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SURVIVOR: DLP - Outwit, Outplay, Outlast [COMPLETED]

Discussion in 'Little Italy' started by Zeitgeist, Jan 3, 2013.

  1. Riley

    Riley Alchemist DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,345
    Location:
    On The Eastern Seaboard, USA
    Where's Whooves? Is Whooves on IRC?
     
  2. Castiel

    Castiel Headmaster

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    India
    Whooves to the rescue.

    GIVE ME YOUR PIECES!!!

    ---------- Post automerged at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------

    And you were supposed to be here at 1. :-w
     
  3. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,511
    Location:
    One of the Shires
    High Score:
    9,373
    Okay, it should be in the right-ish order now. Tell me if I'm missing anything.

    BRING H PIECES EOT AND DN HE ANER

    BRING THE PIECES EOT AND DN THE ANSWER
     
  4. Doctor Whooves

    Doctor Whooves High Inquisitor

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    Messages:
    562
    Location:
    Gallopfrey
    Holy shit, sorry guys. I want out for a bite to eat and suddenly stuff happens.

    I----
    “Follow the rules, and act like everyone else,” said Principal Norton. “Then, you will have no problems at Stonewall.” He smiled at Aunt Mara. “I’m sure your stay in Clearview will be pleasant. Please, have a nice day. And Jake, I’ll see you tomorrow for your first day at school.”

    After nodding at them, Principal Norton turned the door and strode back into his office.

    As they returned to the school’s carpark, Aunt Mara turned to Jake and mentioned the Community pamphlet.


    G----
    “Doing extra chores isn’t going to make me start cooking any sooner,” intoned Aunt Mara.

    Deflated, Jake blew a raspberry.

    “Just start unpacking your things,” said Aunt Mara,” and I’ll call you down when I’m finished, okay?”

    Jake picked up the box containing his belongings. Before he climbed the stairs, he rolled his eyes.

    “Pfft, you’re no fun,” he commented.



    X----
    A smidgeon of irritation flickered across Principal Norton’s face.

    “Douglas Draper? Send him in.” Principal Norton gave Aunt Mara a sickly smile. “I’m afraid we’re out of time. I will show your way out.”

    As Principal Norton steered his guests towards the door, Jake remembered something and glanced at the black-eyed man. The boy took a deep breath.

    “Principal Norton,” said Jake. “Can I ask you, er, a favour?”



    A----
    The Toyota backed out of the parking space and rolled back onto the road. While Aunt Mara concentrated on driving, Jake stared out of his window. The dreary landscape of Clearview drifted by, like an insubstantial cloud. A postman hurried to his van, and a police officer reprimanded a frightened, old lady. She held the leash to her bloodhound, which was squatting next to a small pile of faeces. Perhaps the dog had relieved itself on the walkway, an act which was apparently illegal.

    One thing that Jake had noticed about Clearview: it was drowsy, but everybody seemed nervous. For some reason, the townspeople were fearful. With a few peculiar exceptions: Principal Norton, Eloise Applelard, Douglas Draper from the office…

    Aunt Mara called out to Jake; she turned into a quiet lane and slowed down the car in front of a neat, little house.


    U----
    “You better be careful with that tongue, Jake. You never know how you might offend the next person,” said Principal Norton, uncurling a strange smile. He turned to Aunt Mara. “Did you fill in the forms I faxed you?”

    “Yes, I have them here right now. Although I would have preferred if you had emailed them – ”

    Principal Norton interrupted: “We don’t use computers that much in Clearview, Miss Pryce. We’re rather old-fashioned sometimes.”
     
  5. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,511
    Location:
    One of the Shires
    High Score:
    9,373
    So we just need Caesar then.

    ---------- Post automerged at 04:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:17 PM ----------

    Fuck. I guess we lose this one.

    ---------- Post automerged at 04:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 PM ----------

    OH DAMN! CAESAR FUCKING POST!
     
  6. Castiel

    Castiel Headmaster

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    India
    And that is the U.

    U----
    “You better be careful with that tongue, Jake. You never know how you might offend the next person,” said Principal Norton, uncurling a strange smile. He turned to Aunt Mara. “Did you fill in the forms I faxed you?”

    “Yes, I have them here right now. Although I would have preferred if you had emailed them – ”

    Principal Norton interrupted: “We don’t use computers that much in Clearview, Miss Pryce. We’re rather old-fashioned sometimes.”

    ---------- Post automerged at 09:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------

    Holy fucking shit, this is close.
     
  7. Nae

    Nae The Violent

    Joined:
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    802
    Location:
    East India Company HQ
    CAESAR!!!!
     
  8. Riley

    Riley Alchemist DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,345
    Location:
    On The Eastern Seaboard, USA
    IGXAU

    RYAN

    SURVIVOR

    What am I missing in pieces?
     
  9. Caesar

    Caesar First Year

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2012
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Cork
    I----
    When Jake opened the car door, he winced. A foul stench slammed into him; it seemed suffocating and sooty, like smoke and charcoal. He stumbled into his aunt’s arms.

    Worried, Aunt Mara supported him.

    “What’s the matter?” she asked.

    Jake coughed, trying to dismiss the awful reek. “You don’t smell it?”

    “Smell what?”

    “That smell.” Jake made a wild gesture. “It’s like something is burning.”


    W----
    “No problem. It’s my job to help people. See?” Eloise pointed at the golden badge pinned to her chest; it read ‘The Community – Scouts’. “I’m part of Clearview’s Scouts, which gives an extra hand to Stonewall and other important organisations in town. Right now, I’m working as a Hall Monitor. Keep up the order of school, you know?”

    “The order of the school?” repeated Aunt Mara.

    “Yes, it’s important,” said Eloise. “Anyway, I have a few more corridors to patrol. Remember, the second floor. Third door from the right. That’s the Principal’s office.”


    T----
    “You know what I mean,” amended Jake. “We always move. I never get to stay long enough to make friends. Last time, we moved before I could even finish the Fourth Grade.”

    “You didn’t complain this much when we moved last time,” said Aunt Mara.


    E----
    “Give Clearview a chance,” said Aunt Mara, grabbing Jake’s attention again. “You’ll make friends, I promise you.”

    Jake looked at her. She was fingering her silver pendant, something he knew that Aunt Mara only did when she felt nervous. Her expression had a varnish of sincerity. The defiance in Jake’s stance slipped away; he couldn’t stay angry at Aunt Mara, not for long.


    T----
    Aunt Mara was still grasping his shoulder. Putting on a smile, Jake pushed away his aunt’s hand and started walking towards the school. Be mature about it, you’re not a cry-baby anymore, he thought determinedly. Rule Number One on freakish activities: don’t attract attention.

    “Aunt Mara, I’m fine. I’m just pulling your leg,” said Jake cheerfully. “Geez, stop worrying so much.”

    He grinned. “Worrywart.”

    ---------- Post automerged at 16:23 ---------- Previous post was at 16:22 ----------

    Sorry guys. I had to dash to my lab classes before the challenge started. Only just got back in.
     
  10. Riley

    Riley Alchemist DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,345
    Location:
    On The Eastern Seaboard, USA
    DEEAI

    IGXAU

    SNNRR

    I can't find the other two people but grab their letters add them to this list

    ---------- Post automerged at 11:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 AM ----------

    More than two, sorry
     
  11. Castiel

    Castiel Headmaster

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    India
    Sorry Stojil, we don't have the T for try.

    So, RYAN it is.

    R
    Y
    A
    N
    And SURVIVOR

    S
    U
    R
    V
    I
    V
    O
    R
    And, IS

    I
    S
     
  12. Caesar

    Caesar First Year

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2012
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Cork
    Bring the pieces together and find the answer.
    I hope
     
  13. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,511
    Location:
    One of the Shires
    High Score:
    9,373
    I must be missing some posts from someone.

    BRING H PIECES TO EET AND DIN THE ANWER
     
  14. Uncle Stojil

    Uncle Stojil Auror

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2011
    Messages:
    654
    S----
    Principal Norton was sitting behind his desk. He wasn’t an intimidating man. At least in appearance. Gifted with a rather forgettable face, he had thatched hair, a small mouth, and a strong jaw. In fact, the only thing that was reasonably remarkable about the man’s looks was his eyes. They were watery and black, like a pot of ink.

    Those eyes flashed when Jake entered the room.

    “Good afternoon,” said the man; his voice was a wispy but controlled. “Please, take a seat. Now, what brings you to Stonewall?”

    Aunt Mara sat down in one of the room’s armchairs. Jake copied his aunt and lowered himself into a red armchair. The chair itself, with its black trimmings and lumpy cushions, reminded him of an open jaw. Jake felt a little nauseated. It didn’t help that the burning smell seemed to be the strongest here. Not that anybody else appeared to notice.

    Why didn’t anybody else notice? Jake sincerely doubted that he was going crazy. Well, not too crazy.

    Aunt Mara extended her hand to Principal Norton; the man shook it.

    “Mara Pryce, we spoke over the phone,” she said.

    “Ah, the woman planning to move to Clearview. I remember: you wish to enrol your nephew, yes?” Principal Norton sounded thrilled, as though he were a toad that had caught a particularly juicy fly. “I’m sure Stonewall has a place for him. Let me check the relevant paperwork. Procedures, procedures…”

    Principal Norton’s black eyes flicked towards Jake.

    “You must be Jake Hilden,” said Principal Norton. “Twelve years old?”

    “Yeah.”

    The Principal raised an eyebrow; Jake flushed.

    “I mean, ‘yes’,” said Jake hastily.

    U----
    “You better be careful with that tongue, Jake. You never know how you might offend the next person,” said Principal Norton, uncurling a strange smile. He turned to Aunt Mara. “Did you fill in the forms I faxed you?”

    “Yes, I have them here right now. Although I would have preferred if you had emailed them – ”

    Principal Norton interrupted: “We don’t use computers that much in Clearview, Miss Pryce. We’re rather old-fashioned sometimes.”


    R----
    Aunt Mara opened her handbag and passed a bundle of papers to Principal Norton, who began to peruse through them. Jake squirmed in his seat when Principal Norton lifted his gaze from the sheets and stared at him. He felt examined, like an insect at the end of a pin.

    “Your record is quite coloured, isn’t it?” said the Principal. “Four schools in five years. Decent grades, and what an interesting disciplinary record. A propensity for getting into strife, perhaps?” He turned the page. “We can’t have trouble at Stonewall, Jake. You will have to sort out your tendency for causing problems.”

    “Jake’s a good kid,” said Aunt Mara.

    V----
    Principal Norton read aloud: “Three probations and two suspensions.”

    Jake flinched. Each of those events had involved a “freakish” incident, like the frozen pond and Linda Pope. There were inexplicable, and nobody knew the truth. Of course, that didn’t mean that Jake wasn’t punished under labels such as “causing distress to a peer” or “vandalising school property”. His school record was far from spotless.

    “Those were mistakes, unfortunate happenstances,” insisted Aunt Mara, in an oddly pitchy voice. “Jake has learnt his lesson, and there won’t be any further trouble. Isn’t that right?”
    I----
    Aunt Mara shot Jake a meaningful look.

    “Um, yes. No trouble,” said Jake, sheepishly.

    Principal Norton set down the papers, reached into his desk drawer, and pulled something out. It was a yellow pamphlet, gilded with the logo of a Four-leaf Clover. Jake glimpsed at the title: ‘The Community – Four Hands Acting as One’. It was the same organisation that ran the Scouts, or whatever Eloise Applelard was a part of.

    With the slickness of a greased realtor, Principal Norton slid the pamphlet across the desk.
    V----
    “The Community is Clearview’s central volunteer group. I’m one of the district coordinators,” said Principal Norton brightly. “We do some great things, like host a neighbourhood barbeque or fundraise for the local church. Our children’s division, the Scouts, is also very popular amongst the local kids. In fact, their annual camping trip to Lake Burragorang sells out every time.”

    He pressed the brochure into Jake’s hands. “The Community could help you make friends, and even sort out your… problems. It would help you to understand how things roll in Clearview.”

    “Jake, it does sound like a good idea,” conceded Aunt Mara. “Weren’t you worried that you didn’t know anyone else here?”

    O----
    Jake pocketed the pamphlet in his jeans. While the local club sounded like a good idea, he didn’t like the glint in Principal Norton’s eyes. The man’s expression was impassive, but those black pupils were almost predatory. And Jake’s instincts told him to be wary.

    “I’ll think about it,” said Jake cautiously

    R----
    “Sleep over it. I’m sure you will make the right decision,” said Principal Norton, as he filed away the rest of the Community brochures. “Back to our original topic, I do think that Jake will fit-in at Stonewall, Miss Pryce, despite his patchwork record.”

    Aunt Mara was visibly relieved.

    “We need his guardian’s signature on one more form, and his enrolment will be finalised. Am I to assume that you are his primary caretaker?”

    “Yes, I am,” answered Aunt Mara.
    I----
    Principal Norton tapped his chin with a finger. “What about his parents?”

    “My sister has been dead for twelve years,” said Aunt Mara brusquely, “and my brother-in-law had renounced his custodial rights when Jake was six.”

    While Jake stared blankly at the carpet, Principal Norton harrumphed
    S----
    “Ah, I’m sorry for your loss,” said the principal, not sounding sorry at all.

    “It’s alright,” mumbled Jake.

    Principal Norton whipped out a pink slip from under what appeared to be a great, purple tome. He signed at the bottom of the slip, before giving the pen and paper to Aunt Mara. After she had added her own signature, Principal Norton handed the form to Jake.

    “Sign on the dotted line, Jake,” said Principal Norton, as Jake grabbed the ballpoint pen.

    A----
    Flicking his gaze down, Jake scanned the paper. The writing was awfully dense and spidery, like the text in Aunt Mara’s thick books on British Imperial history. For a wild moment, Jake doubted that he even had to sign the form. He was taught to listen to adults, but for some reason, his gut feeling said otherwise.

    Why did he feel uncomfortable around Principal Norton? Was it the smell of burnt wood? Or the strange shadows under the man’s eyes, as if they had endured sleepless nights?

    “Jake?” asked Aunt Mara.
    N----
    “Okay, okay,” said Jake, giving up.

    Pressing the pen against the paper, Jake scribbled his initials in one, fluid motion. His intestines twisted. It felt as though he was signing away his soul, tethering himself to a school and community in which something was very wrong.

    Principal Norton snatched the paper with blinding speed and locked it away in his drawer.

    E----
    “There’s only one more thing left,” he told Jake. “Welcome to Stonewall Primary – and to Clearview.”

    A few more minutes passed, during which Aunt Mara and Principal Norton exchanged some general pleasantries and a few words regarding the textbooks Jake would need to buy. However, the wan secretary finally interceded.

    “Principal Norton, Mrs Kane has sent Douglas Draper to your office,” said the secretary, from the doorway. “Apparently, Draper had fallen asleep in class again.”
    X----
    A smidgeon of irritation flickered across Principal Norton’s face.

    “Douglas Draper? Send him in.” Principal Norton gave Aunt Mara a sickly smile. “I’m afraid we’re out of time. I will show your way out.”

    As Principal Norton steered his guests towards the door, Jake remembered something and glanced at the black-eyed man. The boy took a deep breath.

    “Principal Norton,” said Jake. “Can I ask you, er, a favour?”

    T----
    When Principal Norton turned around, Jake felt his face burn red. He was embarrassed that he was even making this weird request to start with. Aunt Mara was frowning.

    “Can you put me in a class other than 6B?” asked Jake uneasily. “This girl – Elena, Elisa, something – said that I should avoid it, and ask you.”

    “Class 6B? Interesting, that was my original pick for you,” said Principal Norton softly. “I imagined you would fit in perfectly with the other children there. You see, many of them are also…troubled. Unusual kids we need to keep an extra pair of eyes on.”
    R----
    Jake resisted the urge to retort that he didn’t need extra supervision. This was the fourth time that the principal had alluded to his disciplinary record, and Jake was getting a little fed up.

    “Regardless, I don’t think we should make any hasty changes for now,” concluded Principal Norton. “Let’s see how you behave in Class 6B and take it from there, okay?”

    “Okay.”


    A----
    Principal Norton tightened his lips.

    “I mean, ‘Yes, sir’,” corrected Jake.

    “Good. We’re learning already.” Principal Norton opened the door and gestured to Jake and Aunt Mara. They walked out of the office in silence.

    Outside, the sallow secretary was flicking through an old Better Houses magazine. She wasn’t paying any attention to Douglas Draper, the boy who had been sent to the principal, to be punished. Perhaps this wasn’t Draper’s first time at the office. The boredom in the secretary’s face and the apathy in the delinquent boy’s stance suggested as much.

    O----
    The mere presence of Douglas Draper was bizarre. Draper had big ears, an intelligent face, and bright-green eyes that blinked behind a sleek pair of glasses. Brown hair – combed and tidy – fell over his forehead. Even his clothes were tidy, a clean jumper and pants without creases. Jake thought that all Douglas was needed was a heavy book and a set of 2B pencils, and he’d be the image of the ideal Teacher’s Pet.

    Douglas Draper looked like the type of boy you’d copy off in a test, not the type of boy who would be sent to the principal’s office. In fact, he reminded Jake of Eloise Applelard, the bossy Hall Monitor.

    R----
    However, Eloise had a Scouts badge, while Douglas didn’t. Jake wondered if that had to do with anything.

    “Douglas, sleeping in class again?” said Principal Norton pleasantly.

    Douglas glared at the man, those green eyes blazing. Jake sensed Aunt Mara tense next to him.

    “Well?” Principal Norton waved towards the door to his office. “Surely you’ve been to enough detentions to know how this works. Go in and make yourself comfortable.”

    D----
    Douglas wrinkled his nose, as though he had smelled something disgusting. After throwing the principal another glare, he walked into the office and slammed the door behind. Principal Norton’s smile faltered ever-so slightly. Jake couldn’t help but grin.

    “Excuse me, I have some work to do,” said Principal Norton in a tight voice.

    Before turning the doorknob to his office, he patted Jake on the shoulder. A cold feeling spread through Jake’s body, like cold wind at night. Jake shivered.
    I----
    “Follow the rules, and act like everyone else,” said Principal Norton. “Then, you will have no problems at Stonewall.” He smiled at Aunt Mara. “I’m sure your stay in Clearview will be pleasant. Please, have a nice day. And Jake, I’ll see you tomorrow for your first day at school.”

    After nodding at them, Principal Norton turned the door and strode back into his office.

    As they returned to the school’s carpark, Aunt Mara turned to Jake and mentioned the Community pamphlet.

    N----
    “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to join the group. You liked camping and volunteering in those school functions back in Mosman,” said Aunt Mara.

    Jake hopped into Aunt Mara’s Toyota and buckled his seatbelt; Aunt Mara got into the driver’s seat.

    “The principal was too pushy,” replied Jake.

    And creepy, he added silently.

    “In the end, it is your choice,” said Aunt Mara quietly. She sighed, as she turned the car’s ignition. “I just think it’s a shame, really. The lost opportunity…”

    Jake rolled his eyes.


    A----
    The Toyota backed out of the parking space and rolled back onto the road. While Aunt Mara concentrated on driving, Jake stared out of his window. The dreary landscape of Clearview drifted by, like an insubstantial cloud. A postman hurried to his van, and a police officer reprimanded a frightened, old lady. She held the leash to her bloodhound, which was squatting next to a small pile of faeces. Perhaps the dog had relieved itself on the walkway, an act which was apparently illegal.

    One thing that Jake had noticed about Clearview: it was drowsy, but everybody seemed nervous. For some reason, the townspeople were fearful. With a few peculiar exceptions: Principal Norton, Eloise Applelard, Douglas Draper from the office…

    Aunt Mara called out to Jake; she turned into a quiet lane and slowed down the car in front of a neat, little house.

    R----
    “We’re here,” said Aunt Mara, smiling. “Welcome to our new home.”

    Stepping out onto the lawn, Jake stared at the house. It was quaint, with pink shutters and trussed rafters. There were three upstairs windows, signalling that this was a three bedroom house. A series of flagstones formed a footpath to the front door, on which was embossed a bright brass plate with the words ‘No. 6, Carroll Street’.

    Y----
    “It’s smaller than our old house in the city,” noted Jake.

    Aunt Mara opened the trunk of the car and took out some boxes. They had the familiar labels: MARA’S CLOTHES, JAKE’S CLOTHES, BOOKS – FICTION, KITCHEN UTENSILS, etc. When she beckoned to him, Jake walked over and took the parcels from her hand. He staggered a little; they were heavy.

    “Take these to the front door, while I get the key to the house,” instructed Aunt Mara, as she reached into the trunk again. “Be careful with the smaller boxes; those are our only clothes, and if they get ruined, we’ll have nothing to wear.”

    A----
    Jake obeyed, although not without grumbling about aunts and the weighty tasks they set.

    When Aunt Mara found her keys and opened the door, Jake carried their belongings into the living room. The insides of the house were nothing exceptional: pastel walls, wooden floors, and flowery drapes. A carpeted staircase led to the second floor, while a glass table leaned against the window. Most of the rooms were empty.
    N----
    There was very little furniture, but Jake expected that. Despite what the name suggested, pre-furnished houses tended to contain only the essentials: beds, chairs, a dining table, and maybe a sofa. Jake and Aunt Mara didn’t need much, though. They had survived with far less.

    “I guess the previous tenant wasn’t kidding when he said the house was barely furnished,” said Aunt Mara, as she wiped her hand across the tattering sofa.

    D----
    “It’s not that bad,” said Jake.

    “Really?” Aunt Mara started opening some of the boxes. “You were complaining buckets in the car, about Clearview and moving. Be honest with me.”

    Reaching into the box labelled ‘TRINKETS’, she took out a deck of decorative Tarot cards. Aunt Mara placed the deck next to the pile of history books.

    “You can tell me what you really think about the house,” she said.
    F----
    “I actually like it, no kidding,” admitted Jake.

    He was telling the truth. No. 6, Carroll Street managed to feel cosy without being boring or bland, like many of the other homes in Clearview. The house’s unusual “pink” colour scheme helped fight the dreariness.

    Aunt Mara hoisted the ‘KITCHEN UTENSILS’ box. “Really? You like this old bag of dust?”

    “A ‘Yay’ from ‘Yay or Nay’ for me,” said Jake. He added, cheekily. “And you aren’t that old, Aunt Mara.”

    “Haha. I’m dying with laughter.”
    U----
    Aunt Mara placed the box on a bench-top. Whipping out a dishtowel, she began wiping down the nooks and crannies in the kitchen. Dirt and grime emerged from the cracks in the tiles. After a moment of furious scrubbing, Aunt Mara paused and looked up at Jake.

    “I’ll fix you some lunch in thirty minutes,” she told Jake. “In the mean time, why don’t you head to your room and start unpacking? You can have the east bedroom, the one facing the front yard.”

    Jake raised an eyebrow. “Lunch?”

    “Honey Chicken with rice.”

    N----
    A bubble of glee floated in Jake’s chest. Like many other twelve year-old boys, Jake often allowed his stomach to do his thinking. He adored food, especially sweet dishes which tingled on his tongue. And his aunt’s Honey Chicken, with its crisp batter and drizzle of syrupy sauce. A little garnish of toasted sesame seeds on the top…

    Jake jumped towards Aunt Mara.

    “Is there anything else you need me to do?” he asked her. “Arrange the books? Put the clothes into a dresser? How about I take that dishtowel, and –”

    G----
    “Doing extra chores isn’t going to make me start cooking any sooner,” intoned Aunt Mara.

    Deflated, Jake blew a raspberry.

    “Just start unpacking your things,” said Aunt Mara,” and I’ll call you down when I’m finished, okay?”

    Jake picked up the box containing his belongings. Before he climbed the stairs, he rolled his eyes.

    “Pfft, you’re no fun,” he commented.

    A----
    The room that Aunt Mara had selected for him was comfortable. The ceiling was peaked, allowing for a surprising amount of room, while a small bed crouched next to a simple dresser. Over the window hung periwinkle curtains which were decorated with a curious pattern of lizards holding gloves and fans.

    Jake set down the box on the bed. As he took out his clothes and put them in the dresser, Jake pondered how his stay in Clearview would pan out. Aunt Mara had promised that they only needed to stay a year, perhaps even less. Jake sighed. Even though he didn’t want to whine, Clearview perturbed him. It was so different to Mosman or the rest of the city. The dead middle of nowhere.


    M----
    However, it wouldn’t be that bad, if it weren’t for Principal Norton. The man wasn’t good news, and that burnt smell originating from his office made Jake frown.

    Reaching into his pockets, Jake pulled out the pamphlet. The logo of four-leaf clover stretched across the front cover.

    “Act like everyone else,” he muttered. “What am I supposed to do? Join the Scouts?”

    The Community and its junior division, the Scouts. The group seemed innocent enough. Would it hurt to give the club a try?
    E----
    Jake was folding the Community’s pamphlet, when he heard a shuffling sound outside. Curious, Jake strolled to the window and pulled it up. The source of the noise wasn’t hard to find; a young boy stood on the front yard, crushing some of the gardenias with his scrappy sneakers. A baseball cap was shoved low over the boy’s head, as if he wanted to protect his identity.

    However, bits of hair popped out from under the hem. Jake noted that the hair colour was blond, but different from the pale blond of Eloise Applelard’s curls. It was a more triumphant blond, brighter. More yellow, like afternoon sunshine.

    Jake shouted. “Oi! What are you doing?”

    Startled, the boy in the baseball cap jumped back. Then, he spun around and ran away. Jake wrinkled his brow, more than a little puzzled.

    “What was that about?” he said to himself. “Can this town get any weirder?”

    After closing the window, Jake started to return to the box on his bed. Something grabbed his attention, though. The glass in the window had tinted slightly, with a tiny cluster of white on the bottom right corner. Entranced, Jake pressed a finger into the pane.

    A cold snap crept up the window, making it opaque and freezing to touch. Frost trailed over what was warm glass, a minute ago. Ice crystals formed over the edges, like spider webs.

    “No,” breathed Jake.

    He withdrew his hand. Almost immediately, the ice started to disappear. But the damage was already done. Jake felt his heart race at a million miles per second; his finger was numb with cold.

    “Not again,” he mumbled.

    The freakishness… Was it real? Jake swore that he saw the last of it in Mosman, two months ago. That was meant to be the end of the weird business, finally. But why was it happening again in Clearview, out of all places?

    Why to him?






























    SURVIVOR IS AN EXTRAORDINARY AND FUN GAME

    FUCK YEAH
     
  15. Castiel

    Castiel Headmaster

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2010
    Messages:
    1,020
    Location:
    India
    FUCK.

    it is ARYAN

    A----
    The Toyota backed out of the parking space and rolled back onto the road. While Aunt Mara concentrated on driving, Jake stared out of his window. The dreary landscape of Clearview drifted by, like an insubstantial cloud. A postman hurried to his van, and a police officer reprimanded a frightened, old lady. She held the leash to her bloodhound, which was squatting next to a small pile of faeces. Perhaps the dog had relieved itself on the walkway, an act which was apparently illegal.

    One thing that Jake had noticed about Clearview: it was drowsy, but everybody seemed nervous. For some reason, the townspeople were fearful. With a few peculiar exceptions: Principal Norton, Eloise Applelard, Douglas Draper from the office…

    Aunt Mara called out to Jake; she turned into a quiet lane and slowed down the car in front of a neat, little house.
     
  16. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,511
    Location:
    One of the Shires
    High Score:
    9,373
    Good catch, Caesar. Had the D wrong.

     
  17. Riley

    Riley Alchemist DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,345
    Location:
    On The Eastern Seaboard, USA
    Bolded for submission purposes Survivor is an extraordinary and fun game
     
  18. Castiel

    Castiel Headmaster

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2010
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    Location:
    India
    DAYUM STOJIL.


    DAYUM!!!!!!
     
  19. Riley

    Riley Alchemist DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,345
    Location:
    On The Eastern Seaboard, USA
    Someone tell me I got that in on time. Please.
     
  20. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,511
    Location:
    One of the Shires
    High Score:
    9,373
    Damn it. Whose clues did I miss?
     
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