Our cat started having kittens yesterday and she's still having them today. There are five living right now. One of them didn't get formed completely and was still born.
The "sleep" over was way fun, and my new name is Cora now.(or so the other girls say.) We all had new names that night. The new names were chosen based upon what everyone else thought we looked like.
Courtney: Madison
Leighanne: Jennifer
Sarah: Allison
Eyliah: Samantha
Esther: Claire or Charity (we never did decide so instead we call her Clairity :)
Christa: Marion
Briana: Cora
Anyways here is a story that I wrote for the contest. We were all given a sentance to start our story out with. This is the sentance with which we had to begin
"I stopped my frantic flight for a moment to take stock of my surroundings and catch my breath. No matter where I looked I couldn’t seem to see anything familiar. Gradually the realization struck me that I was completely lost."
well here it is for those of you who care to read it. It's not very good but whatever, I'll post it anyhow.
Camel CaperI stopped my frantic flight for a moment to take stock of my surroundings and catch my breath. No matter where I looked I couldn't seem to see anything familiar. Gradually the realization struck me that I was completely lost. I wish I could say that I was also completely alone.
"Drat this overpopulated market!" I pushed my way through the crowded streets of the old city that sat in the southern region of Israel, just shy of the Saudi Arabian border. I had to be at a meeting with the Israeli historians. I would be late.
"Arthur!" yelled a voice from the crowd. I turned around. It was Will.
"Arthur I thought I'd lost you," he said walking up. "We need to stay together, you know for protection."
"Oh, please spare me. I don't need your protection. In fact, I don't need anything from you," I said and began to walk off.
"Oh, come on Art, don't be so glum. You have to admit that this is fun! You and me, seeing the world, having adventures. Isn't it great?" He fell into step beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. "Just like we always said we would. King Authur and his trusty knight, Sir William, out on another quest," he finished with a grin and a far off look in his eye.
"No," I replied coldly taking his arm off my shoulder. "We're here because I need to do ancient history research for the museum. I won't be distracted by your dumb ideas. Are we clear?"
"Yeah, sure Art, whatever you say," he said, his smile vanishing.
"Well, let's get back. I have a meeting."
"Okay. It's this way" he said pointing and walking in the opposite direction that I had been going.
"I knew that," I said, turning to follow.
"Of course you did," he said trying not to laugh. "What's so important about that paper you're working on anyway?" he asked
"The written word is a powerful thing," I replied "If I do a good enough job on this research project it could get me a big promotion at the museum, not to mention recognition in the historic community," I said "The only problem is I haven't discovered anything exciting and new to write about the whole time we've been here," I finished speaking as we came to the door of the inn.
"Well, I'm sure something will turn up," said Will encouragingly, "You'll see."
"Sure," I replied sourly, walking inside. Later that same day, I was deep in thought studying at my desk, when I was suddenly interrupted.
" Arthur!" Will burst into the room shouting, accidentally slammed the door against the wall which startled me causing my ink to spill all over the desk, ruining my paper.
"Ahhh! What is it?" I asked angrily getting up, and being careful not to get ink on me.
"Art you've got to come and see this! We have to do this while we're here." He paced the room excitedly. "Come and see!"
"Will," I said in a warning tone, "This had better be important.
I followed after Will who was rushing along at a fast pace. I squeezed through the crowded market. I'd almost lost sight of him when I spotted him passing through the south gate. He ran several hundred yards into the desert where he stopped and stood staring.
"Will," I said in a raspy voice, and panting as I came up beside him. "What's going on? Why did you bring me all the way out here?"
"To see this" he answered.
"All I see is a bunch of sand," I said, my head down and hands on knees, trying to catch my breath.
"Just look," he said.
I stood and raised my head. There were several familiar figures moving around in the dusky distance. I soon recognized them.
"Camels?" I questioned. "You brought me all the way out here to see camels?!"
"Isn't it fascinating?" replied Will. He hadn't realized that I didn't share his enthusiasm. "You have to promise me that you and I will learn to ride one before we go home."
"Will," I said stiffly, trying not to let my temper get the better of me. "I have a research assignment to complete, and if I don't have it finished by the end of this week, I could lose my position at the museum, and unless these camels can help me finish it then I'm going back to the Inn and try to repair all the damage you did to my desk!"
Will continued watching. "I wonder what those riders are doing running around out here at sunset," he pondered, paying no mind that I was talking to him.
"Did you hear what I said?!" I shouted, not caring about my temper anymore.
"Look how fast they are!" he exclaimed.
I looked over at the camels. They had drawn amazingly close in the few moments I had looked away. They were picking up more speed the closer they got.
"Who are they?" asked Will, curiously watching them draw nearer.
"Arabs," I gasped, suddenly remembering the warning from the inn keeper not to be out side the city after sunset. "Uh, I think we should get back to the city," I said turning slightly. "Right now!" I took several steps back.
"Why, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Stop asking dumb questions, and run!" I yelled. We both turned and began running toward the city gate. We ran hard, but it was not fast enough.
I looked up in time to see a black clad arm reach down and jerk me up onto the camels back. I struggled to get free but to no avail.
"Let me go!" I cried out, still fighting the iron grip. Suddenly I remembered Will. I spotted him on another camel, and waved to get his attention. He saw me and began to shout.
"When I said I wanted to ride a camel this wasn't exactly what I had in mind!" Darkness fell.
I awoke to a throbbing sensation in the back of my head. My feet and hands were tied, making it difficult to move. I looked around the room. I was in some kind of cave like structure. It was hard to see when the only light was from the torches that were burning in the other room.
"Art?" whispered a voice. "You awake?"
"Will? Yeah, I'm awake. Where are you?"
"I'm over here to your right." I rolled over. "Did they knock you out too?" I asked still feeling the swelling lump on my head.
"Yeah, I guess they didn't want us talking with each other," he said.
"They didn't want us to see where we were being taken either," I said still whispering.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" he asked hopefully.
"No," I replied
"Why would they want to take us?" he asked
"They're scavengers, and technically we were on their side of the border when we were captured. They probably thought they could make a profit off of us, from any money we had on us and maybe a ransom."
"But we aren't wealthy!" exclaimed Will.
"They think all Americans are rich," I replied. "Even though we're not, they could still sell us as slaves to make a profit."
"What are we gonna do?" he asked in a worried tone.
"First, you need to stop asking pesky questions then we need to get untied," I said. "Turn over so I can untie you."
He rolled over and I began to untie the knots on his wrists. They were tight and difficult, but I managed to get them loose. Next he untied mine, our ankles were last. Once free, we got up slowly and quietly and began looking around the room.
"Do you see anything we could use as a weapon?" I asked squinting in the dark.
"No, there's nothing in here but a bunch of maps and a few books," he replied, looking at them thoughtfully. He picked up a bag that lay on the table and began stuffing them in it.
"What are you doing?" I asked
"They might come in handy," he replied
I rolled my eyes. "They'll just get in the way."
He kept packing them.
Be careful!" I scolded. "They look fragile."
After he had filled the bag, we cautiously walked into the next room. It was empty save for some blankets and pallets. We heard voices approaching.
"Hurry," I said, beginning to run.
We took a passage to the left. It led us through a dark tunnel with long shelf like holes cut out in the side of the rock. There were symbols of the cross engraved all along the walls. I soon realized where we were. We were walking through a catacomb.
I paused to look at some of the bodies. I was curious to know who these people had been. They all wore the same long robe like apparel though it was deteriorated badly.
I had an idea. "Let me see one of those maps." I grabbed the paper from Will's bag, unrolling it. "These aren't maps. "These are scrolls! Extraordinary," I said in awe studying the parchment. "If I'm correct, these bodies are the bodies of some of the first Christ believing hermits!"
"I thought hermits lived alone," said Will.
"Yes, but these hermits were different. Their lives were similar to that of monks," I replied. "In fact this could be one of the first monastaries! This is just what I needed for my research. I'm glad I discovered it," I said as we continued down the passage.
" Right," mumbled Will to himself. "You found it."
We made it to the end of the tunnel and suddenly found ourselves outside beneath a bright starlit sky.
"We need to find the camels," I said, and looked around me. We paused and listened for a moment. A faint grunting sound came from down the caverns to the right. We raced toward it, our footsteps fell silent on the soft sand.
We reached the stables and scanned the area for guards. There was one on watch inside, but he had fallen asleep. It was near sunrise.
" I'll do it," offered Will.
"No. This has to be done right. I'll go in," I replied.
"I might be your little brother, but I'm not a baby you know!" he exclaimed, his nerves on edge.
"Will, if I let you do this, we'll end up as slaves for sure," I said passing in front of him. He fell silent, and became rigid, his jaw tight as if gritting his teeth. Only his eyes moved as he watched me enter the cave.
There were 20 camels contentedly dozing. We only needed two, but we would have to chase the others off into the desert so we couldn't be followed.
I led the camels out of the cave two at a time, cautiously so as not to wake the guard.
After I led out the last pair and shooed them off into the desert, Will and I went back in for the last two, ready to make our escape. I glanced over my shoulder. The guard was still asleep. I was mounting the camel when my wet and clammy hands lost their grip. I fell down, knocking over the trough. Will silently walked over to help me.
"Stop!" yelled a heavily accented voice.
I'd forgotten about the guard. He had awoken.
Will and I stood motionless. For the first time I didn't know what to do. The Arab held us at gun point. There was nothing to do but surrender. I slowly raised my hands and told Will to do the same. Will calmly raised his hands in the air. He held a book in one hand.
"Turn round!" commanded the man in broken English.
I began to turn but suddenly Will, without warning or hesitation, threw his book as hard as he could at the Arab's head. It hit him above his temples. The guard collapsed; he was out cold.
" Nice shot!" I said standing astonished.
Will shrugged his shoulders as he retrieved the book. "The written word is powerful thing," he said with a grin.
"Maybe Will's not useless after all," I thought, smiling to myself.
We finally mounted the camels. As soon as we left the stables, Arabs came rushing out of cave openings everywhere. Gun shots rang out. They were shooting at us! We sped our camels on as fast as we could, but the bullets were faster. I was hit. I cried out as a searing pain shot down my leg. My sight began to fade. I felt someone's arm grab me and a voice spoke.
"You're gonna make it Art, I've got you."
I felt myself falling. I jerked awake. A bright light was shining through the window. I was laying in a soft bed. A familiar voice began to speak. "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad" I replied looking up at Will. "I'm afraid I owe you an apology," I said shamefully.
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed, "no need to apologize for anything."
"I'm afraid there is, though," I said continuing. "I haven't exactly been treating you right lately. I'm ashamed for the way I've treated you. Putting you down all the time, acting like I'm better than you, like you can't do anything right, and just a burden on me. In fact I turned out to be the one who was a burden. You saved my life, Will. I wanted to thank you for that, and I want you to know how sorry I am. I hope you can forgive me for all that I've done." I stared down at my blanket. I couldn't look at him. I couldn't expect him to forgive me, though I hoped he would.
"Thanks, Art" he replied with a soft smile. "You don't know what it means to me to hear you say that and of course I forgive you!" he said breaking out in a big grin and giving me a hug. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, there is one more thing," I said. "I'm going to tell the museum that you found the scrolls, so it looks like I'm gonna have to go find another artifact for my research," I looked up at him smiling.
"The great King Arthur isn't going to set out on another quest now is he?" he asked in a playful tone.
"Only if his most brave and valiant knight Sir William is coming too," I replied sitting up. "Though, there'll be no camels this time," I said, wincing.
"Oh?" said Will raising an eyebrow in question.
"No," I continued, "King Arthur must let his bullet wounds heal before attempting that," I said smiling and patting my rump.
Will's puzzled look broke into a broad grin, and he let out a hearty laugh.
