Shutter ReleaseChapter 48: Down On My Knees free porn video

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Sunday was a complete waste. I spent the morning dead to the world, vaguely aware of being moved from Jonah’s cabin to Shannon’s car, and then to Colin’s recliner. At least the world was happy about something, because whenever I was semi-conscious I could mostly hear laughing around me.

In retrospect, I was obviously being hidden from my folks until such time that I was with it again; that turned out to be late afternoon. Well, maybe not ‘with it’, but a few hours before dinner I finally woke on my own and managed to take in reality in a way that made sense.

“Good morning,” Muireann cooed.

“Ugh ... My head is pounding.”

She had two white pills before me, and a glass of water soon followed.

“Wow, thanks,” I said, swallowing the medicine eagerly. Then I glanced at her and felt a rush of feelings. “About last night, Muireann ... I’m sorry I went totally overboard. I don’t remember much, so I’m sure I wasn’t too fun to be around.”

“You were fine, Matt. You went down before you could do anything too terrible.”

“Jeez...” I muttered. “I’m so sorry. Honestly, you’re the best of friends, and you didn’t deserve that. I really mean that. You’ve been with me nonstop since I passed out.”

“How would you know?” she teased.

“Trust me, I know. Every time I came to, you were there.”

She gave me a little smile. “I was happy to make sure you were sleeping well.”

“Yeah, well ... I don’t think I ever want to drink again. Damn, I can’t believe it’s almost four.”

“Aye. You’ve been out most of the day.”

“That’s ... messed up. What’s going on now?”

“I’m waiting for you, so we can go home.”

“Oh ... Where’s everyone else?”

“Back at the house. Shannon is developing the photos and then she’ll be driving them over to Gwen’s lad who’ll be making the cover.”

“Damn, I forgot about that!” I sat up, intending to stand, but the head rush made me stop there. “I want to go see what she’s got.”

“Me too. We can call over there and Colin will come get us.”

I nodded, and then stretched out more of the unsteadiness. “All right. Actually, forget calling. Let’s just walk.”

Muireann eyed me. “Are you feeling well enough for that?”

“Yeah, and it’ll probably help to get some air and move around a bit.”

“It’s a good stride.”

“If you take the road it is,” I agreed.

“And if you get lost in the forest, it’s even longer,” she retorted, smiling.

“Don’t worry, I won’t pull a Carmen on you. I can walk, and I know the way to my place from here.”

Muireann came close and gave me her hands. I stood up before her, feeling steadier than I thought I would. I tried to make my brain work enough to figure out what I needed to grab. Guitar? They probably took it with them. Wallet—Abruptly I felt the front of my jeans, patting the empty pockets with growing despair. No... !

Muireann reached over and grabbed my billfold from the end table. As she placed it in my hand, she looked at me.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I grabbed it for you.”

“No, I don’t care about my wallet, it’s—”

She put a finger to my lips, smiling at me as she opened the leather fold. Tucked in the empty photo window was the little purple shell. The sight of it made me flush.

Muireann started to move away, but I put an arm around her waist and pulled her before me again.

“Thank you, so much,” I murmured, her face close to mine. It was a very intimate position, but I didn’t care, and she didn’t seem to mind, either. “I lost track of it last night, and I would’ve been pretty sad to lose it.”

“It was always safe,” she said quietly.

“Thanks to you ... You’re the best of friends, Muireann. I’m trying really hard not to think of how much time we have left. And I’m a little pissed that I wasted last night the way I did.”

“Matt, don’t be that way. I had a good time.”

“Sitting by my dead ass all night, singing to me?”

“It was a true pleasure,” she said very softly, and with such honesty that for a long moment I found I couldn’t generate any coherent words in my head.

“Oh ... Okay ... Well...” I sighed. “Still ... I’m just, um ... Shit ... Do you have to go home in a couple of weeks?” I suddenly wailed.

Muireann shook her head, her eyes blinking. “Do I have to go? Aye, Matt, I do. But do I want to go?”

She didn’t have to answer. I closed my eyes and pulled her into a tighter hug, cradling her in my arms.

“We can make the most of what time we have left,” she whispered.

“Yeah, it’s the only thing we can ever do. And yet I always fuck it up and waste it.”

“Shh...” she consoled.

After a time, we separated and collected ourselves.

“Ready?” she asked, perhaps as much for herself as for me.

“Yeah. Let’s go and see what Shannon’s done for us.”

The walk through the woods was quiet. We picked our way through the maze of trunks, shoulders pressed together, my arm in hers for support, even though I was well enough to walk – physically, at least. The breezes played some kind of game, blowing one way and then the other as they combed the tree canopy of the last of winter’s deeds, in preparation for the coming solstice day. The peak of light, when darkness was limited to five hours ... Yet not long after that, my life would seem at opposition to that cycle. What light would be left for me after she and Tommy flew away to their home?

It would be down to Lara and me, once again. And that thought, at least, was comforting and made things bearable.

When we reached the cabin, the photo processing session was wrapping up. We had to wait a moment for the current print to migrate through the process before entering the darkroom. When we were finally allowed in, the drying wire held three photos, and a fourth was in the rinse tray.

Lara and Shannon squinted at us, while Tommy remained reclined on the bed, his arms behind his head. Colin was lounging in a chair he’d dragged in.

“He’s alive,” Lara teased.

“Yeah, yeah,” I drawled, stepping right to the photos. “Wow, Shannon, I like what I’m seeing!”

“Look at this one,” she urged, indicating the print that swam in the shallow tray.

My eyes went wide at the spread of us in front of Jonah’s forest. “Now that is fucking cool!”

Colin came close as we gathered around.

“Okay, back up, everyone,” Shannon chided. “Let me get it out and we can see it right.”

“You were the one who said to look,” I reminded her.

She only had a certain expression to offer me in return.

Once she had the print hanging on the wire, I turned the lights up even more. Except for Tommy, we all examined the selection.

“Lara, you just need wings and you’d look like the Swan Song logo,” I quipped.

Colin laughed, but the girls gave me quizzical expressions, so I went into the main room and found a Led Zeppelin cassette.

“See?”

Lara laughed. “You know, you’re right!”

“Do you have wings?” Shannon asked. “We could go retake the shot!”

“I think I’ll pass,” Lara replied, giggling.

“Well, we need to get these up to the guy,” Shannon remarked. “Who wants to come?”

“Me!” Lara said, and Tommy joined her in agreement.

“Where do you have to go again?” I asked.

“Ravena,” Shannon replied. “I have the directions from Gwen.”

“Hmm ... I think I’ll probably hang here and relax,” I said, unsure if my stomach was up for a long car ride. “If that’s okay.”

“Of course!”

“Thanks, Shannon, for doing this,” I added, giving her a hug.

“I’m happy to! And I can’t wait to hear the album. But okay, we better get on the road. Anyone else coming?”

“I’ll stay with Matt,” Muireann said.

“I’ll come if I can drive!” Colin said.

Shannon giggled as she collected the prints carefully. “Sure.”

It wasn’t long before the two pairs roared away with a spin of tires in the dirt. I had a feeling that the ride there and back was going to be a little faster than I’d first imagined, now that Colin was at the wheel.

“I think it’ll be interesting,” I mused as I stood there with my arm in the crook of Muireann’s, feeling a bit like Tommy must have, all these years.

“What will be interesting?”

“To see whose stomach feels better when they get back. Mine, or theirs!”

She giggled as we turned and made for the cabin. “Aye, you might overtake them in recovery,” she agreed. “What do you want to do?”

“What we always do. Go up to the pool, play music, swim, and just enjoy the afternoon.”

She gave me a happy smile, and we went to do exactly that.

I was nervous as hell but also wildly giddy when the six of us went into the school’s administrative offices on Monday morning before classes started. Somehow, we’d convinced Gwen to join us, even if she looked like she’d rather be getting her eyes pierced.

Robin, Dr. Kendall’s assistant, smiled at us. “Good morning! Can I help you with something?”

“Is Dr. K available?” I asked.

Really Matt? Dr. K?

Luckily Robin didn’t balk at my invented nickname. “He’s in his office but he is occupied at the moment.”

“It shouldn’t take long. We just want to give him something,” I said, holding the bag up.

“If you’d like, you can leave it with me, and I can give it to him shortly.”

For some reason I was feeling mischievous. It was probably the wild giddiness that did it, not the hellacious nerves.

“I would, but are you comfortable hanging on to this?” I asked.

I stepped around to the side of the desk and tipped the bag. Robin peered in for a long moment and then spun around to lift the phone.

“Dr. Kendall ... I think you should come out here ... No, it can’t wait.”

I took a deep breath as we all turned to face the principal’s office. It took longer than was good for my anxiety, but finally the door opened. For a second, he looked around as if expecting a problem. Then he noticed us.

“Ah, my favorite band!” he called out, his face softening.

“I thought you said you were a Deadhead,” I joked.

“Yes, but ... Sometimes you have to hang it up and see what tomorrow brings. What can I do for you?”

“Well, on Saturday night, a friend we know helped us put on another benefit show, for the memorial fund.”

Dr. Kendall’s face shifted into surprise. “Another concert?”

“Yeah, he has a big house and he lets bands play there. So we did a show and collected donations.”

Yep, that’s just about enough detail about it... ! I shoved aside the Lion Depissalyzer 12000 that flashed in my head, along with...

Pears... ? That’s random...

Dr. Kendall looked very impressed now. His smile was quite proud. Even Mr. Blind could see that. I almost felt bad, about what was coming.

“That’s ... incredible! Like I said, my favorite band!” He grinned broadly. “How did it go?”

“We had a decent crowd. We, uh, made a recording, which we’re, um...”

“We’re going to sell tapes and give half the money to the fund,” Lara finished, since I’d petered out.

Now his expression was really making me feel awkward. I started wanting to disappear. This is excessive...

Previously ignored voices in my head were now screaming at me. You should’ve just left the bag with Robin. What the hell were you thinking?

But I have to explain how we got the money!

“We also took donations through a raffle,” I continued, though my voice was becoming unsteady. “We wanted to give you what we collected so far, to put in the fund. And when the album is done, we’ll get you the sales money as it comes in.”

“This is ... unexpected. You all have gone above and beyond anything I ever imagined when you first brought up this idea of a memorial fund, Matt. And now this ... All of you, you should be very proud of yourselves!”

And yet I was feeling almost exactly the opposite of that, just then.

“Anyway, here it is,” I rasped hoarsely.

I held out the bag. Dr. Kendall gave it an odd look as he grabbed the handles.

“What’s this?”

“The donations we collected on Saturday.”

Please don’t open it ... Please don’t open it ... Please don’t open it...

“We, uh, really need to get to class now,” I added, starting for the door. “Or we’ll be late...”

I wanted to run away and quickly. But the time for leaving had passed. None of my other band mates were helping by just standing there.

So it got worse. Dr. Kendall’s hands were separating the handles. He was peering inside.

And then: “Holy shit...”

I looked up. Everyone did, of course. One could maybe get away with that utterance behind his closed door, but out here? These very offices existed to stamp those kinds of words out of this building.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Robin holding his hand to his mouth, covering excessive mirth. Even Mrs. Quigley poked her head out of the medical room, her scolding tongue immediately stopped from delivering its imminent lash by Dr. Kendall’s most unfortunate repetition of his religious ode.

“Holy shit!”

Tommy and Colin were chuckling, and the two girls were smiling impishly ... Even Gwen looked victoriously pleased. But I was suddenly struggling for air.

It got worse, yes. As the office staff saw their colleagues gawking, they too left their desks and joined in, pressing closer as Dr. Kendall dug an arm into the depths of the bag, stirring the contents with a few spastic jerks of disbelief. Then he was staring at us like we were, well, aliens.

The questions from the onlookers started.

“What is it?”

“A gift?”

“A gag?”

My ears were roaring. I needed space, to be as far away from here as I could be, before I fainted yet again in front of Dr. Kendall and everyone else. At least the nurse is right behind you, another voice cackled. Don’t worry, she’ll catch you!

My mind stabbed out blindly, looking for anything to hold onto. Suddenly a vision of an empty rowboat materialized, floating gently out at sea. It was completely random, and completely beautiful, and it was the first thing I saw, so I reached for it.

Yes, solitude... ! Brea—

But before I could grasp it, I was ripped back to the situation at hand. With mounting horror, I saw Dr. Kendall glancing around at his staff-turned-audience, a happy grin on his lips.

Then he turned the bag upside-down. At first, nothing happened, and I thought maybe we’d brought an empty grocery bag by mistake, and that the money was still sitting by my door at home. Or maybe put in the trash bin by mistake last night, or perhaps even on a garbage truck on its way to a landfill this very moment.

Nope ... It got worse, because hundreds of bills rained down onto the floor of the administrative suite, an avalanche of complete excess.

I didn’t wait a second longer, pushing past my friends and slamming into the suite doors, sending them flying open with a bang, shocked that the glass panes didn’t explode. I ran like hell, down the hall and out the back doors. I kept going across the wide fields until I was well into the woods, near the balance beam log where I’d made yet another of my many mistakes some months ago.

What a goddamn spectacle ... Who do you think you are, crazy fucking Jonah... ? You ridiculous fool.

For a time, I was forced to replay the scene I’d just witnessed in my head, and I felt sick.

Never again...

A little while later, I was still sitting on the balance beam, trying to stop thinking about everything that had been happening to me ... It was impossible. Carmen kept walking through the woods, along with Pete, and even Julie ... Heather’s words flitted in between the visions, tempting me and even taunting me.

I sighed when I heard the crack of a twig behind me, attuning me to the soft sound of footsteps on the dirt.

Rely on Ireland ... yet again. But I’ve demanded so much from her ... Far too much.

“Hey,” I murmured unsteadily, when she stopped near me. “Here we are again, huh? Another moment of crazy you need to talk me down from ... Are you tired of me yet? Well, I am ... I just want to feel normal again, because the ups and downs are fucking ripping me apart. And I don’t know how it’s going to get better. When you leave in a couple of weeks ... what the hell am I going to do? I know you’re hoping she’ll be back, but that feels further than ever right now ... I don’t know what I’ll do without you, Ireland.”

“That’s so fucking touching. Are you done?”

I whirled around and fell off the log at seeing Gwen standing there, her arms folded as she watched me.

“What are you doing here!” I gasped, brushing at my pants as I regained my footing, my face burning.

“Listening to you whine about your life, unfortunately.”

I shivered. “Damn it, Gwen, you could’ve said it was you!”

“Why? It was actually entertaining. I mean, the ‘ups and downs’, they’re killing you, huh?” she echoed, her voice edgy. “I bet they are.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to know what ups and downs you have. They sound so serious.”

I stared at her. “Why did you come out here?”

“This is where I smoke sometimes.”

“Then I’ll let you get to it,” I muttered, as I started off toward the school.

“Matt!” she called out, her voice sharp.

I was so startled to hear her use my name that I stopped in my tracks.

“What?” I finally managed.

“What the fuck is going on with you? We had the principal by the balls back there, cursing in front of his people. We’re never going to be in trouble at school again, after what we just did. And then you fucking run out of there like you’re on fire? What the hell happened?”

I eyed her. “Did you really come out here to smoke?”

“Of course not!” she retorted. “I came out here because Muireann was going to run after you. But I told her I’d come instead.”

I made a face. “Why?”

“Because you need to fucking get it together,” she spat, suddenly coming toward me.

She flexed her arm and it seemed like she was about to—

I flinched ... but then she pulled the sleeve of her shirt up to her elbow.

“You want to compare scars?” she asked, her voice surprisingly unaggressive.

“Scars?”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw yours, you saw mine.”

I looked down at my own wrist and sighed. “Gwen, it’s not what you think.”

“I know a slit wrist when I see one. Believe me.”

I shook my head, feeling nauseous. “No, Gwen, really ... It’s not what you think!” I cried.

She was right near me now, still holding her arm out. “What are you talking about?”

“I didn’t—” I closed my eyes. “I didn’t cut my wrist on purpose, that’s what.”

She let her arm drop. “Wait ... So you’re saying you just got cut?”

“Yeah...”

There was a long moment of silence.

“Well, I feel stupid,” she said quietly. “Thanks a lot.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you thought that’s what it was.”

“Of course not. Why would you...”

She grunted and sat on the beam log, pulling out a pouch of weed. I watched as she unhurriedly rolled a joint and lit it up.

“How did you cut yourself?” she asked.

Does she really care?

“It was a piece of broken glass. It got me pretty good, but it was an accident, that’s all.”

“Oh ... Mine wasn’t glass. And it wasn’t an accident.” She exhaled a large cloud of smoke and stared at me. Then she held out the joint.

I waved my hand dismissively. “No, I can’t do—”

“Smoke,” she commanded. “You need it.”

I glanced uneasily at the school... Now what?

Well, if there’s ever a day I might escape getting in trouble for doing this, it would be today.

Gwen was still glaring at me. Reluctantly, I took a seat on the log next to her and inhaled a small drag of the bone. I shivered as the hard smoke hit my throat.

“My uncle raped me a bunch of times when I was twelve.”

My world exploded and I almost fell off the log again. “Oh my god, Gwen, what the hell did you just say?”

“You heard me. And yeah, it’s fucking true,” she said, far too calmly for the words she’d voiced.

I ignored the joint she held out to me again, too stunned to move.

“Why would you ever tell me that?” I finally whispered.

She gave me a disdainful look. “Obviously not because I was counting on you to make me feel better. Thanks for your concern, jerk.”

A wince competed with the complete feeling of tension that gripped me. “Fuck ... I’m so sorry ... No, you’re right, that was lame, but I can’t believe what I just heard you say, so I—”

“Oh, shut up already. I’ve told you before, I don’t need your pity, all right?”

I nodded slowly, my head woozy ... This time I reached out for the pot, almost desperately. She sniffed as she pulled it out of my reach, taunting me. But she soon let me have it. I filled my lungs once, twice, and then again.

“I’m really sorry, Gwen,” I said, the smoke accompanying my words in little spurts. “That’s ... just the most awful thing.”

“I didn’t tell you so you can give me some touchy-feely shit like you were babbling about when I got here.”

“Okay, I get that. That’s kind of why I asked what I did. Because I know you hate me, so why would you even tell me that?”

“Because everyone has their shit they carry with them. And so that you can get some fucking perspective.”

I glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

“Just because your girlfriend is gone and you’re sad about—”

“What do you know about my girlfriend?” I interrupted, suddenly feeling agitated.

“I know enough.”

“Enough?” I stood up all at once and stared at her apprehensively. “Who the hell told you anything?”

Gwen stared at me. “Calm the fuck down. And if you really want to know, it was Shannon. But if you tell her I told you, I will bite your fucking head off.”

“What the hell?” I was flabbergasted. “Stop fucking with me. That’s not funny.”

“I’m not fucking with you.”

“You ... talk to Shannon...” I said, restating her obvious lie with a raised brow.

Gwen looked up at me with disgust. “Damn, you can be such a dick sometimes, you know that?”

“You hardly say anything to her at the cabin!” I pressed.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “I hardly say anything to anyone anywhere, if you haven’t noticed. But obviously you’re too into yourself to notice what other people are doing, so I’m not fucking surprised. Whatever. You don’t have to believe me. Make up your own story if you want. Hell, here’s one for you: I’m going out with your girlfriend now, so suck it. She’s even living at my house, and we sleep together every night.”

I gaped at her, absorbing her heated reply. Then I started shaking my head in a bit of wonder.

Oh god ... Shan, and Gwen... ? What happens when you put pure light and pure dark together... ?

“I’m sorry,” I managed, as Gwen gave me the foulest of looks. “I’m sorry, but okay, I do believe you...”

“I don’t care if you do.”

I huffed, surprised to find Gwen offering the joint to me again, despite everything I was doing to completely destroy what little good will I had with her.

All my fucking ships...

“Gwen, why did you really come out here?” I finally asked.

“I have no fucking idea anymore.”

I glanced at her scar. “I’m guessing you thought this was going to be about something else.”

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters, really, except when I’m behind the drums. That’s what matters to me. The rest is all bullshit.”

“I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

“Sure.”

“I am, seriously. That’s fucked up, and I hope you...”

“You hope I what?”

I looked at her. “Never mind. Whatever I was going to say is probably useless to you.”

She actually grinned and shook her head in wonder. “Wow, amazing ... I think you’re actually learning!”

She stood up and stamped the roach out in the ground. Without a backward glance, she set off toward the school.

“Thanks for talking,” I said.

“I still don’t like you,” she sang back.

“I know, believe me. But you can still talk to someone you hate.”

She slowed for a second, and then raised her middle finger over her shoulder.

I managed a small laugh even as I wondered why I felt so lightheaded. Then I remembered.

Because you just got fucking stoned during first period, Matt...

It was perhaps an hour later when I reentered the school building after spending the time in deep contemplation.

I’m better than all this ... And my problems are nothing compared to others ... But I’m still drowning slowly...

After washing my face for what seemed like twenty minutes, I walked into the administrative offices again. I knew my eyes were a bit red, but the water had served not only to remove the aroma but also make it look like I’d been crying. Shameful, but... Better a crier than a stoner in here...

Robin glanced up and his face immediately grew concerned.

“There you are! Are you okay? We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I shrugged. “Is Dr. Kendall available?”

“He is here, yes.” He lifted his phone and spoke into it. “Matt is back ... Will do.”

Robin gestured to the door, so I took a breath and entered. Dr. Kendall didn’t seem particularly happy anymore. In fact he seemed on the edge of misery.

I started talking as soon as the door latch clicked behind me. “I’m sorry about what happened. I got—”

“Matt, please. Sit.”

“I got dizzy and had to get some air,” I finished vaguely.

“You can stop there,” he said. “I think you have it wrong.”

As always...

I sulked down into my usual chair, half expecting to see it named in my honor with a little engraved gold plaque. Whether because I was in here too often lately, or because I was some foolish wonder-kid, I didn’t know. Both were disgusting ideas to me.

“I need to apologize to you,” he finally said. “My actions earlier were uncalled for. I should know better than to behave like that. But frankly, despite the years of training and experience in public service I’ve been through, I got caught unprepared. I didn’t mean to make light of what is truly a serious and incredible thing that you’ve all done. I feel like I cheapened it, and for that, I deeply and sincerely apologize. When I saw...”

I nodded absently as he went on, feeling it odd that my face was wet. The crying was supposed to be fake, goddamn it, and my head is woozy now too ... The world, it’s prickly, and ... His desk is zooming in and out ... Why is the desk moving? This happened last time, didn’t it... ? So weak...

That’s what the gold plaque would say: ‘Here sits Matt the fool, and so fucking weak’...

As dinner wrapped up that night, I was still in a daze. A daze of utter confusion.

“So, I got an interesting call from the school nurse today,” Sarah said nonchalantly.

Déjà vu... This time, though, all eyes fixed on me, not my mom. I looked around at Lara, the twins, my parents ... Everyone knew what happened. And the mood was rather dampened by everything of late.

Every thread is fraying, burning, changing...

“I’m sorry,” I said. “And I say that to all of you.”

“Do you want me to make an appointment with the doctor?” Sarah asked. “It’s not usual to faint repeatedly, even if things in your life are ... well, exciting.”

No, it’s not usual ... But when the mountain is hollow, it will always collapse...

I took a deep breath. “I don’t think a doctor will help.”

Sarah pursed her lips. “Well, will you please tell us if this happens again? I like Mrs. Quigley well enough, but I’m not sure I like hearing from her quite so often.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry. I’ll definitely let you know if it happens again, and if it does, I’ll go in for a checkup.”

“Okay, sweetie. I appreciate it. Just try to stay as relaxed as you can, since exams are this week.”

“On that note,” Melissa added, “You are all excused so you can get back to studying.”

I picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Mattman! What’s up dude?” Jonah asked.

“Oh, hey Jonah ... I’m hanging in.”

“You mean hanging over?”

I sniffed once I got his drift. “Yeah, probably, even if it’s been a few days. What’s up? Please tell me we can come play there again tonight...” I said, rather quietly.

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Shutter ReleaseChapter 55 Lie Down

The morning Alana dropped me off, my reunion with Lara was delicious. We shared a long and happy hug. I’d made every effort while with Alana to do exactly one thing: be with my dear friend. But on returning, I let all that stored-up love for Lara emerge again, and I didn’t want to let go of her. Of course, we eventually had to peel apart. She was due at the shelter soon, so after greeting my moms and Frej, we resumed our morning walks that she’d kept up in my absence. As usual, we didn’t...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 49 Down by the Shoreline

I slumped in the front seat as Sarah started the car. She drove slowly, winding through the short-term parking lot, then out into the seemingly hundreds of ramps and exchanges that strangled the airport like a concrete octopus. Eventually the stress of navigating lanes and fighting off aggressive taxis dissipated as she started heading east on the Southern State Parkway. East, yes, because we had a stop to make. In fact, the twins would be sleeping in their own beds again before I did. Then...

3 years ago
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Teresa Scalia Showdown at the Hoedown

Teresa Scalia found her way from the middle school auditorium to the principal's office. The debacle between Barbara Anderson and Michele Smithson had just concluded and Teresa wanted to check on her friend. Michelle had suffered a humiliating stripping and spanking at the hands of Barbara. Teresa tapped on the office door "Michelle are you in there? Are you all right?" "Yes Teresa. Are you alone?" Michelle answered. "I'm alone." said Teresa. "Okay, come in and close the door behind...

3 years ago
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Shutter Click

In San Francisco, '77 was a great time to be alive if you were batting for the home team. People felt that they could do, say, or be anything they wanted. Every belief that had been held dear by the multitudes had been challenged in the previous decade and the world had collectively rocked back on its heels, trying desperately to catch its balance. Now it had and what's more, had begun to run forward. Stephan loved every minute of it. At the moment, he was trolling a bar. This was the third...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 2 Circle Bright

The day’s torture wasn’t over, since we still had to tell Heather about the state of things. She was supposed to be calling me that evening after dinner. Lara and I had discussed what we would say to her, but it hadn’t been easy to come up with anything. It felt cruel, now, as we remembered how inspired she’d been the past few days. Now we had to throw sand over it again and bury it away. Before dinner we went for another walk since it was easier to talk freely that way. It was dark, so we...

1 year ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 3 She Flew Away

Colin and Shannon were still chatting near the door to Jane’s classroom, so I told her I’d grab our regular seats. When the bell rang a few minutes later, she joined me. “I guess we’ll have to check out the photos later,” Shannon said apologetically. “Tomorrow’s another day,” I said, grinning. “Nah, no school tomorrow.” I turned to her as Jane called for quiet. “Really? Why?” “Another big storm,” she whispered. “Whoa! They already cancelled?” “I don’t know. But we’re going to get...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 4 Donrsquot Touch

After the successful phone call to Colin, Shannon was on cloud ten as we tramped through the deepening snow with the saw horses. Well, I carried the barricades; she badgered me about not being allowed to help. “They’re not that heavy,” I dismissed. “Which is why you should let me carry one!” “They’re crazy heavy,” I amended quickly, pretending to stagger. “This isn’t the eighteen-thirties, Matt. Chivalry is pretty much dead.” “Says the girl who dances in a show where there is literally a...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 5 Ravenrsquos on my Shoulder

Friday. The last day before the masks went on, before Dad would have to sleep in my desk drawer for two full seasons, and before Truth was buried, maybe forever. We cleaned, we arranged, we considered everything to make our home normal. After dinner, the four of us were satisfied with both the house and the cabin. Our guests would be treated with respect and love. After dinner, Lara and I went for a walk. It was made much easier by the fact that Colin and Shannon had plowed our driveway at...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 6 Fire for the Cold Ones

Given the unknown amount of potential baggage, Sarah decided to pick up the twins by herself. At best, one more person could have gone with her, but if it turned out that Muireann and Tommy were major packers then it would’ve been a tight fit and an uncomfortable ride. We knew from their letter that they’d likely be bringing some instruments with them. “Better safe than sorry. Besides, this will be my first and last chance to talk to them, I’m sure,” Sarah joked. “Don’t worry, we’ll let you...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 7 Porcelain Shell

I’d set an alarm for five, deciding that the lack of sleep would be better than leaving the twins stranded by themselves. However, when I slapped the sound off and staggered out into the living room, all was quiet. Figuring they’d be up soon, I grabbed my Walkman and stretched out on the couch to relax while I waited. As it turned out, I fell asleep and Lara ended up waking me up. I started, surprised to see her shaking me. “What time is it?” I asked, pulling the tangled headphones from my...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 8 Tint Shade and Hue

Figuring that the ‘warmest’ part of the day was passing, Lara suggested that if we still wanted to swim, now was the time. Tommy had not forgotten the offer and eagerly agreed, not put off by the frigid air temperature. We put away our guitars and returned to the house to don bathing suits. It was admittedly a bit odd, since Lara and I never did so; pulling jeans over the trunks felt completely alien. Lara had a giant stack of towels in her arms when we met up in the living room. Muireann...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 9 New Dream

“Well, last period is finally here. Enjoying the first day?” I asked, leading Muireann to some desks on the side of the classroom. I avoided my usual study hall spot, where Carl and a couple of other guys I usually sat with were already seated. “Aye, though it’s been a whirlwind,” she admitted. “Yeah, introducing you in each class ... I swear everyone has met you three times over!” Muireann sniffed. “At least that many. It felt a bit odd, all that. But everyone seems nice.” “For the most...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 56 Waters

We entered August, the last full month of summer, of vacation, and of divine mountain warmth. I spent all my time at Clara’s; Lara increased her hours at the shelter since Chuck hired her more formally and started paying her for her computer work. Our tent became lived-in and undeniably welcoming the more we used it and adjusted our setup. With Frej’s help, we’d flown an oversized tarp above the area that gave us some dry space around the shelter in times of rain. It remained a heavenly...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 57 From Depth to Shoal

Are you sure about this... ? Back down by the house, I found Frej in the garage. He was peering closely at a tangle of wires. “These new electronics...” he grumbled. “They are all so small and impossible to fix... ! Or maybe I need glasses.” I laughed as best I could with the tremors that seemed to be creeping into me from all sides. I haven’t been sure of anything lately... “Need a break?” I asked. He tossed the thing onto the worktable and grinned at me. “Yes, that is enough for...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 58 Silent Sea

We followed Heather down the pathway to the rocky intertidal expanse and picked our way toward the rowboat that sat patiently in the shallows. Between us, we silently pushed the craft into deeper waters, until it floated freely with enough clearance for the extra weight it would now carry. Heather held it steady as first Lara and then I got in. She joined us with a nimble leap. I studied the rowboat as I sat in the stern with Lara. Though clearly aged, it was sturdy and well-maintained. A...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 59 True

Not even twenty-five hours into our new life, it became clear that our bodies were entirely unprepared for the relentless existence of sea-harvesting with Heather. When we awoke after that first night’s sleep, early morning’s glow was faint. What’s the rush? It was Heather who had roused us, and despite various attempts to roll over and slumber away the deep soreness that pervaded every cubic inch of my limbs, she would not allow it. I finally yawned, struggled to sit up, and gave her a look...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 10 Alizarin and Cobalt

“Welcome to darkroom class,” I announced as Muireann followed me into the darkroom the following evening. She eyed me. “Are you going to lie on the bed again?” I grinned broadly. “I think I might, and let you do the work. Hands-on is the best way to learn, right?” “You’re going to give Tommy a run for the title of laziest boy.” “Am I winning yet?” Muireann just smirked and started blacking out the windows. “I have to admit something,” she said. “What’s that?” “I didn’t realize the...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 11 Go Figure

When Melissa and I returned to the house after dropping off the order for the necklace, nothing much had changed. In the cabin I found Lara and Tommy at the table, intently studying a sheet of paper. They didn’t even glance at me as I closed the door. I could hear Muireann’s muffled fiddle playing from the darkroom, the sound of a slow Irish melody permeating the warmed air inside. “How’s it going?” I announced, taking off my coat. After scribbling something down, Lara turned to me, smiling...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 12 Take a Look at Me

I felt an arm grip my winter coat. “Matt ... I don’t know that we can do this!” “Of course you can. It’s not that hard.” “No, I’m worried about Tommy!” she whispered. “What if he falls? Or runs into someone?” I gave her gloved hand a pat. “He’ll be okay. It’s pretty soft, you know. Watch...” I let myself fall sideways like a cut tree, landing on my hip and shoulder. Muireann gave a little cry of surprise, but I just laughed it off. In another moment I was standing again. “You want to...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 13 Everything You Want

“We need to decide what song we’re going to audition with,” I announced, as the five of us settled into the cabin for some rehearsal. Colin looked at me. “Let’s vote then. What are the choices? We have a lot of songs that we know now. Some more than others.” “I’m thinking we should do an original,” I offered. “We have Four Days, Shell Game, Absinthe... And Please Don’t Stop, but since we played that one at the show last year, probably not a good idea.” “Don’t forget Gunkstomp!” Lara...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 14 Nothingrsquos What it Seems

“What have we here?” Jane asked, coming to a stop in front of our half-dozen pictures. “Twins,” Muireann said. “Aha.” She examined our spread. “Did you do the project together?” “Aye, we tried something different.” I could hear the hope in Muireann’s voice, that this would be okay by our teacher. Jane pursed her lips. “Interesting approach.” “I know there’s only six photos, but we both did take six shots,” I explained. “There’s two exposures on each!” Jane gave me a small smile. “Yes,...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 15 Victory Mask

“Damn, I’ve missed you,” I whispered. She giggled. “Wow, I didn’t realize how much!” “Hey now! Hands above the waist!” Heather cuddled up closer to me on the couch as the hubbub carried on in the rest of the great room. After all the greetings and chats following our guests’ arrival, dinner was soon going to be ready. With Frej volunteering to help with what remained of meal preparations, we’d been told to go hang out. Not being one to deny my parents’ wishes, I didn’t think twice to drag...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 16 Once

I tried delaying our hike for a day. I really did. Although Heather’s ankle was sore after she removed the ski boots in the lodge, by the time we got home it was already feeling a little better. She could certainly get around, since it mostly hurt only when putting sideward pressure on it. Skiing was probably out for a few days, at least, but a walk through the woods was not worth postponing. Or so she said. I was of two minds. Twenty-four hours of extra rest would allow more time for her to...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 17 See the Light

The music store wasn’t too far from the jeweler’s shop, so Heather and I walked there. “I mean, I get it, now,” I said, still caught up in the surprising meaning of the Chinese symbol she now wore around her neck. “Oh, I think you got it a long time ago,” Heather said. “It’s just a word, Matt. It has no meaning on its own.” “I know, I know. It’s just ... most people would find it kind of...” “Weird,” she supplied. “You said it, not me,” I laughed. “It is what it is.” “Yeah ... Anyway,...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 18 Mountain Stream

Three girls, three cameras... And me, tagging along, superfluous but certainly enjoying myself. I offered to be their model a few times, but they seemed to prefer photographing each other. And there was the teasing, of course. Endless. “Nice, Muireann!” Heather chirped. “You’ve learned a lot about photography, I can tell.” “She has a good eye,” Shannon agreed. “Matt has been teaching me.” “Which makes it all the more surprising!” Funny... But even there, I was given three cute grins,...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 19 Burning Fires

Admittedly, I was slightly apprehensive as we pulled into our clearing that evening after our day of skiing. Heather, alone with Tommy all day... The snow was falling heavily again through the headlight beams. Both Frej’s and the Martins’ cars were parked in the same positions they had been that morning, and they remained covered in several inches of snow. Oddly, there were no lights on in the main house. Maybe Muireann was rubbing off on me, because for a few seconds I had a panicked vision...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 20 Sleep in the Dark

Mairead and Aongus left after lunch the next day, forced to end their vacation earlier than Frej and Heather due to the demands of the business they owned. I was indeed grateful for the Danishman’s generosity in allowing Heather to remain for another three days. The Martins’ departure left a rather obvious hole in our daily schedule. After dinner was cleared and we sat around the table, it suddenly seemed remarkably silent. The positive feedback loop between Tommy and Aongus had been...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 21 Mother Time

I was grateful for the band. Heather’s departures were never a good thing for me, inevitably the start of a long slide down into wistful distance, but the fact that I could go from our final embrace to playing my guitar within fifteen minutes was at the very least a welcomed distraction. “So we need to start thinking about a set for the battle,” I said, once we’d played a few numbers to warm up and clear the farewell feelings as best we could. “We have six originals, so we’ll need another...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 22 The Bed That We Made

The week passed slowly and somewhat agonizingly, since Gwen couldn’t rehearse again until the following weekend, and the homework was being laid on thick. I was anxious to make as much progress as we could on the set, which we still hadn’t quite settled on. Certainly as the battle approached, I was imagining more and more how it might turn out, even though I knew that daydreaming about the glories of winning was a dangerous game. Things could turn out so many different ways, surely, but in...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 23 Soon Irsquoll Be Gone

If I hadn’t been sure that Tommy had Dr. Kendall in his back pocket, that was put to rest in study hall the following Tuesday. Carmen, Tommy, and I were walking along the outside of the school building, on our way to the fields as was our habit now, when the principal rounded the far corner and came toward us. “Uh oh,” Carmen said. “Caught.” “Principal alert,” I whispered, for Tommy’s benefit. The three of us laughed quietly, all of us wearing shades as was our other habit these days. “We...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 24 The Regrets of a Fool

Carmen was disappointed but seemed understanding when I called her to let her know that we didn’t have room for her after all. It was a bit strange to talk to her on the phone, something that I didn’t think I’d ever done before. Odd, considering we were together for a while. Then again, this fact was testament to how messed up that time had been for me. Saturday evening arrived, and it was not without some anxiety that we packed the gear into Colin and Shannon’s vehicles. While my moms...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 26 Hard to See

“Hello?” “Oh hi, Mrs. Martin. How are you?” “Matt ... It’s me,” Heather said. I jerked in my chair. “What... ? No way! You said ‘Hello’!” “I guess I did.” This must be part of a joke... “Okay ... Where have you been? We were supposed to talk on Wednesday, remember?” “What day is it today?” Heather asked. I was quiet for a second. “It’s Friday? Seriously, is everything all right? You answered weird ... Well, you answered normally, which is weird for you. And you really don’t know what...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 27 Red Lines

I was surprisingly alert when Tommy and I slipped into Frej’s car at a quarter of six, just as the light was starting to make itself known in the east. I let Tommy have the front so I could squeeze against Heather in the back. “Good morning, my love,” she whispered, and immediately I wondered if I was overdressed for the warmth she caused in me. Maybe forgetting all my clothes at home would be okay after all. Damn kissing ban, though... “Is your man coming with us today?” Tommy asked...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 28 Burning Heart

Lara responded so sweetly when I asked if she could entertain the twins, that I took her into a surprisingly hard hug. We were alone in my room, so I made no effort to hold back. “Easy there, bro,” she warned, even as she returned the tight embrace. “I’m so sorry about the underwater thing,” I breathed. “I still feel terrible about it.” “No sweat. I know you didn’t do it on purpose, because you hate doing laundry. And now you’re stuck doing it every day!” I laughed. “True. But it’s the...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 29 Last Place for a Landing

It was strange to wake up. I was still on the couch, but Heather was gone, and I was horizontal and covered by a blanket. I could hear my moms and aunt chatting in the living room, since I was occupying their usual morning hangout spot. Then again, the sun was bright and the shadows on the porch floor were well past parallel to the wood beams, suggesting that my first meal of the day would be called ‘late lunch’ and certainly not ‘breakfast’. So, I really took their usual afternoon spot......

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 30 Jump

I think I’m half-Danish... It took me a moment, I’ll admit. It was perhaps like seeing someone on a distant hill make an odd movement, and only realizing a long second later that it was the head-on motion of an archer having released an arrow to fly forth from her bow. It took me a moment, yes, but then that five-word missile arrived, slamming into my heart with surgical precision. The world seemed to spin. I only knew one Danish person, and I knew him quite well. I struggled to hold her...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 31 Steer it True

“Do you wish this never happened?” she asked quietly. I turned to look at Heather, her face illuminated by the fading twilight. Until now, Heather had not spoken in the half-hour or so since I’d silently confirmed her connection to Frej. I didn’t mind the quiet, because I had much to think about myself. The pier was strangely deserted, and we’d migrated to the gazebo to sit. “Why do you say that?” I asked. “Because it really puts a new light on everything.” “It does, it does,” I agreed....

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 32 Coming into View

I was just about to make a call when Lara poked her head into my room. “Back to the telephone life, huh?” she said, giving me a sympathetic look. “Yep. Hard times again.” “You could’ve been born a hundred years ago,” she observed, “and then you wouldn’t even have had the phone.” “If I’d been born a hundred years ago, I would’ve missed out on her completely. And on you too, sis ... But I’m glad for the phone either way.” Lara nodded thoughtfully. “True. Come up to the cabin when you’re...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 33 Flames and Scars

On Monday, I was very relieved to get summoned to the principal’s office. Despite the amused looks I got from my classmates, I was feeling pretty high. Dr. Kendall had been silent since our meeting the previous week, a bit worrisome since the time before May wasn’t exactly abundant. But I trusted in his promise, and now it seemed we’d be shifting into gear. When I stepped into his office, another man was already sitting in one of the chairs. He looked vaguely familiar. I took the initiative...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 34 The Pedals of My Mind

“Sorry I stole your bed,” Lara said, giving me a sheepish grin as she wandered out of my room the next morning. I shrugged. “The couch is comfortable enough.” “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. We were working on lyrics, you know, and ... Yeah. Where is everyone?” “Colin’s not here yet, and Gwen came by a while ago but just grabbed Muireann and took off. And you and Tommy have been sleeping like logs.” “Where did Gwen take her?” “Beats me. She said they’d be back in a few...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 35 Split in Two

“Hello?” Uh oh ... That’s not good... “I don’t like the sound of that,” I said. “The last time you answered ‘Hello’ was—” “Good evening, Matt,” Mairead interrupted. “Oh, hi, Mrs. Martin!” “Heather is not here,” she added, her voice quite amused. I would’ve laughed, except that I suddenly realized how close I’d just been to revealing Heather’s secret. Holy shit... ! Way too close. “I’m sorry about that just now,” I explained, my skin prickling. “Sometimes Heather, well ... She’ll...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 36 Shooting Star

The scene at Smith Park, when we pulled in around noon, was rather astonishing. The light scaffolds loomed over the stage, and for a long moment I stood by the car door in complete shock. We’re going to be playing on that... ! “Are you coming, lad?” Tommy asked, having already seized his guitar and equipment bag from the trunk. I snapped out of it and went to grab my own things. “Yeah. It’s just that ... it looks pretty damn neat, man.” He grinned. “I’m sure it does. Now let’s go set...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 37 The Levers of My Heart

The post-concert went by in a rush. People came and went, to greet us, share their joy and emotions. The twins and Lara in particular were mobbed, which was fine with me. I’ve had just about as much excitement as I can take... After hugging the people closest to me, I slipped back up to the stage again, grateful for the banality of winding cables, collapsing mic stands, and the opportunity to help the sound and lighting crews get their work done just a little faster. They’d been amazing...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 38 The Point of Dying

Away... From us... To say these words affected me would be a vast understatement. The massive upwelling that I’d seen a moment earlier in Heather’s eyes, that flood which would destroy everything around ... It suddenly burst out of the sea. Nothing prepared me for its impact. My throat constricted and suffocation beckoned, caressing me gently into blackening edges. “Why?” I tried to ask, but the sound was grotesque, a pitiful gurgle at best. “Shh, shhhh,” she consoled through tears,...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 39 Gone to Ground

On the day that our connection was severed, I was roused by a warm hand caressing my face, the fingers leaving behind energetic currents. “Good morning, my love...” I opened my eyes all at once. The sun was just barely tinting the sky, and I was disoriented, wondering why the couch felt odd. It took me a moment to realize that I was down in the main house. Memories abruptly returned in a panicked rush. The night before, after partying for a while, the three of us had taken to Lara’s old bed...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 40 The Last Day of a Quiet War

The long work of pulling the concert together had fully caught up and crashed into me. That wasn’t the source of my problems, though, or I would’ve simply slept hard for a few days and been done with it. If I’d wanted to take a ‘sick’ day or two to stay home from school, no one would have batted an eyelid, for any of us. I wouldn’t have even had to fake a fever, holding the thermometer against a hot light bulb. I could just cash in on good karma. Instead, on Wednesday I’d found myself...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 41 Strip it All Away

“So, how much of this will you tell Tommy?” It was the first thing Muireann had said in some time, having grown progressively more reticent as I revealed my secrets to her, one by one. There were many, so it had taken a long while. But they were out, now... All of them. “Tommy...” I murmured. “Yeah, I’m not sure.” “He’s very fond of Lara.” I sniffed. “I know that. You think he’ll be weirded out?” “I can’t say for sure. And what about her?” I frowned. “Lara? She knows all of this...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 42 This Fraying Cord

I was waiting for Muireann to emerge from the restroom before we headed to photography class, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I figured she was playing the other-shoulder trick to get me to look the wrong way, but I was surprised to find Bruno there after all. “Oh, hey man ... What’s up?” I greeted. “We need to talk,” he said quietly, glancing anxiously down the hall. “Hm. Let me guess ... Pete?” “Yeah. Are you heading to class? I can walk with you.” “I am, but ... I need to wait for...

3 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 43 Endless Honeycomb

That evening, I was once again drained. Despite the temporary refueling that Muireann had gifted me in the pool after the terror of Pete’s episode, the subsequent rehearsal of Other Side had eventually sapped me. I could also tell that Muireann was almost as wiped as I was. The song was intense. It was a great relief when we both settled down into our beds in the main room of the cabin, her on the cot and me on the couch. “The downside of sleeping out here is that you can’t go to bed until...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 44 A Sweeter Hell

Pete didn’t attend school the rest of the week. The two times I called over to his house, I hung up as soon as I heard his dad answer. Even Bruno said that he hadn’t been able to talk to him since the day he canned Skinner. I was feeling unsettled again, but I held on to the hope that whatever was in motion was happening out of sight. It was all I could do, besides barging over there again and trying to force another chat. In the meantime, I made sure that all my other irons were still in...

1 year ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 45 The Best Part of Us

The talent show was in full swing. Ready or not, the acts were cycling on and off the stage with inevitable tempo. This time around, Green Space had opened the show, and The Nameless would soon close it. “I hope Pete keeps it together,” I said to Lara, as we stood in the wing watching a kid play a rather impressive classical piece on the piano. “He will. Muireann seems to have a calming influence on him.” “Yeah, I noticed. She’s been so helpful in dealing with Pete these last few weeks, I...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 46 Bleed Again

It was early evening on Sunday and the final music marathon was coming to an end, our last opportunity for rehearsing as a full band before Jonah’s concert the following weekend. Gwen was particularly intent about everything, calling out any and all problems she heard, and by now we didn’t question her judgment or ear. The only unknown was if we had the skill to do whatever she asked of us. Usually we did, even if it meant practicing it thirty times. Or more, in my case... But now it was...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 47 The Point of Taking

We arrived at Jonah’s in the early afternoon as arranged. He emerged from the side door of the Castle, grinning broadly. “What’s up, motherfuckers!” “Fella’s in a better mood than usual,” Tommy quipped. “Aye, probably this is his highest form of greeting,” Muireann added. We exchanged fist bumps, handshakes, and shit-eating grins. “This event is going to be the jewel in the Castle’s crown, I’m fucking telling you!” he gushed. “You’ve been busy,” Lara said, looking around at the yard...

1 year ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 50 Fall In

The elation and fright of what I’d just done with the necklace still fluttered violently in me when I arrived at my destination a little while later. I could still go back to the pier... ‘It was all a mistake, Darya ... A joke... !’ I swiped the ridiculous idea aside as I stared at the house. There was no need to climb the stairs and knock, on the chance that anyone would be there. The ‘For Sale’ sign out front and lack of decorations on the porch were enough indication that they’d moved...

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