Status: I got most of my ideas from the Iron King.But I hope you all like it...
The Steel King
Ghost In The Computer
Ten years ago my dad disappeared.
No,he did'nt leave.Leaving would imply suitcases and empty drawers,and late birthday
cards with ten--dollar bills stuffed inside.Leaving would imply that he was'nt happy with mom
and me,or that he found someone new to love.None of that was true.
He also did not die,because we would've heard about it.
There was no car crash,no body being found,no mingling about a scene of a brutel murder.
It all happened very quietly.
On my eighth birthday,my dad took me to City Park.A big park thats famous in the New Orleans area.It was also one of my favorite places.
We went at an early morning,when the park would be emptied and no one would be around
to stop from going on the slide's.
It was a bueatiful park,City Park,surrounded by sweet scented pine tree's and misty green
pound deep in its woods.We were at the edge of that pond,feeding the ducks,and laughing
at an old memory my mom seemed to remind us both of.The day when she broke a heel in
public,and when I started crying because my ice-cream suddenly fell of its cone.
I was a baby at the time,and my dad was young.He did'nt know what to do with me then,but
he told me a year of practice suddenly payed of.We were still sitting at the pond,but then the jingle's of an ice-cream truck sounded from the distance.
I begged my dad to get me an Ice-Cream Sandwich,but he just laughed,handed me a few bills,and sent me after the truck.
It was the last time I saw him.
Later,when the police searched the area,they discovered his socks at the edge of the water,
they tried searching for his shoe's but did'nt find them.
They sent divers into the pond,but it was barely ten feet down,and they found nothing but
branches and mud at the buttom.
My dad had disappeared without a trace.
~~~
My name is Alex Bryce.
In less then 24 hours I'll be 16.
16,its such a big age for girls like me.
Its the age when a girl meets that special someone.
When she meets prince charming.
When she falls in love and ride away in his carriage.
But I don't think that could happen to me.
Because to me,16's just another way of saying "Welcome to growing up."
The morning before my birthday,I woke up,showered,and rummaged through my dresser for
something to wear.Normally,I'd just grabe whatever cleanish thing is on the floor,but today
was special.Today was the day Bryan Web would finally see me.
I wanted to look perfect.Of course,my wardrobe is probally lacking in the popular-attire department.While other other girls spend hours in front of thier closets crying "What should I wear?!"My drawers basically hold three things:Clothe's from USA Therft store,hand-me-downs,and overalls.
I wish we were'nt so poor,I know pig farming is'nt the most glamorous of jobs,but you 'd think
Mom could afford to buy me at least one pair of nice jeans.I glared at my scanty wardrobe in
disgust.Oh,well,I guess Bryan will have to be wowed with my natural grace and charm,if I don't make an idiot of myself in front of him.
I finally slipped into cargo pants,a neautral green T-shirt,and my only pair of ratty sneakers,
before dragging a com and a brush through my light-brown hair.My hair is striaght and very fine,and was doing that stupid floating thing agian,where it looked like I'd jammed my finger
up an electrical outlet.Yanking it into a ponytail,I wnt downstairs.
Dave,my stepfather,sat at the table,drinking tea and leafing through the towns tiny newspaper,wich reads more like our high school gossip column than a real news source.
"Man gone wild on French Quater Voodoo Store" the front page screamed; you get the idea.
Chase,my four year old half brother,sat on his father's lap,eating a Toster-Struttle and get crumbs on Dave's jeans.He clutched his favorite stuffed animal,name Rocky,in one arm and
occasionally tried to it his breaskfast; the bears face was full of crumbs and fruit filling.
Chase is a good kid.He has his fathers's curly brown hair,but like me and mom shared our smoky gray eye's.He's the type of kid old ladies coo at and people stop to stare at.Mom and Dave dote on thier baby,but it does'nt seem to spoil him,thank goodness.
"Where's mom?"I asked as I entered the kitchen.Opening a cabinet door,I scoured the boxes of cereal for the one I liked, wondering if Mom remembered to pick it up.Of course
she had'nt.Nothing but fiber squares and disgusting marshmallow cereals for Chase.
Was it to hard to remember Cheerios? Dave ignord me and sipped his tea.Chase chewed his Toster-Struttle and coughed on his fathers arm.I slammed the cabniet door with a satisfying bang.
"Where's Mom?"I asked,a bit louder this time.Dave jerked his head up and finally looked at me.His lazy brown eye's,like those of a cow,registered mild surprise.
"Oh,hello Alex," he said camly."I did'nt hear you come in.What did you say?"
I sighed and repeated my question for the third time.
"She had a meeting with some of the ladies at church"Dave mummered,turning back to his paper."She won't be back for a few hours,so you'll have to take the bus."
I always took the bus.I just wanted to remind Mom that she was supposed to take me to get
a learners permit this weekend.With Dave,it was hopeless.I could tell him something fourteen diffrent times,and he'd forget it the moment I left the room.It wasn't that Dave was mean or milicious,or even stupid.He adored Chase,and Mom seemed truly happy with him.
But,every time I spoke to my stepdad,he would look at me with genuine surprise,as if he'd forgotten I lived here,too.
I grabed a bagel from top of the fridge and chewed it sullenly,keeping an eye on the clock.
Beau,my Labordoddle,wandered in and put his big head on my knee.I scartched him behind
his ears and he groaned.At least the DOG appreciated me,
Dave stood,gently placing Chase back in his seat."All right,big guy"Dave said,kissing Chase
on top his head."Dad has to fix the bathroom sink,so you sit there and be good.When I'm done,we'll go feed the pigs,okay?"
" 'Kay," Chase chirped,swinging his chubby legs."Rocky wants to se if Ms.Daisy had her babies yet."
Dave smile was so disgustingly proud,I flt nauseous."Hey,Dave"I said,as he turned to go,
"bet you can't guess what tommorrow is."
"Mmm?"He did'nt even turn around."I don't know,Alexandra.If you have plans tomorrow,talk to
your mother." He snapped his fingers,and Beau immedately left me to follow him.Thier foot
steps faded up the stairs,and I was alone with my half brother.
Chase kicked his feet,regrading me in that solemn way of his."I know"he announced softly,
putting his Toster-Struttle on the table."Tomorrow's your birthday,is'nt it? Rocky told me,and I
remembered."
"Yeah"I muttered,turning and lobbing the bagel into the trash can.It hit the wall with a thump and dropped inside,leaving a greasy smear on the paint.I smirked and decided to leave it.
"Rocky says to tell you happy early birthday."
"Tell Rocky thanks."I ruffled Chase's hair as I left the kitchen,my mood completely soured.I knew it.Mom and Dave would completely forget my birthday tomorrow.I would'nt get a card,or
a cake,or even a "happy birthday" from anyone.Except my kid brother's stuffed bear.How pathetic was that?
Back in my room,I grabed books,homework,gym clothes,and the iPod I'd spent a year saving for,despite Dave's disdain of those "useless,brain--numbing gadgets."In true hick
fashion,my stepfather dislikes and distrusts anything that could make life easier.Cell phones? No way, we've got a perfectly good landline.Video games? They're the devils tools,
turning kids into delinquents and seriel killers.I've begged Mom over and over to buy me a laptop for school, but Dave insists that if his ancient, clunky PC is good enough for him, its
good enough for the family.Never mind the dial-up takes flipping FOREVER. I mean,who uses dial-up anymore?
I checked my watch and swore.The bus would arrive shortly,and I had a good ten minute walk to the road.Looking out the window, I saw the sky was gray and heavy with rain, so I grabbed my jacket,as well.And,not for the first time,I wish we lived closer to town.
I swear when I get a license and a car,I am never coming back to place,I thought.
"Alex?"Chase hovered in the doorway,clutching his bear under his chin.His gray eyes regraded me somberly.
"Can I go with you today?"
"What?"Shrugging into my jacket, I gazed around for my back pack."No,Chase.I'm going to school now.Big-kids school,no rug rats allowed."
I turned away, only to feel two small arms wrap around my leg.Putting my hand agianst the wall to avoid falling,I glared down at my half brother.Chase clung to me doggedly,his face tilted up to mine,his jaw set."Please?"he begged."I'll be good I promise.Take me with you?
Just for a day?"
With a sigh,I bent down and picked him up.
"Whats up squirt?"I asked,brushing his hair out of his eyes.Mom would have to cut it soon; it
was starting to look like a birds nest."Your awfully clingy this morning.Whats going on?"
"Scared"Chase muttered,burying his face in my neck.
"Your scared? Of what?"
He shook his head,"Rocky scared."
"Whats Rocky scared of?"
"The creature in the closet."
I felt a small chill slide up my back.Sometimes Chase was so quiet and serious,it was hard to remember he was only four.He still had childish fears of monsters under his bead and bogeyman in his closet.In Chase world,stuffed animals spoke to him,invisable men waved
to him in the bushes,and creatures tapped long nails agianst his bedroom window.
He rarely went to Mom or Dave with stories of monsters and bogeyman; from the time he was old enough to walk,he only came to me.
I sighed,knowing he wanted me to go upstairs and check,to reassure him that nothing lurked in his closet or under his bed.I kept a flash light on his dresser for that very reason.
Outside lightening flickered and thunder rumbled in the distance.I winced.My walk to the bus was not going to be pleasent.
Damnit, I don't have time for this,I thought.
Chase pulled back and looked at me,eye's pleading.I sighed agian.
"Fine"I muttered,putting him down."Lets go check for monsters."
He followed me silently up the stairs,watching anxiously as I grabed the flashlight and got down on my knee's,shining it under the bed."No monsters there"I announced,standing up.
I walked to the closet door and slung it open,as Chase peeked from behind my legs."No monsters here either.Think you'll be alright now?"
He nodded and gaved me a faint smile.I started to close the door when I notcied a strange gray hat in the corner.It was domed on top with a circular rim and red band around the base:
a bowler hat.
Wierd.Why would that be there? I thought.
As I strightened and started to turn around, something moved out the corner of my eye
No,he did'nt leave.Leaving would imply suitcases and empty drawers,and late birthday
cards with ten--dollar bills stuffed inside.Leaving would imply that he was'nt happy with mom
and me,or that he found someone new to love.None of that was true.
He also did not die,because we would've heard about it.
There was no car crash,no body being found,no mingling about a scene of a brutel murder.
It all happened very quietly.
On my eighth birthday,my dad took me to City Park.A big park thats famous in the New Orleans area.It was also one of my favorite places.
We went at an early morning,when the park would be emptied and no one would be around
to stop from going on the slide's.
It was a bueatiful park,City Park,surrounded by sweet scented pine tree's and misty green
pound deep in its woods.We were at the edge of that pond,feeding the ducks,and laughing
at an old memory my mom seemed to remind us both of.The day when she broke a heel in
public,and when I started crying because my ice-cream suddenly fell of its cone.
I was a baby at the time,and my dad was young.He did'nt know what to do with me then,but
he told me a year of practice suddenly payed of.We were still sitting at the pond,but then the jingle's of an ice-cream truck sounded from the distance.
I begged my dad to get me an Ice-Cream Sandwich,but he just laughed,handed me a few bills,and sent me after the truck.
It was the last time I saw him.
Later,when the police searched the area,they discovered his socks at the edge of the water,
they tried searching for his shoe's but did'nt find them.
They sent divers into the pond,but it was barely ten feet down,and they found nothing but
branches and mud at the buttom.
My dad had disappeared without a trace.
~~~
My name is Alex Bryce.
In less then 24 hours I'll be 16.
16,its such a big age for girls like me.
Its the age when a girl meets that special someone.
When she meets prince charming.
When she falls in love and ride away in his carriage.
But I don't think that could happen to me.
Because to me,16's just another way of saying "Welcome to growing up."
The morning before my birthday,I woke up,showered,and rummaged through my dresser for
something to wear.Normally,I'd just grabe whatever cleanish thing is on the floor,but today
was special.Today was the day Bryan Web would finally see me.
I wanted to look perfect.Of course,my wardrobe is probally lacking in the popular-attire department.While other other girls spend hours in front of thier closets crying "What should I wear?!"My drawers basically hold three things:Clothe's from USA Therft store,hand-me-downs,and overalls.
I wish we were'nt so poor,I know pig farming is'nt the most glamorous of jobs,but you 'd think
Mom could afford to buy me at least one pair of nice jeans.I glared at my scanty wardrobe in
disgust.Oh,well,I guess Bryan will have to be wowed with my natural grace and charm,if I don't make an idiot of myself in front of him.
I finally slipped into cargo pants,a neautral green T-shirt,and my only pair of ratty sneakers,
before dragging a com and a brush through my light-brown hair.My hair is striaght and very fine,and was doing that stupid floating thing agian,where it looked like I'd jammed my finger
up an electrical outlet.Yanking it into a ponytail,I wnt downstairs.
Dave,my stepfather,sat at the table,drinking tea and leafing through the towns tiny newspaper,wich reads more like our high school gossip column than a real news source.
"Man gone wild on French Quater Voodoo Store" the front page screamed; you get the idea.
Chase,my four year old half brother,sat on his father's lap,eating a Toster-Struttle and get crumbs on Dave's jeans.He clutched his favorite stuffed animal,name Rocky,in one arm and
occasionally tried to it his breaskfast; the bears face was full of crumbs and fruit filling.
Chase is a good kid.He has his fathers's curly brown hair,but like me and mom shared our smoky gray eye's.He's the type of kid old ladies coo at and people stop to stare at.Mom and Dave dote on thier baby,but it does'nt seem to spoil him,thank goodness.
"Where's mom?"I asked as I entered the kitchen.Opening a cabinet door,I scoured the boxes of cereal for the one I liked, wondering if Mom remembered to pick it up.Of course
she had'nt.Nothing but fiber squares and disgusting marshmallow cereals for Chase.
Was it to hard to remember Cheerios? Dave ignord me and sipped his tea.Chase chewed his Toster-Struttle and coughed on his fathers arm.I slammed the cabniet door with a satisfying bang.
"Where's Mom?"I asked,a bit louder this time.Dave jerked his head up and finally looked at me.His lazy brown eye's,like those of a cow,registered mild surprise.
"Oh,hello Alex," he said camly."I did'nt hear you come in.What did you say?"
I sighed and repeated my question for the third time.
"She had a meeting with some of the ladies at church"Dave mummered,turning back to his paper."She won't be back for a few hours,so you'll have to take the bus."
I always took the bus.I just wanted to remind Mom that she was supposed to take me to get
a learners permit this weekend.With Dave,it was hopeless.I could tell him something fourteen diffrent times,and he'd forget it the moment I left the room.It wasn't that Dave was mean or milicious,or even stupid.He adored Chase,and Mom seemed truly happy with him.
But,every time I spoke to my stepdad,he would look at me with genuine surprise,as if he'd forgotten I lived here,too.
I grabed a bagel from top of the fridge and chewed it sullenly,keeping an eye on the clock.
Beau,my Labordoddle,wandered in and put his big head on my knee.I scartched him behind
his ears and he groaned.At least the DOG appreciated me,
Dave stood,gently placing Chase back in his seat."All right,big guy"Dave said,kissing Chase
on top his head."Dad has to fix the bathroom sink,so you sit there and be good.When I'm done,we'll go feed the pigs,okay?"
" 'Kay," Chase chirped,swinging his chubby legs."Rocky wants to se if Ms.Daisy had her babies yet."
Dave smile was so disgustingly proud,I flt nauseous."Hey,Dave"I said,as he turned to go,
"bet you can't guess what tommorrow is."
"Mmm?"He did'nt even turn around."I don't know,Alexandra.If you have plans tomorrow,talk to
your mother." He snapped his fingers,and Beau immedately left me to follow him.Thier foot
steps faded up the stairs,and I was alone with my half brother.
Chase kicked his feet,regrading me in that solemn way of his."I know"he announced softly,
putting his Toster-Struttle on the table."Tomorrow's your birthday,is'nt it? Rocky told me,and I
remembered."
"Yeah"I muttered,turning and lobbing the bagel into the trash can.It hit the wall with a thump and dropped inside,leaving a greasy smear on the paint.I smirked and decided to leave it.
"Rocky says to tell you happy early birthday."
"Tell Rocky thanks."I ruffled Chase's hair as I left the kitchen,my mood completely soured.I knew it.Mom and Dave would completely forget my birthday tomorrow.I would'nt get a card,or
a cake,or even a "happy birthday" from anyone.Except my kid brother's stuffed bear.How pathetic was that?
Back in my room,I grabed books,homework,gym clothes,and the iPod I'd spent a year saving for,despite Dave's disdain of those "useless,brain--numbing gadgets."In true hick
fashion,my stepfather dislikes and distrusts anything that could make life easier.Cell phones? No way, we've got a perfectly good landline.Video games? They're the devils tools,
turning kids into delinquents and seriel killers.I've begged Mom over and over to buy me a laptop for school, but Dave insists that if his ancient, clunky PC is good enough for him, its
good enough for the family.Never mind the dial-up takes flipping FOREVER. I mean,who uses dial-up anymore?
I checked my watch and swore.The bus would arrive shortly,and I had a good ten minute walk to the road.Looking out the window, I saw the sky was gray and heavy with rain, so I grabbed my jacket,as well.And,not for the first time,I wish we lived closer to town.
I swear when I get a license and a car,I am never coming back to place,I thought.
"Alex?"Chase hovered in the doorway,clutching his bear under his chin.His gray eyes regraded me somberly.
"Can I go with you today?"
"What?"Shrugging into my jacket, I gazed around for my back pack."No,Chase.I'm going to school now.Big-kids school,no rug rats allowed."
I turned away, only to feel two small arms wrap around my leg.Putting my hand agianst the wall to avoid falling,I glared down at my half brother.Chase clung to me doggedly,his face tilted up to mine,his jaw set."Please?"he begged."I'll be good I promise.Take me with you?
Just for a day?"
With a sigh,I bent down and picked him up.
"Whats up squirt?"I asked,brushing his hair out of his eyes.Mom would have to cut it soon; it
was starting to look like a birds nest."Your awfully clingy this morning.Whats going on?"
"Scared"Chase muttered,burying his face in my neck.
"Your scared? Of what?"
He shook his head,"Rocky scared."
"Whats Rocky scared of?"
"The creature in the closet."
I felt a small chill slide up my back.Sometimes Chase was so quiet and serious,it was hard to remember he was only four.He still had childish fears of monsters under his bead and bogeyman in his closet.In Chase world,stuffed animals spoke to him,invisable men waved
to him in the bushes,and creatures tapped long nails agianst his bedroom window.
He rarely went to Mom or Dave with stories of monsters and bogeyman; from the time he was old enough to walk,he only came to me.
I sighed,knowing he wanted me to go upstairs and check,to reassure him that nothing lurked in his closet or under his bed.I kept a flash light on his dresser for that very reason.
Outside lightening flickered and thunder rumbled in the distance.I winced.My walk to the bus was not going to be pleasent.
Damnit, I don't have time for this,I thought.
Chase pulled back and looked at me,eye's pleading.I sighed agian.
"Fine"I muttered,putting him down."Lets go check for monsters."
He followed me silently up the stairs,watching anxiously as I grabed the flashlight and got down on my knee's,shining it under the bed."No monsters there"I announced,standing up.
I walked to the closet door and slung it open,as Chase peeked from behind my legs."No monsters here either.Think you'll be alright now?"
He nodded and gaved me a faint smile.I started to close the door when I notcied a strange gray hat in the corner.It was domed on top with a circular rim and red band around the base:
a bowler hat.
Wierd.Why would that be there? I thought.
As I strightened and started to turn around, something moved out the corner of my eye
♠ ♠ ♠
Not done.