Suddenly, Yantz whispered through clenched teeth, very rapidly, as if it was taking all the energy he could muster. "Bi... Bianca... you must... get... out... its... they... the.... its coming... its... noo..... its here!" before spasming for a moment, and collapsing in a heap.

As suddenly as it appeared, however, the bulge sank back into the floor.

"What... Yantz? Gloria? Guys?" She said, wanting to scream and not stop.

"I'm... I'm ok.. I think... " Martha said, her voice sounding thick.

'Yeah, so are we" the others agreed.

"We need to help Yantz. He.." "No you don't, I'm ok, Bianca." He beamed at her. "But thankyou for the concern." He paused, looking around. "We should get out of here. They've found this place. We aren't safe anymore here."

Meanwhile, in a location some distance away...

"You failed in your task, girl" Boomed a terrifying, empty sounding voice, seemingly from all directions. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Forgive me" Sarah pleaded, plaintively. "My mother was there, and she..."

"I know. I saw it all. Forgiveness... no. I think I have a better idea. You want vengence on your mother, don't you Sarah?" The voice surrounded her, teasing her with the possibility.

"What? Yes, I do... more then life itself" She begged with glee, forgetting herself for a moment, as a malicious grin spread across her face.

"I can make the possibility much greater for you, Sarah. All you have to do is take what I give, freely." the voice said, sounding more mechanical and cold then she'd ever heard, as a small globe which glowed with fire, and seemed to have blood flowing around inside, appeared on a pedestal.

"Wha.. What is it?" She asked, trembling with the need for revenge.

"I will not say. The only way to find out, is to reach out and take hold of it." He stated cryptically, which added a sense of slight unease to what she felt.

She thought for a while, the unease growing against her need, her desire for revenge. But then she thought of her mother, and her face twisted as the malicious grin returned, and she reached out and grasped the thing in her hands.

As she stood there, holding it, it seemed to fade, and she felt her mind become clearer, more focused, faster. And there was... something else. Not only was her mind
more powerful, but her body seemed to glow with evil as the malice and hatred flowed through her veins and mind.

"Now you have power" He said simply. "Use it however you wish."

"Yessss" She hissed. "Motherrr... I'll see you again."

It was simply impossible to describe. It seemed to stretch for eternity, yet be the size of a shoebox at the same time. Bianca looked at it, blinked several times, and promptly collapsed, from the sheer shock, the equivalent of which would be, approximately, having an aeroplane fly out of your mouth.

"It... I...No." She stammered, still glimpsing it out of the corner of her eye.

"Quick, move her inside before she looks again!" Said Blinks, with a worried frown. "Yeah, that's a goo...wait. Blinks? You just..." Stammered Yantz, with a look of shock etched onto his face.

"Yes. I spoke....its...this place. Here is where I ...lost myself. Seeing it again... Triggered my return. The things I've seen, and learned... I'll tell you later. We need to get her inside, or we'll lose her too! Hurry!" he spat, as Bianca tried to move her head to look at the ....structure.


(I'm back! -EB)

Story Interrupted.

I'd just like to say to any New Orleanians, and those families affected, our hearts are with you.


And to the snipers who targeted the medical supply convoy: Why? What would you f---wits gain from such a cowardly act? (Sorry, bad language..)

**Edit** by blazingplastic

(I know you don't want us to interfere with each other's writing, Mike, but I figured this is o.k. And, forgive me, I couldn't help but censor the "f" word.)

I agree with my co-writer & buddy here. Pray for the people who are left to deal with the mass wreckage. Who knew what disaster such a storm could inspire?

Get involved, any way you can. Anything helps you know.


*Edit - EB*

Tis ok. This is a message of support after all...

Anyone reading this, donate here if you can... they need your help: Red Cross

"I've been...learning things" She said, after a short pause. "But that's not what I brought you here for... I brought you here so you knew how it felt. You're here so I can get pay..." She stopped, whirling to face Horace, and shouted "You forgot to close the gate you idiot!" as 3 of the "AdPeople" shimmered into view, wielding the wicked looking 'instruments'.

"You fool!" She continued ranting "Don't you realise they can't be controlled anywhere else?. Deal with them...I'm out of here. Mother, I'll deal with you again later. Count on it." She said, promptly vanishing.

"Come on Bianca, the way out is this way." Stuttered the golfer. "You won't want to see the next bit..." He paused, as she walked up to Horace, who was being held by two of the group, looking nervous.

"Hey guys..." She said viciously, "Don't go easy." turning and following the Golfer out the door.

"What was that about?" He asked, stunned.

What was it about?!? My daughter, who I just found out is still alive, hates me, I'm stuck...wherever the hell I am, surrounded by complete strangers, and a whole lot of questions. And it's all his fault." She spat in anger.

"I may be able to help you with some of those questions, if you'd like..." said Golfer. "Oh, and I'm Yantz, by the way." He offered.

"Like what?" She said suspiciously, looking at him, with mistrust clearly evident in her stance.

"Well, for instance...I know a little about the "thing" Horace and your daughter were telling you about. I was taken by it, after all..." He said patiently.


"Well, I'm stuck here it seems...you might as well tell me all about it" She said, leaning dejectedly against a wall, as a scream started, and was suddenly silenced.


"Well, what Horace told you was all true...even to him this thing is evil...it takes people, and slowly changes them so they come to worship it, and become capable of incredibly vicious, and despicable acts..." He opened, with a finality and an openness that caused Bianca to have no doubt he was being truthful.

"We were lucky that Horace came when he did...most of us were there with...'it' for only a few months...your daughter though....she was there before us... a few years I think.... I fear that she may have been turned enough that she went back....but I get the feeling you'll find that out by yourself."

"So what she said, that was the changes?" Bianca asked hopefully.

"It's hard to say...to be honest, I think it was a bit of both how she felt, as well as the changes." The .."thing", I think delights in finding the 'key' within each person, that causes them to become willing servants...whether the promise of something unattainable any other way, or in this case, it seems, the desire for revenge..."

"Also, I don't think you'll be able to get back to Earth any time soon.." he continued, as a series of explosions sounded throughout the building. "In fact...we better get moving. Looks like you're stuck with us for the time being. Welcome to our group." He said with an ironic smile....

"You don't want to do that, Bianca" The Booming Voice warned darkly. "You wouldn't like what would happen to my good friend Horace" The Voice expanded, as a hazy 'window' showed Horace strapped to a table, surronded by vicious looking instruments.


"Horace? Why would I care about Horace?" She asked with a gleam in her eye. "I don't even know him. He pretty much kidnapped me...besides, I have more pressing concerns anyway..." She said, walking off.

"What?...but....Horace is"

"I DON'T CARE" She yelled violently, storming off.

"Fine...I see I'll have to threaten you personnally to get results....GET HER!" He said with an echo.

The Adpeople stirred to life, their eyes hazing over, as they began to lumber towards her, slowly getting faster.

"Well this isn't good....wait a minute...the 'window'!" She muttered, as she tried to leap through...and succeding.

"Whew...I'm out of that...hell." She relieved.

"Not yet you aren't, Bianca" said a voice, as she turned, surprised, only to see Horace step out of another room. "You see, I set this whole thing up. Don't need that any more.." He said, pressing a button, and making FakeHorace vanish into wisps of smoke.

"Then...then the...thing...taking people is you?" She spat furiously.

"What? No. These people were taken by it...I merely took them to where they are now. They are mine. I saved them."


"Yours? YOURS?!? Thats ridiculous! If thats the case, then what am I to you?" She said, grabbing some of the evil looking instruments, and threatening Horace.

"You don't want to be doing that..." he said, pulling a thing that looked...well, was, a gun, and pointed it menacingly in her direction.

"Ok..." she breathed defeatedly, dropping them, and putting her arms in the air.

"Good...now, put these on." He 'suggested", handing her handcuffs. "We are going to meet my boss, and decide what she wants to do with you, he said, pushing another button, making the world swirl around them.

"Could have warned me..." She grumbled as he chuckled in delight at her reaction.

"In there." He pointed with his gun. She complied, and nearly dropped in shock and confusion, and stammered "Sa..Sarah? Is...Sarah? I need to si...Sarah? What are you doing here?" She said, looking at her daughter. "Yo...You died 3 years ago..."

"Hello sir.." Bianca said to the man she assumed to be a golfer.

"Try New Smith's Cheese flavoured Toothpaste today!" He beamed.

"..." She didn't say.

"I'm going to go over there now..." she informed, as she ran away.

"It's Cheese-tastic!" He lobbed back.


"What was with that guy?" She inquired of Sam.

"Try VisiGerm Today! One spray and you'll see how digustingly unhygenic your house really is, you slob! Now comes in three varieties. Lemon Scent, Pine Fresh and Crusty Vomit!" He blatantly suggested.



...I was better off with Horace... Where'd he get to...I hope he's ok.... she wondered out of a desire to have some sense of normality...

"She's coming around" said a voice, sounding concerned. "Help me move her oveARGH!" "You bit me!" he shouted angrily, backing away hurriedly.

"And I'll do worse if you try to..wait...what is this place? It's so white, and empty..." She breathed in wonder and fear.

"Get used to it" said the injured man gruffly. "It never changes, and I've been here for...a long time. Periodically, a new person appears."

"Who are you?" Bianca enquired.

"I'm Sam. And who may you be?" He shot back.

"My name's Linda" She said, out of mistrust. "How do you survive here when its so empty?"

"We have no idea...we just...do. Whats odd, is no one has ever arrived in the fashion that you did..most people just blink into existence."



"You however, slowly faded in and out of view..." Said a booming voice, that filled the air with echos.

"What was that?!?" Bianca whispered, only to notice that everyone else had passed out...

"We recovered all you th....wait, do you hear that noise?" He asked with a slight tremor.

Well, yes...I believe I jus" She began to say, annoyed.

"Wehavetoleaverightnowholdontight!" He blatantly interrupted, rushing to a different part of the ...vehicle.

"What? Why? Is something happenARGH!!!!!" She screamed, feeling intense pain throughout her whole body.....

'Well...ok. But I tell you..this is pretty potent stuff....' He warned. 'Now...what I meant before, was that there is something out there that has, for want of a better description, been 'taking' people. And by taking, I mean your...essence. Your spirit...the thing that makes you, you. We don't know exactly what it is, or why it is doing it....but it's out there...'

'And you were it's next target. The only way we can try and find out about it, is by trying to locate those it is interested in...taking, and offering them choices.', The man explained.


Alright...but before I hear them, 2 questions. 1, Why me?, and 2, How many people has this...thing, taken? Bianca asked dejectedly.

'...Ok. I'm going to be honest....We have no idea what the motivation is behind the takings...or even what type of being it is doing this...

and we don't know how many, or for how long, this has been happening.' He admitted, looking deeply concerned.

"Ok. I can see that you don't know anything...or you do, and you are trying to not frighten me...
What are my choices?" She tremored.



"Well, like I said, you have three...

1, You can stay with me until tommorow, and then return to your life, and forget this ever happened.

2, You can leave now, and take your chances that we are wrong...

or 3, You can stay and help us figure out this whole thing...

I'll be in the other room until you decide...........

titles meh. needed.

...in an incomprehesible language. 'I...I can't understand what you are saying' mumbled Bianca, in fear. The 'man' (though he only resembled a man in the general shape, as he was rather lanky to an extreme...and also green) looked annoyed at this, while simultaniously dragging her inside the vehicle, which she didn't seem to be able to resist...

'IS TH....Sorry...the volume controls need some work. What is a person like you doing alone in the middle of this place?' asked the 'man'. 'I...still can't understand you', repeated Bianca.
What?! Oh damnit. There? Is that any better Bianca?' The man asked irritated.

'Er....yes...but how do you know my name?' She asked, terrified....

?

...It looked like a car, and it sounded like a car, but for the rather disconcerting fact that it was approaching far faster then Bianca believed anything would be able to travel.
As it came closer, she realised that it wasn't going to be able to halt in time to avoid her, and she hurriedly leapt out of the path of the car, twisting her ankle.

It was then that she noticed two things, both of which caused her to wonder whether she was imaginaing things.

The car, which had just been traveling fast enough to leave her as nothing but a slight puddle, had stopped, apparently effortlessly...and it seemed to be hovering on the spot....