please do not let her unecessary comment getcha down :) back on topic now, please

The coffee was a good start. A meal, even if only carry out, helped to restore some energy and ease her resstlessness. Hmmm...so the coffee machine guy is Derrick? "Well at least I know his name now," she said to no one in particular.


The train appeared to beheading toward the city. Derrick made a comment about how many times they had all taken this trip before to go shopping, or to the movies. And, what a strsnge circumstance they found themselves in. Some of the others were speculating about the blast. What caused it, and who was responsible. Some said a pipeline explosion, others, a terrorist attack. Most echoed that they'd like to go home.

Melanie started to fall asleep as the train rolled down the tracks. The buildings became larger and closer together as they grew gradually closer to the city. She closed her eyes and folded her hands in her lap and tried to empty her mind; shutting out the voices of speculation surrounding her. She couldn't help but wonder one thing:

Did these creatures aboaard the train seem unreal because events were unreal, or were they really unhuman like something in a storybook?

Drifting now in that strange place between consciousness and sleep, Melanie's mind began to wonder...She could not stop thinking about the man with the staff...Something about his eyes haunted her...Fighting sleep, she began to retrace the days events....

in doing so she realized that she had seen his face somewhere before...those piercing eyes, those skinny legs....

But that height, surely she would remember someone who was so small and diminutive, almost elf-like. Surely she would remember where and when she had seen this....man?

Then she thought of the other man who had joined them with the poodle with red eyes. They seemed to, no, they actually glowed last night. The dog seemed as if it had sprung up straight from Hell. But in the crisp morning light coming from the window now, it didn't seem as scary. I won't say a cute poodle pup, just not as scary. But it's master, well he seemed the scarier one in the daylight.

Last night all Melanie had noticed about the dog's master his height. Well over 6 feet tall. Quite a contrast to the man with the staff. He hadn't said a word. He always only seemed to look at his dog companion and nod. Almost as if they were talking without words.
Then Melanie remembered the same with the man with the staff, Rakyatan. He and the tall man looked at each other and just nodded a few times as if holding a conversation.

Strange she thought. I must just be so tired, I must have imagined that. Melanie was so tired she could feel the ache that comes with a need for sleep. But there would be no sleep now as Rakyatan was walking up the aisle with his two diminutive companions that had joined them at the train station. Behind the three in great contrast stood the tall man and that poodle, who never left his side.

The came to a stop where Melanie and Derrick were seated. There were no other people in the train car at the time. Normally it would be bustling, but this was a sunday morning and few go into the city on an early sunday morning. But that was good, because they needed the privacy to talk.

Well Melanie and Derrick, said Rakyatan, as he sat in the seat across from them and laid his stick next to him. It's time for introductions. Then he pointed to the tall man with the poodle. This is.....

Before he could finish his sentence, the train screeched to a stop ..The force was so strong it propelled everyone forward where they landed in a jumbled heap....A stunned Melanie slowly opened her eyes...The image before her filled her heart with icy terror...Slowly the pieces began to come together...The reality of the situation caused her to body to tremble uncontrollably...Screaming, "No,no, I won't, I cannot do as you"...she fainted....

(sorry) momentary popcorn break:



>>> side note: Leigh, wonderful to see another creative side. We already know you have a writer's gift by your poetry Wonderful to see you here. Your input already has me at my seat to see how others carry this on

Ok, popcorn break over....

Hello {{{{Jemare}}}}...Always good to see you!...So many are missed...Ummm butter, thanks for sharing!

She awoke to find herself in Derrick's arms, he was speakingtoo her, but what was he saying, slowly his words became audible to her.
Melanie are you OK. Melanie are you OK. Melanie are you OK.

Rakayatan was beside her, you are alright Melanie,it was a hallucinatory attack brought on by the horrors of yesterday, he said.
She looked round and all appeared normal, it must be true yet it was so real she thought, but nestling in Derricks arms she felt safe and asked him to stay awhile

Rakayatan then said. We are going to the city to discover what is causing such destruction and why, I suggest you rest now, because there will be little when we arrive. With that he left and returned to his men located a little futher down the carriage.

Asshe drifted off in to sleep still wondering what would happen in the city, had she hallucinated, at least for now she was safe in Derrick's arms....

The train sped on. Rakayatan was in conference with his people, but no words were spoken just what appeared to be frantic nodding, was it some kind of morse code? Derrick was trying to decipher but it was no good, he still did not know what was going on, he would ask later. The train started to slow, and the steady sound of the wheels over the tracks changed pitch causing Melanie to wake with a start.
Where are we? she asked. It looks as though we are arriving somewhere in the city, said Derrick looking out of the window, but I am not familiar with this area.
Rakayatan rose moved towards the window peered out and said, good we are arriving on the Darkside.
What did he mean she wondered as a shiver ran down her spine, it was still daylight, as she looked out of the window the train came to a halt.
Follow me said Rakayatan, as he climbed down on to the platform, Melanie held Derricks hand tightly, El Torgo picked up the animal poodle and with the two others,
followed him along the platform. She failed to understand why no one seemed to notice them because they must have looked such a strange group of people.

Out of the station, they all got into a taxi cab, Rakayatan passed the driver a written note which he quickly read, nodded and passed back.
With a screech of tyres the taxi headed off, but where, was this all really happening she wondered.

As the screech from the rubbers friction on the macadam died down another breath could be faintly heard exhaling. Smoke left her lips and trailed across the windowsill creeping slowly up the glass panes.

"There goes another..."

The ice in her glass crackled against the side of its container as it spun around showing the dark beauty's reflection broken only by the rippling of her tea as the liquid slowly spun around......

like a little whirlpool eddy near the bank of an otherwise quiet stream. She took a sip and looked around. Another cab passed on by them. Derrick had fallen asleep. Mel reached for another cig. Might as well have one while they waited for another cab.

The curbside sunshine reflections were too bright for her eyes so while Derrick slept she moved over to the shade of a tall building. Evening was approaching but it was early enough to feel safe in the shade of the towers. People came and went through a revolving door.

Melanie watched Rakaytan enter this very same building with one of his men. The others stood nearby like sentries. Strange thing was that they did not seem so peculiar now. They looked almost normal in the light of the quiet day.

In the city, it seemed as though nothing had happened and she was starting to no longer care about the reasons, motives and details for yesterday's events. She wanted to escape to something blessed.

She put out her smoke and strolled over to where Derrick was half asleep still. He looked contorted with his head rolling half way off of the tree he was leaning against. Staring down at him she wondered if he'd do it. "Will he do it if I suggest that we just grab a random cab and go....without knowing where". "Heck, I've never been the kind to want to save the world, and I sure as heck don't want to save it now." She mulled the events that lead to her being here now, and realized that she hadn't been given any choice. No one asked her if she wanted to board the train or run away.

People had been ordering them around for two days now and she was sick of it. Suddenly Derrick looked up at her. His eyes popped open when he yawned and said, "is there a free cab yet?"

As if by magic, Rakaytan appeared...He seemed angry as he gripped Melanie's arm, pulled her close, and whispered harshly, "Do not underestimate me dear lady, nothing escapes me, nothing!...Suddenly, it all became clear...The eye contact, the nodding, the strange poodle with the blood red eyes...They were telepathic and now Rakaytan knew of her plan to run!....

Sorry to be off topic but just want to throw in this is such a fun thread to follow. Hope it just keeps going an going. Such talent you all ROCK!!!!!!!

damm. this guy was really getting on Melanie's nerves. Derrick stretched his arms up over his head and said, "whoa, bro, DO chill..."

Rakayatan glared at them both with eyes that looked more bloodshot than evil. Suddenly, to the pair, Raky looked like nothing more interesting or threatening than a skinny, rambunctious old man. "Who are you anyway?" asked Derrick, "to be giving me the hard stare?"

This is no time for explanations! screamed Rakayatan with such a force which surprized them both, coming from a man of such small stature. What you saw yesterday at the Farm house was only the beginning, we are all in very grave danger. He looked at them intently with those piercing eyes and said. If you do not want to help then go. You were drawn in to this by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are going, then go!

Melanie suddenly felt very sheepish, as she remembered the horrors in the Farmhouse, and here was someone trying to help and her only thoughts were to run. Derrick had caught the expression on her face, and quickly stood up. OK Rakayatan, he said, we don't know what is happening but we both want to help.
Melanie reached out and found Derrick's hand, could she control the fear inside of what lies ahead, she was committed now no going back.

Rakayatan nodded, turned to his men stood near the revolving doors of the building he had just appeared from and said. The Darkside office have traced the signal, we need to move and move fast, their is not too much time. Round the end of the building appeared one of those huge military jeeps, it turned and came towards coming to a stop only yards from where they were all standing. Get in! Snapped Ratayatan, as he climbed behind the wheel and moments later they roared off.

Where were they going, what signal, what Darkside office, Melanie's fears were returning as she sat in the front between Derrick and Rakayatan as the hugh vehicle continued on far too fast for her liking. When Derrick suddenly said, I know this end of the city and we are heading towards the port docks area.
They came to a halt beside a long row of what appeared to be disused warehouses, the light was fading and it had started to rain.
We wait here until dark, said Rakayatan. She lit a cig and noticed her hand was shaking, perhaps it would calm her nerves, what were they waiting for she wondered.

With mounting concern, Derrick watched as Melanie lit yet another cigarette. The trembling was getting worse. She looked pale and fragile, like a lost child. He knew he must not let her see his own, rapidly growing, fear. It was apparent Melanie was not familiar with this area. The port docks were known as the mean streets of the city, only the lost ventured here. Drug addicts, pimps, prostitutes, and criminals all called it home. Derrick knew their options were shrinking. He also knew if Rakaytan's plans included boarding one of the massive freighters anchored here, he and Melanie were doomed, any chance of escape would be lost!

Derrick looked at Melanie again. The cigarette was perched between her fingers, ash dropping to the floor, while she stared ahead. He wondered what he had committed her to without even talking it over with her first. Should they run? Where would they go? For that matter where were they going?

"Hey, Mel," Are you OK, he asked. She glanced over at him and looked back down at the floor. "ya," she said. "I'm about as OK as could be expected." Derrick turned to see Raky returning to the jeep. "Um, excuse me, but just what is it that you want us to help with anyway?" "When will we get answers to what happened at the farm?" "The city seems ok..."

Melanie looked up and chimed in, "really, I mean I am not your typical bleeding heart helpful type, and this part of town makes me a little nervous. So what is going on?" As lithe and wan as she was, her stare caught Raky's attention.

In typical fashion, he didn't exactly answer their questions. "So, Melanie, do know for certain who the owner of that farm is?" As she was about to reply, a tall woman dressed in boots and overalls came out of an alley carrying coffee in styro cups. She offerred them around and asked Raky, "what the heck are you up to ya old rascal?" "Is the sky falling again?" Melanie offered her a cigaraette and said, "Yes actually something like that."

"This is Jess" said Rakyatan "Hi" she said taking a light for her cigarette from El Torgo who had now got out of the Jeep.
"Have you got it ready? Is it OK to load? We need to move now in the darkness before we attract attention" Rakyatan spoke quickly and there was a hint of anxiety in his voice. "Yes. It is ready but a little unstable it only arrived from Area 51 today" she said, as she turned and pressed a button close to a large door at the front of the warehouse.

Melanie suddenly felt week at the knees, had she heard it right, that whatever it was had just arrived from Area 51.She lit another cigarette, and muttered under her breath, "you are goin to pay for getting me in to this Derrick, not sure when, but you are goin to pay bigtime". But no one heard her words as they watched the big metal door roll slowly and noisely up in to its casing.

Rakyatan got back in to the jeep and drove through the entrance and in to the warehouse, they all followed on foot, inside it was dimly lit and bare except for one metal case approximately two feet square and three feet tall, the top of which had several switches, dials and screens. "Here it is" said Jess "We are good to go".

Rakyatan turned to his men and nodded, they moved quickly to the metal case, picked it up and carefully placed it in the rear of the Jeep. Jess followed them and climbed
in next to the case, after looking at the screens on the top, she glanced at Rakyatan and nodded. " In the Jeep everyone" Rakyatan said getting back behind the wheel.
Good" said Rakyatan as they pulled out of the warehouse, "Jess! Have you picked up the signal yet?".
"Yes, but it's very weak" she replied " Turn on to Dock road, and I will do a full scan"

Will they soon find out what is going on, and what caused the horror at the farm, Melanie was not so sure..
The Jeep raced on at speed, but where to and what were they looking for, then she thought, perhaps even Rakyatan did not know.

Staring intently at Jess, Melanie could not help but wonder what part she played in this mystery. Looking at her closely, it was clear that at one time she possessed the kind of beauty that made women envious and men weak with desire, but now, even her high cheekbones and beautiful emerald eyes could not conceal the ravages of time....Deep lines etched her face and strands of grey dulled her raven hair....In spite of this, Melanie took comfort in the older woman's presence...Somehow, she understood this woman, not Rakan, was the true leader.....