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 Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:19 am
The bag was received with trembling hands and Oephis almost dropped it as she tried to pull the string open. She looked inside for a brief moment before looking back up, blinking in confusion before an explanation was given. Her hands continued to tremble and she dropped the scissors when they were placed into her hand. They were cold and she gripped them tightly; her warmth battling the cold until it faded away.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and eyed the doors for a few moments before she stepped into the third. It appeared she hadn't noticed the vibes coming off the doors. Oephis had been too nervous to pay attention and had just gone for the first door she'd seen. She needed to learn to pay attention.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:21 am
Slam.
Darkness.
Silence.
Thud.
Oephis stood still for a few minutes, trying to regain her composure without much result. A few deep breaths and she wiped her palms on her clothes. She was nervous. Afraid? Why did she need scissors? Her mouth was dry and she wiped at it before stepping forward in the darkness, arms stretched out before her. She could hear something in the distance; a name or a word being whispered over and over again. For some reason, she felt it was important. That she should hold onto it; but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why.
Thud.
The thumps grew louder the further she went and she shuddered. There was something about the sound that was so ominous. She wanted to turn back; but what would happen if she returned empty handed? Her hands came in contact with something solid and she allowed them to roam over the surface; feeling every nook and cranny. It was wooden; a crate and as she looked up, she noticed the source of the thumping.
Thud. Thud. Thud. THUD. THUDTHUDTHUDTHUD
Oephis' hands covered her ears. The thudding grew louder. It frightened her. It wouldn't stop. She screamed and grabbed onto the arm; begging for it to be quiet.
It stopped.
She leaned against the crate, taking deep breaths.
Thump-thump.
The sound was faint and at first she thought the arm was flailing again. But her grip was firm and there was no movement from the arm. She stood tall, leaning into the crate and peeking inside. There was more in there and she pushed her arms in, feeling around. Hand pressed against .. whatever it was, she felt it.
Thump-thump.
Her hand jerked back and she scrambled away from the box, stumbling and falling backwards. The arm reached out for her and the beating of the heart grew louder. The scissors in her hands suddenly weighed a tonne and the bag on her neck seemed to choke her. She didn't move; didn't pull herself up for the longest time until it occurred to her that she had no choice.
She pushed herself up from the ground; feet dragging until she reached the crate. For a brief second, she held the arm; squeezing it softly before her arms reached in and her scissors find their mark. It wasn't as easy as she thought it was going to be; her lack of strength didn't help and she really had to cut away to get in side. The arm began flailing, clawing and pulling at her.
But Oephis is focusing now and it occurs to her that the hole is too small for a heart to fit through. Her hands pushed in, prying the outer layer open. it's easier now that the scissors have done the work. It's warm inside and her hands are wet. The scissors return, snipping at bags that are moving; inflating and deflating. They fall to the bottom of the crate. There is a trickling sound; like the runoff after a storm only this isn't comforting. Her hands are back and she pulls away the mess; hard and soft pieces. Some she has to pull hard until she feels them pop free. Others come more easily as if they've already given up and have accepted their fate.
The flailing had slowed and she could see her prize. Cords held it down and she snipped away at them one by one until she finally held it in her hands. It beat once before coming to a stop.
----
"Today's the day." The voice interrupts what you're doing and you smile nervously. You don't need reminding; you know what today is. You've been counting down since last week; pinching yourself to make sure you hadn't imagined it. You had gone through your belongings; what little ones you had accumulated over the years and given away what you didn't think you'd need anymore to the others.
"It's almost time. Pack up your things."
A brief glance at the clock confirms this and your pencils and paper are put neatly away in your bag. Everything else has been packed in a suitcase; an old one that doesn't quite do up and has a broken wheel that means you have to carry it. But it's yours and you insisted on using it instead of having a new one bought for you.
You hear voices; unfamiliar but you know them and you suck in a breath - which feels odd. Footsteps can be heard as they ascend the stairs and you shrink back, a hand moving to a pigtail that hands down to your waist. You pull on it, curling it around your fingers as they come into view, all smiles.
They might have said something but to you but you didn't hear it. You're focused on her. She's as beautiful as you remember. Her voice is like music; you could listen to it for hours. She smiles at you and pats you softly on the head, tussling your hair before she takes your hand.
"Ready to go home?"
You pause before answering, taking one last look around your temporary room before you give a nod and squeeze her hand.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:05 am
Oephis was walking and it took her a while to remember as much. The heart had found a way into the bag around her neck and, scissors in hand, her feet dragged along the floor and she aimlessly made her way back to the door. Away from this place. It began to get harder to move and she wasn't sure if she was still dreaming or not. As she continued, she noticed a change in the floor and she paused in time to hear the footsteps behind her. A cautious glance over her shoulder revealed nothing and she continued walking.
In water now, the heart is held above her head as she wades, feet barely touching the ground beneath her.
'Please give it back.'
Again, she glanced over her shoulder but again there was nothing. Legs kicking beneath her, the darkness ahead revealed nothing and she decided to turn and try to find another way.
'Please give me back my-'
It came so quickly. She had no time to react until she was underwater, screaming and kicking and struggling. She seemed to sink forever, staring into the haunted eyes of the creature whose heart she stole.
'Give me back my heart.'
The car ride is long and she makes idle chatter which you happily partake in. She tells you of your other siblings; of the rather large family you'll be a part of. You shift nervously.
"What do I call you?"
She blinks for a moment before smiling softly. Her hand squeezes yours. "Whatever you want. You can call me mom if you wish. But I'll understand if it will take time."
"Mom."
"Sophie."
You lean against her and her arm embraces you protectively. "Sweet Sophie. We'll be home soon." You fall asleep.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:16 am
She felt herself slipping, felt the darkness creeping in and threatening to take her away. Her hands twitched and she felt the cool metal of the scissors in her hand. With her last ounce of strength, Oephis plunged the scissors into the chest of her captor. A scream pierced her ears and she closed her eyes, mouthing the words I'm sorry over and over.
Finally, the water is gone and she coughed, spitting up black sludge that left a foul taste in her mouth. The light streaming from the door was a welcomed sight and she scrambled towards it, taking one last look behind her. A figure was there but when she blinked, it was gone and she brushed it aside - putting it down to nerves and fear.
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:38 am
A groan escaped Oephis' lips and she squirmed uncomfortably for a few moments before realise that she was not actually asleep on her bed. The surface was hard, cold to the touch and not pleasant. Eyes fluttered open, squinting at the sudden influx of bright light. Lifting herself off the table, she stood on shaky feet and, still squinting, her hands rose to her ears. The sound of the light was irritating - one she was not used to. She wasted no time and opened the door in front of her, stepping outside. She heard a door slam shut and turned behind her, surprised to see her door still open. A brief shrug, she began walking down the hallway, hand on the wall to steady her.
In the distance, she saw it. A way out - a way from the blinding lights and the stench of nothing. She breathed a sigh of relief. Every now and then, she heard the sound of thudding and each time she looked over her shoulder to find nothing. The third time, the thud was louder - eventually turning into the sound of footsteps and when she looked over her shoulder, she saw it. Her legs stiffened and she froze, mouth hanging open and eyes wide. She couldn't move. Not until it almost had her and then she was off, as fast as her legs could carry her.
The door at the end was locked and wouldn't open no matter how many times she wiggled the handle. She focused, then noticing the letters splayed across the wall?
Passcode? She looked over her shoulder at the creature coming closer. What was the passcode?
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:39 am
Oephis glanced around the hallway and noted a piece of paper with four letters scribbled across it. She wasn't sure what they meant and as she looked over her shoulder she noticed it getting closer. She was running out of time.
45 feet
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
1
Total: 1 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:40 am
She pushed against the door, slammed against it so hard it hurt. Looking over her shoulder, she became dizzy and the space around her flickered and blurred.
"You'll start school next month," her voice is sweet and beautiful - as it always is. She presents a plate in front of you, filled to the point of spilling over. She always does this.
"Your older brother goes to the same school," she continues as she tidies up the mess from cooking.
You push your food around your plate, glancing down and biting your lower lip. "What if he doesn't like me?"
She laughs and comes to place a kiss on the top of your head before tussling your hair. "He'll love you, Sophie. Like the rest of us already do." She pats your shoulder. "Eat up. It'll make you feel better." She's right.
40 feet.
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:41 am
Snapping out of it, Oephis' eyes find the letters again and she stairs at them, trying to make sense. She regretfully casts a glance over her shoulder. It was getting closer.
35 feet
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:42 am
Oephis began to panick and she pushed against the door, screaming and crying out. Her breath was quick; heart beat heavy and beads of sweat rolled down her face.
30 feet
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:44 am
She pushed and pushed, her eyes never leaving the thing that was getting closer and closer. The scissors glinted in the light and she felt sick to her stomach; imagining the horrors that awaited her.
25 feet
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:44 am
Looking to her left, Oephis noticed a second piece of paper. This one, numbers were scrawled on it. It took her two seconds to put it together and to key in the code. In an instant, she was outside.
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:47 am
Outside, Oephis paused to allow herself time to breathe. Looking behind her, she noticed the figure still pursuing and started to run. She didn't pause to judge the bridge; or the steps she took which perhaps wasn't a wise decision.
Crack.
Her foot fell through and no matter how she pulled it, she couldn't get it free. A brief glance told her what she already knew - the creature was still pursuing. It snipped the scissors; the sound of them piercing through her. The dagger felt heavy in her hand and she looked at it before looking at her foot, then back at the creature that wanted her heart.
Which did she cherish more? It took her no time at all to decide and she gripped the knife before bringing it down on her foot. She screamed a blood curdling scream and looked down at the limb, barely connected and dangling. Grey fog seeped out and she looked away as the knife sliced through remaining flesh allowing the foot to fall and Oephis to pull her leg free. She pulled herself up and hobbled away; a brief glance informing her that her foot was not lost forever.
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:48 am
woops rolled too many times ignore this
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:49 am
woops rolled too many times ignore this
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LOLTERNATIVE rolled 1 6-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-6)
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:51 am
Across the bridge, Oephis made her way to the only building in the area she was in. Perhaps it would provide sanctuary or a way to escape the creature. But the shadows make her falter and with a quick glance to the figure, she pauses and faces it. Foot fully regenerated, she stood and eyed the dagger; glowing bright.
Now or never.
The figure raced towards her, but Oephis was ready. As it came closer, scissors reaching for her and snipping, she drove the dagger into her chest. A glance down showed that the scissors were a breath away from piercing her chest. She stumbled back, pulling the dagger with her as it fell and dissipated. She wiped gunk off the dagger; revealing the brighter glow. Behind her, she heard the creak of doors swinging open and made her way inside.
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