I am trying again this year, and like Willow, I look for the confidence to finish. I decided this year not to post as I go, but to just post progress. Last year, while I loved the praise on the story as it progressed, it some how made it harder to finish. So, I will now just post periodic counts on my progress so you know what is happening, but very little substance until the end. Then, I will post the entire thing. This year, I am focusing on the town of Freeport and goings on in and about the people of the Blood Zone. Some stories will leave the city and return, and others will stay in the zone. It is hard to write about the Zone itself without mentioning that there will be mature themes and no one is safe there. For in the City of Thieve's, only in the Blood Zone is violence permitted without a contract. For the streets themselves are red from the spilled blood over the years, giving it the name. I hope you will enjoy the story in just 29 short days. Thank you for your support!
It is hard enough to grieve. Even harder, to accept that someone is gone and then move on. That moment when you blow out the candle for that last time, to know that you will never see them again, is profound. I have only had to do it a few times that are significant, but I have. What brings this to the front of my mind is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episode is about a quelled rebellion on the surface, but it begins and ends with a candle.
So, every once in a while, I search for people I knew when I was younger. In particular, a woman I once knew as a young man. Most days, I lose an hour searching and I don't find her. Until today.
Editor's Note: Originally written on 8/21/1995, found in my notes while cleaning. I used to write as a character of mine who was a monk from an order that revered Cows, the Royal Order of Moo. We all had names in the order; Brother Charles, Bob, Bill, The Keeper, and Fred (me). I know, it is odd, but I spent time writing as this character and I found that my younger self had a small amount of wisdom. I only hope I can understand and listen to that man as he speaks to me now. I hope you enjoy this series of writings.
It seems that when it rains it pours. My spirits are still high, but I am now accustomed to things just not working out. I am looking forward to the time when all of this is over, but I am also trying to learn any new things I can get away with from this situation. Here is a summary of some of the things I learned, in brain dump fashion. Ready, GO!