Shutter ReleaseChapter 54: Slip Through free porn video

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Summer was fully ripened now, it being the latter part of July. The chorus of insects was thick in the air as I walked along the last stretch of our road. I was alone; Lara was already home, having left the shelter an hour before I’d swung by to gather her. In fifteen minutes I’d be in the creek, washed clean by Roe, and enjoying my time with her.

Or, so I thought. As usual, expectations sure were a bitch. Well, not a bitch this time, but a gorgeous girl that I adored!

“Hey there stranger!”

I grinned as a large car slowed down in the opposing lane.

“What are you doing here!” I exclaimed, happy to see those blue eyes. I leaned in through the window and gave her an awkward but thoroughly warm hug.

“I’m looking for you!” Alana exclaimed. “Lara said you’d be walking on the road.”

“Ha, she’s always right! But ... How do you know where I live?”

She grinned. “Magic.”

I laughed. “Or you called my house ... What’s going on?”

“I’m hoping to kidnap you.”

“What for? No one will pay you even a cent for ransom.”

“Uh, whatever?” Alana dismissed. “I’m sure I can squeeze at least a twenty out of your folks. Now hurry up and get in here!” She slapped the passenger seat.

“Oh, you want me to hurry, huh?” I drawled, raising a brow at her.

I stepped back and then launched myself at her car’s hood, using a hand to propel myself over the initial expanse. For an instant, I regretted the folly of trying this act again on such a massive slab of metal. But then my butt slid perfectly across the far half and I stuck the landing like a boss—I mean, like a duke! I heard Alana whoop as I pumped my fist into the air.

“That was sick, dude!” she cried. “Where’d you learn that one?”

I pulled open the door and was just about to answer when my right foot found a little rut in the ground. My left foot stepped back to catch my balance, but unfortunately the small embankment that held up the road was indented right there. In another moment Alana’s admiring grin disappeared from view and I found myself on the ground, cackling like a fool amongst the flowered weeds and prickly gravel.

I heard a door open. Alana came around the front of her car, barely able to walk from the hilarity of my situation.

“Holy shit, are you all right?” she managed between fits.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just laughing too hard to get up!”

She came over to help me, careful not to join me on the ground. It took a little doing, but at last she’d brushed the dirt off my back and I settled into the worn but comfy shotgun seat.

Alana poked her head in through the driver’s side window.

“Should I give it a shot?”

“What?”

“You know, jump in.”

I laughed, checking the mirror. “Either way you better hurry, someone’s coming!”

She stepped out of sight, and then her legs swung through the open window frame. With minimal effort and maximal grace, she slid into her seat.

“Wow, that’s how it’s done!” I gushed, giving her a high five. “Smooth!”

“Must be the shorts,” Alana joked.

I glanced at the minimal cutoff denims. “Must be!”

She waved the approaching car around.

“So where to?” I asked, chuckling as she did a thirteen-point turn to get her beast going in the other direction.

“Your house, for starters. Grab a bathing suit, maybe a change of clothes. Nothing fancy.”

“All right, I can do that. And where to, after that?”

“Guess.”

I shrugged. “Your special spot on the cliff.”

Alana laughed as she turned into my driveway. “Okay, that was too easy.”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about that place lately. What’s the occasion though?”

“Nothing. Except that I’ve missed you, dude.”

“Come on. You just saw me at Jonah’s concert. Usually we don’t see each other for months on end!” I joked.

“I wouldn’t call the concert ‘just’ seeing you. But okay, I’ve been listening to your album for the last three weeks straight,” she explained, tapping the radio. “I got tired of waiting for you to call.”

I winced and gave her a sheepish look. “I know, I know ... I’m really sorry. I’m a terrible friend.”

“It’s all good,” she said, giving me a grin. “I’m sure you’re a busy dude.”

In another minute, she came to a stop in front of my house.

“So is this just me, or can Lara come too?” I asked.

“I already invited her, but she said no. So it’s just you, unless you convince her to come.”

“All right, I’ll make it quick!”

I hopped out and hurried inside. Lara was lounging on the couch reading a book.

“Hey, sis!”

“Hi! Did Alana find you?”

“She did. And she’s kidnapping me, I guess.”

“Fine, leave me all alone,” she pouted.

I made a face at her. “She said she asked you to come along. Didn’t she?”

“Yeah, she did, but I’m signed up for the shelter tomorrow. And since I doubt you’re coming home tonight...”

I pursed my lips as I checked the time. “Yeah, you’re probably right ... Aw, I’m going to miss you!”

“I’m sure you’ll survive without me for a bit,” she said, before smiling warmly. “And I’ll miss you too.”

“You can come, you know.”

“Go on and have your fun,” Lara said, grinning.

“All right. Tell Moms that I’m safe and I’ll be back ... at some point!”

I made short work of the pack, and soon I was back in the car with my small bag. On a lark, I decided to bring my camera, even though I’d somewhat forgotten about it again. I hadn’t touched it since Shannon’s shoot.

“So are you happy with the way the album turned out?” Alana asked, as she rolled her car down our long driveway.

I let out a snort. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve never listened to it all the way through.”

Alana gawped at me. “Are you serious? Jonah said he finished the tapes. I figured he got them to you.”

“Oh, he did. And we put them up for sale in some stores in town and stuff. But when the twins left ... It was kind of tough. We listened to half of it right before we had to go to the airport. That’s the only time I’ve heard any of it. I wasn’t really in a place to judge that day.”

“But why haven’t you listened since?”

“I’ve ... been too busy?”

“Busy not calling me, obviously!”

I winced. “Ouch! I feel like I’m going to hear about that for a while!”

“No, I was just kidding,” she dismissed. “What have you been up to?”

I shrugged. “Busy being free, I guess. Some landscaping work, helping people out, random shit. Practicing my hood slides, you know!”

“Obviously. Maybe work a bit more on getting into a car normally, though?”

I sniggered. “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I know I saw you at the benefit, but we didn’t really talk much that night. Some stuff has changed since we last went to your special spot.”

Alana came to a stop at the edge of my driveway and turned to me. “Like what?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you later. How about you rewind the tape to the beginning, crank it up, and if you drive just a little bit slower than usual, I think we’ll get there right when Other Side is ending. What do you say?”

Alana grinned. “Sure thing!”

She pressed the rewind button on the tape player. We sat in silence, smiling at each other and anticipating the moment when the machine clicked. Then it did. Alana flicked her turn signal.

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Really? Blinker out of my driveway?”

“Dude, I’ve been doing this way longer than you.”

“I sure glad I didn’t have you for my driving test!”

Alana sniggered. “All right, pipe down so we can hear this awesome music!”

She made the turn just as the opening part of Four Days filled the car. The volume went way up and we headed off down the road, singing along.

I was in good spirits when we arrived at the property. Hearing the album had been admittedly bittersweet. I’d kept myself busy in the time since the twins’ departure, so that the giant hole that they’d left could take its sweet time to fully heal up. But Alana’s pure enthusiasm and joy at the music we’d made was infectious. By the time the applause had faded into hiss at the end of side one, I realized what a great time I’d had with the band, and what a special memento we’d made out of our creative forces. And damn if it wasn’t a decent album in the end!

As predicted, as the final cadence of Other Side reached its conclusion, Alana pulled the car to the end of the long drive, right by the little cabin. She smiled at me as she finally killed the engine, and the album. Very quickly a sense of peace was descending on me.

“Back again,” I breathed.

“I haven’t been here since I was here with you,” she said.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why, but that’s how it goes. Guess I’ve been busy too.”

“Well, I haven’t been here since then either,” I joked. “So we’re even.”

We exited her car. The place looked a bit different in the evening light, quite beautifully golden. The leaves filtered the view of the great open space beyond, leaving the impression that there would be an amazing sunset to be had in an hour or two.

“Can you hang out until tomorrow?” Alana called out, as she unlocked the cabin.

“Tomorrow? I have no plans, like, for months!”

She laughed as she stepped to the back of her car. “I won’t kidnap you for that long. But will you stay tonight?”

I eyed the cabin. “Are we allowed to?”

“Not in there, silly,” she said. “That’s just so I don’t have to help you pee in the woods again! I have a tent in the trunk.”

I guffawed. “Sure, then, I’ll stay!”

“Then let’s set up camp as quickly as we can, so we can watch the sunset while we eat.”

I joined her at the trunk and she loaded me up with a tent sack and two sleeping bags. She followed behind with a cooler, and we walked the short path out to the overlook.

The view was just as spectacular in the light as it was at night. I felt a shiver as the blue lake below us beckoned. I missed my little pool and waterfall and the nightly bath it provided, but this was certainly a worthy exchange. If only Lara would’ve come...

“This is so amazing,” I murmured.

“It is,” Alana agreed. “No matter how often I come here, it still takes me a few minutes to not just stare in awe.”

We did just that for a bit. Eventually I pulled out of it.

“Come on, you said quick setup,” I prodded.

We got to work. Since Alana was familiar with her tent, she took care of that, calling on me for help when the poles needed to go upright. I made more trips to the car for a basket grill, chairs, a second cooler, sleeping mats, and our clothes bags. Then I made three trips to the cabin where Alana said I could find some wood.

“Any chance they have an axe?”

She nodded. “In the little cubby to the right of the wood pile.”

In a bit, I was swinging iron. It was actually a sledge and splitting wedge that I’d found, so the crystalline pings of my efforts reverberated through the enormous natural amphitheater before us. The sound was immensely satisfying, and little by little the dry oak quarters broke down into smaller kindling.

Alana, meanwhile, had the tent set up on a flat spot and she threw the duffel and sleeping bags inside, crawling in after them to lay them out.

“Should I get a fire going now?” I called. “Not sure what we’re eating, but...”

“Yeah, start one up. I’ll be right out.”

I scrounged up some branches from the nearby forest, keeping only the ones that broke cleanly with a crisp snap. There was a partial stone fire ring to one side of the ledge, so I shored up the encircling rocks with their brethren that sat scattered around the area, and soon I had a decent blaze crackling. The aroma of wood smoke was a balm, reminding me of those cold winter evenings when I’d sat with the twins in our living room and listened to Muireann tell stories. I certainly had enjoyed that.

“So what is for dinner?” I asked.

Alana emerged from the tent, smiling at me. “Take a look in the smaller cooler.”

I lifted the lid and whistled appreciatively. “Damn. Did you catch these?”

“One of them. My dad got the other. We went out early this morning and got lucky.”

“Yeah, I’ll say. Summer giants!” I gushed, my mouth watering.

Laying in the bottom of the cooler atop a deep bed of ice were two beautiful trout, each of significant size. They were gutted and ready to be devoured.

Alana went to the car and retrieved a metal stand that I’d missed. As she unfolded it, I realized it was an adjustable grill rack. Since the fire was still going strong, I held off on cooking the fish just yet. Alana pulled out a garden salad from the other cooler and a loaf of crusty bread from a paper sack.

“Beer?” she asked, holding up a bottle of Rolling Rock.

“No thanks.”

“Later then.”

“Probably not.”

She eyed me. “What, not drinking these days?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve had enough of being mopey or surly when I get drunk. So I haven’t touched it since the benefit show.”

Alana guffawed. “That was a funny night. Tricked by the pears!”

I frowned at her. “Say what?”

“You really don’t remember?”

“Pears? No, I don’t ... And I don’t think I want to!”

“Well, too bad! You went outside to pee and faceplanted in the trees, and Muireann had to go rescue you. After you were in bed and passed out, she popped her head out and told us that you were going on and on about how you thought the pears tricked you. It was so hilarious!”

“I still have no idea what that even means!” I wailed.

She patted my back. “Yeah, you wouldn’t. Jonah had some pear vodka in the cabin, and you really loved it!”

“Ohhh ... Shit, yeah, that sounds vaguely familiar now. Well, I might’ve loved it that night, but I really hated it the next day and I haven’t been interested since!”

“Understandable. What about a joint then?” Alana asked, her eyes glinting.

I shrugged. “That I’ll do.”

“Well, there’s a few in my purse. Dig one out and let’s get our appetite ripping!”

She set up the two chairs and dragged the cooler over between them as a little makeshift table. I found the promised joints in her bag.

“Jeez, if this is a few...” I remarked.

“You know my motto, man!”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.”

I grabbed an unburnt twig from my kindling stack and lit the tip in the fire. Soon I’d transferred the flame to the end of the little white log and puffed the blue smoke into me.

“I’ve missed Jonah’s weed,” I said grandly, watching the sun start struggling to remain yellow.

“His is the best,” Alana agreed, coming close.

I gave her the joint, and she inhaled a long drag, grinning at me. She put a hand to her ear and stooped closer to the cooler.

“Hmm ... Do you hear that?”

I listened. “No?”

“The trout ... They want to smoke too!”

I guffawed, already feeling the effects of the pot. “Hint, hint. Okay, I’ll get them on the grill.”

The fire wasn’t particularly smoky, since the property owner’s wood was very well-seasoned. We agreed it made more sense to cook them normally. Alana produced some butter from the cooler and I slathered it on the fish with a knife. After a touch of pepper and a sprinkle of salt, they went into the folding grill and onto the fire.

It wasn’t long before we each had a perfectly cooked trout on our undersized paper plates. We attempted to eat with a modicum of finesse, using utensils, but immediately it became too tasty for that.

“Fuck it,” Alana said, taking the fish in her hands and chomping into it. I didn’t hesitate to do the same.

The sun paired with the fire, both turning into redder embers. There wasn’t any reason to talk for a time; the view was magnificent enough that nothing could enhance it, and it was better to use our lips to eat than speak anyway. Once the fish were destroyed, we washed our hands in the cabin bathroom and then ate our salad and bread more calmly.

It was a very still evening, rarely a breeze and minimal when there was. The lake was mirror smooth, affording us the view of two different sunsets at once. In the reflected one, the sun was already behind the trees that grew on the far inverted rise, and so the blue of the water was rapidly being replaced by growing orange and red hues.

It occurred to me, as I sat there sated and stoned, that the sun did this every day. Yes, I know, an amazing observation! Lara would’ve sarcastically applauded it, even. But really, it was rare for me to see a sunset, because the surrounding mountains at our house blocked the sun long before the atmosphere was able to change its color. Watching it fall into the horizon was simply not possible from my yard.

But sometimes there would be clouds in the sky over our house, and they themselves could watch the sunset, being lucky enough to be perched so high. They would blush pink and red, and by looking at their expressions, those of us nestled in the valley could still be reassured that the sun did what it always did, and beautifully at that. And even we could receive some of the feeling of it, the warmth of light at the closing of the day.

But none of that mattered. It was pointless, because the sun did its thing regardless of who watched and who thought it pretty.

Useless beauty...

Or ... not?

Before me, the last bit of the real sun filtered through the distant trees and left us in the afterglow of civil twilight.

“What are you thinking about?” Alana asked quietly.

I let out the hit I’d been holding in my lungs. “That if I was completely deaf and I went to a concert,” I said slowly, “I’d want to sit facing the audience. And I could still enjoy the music by watching their expressions.”

Alana giggled. “That’s far out, dude...”

“It’s true though. I was just thinking back to this one time at school when we had a little photography show for class. And Tommy was really impressed by it, even though he hardly looked at the pictures. I guess he was listening to the people talking about the photos, instead of trying to see what he could of them. And that’s how he enjoyed them.”

“A whole other way of seeing, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s like we get stuck seeing things the way we’re most used to seeing them. Or hearing things ... Everything, really. It’s hard to get out of that.”

“True,” she agreed.

“When the twins first got here and Tommy told us about being mostly blind, one of the first things I thought of was all the stuff that we wouldn’t be able to do together. It was a gut reaction in my brain, you know, and I felt bad about it right away.”

“Most people would do the same thing, especially right at first.”

“Yeah, I know. The funny thing is that he actually ended up doing all that stuff. Skiing, photography, fishing ... And he kind of changed us all. His music talent is ridiculous. If you really like the Quiet Mile album, you can blame him, because his skill is a lot of what made it what it is.”

“I’m sure you all had something to do with it,” Alana said, smiling.

“Well, okay, it was a group effort. But from the first time I heard Tommy play a song in my cabin, I knew it was going to be something so cool.” I chuckled. “You know, Lara and I have this joke where she calls me Mr. Blind, because I’m usually pretty clueless about relationship kind of stuff. But the nickname always seemed silly after meeting Tommy. Probably it should be Mr. Normal, because he could see way better than I ever could.”

Alana laughed. “I think you’re probably right ... So, you said back at your house that you have news?”

I shifted in my chair to face her. “You want the long or short story?”

“Um ... Short, to start with?”

“Once upon a time, Heather broke up with me. The end.”

Alana’s mouth dropped open, all mirth draining out of her eyes. “What the fuck?”

“Yeah, she went to live in Maine for a while. Out in the middle of nowhere, no way to talk to her. I haven’t heard from her in months.”

“Months?” She was visibly stunned. “But—No! At Jonah’s you said she was doing okay!”

“Did I? Maybe it was the pears telling you that! I don’t really know. I wasn’t really in a place to tell you even the short version that night, since I was puking up my guts, and people were always around. I guess that’s part of the reason why I got so fucked up that night.”

Alana shook her head sadly. “Damn, dude, I’m so sorry to hear this.” She suddenly murmured knowingly. “Oh ... no wonder ... After you went to bed that night and a bunch of us were still hanging out in the cabin, I made a joke about what Heather would say about you right then. It kind of got uncomfortable for a second.”

“Yeah, I guess it would have!”

“But why the break up? I still don’t believe it!”

“Well, that’s the long story! Because we didn’t quite break up like you might think, but we did in a way.”

Alana grabbed her purse and dug out another joint, her face a mask of confusion. “So were you and Muireann a thing?” she asked.

I chuckled. “Funny you should ask. Everything looks a little different about that show now, huh?”

“Yeah ... I was wondering about you and her at Jonah’s, because she was really worried about you and obviously you two were super close, and she slept in the bed with you and everything.”

“Mmm ... Were we a thing?” I took a hit and passed the fresh bone back. “I don’t even know what that means anymore. I love Muireann, but we were never involved, like, physically. But yeah, we were super close, especially the last part of her visit ... Guess it depends what you mean by ‘thing’.”

Alana was quiet for a time. “Yeah, I don’t know. I guess it doesn’t matter.”

“She kind of stepped in and helped me after Heather left.”

“That was lucky for you, to have her.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. Then again, it wasn’t really luck. It was part of the, well ... I’ll just say it worked out the way it was going to.”

She looked at me seriously. “And who’s there for you now, since Muireann’s gone? Well, Lara, I guess. Duh.”

“Yeah, but really it’s myself. I finally figured some stuff out a few weeks ago. I let Heather go, so I’m feeling better. She made sure of that, even.”

“Damn. This has to be rough. I always thought you and her had something so amazing.”

“We did ... But I think the other way would’ve been rougher.”

“Other way?”

“To keep doing what we were doing.” I reached out for the joint she offered, taking a long drag, studying the fading light. Hidden stars were now starting to make an entrance. Cycles... “Remember last time we were here, I told you something very secret?”

“Sure. About Lara being with Heather too.”

“Yeah, that. Well, we call it Truth, for short. And all this stuff with Heather, it all comes down to that.”

Alana considered for a while. Several times I almost explained myself, but I ended up staying silent.

Eventually she hummed. “So you’re saying Heather had to break up with you so that the three of you can, like ... start over, together?”

I gave her a warm smile. “Wow, you get it, then! That’s wild! But yeah, that’s how I see it right now. If you ask me again next week, I could be a mess about it again, but hopefully not. Who knows! And the thing is, I don’t know where Heather is at. For all I know, she might’ve figured out it’s not what she wants. So it could all be over, too.”

She reached over and squeezed my hand. “I hope not.”

“I don’t hope either way. I just want her to figure out her thing and be happy, whatever it is.”

“So what’s your plan, then?”

“What do you mean?”

“With Heather. What if she wants to just be with you?”

I shook my head. “That’s over.”

Alana nodded slowly. “So, start fresh, or nothing?”

“Well ... It’s not even about Heather,” I said evenly.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s about my sister. I told you last time we were here that Lara got together with Heather, and that Lara and I were not together, in that way. And we’re still not, don’t get me wrong. But I kind of realized that Lara and I are bonded in some way. And she’s the person in my life who is at the top of who I want to spend my time with and be close to. I know it’s weird as hell to say that, but it’s, well ... the truth. So she and I needed to start over, really.”

“Wow ... That is far out, dude. I don’t mean that in a bad way. But you need some serious balls to admit that kind of thing, let alone try to make it happen!”

I sniffed. “I think you’re giving me too much credit. I’m not going to be screaming it around school, you know. You’re one of the very few people that even knows, and that’s how it’s going to stay.”

She nodded and squeezed my hand. “So you’re basically saying that you and Lara are a thing, like you and Muireann were a thing?”

I gave her a look. “Hmm ... Yeah, maybe. I never thought of it that way, not exactly...”

“It was just a wild-ass guess.”

“Well, you’re pretty good at those.”

She considered me for a long moment. “So what happens next? Waiting to hear from Heather?”

“Not waiting, no. For all I know, I won’t ever see her again, even though I don’t think that, or want it. But I’m not convinced of anything these days so I’m just seeing where life takes me for a while. My year’s been crazy. Too many ups and downs. It was amazing to play the shows, and raise money for Carmen’s fund ... But all that supposedly ‘good’ stuff got to me as much as the negative stuff did. It messed with me pretty bad.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed. You always seem pretty cool and collected.”

I guffawed. “Yeah right! You saw me after the band battle, before we came out here the first time. I was freaking out until you saved my ass.”

“Well, that was a raw deal. Anyone would’ve been pissed. But then putting on the benefit at the Castle and stuff ... I know that was your idea, because Jonah told me all about it. And now you’re saying it was bad to do something good?”

“No, just that it was bad for me. Awesome for everyone else. I just handled it like a jerk.” I winced at the memory of Dr. Kendall dumping the money over the office floor. “I took my part way too far.”

Alana considered for a while as she toked. “Maybe, but it definitely was pretty awesome for everyone else, dude.”

I shrugged. “I’m glad for that.”

“You’ve changed stuff. Who would’ve thought that Jonah would go along with a benefit concert, you know?”

I laughed. “I know, fucking Jonah. A few months ago I was ready to strangle that guy. But he did come through in the end, big time.”

“Yeah, and you got him rethinking his shows, you know.”

“What, he’s going to start charging admission now?”

Alana smiled. “I think he just might!”

“Well, good for him. He gives everyone free booze and the bands and everything, so why not?”

“We’ll see what he does. But the Castle concerts probably will be a bit different, at least for some gigs.”

“Right on. Maybe I’ll come down one of these days just to hang out and take in the spectacle, without the stress of playing.”

“You totally should. And I’ll be Miss Ellie for you.”

“Nah, you wouldn’t have to. I’ve always felt bad about that, to be honest. I mean, it’s outrageous and kind of funny and all, but deep down it always bothered me.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “That you have to do what other people say.”

“I choose to play the part.”

“Yeah, but they’re allowed to make you do stuff.”

She smiled evasively. “Sort of.”

“I don’t know. Jonah always made it sound like the Misses were like servants, or even slaves to the bands.”

Alana chuckled. “Not really.”

“Look, the first time I played there, he was basically saying that if I wanted to hook up with Hayley, I just had to ask her. And that she would do whatever I said. It just seems wrong to put someone in that position.”

“Hey dude ... You do realize I’ve been Miss Ellie a lot of times? And you haven’t at all?”

I glanced at her sheepishly as I absorbed her light reprimand. “Um, I guess you’re right. Sorry.”

“Then you should know that Jonah finds out what we’re up for before he offers anything to anyone.”

“Wait, really?”

“Mm hmm.”

“Whoa ... I didn’t know that.”

“Well yeah, that would take away from the magic of it all, wouldn’t it?”

I sniggered. “I guess it would. But wait ... So when he said Hayley would—Oh, shit...”

“So you get it now, right?”

“Yeah ... And now I remember her asking me if I wanted to hook up, after I told her she was done being Miss Ellie.”

“Yep, Hayley was into you, not Miss Ellie.”

“Wow...”

“Don’t get too high on yourself, stud-man. Remember she was also into Skinner at the band battle, so...”

I had to laugh. “Thanks, I needed that.”

She grinned. “Of course you did ... So yeah, the Misses. It’s not really a slave thing. It’s more like ... give and take.”

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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...

3 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...

4 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...

3 years ago
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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...

3 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...

4 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...

3 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,...

4 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...

3 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...

3 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...

4 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...

3 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...

3 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...

3 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...

2 years 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...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 48 Down On My Knees

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...

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...

2 years 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...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 51 Valley Stream and Lea

Truth is out... There was a long moment where nothing happened. Having been pulverized, that brittle shell washed away and left everything wide open. All was paused as I remained on the couch, stunned and unsteady. My thoughts all glanced at each other in confusion, blinking in the sudden light. What happens now? Then Clara said one thing to me: ‘Let me go... ‘ It wasn’t really her speaking, of course. I wondered what message she would’ve had for me if I’d answered her question with a...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 25 The Dreams of a Girl

Chapter 25: The Dreams of a Girl Alana’s driving was a balm, a relaxed and smooth ride augmented by the loose shocks on the wheels of her old Buick. I reclined in the passenger seat, swigging from the wine. “Want some?” I asked, holding up the bottle. “Come on, I’m driving.” “I know. I was just being polite,” I murmured. Alana patted my arm. “Fine. But be safe first, polite second, dude. Someday someone will take you up on that offer and next thing you know you’ll end up making out with...

4 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 52 Sing Sweet Mountain

Lara held my hand as we stood in the currents of the Roe, watching the flow of life as this playful tendril of the sea wound her way around and through us. Each little splash measured one more instant of being together with my sister, little moments that when placed end to end added up to simple perfection. Because the hours that recently passed had been just that: a complete surrender of any fear of each other. Our deeds and misdeeds were starting to come out now, weighed and reckoned, then...

2 years ago
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Shutter ReleaseChapter 53 Carry Me

“Good morning, sis!” I sang. “Nice bedhead!” Lara squinted at me from the doorway to the darkroom. She released a giant yawn into the cabin before speaking. “Morning ... Uh, what the hell are you doing in an apron?” “Making breakfast!” “I thought I smelled something good, but then I remembered who I live with and was like, nah, can’t be. What’s the deal? Wait, are you making boxty?” “Fuck yeah!” She came close and scrutinized my meal preparation. “You do realize the twins aren’t here,...

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