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 Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:06 pm
 D e a r D i a r yToday I went out and got the newest charm in my collection...A warm orange glow settled over the city just as Karmi left the sanctity of her quiet house. Rushing, she could hear the jingle of her accessories moving with the rest of her body. Today was the day of her weekly routine, and her legs moved quickly in anxiety. She thoroughly enjoyed the exhilaration of rushing off into the world in the brisk dusk air. The hours of the day had ticked by so slowly, though Karmi had her fair share of happiness already, this was going to be one of the greatest highlights of the week.
Rather than dress in her normal casual wear, which normally consisted of a skirt rather than pants, she managed to find a red pair running shorts and a light yellow sweater to go over her yellow and white striped knit shirt. Her hair flapped in the wind as she ran down the slick pavement. A recent storm had blown through, leaving a glittering scene in the twilight.
The most beautiful time to run. She thought, effortlessly pushing up over the hill between the residential area where she lived and the edge of the main city. Smiling happily, she used the momentum of the downside of the hill to pick up her speed. Cars moving on the main street beside her were merely blurs. One thought and one thought alone raced through her head. Time for a new strap!
Several blocks later she stopped in front of her destination. The specialized shop was a single-story white building sandwiched between two office buildings, of which Karmi never cared to learn the names of. A perfect getaway for an avid collector like herself. Smiling, she pushed forward the glass door and heard a bell sound as she entered the store front.
Before her was an array of cellphone accessories, the likes of which most had never looked on before by those out of the know. On the shelves were cellphone cases, cellphone covers, cellphone stickers, etc. Anything anyone could ever want. These items were merely for show to Karmi, however. Moving gracefully she neared the left wall of the store, a wide grin appearing on her face.Before her, glimmering silver hooks were lined with the treasure she was after. Cell phone straps.
Crinkling of a paper didn't sway her eyes, she stared hungrily at the hooks, looking them over for a sign of a new one. Behind the main counter, the store worker had placed his magazine down on the table and stared at the awe-struck teenager. His father was the owner of the store and he had been warned of a fairly odd girl who would come in every week. Since his father would be out, the boy had taken time out from his free-time. He had almost hoped he would meet the girl. After all, his father had said she was his "best customer".
"Ahem," he said, clearing his throat at the same time. "Can I help you with something?"
Karmi turned and smiled, trotting over happily. "Of course." She answered somewhat curtly.
The boy blinked a few times, "Looking for something... specific?" he said with a pause, allowing his left eyebrow to lift questionably.
"Oh," Karmi said, "The new food set starts today. There's a limited edition for the first day." She said, keeping the same smile on her face.
Turning in his swivel chair, a loud screech filled the small room and he reached into an open cardboard box, scavenging for its contents. Moments later he slid a plastic bag over the rough glass counter.
"You're lucky," he said, "Only ten left."
Karmi rustled into her small pink bag and pulled out her wallet, clumsily she set the money on the table and claimed her prize. "I'm glad it's not the last one," she said. "That would be unfair, don't you think?"
Smirking the boy nodded towards her, "Sure." he said, "Unfair." Turning and shaking his head, he opened the register and placed the money in, reaching for the change. A ding of the bell made him look up.
"Wait!" he called out, towards the closing door.
"Keep the change!" Karmi yelled, shoving the charm into her bag and taking off into the fresh night air.
"What a strange girl," The boy mused, returning to his magazine and shaking his head more.
Happily unaware of the boy's reaction to her, Karmi ran home happily. Retreating to her room quickly, much to her mother's silent protest, she sat at her desk and poured the treasure onto the light-wood surface. Like a child on her birthday, she opened the wrapper quickly and gazed upon her prize. A pea-pod with three small cat-faces smiled back at her on the end of a rope strap. Taking it delicately into her hand, she rang the small bell attached.
The jingle cried weakly into the wide area of her room. "So cute." She said to herself, placing the small charm on a hook where various others were already hanging. Movement caused them to sway, but none fell off of their perch. Karmi hummed happily and took out her floral-print journal and turned to a new page:
-Karmi's karma count for today-
0/+1
"Keep the change."
She scribbled the words quickly and beamed at her work. Shutting the book quietly she retreated back into the hallway to appease her mother. Weakly, the charm jingled again before falling silent. Yet another piece to her growing collection finally where it should be.
(920 words)
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:03 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I picked some flowers from Mom's garden and made an arrangement...
Humid. That was how Karmi would describe the morning. Hot, sticky, wet and humid.
She didn't care for the weather, but it wouldn't stop her either. Painstakingly, she had decided the night before that regardless of what was happening, she would attempt another flower arrangement. Happily, she rejoiced in the fact that she would soon be making another piece of art for the house. Time was not her friend on these matters though. Far too often her mind would change over which flower should go where and what colors would look best together. A minor setback, but still a setback to her final goal.
In those early morning hours, when the dew was still setting on the flowers, she slid the glass door open on the back of the house and walked out to damp world. Clippers in one hand and a basket in the other, she approached the flowers and bent down into their soft bed of dirt. Looking them over carefully, she took note that there weren't many blossoms.
"It's too early in the season for more," she said to herself, half sighing.
Vibrant as the colors were, she worried that her mother might notice if half the flowers randomly came up missing.
"I have to make sure not to take too many."
Quickly, she snipped at the flowers, taking as many colors as she could, but without completely stripping the small garden of it's blossoms. Gently placing them in her basket (so as not to bend the stalks), she stood up and shook the dirt from her knees. As silently as she had come out, she retreated back into the house.
"Oh, good morning Karmi." her mother's voice rang out from the nearby kitchen.
Karmi smiled a little. Guess I can't fight fate. she thought. Walking to the dining room table she sat down with the flowers and a glass vase.
"Mom?"
"Yes dear?"
"It's alright if I took some flowers for an arrangement, right?" she said, hopefully.
Her mother didn't answer right away, and with a sigh she replied. "That's fine. I'd rather you ask me before taking them, but I suppose I can't stop you now."
Karmi bit her lip nervously, then looked down at the flowers. When her mother sighed like that, she knew that she had done something wrong. She didn't let it bother her too much though.
"I'll make it beautiful." she whispered to herself, then took to the flowers and the vase in her hands.
Following her boosting remark, Karmi went to work on the flowers while the family around her went about their daily lives. While her family ate, Karmi had chosen a blue flower to go with small purple and yellow flowers. Midway through her setting, she stared at the work in disappointment.
"I don't like this combination anymore." she said, before dismantling the flowers and placing them back in the basket.
"I thought that was fine. It was girly enough." Remarked her brother as he passed through with a gameboy in tow.
Karmi smiled at him, but went back to work without a word. Maybe red, yellow and pink? she thought, grabbing the flowers gently with one hand. "We'll see." she said, a look of concentration on her face.
----------
Endless hours flew by as Karmi rejected a numberless amount of color combos for her arrangement. Both her brother and mother had already had breakfast and lunch, with preparations for dinner just around the bend. Karmi's hands were cold and feeling raw with how many times she had replaced them. With all of this effort, planning and pain, Karmi had finally decided on her combo and made sure to stick with it for longer than 10 minutes.
Proud, she took the vase in two hands and pushed it into the middle of the dining room table. "Done!" she said loudly, rubbing her hands together.
As if on cue, her mother walked down from upstairs and glanced into the dining room. Shaking her head, she went inside and stared at Karmi.
"Still working with the flowers?" she said, tapping one foot impatiently.
Karmi shook her head as she discarded the remaining flowers haplessly into their own vase so they wouldn't be cut in vain. Already she had accomplished an arrangement, so letting the flowers fall into a not-pattern didn't bother her one bit. Perhaps she would return to them the next day and fix them, but not today.
Her mother looked on and noticed the arrangement. Smiling, her foot stopped.
"I suppose that is pretty." she said, giving a compliment but still firm.
Karmi smiled. "Sorry I used your flowers so early in the season, I just wanted a new start."
"I'm glad you did, darling." Her mom said, with a new smile emerging on her own face. "Tell you what, you let me keep that there and I'll make your favorite meal tonight, hm?"
A light went off in Karmi's face, "You mean it?"
"I do."
"Thanks mom!" she said, rushing off to her room.
Her mother laughed. "Where are you going?"
"Just have to write something down!" Karmi yelled back, plopping down on her bed and taking out her journal. Excited, she scribbled across the page:
-Karmi's karma count for today-
-1/+1
Cut mom's flowers without asking.
Made her happy again by finishing.
Quickly jotting the notes, she leapt off her bed. Pen still in hand, she hurried back downstairs to enjoy her favorite treats."Pumpkin tart with dinner, here I come!" she yelled, the house falling silent with only the contented sounds of eating drifting off into the afternoon.(960 words)
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Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:16 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I was late for school, but you won't believe why...
Karmi knew that Highman's Point was known throughout the city as one of the highest points within city limits. Every morning she would leave an hour and fifteen minutes before school; making sure she'd have enough time to climb the hill and make it into the city. Most of the time, this action would lead her to being relatively early for school, but on this day of days, it wouldn't happen.
The morning was full of color, light pastels reflected across the clouds in the brisk hours of daybreak. Karmi tapped her shoes against the pavement on the walkway and pulled her favorite yellow sweater close over her uniform. She adjusted her bag accordingly and began to jog lightly down the street.
As far as she knew, she was the only student who attended Meadowview on her street. Thus is why she was in a constant hurry to get back to school so she could be around her peers. That where there will be people to talk to. She thought, beginning her ascent onto the steep hill.
It was no news to her that it would take a while to get over it. Though recently odd things had happened on it. She thought back to her encounter with the strange creature and shuddered. No, let's not think about that. She wished she hadn't even brought it up. Her eyes darted to the top of the hill, hoping not to see the strange occurrence again.
What she saw was indeed not the same as she had seen before. Rather, what she did see made her stop in her tracks for an entirely different purpose. Laying in the sun shivering was a small black kitten, hunched over for warmth. Karmi stared.
Black cats were not her favorite. Probably more like her least favorite of all cats. That's not to say she hated them, or didn't like other cats, but black cats filled her superstitious side with dread. Quickly she grabbed her pendant in one hand and rubbed it nervously between her thumb and forefinger. She moved closely towards the small kitten.
Mewing lightly, the small kitten shivered in her shadow. Karmi's eyes were that of a kind girl, but she couldn't help but think of the old tales of black cats crossing your path. Shivers ran up to her spine as she bent down. Regardless of it's color, a lost kitten is a lost kitten.
Small blue eyes gazed hopelessly upward, terrified the kitten mewed once more. Sighing, Karmi picked the small bundle up. "You're so young, you must have a mother somewhere around here." she said, holding it close to her body for warmth. Snuggling, the kitten began sucking on the warm cloth, mistaking it for it's mother.
"Then I'm on a mission to find your mother." Karmi said, smiling slightly. Hopefully I can do this in a timely manner. Looking left to right, she determined that the kitten was being carried from the bushes to her left. Although she didn't know why the kitten had been abandoned, she decided that the best place to look would be where it had been going.
Starting on her journey, she crossed over the street and stared at the dense bushes in front of her. She shrugged and pushed through it, moments later coming to a clearing surrounded by large trees and equally large bushes. Karmi knew that the slope of the hill was nearby, so she moved on with extreme caution.
A breeze picked as she searched the nearby areas, the kitten nestling deeper into her sweater. Karmi was determined to get the kitten back to its mother, even if it meant taking forever. Teachers would scold her, sure, but that wasn't important when there was a helpless kitten stranded. Turning and heading further right she heard a faint meow on the breeze. She perked up and took another step. Woosh!
Mud under her propelled her down the steep slope and she yelped a little. This is bad! she thought as she slid under some branches of a bush. Clutching the kitten tightly to protect it, she closed her eyes and waited to stop. Steeper than even she thought, the fall took some time before she slid onto concrete near the bottom.
Opening her eyes slowly she expected to see at least one person come to her aide. Astonishingly, she had ended up where there wasn't a single person. Karmi stood slowly, leaves and mud scattering away from her body. Her legs shivered, caked in with the brown substance. The kitten, apparently unbarred by the fall, snuggled happily into her now filthy and torn sweater.
Karmi observed this and sighed yet again. "That was all just some ride to you, wasn't it?" The kitten as being a kitten said nothing, and Karmi moved on to the second objective: finding out where they were. She turned and studied the slippery slope that she had fallen from. Bent grass blades and a streak of soft dirt showed where she had slipped down. She whistled looking at how far she had actually come down.
Turning around, she noticed something she had never seen before. Her eyes blinked as she took a step forward. "What is this?" she said, looking over the ruins before her. Before her stood a single rotting building. It was made of wood which had seemingly fallen on itself, leaving a large tree growing straight through the middle. Strewn about on the cement foundation were slivers of wood and small weeds trying to make their way through the cracks in the cement.
Karmi stepped lightly over the cracks and towards the bent and broken building. Fragments of the the door had held together at the tree's base and left a large hole in the bottom of the trunk. Small enough for some animal to live. She bent down to it and stared. What sort of creature would live in a hole under a tree? Swallowing hard, she wanted to make sure that it wasn't one of those things she had seen before, or a smaller version of one as it would seem.
Taking one of her hands away from the kitten she reached in slowly, feeling the warm dirt from inside. "Enh." she let the sound escape while reaching in further. A loud sound met her ears, causing her to pull back but also leaving a small smile on her face. Hissing, two yellow eyes poked out of the hole. Karmi had found the mother.
Carefully, she placed the kitten down near the hole and patted it's back very lightly. "Go on, get on home." she said, watching as it crawled into the dark space. Realizing her baby come home, the mother quickly pulled it in and disappeared into the darkness. Smiling, Karmi wiped her hands clean. "A job well done, if I say so." she said, turning quickly.
What happened next was a blur, stepping forward she tripped on the mud she had been trailing and fell forward into the cement. As her head hit the pavement her vision was blurred. Delirious, she swore she could see glittering objects fly by and a dark cloud erupt into pieces. Closing her eyes, she waited for her head to stop spinning.
Hours could have passed and she wouldn't have known, but she made herself rise and shook off the headache. "That was crazy." she said, groaning a little. Blinking, her eyes focused on something in front of her. "A shining stone?" she said, moving forward and grabbing it quickly. Once in her hand the stone seemed to fizzle away at the mere touch. Eyes wide and mouth agape, she watched the dust be blown far into the distance. "So strange..." she commented, then stopped herself, "I'm late!" she said, then ran off towards her school.
The last thing she did before disappearing down the street was make one final mental note:
-Karmi's karma count for today-
-2/+1
Black cat crossed path.
Stepped on a crack.
Reunited a kitten with its mother.
(1340 words)
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:22 pm
D e a r D i a r yToday was my birthday, and what a day it was...
The night before had brought little sleep to the anxious Karmi. Awaiting her birthday had driven her to near madness the night before. Laying awake in bed, she tossed and turned until her sides were sore from the movement. Eventually she had been able to lull into a sweet sleep, but it had only lasted for a few hours before her alarm clock went off. The buzzing woke her with a start.
Regardless of it being her birthday, the morning started like usual. This particular birthday happened to be a Sunday, which meant her father would be home for the day. While she brushed her teeth, she smiled at the mirror with a mouth full of toothpaste. This meant that the
day would go as planned with the entire family present. It tingled her happy sensors to know this truth.
Mom, Dad... even Gian home? I bet it'll be a great day! She thought, sliding her red tennis shoes on to complete her favorite outfit. Her favorite outfit consisted of a medium-sleeved light yellow shirt with a fancy purple lace camisole over it that led down to a flowing black skirt going down to her knees. Lace adorned the skirt, but it left it flowing so she could move easily through it. Taking one last look in her desk mirror, she nodded and took to a fast start down the hallway and down the stairs.
Past experiences had led her to believe that warm, sticky pancakes would be waiting for her at the dining room table. She smelled for them, but the sweet aroma escaped her. Strange. Entering the dining room, a blank table greeted her mockingly. A mumbled curse on the day followed under her breath. Was today going to be a bad birthday after all? Reserved, she moved back into the living room searching the TV area for Gian.
Regrettably, she didn't find him there and sighed, thinking to herself: Did everyone forget? Truly a foolish thing to think, before she had a chance to let the false depression settle in a booming voice came from the front door.
"Karmi!" her father said, loudly so it seemed as if the entire house shook. "Come on or we'll be late!"
Karmi ran to the door and looked at him. It must be a trip somewhere! She thought. "Okay!" she exclaimed with sudden new interest in the day, then proceeded to walk to the family vehicle.
Vehicle-wise, the family car wasn't entirely the best car around. Since Gian was born the family had kept two cars. A compact sports car belonged to Lionel, since he would have to leave constantly to make trips to work and meetings and the like. While he cruised in style, the rest of the family would pile into the back of a cramped, white minivan. Even for a newer minivan, the quality was lacking. Regardless, Karmi's mother had persisted on using it to its full potential. Even if that meant at the family's expense.
Hurriedly, Karmi jumped into the back and buckled in next to her brother. Normally, this would result in at least one argument between the two, but Karmi felt contented in ignoring the usual bickering to serve for a better birthday atmosphere. Gian felt the same, and stuck to playing his hand-held platform while Karmi's father joined in from the passenger side.
"Everyone ready?" Karmi's mother said, smiling back at her children and pulling out of the short driveway.
Karmi nodded in agreement and bounced slightly in her seat from the excitement. Though she was turning another year older, she could feel the child inside of her swell to bursting point. Today was her day, and nothing was going to take that away from her.
...Except for maybe her mother getting lost. At least an hour had gone by since entering the car and Karmi still hadn't the faintest idea where they were going. Occasionally, Karmi's father made a gesture with his finger and they would turn accordingly. Of course, by now they were away from the city, but Karmi couldn't quite tell where that put her. Gasping slightly, she noticed a twinkling light in the distance.
Haze was abundant around the area in question. Could it possibly be...? Excitement glinted in Karmi's eyes as the minivan veered off an exit and deep into the bowels of the hazy mist. A sign perched high over the exit read two words, simple and large in their design. "Calypso Park".
Those in the know would understand these words to mean one simple fact: One of the funnest places on earth. Amusement parks and Karmi got along beautifully. From the age of a toddler and on she had always wished to visit Calypso Park as often as she could. Roller coasters, shops, themed rides, it had all of that one one thing more: Some of Karmi's best moments.
Barely able to contain herself, once free of the car she pounced on her father with a hug, then went on to do the same to her mother. "Thank you so much!" she said, and even added in a thankful gesture to her now not-preoccupied brother. Gian nodded in silence, still with grimace from not being able to play his game any longer. Laughing, her parents had nothing more to say other than. "Happy birthday, please enjoy." Karmi had actually tuned them out as soon as they reached the gate, the park was all she worried about now.
Calypso Park was a park of decent size, having themed areas to different Greek mythologies. Karmi's favorite had always been the "Mount Olympus" area. It would be where she would spend most of her time, riding her favorite roller coaster at the park, "Pegasus Peak". Gian had come to accept this from his sister, and followed her onto the ride as many times as she requested. The coaster was a long one with 5 loops in total. Even at this older age, Karmi still screamed her lungs out at every turn.
Looking on at their children, Karmi's parents had taken a quiet boat ride around the "River Styx" ride nearby. It was one of the few times in a long time they had time to themselves, and they were thankful for it. Meanwhile, Gian was dragged around the rest of the park at his sister's bidding. Normally he would gripe on these trips. "I'm tired" or "My feet hurt", but he knew better on Karmi's holiest day (according to her).
- - - - - - - -
As the sun overhead dipped down into the western sky, Karmi was relaxed at home, blowing out the last birthday candle on her pumpkin tart made special for the day. Birthdays were supposed to be this good every year. A day with the family, or friends, at one of the happiest places you can think of. Presents and a cake waiting when you come back. Being able to blow out all of the candles on the cake and make your wish. I really am lucky. Karmi thought. All through the day she felt that it had gone perfectly. Just a typical day in her teenage life where some normalcy had returned to the past few strange weeks she had.
"Happy Birthday, Karmi!" her family called to her as she retired to her bedroom with a stack of presents. Her biggest haul was plain money and cellphone straps. Money was a gift she usually got, at least from her parents. Most would find this gesture tacky, but Karmi knew better from all of her birthday experience. Currency gifts could be considered lazy, but her attention span on things she wanted always shifted so suddenly. This resulted in many birthdays where she ended up with items she didn't want at the time. Both her mother and father had seen the end of those days.
Pink and fuzzy, the new star shaped pillow on her bed made for a good place to rest her head as she took out her diary and began to scribble. Gian had been gracious enough to give her a new pen which was covered in stars and glitter. Just when my other was about to die, she mused to herself. A few flicks of the pen on the diary page later read this:
-Karmi's karma points for today-
0/0
Honestly, there is no karma I acquired, but I do thank it for allowing me to have one of the best birthdays I have ever had.
She stowed the diary back into the hiding place she had near her bed and pulled on the beads of the lamp near her, snuffing the light out in the room. Rolling, she turned on her side and closed her eyes tightly. Truly, this had been a day of perfection on all levels. No worries or anxiety clouded her thoughts tonight, but a small twist in her stomach still bothered her. She shook it off just in time to catch a dream, unknowing of what was happening in the city around her.
(1525 words)
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Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:28 pm
D e a r D i a r yToday I wrote this out...(454 words)
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 1:48 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I heard some unsavory rumors...
Meadowview High was known to be relatively peaceful until after the lunch bell rang. The energy taken from the food created a massive growth in the overall school volume. From the beginning of lunch period and beyond the loud laughter of the boys and the occasional squeals from the girls kept the time fun, interesting and above all things, loud.
Karmi loved to be part of it. Talking to her fellow classmates, learning about the latest trends. One thing she hated about the others was their insatiable appetite for rumors and gossip garbage. Karmi wouldn't mind so much hearing it, but she took a strict refusal to keep spreading it along. Rumors were a seed of evil that she would not be a part of.
It was hard to completely avoid something that was so prominent in high school life. Through all of the years at the school and all of the conversations, Karmi had yet to hear a rumor passing by that included her in it. Of course, that was bound to change.
Karmi's schedule had followed that her favorite class, P.E., would follow directly after lunch period. As the bell rang out its final warning, she hurriedly made her way through the maze of the hallway into the girl's locker room. Girls had already gathered and chatting away meaninglessly while they changed into the P.E. uniforms. Karmi quickly went to her locker and hung up her clothes while she changed.
After changing into the shorts and loose-fitting shirt in the colors of the school, she took a step towards the door, but then realized her sweater had fallen off the hook. Sighing, she reached into the locker but tripped against the metal and slammed into it, the force making the door close behind her. She sighed again, staring at the light pouring in through the slits near the top of the locker.
Before she could move the door, the sound of giggling echoed through the locker room. Karmi pulled back and looked out of the holes as three of her classmates took to their lockers across the way from hers. Though she couldn't see their facial features, she could recognize the voices as three girls who were often late and could care less for school matters. She was about to press the door open once more when the subject of their giggling caught her ears.
"God, isn't that the locker of that Karmilita chick?" said one, who had a shrill voice.
"Yeah, she's usually the first one in here." said another with a lower voice.
The third merely giggled as she clanged her locker open to change.
"You know, I hear that she keeps that red streak in her hair to ward boys off, but she's really boy crazy. It just makes boys think that she's taken so they won't question it when they see her with one." said the first one, laughing viciously.
Karmi's heart stopped. It had been the first time she had ever heard a rumor involving her.
"Oh yeah? I heard she gives herself away to the jock guys for favors." said the second, in agreement of the first.
The third giggled again, "She sounds like a bit of a slut."
Are these girls... really saying all of this about me? Karmi thought, her heartbeat quickening.
"Not only that, but you know that guy Skip? She's totally all over him. I think she's after him." the first girl said, slamming her locker shut.
"You're just saying that because you want him." the third one interjected.
"Or you do!" the second one chimed in with a laugh.
And now Skip? Karmi said, blushing slightly at the thought that these girls thought she was after him.
"All I know is that a girl who is so superstitious can't be right in the head. You know she wouldn't go into Science when the teacher had his black cat in there because it was sick? Said it would cause her bad luck to be near it." The first one continued.
"I have to agree. And did you hear her talking to Becky in English? She was SO jealous of her date with Johnathan. She's such a whore." said the second.
Karmi shook slightly. I was jealous, but it's not like that. She thought in her own defense. Can they really think I'm this bad of a person?
"We better get going girls, we don't want to catch the weirdness from her." said the third, scooting off to the gym.
"Last thing we need is to start thinking mirrors are going to get us." The first one said, running after her followed by a laughing girl.
Moments passed and the locker opened slowly and Karmi stepped out, clutching onto her good luck necklace. This was so... wrong. She had never done anything blatantly to anyone. Granted she had been jealous and said so didn't mean she had anything against Becky. Tears swelled in her eyes but she wouldn't let them fall. I can't let this get to me. She thought, wiping them away. "I won't add to it and just let it die." she said aloud, walking slowly to the gym. She felt crushed and her legs felt like weights as she dragged on. The normal warm glow about her faded.
She would bounce back, she was sure. The rumor would die and life would go on but for now it was justifiable to be somewhat depressed. "Hopefully my run will make me feel better." she said, trying to find some words of comfort. And after school she would make sure to be around people who actually liked her. Regardless of the incident, she proceeded normally into the gym and completed the day as normal as could be. She only made a tiny note in her diary about the entire thing.
-Karmi's karma points for today-
-1/0
One should never eavesdrop.
(1007 words)
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:41 am
D e a r D i a r yTonight I went through a run in the park and found something odd...
Stars twinkled but could not be seen under the light polluted city. A warm front had moved in during the dusk hours and the night was blanketed in it's embrace. These were the nights Karmi loved to lose herself in a nightly run. She had painstakingly kept herself in the house, sitting at her desk doing most of her assignments for the next few days just to make sure she would have enough time to enjoy herself. After the sun had set she put on her blue running shorts with a purple striped shirt and slid her red sneakers on. After saying goodbye to her mom, she started her journey.
One of the perks of living in the city was that there was always activity, no matter what hour you went out, you'd find people. Just the sort of company Karmi was looking for. Timing was on her side as she casually traversed Highman's Point with ease. Small sweat beads made their way to her brow before she took on gravity and galloped down the other side. Surely at this pace she'd make it to the park with no obstacles to slow her down.
Negative karma breeds negative factors. Karmi had been lucky so far, only random, slightly irritating things had happened. She had even won a school raffle to offset the balance. Though she had only walked away with a new t-shirt and bathroom pass, it was somewhat uplifting to see luck come back into her life. Threatening still was the impending feeling she had. As if she could feel the city's mood; bad things were lurking in it.
Endless strings of thoughts whizzed by while Karmi ran at a fast past, avoiding crowds where she could. Zooming past she could see blurs of familiar faces; schools and schools of teenage girls hitting the malls. Not one of her favorite things to do when the outside weather was unimaginably perfect like this. With the warm air and the bright lights, she carried on into the extravagant Destiny City Park.
The night was ripe with music and laughter from far off in the distance as Karmi slowed to a walking pace. Splintered wood creaked as she passed the old bridge on the eastern end of the park. Birds sang softly in this darkened time as they rustled into their nests, preparing for the next day. Karmi admired their spirits; no matter what weather, there would always be singing of birds.
The warm wind kissed her face while she rounded a corner. Lovers were littered on the grass, kept in each others embrace; some even with baskets and wine glasses. Laughing to herself, she shook her head and began sprinting along the dirt path. Trees along the route rattled in excitement as the wind went through them, with leaves dancing downward. Making good time, she rounded another corner and stopped, staring before her.
Fluff littered the path before her as she approached what looked like a discarded teddy bear. "Awww..." she said, walking over and picking it up by a limp arm. "Poor thing. Bet some kid lost it." She said to herself, surveying the area. "Yet, it looks like you got tore up on the way." The black button eyes lifelessly stared back. She grinned. "Guess I'm on a quest to find your owner, little bear."
Though the warm then turned to cold, Karmi ran on happily around the park and proceeded home without further incident. With small, tan bear in tow she raced up to her room and flopped on her bed, still covered in the sweat. She kicked off her shoes and hugged the bear tightly as she put pen to paper once more.
-Karmi's karma points for today-
0/+1
Made a vow to return a bear to its owner!
(616 words)
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 4:08 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I began my quest to return the lost bear...
A few weeks had passed by until Karmi found herself free of her daily burdens. Winter had set in and chased away the lovely warm evenings she had grown so fond of over the summer. Now the cold wind blew in from the north and settled into an icy chill that hung low over the city, especially in the nighttime.
School had been almost as unforgiving, with the semester coming to a soon end the studying regiment had left Karmi's mind so exhausted, even her running couldn't save it. The teachers had it set up that the finals of the semester would fall in the first week of December and were pushing the children to get as much as trey could from classes. Even P.E. had slowed, now taking refuge in the gym the students were forced to revisit tumbling. Though it was still something active, Karmi hated the slow pace of it.
After taking the abuse for a few weeks she had assured herself that she would find time to revisit the park and maybe find a child looking for the lost. Today had finally given her that opportunity. School had a suspicious bomb threat, which Karmi was thankful for since she got the time she needed but disliked due to the amount of pranks which had been holding the city hostage. After all the rooms had been checked the students were released as the school closed for that day. In the brisk weather, Karmi tightened her bright purple jacket around herself and was thankful she had remembered her yellow polka-dotted legwarmers.
Not wasting any time after the loud bell sounded, she made haste to exit the crowded hallways. Grinning, she made tracks quickly and broke away from her fellow classmates. With the wind in her face, she kept her sights forward and pressed on. Karmi was fast but today she felt she was lagging. I can still hear the kids from school, I'm not far enough yet. She thought, attempting to pick up her pace in the frigid air. The chill factor wouldn't allow for it, so she groaned and kept at her slower pace.
Twenty minutes had passed and Karmi finally rounded the corner to the park where she had originally found the discarded plush toy. Though the bear itself was sitting back at home, lonely on her bed, it was her gut feeling that the child that had lost it would still be searching for it. A fools hope, but hope none the less. Karmi calmed herself and pocketed her freezing hands. Moving forward slowly she began the trek towards the area she had found the discarded animal.
Coming up to the spot she stopped with her eyes brimming wide. The boy she had seen for but a moment, or what seemed to be a moment, at the cell phone shop she frequented was bent over looking under a bench. Karmi swallowed. Was this boy the owner of the discarded bear? She could hear him muttering to himself while brushing away several branches from nearby bushes. Cautiously, she approached.
"Um, excuse me?"
The boy ignored her, mumbling, "...stupid... losing..."
"Pardon me?" Karmi said louder, sensing his urgency.
The boy turned and blinked. "Oh." he said, standing quickly and dusting himself off. "...Cellphone strap girl?"
Karmi smiled and nodded to him. "I guess you can call me that." She studied him, blinking her eyes and admiring his long blond hair. "Have you lost something."
The boy blushed, apparently avoiding staring directly at her. "I, well... no." he said. "You're cuter much closer." he said, blurting it out and looking away from her.
Karmi giggled. She hoped that change she had give him really helped him. "Are you sure?"
"Your numb-" the boy stopped himself from becoming a chauvinistic pig. "I have to get going. Really." taking a step back, he looked Karmi over once and blushed again.
Karmi blinked wildly. Normally she was pretty good at being empathetic, but here this boy was throwing her completely off. "Excuse me?" she said, raising an eyebrow but keeping her friendly charm up.
"Alistair." the boy blurted before taking another step away from her. "My name is Alistair, I mean. Er." Shyly, he turned back and began walking away, cursing under his breath.
Confused, but greatly intrigued, Karmi called back to him. "Karmi!" she yelled, "My name's Karmi!"
Alistair turned and nodded to her, then began running in complete embarrassment. Karmi chuckled to herself and stood in the spot, the chilled wind running through her hair. She was sure that Alistair must be the owner of the bear, but even with that figured out she wasn't going to let it be the end of her lovely free day. With a smile on her face and a new found boy running in terror from her, she allowed the amusement to take over her feet. That night, her journal had very little to say:
-Karmi's karma points for today-
0/+1
Found the owner. Does he want the bear or my number?
(851 words)
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Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:18 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I ran into some rotten luck...
Karmi was stuck. Not in something, not in a room but in her mood. It had been a rough start and promised to be an even rougher day. The early morning had brought on a sense of loneliness in the normally cheerful girl. Waking up lazily on that day she had been greeted with a note saying, "Had to take your brother to doctor, tonsils again." Karmi heaved a heavy sigh upon reading it, proceeding to her daily dose of over-sugared cereal. Silence filled the house.
She hated waking up to an empty house. Feelings of being completely alone is what frightened her more than any superstition, even breaking a mirror. Although the mirror incident had left her jittery, this sort of alone only made the inadequate feelings swell within her ten fold. Mixed with her string of bad luck was a recipe for certain disaster.
No. she thought, staring down at the sink as she placed her dirty bowl in with the rest of the speckled dishes, I can't let this get me down. And that was exactly what she planned to do. After filling the sink with soap and water she shuffled into her warm blue jacket, draping her yellow scarf around her neck loosely. Rather than take the bullet of the cold with her shorts she had made sure to put on her black sweat pants and warm knit top. Locking the door behind her, she began on a slow jog up and over Highman's Point and into the belly of the city.
Truly this was her favorite pastime; a way to run away from the loneliness, literally and figuratively. As she rounded the corner of her favorite cell phone accessory shop she stopped suddenly with her eyes growing wide. There in the center of the sidewalk was an open ladder, not shuffled to the side like most would do, but taking up the entire sidewalk preventing any safe passage besides underneath it. Karmi shook her head and fought back her shivers, staring at it. Perfect. she thought cynically.
Her mood had turned so foul that she had failed to notice the boy on the ladder, ignoring her existence completely while trying to put up the new sign to the shop. Long, flowing yellow hair wafted in the breeze as he worked tirelessly on hammering in the last of the few nails that belonged in the sign. Neither realized each other was present until Karmi let out a loud grunt, surveying her options on the side of the busy street. What was she going to do?
A chance in the street might end up with her death, she could always cross at the crosswalk behind her but end up going the completely wrong direction where it would be nearly impossible to cross back over for another few blocks. Timidly she stared at the ladder, afraid to take another step towards it. Above her the hammering had stopped while the long haired boy stared down at her. A bright green and a piercing blue glimmered down near her.
"Chami?" he said, questioningly.
Karmi blinked and returned the gaze. "Oh" she said, "It's you!" Her nose wrinkled, "Chami? I'm Karmi." she said, her brow wrinkling to match her nose.
"Sorry." he said, looking her over again, "Here to buy another charm?" he asked, setting his hammer down on the top of the ladder.
"No." she said, staring at the ladder indignantly.
Confused, he glanced at the metal structure underneath him. "You can go through." he said in an assuring tone. "It won't collapse."
Karmi remained still, shaking her head. "I can go around." At least that way she would be able to keep some dignity. Why did it have to be that the only person around was one of the people she didn't want to admit her fault to? She blushed and looked away.
"No really, I won't fall on you or anything." he said, keeping his eyes on her.
Karmi took a step back and that is where the day continued in it's rough fashion. Bam! She hit the pavement hard, her hand stretched out on the sidewalk.
Alistair slid down his ladder quickly, walking over. "Are you alright?" he said, extending a hand.
Karmi was embarrassed and defeated, noting that her foot had tripped over one of her most hated adversaries, a crack. Disheveled, she picked herself up and stood, her hair matted against her face. "I'm, I'm fine..." she said, rushes forward and away from him, too embarrassed to tell. She was going forward again, but tripped once more.
Alistair stared at her. "Oh." he said, smiling a little. "See? It didn't fall." he said, glancing at the ladder above her.
Terrified, she looked up and brought her feet in close. With a swift tap of one of her feet, from her pulling them closer, the ladder collapsed down onto the sidewalk, luckily with no damage to anyone or anything. Alistair stared at her blankly. "Karmi?" he asked, taking a step towards her.
Shakily, she stood, tears springing to her eyes, "I'm cursed." she muttered, then took off down the busy street, leaving the bewildered boy standing in his spot. Shaking his head a little, he couldn't help but smile. "She's a weird one, but at least she's got spunk." he said, taking the ladder and putting it back.
Karmi decided after the ladder incident to not risk further mishaps and ran her way back home. Though she was alone and shaken over the hex she had willingly put on herself, she managed to steady her hand long enough to jot a note in her karma diary.
-Karmi's karma points for today-
-2/0
Tripped on a crack then went under a ladder. Don't want to run for a while.
(970 words)
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:28 am
D e a r D i a r yI'm not even sure where to start...
The rain had been unrelenting. Heavy drops like rocks fell down on the sidewalk while Karmi hid under the yellow umbrella. Attempting to try and redeem her earlier mishaps, Karmi had the ragged bear tucked underneath her arm. She felt maybe it was what had started her curse and more than likely the key to ending it. Just have to get the bear back to Alistair, then maybe this will stop. Simply false enthusiasm though it was, it did bring some security to her frantic thoughts. That being said, she was walking quickly towards the cell phone accessory shop. "Alistair, you better be there." she muttered, clenching her teeth as the wind blew needles of water straight into her.
Dark clouds overhead thundered as they ran into each other, causing Karmi to lose step and tremble at the sound. Droplets on the umbrella grew louder as she turned into the park entrance. From the school to the store was a ways off; cutting through the park was the fastest way. This, however, meant passing over the poorly crafted bridge that ran over the creek central in the park. It had been the only part of the creek within city limits that rose above the caverns it normally traversed through. At first it had been a mere stream harboring no ability to overfill thus resulting in a low bridge over it. Now, during the liquidated seasons, the creek would fill to capacity, the old wooden bridge dangling mere inches above the now violent current. Taking in a deep courageous sigh, Karmi continued forth into the soft, muddy path. Perhaps the water wouldn't have reached so high already?
The reply was swiftly given to Karmi. A flaming "yes" stood in her way as she stood on the threshold of the narrow bridge. Old age had left the bridge to decay, old ropes holding the loose wooden planks in place. Karmi clutched the bear in her arm tightly, staring at the rushing water beneath the rather questionable bridge. I don't have time to go around, not if I want to be rid of this curse. She thought, looking out from underneath her umbrella. Glancing down at her good luck charm she took one last sigh, then began a slow cross of the rickety bridge.
Each step was painfully frightening. The wood underneath Karmi crinkled with each movement. Swallowing hard, she kept her eyes on the other end. It was so close. Seven feet, six feet... she was over halfway there... five feet, four feet... a small smile went on her face. At three feet she was nearly home free. Happily, she moved to pet the top of the discarded bear when she stopped completely. The bear was gone. Frantically, Karmi searched in front of her before turning back. The sight was a horror in her eyes. Near the middle of the bridge, where the ropes were at their shortest, was the bear hanging dangerously close to the edge. Between the bear and the water was a small sliver of wood. She had to move fast.
Carefully, with the absence of sudden moves, she took baby steps back towards the bear. Her hand clutched tightly to her umbrella and she felt her heart beat pick back up. One wrong move and the bear would be thrown into the speeding water below, thus ruining her chances to break her hex forever. Holding her breath she bent down slowly once she had reached it. She was only inches now; inches from her freedom. A small smile came back to her lips. It lasted mere seconds as a thunderous rumble took hold of the sky. With the thunder, Karmi shook slightly and fell forward into the ropes. With creaking, splintering and a loud splash the bear, Karmi and a piece of shabby bridge went down into the speeding water.
Coughing and gasping, Karmi bubbled to the surface moments later. The loud roar of the water carried her on as she struggled to make her muscles work against the current. Her thoughts whirled wildly. Would she make it? Would the water pull her to her grave. As if her bad luck could get any worse. Grunting loudly, though it could not be heard over the water, she began to kick towards the nearby shore with all her might. Most people would scream, but she knew once she opened her mouth again the blackened substance would take hold of her lungs. All she wanted to concentrate on was her kicking. One, two, one, two. She kicked with all her might, holding her hands out in front of her. Reaching, grasping for anything she kept her eyes above the water. Every muscle was screaming in the cold water, tensing up against her. I have to... Karmi said, bobbing under the water then shoving herself back up. Not now, not this time; she wasn't ready to give up.
Agonizing minutes past before she felt the sweet embrace of dirt underneath her. Coughing, she collapsed and stared blankly before her. Everything spun and water dripped off of her. Every inch of her was body was soaked. Deepened coughs shook her lungs. "Owww..." she muttered lightly. Luckily, the rain had lightened up to a sprinkle as a gray patch of clouds wandered above her. Shivering, she slowly got to her feet, groaning at the sensation of the water in her shoes. Finally, after a few more freezing moments, realization fell over her. The bear... She thought, with tears springing to her eyes. Without the bear, I can't break this bad luck. Devastation washed over her, what would she do now?
Sulking, not to mention shivering, Karmi had managed to begin a slow walk towards her destination. If I can't give it back, I should still tell him what happened. Coughing deeply, she held her arms tightly against her body as the light rain sprinkled over her. Luckily the rain had hindered itself, but the road was still a rough one. Losing her umbrella, her bear and almost her life left her in a timid state. Shivering and hissing against the cold was her only defense to stave off the counterproductive thoughts. If only she could make it...
Dripping wet hair was matted to her face and stung the soft skin with each new raw blast from the wind. Darkness crept around her. Alone, cold, nauseous, yet still full of, though dampened, the energy to go on. She was sure there was still water in her lungs; a fact that made her wonder how she was still able to move step by step. Flickering of light ahead of her shook her out back into reality. Was it the neon sign for the store?
Yes! Fluttering of her heart pushed her onwards, she could see it now. I can still make it! Optimistic as it was, her body knew far better than her delusions. Rapid heart beats, mixed with shallow breaths, was proving to be a far greater enemy than any broken mirror or swept over foot. The chill in the air was winning against the liquidated child and her vision finally began to reflect that. Groaning, she reached out for the nearest wall. Spinning with the trauma, her head felt heavy and her knees trembled, knocking together. Teeth chattering, she leaned over into the wall not truly able to see that it was in fact a wall. No! she screamed in her head. I didn't come this far to stop now.
Reluctantly she moved on two steps, though dizzy and nearly tripping with each new step, she wasn't giving up. Her body, however, was. Images flooded her mind as she could feel herself going forward. Maybe it was a shout? Chimes of a door opening far off and a light in her face. "Karmi, Karmi are you okay?!" Though she could only make out a yellow blur, she could hear him mumbling from another place, another state of mind... Heavily, she closed her eyes. "I lost the bear..." she said softly before succumbing to the darkness chasing after her.
--------------
Recollecting the events hurt Karmi's brain, even though she had been in the hospital for what seemed an eternity. She had awoken to the worried faces of her father and mother, and her brother, concerned as he was he never went anywhere without his DS he sat in a chair nearby looking at her occasionally. Warm bedding had been placed on her and she was stuck with several IVs. Many times she had to tell her mother to stop worrying so much. "It didn't kill me." she made a point to say.
"It could have." Was the same response every time.
As the doctors had explained, Karmi had a case of hypothermia mixed with exhaustion and other traumas throughout her body. (Karmi failed to hear past the exhaustion part as she was deep in reflection about the night's happenings. 6 hours had passed since she collapsed to the voice of some stranger. Had she made it to the shop after all? She wasn't sure.
"They're saying you need to stay for three days minimum." Lionel Fauxtiev said looking down at his daughter. "
Karmi's eyes fell saddened to the floor. "I'm sorry." she muttered.
A warm hand touched her forehead as he smiled down on her. "Don't be. You were luckier than you've ever been today. We're glad to see you safe." he said, but nodded sadly to his wife.
Karmi's mother approached solemnly. "Though we would love to stay here until you're better Karmi, you do need your rest. Visiting hours are almost up too." Silence. "And I'm sure you're tired of us worrying for you and you want some more sleep." she added.
Karmi smiled a little. That was her mom. "Alright," she said, "I love you guys."
"We love you too. Take care!" was the communal answer before each Fauxtiev cleared the room. Karmi was left alone in her thoughts of who or what had saved her. Blonde hair, right? The image was frayed and frizzled in her mind. Leaning back into her pillow she sighed deeply and grabbed for a scratch paper and pen nearby. The wires hurt to move with, but she didn't want to forget what she already had trouble remembering. After a harrowing account of the ordeal she scratched a few notes down at the end.
-Karmi's karma points for today-
-1/+2
Fell off a bridge.
Saved by (a handsome?) stranger.
Lived through a horrible ordeal.
With that, the pink haired girl laid her pen and paper aside and rolled on a side to sleep. Who was he? she thought with a yawn and closed her eyes. And will we meet again? Finally it was over and she could rest peaceful and safe in the sleep she most honorably deserved.
(180 cool
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:58 pm
D e a r D i a r yToday I had a visitor in the hospital...
Karmi was bored out of her mind. Not to say that on normal days she wasn't quite as bored, but now all she could do was sit in her hospital bed staring out into the world. She hated wasting time by sitting in bed and vegging out with the TV. Droning on in the background, she ignored it as best as she could and focused on the twittering birds of the outside world. Oh how she envied them.
Sighing, she turned back to the room with a glare, annoyed at the confinement. "No running, no homework, not even another person to share the room with." She muttered unhappily. Loneliness was setting in, the dark cloud of angst raining down. She sighed again and fluffed back into the pillow restlessly. I need something to do...
Leyna opened the door quietly, not sure if her friend would be asleep or not and not wanting to wake her if she was. When she saw that Karmi wasn't sleeping, and in fact looked bored, Leyna smiled and shut the door a little extra loud to get her attention. "Hey, long time no see," she said, a smile gracing her soft features.
Karmi's head turned quickly and a grin took over her face. "Leyna!" she exclaimed, sitting up in her excitement. It had been a long while since she had seen her little Science buddy and good friend outside of school. The winter semester had been crazy; filled with paperwork and finals, it wasn't the best time to hang out.
"Did you bring me homework?" she asked, the paused, "Or a get-out-of-jail-free card?" Laughter took over. God it was good to see her.
Leyna smiled, then couldn't help but laugh with her friend, before moved over to her bedside. "I asked at the front desk, unfortunately you cannot pass go and you cannot collect two hundred dollars either. I did, however, manage to bring your homework." That said, she opened her backpack and pulled out a decent sized stack of papers. "Skip was going to bring it, but his team asked him to stay for some practice today, so I offered. I hope you don't mind."
It was a relief to see her in such good shape after what she had heard happened. It was the talk of the school, and Leyna was glad to have a chance to visit with her now so she could bring back the good news.
Karmi smiled and leaned back into her pillow again. "At least now I'll have something to do. They said I need to stay for another day if not more." She glanced back at Leyna with sad eyes. "I miss school." she said, though it was still a bitter remark. She didn't miss the school work but rather the school kids. Being alone made her feel vulnerable, weak, hexed... she wasn't liking that.
"How are things going with you?" she asked, changing the subject abruptly.
It was easy to notice the abrupt change in subject, but Leyna had spent enough time with Karmi to know that when she didn't want to talk about something, she didn't talk about it, so she picked up on the new subject easily and with a smile. "Things are fine. Dad is as observant as ever. He found out about what happened and told me to pick up some flowers for you, but I thought you might appreciate chocolate more. Even sent me with some money. Here." She reached into her backpack again and pulled out a nice sized box of chocolates. "I hope you like them."
Karmi's eyes grew double in their size as she took the box. "Oh wow, that's awesome!" She hugged them close to her and looked back at her friend. "I hope I can come back soon. I really want to go out running again." She stopped. Maybe not over a bridge though... Keeping her gaze at Leyna she took in a deep breath.
"Do you believe in curses that follow a person because of an object?"
Leyna wasn't sure what to say to that, as she wasn't usually a superstitious person, but that didn't mean things couldn't happen. "I believe there can be objects that bring bad things in their wake, yeah." She nodded, not sure if that was the answer Karmi wanted, but trying to be honest as well.
Karmi looked down at her blankets in anguish. "Oh." she said. "Well..." she paused, trying to find the words. "I found this bear a while ago. I was trying to return it but it just seems like it's been putting me deeper in a hole." She shook her head. "That boy who works at that cell phone shop I like. I'm sure he's the owner but since I met him it's just one bad luck storm after another." Karmi clenched her hands on the blanket. "And now I've lost the only object that can stop it...."
"A teddy bear you mean?" Leyna asked, feeling bad for letting her down. Then an idea occured to her. "If you lost it at the bridge, maybe I can look for it for you. Would you be willing to describe it to me?"
"It's just a ragged brown bear. There's a tear or two in it, it's about..." she motioned with her hands. "This big." She looked hopeful for but a moment, but it faded quickly. "But I'm sure it went into the water with me when I went over."
"It might have, Karmi," Leyna admitted, adding quickly, "but what can it hurt to try? Maybe I'll have better luck than you. If nothing else, I promise to give my best effort to finding it."
Karmi nodded. There was no stopping Leyna once she was on about something. She laughed a little to try and lighten her mood. "Anyways, that guy saved me I think. He's an oddball though. Couldn't stop looking at me... Be careful if you meet him." She thought again. What was it with him, he just seemed so into her at the time. Oh if the other guys could have seen how forward he was. She thought, shaking her head again.
"Anyways, I don't want you to get in trouble for hanging out with me all day and not doing your own homework." Another nod. Not to mention she knew the nurse would come in soon. A tough old bat as she was, she'd probably kick Leyna out regardless of it being visitor hours. Truly she didn't want to be alone, but what more could she do?
Leyna really didn't want to leave, but now she had a mission at least, and she was eager to do anything that would make her friend's life better. "I'll try to avoid him if I can, but I'll have to thank him if I do see him," she promised, nodding. "Don't worry about my homework, I got most of it done during class, but I guess I should get going. I promise to come by tomorrow again if you're still here, and if not I'll give you a call, okay?"
Karmi nodded back to her. "I'll be right here under the guard nurse." She laughed a little. "Make sure you tell everyone I'm coming back soon!" she called to her, waving as the violet hair disappeared into the hallway. Moments later Karmi slumped back into her chair. Leyna had truly been the highlight of her day and now that she had gone Karmi was alone once more.
Clutching tightly to the box of chocolates she slid the lid off and popped a chocolate into her mouth. Delicious! Leyna was one of the few who was aware of Karmi's tastes, and she appreciated every last morsel. Back at the task at hand, she looked back at the TV which had been droning off in a mumbled hodgepodge of sound. Succumbing to her loneliness she rested her eyes upon it. There has to be a way to get rid of this hex. she thought, taking another bite of chocolate. Grabbing a nearby pen she jotted down on the notepad near her bed.
-Karmi's karma points for today-
0/+1
Good friends.
(Indigo parts are from a third person NPC writer. I claim only Karmi's part at 856 words)
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Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:56 am
D e a r D i a r yI woke up tonight in a cold sweat...
Grunting could be heard from the bowels of the sterile hospital room as the young girl tossed and turned. Indistinguishable, she muttered to herself, almost in soft screams against an unknown enemy. Luckily, she hadn't had a heart monitor connected to her or it might break with the excitement. Groaning loudly into the empty air, she kept to her thrashing. Under her the creaking of the bed droned on. Outside the snow had turned into rain, adding to the slush outside and the dark emotions copulating in the large room. Suddenly the sound stopped as Karmi roused herself quickly, sitting straight up with the bed squeaking indignantly under her.
Panting, she frantically reached for a nearby control for the lights, but found none. Thunder above her clashed hard, forcing her to hold herself in comfort against it. "Nnn..." the sound echoed out into the darkness, the only light being that of lighting far off followed by yet another clash of thunder. Karmi shivered at the sound.
"It was only a dream." she whispered, the only consoling words she could think of at the moment. Dabbling dreams changing into nightmares wasn't her norm, not even when the worst of luck found her. Shaking her head lightly the fears slid backwards, but only to the corners of her cerebral functions. There it could fester silently while she attempted to make sense of the chilling events in her dream state.
Appearing pleasant at first, she had begun the dream in her house surrounding by more cell phone straps than she could count. Peaceful, shiny... crowded. Although that one downside, it had been perfection to every last sense she had. Shaking slightly in her real world, she reflected back into where it all had gone so terribly wrong. Darkness. It wasn't merely a feeling of dread, or a chill... she had felt pure darkness; an evil further from anything else she could have ever fathomed.
Setting a hand on her forehead she felt the sweat pouring out from her, matting her hair to her face. Dryness enveloped her mouth and she coughed in an attempt to dislodge some saliva to get it flowing once more. Nothing helped. Images of the dark figures haunted her mind. They had prodded her with sharp fingers and whispered harshly their promises of pain and torture. With each new threat she could see the crimson markings of their sincerity. So many had fallen before her, she was only going to be another splash of color on the dull pavement of life.
Shuddering once more, she had to hold her head up to keep from fainting. What had brought on this trauma? Faces. So many of them had flashed into her mind and each and every one was so alien to her. Nothing could have prepared her for such a feeling of evil, of terror, of... solitude. The root of the dark nightmare had been just that; being utterly alone in her dreadful hour. Hauntingly dark figures had trapped her in a swirling vortex, spreading their threats, speaking lightly of an impending doom.
"Damnit." Karmi said, the curse rolling off her tongue as clumsily as a toddler learns to walk. It wasn't like her to swear, but the sensation was that of something she had never known. What had it meant? Was it a warning, a premonition... the flu? Nothing was making sense to her anymore. The bear, the bridge and the strange news reports... were they the beginning of a mental breakdown?
Another bright flash from the large window indicated the sky had once more struck the earth below. Karmi glanced the window over casually, listening intently to the thunderous rain pattering on the glass. As if being in a hospital isn't bad enough... she thought, clenching tightly to the blanket covering her. Insight was leading her in circles, one idea popping in right after the other trying to sort the meaning and symbolism from one another. It numbed her thoughts.
"What did it mean?" she said, dully. Nightmares don't just walk around pronouncing what they mean, but the question put into words made her mind click together with better ideas. Or so she believed. I'm not getting back to sleep. Bitterness had already settled in as she slowly allowed her head to descend back into the soft pillow behind her. "This better not be a trend." she said, angrily towards anyone in earshot. No reply from the walls.
Sighing, as she loved to do when something was obviously bothering her, she held her hands together, rubbing her knuckles softly. Hellish as the week had been, she was still attempting to take it with a grain of salt and make something good of it. Though, fighting the uphill battle was proving unfruitful and doing more harm than good. Clearly she was becoming increasingly jaded. Another sigh. So what do I do about it?
She had two options: sleep or don't sleep. Sleep could lead her into another trap of shadows, blood and overall horror. No sleep could lead her to exhaustion, which would once again lead her to sleep... but at least the sun would have a chance to break through the bleak overcast clouds and watch over her warmly during the sleep. The idea was crap. Not even the sun would shake away this night terror. It was settled, though she hated the decision with every fiber of her being.
Attempting to take it like a man she closed her eyes in an attempt to lull back into a half-sleep. (Thinking that only a true sleep would pull her back into the shadow of nightmare.) Slowly but surely her shaking subsided as did the rain on her window. Terrible as she had felt, the promise of sleep provided one glorious thought which still shone through: Tomorrow she would leave the hospital.
Karmi could not help wonder with her last conscious thought before sleep took over, was it an omen or all in her head? The next day she was sure to jot down her note.
-Karmi's karma points for today last night-
-1/0
?????
(1023 words)
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Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 11:51 pm
D e a r D i a r yToday was Christmas!
Happier thoughts and days had passed since Karmi's recent dark encounter with her inner dream-state. Since then her world had been filled with candy canes, pine needles and the scent of cookies baking. From one extreme to another it had been official. Christmas was happening. In her house it was known as "the most sacred" of all holidays. Every Christmas had been the same to her, but to her family each one was new, like opening a new present every year. Happiness and "Christmas cheer" visited Karmi that day like any other person, but she saw it as most teenagers do; Free stuff, free food, and family.
Not to say that it was of course a bad way to look at it. She bought presents all the same and shared them, it made her smile, and then afterward it had her looking for the next opportunity to pass out presents. Recent misfortune had jaded her at this point though. Hopefulness had swelled within her as she lied down her head into the soft pillow the night before. Whispering on her lips, "Please let tomorrow be filled with only good." A fool's wish, but Christmas has been known to grant those wishes.
A loud yell broke the concentration of Karmi's sleep as her eyes heavily slid open. "Nn?" she called out to the darkness. From far off she heard her brother's muffled excitement. "It's Christmas!" he shouted, then thumped down the hallway and down the stairs. What a way to start a day. She thought, glancing at her clock grudgingly. It blinked back in crimson vengeance "7:03". Groaning, she sat up slowly. She smiled a little. "Well, presents then." she said, finding her happy place and jumping out of bed.
The bright, pink, and fuzzy nightgown she had on dipped down near her ankles as she creaked open her door and ventured out into the hall. Below she could see the dull lights from their average Christmas tree bobble back and forth. Gian had already gotten to dividing up the presents. Shaking her head, she held the stairs banister and made her way down quickly. With a "jolly" smile she plopped down on the couch while her yawning parents made their way over. Ignoring the lot was Gian who was busy scurrying around the tree making piles.
"I've already got 8 presents!" he said loudly, tossing another one gently into his pile by the armchair. Karmi's mother had wasted no time in starting the coffee pot up, creating the parent's daily fix of caffeine that would be necessary to endure the day in completion. Karmi laughed to herself and began arranging her own presents near her. This was always how it worked. Nothing was to be done before presents.
"Now Gian, don't rush through them this time." A deep voice said as Lionel, the father, struggled with the family camera. Karmi shook her head. Here we go again. she thought, picturing her dad shaking the camera furiously to get a flash.
Smiling, her mother halted him with the promise of a hot cup of coffee as she gracefully moved back over near him. "Here dear." she said plainly, handing to him. Silently she sat and sipped her own cup. Crinkling the last present in his hands, Gian plopped down into his seat and stared at the pile with eyes wide. Gleefully, he looked towards his now rejuvenated parents. "So..." he alluded.
With a chuckle his father nodded to him and he began tearing through the wrapping paper. Karmi shared the same enthusiasm only in theory. She looked at her presents, but didn't tear into them the same way as her brother.
"Go on dear." her mother encouraged softly, taking her own present and slowly taking off it's bow. Beside her the only sound was the clicking of the camera, taking in every "ooh" and "aah" from her brother. Shaking her head and giggling to herself she began to tear the wrappings from her own presents. With each new tear her entire became radiated with happiness. No need to be a sourpuss after all.
- - - - - - - - -
Presents had gone just the way the should have. Karmi's father had snapped photos every five minutes while their faces had gone from blanks to smiles then back again. Gifts piled over themselves until finally turning into crumpled paper. As usual, Gian was beaming about his new video games while her mother and father exchanged smaller gifts, but happy with their new jewelry or appliance. Equally as usual, Karmi walked away with gift cards and a slew of new cell phone straps to add to her collection.
Torturing still was the other family meant to join them later. Hanging up her new straps Karmi sighed to herself when she heard her Aunt's usual, "HAPPY CHRISTMAS!", which would always shake the house. Here we go. She thought, shoving a smile on her face and marching back downstairs. Another Christmas beginning.
Whereas dinner had gone well, Uncle Liam taking his time eating of course, the aftermath was full of drunken family members singing the wrong words to Christmas Carols and laughing over jokes. In the midst of it all Karmi had taken a reprieve to the backyard bundled up in a large purple jacket, staring at the sky. Stars weren't a commodity in the city; she couldn't see past the light pollution but was sure she could still feel their presence. Sighing deeply, she slumped backwards into one of the beaten up patio chairs. "So this is Christmas." she muttered, her eyes dulling at the thought. Her normal cheery nature mixed with the holiday wasn't enough to keep her thoughts from dwelling.
Biting her lip she recalled how it had all started. There was rain then too. she observed, though not making a connection. Blinking she looked back at a half-moon face staring back down at her. A flash of comfort came her way then vanished with the sound of a sliding glass door. Karmi's mother might not have been completely sober, but she was more than fully aware of her daughter's behavior.
"Karmi?" She asked, casually walking over with a slight slur to her step. "Honey, what's the matter?"
Karmi didn't move her eyes, "I'm alright mom, don't worry."
"Don't lie to me dear." Her mother said with as much softness that could become a drunk woman. "I can tell when you're sad."
Karmi's eyes turned to her mother and looked at her dully, "There's just a lot that's been going on." She began, but was cut off by her mom nearly tripping to move closer.
Realizing her own inhibitions, Karmi's mother pulled back to a few small presents and held them out. "I'm not much for words," she admitted, "but these are from some of your friends." Handing them over carefully, she kept her eyes on her distraught offspring. "We're here for you dear." she said, with a hiccup. "I should get back." Taking her not so graceful exit she vanished while stumbling back into the house.
In her confusion, Karmi ignored looking back at the house and stared at her presents in hand. A small smile broke through her gloom. "Thanks." she spoke out to the nothingness. At least my friends can understand. Warmth filled her chest cavity and she huddled together with the presents on the chair. From far off she could still feel a looming presence, but at least knowing her friends still cared about her made her feel safe on that holiday.
Hours passed and finally Karmi retreated into her now quiet house with her new presents. Many of her friends had left cellphone straps which she now proudly hung up on her collection rack. Sitting in her bed she stared blankly at the window hoping for some sign of the future to come fluttering through. It never came. Sighing she flopped back and closed her eyes. "I wish that some year I'd get an exciting holiday." she muttered.
Before falling asleep that night she scrawled a small mark in her journal.
-Karmi's karma points for todayt-
0/0
Why aren't holidays more lively?
(1358 words)
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:28 am
D e a r D i a r yI'm going out of my head...
(an actual diary entry)Karma is out to get me or for some reason I've been gathering only negative karma. Needless to say it's becoming the bane of my existence. Once again school has picked up, meaning I've been spending my normal running days with Skip, science with Leyna and making some new friends along the way. It's not easy thinking that around every corner could be another slip into negative favor.
Months ago was when I first ran into that... thing it seems like there is a black cloud hovering over my head. Luckily nothing severely tragic has taken place, but it's only a matter of time. According to my points system I'm actually up in positive, but then again I'm wondering if that even matters. It's pulled into question my abilities of "charting" Karma as it seems. Obviously I don't really know much about it and have no control over it. That's the part that frightens me the most, having no real control.
Truly the most puzzling piece to this mystery is that more than often these strange happenings circle when I'm trying to do some good or completely on my own. I've yet to cause real problems when I'm around someone else. I want to make sure that it stays that way. If these random misfortunes are my own then I am truly lucky in at least one sense.
My mother tries to tell me it's all in my head and that these are nothing but "cruel accidents". Somehow I doubt that reassurance to be true. Since the beginnings of these terrorist attacks it's been anything but "normal" in Destiny City. I'm not sure how she's unaffected...
There's not much I can do except vent to some poor unsuspecting page about my fears. I just think that things might get worse before they start looking up again. After this incident with the creek I can say I will be avoiding the run through the park. With the bear gone I won't be able to put right some wrong with the world. That guy at the shop hopefully will understand when I gather up the courage to speak to him again. (After hearing how he was the one who got me to a hospital it's just made things awkward...)
Other than these questions poking at the back of my head everything else has been normal as can be at Meadowview. Vacation is over and the new semester is picking up nicely... Thinking about the monotonous cycle that will begin makes my head hurt though. I've been thinking about doing hurdles or maybe long jump. Not sure yet, I can't decide.
Here's hoping you've endured my rant, journal. For now I think you're the only one I can write my feelings in and force to listen.
-Karmi's karma count for today-
0/0
Just another day in paradise...
(484 words)
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:25 am
D e a r D i a r yToday I thought a lot...
Disillusioned. Stale. Karmi sat in her bed feeling the bitter echo of the words wash into her mouth. Bland. So much had happened in such a little time yet it seemed to be standing still all at once. Putting a hand on her head she clutched at her hair roots, grabbing them tightly. What is the matter with me? Why I am so reluctant towards everything?" The taste-buds on her tongue cringed at the bitter taste forming in her mouth. Sitting on the bed with her legs crossed she extended them farther out and stared bitterly at their pasty color. Other girls have that thing. That "it" factor her mind screamed as she curled her legs back in, shying them away from the world and her thoughts, why don't I have it? Above her house the clouds erupted in agony as the world trembled beneath them. Trembling herself, Karmi set her head on her curled knees.
"I'm like the rain." she said, mulling over her tongue with small bites, "Dreary regardless of its good intentions." A clash of lightning took hold of the sky, bringing a flash of light into her room. It didn't brighten her mood whatsoever. Droning onward into the silence was her heartbeat, drumming steady and strong as her mind wandered away from her. Envy washed over her like waves breaking on a craggy shore. What was she missing? She was known as quirky, but always cheerful. Working towards greater heights with a smile on her face. "Futile," Karmi choked out to the shadows, "I can't be like them, even if I try." Gloom felt heavy on her shoulders as she took a glance towards her nearby window. Trickling down the slippery glass the rain reflected her mood back to her gracefully. The bitter hand gone to sour and she heaved out a deep sigh.
Beauty, grace, presence... traits of some of her Barbie peers did not find themselves prominent, or at least as she though, in her. Staring blankly, the green envy ebbed up through her then finally crashed down. Settling like a coal lump in her heart, she felt the choking grasp of it. Feeling a drowning sensation she tried to leap at any thought which would give her a life-raft. Finding no solace she muttered, "Inferiority complex much?". Cynical though the sentiment was, she made the point to herself eloquently.
The New Year had yielded so little in the way of her favor. Sure, it was a new year but as far as she was concerned it was merely just a new date to write down on school assignments. Yet again, it wasn't helping her mood to brood over it. Though all that the new year had truly brought was a curse; bad karma as a result of many mishaps. Reaching her hands forward she hugged her knees comfortingly. Surely there was some way to to rid herself of such misfortunes, but how could she? Acts gaining good karma would go so far, but how would she account for the lost bear? She could feel her natural good luck slipping away into a metaphorical abyss. Did a force exist that could completely re-balance her life? Is my karma meant to be bad for the rest of my life? She thought.
An idea struck her as the thunder above clashed, bellowing over the skies. Though not religious herself she remembered that girls in her class often visited one of the small shrines set up in the city's token Chinatown area. Once there they would buy good luck charms which promised good fortune for at least another year. Fortune was only a run away and even available to her for a monetary value. The thought was... dumb. Regardless, Karmi was already past desperate and had her mind set on buying one of those so called "good luck charms". Thinking warily, she released her knees. "Even if it doesn't work, I will at least get a new cell phone charm out of it." Her light voice whispered out into the vast space. Dull, lifeless eyes suddenly reawakened as the green discs focused on her running shoes bundled up in the corner of her room. "Guess I'll use you two for running this week after all." She mused. Finally her foul mood was slowly slipping away. Not a big step forward but at least a direction to start heading in. Her dreary mood was finally ending and she felt far less emotional over the entire ordeal. Karmi was going to get her groove back.
-Karmi's karma count for today-
0/0
Thinking yields a direction, not a solution.
(761 words)
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