Neverwhere Chicago

What's this all about?

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:20:00 -0500

Welcome to the YOUmedia Neverwhere project blog for Spring 2011 One Book, One Chicago. For more information about One Book, One Chicago click the rat!

Wendell Phillips Academy + Neil Gaiman @YOUmedia Chicago

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:21:00 -0500

Wendell Phillips Academy + Neil Gaiman

@YOUmedia Chicago

Wendell Phillips Academy + YOUmedia + One Book One...

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:20:00 -0500

Wendell Phillips Academy + YOUmedia + One Book One Chicago:

Wendell Phillips High School Students created and recorded thematic spoken word poetry inspired by characters and themes presented in Neverwhere. Students also used their poetry as inspiration to create poetry posters reflecting the message of their poem.

YouLit Issue #2

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:19:26 -0500

YouLit Issue #2:

We are happy to present issue #2 of YouLit Magazine from YOUmedia Chicago. With a theme of Urban Fantasy, this issue also presents works created by teens around the One Book, One Chicago Spring Selection of Neverwhere by Neil Gaimain, as well as, poetry from members of YOUmedia Chicago’s Louder Than A Bomb Championship team. Enjoy!

Neverwhere: The Sequel, Pt. 2 by Owen Burns and Eamon Polanski

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Read the first part of Neverwhere: The Sequel here.

Door spent most of the night searching for a rat to lead her to Richard, she knew that every rat would know exactly where he was by now, new in the rat kingdom spread like wildfire. But there was always conflict between the rats and the humans, fights over territories, fights over food and so on. So when Door went looking for a rat to guide her to Richard, it was no easy task. It took her most of the night, but she finally found someone, a small, dark brown rat named Joe with a raspy voice. They walked for a long time, always dark, always damp, how the rats liked it. Around mid-day Door got suspicious, “Where is Richard, exactly Joe?” Door said “It seems like we’ve been walking for a very long time” “We have” said Joe “We will arrive at our destination soon” Joe looked down, but not before Door noticed the slightest smirk on his face, she stopped, “Where are we going?” she said “Why haven’t we gotten there yet? where are you taking me?!” Door stopped, so did Joe, they stared at each other for what seemed like a long time. Door calculated her chances of getting away, she could take Joe, but at any given moment, there are around 10 rats in a 20 foot radius, seen or unseen. Door turned to run, but Joe jumped at her, she fell on the ground and turned around and kicked him, he hit a nearby wall, and she turned to run, but she turned to see about 15 rats behind her, she instantly new that she had no chance of getting away, her only chance would be if there was a wall but there wasn’t one anywhere close, she was surrounded. At that moment, Joe jumped at her again, and she fell, hitting her head hard on the ground, as the world around her went black, the last thing she saw were the rats closing in on her.

Door woke up, she was propped up against a wall next to someone, she couldn’t quite see his face. “Hello Door. I’ve been waiting for you.” It was Old Bailey “Bailey! what are you doing here?!” asked Door. “Well I was having a conversation with your darling husband Richard over there, but he most inconveniently passed out again.” Door looked at the man again, her eyes, having adjusted to the light, could now make out Richards face, still dim in the light, but undeniably him. “What do you want with us Bailey?” She asked “Oh my dearest Door, I think you know perfectly well why you’re here!” Said Old Bailey “Where is he? Richard has been quite adamant about not telling me.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about Bailey!” Said Door “Door, you can stop playing innocent here, we both know that you know, and we both know that I’ll find out one way or another, so you might as well just tell me now.” He said. Door was getting confused, she didn’t know where she was, why she was there, or what Old bailey wanted to know. she didn’t know what to do.

Richard was confused, “What do you mean ‘You’ve got me’? Bailey? Why am I here? and why am I tied up?” “Richard, I say ‘I’ve got you’ because it was ME that kidnapped YOU and brought you here. You are here because you have information that I need. And you are tied up because I don’t want you trying to escape while I’m trying to talk to you.” Richard was still confused, “What information could I possibly have that you want?” he said. “It’s very simple Richard, just tell me what I ask you, and you can go.” said Bailey “Fine Bailey, what do you want to know?” said Richard. Bailey walked over to Richard, knelt down so that he was at eye level with Richard, and simply said “Where is the Marquis?” Richard was slightly taken aback by the question, “The Marquis? What do you want with him?” he asked “Don’t try to play dumb with me Richard!” Bailey yelled “Where is he?!” Richard didn’t know what to say, honestly not knowing where the Marquis was, he just stared blankly at Bailey. “Fine” Bailey said “We’ll do it the hard way.”

Door gasped for breath, Her head was soaking wet and the back of her head hurt from where Bailey was holding onto her hair. She was breathing hard, “I told you! I don’t know where he is!” she said. Bailey sighed “Well, I guess we’ll just have to try again!” and he dunked her head back down into the bucket of water.

Richard opened his eyes, his hair was still wet from earlier, but he didn’t care about that now. From his vantage point lying on the ground, he could see Bailey, standing over a woman, dunking her head down into a bucket, the same bucket that had recently had his head plunged into it. His heart sunk, for just then, he heard a voice yell out “I told you! I don’t know where he is!” “Well, I guess we’ll just have to try again!” Bailey said. It was Door. He got Door. He quietly shuffled to his left, trying to get further behind Bailey so there was less of a chance that he would see him. Once he was behind Bailey, he started trying to get his hands free. The ropes were tight, and he couldn’t get them free. He looked around, to his left he saw a broken piece of glass, he shifter his weight around so that he could drag the glass closer to his hands with his legs. Once the glass was in his hands, he positioned it so that the jagged edge was pressed against the ropes, and rubbed it for a few while until he got his hands free. Once his hands were free, he used the glass to break the ropes around his body binding his arms. He was free from the ropes, he stood up, holding the rope tight in his hands, walking quietly towards Bailey.

The Marquis was running, fast but quietly. The news had spread fast in the rat world about Richard and Doors kidnapping. He knew at once why they were taken, it was him, Bailey needed him out of the way to complete his plan, and after months of searching, he had made up his mind about - what he thought was - the easiest way of finding him. He also knew that it was just a matter of time before Bailey had them killed when he realized that they didn’t know anything about where he was. He started passing lookouts, so he knew he was getting close. He had to hurry, Richard and Door depended on it.

Door was getting tired, every time she gasped for breath, she got less and less, she started getting dizzy. Bailey just kept asking about the Marquis, and she just gasped for breath, concentrating on not passing out. It was getting harder and harder.

Richard was walking slowly toward Bailey, Door was looking bad, she was about to pass out. He lunged. He quickly wrapped his rope around Baileys neck, Bailey was grabbing at his hands and arms, gasping for breath, Door was on the ground, coughing up water and gasping for breath. Bailey was getting weak, he kept grabbing at Richard’s arms, but it was less to get them away from his neck, than to just be doing something, anything. it didn’t work, he passed out, fell to the ground in a heap, still breathing, but unconscious.

Door was being shaken, she opened her eyes “Door! Door wake up! We don’t have much time!” It was Richard, Door was on the ground, Bailey was lying a little ways away from her, unconscious with a rope on the ground next to him, Richard shook her again, “DOOR! You have to get up! we need to get out of here!” She shook her head and water splashed down around her. She stood up, shaky, but she could still stand, Richard was looking through a door by the corner, he motioned for her to come over to him, and she did, slowly, her head hurt and she was still a bit dizzy. “We need to find a way out of here” Richard said, “Do you know why they kidnapped us Door?” said Richard “Do you know why we are here?!” “No I don’t” Door said “I went looking for you after you left, I met a Rat named Joe and he said he was leading me to you, and then I was ambushed, the next thing I know, I’m in this place being half-drowned by Bailey! Do you know” “I have no idea, we can figure it out when we get out of here.” He said, and they ran out of the room.

The Puppet Master, Pt. 3 by Zoe Kasper

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:03:00 -0500

Read parts one and two….

He had soon found the pale figure of Victoria. He closed his eyes before he melted into the sweet darkness that clung to him like a cloak. Meanwhile, Victoria stopped short seeing the large black bird, which soon stopped in front of her. She looked at it curiously before she tried to move on again. The large black bird hopped in front of her, stopping her in her path. “Now what are you doing? You want me to stay here?” She asked confused by the large crow’s actions. Corbin extended his wing’s and flew to a near by tree landing on Xantho’s shoulder. Victoria narrowed her eyes on the figure and ran a hand over her hidden dagger. “Stay back!” She hissed. Xanthos stepped forward, and glowered down at her. “Silence mortal!” He growled. “How did you get in here?” He asked, authority in his voice. Victoria looked at Xanthos with defiance, looking up at him. ” Who are you?” She asked, answering his question with a question her own. He looked at her with a snort. “You really are your father’s daughter.” She flinched slightly at his words. “My father is dead?” She whispered. “Yes,” Xanthos growled. “Now answer the question mortal!” He hissed. He glared down at her with poison, if only looks could kill. Victoria glared back. “I came through the door.” She hissed. “What door?” He asked, obviously not a big fan of the girl at the moment, after all her father was enslaving his soul. “What’s you’re name girl!” He growled menacingly. She rolled her eyes. “I asked first.” His eyes flashed dangerously. “My name is Xanthos, the puppet master.” He answered. “Puppet master? “She looked confused. “I give dying soul’s a choice, of moving on peacefully or living the world as my puppet.” He answered. Victoria’s jaw almost dropped in shocked. “That’s horrible!” She yelled, backing away now. “I help keep the balance of this world!” He growled. Victoria slapped him before he could do anything. He narrowed his eyes, and grabbed her wrist’s trapping her against one of the dead trees. “Big mistake.” He hissed. He pulled her into the darkness with them, and let the darkness wrap around them. They ended up outside in the cool night air. ” Now go home!” He growled. She felt suddenly light headed as she looked at him. “Wha- how did you do that?!” She sounded shocked. “It’s like we teleported or something. Xanthos rolled her eyes. “The dark shadow’s of death’s realm are door’s to the shadow’s.” He said. “Now, go H O M E!” He growled, before he began to fade into the night without a word. Victoria was left fuming, she had questions and questions she wanted answered now. She tried to remember where the door was again, but sighed as she began to walk to her car. “Men.” She huffed. She muttered all the way home, only to left wondering about the mystery that was left in her heart. To be continued…..

This image was produced during the Elements of Design workshop...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:05:57 -0500

This image was produced during the Elements of Design workshop (every Wednesday @ 4pm) by Aaron Eckart-Frank.

I felt that since I take the Red Line so much, I needed to do something based on that. So here it is. I used three basic images, the Sears (Willis, whatever) Tower, a generic train stop, and the skyline of Chicago. I really wanted to incorporate more Chicago architecture, such as the Bean as the wheels, and the old Water Tower as the front, but I didn’t have the time. To make the link, I adjusted the color on the skyline to a grayer color.

What if there was a Beast of Chicago like the beast that lives...

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:38:00 -0500

What if there was a Beast of Chicago like the beast that lives below London in Neverwhere? Malic Monti envisions this beast as giant octopus that lives in Lake Michigan. Each of the octopuses tentacles represents one of the CTA train lines.

The Puppet Master, Pt. 2 by Zoe Kasper

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Read the first part of the Puppet Master here.

The deed had been done, Xanthos suddenly felt tired and overwhelmed from the whole process of collecting the man’s soul. He closed his eyes and let himself fall into the deep abyss of his mind, and opened to find Corbin’s partner Swanhild, the white Swan. Like her counter part, she was also a servant of death. “What’s wrong child?” She asked softly, her feather’s ruffled as she began to preen herself. ” You seem troubled…” Xanthos looked over at Swanhild with tiered eyes. ” It’s nothing.” He said gruffly, not one to talk about his feelings even to his friends. Swanhild simply nodded, she could have pushed on with the subject but decided to drop it. “You know I am always here to talk.” She said. He snorted slightly. ” Goodbye Swanhild.” He said bluntly before he closed his eyes again, only to end up before his master - Death. He stared up quietly into Death’s eyes and then backed to the wall. ” What do you want?” He asked. Death stayed silent for several more moment’s before he spoke. ” I want you to take care of something.” He said. “What?” Xanthos didn’t sound pleased, Death usually sent Corbin or Swanhild when it came for asking favors. Death continued to stare down at him. ” There is a girl who seems to have stumbled upon this realm.” Xanthos seemed confused now. ” She has the sight? How could a mortal have gotten past the barrier…?” Death merely shook his head. ” She is my daughter…” Xanthos looked surprised, at his answer. Death had a daughter? How could this have happened? “Don’t Question me Puppet Master.” He growled, small flames began to smolder in his old eyes. ” I do not have to explain anything to you!” Xanthos narrowed his eyes. ” Yes master.” He said stiffly, his jaw was set as a muscle ticked underneath his eye. ” I will do as you wish, and get rid of the girl.” Death glared daggers at him. ” Be warned Puppet master, she doesn’t know of…” He began to trail off. Xanthos merely turned his back. ” I understand.” He said flatly. Once he was out of earshot he muttered softly. ” Of course he makes me do the dirty work.” Mean while in the dark depths of Death’s realm. A dark haired girl, with olive toned eyes, walked quietly and gracefully through the realm. Her was Victoria, her skin was pale against the dark background, and her dark brow hair seemed to blow through the empty wind, it all seemed familiar but why? Xanthos had Corbin perched on his broad shoulder’s, as the small obsidian black creature, scoped out the terrain. ” Go, my friend…. find the girl…” Xanthos breathed the words as he let his mind, search the territory. He closed his, eyes, his hand touching a dead tree as it sent tiny images to his brain. Every tree in the dark realm was connected, and with one touch, you could see where everything was, who had passed by…and where they were.

On a cold Monday morning, Totoro, Dottie, Bella, Frank, and...

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

On a cold Monday morning, Totoro, Dottie, Bella, Frank, and Charlie decided to go hangout at the park. Charlie walked over to take a picture. And that was when everything changed. They all got sucked in to an unknown world, with creatures they never knew existed.

Thank you to our friends Cody, Ray, Jordan, Frankiee, Lisette, and Owen. And Thank you to my Mommy for filming.

The Puppet Master, Pt. 1 by Zoe Kasper

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:00:00 -0600

You may have noticed some posts with brainstorming ideas for a story called “The Puppet Master.” Well here’s the first installment in the story!

Prologue

He watched her with a pained gaze; his inner emotion’s already starting to take over the brain. She looked so pale against his skin, so fragile now. ” Sara.” He shook her gently, his voice urgent as he forced back the tears. ” Get up…. you can’t leave me now.” His voice was heavy as he looked down at her stilled face. Everything seemed oblivious now; all he wanted now was to die. A sudden chill ran down his spine as he straightened up, his muscles tensed underneath his shirt as he looked at the hooded figure. His fist clenched into tight balls, his knuckles turning white as they tightened even further. ” Who are you!” He almost growled the word’s as he stared questioningly up at the figure. The figure said nothing but approached even further, while he prepared himself for what was coming. ” Be still mortal…” The voice hissed underneath its hood. The voice stopped him in my tracks as I began to shake. ” Who are you…?” his voice was less then a whisper. ” I have come to take her to the other world so that she may be judged…” It said in its raspy voice. He felt something snap in the back of his mind before he lunged at the figure. ” Who are you?” he yelled, anger sparking in his gray eyes. The figure drew back its hood, to reveal gray haired man with dark eyes that seemed to be a never-ending bottomless pit. ” I am known by many names…” The stranger said, his voice no longer raspy, but you could tell he was much older then he really looked. ” I am Death…” Xanthos stared blankly into the man’s eyes. “She’s so young…” He mumbled. Death looked at him with blank eyes. ” The cycle of life must continue…. mortal.” He murmured, his tone neutral. ” I can’t just prolong a life because of some selfish whim boy…” Death hissed this time. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he glared over at Death. ” Then let me take her place!” He shouted. ” I’ll take her place!” He shouted again. Death stared at Xanthos quietly as he pondered on the thought. ” It is not your time Mortal…” He murmured. ” But I shall let her live on one condition…” He said as Xanthos stared at him quietly. ” What? What’s the deal?” He asked urgently. “You must leave your mundane life…. you shall be bound to me and carry out my deeds.” He whispered. He looked at her silently and nodded. ” Fine…deal just let her live the life she wanted.” He murmured. ” Then take on my eternal flames mortal and the deal shall be done. He did as he was told and took his hand, as he watched the never dying flames of death consume his inner soul. He knew that with this…she would live and that’s when he realized that death had cheated me like he had cheated many other’s only to watch him take my sister the next day…

He walked into an old apartment, and up the stair’s hearing the old stairs creak in protest as he unlocked the apartment door. A pitch-black crow was perched upon his shoulder as it gazed around the room. ” Is this the place…?” He murmured. The crow nodded and flew to a room where a middle-aged man was sleeping. ” Wayne Stewarts…. age; 55, health; weakened by cancer.” He murmured off the list. The crow sat on top of the man’s chest. “Let’s just get this other with.” He sighed as he called fourth a tiny white flame that had come out of the man’s chest, who heaved it’s last breath before becoming still. The tiny flame soon took shape as the body. The man stared blankly at Xanthos as he looked at his body. ” Am I dead?” He asked quietly. Xanthos nodded, as the crow flew onto his shoulder. ” You are, it’s your time to be judged by death.” The man nodded quietly. ” Fine…I have lived a long and good life…. my only regret is my fight with my wife.” He said. ” If I could just see her face again…” He sighed. ” You shall see her again one day…” Xanthos murmured, ” but for now follow my messenger, he shall guide you to your judgment.” The crow seemed to change shape into a human life feather keeping, some of its crowish features.

King’s Cross Station from Neverwhere by Cheyenne Patino...

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:28:00 -0600

King’s Cross Station from Neverwhere by Cheyenne Patino & Greg Levinson

Here are some screenshots from a Minecraft subway station...

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:45:00 -0600

Underground

Lava

More lava

Approaching the station

The station

The el

Above ground

Riding the subway

The platform

Riding the subway #2

Here are some screenshots from a Minecraft subway station inspired by Neverwhere. The subway was created by Andrei Zbikowski and is fully automated!

Sketches based on Neverwhere by Eamon Polanski

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:00:00 -0600

A Key

Hunter's Knife

A Rat

Sketches based on Neverwhere by Eamon Polanski

Forest Zombies by Violet, Fiona & Saffron

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

A comic book first draft script by Violet Staley, Fiona Bradley and Saffron Lehrer

Characters:
Dottie
Bella
Totoro
Charlie
Frank

Setting:
City/Forest Preserve

Story Line:
5 City kids discover a strange new world filled with Zombies.
*Forest Zombie leader is the Gas Mask Man.

On a cold, winter day, Dotte, Bella, Totoro, Charlie, and Frank were _________.
Charlie walked over to take a picture of _____ when suddenly there was a bright light, and the wall he was leaning on began to cave in. He yelled. Dottie, Bella, Frank, and Totoro ran to Charlie. The wall was almost sucking him in. They all pulled as hard as they could, but it was no use. They all got sucked in to the wall.

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a snow covered forest. They all slowly got up.

Charlie was missing.

They explored.

They heard a branch snap.

“What was that?” asked Totoro.

They looked around.

Frank was over by a bush, when suddenly.. RAWRIHAIWURGYFUESAHFOASUGFDJAS ” AGHHHHHHHAUSHDIUASDB!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A Zombie jumped out of the bush and was attacking Frank.

Frank was able to pick up a very sharp stick and stabbed the Zombie through the brain.

He got up.

He had a huge bite on his arm.

” OH !@#@!” Yelled Dottie.

“We all know what happens when you’ve been bit by a Zombie..” Said Bella.

Frank fell to the ground and began to twitch and yell.

He stopped moving. He was laying on the ground, lifeless.

Frank was now a zombie.

Dottie, Bella, and Totoro started to run away.

Dottie ran into something and fell to the ground. She looked up to see a strange guy wearing a gas mask. She noticed he had a camera around his neck. “Hey! That’s

Charlie’s camera!” Dottie yelled.

The gas mask man was wearing a long black trench coat with tripp pants on and crazy teased hair.

Frank got up and walked over to the gas mask man’s side.

There was a group of Zombies behind the gas mask man.

Dottie, Bella, and Totoro started running for their life.

The Zombies and the Gas Mask Man wearing running after them.

“Where do we go!?!” Yelled Bella.

“Here!” Yelled Totoro.

They hid in a ___.

The Zombies were confused and walked away.

*Dottie Bella Totoro talk to each other*

They found light sabers.

There was a note on the bag that said ” Kill the zombies, you must.”

They knew what they had to do.

They jumped out at the Zombies and began to attack.

They defeated all the zombies.

But they noticed the Gas Mask guy and Frank were sitting in a tree.

They jumped down.

Dottie ran at the gas mask guy, tackled him to the ground, and ripped the gas mask off.

It was Charlie.

“WHA” they all yelled and got cut off. Frank ran at them. -Camera goes blank-

*Bones being crushed, blood splattering, screaming, skin tearing*

* Next shot, they are all zombies, huddled around the gas mask man*

Puppet Master, Pt. 2 Ideas by Zoe Kasper

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Xanthos must carry out Death’s will. He aid’s the fallen into there eternal rest and also makes contracts with new puppets along the way.

Sneak peek of the puppet master’s promise between death and his sister

“Where are you going..?” She whispered softly, so softly i could barely hear the pain in her tone. Everybody asked the same question, and it’s always the same answer. ” I go where death bid’s me to go…” I said, my tone unreadable as i looked into the distance. “I am death’s shadow, nothing more, and nothing less..”

Characteristics of Xanthos:

He was branded with death’s eternal flames, that flicker from time to time in his eyes.

He never ages.

He tends to talk with a large vocabulary. He also tends to talk old fashioned.

Puppets:

Puppet’s are humans who are afraid of death, they are soulless being’s who walk the earth waiting for the puppet master’s order’s and for the puppet master to release there souls, so that they may finally be judged by death.

Death:

The judge of life and death. His job is simple enough. He must balance the world with good and evil, like how mother earth balances the earth.

Death’s Messenger;

There are 2 messenger’s in Death’s party. The white swan and the black crow. They give the puppet master a list of who to take and where they are.

Shana: Part 2 by Jack Johnston & Katie Klema

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

When Shana woke up it was dark and cold. It was hard to see except for some light coming from another room. She kept hearing cracking noises from down a hallway. Wondering what it was, she went to go check it out. There were boxes filing down the hallway higher than she could see. The boxes had different scenes in them. Some had apartments with fighting couples, a living room with a family, and some had been covered up with sheets and whatnot. The hallway seemed endless in the one direction. The other direction had a large room with more windows.

Filled with curiosity, she cautiously meandered into the room. The windows were basically the same as the ones in the hallway, except for one. Inside this one was her room. Inside her room was her mom and someone who looked an awful lot like Shana. She could tell they were talking but the sound was faraway and cloudy.

This is when she started to panic. How had she gotten in here? All she remembered was waking up and being here. More importantly, how does she get out?

Crazed with anger and fear, she started pounding on the window, screaming at her mom to help her.

On the other side of the mirror, her mom was talking to the girl who she thought was her daughter.

“Mom, listen, I’m really sorry about the way I acted before. I wasn’t feeling well, and with the move and everything I guess I just took it out on you. Can you forgive me?”

“Of course I can, sweetie. I’ll always forgive you.” Said her mom, pulling her into a hug.

Because she was enjoying the rare hug so much, her mom didn’t notice the banging for awhile. Once she did though, she couldn’t ignore it.

“What the devil is that?” she asked.

“It’s nothing, let’s go upstairs and watch a movie.” said the look alike.

“No, I really would like to know what that is.” She walked over the the mirror, gazing in. She thought she could hear a noise coming from it, but it was fading in and out.

Her mom turned around to say something when the glass shattered.

When her mom came to, Shana was sitting next to her.

“Hey mom, how’s it going?”

Her mom looked around the room, remembering what had happened but feeling confused when the floor was clean, she had no cuts and the mirror was hanging on the wall.

“Well I just had the strangest dream. I dreamt that you were apologizing and being nice to me.”

“Are you saying I’m not usually nice to you? That’s not very nice.” Shana said, pouting.

“No no no, it doesn’t matter. It was only a dream.”

Neverwhere: The Sequel by Owen Burns and Eamon Polanski

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:00:00 -0600

Richard and Door were asleep. It was late, around two or three in the morning. Pitch black. Silent. Suddenly, there was a sound, a far off sound, almost a whisper. Richard woke up, looked around, he couldn’t see anything, he fumbled to the table across the room and picked up a lamp and lit it. The flame was blinding in the darkness, but Richard’s eyes got used to the light quickly. He looked around, he didn’t see anything. There it was again, but closer this time. He was sure of it now, someone was yelling.

Door woke up this time, she blinked in the light and looked around for Richard. “What was that? It sounds like someone is in trouble.” “I don’t know, i’ll go check it out.” That was the last thing that he said, and he was gone.

Door sat up awake for hours, at first she thought he was just looking for whoever (or whatever) was making that noise, but then she got worried. “He shouldn’t have been gone for this long” she kept thinking, “Something went wrong.”

As soon as Richard left he felt like something was wrong. It was to quiet. It was never this quiet. There was no breeze, no scurrying of rat paws across the damp ground. Which is why when there was finally a sound, he froze. It was a soft flapping noise, like a small bird was stretching it’s wings. “Hello? Who’s there” Richard said. There was no reply, Richard stood motionless. There it was again, this time closer, more like rustling, closer, it happened again. “Who’s there!? What do you want?” A figure was taking shape at the far end of his vision, a man, hunched over, walking slowly toward him. “Who are you?” Richard said, louder this time. The man stopped in front of Richard, his head bent down so Richard couldn’t see his face. He lifted his head. “Oh Bailey, it’s just you” Richard said “What are you doing here?” “I was looking for you Richard” Bailey said, Richard was about to reply when he heard something behind him, he quickly turned around and lifted his lamp. He got a quick look at a figure behind him, but as soon as he turned the man smashed his lamp and it was dark. “Who’s there? Bailey! Where did you go?” He turned to run but tripped, he stood up, confused, not sure which way was which. Then he felt a blunt object hit him hard in the head, and all was black.

Door was worried when richard didn’t come back. as she sat awake she didn’t know what to do, should she go looking for him? should she get help? she didn’t know. finally she got up, got dressed and decided to go out and search for him. she left a note for the Marquis telling him where she went and when she would be back. then she left for the rat people. She knew that if anybody knew where richard was it would be them

Richard was dazed and confused that the back of his head hurt. he rose slowly, so as not to hurt his head anymore. But wait? he coudn’t get up, Richard realized he was tied to a chair in the middle of a dimly lit room. he looked around the room with interest, he had never seen a prison like this, he was in the middle of what seemed to be a world war 2 Russian army camp. his chair was placed by the fire in the middle of the room, the fire didn’t light up the entire room, giving off the impression that it was a very large room, but Richard had no way of knowing, it was too dark. He heard a noise and turned his head to the side. Old Bailey stepped into the light, “Bailey! what are you doing here? did they get you too?” Richard said “No Richard, they didn’t get me, I got you.”

Richard and Door were asleep. It was late, around two or three in the morning. Pitch black. Silent. Suddenly, there was a sound, a far off sound, almost a whisper. Richard woke up, looked around. He couldn’t see anything. He fumbled to the table across the room and picked up a lamp and lit it. The flame was blinding in the darkness, but Richard’s eyes got used to the light quickly. He looked around. He didn’t see anything. There it was again, but closer this time. He was sure of it now, someone was yelling.

Door woke up from the second scream; she blinked in the light and looked around for Richard. “What was that? It sounds like someone is in trouble.” “I don’t know, I’ll go check it out.” That was the last thing that he said, and he was gone.

As soon as Richard left he felt like something was wrong. It was to quiet. It was never this quiet. There was no breeze, no scurrying of rat paws across the damp ground. Which is why when there was finally a sound, he froze. It was a soft flapping noise, like a small bird was stretching its wings. “Hello? Who’s there? Richard said. There was no reply, Richard stood motionless. There it was again, this time closer, more like rustling, closer, it happened again. “Who’s there!? What do you want?” A figure was taking shape at the far end of his vision, a man, hunched over, walking slowly toward him. “Who are you?” Richard said, louder this time. The man stopped in front of Richard, his head bent down so Richard couldn’t see his face. He lifted his head. “Oh Bailey, it’s just you” Richard said, “What are you doing here?” “I was looking for you Richard” Bailey said, Richard was about to reply when he heard something behind him, he quickly turned around and lifted his lamp. He got a quick look at a figure behind him, but as soon as he turned the man smashed his lamp and it was dark. “Who’s there? Bailey! Where did you go?” He turned to run but tripped, he stood up, confused, not sure which way was which. Then he felt a blunt object hit him hard in the head, and all was black.

Door was worried when Richard didn’t come back. As she sat awake she didn’t know what to do, should she go looking for him? Should she get help? She didn’t know. Finally she got up, got dressed and decided to go out and search for him. She left a note for the Marquis telling him where she went and when she would be back. Then she left for the rat people. She knew that if anybody knew where Richard was it would be them.

Richard was dazed and confused that the back of his head hurt. He rose slowly, so as not to hurt his head anymore. But wait? He couldn’t get up, Richard realized he was tied to a chair in the middle of a dimly lit room. he looked around the room with interest, he had never seen a prison like this, he was in the middle of what seemed to be a world war 2 Russian army camp. his chair was placed by the fire in the middle of the room, the fire didn’t light up the entire room, giving off the impression that it was a very large room, but Richard had no way of knowing, it was too dark. He heard a noise and turned his head to the side. Old Bailey stepped into the light, “Bailey! What are you doing here?” Richard said, “Did they get you too?” “No Richard, they didn’t get me” Old Bailey said, “I got you.”

Puppet Master (brainstorming) by Zoe Kasper

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The puppet master once was an ordinary man like you and I. He once could love and once could hate, until he asked death a favor. Like Death, it is a double-edged blade what you get must be payed.

The Puppet master is a servant of Death.

He walks the world alone, carrying out Death’s deed.

You should not be afraid of death, because Death is just carrying out his duty.

The puppet master goes by the name of Xanthos who was cursed many century’s ago.

Like his name he has golden haired, as if even Apollo had dared to mix his sun rays into the mans hair. His eyes are dark smoldering gray. By just looks alone you can tell he’s not your average man.

His favor for death was to let his sister have more time on earth only to watch death take her the next day.

uhhhhhhh……..

darn you writers block………..

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………….

Hair:
golden/sandy

Eyes:
smoldering or searing gray

Emotion:
none

Smile:
hypnotizing

Shana: The Beginning by Katie Klema

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0600

“Mom I don’t want to go,” said Shana.

“Well we are, so either you pack your things or I will.” said her mom.

Shana and her mom were moving to Barrington - eight hours away. By the time they got there it was dark out and Shana was in a bad mood.

“Leave the things in the car for tonight, we’ll get them in the morning.” said her mom.

Shana nodded and went to the room she had picked out the week before. The only things in the room were a mattress, a sink and a mirror. The mirror was full length and dusty, and she was planning on getting rid of it. She set her stuff down and got on her bed.

Shana got up around seven the next morning after tossing and turning all night. She got up to go get her stuff out of the car to take a shower. After her shower she was standing in her room changing into her clothes when she noticed a crack in the mirror. She went to get a closer look when her mom called her to help with unpacking. After helping her mom carry everything inside, she went down to look at the mirror again and the crack wasn’t there anymore, so she forgot about it.

It took her a couple of weeks to get used to her new house but by that time she knew where all the local bookstores and parks were, though she hadn’t made any friends yet. On the ninth day she had begun to grow impatient scared. She’d been hearing a voice in her room for a couple days. “Mom, there’s no kids in our neighborhood. Why’d we have to move here?” asked Shana.

“So you can get some fresh air.” her mom replied.

“I hate being here with you. And the basement is haunted.”

“It’s not haunted. Have you been taking your medicine?”

“No mom, I don’t need that stuff. You just don’t want me concious about your drinking.” she said and stormed to her room, slamming the door. She looked around her room looking for something to throw. Just seeing the mirror made her mad and she threw her lamp at it, shattering it. Immediately after she regretted it. Thinking about having to clean it up made her want to break it again. Suddenly a wind picks up. In the basement? she thinks.

“It’s about damn time.” said the voice she’d been hearing. She felt a slap and everything went black.