Title: The Forbidden Game IV: A Roll of the Dice
Rating: M
Note: I own none of the characters they all belong to L.J Smith. I only own the ones I create.
Keep in mind this story was started A LONG time ago on ffn I have since revised this EXTENSIVELY and hope its finally up to par.
I am aware there is a ton of information for one chapter, but I believe it's needed to set the premise. Much more dialogue in future chapters, and I assure you there will be.
In part, this chapter is a commemoration for the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and for which I'll always remember. For the brave souls and for those who lost families. That day will never be forgotten and never become a joke as has been sadly displayed in tik toks upon the last anniversary. To the heroes; citizens, firemen, policemen, work staff, janitorial staff, health officials, pentagon officials, military, aids, pilots, flight attendants… your memory will never be erased and never tarnished 3
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-B
This chapter was helped created by the one song:
Artist: Within Temptation
Song: Pale
-B
This chapter was helped created by the one song:
Artist: Within Temptation
Song: Pale
Chapter One: New Beginnings
Dry.
The first word that sprang to mind for nineteen-year-old Jenny Elizabeth Thornton. A massive heatwave encapsulated the city of San Francisco, and two forest fires were reported just north. So, no campfires or grilling within the city ordinance for a while. Which meant their soon back-to-school summer barbeque was out.
Not that Jenny minded.
Two weeks had passed since the last downpour and every drop had been sapped like a sponge. This was by far the worst drought they'd had in many years. Brutal. Just three months ago a deadly earthquake had shaken the state to its core. It had broken 1906's, "The Great Quake". Becoming a staple in history as the "The Deadliest Fault of 1996", paying homage to the San Andreas fault. As any Californian knew how such earthquakes occurred. Countless drills for such an occurrence were relentlessly practiced from the time of pre-kinder and on.
It was supposed to have been any normal day as the last school hours of their senior year, wound down. Jenny had been granted an early leave, missing the throwing of papers and cheers of her fellow classmates ready to branch out into the adult world.
Scheduled for an appointment with her appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Straus who was curious to see how her anxiety medication was thus faring. It had become a necessity after a panic attack rendered Jenny a hyperventilating mess. Simply from a filmy white box presented by her mother Marjorie for achieving a high GPA. It contained a pair of denim from Bloomingdales. Usually, Jenny would've been thrilled to receive clothes from her favorite store. If it hadn't been for the shape and design of the box—apparently a new design concept being marketed. But because it had sent her mind into a practical tailspin, she was later diagnosed with a form of PTSD.
Thus, how she'd found herself pulling up to the quaint, nondescript building. She'd just parked her white beamer into the parking lot when the erratic shift happened. The earth beneath her feet suddenly quivered a typical vibration for lesser earthquakes. Until the cement cracked like a fragile eggshell, sending the world into a chaotic maelstrom of events.
It had been catastrophic once she'd glimpsed the news channel.
Reporters had been scrambling over each other for breaking live footage, the police having to use brute force as the entire fire station sped to a structure to extinguish high, towering flames from a leaked gas fuse. The hospitals became overrun with helicopters in a swarm. Ash and flurries of debris had turned the skies into a shroud of darkness, reflecting the sorrow of those searching amongst the fallen rubble of buildings that had collapsed.
It remained a haunting memory not easily forgotten.
Hundreds of homes became under construction or vacated due to unlivable conditions. Construction workers came in high demand with thousands volunteering their aid in the devastation. Jenny had recruited Summer in volunteering at the shelters, housing those who lost their livelihoods. Vista Grandes school gym suffered a massive cave-in that resulted in the relocation of their graduation ceremony. An expansive memorial was erected in the city park to commemorate the thousands that lost their lives that day. It had taken millions of dollars of the city's tax money in restoring the city.
Nevertheless, life in the city eventually carried on.
Peeking through the lacy curtains of her bedroom window, a silver 1996 Mercedes-Benz rested across the street. In the driver's seat looking bronzed from the endless summer hours in the workforce of construction, —Locke's family-owned business run by his Uncle Vern—was Thomas Jay Locke.
C'mon Jenny buck up.
Jenny returned her focus to the full body-length mirror. The sunlight shifted, transforming her long carefully ironed curls a liquid gold. Smoothing her hands down the silky mint cocktail dress—thank you Summer—Jenny noted the daring slit that ran up her thigh, paired with the heavier makeup. Certainly, it made her feel older, hardly resembling the fresh-faced teen from high school.
Cypress eyes stared back at her, a look of uncertainty mirroring her thoughts. A small, squeeze of panic clenched her gut. If only the rest of the group were here. Really, she could've used Dee's input, Audrey's last-second inspections…
However, the group had split for the summer.
Audrey Myers was currently in Paris with Michael. Michael and Audrey had become inseparable after a near-ceiling collapse caused Audrey to be air-lifted to the hospital. The extent of nerve damage she'd suffered left Audrey with a permanent limp in her walk. Michael had helped her with physical therapy. At the end of her recovery, Audrey had been set to leave for France to stay with her aunt and uncle. Her parents had been unable to get out of their business trip.
Once the plane had touched down in France, however, the redhead had tearfully explained a dramatic scene involving Michael intercepting her flight in professing his love for her. He'd surprised her with a plane ticket of his own and had been overseas, since. Less than two weeks ago Michael had called to update Jenny on her friend. He'd surprised Audrey with a promise ring whose aspirations for the future were looking brighter than ever. Making headway with connections in the fashion industry, Audrey had become inspired by French culture and trends.
Over their last phone call, Dee sounded enthusiastic about the news, having rooted for the couple since their inception. After emergency services had been delayed Dee risked her life to save Audrey from the gyms rubble alongside Michael. Their heroism was later broadcast across news outlets and the city's newspaper. It had opened a door to a summer pre-internship for the Nefertiti look-alike by their health teacher, Mr. Barns at Los Angeles, Children's Hospital. Dee had discovered a hidden passion after job shadowing her mother Claire Eliade during a career assignment. Although a surprise to everyone who considered her devoted to karate, bearing witness to the babies had budded such a love.
She now desired to become a post-natal care specialist.
Dee had also met a med student she'd become profoundly interested in. Dee the fiery tigress who'd scared guys away due to her tenacious nature. And yet that rough exterior had started to chip away as their senior year wrapped with a newfound maturity.
Jenny truly missed them.
High school had left her with few select friends she'd trusted, apart from their personal group. None she'd been particularly close to. So once graduation ended it was no surprise those acquaintances faded into the background of summer jobs or preparations for life ahead.
Which left her Zach.
The former photographer had shacked up with a distant cousin not well acquainted. Last she knew the surfer enthusiast resided in a studio apartment in Los Angeles while running a surfboard shop.
A few admirable pieces now hung in Vista's art showcase. Zach, considered a progressive artist's, big dreams were rapidly paving the way to a studio showcasing photographic pieces in LA. Because of the 400-mile distance between the two cities, Jenny saw her cousin every third weekend of the month. He managed the gas as a barista in a hipster's joint which had made him more social.
All in an effort to see Summer.
Though they were complete opposites, the two had lasted beyond high school. The quake alone had brought them closer in which Jenny would underestimate her cousin's care for the sunflower. Only a minor gash he'd taken to the forehead leaving several stitches—now—partially obscured by his long hair. After he'd awoken in the hospital, Jenny nor the family had been able to tear him from Summer's side. Summer had remained in a coma for two weeks. The staff had allowed Zach to camp in her room, using the showers to keep up important hygiene until she'd awoken. By sheer luck, she hadn't suffered any lasting brain damage. Nevertheless, Zach brought her flowers and even dressed the part (with Jenny's help) during their senior prom. After sharing a kiss their friendship shifted.
Upon Summer's release, the two made it official.
Often the two talked for hours on the phone, noticeable after Jenny viewed their last phone bill. This Summer managed by teaching Yoga classes she'd started up at the YMCA. Often greeting Jenny in the mornings with too descriptive details about her cousin, left Jenny to detox as she made way for the coffee.
Offering a large sum of money the NFL (National Football League) 49ers wanted to recruit Tom for spring tryouts after he finished three years of college. Because news traveled far of the football stars' athletic abilities, sports agents had sat in at his games. Leaving the coaches to brag about their lead quarterback. Though Jenny was familiar with her boyfriend's variety of sports over the years, the passion he had for football highlighted his abilities. However, because the network had an extensive list and thousands opting for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he'd been given a set timeframe for acceptance.
Hardly did Jenny think such a celebratory offer would arise again. She didn't want to hold him back from his dreams especially when she had her own dilemmas. Her high school diploma was still propped in a corner collecting dust. Almost like a symbol of where she felt in life and the imminent future.
She'd prepped herself for acceptance, taking on extracurriculars during high school: track, swimming, and a regular volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. It looked impeccable on her transcripts getting into strict colleges: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Pepperdine, Dartmouth, etc.
Yet, she'd become more adept at staying closer to home.
Only after the behest of her parents, Jenny enrolled herself at San Francisco University, already covering her tuition for the next four years of undergrad. It would've been selfish to decline the offer given. Not everyone was fortunate to have the pleasure. Although half of her classes were selected at random.
I've seriously got issues.
Her fingers found the gold band that hung on a simple gold chain around her neck. The metal felt cool against her warmed skin. I am my only Master, she traced with the crescent of her nail. If she just closed her eyes… "I am my only Master."
The words fell in a soft whisper as a small breath of wind passed her.
If she concentrated, she could remember the exact shade of those eyes. Once reminding her of the dawn on a cool winter's morning. The subtle hues of early twilight…
Beeeeeeep.
Jenny's eyes flew open, broken from her reverie as the sound of a car horn pierced the silence. Her eyes wavered to the mirror once more.
Well, happy nineteenth birthday, Jenny.
Notes:
To the tik-tokers doing this, you might have not been born but there are those who lived that day and watched the world fall to darkness. That is something you will never understand, and I feel truly sorry for you and for the families who are still haunted by that day. Respect those who can no longer speak for themselves, and for those who lost a: father, brother, sister, husband, wife, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, cousin, unborn child, friend, coworker, boyfriend, girlfriend…etc.
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