit me. I forgot everything. David was all that mattered now.

I saw that there was a gorgeous brunette playing with them, and she seemed really close to David. I could not see her properly, but I could tell that she was probably good looking. I could tell that there was something special between them, from the way he was teasing her in the pool. She was laughing, as if she knew that his teasing was not meant to hurt her. Still, the other guy was teasing her too, and she was laughing along with him.
About fifteen minutes later, the girl got out of the pool, certainly with the intention of leaving. David got out after her, and he hugged her goodbye. I could not help feeling a little disappointed that he had a girlfriend, but after all, what did I expect? A gorgeous guy like him could not be single. From this point of view, I could tell that she was certainly a very good looking her. After the girl left, David and his friend went to the bar, and they did not return, and I suddenly felt very sleepy, and my eyes grew heavier, as I dozed off to sleep.
It was almost two hours later, when I was aroused from my sleep by someone saying,

“Excuse me, but do you mind if I sit down here?” I looked up, and saw David standing beside me. I was so surprised that for a while I did not answer him. “Well?” he asked again.

“Oh sure, you can sit down,” I answered rather quickly. He immediately pulled a deck chair next to me, and sat down.

“Sorry about the ball earlier. I thought that maybe I should apologise properly.” I smiled at him.

"There’s no need to. I wasn’t hurt at all. He reached out his hand,

“Anyway, I’m David.” I took his hand in mine, and replied,

“I’m Michelle. Pleased to meet you.”

"The pleasure is all mine, believe me,” and with those words he let go of my hand. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and relaxed on the deck chair. My hair was still tingling from his touch. I wondered what to say next, and so I said the next words that came in my head.

“So do you come here often?” He turned to look at me.

“Everyday. My uncle owns this place, so I can get in for free,” he grinned. “But I haven’t seen you around before. You are not from Claryton, aren’t you?” Claryton was the town where we where at that moment. I shook my head.

“I’m not even from Lenton. I come all the way from Houston, in Texas USA. I sometimes come to Claryton, but usually I am with my brother, and we do not come to this place.” He sat up again, and turned to face me.

“Wow, Texas! That must be great! So you’re in Lenton on holiday. Well, you chose a great place to spend your summer. How long are you staying?” I smiled and shook my head.

“I’m not here on holiday. I’m here to stay. I came over with my brother, and we’re going to start University in Lenton this fall. We’re living in Pennsburgh.’ He looked surprised, and he looked at me in awe. He did not speak at first, but then he said,

“That’s wonderful. I’m studying medicine at University too, and maybe we could see each other more often.” Then after a pause he added, “That is, if you don’t already have a boyfriend, who’s planning to come over too.” I smiled at him.

“No, I don’t have a boyfriend. Not here, and not anywhere. But what about your girlfriend?”

“What girlfriend?” he asked.

“I saw you with that girl earlier, and she seemed pretty close to you.” He smiled.

“That’s Lynn. She is pretty close to me, and I love her, but that’s because she is my sister.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” He shook his head.

“No, that’s really my sister. I had a girlfriend – Ellen. We were together for three years, and we were even voted as the Couple of University last year, but things started to change around April. Things were happening to me which I could not understand, and I started to change, and she couldn’t handle the situation, so we broke up in May.”

“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.

“Well, I’m not,” he replied. “Even if I had not changed, our relationship was never meant to last.”

After some more chatting, David asked me if I would like to get in the pool for a while. I said yes, and we spent the next fifteen minutes laughing and splashing each other. Then David asked me,

“So how do you like the nightlife in Lenton?”

“Pretty good,” was my reply. "I haven’t seen much of it, because my brother has been pretty busy these last few weeks, but from what I’ve seen it looks quite promising.” David smiled.

“Well, Michelle, if you want, I can show you what the nightlife is all about. Would you like to go out sometime?” How could I refuse, when I was looking straight into those blue eyes? Not that I wanted to refuse, because if there was something which I really wanted badly at that moment, that was to go out with David. So I answered,

“Ok, why not?”

“When? Tonight?” he asked. I was surprised that he wanted to go out so soon, but I answered,

“Ok tonight. I don’t have anything to do.” We got out of the pool, as he looked at me,

“Cool. I have to go now, because I promised my sister that I would take her for a ride on my bike. How about eight? Is it good for you?” I nodded.

“Ok, listen we can meet here, at this resort. I will be waiting for you at the entrance to that restaurant,” he said as he pointed. “Ok then, tonight at eight.” I was so excited, as I watched him walking away. I looked at my watch, and I realised it was six o’clock already. So I packed my things, and went to catch the bus to Pennsburgh.

When I got home, my brother was having a beer on the sofa in the living room.

“Hey, nice tan” he greeted me. I beamed at him.

“What happened? You look so happy today.” I sat down beside him.

“Well, I went to a summer resort in Claryton and I met this gorgeous guy there today. We started talking and he asked me out on a date.” My brother grinned at me.

“That’s great! So when is this big date?”

“Tonight at eight,” I replied.

“Tonight at eight?” he shouted. “So what on earth are you doing sitting there on the sofa? It’s half past six already. You should be getting ready.” I laughed, ran over to Steve, hugged him, and ran into the bathroom.

The Pact - Season 1:Episode 1

2007-10-12T01:31:00.001-07:00

This is the house where I was born. My name is Michelle and my brother Steven was one year older than me. It was a very small house, in a small town called Sherwood, and we did not have too many luxuries back in those days, but we were happy, especially since we lived quite near to the woods, and we used to go there everyday, and have fun. We had a group of friends that we had grown up, and we were always together
Well, now isn't that quite the perfect picture of happiness? I was a pretty blonde girl, and ever since I was born I had people admiring me, and telling me that I was going to become Somebody really great when I grew up. But I lived in this little forgotten village, in the middle of nowhere and of course I couldn't even dream of getting to be anything different from my mother.
My parents had this special room made for us, made up with three beds - one for us girls, and two for the boys, and we used to sleep over at our house in the weekends or during the summer. The days were always filled with things to do, and every day we woke up happy wondering what this new day might bring.
And then one day it was all over. That day, I had gone to the market with my mother, so I did not go to the woods. When I came back, Steven was lying in bed, and he looked sick. My father pulled my mother in their bedroom, and they talked for a long time. After that, things seemed to change forever.

Steven was sick for a very long time. My parents moved the other beds from the upstairs room, and I had to sleep in a separate room from my brother. None of my friends were allowed to come to my house anymore while he was sick, and I wasn't allowed to go to their houses either. But the most horrible thing was that I was not allowed to go to the woods anymore. Whenever I asked my parents why, they just said, "because it's dangerous out there, that's why." It was horrible.

Sometimes I would sneak into my brother's bedroom, when my parents were out in the fields, and try to talk to him to ask him what was wrong. But he never answered. He simply stared at me, as if he didn't know me, and never said a word. It was hearbreaking to see my brother so sick.

But the most terrible moments were the nights. Even though he slept upstairs, and me downstairs, I could still hear him screaming every night. My mother would rush to his bedroom, and sometimes it would take all night to calm him down. I wondered what had happened to my brother, and why was he sick like this.

And then my parents decided to sell the house and move away to another country. I could not understand their decision. The only reason that they would give me was that it was about time that they our lifestyles changed, because living here meant that me and my brother were not going to amount to anything when we grew up. And strangely enough, after a few weeks of living in the new country, my brother seemed to recover completely, and was almost his normal self again. Almost.

Because something weird seemed to have happened to him on the trip. He seemed to lose all memory of our previous home. He hardly remembered anything that had happened in Sherwood. He was quite happy with our new life. And as time progressed, his memory seemed to deteriorate even more, and he completely forgot his childhood. Sometimes I would talk to him about the woods, and the pranks we used to get up to. But he would smile at me and say,

'Michelle, when are you going to grow up? It's a wonder that you even remember the imaginary friends we had when we were kids. We certainly had lots of fun in the back garden, pretending we were with Robin Hood playing in the woods, but now we're growing up, and we have to leave all that nonsense behind." So I would remain silent, and wonder what had happened to my brother back in Sherwood.

Even my parents never mentioned our old home again. One day, I tried to bring up the subject of our old home, but my mother answered sharply,

'Stop talking nonsense, and eat your food before it gets cold' I was both hurt and surprised at this reply, but I also noticed the sad look in my mother's eyes as she said this. It seemed like my mother was forced to forget the past, for the sake of something bigger. So I never mentioned the past again. I would think about when I was alone, and in time even my memories seemed to fade, as I accepted our new life even more.

Until one day, my brother decided to go to University to study music. Everyone expected him to go to a nearby University, but instead he decided to moved to Lenton, a small island with a big name. He left that same winter, and in May he returned back home. He seemed very happy with his choice, and was determined to go back there the coming fall. He would talk to me for hours about Lenton, and how amazing life was over there.

One day during his holidays we were sitting on the grass, when he asked me,

“So what are you planning to do after I leave?” I shrugged.

“I guess the same things that I have done while you were away. Maybe I’ll just help around the house, hang around with friends, waiting for school to start.”

“Hold on, what do you mean by school? Are you going to keep on studying?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “I know I never planned to, but life is really boring without you here around. So I figured I would fill my days by going to University.”

“Majoring in what?” he asked.

“Drama,” I replied. He looked surprised. “You know I love acting, just as much as you love music. I can’t imagine me doing anything else. So I thought I’d take this course, and see what happens.” My brother was quiet for a few moments, and then he looked at me seriously and asked.

“How would you like to move to Lenton with me? They have a drama course at the University over there too. I know it would be a little hard on our parents, but we will have each other. I can’t even dream of coming back here for good, I love it so much over there. But I can’t bear the thought of being away from you.” I looked at him. I knew how he felt. Ever since we had moved to this country, things had not been the same for us. He had some school friends, while I had mine, but it was not the same as when we were back in Sherwood. It seemed like it was only each other the only thing that we had in this world. I had been extremely miserable without him, and I guess he had felt the same way. As I was lost deep in thought, he looked up again, “Just think about it. I am going back there in June, because I heard that summers in Lenton are like being on one long vacation, so I thought I’d try to have some fun before starting school again. So you have some time left to decide.” I shook my head.

“No, Steve. I don’t have to think about it. I’ll come with you. After all, if I go to University here, I would still have to move out, so our parents will still be alone. At least this way, we’ll have each other.”

And so that was it. And on the 17th of June, we both moved to Lenton…

.…That was the way it had started, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. What was to follow was so incredible to believe that sometimes I even wonder if I had not dreamt it all. I had been in circles of friends before, but they never lasted long. People seemed to have different ideas than I did, and mostly it was just a group of people hanging out together, until something better comes along. Except this one. We all knew right from this start, that this was going to be different. Perhaps because this wasn’t really just a circle of friends; this wasn’t just another pop group looking for success. It was more of a pact; there was something bigger binding us all together; something much greater that us…

The Pact - Prologue

2007-10-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

This story first appeared on TSR Forum, and can be found here.

Running. That's all I wanted to do. Run, run, and run without stopping. I didn't care where I was going, just as long as I was safe. Safe from this horrible world around me. How could I ever run away from myself, though? Is that possible? Where could I go to hide? I needed a place to hide from all the questions, from all the cameras, and from the press. They would soon be around asking me questions. And I knew EXACTLY what they will be asking. "How do you feel after what happened?" "Michelle, your fans would like to know how are you feeling right now?" "Michelle, could you talk about your memories together?" Those questions and more - and all I wanted to answer everybody was "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!"

Memories. Wait - I knew the one place where I could be safe. Nobody would ever find me there. It was the safest place on earth.

Here it is - our old garage. I wanted to go inside, and stay there for as long as it takes. All I wanted right then was to be alone. But all these thoughts rushing through my head, would not leave me alone. And I knew that if I had to walk through that door, and inside this garage - I will never be alone again. Because right behind these solid doors, lied all our past. There were too many memories in there, and I didn't know if I could face them right then. But I had no choice - either I face the past, or else face the insensitive crowd out there.

So with trembling hands, I opened the door, and started walking back in time - back to when this old garage had been our pride and joy - our everything.

I entered the garage, and just like I knew would happen, I was suddenly whisked away to a different time. Everything in this dark room acted just like a time-machine to me - the things I was seeing, the smell, the sounds of my footsteps on the wooden floor. So many years had passed since I last came here, and I had grown up so much. Everything had changed. Even I had changed beyond recognition. Well, I was still a blonde girl, who dressed in nothing but pink, but I was so different from that naive girl, who trusted everybody, and loved everybody.

Oh yes, things had changed so much in the outside world. But time in this garage seemed to have stopped, and everything was still living the same old story of five years before. I felt the tears come to my eyes as I looked around that room, which smelled very much of dust, and mold and age. This garage had been our own hideaway, or own secret place, our own lair.

The posters were still hanging on the wall, and the drums, and the mike, and EVERYTHING that had helped us become the stars we were now, was here.

Suddenly I heard the sweet sound of my music in my head, and without knowing, I softly started to sing a song, "And in my darkest hour, someone came along my way, my friends were there beside me, to help me through the day..." The tears that had welled up in my eyes, now started streaming down my cheeks. The garage had suddenly changed, and I was seeing a nightclub scene, where the-soon-to-be biggest rock group of the decade were performing for the very first time.

I sat down on my favourite chair, and I slowly let my mind drift back to happier days. I started thinking about them all ... my best friends in the whole world, and the most terrific people I had ever met.

It was six of us - always together. We were never apart, not even for one day. We did everything together. It was as if one could not exist without the others.

There was my brother Steve, who played the guitar...
... and his girlfriend Mandy. Then there was David, my boyfriend who played the drums...
... and Lynn...

... while Tyrone and me were the vocals of the group.

Camie Stewart - Chapter 6

2007-10-11T04:40:00.001-07:00

I couldn't sleep that night. I kept thinking about what Devnee had told me, and whether it was true or not. So the next morning, I got dressed and after I saw Rykie on the bus to school, I went to see Bryan in his office. Everyone greeted me with a smile, after all I was their boss. I walked in Bryan's office, and said to him.

"Yesterday evening your ex-wife came visiting."

"Oh yeah," he told me, pulling a chair. I sat down.

"And what did she want?"

"She told me that she met Trey, and he told he that he still loves me, and wants me back." Bryan got really angry.

"The bastard! He's had enough of other women, and now he wants his precious wife back!" I looked at him,

"Bryan, she told me other things as well. She said that you and Romy had an affair in the past, that you still cheated with her when you were married. And that she saw you together last week. Oh, and that Romy is pregnant." He looked shocked.

"That's not true! I haven't seen Romy ever since that day you fired her. I never had an affair with her. I told you Camie, my marriage ended because Devnee had an affair with Trey. Believe me, Camie, it's true. You are the only woman I have ever truly loved, and I would never hurt you in any way."

I got up and hugged him. "I'm sorry Bryan. I love you too. But I needed to tell you this, so I would never live in doubt. And don't worry. I'm not going back to Trey. NEVER."

He took my face in his hands, and said sweetly, "I know. Don't ever let them hurt you again, Camie. And if you should see Devnee again, don't talk to her. And if Trey calls, hang up on him. They will only fill your head with hollow lies. I love you, Camie." And he kissed me so passionately, that all my doubts simply evaporated from my head.

That afternoon, the phone rang.

"Hello," I answered.

"Hello, Camie." It was Trey. I was very tempted to hang up, but then I decided to listen to him, and hear what he had to say, but then he had to listen to ME, and hear what I had to say.

"What?"

"Camie, I would really like to talk to you."

"Well, I'm listening."

"No," he replied. "Not like this. I mean, in person. I'm going to be in Pennsburgh this weekend. Do you think we could meet. Maybe go out with Rykie somewhere together?."

"No Trey," I answered. "I'm seeing someone else now, and I'm really happy with him."

"I know," he said. "It's Bryan, isn't it? He just called me up and told me to stay the hell out of your life. But I really want to give us another try."

"What?" I asked. "What did Bryan do? Did he really call you up, telling you that?"

"Yes," he answered. "And Devnee just called me too, telling me that Bryan has called her, threating her with all sorts of things to keep her mouth shut. He told her that he knows she was at your house yesterday. What's going on, Camie?" I was silent for a few moments. I couldn't believe that Bryan would do such a thing. I don't know why, but I suddenly found that I was believing Trey. "Camie, are you still there? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Trey, I'm still here, and I'm ok. Is your offer still on for next weekend?"

"Hell, yes," he answered.

"Ok, you can come and pick Rykie from my house, and then we'll decided where to go."

"Hey thanks," he started saying. But I hung up. I had another call to do.

I called Bryan at the office. His secretary answered. She told me that Bryan wasn't in. When I asked her, what time he would be in, she said that he will not be in for the whole day. She said that he had left about three hours ago, telling her that he was coming for me, because we were to spend the day together. Suddenly, everything was falling in place. How could I have been this stupid? I hung up. I got in my car, and drove to Bryan's house

I rang the doorbell. Bryan opened the door. He did not ask me in. Instead he walked out, and closed the door behind him.

"I thought you were at work."

"I was not feeling very well, and so I decided to take the day off," he answered.

"And you happened to call Devnee and Trey too, didn't you?"

"God, Camie, have they been lying to you again? Haven't I told you not to speak to them?"

"Well, I speak to whom I want to. You are not my father Bryan, to order me about. My father is dead, but I'm pretty sure that if he was still alive, he would kill you right now."

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Well, can I come in?" I asked.

"Listen, Camie, I think you should go home, I'm not feeling very well, right now."

"You are sick, aren't you? Well, let me tell you one thing. Yes, you're right. You're one hell of a sick bastard." And with those words, I pushed open the door, and walked inside. And there sitting on the sofa, looking as pregnant as can be, was Romy! "Who's lying now, ha?" I screamed. I turned around to face Bryan. I expected to see that same horrified look I had seen on Trey's face that night at the hotel. Instead, Bryan looked much more calmer than I had ever seen him before, as if he was expecting this, and knew exactly how I would react.

He walked over, and sat down beside Romy. "Sit down, it's time that you knew the truth."

"No, I'm getting out," I shouted. "And I never want to see you two again."

"Sit down, Camie," he shouted back. "It will only take a few minutes of your life, but maybe you deserve to know what a bitch you have been to both of us." I was so surprised at his words, that I sat down immediately

I looked at Romy, and she saw me looking.

"Yes, Camie. This is Bryan's baby. And if you must know the truth - this is number 2."

"What? You already had another child?"

"Yes, it happened a long time ago. It's not Bryan's baby though. It happened some time after you left Simville. I started dating Noel Thompson, and after a while I discovered I was pregnant. Do you remember that time you had called me, and I had told you to move on? Well, I was already pregnant, and full of shame. You know how different things are back there." I looked at her speechless.

"But you could have told me about it. I would have tried to help you." She shook her head.

"No, you wouldn't. Not if it meant ruining your perfect existence. I married Noel, had the baby, a boy, and after a year got divorced. I decided to move out of Simville, and come to Pennsburgh."

"I came looking for you, to tell you the truth and ask for your help. Instead, you told me how happy you were with Trey, and that there simply wasn't any room for me in your new life. I met Bryan shortly afterwards, and he told me how you had hurt him too. Anyway, we started hanging out together, and we fell in love. But his parents would not hear of it, him marrying a divorced woman with child. He had no choice but to marry Devnee." I looked at her speechless.

"You were married? When you came to Pennsburgh, you were already married?" She nodded. "Why are you surprised? Am I not a Simville girl too? You too got married in your teens. Every girl in Simville does. But my marriage was not a fairy tale like yours. I needed so much help, but my only friend turned her back on me. And that was the moment that I vowed revenge on you. Trey was the sweetest revenge I could get. This story of you and Bryan was more like dessert to a rich meal." And she started laughing.

I stared at her. Suddenly I was filled with remorse. This was my childhood best friend, and she had gone through so much pain in her life, and when she needed me, I did not even try to listen to what she had to say. I simply sent her away, because I was afraid that she will drive my new friends away. And my new friends were the ones who mattered, because they were the beautiful and popular kids, and Romy was just an old friend from Simville - a town I wanted to forget. I was about to say that I was sorry for what I did to her, when she stopped laughing and said,

"I couldn't believe it when Trey fell in my trap like that. He was sooo much in love with you, that honestly I never thought I stood a chance. But I succeeded to take away your man from you, and ruin your fairy-tale life. You deserved everything that you got." I was not guilty anymore, but angry at her. I did not know of her problems, because if I did I would have helped her. I did nothing to hurt her on purpose, and I was not the one who had ruined her life. But she had ruined my life on purpose.I looked at Bryan.

"And what about you? What have I done to you?" I asked.

"It wasn't just you. It wasTrey too. I wanted to ruin you both. From the very first time I say you, I fell in love with you. I was dating Devnee, but I never really loved her. She was just my ticket to hanging out with the popular kids - like Trey was to you. Because I know everything about you now, and how you were this big loser before you moved to town. Anyway, I told Trey how much I wanted to go out with you, but instead of being a friend, he looked at me and said, 'Well, I want her too. And I'm going to get her first. And I don't think that I will dump her at the end of the month'. I asked him why. After all, you were just another girl that he had met, and that he could easily do without. He just laughed at me and said, 'I always get everything I want, and she's so hot, she deserves to be with the most popular boy in town, right?' And that was it. He made you his girl." He did not dump you, not because he loved you, but because I wanted you too. That was the way he repaid me for pulling him out that night we got picked up by the cops. I loved Trey like a brother, and decided to take the blame myself, so as not to ruin his reputation."

"Anyway, I wasn't going to give you that easy. So that night, at the party, I tried to show you how important you were for me. And I realised that you were in love with me too. That night, or rather morning, I went home as happy as could be, because I really thought that we had it made. But then you started avoiding me, and ignoring me, and made it so obvious that you were chosing Trey. So I decided that somehow or other, I was going to get my revenge on you. Well, even though I was married to Dev, I kept seeing Romy, and so we deviced a really wicked plan to ruin you both. The rest you know it."

I got up. "I'm leaving, and I never want to see you two sick people again! Enjoy your miserable lives together." And with those words, I started walking to the door. But Bryan was quicker than me. He ran around, blocking the door for me.

"No, you're not going anywhere. We are not finished with you yet."

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"You are NEVER going back to that bastard Trey, and start living your fairy-tale life together again."

He came around, and grabbed me from behind. He lifted me, and threw me on the sofa. I tried to get up, but Bryan held me down. I managed to push myself up, and started running away again.

But Bryan came around and pushed me. I fell backwards, and hit my head on the hard floor. I heard Romy screaming, and she was saying,

"Bryan, what have you done? You've really gone too far." But she sounded so far away. I tried to get up, and then I heard a familiar voice saying,

"What the hell is going on? Camie, are you alright?" But this voice sounded even further away from Romy's, as if it was a voice from a different time altogether. But as I was slowly drifting out of consciousness, I realised it was Trey's voice. Then everything went black, and I remembered no more...

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a totally strange place. I looked down, and I discovered that I was not wearing my clothes anymore. As I looked carefully, I discovered that I was in my wedding dress. I couldn't understand where I was. My hair felt shorter too, and I was standing at the edge of a path. Lined on both sides were thick palm trees. I tried to look behind me, but I could see nothing. I could hear the trees rustling in the soft breeze, and some birds chirping in the distance, but all around there was a kind of strange stillness - as if time had stopped, and somehow I was trapped in a bubble. However, I felt at peace. I felt weird, but not scared.

So I decided to start walking along the path. After walking on for a few minutes, the path took a sudden turning, and the trees changed. Now I was walking in a road of some sort of red trees. It was all very weird

Finally the path I was following came to an end. I looked up and saw that it had led to a high fenced wall. It somehow reminded me of a cemetery wall. But I did not feel afraid. Instead I felt releived that somehow the road had led me somewhere. There was no gate in the wall, and so I walked slowly inside, wondering what I was going to find.
Cypress trees lined up the whole place, but there were no graves in this place. Instead there was a small fountain in the middle. I walked towards this fountain. There was a man, dressed in a white suit, sitting on the fountain's edge, and playing with the water. He did not look up, but continued playing silently. I wanted to talk to him, to ask him where I was, but instead I remained silent, waiting for him to acknowledge my presence
Suddenly as if by magic, the man disappeared. One moment he was there playing with the water, and the next he was gone. I walked over towards a bench at the far end of the garden, and looked outside. But there was no sign of him at all. I wondered if I had not imagined it all.
As I looked outside, I noticed a small river that was running at the back of the garden. I decided to go outside, to try and find a way out of this beautiful but weird place I suddenly found myself into.I started following the river, walking carefully along its edge. When suddenly I noticed that the water spelled out a name - my name - CAMIE. I was dumbfounded. Rivers just don't spell out people's names. There must be some kind of message behind all this

I followed the river, and suddenly found myself at another bench, this time a wooden one. And sitting on this bench was the same man, in the white suit. I walked over towards him, determined to speak to him this time. There was something about him, that made me feel suddenly very secure, and full of love. He looked up, and I finally understood why.

THAT MAN WAS MY FATHER!

I sat down beside him. I was so happy. He put his arms around me, and held me close to him, just like he used to do when I was a kid.

"Don't be afraid," he said, "Everything is going to be allright."

"Why am I here? What is this place? Why am I wearing my wedding dress?" He smiled.

"Maybe it's better if you don't know where you are. But you are here because I sent for you, cos I wanted to talk to you. And it was your mind that chose the wedding dress. That was the happiest day of your life, wasn't it?" I nodded.

"Well, apart from having Rykie, yes, that was the happiest day."

"And more days like that will follow, if you just listen to me. Trey had been foolish, but he never stopped loving you. One night at an office party, he had been seduced by Romy, and then she started threating him that if he stopped seeing her, she was going to tell you about it. He kept on seeing her, to protect you and your child from being hurt. But Trey always loved you, and he never stopped loving you. Even right now, he is in love with you, and worried sick about you." I looked up at daddy.
"So what should I do?" I asked. But I already knew the answer.

"You must give him another chance, baby. You will see that everything will turn out right this time. And in a year's time, you will have another child, a son this time." I hugged my father.

"Oh daddy, I'm so happy. I always loved Trey, and even I, I never stopped loving him. I just was too hurt and too proud to admit it, and maybe was scared too to ever give him another chance. I believed too many lies, but deep in my heart I had always hoped that the truth was different"

Then my father stood up, and lifted me in his arms. "It's time that you go. You cannot stay here, not yet. Your family is waiting for you."

He then lifted me down, and to my amazement, we were standing at the edge of the path, at the exact spot where I stood when I first arrived here

"Aren't you coming with me?" I asked.

"No, baby,I can't. My time over there is up, I can't go back. But you have to go, and go on. Don't worry, we will meet again someday. I will be waiting here for you. Just keep on making me proud, like you always have. And tell your mother, that I am really happy for the man she chose as her husband. He is really worthy of a wonderful woman like her." And with those words he hugged me close. I hugged him tight, and I wouldn't let him go. But suddenly, everything went black again.

I opened my eyes slowly. The ceiling was very white. I looked slowly around. I discovered I was in hospital. My mother, James and Trey were beside me, looking as worried as can be. I asked what's happened. And Trey explained to me that when he had called me that morning, he had lied about not being in town. He had been in town when he had sent Devnee around, but he just wanted to make sure that I wanted to see him before he made any move. Then when he called me he noticed how flustered I had sounded, and decided to come over to see if everything was allright

He saw me running out of the house, and getting in my car and he decided to follow me. He saw me going to Bryan's house, and he saw us arguing out there. Then when I went inside, and took a long time coming out, he decided to come over and check it out. And at that moment he heard me scream. He pushed open the door, and saw me lying unconcious on the floor.

"Where's Rykie? I asked.

"I called Devnee, and told her to go to your house so that when Rykie comes home from school, she will be there to look after her. And my mother is on her way there too."He looked at me, "Camie, can you ever ever forgive me for doing what I did to you and Rykie?" I smiled at him.

"Only if you forgive me for not believing you and Devnee."

Well, that was the story of my life. Me and Trey got back together, and continued from where we had left. I was asked if I wanted to report Bryan and Romy, and press charges against, but I decided that I really wanted to start a new life, and it was better to let them be. After all, I was not going to get anything from getting them arrested, and besides there was that baby that would soon be born. No matter how terrible Bryan and Romy were, that baby had nothing to do with it, and deserved a much better life. Trey and me are very happy now. Daddy was right, because right now I am pregnant, and James has just told us that it's a boy. We are going to call him Jon after my father. We just know that this time things will turn out right. And I am very happy knowing, that my father is looking after us well

The End

Camie Stewart - Chapter 5

2007-10-11T02:50:00.000-07:00

The next few days were a blur. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. All I could do was cry. I couldn't believe that Trey had done this to me. I wasn't really angry at Romy because I knew that she hated me, and that she would do anything to get her revenge on me, for not helping her when she moved to town. But Trey? Trey was my husband, we had been together for over 10 years - how could he do this to me? In the end I realised that my behaviour was having a bad effect on Rykie. It was already bad for her with her father gone, she shouldn't see her mother crying all the time too. So I decided to swallow my pride, and call my mum, asking her if she could keep Rykie with her for a few days, cos I was going out of town.
My mother came almost immediately. Dr James was with her. She asked me if he could come in. I nodded my head. I was too weary to argue with her. At that moment I needed someone who would listen and comfort me. They came in, and my mum started talking. "I am very glad that you finally decided to call me, and not keep Rykie away from me anymore. And I am even more glad that you accepted James in your home. But there is something that you should know. Me and James are still very much in love, and we are getting married." At that moment I couldn't keep the tears inside anymore, and I burst crying. My mum was talking about marriage, while my marriage had ended a few days before
My mum looked up startled. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you would take it so bad. I know that you love your dad, and even I still love him..." I stopped her.

"No mum this has nothing to do with you. I wish that I could be happy for you, but I cannot." And I blurted out all that had happened during the last few weeks. My mum was shocked. Even James got up to comfort me.

"Do you want to come and stay with me for a few days?" my mum asked. I shook my head.

"No I don't think it will be a good idea. Rykie doesn't know yet that Trey is gone for good, I just told her he's abroad for a while. But maybe you and James could come and stay with me for a while. This house is big enough for all of us." She hugged me and told me that they will come and stay with me

Even James came over and hugged me.

"Everything will be ok. Trust me. My wife left me too for another man 4 years ago. At first it was hard, but now I've met your mum, and I am the happiest man on earth." I hugged him back.

"I'm sorry for saying those things about you."

"It doesn't matter sweetie, I probably would have acted that way if it had been my mother.

Sandy was suddenly closer to me than she had ever been before. She would call me everyday to see if I was ok, and she would come to my house at every chance she got. One day she told me to go out and have some fun together like the good old days. I left Rykie with mum and James, and went out with her.

I was having a really good time, until suddenly Romy walked by. She was with another man, and dressed in a very tarty dress. She sat at the table next to me. I'm sure she did it on purpose. I tried to ignore her, but all the time I was wishing to get up and punch her straight in her face. She had been with my husband, and now she had either left him and was seeing someone else, or else she was cheating on him. I hoped it was the latter, cos I wanted him to feel what it was like to be cheated upon.

As I was walking out of the restaurant I saw Trey sitting at a different table. Romy had left ages ago, and he was sitting alone. He did not see me, and so I walked by fast. I didn't want to know who he was with. But Sandy stopped to talk to him. He seemed surprised to see her there. She didn't tell him that she was with me, but he did tell her that he was here with Devnee. He told her that she was very depressed and that they needed to talk together like the old days to comfort each other. Both Sandy and me didn't know what he meant by that.

A few weeks later I was invited to a very classy party, where the dress code was to wear as much white as possible. At first I wouldn't go alone, but Sandy and Alec kept telling me I should go, and that there will be many other singles there, so I wouldn't feel left out. In the end I decided to go. After all it was about time that I go out and start having fun.
I also met Anthea and her husband Rick over there. I was really delighted to see them because I hadn't seen Anthea in a long long time. My god, we had all grown up so, from those 16 year old girls we had been when we first met. It was more than 11 years ago, and things change.
Sandy had walked away to go to the ladies, and I was talking to Alec. I was really having a good time, and Alec was doing his best to keep my mood up. He was my best friend's husband and he knew what I was going through. Suddenly out of nowhere appeared Romy, wearing a dress that was barely covering anything from the top part. And she started flirting with Alec! I suddenly got really angry, and pulled Alec away. She had already ruined my marriage, I was not going to let her ruin my best friend's happiness too.
As we went near Sandy, I tried to tell her what had happened. I only had to mention the name Romy, and she understood at once, and kept Alec by her side all night. Suddenly I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Devnee. She had hugged me tight. It had been a long time since we had last met. I started looking around to see if Trey was here too, but I couldn't see him. In the end, I couldn't resist anymore and asked her," Why isn't Trey here tonight?"
"Trey doesn't live in Pennsburgh anymore. He's got a new job in another town, and he moved there. I thought you would know." I shook my head.

"I haven't seen Trey for a long time. He calls to speak to Rykie, but I never talk to him."

"Well, I'm really glad that he isn't here tonight. He wouldn't have been too pleased to see that bitch here. I wonder how come she is invited. She is not one of us at all."

We sat down to talk.

"So where's Bryan?" I asked. Devnee looked surprised.

"Haven't you heard?" she asked.

"Heard what?" I asked.

"Bryan and me are no longer together." I was surprised.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Men! They are all the same. They promise you the world, and make you believe that you are the most important person in the world for them, and then one bitch comes along, and they forget their wives just like that."

"You mean, Bryan went with another woman too?" I asked

"Not any other woman though. He cheated on me me with the same bitch you found with Trey."

"With Romy?" I asked shocked. Devnee nodded. "God, what's wrong with that woman? Why doesn't she find a man of her own?" Devnee shook her head.

"What do men see in her, I wonder? I mean, she's not even beautiful. And the way she dresses! Not even a hooker dresses like her."

"When did this happen?" I asked.

"Oh" she replied. "I found out only after about two weeks after you found Trey. It appeared that Trey was collecting the last things from his office, and he walked on Bryan and Romy together. Apparently Bryan had been seeing Romy for about two months. So she was with both men together. They both didn't want to have anything to do with her anymore, but of course I didn't want my husband around me either."

Later on during the night, I was walking towards the bar to get a drink, when Romy came over to me.

"Hi Camie," she said. I tried to ignore her. But she kept on talking. "Come on, why don't you want to talk to me? We used to be friends." I turned around agrily.

"Used to be." I said. "But not anymore, you shallow bitch." She laughed.

"Oh Trey! That's your problem then. Well, let me tell you, I don't regret it cos he's so good in bed." At that moment I lost all control. I turned to her, and slapped her really hard across the face. Sandy ran over to me and tried to drag me away.

"You keep away from all of us," I shouted angrily, as I walked away.

I was still so angry from what had happened, that I could't sleep that night. So I went in the gym room, and started kicking the punch bag. I spent almost two hours in there, and by the time I finished I was totally exhausted, but feeling a lot more better.

When my daughter came home from school the next day, she had something to eat, and then went up to the playroom. I joined her up there, and played with her for a while. Rykie was not the same cheerful girl she had been before, since Trey was gone, but there was nothing I could do except try to cheer her up as much as possible.
At around half past eight Rykie started getting tired, and so after her bath, I tucked her to bed. Now that she was asleep, I suddenly felt lonely. It was Saturday night, and I had nothing to do. I decided to call my mother to see if she could come and sleep over at my house. My mother accepted, and since James came with her, I decided to go out and try to have some fun.
I went to a bar, and I was having a drink at the bar, when I heard a familiar voice from behind me saying,

"And what is a beautiful lady doing here all alone on Saturday night?" I turned and saw Bryan.

"Same thing as you, I suppose," I answered coldly. He sighed.

"Yeh, we're both in the same boat." I looked away and mumbled,

"With the difference that I wasn't the one who cheated." He offered me a drink. I shrugged. After all, what was there to lose?

We talked about silly stuff, you know like work and all that, since Bryan still worked in my company. Later he asked me if I fancied something to eat. I was pretty hungry so I said yes. As we were there eating, Bryan asked me,

"Have you seen Devnee lately?" I nodded.

"Yes I met here at John White's party, yesterday as a matter of fact."

"John White? Isn't he the weird guy who insists that everybody goes to his parties dressed in white?" I nodded. He went on, "How's Dev? I hope she is ok. God, I must sound like a fool asking about her, but I really miss her, even after what she did to me."

I looked up surprised. "Done to you? What you did to her, you mean?" He looked genuinely surprised.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You cheated on her with Romy," I answered.

"Romy that slut who used to work with us, the one you caught Trey with?" I nodded. "Hell, I've got more dignity than that. I never cheated on Devnee. It was she who cheated on me."

"I thought you knew about it," he said. I shook my head. "Well, I guess I won't tell you then, cos I don't want to hurt you." I shrugged.

"Nothing can hurt me anymore, believe me," I said, "so if it makes you feel better to talk, then go ahead."

"Well, it was like this. After about a couple of weeks you had broken up with Trey, I was feeling really sick, and so I decided to leave work early. As I got there, I saw Trey's car in the drive-way, but I didn't give it much thought, cos Trey was always at our house since you left him. You know me and him were best friends, and he had always been best friends with Dev since ever."

"I went inside and there was no one there. So I climbed upstairs to change. And I found Devnee in bed with Trey." I looked up shocked.

"The bastard!" I said.

"Yeh, I was devastated. God, it hurts like hell to see the one that you love in bed with someone else." I nodded. I understood only too well. "Anyway, I tried to talk to Devnee, and to forgive her. I really wanted our marriage to work. But she kept saying that she loved Trey, and that she didn't want me around anymore. She said that she had always been in love with him, and now that he was single again, she wasn't going to miss this opportunity."

"Anyway, I moved out of her house, cos she didn't want me around anymore. Trey went to live with her for a while. But now I heard that he has left her and moved to another town. I wouldn't be surprised if he is with another woman right at this very moment. Some people never change. We all thought that when he got married to you, he was finally going to settle down. But I guess he never really forgot his bad and wild days." I was really shocked after all this that Bryan had told me. I didn't know if I should believe him or not, so I resolved that the next morning I would call Devnee and ask her if it's true that Trey had been living with her.

Later on we went outside to sit on the swing. I was feeling a bit cold and so Bryan put his arms around me.

"Why did they do this to us?" I asked. He sighed.

"They are two of a kind. We were too good for them. But maybe we deserved all this, because both you and me were running after popularity when we launched ourselves into those relationships. We had overlooked the other important things. Popularity was so great that we thought everything else was great."

I was beginning to agree with Bryan. I had fallen in love with Trey because he was the most popular boy in town, and I guess he did the same with me. Now we were growing up, and popularity didn't count anymore, and so maybe he had discovered that he wasn't really in love with me anymore. And so he went back to his old ways.

"I know I made a mistake, but I don't totally regret it, because I have Rykie, and she's my world."

"Maybe we should have listened to our hearts that night on the beach," he said.

"Yeh, I had been in love with you back then, and not with Trey."

"Maybe life is giving us a second chance," he said, as he pulled my face closer to his. He kissed me, and again I felt like that 16 year-old girl who had sneaked away to spend a night with the man that she loved. It was perfect. We stayed there, and we kissed each other till it was almost morning.

That night before I left, he kissed me again, and then said, "I will call you tomorrow. I promise that this time I will not let this chance pass by." I kissed him back, and told him that I will be waiting for his call.

The next day my mother and James came to spend the day at my house. James adored swimming, and he spend the whole day in the pool. But me and my mother preferred sunbathing. I told my mother that I had met Bryan last night, and I also told her what he had told me about Trey and Devnee. My mother looked up.

"Bryan? Isn't he that guy you ran away with one night?" I was surprised that she remembered him. "I wouldn't trust him much if I were you. Remember that back then he had already been in a steady relationship, and yet, he cheated on her with you. And Sandy also used to tell you that Bryan wasn't all that faithful with Devnee."

"I know mother, but I also know that Bryan was genuine last night, and Trey was the one who had cheated on me. Anyway, I'm going to call Devnee and see if it's true that Trey had been living with her." My mother smiled, and said,

"You must know what's best for you and Rykie. I just don't want you to get hurt again, that's all." I hugged her, and thanked her.

That evening I called Devnee. I brought up the excuse that Trey hadn't called Rykie, and if she had heard from him. She said no. Then I asked her if it was true that Trey had been living with her, after I left him. She said,

"Yes, he stayed with me for a while. It was after I left Bryan. He was looking for a new job, and could not afford to rent anywhere, so he stayed with me until he settled down."

"Thanks," I said, and hung up. I didn't need to hear anymore.

I decided to take Rykie to McDonalds. I was thinking a lot about Bryan, but I somehow felt like I wasn't ready for a relationship just yet. I noticed how I had been ignoring my daughter lately, and so I decided to start spending more time with her

She was my pride and joy, but she was not the same child she was once. Since Trey had left, she seemed withdrawn, and much less cheerful. I just wished I could do something to make her happier. but I didn't know what.

Bryan was being wonderful those days too. He would come over sometimes in the evenings, and play with Rykie. She too loved him, and thought that he was fun to be around with, and sometimes she even preferred him than Kelvin, the next door kid. I was growing very fond of Bryan too, and was hoping for love to blossom some day.

Suddenly, without me even noticing, me and Bryan became inseparable. He had a way with me, that made me feel really special, and I could not want anymore. Also, Rykie started spending the weekends with her father, and so Bryan would sleep over at my house. I was really happy, and I was falling rapidly in love with him.

One year later....

One evening as I was preparing dinner, the doorbell rang. I went to answer it, and to my surprise it was Devnee. I looked at her coldly, and asked her,

"What do you want?"

"To talk," was her reply.

"About what?" I asked again.

"Camie, I don't know what's wrong with you. Ever since you called me, about a year ago, and asked me about Trey, you have not been the same. You never called me again, and you never answer my calls. It is as if I don't even exist." I did not answer, and she went on. "Please let me in, I need to talk to you. It's very important."

I invited her, and she started talking.

"Listen, first of all I want you to know that there has NEVER been anything besides friendship between Trey and me. Like I had told you, he had no place to stay, and so I offered him to stay at my house, until he found a job. Is that what's been bothering you? Have you thought that me and Trey had an affair?" I looked down. Suddenly I felt terribly guilty.

"Yes," I answered. "But I realise that it doesn't matter much now. I've acted like a selfish, jealous prick. After all, we were no longer together at that time, and you had every right to see him. And I have been angry at you for all these months, while I was dating your ex-husband. I'm really ashamed of myself."

"God,' exclaimed Devnee. "This feels just like a movie. You were dating Bryan? And when did this happen?"

"Shortly after he told me about your affair with Trey. Trey is such a bastard isn't he? First he cheated on me, and then after he ruined your marriage, he ran off to another town, probably with another woman."

"Camie, aren't you listening? I NEVER had an affair with Trey. My marriage ended because Bryan cheated on me with that slut, Romy." She looked up at me, "So how long did you and Bryan last?" she asked.

"Well, we're still together," I answered.

"What!" she exclaimed again. "No, you're kidding me, right?" I shook my head. Devnee looked really surprised, but she said, "Oh well, if you're happy, maybe it shouldn't be me who tells you the truth. But I don't want you to be hurt. Listen to me, I knew all about Bryan's cheating, and all about his terrible past too, and yet I foolishly married him. So maybe, I deserved what I got. But you are the victim here, Camie. Don't let them play with you anymore. Trey is not a bastard, he was just too foolish. But believe me, Bryan is one hell of a devil, but unfortunately he manages to hide it real well behind his cute looks."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You don't know anything about Bryan's past, do you?" she asked. "Well, about a couple of months after I met him, Bryan went to visit his uncle in Simville, and he met Romy there. They had an affair, but when he came back to me, I forgave him totally. Then one day, out of the blues, Romy appeared here in Pennsburgh. She came looking for Bryan, but at that time popularity mattered a lot to him, and so seeing her as the loser that she was, he told her that he was in love with me, because I was popular. She knew you back from Simville, and decided that you were her ticket to popularity, and so she tried to befriend you. But you turned your back on her, and that day she vowed that she will ruin you. Well, the rest is history. But there is only one other thing that you don't know. Last week I was shopping downtown, and I ran into Bryan and Romy all cosy together and she was as pregnant as can be. That's why you surprised me when you said that you two are still together."

I shook my head, not wanting to believe. "You left your husband, because of Trey, and now that you realise that Trey doesn't want you, you want Bryan back." She looked surprised.

"No, Camie, believe me, that's not true. Maybe you should ask him yourself then right? I had no intention of telling you any of this, I only did it, because I don't want them to hurt you anymore."

"Then why did you come here?" I asked.

"I came to tell you that I met Trey yesterday, and he kept talking non-stop about you. He kept telling me how sorry he was for doing what he did to you, and he would do ANYTHING to be forgiven. That's all. Now maybe I should go."

"Yes, maybe you should," I said angrily. "And please tell Trey to stop playing games with me, because he is NEVER going to win. Do you really believe that I'm still that naive girl, and will not see through you? You want Bryan back, and Trey wants me back, and so you made up this terrible story about Bryan. Well, nice try, Dev. Goodbye." And with those words, I closed the door behind her.

After she left, I sat down on the couch, and just stared into space. I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind, and there was no stopping things. Devnee and Bryan were telling totally different stories, and both of them stuck to their version of things. But who was telling the truth? And Trey wanted me back. But why now? Was it jealousy? But then why hadn't he tried to win me back as soon as I started dating Bryan? Oh my god, so many questions, and not a single answer...