Something kept pulling at me. Something tugged at my sleeves and dogged my steps. It pleaded with my reflection and petitioned my shadow.

I was needed elsewhere.

Okay. Let’s go.

1,287 words.

“And then there were three.”, the driver, Josh, exclaimed after dropping off one of our fellows.

“Five.” I corrected him from the back seat.

“Five.”, said his girlfriend, Ginny, from the front passenger seat.

“Three.”, he insisted, looking around and seeing only himself, her, and I.

1,023 words. Continue Reading… http://threedifferentways.katalytis.com/2013/06/dream-journal-2013-06-22-01/

I quickly told kir about the Grey Sky and its effects which prevented me quick access to the terrace. I then told kir about my plan. “I need your help, [K*]. I’m going to try and split the sky but I need someone on the top side to take advantage of it. I’m going to draw all the wrong kinds of attention with my attempt.”

“I’ll be there and I won’t be alone. All I’ll need is a crack. Wide enough for a prayer of hope to seep through. The forces that shall be assembled with me will turn that crack into a gorge.”

“Muster your forces my friend. And I shall muster mine. Already there are other Boneburners waiting on me.”

5,204 words. Continue Reading… http://threedifferentways.katalytis.com/2013/06/split-the-sky/

“Did you have anything to eat?”

“Finger food. A micron thin slice of meat, a micron thin slice of cheese, a wafer thinner than paper, and enough garnish to choke a horse.”

“And then the wine? Finish off that bowl before you answer.”

2,060 words.

He turned away in sudden thought. He moved only his eyes to look up at me, which I noticed were suddenly glittering like faceted garnets. “What did [the Red Woman] say to you? I know you didn’t write it all publicly.”

The eyes caught my focus. I could feel the heaviness of his request coaxing my tongue. I pulled my sight away and looked over his shoulder. The blue and pink painting of the miniature lotus blooms hung silently in place. “Never you mind.”

3,136 words.

Where Keri finds out at last what everyone else already knew about her. Again. And in doing so, realizes there is no one she can trust. Not even herself.

2,867 words.

A Collector tries to trap me. After several scenarios I finally get tired of his shit. Later, I find Pandora’s box has been tampered with again.

763 words.

I looked up as if in surprise. “No, there’s a drop.” I tapped my lower lip. “I’m not in my livery now, or you’d see red everywhere. No flashy stuff right now, y’know. Working.” I looked back down but kept him in my peripheral position.

He crawls halfway across the path. Even on his knees, he is taller than me. Two of his hands brace against the ground. He is peering at my lips. The pendant swings free. “I still can’t see.”, he complains.

1,892 words.

He grabbed me from the door and slammed me into the wall. Shoving his body against mine, he mimed a sexual act. “I can take you. Right here. Right now. And there is nothing you can do about it. Nothing anyone can do about it. No one cares. You are all my property, and I can do what I god damn well please to you. And no one will care.” He patted my purse. “After all, a well paid whore does everything she’s bought for. Right? Don’t forget to vote this upcoming election. Every vote counts, after all.”

2,215 words.

After finishing up some tasks, I was pulled into a very dark area. I could barely see. I didn’t feel threatened, but I call the sword just in case and start poking around, because why the fuck not. I’m here. Let’s see who wants to play.

A small group of shadowmen pour out of the walls and the woodwork. Classic nightmare phantasms. Looks like they just got their first union job. Devouring light, oppressive air, general feelings of predatory delight towards the lone human in the room. Amateurs. They didn’t sniff the air first. Before pouncing they should have waited for fear to flavor the room. I had no fear. They pounced anyway.

744 words.