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| [Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 6:25 pm] |
| Subject: Log #26: The Story of the Lone Wolf and Lady Luck |
Milly was having trouble adapting to daily life again after the "dumpster incident" as she'd branded it in her mind. Milly had been around for a long time, had seen a lot of funny things: zombies, apocolypses, an honest politician, just to name a few. And throughout her life it was common knowledge vampires fed off of humans, a fact as old as night and day but Milly never had it stare into her face like that. Suddenly the fact became a face and the face was a dead 6-year-old girl. And everywhere Milly went in Searchlight she knew there were vampires and demons sleeping in cellars or in the hills, waiting burrowed in their own night must, just waiting to come out and wander Searchlight and suddenly Milly began to feel restless. Her fingers itched and she scratched them by putting all of her clothes into her suitcase, packing up all her belongings, saying goodbye to Liam and telling him he was sorry she was leaving, and getting into her car. Milly drove away from the hotel beginning to feel as though a burden had been lifted off of her chest except for one thing. She fingered Devon's address and pulled in front of the numbers matching with the one of the paper. She sighed and got out.
Devon stirred from a restless night of sleep and sat up to stretch his neck from side to side. His head was pounding and his arm was aching. He always woke up this way, he put it down to the night before. He tossed the covers back and rested his feet against the ground as he yawned and took to blinking his eyes. His dark hair was a mess and his hands threaded through it. His green eyes slid to where the dagger rested on the ground. Blood stained the metal of the blade but he ignored it and lifted himself to his feet and went in search of a pair of jeans. Those were usually a good idea when you had nothing but a pair of boxer shorts on.
( Painful Goodbye )
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How Milly ever drove out of Searchlight during a temporary state of salty, wet blindness without getting into a serious car accident was a miracle but all she knew was that somehow she was passed the diner and all its shitty glory, the graveyard and the very hotel that'd been home for the past eight months. She thought about everything that had happened in Searchlight and she thought a lot about Devon which only added further traffic danger.
But after driving for a few minutes she wiped her eyes and face and focused them straight down the road, saying to herself, "Mantra for today: you will not cry. Big girls don't cry." The sun began to burn hot now that it creeped closer to noon than dawn and Milly rolled down the window to let in a breeze. It grazed her cheeks and she told herself she would be fine so long as she looked for and chased the sun.
Milly gunned the car and sped away. |
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| [Sunday, February 13, 2005 at 6:33 pm] |
| Subject: Cat Nap |
Milly liked to watch Liam handle the gigantic broomstick towering well over two feet above his head as he swept Unseen Insight's floor. Everyday for the past two months after the last customer would leave and Liam locked the door and pulled down the blinds, he'd pop into his original demon form and fetch the dustpan and broom while Milly pulled out the newspaper and did the crossword.
"Is something the matter?" asked Liam one evening at Milly's furrowed brow as he straightened up and took the intruding human hairs and dust to the garbage can.
"Yeah. What's a six-lettered word for 'doze'?" asked Milly. She tapped her pencil's eraser against her thin lips in deep introspection.
Liam hoisted the plastic bag out of the garbage with a soft grunt and slung the bundle over his shoulder. Milly heard his suggestion of "cat nap" over the clicking of his long toenails against the floor on the way to the back alleyway and saw the "a" in "nap" fitted with the other word.
"Ha! Stupid humans...think they can fool us with their tricky crosswords." Milly was scribbling the answer furiously away when Liam came back still carrying the garbage bag and his beady eyes plagued by some unspoken disturbance behind his thick spectacles.
Before Milly could ask Liam answered. "There is a body in the dumpster. What should we do?"
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Milly watched the coroner and the policeman talk sotto voce outside the open back door.
"---Damn shame we didn't find her in time---"
"---Puncture marks on the neck---"
Liam had switched into his human form and was giving his story to another investigator near the runic shelves. Milly was having difficulty concentrating on her investigator's questions. He seemed to realize this and suggested they leave the store and drive down to the station where it would be quieter. Milly just wanted to go home.
Liam spotted Milly ushering she was leaving and nodded with tacit understanding he'd pass onto Aidan what'd happened. Milly gathered her things and followed the investigator into the police crusier. In the car mirror (OBJECTS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR) she saw them wheel a black body bag just large enough to fit a child into the waiting ambulance. She shut her eyes and clutched her purse tightly against her chest suddenly feeling like the cruiser was a confinement and everything was too small and hot.
She could feel the investiagtor's indifferent brown eyes on her. "Miss, are you all right?" he asked.
Breathe. Milly let out a breath and nodded but didn't open her eyes. "Yeah. Just drive."
She kept her eyes shut for the entire ride as they drove past the Nugget where she would've gone in for dinner like any other night and especially past Searchlight's desert where everything except for the cacti was dry, barren and dead. |
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| [Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 7:58 pm] |
| Subject: 212-854-7234 |
Milly's head was spinning as she put on her bra and the rest of her clothing in the darkness of early morning. Showering woukd've been nice but she was already late from her usual schedule. She didn't turn on the lights incase they woke up Devon who was still curled in bed.
Devon... Milly glanced down at him, thinking to the moment she woke up and found her body fitting into every crook and angle of his. She'd forgotten what it felt like to wake up next to someone like that. It'd been a while. Milly pulled the covers up to his chin, fondly caressed his hair and left to go pick up Bernard's breakfast from the diner.
Milly drove towards a rising sun when she arrived back at the hotel with a bag of muffins and black coffee. She grabbed the meal-to-go and knocked on Bernard's door. Nobody answered. Milly knocked again but when nobody came and Milly was still standing alone in the row of closed doors she put her hand on the doorknob and found it was unlocked.
She tentatively opened the door. "Bernard?" she called. "Are you here?"
The bathroom door was opened which ruled out any toiletry needs he might've been fullfilling. Milly set the muffins and coffee next to last night's left-overs on the table in the corner and eyed the untouched bed. She looked around the room for any clue that'd explain his disappearance.
"Guess they did it," muttered Milly to herself when it finally dawned on her what'd happened.
She started to leave when a piece of paper sitting on the nighstand caught her attention. Milly picked it up.
Tommy
Peter
Larry
Micheal
James
Marie
Cooper
The list went on rattling off the names of people now dead Milly guessed. Son of a bitch must've remembered somehow. Her eyes followed Bernard's hectic handwriting until they stopped at a particular name.
Danny
Bernard had circled it. Milly gripped the paper tighter at the sight of his name and her mouth went dry. Why had he circled his? It couldn't have been possible. Dan was long dead by now. Milly's eyes followed the series of phone numbers Bernard had jotted down next to it.
212-906-7844
212-703-2389
212-466-6745
212-854-7234
And there it was. The magic number he'd been searching for as a connection to his past... and Milly's. Milly sank down onto the bed and her hand dropped onto her lap. |
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| [Friday, December 17, 2004 at 7:15 am] |
| Subject: Too Old |
Bernard stared at his alarm clock and saw in exactly four hours Milly would come as usual, bringing burgers and fries maybe or something from the diner. The drab walls that at first had provided so much solace felt like a prison. He opened the door and stepped out. He had four hours to kill after all.
He didn’t have a car but he liked to walk out in the sun, his feet drumming the dry baked earth. He walked until he reached an ice cream parlor. He didn’t have any money. He should have asked Milly for some though whether she’d give it to him or not, Bernard was unsure.
She tensed whenever he accidentally brushed her, her eyes would always avert when he tried to catch hers, she alienated him, refused to tell him anything about himself other than his name and for a woman who so graciously opened her pocketbook in finding him a place to stay, she was cold.
“Want a free sample of our peppermint ice cream, sir?” asked the man behind the counter.
“That would be nice. Thanks.”
He took a seat outside on the street, licking the generous spoonful of the holiday spirits. He wondered if he had any family. He wondered if they missed him.
Two unsupervised young boys were fighting outside of the ice cream parlor arguing about who got the bigger scoop. Bernard watched them from the corner of his eye. I think I have a son, maybe two.
The argument left the verbal premises and the younger one suddenly docked the more older looking one in the stomach, a sad mistake. Bernard stood up, having finished his spoonful and tossed it in the garbage. The bigger one punched him across the side of his face and the smaller one hesitated than kicked him in the shin. This only caused another punch on his nose sending two streams of crimson blood dripping out of his nose.
At this point the boy ran but into Bernard who instinctively grabbed him by the back of the neck and turned him around. “You don’t ever run,” said Bernard and pushed him back towards the other boy who clearly basked in triumphant arrogance.
“Kick him if you can, in the stomach. It’ll bring him down,” Bernard added in his ear and the boy, motivated by this, started charging back when their mother came out and scolded them both. She eyed Bernard as they started to leave and the blood spots on his shirt.
“Nice boys you have there,” said Bernard politely. He smoothed back his gray hair and stuck his hands into his pockets and straightened his back, things he never knew made him look more intimidating and feral but common knowledge to him in another life.
The woman felt unnerved and grabbed her children and walked quickly away. Bernard watched her go and slid his hands out of his pockets feeling intensely offended. In another life, she would have given him respect.
But he was too old for that now. |
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| [Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 7:01 pm] |
| Subject: Log #25: Others [William] |
For the past week the shop had been magically void of customers and Bible thumpers alike, giving Milly the opportunity to utilise the time in her research into resurrections. With one hand skimming over the large text book opened on the counter and the other selecting left over fries from her boxed-lunch, Milly studied the penned images closer. She studied a particular picture of Jesus emerging from the tomb.
William had not heard from Connor or Aidan, and he decided, rather then trying to get in touch with Aidan, he would head to the book shop and try to get books on runes so he could interpret them himself. He arrived at Unseen Insight and pushed the door open. he loved the way the bookstore smelled, and he got a brief moment of joy from it. He looked aorund, and then headed up to the counter.
( Talk ) |
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| [Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 4:30 pm] |
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| [Saturday, December 4, 2004 at 9:59 pm] |
| Subject: Log #24: And Everything Went Hazy [Devon] |
Devon did a lot of walking, mostly to get out of that room and to clear his head. He found being outside helped him with a great many things. One was the beast, it liked being outside and if walking meant it was quiet. He was quite happy to walk, even at this time of the morning. He was dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans and a black shirt. His hands were tucked in the back pockets and his chunky boots crunched over the sand as he walked. But he paused as the air seemed to change, a scent wrapped around him and he knew only one person who wore that perfume.
" Hello Amy." He commented without even looking behind him.
Amy laughed softly." You were always quite good at knowing when I was near, Devon." Her hand traced his back and her face leaned in close to his as she appeared behind him." It's nice to know not everything has changed." Her voice was soft and almost gentle. She circled around him and stood in front of him.
" What do you want?" He asked calmly.
Amy smirked lightly." I just wanted to talk. You know, like we used to. Before everything changed." She stepped towards him and curled her hands around his shirt." Why did things change, Devon?" Her dark blue eyes looked up at Devon almost imploringly. To any onlooker, they looked quite cosy.
Milly drove down the lone street in the early rays of morning on her way to work. She'd been going in earlier and earlier to read through the available texts hoping to come across the answer to her Bernard problems. So far no cigar. There was always the possibility Milly could just kill him off. It wouldn't be very hard. Lace his meal with poison, that'd be one way of sending him back to where he came from. The camry filled with Milly's dry laughter at her own dark humor before it became quiet again. "I'm not a murderer," she said outloud as if that would solidify the fact. Milly continued driving along when she spotted a woman and a man standing on the sidewalk. She drove past them without thinking twice until on a whim she looked into the rear-view mirror and saw that it wasn't just any man but Devon. Milly barely had time to react to a stop sign as she tried to recover. Who was that woman? Something compelled Milly to park around the corner of the block and climb out to find out. She stood hidden by the corner of the building, watching the woman nearly throw herself at Devon, the floozy.
( The Fly on the Wall )
( Shit )
( The Kiss ) |
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| [Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 7:39 pm] |
| Subject: Log #23: Fill These Empty Hands [Devon] |
No-one had moved from that motel room in hours. All that could be heard from within those four walls was talking. There was the occasional shout and the occasional bump which usually signified someone had gotten hit. Devon was pushed well beyond his patience. Eventually after a lot more discussion, the group decided that they should talk at another time.
Amy rose from where she was sat and muttered." Let's go, Paul." Paul was the larger man who had a black eye and a cut lip courtesy of Devon. Devon had a cut to his eyebrow and a bruise was forming on his right cheek. Paul and Devon did not get on, Paul hated that Devon was a part of "his" pack and so they fought and Amy had done nothing to stop them.
Devon got to his feet and watched as they walked towards the door. His arms slid across his chest which in turn stretched the material of his black t-shirt over his biceps. Amy paused and looked back to Devon." We'll be seeing you." She glanced to Paul and gestured towards the door. Paul quickly hurried forward and opened it so Amy could walk out.
Milly trudged down the dimly lit hall carrying a bag of groceries in the crook of a pale, goose-pimpled arm while its hand nosed through her purse for her hotel keys. Her breath came out in white wisps and she sniffed her running nose against the evening cold. All she wanted was a hot shower and a warm bed but as she approached the hotel room, she was met by the cold stares of two strangers exiting. Milly's brown eyes followed them as they pushed past her and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Her feet began to pick up. Milly bursted into the room calling, "Devon?"
( So Damn Noble ) |
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| [Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at 10:35 pm] |
| Subject: Sorry. |
The smell of McDonald fries infested Milly’s nose as she carried the offending meal out of her car to Bernard’s room. She knocked on his door and he immediately answered in the white t-shirt and shorts she had bought him from the general store.
Bernard stepped aside to let her in saying, “I’m glad you’re here. Come on in. Man, I’m starving!”
Milly stood there in the sweltering heat pretending not to take notice of his invitation which she wouldn’t accept for anything in the world. She handed him his lunch: the two number fours and Dr. Peppers and started to leave once he became busy rooting through the bag.
“Milly? Where are you going? Aren’t you going to stay?” asked Bernard when he noticed her leaving.
“No. Sorry but they need me down at the shop,” said Milly.
“I asked for two meals today because I thought maybe you’d like to join me?” His voice was sickeningly hopeful. Milly hadn’t realized how lonely he was up until now.
“I’m real sorry but they’re swamped down there.”
“You know, Milly, I’m really thankful for all you’ve been doing for me. If it wasn’t for you I’d probably be sleeping out on a bench somewhere.”
Milly smiled meekly and said, “Probably.”
Bernard stepped out of the air-conditioned hotel room closer towards her still hopeful. “Are you sure you can’t stay just for a while?”
“I’m sorry but I can’t.”
His face fell but he recovered with a smile. “Oh, that’s too bad. Some other time then. Will I be seeing you later tonight?”
“For dinner, yes.”
“Have a good day at work then! Bye Milly.”
“I’ll see you later Bernard.” |
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| [Saturday, November 27, 2004 at 11:44 pm] |
| Subject: Please |
Bernard often visited Milly in her dreams. Sometimes he came into her hotel room and drowned her in the bathtub. Other times she would be standing outside of Unseen Insight and he would come after her with a knife. He electrocuted her, pushed her off of a cliff, strangled her and one time had even set her on fire. But the most reoccuring and strangest was him shooting her. "Chicken," he'd say and then bang! Milly wasn't sleeping well.
She left work and drove down to the diner for dinner. It was empty when she walked in and Milly pulled off her jacket and threw it onto the other side of the booth seat. She looked around for a waitor or waitress but found none. "When you think the service here can't get any worse," she muttered.
Milly got up from her table and went towards the back to see if she could catch somebody there. She peered into the kitchen through the circular window on the swinging doors and spotted a waitress at the back entrance with her back facing Milly. It looked like she was talking to somebody. Glimpses, fleeting words.
( Please ) |
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| [Thursday, November 25, 2004 at 11:09 am] |
| Subject: Crooked Maps |
Lady Luck,
Please join me this Thursday night at 7 PM at Caesars Palace for an evening of Blackjack. I have included a sum to ensure your transportation here will not be an issue.
Sincerely,
W. Adams
( Crooked Maps ) |
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| [Sunday, November 21, 2004 at 3:54 pm] |
| Subject: Log #22: Stale Air [Bethany] |
Bethany drew her car to a stop outside of her club. She slipped out of the side and took her bag with her. Long blonde hair was tied back and her body was clothed in a red silk suit. A colour that only Bethany of all people could pull off. But then again, she looked good in most everything because she knew how to work the outfits she wore. She locked her car and hummed a soft tune as she slipped into her club which was quiet as it was before opening hours.
A telltale car pulled up to the streets moments later after Bethany had slipped inside. The driver was none other than Milly, still dressed in her work get-up though she had washed away the majority of her make-up in the woman's bathroom after her client's successful one million dollar win. She thought back to Elfleda's last visit. "I want you to visit her... Say what you are... Say you're from Beth... And give her as much good fortune as possible... She requires it. I want you to soak it all in, darling Milly... To positively bathe her in the stuff." And here she was, though why she was positively eluded Milly. She got out of the car and slowly opened the door to the club and called, "Hello? Is anybody here?"
( Two Beth's ) |
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| [Sunday, November 21, 2004 at 12:28 pm] |
| Subject: Rosalind |
Devon,
Went to Vegas. Will be back Sunday.
-M
( Rosalind ) |
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| [Thursday, November 18, 2004 at 7:55 pm] |
| Subject: Log #21: Tying Loose Strings [Darian] |
Milly suppressed a yawn as she pulled her car into its usual spot adjacent to the store. She grabbed her coffee from out of the cup holder and started across the street, taking a minute to glance up at the weather which proved to be another clear and potentially beautiful day. The normality of heading into the shop and heading up towards her desk contrasted oddly with the events of the past couple of days. Just another day in Searchlight, she thought to herself and smiled wryly.
A man in polished, black shoes made his way down the center of the narrow sidewalk, never side-stepping as other pedestrians approached. His eyes were focused beyond them, on a bookstore with a green front. The corners of his mouth lifted as the dark-haired clerk hurried inside, a cup of coffee in her hand. He'd known that she would be there at just that moment, and had timed his appearance accordingly. A pale hand reached for the handle and he stepped inside, pausing to run his eyes over the interior before let them rest on the woman. "Good morning, Milly."
( Darian ) |
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| [Sunday, November 14, 2004 at 3:03 pm] |
| Subject: Log #20: The Way You Do The Things You Do [Devon] |
Milly risked an hour to drive back to the hotel room for a quick shower and a change of clothes. The realization that she hadn't been into work for the past couple of days also drove her to leave a message on Emmeline's answering machine before Milly drove back to the hospital. She came in with damp hair and proceeded back to Devon's room. She opened the door just a crack and quietly let herself back in.
Devon stirred awake at the sound of the door opening, his sense of hearing hadn't been damaged luckily enough. Very slowly, his green eyes opened and they came to fall on Milly." Hey." He murmured softly, his voice was deep and slightly throaty due to the fact he hadn't drank anything in the last couple of days. He shifted slowly so he was now sat up and he noticed for the first time in a while, nothing hurt. He hoped this meant, his healing had kicked in.
( Normal )
( Sorta Dangerous ) |
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