Thursday, August 30, 2012

Poker

I glanced at the gushing fountains of the Ballagio watching as the water moved to the music. A cold breeze whistled through the many casinos, and I pulled my coat closer around me. I walked over to the entrance of the Ballagio late night party goers stumbling past me. I pushed through the double doors of the casino a wave of warm air engulfing me. I slipped off my coat as my heels clicked across the floor.
"Can I help you ma'am?" a man asked near the roped off section for the poker tables.
"I'd like to play," I stated flashing my ID. He nodded moving the rope aside letting me in. I looked around at the many tables picking one in the far corner. Men in tuxedos cluttered the table colorful chips piled in front of them. I smiled sitting in the only empty chair.
"Pretty little girl come to take on the men?" A buff looking man huffed from the far end of the table. I smirked keeping my eyes down as the dealer passed me my chips. I moved them close to me as the dealer dealt the card. I put my left hand around the edge of the cards as I used my right to looked the cards. A nine of clubs and a nine of hearts winked back at me, and I made sure to keep my face emotionless.
"4,000 for the pretty lady," The buff man called out. The other men groaned folding. I smiled picking up 4,000 chips and set them in front of me.
"Heads up," the dealer announced pulling in the chips then put a card down and flipped over three others. I held my breath glancing at the flop. A three of hearts, a nine of spades, and a nine of diamonds.
The man grinned, "all in lady."
"Call," I stated flipping up my nines. The whole table erupted in shock and the man cursed throwing his cards. I smiled as the dealer passed me my chips. The man scowled at me getting up leaving the table. I glanced at the dealer and she nodded handing me a ticket with my winnings on it. I slipped out of my seat following the man towards the hotel part of the building. He stopped in front of the elevators and I waited till he went in then slipped off my heels going up the stairs. I checked the levels as I went watching the elevators till I came to the 6th floor and the man walked out. I followed silently staying well behind.
"You can stop trying miss Jackson," the man stated coming to a stop. I froze as he turned around smiling.
"You know why I'm here," I replied.
"All too well," He replied holding up the purple bracelet with the all too familiar name carved into it. My hands balled into fists as I looked at it.
"Where is she?!" I shouted.
He laughed, "you'll never find her." He wheeled around dashing down the hall. I cursed sprinting after him. He slammed through some doors leading into a second stairwell and ran up them. I followed taking the steps 3 at a time. The man burst out onto the roof and the wind hit him hard. I panted coming up behind him.
"Just tell me where she is!!!" I shouted over the wind. He laughed moving over by the edge the necklace in his hand.
"You'll never know!" He shouted back releasing the bracelet. I gasped running forward towards the edge, and jumped.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

writing contest entry

It seemed as if everything was holding it's breath. Waiting for what was about to happen. The air was light and peaceful as was the grass that lay below. A quiet warm breeze rushed through bringing the sent of fresh flowers. My eyes laid close as I let the breeze kiss my face. My pale small toes wiggled in the blades of grass. The sound of heavy hoof fall crashed through the silence causing my eyes to fly open. The sky seemed to darken as my eyes fell on the horse and rider that were the color of night. I turned my back on them running across the field hardly feeling my feet touch the earth. Darkness seemed to descend all around the field as the rider rod ahead of me blocking my path. I stopped breathing heavily as the cloaked figure looked down at me.
“Are you the one they call Princess?” An eerie voice asked from under to the cloak.
“No,” I growled my hands balled into fists, “I'm the one they call queen.” A smile crept out from under the hood as the figure moved closer.
“I'll need you to come with me, Queen,” He stated.
“Never,” I snarled. Shadowy figures emerged on either side of my wrapping the hands around my arms.
“Our king would very much like to meet with you,” the cloaked figure said.
I struggled, “I'd rather die then see his face again.”
“Death is what you will be close to,” he stated as a wind whipped around us. I closed my eyes feel the field slip away.
“Very good,” a familiar voice spoke out. I opened my eyes meeting the gaze of a man sitting on a sleek black throne. His hands were clasped in front of him, his left leg draped over his right.
“The great Queen of Cytania,” He smiled, “in my custody.” I growled yanking against the hands restraining me.
“You won't be able to contain me for long,” I sneered.
A grin crossed his face, “I didn't plan on it dear. I have big plans for you.” He rose from his throne walking smoothly towards me. I tried to hide the shaking in my body as he stood in front of me our eyes meeting.
“I'm going to make you forget everything. Your whole life here,” He said, “and send you far away as I take over your kingdom.”
“No!!” I shouted trying to hit out at him. He wrapped his hand around my throat gripping it hard.
“Good bye. Queen,” He whispered before I felt my mind slip away into darkness.