Azarath ! Azarath ! Azarath !

Okay, so I'll be giving free rein to a rather acerbic rant against some typical conservative practice in the US. So, if you've got conservative convictions or are pro-firearm use, ya better as well skip next paragraph. Ya won't lose anything, and it will avoid ya being possibly offended or disappointed by my frenzied anti-conservatism. Don't like, don't read ! Fair warning !

So, not so long ago, there was Aurora. Now comes Newtown. Which's next ? D'ya know how many shootings dramas there've been since Columbine ? D'ya know ? 31 ! And that's only those which have been covered by medias... Which is an average of 2,5 a year ! And how many firearms killings since 2009 ? Exactly 15'241, figure out ! It means that there's quite a lot of firearm-linked slaughters in USA. Thank who or what ? Thank that 2nd Amendment, which says that you have the right, as an American citizen, to carry a gun on yourself or keep one at home, for defence's sake. Well, I'd be glad to know if defence really is the sheer motivation of all gun purchasers... Thank also NRA, infectious organization advocating the "carrying arms" right, again for self-defence... or so it is claimed, at least... Thank once again goddamn republicans, who are just about the first to defend the firearm policy, "because it's a basic right of the citizens" and "because we live in such an insecure world". Well, dear conservative parasites, tell ya what : wouldn't it be so easy to get a gun in your beautiful country, for the "noble defence purpose", then certainly there'd be less shootings and firearms dramas. The easier the access to guns, the greater the danger ! With 2nd Amendment, for sure USA will go on with regular shootings, and merely will be blamed the sanity of those who committed the crime... never those who are accomplices, by providing the firearm, so easily, because it's "a citizen's right to carry one". One of these years, when victims will be counted by billions and billions, fucking conservatives and your bloody "right", maybe you'll just begin to realize that firearms means violence, and violence always is wrong, never is a solution. But only maybe...

I had to write it. Now, if someone who read this wants to chew me out in a PM or review, beware, coz my reaction will be a harsh one ! I'll reply most sharply and show my fangs. And I'll speak in the most direct way, no matter if it'll sound hurtful. Again, fair warning ! You can't say you haven't been informed...

Now, back to the story, shall we ?

And the winner is... BeachBabe123 ! Eh yes, my dear Lauren, the quote comes from the final line from I HOPE IT RAINS, an amazing story of yours ! I had really liked a lot last chapter from that great fiction, and decided I could borrow a lil' something from it.

Thanxxxx btw for the review, Lau', and thanxxxx to Ana as well, even if the review was anonymous (ya didn't even sign, booh, coward ! ;P)

Oh, btw : I finished wz TT on the 11th, when I saw the movie. And, jeez, is that a great show ! Gotta love it ! I'm not fond of the sequences were the characters appear as dwarf versions of themselves, to make it funnier (find it immature... sorry...), but all the rest is fine. I like the combination of action, drama and humor, and my fav' plots are those involving Rae (especially ep's from Season 4, and particularly THE END) and Robin. I must really write a TT story soon ! (any idea ? Drop 'em on my forum, plz !^^)

Okay, that's enough long an introduction, isn't that ? Let's go for the real thing !

N'joy !

/

11 / SOME SECRET STRATEGIES

/

{( "The spy" – The Doors )}

Another of those fine days on which the weather is so inviting and contributes to your remaining in high spirits. Funny how you can feel so enthusiastic when the sun is out and so gloomy when the clouds are. Not everybody's mood is somehow influenced by weather, for sure, but that is still widespread.

However, one's psychology can prove opposite to the weather. For instance, one can feel hyper on a rainy day or sad or preoccupied on a sunny one.

This last case was the one in which Chris found himself that day.

Although Helios once again displayed his benevolent rays down to humans, the freckled teenager wasn't in the mood for a fun time. Far from it.

He walked aimlessly through the streets of his small town, trying to comfort himself and not give way to despair, or even to sadness. But it proved rather difficult.

What is she doing ? How is she feeling ? We haven't seen her again for days, and she won't answer her cell... She's probably sulking, convinced that we have "gotten rid of her" in the team. Perhaps she even thinks we don't understand how she feels and what hardships she's been through. Oh gosh, I wish she would soon be back, healthy and self-confident, as she always has been in the past. The past...? Is it that remote, really ?

He felt a shiver wrap his back, but given the warmth of that day, and the absence of wind, it couldn't be linked to temperature, right ?

The tech also felt uneasy about his new position. He had been asked by his remaining two teammates to become the interim leader of the MBC. Well, officious leader, since the group officially hadn't a proper chief. Rule number...? Chris felt the sting of sadness hurt his heart as he realized that, while he didn't remember it right now, Sam, who knew all rules by heart, would have been able to reply immediately on the topic.

Chris honestly thought that it would be Danny to claim the dominant position in their bunch, all the more since he had shown himself in favor of her temporary leave from the MBC. And this from the start of their discussion, on the day preceding their notification of their decision to Sam. Yet, the jock had declined the role of the boss, as he knew that such a function would require a knack for strategy and plans, and an accurate analysis of the situation in order to make the best decisions. And he had admitted that he wasn't that good at it, while Chris was the other brainy one on the team, therefore he would make a good guide for them.

The geek had first shown signs of refusal, as he would never dare to take on the role of Sam, all the more since he was so affected by her forced leave. But both Danny and Cathy had argued that they weren't gifted enough for strategy and tactics, and that given that he was, then he should be the temporary "head" of the MBC, until their African-American friend could return on top form, ready to lead the crew just as efficiently as in the old days.

But as he was walking randomly in Singletown that morning, Chris felt like he was betraying Sam by accepting to be the officious chief. It was her position, her function, her "part". He was taking the crown from the deposed queen, who had shown such a remarkable ruler, and who was one of his best friends ! How could he accept while he knew how bitter and sad she certainly was presently ?

But on the other hand, he knew perfectly well that, in any group, there had to be a leader, for the group to work effectively. If not, then there could be disunion, and the group could no longer exist. The MBC was no exception, and so, while he didn't like the idea of taking the place of Sam, which was hers by right, he also had to admit that their secret club had to be guided by someone, someone who would win unanimous support.

And for the time being, he was the one in that situation.

And he had to accept it, no matter what.

Oh Sam, I truly hope you'll be back soon and be our leader again ! For that's your role, and nobody can debate on that ! Sam, I really hope you are –

His train of thoughts got interrupted by the person he had just spotted on the other side of the street, as he was allowing his look to wander freely around him.

Sam !

Speaking of the devil...

He hid behind the tree and observed her.

She was walking alone on the pavement and made a halt by a free space, then looked around her, quickly searched her handbag, took something out, retrieved several things from that something, which she put back in her handbag while glancing around again, then put her hand to her mouth and absorbed what was inside, but didn't swallow. So it could be either sweets or...

Dresoprin.

Yes, it certainly was those vitamins. Sam wasn't the sweets girl (A/N : eh eh, not the sweet girl... sounds logical, eh, given her usual bossiness... XD) so it couldn't be anything else than Dresoprin.

Then she just resumed her walk, and he was sad to see she was still wearing her glasses. In what state could her eyes be ? Were they even better ?

Chris suddenly got an idea and decided to follow her unnoticed. He wanted to set his own certainties right, by checking something precise. So he just went in the same direction as her, but remained on the opposite side of the street, a little behind, to avoid any risks of being caught spying on her.

Sam entered the pharmacy and Chris waited outside, suspecting what she was buying. She got out soon (fortunately for her, Mrs Karr wasn't present on that day...) and, while glancing around her, opened her handbag and swiftly slid the small plastic bag inside, then turned her head again and started walking again.

She really doesn't seem quiet. I mean, it's the third time I see her glance around her, as if she dreaded being caught doing something forbidden. But if she reacts that way, it means that she has something to be ashamed of, and that this something indeed is a bad thing. I'm sure she doesn't want any of us to know that she keeps on buying Dresoprin, and that she thus has gotten addicted to it.

That all made sense.

He seized the occasion of her having an overview of the stock of some bookstore to buy sunglasses. Together with the cap he had been wearing this morning, it would help him avoid being recognized while he watched her. And since he had dressed differently than usual that day, there were therefore even less risks of being identified. Chances were on his side.

He followed Sam in a cafeteria and positioned at a table where he could see what she was doing without being in her field of vision. He watched as she ate her veggie menu and had a coffee after. That reminded him of her initial coffee addiction. But another addiction had replaced that one...

And sure enough, once she was done with it, she opened her handbag, threw another side glance, opened the small plastic bag, took a box out, got one of the packets inside, removed several items from that packet, put the rest back in the bag and put these items in her mouth. It seemed to Chris that they were red, and while he didn't know what colour were Dresoprin vitamins, he now got almost certain that they were... red.

In the afternoon, he went on following her and saw her take other items from the same box while she was isolating herself from the crowd, in a corner, and once again glancing around. And on that occasion, he had the idea of taking a picture of her while she was doing so. It had hit him that he could later load the photo in the supercomputer and use a high-definition software in order to enlarge the picture as much as he could to either see the name of the product on the boy or the exact aspect of the things absorbed, which he could then compare with Dresoprin's aspect. Yet he hadn't much doubt about the two matching perfectly.

And she again took the same stuff in the late afternoon. Therefore, he had seen her swallow the same thing three times that day, and his intuition told him it could go on once or twice more when she would be home.

It wasn't good. Not good at all. Chris didn't like it. But what could he do ?

And that's when he got another idea. It appeared to him as some rather bold move to make, but still, he felt that it would be interesting, and even a telltale sign. Hence did he decide, after some hesitation, to go through with his risky attempt...

He hid his sunglasses and cap underneath his shirt, for Sam not to suspect anything, then crossed and reached her side of the street.

He looked at her, who was just taking a quick look at the newspapers nearby, and started to step carelessly in her direction, making it appear as though he was strolling, relaxed and carefree.

Sam quit with info overview and resumed her walk. That's when she stopped and stood still, as she recognized the blunette, slowly coming her way.

He very convincingly made believe that he just recognized her and hurried to her.

"Hi, Sam ! Nice to see you ! How are you ?"

She smiled gently, happy to see her friend.

"Not too bad, for a reservist..." she replied in an ironic tone.

His own grin faded away.

"Look, I'm sorry about all this ! I mean, you're our leader and we do miss you ! I've tried to call you several times, but in vain. Are you sulking ?"

Her own smile vanished.

"Hum, let's say that I didn't feel like talking. I'm still trying to stomach what I can't help considering as an affront. I know your decision was motivated, and ultimately made sense, but I can't see things otherwise than an offense. Sorry if I sound exaggerate, but..."

There was a short silence, then she added : "Plus I'm not the leader, since rule number 2 says that the Club hasn't got any !"

This brought back the smile on the tech's lips.

"Right. That's really like you : knowing all rules by heart. I was actually looking for another rule myself, earlier today, and couldn't recall it. This made me think of you, once again."

"Happy to hear you're thinking about me regularly, from what I understand with your "once again". I'm relieved that you guys don't forget about me..."

"SAM ! Don't say that ! We'll never forget about you ! And after all, we asked you to take a break for your own good. And by the way, how are your eyes ? I noticed your sunglasses."

She sighed.

"They have been better, I guess. But they have been worse as well. So no big deal, really. And you, how are you, Chris ?"

He was pleased to get that question. She also cared for him, despite her own burden to carry. That was just like Sam : never complaining about herself and always putting friends first.

"Well... not too bad. Just thought of getting some fresh air and clearing my mind."

"And what was on your mind, tell me ?" she asked in an interested voice.

That was it. She wanted to know his thoughts of the day. It could be the right moment to make his move. Nothing easy, though, but he just felt he had to try.

"Hum... I was wondering... you know, regarding your eyes' inflammation... well, it has appeared recently, and since you recently started with your vitamins, I was just thinking that perhaps... there could be a correlation between the two. Like Dresoprin inducing some unwanted eye inflammation. It could be a possibility, couldn't it ?"

He saw her delay her reply, and would have had the opportunity to stare at her, to know how she felt. But her eyes, hidden behind the shades, were hiding the feelings she got.

At last, she gave him her opinion.

"I don't think it's related, Chris. I've never heard of vitamins making eyes bloodshot. Your hypothesis was worth mentioning, though."

She was trying to dismiss any possible link between her state and the vitamins she regularly took. He could sense that she was feeling uneasy about Desoprin being questioned, and that she did her best to cut short to the topic, but he had to ask her anyway. If it failed, then too bad, but at least he would have tried.

"Look, Sam, I can tell you're dubious about my hypothesis, but I think that we still haven't got any proof. And what I had in mind is this : if we could analyze one of your vitamin pills, then we could possibly find out about any side effects and thus envisage a cure of some sort. What do you think ?"

His black friend bit her lip and her grip tightened on her handbag. She was becoming protective about her vitamins, and therefore he wasn't optimistic about her answer.

"No, really, you're just making the wrong suggestion here, although it was a clever one !" she told him in a rushed voice. "It's not necessary to make an analysis, believe me !"

"But maybe –"

"Chris, please, don't insist ! I said no ! But thank you anyway for your concern ! And now, will you please excuse me ? I've got still a few things to do before heading home... But I'll try to answer my cell next time. Bye and good evening !"

And so, just like that, she quickened the pace of her walk and soon was out of sight.

The tech would have liked to reply to her, to tell her goodbye and wish her a good evening as well, but words were stuck in his throat.

His sore throat...

/

{( "Secret meeting" – The National )}

Cathy was concerned like crazy as she was walking rapidly to the meeting place. She was so sad about Sam not answering her cell phone. Her silence was commensurate with her upset and bitterness, that was obvious. And her refusal to talk to the boys as well told good enough how much of a "sulker" she could be (which was absolutely unlike her).

Could she refuse to ever be part of the MBC again ?

No, don't think like that, Cathy ! Just don't ! You're just imagining things. Sam would never act this extreme. Well, she most likely wouldn't, right...? Jinkizz, why am I thinking this dark, really ? That is unlike ME !

She entered the park and headed left. She was soon there. Another two minutes' walk and...

"Hi Cath' !" the spike-haired and the blue-haired boys greeted her.

"Hello, guys ! How are you doing ?"

"As good as we can manage..." Chris replied, unenthusiastically.

"Yeah... what he said..." confirmed Danny.

The blonde sat down and took a mindful glance at both her buddies. They didn't look exactly in high spirits, for sure. The happy times seemed to have vanished at the same time as Sam. That confirmed well enough her importance in the gang.

"So, Chris, tell us what is going on !" Cathy asked her freckled friend.

The latter sighed heavily and looked at both his teammates intently before starting.

"I saw Sam, yesterday. I just spotted her on the other side of the street and decided to follow her. The thing is that I saw her swallow something and guessed it was those vitamins, Dresoprin, that she's taking to boost herself for her reviews. And I suddenly wanted to check how often she took them, and possibly how many. So I decided to follow her all day and see things myself, to make a decision out of it."

He paused, to let all these infos sink into their minds and possibly raise questions.

"You followed Sam ? So you spied on her ?!" the Rhapsodian asked in a high-pitched voice which suggested that she felt shocked about the whole conduct.

"Yeah, I know, that sounds sneaky, but don't forget I did this for her own good, because I needed to know exactly how often she absorbed vitamins. I was only concerned about her health, so my method had good purpose, you understand ?"

Cathy pouted.

"That still sounds... I don't know... dishonest ? Spying on a friend..."

"But since he tells you that it was for a good reason... !" intervened the jock.

"Okay, okay, but I still feel uneasy about the whole thing. Right, go ahead, Chris !"

"Well, she took several Dresoprin in the morning, when I saw her, several again at meal time, several again in the afternoon and once again several short before dusk. Which makes me state that she's addicted to those vitamins !"

The pink member was reflecting about a detail.

"You were always remote from her, right ? So how could you actually realize it were Dresoprin she took ?"

The young alien still seemed to be willing hard not to doubt about her best earthling friend.

"Because yesterday evening, I used the supercomputer to enlarge the picture I had taken from her taking the stuff, and I could see a close-up from the box. It was written "-prin", so I assumed it couldn't be anything else than, Dresoprin, right ?"

Cathy sighed in defeat.

"Yeah, I get it..."

Danny shook his head.

"That's unworthy of Sam to act that inconsiderate. We have to do something to stop her !"

An awkward silence fell over the three friends.

"Hey guys !" a familiar voice said nearby.

All turned round to find there...

"Hi Nat !" said Chris as he smiled to him. Not a big smile, given the atmosphere they were in, but a smile nonetheless.

"Hey Man !" greeted Danny, but not smiling, although the tone of his voice was friendly. He was still upset enough by Sam's behaviour to fail grinning at someone he appreciated.

"Houmaat, Nat !" answered a gloomy Cathy, but still managing to give a weak smile.

"Houmaat, Cathy ! You don't look too good ! What's wrong ?" he asked as he locked his emerald eyes with her sapphire ones.

She lowered her head and her shoulders slumped, as she gave a loud sigh, the kind that visibly cost some visible effort.

Nathanaël kneeled down in front of her and whispered some alien words to her as he kept staring at her, obviously very worried about her defeated attitude. She replied in Rhapsodian as well, and once she was done, he could see tears welling up within her eyes.

"Sam..." Cathy sobbed. "It's Sam..."

He gently took her in his arms and hugged her sweetly, whispering more alien comforting words to her. He had that habit of switching from English to Rhapsodian when he was troubled. He knew he had to watch it, to avoid being identified as non-human, but he often forgot to pay attention in the emotion of the moment.

Nat rocked Cathy slowly back and forth, allowing her to cry her soul out, while he was looking gravely at Chris and Danny, who didn't dare to utter a single word as they saw their friend collapsed in sadness.

The blond boy waited until the blonde girl had pulled herself together, and as they pulled apart, he stared deeply in her eyes.

"Will you be okay, Cathy ?"

She swept one last tear and returned his gaze with her reddened eyes.

"I will be, yes. But... I'm so worried about Sam, you have no idea, Nat !"

He looked somberly at her.

"I know, Cathy. I do as well..."

Both Rhapsodians sat down beside the boys and Nat waited for someone to go on. He was still deeply moved by Cathy's emotional breakdown, and thus didn't dare to start questions.

"Well, you have the right to know, Nat. You're Sam's boyfriend, after all... but perhaps you've already understood what was going on ?" Chris began.

"She's addicted to it, isn't she ?" the green-eyed boy simply asked in response.

"Yeah, she is ! And it's destroying her bit by bit !" said Danny in an angry tone. But his wrath wasn't directed at his African-American friend and her guilty behaviour : it in fact expressed his wrath when he realized he was powerless at helping Sam. He would have liked to find a way to help her out, but he couldn't do anything, and this helplessness triggered his anger.

Chris quickly looked at Danny, then at Cathy, and finally at Nathanaël.

"Hum, as I was telling Dan' and Cath', I saw Sam yesterday. I actually saw her swallow those vitamins again, and it was obvious she takes many of them at a time. Which means she's not following the dosage, and thus bringing her health in danger. And what I wanted to inform you all about is this : I suggested that her eyes may have got sore due to some side effects of Dresoprin. The bloodshot effect may indeed be linked not to the long hours spent staring at the screen of her computer, but directly to some component of the vitamins. And I proposed her to verify that hypothesis by running a complete analysis on Dresoprin, its components and the possible side effects that could be induced."

There was a silence.

"And what did she reply to your proposal ?" Nat asked.

Chris swallowed saliva as he remembered precisely her reaction.

"She dismissed it, and she seemed very uneasy about it. She was holding her bag tightly, as if she dreaded I would snatch it off her arms to steal her precious vitamins. And that looked like guilt to me. She did look guilty, as if she realized she was at fault with her addiction and feared that I would try to wean her from it."

Danny couldn't contain himself any longer.

"We must find a way to analyze that shit...I mean, that drug ! We have to find out what's wrong with that stuff and make Sam realize about it ! If she does, then she'll agree she needs help and we'll be able to act freely to save her !"

"Danny is right !" the pink member said, her voice louder than usual. "The best way to help Sam is to bring her the proof that her vitamins have a negative impact on her organism. But the problem is to get a sample of Dresoprin. She refused to give Chris some, and she will probably refuse if just any of us asks her."

"We must find a way to obtain one of those pills !" Chris said, gritting his teeth. "We can't get those vitamins without prescription, so the only way I can think of is convincing Sam. But she isn't willing to cooperate... That's the obstacle to our helping her..."

"I'll do it."

All heads turned simultaneously towards the speaker.

"Are you sure you can, Nat ?" asked a concerned Cathy. "I mean, if Sam finds out that you're doing it to help us "behind her back", she will be very cross. This could even threaten your relationship !"

Nat had a comforting smile.

"Have no fear ! I know what I'm doing, mind you. I'm not sure our relationship would be menaced though, but I'll be careful. And I want to do it for Sam. She needs my help and I'll do everything I can to make sure she gets better. Even if that means taking risks. I'm ready to face difficulties if that means having a chance of curing the girl I love. Now..."

He paused to give more weight to what was coming next.

"If I try to convince her myself, and she refuses, then she will get suspicious about me and watch my every move, as well as keep her handbag away from me. In such a case, it will be most tricky to get a pill from her. No, I must adopt another strategy."

Another silence. The three teammates exchanged wondering looks.

"So, what is your plan, Nat ?" finally asked Danny. He was slightly leaning in, interested.

The geek straightened his glasses upon his nose and gave a serious look to each MBC member in turn. He looked determined.

"Well..."

/

Ooooooooooh, a cliffhanger ! Who would have guessed ? XDDD (Happy, Ana ? =)

I wanted to write more, but ended up with around 6'300 words, so that would have been a bit long a chapter. You'll have to wait next one to know, uh uh !

So, no end of the world after all... the Mayas lied, eh ! But no, they didn't ! They just didn't have enough time to continue their calendar beyond December 21th 2012 ! Now, did any of you really believe that "end of the world" thing, eh ? C'mon, don't be shy, tell me ! ;-)

I've just finished reading a great TT fiction called AND HER WHITE CLOAK FADED. It's M-rated due to a few sex scenes, but believe me, there's no detailed description, everything is suggested. And the majority of the story revolves around psychology, not sex : inner fears, hopes, personal issues, upbringing topics, relational complications. It's very deep and moving a reflection on human nature. And it's very long : 44 chapters ! First TT fic' I read, but what a wonderful and touching story !

And thanxxxx to BoS for her new MBC story, sequel of my SHADOWLAND ! Very nice start ! Keep going, Ana ! =)

Oh, and d'ya notice about the title of this chapter ? SSS ? It's called an alliteration and is mainly used in poetry. S like... Sam, eh !

And last : this month, I'm celebrating my first year as a writer on FF ! I used to be only a reader for 2 years, but published my first story, THE GREATEST TIDAL WAVE EVER, in December 2011. I just re-read it btw, and was honestly amazed as the richness of the glossary. There are so many different, varied words in that fiction. True that I take a lot of time to look up different words, to avoid repetitions, but I really didn't remember that story being that diversified in terms of vocabulary. And the descriptions were much more crafted than I recalled... I really enjoyed reading again that first shot of mine, and I even think it is one of my favourite own fictions. (Okay, so much for blowing my own horn... ;)

Alright, time for a short break ! (hum... I HOPE it'll be short !)

Take care and... update asap, guys ! Good luck in writing !

Peace, Love, Ecstasy ! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE !

XXXX