-last edited on Jun 5, 2018 14:58:56 GMT by TheGreatCon
Post by TheGreatCon on Jun 5, 2018 14:58:05 GMT
Chapter 8: Half-Height Help
Mateo had phoned home for help, letting his siblings into the secret. He got more than he bargained for.
The first through the door was less than half my height.
“Wha….what do you think you’re doing here Nicolas?” He asked, exasperated.
“Gonna carry heavy stuff.” The kid retorted. “Like couches and cars.”
Mateo face-palmed, and glared at another, older (and supposedly more responsible) bro who had also entered the premises. “Not who I had in mind when I asked for help.”
“You think he’s bad?” The bro tugged a thumb over his shoulder. “I had to carry Sam half the way here.” The two year-old toddled through the door.
Mateo spluttered. “You weren’t supposed to bring them!”
“You asked for help. You didn’t set a height requirement.” The bro shrugged. “Anyways, Mom needed some quiet. She has two headaches at the same time right now.”
The woman was a saint, by the way. Only half these kids were hers, the rest were adopted. And they were all imps, including Mateo.
Mateo let out a sigh that shook the windows, and with that he resigned himself to an afternoon of making sure siblings weren’t eating anything too organic.
Despite the younger help, we still got a lot done. The place was almost empty. We also discovered a small section of offices in the back. We were all relaxed inside one now, flopped on the furniture. Sam was conked out on Mateo’s shoulder, who was pretending to be annoyed about that.
“So, what are you guys going to do with this dump?” One of the siblings asked. I would’ve asked that question before I wore blisters junking stuff, but this family was a trusting lot.
“Soccer.” Mateo said, letting their imaginations do the rest.
“Whoah.” They said, collectively.
“Yeah. You guys better get back home.” Mateo handed Sam off. “I’ll catch up with you guys, I wanna talk to Alejandro real quick.”
The bros packed up and were out within the minute.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He was still recessed in the dilapidated couch cushions. “Been a rough couple days, I know.”
“Ah, I’m fine.” I said, waving him off.
“No, seriously. How are you, man?” He asked, peering at me. “You keep acting weird around the girl, and now your leg is busted up bad again, and, well, I’m just worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine.” I said, meaning it this time. “I’ve seen a lot worse.”
“You were at a better starting spot then.” He stood up. “You should head home too.”
“Yeah.” I followed his lead out the door. We pulled the overhead door closed on our way out, and stopped right outside the building. Here was where we parted ways, if only for a few hours. “Hey, check on Sam for me when you get home.” I said. “He drank some funky water here.”
“He’s tough.” Mateo shrugged.
“You have to be down here.” I turned, and walked off with a backwards wave.
Don't grow up, please. *world turns upside down* I wish.
I'll try. XD I tell myself over and over again, it's just a number, you can still be just as childish as you want. XD WOOOT! Don't we all? Open a window once and a while, I don't want you ded.
Look at it this way, I'm already eighteen, and here I am. *worlds spins wrong direction* My mom has a policy of when the windows are open, no AC. Which means I could die of heat if we open windows.
I'll try. XD I tell myself over and over again, it's just a number, you can still be just as childish as you want. XD WOOOT! Don't we all? Open a window once and a while, I don't want you ded.
Look at it this way, I'm already eighteen, and here I am. *worlds spins wrong direction* My mom has a policy of when the windows are open, no AC. Which means I could die of heat if we open windows.
Good point. But I don't want to graduate into the Your an adult now speech. XD WOOOOOT!!!! Lol, mine has the same. Here water and AC are worth gold. Well, at least put on some fans, I don't want you asphyxiated.
Life looks different once you’ve seen it through a rifle scope. After you’ve pulled that sight up, and beaded it in on people. Once you’ve had to choose whom to pull the trigger on.
I was in a tree, high in the branches, a good twenty minutes climb up. And well hidden among the leaves. I wasn’t the only one. I was part of a strike team.
I checked my rifle again. Locked and loaded. But I had heard voices, so I slipped the safety off.
I peeked around the edge of the tree, leaves tickling at my face. My clothes were dripping wet from the dew. I had been up here a looong time. There they were. An advance party. The army was headed here.
We were all so goners. Our lines were weak already. One strong drive, and they’d be through. And the war would be over.
Now I wasn’t entirely opposed to that, but I’d rather it was on better terms than they’d be willing to offer if we were licked.
My arm shook a little as I raised my rifle up. I spotted one of my comrades doing the same, picking a man.
I squinted down my scope, but looked away. I couldn’t do it again. Line it up, and pull that trigger. I was done dealing out judgement. My gun drooped in my hands.
But I had a job to do. My army depended on both me and my fellow snipers. If all of us got squeamish, and just fired in the general direction, we’d lose men.
Rather us than them.
My face hardened. I pulled the gun up, sighted quickly, and with a quick squeeze, I got it done and over with.
-last edited on Jun 6, 2018 22:38:28 GMT by TheGreatCon
Post by TheGreatCon on Jun 6, 2018 22:38:19 GMT
I awoke screaming in a pool of sweat. I don’t know if you’ve ever woken up a room of working men at two in the morning with bad dreams, but they’re not very sympathetic.
I got cuffed on the head by the nearest, and a couple yelled stuff at me. I didn’t bother trying to catch the words. My heart was still racing.
Would the nightmares ever end?
My body was still a coiled spring. I grabbed my pillow and buried my face in it, biting at it to try and relieve tension. Slowly the energy drained out of my body, leaving me cold and limp. I flipped over, and lay there, staring at the ceiling. Finally my eyes drifted closed again.
And my dream picked up right where it had let off.
I jumped out of bed, shivered once, and then grabbing my shoes I limped out.
Look at it this way, I'm already eighteen, and here I am. *worlds spins wrong direction* My mom has a policy of when the windows are open, no AC. Which means I could die of heat if we open windows.
Good point. But I don't want to graduate into the Your an adult now speech. XD WOOOOOT!!!! Lol, mine has the same. Here water and AC are worth gold. Well, at least put on some fans, I don't want you asphyxiated.
Nobody has even bothered giving me that speech yet. I probs need it. They're not quite gold here, maybe copper or something. *wears fans*
I'm glad I'm not misrepresenting that half of humanity too badly. I don't. ThanCON ya!
It resounds uncannily at times. XD You should. He's good somewhere deep deep deep down inside.
I'm surprised, I'm not really used to writing girls. He really is one of my favorite characters of all time. But part of that is because of all the mean stuff I do to him.
Good point. But I don't want to graduate into the Your an adult now speech. XD WOOOOOT!!!! Lol, mine has the same. Here water and AC are worth gold. Well, at least put on some fans, I don't want you asphyxiated.
Nobody has even bothered giving me that speech yet. I probs need it. They're not quite gold here, maybe copper or something. *wears fans*
Your lucky, I get me age thrown in me face more often then I like. Maybe. It's hot an dry. XD Good, misenterpreted but good.
It resounds uncannily at times. XD You should. He's good somewhere deep deep deep down inside.
I'm surprised, I'm not really used to writing girls. He really is one of my favorite characters of all time. But part of that is because of all the mean stuff I do to him.
Yes but you've chatted enough with them. I can see sweetcrazy peep through somethimes. Wow, now who's the bad guy. XD But yes, off the record it is fun to be mean to characters.
Life looks different once you’ve seen it through a rifle scope. After you’ve pulled that sight up, and beaded it in on people. Once you’ve had to choose whom to pull the trigger on.
I was in a tree, high in the branches, a good twenty minutes climb up. And well hidden among the leaves. I wasn’t the only one. I was part of a strike team.
I checked my rifle again. Locked and loaded. But I had heard voices, so I slipped the safety off.
I peeked around the edge of the tree, leaves tickling at my face. My clothes were dripping wet from the dew. I had been up here a looong time. There they were. An advance party. The army was headed here.
We were all so goners. Our lines were weak already. One strong drive, and they’d be through. And the war would be over.
Now I wasn’t entirely opposed to that, but I’d rather it was on better terms than they’d be willing to offer if we were licked.
My arm shook a little as I raised my rifle up. I spotted one of my comrades doing the same, picking a man.
I squinted down my scope, but looked away. I couldn’t do it again. Line it up, and pull that trigger. I was done dealing out judgement. My gun drooped in my hands.
But I had a job to do. My army depended on both me and my fellow snipers. If all of us got squeamish, and just fired in the general direction, we’d lose men.
Rather us than them.
My face hardened. I pulled the gun up, sighted quickly, and with a quick squeeze, I got it done and over with.
Aw, I feel bad for Alex. 
That means it's a good story!! 
Great job. 
That means it's a good story!! 
Great job. 
*world turns upside down* 
That means it's a good story!! 
Great job. 
