The Betrayal - Creative Riters Challenge #11

Creative Riters Corner # 11












You have reached a point in life where you're throwing the old debris out, your way of preparing to start over and restarting your life. As you rummage through old stuff, you find something which you received earlier in the year which meant a great deal to you then, but which only causes pain now.








Tell us about it by showing us who gave it to you, where it's been, and what has caused it to fall out of favor. Write in the voice of your opposite gender for this challenge -- if you're female, write as a man, if male, as a woman.




No word limit.

The Betrayal

She was to have been my lesbian wife. She had been following me on the Internet ever since I had my live show on LiveVideo but had stayed mostly hidden in the background since the site closed.









About four months ago she came to me and confessed how much she needed me. I was fed up with women and I certainly didn't want any of those foul men. Men are dirty and disgusting. I tried to discourage her at first because my heart had been broken so many times before by lesbians who just wanted to use me. I guess they saw my Supergirl outfit and thought that I was just crazy and could be easily used.









Margaret pled and pled with me to give her a chance. Our personalities seemed to be a match made in heaven. She was the most wonderful butch I had ever met. We lived in separate areas of the UK. I lived in London and she lived in Houghton Regis. I didn't care that we lived a distance apart. I was more than willing to travel to her or have her travel to me.  Even though I didn't have much money left over each month I had secretly started saving the moment I met her because she was the one.  I simply quit eating some days and suffered rather than taking my pharmaceuticals just so we could be together one day.




She was so thin and handsome.  Everything a fluff like me could want.  She was MY Princess Charming, nay, my queen to whom I would devote my life and services.










I always loved the way she teased me and ordered me about, sending me to the step when I was naughty.  When she started sending me to the pink fluffy step, I knew that her feelings had deepened.  One day, she finally admitted that she had feelings for me.
I was so happy that she finally admitted it that I was overjoyed.  She, like I, was afraid of love because we had been hurt so many times before but she finally said that she loved me.  I had to do something special.










I started writing her a song and she wanted to hear what I had written.  She had put on a Superman shirt for me to match my Supergirl outfit.  When I saw it, I became so hot and wet that I almost slipped off of my chair.


I told her that for me to be able to let her hear it, I would need a picture so that I could put the song in a YouTube video to send to her.  She gave me permission to take a screenshot picture of her in the Superman shirt to use for the song.  She got out of her chair and posed and I snapped the shot.  It was the only thing that she ever really gave me.





She got scared and blocked me.  I knew that she feared her feelings so I wrote her a letter.  Finally, she unblocked me but told me never to post on her wall.  I found that strange but I was so in love that I obeyed her wishes.  She was so forceful and strict that it really thrilled me.










The next day, she showed me the wedding outfit that she wanted and chose the ring that she wanted.  Knowing that she was sick and broke, I was ready to buy anything she wanted.
She told me that she wanted to get married in a castle so I found the best castle which used to allow wedding ceremonies.  They said that they no longer allowed weddings there so I showed her a few other castles but I was secretly going to make a large donation to their restoration fund if they would allow our wedding.  I wanted it to be a surprise.  She said that she wanted to come visit so I secretly started saving for her ticket as well.  By stopping all of my pharmaceuticals and eating only once every other day, I was able to save more quickly than I realized.









We continued to talk and one day, because she had started being stand offish, I told her I was going to start dating someone else if she couldn't commit.  Every time I told her I loved her, she would send me to the step because she was afraid of love.  I told her I was afraid of marriage and thought that she rushed it a little.  It hurt her feelings and she didn't talk to me for a few days.










The third day, she wanted to Skype again, so we did.  After we talked and laughed awhile, she told me that she had to tell me something.  I was all ears.











"I don't want to tell you this... but... I love you with all of my heart and soul and I'm afraid of losing you."










I was overjoyed!  I was finally loved by another woman and I'm sure that my face lit bright enough to light a thousand lighthouses.  I gave her my reply.










"I love you with all of my heart and mind and soul as well.  I can't wait for us to be in a large, pink , fluffy bed with satin sheets and please one another sensually.  I can't wait to be your wife!"










"I'M NOT GETTING MARRIED!"










"You're the one who brought it up."










"STEP!"










"Look, darling.  Don't be afraid of your feelings.  You know that we love each other and can't stand to be without each other."










She looked angry and went silent and logged off.










I knew that something wasn't right.  When she came back on a few days later though, she explained that a friend of hers died.  She said that she wished that she still had her care bear but someone stole it.










We continued to talk for awhile and I listened to her feelings about her friend passing.  I talked with her about her feelings and when she started crying, it pulled my heart strings.
I knew I had to do something to help her past this so I found the kind of care bear of which she was so fond and posted it to her.  It came to almost triple the price with the postage and handling but I didn't care.  I knew that she needed its comfort.










It arrived a few days before my birthday.  She seemed so happy to receive it.  It filled me with joy that I was able to make my foxy little queen angel mistress so happy.  I KNEW that we were going to be happy together. I found it strange later that she didn't tell me so much as "Happy Birthday " but she kept talking tenderly and lovingly.










She started letting me say that I love her on occasion but sometimes reminded me that she didn't like that word.  We grew closer and closer and one day I offered to buy some Super special friendship rings that were more than just friendship.  SHE SAID YES!










I started to order the expensive rings but something about her telling me that she didn't want to use the word love bothered me.  I bought a set of rings that would bond us but I bought the cheapest set of rings I could find to see whether or not she would send me my ring.  It was a test.










We continued to talk and she finally got the rings just before Valentine's Day.  Since it was a set, she was to send mine back to me.  She said that she loved it and was sending my ring the next day.  She asked for my address again to be sure that she got it right, which seemed strange, but I figured that since she asked she truly intended to send it. 










I surprised her on Valentine's Day posting the picture of the ring she sent me and tagged her so she would have a copy of the picture on her page.  I also posted a couple special Valentine's Day cards on her page to make her day special.  I told her that I had the money to get her to London and she said, "Don't make any plans."  She became angry that I posted something on her page.  I explained to her that I was just trying to make her Valentine's Day special since we were so far apart.  I started crying and told her and screamed at her that she couldn't let me enjoy even one moment.










"Oh, good grief.  Okay."










"Thank you" I whimpered.










People started making comments on the post and some were jealous and others had to try to make it about themselves, telling her how much better THEIR rings were.  I defended her and she told them that it was the most wonderful ring in the world.










The picture had posted twice on her page because of a facebook error so we left that post and started flirting with each other on the other post.  Some MAN jumped in and had to make a smart ass comment.










"This is all bullshit."










"You're bullshit!"  I was pissed that some MAN would try to ruin our wonderful moment.








Margaret jumped in.








"Not on MY page!"








She then blocked ME and I never heard from her again.  I never received my ring and I was glad that I had tested her with the cheaper rings first.  That wanker.  That cunt!  She gave me up for a fucking MAN!










I know it won't last as big of a lesbian that she really is.  I know that he's just using him for his money.  That trollop!  I'll never speak to her again!










The only problem is that picture is still on my song.  Everytime I see it, it breaks my heart.  I would have treated her so well and given her everything she wanted and he was probably going to beat the shit out of her like the last MAN did!  Good!  I hope he breaks her fucking NECK!  Still, I miss all of those sweet moments of laughter and fun we had, revealing our bodies to one another and running to the bedroom after to give ourselves release. 


Even though I removed the pictures of her from my favorites, they still come up on my cell phone.  Everytime I see that picture, my heart breaks again and tears flow from my eyes.  I so longed to kiss her tender lips and fondle her sweet breasts as she fondled mine.  I know that will never happen now and it tears me apart... EVERY TIME I SEE THAT PICTURE!  Fucking men!  Daft fucking cunt!

The Release

The Release


It had finally happened.  For all of her prior threats and attempts, she had finally done it. 
He was tired of her always running back to the abuse and using again and told her it was over.  He just didn't care anymore.  He was tired of having his emotions jacked with.  This time he was through and he let her know in no uncertain terms.  Her lies and attempts to drag him into her drama were going to end whether or not she liked it.




"Susan, it's over.  I can't take anymore.  I'm tired of the bullshit.  You've fucked me over and fucked around on me one too many times."



"I'll cut myself.  I'll take all of my pain meds if you do this to me.  I'll drink alcohol with them and you'll never see me again, Bob!  I'll kill myself!"




"Yeah, yeah, yeah.  How many times have you told me that and how many times have you tried?  You end up in rehab, call me, tell me that you're going to get yourself straightened out, then go right back to drinking and doing drugs and fucking every Tom's hairy dick you see!  I'm DONE!"




"No Bob!  You can't!  I love you.  Those other guys didn't mean anything!"




"Yeah, well evidently I didn't mean anything to you either.  They got way more of your pussy than I ever did.  All I wanted to do was love you and male love to you and you slept around like a hairy little TRAMP!  If they turned you inside out, you'd look like a pin cushion.  How much did THEY love you?  How much did THEY sacrifice for you?  A man can only take so much and you pushed me WAY beyond that point.  I MEAN it!  This time it's OVER!"




"I'll kill myself this time!  I really will!"
"Fine!  Kill yourself!"




Bob slammed down the phone and went out to drown his troubles and forget.




Susan started to cut herself but decided on another course of action.  Instead of just taking her sleeping pills this time she would mix all of her pills and wash them down with a bottle of vodka.




As she sat on her bed, she opened the drawer on her bedside table.  She took out each bottle of her meds and unscrewed the tops.  She unscrewed the top from her bottle of vodka and started deciding which pills to take first.




"I'll start with the Dilaudid and let is start making me drowsy then I'll take my antidepressants and my heart medications" she thought.




She took the remaining held bottle of Dilaudid, washing it down with a big gulp of vodka.  Next, she grabbed the antidepressants and slugged them down.  She was starting to feel really drowsy now and was afraid that she might pass out before she got the red of the meds down.




Susan summoned her will and grabbed her blood pressure medications which had just been filled and started gulping them down with large shots of vodka.  It took her a few handfuls to get them all down but she managed to swallow them down.  Once they were down, she put the bottles back in the drawer so no one could see them and finished off the vodka and hid the bottle under the bed. 




She lay in bed for a few minutes and the phone rang.  The called ID showed that it was Bob.




"He must be calling to apologize" she drowsily thought."




She reached for the phone and had massive heart failure.  Yes, she had done it this time.  The blood pressure medications had done the trick.  Her lifeless body lay on the bed, her arm loosely hanging off of the bed.




When she didn't answer, Bob called back.  No answer.  He tried again.  Still no answer.  After the third time he called the paramedics.




When they got there, rigor mortis had started setting in.  Bob was 1,800 miles away so there was no way he could be there but he had instructed the paramedics to call him and let him know.




The phone rang.  It was the paramedics.
"Hello," said Bob.  "How is she."




"I'm sorry to tell you this.  Are you sitting down."




"Yes."




He already knew what they were going to say.




"She's dead."




"I'm sorry.  I knew it had to happen soon or later."




"We're sorry too, Mr..."




"Bob is fine."




"We're sorry too, Bob."




"Alright.  Thank you.  Goodbye."




Bob hung up the phone, let out a long sigh, then felt a sensation different than what he thought he would feel.  He had been released from the constant worry and torment of her whining and crying about her problems.  What was this sensation coming over him?




For the first time in a very, very long time he felt... relief.



Fairytale Ending

Fairytale Ending




Lucy finally came over from England and filled my life with love.  Besides adopting her son, we had two children of our own.




I went on to complete the WORLDstock project and it was enough to make the world leaders take notice because of the massive amount of participation in the project.  Each major city in the world was overrun with people wanting to live together in peace rather than continue the never-ending wars.




People started looking on others as their neighbors and there was a new level of cooperation in the world.  Whenever there was a problem, people banded together to find a solution.  The air and waters became clean again and the greedy were put out to pasture.
Lucy and I both had illnesses that plagued us from time to time but in the glow of each others' love, they seemed trivial. 




I had lived much longer than I had expected and had now become old and somewhat wrinkled.  Lucy was older too, something she hadn't anticipated at our first meeting, and her medical problems had taken a toll on her as well.




One night after making love, we lay in each others arms and passed from this world into the next.  Our kids, now grown and on their own, got together for their last goodbye and, as we had instructed, threw a party with video clips of the fun and silly moments from our life.  It wasn't a grieving of our deaths but a celebration of our lives and what we had accomplished.




Having been the only true love of my life, Lucy and I were as one in heaven.  We walked the streets of gold, praised God in song, and would stop by ponds to skip rocks across them.  We lived all of eternity living and laughing with one another in our heavenly form and were an inspiration to all who saw us.

Final Chapter

Final Chapter



My life has become dull and boring compared to my younger days.  I wish that I could still go chase down bad guys, go play guitar or cornet and sing at bait camps along the Gulf of Mexico, go dancing and eating at the most exclusive clubs in Houston, and date the most beautiful women in the city but those days are over for me.  Now I lie in bed watching TV, reading facebook, and writing stories and music wishing that my days would soon be over.  Without love in my life nothing seems worthwhile. 






Diane died thirteen years ago on December 19, 2001.  It left a huge hole in my life.  Although I've done some great things in my life since then, nothing even filled the void temporarily except the short periods of love I thought I had found again.  Sadly, every one of those moments were very temporary.  Not one of them really lasted for more than a year.  To have another "'til death do us part" relationship would be wonderful but I don't see it happening again in this lifetime.  Women are too dishonest and greedy these days.  As much as it hurts, I guess it's better to just fade away as I reflect on my former glory... of days spent making love, on days exploring Mayan ruins, of days spent snorkeling in Cancun and Jamaica, of days apprehending criminals, and on days of trying to help the less fortunate, the addicted, and those with psychological problems.  My heart is no longer up to doing those things again without love.

The Pink Pussycat

The dark gray clouds billowed over the seedy part of Houston.  It was Prairie St. which houses various strip clubs, the most obviously named one being The Pink Pussycat.  As a kid I thought it had a pink cat.  As an eighteen year old I learned that it was a strip club.  I had always wanted to go there to find out why they called it The Pink Pussycat. There was also a very old movie theater whose attendants were 98% African American and a few old warehouses.


I had come to the strip to see a double feature of Bruce Lee movies.  I hadn't expected to be the only white martial artist there and was uneasy at first but nobody bothered me.  A huge black man came down the aisle dressed in some type of martial arts armor acting "bad" and stopped a second to stare at me.  I glared back, showing no fear and he moved on.
The movies were great but when they were over I was pumped up and wanted to see what kind of nonviolent entertainment I could find. 
I walked down the street past a few musty buildings with shady businesses and a black woman came out from across the street yelling to me.


"Do you want to get laid?"


"Uh, no thanks."


Being eighteen and having my hormones pumping, I might have considered it but she was a very hefty, ugly black woman.  I just looked forward and kept walking hearing her scream, "Are you queer?"


A few sprinkles started coming down and I came upon a strip club.  Never having been in one, decided to go in and see what they were all about.


I sat down at the bar in the musty old place and ordered a drink.  Soon a barely dressed woman came out and started dancing.  She was wearing pasties but I couldn't keep my eyes off of her stomach.


I couldn't figure out if she had stretch marks or had been slashed across the stomach several times by a knife.  She looked hideous.  I couldn't figure out what the appeal was to men to come to such a strip club.  It turned my stomach.


I finished my drink and ordered another which I gulped down to forget what I had seen.  I tipped the bartender and started making my way back to my car.


When I got to the movie theater, three black men tried to mug me.  I let out a flurry of punches and kicks and they quickly fled.  I then made my way to the back of the building to my car, got in, and left.


I went back several times to watch other martial arts movies but never made it to the end of the block to The Pink Pussycat.  That one experience had been enough for me.



The Jade Dragons

The Jade Dragons

"We've reached it" said Tom.  "There's the entrance to the temple of the twin dragons."

"Do you think the fables are true?" asked David.

"If my research is correct and the dying man was in his right mind when he sold me that info in exchange for giving his children a percentage it is but we'll have to get past the guards in order to get to it."

"Well, what are we waiting for?  Let's go!"

"I said we'd have to get past the guards first.  The old man said that there were two guards hidden on the other side of the gate and several posted throughout the garden leading up to the Jade Dragons.  We'll need a distraction."

"I brought the dynamite.  I could throw some over the gate into the building."

"Alright.  When the guards run toward the building I'll run through the gate and shoot the guards in the back."

David walked up to the wall close to the building and unzipped the green canvas bag he was carrying over his shoulder.  He took out two sticks of dynamite and some twine.  He then tied the two sticks of dynamite together and twisted the dynamite fuses together.  He took a silver toned cigarette lighter out of his pocket, lit the fuses, and waited for them to burn down to about three inches.  At that time he hurled the sticks of dynamite directly at a window with all of his might.  The glass shattered as the dynamite went through the window then a second later there was a huge explosion that collapsed the side of the building causing it to top over toward the wall.

There was mass confusion everywhere as people tried to crawl out from under the furniture and get themselves out of the building to safety.

Both guards ran toward the building expecting that the person who set the charges was somewhere near the building.  Tom ran through the opening and shot one in the back and the other in the chest when he turned around to see where the shot came from.  David had now caught up with Tom.

"Okay Tom.  Which way?"

"The old man said to step on the stones in the water until one of them started to give.  He said that it would activate an entrance to the cave where the Twin Dragons were held."

"Do you think the stories about the ghosts guarding the statue are true?"

"I doubt it.  They were probably Dragon warriors with white makeup on so be on guard for guards on the way to the cave."

The two men started walking on the stepping stones and as soon as Tom stepped on the seventh stone an opening appeared in the nearby brush.

As Tom and Dave moved toward the opening a Dragon warrior jumped out from behind the bushes simultaneously drawing his Samurai sword.  Tom jumped back as the blade narrowly missed his head.  David pulled his gun and fired.  The Samurai dropped to the ground, dropping his blade.

"I guess they weren't ghosts after all." said David.

Tom untied the scabbard from the guard's waist and died it around his own then took the sword in his hand.

Tom and David moved forward finding themselves in a maze.

The hedge maze was intricate, having circular spaces with trees and sometimes a small, clear pond from which to drink.  It took them two days to get to the center.  When they arrived, they saw it.  A double dragon made of jade similar to the one on the entrance.

"It's supposed to have mystical powers" said David.

"We'll see" said Tom.

Tom gently lifted the jade dragon from its pedestal.  Arrows fired from four directions.  Tom and David hit the deck.  One of the arrows scraped David's ear.

"Maybe this statue DOES have mystical powers" said Tom.  "We could have been goners."

"Yeah!" said David.  "Look at my hat pinned to that tree."

"Well, we'd better check our guns and you'd better reload.  Don't forget you fired some shots at that Samurai with the white paint."

"Yes, but he was no match for my pistol, was he?"

"No, but don't get overconfident.  The guards will probably be back at the gate and they may have more posted after the explosion.  We'd better be ready with the Mac 10s this time.  I'll use this sword to clear brush if we need to until we get back to the entrance of the maze."

"Okay boss.  Good thing we made a map so we can get out of this place quicker.  Our food is almost gone."

Tom and Dave dug into their bags and readied their Mac 10s, being sure they were fully loaded and being sure that they could easily reach their spare clips on their belts.  Tom stuffed the Jade Dragons into his backpack.  They were ready and it was time to get started.

"How much did they say they would give you for this statue again, boss?"

"Ten million dollars.  The collector believes that it has lots of special powers."

"Do you really believe that, boss?"

"Who cares.  That's five million clams for each of us.  We'll be living like princes if we can get out of here alive.  Oh, and watch for traps.  Removing the statue may have triggered more than just the arrows."

"Okay, boss."

"Why don't you go ahead and check for traps since I'm carrying this heavy statue."

"Me, boss?"

"Yes YOU!  This statue is going to slow me down.  You can jump out of the way easier."

"Okay, boss.  Wow, I'm going to take a vacation in the Bahamas with lots of pretty girls when we get our money!"

"Just keep your mind on what you're doing.  Stop to read the map then be careful as you proceed.  We don't know what we might run into."

"Okay, boss."

The two men checked their guns and ammo once more and began on their was back to the entrance.  About a quarter way back when they had almost thought that it was going to be easy, two long axes fell from each direction.  They jumped back but the axes cut the tip of the sole of Dave's boot.

"That was close" said Dave.

"Yeah, that's why I said that you should go first.  I wouldn't have been able to jump back in time."

"Smart thinking, boss."

"Be careful as you proceed.  Try not to use your gun unless you have to.  We don't want to alert those gooks that we're back here."

"Okay, boss."

The men proceeded carefully on their way.  Again, it was another quarter way before Dave felt something move down under his foot.

"Jump!" yelled Dave.

Two swords shot out from the hedge in each direction, one of them knocking the gun out of Tom's hand.  Tom bent down and picked up his gun.

"That one was closer" said Tom.

"Do you think we'll get out of here alive?"

"I don't know but we're going to have to be more careful."

"Okay, boss."

The two men started on their way again, this time trying to watch for anything that could trigger another trap.  They got a little over three quarters of the way back and heard a growl.

"Did you hear that, boss?"

"Yeah.  Keep a look out."

"Do you think it's a dragon" asked Dave.

"It sounded more like a big cat to me.  Be careful.  They're dangerous and powerful.  I'll try to use the Samurai sword to kill it if we have to but you keep that Mac 10 ready just in case."

"Okay, boss.  Do you think you can kill it with a sword?"

"Samurai swords are very sharp.  They're supposed to be able to cut through metal.  Let's just hope they can cut through the bones of a lion or a tiger.   If we get near some trees be sure you look up before proceeding.  Some big cats pounce on their prey from a tree limb."

"Okay, boss.  I'm scared though.  I don't want to become tiger food."

"Just keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.  Remember, they can jump pretty far and their muscles are like steel."

"Now I'm REALLY scared, boss!"

"Just relax and stay sharp and we'll make it out of here."

"Okay, boss."

They came to the next opening and David stopped to check the map.

"RAAAWWrrr!"

"Boss, it sounds closer.  Are you sure we're going to get out of this maze alive?"

"You never know."

"Don't say that, boss.  You're scarin' me!"

"Keep your boots on and keep your gun ready.  If the cat comes after us, jump back beside me and keep your gun ready so I can take a whack at it first."

"Okay, boss.  I'll remember."

They followed the map back trough the maze.  Dave stopped under a tree at the next turn.  A giant jaguar pounced on him ripping the map in two and knocking Dave to the ground.  Tom struck out with the Samurai sword slicing the Jaguar's head neatly off.

"Damn it Dave!  I told you to watch the trees!  You could have been killed."

"I'm sorry, boss.  I'm sorry, boss."

"Yeah, you'd be sorrier if you were dead right now."

"How would I be sorry if I were dead, boss?"

"You know what I mean."

Dave pushed the jaguar's limp body off of him and got up.

"Look.  Your arm is bleeding" said Tom.  "Stop here a minute and I'll bandage your arm."

"Okay, boss."

Tom took off his backpack, reached in, and pulled out some medical supplies.  He opened the bottle of alcohol.

"Brace yourself.  This is going to sting a little."

"Okay, boss.  I'm ready.  That jaguar's claws were so sharp that I didn't feel it."

"It's okay.  It's just a scratch.  Maybe this statue DOES have some kind of power of protection."

Tom poured some alcohol on Dave's wound.

"OUCH" yelled Dave.

" Keep quiet!  We're getting close to the entrance.  I told ya it was going to sting a little."

Tom put the top back on the alcohol and returns it to his backpack.  He then took some gauze and tape and bandaged Dave's arm.  When the first aid supplies were put away the men stood up.

"Let's get on our way.  You go first again."

"Why me, boss?"

"Do I really have to tell you again?"

"No, boss."

The men started making their way back through the maze.  They were getting tired and hungry so they stopped to eat.

"Well, this is the last of the food" said Tom.  "We'd better eat and rest awhile.  We don't know what else we might run into."

"Okay, boss."

They ate the last of their food and laid on the ground using their backpacks as a pillow.

"Do you think we'll run into anymore cats" asked Dave.

"It's hard to say.  Removing that statue seems to have triggered a number of traps."

"I sure hope we make it out alive.  I can almost taste those drinks in the coconut shells and feel those pretty women all over me.  What are you going to do with your money, boss?"

"I haven't decided yet.  I'll probably invest most of it but I'll buy a new house and car for sure.  Nothing too fancy but comfortable and reliable.  I'll probably take a short vacation too."

"Good ideas, boss.  Where are you gonna go?"

"I have a gal in the UK that I might drop in on for a surprise visit.  I've never been there and I'm sure she'll be surprised to see me.  Maybe TOO surprised if you know what I mean.  I'll see how it goes.  She broke my heart but maybe things will go better in person:  Maybe they won't."

"I sure hope they do, boss."

"Thanks, Dave.  So do I.  I don't think I can take the heartbreak a second time.  Now, let's get some sleep."

"Okay, boss."

When the two awoke the next morning, a cobra was on Dave's chest.  Dave froze up and the cobra spread its hood.

"Don't move a muscle" said Tom.  "I'll try to get the sword out of the sheath and cut its head off."

Dave didn't say a word.  He just lay there staring into the cobra's eyes.

Tom slowly pulled the sword out of its sheath trying not to make any noise or sudden movements.  He slowly got up on one knee next to Dave and readied the sword.

SWOOSH!  Off came the cobra's head.  Dave jumped up as fast as he could, knocking the body on the ground and the head into the hedge.

"Why it didn't strike when you jerked, I don't know."

"It must be the statue, boss."

"Yeah, yeah.  I don't really believe in that mumbo jumbo but I'm starting to wonder myself.  Check your weapons and let's get a move on."

"Okay, boss."

They continued toward the entrance of the maze without further incident.

I guess they figured the jaguar would get us if nothing else did" said Tom.

"I guess so, boss."

As they approached the entrance they heard some Chinese yelling and heard the shuffle of a large number of feet.

"Oh crap!" whispered Tom.  They must have found the body of the ghost Samurai.  Take the safety off of your Mac 10 and get ready for a fight."

Tom and Dave approached the opening and saw a company of Samurai awaiting them with their swords drawn.  Tom and Dave unleashed a hail of fire each using short bursts for maximum effectiveness.  Dave ran out of ammo first and quickly ejected the clip and grabbed a new one from his belt.  The remaining Samurai charged and Tom took two of them out before his clip was empty.  Tom grabbed a clip from his belt and the remaining Samurai took a swing at him.  Tom jumped back and wasn't cut but his ammo belt was sliced in half and dropped to the ground.  Dave shot the Samurai in the back.

"They know we're here now" said Tom.  We're going to play hell getting past those guards at the gate.  Do you have any ammo left?"

"I have one clip left."

"Good.  Let me stick my clip in my gun and get the last clip off of my ammo belt."

Tom inserted his clip and cocked his Mack 10.  He then bent down and removed the clip from the severed belt and put it in his pocket.

"We have to get back over the stones and make a run for the gate.  Try to take out the guards on our way.  Watch for guards coming from the rear."

"Will do, boss."

The men made it across the stones and made a run for the gate.  The guards called out and more men started coming from the area of the damaged building.

"Take out the guards at the gate first" yelled Tom.

Dave complied then they both turned and fired at the approaching crowd.  The crowd stopped and turned back for a moment as Dave and Tom ran through the gate toward their jeep.  Just as they got the backpacks loaded into the jeep, men started coming through the gate.  Dave and Tom released one last hail of bullets toward the gate killing enough men to semi-block the entrance.  Tom jumped into the driver's side and David into the passenger's side and the men sped off to meet the buyer.

The men arrived at the buyer's house and were met at the door by the bodyguard.  The bodyguard led the men inside to the buyer's chamber.

"Do you have the jade dragons?"

"Yes" said Tom as he pulled it out of his backpack.

"Good, good" said the buyer.  "Here is your money."

"What does that thing do" asked Dave.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yeah, yeah" exclaimed Tom and Dave in unison.

The buyer rubbed the Jade Dragons.  The statue started to glow.  Suddenly, they buyer turned into two green dragons and ate the men.  The statue stopped glowing and the buyer turned back into a man.

"Put the money back in the safe" said the buyer.

"Yes sir" said the bodyguard.

"It's a shame that they were so curious.  They could have been rich men."

Copyright © 2015 Cal Jennings

Update On My Health

Update on my health: I haven't had any deep contractions of my heart today (yet) but it's still not beating like it should. Walking is difficult so I'm back in bed. I guess I'm just going to have bed rest until my heart decides what it's going to do.


 I'm not fretting about Lucy because if someone really loves you with all of their heart and soul and is afraid of losing you they are going to desire to be with you, not say that they don't want to have a relationship. Those are two opposing statements. Actions speak louder than words so she showed me which one she really meant. As good as it felt to hear someone say that they lobed me with all their heart and soul, without actions to back it up, it's meaningless.


 So, now all that's left is waiting to see if my blood flow slowed down so much that it's going to kill me. The capillaries to the heart that supply it with blood are tiny, plug easily, and most often can't be unplugged without some kind of miracle. Lucy was my miracle for awhile and some of them did miraculously unplug but now I guess they're plugging again. I can feel it because when the heart starts losing oxygen it starts dying and is painful. I evidently have a lot of sensitive nerves in my heart because the doctor says that most people can't feel it.


 Well, my heart just started contracting again. I hoped that I would be past this and I might have a better chance. I guess it's still a waiting game. I WOULD have to be one of the few men who is susceptible to Broken Heart Syndrome.