Pic!

Here's a pic I have in my portfolio, it goes with the story so...yeah, that's all I got...

Surrpressed! Page 5!

I embraced Juo as I did in the tavern only a day before, and whispered comforting words.
It was strange. Deed acted as though the conversation last night had never existed. It’s not fair. I was such a crumpled mess inside all that night, and he can wipe it off his shoulder as if it were nothing.
Juo remained crying, as I was lost in my thoughts. In a way, I felt rejected. Almost like a teenager who confessed her love to someone, and was harshly pushed away.
“Karma?” Juo sniffled. At first I didn’t respond, but then I thought about his tone of voice and wandered out of my head to respond. “Hm?”
“Why are you crying too?” Juo asked innocently. I didn’t even know I was crying. I wiped the tears from my face and answered sniffling as Juo had, “I don’t know.”
My hair tie then fell out of my tangled ponytail, and my hair created a veil between me and the world. I was happy that I could distract Juo from his fears, but at the same time unknowingly sad. I didn’t want my traveling companions to see my face at a time like this. I was grateful to my hair tie now, for falling when it did.
From the outside, you still couldn’t see my face as I descended the tree we had used for our shelter and protection. I ignored the now dull pain in my rear.
“Where are you going?” both Deed and Juo asked at the same time. I didn’t respond, even as touched ground. It wasn’t until then that I felt a dull pain in my back. At least the pain had subsided.
I walked in an unknown direction as I attempted to clear my thoughts, my mind, myself. What was wrong with me? I had never acted so weird in my entire life. I was passed breaking point and I had no idea why. I tried to think of what I was think of when I started crying, and where I was. What happened?
I remembered feeling rejected because of how Deed had acted last night, but I knew myself well enough to say that couldn’t be the reason why. And then I remembered Juo woke up from a memory dream he had, and I let him cry on my shoulder…and that’s when it hit me. Like a bolt of lightening hitting a locked door in my subconscious, a flood of memories of a time I didn’t know broke through their barriers.
Just momentary looks at multiple different places, things, and people… a house, a book, three men, one who was like Deed, and a boy, who looked vaguely like Juo…
I fell to my knees on the soft, warm grass, unable to handle the mind stress. What was that? I asked myself. Not knowing a single speck of what’s going on. It was then that I felt a miniscule cold spot on my face, and then water run down my face. Snow. I welcomed it as it melted on my burning forehead. Before I knew it I was asleep, perfectly peaceful after that huge head rush, and the pain in my rear slowly went away. And that’s when I dreamt.

I seemed very concentrated on the small book I held in my hands. As if I were analyzing it for some kind to clue. I stared at the small scribblings, comparing them to another scrabble in my mind that I knew to be my fathers. I never even knew what my father looked like, this must be a dream.
The words unfolding on the pages of the worn book seemed to be nonsense to me. Just a journal of his life and what he did, no interest to me. But this was the last gift my father gave to me before he died, and the only thing he’s ever told me to protect with my life. The first few pages I read were when he was about my age, his late teens, 16 I deducted by the date. That must have been around the time he received the journal, but he only wrote of school, some girl troubles, and horrible his jobs were, but worth the money. I skipped to the date that I knew from stories, that he met my mom. Just the usual ‘She’s the perfect gal for me,’. I skimmed farther down the page where he went off the subject of my mom and moved into his new job in state, how he was hoping for a promotion soon, and how badly he wanted it.
I skipped farther through the book, stopping at a random page. He describes how cute I was as a new born, and how he was so lucky to have married my mom. His job had apparently been going well, he was headed for another promotion, which he thought, was strange with how many he’s had in the past few years. He had recently become a major general for the pentagon. ‘Wow’ I thought. I flipped through the next few pages seeing a few words and trying to piece them together.
“Experimental projects, exceptional subjects, successful data gatherings,” I read the words aloud under my breath. Sounds top secret.
I was about to read the pages in greater detail, when I heard a loud knock at the front door of my almost entirely wooden house. I quickly dog-eared the page I was on and stuffed the book carefully in my back jean pocket. I almost slipped on the wood flooring with my socks as I hurried to the door. I took a look out the peek hole, to see a largely built man, with some kind of an army jacket on that had way too many pins on it for one piece of clothing. I then opened the door carefully, not trusting whom ever it was.
“Are you Ms. Fulton? Daughter of Gerald and Margaret Fulton?” the burly man asked.

Suppressed! Page 4!

“Okay…” he said, very hesitant. Deed then pointed in what I thought was a north- western direction, and continued, “The tree over there has enough branches near the bottom to climb up it easily. We could rest there.”
“Okay!” I yelled, running ahead of him as fast as my tired legs would carry me. ‘I have to calm down,’ I said to myself.
I slowed to a walk as I approached the tree. It was beautiful. Silhouetted by the flash of sunset behind it, it was the biggest tree my eyes have ever had the privilege of seeing.
Deed appeared only a few seconds after my gaze started. I jumped in surprise as I heard his feet rustle in the bushes, and cringed from a surge of pain in my backside.
“Does it still hurt?” Deed inquired, placing a hand on my back.
“No! Not at all!” I lied in happy tone.
Deed had that concerned look on his face again, as he started to climb up the lower branches up the tree. Juo was still clinging to his back in sleep.
I looked up the enormous tree and thought about how much pain I’d be in if I climbed. But I soon ignored the thought and the pain, and followed Deed’s path up the tree.
About fifty meters up Deed found an amazingly perfect branch for our needs, huge and flat, like a bed. As I struggled to get good footing, I watched Deed make a place for Juo to sleep, and almost slip for sleep deprivation.
He probably didn’t sleep at all last night, Deed anyway. I hurried over to Deed and helped him to stay steady.
“Deed! You need to get more rest! I’ll handle Juo, just lie down, okay?” I half whispered, half yelled.
I slipped Juo off his back and gently set him on the makeshift bed. I cringed again, the pain almost making me flinch. I tried to ignore it again as I helped Deed lie down in a comfortable position.
And then, of course, the pain got to me. I fell on my face next to Deed, almost falling as he did.
With dreary but alarmed eyes, Deed helped me until I was sitting on my knees in front of him.
“I’m sorry…” I tried to apologize, but was interrupted by Deed, “Don’t! You’re tired and hurt, you have no reason to apologize!”
“I’m not hurt! There’s no pain, really!” I turned my head, not wanting Deed to catch the lie on my face, but he did anyway.
“Why are you lying to me? We’re partners, aren’t we? There’s no reason for that. If you’re in pain, tell me,” Deed retaliated.
My face still turned, I whispered under my breath, “ You never tell me anything, why should I tell you?”
“What?” Deed questioned.
“It’s just,” I began, “ Well, all I know about you is your name, age, and only a sliver of your history…”
“That’s no reason for you to not tell me you’re hurt!” Deed answered, a chiseled look of anger and concern on his face.
After easing his expression, he continued, “ And besides, you don’t need to know any thing more about me-”
“And why not!?” I interjected. “What’s wrong with letting people be close to yo-ow!” I stood up too fast, causing my sore to irritate. Deed reached out his hand to help, but I rejected it.
Anger back in his expression, Deed contemplated answering my question. With a cold look on his face, he answered, “I can’t,” He then fell asleep.
After that, I couldn’t sleep at all. I was too busy in my mind, thinking about that answer Deed gave me. That, and my butt still hurt.

I watched the sun rise without really looking at it. I was deciding on how I would act to the awakening of the two ‘men’. I than heard a shrill scream.
Juo! I struggled to keep my footing as I rushed over to the now hyperventilating child.
“Juo! What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I slurred worryingly.
“Mr.- Mr. Boat Man! Mr. Boat Man fought the red monster! It ate his boat and then it ate him!” Juo screamed.
“What’s going on?” Deed asked drearily.
“ Juo had a dream about the red monster,” I deducted.

Surpressed Pg. 3

I would have never have thought that the horrible events of yesterday would lead me to such joy today. Deed had never seemed more alive than he was today, as if this child, in the small amount of time we've spent with him, has already brought out the inner child in us both. Surprisingly and unexpectedly.
The sun was still high in the sky as the three of us went back to the tavern to pack for the rest of today's travels. Juo seemed overjoyed that we'd get to travel all over the place all the time. That's what Deed and I did. Travel, as a hobby and a job. Our job was to learn of the world and what it has in store. It's a pretty cool job if you ask me, but the pay, very minimal.
And as for how Deed and I ended up traveling together? I guess we just ended up in the same random town, doing the same random thing. So we thought, if we're doing the same thing anyway, why not do it together. I guess we're both just too trusting, but it seemed to work out for the best.
As usual, it only took Deed and I about ten minutes to get ready to hike again, and Juo was ready the second we said we were going to leave. We found our way back to the trail we were on the previous night, and continued from there. It was a thin trail, it swerved through the brush like a snake trail. We walked in a line, tallest to shortest. Deed was first at about six foot two, me at five foot ten, and Juo at about four and a half feet. Every few minutes Juo would stop to admire the shimmering emerald plants in the sun at the edge of the trail.
He was so innocent, asking us what this plant was, and that tree was, as if he knew nothing of the world. I couldn't help but feel like a teacher under my student's spell as I meticulously answered his questions, one after another.
Soon, we had gone from brush to forest. The trees that rose to dizzying heights were branded with leaves of every shape and size. Thick vines seemed to mark a pathway, dangling off one tree to grasp another.
Encircling our feet was every knee-sized plant imaginable. The wide range of colors made it seem as if it were an earth bound rainbow.
After walking for many hours, Juo’s legs finally gave in, letting Deed put him on his shoulders.
“Everything looks so much smaller!” Juo exclaimed, observing his new perspective.
Deed and I laughed at his proclamation as we climbed up and over the massive moss- encrusted log ahead of us. The log was so high, in fact, that on my downward decent I slipped and fell painfully on my butt.
“Owiee! ~” I squealed, being over exaggerative.
Juo and Deed suppressed their laughter, while I gave them the ‘don’t you dare laugh’ look.
“You guys are mean!” I complained, using one of the low, thin vines to help myself up. I cringed in pain and dusted my pants off.

I could feel weariness approaching the muscles in my legs as the day turned to a tone of sunset. My eyelids struggled to stay open, with the occasional touch of pain from my backside. The bag I carried weighed a mere four pounds, but it felt like hundreds under my sleep deprivation.
“Can we pleeeeease stop?” I asked, my voice caked with innocence.
“We can’t. If we fall asleep, we’ll only be prey to the predators that inhabit the forest.” Deed answered, Juo asleep on his shoulders.
“I’m too tired,” I complained. Under my breath I added, “ The trees are so big, I’d even sleep in them!”
“What’d you say?” Deed questioned, turning around and stopping right in front of my face.
A little taken aback, I repeated in monotone, “ The trees are so big, I’d even sleep in them.”
Deed turned his gaze from me and cupped his chin with one hand in contemplation. The moment he did so, I spun to face away from him. I felt weird. That’s when I realised I was blushing. Flustered.
I’d never been that close to Deed’s face before. Even with all this time we spent together, he always seemed to keep his distance. I wondered why?
“That’s actually not a bad-” Deed pause, probably noticing I wasn’t facing him anymore. “Are you okay?” he asked.
I spun around as I did before, saluting and jokingly saying, “Yes, Sir!” I always did that kind of stuff when I was nervous. You know, act completely stupid.
Deed had a concerned look on his face as he responded, “Uh, well, I was saying that sleeping in the trees isn’t a bad idea…Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yup! One- hundred percent okey dokey!” I smiled. ‘Okey-dokey?’ I thought to myself

Supressed! Page 2

Still staring out the window Juo said "I was playing at the dock with Frye and my other friends, when..." Juo eyes widened as he remembered the terrible occurrence that took place only this morning. Tears escaped Juo's eyes as he cried, "When that bright hot thing ate them! It ate them all! The red monster ate my friends!"
He must mean the fire. I thought to myself while opening my arms to welcome Juo in a hug.
"It's okay,” I whispered, gently stroking Juo's hair as he sniffled and cried on my shoulder.
Deed seemed to what to change the mood of the atmosphere as he handed Juo an apple out of his bag. "Hungry?" Deed mumbled, eating an apple himself. Still sniffling, Juo took the apple, whispered a faint 'thank you' and nibbled on a bite. Deed handed me an apple as well. The three of us sat in a small circle, cross-legged, eating our apples. I dug through my bag for a tissue and handed it to Juo to blow his nose, and clean his face of tears. I was amazed at how a simple apple could make the small child forget what was only recently discussed.
In the silence of eating, Deed and I promised not to bring up the fire again, no reason need be said.
It was then that I really took the time to look at the two 'men' I was sharing my meal with.
Juo was very cute, he ate like a chipmunk, and the color of his hair resembled that of chipmunk as well. He was very thin for a boy his age, but the ratty white t-shirt jeans hid that fact well. I had a short, unrecognizable feeling of de-ja-vu looking at him, but it soon passed, leaving me puzzled.
Deed, on the other hand, ate in big crisp bites, like a bird maybe? No, I think it's safe to say Deed has a style all his own. His short coal hair covered his eyes as he chewed on each bite, giving him a mysterious feel. He was very strong, I've only traveled with him for a few months, but even after the first day I could tell how strong he was. He's worn many things, but as for today he wore a gray sweatshirt and jeans like mine and Juo's.
I felt overdressed around them, with my blue zip up jacket and long, light brown hair in a moderately clean ponytail. Also, being the only girl in the room was a little awkward, but I was used to being with boys.
Through my contemplation, I didn't notice that both of the boys had left our circle to Deed's backpack. I noticed Deed dig through it and pull out a deck of cards. I thought about all the other useless junk he must keep in that pack of his, but decided not to go into detail about it.
"Want to play 'Go Fish' with us Ms. Fulton?" Juo questioned.
I was flattered by the formal name title, which made me blush slightly as I replied "Sure! And you can call me Karma," I walked over to where Deed was passing out the cards and ruffled Juo's hair. It's amazing how close we got in this short time period. It was like we all just got along, clicked. I picked up my cards and began to play.
Soon Juo fell asleep again, which only reminded me of how exhausted I was. I was so concerned for Juo, I forgot my wants, maybe even my needs. But I was all right with that. In some sort of respect I was like Juo's new mother, and I felt that's how I need to act. As for Deed, he's like a father without even tiring. He can entertain Juo with the simplest of things, like an apple or a deck of cards. It might be way too early to think this, but it's as if in this one single night we've made a family. A family of strangers, of no blood relation to one another, but of a different bond.
Deed put the deck of cards back in his bag, and took out his blanket. Juo was using mine, so he offered me his. I refused, telling him it was my choice to let Juo use my blanket and I was fine with it. But he gave it to me anyway, not bearing to see a girl cold.
At I don't one what time in the late night, we were all asleep, awaiting the next day.

We must have woke around noon, because the sun was almost straight above us in the sky. Well, I did anyway. I could hear the guys outside. Juo was laughing so they must have been playing some sort of game.
I was feeling bad that I slept through the morning as I walked outside only to find myself blinded by the sun. I rubbed my eyes until they adjusted. I could see Juo only about 300 meters from where I stood, chasing Deed until he tapped his arm. Then Deed began to chase after Juo. Tag, I guessed. I smiled warmly at the sight of the two boys grinning wildly and running as if without a care in the world.
Juo must have noticed me standing outside of the tavern, because he was soon yelling to come join them. Before my mind even registered what he said I burst into a run toward them, only to have Deed tap my shoulder indicating I was 'it'.
That was probably one of the best mornings of my life, and one of the only times I've seen Deed smile as he did. We played for maybe two hours, the same game, never tiring of its attributes