Title: Everything seems possible; nothing is what it seems (Parts 9/9)
Author: Puck
Email: Mish_S_Mail@yahoo.com
Rating: 15
Spoilers: Forbidden Game

Disclaimers: The Forbidden Game and all characters therein belong to L.J. Smith. 
No harm is intended.

Summary: Julian comes back with a (duh) twist. Actually no, there is no
twist, I randomly bring him back for no reason. I just say there's a twist
to lure you into reading a page of absolute blather. That is all.. 
 
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Part 1:

    He watched her from the shadows, with cold cold eyes. Watched her slip the
golden ring onto her finger and take Tom's hand. Julian smiled to himself at the
unlikely turn of events, he knew Jenny loved him, and she couldn't deny it this
time. And she couldn't escape him this time either; the ring had been placed upon
her finger of her own free will, promise or no promise, the little piece of gold
with the seven inscribed words were all that mattered. All I refuse and thee I
chuse

   The sun shone brightly through the window of the cab, catching the gold on
Jenny's ring. Tom looked at it and shifted in his seat. I should be happy he's
gone, Tom thought, happy that it's all over. But something was churning in his
stomach, he couldn't let go of the odd feeling he had.

  Scrunched in the front seat, Audrey and Michael held hands. "Everyone's going
to meet us at the airport around seven o'clock, okay? That just gives us time to
go to the doctor and..." Audrey's crisp voice faded as the Checkered Cab drove
past the quaint little doctors office. "Sir," she said in a most authoritative
manner. "Excuse me sir, the Dr. Schulman's office is back there, you are headed
in the wrong direction."

 Jenny looked at the back of the cabbie's seat for the little identification
sticker with his picture; it wasn't there. Breath caught in her throat, Jenny
forced her gaze painfully upward, past the seat, past the headrest, to the
cabbie's hat. A frost white lock of hair peeked out from the yellow and black
hat; Jenny's heart froze.

 "It can't be," she whispered, horrified. The cabbie turned around to face her,
heedless of  the road and traffic.

 Liquid cobalt eyes burned into hers, as a voice full of elemental music, like
water over rock said, "Nothing truly dies unless it is forgotten..."


Part 2:

"What-" Jenny choked out, words blocked by her heart beating in her
throat. Julian stared straight into her pine needle green eyes for a moment,
as if seeing them for the first time. Jenny tried not to let her own gaze on
his frosty blue eyes waver, but in the end, her eyes dropped first.
      She listened, senses hightened by the adrenaline coursing through her
veins, until the words she were *it is proper grammar, I swear...* expecting
came, "The new game is capture the flag." Julian's voice had regained the
elemental energy; sounding as it had before his undoing.

     For a fraction of a second, Jenny was dead to the world, as if a veil
had been wrapped around her consciousness, concealing her senses from the
outside. Until a gruff voice pierced the veil, "Miss, are you okay?"  The
veil was gone, and in it's place, was the slightly pudgy face of  the
cabdriver, who just now reeked of smoke and other disgusting things.

    "I-I'm fine," Jenny said, adding a watery smile in for realistic
purposes. Tom was looking down at her now, concern plain across his handsome
features.

    "You sure about that Thorny?" He asked, worried about the long term
effects of their jaunt into the shadow world. Maybe Jenny's not all here
anymore, Tom pondered, nah, she's just feeling some after burn.

     "I'm sure Tommy." The question was a double edged sword, but this time,
she felt a little more sure.

    "Okay," he said, smile broadening. "Okay."

    Now what to do about this new  game, Jenny thought. I should tell the
others, but, will they believe me.....




    "So you believe me?" Jenny asked cautiously.

   "Of course!" Dee yelled from across the room. None of the parent's had
been reached, but Audrey was able to borrow some more money from her parents
account to get a hotel room at the Holiday Inn. "It all makes sense now, he
faked his own death. We haven't even won the last game. That is, if we're
even out of the shadow world," Dee finished. A hush fell over the room.

    "No no, we're definitely out of  the shadow world," Zach reasoned. "If
we weren't, then runes would work for us." He said, demonstrating kenaz on a
paper napkin. "See, no fire, no rune work."

    "Okay, good point," Tom said studiously, brow creased in thought.
"Capture the flag, eh? We used to play that in football...actually, the last
game was something like capture the flag, only, it was a human flag." Tom
pondered this for a moment.

    "I don't know what we can do tonight, if anything. Capture the flag
involves visible bases, and flags, so..." Dee trailed off.

    "So it doesn't' look like we'll  get anything accomplished tonight.
RIght. I know," Jenny sighed. Maybe he'll come in my dreams, she thought,
that's usually how the story goes......


Part 3:

The dream started out slowly, Jenny sitting in her high school library
staring at a large pile of books. This is odd, Jenny thought, where are the
clues and the compromises of principle, this isn't like Julian at all.
     Then she noticed the books; The History of Games, Encyclopedia of Game
Strategies, Oldest Surviving Games, and The Only Strategy Guide You'll Ever
Need. Raising an eyebrow sardonically, she thought: I guess this is where my
clue starts.
    Gingerly, as though the book would bite, Jenny picked up the most obvious
choice and began leafing through. The Only Strategy Guild You'll Ever Need was
fairly thick, with brittle yellowed pages and a gold embossed red cover.
Handwritten notes were made in the margins in a thick blue script, almost
feminine. Julian's writing, Jenny pondered.
    A title page stuck out above all others; the margins were completely filled
with the scripted handwriting, and the title was more than hint enough. CAPTURE
THE FLAG headlined the page in thick black block letters, and underneath were
the beginnings of Jenny's first hint:

           The game Capture The Flag was first used in military maneuvers and
basic training to
          simulate combat like situations. Later, however, it was adopted for
camp, recreational
          and even sport type activities. Capture The Flag consists of two teams
with a different
          color for each, i.e. a red team and a blue team, both the teams are
given a home base
          with their color flag. The flag is the most important part of the game
and is to be
          protected at all costs, for it is the winning team that steals the
opposing flag and returns
          with it to their own base. However, both teams are given ammunition,
and may "kill"
          the opposing team with paint balls, water balloons or tennis balls.
Prisoners are not a
          good option, for they may be rescued, released, and in turn, steal
your own flag

  Written in the margins, were hints and suggestions of methods to be used in
stealing the flag, or ambushing the opposing team. This was the exact thing
Jenny needed; a cheat sheet. Stealthily, she tucked the smallish book into her
flannel pajama pocket.
    In the space of a breath the room frosted over; white mist tendrils crept
over the floor, rolling over themselves and spiraling up the blonde wood shelves
lined with jacketed novels, and around the legs of the matching blonde wood
tables and chairs. The little hairs at the back of Jenny's neck stood on end in
anxious fright, but her stomach was clenched in anxious anticipation; Julian was
about to make his cameo.
    As the room grew cloudy with mist, a shadow came from where the librarians
desk should have been. This is it, Jenny thought. "Julian?" she asked, voice
unsure.
    He entered into her field of vision then, haloed in a golden light, almost
an aura, which played gently on the planes of his face and kissed life into his
pale features. "I'm here Jenny," he breathed and stepped to her.
    It took a moment for Jenny to regain her wits, Julian was alive in front of
her, but, that was impossible. Yet here was the proof. The shock that was absent
before in the cab was setting in now.
    She reached out, timidly at first, to touch the chainmail shirt he wore. The
tiny silver links were solid and cool against her warm fingers and the white
leather pants that clung to his ever curve, looked tangible, even the dark
shadows in the creases seemed solid.
    "Julian," Jenny whispered, more sure of herself this time. He simply looked
down at her in awe, pupils wide. The cold December blue of Julian's eyes was
melted into something warmer as Jenny moved her hand from the chainmail shirt to
the sculpted beauty of his face.
   Julian smiled a touch as Jenny cupped his cool cheek in her hand and brought
his face close to hers. "I love you," Julian whispered against Jenny's lips as
he surrendered to her kiss. Gentle shocks coursed through her veins as Julian
took the kiss deeper. Finally, Jenny stepped back, breaking the kiss.
    "Now," Jenny started, "are we going to do this the hard way or the easy
way?" She smiled then, as a long lock of Julian's hair, so white it meshed in
with the frost, fell into his eyes and he absently pushed it aside. The gesture
was so habitual, so human, that Jenny couldn't help herself.
    "Would that be what you considered the hard way, or what I consider the hard
way?" Julian asked, giving her a smile that could mean nothing and everything.
    Jenny's jaw dropped. I thought he would at least come back more mature, she
thought. "What we both consider the hard way. Come on Julian, you started this
new game, so the least you could do is help me to finish it," she said bluntly.
Not a pushover this time around, Jenny thought.
    Julian smiled, a broad and real smile, and looked in the vague direction of
where the table and books were. "If you chose the right book then winning this
game should seem possible. In one I made sure to put down the right notes and
hints to help you win; because you will need it," Julian said, a touch of the
old arrogance peeping through.
    A light feeling started to flow throughout Jenny's body and her vision
darkened. In the midst of waking up Julian's voice came to her, "You just have
to remember Jenny," Julian started, "Here, everything seems possible, but
nothing is as it seems."


Part 4:

Jenny awoke with a start and took a few minutes to get her bearings. Her
first hint that something was amiss was the ever present smell of pine needles, not
the heady PineSol smell of bathroom cleaners, but a faintly present aroma.
    She was supposed to be in a good size Holiday Inn hotel room with two full size
beds and some fold out cots, however, judging from the warped wooden floors and
walls of an almost barrack like cabin, Jenny knew she wasn't in Pennsylvania
anymore.
     Her bed, like all the others were bunked, with army issue blankets and a very
think mattress. So much for comfort. Aside from the bunk beds, the cabin was almost
bare, containing only a wooden table and bench set and an old looking stove in the
corner. Jenny hated the thought of actually cooking on that thing; the stove looked
as if it would fall apart at any minute.
    First things first, Jenny thought, wake up the others and tell them the good
news. Tom was first, because Julian had surprisingly put him on the bunk above hers.
How considerate, Jenny thought. "Tom," Jenny whispered gently. "Tommy wake up."
     Tom sat up with a jerk and flung his covers off. "What? What is it?" he asked,
startled. Hazel eyes widening slightly, Tom looked around the cabin, then back at
Jenny. "What happened?" Tom asked in amazement.
    "Julian happened," Jenny replied. The others were waking up now, for Tom and
Jenny had neglected to whisper the entire time. Voices sounded out in worry and
fear, now it was tangible, Julian had returned.


     "But where are our clothes?" the ever practical Audrey demanded. Pursing her
cherry glossed lips impatiently, Audrey stood as Jenny looked about for something
besides flannel pajamas to wear.
     "I don't know Aud, I'm looking." A trunk was on the floor at the head and foot
of everybody's bunk bed. Jenny bent to open the one with her name on it, ignoring
Audrey's impatient glare, when a smallish red leather bound book fell out of Jenny's
flannel pajama top.
     Breath hissing in, Jenny fingered the gold embossed cover; the little strategy
book had completely slipped her mind after waking up in this strange place.
    "What is it?" Audrey asked, attention fixating on the book in Jenny's hands.
    "Maybe our ticket out of here," Jenny stated absently and carefully tucked the
book back into her top. "Aha," Jenny said, as the lid of the trunk came up.
"Camouflage, cute."
    "Green is not my color," Audrey stated flat out.
    "Too bad; I'm pretty sure green's the only color camo that's in here Aud," Jenny
smiled. Julian certainly seemed to be going for broke on this game.
     Jenny started to change, keeping the little book insight at all times. When she
was fully dressed, Jenny tucked the precious guide into the jacket pocket of her
camo. The others trickled in slowly, and Jenny showed them where to find their very
own camo.



    "That doesn't sound like Julian, giving you all the answers to the puzzles
before he even asks them?" Dee's suspicious nature surfaced, she didn't like the
idea of this book at all. The whole concept seemed too easy, too un-Julian.
    " I think he just got a kick out of the fact that it was up to me which book I
chose, and that one of the books could possibly help us defeat him," Jenny reasoned.
She didn't want to give any ground on this, she knew the strategy guide was an odd
gesture, but in some ways, she really did trust in it.
     "Dee's right Jen," Tom began "we can't just go jumping into things. If we get
in enough trouble to use the guide, then we'll use it, but until then we'll just
have to rely on our own intelligence."
      "So what happens now?" Summer piped up. She had been uncharacteristically
quiet, then again, so had Zach.
    "Well," Jenny began, "since the object of the game is to capture Julian's flag,
I think we should look for where the flag is. Dee and I can go look; the rest of you
should stay here, use your intelligence to think of something to do and guard the
flag." Jenny said looking pointedly at Tom and then at the red flag sitting atop a
high silver flag pole surrounded by white gypsum rocks.
    "I don't think that's a good idea Thorny, the last thing we need is for you to
be his prisoner," Tom interjected.
    "Tom, I know you're worried about me," Jenny began, "But I'm a big girl,
besides, Julian isn't going to try and get me out of the game first; I'm the best
candidate to go out there."
     "But I'll be there just in case," Dee said, and casually draped an arm, hard as
a boy's, around Jenny's shoulders. "We'll be back before you ladies can make us
lunch," Dee snickered.
     The pair started off towards the woods when Jenny noticed a starch white piece
of paper stuck to a tree with a wicked looking hunting knife. Dee yanked the sharp
weapon out of  the tree and stuck it in an empty pocket in her camo jacket; then
handed the paper to Jenny. "What do you make of it?" Dee asked.
    "It's a riddle of some kind," Jenny answered, not quite sure herself of what to
make of the clue. Shrugging to no one in particular, Jenny folded the piece of paper
and stuck it in her pocket for better analyzation later. "Let's go," Jenny said and
they began again for the woods.


    "This looks like a good spot for a rest," Jenny told Dee, motioning to the dead
log on the ground in the jungle like clearing.
    "And a good spot for an ambush," Dee muttered to herself.
    Jenny pulled out the piece of paper to analyze, it didn't look like much, but
there it was probably something important. The note was just a simple square of
starch white paper, with a knife hole at the top and
                                    M      M
                                    A       P

written in the center. Jenny studied it carefully as Dee looked over her shoulder.
   "Map?" Jenny wondered out loud. "No, the second M wouldn't fit."
   "Yeah, besides, it looks more like times," Dee said. "You know, AM and PM." Dee
added.
   Understanding dawned on across Jenny's face, "I get it now," Jenny said. "Time's
Up," she said, and instantly wished she hadn't. Something came crashing out of the
bushes, and terror filled Jenny's soul.


Part 5:

The minute Jenny's brain processed her outburst, she wished desperately to retract
it. It was too late. Something came crashing out of the bushes, heading straight at Dee
and Jenny. The source of the noise looked like- army men. Generic life size G.I. Joe's
were running straight for Dee and Jenny with big guns aimed. Jenny couldn't tell what
type of guns they were, just that the guns were huge, unnecessarily so.
    "Stop," Jenny yelled,  thrusting her hand out and jumping in front of Dee. Jenny
looked on amazed as the overgrown toy soldiers streamed past her and surrounded Dee,
like Jenny wasn't even there. It's almost as if they can't see me, Jenny thought, then
looked at Dee; a glimmer of hope in her eyes.  "Dee," Jenny said frantically, "They
can't see me. Make a break for it; I'll try and trip them up."
    But it was too little too late. The army men had surrounded Jenny's unwitting
companion. Dee grinned barbarically and thrashed out with her combat boot encased foot,
catching the nearest Joe underneath the chin and knocking him backwards.
   A smile formed on Jenny's lips; Dee could handle it on her own this time. But Jenny's
smile turned into a frown as she saw an army man a few yards away hoisting his gun and
taking aim for Dee.
  "Oh God- DEE," Jenny screamed in terror. Everything seemed in muted slow motion, the
only sound Jenny heard was the sick thudding of her own heart. She could make everything
out so clearly; the trigger of the gun, the finger pulling it back slowly, ever so
slowly, but she was helpless, frozen in place with fear.
    Dee looked, but not in time.
    A bright flash and deafening roar broke Jenny's trance; she looked, hoping Dee was
all right. Dee wasn't all right. Dee wasn't there. Crying out in confusion, Jenny fell
to her knees as the men retreated. The small leather-bound book fell out of Jenny's
jacket then; fell open right on the bed of leaves at Jenny's knee.
    The page was the one with rules on capture the flag, but it wasn't the fine black
print that caught Jenny's eye. Written in thick blue script beside the sentence on
capturing opponents was a little message:

               Everyone is vulnerable at every time; even while asleep. I recommend that
two people are always on guard when the others are resting and sleeping. Then again,
it's always easier to pick off two in one stroke. Pure of heart with morals on high; the
brave are always the first to die.

    Jenny felt physically sick after reading this. So, Dee is dead, she thought, it
can't be, Julian wouldn't do that; couldn't do that. But Dee was gone and no one was
here to explain it.
    A sudden chill ran up Jenny's spine. Casually, she tucked the little book back into
her jacket and stood, brushing the leaves off her knees. Turning slowly, Jenny's breath
caught as she saw Julian leaning against a tree. He smiled and Jenny's knees grew weak.
   "Is she really dead?" Jenny asked, very afraid of the answer.
   "You know I can't do that Jenny," he replied, tilting his head to the side.
   "Then what happened? What happens to my friends when they get attacked?" Suddenly,
bravery warmed her a touch.
   "They just fall out of this place and back where they belong. No blood no pain, just
wake up," Julian said smiling again. Jenny's fingers ached to tangle in Julian's hair,
or run underneath his own green camouflage outfit. Julian certainly was playing the part
again, right down to black face paint streaks under his eyes. Although for a change, his
pants were loose instead of revealingly tight. His upper body on the other hand, was
less modest than usual. A green army issue camo jacket was the only thing Julian wore on
top; he even left the front unbuttoned so Jenny could have a better view of his chest.
Of which Jenny was now staring at.
   Julian's smile deepened as Jenny snapped out of her stare; licking her lips, she
hastily asked, "Why don't they come after me?"
   Julian laughed, deep and rich, making Jenny shiver and said, "Because of this." He
took the small golden circlet off her finger and held the inscription to the light for
her to see. Jenny's eyes widened as she saw the words from the first game.
   "But how.." she asked, utterly confused. "I thought I had to say them."
   "Oh Jenny, this doesn't mean your mine totally, it just means my people will not get
you. A bit of a cheat on my part to keep you in the game longer," he winked. "I won't
tell if you don't," Julian added and gave Jenny a conspiratorial smile.
  Jenny rolled her eyes. At least she knew now..
  "Sorry Julian," she started, "I've got a game to win. Talk to you later." With that,
Jenny took off into the woods, leaving Julian in the clearing with his mouth open in
surprise and amusement.


Part 6:

Great En now you're lost, Jenny Thornton thought as she ran through the woods. She
debated on changing directions. Should I go left or right; stay straight I guess, she
thought. The woods were alive around her; animal and plant sounds coming from every
direction.
   Stopping a second to catch her breath, Jenny leaned against a tree and gathered her
thoughts. So the ring keeps me from being captured, she thought, and played with it
absently. Jenny started to wonder if the ring would work for other people if they put it 
on. Suddenly, a noise caught her, voices. Instinctively, she ducked behind the tree 
previously leaned on and looked for the source of the voices.
     They seemed to be coming from a ways off, not too far,  but just far enough so she
couldn't make them out. That's when Jenny remembered the ring. Standing, she edged closer 
to the source, they seemed to be coming from straight ahead of her.
     Creeping slightly forward, Jenny almost fell out and into a sporadic clearing behind 
a fort like building. Her jaw dropped as she caught sight of the shiny silver flagpole 
and the beautiful blue prize flying on it. Oh my god, Jenny thought, Julian's fort, we 
could win. The flagpole was only about five feet away, almost reachable, but it was 
surrounded  by gravel. Noise would definitely alert Julian to her presence.
    And then she heard his voice. Jenny froze, straining her ears to make out words, but 
all she could hear was a beautiful murmur, like water over rock. She waited for what 
seemed to be hours until his voice receded into the clearing, out of her range. Shivering 
with the dawning knowledge, Jenny backed into the woods and was about to take off running 
when a thought stopped her; how on earth would she ever find her way  back to this place?
  Think girl, how can you get back here, like a trail or something. A thought dawned on 
her; picking up a rock, Jenny scraped some of the bark off a tree trunk in the shape of 
an X. There, she thought, I can find my way back here like this.  But how do I find my 
way  back to camp, she pondered, then sighed and started walking.


    The moon was bright and high up overhead by the time Jenny reached the clearing where
her own flagpole and rickety cabin stood. Audrey and Micheal were sitting on the outside
bench, holding hands and looking worried. Audrey spotted her first, "Jenny thank god," 
she exclaimed.
    "I'm okay Aud, but Dee's gone. Julian got her," Jenny explained, relieved to be back,
but anxious to know everyone was all right.
    "We were so worried about you Jenny. Tom and Zack went out to look for you a few 
hours after you guys didn't come back. They haven't come back either," Micheal said. Then 
his chocolate brown eyes turned soulful as he pleaded more than asked, "Dee's okay, right
Jenny?"
   Audrey looked worriedly at Jenny, but Jenny simply patted Micheal's head and said, 
"Yes, she's okay. She just isn't in this game anymore."
  "Where's Summer?" Jenny asked, instinctively worried about the often spacy girl.
  "She's inside sleeping. It's late, although I'm not sure how late. Do you have any good
news?" Audrey asked pointedly.
   "Well," Jenny began, "does finding Julian's fort and flag count as good news?" She
teased. Audrey's eyes were as round as saucers and Micheals jaw dropped to his knees.
   "You found what?" Micheal asked, amazed.
   "I said," Jenny repeated coolly, trying not to worry about Tom or Zack, "I found 
Julian's flag and fort. That little tid bit of information might come in handy later."
   "Did you get the flag!!??" Audrey exclaimed.
    "No, Julian was too close, but it seems that he doesn't know I know. All we need is 
Tom and Zack back, then we can go get the flag and win," Jenny said, exalted. She was 
giggling with delirium, riding a pure wave of giddiness. They were going to win, it 
seemed possible Jenny could taste it.
     "I can't believe I didn't see them when I was trying to find my way back; I was all
over the woods," Jenny stated. She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach, and her little
fingers were tingling. Maybe we should go on, Jenny thought, Julian never said we ALL had 
to get the flag to win.


Part 7:

"I just don't know what to do guys," Jenny said, confused. "Should we go on without Tom and
Zach, I mean, Julian never said we ALL had to get the flag to win. In the end, we don't even
know if they're still out there; Julian could have gotten to them already. Or they could be
lost," Jenny sighed.
    "The decisions up to you Jenny; you're the only one who knows what's going on," Audrey said,
and shook her coppery head in despair.
    "Yeah Sunshine, what do YOU want us to do?" Micheal added.
    Jenny was stuck; she absolutely didn't know what would be best, but she had to choose. Jenny
stared at the long wooden planks, weathered with age, covering the bench's table top. Then,
looking into Micheal's chocolate brown eyes, and Audrey's chestnut one's Jenny's decision
finalized. "We go on without them," Jenny said, resolute.
   Micheal's mouth fell open, but Audrey was the one to speak, "Jen-  are you sure?"
   Jenny's mouth face set in grim determination as she said, "Yes."
   Audrey nodded, sobering, "Let's do it."


    Barely any moonlight penetrated the thick leafy coverings of the trees, and the little light
that was filtered down upon Jenny and the others made for very poor sight. Jenny could barely
maintain her balance, she kept tripping over the various roots and branches, all the while
praying no spiders or snakes would drop down unexpectedly.
    The dim light was also a bit of a blessing; the marks Jenny had previously made practically
glowed white against the dark bark of the trees. At first, the marks were few and far between;
Jenny had a hard time finding them herself and wished she had made more. However, as the party
progressed further, more and more marks came, closer and closer together.
    Then, out of no where, the marks split off in all different directions. Jenny followed them
helplessly with her eyes, mouth open in despair. "What do we do now?" Jenny moaned and rubbed
her temples.
    Summer whimpered and whined, "What's going on Jenny?" And grabbed onto the back of Jenny's
camouflage jacket.
    "It's okay Summer," Jenny cooed. "I think we should go straight," she continued. "I can only
remember the way that I came back before..." Jenny trailed off. Turning in circles, she tried to
remember which way she had come from; if any of these marks were even made by her.
    Audrey bit her lip, drawing a smear of blood across her lipstick barren lips, "It's
impossible Jenny, we're totally lost," Audrey said, voice barely a whisper with despair. As the
words escaped her lips, all of the marks on the trees disappeared.
     All except a set heading due north, straight ahead of where Jenny and the others stood.
"What in the hell just happened?" Micheal asked, spooked.
     "I don't know," Jenny said quietly. "But we might as well follow them." With that, she
headed out in the dim direct no of the glowing marks. Whatever did this, who ever cleared there
way for them, Jenny was utterly grateful. But she had a feeling it wasn't to Julian that she
owed this gratitude.
    Stopping a few feet from the clearing, Jenny motioned for the other's to be silent. "No one
can see me with this ring on," Jenny began. "So, I'll go after the flag, you guys stay here, and
if there is any trouble run."
   "Jenny, I don't know if this whole flag thing is a good idea. Can't we just hide our flag?"
Summer asked.
   "No Summer, we can't just bury it," Jenny said gently. This was not the time for anyone to be
getting cold feet, Jenny thought. "If we don't have the flag, then Julian can get to it and win.
But if we have both flags, then we win. See?" Jenny explained calmly.
  "I know Jen, but why do I have to carry the flag?" Summer pleaded.
  "Because Julian won't suspect that you have it Summer. Now, no more questions. Let's get this
show on the road guys," Jenny said, and walked off toward the flagpole.



Everything seems possible; nothing is what it seems
by Puck (lsmith5@flash.net)


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Part 8:

Jenny crept near the flagpole, but stopped right before reaching the wide circle of gravel
surrounding it like a moat. Jenny old girl, she thought, this is it, do or die time.
     Taking a deep breath, Jenny placed her right combat boot on the gravel, and leaned some of her
weight on it. The white gypsum rocks scrunched a bit underfoot, slight noise sounding like a gunshot
in the quiet dark night. Jenny paused, waiting. When nothing but the stir of air happened, she
released her long held breath and set her left foot lightly on the gravel.
     The silver flag pole was like a shining beacon reflecting moonlight in the night; Jenny was
mere feet away, able to reach out and touch it with her fingertips. Almost there.
    Faint movement in her peripheral vision made Jenny look away for a moment, and a ways off near
the edge of Julian's fort were two army men, merely amorphous shapes in the pure light of the moon.
They were headed her way.
    Jenny started to panic, heart hammering and jumping to her throat. Calm down, she thought
frantically, and walked the last few steps quickly in the flagpole. It was just your average pole;
flag held up on a rope, but this rope was tied in a knot, delaying anyone trying to bring it down.
Jenny had never been any good at knots.
   From behind her came a sharp intake of breath, Jenny's neck and shoulders ached, longing to look
back at Micheal and Audrey and Summer. By bringing them all here, she had put all her eggs in one
basket and prayed that she didn't trip. Jenny resisted looking and concentrated at the problem at
hand; at the knot.
   If only she could  get the last loop, the last part. Precious seconds ticked away as she herd the
approaching feet of Julian's two army men. They can't see me, I'm invisible, Jenny chanted, mantra
like.
   A sharp intake of breath and a flash of pain startled Jenny and broke her concentration. Dark
fluid was dribbling out of Jenny's fingers and onto the rope. Shit, Jenny thought, rope burn? She
continued, heedless of the pain and burning, trying and trying to solve the knot. A much needed
moment however, had been wasted and Jenny's worst fear was actualized, gunshots. Two at almost in
time, and a second one following consecutively.
  And then there was one, Jenny thought, no turning. For the love of God, keep going, her mind
screamed at her. Tears welled up in Jenny's forest green eyes, she was alone in the woods and had to
win. Wanted to win, wanted to show Julian that she could still beat him, after everything. And she
knew that Julian wanted to show her  that he could win.
  "It just isn't possible," Jenny whispered frustrated. The knot crumbled in her hand, leaving the
way to the flag unobscured. Pulling frantically, the rope brought the flag down and Jenny stood,
stupefied with heavy blue cloth flag in her hand. The blue cloth seemed to glow, reminding her of
another lustrous blue color, and she stared dumbly, trying to think.
  "Let me guess," a silky voice said from behind Jenny. "You have the flag, you  think you've won,
but you can't seem to understand why you're still here. Am I right?" The body owning the voice
emerged from the shadows. Julian faced Jenny fully, holding the heavy red cloth that was Jenny's
flag. Jenny nodded, she had no doubts that the bullets had hit there marks, she just hadn't known
that the flag had been left behind. Stupid, she thought, to assume that it was possible the flag
would leave when, not if by when, Summer got shot.
  "Okay," Jenny said shakily, "Then it's a stand still. Neither of us have won, and neither of us
have lost." Jenny finished without her voice trembling. She was proud. It was a tie; there was no
con he could pull, no last minute twist he could introduce, it would be impossible for him to win.
    "Not quite Jenny," Julian said, and smiled a sad sympathetic smile.
     Jenny felt her eyes widen and her breathing stop. What, she thought, there is absolutely
nothing he can do, it's impossible.
    Julian made a motion with his hand, and the two army men grabbed Jenny from behind. In her
confusion, she dropped the flag. Julian bent and picked it up. All Jenny could do was stare at him,
mouth open. I...lost?
   "I told you Jenny, everything seems possible and nothing is as it seems here. Then again, it's
your dream. I suppose you wanted me to win." Julian's eyes gleamed with wickedness, and Jenny smiled
up at him.
   Shrugging off the army men, Jenny spoke, "Julian, you said the ring would make me invisible from
them, but they can see me?"
   Julian smiled then, "It seemed possible."
  Jenny shook her head. Typical, Jenny thought, then smiled. Julian was so cute when he was
conniving. Stepping close to Julian, Jenny raised herself up on tiptoe and touched her lips to his.



  Jenny woke up as the cab stopped, a broad smile on her face. Everyone was looking around,
whispering in the cramped seats. Dee looked Jenny straight in the eye and said, "Sunshine, I had the
strangest dream......"


Part 9:

Jenny could feel every tiny jerk of the plane as it eased off the
runway and ascended into the clouds towards home. Her nap in the cab on
the way to Dr. Schulman's office hadn't lasted but a few minutes and
Jenny was still worn out from lack of sleep and the previous trip to the
shadow world.
     She smiled; it seemed as if a larger amount of time had passed
since the last real game than the few hours Tom and Dee said actually
elapsed.  The plane didn't seem so bad now; the seats were almost
comfortable. Jenny snuggled deeper into the seat as sleep warmed her
body and slowed her breath.

     Julian smiled at her, sun shining on his frost white hair and
tanning his alabaster skin, "I thought you'd never make it," he said,
knowing full well she'd be there. The hill he had chosen overlooked a
crystal clear lake surrounded by trees and flowers. A particularly big
oak shaded Jenny from the harsh sun as she sat on the red and white
checked picnic blanket holding a crystal goblet of Coke.
     The future was so tangible to Jenny now, that she could reach out
and caress it. When she died, whatever it was that made up her creative
side, the side that loved Julian and the part of her that enjoyed the
games would go to him in an eternal dream. And the part of her that
loved Tom, her practicality and need for comfort would go beyond with
him. A person really can have two soulmates, Jenny thought; smiling.
    "Well," Jenny began indifferently, "I did have to rearrange some
appointments...." she trailed off, smiling herself. "You chose a
beautiful spot Julian; this is wonderful," Jenny added, meaning every
word of it.
    "It was your own dreams that inspired me Jenny," Julian said quietly
serious. "A place with no shadows; only light." Julian found her hand
and entwined his fingers with hers as the sun shined overhead and the
only darkness in the entire world was the peaceful shade of an old oak.

                            ~Dream a little dream of me~


Fin.

© Puck (lsmith5@flash.net)