Things had been off lately. Casey waited inside the doctor's office for his check up. Staring around the room at the sick people they were mostly elderly. He felt a little uncomfortable. Though he wasn't an old man by any means, he was closer to forty then thrity. For some reason staring at all these old people was like a glimps into his own mortality. He coughed and crossed his leg awkwardly, trying his best to find interest in the magazine article about skin care.
He wasn't really interested. He looked down at the picture and it had a picture of a woman's breast. Though it was transparent like a display model to show the inner workings.... Ya know for med students. It talked about how it was believed that deep UV rays could damage not only the skin but the tissue underneath. All farely boring and besides he just felt like a perv reading oogling a breast; even a transparent one. He set the magazine down and shifted in his see. "Casey..." He started to stand up...."Collins." Nope! It appeared he was going to be waiting a bit longer.
In his pocket his phone began to jingle. Embarassingly his ringtone was Justin Bieber's baby baby baby oh.... Some 15 year old girl in the waiting room began to giggle as Casey fumbled in his pocket to shut it off. He picked up hastily. "Hello?!?" He asnwered. "Casey! Listen baby the new issue of Captain Badass is out and it's flying off the shelf." Casey rolled his eyes. He didn't want to write Captain Badass comics anymore. He honestly wanted to move into darker fiction... He had this idea for a horror comic called Slashertown. It was a fairly simple concept. The town was haunted.... Laid by a terrible curse that kept the residents trapped there.
They couldn't go out on the street at night because after dark a thick fog rolled in and the Pickaxe killer roamed the streets looking for victims. It was savagely brutal and he had all kinds of ideas for plot. People love gore. They flock to the new block buster horror movies for the suspense and the buckets of blood. Casey would keep teasing the identity of the killer, but he had no real intention of ever revealing it. That was the beauty of Slashertown! The killer never gets revealed. The read is left in a constant loop of suspense. "Listen Chris..." He started but he was cut off quickly.
"Listen Casey. Gotta run. Keep up the good work buddy! I can't wait for the next issue of Captain Badass!" The phone promptly hung up. Casey sighed and slid the phone back in his pocket. He turned to see that the 15 year old girl had moved over to be seated beside him. He turned to look at her and smiled uncomfortably. She was grinning in his face and staring at him like he was some dreamy hunk. "I like Justin Bieber too!" She exclaimed. Her mother was elbow deep in a woman's digest and couldn't be bothered to keep track of her child. Casey nodded and smiled trying to end the encounter as quickly as possible. "You're cute. Do you have a girlfriend?" She asked. Casey opened his mouth to say something but the door swung open.
"Casey... Statwitch?" Oh thank god! He thought and leap from his seat. "It's uh.... Statwick actually." The doctor shrugged. "Come on back." Casey followed him to the back and past several nurses who eyed him evil, and he wasn't sure way. He turned his head to look back over his shoulder; still trying to figure out what the mean looks were about as he was seated in a quiet little room. "Soo... What seems to be the problem Carry."
Casey sat on the bed and cleared his throat. "Uh... It's Casey..." The doctor ignored him. Doctors were so funny. They were too busy to even remember a name for a 10 minute encounter, and yet they made more than he could ever dream of. "Right... Well you're bloodwork came back, you seem to be in great shape. Maybe you're cholorestoral is a little high, but you're what? 46?" "I'm 38.... actually." The doctor smiled and put donw his chart. "So you're 38! You can turn it around. Just lay off the doughnuts..."
Casey was confsued. "Actually I've been having this warm pain in my chest whenever I try to write... I" The doctor cut him off. He seemed to be good at that, dam it. "I'm going to write you a perscription for Acid Reflux. Take it easy Carry. You're not a young man anymore." Casey was super annoyed. Though he took the perscription with a smile becasue that's who he was, non confrontational. Leaving the office with his jacket hanging over his arm, Casey was down.
He stared at the perscription in his hand and just kind of moped. He wasn't old! Screw that guy. He didn't know what he was talking about. He knew something was going on. He could feel it. It didn't feel like Acid Reflux. Maybe he was about to have a stroke or something. After all "I'm not getting any younger." He mumbled to himself as he passed through the lobby. Casey looked up and saw the 15 year old girl doing the call me gesture. Casey got out of there as quickly as he could. He knew he didn't want to write Captain Badass forever. He was thinking about that among other things as he left the doctor's office. Walking down the street. He saw a book store he had never seen before. "Hm..." He said out loud.
"Couldn't hurt." Casey had always been interested in writing. He considered being a writer once, though graphic novels is where he ended up. Casey pushed open the door and the bell above it jingled as he entered the store. He saw no one at the counter, but instantly moved through the back row of shelves exploroing on his own. It didn't take him long to find the horror section. He needed some cool ideas to get his brain flowing for his Villian of SlasherTown.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 19, 2018 5:22:37 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
It had been two weeks since Emelia had sacrificed Ace. She knew he wouldn’t be overly missed by anyone in the states and no one really knew he left the club with her that night. She was safe as safe could get from any suspicion. She had spent the whole next day cleaning up the basement saying the store had to have some repairs to its plumbing.
She had time to mourn Ace and was able to get back to her normal self. The sassy girl that everyone loved to meet. She was in the back as the bell dinged the same time as the timer had for her oven. Pulling out the fresh hot chocolate chip cookies she smiled and placed them on a decorative plate to have out for guests. Today’s business had been slow though. Seemed Thursday’s weren’t book days.
Taking the tray out she heard footsteps in the horror section and smiled. Taking a moment to make sure her shirt was nicely adjusted and her skirt was in place her heels clicked against the hardwood floors. Turning the corner she smiled and held the plate of steaming hot cookies. “Welcome to Mystic books.” She said with a cheery smile. “Need any help handsome or are you doing alright for now?” She asked.
She looked over his features with sparkling chocolate brown eyes. He certainly fit her type a cute face, eyes that told a story, and a handsome smile. She held up the cookies, “If you want one, you’ll need to grab 'em while they’re hot. But just don’t burn yourself. They did just come out.” She warned.
Casey was lost in a sea of titles. Books by authors he had never heard of, and titles he wasn't familiar. He picked up one book called ' The Old man In The Forgotten Village.' The book was a hard covered book with a picture of an old man in a raincoat wandering around a marsh. He had a laternnn in one hand and a shotgun in the other. He seemed to be braving a wicked storm and the trees all pushed in on him like branch like fingers theatened to reach out and grab him.
The art style was Gothic and it looked fairly length. There was good heft to the book. It was in the horror section and it had gained his interst rather quickly. He ran his fingers over the beautifully drawn cover. Lost in silent thought about what it could be about. Before Casey could flip it over and read the back a voice startled him. "Oh Jesus!" He cried. Casey had thought he was alone. His eyes moved over to see a not unattractive woman holding a plate of cookies. He smiled at her. "Oh sorry... I uh... I thought the store was open.." He began, but she seemed rather friendly. She was even offering him a snack. He took one gracefully and took a bite. Looking around the high ceilings and beautiful woodwork.
Casey spoke with his mouth full. "This is a nice store." He said with a mouth full of voice muffling cookie. She asked him if he needed any help. Honestly he didn't. He was perfectly happy just browsing quietly, though the cookie was a big plus. "So, you must be the owner." He said still munching away. He looked at his cookie with appreciation. Damn. This was good. He was beginning to wonder where the baking section was, because he needed to pick up this recipie. "I'm Casey. Casey Statwick. You carry some of my books." He said handing her a copy of something else he was holding.
It was a graphic novel. Harback. One of his less sucessful ventures, but he had always held the title close to his heart. It was called 'Cancerman.' It was about a man who developed brain cancer, and the tumors gave him the ability to see into other dimensions. Using this power he realized that most of the missing persons in his small town had been taken by the darklings that lived in this fantastical and horrible place. It was a comic/ graphic novel that never sold well.
Cancerman was his father. He had watched him battle a slow battle with brain cancer and eventaully die of it. As a little boy his way of coping was to invent a story in which his dad was a hero. His dad was a great man. Casey looked up to him. Even now. "I'm surpised you have this. It's not very popular I'm afraid." He said as he handed her the book and flipped it over so she could see his face on the desk jacket. It wasn't a very handsome picture. He always hated that jacket, but it was him.
Looking goofy and way to pretensious. Staring slightly off to the left, like he couldn't be bothered to look at the camera. To lost in thought about his own creative genius. Casey wasn't a pompus jerk. He was actaully quite humble. "I was just looking for some horror. I am working on a new title. Maybe It'll end up in your shop someday." If i can get my dumbass publishers to listen to a pitch that isn't about Captain Badass. He thought bitterly. Standing there he couldn't help but admire the slim tone of her long legs. She was wearing a skirt and he caught his eyes wandering just a moment.
As soon as he realized he cleared his throat and looked back at the books in front of him. "You...You actually have a few of my works here." He said pulling out a few more graphic novels including the aforementioned Captain Badass Vol.1 and another particularly low selling title called 'Brain Eaters.' He looked at the titles. I'm a morbid fuck. He thought with an inward chuckle. Still, morbid sells and he had a deliciously morbid mind for creating the ghastly and the horrible.
He even had a story about a nasty old witch named Mother who ruled the zombie apocalypse with an iron fist. He had been meaning to write more of that, but she gave even him the creeps. Casey turned to Emalia with a smile. "Thanks for the cookie." He said with a smile... He was so awkward with women. Mostly because he was a writer and writers were notoriously introverted. Still, she was quite the looker. He couldn't stop looking. Catching himself eyeing her once more he buried his face in the informational jacket sleeve of The Old Man In The Forgotten Village.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 19, 2018 7:57:14 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
Emelia couldn’t help the giggle as he had jumped at her voice and took a cookie. Her smile widened at the complement of her store. Hearing his name is sparked something familiar in her mind, but she couldn’t place where until he showed the hardback graphic novel. Never had an author of the books she sold actually come into her store before. This was a day to celebrate if any. “I’m Emelia Campbell. I’m happy you stopped into my little shop, I feel honored.” Her smile was genuine happiness.
Emelia was a bit confused, “Really? That’s a bit surprising. It’s a good read. I remember back in Maine that there was a little boy whose dad was going through chemo. He dove right into those books and his mother bought every book because it helped him cope with what his dad was going through.” There where always kids that needed something to help make sense of what evils went on in the world. “He was the cutest little thing.” She muttered remembering the curly redheaded boy with big rimmed glasses.
Her eyes sparkled more as he talked about a new possible title. She loved reading his graphic novels. They fascinated her so much bringing the imagery and narrative together. “Oh, really? I’d love to hear about it when you have the time.” She stepped a little closer, but stopped and pulled back, correcting her posture some. “Sorry… I just love book ideas. It’s one reason I opened this store. And I like trying to sell the hard to get ones. Guess you could say I love a challenge.” She winked playfully noticing his staring.
“Oh, anytime.” She smiled softly and noticed the book in his hand. “That’s a good read. I think you’d enjoy it.” She turned to leave him to browse, “If you want another cookie, it’s free. They’ll just be up at the counter.” Emelia informed him over her shoulder as her hips swayed from side to side in an alluring temptation. Not getting any from that guy those weeks ago had her on the edge a bit, but she was fine being a tease. Getting behind the counter she started the coffee maker, sinking her teeth into her plump lip as she bobbed to the light jazz music coming from the sound system in the store.
Casey stood quietly as she spoke. He was honstly very polite. Even though his own life seemed to taking a downward dip, he didn't bring his baggage into the conversation. He was still worried about getting old. He was still stressed about this thing that happening within him. This thing that he didn't understand. Mabye it was his cholorestoral like the doctor said. All he knew was this conversation had given him a reason to be distracted.
She recommended he book with the old man. Casey tucked it under his arm and smiled and watched her leave... Even daring a little to lean out aorund the isle to get a better look. Damn her legs went on for days. Casey's eyebrow slowly raised in interest. He would have stared at that hypnotic wiggle all the way to the front counter if he hadn't been caught. A woman cleared her throat. She was staring daggers at him. He could read the thought on her mind, it was plain on her face. Pig!
Casey cleared his throat himself and gathered his stack of books. He had gone with a few of his own titles and the one she recommended. He had Cancerman, and Brain Eaters and even the loveable asshole Captain Badass. Who was every bit of Casey's personality that he buried deep. His cocky nature, his smartass side that always knew just the right thing to say in the moment. Why couldn't he be more like that in real life? The character was based on himself. Everything he wanted to be. Confident, assertive, respected. Casey didn't get much respect. But only because he didn't demand it. He was so nice that he allowed everyone to walk all over him.
Now feeling a little bit like an ass, and still wanting more than just a cookie..... Casey walked to the front counter. Setting his books down he was somewhat lost in her eyes. They were beautiful. She rang up his books while he stared dreamily into her face. 'Hey! Idiot, you're being kinda creepy! That lady is going to come back and throat clear at you again.' Casey willfully turned his attention out the window. He stared at the leaves blowing down the street in the soft wind as he tried to think of something smooth to say...
Turning back to her he smiled. "So....Uh, listen. This is kind of out of the blue but.... There's this Dramatic reading I was going to do over at the Barnes and noble...." He looked around the somewhat empty store. "I could change the venue, if you'd like to get a few customers in. The crowd expected is only like 25 to 30 people, but this place would fill up. Heck, might even make me feel slightly more impressive!" He smirked a bit with a chuckle living behind his sealed lips.
"It's a pitch for that new book actually. I got my publisher to agree to a sampling and uh... Well, I'd love for you to be there." It was a little strange that he was leaning on this stranger for emotional support in his scary new endevor, but something about her made him feel at home. Like they were lost spirits in the world finding common ground. Maybe it was the love for books that they shared but he always felt a connection to fans. Especially the ones that didn't just love his Captain Badass series..
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 20, 2018 9:46:01 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
To say she didn’t like his eyes on her would be lie. She liked the attention she got. Emelia knew she was beautiful, she did her best every day to look this way. Not by means of magic she actually worked out the average joe way to keep her body in shape. She gave a smile as she rang up the books Casey had brought up.
When he spoke about changing venues for his dramatic reading Emelia just about hit the ceiling in excitement. “You would really do that?” She couldn’t help the light blush to her cheeks. She didn’t know why, but she felt happy hearing him say that. That he’d love for her to be there, it was thrilling and a little scary. She could feel her heart quicken as she thought. ‘It would be great publicity… repeat venue holdings could happen too, but I could also see him again…’
Her smile turned genuine as she nodded. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you I’d love to host your dramatic reading here.” A thought struck her as she started to think more on this. “Oh! I’m gonna have to make more cookies! What time would you need everything ready by?” Emelia inquired. She’d need to make a few calls so she could get the right equipment for it. She’d have to find something better to wear, cook up more recipe’s. Get tables and more chairs from her storage. There was just so much. Then she looked to the total on the screen and thought more.
Since he’s an author of the books she sells she quickly made a decision and the shown price went to half the original as she typed in a few things. “There we go. Author’s discount. Plus,” She typed something extra in there and the price dropped a bit more. “First visit discount.” As he handed over the money she printed out the receipt, grabbed a pen and wrote her number on the back of it. “In case you need to call me.” She gave a playful wink. Today was just starting to get interesting, and she wanted to see how much more interesting it could get. Little did she know how dangerous that train of thought was going to become.
Casey smiled and placed the books down on the counter. Without even thinking about it his hand restly lightly on the cover of Captain Badass. "Well, I think 7 should be fine. It's still early now so that should give you plenty of time to set up. I need to run home and change and meet with my agent, but 7 should do just fine." He said. There was a growing confidence in his voice. Usually when he spoke to attractive women it was like throwing a fat rat into a pirahanna tank.
He was tore all to pieces by time the encounter ended. He wasn't exactly what you would call 'smooth with the ladies.' Casey continued to talk. He drug out the conversation as long as he could because honestly, he didn't want it to end. As he spoke the pages of the books he purches began to glow. The more he talked about nothing at all in particular the pages of the books glowed brighter. As if some magic rested within the ink within the pages. "Glad to see you're so excited about it! I was honestly feeling a little stupid even asking. But i don't know." He said leaning on the counter, still oblvious to the glowing books.
"There's just something about you that makes me feel like I've known you a long time." For Emalia the concept of 'a long time' didn't even fall within his realm of concept. Casey smiled happily as he picked up his books. He felt bad about geting a discount. He thought maybe he was taking advantage of her kind nature, but he was honestly repaying her back with the publicity for the store so he thought it came out about even. Casey walked out of the store with a smile on his lips. The books in his bag were no longer glowing. They went back to their ordinary mundane existance of being books and nothing more.
Casey pulled his phone form his pocket and informed his agent that the venue had changed and that HE could make all the needed phone calls to make that happen. Casey didn't care if the publishers were going to be happy about it or not. It stated in his contract that all creative descions regarding plot, endings and yes, even marketing fell withing Casey's right to approve or disapprove. Nothing against Barnes and Noble, but they didn't have Emalia. Caey hurried home and quickly showered and changed. He grabbed and old tweed suit from the closet and slipped the brown jacket over a blue button up shirt.
He had a blue tie with black stripes and Khaki pants. Casey wasn't the sharpest dresser in the world but he had a style that was uniquely his own and he could be okay with that. He was so nervous for tonight. Not for the reading. He had done a million of those. He even had hosted a few panels at comic con, but more so for the fact that he wanted to look nice for Emalia. Not that he didn't look nice before, but someone can only take you so seriously when you're wearing a white shirt with mustard stains on it form your lunch earlier. He check his hair, and his breathe...
Breathing into his palm and smelling the result. He opted for extreme precaution and darn near guzzled half a bottle of mouth wash. His breathe wasn't even bad he was just being overly cautions. He wanted tonight to be great. He stood in front of his mirror. The reflection looking back at him was a handsome man in decidedly average looking attire. He looked like a 5th grade science teacher, but Casey thought that he looked spiffy. His stack of books were on his kitchen table.
They were once again glowing. His creations with his ideas woven into the pages glowed with the creative energy that flowed thorugh his body like a powerful, magical chakra. "Well....Hello again...." He said wiggling his eyebrows in the mirror. He shook his head. "No, that's horrible, try again." He said shaking out his hands and getting out the nervous energy. He was practicing what he would say to Emalia when he met her again. He smiled into the mirror confidently.
Leaning on the side table and crossing one leg in front of the other. "So, do i need a reservation to hear the reading? I hear this place is fully 'BOOKED.'" Casey sighed. "Holy shit I'm going to tank tonight." He sighed again once more and slouched his shoulders. He had to go, he was going to be late. He would just have to hope that he could come up with something witty on the fly. The books on the table continued to glow until Casey grabbed his keys and stepped out the front door. He was on his way to the event it was almost time for the reading. The second the door closed behind him the glowing ceased.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 21, 2018 22:22:21 GMT
-I'm flyin' with your love-
Their conversation lasted as they talked about more common interests and Emelia could feel herself being more drawn to Casey. He’s a sweet guy, and a people pleaser. She wanted to just give him the books for free, but then again she was running a business and couldn’t just let her fancies carry her away. Honestly, she’d have just gone for a cup of coffee and closed the doors so they could be alone. “Seven it is.”
Emelia just wanted to learn more about this man and his creative mind. Although she knew she shouldn’t, she wanted to get closer. She leaned against the countertop and smiled enjoying his company. Mrs. Johnston her regular already left in a huff and Emelia couldn’t find it in her to care at the moment. “No reason to feel stupid about it.” Her next few words got stuck in her throat though as she listened to him.
Her heart clenched with a sudden happiness to hear those words, but also a slight dread. She was already getting so attached and maybe he had been someone from a past life that she ran across. She wouldn’t doubt it. This world of mutants and magic anything could be possible. But she couldn’t deny the feeling of a kindred spirit. “I feel the same way.” She spoke softly. “I’ll see you again at seven sharp. Don’t be tardy to the party.” She joked and waved to him as he left.
Going to the door she locked it and called up her storage for the extra chairs and tables. Then she called up other people and places getting the equipment and making sure it would be set up correctly. Going upstairs she opted to take a quick shower and change into a nice dress. Navy blue with black lace overlay, some black pumps and a velvet black tie that hung loosely from her neck. She applied her makeup and curled her hair. She rushed downstairs to the knocking on the door and let in the people who set everything up as she went and baked her heart out.
With only minutes to spare she put out the vast assortment of snacks and prepared some coffee and espressos. Looking around a small stage had been set up against the far wall where everyone would be able to see Casey without having to struggle too much. Speakers and a mic, someone to help with drinks and baking if needed, but with her already large assortment of brownies, crescents, cookies and more she was certain she would be fine. All her chairs were different sizes, even a few benches, but the rustic feel of the mismatching decor was nice as she looked around pleased with how everything looked.
Looking at the door as the bell sounded she smiled seeing Casey be the first one in. Moving out from behind the counter she bounded up and took in his appearance. “Well, look at you being all spiffy.” She liked it. His style was unique, to say the least, and something she wanted to see a little more of. Looking closely she noticed the color of his shirt and tie, then looked down at her dress. “Guess we coordinate well together.” She giggled. "Does everything look good to you?" She asked motioning to how everything was rearranged for tonight.
Casey showed up first. Great! He thought. How eager do i look? He smiled despite calling himself an idiot inside his own head. He looked at her hair, her dress and everything the whole package and suddenly bitching stupid. His mind literally went from 'Now she's going to think you're a desperate asshat." To... "Holy shit how am i ever going to concentrate on reading?!?!?" There was a light blush to his cheeks as he took everything in. "Everything looks....Amazing actually!!! How did you do all this?!?!?
" He felt honored truly that she would go through all this just for his stupid reading. It wasn't even certain that these sample chapters would ever even amount to anything. It was just some stuff he wrote up to express his talents in the field of horror. Casey carried his notebook in his hand. The vessle that would be his undoing and open his world to so many possibilities. "You look fantastic by the way!" He couldn't help but laugh a little at his own stupid excitment. There was magic in the air tonight. He could feel it. Not so much literal magic, but the possibilities that the evening held.
Casey smiled stupidly and dared to try and wield his wits. "I hope i can live up to your 'Great Expectations.' He smiled even more stupidly after name dropping a famous book just because she worked at a book store didn't mean she had a 4th grade summer reading list. Casey apologized. "Sorry. My jokes are terrible. But I'm like a good spy thriller. Once you start you won't want to to stop." 'DEAR LORD RUN FOR THE EXIT! YOU'RE BOMBING MAN!!!! ABORT! ABORT!' He screamed at himself. Casey cleared his throat feeling a bit silly and nodded towards the stage. "I'll just get set up over there. I hope you have time to sit and listen, I know you're probably going to be busy tending to the customers, but...."
He paused. There was a childlike twinkle in his eye. "I was kind of hoping to impress you tonight honestly." Bold approach, but he was already clinging to a life raft as he went donw like the Titanic. Might as well swing for the fences. Setting his book down on the podium he tapped the microphone with his finger. Leaning down he spoke. "Testing one two testing one two..." The microphone worked. "Price check on this copy of learning public speaking for dummies please.." He laughed into the microphone as he told another terrible joke. He was the tiny bit nervous.
Then again what about being in front of a beautiful woman and having to share a deeply private side of your personality wouldn't make someone nervous. He was very self consious about peple reading his unfinished works. Here he was about to read it to a room full of people. He was kind of getting nervous about that now. But Emalia's soft smile reassured him and he straightened his tie seeing the door swing open and people start to file in.
He leaned on the podium looking over the sea of honestly nerdy faces and obvious virgins. He knew he probably fit right in. Casey wasn't a virgin. He had had sex. A few times. Then again he was so shy most of the time that dating didn't really become a possibilities until into his late twenties, though he always had that cute guy look about him. Girls were interested but he usually started talking and that's where it all fell apart. "Welcome everyone! Thank you for coming. I'm glad you could come out tonight to come with me on an adventure."
He cleared his throat and waited for everyone to get seated. Flashing a wink to Emalia he knew this was going to be an experience. It wasn't just another public appearance this was something monumental. He had a minor celebrity status, but he felt like just a guy. A guy hoping to impress a girl and maybe get his publishers to push his career into the stratosphere.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 22, 2018 21:01:36 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
“Well, chairs I already had in storage. The rest of it was a lot of persuasion and luck.” She struck a pose and giggled some. She was so glad to see him impressed with how much she had done in the hours she was given. If she had days she’d have had the place decked out from top to bottom with all kinds of foods and drinks.
Hearing his compliment on her appearance her cheeks flushed red as she brushed a strand of hair back. Her warm brown eyes turned to the floor for a moment before meeting his again. “And you look handsome.” She said, making eye contact. Her smile turned brighter at the book title. It was one she had read and liked. She actually met Charles Dickens once, a wonderful man.
Emelia found herself chuckling at the spy thriller line and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was just his special kind of charm, but she could feel something pulling her closer to him. His honesty though with admitting he wanted to impress her made her blush turn darker. “Well, you’re doing a pretty good job already.” She leaned against one of the chairs while he walked up to the stage and did his thing.
Laughter exploded from her earning a little snort and she covered her face in her hands. “Oh my God.” She couldn’t stop for a bit until customers started to walk in and she put herself behind the counter to help pass out cookies and coffee as Casey welcomed them in. Once everyone was in the place looked so lively and comforting. It made Emelia so happy to see this togetherness.
Looking up at the stage she checked with the barista if she’d be fine. Getting the okay she moved with eager steps closer to the stage. She was used to standing on her feet all day in heels. It’s something she grew accustomed to as she went through the years. Her eyes watched intently as Casey began.
Casey stood anxiously in front of the microphone. He had been here a hundred times before. Crowded room... Himself in front of a microphone. It didn't bother him really. What he was focused on was Emalia. Standing close to the stage and twinkling like a star. He couldn't help but wonder if the stars actually got jealous of how much she shined when she stepped out at night. Clearing his throat a bit he placed his hands on the podium.
"Welcome. And thank you for joining me in this reading. For those of you who don't know. And honestly, why wouldn't you..."He smiled at his own dumb joke. Egotestical wasn't his size. "My name is Casey Statwick. I am the author of the Captain Badass series. I also am the creator of Mr. Smiles and Super Obnoxious. These are just some of my forays into the world of comics, though my heart holds a darker passion...." Casey leaned into the microphone and his hands gripped the podium tighter.
"I'm talking of course about horror comics. The world of horror and comic coming together in a beautiful bloodbath of depravity and raveging. I would like to introduce you to an upcoming title penned by my hands and inked by my own artistic creation.... SLASHERTOWN!" One of the men in the crowd was Casey's agent. He stepped forward with the mock up he had brought and set up on a little isele. He pulled the curtin off of it and revealed the potential cover for the new work.
It was a picture of a man resting a bloody pickaxe on his shoulder. A thick and heavy fog rolling in around his ankles and splashes of blood kissing the page. Like blood splatter on a camera lens. Casey was pleased with the brutality of the image. He had a dark side. Not one that he usually shared with the world and certainly nothing he would ever act on, but his mind often visited this dark and twisted place. A place where nightmares breed and horrors were born. He had a wonderfully creative mind for horror.
"There was an eerie calm that rolled over the streets of London. A heavy fog took claim of the land and the residents of Slashertown were shuttered against the coming storm. Not a lamp light was lit and the windows of every house was bored up. Tonight was a decidedly bad time to be out. As was every night in Slahsertown after sunset. The creak of the old church tower groaned as the clock struck midnight. Anyone who wished to keep their life in tact was inside their home hiding in the deepest darkest corner they could find. A gust of wind rolled down the street and carried with it the promise of malice and menace as a pair of bloodstained boots settled on the cobblestone."
Casey smiled watching the sea of intersted faces leaning in closer to hear better. " There was a curse upon the town! Every night at midnight.... The town was plagued by a killer. His killing was without reason, or thought... Or remose. He only wished to have his pickaxe taste blood and watch it gleem in the shining light of the moon. Some say that he was once a resident of Slashtown. Others say that he was an outsider who passed through here and died, but one thing is for sure.... He had a taste for flesh and the bodies he slayed with his pickaxe were drug back to his shack by the rusty end of his instrument of death....."
There was a gasp in the crowd. Casey was growing more cofident. He was getting into the story himself. He didn't realize that the pages in front of him were vibrating slightly. Or at least he didn't at first. Casey shrugged it off as maybe a tremor or an earthquake. Looking around he realize no one else was worried about it so he continued. "His pants were dirty and stained with the blood of his victims... There was a half tucked in shirt of plaid and splattered with gore. He had the head of a woman in his hand. Only her body was no where to be found!" So maybe Casey was a bit of a cheesy writer.
It didn't change the fact that the words of the page began to glow and finally he did notice something. He kept reading through his confusion though looking down it was evident something was wrong. "The....only thing recog....nizable was the reamaining half of her face... you might have recognized her if you knew her before." Casey read through his confusion. He stared down at the book. He didn't notice anything was wrong until he heard a woman scream.
A woman from the audience. He looked up and realized they werne't in a bookstore, but a street covered in dense fog. He didn't have time to soak in the details of this marvelous curious thing that was happening. Because he looked up to see a pickaxe drive into the skull of a fat guy. "Holy shit!" Casey screamed. He saw the axe twist and jerk and snap his neck from the force of removing the instrument from his skull. Casey could barley tear his eyes off the man with the pickaxe. It was the guy from the cover of slashertwon. Down to the very last detail.... He couldn't believe it. Everything here was exactly as he pictured it. It was eerie. Even down to the chiming clock ringing in the background. Casey's eyes did land on Emalia.
He watched as the pickaxe killer approached her. He reared back his pickaxe and was ready to swing it like a baseball bat into the side of her temple. Casey tackled her to the ground. "Look out Emma!" He gave her the nickname on the fly and spontaniously in the moment. He pushed her to the ground and used his body to shield her. The killer turned to both of them now. Casey grabbed her wrist and drug her down the street. As he turned back to look he saw the killer burying his axe into some girl's stomach.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 23, 2018 3:02:58 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
Emelia stood there with wonder and fascination at the gorey cover for the new book of Slashertown. It was normally the most creative minds that could turn to such morbid imaginations and it fascinated her so much. She loved the look of the blood splatter, the disheveled look of the killer. She hadn’t noticed anything unusual as she was captivated by the story Casey wove.
However, something felt different in the air. The magic and mystery taken up by sometime a little more foreboding. Though the shift was gradual as she felt a humidity around her legs and she looked. There was fog around her legs, cobblestone under her heels as they sounded different with her movements. She had heard about bringing the story to life, but this was a little much!
She could hear Casey getting a little uncertain as he continued and Emelia was about to say something when she heard the scream. Now looking up, they weren’t in her bookstore anymore. The old victorian like buildings of London stared them down as empty vessels, as the clock chimed eerily in the background. Seeing the woman fall dead to the ground Emelia was clutched with fear.
Flashbacks of her time in Salem came flooding back as she was frozen to the spot. She felt like a small girl again. Hearing the cracking of bone made her feel queasy, and seeing the blood she just had to look away as she tried stepping back. But her feet couldn’t move. Her eyes widened in horror as the killer came closer ready to give her the killing blow when Casey bravely pushed her out of the way, yelling out a shorter version of her name. ‘Emma…?’ At first she was just confused, but she didn’t have time to stay like that as Casey got up and grabbed her by the wrist.
Getting up she ran with him, deferring to his actions instead of her own. Leaning her back against the wall that he pulled them behind her breathing was labored. Adrenaline boosting through her veins as she tried to calm her racing heart. “What the hell is going on Casey?” She whispered. Her voice was shaky as tears brimmed a little. She had just gotten more life added, she didn’t want to die. Not now, not when… not when she and Casey just met. Hearing more screams she closed her eyes to try and drown them out. Her hand gripped Casey’s in a death hold as she looked back up at him. For the first time in forever, she was terrified.
Casey didn't know what was going on. He was in the book store one minute and the next.....It was all too surreal. His eyes focused on Emma. The one logically sane thing in his life at the moment. He grabbed her by the arms, just below the shoulders and turned to to face him. "If you rigged up special effects for the reading you did a hell of a job." Now wasn't the time for jokes, but his mind was so frazzled. He didn't realize it at first but the book he was reading was lying turned over on the slick cobble stone. Reaching for it he noticed his jacket was different. It was charcole grey now.
He looked at his clothes. They were all different. Emma's too! They were dressed now in period specific attire. This was so fucking weird! Nevermind the blood curdling screams a few yards away. They were hidden and tucked away into relative safety. The saftey offered to them by a small brick wall that led to someone's yard and sounded their property.
"I...." Casey began. "I was just reading and suddenly....." It was crazy. It was insane to think this but he snatched the book from the street. He had to duck and dive between a few running screaming people but he managed to retrieve it without getting trampled. Casey dove back to safety. He flipped through the pages until he got to where he had left off. Reading quickly his voice was rushed and panicked, though his eyes seemed to dance along the page like a maniac. "It was the winter solstice. A time for merryment and happiness, though the dred that lied over this town like a posionous cloud was unrelenting.
The citizens of Slashwertown were desperate. Their cries cut through the silent night every evening." Just then a woman screamed. Casey looked up, but turned his attention back to the book. Coincidence. "They were desperate to find a means of breaking the curse. They had to find a way to pull the killer back to rest. They offered a sacrifice in the town square to a pagan god in an attempt to end their suffering. There were torches and carriages and horses lining the sidewalk."
Casey heard the neigh of a horse and looked up. There was a horse drawn carriage across the street that wasn't there only seconds ago. "Holy shit balls!" He said ducking down again and staring at Emalia, or Emma as he would forever call her; with wide unbelieving eyes. He did this. It was his vision of Slashwertwon. This was Slashertown. He was the monster, the creator... The reason for all of this. Just then a severed head bounced on the cobblestone and rolled in front of them. It rolled slowly to a stop. It rolled perfectly so that the head sat straight up on it's blood severed stump where it's neck used to be. It was Willard! His agent! He had a curly tipped handlebar mustache but he recognized the red curly hair and the glasses.
Even though the head was severed It's eyes looked at Emalia and Casey in one desperate last gasp. Right before the nerves inside died away it looked at them and he spoke. He spoke dispite not having vocal cords attached to his wagging tongue. "Run Casey!" Willard's eyes rolled back into his head. It was the kind of detail that Casey's mind might have came up with and though Casey never wanted to see Willard die he was a bit of a dick.
Maybe begrudingly he might've thought a bad thought about the guy here and there but nothing this intense. Casey grabbed Emma's face and turned it against his chest. Suddenly he was braver than his usual self. In a voice that almost sounded dramatic against his usual tember he said. "Don't look Emma! It's too.....Awful." What the hell. What was with the pause there. Casey looked at the book in his hand as he noticed it glowing. The words "Don't look Emma! It's too..... Awful." Inked itself onto the page as if by some witchcraft. This was really starting to trip him out. Okay think think! Casey demaned in his racing mind. "Uh.... Suddenly Casey realized that he had a service revolver tucked under his coat.
He always carried on, a habit from his time in Scottland Yard!" Casey shrugged at Emma at her look of confusion. He reached into his coat and his hand felt the steely touch of the solid grip. He pulled out a revolver and gasped. "Wow....Okay.... Those were special cookies right? You put a little something in there to calm my nerves right? This can't be real." Casey was in denial, but he couldn't deny what was happening right before his eyes. He didn't have time to think on it. The pickaxe killer buried his pickaxe into the brick between them. He narrowly missed slicing Casey up good. Casey held out the revolver and pulled the trigger six times.
Six shots to the chest! The killer stumbled back and fell into the cobblestone. His body masked by the heavy fog. Casey waited a moment. Standing on his tippy toes to see over the fog. He wasn't moving. "Well... That was easy." He said. Just then the killer sat up. He turned his head to Casey. "No it's not! Run!" He said grabbing Emma and making a mad dash for the horse drawn carriage.
Post by Emelia Campbell on Jun 25, 2018 18:14:13 GMT
- Cause they know that you own it -
‘Special effect!?’ She thought in disbelief. How the hell did she have special effects set up for a book she had no knowledge about? But just as shocked as she was she knew this was shocking for him too. It was easy to read on his face as he looked at her. But he was different with a grey coat, and period clothing. She looked down at the navy blue penny dress she now sported and the little hat pinned in her hair.
Emelia looked back at him as he dove for his book and back with her behind the wall. She heard the screams and his words all at once. His book was coming to life right before them as he read it out loud. Her body drew closer to Casey’s as she tried to calm herself. Seeing the fear on his face, he had no idea that he could do any of this until now and that’s what completely worried her.
Emma heard the fleshy thudding of something against cobblestone, a sound she knew too well from her time alive. A hand covered her mouth at the sight of Casey’s agent. She couldn’t pull her eyes away as it told Casey to run and a gasp left her mouth. Feeling hands on her face she looked up as tears started falling. She hadn’t felt this terrified in centuries as she held tight to the coat covering Casey’s broad shoulders.
Her eyes peered down when Casey moved his hand and pulled out the revolver. “Oh my God… This is not the time for denial!” She whispered a little harshly. She hadn’t modified her recipe, it was just all home made with the best ingredients she could find. She screamed out as the pickaxe came around the corner and she pulled Casey down with her. The adrenaline pumped through her as the shots went off and her blood was just running cold.
Seeing the man fall back she had the same thought as Casey, but like a good horror story that wasn’t going to take care of the killer. Being pulled Emma went into action and took the seat at the reins. Smacking them down hard the horse reared into a gallop. Looking back she held her hand out to where the killer was and spoke, “Kinoumeni ammos!” The ground around his feet turned to quicksand pulling him down as he struggled, and they pulled away quickly. She didn’t even think about how this could freak out Casey, but right now survival was on the line. She could explain it later.
Everything was happening so fast. Casey barely had time to grasp everything that was happening... Let alone react to it. He jumped inside the stage coach, inside the box as Emalia jumped up on the seat with the horses. Casey wasn't the bravest man in the world, but he had a thing about horses. They freaked him the hell out. He saw a video once of a horse kicking a guy in the face and it broke his jaw. Ever since....Nope! Just nope very much thank you!
As he dove into the carriage he saw Emma take the reigns. He started to feel bad about it. He should be braver. She was just as much in this as he was. He imagined how she felt. She must be terrofied. Casey leaned out of the carriage and heard the weird chant. He watched something shoot out of Emma's hand and suddenly the maniac was sinking in the middle of the cobblestone street. The street suddenly shifted to quicksand beneath his feet and he seemed.....Stuck.
"Son of a bitch." Casey said with a bit of a smirk. He wasn't sure what the hell that was, but it was damn impressive whatever it was. His smile was shortlived as the carriage rocked a bump. They were only a mere feet away from the growing pool of quicksand and the bump caused Casey to loose his grip on his magical book. His eyes widened as the precious magical item sailed from his grip and slowly sunk into the melting street.
The pickaxe killer's hand rested on the top of the book as he struggled to cling and grasp for something to anchor himself too. He drug the book down into the sinking hole of dispair before the hole closed in on itself and was gone. In the background the chimes of big ben still rang out over the foggy horrible streets. Casey could feel his heart sinking in his chest. How was he supposed to fix this now? How was he supposed to send them back? His eyes landed on the clock.
People still ran through the street screaming in chaos. The panic didn't stop, the town was still cursed and though the killer was thwarted for the moment... He would find his way back. The killer always finds a way back in these things. The hour struck 2 in the morning. They had to make it til sunrise at least. At least then maybe he could try and make sense of things. It wasn't much of a plan, but it was the best plan that he had in the moment. He didn't have a fist full of magic or even the confidence to wield it.... All he had was his wits and at the moment they were fraying at the seams...
