SWA Collective

Self Found

2009-09-15T21:19:00.008-04:00

Corinne let her eyelids rise slowly, and as her eyes focused, she stared out into… nothing. No beaches. No taverns. No manors. Nothing. A white abyss permeated every inch of her vision, and a fear of solitude began to creep into the pit of her stomach. Even so, she knew she wasn't alone. She could feel his presence lurking even in her bones.

She did not have to look at him to see him. His very essence was outlined by the void, his eyes casting an intense glare that tugged the hairs on the back of her neck.

"What is this?" she asked him, not wanting to reveal her anxiety. “Where am I?”

He stood blinking at her for a minute before answering, “Where do you want to be?”

“Don’t,” she spat back through clenched teeth. “I’m done with your riddles. I’m done with you. I won’t play this game – ” She was abruptly cut off when Morpheus grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet.

Despite his angry grip on her arm, his fingertips digging painfully into her skin, he spoke to her softly. “This is no game.”

“Then what is it?” Her voice full of contempt, refusing to react to the discomfort in he was causing her.

“You still don’t get it.” He shook his head at her incredulously. “What do you want it to be?”

“I don’t want it to be – I don’t want it to be anything!”

“Well, look around you.”

She looked around, once again taken aback by the nothing that encompassed them. “I – I don’t understand.”

“You forget just where you are, Corinne. This is your mind. Your thoughts. Your dreams.” He released her arm and stepped back. “I have only led you to them.”

“You’ve corrupted them.” Corinne frowned in confusion.

“I’ve enhanced them.”

“You’ve trapped me in something unnatural.”

“I’ve exposed you to something extraordinary.”

She paused. “I won’t do this with you. You’ve toyed with me for long enough.”

He looked away from her, seeming to consider his next words. “Corinne, if you were given the opportunity to bring about any action, to encounter any given thing, to see anything happen… what would it be?”

Corinne didn’t answer but her mind went racing, imagining different scenarios in which Morpheus lay dying, writhing in agony, punished for this insanity that he had thrown her into.

She lowered her eyes, embarrassed at the anger and brutality that was clouding her thoughts. But to her own shock, Morpheus was crumpling before her, his body trembling at her feet. His cries, strangled with blood, met her ears with stark clarity, as though his death sounds were made only for her.

“Now do you understand?”

Corinne screamed involuntarily and jumped back when Morpheus’ voice broke her from the anguish that played out before her. Morpheus was standing, unharmed at her behind her, his broken, bloodied counterpart fading into the oblivion. “What is this?!” she cried, her words mangled through her hyperventilation.

“That has been the wrong question all this time. What makes you think that it will be right on this occasion?” he answered smoothly. Reaching out, he gripped her shoulders. “Breathe. Think!”

She forced her lungs to stop their desperate heaving and her heart to slow its pumping of fear and adrenaline through her veins. Hysteria slowly abating, she knew what to ask. “What are you?” she whispered.

He smiled, and the smile became a laugh, and the laugh became hardened into a growl. Stiff arms were pulling her toward him, and from within his chest, she felt an unnatural heat waft from his form. “I am the dreamweaver,” he told her. “The keeper. The soul forsaken. The incarnate of lost reverie.”

“And what the fuck,” she breathed, “does that mean?”

“It means that you have been chosen. I knew when I first saw you, but I had to be sure. Again and again, however, you have proven to me that it is you who can bring about the end. For with every end, there is a beginning.” His fingers burned into her skin.

“Riddles, Morpheus.”

“You are my successor. You are my end. I am your beginning.”

He released her and made a grandiose motion toward the abyss. “This is your kingdom, to do with what you may.”

Corinne let herself go limp. Her brain was shifting with alarming speed but coming up with nothing of use. She was a successor to a vast emptiness? Her thoughts manifested at her feet? Morpheus, whom had plagued her for what seemed like ages, was something of myth and imagination? She was missing the central puzzle piece to make it all fit, but she didn’t want it. What she wanted was a way out.

“You can have a way out,” Morpheus startled her out of her trance. Even her thoughts could not provide her sanctuary. “You can have anything that you want. Anything that you will. You must simply free me and take my place. Give me the key.”

All this time she had been searching for a physical key. A charm. A lock. But now she realized. “Assent.”

“Assent,” he repeated. “This world can be everything that you want it to be. That dream it to be. You no longer have to return to that untraveled, unloved, unnecessary life of humanity. Give it to me,” he pushed. “Stay here and live out your truest, greatest fantasies. What you’ve always wanted.”

“And if I don’t?”

His eyes darkened. “Then we will remain here until you do. And I will enact your truest, greatest nightmares. Your torment of me, will be torment of yourself.”

She frowned. “My torment? My torment of you?”

“There is only one way out of this for you, Corinne,” Morpheus said, disregarding her. “And only one way out for me. I have been the man, here with you this whole time. Did I not follow you to every whim your enacted, granting your every wish. Did I not restore you, your sense of life? And yet, you hesitate to free me, when this is all you’ve ever wanted.”

Corinne stood quietly for a long moment, letting the knowledge of everything that had befallen her come down with heavily on her shoulders. She had begun this journey living through the lives of others. Faceless names on her computer screen. She had been looking for life, looking for fantasy when she found Morpheus, and had she not seen the strength of love? Felt the pull of the supernatural? Danced in musicless sands? Lived more lives than she could have ever dreamed?

Dreamed. She had wished to lose her monotony of her humanity, and managed to lose it all. She was trapped here.

She looked up at Morpheus, her vision clouding with eminent tears. “No.”

His frame buckled, but he recovered quickly. “You will free me.” Heat swirled under his words.

She shook her head. “I will free myself.” The moment that her mind released the impulse, the knife materialized in her hand.

“Don’t!” He leaped at her, but it was too late. With swift motions, she had opened the arteries in her wrists, and as if at her command, her heart began beating faster, harder, forcing thick ropes of blood from her body in massive spurts.

He seized her, stepping into the pool of blood that was forming at her feet. “You’ve broken the cycle!” he moaned. “You’ve trapped me! You would die to destroy me?!”

As her vision tunneled, a deep darkness overcoming her, she smiled. “Morpheus. It’s just a dream.”

Part 16- Nocturne

2009-04-26T00:22:00.007-04:00

"There's always free cheddar
in the mousetrap, baby.
It's a deal. It's a deal."

-Tom Waits
from God's Away On Business
Blood Money (2002)

Corinne's hips strained under the weight of her own legs, bearing her body forward one exhausted step at a time. Above her, a long, open-roofed pagoda lay supine and waiting. She did not know where she was but that was nothing new. It was enough to get away.

As she climbed the staircase, her feet did not land on the tile so much as drift across it. She was a shadow, a whisper, as immaterial as heaven. Inside the pagoda, she heard the gentle rush of water like the fluttering of wings. This, Corinne thought as she passed through the arch, was some strange oblivion.

Corinne glanced fretfully over her shoulder as she entered, hoping not to be caught off guard by someone or something. In front of her, an ornate and rather inviting bed stood majestically against the wall. Behind her, a waterfall cascaded down into a stone basin. The entire pagoda had but one room erected for but one purpose- It was a veritable shrine to sleep. Candles burned around her, painting the floor with gold. She was alone and thankful for it.

Wringing her hands, Corinne stood too afraid to move. She thought that if perhaps she breathed too heavily or moved too suddenly, he would appear. But when the moment passed and no sign of life was forthcoming, Corinne made up her mind to sit down.

The chair slid soundlessly as she lifted it towards her. Halved citrus fruits glistened at the center of the table. Her stomach clenched painfully. When was the last time she had eaten? When was the last time she had even considered eating? Corinne glanced upwards at that bruised sky. Night was falling faster than gravity could pull. Somewhere, a coyote bayed at the setting sun.

Collapsing into the chair, Corinne released a sigh. She could stay here forever out of sight, out of danger, out of all knowledge. She'd come to terms with the fact that she would never return to reality. There was no trail of bread crumbs for her to follow. No second star to the right and no morning. She would never awaken from this dream.

Corinne picked up an orange and placed it to her lips but did not bite down. It looked like an orange. It smelled like an orange. It carried the ripe weight of an orange. But it was not an orange, not truly. Carefully, she replaced it at the center of the table. She had been kidnapped, threatened, manipulated, lied to, drugged and disoriented... The list went on. She'd lost all sense of time. Her entire existence was counterfeit. All that she knew for certain- The one thing that she could be sure of- Was that she hated Morpheus. She hated him so much so that her entire body shook when she thought on it. It was her only compass in the dark.

Misery shot violently up from her stomach, building pressure at her temples. This was not what she had spent the better part of her life wishing for. And more than anything, she wanted her insignificant little life back.

Trees rustled outside despite the lack of wind. Corinne didn't know how she knew but her mind screamed with certitude. He was here. Wiping her eyes, Corinne tried to suppress her sobs. She would not give him any indication that he had won even if and most especially because he had.

The staccato rhythm of his heels against the floor was an echo of the last, labored beats of her heart. Corinne covered her eyes, thinking in her near hysteria that if she could not see him, then he wasn't there. But still his footsteps grew louder.

"Not you. I don't want you." Her voice broke. Morpheus leaned in towards her. She could hear him breathing now and smell the spices he wore on his skin.

"There is nowhere that you can run from me, Cori," he said placidly. Corinne shook her head.

"That won't stop me from trying."

Corinne pressed her fingertips into her eye sockets, trying to will herself awake. If this was a dream, she should be able to awaken. If this was a dream... If this was a dream, it should have been over by now.

"May I have a seat?" He did not wait for her to respond but pulled the opposite chair for himself. Corinne dropped her hands from her eyes.

"Why can't you leave me in peace," she whispered, drawing invisible circles on the table with her finger. Morpheus turned his palms to the sky in a gesture of harmlessness.

"I am peace," he said.

"You're anything but." Morpheus folded his hands upon the table.

"I know what you must be feeling. None of this has been easy-"

"Fuck you," Corinne snapped. She glared at him from across the table. Morpheus paused, momentarily taken aback. "You're a liar and a murderer and I won't be your plaything anymore." Morpheus inclined his body away from hers, breathing heavily through his nose.

"You don't understand."

"I don't want to understand! I want to go home," she shouted, almost climbing to her feet. She could kill him. She could throttle him to death.

"It's a metaphor," he choked, thrown off-balance by the force of her rage.

Corinne turned his words over in her head a few times before asking, "What?"

"The key, the box, the letter- They're all metaphors. You should have figured this out by now. But I digress, you've had to swallow a lot of information in a very short period of time. Frankly, I'm surprised that you've held up as well as you have. So allow me to spell it out for you- You, my dear, are the box. You contain a number of rare and valuable thoughts, fantasies, insights, dreams and what concerns me most at this current juncture- The letter. One of the men that you have met or will meet on your journey is the proverbial 'key'. I didn't really think that I would need to get any more explicit than I have. The box possesses a lock, they all have keys-"

"That's disgusting," Corinne spat. Morpheus laughed airily.

"It was more polite than what I could have asked you to choose."

"And the man caught in the dream world?" Morpheus's smile faded with Corinne's inquiry.

"It is as I said. Choose your key, give me the letter and I can set him free."

"But who is he?" Morpheus shrugged and looked away.

"He came in with you."

Corinne watched him carefully. He was faltering. He was calculating. Something was at stake for him here. This was a game that he had the potential to lose. Her eyes wandered over his brass-buttoned uniform.

"What are you supposed to be, anyway? Sergeant Pepper," she asked. Morpheus's eyes gleamed.

"If you like," he said mysteriously. Corinne wrapped her arms around her chest, suddenly overcome by chills.

"And there is only one key," she asked.

"Only one. Yes."

"And how will I know him?"

"Corinne, this man would be your perfect paradigm of a man. His world would be your idea of paradise-"

"And none of it would be real." Corinne and Morpheus sat uncomfortably staring the other down. Morpheus furrowed his brow.

"I have given you everything that you have ever wanted and will continue to do so until you want for nothing. If you wished it, I would lay the stars at your feet and turn deserts into glaciers. What has reality ever done for you that I have not done infinitely better?"

Corinne stood and to her surprise, Morpheus stood with her. She looked out over the waterfall as it crashed against the rocks.

"This is all your doing," she asked.

"You wanted a place to rest," he mumbled. Corinne bit her bottom lip. There really was no place that she could run from him.

"Tell me about this letter."

"The letter is a message to me from you in the form of a song- A lullaby. Only you can know it. I've tried to give you hints- Casting you as a musician here and there in your dreams."

"And the lullaby frees the man?"

"Absolutely."

"But what would it take to free me?"

Corinne was met with silence. She turned to him briefly over her shoulder.

"Well," she asked pointedly.

"You could refuse the search for the key," he whispered.

"So freeing the man would not free me?"

"No." Corinne hesitated. It couldn't be this easy, could it? She parted her lips, on the verge of sacrificing someone else's freedom for her own when Morpheus grabbed her by the waist.

"Do not do something that we shall regret," he pleaded.

"I've had enough."

"Don't say that."

"My life wasn't perfect but at least it was real."

"No! Corinne, we need one another. Think of what I'm offering you- You could live your dreams."

"This isn't living." Morpheus clung to her, increasingly desperate.

"What do you want? Someone dangerous? Clever? Handsome? You could have anything. You could be anyone. Nothing is impossible. Cori, sleep is nothing without a dreamer. I couldn't lose you in the nightclub and I won't lose you now."

"The nightclub," Corinne repeated distantly. "The man trapped in the dream world followed me in from the nightclub. Why would he do that?"

"Cori please," Morpheus begged. The floor was spinning. Corinne was transitioning again. "Choose your sweetest dream and sing yourself to sleep."

Tagging Gayl? I think?

Part 15 - A Spirit's Temper

2009-04-10T15:52:00.032-04:00

The world once more faded in from black; did she even go home and wake up this time? She couldn’t remember anymore. How many days had past? Had she really moved from her home, did she no longer have her job, or was that just part of her dream world? If this was a dream world.

She’d seen a TV show about a guy who got hit by a car and woke up 35 years in the past. One version of the show had him in a coma. Was that what happened to her? Had she been so drunk after drinking the damn Delirium she’d gotten in an accident? Was that what this all was, just a coma induced dream? Wow, if that were the case, she really had to get a life, a real life. If she ever woke up, that is.

She looked around wondering where she’d ended up this time.

“O-kay. This is definitely different.” He might have pointy Spock ears, and enough piercings and tattoos to make a biker jealous, but she forgot all about that when she looked at the beauty of his face.

“Ah, Cori, please have a seat.” He waved his hand and a crimson drink appeared on the table next to him. “A drink while we’re waiting? No wonder he’s a lesser Spirit, he has no idea how to teleport more than one object at a time when he has to cross vast amounts of time and space.”

Corinne wasn’t sure whether she was confused by what he said, or nauseated by the thought of the drink.

Nausea must have won out, because he again waved his hand, and a coffee cup and saucer appeared in the place of the glass. “Latté, then.”

Ah, the coffee looked good, good enough to even tempt her to sit next to the man. Was he a man?

“What are you?” Oh, crap, where’d that come from? What, had she been in the delusion for so long she’d forgotten the manners her mother had pounded into her?

He laughed and she saw the fangs. “Oh, shit another Vampire.”

“No, Cori, I’m not a vampire, although I do know one or two, no I’m half Silvanus Elf and half bastard. Please sit, you do want to know what’s been going on, don’t you.”

Did she ever. Okay, really how much worse could he be than the vampire in the alley? Actually, if she were lucky, he’d be half as good.

Suddenly the air shimmered and gold light appeared as another man materialized into the room.

“Morpheus!”

She turned on her heel trying to run as fast as she could in another long-ass dress. What was it with this dream world, didn’t anyone ever wear jeans? Suddenly she stopped mid-stride, her back to both men. She was frozen in place, only her eyes seemed to move.

“In the name of the Spirits, Morpheus, what the fuck did you do to her?”

“I got pissed, she keeps making the wrong damn choice and time’s running out.”

“You sent her into a nightmare?”

“‘fraid so.”

“Does the Guiding Queen know that?”

“Ah, yeah, that’s what took me so long to get here. Damn, for a benevolent Spirit, she sure knows how to yell.”

They both appeared in front of her; the elf, Yup, Middle Earth here I come, and Morpheus. But this was a Morpheus she’d never seen before. He’d always been a bit handsome, but there was almost a glow about him this time.

Wow, did he look different, nice different to be sure.

“She thinks I look different,” Morpheus said with a laugh. “And she thinks you’re from Middle Earth.”

“You’re seeing the true Morpheus, Cori, he’s dropped his human persona. As I said earlier, he’s a lesser Sundara Spirit. He can be seen in his true form here on Dagon because this is where the Spirits dwell.”

Is that a good Spirit? And what kind of a Spirit are you?

“Yes, Corinne, it's a good Spirit, but I have a very hard time being good. My temper, you see, gets the best of me, and when I’m particularly angry, humans all over the universe randomly suffer from nightmares.” He looked at the elf and back at her. “He’s not a Spirit, but he walks both worlds which is why he can be in your dream and not be from the dream world.”

What did he just say?

She felt Morpheus’ hand as he gently stroked her cheek. “I’m truly sorry I scared you, but you weren’t alone in the nightmare realm, there was a little boy over in Seattle who swore to his parents there was a vampire standing at his window. My anger ‘s far-reaching.”

“If I release you, will you stay and sit with us?” The elf said, “We can’t explain everything, but we can tell you what we know. Do you promise not to run again and drink your Latté while we explain?”

How am I supposed to agree? Blink my eyes twice, groan?

“She agrees,” Morpheus said.

As suddenly as she stopped, she felt her limbs loosening. Immediately, without realizing that she was even going to, she reached up and slapped Morpheus hard against the cheek.

Laughing the elf said, “Damn, I’ve wanted to do that for years. You deserved that you know?”

“Yes, I did. Shall we sit?”

She took the seat with the Latté, the elf next to her and Morpheus giving her a wary look took the seat across the table. The elf waved his hand and drinks appeared in front of them.

“What’s your name?” Corinne asked the elf.

“Telaan.”

“Oh, yeah, okay that’ll be easy to remember.”

“Do you know that many elves?”

She raised her eyebrow and stared at him, “Well, if you count Legolas, that’s about it.”

“See, you remember his.”

“Can we get on with this, we’re running out of time,” Morpheus cut in. “I didn’t bring her all the way to this world just so you two could chat. Not that I’ve ever known you to make small talk before.”

“Fine.” Telaan looked at Corinne, his face suddenly serious. “Do you know who Morpheus is?”

“I’m going to guess you don’t want me to point to him.”

“No, I mean the myth on your world, do you know it?”

“You mean the Greek god of dreams or the Matrix?”

“Spirits, why does everyone think of the damn movie? I’ve been around a hell of a lot longer than that.”

Telaan smiled. “The god. Well, that’s not quite true, he’s not a god or even a lesser god, he’s actually a lesser Spirit.”

“Okay so tell me, lesser spirit of dreams, just what the hell is the key, the letter and who was the poor old man whose head you chopped off?”

“The key, the box and the letter are all objects that have entered the dream world, but are of human origin. They don’t belong here. That’s why I need you, you’re human, you can touch them, find them, I can’t and he can’t so don’t think it. He’s not human, he’s an elf. The old man didn’t exist, he was just part of the nightmare I created, he’s not important.”

She laid the two keys she’d picked up from the nightmare on the table. “I have the key.”

Morpheus reached over and picked up the two keys. “No you don’t.”

“Why do I need to find and touch these items, what’s in the letter and who’s the man who’s supposed to have the key, why can he touch it?”

“Because he’s a human trapped in the dream world. The key will open the box and the letter will free the man from the dream world.”

“Who is this man?”

“He’s your…”

Suddenly they both began to fade.

“Shit…” Telaan was the last thing she heard before she moved on.

Tagging Pen...

Part 14- Down the Rabbit Hole

2009-01-31T00:59:00.004-05:00

a dream
an illusion?
a dream
an illusion of delusion?
.....
She could hear the birds twittering and the warm summer breeze against her skin. The rough bark of the tree was at her back as she smiled up at Morpheus. He smiled back and leaned closer to brush the back of his hand against her cheek.
"Am I dreaming again?" she wondered aloud as she gripped his forearm.
"Do you want to be?"
"Why do you always answer every question with yet another question?"
"Why do you ask questions that you already know the answer to?" he asked with a sly grin. "You've been avoiding me Corinne," he whispered as he played with a loose tendril of her hair. "Drinking coffee, popping pills. Don't you want to know what this is about? Don't you want to find the key?"
She sighed and closed her eyes. "No, not really. All I want is to sleep. Really sleep."
Her eyes flew open when his grip tightened on her shoulder.

"You will find the key and bring it to me Corinne! I need that key! I will not rest until I have it. You will not rest until I have. I promise you that. BRING ME THE KEY!!"

"Damn it," she muttered as she leaned forward. She absently rubbed at her forehead as she blinked gritty eyes. She had fallen asleep while researching exactly who, or what, Morpheus was. And he was correct. She had been doing everything in her power to prevent herself from falling asleep. She couldn't sleep. Not until she found out what he wanted from her. What everyone wanted from her. Heaving a sigh she got up and trudged to the small kitchen. Her slippers slapped against the linoleum as she shuffled forward to the espresso machine. Coffee just didn't do anything for her nowadays.

Her hand trembled slightly as she brought the cup to her mouth and took a healthy swallow. What did he want with the key? What did that woman, she couldn't remember her name, want her to remember? Why was all of this happening to her? She'd give anything to go back to her boring life. Rinsing out the cup she walked into her bedroom and winced at the mess. She rarely left this house. She had rented it a few weeks back after waking up in the woods the last time.

Grabbing a book at random she flipped through the pages. There had to be a reason why this was happening to her. What was the event that lead up to this? Like Alice, she thought glancing at the cover of the book near her, she felt as if she had fallen down the rabbit's hole. Instead of following a white rabbit she was left floundering to muddle her own way out. Her jaw cracked as she yawned. She softly slapped her cheek and rubbed hard at her eyes.
"Don't fall asleep. Don't fall asleep. Don't...fall...asleep...."

a dream
a dream in sleep?
a dream
a life in dream?

Corinne winced as a shaft of sunlight pierced her eyelid. Groaning she opened her eyes then quickly squeezed them closed. "No, no, no!" she chanted as she reached out blindly with one arm and felt around her. The palm of her hand scraped against something solid. Her back rested against something hard and the sound of hooves seemed to be growing louder. The sound of hooves, she thought in confusion then jack knifed into a sitting position.

"Oy! You there! Get out o' the blimey road! Just 'cause ye think yer so blimey important don't mean that ye can just lay in the middle o' the road!"
Rubbing the back of her head Corinne looked to the left then quickly jumped to her feet as the cart barreled toward her.
"Next time I ain't gonna warn ye!" The man driving the cart glared at her and then for emphasis spat. Grimacing Corinne stepped backward and nearly tripped over the hem of her...
"What the hell?" she whispered as she looked down at herself then took another look around.

"Great, just great," she muttered as realization dawned. She must have fallen asleep again and Morpheus had only too gladly dropped her off somewhere new. Grabbing fistfuls of her skirt, why were there so many layers she wondered absently she took a deep breath...and started to gag at the stench. Well, that's one thing they don't mention in the historical romance book she used to get such pleasure out of. They sure didn't mention how it smelled like a cesspool.
Corinne's eyes traveled over the terrain, the horse drawn carriages, the people walking by but came to a screeching halt when she noticed a woman sitting on a bench. A woman dressed odd for this time period. The woman was staring directly at her and she seemed to be urging her forward.
Cora.The name drifted through her subconscious as she seemed to be pulled forward by an unknown force.

She had barely sat before something in her snapped. "Why don't you quit playing games? I'm tired. So, so tired Cora! Please, give me a clue?"
"I did give you a clue. You just refused to see it. Stop looking at the small picture. It's a lot bigger than you."
Corinne threw up her arms.

"There you go again! What do I have to do to find this key?" She frowned. There was something else she was supposed to remember. It wasn't just the key...
Groaning in frustration she pushed up from the bench and walked a short distance away. She heard Cora come up behind her.

"How come I remember you this time?"
"Because your journey is almost over. For better or worse we're nearing the end Corinne. How it ends depends on you."
"What?" Turning around she stifled a curse when she realized that Cora had disappeared without word.

Her hands curled into fists as her anger grew. She was tired of being the puppet. Here, today, she was going to find some answers. She took off at a run but had to slow to a walk when her skirt tangled around her legs and nearly tripped her. Heaving a sigh she started off at a quick pace.

Near dusk she stopped in front a dilapidated house. She had spent most of the day walking around trying to gather information. While she had earned distrusting expressions because of her high class attire in the slums she had learned that there was a house that everyone swore was haunted.
It had been vacant for years but sometimes people said they heard the sound of crying coming from the house. A voice was always pleading and weeping. For whatever reason she felt as if she should start here.
Blowing out a breath Corinne pushed open the rickety gate, she had to fumble with the sticking handle for a moment, and climbed up the creaking stairs.

The air was damp and musty. Taking a step into the house Corinne quietly closed the door behind her. She turned to the first room on her left and stepping over a lamp she walked around the desk to stare at the discarded ledger. The pages were yellow and looked brittle. Leaning forward her heart jolted when she realized it was open to today's date, the date she had fallen asleep, more than a hundred years ago. She strained to make out the faded handwriting. She jumped when she heard a muffled sound coming from below.

She had almost passed the kitchen when the setting sun caught on an object laying on the counter. Hesitating, looking over her shoulder, she hurried into the kitchen.

Could it be this easy? Was this the key? There were actually two but...
And if it was where was Morpheus? It couldn't be this easy. Uncertainty gnawed at her for a moment before she shrugged and placed the keys down the front of her bodice. The noise from below grew louder.

Creeping down the stairs her slippers barely made a sound.

Corinne let out a gasp as she absently glanced into the room nearest her and what she was seeing registered.

Remember Corinne! The music, the cellar, the blood, Morpheus, the old man, the fire… Remember Corinne...The phrase played through her mind as she swallowed back the bile. So much blood. Over the dampness of the cellar she could smell the stench of the blood. Turning away she forced the sight from her mind and edged once more toward the noise.

She paused when she heard a groan and then what was the unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh. She hurried the rest of the way until she stood just out of sight.

"Where is the key old man?"
Corinne's mouth dropped open. Morpheus! His voice sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't know if it was in fear or in remembrance of his gentle touch against her cheek. She shuddered. Sure he had caressed her check but not ten seconds later he had gripped her shoulder in a crushing hold.
"Obviously that isn't the box. I was able to open it with this key." Something metallic hit the table. "And imagine my surprise to only see worthless jewelry in this box."

"The cards you read said that I would find the key if I found the girl. Your books say that if I find the girl the box becomes mine. Why are you running me around in circles?"
There was another sound of flesh hitting flesh and then a hoarse cry.
"Morpheus! That's enough!"
Corinne pressed back against the wall. There was another man in the room!
"Come here Morpheus."

Swallowing Corinne could hear whispering. Edging around she peered through the bars. An old man sat slumped over the table. His face was bloody and swollen and he looked as if he was having trouble breathing. Suddenly, as if he had sensed her, he straightened and looked directly at her. His mouth fell open then just as quickly snapped shut. He made a small shooing motion with his hand and she moved back just as she heard approaching footsteps.
"I'll ask you one more time. Where is the key?"
"Morpheus, we swore to protect the key. What happened to you?"
"Why protect it when we can use it?"
"To use it for what end? We don't even know what's in that box."
"Enough! Where is the key?" Morpheus bellowed.
"I swore to give my life to protect the key."

There was a small silence and when Morpheus finally spoke his voice froze the blood in her veins.
"So be it."
There was a whistling sound, much like the sound of a blade cutting through the air before there was a thunk and then a sucking sound. After a moment it sounded as if something tumbled to the ground.

"You instructed me well. From you I learned to never take my eyes off the prize. You honored your word, old man. Rest in peace."
"Morpheus! The key! It's near! I'll clean this up! Go!" There was an underlying excitement in the unseen man's voice. A voice that sounded familiar....
Heart thundering Corinne moved from her frozen state and turned to run. She heard the door creak open behind her.

"You! Give me the key Corinne! Give it to me!"
She froze for a moment and then picking up her skirts she fled toward the stairs.

She didn't dare look back but she thought she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She clattered up the stairs with him in hot pursuit behind her. He was mumbling something incoherent but maybe it was just the sound of her heart in her ears that was drowning him out.
Her corset dug into her side as she reached out for the handle to the front door. She didn't know what made her do it but she dodged to the left as she shoved open the door and flew down the stairs. She heard Morpheus let out a curse as he tripped behind her.

Gasping for breath, black spots formed in front of her eyes and she feared that she was going to faint. Corsets weren't meant for running, she thought inanely as she reached the gate.

Remembering the handle she decided to forgo it and gripped a plank in the fence.

"Please let me get across! Please!"

She heard Morephus struggling to get up and she looked heavenward as she silently prayed. Her heart stopped when she felt her skirt getting tangled in the fence and then...she heard her skirt rip as she cleared the fence and hit the ground running.

"CORINNE!!!!!!!!!!"

She didn't look back as she heard him scream her name but all the suddenly her skirt tangled around her legs and she was tumbling...tumbling...just like Alice.

a dream
a life we dream?
a dream
a dream we live?
©cyclopseven

Tagging...????

Part 13 ~ In Dreams

2009-01-26T17:42:00.023-05:00

♫Ancient as the time,
Most beautiful of rhyme,
Blazing and modest,
Quiet yet sublime….♫

Corrine awoke with a start, a cool sweat misting over her skin despite the warmth of the summer night. Groggily she rose from the bed and fumbled for a light switch.

A small laugh slipped from her lips as she glanced about, she was certainly growing accustomed to the constant change of surroundings. Humor that soon faded, taken place once more by the discomforting dream, the young girl that if she were honest looked so much like herself. More perplexing she could swear that she could still hear them singing, the haunting song resonating through her thoughts, increasing her confusion with each passing moment.

A cool breeze filtered through an open glass door raising goose bumps on her damp skin.

“Where am I now?” she wondered as she tentatively stepped out onto the private deck, salt wind tousling the heavy locks of black hair and causing the silk of the nightgown she wore to cling.

Squinting her eyes she gazed out at the starry sky, the low roar of the ocean greeting her as it crashed its angry waves against the sandy shore.

Continuing her scan, her vision came to rest upon the shadowed figure of a woman, who sullenly moved across the sand.

“Cora?” she whispered to no other than herself, the memories of the woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to herself, suddenly flooding her thoughts. Memories that for some unknown reason began to flicker in and out, like an old television set that was on its last legs.

Alarmed, Corinne racked her failing mind, desperately trying to remember the conversation with the woman whose name was now eluding her, failingly attempting to cling to the fragmented thoughts.

Fright fueling her, she ran through the open glass door through the room and into the hallway.

Her heart pounding ferociously within her breast she glanced about the darkened house, a sense of uncertainty coursing through her.

Stepping further into what she assumed was the living room, she stopped. Feeling someone’s eyes upon her, the malevolent gaze raising the hair on her neck, “have you made your choice?” his smooth voice echoed through the darkened room.

Fury and fear quickly rose within her as she slowly faced the direction from where it had come.

She found Morpheus reclined upon the couch. His face partially illuminated by a set of candles. The golden light accentuating the taunting smile that spread across his face, as if he were a cat toying with a mouse.

Morpheus… a cat? why did it seem so familiar, why could she not place the memory? she silently wondered. Absently digging her nails into the soft material and flesh of her side and glaring upon him in confused, angry disgust.

“Unlike your Morpheus, mine is Loyal…” the haunting words seemed to float effortlessly upon the small breeze that coursed through the house, a vision of the woman and a grey cat flashing before her eyes.

Just as suddenly as she remembered it was gone, leaving her dazed and uncomfortable, fearful of what was happening.

“What do you want with me?” She seethed Corinne’s voice wavering ever so slightly as she focused her gaze intently upon the lounging man.

His cold emotionless laugh cut through the thickening air of the room.“You know what I want,” Morpheus replied all nonchalance.

The sound grating her nerves, infuriating her yet striking fear through her heart especially as he rose to his full height and took a step forward, inching himself closer towards her.

“You want me to find a key,” Corinne snarled, her voice venomous and frightened all at once as she struggled to remember what else the woman had said to her; something about blood coming to her thoughts.

Matching his forward steps with her own backwards ones, alarms sounding within her.

“But that isn’t what I want to know.” She swallowed hard as she steeled herself, silently gave herself a pep talk. “I want to know why you want me to find it, what you plan on doing when I do,” She demanded.

A satisfied smile crossing her lips at the flash of uncertainty and surprise in Morpheus’s face, a brief showing of his inner thoughts that soon faded, leaving her uncomfortable.

She watched in carefully masked horror as a slow cruel smile spread over his face, adding further to the discomfort a wolf howled from the dark. The lonesome sound seeming like it was beside her, “I searched for you in the next destination,” he purred smoothly his silvery gaze intently focused on hers.“Where were you?” if the alarms had been sounding before, they now screamed especially as he avoided her question.Quickly glancing over her shoulder to the right she saw the faint glimmer of a door knob.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” She levelly replied, inhaling a deep breath as he took another step forward.

Her stomach churning with nerves, the feeling triggering a thought, that if she could break his hypnotizing hold and make it through the door that she would be able to escape.

“I woke up here,” she lied, silently praying she sounded as convincing to him as she did to herself as she formulated her plans for escape.

He paused gazing inquisitively at her, his large hands resting on his narrow hips. “Tsk…Tsk...Tsk…” Morpheus clucked, the sound echoing through her in an unnerving way.

“I always thought you better than to stoop to lies,” gooseflesh covered her skin and her throat closed up at his apt accusation.

Without thought she bolted for the door, her heart roaring within her breast with such ferocity she feared it would fly from her at any moment as she hurriedly fumbled with the lock.

“Where are you going!” He bellowed, his heavy footfalls carrying him across the short distance, ever closer to her.

Just as she managed to get the door open his hands snaked about her waist, pulling her gruffly against his body. Adrenaline coursing through her veins, she wriggled and writhed.

Somehow managed to twist herself around in his strong grasp. “Release me,” she screeched her hand slicing through the air and colliding with a loud clap against his cheek.

The attack sending both of them spiraling uncontrollably into the darkness.

The heady scent of pine, moss and damp dirt brought her out of the dizzying state of confusion.

Glancing nervously about Corinne realized she was now beside a lush lake, the calming sounds of its water gently lapping against the shore temporarily calming her.

Unsteadily she pushed herself up, the warm sun on her back and shoulders and the laughter of children floating through the air.

Glancing about she suddenly realized that where ever she had come something was not right. No birds twittered, despite the lush forest surroundings, there wasn’t any wind although the tree’s swayed gently and a second look proved the color was a faint grayish tint.

“Hello,” she croaked, her throat dry and hoarse as two young girls rushed by her. Further adding to her belief that this was not as it should be.

For neither of the girls replied it was as if they had not seen her, instead they ran and played. At one point nearly brushing against her as they chased one another. “Morpheus?” the question was unsteady, frightened.

Had she inadvertently done something? Was he punishing her? Hot tears stung her eyes would she ever get out of here?

“Remember yourself…” The words floated through the air encircling her mind, the ghostly tone deepening her confusion…

Tagging~ Jarasing

The Painting

2008-09-06T16:47:00.023-04:00

Remember English is not my first language, so if you see any grammar, spelling or typos, let me know!

Once again she found herself in a place she didn’t recognize, and yet it seemed so familiar.

She wondered who would meet her this time. Would it be one of the vampires, Gabe, the music man or the couple from last time… maybe the woman she met at the beach house…

She looked around at her surroundings, it looked like a gallery, an art gallery. A celebration or presentation of some sort was taking place.

It was an important event, everybody was dressed for the occasion and Corinne was not the exception.

She wore a beautiful white gown which hugged every curve of her body, a single jewel, a magnificent diamond necklace hung around her neck resting between her breasts.

Her makeup was darker than usually, eyeliner around her eyes and her eyelashes thick with mascara. Her lips had a glossy shade of pale pink which complimented the warm color of her cheeks.

Her skin barely tanned was the perfect contrast for her crystalline blue eyes.

Her hair looked shorter and she wore it in fancy curls which framed her face as they rested in her shoulders. A beautiful porcelain doll.

She walked around hoping to find an acquaintance. The date and time seemed her own, 2008 and judging by the climate, she could have sworn it was early summer.

After roaming around for what seemed an eternity she found herself mesmerized by a painting. Corinne couldn’t take her eyes from it, she stared at that painting for a long time.

It was like the ocean was calling her name, she knew that place, she knew that woman, she couldn’t see her face, but there was a sense of recognition!

When, where, how, who? She didn’t know, but she had been there, and that woman… she…the same dress, could it be?

“Corinne, you made it!” a voice called from behind breaking the enchantment of the painting…

She turned around and found a woman. A woman Corinne had never seen before. “Hi”, was all Corinne managed to say.

The woman placed her arms on her hips and stood besides Corinne admiring the painting. “It turned out better than expected, don’t you think so?”

Corinne assumed the woman was the artist, and in a hurry she searched for a signature, a name, anything, a hint to tell her who the woman was.

*‘Waiting’ by Eddie Ragin*

“It is a beautiful painting; you have done a marvelous job capturing the essence of every element involved.” Corinne said, “Congratulations, Eddie!” she added with a little hesitation in her voice.

“I couldn’t have done it without you, you are wonderful model! Come with me; let me introduce you to my husband!” Eddie said but Corinne didn’t move instead she turned around to face the painting again.

“About the painting,” she questioned, “the background, where is that place? It looks familiar!”

It began again, the headache, the lights going thin, the room spinning, the painting, and the ocean calling her name!

“Are you Ok Corinne?” Eddie asked, “Did you sleep well?” Corinne could hear the concern on Eddie’s voice but everything else was a blur.

Sleeping? What was that? Corinne couldn’t remember the last time she had actually slept in her own bed. She slept in her dreams, but did that count as sleeping?

Maybe she was sleeping right now, she missed her bed, her job, her house, she missed the old Corinne, did she still have a job? A house to go to when all of this was over….

“I’m fine!” Corinne finally answered, her face had gone white, and she was shaking, sweating cold. "This is just another dream!" Corinne told herself.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Everything went back to normal; Corinne’s eyes adjusted to the lights as Eddie took her to a sit and told her to stay there. She would go get her a drink. “I’ll be right back!” Eddie said as she walked away.

Corinne didn’t understand what was going on. She sat down, trembling, it was so cold. In front of her the painting, her anxiety increased, she felt numb, she felt lost.

It was like the painting was sucking her air, sucking her life away. She couldn’t take her gaze off it, she felt weak, sick, nauseous…

Her body grew weak, and then... darkness. The voices disappear, the music was gone and the air had changed, it was thick and dense… it was hard to breath!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The soft sound of violin music broke the silence, she opened her eyes and there she was in that place, inside that painting! Was she dreaming?

This thing, these dreams of her were getting worst, odd, scary! Yes she had enjoyed every single adventure, specially the one in the alley. But...

A dense fog filled the place as her worries continue to grow. What if she never went back to reality, what if she had to spend the rest of her life like this… floating from dream to dream!

What would happen to her when she finds the key, the box and that stupid letter? So many persons, characters, so many questions and nobody gave her answers. Were they real? Or was she insane?

Just as it came the fog was gone. The music became louder, it was melodic, enchanting, like nothing Corinne had heard before. She walked to find the source of it and the full moon accompanied her in her new journey.

“I’ve been waiting for you my dear Corinne!” The violinist said her voice rich and dark.

Corinne hoped she would find Morpheus. But it wasn’t him, the violinist, she was… it couldn’t be!

“What took you so long” the woman questioned as she abruptly stopped the music, that last note was out of tune, terrible out of tune, scary out of tune! Corinne knew it meant to be that way, the woman was trying to intimidate her and she was doing it…

Corinne closed her eyes and felt the woman getting closer. “It’s a beautiful night, don’t you think Corinne?” The woman questioned, Corinne turned around her eyes still close but she could see it was indeed a beautiful night.

A big wave crushed against the shore producing a horrible thunder-like sound. Corinne prayed for everything to be over soon, she didn’t like the woman, she hated the place. No matter how beautiful and peaceful the ocean was, Corinne knew... not everything is as it seems. She was scared and unable to speak a single word.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Suddenly the scent of the ocean was gone and the salty warm breeze seemed to also fade away.

She opened her eyes and found herself in a room, the walls were black, the furniture in golden tones and some pink/violet flowers adorned the coffee table. A piano, a bar and a painting of...

Herself Corinne Blake? No it wasn't Corinne, it was the woman, the resemblance was remarkable, the only different her voice and hair.

“Sit down Corinne!” The woman pointed to the sit next to hers. “Don’t worry, I won’t harm you! I couldn’t do such a thing! Unlike you, I do remember who you are, what we are.”

Now, what was that supposed to mean?

“I assume you have not found the box or the key!” The woman stated as she made her way to the piano. “Well Morpheus is sure getting slow, isn't he?”

“You know Morpheus?” Corinne asked, it was the first time she had spoke since she arrived to that place. Her voice sounded like that of a scared child, her confidence was completely gone.

“You have no idea of who you are my dear, do you?” The woman asked, a smiled creased her lips sending chills around Corinne’s spine.

“What do you mean? I am Corinne Blake!”

The woman didn’t answer…she continued her way to the piano.

“Corinne Blake! That’s what they call you now… But don’t you remember when it all started?”

“The Delirium” Corinne whispered.

The woman laughed an empty hollow laugh that echoed along the room.

“So, you do not remember yet!" There was a long silence before the woman continued "Corinne, the delirium, that drink was the first step for your awakening!”

The music stopped and the woman called for Morpheus!

It was strange, like if she was calling for a pet instead of a person!

A meow later…

“This, my sweet Corinne, is my Morpheus! Unlike yours, my Morpheus is loyal!

Why do you do as they say Corinne?"

Do you know what will happen when you find the key and the box? They will use it for their own purpose. They will leave you behind like they did before, like they always do! They have used you, like they always do!"

"They do not care for you Corinne, none of them care! I do.

Remember Corinne! The music, the cellar, the blood, Morpheus, the old man, the fire… Remember Corinne!!!

Remember me Corinne! That is the Key… Remember me and you will know who you are!”

The sickening feeling came back to her. Her eyes locked on the woman’s.

“Cora, you can call me Cora!” The woman said before everything went black again.

“So long Corinne!”

*-*-*-*-*-*

“Corinne, I’m glad you made it!” Eddie greeted her once again. “Come with me I want you to meet my husband!”

*-*-*-*-*

Mystified

2008-08-09T17:26:00.002-04:00

Torn away yet again, Corinne found herself swirling in an abyss of darkness. Technical difficulty? What in the world, could Morpheus mean by that? She wondered, a myriad of emotions encircling her very soul, she was getting tired of this odd dream and somewhere in the depths of her heart wished she were still in her normal humdrum life.

In the distance, she could hear water lapping gently against the shore as the darkness began to fade. “Am I still at the beach?” Corinne wondered aloud, “I couldn’t be,” she surmised, for the salt tang of the air was now ripe with the scents of pine, moss and damp forest floor. Unclenching her eyes she glanced about in frustration. She was at a lake now, a thickly wooded area that she felt was high in the mountains… a private retreat for some wealthy family.

The place seemed normal enough… at least there was not another dreamer floating about, lost in the same confusion Corinne herself seemed to be stuck in. Taking a closer look about her surroundings, she saw a massive log cabin, partly hidden behind the trees, a large deck jutting out from some thirty feet above her.

“MORPHEUS!” She cried out in agitation, her frustrated cry falling flat to the ground as the woods swallowed her plea.

Overwhelmed with what felt like grief she sank to the ground and cried, as she had not since she’d been a child. The fat drops sliding easily from her eyes and over her cheeks. When suddenly a massive dog rushed over to her, its tongue lolling happily out of the side of its mouth.

“Hello,” Corinne barely whispered, receiving an avid bark of joyful acknowledgement. “What’s your name?” she questioned.

The canine was obviously as confused as she was, by the cock of its head, “I suppose I should know you, huh?” Corinne smiled through the tears that still streamed over her face.

“I knew I would find you here,” The voice was masculine, rich and as smooth as crushed velvet.

Startled she jumped up and turned, coming face to face with a rather large and imposing man. With deeply tanned skin, raven black hair that glowed beneath the warm sun and a combination of gold and green eyes that twinkled with humor.

It was a humor that soon faded into concern, “Sweetheart, you’ve been crying!” he cried out in surprise, engulfing her with his arms. “Whatever is wrong?” he murmured, his breath ruffling the fine hairs by her ear.

“Nuh…nothing,” Corinne sniffled as she hurriedly put an end to the waterworks and pushed away from him. She had never met this person before at least that she remembered, and other than the terminator, plastic flamingos; having a dog in her dream was a first. More puzzling was what this man had to do with her, the keys or the music boxes.

“I don’t believe you for a second. Come we will sit and talk about it,” He murmured soothingly as he dropped to the rocks and beckoned her to follow suit with a pat of his hand.

“Did you guys have an argument?” the mysterious man questioned with a look of fatherly concern. That made Corinne realize that whoever he was, he certainly was not one of her lovers.

“With who?” she questioned in surprise, wondering if he was talking about Morpheus.

“You’re a goof, Corinne,” he laughed, the sound echoing across the lake like thunder.

“No, I haven’t really argued with anyone,” Corinne replied in surprise and confusion. “I am just…” what should she say, what should she do? By now, she had realized that this dream was one of strange proportions. The thought occurring to her that yes this was a dream and in a dream one could do anything, say anything they wanted.

“Have you ever felt like you were trapped in some third dimension?” Corinne questioned, deciding that this was her dream and in a few minutes to a few hours, it wouldn’t matter if he thought she was crazy.

“Yes,” he replied with gusto, standing to play with the dog. “Come on Zoey, fetch the stick.” He playfully bellowed as he tossed the object in question far across the rocks. Invoking an irrepressable laugh from Corinne as the canine nearly tripped over her own feet to tear off in the direction of the prize.

“The day Cassandra and I got married, you should remember.” he continued, turning his attention back to Corinne, a quizzical look in his eyes.

“If it hadn’t been for you, I doubt I would have gone through with it,” he laughed as he playfully punched her arm. “I remember it clearly. That day I had been up in arms, and felt like I was walking through fog.”

“But good ol’ Corinne Blake, advice columnist and keeper of hearts was there to the rescue.” His smile warmed her heart, she felt comfortable and at ease with this fictional man. So comfortable that she didn’t even realize that he’d spoken of her last name and job. “So, is there anything else bothering you?” he questioned with genuine concern.

“I guess I have just been plagued by some weird dreams, dreams that are so far beyond boring old me that I can hardly keep up,” Corinne stated with a small smile, as she turned her head towards the sky in search of a bird whose cry had echoed through the air breaking the serenity of the lake for the briefest of moments.

“You boring?” he laughed out, “Come on now, ever since you met Morpheus you’ve been anything but. I swear that man has done wonders for you,” he smiled lovingly.

“Andy, Corinne,” a woman’s voice cried out from the deck above, “Lunch is ready.”

“Ooh, Lunch,” Andy cried out excitedly, “I am starving.” Andy laughed as he started towards the house. “You coming?” he called out from the trees.

Corinne stood in silence for a moment, contemplating whether she wanted to go up or not, her stomach making the decision for her as it grumbled loudly. “Yeah I’m coming,” she smiled following after him. As Corinne made her way up the stairs she couldn’t help but feel more settled having been able to release some of the tension that she’d been feeling lately.

The interior of the house was rather masculine in taste with its wood walls and yet had the unmistakable feminine touches. “Corinne, glad to see you’ve made it,” Morpheus smiled as he stood at the base of the first set of stairs, his moon colored eyes gleaming deviously.

Turning in surprise towards the sound of his voice, Corinne narrowed her eyes upon him. “Morpheus, you and I need to talk,” Corinne quietly murmured through clenched teeth, so no one but he could hear.

“Yes I believe we do,” He countered, a slick smile spreading over his face, as he descended the few more stairs and came to stand in front of her.

“Lunch will get cold if you two don’t hurry,” A very pregnant woman that she assumed was Cassandra, interrupted before Corinne had a chance to say anything further. “You two are so beautiful together, I just wish you guys would act upon it.” She continued playfully as she reached out to wrap Corinne into a warm hug. “I hope you don’t mind I set lunch out on the front deck, figured I would take advantage of the beautiful weather, while I still can.” She laughed with a playful rub of her expanded belly.

“Where is everybody, I’m starving,” Andy loudly bellowed from the front deck. “You all know she won’t let me eat until you are seated.” He playfully laughed out, as he set eyes upon the three people.

Throughout the brief time that the four of them dined, the tension between Corinne and Morpheus was palpable. Yet Cassandra and Andy didn’t seem to notice the exchange in the least.

Corinne ate in silence, as she tried to wrap her mind about this newest piece of the puzzle. Why now, was Morpheus interacting with her, for normally everytime he came to her it was a signal that her stay in that time was at an end…

“Thank you Cassandra, but if you don’t mind, Corinne and I must discuss something of importance,” Morpheus stated smoothly when his plate was cleared. A wicked smile crossing his face as he penetrated Corinne with his silvery gaze.

“Oh!” Cassandra stated in surprise, a slow smile spreading across her face. A smile filled with wonder at whatever they could possibly have to speak of in private about. Her gaze returning to Andy as Corinne and Morpheus stood and headed into the house.

Morpheus nearly dragged her up the stairs and into the large guest room, where he gruffly let her go. “I want the key,” Corinne stated lowly to his back, keeping her anger to a minimum as she glanced about the room for the music boxes. “And I want to know what you meant when you said there was a technical difficulty,” she added, placing her hands on her hips in dismay as she realized that wherever they were, the boxes were not.

“You chose wrong,” Morpheus sneered through clenched teeth, not bothering to face her. “Not just that you are taking far too long to make your decision,” Morpheus continued abrasively.

“I chose wrong? How could that be when I have no idea which key is the correct one?” Corinne snarled, seething with anger at his sudden lack of concern for her feelings, frustrated because he’d yet to address the key that he held. “I want the key you have,” She re-iterated, with a thrust of her hand.

“You want the key?” Morpheus suddenly challenged, his tone significantly darkened, as he turned and penetrated her with his gaze. His eyes sparkling with emotions Corinne couldn’t decipher. Was it love, lust or something else entirely? All she knew is the look he fixed upon her sent a shiver down her spine.

Before she could think more about the matter, Morpheus was upon her and had her pulled against his body, “are you ready to do what is necessary to get it, my love?” He emotionally and fiercely questioned, his eyes all she could see.

Corinne’s, blood began to pound through her veins at his touch and her heart pounded within her breast. Nervously she watched, as Morpheus inclined his head towards hers, his lips merely a whisper away from her own, causing a warmth to spread through her very soul. “What am I supposed to do to get it?” she questioned, through the thickness of her mouth and the roar of her heart in her ears, confused by his response.

“Only you know,” Morpheus murmured into her ear, suddenly altering his position in what she determined was annoyance. “Although I must warn you, your decisions affect more than just yourself.” his whisper brushed over the sensitive skin just below her ear. “You know what it is that needs to be done, and until then I can’t help you…”

Tagging Gayl

Strange Birds

2008-08-04T16:21:00.048-04:00

Ripped away, staggering, Corinne gasped, put her hand to her face…no, not this time…

“Marius,” she breathed. A mournful whisper that went nowhere, nothing more than vapor.

Aching disappointment…she was somewhere else again. Somewhere tropical, the air drenched with the scent of night blooming flowers, the salt tang of the ocean.

No, he wasn’t here. He wasn’t here…here…where was here?

Here was on the ocean. Fan palms, strong offshore breeze rattling through the fronds. She stood at the foot of a series of stairs, between two houses that bloomed with light, glass, stone, angled roofs. A beach, the booming echo of surf against rocks to the west.

And there was a woman. Now this was different –the first time she had encountered a woman. She was gowned in blue, motionless, gazing out at the ocean.

Taking a deep breath, trying to put aside that wrenching loss, she started across the beach, her sandals sinking into the cool wet sand.

The woman didn’t seem to notice her; her gaze remained fixed towards the west. “Um.... hello?” Corinne began cautiously. “Do you know me?”

No response. Long seconds passed. Water moving under their feet, the long rough sigh of waves on sand. “No,” she finally answered. “But I’m dreaming…you could be anybody.”

Her dream?! Deeply confused, Corinne objected, “I thought this was my dream.”

She glanced away from the woman…had those trees been there a few seconds ago? She didn’t remember seeing them when she walked down here.

“Maybe it is,” the woman replied. “It’s beautiful here, so it doesn’t really matter.”

A huge wave crashed against a rock, sending a fine spray of water into the air. “Do you live here?” The woman looked at her and shook her head. “No," came the soft reply. "I don’t live on the ground.”

Shaken, Corinne pressed, “Do you mind if I take a look inside the house? I’m searching for something.”

Instead of responding, the woman glanced away in confusion.
A long pause, then the woman sighed and looked back at Corinne. Light sparkled off very pale gray, almost silver eyes. Silver snakebite pierced a full bottom lip. “I already went in,” she said at last. “No one is there.”

“And it is the strangest thing," she mused aloud, looking off towards the ocean. "The rooms don’t move. They always move in dreams. When you leave one room and try to go back, it isn’t there. But these rooms don’t move.”

Right…

The woman sounded like a lunatic, she thought, but who knows? At this point, the lunacy might be my own...."Good, that’s good to know. Thanks for sharing that.” Hesitating a moment, Corinne added, “Do you happen to know anything about a letter or a key or a box?”

The woman started walking out into the water. Over her shoulder she replied, “I think the letter is in a box. I dreamed it was…but maybe not in your dream.”

And if she thought she was in the Twilight Zone before…this was completely crazy.

Corinne started up toward the house, and immediately ran into a line of plastic flamingos and some sort of bizarre sign that warned “bird crossing”. She was certain there hadn’t been any pink plastic birds or any sign on the beach before. Trees she might have missed, but not this.

“Morpheus,” she muttered. “What are you playing with this time?”

Frustrated, Corinne kicked at one of the birds, which swayed a bit but didn’t fall over. Terminator flamingos…figures…

This was the dumbest thing so far. It made vampires look normal.

She marched up the wooden stairs, walked down the covered deck, and looked through a lighted window into a kitchen.

Gabe. Despite herself, Corinne felt a flood of relief.

That woman had said no one was there, but then maybe he hadn’t been there before, or maybe she couldn’t tell the difference between a man and a pink plastic bird.

He looked up at her and smiled. Her breath caught as she gazed into those same beautiful steel blue eyes she remembered so vividly.

She was standing in the kitchen of a little beach house, staring at a table set for one.

Gabe told her in a deep amused voice, “You said you weren’t hungry.”

He put the plate down on the table and sat down, chair legs scraping against the bare wood. The man positively gleamed. It was definitely Gabe.

She waited a few moments. He was still smiling at her. "Alright, what’s up with the woman in the water?” Corinne demanded.

His expression changed, tightened. Rising from the chair, those cool eyes narrowed.
“What woman? There’s a woman out there?” His tone of voice, on edge.

Gabe turned and stared out towards the beach. Corinne insisted, “It’s hard to miss her. She’s wearing some kind of evening gown out in the water...she said no one was in here.” He hesitated a moment, then started out the door.

When he didn’t respond, she followed him out to the deck. “There’s no one here now, Cori,” he assured her, although he sounded uneasy. “It must have been someone who wandered over here from one of the places next door.”

She watched him watching the beach, the wind ruffling his thick black hair. “Gabe,” Corinne asked quietly, “is there a box here, something like a music box?”

“A couple of them,” he said. “They’re in the other pavilion.”

They walked through the doors over a small deck, same white, sand blasted boards, into a second building -- pavilions accurately described the place. “Well, that’s it,” Gabe said, looking at a wicker side table. “That’s one of them.”

“And this,” he said, moving a few feet, “is the other one. Three of them on this table, Cori. Take your pick.”

He was so casual about it. “Gabe, are they yours?”

“Mine?” He took a step back. “Come on, Cori…since when would I have music boxes?”

“So I can open them?”

“Break them, take them, do whatever you want.”

He eased over to the rug and in one smooth movement sat down on the floor, aiming those eyes at her. “Be careful though, girl….I don’t know what’s in them.”

Her heart pounding, Corinne glanced from one set of boxes to the other. Pick the one on the right, no the one on the left….

Gabe finally spoke up from his seat behind her on the floor. “If you don’t open one of them, I will. Make up your mind.”

The one on the left…she pulled Dunstan’s key out of her pocket and carefully unlocked the box.

Not one letter, but many, old and new, some spotted with age, one damaged with water, paper stuck together so what looked like one letter might be many. In her haste, Corinne dropped them, tried to grab them, no, they're old, be careful, don't tear them!

She looked at each one carefully but could not read any of them. At least one of them appeared to be written in the Cyrillic alphabet. “What the – “

The door blew open suddenly, and a cold wind rushed through the room. Corinne shivered, looking up from the papers on the floor.

Gabe was gone. And standing in front of her with a particularly gloomy expression -- Morpheus. Angel? Demon? Something else altogether?

He put one foot firmly on top of the scattered letters.

“There’s been a technical…difficulty. It would be best to leave these things where they lie.”

As cooly as that, as if he was describing a software failure. And why had she never noticed that before….he was wearing a key around his neck. “Morpheus,” Corinne demanded, “do you have the key?”

The room darkened around him, light flaring, sparkling. “That, my love, is the wrong question…”

Tagging...Cherie! Ok, the newest member gets to take whack at it!

And I want to thank Gayl for the boxes, her patience, and her encouragement. And Lenore for editing this crazy thing! It reads so much better!

Music Man

2008-07-25T23:40:00.004-04:00

~Avondale Manor: Mid-afternoon~

"Again! Put your soul into it Corinne! Your music needs passion; your audience must feel it, crave it, be driven to the edge through it!" Corinne frowned as she began to play once more, her thoughts a mass of confusion. How did she get here? She barely remembered the carriage ride with Morpheus and yet she felt a compelling need to please this man, whoever he was.

The man paced until he finally paused to chastise her, "Enough Corinne! You have no focus today. Your concert debut is in two weeks and you have lost your fire." Corinne rose and gazed at the man whose face she instantly recognized. She recoiled slightly, somewhat shocking him in the process. He returned the look with masked surprise, wondering what she had been up to these last few days.

In a more subdued tone he queried, "Corinne, I trust you are not still seeing the rock musician, that guitar player." His look was intense as he studied her for some sign of guilt. Of course he did not see any since Corinne had no idea to whom he referred.

"Of course not; I'm not seeing anyone," she stammered. His smile was relieved, "Good…good…you must focus. You are a concert pianist and the world will soon know it." He tentatively reached for her and Corinne could see something in his eyes that mirrored what she had seen before…desire.

Dropping his arms to his sides, he turned abruptly and spoke once more, "There is a storm coming; I'll have my man drive you back. Return tomorrow with a renewed passion in your music Corinne; there is much to prepare and your sudden lapse is a setback."

Without another word he left the room as a confused Corinne watched his back as he exited. She sighed in relief and turned, running straight into Morpheus.

Her eyes narrowed as she opened her mouth to speak. "Not here Corinne; do not question me now. We have to leave," his manner was different, edgy and ill at ease.

Corinne stared blankly out of the window of the SUV much too lost in thought to speak. Everything looked so familiar, so like her neighborhood. In fact, it was her neighborhood but when? "Where are we going?" she asked absently. "Home," was all Morpheus said.

Parking in the driveway, Morpheus turned off the ignition as Corinne exited the vehicle and stared in disbelief as he came to stand by her side. "This," she hesitated slightly, "is NOT my home," she gasped.

"It is today," he answered wryly.

As she slowly headed up the walkway, Corinne saw him in the shadows and her heart leaped. He looked the same, yet different and Corinne wondered why she even questioned the change at this point. She was growing accustomed to the bizarre twists and turns her life had been taking.

She smiled warmly as they reached the front door. "Marius," she breathed. He returned her gaze but she did not see the same fire and passion. He was distant, cold. "Hello Cori…Morpheus," he stood arms folded.

Morpheus reached for the door, "We have business to attend James; this isn't a good time." Glaring at the man, Marius replied, "It never is, is it..." Turning once more toward Corinne he spoke bluntly, "I came for my Martin. I left it here the last time I came for my stuff."

Corinne was rooted to her spot in the entrance. Why was he being so cold? She trembled slightly; something was off and she needed to question Morpheus. As much as she longed for him to stay, she needed to get rid of Marius…for now anyway. "Of course, the Martin, I'm sure you know where you left it," she answered vaguely.

Releasing an exasperated sigh, James Marius entered the house and disappeared up the staircase. Turning on her heels Corinne faced Morpheus and demanded, "What's going on here!?" "Patience love, the house echoes terribly," he remarked.

She glanced up the stairway as James returned, his guitar case slung casually over his shoulder.

Corinne held her breath as she waited for him to say something. His expression softened somewhat as he spoke, "I guess that's it then. If I forgot anything else…" James hesitated, looking pained, "I'll be seeing you Cori," his rich voice reverberating in her ears.

"You aren't coming to her debut?" Morpheus asked in a taunting voice. Throwing a venomous look his way, James left without saying another word.

"Gods, I thought he would never leave," Morpheus complained as he made his way to the bar and poured himself a drink. "Care for one my sweet?" he asked Corinne coyly. "Hardly," she answered, "Now are you going to tell me what's going on here?"

Morpheus tossed the liquor down his throat, its bite warming him and his eyes seemed to glow slightly. "Things are beginning to spiral Corinne. There are forces I did not anticipate at play here."

Lighting a fire, Morpheus prodded the logs and warmed himself further. Corinne wondered at this gesture as it was at least 85 degrees outside as near as she could tell. "You need to focus Corinne, on the box and the key. Find them and you are closer to getting the answers you seek. You must choose wisely however. As I said, things have taken an unexpected turn."

Morpheus approached her cautiously, "What do you remember of Vladimirov and Dunstan?" he questioned her. Corinne's cheeks flushed as she remembered her encounter in the alley. "Roman…" she purred as she hooded her eyes slightly.

"Yes, yes, Roman…what do you remember?" Morpheus demanded impatiently.

Coming back to her senses, she remembered plenty, Corinne related what she remembered of her feelings of desire, uncontrollable need, and something darker…fear. She surmised Roman was a vampire and wondered that she could feel so safe with Garrard and his family, with Edward, and yet not with him.

Dunstan had frightened her beyond belief and yet she felt drawn to him. Cori knew she would have succumbed had Marius not come for her. Then there was Mr. Drake, the sense of danger that she felt so drawn to. And what about Gabe who seemed to know so much about her and yet Cori was certain she had never met him before.

It was all too much. She did not understand what was expected, what she was to look for…a box, a key, the letter. Instead of answers Corinne was even more confused.

Downing another cocktail, Morpheus regarded her thoughtfully, "I must return to Dunstan before he grows concerned. Sleep well tonight Corinne. I can assure you that when you wake, you will still be here, in this time and place. There is much to be done at this juncture. I will call for you tomorrow. Dunstan will expect you to perform. Do not disappoint him."

Wheeling around to ask him what he meant by 'perform' Corinne was startled to see that Morpheus had simply vanished.

Wandering through the vast house, Corinne found herself in the bathroom with a very inviting tub. She stripped off her clothes after drawing the bath and settled in. Attempting to clear her head, she inhaled deeply allowing the vanilla and lavender to soothe her until the water became chilled and she reluctantly rose and patted herself dry.

Walking over to the large, inviting bed she wondered if she had shared it with James…Marius…whatever he was calling himself this time. Slipping under the cool sheets, Corinne soon found herself fast asleep.

~The Following Morning~

The next morning Corinne woke with a start. True to his word, she was still in the same bed in the same house. Quickly dressing, Corinne wandered into the kitchen where she found Morpheus preparing breakfast.

"Eat quickly my dear, Dunstan is waiting," he said as he passed a plate of food toward her. "So soon?" she mumbled between bites. "Really Corinne you need to develop some table manners," he chided.

"But I still don't know what I am looking for?" Corinne complained as she quickly finished the plate of food.

"I told you," Morpheus repeated impatiently, "the box and the key."

~Dunstan's Home: Early Afternoon~

Corinne entered Dunstan's home and looked around curiously for some clue. She felt certain the answers must be here. Perhaps that was what Morpheus meant by the key. An answer to a riddle. At least she felt confident that if she was expected to play the piano again, that she could do it with expertise. Nothing surprised her anymore in that regard. Hadn't she sung like a sultry chanteuse for Drake?

Aimlessly meandering through the cluttered room she spied a table she had not previously noticed. Resting on top was a simple box made of rosewood with an opening for a key that looked very old. Corinne reached cautiously for the box but pulled her hand back sharply as if stung when she heard Dunstan enter the room.

"Have you come prepared today Corinne?" his voice was sugary and warm but his eyes still sent a chill down her spine. "Yes, I'm ready to perform Dunstan," she breathed. Corinne started toward the piano when she found herself caught by Dunstan's hand as he reached around and drew her close.

He smelled of brandy and pipe tobacco as he gazed at her through lustful eyes. Odd considering it was still morning. "Corinne, you taunt me so," he agonized releasing her as abruptly as he had grabbed her. Shaken, Corinne stepped back and pulled herself together. As she studied him carefully she was immediately drawn to the thin cord suspended from his neck and rested against his chest. Corinne had not noticed it before but then she had never been in a position to notice.

At the end hung a key encased in metal.

Corinne's pulse raced as she felt the need to grasp it and run. If Dunstan had the key, was the rosewood box the one in question? And if so, why did he not use it, open it, if he was one of these so-called forces that Morpheus mentioned?

She needed to be sure, she needed a plan, and she needed to speak with Morpheus. Smiling slightly Corinne turned once more and feigned lightheadedness. "My dear, are you all right? Here, come sit on the couch." Dunstan worried over her as she pretended to gain her composure.

"I don't know what came over me! In my haste to please you this morning I rushed out of the house without eating," she lied. "Damn that Morpheus for not seeing to your needs!" he growled. "Don't blame Morpheus; I told him I had eaten already…and he had prepared a wonderful breakfast!" Corinne didn't know what power Dunstan may have over Morpheus but he was her only lifeline and she couldn't risk losing him.

Leaning on him, she seductively whispered in his ear, "Perhaps I should lie down for awhile." God she was behaving shamelessly. Promise him anything…and then find a way to get that key.

Carrying her adeptly to the bedroom Dunstan gently set her down. From the corner of her eye Corinne noticed a bottle and two glasses, one of which flashed subtly with a white light.

Smiling at Dunstan she walked over to the table and poured them each a drink, offering the glass to him. He took it from her and drank slowly as he watched her deliberately undress and come to him.

Gently urging him toward the bed he moaned against her mouth as they fell on the bed. In a matter of moments, he was out and Corinne slipped the key deftly from his neck and quickly dressed.

Smiling satisfactorily, she turned to look at him once more and then left. As she stood outside she began to place the cord around her neck when she felt an eerie chill causing her stomach to lurch unexpectedly. Her hands trembled as she tried in vain to slip it around her neck until she abandoned the effort.

"Oh no, not now, I'm not leaving yet!" she said through gritted teeth as she held her ground as the urge to fade away dwindled. Slipping the key in her pocket she hurried home.

At that same moment, Dunstan rose from the bed and scrutinized his reflection in the mirror, his mouth curved in a wicked smile.

~Corinne's Home~

Bursting through the door, Corinne anxiously called for Morpheus as she ran from room to room. "Show yourself; I know you can hear me!" Throwing open the double doors of the master bedroom she rushed in.

"Cori?" Stopping dead in her tracks Corinne gazed into the emerald green eyes of James Marius. "What are you doing here? Did you forget another guitar?" she asked him agitated. "I still have the key; it was my house too, remember?" Corinne fought the urge to cry out that she didn't remember, at least not this life.

His face was drawn tight and his jaw worked as he struggled to find words, "Anyway I guess I deserved that. Cori, I'm leaving tomorrow…going on tour. I had to see you without that creep dragging you off somewhere or you running off again. Damn it don't you know my feelings never changed? I love you Corinne, why can't you see that?"

James took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. It felt so right, perfect, in his arms as Corinne returned his kisses. Without saying a word they both undressed and began to make love, carefully, patiently, agonizingly slow and deliberate.

Corinne had never, ever felt like this. Closing her eyes and savoring each second with him, she arched her back and moaned softly as his kisses trailed down along her belly. Lifting himself once more, his eyes burned with a passion she had never before seen.

"Are you sure Cori?" his husky voice drew her back. As her eyes memorized every detail of his face the light from the bedroom window shone on him as she caught a flash and gasped. Around his neck a silver chain glittered in the light and suspended from it, a key.

Cori's heart pounded in her ears. "The key," she managed to gasp as his mouth devoured hers. "Hush…don't talk baby," he murmured as he slowly began to enter her.

"But the key…" she was drifting away, lost in his passionate embrace.

Cori turned her head barely able to open her eyes when she saw it on the chest. "The music box…" she whispered absently.

"Yes baby," he moaned softly as his movements quickened carrying her higher and higher, "the key to the music box. You gave it to me remember? On our anniversary."

Corinne was at the brink when she felt an unnatural pull come from somewhere in the shadows. "No, not yet, I'm not ready!" She tried to hold back, hold onto him. "Don't let me go!" she cried. "Cori…" his voice grew faint, almost garbled.

Within seconds James Marius was nothing more than a blur as Corinne felt herself being whisked away into darkness once more.

~Tagging...Beth~

From Hell...

2008-07-19T10:34:00.013-04:00

~~~FROM HELL...

Corinne emerged out of the blackness, a bell still resounding in her ear. All at once her senses were inundated with a variety of odors, garbage, stagnant, putrid water, rotten fish, sewer.
Corinne gagged. Where the hell was she now?

Well, she was in an alley, she figured that out.
As she walked on the broken cobbles, she saw a light, an old fashioned street light. She walked quickly toward it, and at the end of the alley, under the hissing gas lamp stood a man. Like no man she had ever seen!
Dear God, what now? And who the hell was this??

All at once, she knew he was waiting for her. His eyes were dark and hot, their gazes locked.
"You came...I knew you would, I knew you would take the bait." His lashes lowered seductively. "Did you even consider my warnings, my sweet?"

Corinne gasped, trying to take in air. She studied him. She did not know him...but he knew her...what else was new? She sighed inwardly.
A terrible urgency washed over her, moisture began to trickle between her breasts, the heat coming in waves.

He started toward her, walking with the grace and stealth of a black panther. His strides were long and with purpose, but he did not rush. There was so much promise showing in his face, all of it sensual.
His lashes lifted. The want and desire shocked Corinne, she backed up against the wall. Her pulse was slamming in her ears.

"I wanted you to come..." he whispered. "Brave, beautiful...and bold."
Corinne was feeling faint. So much desire had gathered in such a short span of time, it was consuming her.
"May I teach how to be very bold before before this night is through?" He purred. He was even sounding like a panther!
"You may teach me anything you wish..." Corinne found herself replying, where did that come from?

He lifted his gloved hand and drifted his fingers across her flushed cheek. Pleasure jumped like sparks from nerve to nerve, from her face to neck and all points below. Her nipples stiffened. She could not speak.
He let a forefinger slide down her throat, letting it stay there, he could feel her pulse.
He knew.

One arm went behind Corinne's back, the palm of his other hand was stroking her breast, above her dress, the glancing touch was like fire. He then reached up and stroked her pulsating throat again.

"In one night, I can only do so much..." he murmured, his smile was filled with secrets she did not understand. "But in one night, I will teach you all I can. I hope you are prepared for endless pleasure..."
Corinne could not help herself, she moaned...loudly.

Corinne pulled away. This was too much, too fast. This was far more intense than...than anything...her flesh was throbbing with growing urgency. The man came up behind her, his hot sensual breath in her ear. The hardness of his thighs pressing against her back. She moaned again.
The heat coming from him was searing.
"I think I can give you pleasure right now, shall we find out?" He whispered.

He grabbed her roughly and swung her around to face him, his mouth moved over hers, Corinne closed her eyes and began to tremble violently. His tongue stroked every inch of her mouth.
Corinne was lost, she threw her arms around his neck and then wrapped one long leg around his waist.
She heard him grunt with satisfaction.
His gloved hand began to lift her skirts, she felt his hard, hot body throbbing next to hers.

She heard a noise, it was fabric tearing...
She didn't care.
He was reaching down, undoing the flap on his breeches...
She didn't care.
His tongue thrust deeply, slowly, he moved her against the wall.
Corinne momentarily went still, realizing what he was intending. And before she could draw a breath, he was inside her. Corinne heard herself whimper. Oh this was all so sordid, so savage... in an alley no less!
She didn't care.

He reached down and grabbed her buttocks, the thrusts growing more urgent, his lips trailing down to her throat. Corinne grabbed his shoulders and held on, going for the ride. The pleasure was so intense. She was aware of him moving fast and hard now, his ragged sensual groans filled the deserted alley.

Corinne had no shame, she splintered into a hundred pieces, she cried out in ecstasy.
The man at once tensed, and his cry followed right on top of hers, a low guttural sound.
Still joined, his lips stayed on her neck, she could feel the points of his teeth, he was nibbling. God it felt almost as good as the act itself! Slowly, the teeth began to sink into her soft neck...

All of the sudden a deep voice boomed, "Get away from her Vladimirov! NOW!"

Corinne tried to focus, her eyes beheld a handsome, fair haired man dressed in black. The man who just ravished her so thoroughly and with her eager invitation, backed away from her, adjusting his clothing. Before he did, his hot, probing tongue stroked her neck, licking up a few drops of blood that had appeared there from his eager nibblings.

Corinne lowered her skirts, she was suddenly covered in embarrassment. How could she have let this happen? And to have some stranger witness God knows how much...

Vladimirov stood behind her, his arm still about her waist. "This has nothing to do with you Van Helsing, she came to me of her own volition. She gave herself freely, eagerly I may add. She is mine." He hissed in a deadly tone.
Corinne turned away, she could not look at either man. This dream was turning into a nightmare. It was a dream surely. Never had she felt such shame before, such disgust with her own behavior. But if she were to be honest with herself, she liked it, it was all so hot, so dangerous.
"Corinne..." The deep voice said gently. "Come away from him, let me take you home. Come to me."

The kind cadence of the deep voice lured her at last from the man Vladimirov. She slowly walked toward the man called Van Helsing. Her knees were shaking under her torn skirts, Her body still throbbed from Vladimirov's touch, his essence was all over her. Corinne's hand went across her stomach, it rolled and lurched uneasily.

"Did he hurt you, truly?" Van Helsing whispered. His eyes traveled up and down her form. The large cool blue eyes rested on her neck.
Corinne reached up and touched where he was looking, she was bleeding slightly. She quickly wiped it on her shoulder. She coughed, trying to find the strength to form words. "No..."

"Nothing happened to her that she did not want to happen. I did not force her. She came to me. She will come to me again, mark my words." Vladimirov hissed. "Always the hero, Van Helsing, I find it most tedious. Take your damsel in distress and begone."

Van Helsing grabbed Corinne's hand and led her out of the alley. Corinne could not help herself, she stole one last glance at the man Vladimirov, his blatantly sexual gaze seared her flesh.

"Come, I have a carriage waiting..." Van Helsing urged.
Corinne pulled from his firm grasp. Now far enough away from the man in the alley, she no longer felt as if she were under a spell. Some semblance of reality entered her conscious. "Where am I, and what year is this?" She asked in a firm, determined voice.

Van Helsing snorted. "You are that disoriented from being with him? Fine, you are in the East End of London, it is 1887. Does that clarify things for you? Now come, Garrard awaits you, he is frantic for your return!"

Garrard? She searched her brain, so many men, so many memories...of course! The man in the castle with the sons and grandsons who looked no older than him! Was this another offspring? No, she reasoned, he did not look like the man Garrard. Her eyebrows knotted in confusion.

Van Helsing sighed. "You are Garrard's ward, think Corinne, focus!"
WARD??? This Garrard certainly didn't act like her guardian! Or did he? When he put his arm around her, did she mistake his intentions? Why did she feel such a wave of excitement go through her?

Van Helsing helped Corinne into the carriage, he banged on the roof, the driver snapped the reigns and the horse moved forward. They were silent for quite sometime. The only sound was the horse's hooves clomping on the cobblestones, the carriage wheels reverberating in response.

"Who...who are you?" Corinne whispered. She stole a quick glance, he really was quite good-looking, well built. She began to feel the same pull she felt when she was near Garrard...and that man Vladimirov...what was wrong with her?

"This is most disturbing. Fine, I will humour you. I am Edward Van Helsing Jr. Let's just say I am a family friend. You should not have come out tonight Corinne, and to give yourself to Vladimirov. He is Garrard's sworn enemy. I am shocked at your behavior, to come upon you in the alley behaving as a common strumpet...shameful." He said quietly. "Garrard must never know, he would be shattered at the news. You must promise me you will never see Roman Vladimirov alone ever again."

Corinne turned away, hot shame covering her. Edward's quiet smackdown of her behavior affected her more than she cared to admit. A few stinging tears clustered on her eyelashes. She watched the scenery through the window. Wretched, filthy buildings, the air was foul, the fog thick and acrid. So this was Victorian England.
Finally, Edward spoke. "Corinne, before I take you to Garrard, I will take you to my home. You must collect yourself. Do you agree?"

Corinne nodded slowly. She was completely and thoroughly confused. Everything felt real and nothing felt real. Were these dreams, or not?

Roman...his name was Roman.

As she soaked in the tub in Edward Van Helsing's stately home, her brain raced. It was like a scene out of the Johnny Depp movie, about Jack the Ripper, what was the name..."From Hell." yes...that was it! All that was missing was the absinthe.

Sordid sex in a grotty alley in Victorian England, so was this one of her fantasies? Dear heaven, the man in the alley wasn't Jack the Ripper!?!? No...someone else.
She thought of her 'dreams', medieval, the 1940's, why the cabin, a letter...Gabe...Morpheus..it was confusing.
So if it wasn't a dream...was she some kind of time traveler?? Corinne shook her head, she had seen way too many movies, read way too many books...

Edward Van Helsing entered the bathroom without warning. He knelt before her.
"I have one question, Corinne. Did you taste of his blood?"

Corinne looked down at the bubbles that surrounded her. "I do not know what you mean."
"Yes, I think you do..." Edward gently reached over and grasped her chin, he turned her head toward him and examined her neck. He stroked her cheek gently before he let go.

Edward lowered his eyes, they were hooded with intensity...interest. He watched Corinne for sometime. That feeling was coming over her again, that ripple of sensuality.

"He barely broke the skin, I arrived in time, at least for that..." Edward exhaled. "I will ask again, did you taste of his blood?"
Corinne shook her head. "No, I didn't."
Edward stood suddenly. "Finish your bath, I will wait for you in the next room."

Corinne soaked in the luxurious bath until the water turned cold. Dressing, she then walked into the hall and into the next room, there was the man Edward Van Helsing. Her heart did a flip in her chest as she watched him tend the fire.
Who were these men? And why did they have such an aura of sensuality and danger about them? They were all so devastatingly virile.
Blood. Sex. Danger.
It was if a curtain was lifted in a dark room...it came to her...these men are vampires! She thought incredulously.

Yes, that explains so much...Vampires, something she had been infatuated and fascinated with since her early teens! The movie with Gary Oldman, such romance! Of course, this WAS a dream! Another of her fantasies! Wasn't it?

Edward turned to face her. He was beautiful, she looked closely at his face, she could see the translucence, the small veins showing through the pale, alabaster skin. He was one of them.

"Do you feel better now, Corinne?" The deep voice asked.
Corinne smiled. This man had been nothing but kind, he rescued her...but did she really need rescuing?
"Yes, thank you...Edward." Corinne whispered.

"It was reckless of you to go out alone, to meet Vladimirov. But I suppose he lured you there against your will. You have to be strong Corinne, you are but 18. Garrard cannot protect you if you act so foolishly."

18!?! Ok...if that is what the fantasy requires...Corinne gasped aloud as Edward moved closer to her. These men just oozed raw masculine sensuality and danger from every pore.

"Tell me he lured you, that you went against your will, because Corinne, I could not bear it to think you went to him willingly...that you...enjoyed it." Edward said in a hoarse, emotion filled voice.

She was speechless. What could she say? Damn right she enjoyed it! Let's face it, she may have an advice column to the lovelorn, but how many times had she had sex in her life? She could count it on one hand! How many times was she in a romantic relationship? None!

Edward began to caress her cheek. He left a trail of red hot flame.
"You must be aware of how I feel about you Corinne..." He purred sensuously.
Corinne felt as if she were falling into a warm pool.

Edward took her hand. His touch was cool, but heated at the same time. He kissed her hand, his warm, luxurious lips caressed each knuckle. Moisture began to collect between her thighs. These men were unbelievable! The slightest touch sent her on waves of ecstasy!

"I have sent word to Garrard that you are under my protection. He will be sending his man to collect you, he should be here anytime." Edward said.
Corinne felt a little bereft, she did not want to leave! Vampire or not, she did not want these feelings to end!

Edward took her downstairs, and their was the carriage...and Morpheus! Edward turned and left. Anger and frustration began to bubble and boil inside Corrine. She had had about enough. She wanted an explanation, and quick!
She walked up to Morpheus, quickly and with purpose.

"I demand to know what is going on here!" she stated angrily. "Are these dreams? And who are you, the dreamweaver??"

Morpheus crossed his arms in faint amusement. "Do they feel like dreams to you?"
"Don't you dare answer my question with another question!" She fumed. "They felt like dreams at first, but not now. Answer me!"

"You are right Corrine. They are not dreams, I am merely your guide through your adventure, an adventure you wanted, you longed for this, did you not?"
"Why am I back here, with these...these men?" Corinne snapped. "Will I go back to that medieval castle, or the night club..."

"Do you want to? It can be arranged if you wish...I took you to a few time periods, to see which one fit...this one seems to suit you. Nothing is etched in stone, you can visit more than one era, shall we say." Morpheus smiled slyly.

"Who is Gabe? And what is this interest in a letter, and a box?" Corinne asked pointedly.

"Ah...well, not all will be revealed, I am not at liberty to discuss that at all. Not now. Not here. I will tell you Corinne, that you will see this to the end."

Corinne stared at him. She remembered suddenly being in his arms...and enjoying it...they were dancing, in some barren landscape, who in hell was this man?

"What do I do now...take a drink of the red crap?" Corinne laughed sharply.

"That drink, the Delirium is only one of many possible triggers. It is effective. The question is, where do you wish to go now? I will give you a choice, do you wish to remain here, go home perhaps...back to the cabin..."

Corinne smiled slightly. "I don't know..."

"An honest answer, why not leave it to me? I am your guide." Morpheus crooned seductively.

His voice was as sultry as his moon-coloured eyes.

Corinne sighed, well, she wanted and adventure, she was certainly getting it. Many questions remained unanswered, she still was not convinced. Perhaps they were dreams, her overactive imagination weaving a complicated web of her deepest fantasies. Or Perhaps not. Talk about confused.

Everything started to dim...and Corinne felt as if she were being pulled through some warped portal, the faint sounds of a piano playing in the deepest recesses of her brain....

Tagging....??? Someone volunteer!

Lost

2008-05-17T00:10:00.005-04:00

Recommended Listening: Lost by Reasoner

Darkness faded around Corinne, leaving only the brightness that lit the landscape with its harsh glow. She closed her eyes tight and took a shuddering breath. Gabe was gone and with it, the answers she so desperately sought. The gentle slap of fabric against her bare legs made her open her eyes. Her vision showed her what she had first glimpsed on arrival.

Endless desert, speckled with dead tress that could not survive the ruthless environment. She stretched out her arms and glanced down at the exposed flesh for a moment. She felt no heat, no effects from the wind that still blew at her back nor the sun that shone mercilessly above her.

She straightened her shoulders and began to walk. She had wanted something extraordinary, something to break the monotony of a life that had become routine, predictable. As she walked, her thoughts fell in time with her steps. It had all begun at the club, with Morpheus and his delirium. The closer she came to answers, the more confusion she experienced.

Ahead, the desert began to shimmer and shift. She stopped and waited. Some instinct, some shred of self preservation stayed her steps until the area settled like dust. Morpheus. The very thought of the man had brought him to her.

“Ah, you look radiant my dear.” He smiled warmly at her.

“More tricks Morpheus?” she frowned down at him. He shrugged, unconcerned by her reaction and waved languidly to the empty seat across from him.
“Sit. We have much to talk about.”
Refusal rose to the fore but common sense made her do as he asked.

“You have some explaining to do.” She said bluntly, eyeing the flower arrangement with curiosity. It bloomed, unrepentant in the desert heat. Its fragrance of gardenias and roses.
“The Pandora.” He answered her unspoken question. “It’s resilient, even in the harshest of climates.”
“I’ve never heard of it.” She cupped its petals gently. It was smooth, unblemished.
“It’s a rare breed.”
“Did you bring me all the way here to talk about flowers?”
He chuckled softly, a deep rumble that began at the base of his throat.
“Do you like your adventure, Corinne?” the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. She was startled at the reaction and concentrated on his question.
“Let’s see … I’ve met several interesting men, men who have made a great impact on my life, travelled naked on horseback through a beautiful land to meet a lover who is as familiar to me as my own breath and been shown a letter by Gabe that makes absolutely no sense to me but I can’t help but feel its importance. What do you think?” she hadn’t meant for her reply to be so curt, but his elusive behaviour made her edgy.

“Ah, so … you have seen the letter.” His lips tilted into a half smile. “But you cannot read it. Not yet, not until you find the box and the man who holds it.”

“The man with the box…” she felt something click into place deep inside of her, that voice that kept calling to her, faint and insistent. Mesmerized by the eyes that looked deep into her own, she heard the distant sound of a melody, its words escaped her, but its tune sung to her soul.

Corinne blinked and turned her head.
“What ..?”
“Have you never seen a piano before my dear? What are they teaching you in that world of yours.”
She frowned, tried to remember what she had almost discovered and shook her head wearily. More games.

“Shall we dance?” his hands appeared before her face. She gazed at it, at the smooth palm, the long fingers, so delicate and inviting. Without a word, she rose and allowed him to lead her towards the piano.

She stilled as his arms slipped around her waist, aware of the slight shift in the landscape. All around her, grey columns rose up to form a guard around them.

“Are you happy Corinne?” his words made her pause.
“Yes.” She replied automatically, feeling the warmness of his flesh against hers. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. They both knew the true answer to his casual question.

The music roared around them, a symphony of sound that tugged at her, begged her to remember.

“There is something you must know ..” he pulled her close, his breath inches from her own.

“Corinne….” Whatever he had been about to say, it was drowned out by the sudden rolling of dark clouds far above them, the crash of thunder and then the heavens opened, drenching them as they stood together, her ears straining to hear his words.

“What are you painting?” the man craned his neck to see over the woman’s shoulder.

“A dream.” Her whispered reply dropped into the silence like the tolling of a bell.

Somewhere, a melody sounded and the world began to fade.

TAG: Gayl

Corinne in the Woods

2008-05-07T21:46:00.001-04:00

The sky darkened, the temperature dropping so fast she felt the cold sting her skin right through her sweater…where on earth was she? If she was on earth at all. Wrapping her arms around herself, Corinne started to wonder if she had been abducted by aliens as part of some bizarre experiment, perhaps to see how long it took to drive her crazy.
Well, if that was the case, she’d show them. She’d march right into this place and demand an explanation for a change. This had gone on too long to keep pretending.

And at least it looked like the right century…she was wearing jeans.

What was up with the Bonanza theme though…dead animal heads or part of what had previously been attached to an animal’s head nailed up on the walls and horses peering at her over a fence.
More logs on the inside, but the counters were not what she’d call rustic, and the appliances were modern and looked expensive. Including the expresso maker. Definitely not a cowboy’s rusty coffeepot.
Halfway expecting to look out the back at a barn or a corral full of more horses, instead she found a deck, and a spa, and a man in the spa…a man she recognized. Was this whole strange thing going to loop around?

“Gabe?”
“What are you waiting for?” he asked impatiently. “You said you were cold and wanted to get in the spa. If you’ve changed your mind, I’m going inside.”

“No I don’t want to get in the spa!” Corinne snapped. “I want you to tell me what’s going on!”
He stared at her, then climbed out of the steaming water – for a second she wondered if…but no, he was wearing swim trunks. Sort of.
Gabe stood in front of her, rubbed his neck, his expression careful, speculative. “You didn’t fall down the stairs or get hit over the head anytime recently, did you?”
“I didn’t fall down any stairs and nobody hit me over the head! And I’m tired of whatever this is! Where is this place and what is the deal with the letter?!”
“It’s your place Cori!” Gabe drew a breath, his voice annoyed. “Your uncle left it to you last year – you let me come up here all the time. What’s wrong with you?”
“If someone had given me a cabin like this,” Corinne shouted at him, angry and frustrated, “I would certainly remember it! And furthermore, I’d certainly remember you if I knew you well enough to let you stay in it! And I want to know about the letter!”
Gabe watched her in silence for a couple of seconds, then smiled. “All right. You’re not making any sense at all. You’ve been reading too many fantasy books, or you fell out of bed and don’t remember it. Let’s go inside and talk about the letter if that’s what’s on your mind.”

Corinne pushed past him, shoved open the door and went inside “her” cabin, then watched him stride across that stone floor toward the back of the place. Her cabin indeed.

“I’m getting dressed,” he told her over his shoulder. “Light a fire and calm down.”
She looked at that massive fireplace nervously, wondering how she was supposed to light a fire, but there was a modern lighter lying right next to it. And to her utter relief it worked. Some normal things still functioned.
Gabe strolled out wearing a heavy gray v-necked pullover and jeans, eased down onto the other sofa and asked her, “Comfy now?”
She’d had just about enough of this. And the sweater she was wearing was very low cut, nothing she’d ever bought, although he didn’t appear to be looking. Which was a little insulting. “Yes, thank you, I’m perfectly comfortable sitting on the couch in ‘my’ place. I want to know about this letter everyone keeps talking about.”
He propped one long leg against the arm of the chair, still smiling. “I don’t know what you mean by everyone. I haven’t said anything about it – if you’ve been running around on your own…it would have been better to wait for me to work it. But that’s up to you. And I still don’t understand why you think the reference was to me – reads like someone from Middle Earth wrote the thing, and whoever it is knows too much about you, but I’d assume it’s referring to your boyfriend.”
Corinne almost gasped. “What boyfriend?”
Gabe stood up, laughing. “The guy you’ve been telling me is the man of your dreams – isn’t that the term you used? I saved the email – come on over here and look at it again and tell me it’s not referring to him.”
Stunned, she followed him over to a rickety table in the corner where a laptop perched precariously. Gabe pulled out the chair, commenting good naturedly, “You need to buy a decent desk. Don’t know why you don’t turn that extra bedroom into an office – you’ve got it stacked with junk you don’t use anyway. And I’ve never known you to have guests up here.”
He logged on rapidly, pulled up an email, opened the attachment, sat back and said, “See? It’s strange, I know, but it’s probably a joke. Maybe it’s from the boyfriend you don’t remember anymore.”
Corinne squinted at the screen, but it seemed to blur. She couldn’t make out the words, they didn’t even look like words, just gibberish, and her head spun.
Watching her, Gabe abruptly stood up, took her arm, and told her, “You look as white as a ghost. Come on outside for a minute and get some air before you pass out.”
She staggered out the door and sat down on one of the barstools. The cold air did seem to clear her head a bit, but not much. Gabe went behind the bar and started mixing something. Suspicious, Corinne demanded, “That’s not a delirium you’re making is it?”

Gabe was rummaging around, looking at bottles. “A what? It’s your bar Cori. I didn’t stock it. You’ve got some unusual shit in here, but I’ve never heard of a delirium.”
Well, there was no sign of Morpheus, so it should be safe, although it WAS red. She took a sip. Nothing happened. Sighing, she took another.
The wind was picking up, making a strange rushing noise almost like water or maybe heavy traffic. Corinne looked at Gabe, but he seemed to have moved into the shadows, or the shadows had moved over him. It was so loud…and in the distance…was that a light or just something so bright that she couldn’t look away from it….

anghard....tag, you are IT...<

Zoot Suit Riot

2008-05-01T21:28:00.001-04:00

Birds chirping. That's what she could hear.
Cori stretched and realized she was back in her bedroom, in her ugly pajamas. The sun shone through her window, casting dark shadows on the walls.

"What a dream!" she said aloud, remembering how scared she had been of Dunstan and what he was going to do to her. She thought of Marius as well and felt her cheeks flush at the thought of him. He was gorgeous and protected her from harm, she wished there was a real life man as dreamy as he was.

She got up and sorted out something to wear when a flash of blue caught her eye.
The blue dress that had been missing.

"What the hell is going on? How did this get back here?" Cori sighed, staring at the shiny sequins. Had someone been in her house while she was asleep? She certainly was deep into her dream, so it was entirely possible.

Utterly confused, Cori went out into the warm sunshine and watered her small garden. She heard footsteps approaching behind her and turned to see a couple coming towards her.

"Hi, I'm Jimmy, this is my wife Emily. We just moved in across the street and thought we would meet our new neighbors. What's your name?" the man asked nicely.

"Corinne. Or you can call me Cori, either one. It's nice to meet you, this neighborhood could really use more good people in it." Cori said politely.

Jimmy smiled at her warmly and Cori was instantly glad to have met people who seemed very nice. Maybe they could become good friends, God knows Cori needed a few more of them.

"We really like it here, everyone has been so nice to us so far. You should call me sometime and maybe we can go have lunch or something." Emily said enthusiastically.

"Sure, that would be great." Cori replied, unsure whether to tell them the strange things she had been experiencing lately.

"Well, we had better get going, it was nice to meet you Cori. I'm sure we will become good friends. Bye." Emily said with a smile.

Cori looked at both of them with excitement. Maybe it was time for her to become more social, it might do her some good to be with real people instead of always in her dreams. Problem is, she still isn't sure if everything that has happened has been a dream.

Deep in thought, Cori was trying to decide what to do next when she felt someone coming. She didn't hear anything, but she could sense a very strong presence. As it got closer, she turned to see him.

"Morpheus."

"Corinne. Enjoying your adventures? Ready for another?"

Having a million and one questions to ask him, Cori began to speak when Morpheus ran down the sidewalk.

"Wait, Morpheus! I need to ask you some questions!" Corinne yelled as she ran after him. Eventually, she lost sight of him and decided to take a short rest.

Looking up at the clouds, Cori smiled. How simple things are when you look up at the sky, no confusion, just steady rhythm. Cori's eyes grew heavy and soon she found them closed.

Sometime later, her eyelids fluttered open, a strange haze covering her vision. Squares of glass, she could see a reflection but could barely make it out.

The squares grew larger and clearer.

Her vision finally cleared and she could see a woman in white. She was singing, the song was nearly over. Cori turned around to look at her.

She looked familiar, who was she? The song ended and Cori heard a small applause. There were only a few people in the room. Where was she? It looked like some sort of club.

Cori turned back toward the bar, she noticed a man with dark hair in a bartender getup.
Morpheus. Would he ever leave her alone?

As the man turned and walked over to her, Corinne finally got a clear reflection of herself in the mirror. What in the world was she wearing? Her hands went up to the hat, yep, it was really there. She looked up at the bartender, ready to give him a piece of her mind.

But it wasn't Morpheus.
"How 'bout a drink Miss Corinne?" he said, holding a glass.
"As long as it's not red, I don't care." Cori said with a sigh.
The bartender laughed as the blond woman who had been singing approached him.

"Darling, you know spirits make Corinne delirious, what are you thinking?" she said, but how did she know?

"Oh yes, I forgot. Sorry." he said to Cori, who finally realized who they were.

Jimmy and Emily.

"Okay, now I know I'm dreaming." Cori thought to herself.

"Corinne honey, you need to hurry and get ready, he just came in and you know how impatient he gets for you." Emily said across the bar.

"What, get ready for what? Who's here for me? Morpheus?" Cori asked with confusion.

Emily looked back at her with a puzzled expression. "No, I don't know any Morpheus. Mr. Drake, you're his woman, don't you remember?"

"Oh, I see. I think I need a little help getting ready though, can you help me Emily?" Cori asked slyly, she had some idea what was going on but wasn't ready to deal with this by herself yet. Another man who had staked a claim on her that she didn't even know.

"Sure honey, no problem." Emily said, curious at Corinne's unusual behavior.

Cori got up and nervously headed across the room when she saw the man who must be waiting for her.

She stopped dead in her tracks, unable to move, as she was drawn into his eyes that were looking back at her. She couldn't believe eyes like that existed, they were scary, but beautiful. Strong, sensitive, deep and full of mystery.

He stared back at her steadily, as she noticed a small scar above his left eye. Judging by his appearance, Cori assumed he was a gangster, right down to the pinstripe suit.

"Evening ladies, Miss Corinne, are you going to get ready for me?" he asked seductively.

Cori couldn't answer, she was scared of him, but not in a normal way. His aura was so powerful, yet so seemingly gentle.

"Yes Mr. Drake, she'll be out in a few minutes. Come on Corinne dear." Emily said, shaking her head at how odd Cori was acting tonight.

A few moments later, Cori found herself on a stage, in front of a microphone. So this was what she "did" for him. Her hands nervously found the mic, she knew she was a horrible singer, but she couldn't stop now. She didn't even know what to sing!

As soon as she opened her mouth however, a melody found her voice like a horse to water. She stopped, shocked by the voice that was escaping her, she could never sing like this! She was almost too embarrassed to continue, when she caught his eyes again.

They penetrated her soul and urged her to go on. She took a deep breath and started to sing again, with more passion this time.

Unbelievable! I feel like I'm in a movie! Corinne thought to herself as she heard the velvety voice coming from her sing the romantic melody.

Her song was over and the small crowd cheered loudly for her. Corinne felt like a Hollywood starlet after a big show and she loved how it felt.

He was waiting for her as she descended the stage stairs.

"My dear Corinne, that was beautiful, more passionate than usual." he said, kissing her hand lightly.

She felt herself tingle at his touch, he was exciting and Cori could tell he was a dangerous, powerful man. "Thank you Mr. Drake, I'm pleased you liked it." she said, smiling.

"Such formality, are you toying with me? You know you always call me Sam. At any rate, I'm ready to retire, aren't you? Come with me my dear." he purred, leading her to the corner of the room where a spiral staircase waited patiently.

Corinne watched him go up first, admiring his shoes. Was she really a mobster's lady? Surely that would mean that he would lose his temper with her occasionally. After all, men who had other men killed for any reason weren't known to be mild-mannered.

A little scared and excited all at the same time, Cori followed him up the stairs.

She followed him to a room that was lined with curtains, she wondered what on earth went on in a room that needed curtains. Well, she had a pretty good idea.

She pulled back the soft silk and admired the room beyond. The velvet sofas, a cluster of lit candles and a quiet trickling fountain in the corner all added a sense of romance to the small room.

She felt Sam come up behind her as she turned to face him.

"My dear Corinne, you look lovely tonight. I enjoyed your song very much." he said softly, caressing her cheek. She blushed with embarrassment, but wasn't afraid of his touch. He was gentle with her, his hands were surprisingly soft for such a tough looking man.

The look in his deep green eyes turned feverish as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her romantically.

Gasping for air, she pulled away and rested in his arms. He looked at her with such desire, but she wasn't scared of him the way she had been of Dunstan. He seemed to care for her deeply, even though she didn't know him at all.

"I love you Corinne, you know that. You're my girl and if that fool thinks he's taking you away from me, he's dead wrong." he said mysteriously. Cori looked back at him and she suddenly felt his hands find the back of her dress. Her heart pounded as he unfastened the clasp and slid her soft dress to the floor.

He drank in the sight of her, noticing her obvious embarrassment. It heightened his desire even more so, she was never this nervous about being with him.

He gently led her over to the sofa and sat down beside her.

She felt his soft hand on her back and it sent shivers down her spine. Why couldn't she resist this man? She put her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all she had.

Suddenly, her brain told her to pull away.

"What's wrong? You usually like me to leave on my hat." he said, looking down at her.

"No, it's not that at all. I just..." Cori couldn't think of how to say it.

"I just was thinking about what you said. What man? Who wants to take me away from you?" she asked, trying to stall him hoping she would wake up before she did anything she would regret.

"Corinne darling, you know very well who. That newcomer who thinks he's taking over my business. Gabe Lothario."

Gabe! It couldn't be!

As Corinne tried to say something, anything, the room started to spin. Blackness surrounded her, as she opened her eyes, Sam was gone.

~Beth, tag you're it!

My Fair Lady

2008-04-25T18:49:00.001-04:00

Corinne struggled to regain consciousness as she felt her body rising and falling, pounding rhythmically, rough warmth between her legs and the smell of what she could only guess was a spring meadow coupled with the musty smell of...

…a horse? Startled, Cori's eyes flew open as she grabbed the mane of an incredibly large white stallion and held on for dear life. Still somewhat dazed, she glanced down to see her own black hair flowing down her shoulders and across her breasts and…no; it couldn't be…bare legs?

"Oh dear God," she agonized, "I'm naked! And my hair has grown at least 12 inches!" Seeing a cluster of shrubs that would offer safe haven, Corinne awkwardly guided the magnificent horse in that general direction.

Slipping carefully down to the mossy carpet below her, Corinne fell to her knees. "What the hell?" she muttered. "Think Corinne, think! The club that doesn't exist…Gabe, one of the hottest men she had ever laid eyes on talking about a letter, and the sensual and intoxicating Garrard, who she had been inexplicably drawn to."

Cori shuddered as she vaguely remembered the feel of him next to her and wanting to feel his lips on her neck. She remembered the feeling of being entranced by him and how willingly she would have let him take her. Sighing, Cori told herself to snap out of it and get a grip.

What was it Morpheus had said about excitement and romance? Was she under some spell or hallucinating from the Delirium? What was his part in all of this and for God's sake, why couldn't she get a decent cup of coffee and wake up! If in fact this was a dream.

"You torture me with your wanton behavior my lady," a deep, sensual voice spoke. From the shadows a man emerged and stood naked in front of her. His form was tall and well sculpted; he bore a strange mark or tattoo on his chest. His tanned skin was smooth with the exception of a dark trail of fine black hair that led down to…

Blushing profusely as she realized the man caught her admiring him, Corinne met his amused gaze and tried in vain to cover herself. The man chuckled softly, "No need to cover your form, my lady. I am quite familiar with your ample charms by now." He strode confidently toward her and his eyes smoldered with blatant desire.

Taking her boldly in his arms, he kissed her deeply and Corinne found herself not shocked but drawn to him; she craved him as though she was meant to be with him somehow. "Could this be?" Cori wondered as she responded with equal passion to his kiss. She didn't even know his name. Did she?

Pulling slightly away from her, his face twisted in mild agony. "His Lordship will have my head were he to learn of our liaison, Lady Corinne," he murmured in her ear sending a renewed trail of goose bumps along her spine. "You mustn't be so willful, riding out in the open like this. If someone witnessed it…I shudder to imagine the harm that would befall you. His Lordship can be a cruel, vindictive man. I fear not for myself but for you my lady."

Kissing her once more, he then led her to a stream. "Come, your robes are here. Dress quickly and return to the manor. I will linger awhile and follow soon after. Night will fall soon; it will not do for the betrothed of Lord Dunstan to stray beyond the gates after dark."

His voice was bitter as he spoke. He watched as she hastily threw the gown over her head and walked toward the horse as he quickly donned his own.

Corinne hesitated. Did he say betrothed? Her stomach lurched at the thought and for once she prayed she would encounter Morpheus in order to demand some answers.

The manor…would she even know what direction? Turning back toward the man, she confessed, "I'm afraid I've forgotten my way."

He leaned in close and Corinne was immediately drawn to his masculine scent, a combination of musk and sweat. Had she been intimate with him? Surely she would have remembered being with such a magnificent man.

"Perhaps the wine has impaired your senses too much my lady," his warmth breath purred against her cheek, "I trust your steed will know the way."

Corinne clumsily mounted the horse with the aid of the mysterious stranger and held on once again to its mane. She cast one last wistful look at him as he smiled seductively at her before slapping the horse's hindquarter as it abruptly took off and trotted into the meadow once more.

Still confused and unsure of her whereabouts, Corinne tried to make sense of where she was and who she was. Could this be some sort of Renaissance Faire she found herself in the middle of? No this had to be a dream or some alcohol induced hallucination. That kiss was surely no hallucination…

Lost in thought, Cori found herself arriving at a sprawling manor built of brick and stone. It had arched windows and stained glass as though it came straight from the Middle Ages. There were several horses grazing in the front where a man stood among them seemingly murmuring to them.

"Excuse me? Could you tell me where I am?" she called out hesitantly. As the man turned and approached, Corinne gasped once more. "You!" she exclaimed. "I should have known you would eventually turn up."

Smiling enigmatically Morpheus stood amused and watched her. "Lady Corinne you look flush. I trust the ride was pleasant?"

Although she could not avoid the deep red that stained her cheeks, Corinne held his gaze, "Just what the hell is going on here, Morpheus. How are you doing this…this…whatever this is you're doing. Is it the Delirium? Are you drugging me? Where are my clothes…my favorite blue dress?"

Morpheus chuckled softly, "So many questions, my lady, and not enough time to answer. His Lordship expects you for the evening meal. Best to not keep him waiting; his patience wears thin in more ways than one. Hurry, off with you to change!"

Leading the horse away from her, Corinne heard Morpheus whisper, "Come Argentis, the lady will have need of you soon enough." Turning, she headed toward the steps and entered through multiple archways before finding herself in a garden.

Corinne marveled at its beauty and the sweet fragrance of…what was it…she tried to remember when the image of Gabe's tanned muscular form slicing into the vivid blue water suddenly filled her head. The sun was falling slowly behind the forest in front of her and Corinne swore she heard the sound of surf in the distance.

Entering a bedroom off the garden, Corinne opened the wardrobe and quickly selected a gown to her liking. "At least it's blue," she mumbled. She briefly considered lying down…perhaps she would awaken in her own bed after all when a voice interrupted her thoughts, "Lord Dunstan grows impatient my lady. He awaits your arrival in the dining hall."

As Corinne followed behind the woman, she tried to remember if she knew anything at all about a man named Dunstan but came up empty. She was led to a grand room where a rather imposing man stood near the fireplace. His back was to her as he stoked the flames and spoke in a smooth, hypnotic voice, "Join me here by the hearth my lady."

She tentatively approached him and as she neared, he straightened and turned to face her. He was incredibly handsome…dark hair set off his sharp features and pale skin but his most noticeable feature were his eyes which were black as onyx and cold. Corinne's pulse raced but it was not from attraction or desire but fear.

Lord Dunstan reached toward her caressing her cheek and Cori pulled away instinctively. His eyes narrowed, "I will possess you soon enough Lady Corinne and I shall stoke the fires within you much the same as those in the hearth."

God it was like a horrible B movie. Stoke her fires? Was he joking? Corinne had to get out of here. Her eyes darted around the room praying for the omnipresent Morpheus to show up and give her another damned drink.

Leaning in he almost sneered, "Give yourself to me my love; there is no one here who will speak of it and no reason to wait any longer. We are betrothed; what keeps you from my bed chamber? Surely not another man…" Dunstan pulled her roughly toward him and his mouth was on hers as he made his way down her neck to the gentle rise of her breasts.

Footsteps echoed against the polished tiles as Corinne turned and saw the man from the meadow. "Ah Marius, your timing is…uncanny." Looking to Corinne once more, he gestured for them both to be seated at the massive dining table.

The meal was a blur as Corinne frantically tried to snap out of whatever this was…a dream, it had to be a dream…when she heard Marius mention a letter. Alert now, her eyes never left his face as she listened intently trying to make out what they were saying.

Abruptly, Dunstan rose and turned on Marius, "You will not speak of it again Marius. Leave us now; I wish to be alone with my betrothed." Corinne could see his jaw tighten perceptibly as Marius persisted, "But my lord, it was written…"

"Enough!" Dunstan bellowed, "You try my patience Marius. Do not do so again or the steel of my blade will swiftly find your heart." Casting a warning look toward Corinne, Marius nodded slightly, turned on the heels of his boots and walked away.

Corinne felt lightheaded. "Oh God," she prayed, "Let this be the moment I black out and wake up at home." Stumbling slightly, Cori felt Dunstan clumsily pull her against him before she fell. She steadied herself, his grip felt threatening, and spoke carefully, "Perhaps my ride this afternoon took more of a toll than I thought. I'm going to get some sleep."

Regarding her thoughtfully, Dunstan countered, "Yes," he practically hissed, "I imagine it did. And will you be…riding again tomorrow?" His voice was almost venomous and Corinne wondered if he knew…what? Knew what? She didn't even know what had happened in that meadow.

"Perhaps. Well goodnight then," Corinne was trembling as she turned toward the direction from which she had come.

"Corinne…a moment please." She stopped in her tracks, "Yes?" Dunstan's voice was frosty as he addressed her, "We will marry in two days' time. Make no mistake, you will be mine and I will have you. Pleasant dreams my love."

Corinne headed as quickly as she could toward the bedroom. "Aren't there any doors in this place?" she grumbled as she tried to decide if she should risk running away or trying to sleep and wake up someplace else.

"Anywhere but here," she decided as she slipped her dress off and stumbled around the dark room reaching for the armoire. Only a faint beam of the moon's rays filtered through the open windows as the heavy scent of oleander drifted in.

Seeing a tray on the bedside table, Cori smiled. "Morpheus you sly dog," she purred. Taking a drink Corinne waited for the familiar darkness to overtake her. She sighed, "There's no place like home," she muttered softly.

"My Lady, you are more beautiful than I had imagined." Dunstan's voice caught her by surprise as Corinne completely forgot her state of undress. "Get out!" she ordered. Laughing, he was on her in three strides.

Dunstan reeked of liquor as he pawed at her and kissed her in places that he had no right to. "You give yourself freely to Marius and yet you deny your betrothed. I will have what is rightfully mine tonight and you will give yourself to no one but me," he sneered lustily.

"You will not defile her Dunstan! You know what is written," Marius roared from the doorway.

Rising from the bed and turning, Dunstan glared, "You think I am oblivious to what you have done with her Marius? She belongs to me and yet you partake of her flesh and seek to deny me my right?"

"I will spill your blood before I see you touch her again," he seethed. "Corinne you must flee. I beg you run, I will find you again, now go!"

Marius planted himself protectively in front of Corinne. She whispered in his ear, "What is it Marius? What is written? Where can I find it…the letter?" Without lifting his eyes from Dunstan, Marius answered, "You speak in riddles Lady Corinne. Take your leave now. Ride to safety. Argentis knows the way. Quickly now!"

Corinne, hesitated, uncertain and then fled. Argentis was waiting and she swiftly mounted him. She wondered briefly what Marius meant about defiling her and what was written. "And he thinks I talk in riddles," she snorted.

The silver stallion galloped steadily toward the light of the moon and Corinne thought she could make out the shadow of a man standing at the forest's edge.

Time seemed to slow perceptibly as Corinne began to fall once more into the now familiar haze. Shadows overtook her slowly as her body descended, weightless, a breeze blowing gently against her skin.

Somewhere in the void, she could hear a man's voice calling her, distant, familiar and faint. Clinging to the stallion desperately Cori tried to hold on until darkness consumed her once more. The last thing she remembered before going under was the sound of…

Tag Emily...can't wait to see where she goes from here!

Pale Men and Crimson Cocktails

2008-04-17T11:10:00.002-04:00

Corinne dreamed, strange dreams of flashing strobe lights, pulsating music...then it would flash to a serene and tranquil patio, with a pool. And a darkly tanned, muscular handsome man with a form-fitting white sweater...Gabe.
Then her dream immediately flashed to a grey brick, sprawling Victorian estate, nestled near a lake...and a man, dark, mysterious...she could not see his face, but she could feel his aura all around her. His voice...as rich as crushed velvet, what was he saying?

Garrard watched the young woman sleeping fitfully, she tossed and turned and moaned softly.

He stood for the longest time in the blackness, watching...observing. His piercing dark gray eyes never leaving Corinne's face. They glinted like polished metal.
How long he had waited.

Corinne woke with a start, there was someone who was just in this room...she sensed it. She looked around, her eyes tried to focus, but the room was extremely dark. She sniffed the air, why could she smell...dirt? It was the odor of freshing turned or tilled earth, that's strange...

Corinne jumped out of bed, still her eyes could not adjust to the darkness. She felt a frosty, chilled air surround her body. It was very cold in the room. She looked down...where did her 'ugly' comfortable Pajamas go? She was wearing a very revealing camisole, she could not walk around in this!

She looked around the room, it was sparsely furnished, it was her bed sheets, she recognized her quilt, but this was not her bedroom. Besides two ornate end tables, the only other object in the room was a gown hanging on a hook on the opposite wall.
Well, it was better than traipsing around half-naked...she walked gingerly across the room so she would not trip...it was so dark!

The gown fit perfectly! It was rather a bleak and...what was the word? Gothic, yes, that would describe the gown. Gothic...Corinne wrinkled her nose, 'never cared for that look, but what choice do I have?'
Corinne headed toward the door. Now to find out where she was...and how did she get here...

Corinne stepped outside her bedroom door, more darkness. A large hallway, lit by candelabras, some gold cherubs on tables. Again, Corinne scanned the area, should she go downstairs, or through the double doors and the end of the hall?
The quiet stillness was eerie, as were her surroundings...

She decided to go through the double doors. Another hallway, more darkness.
Finally, she saw some light coming through a set of French doors. As she approached, she saw a dark haired man standing very still in the room. She froze...his dark eyes were drawing her, luring her. Corinne's insides began to flutter. She suddenly felt a bewildered yearning.
He motioned her to enter...

Corinne was trembling, she was not sure why. She slowly approached the man, he was like no other man she had ever seen! He was a tall, forbidding man, handsome in both face and form.
He exuded a potent sensuousness, that seemed to ooze from every pore. A strange force, a dangerous power surrounded him.

"Good evening my dear. How lovely you look. Are you well rested?" The deep voice rumbled.
Extraordinary looking man, Corinne thought, And that voice! Dark crushed velvet, with a hint of an accent, European, perhaps.
There was a hint of dark stubble that seductively hugged the sculpted line of his jaw. His gaze made her feel disoriented, her pulse began to gallop.

A man silently entered the room, breaking her gaze and her disorientation. He went over to the huge fireplace, and leaned down to light the logs in the hearth.
Corinne tilted her head. Where had she seen this man before? Even from the back there was something familiar to her.

He turned to face her, why it was the man from the bar! Morpheus! There could be no mistake! Or was it? Her mind was a jumble, confusion reigned.

"Ah, there is my man now, Fix our guest a drink, she thirsts..." The cultured voice said.

Morpheus silently went over to the bar and began to prepare some drinks. Corinne was flabbergasted. The man showed no sign of recognition whatsoever. Her mind raced, what could she say?
Confusion had rendered her all but speechless.

Finally she said, "Please, I know this sounds crazy, but who are you? Where am I?" Corinne pleaded.

The man threw back his head and laughed, a rolling, deep rumble. "Corinne my dear, you never cease to amuse me! Fine, I am Viscount Adlucra, Garrard by name, but you know this."
"No..." Corinne said softly. "I don't..."
"Ahh, our guests have arrived!" Garrard said brightly.
Corinne looked around, no one had come through the French doors, what was he talking about?

In the far dark corner of the room, three men stepped out of the shadows. Corinne gasped aloud.
"How long I have been waiting for you to meet my family Corinne my dear, may I introduce Victor, my son? Standing next to him is his oldest son and my grandson, Vic. The young lad here is Garrard, Victor's youngest son, and my namesake."

Corinne looked from one to the other. "But...sons? Grandsons? They do not look much older than you! I do not understand..." Corinne's head began to pound, coffee...right. She needed coffee. A latte...something!

Garrard chuckled low in his throat.

Corinne walked over to a nearby table, there was a silver goblet with a drink in it. She went to reach for it, but the man Garrard stepped forward. "No my dear. That is not for you, I can have Morpheus fix you a drink directly. First, come sit with me on the chesterfield my dear."
So it WAS Morpheus! It had to be the same man who was tending bar in that club! That club that seemingly disappeared into thin air!
Corinne sniffed the air, the thick, crimson drink was emitting a copper-metallic odor.

She followed Garrard to the sofa. Corinne stared at Morpheus, if she was confused before, now she was more so. She had no idea why she was here, and why the unknown contents of some phantom letter was nagging her incessantly. Her head was starting to throb, a quiet, rhythmic pounding.

Garrard moved in close to Corinne, putting his arm around her. She gasped aloud, his touch was sending waves of ecstasy through her body. He pulled her closer, so that she was making contact with him, his muscular thighs pressed against her side.
He reached over and took her hand. It was if a jolt of electricity raced up her arm. She shuddered, desire was flooding her, where was that coming from?
She did not know this man, regardless of how he acted as if they knew each other! In spite of herself, she began to smile, she was enjoying this closeness...thoroughly and completely.

The man he introduced as his son walked over, Garrard pulled away from Corinne.
"Father, I wonder if I may have a private word?" Victor said in a hushed tone. The man's voice was a deep and gravelly as his father's.
Corinne shook her head. No, this man could not be his son, they looked the same age!!
"Will you excuse me, my dear?" Garrard said softly.

Corinne got up and walked over to the bar.
"I believe I know what drink you would prefer Corinne." Morpheus said in a sing-song melodic voice, almost mockingly. His moon coloured eyes glittered in the starlight that washed over him from the nearby window.
He swiftly reached from under the bar and produced a pitcher.
He shook it. "You remember the 'Delirium' Corinne?"

"I...I will just have water." Corinne whispered.

Morpheus glanced over at Garrard, he was deep in conversation with his son.
He poured out the thick red concoction into some crystal tumblers.
"Nonsense, you do not desire water. You desire adventure, fantasy...romance." Morpheus said in a quiet, seductive tone.

The drinks were poured. She looked down at the crimson cocktail. Her hand slowly reached for it, then she quickly pulled her arm back.
"Afraid? I thought you wished to escape your humdrum life? Live out your fantasies?" Morpheus hissed. "Take it, and drink deeply."

Corinne reached for the drink, her hand shaking slightly. Walking over by the window, she raised the glass to her quivering lips.
The other men seemed to close in around her, watching her. Only Morpheus did not look at her, he just smiled, a small, satisfied grin.
Outside, a wolf howled mournfully at the moon...

Blackness enveloped her, that horrid feeling she was tumbling, drifting. The men's voices were fading, like she was traveling at a high speed through a long tunnel...everything was swirling....

tag...gayl!!~~take us for a ride!

Delirium

2008-04-10T20:35:00.001-04:00

"No! All I want is some coffee! Please!"
Cori heard herself cry out, her head was spinning, was she still in the club? Purple, green, blue, were they strobe lights? Where is she?
She put her hand to her head to stop the swirling room.

Her vision began to clear, she could see a mirror through the haze of lights. Her confused reflection looked back at her. "Where am I?" she asked aloud. She blinked a few more times and the lights began to disappear. Her bedroom, that's where she was.

She looked down at her clothes with confusion. The white dress, no, that must have been a dream. Where is her blue dress? She looked through her dresser drawers. It wasn't there.

Feeling delirious, Cori decided to take a shower. The hot steam slowly pulled her out of the fog she was in, but her head was still taking a beating from some invisible force. She could remember everything that had happened vividly, the club, the delirium. The delirium. That's what was wrong with her, she had her first hangover, nothing more. At least she hoped that's what it was.

Still having the incredible urge for coffee, she went downstairs and made some. She felt like a zombie walking around her house, if this was the effects of alcohol, she didn't want it. But surely it had to be more than that. Didn't it?

She sat at her kitchen table, slowly sipping the hot brew. It was pouring buckets of rain, symbolizing her mood this morning. She tried to make sense of what had happened to her. For some reason though, all she could think about was him. The gorgeous one from that tropical paradise who said his name was....

What was his name? She couldn't remember. Only his eyes, she could recognise those anywhere. They were light, vivid. A sharp contrast from his dark skin. The way he had carried himself, cocky, confident; like some sort of......lothario.

He acted as though he knew her, what had he been asking her about?

Right, the letter. What letter? A letter she supposedly had and told him about. Yeah right. She had never known anyone like him before, and that beautiful dress she was wearing. It had to be a dream, there was no other rational explanation.

With her head still throbbing, Cori went to her living room and wrote some things down in her journal. Things she hoped no one would ever read, for fear they would think she was crazy. As she was writing, the words became blurry and her head began to spin again.

She squeezed her eyes shut and decided to write this down later. No way she could forget a night like that. She closed the book and nearly fainted on the hardwood floor. She decided that there was no way she could go to work today, so she went to call in sick for the first time in ages.

She dialed the number, fingers shaking the entire time. Was she nervous? No, that wasn't it, she couldn't control them. Her boss finally picked up and she hoped she could speak without sounding like a drunk or a lunatic.

"Hi, this is Corinne, I'm......Well, I don't feel well, so I won't be in this morning." she said vaguely into the receiver. She hoped they wouldn't ask for specifics, what would she say? That she had no idea what had happened to her, how she had gotten home, or where her favorite blue dress had gone that she was wearing last night?

To her relief, her boss wished her to get well and then hung up.

Cori went to her kitchen window, staring out at the torrential rainfall, still trying to put together the pieces of last night's activities. She turned on an old movie to collect her thoughts.

As she watched the lady on T.V. it slowly came back to her. She had gone to a club, the scarily beautiful bartender had given her a drink, she woke up in paradise, meeting someone about a letter. But what letter? Every time she strained her brain to think about it, the pounding returned.

"It had to be a dream, or I'm going crazy. But where is my dress and how did I get back into these clothes?" Cori thought out loud. The bartender perhaps? She remembered his face now, he was offering her something better than coffee......

Did he bring her home, had he done anything to her?

The name suddenly popped into her head with no warning. Gabe! That was his name, the tan god that had the light eyes. He said he knew her, but how could he? She was boring and had no real friends, least of which were that gorgeous.

The bartender.....Mmm-What was his name? Morpheus! That was it! That's who she needed to go see, he could explain what had happened to her. If he wasn't involved that is.

Feeling somewhat better, Cori headed outside in the rain to go question that bartender about what the heck he had given her to drink that made her feel like this. She was delirious. In a delirium; that was the name of the drink. Was this supposed to happen to her?

She stood on the street downtown, confused.

"Maybe this is the wrong street. No, I'm sure this was the one."

She looked around, seeing no club and went inside to ask someone what was going on.

"Hi, this might sound crazy, but is there a club around here with a bartender named Morpheus?" Cori nervously asked the teenage sales clerk.

"Hmm, well what does he look like?" she asked.

"Black hair, gorgeous light eyes, pale skin. Almost like a....Oh never mind. He's got a thin patch of hair on his chin."

The girl looked back at her blankly. Had she imagined the entire thing? Such a man couldn't exist, a vampire? Come on Cori, wake up.

"No, no club around here with a bartender like that. Maybe he was a stand in or something. What street is this club on?" she asked Cori, who simply shook her head and went back outside.

She stared up at the sky, raindrops tracing their way down her cheeks. Her thoughts were overwhelming, what had happened to her, this was the right street. So where is this club, did she imagine it? No, she wasn't that consumed by her daydreams, she could always tell the difference.

Had she dreamed the entire thing? A dream that you are dreaming in the dream? Don't be ridiculous! That doesn't even make sense. Was she going crazy?

Determined to find out, Cori made her way back home and soon it was dark.

She changed into her pajamas that some would call "ugly", but she didn't care. She was tired, confused and was ready to get a relaxing night sleep. Her thoughts went back to the night before and she was terrified, but excited to see where her dreams would go tonight.

That is, if they indeed were dreams.

She settled in, under the covers and her head began to pound again. She had never had one before, but did a hangover last this long? The room began to spin again and she fell back onto the pillow, unable to keep her eyes open anymore. She could faintly hear something, what was it?

Laughter, no. Someone calling her name. Was it Gabe? No. Someone else.

Someone she didn't know. But they sounded like they knew her. They were yelling, what were they saying, she could barely hear!

She closed her eyes as the voice came closer.

The letter? Yes, she could hear them clearly now.

What letter?!

Karen- tag, you're it!

First Turn

2008-04-03T22:58:00.001-04:00

wake up….wake up….let it come…rushing slowly…

Coffee…a latte grande…that’s what she wanted…
It was warm, full daylight, hot and golden, but she was in a space, a place, shaded by a double colonnade of arches rising far above her. Her head spinning, Corinne staggered, clutched her hands together behind her, stared out at the long and heaving blue hide of the ocean. The ocean? A wave hit, spray filling the air, the scent of salt cut with heavy tropical perfume, huge banks of red flowers…oleander…bougainvillea…walk out into the silk stream…
“I thought you said you were going to be here at nine….you’re late.” I’m dreaming, she thought. Or I’m so drunk I’m hallucinating. She tried to focus on something, anything. The man who had spoken was standing there, watching her. Tall, thick black hair, steel blue eyes. Late?
Had she blacked out? The club…when had she left the club? She didn’t even recall going home, or driving here, wherever here was. But she had to say something, even if it was nothing more than a lucid dream. She'd never had a dream this realistic though...another breaker hit the beach behind her, she could feel the spray against her skin, bare arms and back, birds calling to one another way up in those rafters...and who was this man who thought he knew her?

“I’m sorry,” she finally managed. “Did we have an appointment?”

He approached her, one long stride after another, four steps, three. Two. One.
“What are you talking about? You set it up.” Behind him, in that tropical hothouse, another incredible man casually strolled past, golden, leonine. Palm fronds reaching, stretching delicate green fingers through iron grillwork. Now this could not be real.
Sardonic, black velvet voice. Frantic, Corinne struggled to remember, remember anything. Nothing but the delirium and the dancing and then here she was. Just in case it wasn’t a dream…but even the dress…she didn’t even own a dress like this.
So completely off balance she could hardly stay on her feet, Corinne responded with the first thing she could come up with. If she could put him off until she could understand what was happening…“I…I just wondered what you thought…about the appointment…”
He studied her curiously. “Not much. Figured you’d explain when you got here.”

She took a few steps away from the brink, walking into the room, if it was a room. If it was real…a couple at a table in swimsuits…more beautiful people…they weren’t paying any attention to her, but then dream people didn’t. Did they?

Taking a wild guess, just in case this was real, somehow, perhaps it had something to do with work, she posed, “Maybe it was the email I got, the letter …”
Although, looking at him, it was almost impossible to believe, no…it was definitely impossible to believe that this man had written her asking for romantic advice.

A woman walked under the arches, deliberately brushing up against him, moving so close she literally put one bare foot on top of his shoe.

“Hi Gabe,” she purred, then continued on her way. “Hey there Sofie,” he responded, deep quiet voice, loaded with innuendo, amusement. Well, at least she had a name now, although she was even more positive she’d never met him.

Still smiling, he focused his attention back at her. “All right, what about the letter?”
How long could she draw this out? “Umm…what did you think about what I already told you?”
“It’s not the kind of letter you normally get, but I don’t think it was referring to me. Did you bring a copy with you? I can take another look at it. You know I’ll do what I can.”
And she abruptly realized she didn’t even have her purse. Much less a copy of any phantom letter.
“I need some coffee…I think that’s what I need…”

Humiliated, Corinne asked him quietly, “Can I borrow…I don’t seem to have my purse with me…”
Gabe smiled. “Sure. Get whatever you want. Don’t worry about it. They know me here…but Cori…your credit’s as good as mine, not sure what’s going on with you… I’m going to get in a couple of laps in the pool then I’ll be right with you.”

Dazed, Corinne followed him, walking under a canopy of sheer green silk panels into a long gallery. Emerald pool. More palms and the perfume of a thousand exotic flowers drifted through heated air. Now, if this place was real, she would have seen some kind of review…she'd never read anything about it, anything, not one word anywhere...
Three people sitting at a table…the leonine man who had passed behind Gabe, the sultry woman, and yet another guy from some fantasy photoshoot….
A man seated at another table glared at her, the wind from the ocean blowing strands of his red hair across his face. Hard, challenging eyes. Corinne stepped around him carefully…she had enough vicarious experience through her column to recognize what was going on with the woman he was with. She didn’t know him; she didn’t know her; she didn’t know any of these people.
She started toward the coffee bar, taking a guilty look down at the pool where Gabe had stripped down, then dove into the clear water. Long, clean knife edged dive. God…just some coffee…
“A latte, Gabe said I could put it on his account – “ Corinne began, then stopped. Stunned.
The bartender from the club, the same man, smiling at her, same moon colored eyes.

Morpheus. It wasn’t possible. “I think I can do better than that….”

“No! I need to think! I need to think about the letter….”

________________________________________

tagging...Emily...

Life...Or Something Like It

2008-03-27T17:56:00.001-04:00

An Ordinary Life

Part One ~ written by Gayl

Telling Corinne Blake that her life was about to take an interesting turn would elicit nothing short of a dubious stare coupled with complete silence. For most of Corinne's twenty some odd years, she had waited for something wonderful, something out of the ordinary to occur.

All she ever ended up with was humdrum.

From the time she was a child to high school, Corinne spent more time daydreaming and living in a fantasy world than anything else. She had very few friends and the ones she did manage to make relied on her to be the dependable one, the wise one, the one with all the answers to their problems. The rest labeled her, freak, geek, and dreamer.

Corinne was happier that way; her imagination knew no bounds and she seemed to have a very clear picture of the way things should be. As she grew older, Corinne spent more time with her nose stuck comfortably in a book pouring over every little detail and applying it to her life, or what she perceived her life should be, than she did in the real world.

Fairy tales, adventure, and fantasy were the stuff that filled her head. In her dreams Corinne's life was full of romance, exploits, and happiness. Corinne was on the brink of all of her fantasies spilling into her real life; she was not aware of it until the day she did something completely out of character.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Corinne knew that she was on the threshold of changing her life.

Every day Corinne trudged to work at the Morning Herald, sipped her latte, and parked herself at the computer systematically perusing the daily influx of letters to her advice column.

Cori was exceptionally good at doling out advice to complete strangers who poured their hearts full of pain, anguish, and unrequited love out to her.

"If only they knew how lonely and pathetic my life really was they would never ever send me another letter," she mused. It never changed, this daily ritual she referred to as her uneventful existence. Cori woke up, went to work, and came home. If only her life could really be the way she imagined it in her head, the way it was in her books.

Walking onto the bustling city street, Cori was overwhelmed by the sudden urge to do something completely uncharacteristic. Everything she ever did was monotonous and predictable. What she needed was to take a bit of her own advice.

Yes, this was the day that Cori would take a leap of faith.

That night, a Thursday night, Cori got dressed up and headed to a new club that had received rave reviews in the entertainment section of the Herald. Standing at the entrance Cori's nerves got the best of her and her legs would not move.

The place was crowded and she could hear music drifting out from the upstairs dance floor. "This is ridiculous; go in, sit down, and order a drink. You can always get up and leave, no harm done other than the lack of sleep and the residual effect of a little alcohol," she firmly told herself.

Drawing in a deep breath, Cori slowly placed one foot in front of the other until she was inside. "There now, that wasn't so hard," she congratulated herself. "Now up to the bar it is."

Nervous once again, Cori stepped out of the elevator. She felt as though every eye in the bar was on her as she made her way to an open stool. Feeling extremely self conscious, she sat quickly and timidly flagged the bartender for a cocktail.

"You look like you could use one of my famous concoctions. How about I fix you a tall Delirium?" the bartender offered. Cori studied him for several moments. "Have I seen you before; you look very familiar," she mused.

He seemed amused as he gazed back, "The name is Morpheus. How about the drink; are you willing to take a chance?" His eyes seemed to glow like the new moon, mesmerizing Corinne as he waited for her response.

"Sure, a Delirium sounds great!" she responded almost too enthusiastically. She had never heard of such a drink but this adventure of hers was not about the routine; this was about diving off the cliffs and into the murky water of excitement.

Morpheus smiled slightly, "Have you ever had one before? If you haven't, you're in for quite a treat Corinne," he drawled, his voice low and melodic. Distracted, Cori never even noticed when the bartender referred to her by name.

She took a few sips of the red colored cocktail and allowed her eyes to wander curiously around the room.

The rhythmic pulse of the music intoxicated her as the crimson liquid slid down her throat.

Feeling the sudden urge to dance, Cori rose from the stool and made her way to the dance floor. She didn't know why she suddenly felt so free from the bonds of being who she was. Instead, she was a temptress, a siren, a southern belle, as she moved and swayed to the pulsating beat of the music.

Corinne did not know at what point the room began to fade. She felt herself falling as though she had tumbled into a deep hole, drifting, the music slowly fading away until blackness surrounded her.

When Corinne finally awakened, she found herself in unfamiliar surroundings. Reeling slightly and unsteady, Cori willed her eyes to focus.

Still disoriented, she tried to assess her situation, but quickly abandoned that thought as she found herself instead consumed with a sudden, overwhelming craving for…

Since Beth volunteered to resume where this left off ~~ Beth, tag, you're it!