When Death is Crowned: A rude awakening.

She opened her eyes, not knowing how she was saved, or was she in heaven? No. She’d be in hell. There were two men talking to each other across the room. One she recognized from earlier, he had a nametag on, Aton Bowdon, perfect. And then, other man, not so much. He seemed spiffy, well put together. But the Darker complexion didn’t help any. He was bald, built like a tank. But he wore a suit. She dubbed him “okay.”

Aton was looking in her direction, not blinking, was he blind? He seemed relieved to see that she was awake; at least someone cared, “How’re you holding up?” was he serious?

“I’m, scared.” The words left her mouth before she knew how true it was. She needed consistency, a purpose.

“That’s very natural” the black man spun, looked at her. His nametag read “Evan Boles” The name didn’t fit him. Not even close.

“And are you a professor in, sacredness?” she asked this sarcastically.

“Nope, but I interrogate prisoners. Quiet often actually.” He said, there was a tone of mockery in his voice. At least someone had a sense of humor. 

Aton then interrupted, “Now Tracy, we need to get started on the training, as soon as you are ready. We have a deadline to be ready for, and we don’t exactly have a lot of time.”

Training? “Training? No, Ugh!” Both men seemed confused, they didn’t understand of course, “Is that my name, Tracy?”

Evan laughed, very loud, and wide “She’s always been a joker, hasn’t she?”

Aton wasn’t amused though, she wasn’t either, “I’m not joking, I woke up with no memory.  Just had the most eerie dream, I truly need some help.” She was starting to cry. “I need to see someone who can help me with this, condition.”

Aton piped up, “We will have our psychologist come to see you first thing in the morning, but right now was you might need is something to eat. How about you come out to the dining room and we can get you a turkey sandwich?”

Yeah. That sounded good. “Please, I would love that.” She was relieved to know these men were at least trying to help her, that’s the last thing she needed, was to wake up with no memory, and have nobody there to help her. She was following Aton out into a hallway, there were dark, hardwood floors, and logs lining the walls. She was in an formal log home. When she got to the end of the hallway it split two ways, to the right was a huge room with a towering ceiling. In the middle of the room was a long rock table, with wooden chairs lining around it. At the end of the table there was a huge six foot tall fireplace, and it was boasting a beautiful welcoming flame.

Were flames welcome? Was fire a sign was welcome, or was it a sign of pain? Why is it that when she feels freedom she feels contained? The mysteries of her mind were racing. And she had no idea where they were racing too. Or why they were racing. She could only push forward and hope to find the answers to her questions. She has yet to find out who her friends were. She was Tracy. And that is all she knew.

                                       _________

Eating was one of the most awkward things, well, that she could remember. Everything seemed to be focused on her, and that was the last thing she wanted. Here she was eating a sandwich, at a huge table. And 4 people were seated at the same table, and watching her eat. She knew if there was a moment to ask her questions. Now would be the time.

She pointed at Aton, and Evan, “I know you two. But who are you guys?” She was being polite. She meant this question directly to the tall man with long, brown hair. And a blond, mustache, it was so wrong! He needed some help, serious help. The other man was an average height from what she could tell. He had a darker complexion; his face had “evil” written all over it.

Of course the evil one spoke first, He had a quick way of speaking, “I’m David Lewiston. I’m the President of Atom Laboratories. And this is Matthew, our chief scientist. He’s the one who will get you started in the morning.”

Wow. So she’s working as a lab rat, a test subject? So I’m Tracy, I have no last name yet. I’m a Test subject for Aton’s little lab. This sounds like an interesting life she’s gotten herself into.  “Well thanks. Now what exactly am I training, to become?”

Matthew smiled “An assassin! You probably don’t remember. But we chose you.”

“Chose me? Like picked me off the street? ‘She’d be a good lab rat’ what do you think I am?”

David answered while scribbling in a notebook, “You are Tracy Thompson. You are a very skilled martial artist. We invited you to join us in our cause and you accepted. You signed a contract, no backing out.” He opened a folder on the table; he started to look for something.

She crossed her arms, “I’d like to see that contract.” She regretted saying that. He had it out of the folder in no time. He slid it across the table to her. He pointed to her signature. Crap.

“Well, I’ve forgotten all I know, in the whole martial arts thing. So what do you expect me to do?” She was looking for excuses now. And they all knew it.

“We expect you to learn it! Matthew is an expert in these ways. And you will pick up fast, and thorough. It’s in your blood.” He took the contract in front of her, and slid it back into his folder. She studied it to make sure she remembered what it looked like.

“And who will I be targeting on my, like, first mission?” She wasn’t sure how to word that question, it came out awkwardly.

Matthew spoke up, he obviously was involved in this “We will be flying you to America, where you will be deployed in New York City. There is an agent there by the name of “Timothy Shelfer” and you will study his ways, and when you think the time is right. You will strike. We want it quick, clean, and we want him dead.”

That name. It rang a bell in this empty head of hers; it’s probably nothing, really. Her head was like a massive tornado of memories, and she was drowning in all of it. She didn’t know what any of them were about, or what was happening to her. But she knew that there was something fishy about this. And she had a feeling that there was someone, or some people out there in the world who are looking for her. And all she needs to do to get their attention is come through with this assassination. And everything will be all right. 

...

"Yet" is a very powerful word.

When Death is Crowned: Dream.

The deep depths of snow filled the dome with snow. It was filling up fast. What is going on? Black slowly approached the snow and caught it on fire. Soon everything was on fire. The depths of Heather’s subconscious looked just like this. She was happy here. This was her home. And it was.

Everything had taken form, it molded into her house, she knew not of what was going on. But her first thought was to run to her bed, and that is what she did. This was strange. She is controlling her dream. Could she control other things in her dream? She picked up a vase full of dead flowers and dropped it “Don’t break!” It fell to the floor, clattering around spilling the flowers on the floor. The noise echoed down the rustic looking hallway, with pictures hanging on its sides. She noticed something bazaar about the images that the frames closed in…

…Taking a step toward them, in one she could see a man pulling her up a cliff, into a white room. She looked to the image opposite. It was crooked, shaking actually. It held and image of her running away from the missile strike. Pieces of rubble flying everywhere, missiles raining from the sky, as far as she could see. Everything was being destroyed. A security van outside exploded right next to her, she didn't seem to feel the pressure of the explosion, in fact she seemed protected from it. The house was leveled behind her; there is no way that anyone came out of this alive. When the tremor hit, she watched herself fall to her knees. She couldn't help. The yellow school bus was flying toward Heather at an alarming speed. She knew what was about to happen. Heather reached her hands out and the bus lifted up.

A Helicopter she hadn't noticed flew over her head, It opened up, a man showed his face, He had a dark complexion, he was strong. He pulled out a rifle of some sort, got heather in his cross hairs, and fired. She watched as they flew away. She watched Heather’s eyes roll to the back of her head. Heather was fighting this, and making it worse. Her eyes closed at that moment. She lay there. The bus fell sideways to a horrifying stop.

She was startled back into reality with the sound of the door behind her opening. The light was shining. She only saw the shape of a female walking into the house. Wind blew from behind, as the door was forced shut. Leaves were rustling around the foyer. She was looking at the shoes of the woman in front of her. She wore Black converse with white laces, green corduroy skinny pants, and a white t-shirt. This woman had a nice sense of style.

It took her a moment. The face of the woman was familiar. She had darker toned skin, with longer face, a nose piercing, and a smaller sized pointy nose. What made her realize what she was looking at was the brown, wavy hair. She was looking at herself.

She asked the obvious question, “Where did you come from?” She didn't want to sound stupid.

Heather replied with exactly what she thought she would say “Hanging out, you know.”

“I really have no clue actually. I was just watching me, or you, or whoever it was, in a memory of mine. As though it was a movie! That’s not normal” She wondered if wherever she was sleeping, if she was sleep talking.

The other heather walked over to the kitchen, and opened the cupboard, “Why is the tea always gone?” She was disappointed with this, well, they both were.

“I need some coffee, or something to get me thinking.” She walked over to the coffee maker, conveniently already brewed fresh coffee. “Would you like some?”

The other Heather nodded, “Yes please, with cream, no sugar.”

“I know how you like it.” She said, smiling. She kind of liked this whole idea. She looked out the window, there was a field covered in tall grass, all leading up to a dead, tree.  There was someone next to it, a man, in a black tux, bow-tie, and a mask?

“Heather, hand me the camera, please.” She said this with urgency. She wasn't sure about this.

The camera was in her hands, in no time. She zoomed in on the character, who seemed to be getting closer to the window, seemed to know she was there. She focused on the mask, the white mask. And diagonally painted in red was the word “Fear.” It was working. The masked, man seemed to be moving toward the window at a slow pace, but he wasn't moving his legs. He was gently moving over the ground, as though hovering. This scared Heather, and Heather. They both panicked.

She felt a pull, a tug, as though she was on the end of a rope, a dog collar. She started to get dizzy beyond belief. Actually, everything that’s happened has made this dizziness feel refreshing, a normal feeling. Everything started to fade out. The other Heather was in a corner of the kitchen, sitting on the floor hugging her knees. She was crying. Banging on the window is the last thing she could take. Heather started screaming “GO AWAY! PLEASE!” She was sobbing. The sound of shattered glass behind her was the sound that queued her.

She was lying on the floor of a dark void of emptiness. There was nothing she could do to assist Heather with the horrors from above, or down below. Where was she? Where is she? Who is she, Heather? Who is Heather? She had so many questions, and as far as she knows she is lying 50,000 feet above sea level, on a cliff in Sweden. She knew so much about Heather, but she knew nothing about herself. She needed questions answered now. And she didn't’t know who to trust. Not even herself. 

When Death is Crowned: Incorporating circles of circular knowing.

Aton knew he only had a few seconds to react. Grabbing his grappling gun, launching it into the floor. Was she escaping? Did she know? Or is this simply a mistake? Either way he needed to save her, and he needed to do it fast. Wind was rustling through his hair, he jumped.

 She had about twenty feet on him. He needed to make this quicker. He was slacking. He folded his arms and made himself as dynamic as possible, and began his hot pursuit on Tracy. That was her name. He remembered that just now. That’s what they told him to call her. But he knew better. You don’t capture an American woman, erase her memory, and then call her by her real name. This woman was going to be an assassin.

His thoughts were racing as he finally caught up to her. He threw his arms around her. She was cold, lifeless. Was she dead? That’d suck. But either way he needed to save himself. He wrapped his legs around her, and took ahold of his grapple. And suddenly…

…It jerked. HE ran out of slack. And of course, He dropped her in the process. He reached into his coat and pulled out his whip. As quickly as he could he roped her up, and started pulling his weight, and her weight up the grapple. He heard voices from above. He was in trouble. And so was she.

“Where is she?” Trevor demanded while leaning over a table, maps sprawled out. “I know that she isn’t dead, she’s way too powerful to die by a simple missile strike like back in New York.”

It had been weeks since the incident. Nobody knows where she is yet. They already had an identity scan through the nation. And she hadn’t shown up. They suspected the Chinese. It’s almost too obvious. They are arming they’re submarines with nukes and surrounding the United States as they spoke. They were prepared for total warfare. And America was not prepared at all.

One of the Analysts spoke up, “Sir, maybe it’s the Russians. They haven’t communicated with us in weeks. We tried contacting them and there was no answer.”

That had to be it. He had no leads at the moment. He was getting desperate. He had a paint brush, a canvas, and a deadline; but he was missing paint. “Get a satellite pointed at them! We need to get David here immediately!” He pulled out his phone and dialed the number.

Ringing, Ringing, Ringing, and more Ringing. He yelled into the phone “DAVID YOU BETTER PICK UP THE PHONE OR I’LL HAVE YOU ARRESTED!” He took a deep breath.

The phone clicked, a soft voice said hesitantly “Hello?”

“David. This is Trevor Volting. And we need you to the headquarters immediately. We need you to hack Russia.”

The voice spoke again with a little more confidence, “Hold on. I’m working on something…”

Trevor could hear button mashing, Video games. This made him furious. “PAUSE YOUR FREAKING GAME, PUT THE CONTROLLER DOWN, AND GET YOUR SORRY BUTT DOWN HERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN! Got it?”

He heard clattering. David picked up his phone off the floor. Probably scared him out of his mind, chicken, “Y-y-yes sir! I’ll be there as soon as I can, Sir!”

Trevor spoke with a soft polite voice this time, “Thank you.” then hung up. Slipping his phone into his pocket he looked around at everybody in the control room. They were all motionless, literally, except for Timothy. Things were getting strange around here. And he knew then, how great each decision he makes, will impact the life of humanity. Little did he know though that every decision he makes will greatly impact the fate of the galaxy, and the stars beyond it.

When Death is Crowned: Who's Tracy?

The mountains of Sweden were one of the most beautiful sights to see after waking up on clear day. She looked out the massive window from her king size bed. She looked around her room. White. White everything. She had no idea where she was. Or what she was doing. She had no idea of anything. She tried digging into her memory, but she only saw a woman running. That’s all she could remember. She didn’t even remember who the woman was?

She thought long and hard about that and came to the only logical conclusion. She had gone into a coma last night and forgotten everything in her past. Great. This was just wonderful. For all she knew there is some crisis and she can’t help at all with it. For all she knew World War 3 could be starting up. And she was the key to winning it. But that’s likely not the case.

She probably just lost everything in her memory. She probably was in her vacation home in the Smoky Mountains, and her husband was about to walk in the room with a warm cup of coffee to wake her up. Coffee. She let out a long sigh as she let the thought seep deep into her mind. Whatever happened to her, she knew that she needed coffee.

She threw her covers off, got out, and realized. She has nothing but a nightgown on. And ye arctic lies ahead.  She shuddered as her feet touched the ground. Apparently her teeth clattered a bit, cause when she turned her head, there was a man standing there, tall, pale, and bald. He was holding a hot cup of coffee, for her, she presumed.

He spoke in a low, rumbling voice “My name is Aton Bowden, I’m aware you might be confused. So I came to let you know that Breakfast is down the hall and there is freshly brewed coffee. They made it especially for you”

She wondered if he knew how confused she was. She figured she would ask. “W-w-wait, l-l-let me get t-t-t-this…completely c-c-clear…” She took a break. She was stuttering? Has she always been this stupid? “…You didn’t b-bring that coffee ffffor me?”

Aton chuckled. Comforting. And then he spoke in a mocking tone “First of all, this is not for you. Second of all, this is Hot Chocolate. I don’t like coffee”.

She was in awe. “Okay. I need some time to gather myself. I’ll be out in a few hours. I mean…sorry…minutes.”

He nodded, took a sip of his imposter coffee, spun; and left the room with a slow close of the door. She sighed. There is no way I’m married to him. He doesn’t seem of the rich and famous personality. He looks too poor.

She walked toward the desk with a plastic green apple on it, the only thing of color in the room. She tried to think, “who am I? Where am I? Who is “Aton Bowden” and where did he come from? He sounds Mexican, or German…”

Her world began to spin, in a daze she fell toward the giant window, overlooking the mountains. When she put her hands to catch herself, the window shattered into thousands of pieces. She saw in the spin that Aton was running for her. But it was too late. She was falling into an empty void.

Her eyes started watering. Is this how she was going to die? Is this the end? She just woke up and couldn’t even remember who she is, and this is when she dies? Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows really? Unless Aton happens to be a master martial artist, then she really doesn’t stand a chance against fifty-thousand feet to who knows what. 

When death is crowned: Intro to Aton Bowden.

Aton Bowdon was a tall, well-built, dark, and incredibly handsome young man, with a terrible sense of humor. He was trained by his father in martial arts, when he was only seven years old. He had no memory of his mother, but he has heard from his father that she was American, and he only met her once. At the age of 15 Aton’s father was murdered by Chinese hit man. He had no place to go. So he only sought out revenge. His skills acquired over a span of 6 years put him to the age of 21. He was then shipped to Constantinople as an assassin working on contracts. His skills were recognized as one of the top Marksmen in the world. Not to mention he knows how to use his hands as weapons.

People often hear his name and think of him as a supernatural human, something that only exists, merely through stories. No one realizes that he is a living legend. But the one thing that often catches people off guard. Aton Bowdon is blind. He works alone. Relying only on his sense in smell, feel. And what he lacks in vision, he makes up for in hearing. He is the Ultimate Assassin. 

                                                       ____________________

“So what do you think? She’s hardly dangerous herself. It’d be a piece of cake for you.” Said a low voice across a table from Aton.

“I’ll take the job, I just charge more than five million dollars for a contract, especially overseas. I will do it, for free. But only this time, because it sounds fun.”

“Excellent”

That was all that needed to be said. That was all that Aton needed to know. He was ready for a vacation. But what he didn’t know, is that he just excepted an invite to his greatest challenge yet. He would not see what was about to go on around him. But he will hear every bit of it. This is going to be his downfall. And will fail. And he will die. 

When death is crowned: Heather's beckoning

Rushing through the dry grass of the valleys, she realized then she should’ve taken her car. She had been running for at least an hour now. She stopped to check her cell phone, battery almost dead, she had only been running for ten minutes, of course. She couldn’t keep running. Her heart was beating like a tribal drum, and the cramps were getting to her head. She knew they’d be on her tail in a couple minutes. Maybe if she stayed low, they wouldn’t see her.

She her heard loud thumps coming her way. She kneeled down into the towering grass, hearing the thumps getting closer and closer. She could hardly see through the grass. But she could see one of the men coming straight for her, oblivious. She had a moment to plan for retaliation, she already decided she would. She had no idea what she was doing, but whatever it was, it needed to be quick, swift, quiet, and she knew none of those.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP…

They stopped. She couldn’t see them, she had no idea where they were. But the silence is worse than the loud thumps pounding down her spine. She was breathing loud; she held her breath, hoping to be able to hear them. Her heart was beating louder than ever, that was a bad idea. She let go and started breath, apparently too loud. Cause one of them had his arms around her neck, and had her hands tied up before she could resist. They put a ragged white cloth over her mouth, chloroform. She was out in a split second. She was in trouble.

                                                                _____________

Heather was hot, sweating, and suffocating. They took the brown paper bag off her head, she was on a metal folding chair in, small, dark, kitchen.  There were two men sitting in the living room on the other side of the house. She spoke.

“What’s going on? Why did you take me?”

One of them stood, and breathed. He wore a Flanner checkered shirt, tucked in, boot-cut jeans, He was your stereotypical cowboy impersonator.  After he slowly made his way around the kitchen table, he stood in front of her. He spoke.

“Heather is your name. I know who you are and I know you’re past, far better than you do. My name is Trevor Volting. And I will be your best friend, and protector.”

She had no idea what he was talking about. He is Honest at least. She figured she’d say something or ask a question,“Protector, from what? And why are we here? Where are we?”

He halted her just in time for the door to creek open. A man walked in, he seemed about as lost as her. She read his name tag, it said “Timothy Shelfer”  He’s short.

Trevor spoke “Timothy, I am not your enemy, I’ll assure you that. This is your cousin.” He motioned at her. She was more lost then ever.

She panicked, starting to fidget with her necklace “Cousin? Answer my question. What are you protecting me from?”

“He’s your cousin. Trust us. But first we need to focus on getting out of here. Heather. Stand up. Long story short, our country is about to get into a war that is bigger than we bargained for. They don’t know it yet. But you will be the key to victory for the United States.”

“A key,  Great. I've lived my whole life I had a future. And here I learn from complete strangers, that I’m a freaking key.”

Tim spoke up for the first time, “Heather, calm yourself. The country is going to be forced into a situation where they will need you. It’s a supernatural thing. I know you don’t believe in super powers. But you have them. I have them. It’s in our genes”

Yeah right. These guys were loaded with a bunch of crap. This so called ‘cousin’ of hers is sitting here trying to convince her that she has superpowers? This whole thing is extremely crazy. Then again, it sounds pretty fun. If they think of her as some kind of God, She might be able to make a fortune. What the heck. She might as well…

She put on her best negotiation face “How much are you willing to pay?”

Trevor spoke without hesitation “You’re life, how does that sound?”

With that, it’d be stupid to say no. So she said with hesitation “…Sure, what the heck. I have nothing better to do.” 

He sighed deeply while turning around and looking at one of his guards. He had a gun in his back pocket. Who does that? She stood up and went to the sink, to wash her hands. No water, great. She turned around and looked at Trevor, who was now in the living room, talking to both of his little henchmen.

She spoke loudly, annoyingly, and with power, “So when do you start?”

He turned and stared at her with eyes of hope, “We start as soon as we get a hold of the government, I’m hoping we can get these things figured out before the Germans come to capture-“ But she couldn't listen to his words anymore, she couldn't keep her eyes off the glowing orange light that was just outside. Before she knew it, the house was caving in on them, and the ground was falling beneath them. She couldn't see Trevor, but she didn't care. All she cared for was her own safety.  She could only come to one conclusion while she was running outside of the house. The world had declared war on her, and she can only choose one side. And that side right now, was herself.

A tremor shook the earth underneath her while she was running across the street. She fell to her knees. A school bus was driving right for her. Getting closer, and closer, everything around her was going wrong all at once. And she couldn't do anything. She only wished that she could survive this, or did she? The school bus had no intention of slowing its terrifying pace. She reached out her hands in a last ditch effort the save herself. The bus was nothing short of ten feet from her, when it lifted off the ground.  It was floating along with her hands, as though she was controlling it. Everything around her seemed to have paused. No noise was being made, as though time had been completely stopped. She looked around to see Trevor under a pile of rubble. She hadn't seen Timothy since a few seconds ago in the house, when everything was normal, or more normal. Something struck her neck. She felt no pain, but she blacked out. There was an empty hole in her head, a gap that was incompletely filled, a massive void of subconscious. She was watching herself run out of the house; a straight path of blue light was circling in front of her, shielding her from harm.  She was supernatural.  And then, black. 

When death is crowned: Intro to Timothy Shelfer

Timothy Shelfer, was one of the of the United States best undercover agents. At a towering five feet, five inches, he was pale as a vampire.  Weighing in at 260 pounds, makes up for it in muscle. He put down his pen, signing his name for the hundredth time this morning, he’s only been clocked in for half an hour. Leaning back, thinking about his tiny office, he just moved into it from a cubical a week ago. His phone startled him. Strange, He wasn't easily scared. He reached forward and picked the phone up out of its cradle, took a breath, and spoke.

“Timothy’s office, this is…Timothy”. He said this awkwardly. Somehow he made it to be a field agent. 

A lower voice spoke “Tim, we have your cousin captive. We know what you do, and we know what you’re capable of. Find us and we can negotiate” this voice was muffled. He had no idea who this was. So he asked the obvious question.

“Who is this?”

“Timothy. We know your intelligent, so just find us.”

Tim had no idea what was going on. He had control of his life. Everything was going right, he had a girlfriend, Susan. Who was an amazing girl, always lifted him up, and moved him forward. She was beautiful in his eyes. He had a well-paid Job. A Running car, it was paid for. Everything was going for him. This phone call pulled him out of his comfort zone, threw him in some mud, and kicked him in the face a few times. He forgot he was still on the phone.

“Look I don’t know what you’re talking about, I don’t have a cousin. And-“

The voice interrupted “Her name is Heather Shelfer. Ring a bell?”

Timothy was speechless, this made his skin crawl. “I don’t have any cousins…that I know of”

“Look Tim…” This bothered him. No one calls him Tim. “… We've done the research. What did you Mom tell you about your Dad’s murder?”

Timothy thought this was getting strange, but he answered. “My mother told me that My Dad was murdered alongside my uncle…why?”

“Your uncle’s name was Teddy Shelfer. He was a private investigator. He worked for only those who offered the right price. He was a bounty hunter. But Tim, your uncle was married, he was murdered during his wife’s pregnancy, who died during the birth. But the baby survived.”

This was news to Timothy. He has a cousin. He was starting to question the evil in this phone call. “So how old is this cousin? Is it a ‘He’ or a ‘she’? are you going to hurt-“

The voice interrupted again, how rude, “You have exactly forty-eight hours to be walking in this room, or we will pump her full of cyanide. It will be easy. The clock starts now” Timothy sat there in his suit, lounging in an office chair, realizing he has a cousin in captivity. He needed to save her. He spoke back into the phone 

“I’ll be there, you can count on it” But he realized that he was talking to nobody.  “How rude!”.

Just then his secretary walked in, she looked nice today. Sandra was a short, darker toned, brunette. She walked smoothly up to his desk, with an envelope in her hands. She set it down gently.

“Someone just delivered this, for you. They said you’d better open it, its ‘urgent” She said it in quotation marks, in a lower voice.

Reading it out loud he was taking it all in “You will find us in your home, we made sure your girlfriend won’t be coming for the dinner date. So you can come in with no one else. Sit down at a table with us and we can discuss the matters.”

Sandra had a puzzled look on her face, he tried covering it. “It’s just a joke from a friend. Don’t worry about it. But I need to go.” He stood grabbing his suit coat and putting it on, trying to stay cool. He started making his way past her. Once he got past the wooden door he started running, down the hallway, to the elevator. He smashed the ‘down’ button enough times to please his conscious. The doors opened finally, and he got in and pressed the ‘Ground Floor’ Button. He was whispering under his breath.

“I am Timothy Shelfer. I am five foot, five. I am a 38 years old. I don’t have any parents, I don’t really care one way or another. But one thing I do care about, is this cousin of mine, that I have never met. And I hope that I will be able too. Cause I am a good person.”

                                                 

                                                                       1.2

Timothy was wrong. He was not a good person. He spent his childhood in foster homes bullying the kids in school, two of the kids committed suicide. Once he got to high school, he got involved with Drugs, drinking, and sex. When he was 19, he robbed a convenience store with his friend. When the cops showed up, he grabbed the money, shot his friend in the knee, and took off running. He spent that night in an alley along one of the side roads in New York City. He made a hobby out of making friends and then betraying them. He made money while doing that. And that’s all that matters.  At the age of 23, his reputation came back to bite him. A group of friends who he betrayed found him, raided his apartment, and beat him. A few of them stayed up later to turn him into the cops, where he stayed for 8 years. He was released early for good behavior.  When he got out he was 31 years old. He then joined the military. He quickly worked his way up the ranks. They saw potential in him; at the age of 34 they asked him to be a field agent. He agreed. He had organized a few, clean, successful, assassinations on terrorists. He had become something great. He is a hero. But one thing he had learned, is that you’re enemy’s define who you are. But he, Timothy George Shelfer, had crowned death herself. 

When death is crowned part one: When darkness calls, do you answer?

Birds chirping in the morning sunrise, waking nature of its timid rest, the breezes blowing through the fields of grass as though it was some sort of a ballet. As the leaves moved back and forth brushing against one another making for a beautiful noise. This was the beginning of a day Heather would never forget. This was the beginning of her end.

Heather’s doorbell rang. She was still in bed. Hadn't had her coffee yet. “Go away!” she said in a mumble, still half asleep. She thought that maybe if she waited it out, that whoever was at her door at this ungodly hour would take a hike…off a cliff.  She decided to brave it out and answer. She got out of bed and put a faded pink robe on. Heather peered through her eyes, still adjusting to the light, looking and gaining her bearings around her room.  She made her way to the door, felt for the old wiggly doorknob, and slowing opened her white scratched up door, obvious sign that she has a cat or two. 

She panned her way down her short, leaf green, sponge painted hallway. Took her first step…*Crick*…Her floor was rather old, well, a lot old for that matter.  She could see down the hallway, she thought this was enough progress for the day, she could probably go back to bed now, She smirked. Took one step down the hallway when the door she was looking at opened up. Stunned, she couldn’t do anything be stand there.

Two men in dark jeans, black shirts with black pea coats rushed in. They were tall, darker skinned, a little bit of scruff with nice haircuts, they were handsome. She was still stunned. One looked at her and burst out in a low strung voice

“Are you Heather Brown?”

She answered hesitantly “Heather Brown, yes”

The other spoke up in a higher voice, “We are here to kidnap you”

Oh, that’s great. Wake up on her first day off from her Job at a diner in two weeks, and she is already getting kidnapped. Can she not get a break from this madness? They were standing there stupidly, jaws dropped. She wondered if she forgot to do her hair, she did, that explains a lot.  They both pulled out guns, and pointed. She wasn’t sure whether to cry, panic, keep it cool, or just play dead, they probably wouldn’t buy that last one. She spoke up, words were coming out like a flock of doves…a flock of rabid doves that she didn’t mean to let out.

“You were told to come here and kidnap me, why? Am I of any value? Who told you to? One of my ex-boyfriends? Why were you sent to kidnap me? Cause I’m a ninja, and I’m not afraid to hurt you. If you guys walk out right now, I won’t hurt you at all” This was all lies, and they knew it.

The higher pitched voice spoke “Any ninja who was in a situation like this would’ve already beaten us”

Is he serious?

“We know from experience” said the lower voiced one.

“Shhh! You are such an idiot! Why would you say something like that! Now she knows!”

They started bickering, this was a goodtime to pack my bags and put my makeup on. She slowly tip toed into her room and closed the door a smidge. Running to a pile of shoes, she grabbed a pair and threw them out the window. With one swift movement she climbed through the same window, landed on her porch, and grabbed her shoes. Taking off in a quiet jog across her open yard, into the grass field surrounded by towering trees, she had no idea what she was getting into.

Intruducing...

I've sort of taken up legit writing over the past month. So im going to start posting it.

Humans...

Some people like to become biologists and study animals and stuff. That's totally cool. But I like to watch Humans. I've noticed things these days. I'm sure there were ways to do what I'm about to point out. but it's gotten worse over time. I'll name the main point. and then expand on that. So here I go.


Self Consciousness: This has gone from Thinking out loud in peoples heads. To out on the interwebs. Our Example will be "Do I look fat?"...Original huh? So now we have people who used to just think it. and maybe ask someone close to them when it comes to their mind. But now it has to be out on the web. People put it out on Facebook. People come to the rescue and are all like "Ohhh! No your not fat! Your beautiful!" Which is exactly what the person wanted them to say. Now I'm wondering how people can continuously fall for the same trap over and over again? The only logical conclusion is that they aren't falling for it. I know. this is weird. But we do this without being aware of it. but we come to the rescue, knowing that we'll need it eventually. Is this the circle of life? I don't know. But its getting weirder and weirder as things go.




(Psychological term): I don't know what it is. But this is something I've always found fascinating over time. But its kind of like this.

Sir #1: (Drops wallet)

Sir #2: (Picks up said wallet and returns it) Hey, sir #1! You dropped your wallet and I picked it up to give it to you!

Notice how Sir #2 pretty much worshiped himself over his good deed? People do things like this over and over again. Picking up garbage off the street and looking around wondering if anyone saw him perform this public of amazingness. He should get a gold medal, a plaque, and a one way ticket to heaven.

Seriously its stupid. I know you like to be recognized for what we do. But for every dumb thing you do, do you look around  wondering if anyone saw you perform this public display of stupidity? No! You Don't. Well some people do. that leads to the next topic.


I don't even know what to call this either. So...(Throws that idea out the window) This is a really simple topic to get, so I don't need to explain much. So here I go...

...People do stupid things to get attention. Specifically members of the Male Gender.





Either way! Its Late! And I need to get to bed! Enjoy reading! And have a wonderful weekend!

Its over...

Now see here. I work at a fast food restraunt, and people are very rude to us employees. Now I would like to say, we do make mistakes. Of course we do. Its a given, and everyone does.

And sometimes i feel like people think that im trying to make they're lives horrid. Trust me, I did not wake up this morning thinking "i want to make they're lives miserable"

And also, please do not treat us like slaves. Slavery is over. We are employed, trained, and there to get you what you want. But we also have feelings, lives.

Please don't be rude. We are people just like you.

His trial.

Now George Zimmerman was officiallty "not guilty" and he looked pretty happy. I don't think thats right though.

He purposfully shot someone, in self defence yes. But you were outside with a gun? Seems suspicious. And first of all. You are not the one that should have pulled the trigger. If you wen into your house, and he came in? Then yes, I grant you permission.

But if you are not guilty with that. Then how is it that I can accidently hit someone with a car. Maybe someone who is j-walking. And get charged with manslaughter. Its so stupid. Our system needs some work right now.

But now Zimmerman gets to face the true trial. He will die eventually. And he will have to pass God's trial.

Thank for reading.

What you didn't know about drive through.

Well I think we can all agree that we don't know everything. We would like to believe that we do. We would like to do it without any work at all. And we all know that if we literally knew everything, our heads would explode. yup.


So now we can enter this thought process. Just because the person is working at a fast food restraint, does not mean that they are stupid. It means we're smart enough to know that we're going to need money in our future.

Now...You may think you are smarter then those of us who have gone through training to work in a drive through. But you aren't. The phrase "The Costumer is Always Right" Is about the biggest piece of crap...ever...other then dinosaurs pooping rainbows on mars. I just made that up.

But no.  you are not always right. You might always get your way...but that's cause we're bending over backwards hoping to please you. And rarely have a heard a "Thank you so much" But when I do! Hey. It's legit.
One of the worse things is the morning. People have not had they're coffee yet. But they didn't have time to make they're own coffee, so they come get some from me. (By the way I woke up at four in the morning) Just to give you a cup of coffee that you probably didn't get what you wanted. Don't blame us, We're giving you what you asked for. You might have not said the right thing. Remember, you haven't had your coffee yet ;)

And the other thing is when people come by at lunch hour and order "five twenty piece chicken nuggets, fourteen large fries (no salt), and 160 cookies, and 12 dipped cones." PLEASE CALL US AND ORDER BEFORE YOU GET THERE! Cause we do not have 100 nuggets sitting there waiting for you. if we did that all the time, we would be throwing them away all the time. And if we did that, we would end up going out of business. And if that happened, all the coffee drinkers would go crazy and lash out at everyone. And when that happens, everyone is cranky. And when everyone is cranky, you kill each other. And no more Chicken Nuggets.

So there you have it. You will probably wait a while, if you come to us with an order like the one I listed above. Cause we have to make everything for you. And the other people, who are also ordering food. Remember, the world does not evolve around you. And there is never a time that it does. The world evolves around the sun.

Thanks for reading, and please take some consideration for others

To: You. From: Suffering

So I'm working the Mc Donalds drive-through today. This lady gave me a flyer. It wa about suffering. And how we neeed go take hold of it and fix it. I open it up. And it has this crap about seeing doctors about suffering. And what you can do to get away from suffering.

Well here's a reality check. Suffering has beem since Eve took a bite of that apple. It will probably remain till the end of humanity as we know it.

And another check. Suffering is something that can be cured, yes. But not by a doctor, theripest, of psychologest. But by our only true God...God! Seriously. He is the only way. Always. Especially when he knows whats going on in your life.

So yes, Mam. I would love to end suffering. But its not something im willing to fly over millions of suffering americans. To get to a foreign country, to help them. I know they appriciate it. But I find it hipocritical.

Not to be selfish. But rape victems, murderers, thieves, and other people who need help, are all in our very own backyard. Its just harder to find them, cause we're america...and we're to afraid to admit that we need help

Help with money...from a teenager

I know this isn't much of a photography blog anymore. And I'm sorry about that. If you want to check out all my photography you can go here. Thanks.

Allright. Today i heard a man complain about not making enough money, and then he took off to smoke. Not to be down on it. But he had to punch out of work for fifteen minutes...to smoke.

(think about it)

Now doesn't that seem a bit odd that someone would not only choose go not make money. But spend money also? I know its a hard addiction to break. But wouldn't it be worth it? Plus. Why smoke anyways? Seriously. Think about it...logically...and there is not a single reason you "need" to smoke. Not to mention is awful for.you.

Addictions in general are one of mankind's greatest downfalls. Drinking, smoking, starving, eating, lust. It doesn't ever bring good. Unless your not right in the head.

Don't you think that if you are having money issues, that maybe you should hold back on the smoking, drinking, and dare i say it...uber fancy coffees?

Just a thought from a young person.

Our world vs. God's word.

Yes most of you know that Christianity is hitting an all time low. But for those of us that are, are not doing enough about it. Notice of facebook you can post some really profound nonsense and it gets like 30 likes. But you post somthing about Christ and people are like...

"Oh...yeah well-"

..Shutup! Well don't shutup. Take those words you were going to say, and use them on someone who doesn't know christ. Its easy to preach to the chior, and yourself. Please get out there. I probably won't. It's not my strength. But i strongly encurage you to get out there.

If your going to say "I don't have any non-christain friends" then go.make some. And then turn them into warriors, just like you. Its easier said then done. But thats no reason to not do anything. We should be doing everything. We can do all things through Christ. He will lead you the right way.

Now your probably wondering "what if he isn't leading me to evangelize?" and I say "Thats fine. Though everyone could say that, making this post irrelevent. Make sure you can tell the difference between your own wanting, and what he wants"

The world isn't safe anymore. But God's word is, and always will be safe.

To kill a knocking bird

The past few weeks at church, a bluejay keeps flying to the window and knocking. Not sure if the end of the world is about to start, or if it needs to be put in an asylum. Either way. It needs to die. Any sugestions?

Pondering twice...

I find these days that its gone from "Woman's rights" to "Woman's domination"

Those commericals and all. The wife is liks "My husband is an idiot! Ugh" thanks...thank you so much.

And the want for marraige had gone up for woman. But it has hit the tank for men. No kiddding.

I just hate it. American's take something someone says and we run with it. Run to the next extreme. Beat it to a pulp and say "it's perfect!"

Again. May i mention the ability to be equally free?

Pondering once...

Ever thought that maybe what the founding fathers meant, was for us to be equally free? Instead of trying to make equality and freedom be two different things? Just a thought.

In 30 seconds...

So much can happen in 30 seconds. So much time passes in 30 seconds yet we see it as such a small amount of time. what can we do in 30 seconds?

-Give your cat a good petting.
-Think a lot of thoughts.
-Pour a glass of water.
-Burn a poptart.
-Fold a blanket.
-Take a picture.

This is a focus on what you can do in 30 seconds. I had an experience taking a picture that really changed the way I see the world work. I kinda see things in slow motion now.

I was on my way home from orchestra and the fog was thick, very thick. I got home, grabbed my tripod, camera, and headed out the door. I ran down the street. Out of breath at the top of a hill, I set up my tripod and set the shutterspeed on my camera for 30 seconds. *Cli-*(30 seconds of selince)...
*-ick*

That was the longest 30 seconds in my life. But it was well worth it. When I saw the result I jumped for joy. People driving by probably thought some nice thoughts about me. But it was well worth that also.


Here you go...

Thank you for reading, please visit my facebook page at J.M. Photography.

Over-exsessive posting

I know so many people who post literally everything on facebook. And they do it...for what? These statuses big me. Its like "on a date with my hubby. I love him so much" so. Was the date not good enough? Or did you have to make sure that everyone knows you love him? You...why does it matter to all 250 of your friends. The only person that needs to know you love him is...well...him. And Shouldn't you prove that you love him by giving your all to that person? Instead of bragging about it on facebook?


You are probably saying "I don't care what this person thinks" but then why do you care to post it to facebook (or twitter or whatever)? It can actually end up with broken hearts all around.
Divorce rates skyrocket as we advance in technology, and im positive there is a connection there.


Once I was at a restraunt and I saw what appeared to be a husband and wife. The husband was sitting there holding his wife's hand. And in her other hand She was on her smartphone. after half an hour he said something. And she just said she was chatting with someone. I watched him sit back and pay for the food. And she puts down her phone. They let the restraunt arguing.


As a photographer I find myself around a lot of places. I was downtown Charlevoix this past summer and I saw a Couple holding hands and being cute. I thought it was adorable. They kissed. and hugged after a while, but during the hug, the guy had is phone in his hand, looking at it around her back. I might be too quick to judge, but thats an awful thing.


Thats all i have to say.
-A conciderate human being

The abnormal macro shot...

Sometime you get an idea in your head, and you find yourself shooting something completly different. Yesterday I left on a long (one hour) jurney through challenging trundra (a slightly snowy sidewalk) to get a sunset shot. On my way I found myself looking at an art gallery with upside down tulip hanging from above. I stood there or a long (probably 10 seconds) before I changed my mind and decided that this tulip...would be the main the main object of this shoot. It was the shortest shoot in the world. But its one of my more recongnized pictures allready. Here it is...

Thanks for reading. check out my facebook page at J.M. Photography :)

B&W+Sunsets=Interesting

One thing about photography is that you really, really, really need to find your own style, or tone. You need to find what you appreciate yourself. and also find your audience. and also learn what they like too see. Also get creative. honestly  if your aren't creative, don't get into art.

I took a picture of a sunset the other day, and realized how cliche it is to take pictures of a sunset. I was sitting there trying to find what I could do to make this picture different. It finally applied B&W to the picture. It is worked just great on this. Its not something you see everyday, Black and White on a picture. But in my humble oppinion it was very appealing to the eye.

Here...

Thanks for reading :) Visit my facebook page at "J.M. Photography"

The great ouside

I awoke this morning too a dark room, and smiled. I could hear the frigid wind gusting its way around my towering household. It was the perfect day for a specific shot I've been dreaming of for over the past two years.

I throw my balmy covers off of me, and shiver at the realization that my room, is too, also frigid. Touching my feet to the floor sent chills up and down my spine. You get the point, it was cold.

One thing led to another and I was outside, in full winter gear, prepared for total gusts of pure snow. With a camera on a tripod, I was standing on the top of a hill, totally exposed to bitter winter. I had it set and ready, it looked exactly how I pictured it in my head (only better) and I was ready...for...a sore finger. After continuous shutter sound for an hour, my neighbor was watching me, probably thinking I'm a madman. Especially when I was dancing in a snowdrift after I finally got the shot.

Here's the picture...

Thanks for reading, you can see more pictures like this at my facebook page "I spy photography" Thanks again!

Off to see the Harbor.

Me and My father went out on a photoshoot yesterday, to Harbor Springs Michigan. It's a tourist town, located in Northern Michigan. So here are some of my shots from that trip...

 

 

<-That was jsut an experement. Thanks for looking!

Photo Contest

It's a scary thing. I just entered in the "Charlevoix Chamber Photo Contest" and they had over 200 entries, they narrowed it down to a top 29. I made it! right now its too a voting point. It's up too the people. But yeah...

But here I am. scoping out the competition, thinking "Wow, I don't stand a chance" But then again I wonder if everyone else is thinking the same thing. There are some really great pictures out there. I allready have a favorite, and its not mine.

But I hope I win, It would be great. Here's the picture I posted for the contest.

Thanks for reading! Go see more of my pictures at "I spy photography" on facebook.

Kay, I'm done now.

So many people sweat they're way through the summer thinking "Wow, I can't wait for winter. It'll be a nice break" And yeah, thats me. Concerning our winter didn't start untill like...a month ago. But we've rarely had a break since. Im good now. I found my flip flops in my closet this morning, and the past few summers of entertainment flashed through my eyes.

Plus, photography is a lot more motavating when you don't have to put on six layers of clothes, and then head outside. to find that you spent a half an hour of preparation to walk out and realize you didn't charge your battery. I find it more fun in the summer. Because you can just slip into your Flippy Floppies and head out, to find that you didn't charge your battery.

This has been a great winter for photography, indeed. I've gotten some shots I would willingly say "Goodjob Jon" and then pat myself on the back. But I've also grown in maturity, with photography. I've done a lot of studying, I know what people like to see. I. Am. ready.

(que inception soundtrack)

I have a new perspective on the world, a new camera, and a new audience. (swiched lenses in slow motion, inception soundtrack still going) I'm ready to face the searing, summer sun, with some sunblock, and sunglasses. Im ready to get out my shorts, put on my flip flops, get out a beach chair, and people watch on the beach. I. Am. Ready.

Wet Blankets...

WARNING: The following post is a rant, if you would like to just look at the picture, and skip the rant, just move on to the big number "2" thank you for reading,





#1: I woke up this morning, and double checked to see if it was valentines day. Yep, it is. I thought about how it seems people are making it way more then it is. I see facebook debates, other blogs posting they're stance on this day, also known as "Feb 14th". I find that My stance on it, is I don't have a stance. I would rather use the brain cells fighting for Orphans. 

But in all serousness, It's stupid. I saw as many statuses/blogs about Valentines day as the presidental election last november. Now this is also known as "singles awareness day" but for non-americans, the fourth of july isn't "Not-americans awareness day"

Love exists... let it for those who have it. Now if other countries tried taking away the 4th of July from America, There would be war. When other religions try taking away christmas, it gets to be a big deal.

I find that even with simple statuses, for example "I like oreos" You have people posting "Gross! I hate oreos!" It's like "Then post that as your status, this status is for those who *like* oreos" I like to call those people "Party Poopers" "Wet blankets" or worse of all "Wet socks"

For goodness sake, let someone have fun without being a pickle in a cookie jar. Just let the cookies have fun without getting pickle juice on them, and making them feel soggy and gross, Please! Kay, I'm done now.







#2: Here is my pic for Valentines day

wet socks

So, one of the worlds more dreaded feelings. We can do rollarcoasters, air planes, race cars, and even join the milatary. Yet, we all dread...(shudder shudder)...Wet Socks....(shudder)


I was out by lake Michigan shooting my canon (camera...not an actual canon) And I was out in some deep snow. When I say "deep snow" I think like 6-12 inches, so im walking, snow boots, and snow pants. trudging through the snow. All ready to take an awesome picture. And...


...*scludge*...


This 6-12 inch snow had a bunch of snow babies, it was probably two and a half feet deep. It pushed my snow pants up, and sent snow down my boots. So now these well insulated boots are doing their job, and melting the snow and you-know-what (if you don't. the answer is "Wet socks")

I was frozen, In a state of wetsockness. There is nothing you can do, to prevent this from stopping. I was out in the cold,. frigid air, blasting my allready arctic face. It was only a matter of time before I had frozen socks. My wet hair from the shower, was allready frozen on the tips. I had to get this shot quick.

Now, getting the perfect shot is impossible. Getting something close is hard. I got something close (happy smile) I was going for a Snow covered hill, with grass still poking out, with foot steps going off, over the hill. Can you picture it? If not, thats fine. I got the picture for you. Here...

Been cold (rainy) winter.

I live in the general Northern part of the lower part of Michigan. It's a jurney, let me tell you. You'd think us to have 6 feet of snow every morning. But in reality, winter didn't start till a few weeks ago. It's been the worst winter since I moved up here 5 years ago, Its intense. But It's also been quite the oppertunity to nab some fantastic pictures. With the new camera and everything its really been great.


I went out on a photoshoot, with nature, two weeks ago. And I did manage snap some really good shots. Well, I was going to get a really great shot of something (trys to eplain and fails miserably) And my battery went dead (orders a substitute battery) So I'll show you my favorite shot from that shoot. Here...

Thank you for reading everybody. And go check out my page on facebook called "I spy Photography" I'll throw the link up as soon as I can :)