Web pages

So here I am, almost done updating my web pages. Deciding that I would lke to know if anybody really cares I put a counter on my page. Lo and behold, nobody even looks at my site except me, and that is just to make sure that the pages work properly.

Not that I'm horribly surprised. I mean, it's not like I'm famous, don't really want to be either. But not even my friends look at my page. But, I really rarely glance at theirs too.

This raises the follwing question: If nobody looks at personal pages, why do we bother to make them?

I think it's just so that we can say that we have one. We need to feel important, so we put ourselves out on the internet for all to see. Family and friends might stop by once in a while and them email you about how great everything looks and then the website collects dust again for another six months.

Anyway, I guess if nothing else the story is being posted on my web page, for anybody who actually reads it. And with that said we continue on:

[Untitled]
10

Julius watched her sleep. He wondered if he shouldn’t have waited on hypnosis. This was a second night of memories for her, and whether it was a good or bad thing was yet to be seen.

Last night had been just a taste of her previous lives. Her mind had tried to ease her into it, but it seemed that other forces were at work this night. Kyra’s sleep was restless, and not without sorrow.

Julius set his hand upon her brow. She calmed at the touch, his energy offsetting the forces trying to pull the dark times from the past of her soul.

He lost track of time there, calming the turmoil of her mind. Deep in his own thoughts he didn’t even notice when she jerked awake.

“I think I’m okay now.”

“Hmmm?” he asked distractedly.

“Julius, I’m okay now. I think that whatever was causing the bad dreams has passed now. You can relax.”

Julius removed his hand from her brow. “Are you sure?”

“As much as I can be. Now you need to get some rest too.”

“Kyra, are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“Yes, now either relax or leave the room. I’ll not have you hovering over me all night when you need rest as much as I do. So make your choice.”

Julius sat down in the chair next to the bed, and pulled a blanket about him.

“If you would rather lay down there is a cot in the garage. We used to use it when we went camping.”

“Cot?”

“Fold-out bed.”

“I think I’ll be good for tonight. Maybe we’ll set up the cot tomorrow.”

Maureen yawned. “Okay, then. Goodnight.”

Julius stayed awake until he heard her breathing develop the rhythm of sleep. Then he allowed himself to follow into the realms of the mind that sleep creates.

***

He was in the forest near his home. It was just after sunset, and he had just woken up.

He heard an owl swoop to the ground. A slight crunch as it caught a mouse told him that it had just caught its first meal of the evening.

He continued walking through the woods. The evening was cool, with a slight breeze. He could smell moisture on the breeze, it was a few days off, but it would rain within the week.

He heard a twig snap behind him, followed by a scuttling in the underbrush. Probably a young animal, trying to hunt on its own.

He continued moving.

Another snap, closer this time, too close.

Julius whirled just in time to avoid the attack. Back stepping, he fought to keep his balance as his attacker moved in.

Unable to switch from the defensive to the offensive, Julius just kept moving backward. He soon found himself backed up against a tree.

A cruel grin crossed his attacker’s face. He could see that this was going to be long and painful way to die if he did not soon gain the upper hand.

A sword slashed open his left forearm. As the sword pulled away a knife came up and slashed the cheek on the same side.

As the attacker pulled away to strike again, Julius looked up to see a low hanging branch. It was small, but it might do.

He jumped up and grabbed the branch. He felt it giving way, but it had given him the chance that he needed. Before the branch broke, he was able to plant both his feet to his attacker’s shoulders.

As Julius regained the ground he was finally able to draw his own weapon.

The attacker, however, was not about to let Julius get on the offensive. Julius was blocking the blows instead of backing away from them now, but he was still losing ground.

He saw an opening, and went for it. He instantly regretted it, as he felt his attacker’s sword slice deep into his back.

Julius fell to the ground. Unable to feel his legs, he knew that he was as good as dead. Still he slashed at his attacker’s legs, trying to keep a minimum distance from the attacks.

His sword was knocked from his hands. “Give up, Julius. You know that you cannot win against me.”

“Go to hell, Jack.”

“No thanks, I intend to bring hell to me, and anybody unlucky enough to be near me. That includes your precious Kyra.”

“You leave her alone.”

“You know that cannot happen. You’ve known that she and I were prophesied to fight over a thousand years ago. Besides, I should end her misery early. She doesn’t have a chance and you know it.”

“I know no such thing.”

“Defiant to the end. You should be glad that this is just a dream.”

“I’m always glad to get away from your hideous visage.”

“Wish granted,” Jack said with a sinister smile.

The sword went through Julius’ heart, while the knife sliced through his neck.