Monthly Archives: January 2024

Two Souls: Into the Fire # 256

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Two Souls: Into the Fire # 256

Warning … adult content

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Ghost kept on talking about the way animals acted in the wild. “You know you should be friends with all of mother nature,” he said, when he saw Steve rolling his eyes at him. “Yeah, Steve, you should always talk nice to animals, even if you don’t really like them much, like skunks.”

Steve raised his eyebrow, “Yeah, what about spiders, Ghost? What about them?”

“All but them. They’re nasty and mean,” Ghost said. “Don’t squish them, but don’t get to be friends with them, either, ’cause they are traitors.” He shivered at the thought of them.

“We’ll keep that in mind, for sure,” Linda said.

Steve was yawning, now. “I need to get some sleep. How’re we gonna do this?”

“I’m clearing a place in the back of the van, so the kids can stretch out,” Linda said. “I’ll do my best up front, and I’ll be locking the doors.” She looked over at the kids. “Okay, you two, let’s go…camp out in the car tonight.” Stevie and Mandy scampered over to the van, with Linda following.

Steve had stood up, stretching. “You go ahead, Steve,” Ghost said. “You can lay down in the U-Haul seat. I’m not really sleepy, yet, and I’m gonna write awhile.”

“I’m not even going to argue with you,” Steve said. “If you do get ready to sleep, just crawl on in, and I’ll scootch over.”

“Okay, I will,” Ghost said. They went over to the U-Haul. Ghost got out his back pack, and their flashlight. As he reached for a couple of candy bars to snack on, Steve grabbed him around the waist. Pushing back the hood of Ghost’s shirt, he entwined his fingers through his hair, and pulled him close, for a kiss.

“We need to be alone, Ghost. I need you real bad, and soon,” Steve said, breathing warm breath on Ghost’s neck.

“I know, me too, Steve…now…here?” Ghost whispered.

“Umm, yes…now, here,” Steve said. “I’ll get a blanket.” He went around back, and unlocked the door, then rummaged around for a couple of blankets. He got a couple for Linda and the kids, too. He took those over to the van.

“Here, sis,” he said, when she rolled down the window. “Now, roll the window back up, and make sure all the doors are locked. If you need something, call on the phone, or just start honking the horn.”

“Thanks, Steve, I will,” Linda said. “Good night…”

Steve went back to Ghost.

~

Ghost was watching, as Steve walked back to him. His breath came faster, and he licked his lips. He grinned, when Steve kept walking on by, heading to the front of the truck, motioning for him to follow. There, in front of the U-Haul, but not quite to the bushes and tall grass, Steve spread out a blanket.

“Come here, Ghost,” he whispered. They sank down onto the blanket, and kissed.

“It’s been so long. I was wanting to be with you so much,” Ghost said.

“Mmm, me too, with you. It’s just hard to find a time when we can be alone together,” Steve said, as he ran his hands up under Ghost shirt.

Ghost closed his eyes, and sighed. “Don’t stop…keep going.” He tugged at Steve’s clothes, and soon they were skin to skin. As they made love under the stars, the warm breeze gently caressed them, then cooled them. Steve pulled the other blanket over them, and they fell asleep, with only the wild animals keeping watch.

~

As dawn broke, the sun tinged the sky a soft pink. Linda woke, feeling stiff from her night in the car. The kids were still sleeping soundly, so she eased herself out, wishing she had some coffee. In the back of the van, she looked into the cooler. It was just melted ice water, now, but floating around in it was a can of coke. She grabbed it, wiping it off on her jeans.

She walked over to the U-Haul, to peek in, wondering if they were awake. Standing up on the running-board, she was surprised to see neither of them in there. “Huh?” she murmured. Stepping down, she looked toward the picnic table, but no one was there, either. Frowning, she looked around the area, which was still mostly in shadows. She was getting worried, now, and confused. She walked back toward the table, and looked back toward the truck, finally seeing the two blanketed forms there in front.

“Oh, there they are,” she said. She walked closer, noticing clothes flung haphazardly around. “Ohh….” she said, realizing what she was walking into. Turning away, she tip-toed back toward the van, trying to stifle a giggle, but she didn’t quite manage either one. She tripped on a stick, the same one Ghost had used earlier. Falling down, she scraped the palms of her hands on the ground.

“Oww,” she hollered, then just rolled on over, half giggling and half crying. She was making enough noise, now, that it woke up Steve and Ghost.

Steve, forgetting he was without clothes on, ran over to help his sister up. Ghost just sat and stared. “Steve, Steve…” he hissed, “your pants.” But, Steve didn’t hear him.

He grabbed Linda’s hands to help her up, and she hollered again. “Oh, my God, Steve…get your pants on.” She had covered her eyes, and now was laughing aloud at what they must look like.

“What?” he asked. Then it registered, what she had said. “Oh, shit.” He ran back toward the U-Haul, to get his clothes, but still thought Linda was hurt, so he turned back toward her. This made Linda laugh even more, but she pointed, and said, “Go…I’m okay.”

He went, but was so flustered, he couldn’t find his clothes, so jerked the end of the blanket to cover himself, not seeing that Ghost had wrapped it all around himself, with only his face showing.

“Hey, stop,” Ghost yelled, as Steve ripped the blanket from him. It came unwound.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Ghost,” he said, then started laughing. Ghost was scrambling to cover himself with whatever he could find. Finally finding his jeans, he stood up, turned around, and calmly put them on.

“Y’all are the crazy ones,” Ghost said, as he faced Steve and Linda, again. Going over to Linda, he held out his hand to help her up. She was wiping her eyes of tears from laughing so hard.

“I’m sorry, Ghost. I couldn’t help it…Steve was so funny.” Ghost laughed too, now the the incident was winding down. Steve, by now, had gotten dressed, and he stalked over to the picnic table.

“Laugh, go ahead, both of y’all,” he said, as he passed by them.

Ghost and Linda looked at each other, and shrugged. “Well, it was funny,” Ghost said. He went over to Steve, sitting by him at the table.

“Steve?”

“What?”

“You’re not mad, are you?”

Steve lifted a shoulder, and shook his head. “Naw, but it was embarrassing,” he said.

“I know,” Ghost said. They sat there a few minutes.

“We need to get back on the road, and find somewhere to eat breakfast,” Steve said.

“Yeah, I’ll go see if Linda’s about ready,” Ghost said.

Steve gathered up their scattered blankets, and began checking the U-Haul, while Ghost talked with Linda. They were just about to get going, when several guys on motorcycles rumbled into the rest area. They pulled in, one by one…five of them…two with their biker babes on the back.

“Let’s go…now,” Steve said. He saw Linda safely to the van. “Lock the doors,” he said. He walked toward the U-Haul, urging Ghost silently to get in. One of the bikers noticed Steve.

“Hey, dude…camp out here all night?” he hollered over. “Got any grub ya wanna share?” another guy asked.

Steve wanted to ignore them, but didn’t think it would be a good idea, so he just said, “We’re just leaving. No grub left, sorry.” He kept walking.

“Wait up. Who’s that pretty mama in the car? She yours? She got anything to eat?”

Steve stopped, facing the guy. “She ain’t got any food, either. Leave her alone.”

“Hey, you got a funny accent, dude…where ya from?” the guy asked. Then spying the license plates on the van, he said, “Oh, Cal-I-For-Ni-A,” he laughed.

“Yeah, and we gotta get going,” Steve said. “Nice talking to ya.”

Giving him a look, the guy said, “Well, ain’t you friendly.” He nudged his buddy. “Ain’t he?”

“Leave him alone,” said one of the biker’s women. “They’re leaving, and we got things to do.”

He brushed her hand off his arm. “Go back over there, now,” he told her. At that, they all turned to look at Linda.

She had started the van’s engine, and gave Steve a nod. He knew she would run the guy down, if he gave her a signal to. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Ghost was just out of the biker’s sight, by the U-Haul. In fact, he’d not been noticed, yet.

Ghost was holding his pistol, and it was aimed right, straight at the biker.

***

***

***

Next part coming soon!

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2019 BS

***

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.

All songs included in this work will be solely owned by the original performers/writers and will be credited. Creative license is taken in including them in this story.

No harm is intended toward author, musicians, or people and situations to whom there may be a resemblance.

warning warning warning warning

The content herein is rated by me as being at the high end of MA (Mature Audience). It includes strong language, violence, sexual themes, including same sex pairings, religious themes, and fantasy horror.

Finish Line – Just Jot It January # 31 & One Liner Wednesday

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Finish Line – Just Jot It January # 31 & One Liner Wednesday  

One-Liner Wednesday & #JusJoJan24 the 31st – Goals

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You have got to decide, look, this is who I am; this is my best way to present myself, and I’m going to ride that horse to the finish line. Not everybody will like it, but that’s OK.  ~  Phil McGraw

***

So, we that participated in the Just Jot It January had a goal. We wanted to do our best to get to the finish line, by blogging every day. I think we did this, and I liked reading everyone’s posts.

I have enjoyed doing this for several years including this one. I appreciate everyone who visited and liked and commented here.

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

Flower of the Day – Mixed Arrangement

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Flower of the Day – Mixed Arrangement

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Here’s a pretty arrangement of pink tulips, and some yellow and pink flower clusters. They might be hydrangea, but I’m not sure. I like the vases they are in. Could be a red see through vase, or red colored water. Looks pretty. 🙂

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

Just Jot It January # 30 – Calendar

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Just Jot It January # 30 – Calendar  

Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 30th, 2024

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We like calendars, the paper kind with pretty pictures that you can hang up. Every year we buy several to have around the house. We have two in the kitchen, one in each bedroom, and one in each bathroom. I also have one … no two, right here by my computer desk. One on the shelf and one hanging up.

We bought some, we got some for Christmas gifts, and one was a free one from our mechanic’s place.

My Mr. writes in the squares any appointments we have. Well, mostly his, because I can’t reach that one. My appointment cards stay on the microwave top so I know I’ll be reminded of them.

Sometimes I remember to change the month right on time, but sometimes it will be the middle of the month before I suddenly remember to do that.

We mostly like the calendars to be pictures of animals … cats, dogs, horses, birds. There are a few other kinds, like we have had ferrets, and hedgehogs. Last year was “I Love Lucy” TV show pictures. I’ve had skeletons, and poetry ones, too. There have been golf funnies, flowers, and fairy houses, and also those desk ones with jokes you read and tear off each day.

Here’s a post I did about calendars a long time ago. Calendar Craze

***

Only one more day for the Just Jot It January challenge. It’s been fun, and I thank everyone who came to visit and like and comment this month. Much appreciated. ❤

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

SOCS & JJJ # 27 – Make the Call

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SOCS & JJJ # 27 – Make the Call   

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2024 Daily Prompt – Jan. 27th  

Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 27th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “make the call.” Use it as an idiom or use it literally. Have fun!

***

I don’t ever want to make the call. I don’t like making the call.

Even when I was a kid, and teenager, and still up to now, I do not like talking on the phone. Oh, I’ll talk if I have to, and if it’s a friend or relative I can talk about stuff for awhile. But then this feeling comes over me that I need to stop it all. My mind wanders and I want to not talk any more, but I have to still listen and do some talking.

It’s a little better if someone calls me, but I am loathe to start the call to anyone. I’ll put it off, I’ll find excuses, I’ll almost have a panic attack. This goes for any call to any one, or even to a business or doctor. Just ordering a pizza is horrible.

I never was a big talker, in that I don’t talk a lot normally. I think it’s sort of inherited, as my mom, dad, & sister were not big talkers either.

I can write/type conversations just fine – it’s fun, but don’t get me near a phone to talk. I’ll mess up so bad, and have been known to just put it down and walk off. Even when the police called to tell me about the case of when someone stole my identity one time. Ugh! I just can’t say the words right. Even hollering an order at the drive-thru burger place … it’s bad, so bad!

So enough of that. I’m reminded of one of those old Andy Griffith TV shows. Their freezer went out and he tells his aunt Bee to ‘call the man’ to get it repaired. Well, she just can’t, and all day Andy tells her to ‘call the man’, over and over. Why didn’t he just call the man himself. It would have saved a lot of time and bad feelings! That always bugs me.

So, I like my iphone. I get to take photos, and make text messages. We do facetime, too, but that’s like talking face to face to my daughers, and not like a real phone call. Yay! 🙂

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

Just Jot It January # 28/29 – Congregate & Family

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Just Jot It January # 28/29 – Congregate & Family   

Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 28th, 2024

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 28th, 2024 is “congregate.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

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Daily Prompt – JusJoJan the 29th, 2024

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 29th, 2024 is “family.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

***

I was browsing some examples of what can be called a congregation, and pretty much you name it, it can be called a congregation if there is a crowd. Some examples mentioned was the collectives of different things such as …

  • crocodiles
  • starlings
  • people
  • aliens (of the E.T variety)

Yes, even the UFO space aliens can be called a congregation. I would kind of be shocked to see a whole bunch of this congregation, collecting out in my yard.

Ooh I wonder if my ‘Croc’ shoes could be called a congregation, since I have several pairs of them.

Let’s see … I’m not one to want to congregate anywhere with a bunch of other people. Never have been a get together kind of person. Except with family when we have a lunch together. We used to do a lot of birthdays and holidays together, but most all are gone or moved away.

Doesn’t the prefix, con, mean something negative? So are congregations a bad thing? Maybe, sometimes they can be. Most times it’s just a group that get along together, have similar likes and interests, though.

For the negative, I’m thinking along the line of cults, and those who seem to have been brain-washed into some mass thinking or acting as one big congregation of wrong.

I don’t know … that’s about it for today.

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

The Numbers Game – Photos # 127 – Cat & Bats

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The Numbers Game – Photos # 127 – Cat & Bat

To find out how to play Judy’s media numbers game, click the link below.

Numbers Game #6, Jan 29, 2024

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I had a few photos on the # 127 media, but these were the best.

First is our cat Cricket. She’s gone now, but  was such a sweet kitty. She was a large, tabby colored, and very fluffy fur – a Maine Coon Cat. Shown here with a string of green beads.

img_1275

 

***

This is one of our coffee mugs we use every day. It is from Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, and has a picture of a blue flying bat, and the words in yellow, “Bats need friends too!” on a black background.

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2024 BS

Two Souls: Into the Fire # 255

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Two Souls: Into the Fire # 255

Warning … adult content

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Stevie and Mandy ran across the truck stop parking lot, with Linda running after them. As they approached the horse trailer, a man came around from the back. He was laughing at the eager kids.

“Hey, hey…hold up there,” he said.

“I’m so sorry,” Linda said, out of breath. “They wanted to see horses, and got away from me.”

The man laughed. “Oh, no bother, ma’am. I was just about to take the ponies out for a walk around that grassy area over there. The kids can come watch.”

“Well, okay…” Linda said. “But, stay back, Stevie…Mandy…don’t get in the way.” She smiled at the man. “We haven’t been around horses, before.”

“These are just little ones,” he said. “They’re Shetland ponies. They are going to a nice little farm.” He opened the back of the trailer, and backed out the first of two. “This little guy is very calm. The other one is, too.” He tied the first one up, and went back into the trailer for the other one. They were both tan, with white mane and tails.

“They’re so cute,” Mandy squealed. “Can we watch them, Mommy?”

“Yes, we will, but just for a few minutes,” Linda said. She looked around for Steve and Ghost, seeing they were over by the U-Haul, talking. She waved and motioned that she’d be over at the grassy area. She and the kids followed the man and the ponies.

~

Over by the U-Haul, Steve and Ghost watched Linda and the kids. Steve thought the guy looked harmless enough, but he wanted to keep a eye on them. Looking over at Ghost, who was leaning against the door, he could tell he wasn’t in a good place.

“Look, Ghost, I’m sorry. I should have remembered. We shouldn’t have come near this place.” He took Ghost’s hand.

“It’s okay…it didn’t happen at this place. Just the smell of those trucks…it makes me remember, and feel sick,” Ghost said. “I just wanna get out of here.”

“We will,” Steve said. “Get in the U-Haul, and I’ll go get Linda. It’s time to get going, anyway.” He went over to where the kids were now getting a pony ride. He smiled, as they hollered, “Look, Uncle Steve.” They were having fun.

“It’s time to go, Linda…round ’em up,” he said.

“Come on kids, we have to go now. Tell the man thank you for the ride,” Linda said.

The man helped the kids down from the ponies. “Y’all have a nice trip, ya hear.” He led the horses back to the trailer.

They walked back to Linda’s van, the kids chattering all about the horses. Before buckling them into the car seats, Linda washed their hands off, then got them settled with their little toys.

Turning to Steve, she asked, “What were you going to tell me?”

“About what?” Steve asked.

“About Ghost…what was bothering him in the truck stop.”

“Oh, yeah, he’s okay…it’s just he said the diesel fumes from the trucks was making him sick…and brings back bad memories…uh, of that time he was lost in California. It was a long time ago, Linda. I thought I told you about it.”

She shook her head. “Not much, just that he hitchhiked…” she paused…”oh, with truckers?”

“Yeah, and one of them raped him.” Steve closed his eyes. “God, why did I even come to this truck stop? I should have remembered.”

“Oh, Steve…that’s horrible. I didn’t know. Now I understand why he was feeling so bad.”

Steve nodded. “He said he’s okay…just bad memories, but really, we need to get out of here. I didn’t like the way those guys were in there, ya know. Don’t want to be around when they come out.”

“Yes, let’s get going,” Linda said, as she got into the van.

Steve went back to the U-Haul, started the engine, and pulled out, heading for the highway.

“You told her, didn’t you?” Ghost asked.

Steve nodded. Ghost sighed, and leaned his head back against the seat, closing his eyes. Out of the corner of his own eye, Steve couldn’t help but notice that Ghost would every few seconds reach up and wipe the tears away. No words would help, he knew, so he just kept driving.

~

It was getting on toward twilight, when they finally crossed over into Oklahoma. Steve had told Linda that at the next town that was big enough to have a motel, they’d stop for the night. He was getting tired of driving, and was sure Linda was too, but there weren’t any towns coming up that would have a place to stay. The next one he could tell, was in the suburbs of Oklahoma City, and it looked like it was still several hours away. Up ahead, he saw a sign for a rest area, and he signaled that he was pulling in.

When they were there, and parked, he and Linda talked about what they should do. “The next motel is still a long way off, Linda. I’m not sure I can stay awake until then. I need to stop…somewhere,” he told her.

“I know, me too,” Linda said, and yawned. “But where? This out west business is weird…big empty spaces and no towns to speak of. How do people live here?”

“I don’t know, but we gotta do something.”

Linda was looking around the rest area. “Well, we could just stay here, and maybe get a little sleep. Would it be safe, though?”

Shrugging, Steve considered it. “I guess, if we lock the car doors. It’ll be pretty uncomfortable, but we could do it.”

“I know,” Linda said. “The kids are already asleep, but they need to stretch out awhile. We have drinks and snacks, so it’s fine with me.”

“I’ll pull over closer to the back of this area…more out of sight,” Steve said.

She agreed, and followed as they drove slowly back into the area. After parking, Stevie and Mandy woke up, and were hungry. Ghost was walking around, stretching his legs. Steve and Linda got out snacks for all of them, and they sat at a concrete picnic table. It was growing dark, and there had not been even one car driving down the highway since they’d arrived.

Linda turned on her flashlight, the only light they had out there, setting it on the table. Stevie and Mandy were at the other end of the table, and were giggling at their kid’s conversation.

Whispering, Linda leaned over toward Steve and Ghost. “I don’t want to scare them, but this is really eerie out here, guys.”

“I know,” Ghost whispered. “There’s wild animals out here, back behind those trees. I can tell…they’re watching us.” He shivered, and pulled his shirt’s hood up over his head.

“Wild animals…like what?” Steve asked, trying to sound skeptical and brave, but not quite pulling it off. He stared at the darkness, behind them.

“Don’t you hear them?” Ghost asked.

They were silent…listening…and all three jumped, when they heard a rustling sound, back in the bushes.

“Oh my, God,” Linda said, holding her hand over her heart. “That scared me half to death.” She looked at the kids, but they hadn’t even noticed or heard anything.

Steve got up, shining the flashlight around, over toward the dark shrubbery, his hand shaking. Linda started laughing.

“What?” Steve asked.

“He looks like the grim reaper,” she managed to say, and pointed to Ghost.

Steve looked, and laughed, too. “You’re right. Hey, what are you doing over there?” he hollered at Ghost.

Ghost had found a long stick, and was poking around in the tall grass by the trees. In his hoodie, and with only his face lit by the flashlight, he did look like the grim reaper come to life.

“Huh?” he asked, as he waved the stick around.

“What are you looking for,” Steve asked.

“Oh, the wild animal…it’s here somewhere, but it’s scared and hiding, now.” Ghost said.

“What kind is it,” Linda asked. She’d gotten closer to the kids, in case they had to make a run for the car.

“I think it’s just a little rabbit, or lizard, maybe…’cause they don’t really say much,” Ghost said. “If it was a turkey or a goose, they’d be making noise…and if it was a coyote, or a wild cat, they would have already run away. They don’t freeze-frame…or if it is a raccoon, it would be trying to get our food…and…” he went on naming animals, and how they’d react.

Steve nudged Linda, “Yeah, and if Ghost don’t stop naming things, he’ll just talk it to death…hahaha, grim reaper…” he laughed along with Linda, and both had a hard time stopping.

“Hey, Ghost, we get the picture,” Steve said. “Come back over here…leave the poor thing alone.”

Ghost wasn’t quite done, though. He began a little chant he was making up as he spoke.

“By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, we mean you no harm, we’ll be gone soon.” He held up the stick, pointing at the night sky, and turned around three times.

“What’s he doing now?” Linda asked.

“Beats me…he’s just weird,” Steve said. Linda giggled.

Ghost came back to the table. “I’m finished,” he said, then sat down, grinning.

Linda cleared her throat…”Um…interesting…” she said. Steve kicked her under the table.

“No,” he mouthed to her. “He’ll never stop talking.”

But, it was too late.

***

***

Next part coming soon!

***

Thanks for visiting! Peace ☮️

© 2019 BS

***

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.

All songs included in this work will be solely owned by the original performers/writers and will be credited. Creative license is taken in including them in this story.

No harm is intended toward author, musicians, or people and situations to whom there may be a resemblance.

warning      warning      warning      warning

The content herein is rated by me as being at the high end of MA (Mature Audience). It includes strong language, violence, sexual themes, including same sex pairingsreligious themes, and fantasy horror.