My+Writing


 * Bad Luck**The clock struck one. George Holliday was making his way downstairs from his bedroom. He went into the kitchen and began brewing some coffee. This is the day, thought George. The day he was going to kill his neighbor, that is. He sipped the hot coffee and closed his eyes. Calm down George. You can do this. In and out. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. George Holliday had grown increasingly frustrated with his neighbor Ernie Hobson ever since he moved in a month ago.

Ernie Hobson lived in a medium sized, one story house directly across the street from George. Ernie was a computer programmer, and he looked like one too. Thin, pale, bespectacled, balding, but with a thick mustache.

George Holliday owned and operated a restaurant called The Bayfield Manor. The restaurant was a local hot spot in the town of Bayfield, Vermont. George was in his early fifties with thick, but greying hair. He was somewhat handsome, but not quite notably. He was also a reasonable man, but Hobson pushed George to the edge.

George finished his coffee and immediately left his house. He closed the door behind him and stared ahead at the house in which he would commit murder. He was wearing a ski mask and sneakers that were sanded at the soles to prevent footprints. He had in his hand a Glock 17 handgun, fit with a sound suppressor. It was an unregistered weapon so authorities couldn’t trace it back to him. Also, the gang violence problem in the area would shift the blame from him. He started across the street.

No turning back now. George walked onto Hobson’s lawn and off the right side of his house. The window was unlocked as it should have been. George searched for ways in the previous nights and noted that the window into Ernie’s laundry room was unlocked. He lifted the window and hoisted himself in. Once inside he left the room and crept quietly down the hall and into the living room. He noticed that the house was incredibly dull and bare. No pictures, no decorations, no furniture other than a small couch,and a television. George saw the door of Hobson’s bedroom. He raised the pistol with his right hand, and went for the door with his left...

As he was opening the door he saw flash of movement on his right, and felt a sharp pain rush through his entire body. He fell to the floor and realized he had been incapacitated by a stun gun. He couldn’t move. He then felt the cold steel of a Beretta 9mm pistol against his temple.

“Who are you working for?” asked Ernie Hobson.

“Nobody! Please don’t kill me!” was Holliday’s frantic reply. Ernie used the stun gun once more. He then flipped over George and pulled his immobile arms behind his back. He restrained his hands with a zip tie, and took a step back.

“On your feet, now.” said Ernie. George complied and was then led into Ernie’s garage where he was loaded into the trunk of his Subaru. “Langley’s gonna love this,” said Ernie, slamming the trunk.

Chris Forman sat against a tree, shotgun across his lap. It was autumn and the leaves were beginning to change. A cold breeze chilled Chris. //So cold.// He thought as he pulled his hat over his ears. Deer season, his favorite time of the year. Every year Chris Forman spent many hours stalking the woods for deer. This year was no different. He had already shot two this season. He was going out for a third today. Something moved behind him and his tree. Chris slowly peeked around the tree to look back. He saw an enormous Grizzly bear bigger then any he had ever seen or heard of.
 * Person vs Nature**

"Mother of God!" Exclaimed Chris as he stood up with his shotgun, facing the massive beast. The Grizzly was about 20 feet away from Chris and it saw him. It stood on its hind legs and let out a roar that chilled Chris's spine. That's when Chris began to panic. He was suddenly sweating under his jacket and gloves. //Should I shoot it? What if it just ticks it off? What happens-// the bear began to charge. Chris lifted his shotgun and fired a shot. A miss. The Grizzly closed the 20 foot gap in seconds, Chris hadn't the time to load another shot. The bear was upon him.

Sheriff Gordon Redfield was sitting behind his desk typing away on his computer when his phone rang. "Sherriffs department," he answered. The Sheriff grimaced. "Second body in three days," he said. Two days ago the mangled corpse of another hunter had been found. Redfield had determined that a Grizzly bear was responsible. Gordon Redfield was also a wildlife expert.

"Okay, see ya in a bit," the Sheriff said hanging up the phone.

Gordon drove to the scene. Two miles out of town, and up a dirt road onto a hill he found his deputies car parked. Gordon pulled in next to him and got out of his car. However, the deputy wasn't there.

Gordon called out, "Jeb!" Nothing. Gordon walked past his deputies car and through the brush, deeper into the forest. He was reaching for his cell phone to call Jeb, when he heard it. A low, grumbling panting sound to his left. He turned and saw a massive Grizzly bear. The beast was about 30 feet away when the Sheriff drew his pistol and took aim. He fired two shots but the bear kept charging. The Sheriff had a shotgun in the car. He turned and sprinted back toward the road. He was almost there, but the enormous creature was closing the distance fast. The menacing panting and heavy thumps of the bear grew louder. Gordon made it out of the woods and back to his car. Just as he was opening the door to retrieve the shotgun the beast cleared the tree line.

//No time to shoot// thought Gordon. He got in the car and closed the door. The bear came straight for the car. Up close, Gordon realized that this was the largest bear he had ever seen. It had blood all over its face and paws. The Grizzly was suddenly on its back legs and rocking the car. Gordon frantically started the car and put it in reverse. He slammed the gas and his car tore away from the creature. Gordon was amazed. The bear continued its charge. Gordon backed up the car about 50 feet, the bear still coming at him. He put the car in park and opened the door. He drew his shotgun and fired the first shot. The bear stumbled but kept running. Gordon pumped the shotgun and fired again. The bear buckled and rolled over, just feet away from the Sheriff.

Jeb was never found.


 * Fantastic Setting**

The year is 1 CE. The starship //Abiano// traveled faster than light through the dark abyss of the Crescent Nebula. The deep space exploration ship carried a team of scientists, archeologists, and researchers. The mission commander Captain Jarren Aronis was leaving his cabin and making his way to the CIC (Combat Information Center). Jarren Aronis was a Salarian. Salarians are bipedal, warm-blooded amphibians with elongated bodies and features suited for their high metabolism. Salarians talk fast, and think even faster. Due to their high metabolism Salarians rarely live past 40.

About 500 years ago the Salarian union discovered alien technology on their home planet Sur'Kesh. This startling new discovery changed the life of every Salarian alive. Technology was advanced by 300 years. They called it...mass effect. Travel to the farthest reaches of space was now possible. Not even 10 years later another astonishing discovery was made. The mass relays. Mass relays were massive structures floating throughout the galaxy. Mass relays had two central rings that rotated around a glowing blue mass effect field. Two arms wrapped around the orb and extended outward. They were of the same design of the mass effect artifacts found on Sur'Kesh. The relays propelled ships to other relays lightyears away. Journeys that would take years or even centuries flying faster than light, were now completed instantly.

Shortly after the mass relays were discovered the Salarians found the Citadel. The Citadel is an enormous space station in the Serpent Nebula. The Citadel has 5 "arms" protruding from a central hub. Each arm was a city in its own. Upon arriving at the Citadel the Salarians were greeted by the Asari. The Asari are all female in appearance although they technically have no gender. They reproduce by binding their mind with their mates. Asari typically have blue or green skin. Asari have an regenerative cellular system that lets them live up to 1000 years. The distinguishing feature of Asari are the small tendril like extensions from the back of their heads. Although it wasn't hair, the tendril weren't necessarily unattractive

The Salarians and Asari joined together peacefully, thus the formation of the Citadel Coundil. The Council was made up of both Salarian and Asari representatives. Although the Council held no official power it stood as the base for galactic government and stability. 500 years later more species were accepted onto the Citadel and into the galactic community. These species included the Batarians, Quarians, Hanar, and Elcor.

Jarren stepped into the CIC and was greeted by his second-in-command Professor Vylin Moss, another Salarian. Vylin Moss was a Professor at the Sur'Kesh academy. The academy trained pilots, soldiers, assassins, and even politicians. "Captain," Vylin said. "You should see this," gesturing toward the holographic galaxy map at the center of the room. The map showed the Crescent Nebula. On the far left of the Nebula a large red dot was flashing.

"It appears to be a mass relay," said the Professor. Vylin touched a button on the screen. The distance from the anomaly was displayed. The last time a mass relay was discovered was over 50 years ago. Rare minerals, technology, even life found in unexplored regions of space could be most beneficial to the species of the Citadel. That's why the Council approved the expedition.

Jarren said into his comlink, "Mareth, take us in for a closer look." Mareth Baseer was the Asari pilot of the //Abiano.//

//"//Yes sir. ETA 7 minutes."

Four minutes later Mareth disengaged the FTL (faster than light) drive and the ship traveled at a much slower speed. The relay came into view. In the CIC Vylin Moss was running scans on the relay. He said, "It's active."

The Captain sent a message to the council detailing their find. They were given orders to go through the relay. The //Abiano// approached the relay. The rings on the relay began to rotate around the mass effect field. The blue orb grew brighter and brighter until it was impossible to look at. The rings were now moving in a blur. The relay fired. A brilliant blue light engulfed the ship as it was propelled thousands of lightyears to the next relay. Jarren felt the familiar sensation of deceleration as the //Abiano// cleared the relay.

"Relay cleared. All systems in check," said Mareth.

There was nothing to be seen. No planets. No spaceports or stations. However, the galaxy map now showed a single far off planet. "Take us there," Jarren said to the pilot through his comlink. After nearly 30 minutes they were close enough to the planet to begin approach. The starship began orbiting the planet. A probe was fired from the ship to the planet. They couldn't enter the atmosphere until a probe was sent in to ensure it was safe. The planet was a large garden world. Covered in jungles, and oceans. Captain Aronis spoke with Professor Moss.

"A mass relay for single planet? It doesn't make sense."

"Not at all," answered Vylin, "its never happened before."

A display screen lit up. The readings from the probe had arrived. Everything appeared normal. No environmental hazards, extreme pressure, heat, or toxins were present. "Time to go!" said the Captain.

"You got it Captain," said Mareth. The //Abiano// banked and went in toward the planet. They entered the atmosphere. It was daytime on the planet. The lush green jungle was illuminated by the two stars in the system.

"It's beautiful," Mareth said.

"But we don't know whats out there. Be careful," Vylin warned. The //Abiano// flew low through the sky. Up ahead there was a circular clearing amidst the foliage about 100 yards across.

"Put us down in that clearing, Mareth." Mareth slowed the ship and descended into the clearing. The thrusters pointed down so that the ship hovered lower and lower until touching down.

Jarren pressed a key on his comlink then said, "Attention crew. Proceed to the lower level. We're sending in a shore party."

Jarren and Vylin walked from the CIC to the elevator, and descended to the lower level. Once the doors opened they steeped out into a large open room lined with heavy lockers and monitors. On the right was the tank like vehicle. Instead of a track were large circular thrusters that extended from the wings. 5 minutes later the shore party was assembled. Captain Jarren Aronis, Professor Vylin Moss, Salarian Lt. Daroth Emeanor, and two Quarian brothers Meour and Saette Vassad. Lt. Emeanor was an operative from the Salarian Unions Special Task Group. The STG was deployed by the union to combat terrorism and gather intelligence. Lt. Daroth was a seasoned veteran and would be an asset to the mission. The Quarians Meour and Saette Vassad were partners in science and archeology.

Jarren spoke, "The scans are in. Oxygen and gravity levels are normal so no envirosuits. However, we mustn't take any risks so armor up. This is the first documented planet with its own mass relay so be careful." The captain tapped his comlink, "Mareth, we're moving out. Ships all yours. We'll check in every 30 minutes."

"Don't have too much fun without me," Mareth said.

The captain started toward the heavy door of the cargo bay. "Here we go!" He pressed a button and the door opened with an electronic whine. Blinding light filled the room as the shore party stood by. They stepped out the door and down to the alien planet. They heard nothing. It was eerily quiet. The two stars beat down on them making it incredibly hot inside their armor suits. The five of them scanned their surroundings, weapons drawn. They walked off into the thick jungle to collect samples.

While the others were taking samples of the flaura Professor Vylin Moss approached the Captain. "I don't like this, Jarren. Somethings not right here." From the moment Vylin stepped off the ship a feeling of unease had crept into him. Vylin was an intelligent, calm, practical man who didn't get frightened easily, but there was something about the planet he thought.

"I here you. Somethings definitely going on here. Say nothing to the crew. No need to worry them," said Jarren.

Minutes later samples were collected and the shore party was continuing through the jungle. They came to a cliff side. 40 feet below a small river snaked through the jungle floor. "We rappel down." They unlatched their ropes from their armor suits and secured them into the ground. They descended the sheer rock face noting that a thick green fungus grew from it, making it slippery. They reached the bottom and set out toward the river.

Suddenly, the young Quarian Meour let out a scream of pain from the far right of the group. The team looked over, rifles trained. Meour was facing them, suspended a foot in the air. His eyes were wide with terror as he looked down at the spike that protruded from his chest.

"Meour!" called out Saette. Without warning Meour was flying through the air straight at Vylin. He avoided the body and took aim. A red insect like creature stood before them. Four spiky legs spread out below its body that curved backward. Two tentacles with sharp points hovered around its head, one of them now soaked with Meour's blue blood.

"Open fire!" The team unleashed a barrage of bullets from their military issued assault rifles. A vaporous cloud of blood hung around the creature as it was torn apart. Captain Aronis said, "Set up a perimiter! Vylin!" He gestured toward Meour who was crumpled on the ground. "Captain Aronis to Abiano. Do you copy?" No response. Only static.

Vylin crouched beside Meour. He flipped him onto his back. He was a dead weight. Not a good sign though Vylin. There was a gaping hole where the creature penetrated his armor. He was dead. Vylin heard more gunfire. He stood up and raised his rifle. More of the red insect like creatures were moving in on them. Lt. Emeanor was in the front of the group firing his semi-automatic shotgun. Arnois and Saette were further back. The shooting stopped.

"He's dead," the Professor said.

Captain Aronis picked up Meour and slung his corpse over his back. "Back to the ship! Lets go! Lets go!" They made their way back to the cliff with Lt. Emeanour taking point in front of Jarren. Saette and Vylin maintained the flanks. They reached the cliff. "*swear word*" Their ropes were ripped and coiled up at the base of the cliff.

At the Abiano Mareth was walking from the bridge to the lower deck to meet with Sgt. Gaurn. The shore party had been out for nearly an hour and hadn't called in yet. Mareth entered the lower deck. Sgt. Gaurn, a young Salarian, stood over a holomap of the planet. A look of concern on his face. "They still haven't checked in," he said.

Mareth tapped her comlink. "This is Mareth to shore party. Do you copy?" Static hissed through her earpiece. "Captain Aronis, come in."

Suddenly, something smashed against the cargo bay door. "Sargent! Check the cam!" Mareth said. Sgt. Gaurn entered a series of commands on the holoscreen and a display from the camera positioned outside the cargo bay appeared. Several more of the insect like creatures were attacking the door.

"Mareth, what do we do?" asked Gaurn.

"Attention crew. We have a code red. Report to the lower level immediately."

A minute later the rest of the crew was in the lower level. Half a dozen more Salarians were training weapons on the door as it was pummeled with attacks from the creatures. The door wasn't going to hold for long. The metal was dented and falling off the hinges. They could hear the growls and hissing of the monsters. "Get ready!" Mareth said. The door broke free.

Miles away Captain Aronis and the others were looking for a way back up the cliff. They walked along the bottom of the cliff until they saw an incline. They made double time back to the ship. When they were back in the jungle, nearing the clearing where the Abiano was stationed they heard gunfire and screams. "Hurry!" Captain Aronis said.

They crossed into the clearing. There were several dead creatures laying outside the broken cargo bay door. Jarren laid Meours body down. They entered the ship into the lower level. More of the creatures were dead on the ground. A Salarian was laying face down in a pool of his own blood. A second Salarian was propped against the blood splattered wall. His head was hung low but he was breathing."Sgt Gaurn!"

He spoke: "Listen. Those things...they're.." Before he could finish his head dropped down and his breathing stopped. Vylin approached him.

"No! Vylin, we have to clear the ship."

"Yes, sir."

They took the stair case around the elevator to the upper deck. They emerged in the CIC only to find that the fighting had stopped. A dozen more insects were scattered across the floor. A single dead Salarian was slouched over a chair. They cleared out the dead creatures and kept several for study. The mechanic team repaired the door as the rest of the squad kept watch. An hour later the Abiano took off. It was en route back to the mass relay. They would report back to the Citadel Station to report total failure.

As they Abiano entered FTL speed and left the atmosphere, another ship arose from the jungle. The ship was nearly quadruple the size of the Abiano. Its features elongated and spiky. More ships ascended to join the apparent mother ship. After several minutes the sky was filled with hundreds of these ships. They set course to the mass relay.

//The sky is dark and clouded. Thunder rumbles and a light rain patters the pavement. An Arab man is walking on the sidewalk, a lit cigarette between his lips. He reaches his destination, a small, dingy looking house. He drops the cigarette and grinds it out with his boot. He knocks on the metal door three times and waits. Seconds later the door swings open. Another Arab man, slender, red-eyed stands in the doorway. He embraces the man outside.//
 * Hassan :** Ibrahim, my friend! Welcome! Please, come in!


 * Ibrahim :** I didn't think the flight would ever end.


 * Hassan :** You're in good hands now, brother. Sit down.

//Both men sit on the couch in a small room with no other furnishings other than a coffee table. A third man emerges from the back of the house. Scars cover the left side of his face, and he appears to have a glass eye.//
 * Hassan :** Ibrahim, this is Ahmad. He is a fierce warrior as well as a trustworthy friend.


 * Ibrahim :** A pleasure to meet you, Ahmad.

(In a rugged, low, whispering tone) **Ahmad :** Likewise.


 * Ibrahim :** Everything is well, brother. The shipment is secured in storage.


 * Hassan :** Good! We're ready then. We'll meet the rest of my men at the warehouse. Ahmad, make the call.

//Hassan and Ibrahim leave the house and Ahmad stays behind to make the call. The rain is heavier now. Lightning fills the sky. They enter the sedan parked outside the house//. //One minute later Ahmad// //comes through the door, locking it behind him, and gets in the car. They set off down the road and pull onto a service road. They drive to a lot outside a warehouse that appears to be old and abandoned. Hassan parks his car out of sight. The men exit the sedan and enter the warehouse from a side door.//


 * Ahmad :** Any minute now.

//Ibrahim lights a cigarette//
 * Ibrahim :** Tomorrow will be a glorious day for our cause.


 * Hassan :** Yes it will. The infidels will know true terror.

//They hear three knocks on the door.//


 * Hassan :** Ah, they're here.

//Hassan opens the door. Two men step through the doorway.//

// "The Humans of Sera built a glorious civilization, but Humans are not destined to create. They ultimately did what they do best. Destroy. But this was nothing, compared to a new threat, from below. An enemy that will force Humanity to take their last, inevitable steps, toward extinction. //"— Queen Myrrah
 * 1st Person Story set in the Gears of War universe.**

Sera. Earth-like planet humanity calls home. For many years the people of Sera fought over Imulsion. Imulsion is the primary energy source on Sera. Thick, yellow, glowing, and steaming fluid buried beneath the surface. Imulsion was the main cause of the Pendulum Wars. A 79 year conflict between the Coalition of Ordered Governments and the Union of Independent Republics. Sera was ravaged by the war. After an armistice ended the war in the COG's favor rapid redevelopment and cleanup operations attempted to restore Sera's former glory. For once the future was bright. Then, Emergence Day. The day the Locust Horde came.

I was living in the city of Jannermount at the time. It was a COG controlled city in the nation Tyrus. Thousands of the Coalition's Gear soldiers who won the Pendulum Wars were on leave. Nobody was ready for E-Day. Nobody knew it was coming.

I worked in an Imulsion refining city in the southern part of the city. It was the middle of summer and I was driving home when the attack came. I felt a tremor in the ground. My car began to shake and I lost control. Two cars crashed in front of me. Vehicles were stopping in the middle of the road. I followed suit. Windows in the buildings to either side of me began to shatter. Car alarms were going off. People were screaming. Total chaos. I heard a crashing sound ahead of me and saw a massive hole begin to form. I hadn't time to start running. Something arose from the crater. It seemed to be an arachnid like leg of 30 feet. I couldn't believe my eyes. I kept watching as the leg which was covered in rock slammed down beside the hole. More legs came up and dug into the ground around the hole. The legs pulled, and a massive creature emerged. It appeared to be a mix of a spider and a crab although its head was circular and the body was small compared to the immense legs. These would later be known as Corpsers. The beast let out an ear piercing roar and began attacking everything it saw. People were screaming. Buildings were being ripped apart and gunfire filled the air. As I was running to my car I saw similar holes (emergence holes) appearing in the ground. To my right I saw another E-hole. Three beasts stood around it as more were climbing out. The Locusts.

The Locusts were humanoid in nature but brutishly muscular and nearly 7 feet tall. Their skin was pale grey, rough and thick. I noticed they had sharp teeth. They wielded firearms I hadn't seen before. They were shooting everyone in sight. People were being massacred around me. I entered my car and slammed the accelerator. Bullets riddled the side of it and smashed out the windows. I felt a burning sting on the top of my left shoulder. I kept driving. I didn't get very far before another E-hole began opening in front of me. I got out of the car and crouched beside it. I couldn't see any Locusts. Only corpses and rubble. From the hole that opened in the path of my car climbed yet another type of creature. It looked like the gun toting Locusts I saw just before except it was even bigger. 8 feet tall and a massive girth. It carried a huge sword. Two more of these "Butchers" emerged. One of them spoke. "HUNGER!" Its voice, a deep, rumbling, monstrous roar. It was looking directly at me. It charged me. I turned and sprinted toward the alley way behind me. The lumbering footsteps grew louder, the butcher was gaining on me. It was about to cut me down with the heavy blade when another E-hole opened right between us. I didn't stop to see what horrid monstrosities emerged. I made it to the alley way and kept running. The alley way came to an end about 30 feet down. I was hiding behind an overturned dumpster when I felt the ground shake once more.

I could hear it coming from down the street to the left of the alley way. This time the shaking and pounding was rythmic, like heavy footsteps. I didn't dare leave my hiding spot. The footsteps and tremors they produced grew more intense as the brute walked past me. After It passed, I crept out of the alley way and looked to my right and saw the source. A colossal beast 30 feet tall. I looked of a dinosaur except without the reptilian features or tail. It had long arms fitted with cannons. It began firing on the people below. I turned up the street and started running.

The chaos seemed to be behind me now. I could hear the gunfire and screams in the distance. I knew if I didn't escape Jannermount I would die. I commandeered a heavy cargo truck left in the middle of the road. I started toward the highway. Everywhere I looked buildings were burning if not collapsed. The were littered with bodies.

I made it to the highway. It was worse here. Burned out hulls of vehicles spread across the road. Scrap metal and fire was all that was left. Even more bodies. I stomped the pedal to the floor as I burst through the wreckage. The highway was clear on the other side. I looked to the rear view mirror and saw Jannermount's silhouette against the setting sun. I could never go back. I wondered if this was happening everywhere. Who was attacking and killing everyone? Why? I had no idea that for the next 15 years humanity would fight a war for our very existence.

Corporal Anthony Douglas lay shivering under the frigid, murky water. He had to fight the urge to ascend and draw breath. But Anthony knew he had to stay under. He heard the sloshes of nearby footsteps through the water, and the soft patter of raindrops in the flooded rice paddy. The footsteps were growing quiet. His lungs were begging him for air. A minute later the steps were gone. Anthony slowly rose his head above the water level. Looking to his right toward the direction of the steps he saw his pursuers. The Vietcong soldiers had their backs to him as they marched further away.
 * Historical Fiction**

Anthony stayed low to the water as he turned away from them and crept to the edge of the rice paddy. He made his way to the treeline and into the jungle. Anthony wore only his combat boots, pants, and a t-shirt. Beside his clothing, he had only a knife. He needed a gun. He began his trek into the jungle. The thick underbrush and foliage made it difficult. Anthony would have to regroup with his unit before the VC troops killed him - or worse.

Just hours earlier the Corporal was separated from his unit after a VC ambush. Anthony and his squad of a dozen Marines had been scouting just miles away from base when a rocket propelled grenade exploded in the middle of the group. Then automatic gunfire engulfed the squad. In the pandemonium Anthony was able to find cover behind a tree. Another RPG was fired. The round exploded just feet away from Anthony. He was knocked unconscious. He awoke several hours later alone in a muddy pit. It was dark now, and raining. His first thought was to find his weapon. He began searching the ground and found his M-16 shattered against a tree. Anthony looked down to see that his bulletproof vest was rendered useless from the blast. His helmet was gone and his face was covered in dried blood. He heard voices. Frantic Vietnamese. The VC were still nearby. Anthony heard a twig snap from behind the tree and saw a VC soldier emerge. The soldiers eyes widened as Anthony thrusted his knife into his chest. Anthony took a step to the left and wrapped his left hand around the mans mouth to muffle his death groans. He twisted the knife and pulled it out, spilling much blood. He slowly lowered the VC soldier to the ground. Behind him another soldier saw and opened fire. Bullets kicked up dirt and debris as Anthony turned to the other side of the tree and started running. The rest of the Vietcong started spraying wildly. Anthony couldn't be seen. It was too dark. The terrain sloped downward. He ran as fast as he could. He lost his footing on the slippery ground and began tumbling. He tried to grab on to something to slow his fall but the slope was too wet, and too steep. He kept rolling down the hill all the while bullets zipped past him. Eventually he got back to his feet at the bottom. He emerged in a flooded rice paddy. He saw the VC troops making their way slowly down the slope. There was nowhere to run. He waited to the last second before the VC entered the paddy, then held his breath and plunged into the icy water.

Anthony lost his knife during his descent. He needed a weapon. He slowly made his way back up the slope and back to the soldier he stabbed. He found an AK-47 assault rifle on the ground next to the corpse. He took the rifle and started sprinting back toward the Marine base Ft. Stone 3 miles away from the ambush site. Anthony ran nonstop until he made it back safely.

Damon Baker walked the grassy path through the dark. The thick trees and foliage twisted and overgrew around the path. The only light came from the full moon which hung low in the sky. The forest was eerily quiet. Damon was just outside the abandoned Boston Township located in Summit County, Ohio. He was searching for his friend Andrew Vogler. Earlier that day Andrew had described to him over the phone he was going to Helltown.
 * Imagery**

"You're going where?"

"Helltown!" Andrew said. "You haven't heard of Helltown?"

"No. What's that?"

Andrew enthusiastically said, "Boston Mills. A few small towns in northern Summit County, Ohio. In 1974 the government 'purchased' the land, and designated it a National Recreational Area. Everybody was evicted. Houses were boarded up and 'US PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING' sings were posted all around the towns. People say that the government purchased the property to cover up a chemical disaster in which people were turned into ravenous mutants."

"Really Andy? Ravenous mutants?" Damon said skeptically.

"You'll see," replied Andrew with a grin.

Damon laughed. "I'm not going!"

"Suit yourself."

Andrew Vogler departed his home that night. He really didn't expect to find anything in "Helltown" but it would be worth the trip. Andrew drove for about an hour into the Ohio countryside when he passed a sign welcoming him into Summit County. It was eleven o'clock and the moon was full. Ahead he saw a sign marking Stanford Road. He turned onto it. Minutes later he was outside Boston Township. The road inclined steeply, but Andrews car gained more and more speed. He let off the gas. Still, the car moved faster. He was nearing the top of the incline. He had no control over his car. As he reached the crest his car caught air. In front of him the road dropped off. He saw something glint, reflecting off his headlights. Whatever it was, it appeared a large man was holding it. His car smashed down on the side of the road. Its momentum carried it into the woods. Andrew slammed the brakes. The car slid and turned to the right. It came to a stop about 50 feet down the hill against a tree. Andrew was disoriented. His whole body ached and there was blood running down his face. He immediately unlatched his seat belt and reached into the glove box for his flash light. He shined the beam up the hill toward the figure. He saw it. A huge man lumbering down the hill. He had a hood over his head and a heavy axe in his hands. He was halfway between the road and Andrew. Andrew stumbled out of the car and started toward the road at an angle away from the axeman. The man cut him off, and grabbed the back off his shirt and lifted him into the air. He brought the broad side of the axe down on his head, knocking him unconscious.

3 hours later Damon was pacing back in forth in his living room. Andrew was supposed to be back 3 hours ago and he wasn't answering his phone.

Catatonia scizophrenia is a disease in which someone becomes separated with reality. A catatonic person may be unable to move or speak, or respond for long periods of time, or they may behave in a strange hyperactive manner. They also may be unaware of their surroundings and hold the same position for hours. Another symptom of catatonic scizophrenia is waxy flexibility. If their arm is moved into a certain position, it will stay like that. Catotonic scizophrenics also behave erratically; arm flailing, jumping, pacing in circles, and making loud noises. They are also resistant to attempts to move them. They can hold body positions or facial expressions for hours on end seemingly without purpose. They may mechanically repeat patterns and arrange things in the same way. They are also copy cats. They may repeat a word someone just said, or a gesture. They can have delusions, hallucinations, and hear voices. They have a lack of hygiene and feel emotions inappropriate to the situation.

Depression and bipolar disorder can lead to catatonia. Neurotransmitters appear to play a role in catatonia. It is unclear exactly how catatonia forms.