Tag: Writing

Feel GOOD! Super Heroes

The Superhero Diaries 5.12: Invisible Help Part 3

By Tom Merriman on

Concluding the multi-part epic tale from the Superhero Diaries. Previous parts can be found in the Storylines menu, click here.

Sue’s in room 12, Viridian. I was about to go in and check on her earlier when a strong urge told me not to.

That was a wise decision, my friend, even if it was not of your calling. Psychic Sue is currently reaching out psychically on all channels. Had you entered the room, whatever helping hand is guiding us would have been unable to protect you in there. They are bonding with my mind now as I speak, before I enter the room. Together, we shall be able to reach deep within Sue’s mind. Once I enter the room, you must find something to barricade the door for your own protection.

Understood, Viridian. I think. But the door opens inwards.

Just do it, Charlie. You must be able to hear the voice as clearly as I.

Yes. Now that you’ve said that, I can. Do your very best, Viridian.

I shall, my friend. Now, I enter the room.

OK. What can I use as a barricade? I know. The shelving unit in reception. That’s high enough, and heavy enough to cover the door. I should be able to… wait. How am I supposed to move it? It’s a heavy steel structure. Will I have the strength to move it on my own?

Only one way to find out. I’d better leave this flap open, so I can get the shelves through. But no! There isn’t enough room to push the shelves through and turn them round to get them up to the corridor. I need to look for something else. What can I use? A chair will be no good. It has to be the shelves.

Damn it! Huh? My hand passed through the counter when I punched it. I can feel the papers on the shelf behind. I wonder if I can pull them through the wood. This is weird. I’ve never had this ability before, but yes – I’ve pulled the paper through. I just need to try to push the shelves through now as well. If I can. Ugh. As I thought. They are too heavy. But wait. If my hand went through the counter I wonder if I have my invisible powers back. I do! And I’ve made the shelves invisible as well. This is so cool.

I need to use all my strength to push these shelves through the counter, and then I can get them up the corridor. Here goes. Heave! They’re beginning to move. Keep on. Keep on. Push! Push! This is like giving birth – no! Concentrate, Charlie! Push! It’s working! It’s moving and passing through the counter! I’m loving this! I’m actually doing it!

There. The whole unit is now through the counter, and I need to turn it so I can get it through the door and along the corridor. I hadn’t realised before, but the unit is too high for the door so it wouldn’t have gone through – well, not without these new abilities of mine.

OK. Here we go, through the wall above the door. It is like a hot knife through butter! It is working fine.

Invisible Charlie.

Huh? Viridian? And who’s this?

It is done, Charlie. Psychic Sue is now settled. Did you not realise once your powers had been restored?

Erm. Nope. I seem to have developed a new ability and was so caught up in myself I hadn’t noticed to be honest.

This is an Olympian Goddess. Her name is Hera, and she has been helping us in our times of need. She doesn’t help directly, as we have to make our own decisions and choices and have free will to do things rightly or wrongly, but if needed she will provide little prompts and suggestions here and there. This time, however, she needed to intervene because this challenge was far too great for us.

Pleased to meet you, Hera. Do I need to bow or anything?

No, my child. I am pleased to finally be able to reveal myself to you, and help. And give out several new abilities as well, as you have discovered. I have heard the doubt in your thoughts, and you really have no need to doubt.

You read my thoughts?

I do not judge, Invisible Charlie. As neither do you.

Ah OK. Thank you, your highness.

Hera is fine, my child.

Erm, Hera then.

I must return to Olympus now that my task here is complete. You will have a lot of explaining to do, to a lot of your colleagues, and one unexpected helper, the Dropped Apostrophe. Farewell, my friends. Hopefully the next time I assist will be in calmer times.

Wait – the rest of the world? What’s happening there? There will be mass panic and confusion.

The main problems were contained within a hundred mile radius, structurally. Psychically, it was a little further afield, I’m sorry to say, but my Olympian friends are working on ways to make it all seem like a mass dream to those affected. We stopped your pleas for help from leaving this complex, so the problem was more contained than you first thought.

But the news? The Dropped Apostrophe received my message?

The local news my child. The feed did not spread further than the hundred mile area, a malfunction in the broadcasting capabilities prevented it from doing so. As for the Dropped Apostrophe, let me just say he had a gentle nudge as he began raiding the empty shops. And, as I said, you will have a lot of explaining to do. Once again, I bid you farewell.

A Goddess, Viridian. Can you believe we have been working with a Goddess?

You find it hard to believe, my friend, yet you are discussing this with a visitor from a distant planet. The Universe is full of many wonders, and it likes to surprise every once in a while.

Now that you put it that way, it’s just another day’s work, I suppose. There’s no point making a mountain out of a mole hill. I’ve done that a few times today already. OK. Let’s get to work bringing our colleagues up to the medical centre, so they can rest. Hopefully Bettystretch has brought herself back now, she’s in the alley at the back of the building, so I’ll go and get her. I don’t know what we will do about all of the shredded structures all over the place though… but, a little voice has just told me to have faith. I can live with that.

Normality returns for the Superheroes next week. Or does it?

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Feel GOOD! Nature Rhyme Words

The clouds are here for show

By Tom Merriman on

To dream of rain
To clear the air
To dampen down the land
Seems such a shame
Perhaps unfair
But necessary, understand

With scorching Sun
And searing heat
And an everlasting thirst
It becomes less fun
When one must retreat
But find a cool spot first!

But just a drop
Not a lot
Enough to freshen up
So Summer stays
With long warm days
And clouds to top it off

A Summery Six Word Saturday post.

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Feel GOOD! Super Heroes

The Superhero Diaries 5.11: Invisible Help Part 2

By Tom Merriman on

Continuing the multi-part epic tale from the Superhero Diaries. Previous parts can be found in the Storylines menu, click here.

This tranquilizer should work. Crimson’s in room 4, so I’ll go in and give it to her. That screaming should really be affecting our movements, but we seem to be getting through it like a hot knife through butter.

I can hear it, but it sounds like its being deflected.

Adam, you’re right. Yes. I wonder if Viridian is doing it? We’ll find out later. Just give me a couple of seconds while I do this. Aw bless, Crimson, look at you. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine soon. Oof! Crimson! It’s me! Charlie. Charlie. Invisible Charlie. Stop! I’m not here to hurt you. I’m – oof! I didn’t realise you were that strong! Mind you, you’re also showing signs of the caveman problem as well. The sooner I get you to sleep, the bet – oof! Ow. That one really hurt. Now look, Crimson. Sorry about this, chuck. There, I’ve caught your arm. It’s in. It’s oof! It’s not taking effect. Ouch. That slap hurt. Crimson, relax. Relax. OW! Oh. Adam, what did you do?


That chair. I needed to do something so I hit her with it like they do in the movies. It didn’t break like they do in the movies.

It’s a metal chair. They don’t break easily. At least she’s out for the count now – we can check for concussion later. Get her off me, and then we can move onto either Sue or Lycra. I have no idea what we’ll do with them, though.

There. Sorry, Charlie.

No. No worries. Thank you. We have to do what we have to do. And can you hear that? Silence. It’s bliss.

Oh yes. I hadn’t noticed it!

We quickly get used to things, don’t we? Right. Is it me, or is it getting really hot in here?

The Dropped Apostrophe must have turned the heating up.

It shouldn’t be working, but you’re probably right. We’ll leave Crimson to sleep soundly on this bed, and move on. Psychic Sue’s powers work whether she’s awake or asleep, so a tranquilizer will be no good to her. I think Lycralad’s powers work the same way, but I’m not sure. He will need to be the next one to do something with, to at least regain structural integrity. He’s in room 40 at the end. We’ll take a tranquilizer just in case.

Will he be like the others? Zombie like?

There’s every possibility, Adam. We’ll have to be prepared. We may need a couple of metal chairs this time.

Oh… no…

Don’t worry – I’m joking. I hope. Phew. It’s scorching hot now.

Yeah, but like the screaming the heat seems to be being deflected as well.

You’re right. I hadn’t noticed that, but you’re right. OK we are here. Ready?

Ready as I think I’ll ever be.

I’ll go in first. You wait here for a second. Phew. Oh. My. Word.

What is it? What’s wrong? Is Lycralad OK?

He’s standing by the window, looking out. The room is trashed. The wallpaper, sheets, even the bed are in shreds. The bed is metal. We may need those chairs after all. Oh my, the heat. Lycra’s just standing by the window. I don’t think he’s aware we are here. I should just be able to give him the injection. I’ll go for it. Oof! Lyc*

Charlie! CHARLIE!!! Uh oh. He’s out cold. Lycralad, it’s me, Adam. Adam Rawlinson. We’re friends, remember. You must remember. Lycralad! Don’t! Stop! You’re hurting me. Lycralad. Stop it! STOP IT ALEX! You’ve stopped. Let me do this and put you to sleep. Do you understand me? Blink if you understand. He blinked. He BLINKED!! Sorry but you know this is for the best. There. Come with me, there. Gently does it, lie on the floor. Relax. There. I’ll hold you while you sleep. It’s OK now. It’s OK.

Ugh. Adam. Oh. I’ll leave you two here, Lycra’s settled. Now to see about Sue. I need Viridian. There’s always a surprise in this game.

Thanks, Charlie. I’ll look after Alex now.

OK. Back downstairs I go. Lock the door, Adam, just in case. You’ll be safe in here. Psychic Sue is in room 12, so I’ll just have a quick look in on her on – no, I won’t. That thought was very clear. I’m being directed. Could it be Sue? It didn’t seem like Sue’s voice. Odd. I’ll make my way downstairs to the kitchen, and see how the Apostrophe is getting on. It’s even hotter down here now. On the other side of this door is the corridor, with the kitchen at the far end, by the front door. I’d better be on my guard, just in case. Whoops. I tripped over something. Someone! It’s the Apostrophe. He’s unconscious.

It’s just the heat, Charlie.

Who? Firetop? Where did you come from?

The Apostrophe brought me in from outside. I’ve been contributing to this mess, and the Apostrophe worked it out. As my heat powers went haywire, I was channelling all of the excess heat out and up into the sky. That heat was fuelling the energies from the solar flares which were affecting Sue, who in turn was affecting everyone else. Why you and I and a few others aren’t affected by the psychic bombardment is a puzzle – it’s as though we are being shielded.


Adam said something similar.

Adam? Never mind. The Apostrophe suggested I use my heat on this ice. It’s now starting to melt. I think the heat is too much for Icewind, as it was the Apostrophe.

Once he’s free, we can get Viridian up to Psychic Sue and sort her. You’ve settled Crimson and Lycra?

Yes. They’re sleeping soundly now. Adam’s with Lycra.

Who is Adam?

He’s Lycralad’s friend in his secret identity, it seems. He’s been a good help, actually.

There. Viridian is free. Viridian, you go with Charlie to Sue, and I’ll bring these round. I’ll keep Icewind asleep until later.

Very well, my friend. They are all sleeping now, so should be no trouble. It is good to see you once again, Invisible Charlie.

And you too, Viridian. Now, shall we go and see to our colleague? Ah. The Dictaphone’s power is almost out. And now – no. It’s back to full strength again. There’s something odd going on. Is it of your doing, Viridian?

No. It is nothing of my doing whatsoever, Invisible Charlie. I do feel a presence, though, one who is giving a helping hand.

Yes. The story concludes next week.

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Confusion Feel GOOD! Waffle Words

So then, where has he been?

By Tom Merriman on

That, as they say’s the question. Ahem.

Apologies for the grammar, but it is Six Word Saturday after all.

Well, it was.

Since I last posted / visited, I have been up to umpteen things which have kept me away from blogging. They still are (keeping me away), but I am trying to break through that particular wall and get back into this blogging malarkey. I do pay for it, after all, and I have only recently renewed. So, blog I must. Not that I wouldn’t if I hadn’t paid, but paying gives just that little more of an incentive. Especially when you don’t have two ha’pennies to rub together. Which I do / don’t. Frequently. Erm, don’t have, not rub together. Oh, I’ll just move on.

It would seem since my last post I have forgotten how to blog. Must be a consequence of something, I suppose, but with a memory like mine I could put it down to that. Perhaps forgotten is a wrong term, and lost my way a little is more like it. Not that I had a way to start off with, so that isn’t right either.

Don’t you just love rambling streams of consciousness posts? Not that this post was intended to be one, I hasten to add. It’s just turned out that way.

Come one! This is meant to be a Six Word Saturday post. Sigh.

OK then. Where have I been? Where to begin…

I may have been abducted by aliens. It would have happened on Monday, as Tuesday I remember looking at my reflection in the mirror and thinking ‘ugh’. I did think something else at the time, but that has slipped my mind for the moment, and it isn’t really relevant to this post either.

I couldn’t have been abducted by aliens on Monday now, thinking about it, as I remember it being rather warm, and I have a feeling aliens do their abductions when the temperatures are rather more pleasant.

I think we can safely say I wasn’t abducted by aliens.

I know that this week I have been engrossed in copying computer files for one of my programs that I use to create art onto another drive that I have as I was running out of space on the drive that the program was originally installed on. And breathe! Sorry about the lack of punctuation there. After moving the files, the program didn’t work, so I had to move them back, where it didn’t work again, so then followed a series of deinstallations, installations, reloads, reboots and red faces. It was still warm after all.

That seems to be working now, so there is one reason why I appear to have been AWOL.

There’s the slight possibility that I may have been trapped in the Bathroom. Regular readers will know that this used to be a regular occurrence, but it hasn’t happened for a while. The Bathroom has been rather well behaved for some good time now, but with the ominous arrival of a new Bathroom dawning on the horizon, maybe the existing one is just exerting its strength one last time or so. That remains to be seen.

I could have been photographing ducks. I seem to do that a lot, and in this weather, they don’t tend to swim as fast as usual. In fact, thinking about it, they’re mostly dozing on the banks so they’re not swimming at all. And not very interesting to photograph when they’re half asleep, so I don’t think I have been photographing ducks. I could have photographed the geese on the Lake this afternoon, they seemed to be in a very frisky mood for some reason, but I was just too hot and rested in the shade, wanting to curl up and doze with the ducks.

Perhaps I’ve had my haircut. No! Don’t faint! I haven’t. Really, I haven’t! No. It isn’t time yet. I’m just saying that perhaps I had my haircut. There’s a lot of strength in the word perhaps.

I think on the whole, this week especially, I’ve been feeling the effects of the heat. I don’t do heat very well, and haven’t really at all this week. Even the shade has been warm, which was a bit of a blow around the Lake. And talking of blows, even the breeze has been warm. There’s just no escape! Good job I hadn’t had a haircut, and my hair kept the super-powerful rays from the Sun away from my tender scalp. And to top things off, we have two massive moorland fires which are proving tricky to control, one of which is on hill that serves as the home of the main TV transmitter in this region. That’s all I need, no TV when its too hot to do anything else!

Seriously, though, I’m hoping the wildfires are brought under control very soon, and safely to boot. And the twit who started one of the fires gets a jolly good stern telling off. Some people just don’t think, do they?

So there we have it.

We’re still none the wiser as to where I’ve been, and I’ll probably still be there for a few more days yet. I’ve still got my Superhero Diaries posts written and ready for scheduling, so they’ll keep things ticking along presence wise, until I get back to proper blogging once again.

July is now fast approaching, which means its World Watercolour Month once again, so I must try to get at least one painting done for this month-long splosh fest* .

I will try to post and visit during the course of my madness, but can’t promise.

And I WILL reply to those comments, some of which have been waiting for a reply since the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Keep cool!I know I’m trying.

(Now that’s a loaded sentence… hehehe!)

A lengthy Six Word Saturday** post (a link should appear here to Debbie’s site, should I remember to add it!)

  • And I will do more than one watercolour. I simply must!!!

** Yes, I know it’s posted on a Friday, but I can’t help that. I could have scheduled it, but it’s just too warm. This heat has a lot to answer to.

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Feel GOOD! Legends Random

Early Warning Notification

By Tom Merriman on

Blogland! I warn thee of possible dire consequences yet to come.

The direst, in fact.

Brace yourselves, for this is one of those moments you will be pleased to have received an Early Warning Notification for.

I kid thee not.

Thine very souls know this to be the truth; so beware you may shudder when you read the following words…

Toward the end of July (July 2018 to be specific!) the Bathroom in the Mansion is to be replaced.

Now, compose yourself. Settle down, and take deep and measured breaths. I will allow you to calm before I continue.

Ready?

OK, then.

Yes, everything in the Bathroom is being removed and renewed. As many of you know, the Bathroom is home to an Interdimensional Vortex, which is currently hidden behind a curtain. I hope it behaves itself when the workmen arrive, although disturbing any structure which is built where multiple Ley Lines cross is bound to cause some ripples throughout space and time.

I shall be focussing energies away from the Bathroom when the work begins… but you never know.

Especially where my Bathroom is concerned.

I just thought it was only fair to let you know in advance…

image

Above: The old Bathroom with the Vortex lurking behind the curtain. Apologies for the state of the photo, but cameras don’t work particularly well in the Bathroom… and it’s actually blue.

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