Magpie 37

This piece follows on from my others: Magpie 29, 31, 32 and 34 (that can be found by clicking my blog title above).

Thankyou to Magpie Tales that has supplied the picture prompt.

Paulie sat on the edge of the bed looking out the window to her garden. There was a chill in the afternoon air with the sun still bright, setting slowly over in the ocean. Paulie looked down to the ring on her left ring finger. She fiddled with it, moving it side to side until she could easily pull it off. She stared, admirably at the words engraved on the inside of the gold ring: Paulie, my one love, my only love, my love forever. She smiled as the beautiful face of her husband filled her mind. She stood up, pushing the ring back onto her finger to look into the mirror that hung from the wall above her chest of drawers. She stared into her sky blue eyes and smiled.

"You have the most amazing eyes in the world," she could just imagine her husband saying, "they bring shame to the stars." It was quite a cliche line but her husband was much of the romantic type. Going out of his way to make her feel like a real princess. To always put his beautiful princess before himself was what everyone knew him for.

Remembering her husband, brought tears to Paulie's eyes. He had loved her more than anything in the world and it was much the same feeling for her. But mistakes resulting in a not so great past ended up with Paulie's beloved husband missing and then found dead. She sat back down on the bed, wiping away her tears with her sleeve. She ended up crying alot more than she first thought she would and got up for a tissue from the pink patterned box sitting underneath the mirror. Jerking the box carelessly in an attempt to get out a tissue a small brown bug climbed out from the box and up the wall behind the mirror. She was startled by the bug but she'd never been disgusted or afraid of them and attempted to get it out from behind the mirror. Living on her own for so long she never really moved things. So the gold framed mirror had always stayed exactly there, hardly ever touched. Paulie reached up to the corners of the mirror and slowly, carefully pulled it off the hook it hung by on the wall. It was much heavier than Paulie could ever remember and she was quick to drop it down onto the bed. There, tucked under a corner of the frame on the back of the mirror was a folded piece of paper.

Paulie was extremely curious and eager to see what this was. When she unfolded it and saw a page of writing, entitled Dear my princess Paulie, her heart skipped a beat with excitement.

Dear my princess Paulie,

I am terribly sorry if I am never able to lay my eyes on your beautiful face ever again, sweetheart, but I hope you find this letter and it is some sort of closure for you. I am sorry for the terrible place I have hidden this letter for you-I was in a rush at the time.

Given my past, and the secrets I have kept from you for your own safety you will know I have dealt with some very dangerous people. I hope that they do not find this letter before you. I hope you never have to see these people, or ever hear of them again.

My darling sweetheart, I have written on the back of this letter information I need you to take to the police as soon as you read this letter. It will explain what I know about the missing information of Wentering Place and hopefully clear your name. I hope it brings you freedom and you don't have to worry anymore.

Paulie darling, whether I return tonight or not I want you to know I have never loved anyone as much as you. You are more beautiful, special and important than anything and anyone I have ever layed my eyes on.

I hope this letter brings you freedom, my beautiful princess Paulie.

Love always, Damian.

xxx

Hope you enjoy, your comments are much appreciated! (:

Magpie 35

This was written with inspiration from this picture prompt supplied by Magpie Tales. It follows on from my other short pieces: Magpie 29, 31, 32, and 34 that you can view by clicking my blog title above. Enjoy...

Everytime April woke up in the arms of her husband, Jeremy she simply forgot about the world. She let everything go and slip her mind until it was only filled with the joy of the moment. She thought moments like these were perfect, well to her atleast and she admired her sleeping husband.

There was complete silence apart from Jeremy quietly breathing and a running shower down the hall. All of a sudden it stopped and as she listened carefully she heard the shower curtain run along the rail and Paulie humming to herself. Smiling April rested her head back down on Jeremy's chest and felt the movement of his chest up and down, up and down, the beating of his heart steady and relaxed.

The door to the bathroom swung open a few minutes later and Paulie walked out in her dressing gown. She disappeared to her room and a few minutes after that re-appeared in some fresh clothes. She saw April was awake and smiled brightly, "Morning."

"Morning," April whispered quietly, making sure not to wake Jeremy.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Paulie asked as she loudly opened drawers and cupboards, "I was thinking some bacon and eggs."

"Sure," April said, "that'd be great."

"My spare bed looks alot more comfortable than that rugged old chair," Paulie said.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep," April explained. Paulie nodded in understanding. Washing her hands in the sink, overlooking her yard Paulie clicked her tongue.

"Those leaves have made a real mess of themselves now," she said, "they're everywhere. I'll need to get out there today and rake them up."

Jeremy moved around in the seat before opening his dazed, tired eyes.

"Good morning sweetheart," April said.

"Goodmorning," he said shifting her wait off him so he could sit up.

"Now you're both up you won't mind some of my terrible music," Paulie said flipping the switch on the radio. The small radio burst with volume and suddenly came alive. The speakers blowing a song neither April nor Jeremy had ever heard of but Paulie knew word to word of.

"And your darkness may faaaaaaaaaaade," she sang as the song finished. We all laughed and clapped playfully and she did a cute bow.

"Thankyou, thankyou," she said.

The beautiful moment was basically ruined when the news came on the radio a moment later.

"A search for two people by the names of April and Jeremy Egnezi has begun again after two years. The two are suspected and at this point held responsible for 3 deaths. Some associated with the Okakii Gang. They have gone undetected for two years, with their whereabouts no way to be known and the police are now again on high alert for anyone who may recognize these two people, have any information about them or the crimes. In some sport news; Jason..." The voices on the radio left her as easily as the worries of the world did when she woke up in Jeremy's arms.

She got up with tears in her eyes, a lump in her throat, and an ache in her stomach. She shrugged off Jeremy's hands that tried to hold her back. Paulie looked down at her hands in the soapy water and then dried them on a nearby tea towel before following her out into the yard.

"The seasons are changing," Paulie said as she sat beside April with a leaf in her hand. April wiped her face with her sleeve.

"You've made mistakes; we all have," Paulie said, "I, myself have made alot. Some very bad ones and one very horrible one that led to a huge long chain of other mistakes and tragedies."

Paulie placed the leaf in April's lap, "Mabey it's time to turn over a new leaf."

Magpie 34

This piece is for Magpie Tales (that supplied the prompt) and follows on from my Magpies 32, 31 and 29 that you can find by clicking my blog title above. Hope you enjoy...

April dazily opened her eyes and looked out the window to the unfamiliar places and people. The small clock in the car read 3.47PM and she relaxed at the gentle smile of her husband, Jeremy.

"Afternoon gorgeous," he said softly as he stared ahead out the windscreen, occasionally glancing at her tired face.

"Wow," she said, "how long have I been sleeping?"

"Just a few hours," he said, "we're almost there. I'd say about half an hour." April nodded but her heart leaped. Her stomach dropped and freaked out at the thought of meeting with this person after two years. If Jeremy had taught her anything in the time she'd known him it was who to trust under their circumstances. This was the only person.

They both felt unsteady when they stepped out of the car and onto the pavement after the long drive. They'd stopped at a lonely, isolated deli to grab something to eat and drink once, but only once. And when he'd gone in and seen the paper he kept his head down, being careful to not make eyecontact with the old lady reading her own copy of the paper.

"That's seven fifty," she said, holding out a frail hand with her eyes not leaving her newspaper. Jeremy had placed a ten dollar note in her hand and quickly left. He shouldn't have even worried though; It took her long enough to realise he'd given too much, let alone get a look at his face and match him to the face on the front of the newspaper.

But now, at their final destination, hard ground once again beneath them they slowly made their way to the front door.

Three quick knocks on the door with a sweet 'Welcome' sign. Although they hardly showed it the two of them were nervous, they were scared. This was the one person that had always been by their sides, one person they could always trust-no matter what. So why were they nervous? Were they scared it would ruin the trust, that this person had changed. Jeremy thought not. This person was unique, forgave the right people. He'd known this person long, the trust couldn't be broken. They heard a key in the door and the twisting of the knob until it was pulled right open.

Her face lit up, her long hair messily draped over her shoulders. She looked them both up and down until she fixed her eyes on Jeremy. That was when he saw it. He knew she was glad he was here. She would take them in. It would be alright.

She hushed them quickly inside and then hugged him as tightly as she could.

"You mischief maker, I missed you."

She turned to April and hugged her too. She'd taken a quick liking to April two years ago when they'd met.

"Paulie, you've seen the paper?" he asked.

"It's great to see you too," she said, "anyone up for tea." He smiled at the way she took nothing seriously. As far back as he could remember she never had. When neither of them replied she turned back to face them.

"We'll talk about it over some tea," Paulie said in an insisting voice. And with that she turned back around and walked to the kitchen.

"You don't know how much I've missed you," she said as she put on the noisy kettle.

"All the same here," Jeremy said.

"Well, tell me," she said, "tell me how on earth you two did so well for two years."

April sat on a cushioned stool by the bench and Jeremy joined her on one next to her.

"Okay yes, we've got you to thank," he said. She falsely acted flattered.

"The cottage was okay then?"

"It was lovely," April spoke for the first time since arriving, "It was such a shame we had to leave."

"Yes," Paulie said. She reached up to a cupboard and pulled out three mugs.

After the tea was made they all sat down in the lounge.

"So yes," Paulie said suddenly, and softly, "I saw the paper this morning." They all seemed to sit there quietly. Unsure of how to go on. Unsure of what to say.

"The whole country's on a lookout for you now," she said, "they know your faces." Their stomachs turned and April pushed away her tea onto the coffee table.

"And I'm sorry but I don't know what to do," she said, "But you can stay here as long as you need to."

"Thankyou," Jeremy replied.

"I'm just sorry I can't help more."

After dinner April, still extremely tired and her body taken over probably more by anxiety than anything decided on an early night. After reading for a while Paulie went to bed as well and it was 2 the next morning when April woke again. The other side of the bed was unthouched, neat. She slipped out of the bed and opened the door to the pitch black hall. At the end of the hall there was a faint light and she walked slowly towards it, feeling the walls either side of herself. When she reached the end of the hall she ended up at the lounge room.

There Jeremy sat on Paulie's vintage couch. A lamp above him shining brightly on his dreaming mind. A book lay open on his chest. She smiled at her husband despite anxiety running right through her. She sat beside him and lay her head on his shoulder. He woke, startled.

"I'm sorry," she said guiltily, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay," he said smiling, looking right into her eyes.

She sighed, "What are we going to do?"

"I dont know," he said as he put his arm around her, letting her head sit on his shoulder. They both sat there in silence, both thinking. Despite being searched for by the country they tried to enjoy the moment that was as close to perfect as they would get for a while.

They both felt the heat from the lamp above them and tried hard to see light of the situation.

Magpie 32

This piece for Magpie Tales continues on from my Magpie 31 and 29. Enjoy...

April pulls the second drawer out of the dresser and piles the clothes into her bag. She pushes them down hard on top of the previous pile. It's like de ja vu and her stomach stirs sickly. She sits on the edge of the bed and remembers back to when she was packing at home. Her old bedroom. Painted the lightest and calmest shade of purple with her purple sheets and purple doonar. With posters of singers on the walls stuck tackily with tape. The room was her haven but she had to run from it and now again she had to run from her haven. Outside the window it is pitch black with no verandah light like her childhood home. Her eye begins to twitch with worry. For the first time in two years she feels anxious. She's worried for her future. Jeremy had always taught her from the day they met you have to take each day as it comes, not dwell on the past and not worry about the future.

She lays her back down on the bed with her legs dangling off the edge. Slightly swaying she hears them hit against something. She sits up and sees the small box she'd packed with bits and pieces not too long ago and had forgotten about.

Sticking out of the old books and magazines sits a little hourglass she had been given just before having to run away. She remembers clearly the last frantic minutes she'd spent in the purple room. Shoving clothes and a toothbrush with an old teddy and the last thing she grabbed as she ran from the room was the hourglass that sat out of place by her little ornaments. She'd stood by the door and stared at it for several moments. She tapped her foot impatiently with thoughts racing around her mind confusing her. With the sound of a door opening she shoved it into the bag and ran. The last time she left her teenage bedroom it was through the side window.

She clutched the hourglass in her hands and felt the tears push their way out her eyes. Time was something she wished she had had more of. Something she wished she still had more of now. Time had always rushed them. It had rushed her and her husband away. It had rushed them to make decisions, that including some not very good ones. Time was something she wished she could go back in and change. But as she watched the sand move through the tiny little hourglass she realised she was running out of time and she had to make good decisions because time was something she was never going to get back.

Mr Dog Man

**The words for this piece were lingering in my mind and I HAD to post them, I HAD to get them down. I would honestly love to hear what you guys think. Thankyou**

Mr Dog Man, you didn’t see me today, did you?

I walked a different way today.

Took the alley right up the hill.

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

I see you everyday Mr Dog Man.

Everyday on my way to and from school.

No matter which of two ways I take.

No matter how early, no matter how late I leave for school.

We always somehow cross paths Mr Dog Man.

Is it a coincidence?

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

I always see you walking your creepy walk.

Behind your dark shades and your hat.

And with your fat little Shiatsu cross some sort of bear.

But you didn’t see me today.

Did you miss me?

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

French was my last class.

We were all barging out of the class into the stream of students in the hall.

We pushed our way free through the doors to the sunny air.

Where the flowers were blossoming in the fields.

No reason to get home quickly today Mr Dog Man.

So I followed a path quite the opposite way.

I went right around the other side of the block.

Then up the alley where the sun shines through the trees to the big hill.

You can see everything up from that hill Mr Dog Man.

But you couldn’t see me, could you?

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

So I walked home today with the sun shining on me.

I wondered whether your eyes of which colour I have not yet discovered were looking around panicking.

Noticing I was the thing out of place.

Did it bother you Mr Dog Man?

Did you wonder what had happened to me?

Mabey I got a lift home.

Or mabey I was sick.

Mabey you guessed I went a different way.

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

So, you didn’t see me today, did you?

I walked a different way today.

Took the alley right up the hill.

Were you looking for me today Mr Dog Man?

Magpie 31

Magpie Writing Prompt

Continuing on from Magpie 29...

It was in the distance from the cottage that the day would see the last of the sun. With the darkness flooding the sky the occupants of the hidden little cottage turned on their lights. She sat in an old fashioned chair that was more comfy than the rugged old look of it gave credit. And he, who had that day travelled to markets two hours away sat in the other sipping on iced tea and resting his tired eyes. It was quiet, silent almost. Except for the sound of her turning the pages on her book and him sipping his iced tea every once and a while. So it was no surprise they were both startled when the sound of tyres on the pebble road outside occurred. Both jumping from their chairs they stared out the window at a flash black car that slowly neared their cottage. Swearing he turned for the bedroom and she worriedly stared hard at the unexpected guests.

"Grab your stuff," he said as she continued to watch the car cruise closer.

"Slow down a minute, we don't have to run," she said as she too turned for the bedroom.

"Please, there's no time for this. We knew this day would come," he said as he quickly and stressfully reached for the backpack in the bare bedroom.

"I just didn't expect it to be this close," she said as she rummaged through an old chest of drawers, "we don't have to run." She pulled out long sheet-like clothes and draped them over herself, "atleast not yet!" He stared at her, confused.

"Christ woman! What are you doing? Grab your things, they will be knocking on the door any second. Then after that they won't be knocking." Rummaging through the drawers again without a word much to her husband's disbelief she pulled out some more clothes and covered herself up until very little of her was visible.

"What are you doing?" he asked as she covered herself.

"Planning a sensible escape plan," she replied.

She exited the front door of the cottage as he left through the back. She pretended to look shocked at the men's presence which wasn't hard from their black suits and stern expressions. They wore dark shades just like spies in movies, the only exception: this wasn't a movie, this was real life.

"Gentlemen," she said in a higher pitch than her own as she neared her car and they walked towards her, "I'm in quite a hurry, but may I help you?" She opened the door to her car and put the key in the ignition.

"We are looking for April and Jeremy Egnezi," the taller and balder one said as he held out two photographs, "do you recognise these two people?" She examined the two photographs before shaking her head and replying, "no, sorry." She slipped into the car and turned the key.

"I'm terribly sorry but I really must be going," she said, "was that all?" The first man turned to face the other and nodded.

"Thankyou for your co-operation m'am," he said. She nodded and closed the door as they turned to their car. She took a moment to slow back down her racing heart and drove the car away from the old pink cottage in her disguise.

It was almost an hour later when she arrived back at the cottage. By then it was already very dark but the light in the cottage was on. She pulled off her clothes and ran to hug her husband who stood just inside.

"I'm so proud of you!" he said, "We'll leave first thing in the morning."

She nodded and squeezed him tighter, feeling great to be back in his arms.

"I love you April," he whispered.

Magpie 29

This is a prompt from Magpie Tales .

Hidden by trees, by shrub, by forrest is a little old cottage that sits peacefully in the summer sun. It's old style and the young owners that took refuge in it a few years back have no idea quite how old their isolated home is.

Inside stands a woman at her kitchen bench preparing some food. The only sound is that of the knife quickly tapping the chopping board. She's relaxed in the comfort of knowing no one shall find them out here. Her husband and herself that is. Deep down she knows one day they will be found. That someone will probably recognize them when they are on their occasional trip into town or they'll plan to cut down the rainforest that stretches for miles before getting to their cottage and discover them. The woman reaches for the lettuce and begins to cut it to pieces just as contently as before. She seems to be the most carefree woman in the world despite her circumstances. But then again, she's spent two years pushing the thoughts aside.