Untitled Dam Scrap, TBC

I knew there was a reason I was supposed to go to the dam today. I knew it. And there I was, walking along happily, when suddenly I could hear their voices on the wind....


“Look,” she peered around the crowded store and then back at the vision of darkness before her. “We need to talk.”

“Alright.” He eased his stance and waited.

“Not here!”

“Not here? Why ever not?”

“Because! There are people! They might hear!”

His eyes narrowed as he took in all the curious stares around them, the people that slowed to hear what was being said. “That is correct. Alright.” He appeared to think, and then said, “Have you been to the dam?”

Had she been to the dam? What kind of silly question was that?

“Of course. How can a person live in this town and not have been to the dam?”

He ignored her question and nodded, “Good. Meet me there, then.”

“What?”

“10 pm. At the 11^th lamppost.”

“What?!”

“We need to talk.” Repeating her own words.

“But-”

“I’ll be waiting.”

To be continued...

Oroville Dam, Oroville, CA  4/26/12 (c) shanco.corp

I think I know who this exchange is between. But the characters don't want to tell me their identities, so I can't be sure yet. There is only one story I know of though, that takes place within 25 miles of here. The rest are all spread out over the Northwest, but there is one...one that takes place just up into the Western Slope.

Kismet.

A Note & The Last Bit of Sweet Innocence

Well the first batch of books is disappearing faster than I can replace it. More people put bids in on the books than I ordered for...so if you haven't tossed some money my way then you'll probably have to wait for the second batch. Sorry loves, but it's first-come-first-served.

I'm heading over to Discount Books, on Meyers in Oroville, tomorrow to drop off some books. Hopefully the nice owner will also let me put up a poster. He really is very nice though, so I can't imagine why not. I'm taking some of Submerged In Darkness as well as Only The Stars Know.

Payday is tomorrow! I'll order some new books ASAP and hopefully they will get here a bunch faster this time.

If you pick up a book from an online retailer or the bookstore and you want it signed, no problem! Just email me: shannonahiner@live.com
And we'll figure something out!

Because I love my readers SO much, I'm posting the final tiny bit of Sweet Innocence.

(If you haven't been following::
Sweet Innocence Pt I
Sweet Innocence Pt II )

Sweet Innocence (the end of PT I)

When his eyes opened again, Adrian's sight was different. He couldn't figure out what was wrong. His prey was kneeling next to him. The human's eyes were filled with merry pleasure as he patted Adrian's shoulder.

"Not to worry young one, this state of being is not permanent. If you find your light again, you will find yourself again. You need this chance. I thank you for helping me, I do not care what caused you to do so. Your keepers cannot find you as long as you are in this form." The human stood, "I must be going now. Best of luck!" He tipped his hat and began to walk off into the forest.

Adrian tried to speak but couldn't find the words or ability. He felt strange, and completely different. Hastily, he stood. He pushed himself up on his forelegs and walked a few steps before he realized what was wrong.

Forelegs?!

He frowned and turned his head to look down at himself.

Hooves?! What is going on?!

His tail switched in annoyance and he shook out his mane.

Tail?! Mane?! What am I?!

Adrian trotted over to the river and broke a hole in the ice with his front hooves. He almost collapsed as he saw his reflection. He was a horse. And then something sparkly caught his attention. Examining his reflection closer, he amended his first theory. He was not a horse. He had the body of a horse, but the legs of a stag, a lion's tail, and a very flashy horn coming straight out of his forehead. He was a unicorn.

Sweet Innocence Pt II

Image Curtesy of Google Images

I realized tonight that I never remembered to post the second part of Sweet Innocence after that interesting beginning back in May. Whoops. Someone should have smacked me for that. Well I have it for you now, and just to refresh your memory you might want to go check out PT I again.

Click Here to view Sweet Innocence Pt I

And so, on with the scrap...


A prison. That’s what this place was. It was obvious in its task. There were no luxurious surroundings to fool oneself into believing otherwise. A plain cot was in the corner with a hard mattress and scratchy sheets. No blankets or quilts even now, in the middle of winter. A small privy was stuck in a corner, no privacy. The walls and floor were stone and cold even in mid summer. There was one window. The dark one had not bothered to put bars over it, it was too high to jump and live. The prisoner had briefly entertained the idea of growing her hair long enough to make a rope, but she figured that, alike with many of Madda’s stories, it was unrealistic in real life.

Real life. The poor girl prisoner had no idea what real life was. She had been in this tower for as long as she could remember…which actually wasn’t very far back. Her memory only went back a few days. She had to hear something or see someone many times before they would stick in her memory. But the tower was familiar, so it must have been a very long time.

She remembered the stories that Madda told her about other girls in towers. She remembered the dark one. His was the only face she could picture perfectly when he wasn’t right in front of her. Others drifted in and out of focus, without names or memories, but he was always clear. An ever present whisper.

From her window the forest was visible. There was only a small clearing around the tower. There were no other buildings, no people. Madda lived below this room. There was a secret place in the floor from which she came twice every day. The girl could not remember where it was. Madda always made her turn away when she came. The girl had been bad a few times and peeked, but she could never remember the next day. She could not even remember her own name. No one had spoken it in a time she could remember. She wasn’t even sure she had a name. Madda just called her Rose. The girl didn’t know what it meant, but she liked it well enough.

Just then, there was the sound of steps below. There was a heavy knocking somewhere under the floor boards. The girl couldn’t place where exactly it came from, which briefly frustrated her until her brain moved onto the voice.

“Rose!” The way Madda talked was different from what the girl new. There was a different sound to it. There was a word for it, but she could not remember. When she said ‘Rose’ it sound more like ‘Rosa’. The girl liked the way Madda talked, it was a pretty sound.

“Face the window Rose.”

The girl did as she was bade and was distracted by the beauty of the forest during the sunset. She couldn’t see where the sun went down from here, but the sky this was ablaze with dark blues, purples and reds. She smiled at the beauty there and let her attention shift to a large bird soaring above the forest. She imagined what it would be like to soar like that, no cares, no worries, no-

“Rose! Look at me!”

She frowned and turned around. Her attention slowly shifting to Madda. When had Madda entered? And why was her tone so much sharper than usual. Such a change was vaguely familiar in her mind, like it had happened before…but she couldn’t quite place it.

Madda slapped her, “Pay attention girl!”

Her cheek stung badly and she touched it lightly, wondering why it hurt so much.

Madda grabbed her chin, forcing her eyes down to look at the shorter woman, “Rosa, listen to me, he is coming tonight.”

Immediately the dark one’s face appeared clear in her mind’s eye. She shrank back from Madda with a whimper. Her eyes filled with tears.

Madda nodded sympathetically, “I know girl, you have been looking well lately. That is not good for you. We must make you look poorly, he will not hurt you as much then.” Madda pulled her forward, giving a hug.

The girl could almost always remember Madda’s face hazily. She was a short woman with rich brown skin, eyes, and black hair. Her clothes were always rich colors; reds, purples, greens and yellows. She was always kind except when she was afraid. She seemed afraid now, but not for herself…for the girl instead.

“Do you know what a birthday is Rosa?”

The girl frowned and tried to think of such a thing. She could not remember.

“Never mind, I can see you don’t. It happens only once a year.”

The girl didn’t know what a year was either. She didn’t not bother to say so.

“Today is your eighteenth birthday Rosa, you are a woman today.”

The girl didn’t know what any of this meant either, but it seemed important. She frowned and looked toward the window. Her attention was almost caught and swayed by the shining of a star, she wrenched it back to Madda.

Madda was pursing her lips, “I can tell you don’t understand, but it is very important that you do not look well today Rosa. You are a pretty girl, we cannot let him see just how pretty. Will you let me help you?”

Of the two people the girl could remember, Madda had always been the more trustworthy. She couldn’t put into words her feelings toward the woman, but they must have bordered along love. Without understanding what she was agreeing to, she nodded.

An interminable time later, the girl had already forgotten many times why Madda was paying so much attention to her. Madda had patiently explained it many times and it was starting to stick in her brain. Something about a birthday was bad, the dark one was coming, and she must not look well.

A Few Comments And A Scrap

The lingering question kept me up. 2 am. Who do you love? I wonder till I'm wide awake. --Taylor Swift "Enchanted" (I don't care what anyone says, Taylor is wonderfully talented and her lyrics echo many driftings of my soul.

Hello dearies! I realize I haven't posted any scraps lately and I apologize. I have been struggling wondrously with a new storyline. It is taking up all my energies currently. As I know it is annoying not to see updates from writers you love (allow me to flatter myself, if you will) I am going to give you a little taste of this new storyline. Just a taste! I cannot allow full access until I am sure it is quite firm.

As Yet Untitled

“What exactly are you wanting from me?” She fingered her keys while watching him carefully. Her confusion was starting to give way to suspicion. Why tell her all of this? It couldn’t just be random. He couldn’t trust a total stranger so much, could he?

“I am asking for your assistance.”

Oh, shit. That’s what she had been afraid of. And it probably just got better and better. “In what way?”

His stone cold black eyes never left hers, making her feel trapped and more vulnerable than was comfortable. “I am, at present time, stuck here-”

“On land.” She said with the pretense of clarification, but in reality was testing how solidly he would stick to his story.

“Yes.” His sharp eyes missed nothing and she felt as though all her thoughts were exposed.

She shifted uneasily and managed to tear her eyes from his entrapment. “Go on.”

“As I was saying, I am stuck here until my skin is returned to me. You may imagine that leaves me in a rather bleak position.”

She frowned up at him, “How so?”

His eyes bore into her and she felt as though her intelligence was being undermined, “I am without shelter, food, and proper clothing, and I have no idea of how long I may be stuck here. I do not know any humans in these parts that may help me.”

“Oh dear.” She bit her bottom lip, “But why did you pick me?”

“You are the first human I came across after discovering the theft of my skin.”

She wasn’t sure what she had expected to hear, either that she was special or that he liked her for some reason, but what she got wasn’t anywhere close. It could have been anyone as far as he was concerned. Male or female, young or old, pretty or not…there was nothing special in his selection of her.

Illusions firmly shattered, she singled out her car key on the chain and unlocked the driver’s side.

“Well, I’m certain the second human you come across will be more helpful to you. Sorry and have a good night.” She opened the car door and tossed her towel in.

His open palms hit the roof of the car from the other side. “You will not help me?”

She hesitated and then made the mistake of meeting his eyes again. They burned with some fiery light she could not quite identify. It wasn’t desperation or hurt or betrayal. They just burned, deep into her own mind and she could almost swear she felt the effects in her very soul.

“Or is it that you don’t believe me?” He said quietly. He didn’t move, but as his voice lowered she felt strangely as though he had moved closer, as if he were crowding her.

And in that moment she discovered something rather horrifying. She did believe him. She did not know how or for what reason, but she did believe.

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. It was like being a fish out of water, knowing what she had to do, what she needed to do, but being unable to do more than flop about in confusion.

She cursed suddenly and threw herself down into the car. She reached across the passenger seat to unlock and open the adjacent door. “Get in.”

He slid in next to her and dragged the door closed.

“What is your name, anyways?”

“My name?”

She started the engine and adjust the air dials for something a little warmer, “Yeah. You know, what does your family call you?”

He shook his head briefly, “That would not be easily pronounced with a human tongue.”

“Well what do they call you on land?” She put the car in reverse and the slid of the parking space.

He looked at her steadily and said without emotion, “We do not speak much on land.”

She frowned, “What do you do on land?”

“Sing, frolic, dance.” The last word seemed layered with meaning as they stared at one another.

All she could think of was her own dance on the beach. How that could compare to the dancing of magical creatures she didn’t want to imagine.

“Well,” she said slowly, “What would you like me to call you?”

He shrugged, an unnatural lift of his shoulders that he didn’t seem entirely comfortable with,

“Whatever you wish. It matters not to me.”

She sighed, “Not going to make this easy on me, are you?”

“I am being difficult?” He frowned.

“Not at all.” She sighed again.

“I am unfamiliar with your tone, but it does not sound as if you mean what you say.”

“It’s called sarcasm.” She kept her eyes trained on the road, glad for a reason not to meet his gaze, “What, seals don’t practice it?”

“No, we are a very straightforward lot.”

“I’m noticing.” She commented dryly.

~.~.~

So, you see, these characters are very interesting and have about %60 of my life's attention, (Another %20 is for my actual job, %10 on eating and sleeping, %5 on not going to jail for homicide and the last %5 is taken up on keeping track of the rest).

I am afraid it really leaves no room for idle scraps. But I will try to share more of this project in the next few weeks.

Commentary appreciated!

Journal Entry

I've been keeping a journal of things that inspire me and little ideas I get. Well, the other night was so beautiful that my journal entry almost captured the incredible feeling.


Day: …I’ve lost count

Last night I drove up to the dam. I walked out on it, feeling stupid. Why was I tempting the fates? It was somewhere between eleven and midnight, just tempting the fates. There were a few other cars up there, hardly a person to be seen.

Despite my valid fears of rape, abduction and/or death, as soon as I was in the wind I could no longer question my motives. My sanity, perhaps, but not my motives.

What is it about that place that calls to me? Sings to me…so deeply. Just standing there with the wind stinging my eyes, whipping my carefully styled hair into a frenzy. I have never felt so calm, so right with the world.

Only a little way below, the waters of the lake lapped at the dam, begging for release. The dam stood solid and firm though, no mere waters could bring it down. The pride that was evident in its tall, strong structure was echoed in the view from the other side. The valley stretched out. It’s night time magnificence outshone any beauty that could be found within during the day.

I stood still, yet wavering. How could I keep my eyes open when they were assaulted with such wicked perfection? But worse, how could I possibly close them?

The wind was speaking to me and I strained to understand the words. It tossed my hair in frustration when I did not understand immediately. I listened harder and when I felt that I understood, such peace flowed throughout me. I felt that I must collapse, so I leaned against a light pillar.

It was all that I could do to suck in deep breaths of the lake air. The stars were glorious overhead. Their peace was in the extravagant normalcy of their being. Yes, I could see them from my apartment if I chose. But who could appreciate them more from there, than I did from atop the dam?

It was long minutes before I could convince myself to leave. Already I am full of foolish ideas of returning, though hopefully at a slightly less dangerous hour.

~.~.~

It is was this night that I had an inkling for a new book. And in the days since it has blossomed.

Sweet Innocence (Pt I)

Curtesy of Google Images

This is a project that has been calling me lately. I can feel it, bugging at me. I'm not sure if I'm ready to finish it though.

Anywho, please let me know what you think. If you like it I have a "Part II" to post. If you hate it...well I don't think you will, so let's not go there.

Sweet Innocence
By Shannon A Hiner

He stalked his prey with deliberate steps. Adrian was sure this would be like every time before; find the enemy, kill the enemy, go home until another enemy came along. His breath showed in cold wisps of air. The days were getting warmer, but night could still freeze bones. His boots didn't make any noise as he walked. Nothing he did made noise, this is how it had always been. Adrian was a Hunter, his prey did not escape.

The forest seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. There had been a rainstorm during the day. Now the remaining drops of water caught light and reflected it everywhere. The sky far above was the deepest blue with stars glittering happily. He barely noticed any of this though, his attention was caught by the being that slipped through the shadows before him. He followed steadily, not attempting to gain ground yet. The Hunt was too enjoyable to end it quickly. Adrian smirked without any real joy. Is this what he had come to? The Hunt used to weigh heavily on his conscience, but after so many years he found delight in it. His senses were awakened by it. He felt alive when he was on the Hunt.

His prey sped up suddenly. He frowned, it must have discovered it was being followed. Inwardly, Adrian shrugged. It was no matter. The prey never got away. He quickened his own pace, making sure his foot falls remained silent. For minutes that seemed to prolong to hours he followed at the same rate. His prey was starting to tire though, and Adrian was gaining ground finally. Only ten paces ahead the prey suddenly stumbled, falling to a painful cracking sound. Adrian slowed to a near stop. In front of him the trees came to an abrupt halt and gave view to an icy expanse. Noting the chunk missing, and the water flowing under it, he knew it was a river. It looked to be a very dangerous river. Adrian had no fear of the frigid water, or of the lack of oxygen underneath. His only concern was the prey.

Muttering a curse, he stayed by the side of the river. The prey never got away. By now the prey was as good as dead, but you never know. Adrian was cautious when it came to the prey, they could not get away alive. If they did...he shuddered. He didn't really feel like chancing it, might as well find the body to be sure. Grumbling, he took off his long jacket and then his boots, tossing them a little ways from the riverbank. Without a second thought, he jumped through the hole already created in the ice.

Under the ice, the water was much colder than he had expected. His black hair soaked through and trailed behind him. He ignored the chill that attempted to seep through him, warmth could be found as soon as he had his prey. If only he could find the fool. He searched with his eyes, finding it hard to see through the murky water. He could feel the river pulling him downstream under the ice. He mentally swore and went with the pull. Soon enough, he saw the body of his prey floating along. The being had lost consciousness already. Adrian rolled his eyes, he could feel the being's heartbeat. It could still live. He must kill it.

He wrapped an arm around the being and then slammed his fist into the ice above. Anyone but a Hunter would not have done any damage, but his fist went through and he made the hole larger. Once it was big enough he pushed the prey through and tossed him to the riverbank. The river was trying to carry Adrian away from his hole in the ice. He swore once again in his head and reached for the hole. His hands clutched the sides as he shoved himself through. Once he was on the ice, he walked to the riverbank and examined his surroundings. He was about half a mile down from where they had entered the river. Grunting derisively, he turned to examine his prey.

Being thrown out of the water had awoken the being. Adrian noted with disgust that it was human. Like the others. Why was everyone on this god-forsaken planet, human? The scrawny human had dragged itself to its feet. It was shivering. Adrian could tell it was getting on in years, it was just about to enter 'old age'. It's long pepper gray hair was drawn back into what had been a neat tail. Adrian was nearly sure it was male, many times he had difficulties telling the difference in humans.

Remembering his duty, Adrian approached the being steadily. The human took note of this immediately and looked up. Instead of fear, it's eyes held a knowing that was beyond the mere years of mortals. It shook its head and held out a hand to ward off Adrian. He was caught off guard by the mortal's eyes, one was deep blue and the other was bright green. He had, of course, heard of such a combination...but it was highly rare among pure mortals.

"Of course, Sonny," the human spoke to him with a wry smile, "But I am not pure mortal."

Adrian's eyes narrowed, but he chose not to speak. The prey must be dealt with, no matter what being he was.

"No, Sonny, I'm afraid not. I would normally kill your kind on sight, but it seems I have a debt to you now. Though your reasons are dark, you just saved my life."

"Only so I could kill you." Adrian's voice was low and came out as more of a dangerous purr.

The prey shrugged, "As I said, dark reasoning...You still did it. Therefore," the human smiled, it was most alarming, "I shall have to return the favor."

Adrian's eyes narrowed harshly, "It is not my life that is in danger-mortal."

"You still have light in you, Sonny. You may think you are all darkness, but your remaining light shines forth clean and pure. It will be swallowed soon, I can save that."

"I am in no need of light." Adrian stepped forward to end the Hunt, he no longer was receiving joy from this. He was nearly upon the human when a brilliant light blinded him.

He heard the human's voice, "Remember Adrianus, this is for your own good." In the next second there was a whisper in his mind that would be forgotten in the struggle,
Go north.

Adrian couldn't see anything and suddenly a dizzying power sent him hurtling backwards through the air. He hit a tree trunk and suddenly pain filled his entire body. His organs were boiling and his bones were breaking. Everything went black.