Cheery Cherry, Part 1Cheryl Godwin inspected her full length mirror's reflection one last time. Shoulder-length brick-red hair: check. White T-shirt with happy sun on it: check. Blue denim shorts, check. Pink Converse All-Star high-tops, white ankle socks, and purple purse with cell phone, wallet, and keys: check, check, and check with check, check, and check. She nodded, with a smile. She looked good, and she was set.Zipping out her bedroom, she bounced down the stairs through the kitchen. "Bye, Mumzy," she chirped. "I'm out!""Not without breakfast, young lady," her mother intoned."Aw, Mom!" she whined. "I wanna go enjoy my morning and summer befor
Cheery Cherry, Part 2"Hup!" Cherry lightly hefted the 5-gallon water jug up to the top of the coffee/espresso machine and lowered it gently into the valve hole so she wouldn't drop and crack it so it leaked like when she first tried it back in May. She turned to Jack, grinned in satisfaction and playfully flexed. "Hee! I'm a regular Sailor Jupiter now!"Her manager cracked a smile himself. "A summer of hard work will do that."Then off in the back, they all heard a voice sing a soulful gospel melody, "I got a home in-a dat Rock, don't you see...."Jack and Cherry glanced at each other and nodded. That was Baps, Italia! Italia!'s newest hire."I got a hom
Cheery Cherry, Part 3Late SeptemberShakti carried the plastic foam take-home box with the still-hot aroma of the spaghetti, meatballs, vegetables, and garlic bread. And she remembered the very nice woman who gave it to her.Just an hour ago she'd sat down at Italia! Italia! and was looking around for Cheery Cherry. Then that black woman, Baps, she thought it was, came with her Coke and the bread basket. But that was all... an empty basket.Shakti stared at her waitress. "Where's the bread?"Baps leaned in. "You know that friend of yours you were waiting on the last two times here?""Uh... what about her?"Baps smirked. "She got here first." And she
Cheery Cherry, Part 4October 30Professor Gordon Wallace carried his briefcase and portfolio binder notebook as he trudged down the hall. He'd finished his last class today and was looking forward to his wind-down fish, chips, and Guinness Stout at the Fox and Hound. Yes, it wasn't like back home for him... the place was too big, too clean-aired, and the food was too good. And all of this American Halloween trapping, too. But it was better than nothing. Just as he rounded a corner, she saw a dark-skinned middle-aged woman in a loose-fitting magenta dress. She carried two shopping bags."Oh, excuse me," she said. "I'm looking for a young girl about yea ta
For Their Own Good: Part 1FOR THEIR OWN GOODPart 1: HomecomingSoaked and stinking of beer, Xavier grumpily stepped out of customs. He ignored the sniffs, smells, and stares at him by everyone else there. He just didn't want to see his family like this.But to his mixed expectation, anticipation and disappointment, he saw his dad, mom, and older and younger brothers in the airport's arrival hall. They cheerily waved their small handheld American flags and held up their poster sign that read "Welcome Home, Xavier.""Xavier!" cheered Dad."Yo, bro!" went the younger brother."Welcome home, pumpkin pie!" chirped his mother, rushing up and hugging him. "You're hom
For Their Own Good: Part 2Part 2: MessageXavier peered at the figure in the huge hologram: a tall, world champion bodybuilder type. Well, maybe it was the size of the hologram that made her look that way. But still, even if the stocky, matronly woman were no taller than his 5 foot, 6 inch tall mom, she'd have been impressive enough. Her olive-skinned biceps were a little larger than her head, and even under the toga he could tell each breast was about as big. He couldn't make out the stuff below the waist very well, but he could tell the hips were wide and curvy, and the legs were thick and muscular. And her dark brown, frost-ended, Katherine Hepburn-style short ha
For Their Own Good: Part 3Part 3: ErrandsXavier and his family silently watched the TV as the projector drone flew off."We've just gotten confirmation from our other WNN bureaus, folks," the newscaster said, "that this 'Summa Matrei' has given what's reportedly the same message all over the world that we just heard right here... and all in the native languages. Yes, she's given her announcement in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French, Farsi, Arabic, Swahili, Hindi... as far as we know, every language on Earth."The TV screen dissolved to the news studio and commentator, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "We have yet to hear any response from any leade
For Their Own Good: Part 4Part 4 -- StrikeLifting up and carrying the car-sized pod like it was a kitchen table, the Eugenian warriors loaded it into the skiff. Energy arrows still nocked, the watchful bowwomen then slowly tightened up the perimeter, and backed into their own skiff one by one. Finally satisfied, the last trooper unwrinkled her cute, small nose, stepped back inside, and let the ramp/gate swing back up and shut. And kicking up clouds of dust and grass, they ascended into the air statefully, looped around, and took off with no further shots fired from either side.The web camera slowly dipped and panned left. The Sudanese troopers stared up at the dep
Dyna Meets M15+4 H4X0RDyna Meets M15+4 H4X0R!!!11oneonePart 1Brian tossed the cash into the plastic BlipMart bag as fast as his shaking fingers would let him."I said I wanted it ALL!" roared the thug, raising his Colt .45 auto to Brian's eye level."That IS all of it!" insisted the poor, trembling clerk."Bull!" And the robber clubbed him across the brow with the gun and vaulted across the counter feet first, sending beef jerky and snack cakes flying. Driven to the floor face first, Brian felt a foot pin his torso down on the tile, while the punk's hand grabbed his hair and wrenched his head up to see the ajar safe under the cleaned-out register. "What do
Dyna: Mezaros SurfacesPico Island, the Azores1500 km west of Libson, PortugalSipping her Powerade through her squeeze bottle's straw, Carrie Harper checked the ropes one last time. She tugged at the spikes securing them. Solidly in the cavern walls. Good. Scanning the dark with her miner's cap's lamp, she returned to last night's stopping point.Yes, she'd been rushing. Taking more risks. Maybe even getting reckless. Especially with spelunking solo in live volcanic grottos. But she wasn't going to be laughed out of the university by asking her colleagues for help. And after years of library research, and months of searching the islands... all on HER
Dyna and the Spirit CorsairA lonely full moon shone its pale light on La Perouse Strait, north of Hokkaido Island, Japan... and the sole three masted barque cutting through its cold waters. Pulling his black three-cornered hat down over his ears, and pulling his burgundy sash tighter to secure his blue longcoat, the captain peered over the bow. "So how far behind them are we?""Fifty leagues, cap'n," the navigator replied. "The northbound currents should slow them down somewhat."The captain shook his head. "Not enough.""You realize that if we go after them now, sir," the navigator offered, "the Coast Guard will be all over us like flies on a three day old fish
Dyna and the Spirit Corsair, 2"Not on MY watch, you're not!" rang a powerful woman's voice.The pirate captain glanced over to the doorway, blade and barrel still braced against the Russian. Then he looked her up from the silver winged shoes on her floating feet, up to the large calves, stout, solid, yet stunning and smooth thighs, up to the wide belt with Athena's ancient visage on the round buckle, the stomach with the upside-down temple-step abs in white, the folded arms with cannonball biceps encasing a similar-sized bust... and up the craggy, chiseled cleft and neck up to that beautiful yet stern, unapproving face crowned with a long flowing mane of blondish-red ha
Tetsuko in: Like a Weed, Pt. 1"Where are you going?" Dr. Eaton Green demanded. "We still have to fill out the reports on these samples.""Stepping out for some fresh air, sir," replied his intern.The doctor peered at Les over his glasses. "There's plenty of fresh air here, Mr. Safer. Tons of it. Plants pumping it out by the kilolitre. It's only pure carbon monoxide if you step out.""Well, also, there's sunshine, too."The doctor sneered. "Ah yes, got to feed that melanoma. Be silly to stay in here where it's just as sunlit with all that UV radiation filtered out.""I'll be only an hour, sir. If that."Dr. Green narrowed his eyes. "If you absolutely MUST step out,
Tetsuko in: Like a Weed, Pt. 2"Sonya? Dr. Green?" said Tetsuko. "I think you'd better -- ow!" Rubbing her head where she'd hit a fire sprinkler, she ducked and sidestepped through the door."Took you long enough," said Dr. Green, still checking at his clipboard. He looked up to her breastbone. "Did you get stuck in ther-- mlam... glah!"Sonya closed in. She'd never been this thunderstruck since she saw her serum's effects for the first time ever."Tet-chan? What happened?!" She adjusted her glasses over her agape eyes. "Well, I see what happened, but... WHAT HAPPENED?!?""I think it's official," Les said, peering around her hip. "Water does make her grow." And he told
Tetsuko in: Like a Weed, Pt. 3Les felt guilty about his twinge of pleasure from landing atop a breast that was bigger than he was. Or having the other land on him. Especially since the heart under it all was apparently having an attack."Doc!" he yelled hoarsely over the sirens. "Sonya!""Way ahead of you, Mr. Safer!" Dr. Green trumpeted as he dashed over. "Dr. Gannon! Signs of cardiac arrest!""Yeah, I see 'em," Sonya said quickly. "Here we go again! I need oxygen, analgesic!""Getting oxygen, and monitor, Dr. Gannon! Safer, get the medikit! Nurse's office!""Yes sir!" Les dashed off. Dr. Green did, too."Do we have an AED here?" Sonya called."No!" Dr. Green shou
Run Around Like an IdiotAll I wanna do is run around and play!Gonna be real hyperactive all the day!I'm not gonna listen to a thing you say!Yeah, I'll do exactly what I wanna do! And if you don't like it, well, that sucks for you!Try to touch and stop me and my folks'll sue!Refrain:I'm gonna run around like an idiot!Wanna run around like an idiot!GONNA RUN AROUND LIKE AN IDIOT!(repeat)Put a motorcycle helmet on my headRiding down the stairway on my winter sled!Crashing through the bannister full speed ahead!Uncle took away my ball 'cuz I'm a brat.Wanna play some soccer so I'll use the cat!Kick her all around till she goes ker-splat!
O Coffee CupO Coffee Cup, O Coffee CupYour contents make me gleeful!O Coffee Cup, O Coffee CupA morn without you's evil!I need some sugar, cream 'nSome joe to stop my dreamin'O Coffee Cup, O Coffee CupI need another refill!
Napolitano Paranoid BluesTalkin' Janet Napolitano Paranoid BluesWell, I was feelin' sad and feelin' blue,I didn't know what in the world I was gonna do,Them Right Wing Extremists wuz comin' about,They wuz on the air, they wuz speakin' out.They wuz allllll over.So I run down fast to the local ACORNAnd a new fishy stuff finder was born,I got me a secret membership cardAnd started walkin' 'round town, lookin' hard.Yeah, man, I'm a real CDF'er now!Look out you Extremists!Now we know Dubya goes with Hitlers' views,Though he didn't kill six million Jews.It don't matter our Messiah's pure budget trouble, yaCan't say he was a Fascist like Dubya!
Gravitonian Rhapsodyto the tune of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by QueenIt's not like real lifeIt's just a comedyCaught in a landslideTowers fall down on top of meOpen your eyesLook up to the skies and seeBig meteoroidRains down catastropheAh well, easy come, easy goPopulation dips real lowThus starts Project A-koFade in on a new city.... G.C.Eiko -- school year just beganBetter jump right out of bedMunch a little toasted breadEiko -- grab your friend and run'Cuz your new school's quite a few miles away...Eiko -- oo-oo-oooooohBetter watch out for that spyWhom you'll bump into again this time tomorrowHurry on, hurry on; I don't th
Devil Went Down To Gravitonto the tune of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels BandThe Devil went down to Graviton, he was looking for a brand new plagueHe'd picked the brain of Saddam Hussein, whose shell shocked babbling was vague.But his nose sniffed a red-haired schoolgirl, and her friend with a cooking pot.And he forced Red's chi down to her knees and said, "Blondie, I'll tell you what:"Now your friend's soul's in my control, and there's nothing y'all can doSo if you care to take a dare, you'll whip up your worst stew.Now your stuff here's quite rancid, but my cooking'll make you spew;I'll give your friend back, unless my gack be
One Beef at a TimeParody of "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny CashWell, I moved to Grav'ton back in '15An' it'd been my biggest dreamTo have my very own mecha, tall and black.Each day I'd see two schoolgirls let fists flyAnd sometimes I'd hang my head and cry'Cause another machine'd be scrapped in each attack.One day I devised myself a ployThat any student would deem sugoiI'd sneak on their campus with a lunchbox in my handNow gettin' caught meant gettin' expelledBut I figured a day's loose parts'd be wellWorth a semester's tuition in any school in the land.CHORUSI'd get it one beef at a timeAnd it wouldn't cost me a dimeYou'll kn
Eiko and Andy, Chapter 1"What are we gonna do, Andy?" Floyd asked.Sheriff Andy Taylor put down the Mayberry Gazette on the barber shop's waiting chair. The headline ANOTHER TEXTILE PLANT CLOSES faced up. "This recession is eating us alive," he said as he rubbed his black eye.Deputy Barney Fife looked concernedly. "You all right, Ange? Big Bob clocked you pretty good.""It looks worse than it is, don't worry," Andy reassured."What are we gonna do?" repeated Floyd."Gol-dang, I never dreamed he'd go and do that, though," Barney said. "I don't care if he is out a job.""Well, he had to get a roof over his head one way or other," said Andy. "I never dre
Eiko and Andy, Chapter 2Biko sulked the entire time during gym class. Sure, getting her latest creation tromped by Eiko stunk, but to have her not show up at all....She glowered at the spread-eagle girl-shaped crater in the wall the construction workers were patching over. She still owed that red-haired punk for jamming a croquet ball up her jetpack's left booster exhaust vent, and making her warble around in circles until she... abruptly stopped.What really steamed her, though, was that the headmaster actually bought that liar's story that the hole wasn't her really her fault! And they had the gall to give Graviton City's founder's daughter a suspension! A
Eiko and Andy, Chapter 3On the spacecraft's bridge, Captain Napolipolita looked at the table, sunk in thought. She reviewed her options; true, her experience with this planet's different regional cultures was quite limited at best. But she was in charge of a whole spacecraft. Tough decisions were her job. She scanned the choices.BZZZZZZT. The Captain looked up to the big screen. "Main screen turn on," she muttered. Someone wearing a hat, wrap-around shades, and a manhole cover atop the head appeared. Then the Captain saw that her caller was crouched with only the head out the manhole. "It's you," she muttered."Agent D-yadda-dadda-da reporting." came th
Eiko and Andy, Chapter 4"Boy, this is fun, ain't it?" said Opie with a smile.Eiko smiled politely. There didn't seem to be much to fishing. She had sat on the creek bank with a fishing pole in hand, and the only bites she'd gotten were from the mosquitoes and flies. Yet it felt very strange... this feeling of nothing going on. No Biko waiting at the school gate with the mecha du jour. No dodging guided missiles. No upending bullies. No wholesale property damage in the billions. No panicking, fleeing citizens. No spacecraft crashing down on everyone's heads.She was, in short, quite bored.Smiling earnestly, Eiko drank in this new feeling. How did Maybe
Middle Age RantMy Big Fat Angst-Filled Mid-Life Crisis 35th Birthday Pity Party... Or Not.I was going to complain about how I had to drag my butt out of bed at 5 in the morning to teach......then I remembered many folks can't leave their beds in the hospital.I was going to gripe about my impossibly long 50 minute commute by bus......then I remembered that it beats walking all that way.I was going to whine about the guys at Starbucks not having the milk ready for my coffee yet, and it was hot, and I stained my shirt when I spilled it by mistake......then realized that most folks can't afford an 18 yuan/US $2.25 cuppa joe.I was going to complain
Sept. 11, 2001: Where I WasI was still working away in the sock factory's distribution center, lugging boxes for the trucks to pick up. Or that would've been my task, if the orders had come in.But the work load and my wages were either overtime and a feast or, like now, famine. I was feeling the morass of a slow economy, and I was afraid I'd have to burn yet ANOTHER vacation day to fill out the paycheck and pay the bills on time. I was looking around for things to sweep up, neaten up, and pick up so I wouldn't be sent home sooner than absolutely necessary.When I'd gotten back to the line where I stacked the boxes on the pallets, about 9:30 AM or so, Mike the floor
My Scar from the HotelSunday, August 23, 1992. I was working the graveyard shift at an "upscale budget" motel front desk in Chesapeake, VA. Had to pay the grad school bills somehow. And I was feeling very despondent because I was a Magna Cum Laude B.A. graduate slaving away for only $4.25 or so an hour, that I was unrecognized, unwanted, apparently unwantable, and that it'd never, NEVER get any better.And I had been chewed out by the head housekeeper for not having stocked the linens after I'd washed, dried and folded them.Well, I'd heard on a TV show (The Gospel Bill Show) years before that things would get better if you'd just praised the Lord. So I concentr
My Descent Into Education, 2We rode through the broken, barren, rocky wasteland in a gargantuan, jacked-up, monster-truck-wheeled, multi-axle stretch limousine -- a mix of Rolls-Royce, Hummer, Cadillac Fleetwood and London cab styling.Greg made a face at the sausage and cheese McMuffin and coffee Heather held under his chin. "You don't want it?" she asked."And wash it down with another Midnight Dream, uh?" he said sourly."Oh, that. Look, if we wanted to drug you now, we'd just jab you with a needle."I bit into my ham, egg and cheese biscuit. "Got a point there," I said. "So why'd y'all drag me along? Moral support?"Geraldine giggled as she handed me a tea
My Descent Into Education, 1My descent into villainous freakishness continued in a wholesome, typical coffee shop's booth. My best buddy and fellow teacher Greg McEwan squinted at me over his latte and croissant. "Ed, what's been with you?" he pried. "You've changed quite a bit in the past few months."I put down my ham and cheese wrap. "What do you mean? What's wrong?""Nothing wrong, but you're not quite yourself lately. For one thing, you used to be quieter and ... well, with the flow.""Oh?""Yes, now you're a bit more opinionated. And another thing: you're still flitting about with the tutoring and piecemeal part-time bits."I shrugged. "So? I'm still
My Descent Into VillainyMy descent into villainous psychosis started on a pleasant, sane enough day.I'd wrapped up the day's last class teaching English at the church's day care center. Yes, it was under the table and pretty much volunteer, but my teacher's certificate hadn't come in yet. And while I did tutor high school and college students privately to keep the bills paid, the offering plate filled, and pantry stocked with store-brand stuff, there wasn't much in higher learning levels that let you play with monkey puppets.So after Bosco the Chimp and I told the immigrant kids, "time for us to say bye-bye," I packed up my gear, picked up
Cheery Cherry, Part 9July 18Zeke Myers looked at the personnel sheet one more time. He hated that Maggie had to blow her cool like that, tell him off, and stomp off the job. But he had to send the clothes from the distribution center to the stores, and her frequent absenteeism, tardiness, and bad attitude sure didn't tip the scales in her favor. He then checked the name of the person that the temp agency was sending: Cherry Godwin. She was fairly new to them, but came with strong recommendations from her previous workplace, had passed the drug test, and it seemed that her good sense hadn't been ruined by her college education. As long as she can pick the
Cheery Cherry, Part 8June 6: 6'6", 286 lbs."Hey, Fat Frog, what ya wanna do today?"The bulky, sullen youth looked up at his buddy from the stoop on his porch. "I don't know, Three-Jay," he muttered. "How about we get lunch at the mall?""With whose money?" Three-Jay demanded. "Checks ain't comin' 'til a week after the day after tomorrow.""Yeah, I know."They looked around the streets. And they saw a little compact car roll up to a stop by the Patterson house. Three-Jay and Fat Frog eyed the driver: a college-age red-haired girl that seemed lost in this neighborhood. She checked down beside her at a paper, apparently some directions to get around.
Election Day PrayerMighty, merciful, graceful, Lord God,my Creator, Redeemer, Provider, Protector, Source of Wisdom, Author of the Word and Truth, and most high heavenly Father:I thank You for existence, life, Your love, and this still marvelous world You've given us.I thank You for the United States of America, and the most generous gift of letting me be born a citizen there.I thank You for my nation's founders, for their wisdom, and for their seeking You for it when they wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.I thank You for the rights and privileges they insured for me and my fellow citizens, rights and privileges that are so co
The Three DrinksLet's try a bit of an encouragement imagination exercise. Something for all you writers out there. (Though if you're an artist or other communicator who wants to get known, you can switch out writing for your craft.) This is something I call the Three Drinks.For this, you'll need three servings of your favorite beverage. Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, fruit juice, green tea, or whatever floats your ice cube. Get three cans, or glasses, or cups, or what not, and get something you really like.Okay, step one. You're getting ready to write that great novel. Something you want to see on the bookshelves or topping the best seller lists. It's
Agent Z and the UF-O AmazonIn freshly pressed black suit and tie, Agent Z stood at attention before his assigned senior agents, M and D. M peered at him over her sunglasses."Your first field assignment is very important, Z," she said. "Though we'll be with you in command, your own conduct, actions, and performance here will determine whether and when you'll get future missions, and of what kind. Understood?""Understood, ma'am," Z replied."And what are the Rules of Engagement for this assignment?" inquired D."One: stay close to the team and on the mission site. Two: do not touch any items found in the field
It's Insanity, ClausIt's Insanity, Claus'Twas some months before Christmas, and at the North Pole,Santa worked on his toys, a big head start his goal.But then at his front door his doorbell had just rung...Aw, shoot, no more rhymes here, my mood's too much like dung.What happened was this: it was a lawyer and two police officers."Ah, Ms. Carrie Jove-Justice," Santa said.She scrunched her eyebrows on that. "You know who I am?""Representing the Non-Offending Festivity Unifying Network, yes. Oh, come now. I see you when you're sleeping, awake, bad or good. Don't tell me you've never heard that song before."She shrugged. "Then I suppose you kn
Soggy Paper BagI was with my man Ewan, with his old PS2, 'nGTA Sandy was the game we were doin'.Fingers twitchin' on a mission that was a big jokeWith this foolio busta named OG Loc.He spoke with a high whine, ain't got no spine,Kinda guy ya wanna bodyslam on a land mineJaywalkin', illegal parkin's his idea of crimeBut the real offense comes when he busts a rhyme!Got no flow, got no beat, makes my eardrums retreat,He'd get curbstomped walkin' on Sesame Street.Me and Ewan stared a while, and I just said, "Dag."He couldn't rap his way out a soggy paper bag!"Soggy paper bag! Soggy paper bag!Foo' can't rap his way out a soggy paper bag
The Broken Glass FallsThe broken glass fallsJust cut up my raft.Who thought up this tripWas really quite daft.Shards stacked in a pileThreat'ning to slaughterNext holiday I'llStick with whitewater.
Cap'n Savvy and the Windy CaveCaptain Savvy and the Windy Cave***Savvy dashed through the island's jungle flora as fast as she could. Fleeing in the dark through totally unknown territory was a lot simpler than she expected: just run away from the noises of the angry native cannibals, and keep an eye open for whatever was ahead-OUCH! She winced as her right foot hit that banyan root wrong and her ankle twisted. It slowed her down quite a bit, but not enough to stop dodging the arrows and spears zipping past her head."Ow!" Except for that one; it hit her in the shoulder blade. She pushed on toward the isle's moun
Cheery Cherry, Part 7April 24, 6'4", 264 lbs.Cheryl Godwin inspected her full length mirror's reflection one last time. And she sighed. There were no two ways about it: she was BIG.She bent at the knees for a better look. Shoulder-length brick-red hair: check. Black T-shirt that draped off her huge bust like an awning: check. Belly button and inch of hourglass waist exposed to the breeze: check. Khaki cargo shorts... okay, slacks she had to cut and re-hem because her thighs and calves bulged too much, check. White New-Balance low-cuts, white/red-striped tube socks, and purple purse with cell phone, wallet, and keys: check, check, and check with check
Les, Dr. Green and the Rapture"So anyhow," the fashion model said, mouth full, "we all gathered at the guy's radio station a couple of hours before the big event. Number of other people there, too. Some from our university's free-thinkers' club, some from the four-twenty community, even a few holy rollers from the Baptist Student Union. The press was there, too."As she downed her wine, Dr. Green sipped his own. "Dare I inquire what happened next?" he asked."Well, waiting, we tied the helium balloons to the blow-up dolls and shot the bull with the reporters. And we counted it down. Five, four,
Dyna and the Highway GuardianMelissa stared at her compact's steaming engine. Trying to ignore the cars and trucks whipping past, she shook her head. She hated hassles like this, especially in a bad economy and tight budget. A tow truck bill and a search for an honest mechanic were NOT what she needed. If only she could hit the Belt and fly the car into town as Dyna....Yeah, right. THAT'D be worth chucking the secret identity. Reaching into her purse, she felt for her mobile phone to call Scott to explain why she'd be late.Before she could fish it out, though, she heard a car horn blare the Call to the Post. A sparkling gold hatchback rolled to a stop behind h
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