The Sand Queen, Part 2

.....The path led over a large sand dune. in the distance on the other side of the dune we saw an old brick well. Our weak shaking body's barely holding our weight as we tripped through the fine yellow sand. Our hopes raised at the thought of water, lifting our feet a little faster. When we finally stood before the well, the path in the sand disappeared. I lowed the old cracked vase that was tied to collect the water, using the last of my strength to heave it back to the surface. We drank deeply, drops of water splashing down our chins and chests. We drew more water to bath our wounds and clean sore skin. We tore our palace clothes, too lavish and heavy for the heat of the Santinadi. And washed the scraps of fabric to be used as bandages, not to stop the bleeding but to stop the sand from sticking to the thick gluey blood. Night began to fall around us and soon the temperature would drop to freezing. We made ourselves a furrow in the sand to sleep in next to the well, hoping it would shield us against any sandy winds. There was no way to make fire and nothing to eat, so we drank more water and lay close to keep warm. Having been relived of our thirst we could think a little more clearly. Vilina wondered what had happened to the Sand Demon that had led us to the well, i was more interested it what it wanted from us and how we had been saved from the destruction of Balliast. We where exhausted and soon drifted into a thick sickly sleep. At first i slept soundly, but in my dreaming i heard someone call my name "Madina.........Madina" came the voice of the sand. And then i saw him, a face i had known all my life in my dreams. Young as i was, tall and dark like the men of the east. His dark curly hair long around his neck. Brown eyes bronzed like the sun, and his lovely red lips whispering my name "Madina, wake up now" his voice was creamier than i remembered. "Madina i am here with you, it is time to wake up now." His face blurred from view, i did not want him to leave, the draw of my heart woke me, my dry eyes blinking in the darkness of the night. I looked about me, Vilina was still asleep, and it was to cold to move away from her. I looked to the well, just a black shadow in all the darkness, there was no moon tonight. But then the shadow moved, something stood upright and walked towards us. My heart stopped in fear. I smelt him before i saw him. His sent of salt and dry earth with a strong tone of cardamon and star anise, it was very enticing. Then he came close enough for me to see. He was the man from my dreams. He held his hand out stretched to receive mine. It was as if i had lost all control of my body, i lifted myself to greet him, and pulled him in tight as if i had known him all my life. Well i had dreamed of him all my life, he had grown in my dreams as i did and now he was here with me, unnaturally warm in my embrace. "Madina" came his voice. "Do you know me, Madina?" "YES!" i exclaimed. "Do you trust me?" "I do" came my answer. He held my hand with his right hand and reached down to Vilina with his left. "Hold your breath." Came his voice. Just as i closed my mouth the world rushed away from me and i felt my body slip as if i myself had become grains of sand. We moved with the wind at such a speed that my eyes could see nothing but more sand. We seamed to move like this for hours, soon i lost myself in each grain of sand as it past my vision. Until i felt as if i was sand, and had always been sand, i began to forget everything, giving in to the light recklessness of the dry yellow sand around me................................

The Sand Queen, Part 1

My name is Madnia. I was once the youngest daughter of King Raul the third. We lived in the beautiful stone palace Balliast, on the coast of Derihana, a rich and prosperous nation, we traded in salt and Spices and made soft and delicate silks. But the gods grew jealous of our happiness and brought a great storm upon us. The winds grew strong and all the water left the shores of our beaches. People thought it was a blessing, rushing to gather fish. But then all at once the gods sent a monstrous and angry wave to drown us all. My hand maiden and i where in the top most tower of the right wing of the palace. We saw the whole thing, holding each other in fear as the left side of the palace was destroyed and much of the right wing filled with water. We saw so many on the roads, in their houses, by the shores drown. Mothers screaming for their children, men rushing to help their neighbors, dogs, poultry, cattle, horses, even my Farther the king who had been lunching in the garden's was swallowed up by the sea. The building shook violently. threatening to give its last. With one final shake the roof fell, and we lay unconscious sinking slowly into the sea. I woke several hours later in the middle of Santinadi the great desert. My hand maiden Vilina was at my side, her hair filled with dried blood and a large wound above her right eye. I felt my own face, it seamed untouched. But on the back of my head a large chunk of my hair was missing, and the exposed skin was sticky with blood and sore to the touch. One of the rafters that held up the roof must have hit us both at the same time. I was immediately thirsty, my mouth dryer than the sand around me, i shook Vilina lightly and she opened her eyes. She looked at me in horror, before reaching for the large cut above her eye. We both sat silent for a while, in shock, not knowing how we had survived or arrived in Santinadi. Soon we became overcome by thirst and spoke for the first time. We could not sit still any longer we needed to find water and dress our wounds. As we stood up to have a better look around us the sand at our feet moved. Had we not been so over whelmed by thirst we would have screamed but as it was whispering was painful. We stood another moment trembling, and the sand moved again. "Sand demons" Vilina whispered hoarsely her eyes filled with fear. The sand moved again, but this time separating to form a sort of path. Still we did not move, our body's trembling, our feet glued to the spot, eyes bulging from our heads. "Come" said a voice, it was as if the sand had spoken itself, soft grainy and masculine "Come" it said again. "SAND DEMONS!" Broke Vilina's
horse voice as tears began to streak down her cheek's. "But, what choice is there, do we die of thirst, or the demons? Surly they are quicker." My voice surprised me, it sounded so confident when my eyes where heating ready to tear at any moment. I stepped onto the path and Vilina followed shaking at each others side, hobbled along the path slowly tripping over our own feet
and the dizziness of our heads....................

The key for the door, Grayson - 2007

It was my 21st birthday. My parents had allowed me to hold a huge party around the pool with as many people as i liked. Juliet turned up with a few friends and a bottle of wine, i didn't notice her at first. I was blown away by her best friend Cristine, with red hair, blue eyes, a cute butt and breasts the size of melons, but she wasn't interested in me. Juliet was curvy in all the right places, shy and flirtatious with short black hair, dark brown eyes, and a wiggle in her walk that could stop you in the street. My birthday was a blast, we all drank way to much, but everyone was taking cabs home so it wasn't too bad. We swam in the pool, all the girls got in and the boys had to try to remove their bikini tops. I managed to get Juliet's off, all the shyness seemed to leave her. She held my hands against her soft skin and let my fingers stray to her hard nipples under the water where no one could see. I wanted to kiss her right there, pull her in close and smell her soft hair dry above the water. But she pushed away from me, smiling her face bright pink, and tied up her bikini to rejoin the game. After midnight allot of the guests left. My parents had enough of the noise so those of us remaining went out for a walk to the beach. Juliet and i
walked just out of step with the others, still in conversation with the people around us but not talking to each other. We reached a park by the beach and all sat around still drinking and laughing. Juliet sat right next to me. I squeezed a little closer to her, and she pressed her thigh to mine. The warmth of her body was startling in the cold air by the sea. No one was watching us, all caught up in their own games. Her hand slipped from her lap and onto my thigh, she found me and gave me one long rub with her finger tips whispering in my ear, "Happy Birthday". she got up to walk away but i caught her by the hand and kissed her cheek, "Later", i said hoping she would see my meaning. She smiled and walked to Cristine talking freely. It was a long night, we all ran up and down the rocks by the beach and to the end of the pier. The girls removed their heals when their feet ached and we slowly made our way back to my house. Juliet had worn jeans and they where covered in sand, I told her she could have a shower if she wanted. So i gave her a fresh towel from the cupboard and off she went to use my shower. I waited with the last of the party guests as they called taxis, Juliet's friend had found a boy of her own and was not waiting up for her. I guess they had already discussed who was leaving with whom. I herd the shower stop and waited a few minuets before sneaking into the bathroom. She was shy again when i entered, but when i took her hand she pulled herself tight against my body, towel on the floor and wrapped her lips around mine. I wanted her right there but again she pulled away from me, red as a beetroot this time and wrapped the towel around her. "Stay tonight?" i asked, she nodded and i tolled her to wait in the bedroom. I said goodbye to the last of the guests, a few of her friends were waiting for her. I went to her, she was waiting by the bed and took me in her arms as i entered the room, she pulled off my clothes and her towel, holding me so close i could feel every muscle of her body. I took her, and her moans filled the room. Her friends must have hered as they left as soon as their taxi arrived. Her body was amazing, she took everything i gave her, moving with me like the strongest music. I moaned with pleasure. When it was all over and i all but fell asleep at her side, she lay watching me silently her face rosy and sweet. She dressed and asked me to take her home. I couldn't stop thinking about her for days. I found her online and we talked for hours. She was smart and funny, and had so much she wanted to share. I asked her over for coffee. Lame i know but i was trying not to be a jerk. She said yes, i picked her up and brought her to my place. She was her shy self again, and so was I. We played a video game and i put on a movie. My hands strayed across her body and she moved into me. Taking off her clothes and undoing my belt, she was mine again. The music was stronger this time and better, even smoother if it where possible. I was sad to drive her home, she was going away in the next few days and i would not be able to see her again. A few months latter when she returned she had a new boyfriend. I talked to her online, i wanted her to be with me. I was going to move to another city, i wanted her to come with me. She was the key to my door, she opened me up and made me feel.....Amazing....But she never left her boyfriend. I saw her once before i left, she smiled at me, and my body went wild when she said my name, but that was all, she didn't sit with me, or talk, or touch. I wish she had, I wish i had given her my heart sooner, asked her out on a proper date, spent real time with her. Perhaps then she would have known my heart better. Perhaps then she would have chosen me. Next time i will give her a reason to choose me, more than the music we share in my bed. Because there is so much more i would have given her. She had taken me, body and soul.

Trisarn Falahleed, part 3

...........My mouth was still dry and i could barley open my eyes, i was so bruised from the horse that breathing caused me to wince. The Inner huts of Fort Haven where almost empty compared to the out side. After dragging my tired feet and heavy body through many small rooms that must have been used for sleeping and storage, we reached a huge long almost empty room. The roof was twice as high in this room, and it was decorated with more of the white and blue fabric. On the ground in the middle of the room was a long wooden table surrounded by what they called Chairs and one large throne. Seated on the large throne was an old man, Dressed in the same stone dress and white and blue shroud but wearing a necklace of some unknown yellow stone and a ring of the same stone also on top of his long gray hair. The man who had brought me bowed lowly to him, he must have been a great member of the elders but he did not look as old as the ones of my tribe, nor as healthy. The spoke in the strange touge i did not understand, and the old man greeted me with a short pat on my shoulder. Then i was led away down a tunnel and out into a small dusty walled in yard with more smaller rooms at the back of it. Once in the yard he released my hands and left me, locking a door behind him. I wanted to escape but my body was week. I had not eaten properly and had not sung the songs of leaving my tribe. Even if i were to escape i could not go back without invitation, i would be seen as a deserter to have left during such a time of change. I stood looking about me, hoping to find some food to mend my body. The rooms at the end of the yard caught my attention, and i headed for the closest one. The door opened easily and inside i found lots of the thin dry grass i saw the horses eating, and old yellowing fabric rapped around them, this must be how the men slept. I went into the next room and to my surprise, i found two men i recognized from the Telinka water tribe that lived on the river which fed the pastures of Bengahani. We had met once a year in the hot seasons, when Earth grew to dry to support the cattle. The taller of the two was Elenho a boy of 17 cold seasons, he had become a man Hunter of his tribe just one cold season ago. The other boy was Reshni who had not yet reached 15 cold seasons it would still be many seasons till he was to become a man, like me he was Gesh, a keeper of the histories. But unlike me Reshni was the youngest of three brothers so had never been taught the stories. His older brother was already named Gesh, and when time came for Reshni to become a man the elders would find for him a new name; Minso (Hunter), Vinki (Fisher), Fintesn (Maker), or even Maesh (Elders man). They offed me fresh beef and corn and i ate like a lion. When i had eaten every last scrap, they tolled me the news of their tribe. I fell asleep almost as soon as they began. That was my first moon at Fort Haven, and the beginning of a journey that would take me far away from Bengihani, from the strength of our small histories, from all I knew and expected from life. This was the begging of a new Trisarn, for i would never be Gesh, now i had no name.......

Trisarn Falahleed, part 2

..... My body ached with the movement of the horse. Each day I was given a little sky blood, and something they called bread which tasted sour and dry in my mouth. We traveled for six moons and seven suns before reaching a great hut. It was many men tall and built of Earth and Stone, with great flags of white and blue fabric playing in Wind. They called it Fort Haven. I had never seen so many men all at once, my own tribe had only 311 men and 25 elders before Sky had bleed on Bengahani. And here in Fort Haven, a strange place built of thick Stone and held together by Earth there where too many for my eyes to count. Hundreds and thousands of the strange pale men in stone dress moving about. Some working the strange stone they wore, making more of the long knifes and large strange shaped plates. Some doing woman's work, cleaning cooking and tending the sick. Some where taller, and some where short and round like they had swallowed a whole boar in one. Many where rubbing their long stone knifes with cloths. Large horses where everywhere, being rubbed with brushes and eating thin grasses. But all where strange pale men with short beards and long hair the colours of Sun, and eyes like Sky and fresh grass. The air was thick and warm, and filled with the many scents of men horse and cooking. I didn't see any women or children, maybe there were the spirits of some unknown element, or maybe they were flesh blood and soul just like me? But for all they had and could do, for what would they need me? When sun went to meet Earth in their lovers embrace, moon came to consort with sky. As Sky grew dark with his pleasure one of the men untied me from the horse and released my feet and mouth. He bound a leather strap to the ties at my hands, gave me a drink and led me further into Fort Haven...............................

Trisarn Falahleed, part 1

My name is Trisarn Gesh. I was born of my mother Mingisha and farther Binto Gesh, to a small tribe on the pasture lands of Bengahni. As a small boy i learnt to drive our herds of cattle in silence. To understand the language of the animals around us and the songs of Earth Wind and Sky. We where a peaceful people, moving from place to place as nomads, to fatten our cattle on the green pastures that ripened with the seasons change. We believe in life and the strength of understanding. I remember my farther sitting amongst the elders and the hunters, recounting the story's my grandfather past to him. This is how we kept our histories, my mother sung the songs of life and beginning. She sung of the change and how devastation famine drought and death can bring new life, new beginnings. That was our charge on this life. Like all the other Gesh before me, i would learn the stories just as my farther and grandfathers before had done, and in time a wife would be found for me and my mother would teach her the songs. Many years passed in this peaceful manner. I had no notion of war or valour, no understanding of what it is to die for a cause. In all our histories and songs, our tribe had never gone to war, none had ever had need to give their life to some greater cause. We believed we where here to sing the songs of life that kept the earth in peace. And death was just a mysterious new beginning, it was viewed as an honour for men to join with Earth and Father new life, and for women to be given to fire and carried by wind to Sky where they could replenish the blood of all life. Two moons before i was to become a man and begin my time as an adult Gesh, all life on the quiet pasture lands of Bengahni changed forever. Sky was angry with some great turmoil brewing in his being. Fire and light burned cracks in his soul and his blood, the blood of life, began to spill onto Earth and darken her skin. We sung the songs of peace to quieten Sky's pain and give peace to Earth but Wind came between us and our song was lost to him. Blood covered and filled Earth to over flowing. Soon we had to take to higher pastures. The blood ran thick and fast, Wind was also filled with rage and blocked our steps slowing us down and weighing on or backs. Many of our cattle, children and elders joined Earth that day. But all who where strong and fast held those they could together, and most of our tribe found them selves above the thickest of the blood pour. By the next moon the blood had receded but we could not find any of those who had left us. We gathered the remaining cattle and headed higher off the flat lands. That moon as we gathered for an evening of song to tell Earth of all those who would be joining her, strange men from a different land passed with us. we welcomed them to join our song but they did not speak our tongue. They wore long dresses of thick stone like weave and a white shroud over covered in a strange pattern. They where tall and heavy, big men with pale skin and hair the colours of Sun. They pulled tall dark horses with them, laden heavy with sacks. Tied by a leather belt from their waist was the longest knife i had ever seen, made of the same stone of their dress, and gleaming beside fire. We where all cautious to be amongst such strange men, the children and women kept behind the hunters for fear they where spirits of some unknown element. As Fire left us and wind fell gentle and cool about us we made for sleep. Startled from my sleep I woke in the night to find fabric bound tightly around my mouth cutting into my lips, i could not call out. My hands and feet tied with leather so tightly my skin burned in anger. I struggled to free myself, and i saw i was tied to the back of one of the strange men's horses moving swiftly away from my family, my life, my destiny as a Gesh ........................

Welome to Australia, Roberto -1951

It was may years ago before you were born. The war in Italy had destroyed much of my home, there wasn't much for work. As a young boy i worked as a labourer laying bricks. Getting work wherever i could. We had a big family you see, eight children, everybody had to contribute. I saw a newspaper article talking about all the workers that were needed in Australia. So i got myself a ticket and got on a boat bound for Sydney. None had enough money for a air tickets back then, i don't think there where commercial flights out of Italy. It was a long trip, i don't like boats. I had family here already, so after going through customs and sorting out my papers i went and lived with my cousin. We worked hard back then, we couldn't afford a car, and people didn't really trust us. Our dark hair and olive skin was so different from their own. I took a long time to learn English, it's a very difficult language. We had dances in those days. We would all dress up in our Sunday best and go out to see the girls at the town hall for a dance. I was shy but i am a good looking man, so i enjoyed myself. That's where i met Valerie, she was a very beautiful young girl then. She had dark black hair and smooth pale skin, a woman's body, she was very attractive girl you know. I made sure i was always on her dance card. I loved to be with her, we had allot of fun. Soon Valerie found she was pregnant. I was so pleased, but people where going to talk and i didn't want to cause her trouble. We had a beautiful girl, i was so proud, you know Valerie is a strong women. And after some time we got married, it was one of the best days of my life. Valerie looked so beautiful i couldn't believe it. I wore a new grey suit and we had a wonderful party. Our baby girl spit up all over my new suit, we never could get the stain our. I really liked that suit. Valerie and i had four more children, we have had some bad times but also some very good times. I am a very lucky man, god has really blessed our family. Now our children have grown and i am a great grandfather. I love her more now than i think i did before, and i appreciate her even when we argue. We've had some great times you know.

Morning bus, Catolina - 2007

We waited for our morning buses together. He's beautiful, thin and taller than me with long shiny black hair he wares tied loosely at his neck, warm dark round eyes, and pale moon like skin. He looks tied and intellectual, there is something warm and sad about him. I think he's Japanese, but i don't know, we never spoke. We would arrive at the buss stop at almost the same time, he from one direction and me from the other. He caught the buss that left 10mins before mine, and we would watch each other part as his buss drove off. I know he looked forward to the buss just as i did, he always took the window seat closest to wherever i was waiting, outside on the hot footpath for my bus to come and carry me off to my boring office job. I noticed him the first time i caught the bus. I just thought he was the most beautiful and intriguing man i had ever seen. It wasn't till a few weeks later when my eyes followed him onto the bus that i noticed he was staring at me. I used to call him my morning joy, my secret dream before another day of filling and making coffee, in my boring grey office. I dressed up for him, short skirts, stockings, too high heels and expensive tops and perfumes. I was always to shy to talk to him. We watched each other like separating lovers, my heart ached with need, longing, sadness and curiosity. He dressed in long beige business pants, dark ties, white shirts and usually a beige sports jacket, a heavy bag slung over his shoulder. I mused that he was a computer technician, or an accountant, something as dull as my own job, and that i was his morning joy too. I was much to shy to talk to him, i just pleaded with my eyes, hoping and praying he would ask for me. It wasn't till one Saturday, I saw him walking down the street with his two lovely children in tow, i realised why he never spoke. One girl and one boy about six and four years old, and for the first time i saw the thin gold band on a special finger of his left hand. I would never take that, not to a married man, not from a family. And so we continued our silent tradition for six months or more, until i moved house and had to catch my bus elsewhere. I still saw him on buses, and sometimes around town. But now i drive to work and live out of town, i wonder if he notices my absence? I wonder if we had met without the gold band, if things would have been different? But mostly i wonder and hope that we will meet again. I would so love to here his voice, just once.

Face of Death, Part #4

Once i was packed i waited in Mrs Roderick's room not wanting her to suffer without her evening medications. At ten pm Mr Roderick's town car pulled up the drive way, and by ten fifteen he had Mrs Roderick up the stairs and in her room. I quickly explained that i was leaving, i was jittery and shaking all over as i gave Mrs Roderick her medications. While i helped her into her night dress and removed her make up, Mr Roderick pleaded and begged me to at least stay the night so he could send for a replacement in the morning. Just as i was about to tell him of what i had found, Mellinda slipped into my line of sight. She was standing by the door her lips tightly pulled up over her teeth in an animalistic growl, blood curdling the blue of her eyes. Fear took the words from my mouth and i gave into Mr Roderick's pleading. That night i sat ridged over Mrs Roderick bed. My chest wound so tight that when a small bird landed on her windowsill, i jumped and knocked over a glass of water on the bedside table. Mrs Roderick gave way from her peaceful sleep as her night terrors took over her body. I was so busy calming her, i didn't see Mellinda walk like a ghostly spirit through the wall that separated her room from her mothers. I didn't see her face, the blood in her eyes a deep shade of crimson. I didn't hear her steps as she came up to stand behind me. All i remember is the hot burning sensation of her hands as she grasped the sides of my head and my body withered away to dust, my face become just another on her bedroom floor. I was soon joined by her mother and her farther. And not long after, when the sun slid over the window Miss Penny and Mr Johnston's faces appeared by the bookshelf. Now we are one, and we sing our sad song. Mellinda comes to talk to us, now we all can see her true face, and the house is so full of faces. Travelers, salesmen, homeless beggars, animals and whoever else strays upon our house joins our endless song. If you happen upon a rundown country manor, covered in dead rose bushes and specks of fading white wash. If from that house you hear a sound as if the very wind is saddened. Do not enter. Do not speak to the unnaturally beautiful red headed women with dazzling blue eyes. Do not be drawn into the charms of her voice. Run, i implore you, run before she takes you!

Face of Death, Part #3

I avoided Mellinda as much as possible over the next few days. But the glimpse of terror i had seen in her face did not return. I decided that it had been a figment of my imagination, brought on by my lack of sleep and the thought of those paintings. Mr Rodrick returned from a business trip one Saturday morning, and announced that he was going to take his family for a night at the Theater. I dressed Mrs Roderick in a lovely pale pink evening gown and helped her with her hair and make up. Although she did look much improved by the blush on her cheeks and without the white night dress she usually wore, i could not hide the fact that the new beautiful gown sagged from her thin delicate body, and her hair looked rather dry and wiry. Mellinda looked her usual charming self in a light blue lace dress, and Mr Roderick looked dashing in his black tuxedo. They left after dinner, and soon after Miss Penny departed for the day. I was alone in the house for the first time. My fist thought was for a hot bath and a nap before Mrs Roderick returned home for her evening medications. I headed for my room to collect my toiletries and as i passed Mellinda's door i herd the sighing once more. Shocked i stood glued to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest. Surly i had seen Mellinda in the back seat of her fathers town car as i had helped Mrs Roderick with the door. But still i could here it. I was overcome with curiosity as i opened the door. This time the sound continued, like a low melodic wail, soft, sad and heart wrenching. I flicked on the light switch and looked about. The rug was rolled up next to the bed, and the floor it had covered was completely exposed. I gasped covering my mouth in fright at the horror in my voice. So many faces stared back at me, singing their sorrow filled song. I could see clearly now with the light on in the room, in my horror i recognised a small number of the faces. Borris the milk man who had supposedly run off to join the army the week before. Mr Trenton the latest of Mellinda's tutors to disappear in the night only leaving a note. And little kate the butchers daughter who until recently at accompanied her farther on delivers but had vanished, the whole town was up in arms looking for her. And here she was looking at me, a painting on the floor, singing in sadness. Once i convinced my eyes to look away and my feet to move i ran from the room. I flew through my bedroom door and packed away my things. All thoughts of a hot bath had left my mind the instant i had herd that sound outside Mellindas room......

Face of Death, Part #2

As i opened the door the sound stopped. I stepped lightly inside letting the light from the hall fill the room. Mellinda was bound up in her blankets quietly sleeping. Confused, i untangled the covers lightly and pattered her hair. I had never been in the room before, it was quite lovely. Her furniture the walls even the covers on her books where all white. There was a mural roughly painted on the wall. It looked very out of place amongst all the white. Birds where in mid flight, rabbits mice and even a Tabbie cat where sitting in line along the bottom. A great black horse was standing in the background, and a group of small squirrels sat in the corners. There was something a little odd about it all, they all looked a little unhappy, if it was possible for animals to look unhappy. And in the darkness of the room, lit only by the pale light from the hall they seamed to move, to look back at me. But that wasn't all. The white shag rug on the floor had been folded up at the corners, and as i looked i saw more paintings. These of people, or more to the point people's faces. Men with glaces and beards, women in bonnets like nannies, an elderly lady of some distinction and a few gypsy children of different ages. They too looked at me, their faces stung with horror, mouths wide, eyes wild and pleading. No wonder poor Mellinda covered them with a rug, i don't know why she didn't just move rooms, she could have had mine if she wanted to be so near her mother. It was so disturbing in that pale light, all the animals and faces looked as if the where moving in sadness and horror. I pushed down the edges of the rug, gave Mellinda a kiss and hurried from the room feeling deeply disturbed. The next morning i found Mellinda in the kitchen helping herself to a steamy bowl of porridge and offered her my bedroom. Her face changed, in the blink of an eyes her soft cheeks pulled down, her pink lips tightly pulled up over her teeth and her blue eyes turned blood red, a blink later and she was her charming self again. "No, but thank you," she said politely. "It's my room, and those painting are mine, I took them and you shouldn't try to take them from me." Although it had been her usual polite and musical voice, the threat and anger that had filled her face for a split second coloured my understanding. She took them, they where hers, don't try to take them away. Got it, i didn't dare push the subject, instead I turned out of the kitchen hurrying off to Mrs Roderick to give her morning medications.......

Face of Death, Part #1

Mellinda was a lovely little girl when she was young. I remember the first time i met her, she was singing in the garden watching the birds. Her bright blue eyes and curly red hair where stunning, the little dimples in her cheeks reminding me of Shirley temple. Her mother was under very heavy medication, she had recently been released from a mental asylum. I was a nurse hired by Mellinda's father Mr Roderick to watch over his wife. The house was huge, the outside like an old county manner white washed with sprays of roses running up the walls. The inside was grand like a Scottish lodge with dark wooden paneling and stuffed animal trophy's, large tapestries, weapons and the family crest displayed on every inch of exposed wall and a few hanging from the ceiling. Mrs Roderick had a large room in the west wing of the house overlooking the lake. Her daughter was in the adjoining suite. And Mr Roderick had a room in the south wing of the house, though i don't believe he ever used it. I saw little of him during the three months i lived in the house, he lived in his office and the gentleman's lodge in the city. Apart from myself their was Miss Penny the cook and housekeeper, and Mr Johnson the gardener. Neither Miss Penny nor Mr Johnson lived in the manner, but came and went during working hours. Mrs Roderick was thin and pale, her body sagged aged with sickness. A photo on her bedroom wall showed her on her wedding day, round rosy and beautiful, a strong women. Nothing was left of that blushing bride, her hair had turned gray in the eight years since her daughter was born, she refused any food or drink that she did not prepare herself. And so with her diminished capacity she mainly lived on fruit and water. She suffered terrible night terrors, and would not be left alone with her daughter, even for a moment. Mellinda was left to wander the house and grounds. She had tutors but they never staid long. Her mother would not allow her to go to school, she never gave a reason for this, but with her husband out of the house there was no one to argue the point. I Had a room next to Mrs Roderick's but spent most of my nights on a small sofa by her side, calming her and reassuring her that i was the only person in the room. Her aversion to her daughter was so obvious, but i could not understand how an eight year old could hold so much fear over her own mother. Some nights Mrs Roderick slept soundly and i would return to my room in hope of a good nights rest. On one of these nights i had just shut the door of the Mrs room, when i heard a strange sighing coming from her daughters door. I had been quite taken with Mellinda and felt sorry for her to suffer along with her mother. I mistook the sighing for her cry and went to comfort her.............

The Vietnamese Korean, Scott - 2007

She works at a small hotel i stayed in. Her name is Clara. I was staying for a week in a small tourist town on leave from university. I'd decided to travel on my own around Australia for a few months before returning home to my graduation and my wedding to Leanne. I love Leanne don't get me wrong but we'd always been together, my parents, my studies, Leanne and me. I just needed a little adventure, some time to myself. I didn't expect to meet Clara, and i certainly didn't plan to betray Leanne. I don't know what happened i just got swept up in Clara. There was a Halloween party in a good club down town. All the Hotel guests and most of the staff where going. She dressed up as a Vietnamese girl, in a long silk dress, wooden shoes and her long black hair swept up under a grass hat, her dark eyes and red lips painted in traditional make up. She looked like a goddess stepping out of one of my fathers paintings. We all set off together, i was a bit shy not knowing anyone and keeping to the back of the group. I felt under dressed not in costume myself. She lagged behind talking to me, she asked if she made a nice Korean girl. She knew i was Korean, she was just trying to get my attention, and it worked. She pulled out a mask for me to ware and took off her hat so i could be in costume too, fussing over me and running her hands delicately through my hair. I was glad for the mask as my face would have been bright red when i felt her hands on my cheeks adjusting it. We arrived at the club and had a few drinks, she smelt wonderful, it was intoxicating. She brought me a shot of Absinthe (the green fairy) and i brought her a beer in return. I pulled her into a corner and kissed her deeply. We danced and kissed until about 2am. I took her to a close by hotel, it was expensive but that night was worth it.I undressed her, she was beautiful, a few scars on her stomach but that just made her more attractive. Her skin was darker than id have thought, and her shape was much more curvy without the strait silk shift. That night was fantastic, she made me work hard. I slept that night, blissfully content. It wasn't till the morning that i remembered Leanne and guilt was stabbing at my chest. I took Clara out to dinner the next night, she spoke a little Chinese so the waiter gave us a discount, he followed her like a puppy the whole night. She took me back to her place after a few drinks and a walk. Her room smelt just like her skin, it was the Jasmin flowers that grew outside her window. Another night even better now i knew her body. I hadn't meant to stay the night, but again i was so blissfully unaware i fell asleep. Clara had woken up before me and greeted me half dressed looking beautiful with a cup of tea. "Who belongs to that ring?" She asked, "I didn't notice it before." She didn't look angry with me, just a bit sad and curious. The stab of guilt hit me again. I drank the tea and showed her a picture of Leanne on my mobile. "She's lovely." Clara wasn't angry at all, i understood, she felt guilty and sorry. The look of quiet pain and understanding just made me like her more. I talked for a while about why i was traveling, my lovely Leanne and the pressure of school and my parents. She seamed to understand. She gave me a kiss and i decided it was better if i left, so i walked back to my hotel deep in thought. It was my last day there, id already paid for my flight and Leanne was going to meet me in the next city for the last month before graduation. I called Clara and we walked together for a few hours, she knew i was leaving. We walked mostly in silence, it was sad but easy and peaceful. She smelled amazing. After the sun had left the sky we made love in a quiet spot in the park overlooking the sea. She left me there in the park with a kiss good-by. I flew out at 6am the next morning. I never did tell Leanne, and i don't plan to ever see Clara again, or any other girl for that matter. But it's my adventure and it's all mine to keep, my sweet beautiful Clara.

Armin of the Marsh. Aylwin Freeland, Wanderer.

In my earlier travels to the middle east I came across a great marshland. I was headed north to the city, having no way to know how many days it would take to go around the mashes I had no option but to cross it. The humidity stuck thickly to my long pants, thin with wear, and my only reaming piece of clothing. The mosquito filled air made breathing next to impossible. Great reed beds grew densely around the marsh. I hew a large growth of the reads and bound them together with a long thin rope from my small bag. Once the reads where made tight i used a few more to make a broom like paddle, loaded my make shift raft with my small bag and pushed off into this mysterious marshland. The mosquitoes and heat left me as i moved further into waters. The air became calm and warm filled with the noise of many birds feeding. The waters where brown with mud, but very deep, further than the length of my paddle. Great clumps of reads grew in a maze of water corridors. I was truly blessed to not have lost my compass with my shoes and shirt when i was robbed in the desert. I traveled for a week without meeting the edge of the marshland. Surviving on small fish i caught in a simple net i fashioned out of reads. I had to eat them raw, not wanting to risk fire surrounded by so much tall dry grass. The nights where cold and full of insects, my fresh water ran out quickly, so i slept to save my energy. A few days without water and my body became ill with hunger and thirst. I could no longer fish and found myself sleeping through entire days. I lost count of how many times the moon past the sky and all time drifted away with me. I woke one night from my thirst induced stupor not alone on my raft, but on a grass mat in a cool room. Someone spooned water into my mouth and whispered in an unusual dialect of Arabic i didn't understand. I fell asleep again, for how long i do not know. When i woke again the room was silent, i sat up and looked about me. A small coal lamp burned hanging from the roof. The room was made of woven reed mats and drift wood beams held the walls. A system of ropes made from young reeds held the place together with a hole in the roof that allowed in fresh air but not insects. A dark young man entered through a flap in a wall holding a large jug of water and a round platter of rice and cooked fish. He spoke broken English, with a heavy Arab accent, i was glad for the sound of his voice. His name was Armin, he was once a salt trader and spent many years in a city with his farther exporting salt to the Americas. As he watched me eat he tolled me much. I had been found in the woman's bath area. The elders of the tribe had condemned me to death for seeing the women without their dress and veils. Armin had spoke on my behalf to the elders, explaining that i was not in good health, and the women claimed I was asleep when I was found. The elders did not believe him, so i was brought before the council still unconscious where they examined me, and found me close to death. I was taken to Armin's hut, where his young daughter had tendered to me until i woke. When Armin found that death had left my side his daughter was sent back to live with the women, as tribal tradition forbid the contact of man and women outside of a marriage. Armin kept me in his hut for three days. He spoke to me of the tribe. They where a quiet people who wished to remain untouched by the war and greed of the city's. They all lived in separate huts, made from the reeds that hid them so well. They had been secluded for so long, they had managed to keep their own language. They ate mostly fish, birds and water vegetables, some growing their own rice. All food was communal, divided up under the watchful eyes of the elders. Armin was born of the tribe but followed his farther when he ran away to make his money. After his father died Armin returned to find his mother, having been made a husband by the elders he decided to remain. The elders feared the outside world more than death. I owed my life to Armin and my dark hair and sun burnt complexion. Had the elders found i was English i would have been killed on sight. He tolled me of their traditions and their land. He showed me many maps. I found i had been in their territory's before i had even entered the water. He tolled of how an English man had once saved his life, and so in me he was retuning the favor. On the third day Armin dressed me as an Arab trader and filled my bag with provisions and maps. He led me through the night till i reached the northern edge of the marsh waters. I feared for him, that he might be tried a traitor on my behalf. He took a short knife and made long thin cuts across his strong legs, and beat his bare back with a sharp piece of wood. "Go, I tell them you ran, i chased, we fight you win, no trouble, no trouble, go!" So off i went. His maps led me strait to a well used watering hole where i paid my way onto a camel caravan. I owe Armin my life in so many ways, i hope one day i too can return the favor.

Just as i am, Angelica - 2006, Part #2

I didn't tell my family about him, i wasn't sure we were going to last and i didn't want to embarrass myself in front to them. Junior thought he owned me after that. I was his and none else could have any part of me, not even a smile. He started off small, with my clothing, he liked me to cover up. Then my cousins wedding came around, i had a new dress and loads of gifts, I'd even brought my plane ticket to Melbourne for the wedding. He didn't like me going away from him, he cornered me and tolled me it was the wedding or him, decide! I was so scared of him, i made excuses to my family and stayed home. I regret that more than anything else. That's when he saw the power he had over my life, he must have got greedy for it. It just got worse and worse as the months ran on. I came to work covered in bruises. Once he gave me a black eye, i covered it up with make up, but he made me take it off. I think he was proud of his brutality. He forced me for sex, he even raped me on his brothers bed one day when i had the guts to fight him off. He threatened to have my girlfriends raped if i kept talking to them, and stole thousands of dollars from my accounts. He tolled me he was keeping the money so i could use it latter? He got me pregnant, i cried and cried. He tolled me not to take contraception, said that i didn't trust him to take care of me. I was right. He all but forced me to get rid of the baby. It didn't matter, my body was so sick with stress and malnutrition, not to mention lack of sleep that i miscarried a few weeks in. That was it. I was so broken and dependant on him i hated him. He repulsed me with every ounce of my being. A friend from work noticed the change in me and helped me go to the police. Freedom sweet freedom. New years was my first week without him, i was happy, there was a Shadow looming over my happiness but a real smile shone on my face. I did meet him again a few times after that, i was still so dependant on him. I was still so afraid of him and felt still so much guilt of not being good enough. Eventually i saw him for what he was and i felt an inner strength Ive never had before. I am in love now, with myself. I can do anything, and i know one day i will find someone who treats my love with respect. Someone who really loves me just as i am. But until then i am quite happy just to be me.

Just as i am, Angelica - 2006, Part #1

I was working at a super market. Junior Santa was the after hours manager, i thought he was very sweet. He was the same height as me with short black hair and a mole on his right cheek. His mother was Chinese and his farther Portuguese but he had grown up in Australia. He was very strong, with thick muscular arms but a slight build, i remember him leaning against his gold sports car looking exactly like a Chinese movie Starr. He showered me with roses and brought me expensive jewelry. I had never had someone treat me like he did, i was dazzled by his gifts and romantic cards so when he finally asked to spend some time with me, i said yes. In the weeks that followed we talked allot, he was so sweet, he brought me flowers and took me out to new places for diner. He taught me about Chinese food and teased me when he saw me using chopsticks. I thought he was wonderful. I never could get those first few weeks out of my mind. He tolled me he loved me "just the way i am" i felt swept off my feet. It all started to change when he found out i wasn't a virgin. How many nineteen year old virgins do you know? I don't know any. He felt betrayed, he cried and yelled that i was a slut and a whore. I was angry and hurt, and at the same time i felt a tremendous sense of guilt for not keeping myself for him. It was very strange. We spent hours that night in the back of his car crying, him in anger and disappointment, me in shame. Eventually he decided he would kill himself because he couldn't have all of me. I was not happy with that i thought it was the most stupid thing i had ever herd, but i didn't want him to die, not for me. So i gave myself to him, it was one of the strangest experiences of my life and will stay with me always. It was terrifying i cried through the whole thing, my body was on such an emotional high it responded to him like it had been programed just for that moment. But i was so full of guilt and shame i enjoyed nothing, and remember remarkably little of the experience. He decided not to kill himself, i never really trusted him after that. I felt betrayed. Everything went back to normal for a while, flowers, restaurants and love letters. Then he asked me to marry him? Just little more than a month into our relationship. Naturally i said no, to ask me again later. He Asked me four times before i finally said yes not wanting to hurt his feelings any more. I felt a sort of guilty happiness. Happy i was getting married, worried it wasn't the right time or man, and guilty that i wasn't all that he wanted.....

Bon' voyage, Jacinta - 2008

I was working as a receptionist at a small family owned backpackers when we first met. He came in to book a bed, and i checked him in. He is very good looking, not much taller than me, with beautiful dark chocolate skin, a sparkle in his eyes, a cheeky smile, strong and muscular but not big and bulky, and the most beautiful hands. His hands are what i noticed first, muscular and covered with scars, but when i handed him his change i felt how soft and warm they where. My heart went wild, he is so delicious. He stayed with us for over three weeks before heading back to sea. I tried very hard to get his attention, strutting around in tight jeans hoping his eyes watched my hips as i sashayed around outside the office finding things to do wherever he was. I let the tattoo on my lower back show above my jeans as i bent over in front of him cleaning the floor or arranging books on our tiny bookshelf. Ha ha i was so obvious, silly like a school girl, how he thought i wasn't interested I'll never know. I did catch him staring at me a few times, but i always thought i just freaked him out with all my flirting. He liked to talk to me about his family, and his job. We didn't really get to talk much, but when we did it was like we where making it count telling as much about ourselves to the other as possible. He brought me some sweet smelling cocoa beauty products from his home land in Africa, but still he didn't ask me out. I always test the men i like, i make sure they've got balls enough to face rejection and ask me out. I became addicted to seeing him, everyday i dressed to show off my assets and found excesses to flaunt them in front of him. Trying to get him alone and talk to him. Eventually the time came for his boat to ship out. He finally asked for my number before disappearing for weeks. I didn't think he was coming back, what for, he had no commitment to me? Time passed and i put him in the back of my mind. He wasn't coming back, i tolled myself i wasn't interesting enough, he just wanted to spend time with a women before disappearing. He wasn't going to come back, not for me. But i wished he would, ive never been so attracted to someone in my life, it's like a hunger that i cant quench even now. About six weeks latter he came back. He called me form the boat even before it reach shore. He took me out to dinner and we talked like old friends. We went to see a movie and he kissed me, he was so sweet and salty, with the fresh wet taste men have when they want more than just a kiss. That was it we were lost to each other, we went home to my place and didn't resurface for two days. And we have been together ever since. I still hunger for him stronger now than ever before, and he is well loved, like no other man before him. I am his.

Welcome to my lair

Tonight my mind flows full of love stories, sad and hopeful, and some true. This is my first entry. I've yet to decide the content of this blog. My mind is full and a hurricane or stories and ideas wake me from any chance of sleep. I've called you Anonymous Candy in honer of a good friend. I'll see you again at 2am where i hope to empty some of the brewing madness of my mind out into the wild of the world.